We may be about to find out.

Frontier Airlines has become one of the first U.S. airlines to take aim at the low-cost behemoth for its decision to begin charging customers to check bags.

‘The Day Southwest Died’: Reactions pour in about the carrier’s big changes

Frontier said it would offer customers a free checked bag in addition to complimentary access to its “Economy Bundle” – which includes one “personal item” as well as a carry-on bag, free seat assignments and no change fees. The offer applies to new bookings made within the next week for flights departing May 28 through Aug. 18.

Frontier did not mince words in its barely veiled swipe at Southwest.

“Some airlines have changed. They’ve raised fees, taken away perks, and made travel feel like a one-sided relationship,” Frontier said in a statement detailing the offer, which includes other fine print. “If your airline is treating you like an afterthought, maybe it’s time to file for divorce. Frontier is here for the rebound — offering a fresh start with an unbeatable deal.”

The move underscores the intense scrutiny hitting Southwest — once the unquestioned leader among U.S. airlines for customer-friendly policies — since it announced it would begin charging customers booked on most fare classes to check a bag. Southwest’s new policy takes effect for bookings made on or after May 28 — the same day that Frontier pegged its offer to.

Southwest bag fees: ‘Slaying of the sacred cow,’ says United CEO

“We’ve always had heart,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement, making an obvious reference to Southwest, which is headquartered next to Dallas Love Field (DAL) and flies planes with a heart-inspired livery and trades on Wall Street under the ticker “LUV.”

“Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we’re running towards it,” Biffle continued. “Think of this as the ultimate ‘divorce your old airline’ deal.” What’s more, Biffle said in the statement, “If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent.” He did not, however, elaborate on what threshold might prompt Frontier to make the change stick.

Frontier’s offer includes its own fine print, though. All bookings for nonstop travel starting today, March 18, through Aug. 18 will be eligible for the free “Economy Bundle” deal. However, these tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, March 24. What’s more, customers who would like a free checked bag must use the promo code “FREEBAG” when checking out, and that benefit is only available for travel from May 28 through Aug. 18.

That Frontier is able to take such an open swipe at Southwest, shows what a seismic shift the latter’s new bag fees represent.

Until recently, Frontier was synonymous with add-on fees and other unpopular customer service policies.

Stunning reversal: What we know about the shocking changes from Southwest — and what you should do now

But as budget airlines have struggled since the pandemic, Frontier and other carriers have looked to make changes to capitalize on an uptick in demand for premium service — increasingly favored even by leisure travelers who do not want to be nickel-and-dimed for every basic service.

To that end, Frontier has unveiled plans for first-class seating and other perks that used to be the domain of its full-service legacy rivals.

This current Frontier promotion takes aim at what was once a maverick upstart airline – Southwest – that built its reputation on treating customers better than its rivals.

Flipping that script on its head, Frontier’s Biffle issued a message that reads like vintage Southwest:

“At the end of the day, travelers just want to be valued. We’re bringing back the things people love about flying — free bags, free seat selection, and flexibility — without the extra fees. No games, just great value.”

Biffle might have said that no games are being played here … but it feels as though the games might just be beginning.

Related reading:

• Ultimate guide to Frontier Miles: How to earn and redeem miles, elite status and more
• Frontier Miles elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
• The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
• How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight

South Korea’s flag carrier is also plotting a major upgrade for its two U.S. lounges.

Monday’s announcement marks the latest in a series of changes at the Seoul-based airline, which recently got the green light for its acquisition of fellow South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines and last week unveiled a new logo, livery and comprehensive update to its onboard service.

Adding premium economy

Later this year, Korean will begin updating nearly a dozen of is Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with its first premium economy accommodations.

As part of the cabin overhauls, Korean’s 777s will lose their first-class cabin in favor of the mid-tier seats.

Once complete, 11 of Korean’s 777s will sport a new three-cabin configuration featuring its Prestige business class, the inaugural premium economy cabin, and coach.

Following an industry trend

A move “in response to growing market demand,” Korean is largely following in the footsteps of other global airlines.

While some airlines, like Lufthansa and Japan Airlines have added new and swanky first-class accommodations, a wider range of carriers have ditched their most spacious seats in favor of slightly less luxurious — but still impressive – business class suites and pods, complemented by premium economy recliners in the middle of the plane.

Look no further than American Airlines’ plans to sunset its Flagship First cabins in 2025 in favor of a higher total number of Flagship Business suites — that is, whenever production finally finishes.

Read more: The best credit card welcome bonuses of March 2025

Korean itself debuted an all-new “2.0” version of its Prestige business class last year, featuring the privacy doors that have become a coveted premium-cabin amenity among airlines.

More broadly, premium economy has become a critical part of many airlines’ long-haul service over the past decade as a way to cater to travelers who don’t want to pay top dollar (or a sizable chunk of miles) for upscale, lie-flat seats, but want added comfort and improved dining.

