Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information and offers.
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.
Citi Premier® Card overview
The Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) is an under-the-radar gem with a phenomenal range of bonus categories. While the card isn’t as strong on the redemption side as similar offerings from Chase or Amex, the ability to earn 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout) for just $95 a year is still a pretty great deal. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Citi Premier Card is one of the best earners on a wide variety of everyday spending. It accrues 3 points per dollar with airlines, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets — an excellent slate of bonus categories for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Not only that, but the points you earn with the Citi Premier are among the most versatile rewards currencies and are worth 1.8 cents each by TPG valuations. That’s because Citi has improved the ThankYou Rewards program substantially over the years to compete with American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Here’s what else you should know about this card — and why you might want to apply now.
Related: The best Citi credit cards
Citi Premier welcome offer
The Citi Premier is currently offering 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. According to our valuations, that bonus is worth $1,080. However, we have seen a public offer for 75,000 points for the same spending requirement, so opt for that offer if you can access it.
Citi uses a rather interesting rule to determine bonus eligibility. You won’t be able to earn the bonus on the Citi Premier if you’ve opened or closed the Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees), Citi ThankYou® Preferred*, Citi Premier or Citi Prestige® Card*in the last 24 months. Most issuers count that time solely based on when you opened a card or received a bonus, but with Citi, your clock also resets if you close a card, so it’s all in the timing.
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*The Citi ThankYou Preferred and Citi Prestige are no longer available for new applicants. The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
There’s a $95 annual fee on the Citi Premier.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Earning points on the Citi Premier
The Citi Premier’s earning structure is one aspect where the card shines. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on purchases in the following categories, with no caps or annual limits:
The card also earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
These earning rates are among the most impressive of any travel rewards card, especially considering the Citi Premier’s affordable annual fee.
To coincide with the launch of Citi Travel with Booking.com, Premier cardholders can earn 10 points per dollar on bookings for hotels, rental cars and eligible attractions when booking through the portal through June 30, 2024.
Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100
Redeeming points on the Citi Premier
The Citi Premier is also a top choice for travelers, thanks to its participation in the ThankYou Rewards program, which currently has 14 airline transfer partners and two hotel partners.
While you’ll notice that many of the frequent flyer programs are those of international airlines, there are still some high-value (and easily redeemable) awards to be booked through them.
For instance, you can leverage Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles for decent business-class award availability on those airlines and their SkyTeam partners, get some phenomenal deals on Star Alliance awards using Avianca LifeMiles and snag some great Oneworld tickets with Qatar Privilege Club.
You can also redeem your ThankYou Points for travel directly through the Citi portal at a rate of 1 cent each, but that’s well below TPG’s valuation of ThankYou points at 1.8 cents each, a number derived largely from Citi’s extensive list of transfer partners.
Related: The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards
Citi Premier benefits
Much of the Citi Premier’s value proposition comes from its ability to earn bonus points in many categories without charging a hefty annual fee. As such, you shouldn’t expect an overwhelming number of perks, but there are several benefits of this card that can help you recoup your annual fee:
$100 annual hotel credit: You’ll enjoy a $100 credit once per calendar year for single-stay hotel bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi travel portal.
Extended warranty protection: This adds 24 months to a manufacturer’s warranty when you purchase a covered item using your card.
Damage and theft protection: This can reimburse you for repairing or replacing an eligible item damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase (up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per year).
World Elite Mastercard benefits: As a World Elite Mastercard, the Citi Premier confers several travel-related perks that consumers might not know about. These include a $5 monthly Lyft credit after taking three rides in a calendar month and access to the Mastercard luxury hotels and resorts portfolio for on-property perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades upon availability. Through the World Elite Mastercard program, you’ll also enjoy perks like cellphone protection and Global Emergency Services.
Citi Entertainment: This program gives cardholders special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events — from concerts and sporting events to unique dining experiences and movie screenings — before the general public can buy them.
No foreign transaction fees: Like any good travel card, the Citi Premier allows you to travel freely without incurring a fee on international spending.
Which cards compete with the Citi Premier?
As an affordable travel rewards card, the Citi Premier has a few direct competitors that might be a better fit for you:
If you prefer Chase cards: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, with an annual fee of $95, competes directly with the Citi Premier. While Chase’s transfer partners (including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt) might be more beneficial for many travelers, there are also some overlaps, including Singapore KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you want a flat earnings rate: Try the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). It, too, charges a $95 annual fee, but this card comes with a less lucrative (but much simpler) earning rate of 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. Instead of an annual hotel credit, you’ll get up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit once every four years with the Venture. You’ll even get two annual lounge visits per year to Capital One’s lounges — or you can use those passes at over 100 Plaza Premium lounge locations. For more information, read our full review of the Venture Rewards card.
If you want added perks: One of the Citi Premier’s closest competitors over at American Express is the American Express® Gold Card, which earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants, 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. The Amex Gold Card also comes with up to $10 in monthly dining credits at select restaurants (up to $120 in annual statement credits) and up to $10 in monthly U.S. Uber Cash (up to $120 annually), offsetting the majority of the $250 annual fee (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for select benefits. For more information, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
For additional options, check out our full list of the top travel rewards cards.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Citi Premier: Which mid-tier travel card is better?
Bottom line
Despite a bevy of competitors, the Citi Premier’s long list of bonus categories and solid sign-up bonus make it one of the most lucrative points-earning cards in its price range. The wide range of ThankYou Rewards transfer partners makes this card compelling, especially for travelers who desire the flexibility to redeem points with various loyalty programs. It’s worth a look if you’re partial to Citi or looking for a versatile travel card to add to your wallet.
Official application link: Citi Premier Cardwith 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after $4,000 in spending in the first three months of account opening.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon, Eric Rosen and Christina Ly.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
Many friends and family members often ask me if airline and hotel cobranded cards are worth it. The short answer is that they often are — especially if you’re a semi-frequent customer of a given travel provider. But in some cases, you may actually want to have multiple cards associated with a single loyalty program.
That’s exactly the situation I’m in with Marriott Bonvoy. In fact, I currently have three active Marriott credit cards — and together, I pay $1,225 in annual fees to keep them open.
That may seem like a steep price, but I easily recoup that value (and then some) each and every year.
Here’s why I have these cards — and why you may want to consider a similar strategy.
Overview of Marriott credit cards
Let’s start with a quick overview of the portfolio of Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. Right now, there are six available to new applicants. Three are from American Express, and the other three are from Chase, and most feature limited-time, elevated welcome bonuses:
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 150,000 bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through Jan. 31, 2024. Offer ends Aug. 9.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 125,000 bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through Jan. 31, 2024. Offer ends Aug. 9.
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card: Earn 85,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from your account opening.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first six months from your account opening. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through Jan. 31, 2024. Offer ends Aug. 10.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first six months from your account opening. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after you stay six eligible paid nights at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy through Jan. 31, 2024. Offer ends Aug. 10.
Beyond these six cards, there are still some legacy products from before the integration of Marriott, Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton — including the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card, which isn’t available to new applicants but may be an option for a product change.
The information for the Bonvoy Bountiful card and Ritz-Carlton card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
My three Marriott cards
From this list, I have the Bonvoy Brilliant Amex with a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), the Bonvoy Business Amex with a $125 annual fee (see rates and fees) and the Ritz-Carlton card with a $450 annual fee.
In addition, it’s worth noting that none of these are new. The two Amex cards were originally SPG-branded, and I got the Ritz-Carlton card in 2018, just days before it closed to new applicants.
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When you add those fees together, I fork over $1,225 per year just to keep the cards open. And I do so happily.
Here’s why.
Earning elite status
I travel a decent amount during the year but like to keep my options open. That’s why I love how these cards make it easy to not only enjoy Marriott Bonvoy elite status but also unlock even more perks.
In September 2022, the Bonvoy Brilliant underwent a significant overhaul, including an upgrade to the card’s automatic status. Cardmembers now enjoy Marriott Platinum status instead of Gold. This includes perks like complimentary breakfast and space-available room upgrades.
However, it doesn’t come with the Marriott Choice Benefit selection that’s granted for reaching 50 nights in a calendar year — which is why the other status-related benefits on these cards are so valuable to me.
In addition to automatic Platinum status, the Bonvoy Brilliant comes with 25 elite night credits every year. Meanwhile, the Bonvoy Business Amex comes with 15 — and you can stack credits from a personal and business card. That means I start every year with 40 elite nights, just with these two cards. (The Ritz-Carlton card also includes 15 nights, but those don’t stack with other personal cards.)
In other words, after just 10 nights in Marriott properties during a calendar year, I reach Platinum status the “hard way” and can select a Choice Benefit — which for me is almost always five Suite Night Awards. And with just 35 nights, I can reach Titanium status and unlock another Choice Benefit.
In essence, these cards offer a shortcut to unlocking higher tiers of status, more elite perks or both.
Related: Here’s why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card
Redeeming free nights
But it’s not just elite status that keeps these cards in my wallet. The main value I get yearly comes from their annual free night certificates.
On both the Bonvoy Brilliant and Ritz-Carlton cards, I receive a free-night award valid for up to 85,000 points every year when I renew my card. Meanwhile, the Bonvoy Business Amex includes a free night valid for up 35,000 points upon renewal, and I also have the chance to earn a second by spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year.
In 2022, Marriott even added the ability to top up these certificates with up to 15,000 additional points — offering even more flexibility to book high-end properties.
Over the next year, I have reservations booked using these certificates at the following properties:
St. Regis Bal Harbour: A standard room on the date I’m traveling was $984 (excluding the $55 resort fee), and my 85,000-point certificate covered the entire stay.
Sheraton Miami Airport: A standard room on the date I’m traveling (with a late-night flight arrival) was $231, and my 35,000-point certificate covered the entire stay.
I will have another two 85,000-point certificates by this fall after my cards renew — and I’m looking forward to planning another luxury stay (or two) with them.
Other perks
Finally, each of these cards features at least one other perk that makes them worth keeping:
$25 monthly dining credit on the Bonvoy Brilliant: While this isn’t as easy to use as the $300 annual Marriott credit it replaced, it nevertheless gets me $25 off restaurant purchases every month. I try to use it on inexpensive, fast-casual meals or for a round of pre-dinner drinks to get as close to $25 as possible since I prefer earning 4 points per dollar on dining purchases with my American Express® Gold Card.
$300 airline incidental credit on the Ritz-Carlton card: Every year, I enjoy $300 off qualifying airline incidental purchases — including in-light Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks or seat assignment fees.
Discounted room rate on the Bonvoy Business Amex: As a Bonvoy Business cardholder, I can enjoy 7% off standard room rates at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide. While I’ve sometimes found that AAA rates are slightly cheaper, I’ve used this twice in the past year to save a total of ~$50 off paid stays.
