Travel

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Dulles International Airport (IAD) is one of three airports servicing the U.S. capital. It is situated about 26 miles outside Washington, D.C., in the Northern Virginia suburbs.

Compared to its counterpart in Virginia, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Dulles’ footprint is at least 12 times larger, sitting on more than 11,000 acres.

Washington-Dulles is known for its vast international flight options, for being a major United Airlines hub, and for its iconic main terminal, designed by well-known architect Eero Saarinen (the same architect who brought the New York-JFK terminal that’s now the TWA hotel to life).

Washington-Dulles is comprised of a main terminal building which features ticketing, security and a small set of “Z” gates, plus baggage claim and customs on the bottom floor.

There are two separate midfield terminals that run parallel to the main terminal: one long building housing the A and B concourses, and another housing the C and D concourses.

Map of IAD terminals

Dulles Airport main terminal

The Washington-Dulles main terminal building is the immediately-recognizable structure most people think of when picturing the airport, with its vaulted ceiling and all-glass facade.

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

Inside, the building is huge, spanning 1.1 million square feet, and is close to a quarter-mile in length.

The main terminal is divided two floors: departures upstairs and arrivals downstairs.

Upper level

Inside the main terminal on the upper level, there are four large islands with ticket counters for domestic and international airlines.

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

All passengers pass through security in the main terminal, so if you’re a Clear member, you’ll be able to use the service no matter which airline you’re flying.

The standard TSA checkpoint is downstairs.

Once you pass through security, you’ll catch the Aerotrain or people movers to your specific departure terminal.

Downstairs

Downstairs on the arrivals level is baggage claim with 15 carousels, as well as the airport’s customs facilities, which include Global Entry access.

Food options

  • Pre-security: Cafe Americana, District Chophouse, Capitol Gounds Coffee.

Retail

  • International Currency Exchange, Dulles Gourmet Market.

Lounges

The main terminal building houses a brand new Capital One Lounge just beyond the TSA PreCheck lanes.

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

NerdWallet Rating

Annual fee

$395

Transportation

Since Dulles operates out of three main terminal buildings, travelers have to take transportation to move between each.

Aerotrain

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

The most convenient option is the Washington-Dulles Aerotrain, an automated train system that runs between a few of the terminals. It’s usually a quick ride, with a maximum of two minutes between stations.

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

You can take the Aerotrain if you have a flight in the A gates, B gates or C gates. However, note that it is a decent walk from the station to the C gates.

People movers

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

One of Dulles’ best-known quirks is its “mobile lounges,” or “people movers.” These Star Wars-esque machines haven’t entirely been phased out with the Aerotrain.

Inside, the people movers feel like a combination of a waiting room and a bus, and they take passengers from one terminal to another.

You’ll typically ride the people movers if you’re:

  • Flying out of the D gates (one of United’s concourses). 

  • Connecting between United’s D gates and Terminal A (gates A1A through A6F).

  • Arriving on an international flight to get to the customs area in the main terminal.

Passenger walkway

If you’d rather get some steps in, there’s also a 1,000-foot underground pedestrian walkway that connects the main terminal with Concourse B, featuring moving sidewalks in both directions.

Dulles Terminal A

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

Airlines

  • United (regional United Express flights, gates A1A through A6F).

  • International airlines occupy the main portion of terminal.

Lounges

  • Air France Lounge, near gate A20.

    • Open daily from 10:30 a.m. until last flight

    • Priority Pass eligible.

  • Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, across from gate A32

    • Open starting around four hours before Virgin Atlantic flights.

    • Priority Pass eligible.

Other amenities

  • Cacao Chaser.

  • Capitol City Ink. 

  • Duty Free America.

  • Gen X Wireless.

  • Hudson News.

  • International Currency Exchange.

  • Souvenir Library.

Terminal B

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

Airlines

  • American Airlines.

  • Delta Air Lines.

  • Southwest Airlines.

  • International carriers like Aer Lingus, ANA, Lufthana, TAP Air Portugal and others. 

Lounges

  • British Airways Lounge, located near Aerotrain station: Open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

  • Lufthansa Business Lounge, located across from gates B49 and B51: Open 1:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Priority Pass eligible.

  • Turkish Airlines Lounge, located next to gate B43: Open 7:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Priority Pass eligible.

Other amenities

  • Cacao Chaser.

  • Chanel & Christian Dior.

  • DC Marketplace.

  • Duty Free Americas.

  • Eden’s Boutique.

  • Estée Lauder / M.A.C. Flag World.

  • Gen X Wireless.

  • Montblanc.

  • Ralph Lauren Polo.

  • See’s Candies.

  • Stellar News.

  • Sunglass Hut.

  • Travel Tech.

  • Vera Bradley.

  • Vineyard Vines.

  • Washingtonian.

Terminal C

(Photo by Sean Cudahy)

Airlines

Lounges

United has four lounges in Concourse C:

  • A United Club near gate C4: Open 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. daily.

  • A United Club near gate C7: Open 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

  • A United Club near gate C17: Open 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

Other amenities

  • Brookstone.

  • Capitol City Ink.

  • Duty Free Americas

  • Hudson News.

  • International Currency Exchange

Terminal D

Airlines

Lounges

  • United Club near gate D8: Open 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

  • Duty Free Americas.

  • Forbes News.

  • International Currency Exchange.

  • NBC4 Travel Store.

A ‘bonus’ concourse of sorts, Dulles has a small handful of Z gates located in the main terminal building. A mix of airlines service these gates, and the only food and beverage options are Dunkin and Subway.

Washington-Dulles has several parking options. The priciest are right near the terminal and in garages, and the most affordable is a cheaper, satellite economy lot requiring a shuttle. You can reserve your parking online or take your chances of finding a free spot at the airport.

Terminal parking

  • Located just in front of terminal.

  • $29 per day or $6 per hour.

  • Follow covered walkway to terminal (brief walk).

  • There’s an additional “Valet” parking option for $39 per day that allows convenient pickup in front of the terminal parking lot for ultra convenience.

Garage 1 or Garage 2 Parking

  • Parking garage close to terminal.

  • $21 per day or $6 per hour.

  • Walk to the terminal via an underground or covered pedestrian walkway or take a shuttle.

  • Garage 2 is the most convenient for international departures.

Economy parking

  • Satellite parking lot.

  • $14 per day.

  • Shuttle service runs every 15 minutes. Give yourself at least 15 minutes of travel time to the terminal.

Rental cars

To get to and from the rental car facilities, you’ll have to take one of the airport’s free shuttle buses, a few minutes’ ride.

Dulles has most major rental car companies, including:

  • Enterprise.

Washington Metro Access

Dulles has direct access to the Washington Metro system via the Silver Line station. It’s located opposite the main terminal, across the terminal parking parking facilities. You’ll take an underground path with moving walkways to get to the Silver Line station.

From there, you can catch a Metro train that will take you through Tyson’s Corner, and eventually through Rosslyn and into downtown D.C. Metro’s trip planner shows it’s a ride of more than 50 minutes to Metro Center, a key connecting station in downtown D.C.