The Asian market alone recently saw EVA Air, based in Taiwan, announce a total reboot for its premium economy — a cabin it once pioneered in late last century.

Retrofits for 11 Boeing 777s

Back to Korean: Its first retrofitted 777 sporting premium economy is expected to enter service during the second half of 2025, the airline said Monday. Retrofits on 10 additional 777s — the carrier has about three-dozen total — are expected to unfold over the next year and a half, or so, with cabin refits running through 2026.

It’s worth noting, the 777 is just of several widebody aircraft Korean flies, including on routes to and from the U.S. Its long-haul fleet includes the Boeing 747 and 787 Dreamliner, along with the Airbus A330, A350 and A380.

The carrier did not announce any refit plans for its other widebody jets Monday.

‘Complete redesign’ for Korean Air lounges

The airline did, however, reveal plans to a lounge refresh.

On top of expanding its outposts at its Incheon International Airport (ICN) home base in Seoul, Korean announced “complete redesigns” for its facilities at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (JFK).

Those clubs will incorporate “city-themed atmospheres,” the carrier said.

Travelers hoping to book flights with Korean Air can use cash, or book a redemption using its Skypass loyalty program — or book a partner award flight through one of its SkyTeam alliance partners like Delta Air Lines, Air France or KLM.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Delta Air Lines became the first U.S. airline to reach that threshold earlier in March when it marked its first 100 years. The Atlanta-based carrier took off as Huff Daland Dusters in March 1925.

“Since then, we’ve grown into an industry-leading premium brand and global airline that continues to thrive,” said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, on LinkedIn. “It’s all possible because of the incredible 100,000 people who make Delta the very best.”

That new-plane smell: On board the first Delta Air Lines jet sporting its all-new cabin look

One way that Delta is marking its anniversary is with a special Centennial livery to honor “a century of innovation, resilience and the people who built Delta into the airline it is today.”

The airline unveiled the new look on an Airbus A321neo at a gala Saturday; it features a majestic swoosh in tones of blue and silver.

The carrier said it would also add the commemorative paint scheme to one of its Airbus A350 wide-body jets later this spring.

The livery was designed by Delta employee Aaliyah McNeal.

In the decades after Delta was founded, it was one of the country’s “trunk carriers,” or airlines that flew major domestic routes, until the industry was deregulated in 1978. It became an international carrier in the decades that followed through organic growth and mergers; Delta merged with Western Airlines in 1987 and acquired Pan Am’s European assets in 1991. Delta became the global airline it is today following its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2009.

Today, Delta is the de facto premium U.S. airline — though United Airlines is doing its best to catch up — and a leader on many customer-focused initiatives. For example, in 2023, Delta was the first major airline to offer free inflight Wi-Fi.

Delta will not be the only U.S. airline to reach triple digits for long. Both American Airlines and United can trace their roots to 1926.

Related reading:

• Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
• Best Delta credit cards
• Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status in 2025
• Delta basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more

Transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities to maximize your points and miles and work your way toward fantastic award redemptions. You can sometimes get significantly more value from your rewards by transferring them to a specific airline or hotel partner during one of these bonus periods.

Remember, though, that these are limited-time offers — so you’ll need to act fast if you find one that suits your travel plans.

We’ve compiled transfer bonus updates for most major programs with transferable rewards to make tracking these offers easier. Just note that transfer bonuses are sometimes targeted, so some may not be available.

American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus

You can currently transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy with a 25% bonus. That means you’ll get 1,250 Bonvoy points for every 1,000 Amex points you transfer, effectively reducing the number of points you’ll need for your next Marriott redemption by 20%.

But time is running out on this bonus, which ends March 21.

You can also transfer your American Express points to Qatar Airways Privilege Club and earn a 20% bonus through March 31. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points to receive 1,200 Avios; up to 750,000 points can be transferred, and Avios will appear in your Privilege Club account within 48 hours.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club is one of five frequent flyer programs that use Avios. The others are British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub and Finnair Plus. You can transfer Avios between any of the participating programs at a 1:1 ratio — but the way in which you redeem Avios in each program can change the value you’ll get.

How to earn American Express Membership Rewards points

If you’re looking to earn more of these valuable points, the following American Express cards could prove useful additions to your wallet:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership.

Check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher welcome offer (subject to change at any time).

You can also earn extra Membership Rewards points when you enroll in Amex Offers and shop with Rakuten.

Based on TPG’s March 2025 valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, and our tests indicate that they transfer instantly to most of American Express’ transfer partners.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points for maximum value

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer bonus

British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub and Iberia Plus members can all earn a 20% bonus when converting Chase Ultimate Rewards points into Avios through March 31. So, for example, a transfer of 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points would become 1,200 Avios during this period.

There’s also a 50% transfer bonus opportunity when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to your Marriott Bonvoy account by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31.