Finally, I can add authorized users to my Ritz-Carlton card for no additional annual fee — which I’ve done with my wife. This grants her an individual Priority Pass Select membership but also unlocks primary car rental coverage when renting a car in her name.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Bottom line
It may be shocking to hear that I’m paying over $1,200 per year in annual fees just for three Marriott Bonvoy credit cards — but as you can see from the above, I get a ton of value. Whether leveraging the elite status perks, saving hundreds of dollars with free-night certificates or utilizing other perks on the cards, I have very little trouble justifying this out-of-pocket expense. And I’ll be keeping these three cards in my wallet for years to come.
With multiple Marriott cards currently offering lucrative welcome bonuses and summer travel prices remaining high, now could be a great time to unlock some of the above perks by adding a new Marriott credit card to your wallet.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex, click here.
“Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, due to the weather and necessary routing, we are currently having a weight and balance issue and are looking for three volunteers with flexible travel plans to come to see me at the front of the plane and take a later flight to New York in exchange for $1,000 in future United credit each.”
The gate attendant who had stepped onto the delayed plane with this “bad news” had barely finished saying those words before my seatbelt was unbuckled and I was shooting toward the front of the plane.
I was flying with my two kids, and that $3,000 credit was the right price for the three of us to get to New York City a few hours later that night.
And as promised, once we grabbed our carry-on bags and quickly hustled off the plane, United quickly processed each of our flight credits (good for the next 12 months) at the gate, booked us on the next flight to New York and threw in $20 in vouchers for each of us for dinner at the airport while we waited for the next flight.
This wasn’t a fluke.
On our flight home from LaGuardia Airport two days later, the gate agent again needed volunteers to take a later flight back to Houston.
This time, the flight was oversold. The flight credit offer started at $500 per person and increased to $750 when there weren’t takers at the lower amount. Unfortunately, we couldn’t participate this time as the next available flight wasn’t until the next day and airspace in the Northeast was shaping up to be a hot mess.
However, this trend of too-full flights and opportunities to earn flight credit by being flexible will likely play out at gates across the country for the next few hot, busy travel months.
Related: Best credit cards for built-in travel protections
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There will be opportunities to get flight credit to take a later flight
It’s no secret that summer is a busy travel season, with weekends, such as the one we were traveling, ranking as some of the busiest days of the year to fly.
So with full flights (some with more tickets sold to passengers than there are seats on the plane) and weather that can necessitate flying with fewer passengers than the maximum number of seats on the plane, the situations that played out on our recent flights will happen again numerous times this summer, especially during the busiest travel days.
Airlines prefer to find volunteers rather than bump passengers involuntarily
Overbooking flights and denying boarding to passengers as a result is not illegal, but it doesn’t win airlines many points in the court of public opinion.
So, when more people show up for the flight than anticipated, or if the airline can’t use as many seats on the plane as it had planned for whatever reason, airlines typically start asking for volunteers who are willing to give up their seats, usually in exchange for something.
While involuntarily bumping passengers isn’t illegal, certain monetary amounts must be awarded per U.S. Department of Transportation rules — assuming your situation falls into the prescribed definition, which does have caveats.
If you are involuntarily denied boarding, and the airline can’t get you to your destination within an hour of the original schedule, you are entitled to 200% of your one-way fare or $775, whichever is lower. If the airline can’t get you there within two hours (four if it’s an international flight), that amount increases to 400% of your one-way fare or $1,550, whichever is lower.
However, those rules don’t apply if the airline can find volunteers to willingly give up their seats, as we did.
There are no rules for what is required to be awarded to volunteers, so the only real threshold is what passengers are willing to raise their hands and accept.
A good sign your flight might be heading for an oversold situation is if, when you check in for your flight, there’s a screen that asks if you might be willing to volunteer to take a later flight. It’s possible the airline won’t ultimately need volunteers on that flight, but it might.
Things to know about getting voluntary bump compensation
Every situation is unique and different airlines handle these things in their own ways, but many options are on the table when the airline needs your seat.
The more it needs it, the more likely you will get a yes to your requests. Here are some things to remember if you volunteer to be bumped to another flight in exchange for compensation.
Be ready
Make sure you’re physically close to the gate and/or ready to quickly step up if you want to volunteer when the airline needs passengers to take bump compensation in exchange for a future flight. Typically, the order in which you line up to see the gate agent (or at the front of the plane, in my case) to volunteer is the order they will go in. You can also go up and ask the gate agent when you first arrive at the gate and let them know you’re willing to help out if they need your seat if you think the flight may be (too) full.
Do a little homework
Research other available flights if you think your airline may need volunteers to take other flights so you’ll have a good idea of what’s possible. Some airlines will rebook you on other airlines while others will not, but check everything to see what might work best.
Get confirmation
Be certain about when the next confirmed seat to your destination is available. Don’t accept standby tickets or say yes to being a volunteer until you are certain you have a confirmed seat to get you where you want to be by the time you want to be there.
Know what’s offered
Have a clear understanding of what is being offered. It’s probably not cash but is most likely future flight credit or potentially a gift card. For example, Delta Air Lines has a program where you can choose the retailer for your gift card. However, understand the type of credit and any restrictions before you say yes.
Negotiate
The amount of flight credit is negotiable. It’s normal for the offer to increase over time if there aren’t takers at the lower amounts. For example, if there are no nibbles at $250 in credit, it may go to $500, etc. You can also politely ask if more is available, which there may or may not be based on whether the airline can find volunteers at the amounts it first offers.
Offers may increase
If the amount the airline offers increases to get more volunteers, everyone who volunteers may get that higher amount. This isn’t guaranteed and may change as more airlines experiment with using a reverse bidding-type process in their apps for oversold situations. However, in the traditional way, where everyone is at the gate until the airline gets enough volunteers, it’s still likely all of them will get the highest amount.
Try for first class
You can ask for first-class seats on your new flight. Again, there are no guarantees this will be a yes, but if they can accommodate you in first class on another flight, they might. In our case, we lost two of our three upgrades on our new flight as it was simply already full, but if we wanted to wait for a flight with first-class seats, I imagine we could have.
Ask for extras
It’s also fair to ask for meal vouchers, a hotel room (if requiring an overnight stay) and cab rides to and from the hotel or to an alternate airport if required.
Be kind
As always, be nice. A flight that’s too full is likely a stressful situation for the agents who are working the flight. The nicer and more understanding you are, the better for all involved.
Save your voucher
Take photos of your voucher and keep it in a safe space so you don’t do all of that for nothing!
Related: Can it be too hot to safely fly?
Bottom line
It’s busy, it’s hot, and if you fly enough this summer, you just might get the chance to make a split-second decision like we did and give up your seats on the flight in exchange for future flight credit — and sometimes even more.
We got to New York City about two hours later than originally planned and, in exchange, have $3,000 to spend on United flights for the next 12 months — and I’ll be keeping my ears open for a chance to do that again.
Purchasing airfare can be a complicated process, and it can take considerable skill and patience to find the best possible ticket prices. To demystify the process and help you snag a great price on your next trip, we gathered 11 of our tried-and-true strategies for finding the best prices on airfare.
Every situation is unique, so you may not be able to apply every single one of these strategies every time you fly. Your mileage may vary based on your desired route(s) or planned date(s) of travel.
Regardless of where or when you’re going, bookmark this story so you can easily reference these strategies for finding cheap airfare.
Start with Google Flights
When shopping for a flight, the first thing you’ll want to do is figure out which airlines operate a given route and get an idea of the average prices.
Instead of visiting each airline’s website individually, start by searching a site like Google Flights that will produce results from numerous airlines. Google Flights is a robust search tool that not only shows you pricing based on your date and route but also displays alternate pricing via a date grid and price graph that can help you save money.
You can even set up tracking alerts to receive email notifications if the price for your desired route drops.
Related: What you need to know about using Google Flights for award flight searches
Keep in mind that Google Flights is not a booking platform, so you can’t actually make a reservation or pay for your ticket through the site. When you click on a flight you want to book, it will take you to that airline’s website to complete your booking.
Check carriers that don’t appear on third-party sites
One of the main weaknesses of online search engines is that they often won’t list the flights of all carriers, such as Southwest and some ultra-low-cost carriers, like Allegiant and Frontier.
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The best way to find out which of these carriers serves a particular airport is to search for the route map on each airline’s website (or Google the airline name with “route map”). Once you know about any alternate carriers, you can check their pricing and compare it to the pricing you found for the airlines listed on Google Flights.
Search one-way and round-trip flights
More often than not, round-trip tickets are cheaper than purchasing two one-way flights, but we all know there are exceptions to every rule.
For example, JetBlue and Southwest typically price their tickets on a one-way basis; a round-trip flight is simply the sum of the two one-way prices. Occasionally, though, you may get the best round-trip deal by pairing two one-way tickets, potentially on two different airlines.
Remember, Google Flights is a terrific tool to show you when separate one-ways could be the cheapest option.
Just be aware that booking two one-way flights does carry some risk if you need to cancel or change your trip. If you book your outbound and return flights on different carriers and both charge $200 change or cancellation fees, you’ll be hit twice if you need to adjust your travel plans. Changing both ends of a round-trip flight booked on a single airline would only incur that fee once.
Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
Search one seat at a time
There’s a little-known quirk in how airlines price seats that can result in much higher prices when searching for multiple passengers versus a single ticket. Airlines place their inventory in fare classes (sometimes called “buckets”) that aren’t always clearly visible to consumers.
For example, there might be only three seats left in a fare bucket for $300 each, and the next higher bucket might be $400 per ticket. However, if you were to search for four seats, everyone would fall into the $400 fare bucket.
By searching for a single seat, you’ll see one of the three remaining $300 tickets. With a little trial and error, you’d then know to book one reservation with three tickets at $300 each and another reservation for the fourth ticket at $400. In this example, applying this simple strategy would save you $300 from what you’d pay by booking all four seats on a single reservation.
To make this a bit easier, many airlines will even tell you how many are left at that price, like this example from Miami International Airport (MIA) to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Delta.
If you had searched for three or four tickets, the price of that one-way flight jumps to $249.30, an increase of $56 per passenger. This trick also works when you need to book multiple award flights that aren’t all available at the lowest mileage levels.
Search alternate airports
Sometimes the cost of a flight is just so high that it can make sense to use your second or perhaps third choice of airports. Many airlines allow you to search all airports in a region by specifying the destination as the city (e.g. New York City) instead of a particular airport.
For example, the New York area has three large airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LGA. However, you’ll find even more flights if you expand your search to nearby Long Island McArthur Airport (ISP), Westchester County Airport (HPN) and Stewart International Airport (SWF).
When you use Google Flights, for example, you can enter your origin and destination cities instead of a specific airport name. This opens up more – and possibly cheaper – flight options.
Leverage elite status
Having elite status won’t get you discounted tickets, but you might be able to use it to save money another way. Having elite status with most carriers will allow you to stand by for earlier flights or perform same-day confirmed flight changes.
