This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
19.09.2023 - 14:09 / lonelyplanet.com
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
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While some like to bemoan the sunset of the Golden Age of Travel, others might argue we’re in the midst of it. Premium travel experiences are more accessible than ever, and sometimes all it takes is a single credit card.
Airport lounges are just one example of a premium travel amenity going mainstream. Airport lounges provide travelers with a comfortable and luxurious space to relax before and after a flight. These lounges often have comfortable seating, complimentary beverages, snacks and other amenities. Some lounges even have showers, allowing travelers to freshen up before their flight or after a long journey. With these features, airport lounges make travel much more comfortable and enjoyable.
A credit card with airport lounge access is a great way to improve your travel experience. Many of these cards also offer priority boarding privileges which can help you get on the plane faster and avoid long lines at the gate. Furthermore, you’ll earn bonus points on flights, which can be used towards free flights or upgrades in the future. With annual fees ranging from $95-$695, there’s a card for every budget.
We’ve rounded up the best credit cards for airport lounge access to help you narrow your options. Here are our top picks:
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best card for those who want access to an extensive lounge network. With this card, you can access more than 1400 airport lounges worldwide. Cardholders receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to over 1300 lounges worldwide. You can also access the exclusive Centurion Lounges, Escape and Airspace lounge networks, Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta and Lufthansa lounges when flying with Lufthansa Group.
The card also comes with an airline fee credit of up to $200 every year. So if you happen to be at an airport that doesn’t operate a lounge in this vast network, you can buy a day pass with your Platinum Card and get reimbursed. Best of all, Amex Platinum
This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a city on the rise; so much so that it just joined our Readers’ Choice Awards list of the best big cities in the US, ranking third—just behind San Diego and Chicago. Long considered nearby Chicago's little sibling, Milwaukee has finally come into its own by growing amongst younger people for its affordability over the Second City, allowing people to buy homes and rent better apartments. Not to mention the growing restaurant scene, new infrastructure increasing walkability, and enough city amenities for the Midwest gem to truly feel desirable—it’s no longer just a small town. And with so many local colleges and a venerated art museum, there is strong curiosity and willingness to embrace the new.
Renowned for its jaw-dropping architecture, world-class museums and mouth-watering street food (did some say deep-dish pizza?) it's no wonder Chicago was voted the second-best city in the world by media and hospitality giant TimeOut.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people making when they begin their points and miles journey is to rapidly open tons of travel rewards credit cards without any plan for what they're going to do with them. Some cards might entice you with a large welcome bonus, and others will be long-term keepers, but it's possible that after 11 months of using the card and experiencing its benefits, you might change your mind about it and cancel the credit card before the annual fee is due.
A burger and fries by the beach in San Diego, California. (Photo Credit: sophia_ross/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)
In what was Delta Air Lines’ first public statement since a September 13 press release presented the Atlanta-based carrier’s revamped SkyMiles loyalty program and lounge access policy, Delta chief executive Ed Bastian this week said the airline plans to make “modifications” to the changes.
Delta SkyMiles American Express Business cards reward small-business owners with valuable airline miles and other travel-related benefits. These benefits vary from card to card, but each one offers impressive benefits for anyone who wants to earn Delta SkyMiles on their business expenses.
For decades, authors, artists and presidents have all been drawn to the Hudson Valley in New York.
Every fall, half a million music lovers congregate in downtown Austin's Zilker Metropolitan Park to attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Deciding whether to cancel a credit card isn't a quick and easy decision — or at least it shouldn't be. It's best to weigh several factors to ensure that closing your account doesn't have unintended consequences.
It's no secret that stepping into the world of credit card points and miles can be intimidating. Intricate rewards structures, hefty annual fees and unattainable sign-up bonuses are hard enough for the pros to grasp. But for a beginner like myself, it can feel impossible.
Skiers and riders, it’s time to start plotting out your 2023/24 season.