Bear in mind that TPG currently values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents, Avios at 1.4 cents and Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, so neither of these transfers is likely the best use of Chase points.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

If you want to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the following Chase cards could make good additions to your wallet:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

If you have one (or more) of the above cards, you can combine your Ultimate Rewards points in a single account. Then, you can effectively convert the cash-back earnings on the following cards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points:

• Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy in the first year (on up to $20,000 spent), worth up to $300 cash back.
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earn up to $750 bonus cash back — $350 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each when maximized with travel partners. Most Ultimate Rewards transfers will process instantly.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Capital One transfer bonus

Unfortunately, Capital One is not offering any transfer bonuses at the moment.

How to earn Capital One miles

If you’re looking to earn more transferable miles, the following Capital One cards are solid options to consider:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

TPG’s March 2025 valuations peg Capital One miles at 1.85 cents apiece, and most transfers from Capital One will process instantly.

For more details, check out our guides to the Capital One transfer partners and how to transfer Capital One miles to airline and hotel partners.

Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer bonus

Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 25% transfer bonus when you convert your ThankYou points to Avianca LifeMiles by April 12. Since Citi normally transfers to Avianca at a 1:1 ratio, this means you’ll get 1,250 LifeMiles for every 1,000 ThankYou points you transfer.

This bonus could help you save points on your next redemption and partially offset Avianca’s recent devaluation. For example, you could book an 80,000-point business-class ticket to Europe for just 64,000 Citi points.

How to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points

These Citi credit cards could make useful additions to your wallet for earning Citi ThankYou Rewards points:

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with your card within three months from account opening.
• Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 on purchases with your card within three months from account opening. Plus, earn 5 bonus ThankYou Rewards points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions via the Citi travel portal through Dec. 31. (Note: You must pair this card with a premium Citi ThankYou card to access a full-fledged, transferable ThankYou points account.)

The information for the Citi Rewards+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus

Marriott Bonvoy is not currently offering any transfer bonuses.

How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points

If you’re looking to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, the following Marriott Bonvoy cards may be of interest:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn three free night awards after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Each free night award has a redemption level of up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents each. Review our tests of Marriott transfer times before transferring points, since some airlines take a few days (or even weeks) to receive the points.

Related: Marriott Bonvoy program: How to redeem points for hotel stays, airfare and more

Should you transfer points?

We only recommend transferring points or miles if you have a short-term plan to use them. Many programs have implemented devaluations over the last few years, so speculative transfers could prove a losing proposition. Transfers are irreversible — and you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of points or miles in a program you have little use for.

If you don’t have a specific redemption in mind but still want to earn points or miles, you’re likely better off earning rewards through card welcome bonuses and everyday spending.

And we always recommend you ensure award availability before transferring your rewards.

Bottom line

When a program with a transferable currency offers a transfer bonus, it’s important to run the numbers to determine whether it is worthwhile.

Generally, you won’t want to transfer your points or miles without a specific redemption in mind. After all, a large part of the value of transferable points and miles comes from their flexibility — which you’ll give up when you convert them to a partner’s currency. However, a transfer bonus can help you get more value from your points and miles if you use a partner program frequently or plan to redeem soon.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

Washington, D.C., offers visitors world-renowned museums and iconic landmarks like the White House, the Capitol and the monuments along the National Mall. However, the city isn’t only about history. There are also booming food and entertainment scenes.

Many Americans first come to the nation’s capital on a school trip. But if you’ve never been to Washington, it can be hard to prioritize the highlights or enjoy some sights and experiences that veer off from more well-trod itineraries.

For those who might not be familiar with the city, my colleague, Emily Thompson, and I traveled there together in an attempt to craft the perfect one-day field trip to Washington. Of course, your perfect day may differ from ours, but here are our must-visit destinations for anyone looking to explore the city, along with some ways to maximize points and miles along the way.

Related: Peak bloom date announced: Best time to see DC’s cherry blossoms in 2025

National Zoo

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: Free, but entry passes are required for all guests.
• Getting there: Three blocks from the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro station or a 15-minute Uber or Lyft ride from downtown. If you drive yourself, the National Zoo charges $30 for parking, so we recommend taking advantage of the plentiful street parking nearby.
• Time required: One hour (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.).

Start your day bright and early so you can arrive at 8 a.m. for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. You’ll likely see the 2,200-plus animals being more active in the morning than in the afternoon.

Emily and I arrived via the Connecticut Avenue entrance and walked down the Asia Trail, where we passed by the clouded leopard, sloth bear and red panda exhibits.

But the real highlight of the zoo was seeing Xiao Qi Ji, the giant panda who was born to a 22-year-old mom in 2020, making her the oldest giant panda to give birth in the U.S. While Xiao Qi Ji and his parents returned to a panda reserve in China in late 2023, a new pair named Bao Li and Qing Bao made their public debut at the National Zoo in January 2025 at the newly refurbished David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.

After an hour or so at the zoo, you’ll have hopefully worked up an appetite.