This could allow you to book a discounted flight at an inconvenient time, only to change it to the flight you want at no additional cost. Even if you don’t have elite status, the charge to stand by or make a same-day confirmed flight change might be less than the fare difference between the flight you want and the cheapest option that day.
For details on the major airlines’ elite status programs, check out the following guides:
Use the right credit card
The right credit card can offer you significant savings on airfare in a variety of different ways. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5 points per dollar on all airfare purchases made directly with the airline or through the Amex travel portal (up to $500,000 in annual purchases), worth 10 cents per dollar spent, according to TPG’s latest valuations.
Related: The best credit cards for airfare purchases
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. You can also use your $300 annual travel credit toward airfare purchases because they typically code as travel.
Other cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the American Express® Green Card and American Express® Gold Card, also have elevated points earnings for flights.
Check first class
Don’t ask us why, but once in a blue moon, you may find that a first-class ticket can be very close to the price of one in economy class — or sometimes even less. Some possible explanations are that people forget to check the price of first class and that many companies don’t allow their employees to book first class, even when it’s less expensive. Also, discounted first class fares might exist when only full-fare economy class tickets are for sale.
Related: Are first-class tickets worth the splurge?
Either way, always check the price of a first-class ticket before paying for an above-average economy class fare. When you factor in the additional miles you will receive as well as the free baggage allowance, lounge access and in-flight amenities, it may justify a modest premium in fare.
Look for coupons and other offers
Like any business, airlines occasionally offer coupons and other discounts. For example, your Amex Offers could feature airline rebates, or you could save money with an all-you-can-fly pass like those offered by Frontier. Other low-cost carriers like Southwest often offer flight deals that can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare.
Buy miles
When faced with an expensive fare and a shortage of miles, consider buying the miles you need for an award ticket, especially when they are on sale. It rarely makes sense to purchase miles without a bonus and without a specific award in mind, but when you can save money by purchasing miles and immediately redeeming them for an award flight, it can be a great idea.
Reprice, reprice, reprice
Many airlines allow you to rebook your airfare if the price drops after you book your flight. For example, if the price of your Southwest flight drops after your initial booking, you can rebook your flight and receive a credit or a cash refund, depending on your fare type.
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines also have a “no-change-fee” policy for most flights and fare types. Once you book, check for fare drops on a regular basis and snag that refund if the price drops.
Bottom line
Purchasing airfare can be a complicated endeavor, with so many carriers competing for customers and adjusting prices frequently.
Thankfully, there are several simple strategies you can use to minimize your out-of-pocket expense for booking flights. Even if you pick two or three of these as a starting point, you’ll be well on your way to finding the best flight prices for your next trip.
In-depth reviews of the best travel rewards credit cards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Pros:
Elevated earn rate on everyday spending
High welcome bonus for a reasonable spending requirement
Excellent travel perks and recurring benefits
Cons:
Travel bonuses are limited to Capital One bookings
High annual fee
Capital One pulls your credit from all three credit bureaus
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a relatively new travel credit card but has quickly distinguished itself as one of the best. See Rates & Fees.
The card offers a substantial welcome bonus and elevated earn rate that makes racking up points fast and easy. Even if you don’t take advantage of the 5-10x travel bonus, you’ll earn 2x miles on all spending. This earning structure is ideal for people who don’t want to deal with tracking category bonuses. If you want a single credit card in your wallet that earns more than one mile per dollar spent, this is the card for you.
The card’s $395 annual fee is high but still lower than most premium credit cards. However, the recurring benefits offset it — think things like a $300 annual travel statement credit for Capital One Travel bookings and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit every four years. Best of all, the card offers a yearly 10,000-mile bonus worth $100 towards travel.
The card’s lounge benefits are also worth noting. Members get unlimited visits to Capital One Lounges. While the Capital One lounge network is still developing, members also get Priority Pass Select membership, valid at over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
The only downside about Capital One is that the bank pulls your credit from all three bureaus rather than just one, making for a sure hard hit on your credit score. However, if you keep this card long-term, it’s worth it.
Annual fee: $395
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5x miles on flights booked with Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases
Travel benefits: $300 annual travel statement credit on Capital One Travel bookings; up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit every four years; 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100 towards travel); unlimited Capital One lounge access (plus two complimentary guests); Priority Pass™ membership; Hertz President’s Circle® status*, and; no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Travel accident insurance, auto rental coverage (See Rates & Fees.)
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Pros:
Loaded with travel and dining credits that help offset the annual fee
Automatic elite status with Hilton and Marriott
Substantial welcome bonus that will cover at least one round-trip international business class fare
Transfer your points to 20 airline and hotel partners
Cons:
High annual fee
Lack of meaningful category bonuses
Requires excellent credit
The Platinum Card® from American Express has one of the highest annual fees at $695, but it also comes packed with travel credits and benefits galore. Taking advantage of them would get you well over $1,500 in value every year. Between the elite status perks, travel credits, digital entertainment credits, and lounge membership, it offers the most comprehensive travel perks of any credit card.
The Amex Platinum also offers best-in-class travel insurance. All you have to do is charge your travel bookings to the Platinum card, and you’ll be protected in case of cancellations and delays.
With a 80,000-point welcome bonus, you can book an off-peak round-trip business class ticket to Europe with All Nippon Airways miles. Or you can opt for economy class and cover up to four round-trip tickets to Europe using Flying Blue rewards.
The Amex Platinum is an excellent travel rewards card if you want a large welcome bonus and tons of travel perks. But the annual fee is hefty, and the card lacks any meaningful category bonuses beyond direct travel bookings. If you don’t think you’ll be able to get your money’s worth through the various credits every year, you might want to consider a different card.
Annual fee: $695
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 within the first six months
Rewards: 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels; 1x point on all other purchases
Travel benefits: $300 annual Equinox credit (issued monthly); $200 annual credit on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; $200 in annual Uber Cash (distributed monthly); $200 annual airline fee credit; $155 Walmart+ credit; $20 monthly digital entertainment credit; access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection; $189 CLEAR credit; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit every five years; $100 Saks credit issued semi-annually; Hilton and Marriott Gold status; access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts; premium car rental status; no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Primary rental car coverage; trip delay insurance (up to $500 per trip); trip cancellation & interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per trip)
Read more: Are Amex cards worth it?
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Pros:
Generous earn rate on common spending categories
Flexible loyalty program with good transfer partner selection and ability to redeem for direct bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards® at a rate of 1.25 cents per point
Generous travel benefits and protections for a mid-tier card
Cons:
Limitations on the highest spending categories
Bookings made with the $50 hotel credit don’t earn 5x points
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has had the distinction of being one of the best travel credit cards for over a decade. The card is popular because it offers a generous welcome bonus, which is fairly simple to redeem. You can transfer points to one of 14 airlines or hotels. Or you can redeem points through Ultimate Rewards® Travel at just 1.25 cents each. This flexibility makes Ultimate Rewards® points (and the Sapphire Preferred® Card) incredibly valuable.
If one loyalty program devalues, you can transfer your points to a different partner. Just keep in mind that point transfers are not reversible, so don’t do it unless you’re ready to redeem the points.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great starter travel card, and its $95 annual fee is typical for a mid-tier card. However, if you don’t use the $50 annual hotel credit or earn at least 9,500 points per year to justify the annual fee, then it’s not worth it.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus:60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Rewards: 5x points on travel booked with Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery store purchases; 2x on other travel purchases; 1x on all other spending
Travel benefits: Up to $50 in annual credits towards Ultimate Rewards® hotel bookings; no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Primary rental car collision waiver; up to $10,000 in trip cancellation/interruption coverage; purchase protection for 120 days; extended warranty protection
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
Citi Premier® Card
Pros:
High welcome bonus that transfers to 16 airline and hotel programs
$100 hotel credit on Citi ThankYou® Travel bookings of $500 or more
Reasonable annual fee
Cons:
No travel protections
$100 hotel credit excludes taxes and fees
At first sight, the Citi Premier® Card shouldn’t be on this list. The card has no travel protections, which is not ideal when booking thousands of dollars in travel. However, if you buy travel insurance anyway, then the Citi Premier® isn’t so bad. It’s a great card for maximizing spending on everyday purchases.
The card earns 3x points on select travel and common spending categories like dining, gas, and groceries. Cardmembers also get a $100 annual hotel credit valid on Citi Travel bookings of $500 or more. Considering the annual fee, this perk is pretty generous.
The Citi ThankYou® program is also one of the best, allowing you to transfer the card’s substantial bonus to 16 airline and hotel programs.
If you want a travel rewards card that really rewards you in your everyday life, this is a great card. Just think twice about charging expensive travel bookings to it, since they won’t be protected.
Annual fee:
Welcome bonus:Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou(R) Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou(R) Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel(SM) portal through June 30, 2024.
Rewards: 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels; 1x on all other purchases
Benefits: Annual $100 hotel savings on a booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees); no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: None
Read our full review of the Citi Premier® Card.
Card info has been independently collected by MoneyUnder30 to help consumers better compare cards. The financial institution did not provide or approve card details.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Pros:
Easy welcome bonus
Free checked bags and priority boarding when flying American Airlines
Ability to earn a Companion Certificate every year
Cons:
$99 annual fee
Airline miles are more limited in use than transferable rewards
The best airline credit card is a tough one because it really comes down to your airline loyalty and whether you live near a hub city. But there’s a good reason we’ve chosen the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® for this category. The card offers one of the easiest spending requirements to complete and includes several ongoing perks that provide value beyond the $99 annual fee.
The Aviator Red card’s 50,000-mile welcome bonus is easy to earn. You only need to use the card once (for any purchase), and you’ll earn 50,000 bonus miles.
The card also offers a free checked bag on American Airlines flights, discounts on in-flight purchases and Wi-Fi credits, and a $99 Companion Certificate when you spend $20,000 in a year. Best of all: every dollar spent on this card counts towards elite status with American Airlines.
Annual fee: $99
Welcome bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after the first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee
Rewards: 2x miles on all American Airlines purchases; 1x mile on everything else
Travel benefits: $25 in statement credits towards in-flight Wi-Fi purchases; 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases; free first checked bag; preferred boarding; $99 Companion Certificate every year you spend $20,000 on the card; no foreign transaction fees
Annual free weekend night and resort credits help offset the annual fee
Generous category bonuses, with an additional spending incentive
Cons:
$450 annual fee
Priority Pass membership from American Express cards does not include access to airport restaurants
Hilton points have limited use
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is arguably the best hotel credit card. If you’re looking to earn Hilton points and make your next stay more rewarding, look no further.
Cardmembers get automatic top-tier Diamond status, which normally requires 42 nights, 21 stays, or 84,000 base points. Diamond members get free complimentary breakfast (or a dining credit at U.S. properties), club lounge access, space-available room upgrades, and 100% bonus points on paid stays.
Cardmembers also receive an annual free weekend night award, plus the ability to earn a second free night after spending $60,000 in a calendar year.
A $250 airline fee credit makes the $450 annual fee more palatable, along with the Priority Pass membership.