Check Metro’s website for information on hours of operation and fares.

Uber/Lyft from Dulles

Customers hoping to use a rideshare service like Uber and Lyft when they get off the airplane can be picked up on the arrivals level outside baggage claim outside Doors 2, 4 and 6.

(Top photo courtesy of Sean Cudahy)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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When spending money on an expensive plane ticket, it can be confusing if you need to change plans and are hoping for a refund.

If you booked a flight on Emirates and now you can’t travel, you might be wondering how to make an Emirates refund request. The process is easy — as long as you booked the right type of ticket.

Let’s take a look at how you can determine refund eligibility, how to request a refund and how long it might take to receive the funds.

Emirates refund policy

Airlines sell different fare products at different price points. This goes beyond the simple cabin categories (economy, business or first, for example).

Within each cabin class, there are numerous other fare types that have different change and cancellation policies. This is an important consideration when booking a ticket, especially if you think you might need to change your plans later.

These details are outlined in the your Emirates ticket’s fare conditions. Depending on the ticket you book, you may be able to get a full Emirates ticket refund, a travel credit to use within 24 months for a future flight or no refund at all.

If your ticket is eligible, the amount you receive will vary based on if you’ve used the ticket or already flown on part of it. Unused tickets receive a full refund, while partially used tickets may only receive a prorated refund, if any at all.

Here are some more details from the Emirates’ cancellation policy:

  • Flex Plus fares. Flex Plus fares with Emirates are fully refundable, while most other fares have conditions that make them non-refundable or that convert them to a travel credit if unused.

  • Award flights. If you used Skywards miles for your trip, you can cancel it for a full refund before traveling. There’s a $25 fee for date changes for a Saver reward (free for Flex or Flex Plus awards), or a $75 fee to redeposit Classic Saver mileage tickets altogether (free for Flex or Flex Plus awards).

  • Cash + Miles fares. For Cash+Miles tickets, miles will be refunded — although if any expired during the purchase period, those will be forfeited. For trips that have been partially flown, the ticket would be re‑priced with only the unused portion of Cash+Miles refunded.

What if Emirates cancels or changes my flight, can I get a refund?

If Emirates cancels or changes your flight for mechanical, operational or weather reasons, you can request your money back as a refund or receive a future travel credit.

Most likely, Emirates will try to get you to your destination in a reasonable time frame on another airline if it cannot transport you, but the option for a refund is available if you simply choose not to travel at all. If you have partially flown on the ticket, you would only be refunded for the unused portion of the flight.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Based on local regulations, you may be eligible for compensation due to involuntary changes to your flight made within 14 days of your trip.

Flights departing Europe have EU-261 protections that could put some additional cash back in your pocket beyond the refund itself. However, flights inbound to Europe on a non-European carrier are not eligible for that EU-261 protection.

Can I get a refund for incidental expenses?

If your ticket is eligible for a refund and you didn’t travel, you can request your money back for any seat assignments or lounge access you might have paid for before departure.

If you did travel, but were unable to use the services provided (say, there was a change of aircraft and your seat was swapped, or the lounge wasn’t available), you can use the Emirates refund form to request your money back.

If you were downgraded to a lower cabin (like from business to premium economy), you’re eligible for a refund for the difference in fare, too.

How will my refund be processed?

Any funds will be returned to the original form of payment. If you booked your ticket via a travel agent, you will need to contact them to process the refund. They will then return the money back to your original form of payment.

If you used a third-party travel booking site like Orbitz or Expedia, you would need to contact them directly. These can be far more cumbersome processes than dealing directly with the airline as they may have their own policies in place.

How to complete the Emirates refund form

Requesting a refund from Emirates is a simple process as long as you have the right information on hand. Luckily, you can find everything you need on your original ticket receipt.

  • Enter your dates of travel, departure and arrival airports and personal details.

  • Choose what you’re requesting a refund for (for example, an unused ticket or downgrade).

  • Enter the ticket details and payment method.

  • Click submit. Keep in mind that this will automatically cancel your ticket.

Emirates doesn’t provide a way to check the status of your refund, but the process typically takes seven business days. If you still haven’t heard anything after a week, you can contact Emirates directly to ask about the status.

Emirates’ refunds, recapped

Like most airlines, Emirates has fare restrictions that don’t make every ticket refundable. But, there are many that are eligible for a refund. There may also be cases in which you didn’t receive the services you paid for, and those are also refundable.

If your ticket isn’t eligible for a refund, you might be able to keep the credit for a future travel date. If you are due a refund, you’ll be able to request one using the online form on Emirates’ website.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Discover card travel insurance used to be a common benefit of many of the bank’s cash-back cards. But in early 2018, Discover cut the travel insurance benefits on all of its cards (alongside benefits like extended warranty and price protection).

That means that today, Discover cards don’t offer any type of travel insurance. Instead, the bank now focuses on the simplicity of cash-back awards on its rewards credit cards.

Which other cards offer travel insurance?

Since Discover card trip insurance is a thing of the past, you might consider spending on other cards that offer travel insurance protections.

Chase cards with travel insurance

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer some of the most robust travel insurance coverages available on a credit card, including trip delay protection, primary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage protection and travel accident insurance.

Chase Sapphire travel benefits

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

on Chase’s website

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

on Chase’s website

Travel insurance coverage

  • Trip cancellation.

  • Trip interruption.

  • Trip delay.

  • Baggage delay.

  • Lost luggage.

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver.

  • Travel accident.

  • Trip cancellation.

  • Trip interruption.

  • Trip delay.

  • Baggage delay.

  • Lost luggage.

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver.

  • Roadside assistance.

  • Travel and emergency assistance.

  • Travel accident.

  • Emergency evacuations and transportation.

  • Emergency medical and dental.

Learn more

Here is a full list of credit cards that offer Chase travel insurance:

Premium cards with travel insurance

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

NerdWallet Rating

Annual fee

$395

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement insurance, a $1 million worldwide common carrier travel insurance policy and lost luggage protection.

No-annual-fee cards with travel insurance

While you’ll get the most travel insurance coverage from a premium travel card, some cards with no annual fee offer travel insurance as well.

What types of travel insurance coverages do credit cards usually offer?

Here are some of the most common types of travel insurance offered on credit cards.

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver insurance covers damage to or theft of cars that you rent using your credit card. For auto rental collision damage waiver insurance to apply, you must make your reservation and pay for your car rental with a card that has this benefit. You must also decline the car rental company’s collision damage waiver. Most auto rental collision damage waiver insurance is secondary, meaning that you must make a claim through your personal auto insurance before the credit card insurance will pay. Primary auto rental collision damage waiver insurance is a benefit on some premium credit cards.

  • Baggage delay insurance can reimburse you for expenses you incur as a result of a temporary baggage delay. Incidentals like toiletries, clothing, chargers and medication are typically reimbursable through baggage delay insurance.