Weekend brunch in Georgetown at Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers

• Weekend and holiday-weekday brunch buffet hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Cost: $35.50 per person. Children 3 and under are free, and children ages 4 to 12 are $15.50.
• Getting there: A 15-minute Uber or Lyft ride, or a 45-minute downhill walk from the zoo.
• Pay with: One of the best cards for dining, like the American Express® Gold Card.
• Time required: 1 hour and 15 minutes for brunch and a stroll along the Georgetown Waterfront (9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.).

Weekend brunch is a big deal in D.C., and Washingtonians fiercely debate about the best brunch spot, but I’m a big fan of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers.

Serving what it calls “a festival of food,” Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers offers an elaborate brunch spread with fresh, sustainable ingredients from local farms and producers.

The buffet includes options like the famous bananas Foster French toast, a live omelet station, molasses-glazed ham, freshly cut roast beef, spicy fried chicken, seafood jambalaya, apricot-glazed salmon, chips and guacamole, and much, much more.

There are also cold options like bruleed grapefruit, housemade granola and coconut chia bowls.

The dining room is lively and boisterous, and we estimate the restaurant serves around 500 hungry brunchers on peak weekends. Consequently, the buffet line can get a bit long. Ask your server for the Bakers Pizza, Farmhouse Sushi and cinnamon rolls — these dishes are brought to your table upon request.

Our tip: Before you leave, grab some Instagram-worthy pics at the Georgetown Waterfront.

Related: Off the beaten path in DC: From a historic garden to a travel-inspired restaurant

National Mall (Smithsonian museums)

• Hours: Most Smithsonian museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 or 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free, but some require timed-entry tickets, like the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You’ll also need a timed-entry ticket for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
• Getting there: 10-minute Uber or Lyft ride from Georgetown.
• Time required: Three hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall was designed in the 18th century by French American urban planner Pierre L’Enfant. He envisioned a dramatic grand promenade similar to the Tuileries Garden in Paris.

In addition to the stunning views of the Capitol and Washington Monument, the National Mall offers ample gardens and is fringed by several Smithsonian museums. Here’s an overview of the museums you can access from the National Mall:

• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Gallery of Art
• National Museum of the American Indian
• National Air and Space Museum (open but currently undergoing significant renovations)
• Hirshhorn Museum (the Hirshhorn’s sculpture garden is closed until 2026 as it undergoes a $68 million revitalization)
• Freer Gallery of Art
• Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
• National Museum of African Art

The Holocaust Memorial Museum and International Spy Museum are a block south of the National Mall. The Spy Museum has an entry fee of $31.75 to $37.05 per person depending on how early you purchase tickets.

Plan to use the restrooms inside the museums, and skip the food trucks and underwhelming museum cafeterias since there are plenty of great restaurants to enjoy in Washington.

Since time is limited (and you need a couple of days to see all these museums), we recommend selecting one or two museums that interest you the most. As an aviation enthusiast, I needed to keep my eyes on the time at the Air and Space Museum so I didn’t miss out on our other stops.

Related: If you’ve seen the Smithsonian museums, visit these 6 lesser-known DC landmarks next

Afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City

• Weekend afternoon tea hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. Reservations are required.
• Cost: $78 per person. Children 12 and under are $49 for the Teddy Bear Tea.
• Getting there: 10-minute Uber or Lyft ride from downtown.
• Pay with: Since this doesn’t code as dining but rather as a Marriott hotel purchase, use a Marriott cobranded card, like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, or a card that earns well on general travel purchases, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
• Time required: One hour (2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

Since you’ve been on the go for several hours at the National Mall, a posh afternoon tea across the river in Arlington, Virginia, is the perfect way to recharge for the afternoon and evening activities ahead.

The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City offers one of the most decadent afternoon teas in the area. Though expensive, it’s a surprisingly good value as it’s difficult to find similar experiences for under $90 in Washington.

Between March 14 and April 13, a slightly enhanced Cherry Blossom Tea is also served Friday through Sunday for $88, including a glass of sparkling wine. When Emily and I went, the tea sandwiches and pastries were scrumptious, and the homemade scones served with clotted cream and local jam paired excellently with the sakura cherry rose white tea.

Arlington National Cemetery

• Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Free for all, but you must present an ID.
• Getting there: 10-minute Uber or Lyft ride from Pentagon City.
• Time required: 1 hour and 15 minutes (3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.).

The final resting place of some 400,000 veterans and their dependents, Arlington National Cemetery is a place to recognize the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.

Stop by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to unidentified soldiers who lost their lives in service to the country. The Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at the tomb, is a solemn and moving event every half-hour from April 1 through Sept. 30 and on the hour from Oct. 1 through March 31.

Another must-see site at Arlington National Cemetery is the John F. Kennedy Gravesite. An eternal flame marks the gravesite of President Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. The flame symbolizes the president’s enduring legacy and is a poignant reminder of his service to the country.

Visitors who prefer a narrated hop-on, hop-off bus tour can reserve a ticket, though a ticket isn’t required to enter the cemetery.