The only downside? American Express cards don’t get restaurant access with their Priority Pass membership, and some airports have restaurants that are part of the Priority Pass network. Members receive a credit of $28-$35 per person at these restaurants, which is handy when airline lounges are full or closed.
The Hilton Aspire Card offers a ton of value beyond the welcome bonus. Even if you just stay at one Hilton hotel a year, you can get your money’s worth. The card’s category bonuses make it easy to earn Hilton points. The only negative side to this is that you’re earning Hilton points rather than a transferable currency with more flexible use.
Annual fee: $450
Welcome bonus: 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $4,000 within your first three months of card membership
Rewards: 14x points on hotels and resorts; 7x points on travel (flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, cars booked with select companies); 7x points at U.S. restaurants; 3x points on all other purchases
Travel benefits: Annual free weekend night reward; $250 annual Hilton resort credit; annual $250 airline fee credit; $100 property credit at select hotels booked for two nights minimum; top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status; Priority Pass Select membership; no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Secondary rental car collision coverage; up to $3,000 baggage insurance plan
Read more: The best hotel credit cards
Bilt Rewards Mastercard®
Pros:
Earn fee-free points on rent
Transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners, most of which overlap with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
No annual fee
Cons:
Must make five transactions per billing period to earn points
Limited category bonuses
No welcome bonus
The Bilt Rewards Mastercard® is a relative newcomer to the travel credit card scene but has already shaken things up. The card has no welcome bonus, but it has one very lucrative feature: cardmembers can earn points on rent payments without paying fees. Services like Plastiq charge a 2.8% fee when you use a credit card for rent payments. Bilt lets you earn points without a fee if you make at least five transactions per billing period.
Bilt makes other purchases rewarding too. Cardmembers earn 3x points on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x everywhere else. In addition, cardmembers earn double points on the first of every month (except on rent payments). But what can you do with the rewards?
Bilt has 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, including Hyatt – which only partners with one other program (Chase Ultimate Rewards®). Bilt Rewards has 10 transfer partners in common with Chase, making this an excellent option if you want a no-annual-fee rewards card.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: None
Rewards: 3x points on dining; 2x on travel; 1x on rent payments without the transaction fee
Benefits: $5 Lyft credit when you take three rides per month; 3-month DashPass membership; travel perks on Rent Day (i.e., two-for-one Virgin Voyages sailings); no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Trip cancellation and interruption coverage (up to $5,000); trip delay reimbursement (up to $1,800 per trip); auto rental collision coverage
Read our full review of the Bilt Rewards Mastercard®.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Pros:
The current welcome bonus is valid for up to $900 in direct travel bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards® or can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners
The $300 annual travel credit offsets most of the annual fee
Excellent travel protections and benefits
Cons:
High annual fee
$75 fee per authorized user
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is a great choice if you want a premium credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards®. The card currently has an elevated welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. It also offers plenty of category bonuses to help you keep earning points beyond the initial bonus.
The $300 annual travel credit partially offsets the $550 fee. Cardmembers also get Priority Pass membership, up to $100 towards TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or NEXUS application fees. The card also has plenty of travel protections, so you can charge your travel expenses with peace of mind.
Chase Ultimate Rewards® is a great program, whether you want to maximize its transfer partners or use it for direct travel bookings. Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can redeem their points for 1.5 cents each towards Ultimate Rewards® travel bookings. This flexibility is great for folks looking for simple redemption options.
Annual fee: $550 and $75 per authorized user
Welcome bonus:60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Rewards: 10x points on Chase Dining and hotel and car rental bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 5x points on Chase Ultimate Rewards® flight bookings; 3x points on travel worldwide; 3x points on other dining purchases (including eligible delivery services; 1x points on all other purchases
Travel benefits: $300 annual travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; up to $100 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS fee credit every four years; Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection perks
Travel Insurance: Trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $20,000 per trip); trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per ticket); primary rental car coverage (up to $75,000); lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per passenger); emergency evacuation and transportation coverage (up to $100,000)
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Pros:
High welcome bonus and simple rewards structure for maximizing mileage earnings
Excellent transfer partners
Generous travel perks for a low-annual-fee card
Cons:
Capital One pulls your credit from all three credit bureaus
Limited lounge network
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has it all: an excellent welcome bonus, a top-notch rewards program, and generous travel perks for a low annual fee. Cardmembers get up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit and two complimentary annual visits to Capital One Lounges. These perks are highly unusual for a mid-tier card, making Capital One Venture Reward’s $95 annual fee an excellent value. See Rates & Fees.
The welcome bonus is the same as the Venture X Rewards Card. So if you don’t want to shell out the $395 annual fee, the Venture Rewards card is a cheaper alternative. The 2x earn rate on all purchases is especially significant if you want to elevate the rewards you earn on everyday spending without tracking category bonuses across multiple cards. This can be your one-and-done rewards card.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards: 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2x miles on all other purchases
Travel benefits: Two free Capital One Lounge visits per year; Hertz Five Star status*; up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit; no foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance: Travel & Emergency Assistance Services and Auto Rental Insurance (See Rates & Fees.)
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card.
American Express® Gold Card
Pros:
Category bonuses are great for maximizing everyday spending
Amex has 17 airline and hotel partners, with periodic transfer bonuses
Statement credits can offset the annual fee
Cons:
Car rental coverage is secondary — upgrade to primary coverage costs $12.25-$24.95 per rental through Premium Car Rental Protection
$250 annual fee is high
Statement credits are limited to select merchants
The Amex Gold Card is an excellent travel card for everyday use. It offers generous category bonuses to help you maximize everyday purchases. Plus, the card provides monthly statement credits at select restaurants and Uber Cash that can make dining out (and transportation) easier. The Uber credits are valid on both UberEats and Uber rides, making them great for travelers and homebodies alike.
The 4x bonus on dining applies to restaurants worldwide, so you can continue maximizing this bonus even while out of the country. The card also has several travel protections, so you have peace of mind when booking your trips.
The downside? The $250 annual fee is steep; not everyone will find value in the statement credits. Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule can also make the welcome bonus less attainable. My advice? Wait for a higher offer. Not too long ago, the card was offering 90,000 bonus points. Since you’re limited to one bonus, you might as well hold out for the highest one possible.
Annual fee: $250
Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first six months of card membership.
Rewards: 4x points at restaurants worldwide; 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year); 3x on flights; 1x on all other purchases
Travel benefits: $10 monthly credit valid at Cheesecake Factory, Gold Belly, GrubHub, Milk Bar, Wine.com, and select Shake Shack locations; $10 monthly Uber cash; no foreign transaction fees
Travel Insurance: Baggage insurance plan (up to $1,250); secondary car rental coverage
Read more: Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Which travel rewards card is right for you?
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards offer rewards that you can redeem for nearly-free flights and hotel nights. There are generally three types of travel credit cards: ones that earn transferable points, that earn hotel points, or that earn airline miles.
A diverse points portfolio is part of a good travel hacking strategy, so you should aim for at least one credit card that earns transferrable rewards. This way, you’re not stuck with one currency and have flexibility in redeeming points. If one loyalty program devalues, you can transfer your points to another one. If one program limits award space, you can transfer points to one with the seats or rooms you need.
Travel credit cards go beyond points. Many offer recurring travel perks like free hotel nights, airline credits, lounge membership, elite status perks, and more. If you play your cards right, travel credit cards can improve your travel experience substantially and help you save money.
The only downside is that most travel cards carry annual fees. Some of these fees go as high as $695. You’ll want to evaluate the card’s features and recurring perks before choosing one. The last thing you want is to shell out thousands of dollars in credit card annual fees and not get your money’s worth.
What’s the difference between points and miles?
Points and miles are two different types of currencies that can be used for travel. Points are generally issued by hotel loyalty programs or banks, while airlines issue miles. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, JetBlue, Southwest and Air Canada all call their rewards currencies “points” rather than miles.
Most banks have transferrable rewards they call points — these rewards can be used towards travel or cash back at a fixed cost. Their best use is transferring them to participating airline or hotel loyalty programs. Most transfers are 1:1 and nearly instant.
Airline miles are ideal for flights, while hotel points are best for free nights. Some hotel chains let you convert your points to airline miles, though the transfer ratio isn’t ideal. For example, Marriott points transfer to most airlines 3:1, with a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
For the best points strategy, you should have credit cards that earn points and miles. However, consider getting a transferrable rewards card like the Capital One Venture if you want to narrow it down to one card. You’ll earn 2x miles on every dollar spent and have access to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners.
And if you don’t want to figure out where to transfer your points, you can redeem them towards travel purchases at one cent each.
How to choose a travel card
With so many great options, choosing a travel credit card can seem overwhelming. Everyone has different goals and spending habits, so there is no “best credit card” that meets every need. But if you’re in the market for a travel card, there are a few factors to consider that will help you make the best choice:
1. Know the (credit card application) rules
Most banks require good credit for travel cards, but did you know they also have various rules that impact approvals? Before you apply for a credit card, you should familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid unnecessary rejection. Here are some credit card application rules from different banks:
American Express
Once-per-lifetime rule
Five card limit
No more than two cards within 90 days
American Express has three credit card application rules you should be aware of. The first is the once-per-lifetime rule, which applies to most credit cards. If you’ve received a welcome bonus for an Amex card, you generally will not receive it again. There are, of course, exceptions, especially on targeted offers sent via mail and email. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of any such offers you receive.
The five-card limit restricts you to no more than five Amex charge cards open at a time. This rule does not apply to business cards. You also won’t be approved for more than two Amex cards in 90 days.
Capital One
Welcome bonuses are restricted for existing cardholders
Many Capital One cards have language on the marketing page prohibiting the welcome bonus for anyone who has had the card before. The Capital One Venture X, Venture, and VentureOne have this restrictive language.
The Spark Cards are vaguer, stating, “The bonus may not be available for existing or previous Spark cardholders.”
Keep this in mind if you’re applying for a Capital One credit card you’ve had before.
Chase
5/24 rule
24 and 48-month rule
No more than two cards within 30 days
Chase’s 5/24 rule is perhaps the most well-known credit card application rule. If you’ve applied for five or more credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, you won’t be approved for a Chase card.
The 24-month rule applies to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®. If you’ve had the bonus in the last 24 months, you won’t qualify for another one.
Similarly, if you’ve had a Chase Sapphire Reserve® in the previous 48 months, you’re not eligible for another one.
Lastly, Chase won’t approve you for more than two cards within 30 days. Keep these rules in mind and time your applications accordingly.
Citi
24 and 48-month rule
No more than one card every eight days
No more than two cards every 65 days
Citi won’t approve you for a Citi Premier® Card or Citi Rewards+® Card if you’ve had it in the last 24 months. Meanwhile, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard is off-limits if you earned the welcome bonus or closed the card within the previous 48 months.
Lastly, Citi will only approve you for one card every eight days or more than two every 65 days.