  • Lost luggage reimbursement covers the cost to repair or replace your checked and carry-on baggage and its contents. Lost luggage coverage is usually provided as secondary insurance and will cover the difference between what an airline or other carrier reimburses you and the amount of your loss, up to the limit of coverage.

  • Travel accident insurance can compensate you or your survivors for loss of life, limb or function when you book your common carrier ticket, such as an airline ticket, with your card. Travel accident insurance typically specifies a payout amount for each type of covered loss.

  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may reimburse you for certain prepaid travel expenses when a trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance policies vary widely but usually cover at least airfare booked with your card. Some policies may cover a wide range of prepaid travel expenses. 

  • Trip delay reimbursement can cover meals and overnight accommodations when you are significantly delayed and you book your travel with your card. Trip delay benefits usually kick in after a certain number of hours of delays or when you are delayed overnight.

You can also buy travel insurance separately

If you aren’t interested in adding a new credit card to your wallet but want travel protections, you have options.

Consider shopping for one-off plans from third-party travel insurance companies to find coverage that fits your risk tolerance and budget. A bonus of purchasing travel insurance out-of-pocket — rather than using a card’s built-in benefits — is that you can customize the plan to meet your needs.

You can even add on Cancel For Any Reason coverage to more confidently protect your upfront and nonrefundable payments.

Expect to pay roughly 7% of your trip budget for travel insurance.

Should I use a Discover card for travel?

With no Discover travel protection, does it make sense to use a Discover card to book travel? The short answer is probably not.

Discover does not offer any credit cards featuring additional rewards on travel purchases. Discover does market the Discover it® Miles travel credit card, but the card earns 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase and has no rewards or benefits specific to travel.

The information related to the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, Chase Slate Edge℠, Ink Business Plus® Credit Card, Starbucks® Rewards Visa® Card and the United Club℠ Business Card credit cards has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuers of these cards.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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New York and the surrounding metropolitan area are big enough to accommodate three nearby airports, namely New York-John F. Kennedy, New York-LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The latter airport, Newark, is actually located in neighboring New Jersey, but it’s still relatively convenient for those who are looking to fly from New York City to elsewhere. And nothing makes travel better than a premium airport experience — especially when it comes to lounges.

Let’s take a look at Newark’s airport lounges, where they’re located and the hours that they keep.

About EWR lounges

Newark airport (EWR) is a major international airport with a variety of lounges. This includes lounges from domestic airlines such as United Airlines and American Airlines as well as options from international carriers like British Airways and SAS.

The Newark airport lounges are spread across all three of its terminals, which means you should have access to a lounge no matter where you’re flying.

Terminal A: United Club, Delta SkyClub and Admirals Club

Newark is a hub for United Airlines, which is while you’ll spot multiple versions of its Club lounges throughout the terminals.

United Club

  • Across from gate A27 on the upper level.

  • Open daily 5 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass to enter. 

  • Access is available to those with lounge memberships, those flying in an international premium cabin on a United or Star Alliance flight, those with a day pass, active duty military and those with United or Star Alliance elite status on an eligible international flight.

Along with complimentary food and beverages, guests of the United Club in Newark can enjoy a relaxing place to rest before their flight.

American Airlines Admirals Club

  • Across from Gate A8 on the mezzanine level.

  • Open 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday, and 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. all other days.

  • Must present a boarding pass to enter.

  • Open to those with lounge memberships, those flying in an international premium cabin, those with a day pass ($79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles), active duty military, those with American or Oneworld elite status on an eligible international flight and qualifying AAdvantage credit card holders.

The American Admirals Club in Newark features all your standard amenities such as snacks, a full-service bar, TVs, Wi-Fi and conference rooms.

Delta SkyClub

  • Near gate A8.

  • Open daily 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass to enter.

  • Open to those with lounge memberships, those flying in an international premium cabin on Delta or SkyTeam flights, those who hold eligible credit cards and those with Delta or SkyTeam elite status on an eligible international flight.

The Delta SkyClub in Terminal A opened in 2023 and offers passengers access to a buffet, premium bar, semi-private workstations and ample seating options.

Terminal B: British Airways Lounge, SAS Lounge and USO Center

Newark’s Terminal B is where most international flights will depart, so it makes sense that you’ll find lounges from overseas airlines here.

British Airways Lounge

  • Near gates B50 to B58.

  • Open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass to enter.

  • Open to those flying in an international premium cabin and those with Executive Club or Oneworld elite status on an eligible flight.

The British Airways Lounge in Newark provides a pre-flight dining area for those on evening flights, along with an all-day self-serve buffet, a staffed bar, separate workstations and showers.

SAS Lounge

  • Near gate B60. 

  • Opens one hour before the first SAS flight and closes 30 minutes after the last SAS flight departs.

  • Must present boarding pass. 

  • Open to those flying in an international premium cabin on an SAS flight and those with EuroBonus or Star Alliance elite status on an eligible flight.

The SAS lounge offers a self-serve buffet, bar, free Wi-Fi, a phone room and a guest office.

USO Center

  • Level 2 Door 9, outside security.

  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours may be extended from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. when volunteers are available. 

  • Open to active duty, guard and reserve members of the military as well as their dependents. 

USOs provide a nice place for service members to relax before or after their flights. You’ll typically find snacks, comfy chairs and even video games in a USO center.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Military members can get the annual fee waived on The Platinum Card® from American Express. This gets active duty members access to even more luxe travel benefits and lounges. Terms apply.

Terminal C: United Club and United Polaris

Terminal C only operates United flights and therefore only offers United lounges. That said, the lounge you’ll be able to visit will depend on what kind of United ticket you have.

United Club

  • Near Gate C74.

  • Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass. 

  • Access is available to those with lounge memberships, those flying in an international premium cabin on a United or Star Alliance flight, those with a day pass, active duty military and those with United or Star Alliance elite status on an eligible international flight.

United Club

  • Mezzanine level, near Gate C123.

  • Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass. 

  • Access is available to those with lounge memberships, those flying in an international premium cabin on a United or Star Alliance flight, those with a day pass, active duty military and those with United or Star Alliance elite status on an eligible international flight.

In addition to food and drinks, guests can take advantage of showers and semi-private workstations at this lounge location.

United Polaris

  • Between gates C102 and C120.

  • Open daily from 5 a.m.to 10 p.m.

  • Must present a boarding pass. 

  • Open to those flying United Polaris or Star Alliance international first or business class flights. 

The United Polaris lounge in Newark is available exclusively to those flying international premium cabins — and it shows. You’ll find high-end food, nap pods, showers, private dining and more at these lounges.

Lounge access for United cardholders

Travelers who hold certain United co-branded credit cards can benefit from the airline’s strong lounge presence at Newark. The following cards can get you into any of the airport’s United Club lounges:

United℠ Explorer Card

on Chase’s website

United Club℠ Infinite Card

on Chase’s website

United℠ Business Card

on Chase’s website

United Club℠ Business Card

Details

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95):

Lounge access: Two one-time United Club passes after account opening and each year for your cardmember anniversary.