After, take a little break to freshen up at your hotel before the evening activities.

Related: The best hotels in Washington, DC

Night monument tour

• Touring hours: 7:30 or 8 p.m. until 10-10:30 p.m. 
• Cost: From $53 per person.
• Getting there: Tours leave from various landmarks so budget 15-20 minutes to take an Uber or Lyft ride or public transit to the starting point.
  
• Time required: Two to three hours in the evening.
• Pay with: Book using Viator. Initiate your purchase using your favorite shopping portal to earn extra points. Then, pay with a credit card that earns well on general travel purchases.

If you have a little time before the tour (as we did), stop by the lobby atrium of the Waldorf Astoria for drinks and tapas at The Bazaar by José Andrés.

Then, it’ll be time for your monument tour. Every night, Washington’s monuments come to life with dramatic lighting displays.

When I had family and friends visit me when I was a student at American University, this was my favorite go-to evening excursion. You can opt for an open-air trolly, electric cart or bus, which all offer comparable experiences. The electric cart is a more intimate experience with fewer people, but it’s a bit shorter than the others.

Whichever tour you select, it’ll hit the highlights, like the Capitol, White House, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Make sure to book a tour that lets you get out and take photos instead of one that just quickly drives by.

Since our visit fell during peak cherry blossom season, petals rained down on us as we passed by MLK’s quotes — truly an extraordinary memory of our epic day.

Ben’s Chili Bowl

• Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.
• Cost: $10 to $20 for a complete meal.
• Getting there: 10-minute Uber or Lyft ride.
• Time required: 30 minutes (10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.).

Few things are more D.C. than Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Founded in 1958 by Ben Ali and his wife Virginia, Ben’s Chili Bowl became a popular gathering place for civil rights activists during the 1960s. The U Street Corridor, known as Black Broadway, is rooted in the thriving African American arts and entertainment scene outside Ben’s doors.

Ben’s has gone hand-in-hand with civil rights in D.C. by donating food and providing shelter to those in need during the 1963 March on Washington and 1968 riots.

The restaurant is still famous for its Half Smoke chili dogs, fries and milkshakes. But more than the food, it’s about the establishment’s legacy as a gathering place for civil rights activists during the 1960s.

Related: Racing to the capital: What’s the fastest way to get from New York to Washington, DC?

Bottom line

Feeling a yawn coming on?

If you made it this far, you’ve been out of your hotel room for around 15 hours, as Emily and I were, but with any luck, the rest stops throughout the day have made it more manageable.

Truthfully, there’s no way to see everything in one day. After all, if you have the time, I’d reserve an entire day at the National Mall alone, hopping from museum to museum.

But a proper field trip to Washington goes beyond the museums and monuments, highlighting American culture and the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, including Georgetown, the U Street Corridor and Columbia Heights. Hopefully, you’ll be eager to plan your next trip to Washington before this one is over.

Related: 8 best things to do in DC for families with kids of different ages

A hotel credit card is a travel rewards card that helps you earn free nights, discounts and even elite status at popular hotel chains. Having one of these cards in your wallet can bring you closer to your next vacation.

Let’s review the best hotel credit cards currently available and discuss what to consider when choosing one.

Comparing the best hotel credit cards

Here are some recommendations for the best hotel credit cards for beginners.

Frequency of travel

How often do you travel and stay in hotels? If you travel frequently, getting a hotel credit card makes sense. If you don’t travel often or tend to stay in other accommodations, such as Airbnbs, you might be better suited with a travel rewards card that earns more flexible rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Related: Why I love my Chase Sapphire Preferred card — and will always keep it in my wallet

Are you loyal to a specific hotel chain?

If you prefer to stay at a specific hotel chain, consider applying for one of its cobranded credit cards.

Marriott is my go-to hotel chain, and I hold Titanium Elite status, so a Marriott credit card can help me maximize the points I earn each time I stay. Whatever chain you prefer and stay with the most is the one you should choose for your first hotel card.

Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?

What benefits do you get?

When researching a hotel credit card, it is important to consider the benefits of the card, which can include:

• Elite status
• Free night certificates
• Travel protections and insurance
• Bonus earnings on hotel stays
• Elite night credits
• The potential for award stays

For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically gives you Platinum Elite status, which includes several benefits.

Some hotel cards also give you elite night credits just for holding the card, which can move you closer to a higher status tier. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a good example, as it automatically gives you 25 elite night credits annually.

Additionally, IHG will give you the fourth night free if you hold a credit card and pay with points.

Related: Quick Points: Get your fourth or fifth night free on hotel award stays

Earnings structure

Another perk of hotel credit cards is the bonus earnings on hotel stays. Some cards earn more than others, so it’s essential that you choose the right card.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent on all Hilton stays. The Marriott family of credit cards earns up to 23.5 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays. IHG cards earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG stays. Meanwhile, Hyatt cards earn up to 9 points per dollar spent on Hyatt stays.