2. Get a card that suits your goals
When choosing a travel credit card, you should consider your spending habits and redemption goals.
Are you primarily a budget traveler looking to get the family to Disney World next summer? Or perhaps you want to experience the thrill of flying international first class with your significant other.
Your travel goals matter because they determine the rewards you should be earning and card perks that will suit your needs.
3. Decide on co-brand vs. transferrable rewards
As we’ve established, there are three types of cards: co-branded airline cards, co-branded hotel cards, and transferrable rewards. Think about which type of card will meet your travel goals. Generally, you’re better off with a transferrable rewards card because of the flexibility you have in using the points.
However, a hotel credit card might be handy if you’re planning a trip with hotel stays. You’ll get elite status and maybe even annual free nights. Meanwhile, you might consider getting an airline credit card for elite-type perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
4. Go for a big welcome bonus
When it comes to welcome bonuses, you should aim for at least 50,000 points or higher. That’s pretty standard nowadays and enough to cover at least two round-trip domestic flights.
When you apply for a credit card, you incur a 2-5 point credit score hit, so make it count by getting a substantial bonus in exchange.
Read more: Best credit card sign-up bonuses
5. Evaluate your spending habits
Think about which categories you spend the most on and find a card that offers bonus points on that spending.
Similarly, if you’re not a big spender, you might want to steer clear of credit cards with large spending requirements. There’s no sense in applying for a card if you can’t meet the spend to secure the welcome bonus. Or even worse, if you have to go into debt to meet the requirement.
6. Pick a card with purchase and travel protections
Most people ignore this, but it’s crucial. Purchase protection can cover expensive items in case of damage or loss. The same goes for travel protection — if your trip is canceled for unforeseeable reasons, your credit card’s travel insurance can save you a lot of money.
So take travel and purchase protection into account when choosing a credit card. You’ll be glad if you ever have to use it.
7. Check the fees
Most travel credit cards have annual fees, ranging from $95 to $695. When choosing a card, be sure to take credit card annual fees into account. If you can’t afford the premium version of a card, downgrade to the mid-tier version.
Another type of fee that can add up is foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards waive these fees, but no-annual-fee cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® still carry them. You’ll pay an extra 3% just to use your card abroad. If you plan on traveling internationally, get a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Read more: Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
The bottom line: Should you get a travel credit card?
Travel credit cards are great if you want to earn or redeem points for cheaper travel. They can also save you money with perks like airline fee credits, free hotel nights, elite status, and waived foreign transaction fees. A travel credit card can be an excellent tool in your travel hacking arsenal.
However, it can also be costly if you don’t take advantage of their various perks and add more cards to your wallet without a strategy. Think through the steps we’ve outlined above and make your decision wisely.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
In the points and miles world, a mention of the infamous 5/24 rule is sure to follow whenever a Chase card comes up. In short, this refers to the unofficial rule that Chase won’t approve a credit card application for someone who has opened five or more new credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.
However, without any published policy from Chase, dissecting the 5/24 rule still relies heavily on crowdsourced data. There are outlier data points that can turn out to be false, as well as exceptions to what we generally believe to be true.
Here’s everything you need to know about Chase’s 5/24 restrictions.
What is the 5/24 rule?
In order to be approved for any Chase card subject to 5/24, you cannot have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months (more on business cards in a moment).
This means you actually need to be under 5/24 to be approved. The 5/24 rule only applies to getting approved for cards issued by Chase, but your 5/24 count includes credit cards from all banks.
Related: The best ways to use your 5/24 slots
Are all Chase cards subject to 5/24?
Most travel cards issued by Chase are subject to 5/24 for approval, including cobranded cards. The following are cards reported to be subject to the 5/24 rule:
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Reader reports also indicate that applying for too many Chase cards too quickly can lead to account scrutiny and shutdowns, regardless of your 5/24 status. Some online reports have noted that Chase will not accept you for more than two new accounts within 30 days.
Because of that, a general recommendation is to avoid applying for a new account more frequently than every three or four months.
Remember that 5/24 is not the only factor determining whether your Chase credit card application is approved — your credit score, income, debt levels and many other variables get considered. For business cards, Chase also sometimes requests documentation such as financial statements or articles of organization to show that you have a legitimate business or sole proprietorship.
Related: Clearing up the confusion: How to complete a Chase business credit card application
How do I check my 5/24 status?
We’ve found the easiest way to check your 5/24 status is to sign up for the free credit report service at Experian (make sure you don’t accidentally sign up for a paid service). Using the Experian app, you can view all of your accounts and sort them by the date they were opened. From here, count anything opened within the last 24 months. Chase only looks at whether an account was opened — it doesn’t matter if you’ve since closed it.
According to most recent data points, you will not technically be below 5/24 until the first day of the 25th month after your fifth account was opened. For example, if your fifth most recent account was opened on Oct. 17, 2021, do not apply for a new card until at least Nov. 1, 2023.
Related: How to calculate your 5/24 standing
What accounts add to your 5/24 status?
The following accounts count toward your 5/24 standing:
All personal credit cards opened with any bank in the immediate past 24 months (even if they’re now closed).
Business cards opened with Discover and TD Bank in the past 24 months, plus any Capital One small business card other than the Capital One Spark Travel Elite card and Capital One Spark Cash Plus accounts.
Authorized user cards from another person’s personal card opened in the past 24 months, as they’re reported on your credit report. However, you can call the Chase reconsideration line and ask for these accounts to not be considered.
Specific store cards opened in the last 24 months that are part of a national payment system and can be used elsewhere. Some data points suggest that even store cards that can only be used at a single establishment also now count. Assume that if it shows up on your credit report then Chase will count it.
The information for the Spark Travel Elite card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The following accounts will not count toward your 5/24 standing:
Related: These business cards can help you stay under Chase’s 5/24 rule
What about card conversions and upgrades?
Depending on how a bank processes a card conversion or upgrade — also known as a product change — it might not be reported as a new account. Before completing an upgrade or product change, ask the bank if a hard credit pull will be completed. In addition, ask if you’ll receive a new account number after the switch.
If the answer to one (or both) if these questions is yes, that could be a sign the account will be considered new and add to your 5/24 standing.
Related: Do product changes and conversions count against Chase’s 5/24 rule?
Are the methods to bypass 5/24 all dead?
There used to be a handful of common ways to overcome 5/24 and get a card with the sign-up bonus you desire. But those avenues are no longer working.
However, there have been some instances recently where cardholders bypassed the 5/24 rule through targeted “Just for you” offers. To see if you’re targeted, navigate to “Just for you” under “Explore products” in the left-hand menu bar when you’re logged in to your Chase personal account.
If you desperately want a card now and are over 5/24, you can attempt a product change within the Chase Ultimate Rewards card family (assuming you’ve held the card you want to convert for at least a year). However, unless you’ve been specifically targeted for a bonus to upgrade a card, you will not receive a sign-up bonus for any product change.
Related: When should you ignore Chase’s 5/24 rule?
Chase 5/24 FAQ
Can I apply for two Chase cards on the same day when I’m 4/24 and get approved for both?
Historically, some data points suggested you can apply for two Chase cards on the same day when you’re at 4/24. However, one of the applications may be automatically declined in this case. If you then call the reconsideration line, the agent may see your new (approved) account, and this may make you ineligible for the second one (though you’d still have the second hard inquiry on your account).
In either case, remember that Chase may scrutinize customers applying for credit too quickly. Our recommendation is to only apply for one Chase card at a time.
I applied for a card on the exact day I went below 5/24 and was denied. What can I do?
Wait until the first day of the next month and call the Chase reconsideration line, or reapply after the first day of the next month.
I am at or over 5/24. Can I get a card from another bank?
Yes. Approvals for credit cards issued by banks other than Chase are not affected by your 5/24 score. Of course, each bank does have its own approval criteria.
Do Chase business cards count toward my 5/24 score?
No. If you are approved for a Chase business card, it shouldn’t add to your 5/24 standing. However, you must be below 5/24 to get approved for most Chase business cards.
What if I’m under 5/24 but have authorized user accounts on my credit report that make me appear at (or over) 5/24?
Your application may be outright denied or marked for further review. In either case, you’ll want to call the Chase reconsideration line and note which accounts are authorized user accounts. The agent will likely ask whether you are responsible for these accounts and may approve you if someone else is the primary cardholder. However, this is a manual process, and it may not work.
Instead, consider planning ahead and removing yourself as an authorized user at least a month before submitting your application.
Related: How TPG staffers with the most credit cards handle Chase’s 5/24 rule
Bottom line
Chase’s 5/24 is a firmly entrenched rule with no signs of disappearing any time soon. This means you need to be extremely strategic about your application and rewards strategy so you can maximize your five allowed Chase slots.
If you’re starting in the realm of credit card rewards and aren’t close to 5/24, you’ll want to prioritize getting Chase cards first. But remember not to try to fill your five slots with Chase cards quickly. Applying for that much credit so fast is a surefire way to invite unwanted attention from Chase and risk your long-term relationship with the bank. Take it nice and slow and be smart about which cards you apply for and when you do it.
For additional reading, check out our picks for the best credit cards.
Application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred, earning 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve, earning 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Additional reporting by Emily Thompson, Stella Shon, Katie Genter and Madison Blancaflor.
Credit cards (and earning their sign-up bonuses) are at the top of our list when it comes to easy ways to earn points and miles. Beyond that, we really hope you’re shopping through an online shopping portal like Rakuten to earn even more cash-back or rewards points on your online purchases.
But you may have overlooked one of the simplest ways to earn points and miles: linking a rewards program in some of your favorite apps. If so, now is the time to grab your phone and make sure you’ve connected your accounts to earn rewards for multiple programs when you make a coffee run or call a rideshare.
Starbucks
In late 2022, Delta and Starbucks announced their partnership to allow customers to link their rewards accounts, earning Delta SkyMiles alongside Starbucks Star Rewards and double Starbucks Stars on Delta flying days.
Don’t expect a free flight from a coffee order, but over time, you’ll build up your SkyMiles balance. Plus, those with linked accounts got a 500-mile boost this past spring, a nice consolation prize for those of us crying into our lattes about the recent Starbucks rewards devaluation.
And of course, be sure to use a card that offers a nice bonus on dining purchases.
Related: The best credit cards to use at Starbucks
Lyft
On your Lyft app, you may think you’re already maximizing your earning potential by setting an eligible Chase card as your automatic payment method. But if you haven’t chosen a travel rewards program to link, you still leave rewards on the table.
From the app menu, select “Rewards.”
You can connect your Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, Alaska Mileage Plan or Bilt Rewards account from there.
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Note that different types of rides earn different reward amounts on your linked account, so be sure to check out Lyft’s description of each program’s earning potential before deciding which one to link to.