Annual fee: $525.

Lounge access: Primary cardholders get a United Club membership.

Annual fee: $99:

Lounge access: Two one-time United Club passes after account opening and each year for your cardmember anniversary.

Annual fee: $450.

Lounge access: Primary cardholders get a United Club membership.

Still not sure?

Final thoughts on the lounges in the Newark airport

Newark airport has its fair share of lounges, especially if you’re flying on United Airlines. All three of Newark’s terminals feature airport lounges, which improves your odds of boarding your next flight out of EWR feeling full and fresh.

Day passes are available in Terminal A and Terminal C for eligible flyers, and certain co-branded airline credit cards can get you access, too.

The information related to the United Club℠ Business Card credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Orlando is home to the “most magical place on Earth” — Walt Disney World Resort — which makes it a popular destination for tourists. With so many people visiting the local theme parks, attractions and restaurants, the airport can get very crowded.

Enter Orlando’s airport lounges, which can provide a sanctuary from the throngs of travelers while you enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks and other benefits.

Learn more about which Orlando airport lounges are available, where they’re located and how you can get in.

About the lounges at Orlando airport

Currently, there are seven airport lounges spread across all three terminals at Orlando International Airport. Other than the USO Lounge, each lounge is located inside airport security, which means that you must have a valid ticket to visit them.

Admission to these lounges varies based on ticket type, elite status or which credit card you hold. In some cases, you may even be able to purchase a day pass to enjoy lounge benefits.

Terminal A

Orlando’s Terminal A has limited airport lounge options, though may be the most versatile. Its Priority Pass lounge is ideal for travelers because access isn’t limited to a specific airline. Plus, Terminal A has the USO lounge, which offers exclusive access to active duty military.

The Club at MCO Lounge

  • Location: Terminal A, adjacent to XpresSpa near Gates 1-29.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The Club at MCO Lounge Orlando Airport offers complimentary snacks, beverages and Wi-Fi. It does not have premium food or spa services, but guests can take advantage of its complimentary showers.

How to enter the lounge

Since there are two The Club at MCO lounges at Orlando’s airport, access is restricted based on which gate you’re flying out of. This The Club lounge is available to travelers departing from Terminal A Gates 1-29 and Terminal B Gates 30-59. All others must visit the other location.

Visitors can access the lounge beginning three hours before departure. To enter, purchase a day pass for $50 from The Club website or use your Priority Pass benefits.

USO Welcome Center Lounge

  • Location: Terminal A, outside of security on Level 1.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The USO Welcome Center Lounge offers complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea and snacks. Visitors can access free Wi-Fi and enjoy DVDs and multiple video game systems. It includes a children’s play area, sleeping quarters and quiet areas, plus a library.

How to enter the lounge

USO lounges are available to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves and Guard, plus their immediate families. Admission is not available to military retirees, disabled veterans and others who have previously served in the military.

Terminal B

Terminal B is where you’ll find the lounges for the major domestic airlines. Travelers must have elite status, a qualifying ticket, a lounge membership or a day pass to enter. If you don’t qualify, the Priority Pass lounge is another option.

American Airlines Admirals Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 55

  • Opening hours: Daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

Inside this Orlando airport lounge, travelers can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, including a full-service bar. This location does not offer conference rooms for visitors. Guests can also use the complimentary Wi-Fi to access the internet to check email, stream shows or browse the internet.

How to enter the lounge

Complimentary entrance to the Admirals Club in Orlando is available to club members when flying on American Airlines or one of its partners.

Additionally, you receive free entrance if you have a ticket for a first or business class international, transcontinental or other domestic flight by American Airlines or a Oneworld airline.

Elite status members of a Oneworld airline with Emerald or Sapphire status can also enter the lounge for free with any ticket for American or a Oneworld partner.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® provides complimentary access to Admirals Club lounges when flying on any American or Oneworld flight. This card also provides complimentary access to immediate family members or up to two guests who are also flying on American or a Oneworld partner.

Day passes are capacity-limited, but available for purchase online or on-site for $79 (or 7,900 AAdvantage miles) when flying on American or a Oneworld partner flight.

U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform are offered free admission to Admirals Club lounges when flying American; these guests may also bring their immediate family or up to two guests.

Delta Sky Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 71.

  • Opening hours: 

    • Open 4:30 a.m to 9:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    • Open 4:30 a.m to 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Lounge amenities

The Sky Club in Orlando offers complimentary snacks, beer, wine, spirits and liquor. Guests can also enjoy free Wi-Fi during their stay. It does not have showers, premium food or conference rooms.

How to enter the lounge

Delta Sky Club members can access the lounge when flying Delta or one of its partners, unless they purchased a basic economy ticket.

Purchasing a domestic or international Delta One ticket provides complimentary entrance to the Sky Club. Additionally, if you’re flying on an international first or business class partner flight, you receive free entry.

Delta Medallion elite status provides free access based on the type of ticket purchased. Diamond, Platinum or Gold members can enter the lounge for free when flying Delta Premium Select internationally or on any Delta One flight. One guest can accompany the member if they have the same class of ticket.

SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access Sky Club lounges for free on a SkyTeam international flight or on a domestic flight connecting to a same-day international flight.

Those traveling on partner flights not operated or marketed by Delta can access the lounge for $50 per person. Reserve cardholders can bring immediate family members or up to two guests into the lounge for $50 per person.

The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Centurion cardholders receive complimentary entrance to Sky Club lounges when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet. They can bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person. Terms apply.

Delta no longer offers day passes for sale.

The Club at MCO Lounge

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 91.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lounge amenities

In addition to complimentary snacks, spirits, beer and wine, this lounge also offers a children’s area. Guests can use the complimentary shower before departing on their flight. It also includes complimentary Wi-Fi for streaming, browsing the internet and checking email.

The children’s area provides an opportunity for children to burn off energy before the flight while the parents enjoy the lounge’s benefits.

How to enter the lounge

Of the two Orlando airport lounges from The Club at MCO, this one serves passengers departing from Terminal A Gates 100-129 and Terminal B Gates 70-99. Passengers departing from other gates within Terminal A and B should visit the other The Club at MCO Lounge location.

United Club

  • Location: Terminal B, near Gate 43

  • Opening hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The United Club lounge offers a full-service bar, light snacks and Wi-Fi for free to its guests. The lounge also has a children’s area for young guests and their parents. A conference room is available for an additional fee for travelers needing to conduct business.

How to enter the lounge

There are many ways travelers can gain access to this United Club lounge. Passengers on United Polaris or business class international or transcontinental flights receive complimentary admission, as can those flying first or business class on a Star Alliance member airline.

Star Alliance Gold members also have access to United Club lounges when traveling on an international flight by any Star Alliance airline.

Travelers can also purchase a United Club membership using cash or by redeeming miles. The price starts at $550 or 75,000 miles per year and varies based on your elite status level.