Related: What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Are you choosing the right welcome offer?

Most hotel credit cards have generous welcome offers, such as bonus points or free nights, that can help you accumulate rewards quickly. Marriott, for example, has six credit cards with varying welcome offers. As a couple of examples:

New Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholders can earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees.

New Marriott Bonvoy Bold cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Welcome offers vary between cards, so you should determine whether you want to earn points or free night certificates. You should also ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to qualify for the offer, as that can vary between cards.

Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers

Should you put your everyday spending on a hotel card?

Hotel cards don’t always have the best earnings rate on everyday purchases. However, there are some scenarios where you should put your everyday spending on a hotel card.

If you want to qualify for a welcome offer, put your everyday spending on your new card to ensure you reach the threshold. You should also prioritize your hotel card if you want to earn points toward an upcoming trip.

Related: Best credit cards for everyday spending

Is the annual fee worth it?

Many hotel credit cards charge an annual fee, so you’ll need to determine if you will get enough value from the card to justify paying the fee.

Welcome bonuses and anniversary certificates can offset some of these annual fees, especially in your first year. A handful of cards will give you a free night certificate every anniversary year just for having the credit card.

For example, the World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee but gives you a free night certificate for any Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary each year. You can easily get a free night that normally costs between $200 and $400, offsetting the annual fee and making the card a no-brainer.

Related: The wild thing I did not to lose a free hotel night, and how you can avoid my mistake

Bottom line

A hotel credit card can be a great way to earn elite status and points toward your next dream vacation. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and preferred hotel chain. That way, you can maximize the benefits of having a hotel credit card. If you don’t stay at hotels often, opt for a travel card that earns a more flexible currency.

Related: The best hotel credit cards

See rates and fees for the Amex Platinum, click here.
See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Surpass, click here.

Regardless of which airline you fly, each one sets its own policies regarding checked baggage and carry-on luggage. Depending on the fare type, airlines generally permit travelers two carry-on items — one that fits underneath the seat in front of you, considered a personal item, and a second item that fits overhead. However, you must meet certain dimension thresholds, which vary by airline.

This guide outlines the current carry-on baggage policies for 10 major airlines, including restrictions on what constitutes a carry-on bag suitable for storage underneath the seat in front of you versus the overhead bin.

Domestic carry-on policies

A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it’s considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment, as determined by the dimensions outlined by airlines.

Southwest Airlines

Up until last week, Southwest stood out among carriers for allowing passengers two free carry-on bags and two free checked bags on all fare types. But as of May 28, most Southwest passengers will be required to pay to check bags.

However, the airline has not indicated that these changes will affect its carry-on baggage policy. As of March 13, carry-on items stored overhead must meet or be smaller than 24 by 16 by 10 inches. Personal items for under the seat — including purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, laptops and backpacks — cannot be larger than 16 1/4 by 13 1/2 by 8 inches.

“Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you,” per Southwest. “If it doesn’t fit or if there’s no seat in front of you, we’ll ask you to place it in an overhead bin.”

Delta Air Lines

“Each passenger flying with Delta can bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item free of charge (such as a purse, laptop bag or item of similar size that will fit underneath the seat in front of you),” according to Delta. “If you plan to bring roll-aboard luggage or a large bag to store in the overhead bin,” note the below size restrictions.

Approved personal items include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, camera bag, diaper bag, laptop bag or other similarly sized item.

The combined length, width and height of carry-on baggage should be less than 45 inches. Individual items must be less than 22 by 14 by 9 inches.

All Delta fare types, including basic economy, allow both a full-size carry-on item and a personal item.

American Airlines

Basic economy passengers on American Airlines are also allowed one full-size carry-on and one personal item, such as a purse or backpack.

“Your personal item, like a purse or small handbag, must fit under the seat in front of you,” American states on its website, noting that the dimensions must be under 18 by 14 by 8 inches.

Unlike some other carriers, American does not count certain items carried on for babies — such as diaper bags — as one of your carry-on items.

“Diaper bags (1 per child), soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don’t count as your personal item or carry-on,” they say.

American considers an overhead bin item to be a bag, meaning it must be less than 22 by 14 by 9 inches (including handles and wheels) and fit in the sizer at the gate.

United Airlines

United’s basic economy fare is among the most restricted fare types. For most flights, basic economy passengers can only travel with one personal item that fits under the seat and measures 9 by 10 by 17 inches. That means if you brought a backpack on board with this fare type, it would be your one and only item allowed.

For basic economy, “Carry-on bags are not included unless you’re flying to Canada, South America, across the Atlantic or on an international flight across the Pacific,” notes United.

If you need to bring a second bag for the overhead bin, you’ll have to pay $60 round-trip to upgrade to economy. In economy class and above, carry-on bags, including handles and wheels, cannot exceed 9 by 14 by 22 inches.