Pro tip: Consider Bilt Rewards. This is often the most valuable partner since you can earn 2 points for every dollar spent and transfer them to a variety of partners (including Hyatt) at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: Triple stack these offers to maximize your next Lyft ride
Uber
In addition to taking advantage of your Amex Uber credits, ensure you’ve linked your Marriott Bonvoy account to your Uber account.
From your app’s menu, select “Partner Rewards.”
You’ll see your Uber credits from your Amex(es) at the top. Then, if you haven’t connected your Marriott Bonvoy account already, click below to enter your account information.
Once they’re connected, you’ll start earning Marriott points on qualifying Uber transactions.
And for both Uber and Lyft, consider adding a card that offers a bonus on travel purchases. One particularly great option right now is the American Express® Green Card, which is offering a best-ever welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in the first six months of cardmembership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first six months of cardmembership (up to $200 back in the form of statement credits).
Related: Earn Marriott points on Uber rides and food delivery
Bottom line
Ensure you’re taking advantage of opportunities to double dip rewards when you spend, including linking partner programs through the apps you use regularly. And while you’re at it, become the friend who volunteers to call the rideshare or make the Starbucks run. Bonus rewards await.
Family travel is a whole other ballgame. The strategy, gear, planning, expectations and number of times you may answer “Are we there yet?” make it an entirely different sport than solo or adults-only trips.
While traveling with kids is arguably quite different than taking a trip without a child (notice we didn’t call it a “vacation” with kids), it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, there are countless ways to experience memorable moments and make lifelong memories with your kids, whether you hike the mountains of Machu Picchu or ride the newest coaster at Disney World.
Related: TPG’s 10 top family vacation destinations
To make the journey a little easier, we’ve compiled our 43 favorite family travel tips. Whether you’re traveling with infants, teens or some of both, these tried-and-true tips are bound to ease travel headaches and ensure your family travels are as fun and carefree as possible.
Travel tips for infants and toddlers
Having a baby does not mean the end of your time as a traveler. It may cause you to temporarily pause your adventures, and it will certainly change how you travel. But traveling with a baby is still worth the effort.
While it’s true that your baby may not remember the details of your trips during the first few years, quality time together is invaluable. You will always remember their first big vacations.
Some travel is often easier with a small, snuggly baby than with a growing, active toddler, so don’t be afraid to plan something while your little one is still young.
Use the right travel stroller
If you plan on traveling with a stroller, you want one that is lightweight and easy to maneuver through the airport or rough terrain, if necessary, once you reach your destination.
Related: These are the 13 best travel strollers for your next trip
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If you choose to gate-check your stroller, foldability isn’t as important. Instead, prioritize protecting your stroller from dirt and damage by investing in a stroller with a bag. For long layovers, you can request to have your gate-checked stroller delivered to you between flights so that your baby has a safe and comfortable place to rest while you navigate the airport. Just ask the gate agent when you check your stroller.
Baby-wear
To keep your hands free and your baby snuggled, you may choose to baby-wear through the airport or on a flight (though most airlines don’t allow it during takeoff and landing).
The Transportation Security Administration rules state that infants may be carried in a sling or carrier while going through the walk-through metal detector, so you shouldn’t have to remove them for security — at least, according to the rules.
If it’s not too hot, baby carriers and slings also come in handy at theme parks, which allow baby-wearing on many family-friendly attractions. Just be sure you ask about safety restrictions before you ride.
Breastfeeding mamas should consider carriers that allow easy access for on-the-go nursing, such as those in sling or wrap styles.
Consider a Doona
If you don’t want to lug both a car seat and a stroller and your baby weighs between 4 and 35 pounds, you’re in luck: The Doona can serve the function of both. It transforms very easily from a stroller to a car seat and back again, all while your baby is strapped in.
Because of their convenience, Doonas are great for flights, cab rides, Uber rides and, frankly, any part of your busy life with a baby.
Think twice about flying with a lap infant
Most airlines allow children younger than 2 to fly as lap infants instead of purchasing separate seats for them.
The cost savings can be hard to pass up, and during those early months when the little one is nursing or sleeping a lot, it can be the easiest way to go. However, if your baby is fussy or you are flying solo, you may feel more comfortable keeping them in their car seat. If they can sleep through anything or you have someone you can split baby-care duties with, you may have more success flying with a lap infant.
If you do purchase a seat for your baby, there are dozens of portable car seats out there that are much easier to travel with than the bulky car seat you may have at home.
Get a car seat just for travel
The Cosco Scenera is a perennial favorite when it comes to travel car seats. At around 10 pounds and only $50 to $60, this car seat is a winner for travel when you need something easy and affordable. It’s rated for rear-facing little ones weighing between 5 and 40 pounds or forward-facing kiddos weighing 22 to 40 pounds.
Another model to consider is the WAYB Pico portable car seat, which was recommended by several TPG readers.
Use a car seat on the plane
Every kid is different, but if your little one sleeps well in a car seat in the car, they may do the same on a plane. If your kids are generally comfortable in car seats and have their own seat assignments on the plane, consider bringing the car seat on board for a secure flight experience.
Related: Car seats that are airline approved
Bring a Boppy pillow if you’re holding an infant
TPG’s senior director of engineering Mitchell Stoutin recommended using a Boppy nursing pillow for long flights with an infant. In addition to being handy for nursing, it gives your baby a comfortable place to rest. He also advised stashing your Boppy in a vacuum Ziploc bag to save space when not in use.
Sign your kids up for frequent flyer programs
Once you make the transition to buying your child a seat — either because they turn 2 or because you think having a separate seat will work best for your family — sign them up for a frequent flyer account and let the miles start rolling in.
No minimum age requirements exist for kids, so enroll them while they’re young to maximize their earnings.
Related: Earning frequent flyer miles for your kids just got a little easier
Board last
Most airlines let families with young children board early in the process, but as long as your family has assigned seats, you don’t need to worry about rushing to board before others.
Instead, have one parent get all the gear ready and board first while the other waits as long as possible before bringing the baby on board. This will help minimize the amount of time you have your little one in tight quarters, reducing the likelihood of a meltdown or further disrupting their schedule.
Pack your carry-on strategically
Think about everything you may need to easily access for yourself and your baby before organizing your carry-on. That way, you don’t forget any of your must-have items or struggle to find them while on board.
Consider packing food, diapers and extra outfits for at least twice as long as you think you’ll need them for your little one while in transit. Don’t forget to also bring clothes, snacks and drinks for yourself so you have everything you need.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have enough essentials to survive at least 24 hours off of what you bring on board, as you never know what is going to happen.
Bring large Ziploc bags and black trash sacks
Avoid packing a suitcase without tossing in a few Ziploc bags, grocery bags or trash bags. They can be used to stash snacks and store wet or dirty clothing.
As TPG executive editor Scott Mayerowitz shared, large black garbage bags can also work as blackout shades in a pinch.
Related: The best family beach vacation destinations to kick off summer
Find a space in your hotel for the baby to sleep
In the best-case scenario, you’ll have accommodations with at least two bedrooms so your baby has a dark, quiet place to sleep while you relax without disturbing them. However, there are times when having multiple rooms isn’t possible.
If you only have one bedroom, try putting a crib in a hotel closet or bathroom to achieve the same result.
Travel with gear that will help your baby sleep in the hotel
When it’s time for the baby to sleep, there are numerous sleep tents, shades and white noise machines to choose from. Here are a few of our most trusted options:
You don’t always need to buy new gear for a successful trip, though. One reader suggested using painter’s tape to cover outlets as a quick, cost-effective way to baby-proof your hotel room.
Related: These are the best New York City hotels for families to check out
Have diapers and essentials shipped to your final destination
While you need plenty on hand for that first day or two, you can purchase what you need from Amazon and have it shipped directly to your destination instead of traveling with an entire week’s worth of needed items like diapers and wipes.
Alternatively, you can use a service like Shipt or Instacart to have essentials delivered to your hotel or home rental after you arrive.
Pack the snacks
This is true for all ages but especially applies when traveling with infants.
Don’t ever assume anything baby-appropriate will be available while you are in transit. The last thing you want is the stress of scrambling to find what you need at the last minute.
To avoid this potential headache, pack enough formula, snacks and more so you have whatever your little one may need to stay happy and content.
Related: How to pack — and prepare — for travel with a baby
Travel tips for preschoolers
The good news is that when kids are old enough for preschool, they don’t need quite as much sleeping and transportation gear.
With preschoolers, you’ll want to pay particular attention to toys and activities that will keep them entertained, night lights that will help keep the “scaries” away and a few other important travel essentials.
Bring mess-free toys
When choosing toys to pack for a flight or road trip, keep in mind that you don’t want anything that will create a mess or get lost easily, such as Legos or slime.
For mess-free coloring, we love Crayola Color Wonder Markers and coloring pages. If you’re taking a long flight or road trip, consider suction toys that can stick to a car or airplane window.
Related: 14 mistakes parents make when traveling with kids
Pack hidden toys to reveal during your trip
A surefire way to keep your child content for extended periods of time is to hide some toys until your travel day arrives so they feel new and exciting. You can even wrap them up or dole them out periodically throughout your trip — we recommend packing one toy for each hour of a flight — to add an element of surprise.
Try visiting a dollar store or dollar aisle in a store to dial up the surprise factor. Trust us, the $5 investment will pay off in spades.
Related: Your guide to flying with kids of every age
Consider an inflatable booster seat
If your child has graduated to a booster seat (congrats!), there are inflatable and fold-flat booster seats available that are easier to haul when traveling by car.
While there are several options currently on the market, the BubbleBum inflatable booster seat is a TPG reader favorite.
Use a stroller
Should you find yourself covering lots of miles on your trip, having a stroller can come in handy, even if you don’t normally use one at home.
For example, at a large theme park like Disney World, you may find yourself needing a stroller until your kid is 6, 7 or even 8 years old if you are moving quickly and want them to easily keep up (or if you know they will fall asleep before you are ready to call it a night). This may mean renting one when you get there, though you may prefer to have your own if you’re doing more than spending time at Disney.
Get stroller straps
Because it isn’t socially acceptable to AirTag children (though they do come in handy for finding lost luggage), we instead suggest getting stroller straps that bigger kids can hold on to while you push younger children in the stroller. We’re particularly fond of the Tagalong Stroller Accessory.
Preschedule car service from the airport
If you need car seats or want to be sure you have a ride waiting for you when you land, Uber and Lyft now both have options for prescheduling a ride if you need one.
While the best service depends on where you are going, one option to try is Blacklane. Consider having your driver meet you inside at baggage claim if you’re traveling with a lot of gear.
Pack a night light
For kids who are afraid of the dark, night lights may come in handy. This affordable nightlight is small, sleek and easy to pack.
If you are going on a cruise and don’t have access to traditional power outlets, TPG senior travel editor Erica Silverstein suggests bringing along battery-operated tea lights instead.
Travel somewhere with a kids club
A magical milestone in travel is when your child turns 3 and is potty trained, as this unlocks access to a variety of kids clubs.