United Club℠ Infinite Card includes a complimentary United Club membership. With this membership, you and your eligible travel companions can enter these lounges for free whenever you fly on United or a partner airline.

United also offers free admission to active U.S. military personnel traveling on United. This includes those dressed in uniform, on leave orders or traveling on rest and recuperation papers.

Terminal C

The only airport lounge in Terminal C is the Plaza Premium Lounge. Travelers can access this lounge with qualifying credit cards regardless of which airline they’re flying.

Plaza Premium Lounge

  • Location: Terminal C, on the second floor overlooking Palm Court.

  • Opening hours: Daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lounge amenities

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Orlando International offers complimentary draft beer, food and Wi-Fi. Guests can also use its “luxury washrooms with spa-like shower facilities” to freshen up when they arrive or before their flight departs.

This lounge also offers an entertainment space for families, including a turtle drop game and a curated Orlando Storytelling Wall.

How to enter the lounge

Plaza Premium lounges partner with many major banks to offer complimentary access for travelers. However, it is not included with Priority Pass membership.

Eligible cards for this airport lounge in Orlando include:

Travelers can also book a day pass online through the Plaza Premium website. Price may vary based on when you’re traveling, how many are with you and how long you stay. A three-hour visit in April 2024 is available for $69.18 per person.

🤓Nerdy Tip

If you’re buying a day pass, you can save money by purchasing a multi-visit pass ranging from two, five or ten days.

The bottom line

Whether it’s your final destination or you’re on a layover before your next flight, Orlando airport lounges offer an escape from the noise inside the terminal.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Singapore Airlines is known for providing exceptional service, regardless of which cabin you fly. That excellent service starts at the check-in counter with a generous baggage allowance for all travelers — even those who book the cheaper “Lite” or “Value” fares. However, Singapore Airlines baggage policies vary based on the fare you purchase and even where you’re flying.

Let’s review what you need to know about Singapore Airlines baggage allowance.

Singapore Airlines’ baggage policies

To/from the U.S. and Canada

All Singapore Airlines passengers on flights to or from the U.S. and Canada can check two bags for free.

  • In economy and premium economy classes, checked bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) each.

  • Business class, first class and Singapore Suites passengers can check bags that weigh up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) each.

Elite status members get extra bags on top of this base allowance. KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members (e.g. United Airlines Premier Gold and above) get an additional free checked bag for a total of three free checked bags. Singapore Airlines PPS Club members get two additional checked bags for a total of four complimentary bags.

Let’s run through a couple of examples to clarify how Singapore Airlines baggage allowance works for U.S. flights:

  • Non-elite economy passenger: Two bags up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) each.

  • Star Alliance Gold (United Premier Gold or higher) elite in economy: Three bags up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) each.

  • Star Alliance Gold (United Premier Gold or higher) elite in business class: Three bags up to 70 pounds (32 kilograms) each.

  • PPS Club elite flying in premium economy: Four bags up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) each.

Regardless of the cabin, checked bag dimensions need to measure less than 62 inches (158 centimeters).

🤓Nerdy Tip

Your baggage allowance may vary if you’re using another airline first — such as flying United Airlines to connect to your Singapore Airlines flight. Check your ticket to be sure of your checked baggage allowance.

Other destinations

On Singapore Airlines flights that don’t travel to the U.S. or Canada, the airline uses a weight allowance system. Instead of limiting the number of bags you can check, you’re instead limited by a weight. Passengers can check as many bags as they’d like so long as the total weight is under the allowance.

In short, all passengers get at least 55 pounds (25 kilograms) of baggage allowance. Higher allowances are granted for passengers who book higher fares and elite status members.

Here’s the Singapore Airlines baggage allowance by fare type:

  • Lite and Value: 55 pounds (25 kilograms).

  • Standard and Flexi: 66 pounds (30 kilograms).

  • Premium economy: 77 pounds (35 kilograms).

  • Business class: 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

  • Suites and first class: 110 pounds (50 kilograms).

KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold elites get an additional 44 pounds (20 kilograms) of baggage allowance. PPS Club members get to double the base baggage allowance.

Baggage allowance for infants

Infants are entitled to their own baggage allowance on Singapore Airlines.

For U.S. and Canada flights, the infant baggage allowance is one piece weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) for economy and premium economy tickets or 70 pounds (32 kilograms) for business and first class tickets.

On all other flights, infants get up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of checked baggage allowance.

Parents traveling with an infant can also check the following:

  • Fully collapsible stroller or pushchair. 

  • Carry-cot or car seat.

If you need to check more than your baggage allowance when flying Singapore, it’s going to cost you. However, it’ll cost less if you plan ahead. By purchasing your extra baggage allowance in advance, you can save up to 25% off the rate you’d pay at the airport.

Singapore Airlines’ convoluted extra baggage fee charts charge fees that vary based on the following three factors:

  • How far in advance you purchase the extra baggage allowance.

  • Whether you’re flying on Singapore Airlines flights to/from the U.S. or another region.

  • The distance of your flight.

You’ll get the biggest discount when purchasing excess baggage allowance more than 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. Or purchase between six and 48 hours before departure for a 10% discount.

Singapore Airlines generally doesn’t accept checked bags weighing more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms). If you need to check a bag heavier than that, the airline directs you to call your local Singapore Airlines office.

More restrictive carry-on policies

In addition to your checked baggage allowance, passengers can carry at least one piece of baggage onboard. However, the size and weight limitations for Singapore Airlines’ carry-on bags is less than what many U.S. travelers may be accustomed to.

Regardless of the cabin, your carry-on bag cannot weigh more than 15 pounds (7 kilograms), and the dimensions cannot exceed 45 inches (115 centimeters). For reference, an Away Original Carry-On suitcase barely fits these limitations, measuring a combined 44.4 inches (112.8 centimeters).

Economy and premium economy passengers can carry one bag on board. Business class, first class and Singapore Suites passengers can carry on up to two bags — subject to the same size and weight limitations.

Singapore Airlines baggage policies recapped

The baggage allowance on Singapore Airlines depends on your cabin and where you’re flying. For flights going to or from the U.S. or Canada, all passengers can check up to two bags weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and carry on one bag weighing up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms).

On flights not touching the U.S. and Canada, passengers get at least 55 pounds (25 kilograms) of checked baggage allowance plus one carry-on bag weighing up to 15 pounds (7 kilograms).

Star Alliance Gold elites — which includes United Premier Gold and above — get an additional free checked bag or extra baggage weight allowance, depending on the type of flight. Plus, business and first class passengers can carry a second bag onboard.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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The Plumeria Lounge is one of two Hawaiian Airlines lounges at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It’s available to Priority Pass members, as well as to select Hawaiian Airlines business and first class travelers, plus frequent fliers with Hawaiian Airlines’ Pualani Platinum elite status.