JetBlue

Travelers flying JetBlue’s Blue Basic are only granted one personal item that can fit underneath the seat in front of you — specifically, an item measuring less than 17 by 13 by 8 inches, handles and wheels included. Again, this would include backpacks or comparable items that must suffice as your only piece of luggage.

Any Blue Basic traveler who brings a full-size carry-on bag to the gate will incur a $65 fee to check their first or second bag or $180 for their third bag.

Blue fare types and above allow carry-on luggage that fits in the overhead bin, specifically bags not exceeding 22 by 14 by 9 inches.

There are a few exceptions to JetBlue’s carry-on policy to allow certain customers in Blue Basic to carry on a full-size bag, including for Mosaic status holders, unaccompanied minors, active U.S. military members and customers traveling to and from London.

International carry-on policies

British Airways

Like JetBlue and United, British Airways’ basic economy fare only permits travelers to bring hand luggage up to 16 by 12 by 6 inches. Economy and premium economy fares afford passengers one full-size cabin bag measuring 22 by 18 by 10 inches. All bags must weigh less than 51 pounds.

“On busy flights, you may be asked to check in your larger cabin bag,” British Airways advises.

Emirates

Although Emirates also restricts economy passengers when it comes to carry-on baggage, you can bring one full-size bag, including one that can fit in the overhead bin, as long as it does not exceed 22 by 15 by 8 inches or weigh more than 15 pounds.

“All carry-on baggage must fit either under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers,” per Emirates. “Baggage may not be placed behind your legs, in the aisles, or in front of emergency exits.”

Singapore Airlines

Like Emirates, Singapore Airlines allows premium- and economy-class passengers one piece of luggage on board, under 15 pounds, with a combined length, width and height of up to 45 inches. This could be a backpack or a more traditional piece of luggage.

“In addition to the limitations stated here, you must also be able to stow your baggage securely in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you,” the airline explains.

Cathay Pacific

Unlike the other international carriers mentioned, Cathay Pacific allows all customers one piece of carry-on luggage and one additional smaller item, including handbags, laptop bags, small backpacks, camera bags and briefcases, according to its website.

This policy applies to all fare types, starting with Economy Light. It allows for one full-size item measuring 14 by 9 by 22 inches and a personal item with dimensions not exceeding 16 by 16 by 12 inches, both of which must weigh less than 15 pounds.

Virgin Atlantic

All people flying in economy classes on Virgin, which includes Light, Classic and Delight, and those flying in premium cabins may bring one carry-on item that can fit in the overhead bin as long as it weighs less than 22 pounds.

If you want to carry on a second bag, you need to book an Upper Class fare, which entitles you to two bags under 35 pounds combined.

“Whichever cabin you’re in, the size of your bag needs to be a maximum of 23 cm by 36 cm by 56cm (that’s around 9 by 14 by  22 inches),” as noted by Virgin Atlantic.

Bottom line

Whether you are entitled to both a full-size carry-on item suitable for the overhead bin and a personal item, such as a backpack, depends on the airline and fare type booked. Certain elite status holders may be granted additional carry-on leniency regardless of cabin class.

Although most domestic airlines do not have weight restrictions for carry-on bags, some do for specific routes, and all of the international carriers specify a weight requirement.

Airlines generally do not consider certain items carried on as part of luggage, such as a jacket, umbrella or food bought at the airport.

Related reading:

• Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines
• United Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
• Delta baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
• American Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
• Frontier baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
• Alaska Airlines baggage fees and how to avoid paying them

It’s an exciting time to apply for an airline credit card. Not only are there more and better choices than ever, but applying for personal and business cards is easy and straightforward.

Two Delta cards that offer incredible value are the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and its business counterpart, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

Both of these premium cards have comprehensive perks packages, including lounge access (subject to limitations), solid earning rates and the ability to accrue Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward elite status with Delta.

Here’s our guide on which card you should choose.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business comparison

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

****Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business welcome offer

New Delta Reserve cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. This limited-time offer ends on April 2.

TPG’s March 2025 valuations put Delta SkyMiles at around 1.2 cents apiece, making this welcome offer worth $1,200 toward travel.

Meanwhile, new Delta Reserve Business cardmembers can earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. This limited-time offer ends on April 2.

According to TPG’s valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,320.

Winner: Delta Reserve. While the Delta Reserve Business offers 10,000 more miles with its welcome offer, it requires double the spending. You’ll get a greater return on your spending with the Delta Reserve’s welcome offer.

Related: Best Delta credit cards

Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business benefits

Because the cards are geared toward frequent and premium Delta flyers, you can expect both cards to offer members a comprehensive package of benefits when traveling with the airline.

The main benefit of the two cards is access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed or operated flights. Cardmembers of both the Reserve and Reserve Business are limited to 15 day visits to Delta Sky Club lounges.

Cardmembers also receive four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta). After cardmembers have used their complimentary visits, they’ll be able to access a Sky Club for $50 per visit. After the guest passes have been used, you’ll need to pay $50 per guest per visit.