Whether you’re on a Disney cruise (like the new Disney Wish cruise ship, pictured below) or at a resort with a kids club (some of which are free to use), children’s clubs are great for preschoolers.
By going somewhere that caters to younger children, you’ll be able to get a well-deserved break while the kiddos are taken care of.
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Plan down days and afternoon rest
Even if your preschooler has dropped daily naps at home, it’s still smart to build some downtime into your vacation schedule. This is especially important because it’s likely that their sleep schedule will be a little off while you’re traveling and that your vacation will be more action-packed than what they’re used to at home.
To help your overtired kid adjust, plan a relaxing pool day or take an afternoon break in your hotel room to keep crankiness at bay.
Travel tips for elementary-age kids
As kids get older, they can do more while on vacation with less help, but the tried-and-true tricks for keeping them entertained may no longer work.
Because their brains are developing and becoming more complex, elementary-age kids will need to have access to more activities while they’re away from home. As a result, you’ll need to adjust your strategy for vacations so they continue to have a good time.
Use packing cubes for the family
This tip applies to all age groups but can be especially helpful when your child starts taking more of an interest in choosing their own clothes. By relying on packing cubes, you can keep clothing for every member of your family organized while saving space.
If you decide to use packing cubes, there are a couple of good methods to choose from.
You can have a packing cube for each day of your trip and put your family’s clothing for each day in one cube. This works well if you will be making multiple stops and don’t want to pack and unpack everything.
You could also pack each family member’s clothing in a separate packing cube, which is helpful when you are encouraging kids to get dressed on their own and choose their own outfits.
Leave 1 day free in the schedule
We’ve already covered the importance of leaving some flex time in the afternoons, but if you are traveling for more than a long weekend, we highly recommend leaving an entire day unscheduled. That way, the kids can either rest and chill or you have the ability to say yes to something they spot along the way.
Depending on your child’s interests, you may want to use your free day for activities like splashing around at a water park, checking out some animals at a zoo, enjoying an epic ice cream-tasting adventure or spending more time at the kids club.
The key is to leave this day flexible so you can cater some activities to what your kid is enjoying the most.
Take advantage of your hotel’s club lounge
Club access can be invaluable when traveling with kids.
If you stay in a club-level room at a hotel, you’ll often have daily access to breakfast, snacks and drinks. An added bonus is that the club can serve as a gathering spot for enjoying more time (and often gorgeous views) with them.
Related: Can you use a World of Hyatt club lounge access award for someone else?
Plan trips with another family
This is the age where having other kids around really starts to matter.
If at all possible, try planning the trip to at least overlap with time spent with cousins or friends. Doing so will virtually guarantee the kids will have a better time, which means you will, too.
For these types of trips, you may want to look into finding a good vacation home rental.
Related: Why the best big family vacation may be skiing
Travel tips for tweens and teens
Traveling with tweens and teens is completely different than traveling with younger kids — something you probably know all too well if you are currently living with them.
At this age, kids are well on their way toward becoming full-fledged adults. As a result, they deserve a taste of the space, privacy and independence that comes along with adulthood.
Build an activity bag
It’s easy to assume the phone will do the trick, but TPG editor Kristy Tolley is a proponent of custom activity bags to keep kids (including older ones) occupied on long trips.
For your activity bag, consider anything from snacks to quiet toys to new games for their Nintendo Switch to art supplies — whatever will keep them entertained while you get to your final destination.
Double-check downloaded content
Wi-Fi on airplanes can be quite finicky. Even if you pay for it, there’s never a guarantee it’ll work for the entirety of your flight. Because of this, download movies, music, games and more to your device (or your child’s) before your trip.
When downloading movies or TV shows, turn to multiple sources like Netflix, Disney+ and Apple. That way, if you run into issues with one provider, you still have content from the others.
Also, remember that messaging others is free on many flights, so be sure your teen has the airline app downloaded if you want them to be able to keep using services such as iMessage while in the air.
Enroll your child in TSA PreCheck
Until they turn 13, kids traveling with a parent or guardian with TSA PreCheck will be allowed to go through the expedited security line even if they themselves don’t have TSA PreCheck.
Even after they turn 13, kids 17 and younger can typically use the TSA PreCheck lines with their parent or guardian as long as the teen has the indicator on their boarding pass.
If you have a credit card that reimburses fees for TSA PreCheck, you can recoup the cost of your child’s application. Note that Clear continues to work to bring kids through until they turn 18.
Related: Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
Consider connecting rooms
The days of squeezing two or three kids into one queen-size bed are probably long gone once they reach their teenage years. Not to mention, trying to have the whole family use one bathroom is an ordeal you likely won’t want to go through.
To keep the peace, consider reserving connecting hotel rooms.
With connecting rooms, you’ll have double the beds, bathrooms and storage space. Plus, teens and tweens will have the space and privacy they need without you being too far away to keep an eye on them.
Related: Big news for families: Hilton to guarantee adjoining rooms with ‘Confirmed Connecting Rooms’
Let kids choose a few activities (or plan the whole day)
At this age, kids are not just along for the ride. Give them some input (and independence) by allowing them to help plan your trip. Odds are they’ll be more engaged by being involved in the planning.
Bring a friend
While planning trips with other families is a good strategy with elementary-age kids, by the time kids are teens, just bringing along one of their friends could be sufficient.
To keep the costs down, consider using an airline companion certificate to bring along that friend without spending extra.
Go somewhere with a teens club
If you are visiting a resort or destination where you may be going light on activities, lean into places that have a space just for teens.
Cruise ships are fantastic when it comes to this, as they often have kid-focused spaces divided into pretty distinct age ranges. For example, Disney Cruise Line has a club for kids ages 3 to 12, another for those between 11 and 14 and then one for teens ages 14 to 17.
By taking advantage of clubs that are broken up into designated age groups, your teen can have plenty of fun without the annoyance of hanging out with younger kids.
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Related: Child turning 18? Here’s everything you need to know before the next time they travel
General family travel tips
Some family travel tips transcend age groups.
Regardless of how old your kids are, where you’re traveling or how you’re getting to your vacation destination, there are a few tips you’ll always want to keep top of mind.
Utilize airport lounges
Airport lounges are becoming more and more kid-friendly, as they offer dedicated family rooms with toys and kids shows on TV, plus food that will please picky eaters. Additionally, if you have a long layover or are dealing with flight delays or cancellations, you’ll be much more comfortable waiting in a lounge instead of at your gate.
You can purchase a day pass to many lounges but may be able to get yourself and your family in for free with certain credit cards or airline status. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express grants the cardmember and one guest complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges and access to Centurion and Escape lounges, though complimentary guest access depends on how much you spend annually.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Upgrade to a suite
Similar to springing for connecting rooms, upgrading to a suite will buy you additional space and, sometimes, a pullout sofa that adds another sleeping option.
You’ll also have more room for your family’s belongings and areas for relaxing and dining so your kids don’t spend all their time jumping, eating and lounging on the beds.
Check for reciprocal zoo and museum memberships
If you have a membership to your local zoo or museum, you may be able to use reciprocal benefits for free or discounted entry to other zoos and museums that you can visit on vacation.
This information is usually available on your zoo or museum’s website, but you can also check lists on the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ page about reciprocal admissions or on the North American Reciprocal Museum Association website.
Get a travel tracker that doubles as a memento
There are so many unique travel souvenirs you can get that also serve as keepsakes for remembering your child’s travel “firsts.”
These Junior Frequent Flyer flight logbooks allow you to record your child’s flights while teaching them about aviation.
If a national park visit is in your future, order a standard or junior National Parks Passport and collect stamps every time you visit a new park.
Don’t forget important medicines
When you are away from home, you have to be prepared for anything. That includes unexpected sicknesses and accidents.
Pack kid-safe and grown-up medicines, as well as Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment and other first-aid necessities in your carry-on bag so you won’t be without them if your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
Bring an extra bag
If you are traveling between a cold climate and a hot one, pack a lightweight tote bag that can fold into your carry-on so you can easily gather up everyone’s coats once on the plane. By keeping this tote tucked away until you’re on board the aircraft, you’ll enjoy an extra allowed bag, saving you the headache of trying to determine where to put bulky coats.
Get Global Entry for each family member
Unlike TSA PreCheck, which allows kids to travel with an eligible adult until they turn 18 (in most cases), anyone wishing to use Global Entry to expedite reentry into the U.S. needs to apply for the program.
Global Entry can save valuable time spent waiting in line. However, you’ll need to apply well in advance of your trip so you have time to submit your application, complete an in-person interview and await approval.
Similar to TSA PreCheck, you can use a credit card that will reimburse your child’s Global Entry application fee.
Try out the games built into many spaces
It’s easy to miss, but many resorts, theme parks and cruise ships have a hidden layer of fun that ranges from traditional scavenger hunts to interactive activities you can unlock with an iPhone or similar device.
While the youngest travelers won’t benefit from these types of experiences, they can be fun for a variety of age ranges, especially elementary-age kids and tweens.
Related: Disney World rolls out all-new MagicBand+: Here’s what this wristband can do for your trip
Bottom line
Family travel has its own built-in challenges, but it also comes with immense rewards.
By knowing all the tips and tricks to traveling with kids, having the right gear with you, mapping out a game plan and having the right attitude and realistic expectations, you can have a memorable vacation every member of the family enjoys.
You may not get to do everything you want or sometimes feel like it’s more of a hassle than a vacation. However, if you’re willing to be flexible and appreciate when things go according to plan — even if the end result isn’t quite what you had hoped for — you’ll find yourself eager to book your next family trip before you have the bags unpacked and put away.
When the shiny new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) opened in January, it was missing one big amenity: airport lounges.
Though the new $2.7 billion facility brought a much-needed face-lift to one of the most hated airports in the nation, premium flyers have had to wait a little longer for some new and upgraded clubs to open.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
Fortunately, that wait is almost over, as United plans to open its new United Club outpost in Newark’s Terminal A on June 28, TPG has learned from a carrier spokesperson.
The details of the new club are still under wraps, but it’s expected to be “substantially larger” than the previous facility in the old, now-shuttered Terminal A.
In fact, I passed through Newark’s Terminal A last week and was impressed to see that the new lounge is nearing completion. The temporary construction walls have been demolished, and the open-air club looks like it’ll be quite snazzy.
Though it was hard to get a close-up view, the design appears reminiscent of the “one-of-a-kind” space that United opened last year near Gate C123 in Newark’s Terminal C.
More from TPG: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
In addition to the new United Club, Terminal A will also be home to a new American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounge.
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While the United Club will occupy the north side of the central rotunda’s mezzanine level, the south will be split between the Admirals Club and the Sky Club.
American has teased that the new lounge will feature its latest design motifs focusing on natural woods, earth tones and open spaces — a major upgrade for the Admirals Club network.
More from TPG: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Meanwhile, the Sky Club will open later this year after Delta moves into Terminal A in the coming months. The airline hasn’t shared any details about the new Sky Club other than its new location.