Unlike the tropical paradise you’ll find elsewhere on Oahu, this lounge is more like an oasis of beige. It has some snacks, but don’t arrive seeking a feast. If all you need is a comfy chair, a place to charge your devices and a brief escape from the pre-flight pandemonium, the Plumeria Lounge is just fine.

Here’s what it’s like inside:

Spaces to relax and work

(Photo by Sally French)

The design of the Plumeria Lounge is bland, though not bad. Prepare your eyes for a steady color palette of beige on beige.

(Photo by Sally French)

There are a few types of seating options, including counter seating, table seating, booths and armchairs. Most have access to power outlets. The Plumeria Lounge also has a strong, lounge-exclusive Wi-Fi network, so it should be easy to get connected before your flight.

Food and drink at the Plumeria Lounge

(Photo by Sally French)

Some people judge lounges based on the food offerings. At Honolulu’s Plumeria Lounge, the food is solidly mediocre and spare. There is a self-service buffet with complimentary light snacks.

(Photo by Sally French)

Expect some apples, cheese, small sandwiches and soup.

(Photo by Sally French)

There are also a few types of prepackaged snacks such as pretzels and gummies. Delightfully, though, there are cookie jars with Hawaiian desserts including Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread and Mele Macs macadamia nuts.

(Photo by Sally French)

There’s a coffee maker for lattes and espresso, as well as a standard drip coffee dispenser. A soda fountain nearby offers standard soft drinks.

(Photo by Sally French)

The alcoholic beverages are also self-serve. There are wine bottles on the counter, so you can pour yourself a glass. Or you can grab a beer from the fridge.

Bathrooms

(Photo by Sally French)

The bathrooms were quite clean. However, during our visit in December 2023, one of the three women’s bathroom stalls was out of service.

(Photo by Sally French)

There are some nice touches, including colorful flowers and complimentary feminine care products.

How to get into the Plumeria Lounge at HNL

Plumeria Lounge access is offered to:

  • Business class guests departing Honolulu to Japan, South Korea, Australia or New Zealand.

  • First class guests departing Honolulu to New York or Boston.

  • Pualani Platinum elite status holders departing Honolulu to Japan, South Korea, Australia or New Zealand. These travelers may bring one guest.

  • All other Hawaiian Airlines passengers who purchase a day pass.

  • Priority Pass members.

Cards with Priority Pass access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Annual fee

Priority Pass benefits

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Includes two guests per visit. No restaurants.

Full Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year. Enrollment required. Existing cardholders who enrolled in Priority Pass on or before Jan. 31, 2023 will no longer have a membership as of Feb. 1, 2024. Cardholders who enroll between Feb. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024, will continue to have membership through Oct. 31, 2024. Terms apply.

Eight free Priority Pass lounge visits per year.

Learn more

As a Priority Pass member, you don’t need to fly on Hawaiian Airlines to access the lounge, but you will have to show a same-day boarding pass with an outbound departure from the HNL airport.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The Plumeria Lounge uses a waiting list for Priority Pass members, so access isn’t guaranteed if the lounge is busy.

Purchasing a Plumeria Lounge day pass

You can purchase a day pass either as a walk-in directly upon arrival at the lounge or beforehand during check-in.

The general admission price is $40, though there are discounts for passengers with Pualani elite status. Day passes for Pualani Gold cost $30 and Pualani Platinum can purchase day passes for $25.

Though, don’t try buying a day pass if you’re flying out of Honolulu on any other airline. You must present a same-day Hawaiian Airlines boarding pass to be able to purchase a day pass.

Getting to the Plumeria Lounge inside HNL

The Plumeria Lounge is located in Terminal 1 on the third level.

Honolulu Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Both are connected post-security, which makes it possible to access the Plumeria Lounge even if you’re flying out of Terminal 2, but it could be a long walk. You also could take the Wiki Wiki Shuttle between the terminals.

Other HNL lounges to consider

Honolulu’s other Priority Pass Lounge is the I.A.S.S. Hawaii Lounge. It’s adorned with colorful walls, plumeria print chairs and a view of lush plants outside. It might be more aesthetically appealing, but the snacks at the I.A.S.S. lounge are almost nonexistent, so if you prioritize complimentary food, the Plumeria lounge is the better choice.

Is the Plumeria Lounge Honolulu worth it?

(Photo by Sally French)

The Plumeria Lounge is hardly making any lists of best airport lounges. But if you received complimentary access anyway (by purchasing a premium airfare or having a Priority Pass membership), then it’s tough to complain about this lounge.

The food isn’t fancy, but few airport meals are. You’ll have a place to set down your bag. And don’t overlook the unlimited supply of coffee, soda and other drinks. The Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread treats are tasty, too.

As far as whether it’s worth purchasing a day pass, that’s a tougher decision. If you’ll otherwise purchase multiple adult beverages elsewhere in the terminal, then that might end up justifying a good chunk of the $40 day pass fee right there. If you’ve got a long layover, a delayed flight or just got to the airport way too early, then it might be easier to justify the day pass simply given how many more hours you’ll get out of your stay.

Sure, you’d much rather be lying on the beach in Waikiki. But, if you’re stranded in the Honolulu Airport, then the Plumeria Lounge has some complimentary food and drinks to help pass the time, but not much else.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is a collective of high-end properties that meet high standards for service and style. There are more than 500 boutique hotels in 90 countries that make the grade.

SLH will not become one of the many Hilton Honors brands, but the strategic partnership between the two unlocks the door to significantly more luxury properties than are currently in the Hilton portfolio.

For now, the details of using Hilton elite status benefits and credit card perks at SLH properties are still being ironed out, but Hilton members will soon be able to earn and redeem points at the participating luxury hotels.

What happens to the World of Hyatt partnership?

As Hilton Honors ramps up its partnership, World of Hyatt will end its connection with SLH. This comes on the heels of Hyatt’s new acquisition of travel club platform Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which gives World of Hyatt members plenty of opportunity to earn and redeem points at more than 1,500 luxury properties. Hilton will have an exclusive partnership with SLH.

9 Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties to look forward to booking with Hilton points

To book these new hotel options, Hilton Honors members can use any of Hilton’s traditional reservations channels to book a stay at participating SLH hotels. This includes earning and redeeming points, which multiply when you use a Hilton Honors co-branded credit card.

Hilton Honors is also a transfer partner of AmEx Membership Rewards. No matter which credit card you use, these are some of the exciting SLH options that may participate in the Hilton Honors partnership.

1. The Principal Hotel, Madrid

(Photo courtesy of The Principal Hotel)

Along the famous Gran Via, this hotel is close to popular shopping, theaters, nightlife, dining and tourist attractions like the Prado and Retiro Park.

Be sure to visit the one of the rooftop restaurants and bar for cocktails and tapas before heading out to a night on the town.

2. Inverlochy Castle, Scotland

(Photo courtesy of Inverlochy Castle)

Want to sleep in a castle? Hilton Honors points could be your chance. The 19th century Inverlochy Castle is in the Scottish Highlands where guests can slumber like royalty.

Other activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, golf and even a ride on the Hogwarts Express train of Harry Potter fame.

3. Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik, Croatia

(Photo courtesy of Hotel Excelsior)

Hugging the Adriatic Sea, this year-round hotel provides excellent views of the city’s famous Old Town (which was used for filming King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones”) and the popular island of Lokrum across the bay.

Instead of a traditional sandy beach, guests have a stone-lined deck from which they can take a dip in the water or lay back in the sun. There is a heated indoor pool and spa when the weather is not ideal for sitting by the sea.

4. Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen

(Photo courtesy of Nimb Hotel)

Facing Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, this hotel looks like part of a fairytale. Not only is there a convenient rooftop pool and sun deck available for guests, but anyone that stays here enjoys free access to Tivoli Gardens when it is open.

5. Hemingways Nairobi

(Photo courtesy of Hemingways Nairobi)

Hemingways Nairobi is a solid option for visitors either before or after a safari trip because of its location near Nairobi National Park. It has its own gardens offering tranquility from the city of Nairobi, one of East Africa’s bustling downtowns.

An outdoor swimming pool, massive guest rooms and plenty of green space are all less than 30 minutes from the city-center Wilson Airport, where many safari flights depart.

6. The Anam Mui Ne, Vietnam

(Photo courtesy of The Anam Mui Ne)

Along the East Sea, this resort is similar to a Hawaiian getaway with beautiful sea views and two sparkling swimming pools.

The Vietnamese restaurant serves traditional regional recipes from around the country, and don’t miss the evening sundowner music and dance performances.

7. Viceroy Bali

(Photo courtesy of Viceroy Bali)

This small, family-owned resort five minutes from Ubud is surrounded by rice fields and lush foliage ideal for guests looking for a wellness vacation, especially one focused on meditation and self-improvement.

Its 40 private villas offer oversized infinity pools, and local experiences include everything from a walk through the rice paddies to Balinese dance lessons and temple offerings.

8. Keswick Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia

(Image courtesy of Keswick Hall)

This luxury resort overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Virginia countryside boasts renovated interiors, a new spa and a Jean-Georges’ restaurant.

History buffs will appreciate its proximity to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

9. The Roundtree, Amagansett

(Photo courtesy of The Roundtree)

In the Hamptons on Long Island, this boutique hotel provides respite from the bustle of New York City and puts visitors within reach of the Atlantic Ocean.

A beach buggy takes guests to the shore during the summer, but back at the property, there is a lot to do, too. This includes popcorn and s’mores by the fire pit, afternoon tea and cookies, biking around the area, golf, baking classes and wine tastings.

The accommodations are made up of rooms, suites and private cottages.

The Hilton Honors and SLH exclusive partnership recapped

Hilton Honors members have another option for earning and redeeming points now that there is an exclusive partnership between Hilton and Small Luxury Hotels of the World. As long as you make a reservation through a Hilton channel, SLH hotels now offer Hilton Honors members access to more than 500 boutique hotels around the world.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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The best travel rewards are the ones that get you where you want to go, and some do a better job of that than others. Airline miles can help you book free flights and hotel points can help you book free rooms, but transferable points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards and AmEx Membership Rewards) can do both — and more.

Here are six reasons why transferable points are at the apex of travel rewards, and why you should prioritize earning them over other types of points and miles.

1. Transferable points provide flexibility

Suppose you’re in the market for a new travel credit card and you’ve narrowed your decision to two choices: the first card earns points that can be redeemed with your favorite airline, while the second card earns points that can be redeemed not only with your favorite airline, but also with your favorite hotel chain. The cards are functionally identical otherwise. Which do you choose?

The second card is the obvious answer. The option to redeem with both airline and hotel partners makes the rewards you earn from it more useful, since they can meet a broader range of award travel needs. In short, the rewards earned by the second card are more valuable because they’re more flexible.

Transferable points programs expand on that premise by partnering with a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you a diverse range of redemption options instead of just one.

Flexibility isn’t the only ingredient needed to add value, since making points transferable doesn’t necessarily mean transferring them is worthwhile. For example, you can transfer Hilton Honors points to more than two dozen airline partners, but in most cases the transfer ratio is a dismal 10:1 (i.e., 10,000 Hilton points becomes 1,000 airline miles).

That provides marginal value because it’s only useful in marginal situations, like if you urgently need a small number of miles to book a highly valuable award flight. While Hilton Honors points are technically “transferable,” their transferability doesn’t add much.

In contrast, the major transferable points programs generally offer neutral or favorable transfer ratios, as well as transfers that process quickly (or in many cases, instantly). That kind of flexibility adds more clear and consistent value.

2. Transferable points have greater upside

Suppose you’re booking a long weekend trip from Denver to San Francisco in the spring. You’ll be attending a wedding at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco and plan to pay out of pocket for your room there, but you have 60,000 United Airlines MileagePlus miles you can use to book your flight.

You want to arrive Thursday morning and return Sunday evening, so you search United’s website and find an itinerary that suits your needs for 32,200 miles and $11.20 in fees. You compare that with the cash price of $375.72 and calculate a redemption value of 1.13 cents per mile. That’s quite close to NerdWallet’s valuation of 1.2 cents per mile, so you’re satisfied.

Now imagine that instead of United miles, you have a reserve of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Instead of being able to redeem them solely for United flights, you can transfer those points to 11 airlines and three hotels based on which one suits your needs and offers the best value.

For example, instead of booking with United, you could transfer points to Southwest Airlines and book a comparable (though not identical) itinerary for 27,577 points and $11.20 in fees, versus a cash price of $386.97.

Assuming you’re not bothered by the earlier outbound departure and you don’t have a strong preference for one airline, the ability to choose between them saves you about 4,600 points on your flight.

Alternatively, you could transfer points to Hyatt to book your stay at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. The award cost is 17,000 points per night, totaling 51,000 points for your three-night visit.

Cash rates start at $323 per night, but the cheapest rates require advance purchase and are nonrefundable, while booking with points generally allows you to cancel with no penalty until two days before arrival.

A cash rate with a comparable cancellation policy totals $1,386.22 after taxes and fees, which yields a redemption value of over 2.7 cents per point (more than double what you’d get by redeeming for the United flights above).

This is just one example about a set itinerary, but it illustrates how the versatility of transferable points provides an upside when you’re not locked into specific travel providers.

Having more redemption options yields more opportunities to use points efficiently, which in turn raises the expected value of each redemption.

3. Transferable points have more favorable expiration policies

Many loyalty programs have expiration policies that can cause your rewards to vanish over time. While you’ll generally have 12 to 36 months to keep rewards active, some points and miles expire in as little as six months.

It’s easy to let rewards lapse and disappear in that timeframe if you’re not a frequent traveler and you don’t monitor your loyalty accounts vigilantly.

In contrast, transferable points generally don’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. That means you won’t have to keep track of when you last logged activity in each loyalty program or take action to keep dormant rewards from expiring.