Perhaps the nicest lounge in Terminal A will be the Centurion Lounge. Amex recently won a 15-year lease on an 18,000-square-foot space in the terminal, making the upcoming Newark outpost one of the largest in the Centurion Lounge network.
In fact, the new outpost will also offer a slew of first-rate amenities that could make it one of the nicest lounges in the network, too.
Some proposed amenities include an outdoor terrace overlooking the airfield (with views of the Port of Newark, New York and Newark Harbor and the Manhattan skyline), a piano lounge, a Jersey jazz-themed bar and a speakeasy-themed cocktail lounge. Amex also proposed wellness rooms, workstations, multiple food buffets and “world-class” restroom facilities.
The Centurion Lounge at Newark was originally expected to open later this year; however, airport infrastructure projects are notoriously delayed, so we may need to wait a bit longer.
Either way, it’s great news that United’s club is opening just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. TPG will be there to provide you with a first-look tour before the opening.
“How can I travel on a budget?” is one of the top questions we receive at TPG.
There’s no question that travel is expensive right now as millions satisfy the itch to travel more. Demand has been through the roof. Inflation and correspondingly high hotel, rental car and airline ticket costs have many would-be travelers throwing up their hands in frustration.
However, there are still many ways to save. In addition to using reserves of points and miles to book hotels and airfare, TPGers have many budget travel tips to help stretch your dollars when traveling.
Here are 22 ways to travel on a budget.
Use membership codes to save on car rentals
If you’re a member of AAA or AARP, have a Costco membership, are a veteran or work for a large company with a car rental discount code, pull all of these levers. You might be eligible for discount codes you didn’t even know about. A few examples from AARP include 30% off a car rental at Budget or Avis.
Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car
Look beyond traditional car rental companies and locations
Most people search for rentals at the airport with standard companies like Hertz and Avis. If you don’t find good results, consider off-airport locations or try alternatives like Kyte, Turo and Silvercar.
Related: Delta and Turo launch partnership, allowing travelers to earn 2,000 SkyMiles on 1st rental
Check credit card merchant offers
Before booking your trip, review your credit cards’ special merchant offers. Multiple issuers offer this option (although American Express is a leader in the category).
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Every program works similarly: Log in to your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card for which the offer is registered.
There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout or coupons to print to take to the register. There are likely offers you can activate that will provide discounts on dining, gas and entertainment.
Related: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year
Take advantage of free days at national parks
Every year the U.S. National Park Service sets aside several days when entry is completely free; options include Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.
Visiting a national park on one of the NPS’ free-entry days can save you up to $35 per vehicle at some of the most popular national parks, such as Glacier National Park and the Grand Canyon.
Stay outside the national parks
You might dream of a night in a rustic cabin inside a national park, but getting that reservation could be challenging or costly — especially if you can’t pay for it with points.
However, just beyond the park, there’s probably a hotel you can book with points. For example, you could stay at the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone with IHG One Rewards points; the SpringHill Suites just outside of Zion National Park is a great property if you have Marriott Bonvoy points to spend.
Related: The best campgrounds, hotels and lodges near Yellowstone National Park
Download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app
If you’re a T-Mobile user, you’re in luck: This app is a major perk that will put money in your pocket just for checking your phone on Tuesdays.
To participate, download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, check the app on Tuesday and claim your discount code. We’ve seen weekly discounts on everything from rental cars to gas, hotels and theme park tickets.
Get discounted gas at Shell through the Fuel Rewards app
At TPG, we love to stack savings. The Shell Fuel Rewards app is a good one to pile on the discounts.
You can link it to other loyalty programs — including American Airlines AAdvantage, Giant Food, Stop & Shop, Advance Auto and more — to receive extra discounts. Also, if you purchase through Fuel Rewards, link to partner retailers such as Petco, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot/OfficeMax and many others to save even more.
Don’t forget to use a credit card that gives bonus points or discounts at gas stations for even more savings. TPG likes the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees), which awards 3 ThankYou points per dollar at gas stations, and the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which also gives 3% back at U.S. gas stations.
Related: These are the best credit cards for gas purchases
Save on theater tickets in New York and London
Check TodayTix for cheap Broadway and West End tickets if traveling to New York City or London.
The TodayTix app has discounted tickets to various shows available. Prices vary, but most of the top shows currently playing are available on the site and the app.
While not all shows are hugely discounted, TodayTix often runs no-fee promotions. Keep in mind that for some shows, you won’t be able to choose your precise ticket location. Instead, you will pick a section you’d like to sit in.
Related: On with the show! How to get a great deal on Broadway tickets
Save on entrance fees with Bank of America
Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free general admission to more than 225 cultural institutions in dozens of U.S. cities on the first weekend of every month just by showing their cards. It’s through the Museums on Us program that’s been going on for 25 years. It’s open to Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card holders.
Related: 5 reasons to get the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Use your library card for museum entry
Another way to get free museum admission is with a library “lending ticket” — a program where libraries will lend museum passes for a set amount of time.
Also, check if your local museum’s membership comes with ROAM (a reciprocity program across North America). It’s an easy way to get maximum value from a regional (and usually less expensive) membership.
Take a free walking tour
Sign up for a free walking tour on your first day in a new city. It’s an inexpensive way to learn about the city and orient yourself.
Look online for options before traveling and sign up in advance if necessary. Then, all you need to do is show up with comfortable shoes and enjoy your free tour.
Although tipping is suggested, you’ll spend much less, even after generously tipping your guide, than you would with a standard tour option. You will likely also meet other like-minded travelers, which can be welcome if you’re traveling alone or looking to make new friends.
If you’re interested in seeing what’s available on your next trip, Google the city you’ll visit and the phrase “free walking tour” to see what comes up.
Dine on the cheap with Seated
Here’s a fun one: The Seated app allows you to dine out and get paid for it.
The app rewards diners who sign up and eat at designated restaurants with cash they can redeem through gift cards. All you have to do is let the app know you’ll be dining at a location before you take a seat. You can also get gift cards for Uber, Amazon and Starbucks.
Fly on weekdays
Flexibility on which days you fly is one of the keys to getting the best airfare prices. Leisure travelers most commonly book weekend flights, while many business travelers fly on Monday. So, the midweek days — Tuesday and Wednesday — have lower demand and are often the best days to travel for lower prices.
Related: When is the best time to book airfare?
Book vacation packages
Airlines that bundle airfare and hotels as vacation packages can offer better deals thanks to their vast buying power and inventory. These bundles can offer savings of up to 40% off. Savings on business-class plane tickets and high-end hotels can offer some of the best deals.
Also, purchasing directly from the airline gives you a one-stop shopping experience. You can even add a car and activities to your trip at the same time. Plus, you’ll often be able to take advantage of special sales and bonus points and miles offers.
Related: Everything you need to know about saving money with vacation packages
Use a price monitoring tool
Airline fare monitoring sites such as Hopper and Google Flights ensure you get notifications when your trip’s best and lowest prices become available. Set up as many combinations as you’re considering, including different departure and return dates, so that you can get alerts for all possible fare reductions.
Be flexible on destination
If you’re not locked into a fall or winter vacation location (like you would be for a destination wedding or family reunion that you can’t change), try an alternative to find better prices. For example, consider subbing Quebec City in for Paris if you want Old World charm. For scuba diving enthusiasts, skip the expensive long-haul flight to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef and instead head to the second-largest barrier reef in the world in easy-to-access Belize.
Related: 5 key tools and tips for cheap airfare
Hold your deal
If you see a great deal but are not yet ready to book, hold it. For example, Hopper’s Price Freeze allows you to lock in the price of a flight for up to seven days to take more time to finalize plans before you book. Some airlines will also let you hold flights for a small fee. (Remember that all U.S. airlines, by law, allow you to hold and cancel a flight booking within 24 hours without penalty as long as you book more than seven days in advance.)
Re-price your flights and hotels
As long as you’ve booked a hotel, car or flight that can be canceled without penalty, you should make it part of your weekly routine to check for price drops. If you find a lower price, rebook. You can use these same rebooking strategies with points to make dynamic pricing work in your favor for hotel stays so you can save on award nights.
Related: How I saved 33,500 points on upcoming hotel stays
Consider alternative airports
With prices high, now is the time to be flexible and check all nearby airports. For example, Houston and Chicago have two airports, while the New York City area has three, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey. In Southern Florida, you could easily fly to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. It works internationally too: Try Gatwick Airport (LGW) instead of Heathrow Airport (LHR) when flying to London.
It may even make sense to get to one city by flying to another city and then taking a short train ride for the rest of the journey. For instance, you could fly into Philadelphia and catch a train to New York. Strategies like this can help you get to your destination on a flight with better pricing or award availability.
Use positioning flights
Positioning flights are unrealistic for every situation or trip, but they can often offer better award availability or pricing than those from your home airport. Can you reach your destination for a lot less by starting in Seattle or Chicago? Would adding another flight to a different airport save you money or miles? Just ensure you leave enough time between flights to avoid unnecessary travel headaches.
Related: Use positioning flights to get amazing deals
Use points and miles when appropriate
Since you are reading TPG, you may also want to earn points or miles through your everyday spending that you can use to pay for part of your trip. Some credit cards — like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — can help you earn airline miles or hotel points that you can redeem directly with the airline or hotel. Cards such as the American Express® Gold Card earn transferable points you can redeem for travel or transfer to various travel partners.
If you have a stash of points and cash fares are high, it makes a lot of sense to use those points instead. For example, I recently priced a trip to San Francisco and found a flight over the Fourth of July weekend; it should normally cost about $400, but for this particular weekend, it was going to cost me at least $621. I used 46,000 Delta SkyMiles instead. While it wasn’t the best redemption in the world, it was better than shelling out all that cash. Most of those SkyMiles came from credit card spending on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Related: Why I’m keeping my Delta Reserve card even when I’m flying less
There are many strategies for getting the most out of your credit card. You’ll generally get the most value when redeeming for premium-cabin flights or luxury hotel stays. However, you may prefer to book economy award flights or lower-category hotel stays using your points to stretch your points further.
Join AARP
You can join AARP for discounts even if you are not retired. The advocacy group for older adults offers all kinds of cool discounts, including $60 to $200 off British Airways flights and 10% off Hilton hotels.
Related: How to use AARP discounts on travel
Bottom line
Spending a small amount of time researching the best ways to travel on a budget could easily make a dream trip, like a Paris vacation, more attainable.
It’s possible to take an excellent vacation on a budget. You just need to put in the time to plan your trip, budget your expenses, download a virtual wallet of money-saving apps and consider using points and miles to decrease your out-of-pocket costs.
Some of our top budget travel tips include shopping around, signing up for deal alerts through websites like TPG and using points and miles. Opening a credit card or two for the sign-up bonus once or twice every few years could make your trips even cheaper. Don’t forget to sign up for our daily newsletter, where we teach you how to travel better for less. At TPG, we make traveling on a budget easy.