4. Transferable points offer lucrative transfer bonuses

Most transfers to airline and hotel partners are done at a 1:1 ratio, so transferring typically gets you the same number of rewards you put in.

For example, transferring 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United Airlines gets you 1,000 United miles, or transferring 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points to Wyndham Hotels gets you 1,000 Wyndham points. While exchange rates vary depending on the loyalty program and credit card you’re using, a 1:1 transfer ratio is the industry standard.

However, transferable points programs offer occasional transfer bonuses that boost the exchange rate, commonly by 20%-50%. Instead of the usual 1:1, every 1,000 points you transfer with a bonus could get you 1,200 to 1,500 points with the partner program (or in some cases, more).

These higher exchange rates can save you points when a transfer bonus aligns with your travel plans, since booking the trip you want requires fewer transferable points than it would normally.

Transfer bonuses also create opportunities to top up your loyalty account balances by sending points to the programs you use most (even if you don’t have immediate plans to redeem them).

5. Transferable points reduce the risk of devaluation

Loyalty programs change over time, and while they sometimes add features, lower award prices or introduce new redemption options that make rewards more valuable, the opposite is more common.

Devaluations are a regular occurrence among airline and hotel programs and sometimes take place with no warning. When your points or miles are suddenly in decline, you have little recourse.

Transferable points programs aren’t immune from devaluations; they add, remove and modify features just like airline and hotel programs.

However, transferable points are insulated from devaluation by the sheer number of available redemption options — when a single airline or hotel program devalues, other transfer partners are unaffected, so transferable points retain the bulk of their worth.

In short, earning transferable points is the award travel equivalent of diversifying investments: By having a share of many loyalty programs, you’re less affected by a downturn in one of them.

6. Transferable points offer alternative redemption options

Transfers to airline and hotel partners tend to be the most valuable use of rewards, but transferable points programs feature a variety of other ways to redeem them.

One is to book flights, hotels or other travel directly through the program’s travel portal, especially with programs that offer added value for travel portal redemptions. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get 1.5 cents per point when redeeming through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

NerdWallet Rating

Annual fee

$550

Some programs also offer added value when redeeming for cash equivalents like statement credits or gift cards. For example, the American Express Platinum Card for Schwab lets you redeem Membership Rewards points at 1.1 cents apiece for cash deposits to an eligible Charles Schwab account. Terms apply.

Even though cashing out yields a lower average return than transfers to travel partners, it’s nice to be given the option when you need it, as it’s one you generally don’t have with other points and miles programs.

Why you should be using transferable points

Among travel rewards, transferable points have the best chance to provide useful redemption options, yield a high return and retain their value over time.

That’s why they’re broadly prized above rewards from individual airline and hotel programs, and why earning them should be the focus of your award travel strategy.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Spending the day at SeaWorld can mean costly food and beverage expenses, especially for a big family. To ease this burden for guests, the Orlando and San Diego SeaWorld all-day dining upgrade is available.

What is Orlando and San Diego SeaWorld all-day dining?

SeaWorld’s all-day dining is an upgrade you can purchase separately from park admission. It lets you eat your way through the park as soon as you enter until closing.

Once you arrive or purchase an all-day dining pass, an attendant will put a scannable wristband on you. This wristband is your key to redeeming your meals at participating restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the park.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Each wristband-wearing guest can redeem one “meal” every 90 minutes. SeaWorld keeps a time log of when your wristband was last scanned to track eligibility for your next meal redemption.

An adult meal includes one entree platter, one side or dessert, and one soft beverage or iced tea. Children with an all-day dining wristband can redeem a kids meal every 90 minutes.

What is the all-day dining cost at SeaWorld?

The online price for the SeaWorld all-day dining deal is $49.99 per adult (ages 10 and older) and $24.99 per child (ages 3-9). The cost is the same whether you’re visiting the Orlando or San Diego location. Additionally, some SeaWorld annual pass holders receive a discount on the all-day dining upgrade.

The dining upgrade can be purchased online ahead of your visit or inside the park.

🤓Nerdy Tip

The in-park price might be higher than the online price.

Eligible restaurants

As of this writing, you can use your all-day dining wristband at the following locations:

SeaWorld, San Diego

  • Explorer’s Cafe.

  • Calypso Bay Smokehouse.

  • Hibisco Modern Mexican.

  • Manta Pizza.

  • The Chicken Snack Shack.

  • Shipwreck Reef Cafe.

SeaWorld, Orlando

  • Voyager’s Smokehouse.

  • Expedition Cafe.

  • Captain Pete’s Island Hot Dogs.

  • Seafire Grill.

  • Lakeside Grill.

  • Altitude Burger.

  • Panini Shore Cafe.

  • Waterway Grill.

Restaurants and cafes included in this dining upgrade change without notice.

Pros and cons: SeaWorld all-day dining upgrade

Consider these pros and cons to decide whether the SeaWorld dining pass is worth it for you.

  • Easily pays for itself. If you plan on visiting the park for a full day and expect to dine at least a couple of times, you’ll likely save money on food and beverages.

  • Can try different cuisines. The all-day dining plan is valid at a variety of restaurants and cafes, all of which offer something that appeals to all taste buds. Whether you’re craving barbecue, burgers or hot dogs, you can get them for one flat price.

  • It’s convenient. There’s no need to fumble with your wallet or your phone for tap-to-pay at the registers. Just scan your all-day dining wristband.

  • Long checkout lines. There’s a specific checkout line to redeem all-day dining meals at participating restaurants and cafes. Sometimes lines can be long, which can be frustrating if you’re also juggling kids, are waiting under the hot sun or are just plain hangry. 

  • Restricted beverages. It’s not surprising that alcohol isn’t included as a beverage option for the all-day dining plan. However, it also doesn’t include bottled water, which can be limiting for those who don’t drink soda or other sugary beverages.

  • Sharing meals isn’t allowed. SeaWorld’s all-day dining policy prohibits guests from sharing meals with other guests ages 3 and up.

  • Doesn’t include special dining experiences. All-day dining is only available at select restaurants. It’s not valid at experiences like Dine with Orcas and Breakfast with Orcas.

Is all-day dining at SeaWorld worth it?

Figuring out whether SeaWorld’s all-day dining is worth it depends on your dining preferences. However, in terms of cost, you can quickly recoup what you paid for all-day dining.

For example, let’s say you dine at Calypso Bay Smokehouse, which is an all-day dining restaurant. An adult tri-tip entree with mac and cheese costs about $20.99, without a beverage.

That’s already nearly half the cost of SeaWorld all-day dining. If you plan on eating a full meal at the park at least two times, you’ll likely make back the cost you spent on this upgrade. Plus, you’ll have the option to redeem more meals or beverages throughout the day, if you’re feeling peckish or parched.

Ultimately, consider how much the individuals in your party are realistically going to eat during your visit. If your child, for example, is a low-volume eater who typically doesn’t finish their entire meal in one sitting, purchasing all-day dining for them might not make sense.

Frequently asked questions

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Source: nerdwallet.com