Both the Delta Reserve and Reserve Business offer statement credits and complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status.

Both cards provide up to $240 in statement credits on eligible U.S. Resy purchases each calendar year (up to $20 monthly) and up to $120 in statement credits on select U.S. ride-hailing providers every calendar year (up to $10 monthly).

The cards differ in their Delta Stays statement credit. The Delta Reserve receives up to $200 per calendar year, whereas the Delta Reserve Business receives up to $250 per calendar year for Delta Stays bookings.

Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Both cards also include a free checked bag and priority boarding, benefits that up to eight companions on the same reservation can also receive. Among the cards’ more interesting Delta-specific benefits is the opportunity for non-Medallion members to get complimentary upgrades.

Additionally, spending on the card will earn MQDs at a flat rate of 1 MQD per $10 spent, with no cap, and cardmembers receive 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification Year. As a result, you can earn Medallion status via credit card spending without setting foot on a Delta plane:

• Silver Medallion: $50,000 in spending (5,000 MQDs)
• Gold Medallion: $100,000 in spending (10,000 MQDs)
• Platinum Medallion: $150,000 in spending (15,000 MQDs)
• Diamond Medallion: $280,000 in spending (28,000 MQDs)

Finally, the two cards offer one of the best airline credit card companion ticket benefits. Each cardmembership year, upon renewal, cardmembers receive a companion certificate good for one round-trip itinerary to the 50 U.S. states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean in first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin.

You just have to pay taxes and fees on the second ticket, which is no more than $80 on round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 on round-trip international flights. Both passengers are also eligible for Medallion upgrades, though only the primary passenger earns SkyMiles and credit toward elite status.

Aside from Delta-specific perks, the two cards also include a few other travel benefits. As with many premium travel cards, cardmembers can get a statement credit for either a Global Entry application ($120 once every four years) or TSA PreCheck application (up to $85 once every 4½ years).

Both cards waive foreign transaction fees and include a variety of shopping protections and travel protections. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Winner: Tie. With near-identical benefits, you can’t go wrong with either card.

Earning miles on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

The Delta Reserve earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer other bonus categories.

Still, if you’re a frequent Delta flyer and spend a lot on the airline — including tickets, upgrades and seat assignments — you could be raking in the miles.

On the other hand, the Delta Reserve Business features a potentially even more lucrative earning formula. Like the personal version, it accrues 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases.

However, this card includes an extra bonus category. Cardmembers can receive 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping purchases and U.S. office supply stores. All other purchases will net 1 mile per dollar.

Winner: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business. It has an additional bonus category compared to the consumer Delta Reserve.

Redeeming miles on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

Both cards allow you to earn Delta miles through credit card spending, which are automatically deposited into your SkyMiles account.

You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights and flights on SkyTeam carriers and partner airlines. You can also redeem your miles for seat upgrades on eligible reservations.

Note that Delta uses a dynamic award pricing system, so prices vary by day, route and class of service.

However, as an eligible Delta cobranded cardmember, you’ll automatically receive a 15% discount on Delta-operated award tickets via the TakeOff 15 benefit. This applies to all Delta-operated flights booked with SkyMiles, though you must pay the taxes and fees on the ticket with your Delta credit card.

TPG senior editorial director Nick Ewen is a huge fan of the Delta Reserve card, which he uses for domestic flights for himself and his family:

“I get a 15% discount on Delta-operated award itineraries as a Reserve cardmember. We frequently visit New York, and we try to go skiing outside of Salt Lake City once a year. There are easy nonstop flights to these spots from our home in Florida, so the miles can help offset the costs of those trips.”

Winner: Tie. Both cards offer the same redemption options toward Delta flights and the discount benefit for being a cardmember.

Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business?

The deciding factor is whether you are eligible for a business card. If you are, the business version offers a slightly better earnings structure, marginally better Delta Stays credit and does not apply toward Chase’s 5/24 rule. However, the personal version is still a great option if you don’t want or aren’t eligible for a business card.

Bottom line

The Delta Reserve American Express Card and the Delta Reserve Business American Express Card both carry high annual fees but offer a plethora of Delta-specific and general travel perks. There is a lot of overlap between their benefits, so your choice will come down to whether you want, need and/or are eligible for a business card.

Before applying, make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome offer and can use the perks enough to justify having the card.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business.

Apply here: Delta Reserve

Apply here:  Delta Reserve Business

For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Amex, click here.

Just like the ride vehicles on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, prices at Disney parks keep going up, up, up. Disney World recently raised ticket prices, with the cheapest ticket price increasing from $109 to $119 and the most expensive nearly surpassing the $200 mark.

Related: We saved every receipt — here’s how much it actually costs to go to Disney World

No, I don’t have a magic wand (sadly). But I do have the next best thing: a list of tips and tricks to help minimize the effects of Disney’s rising prices so you can do Disney without busting your vacation budget.

How to save money on Disney tickets

Disney ticket prices increase nearly every year, usually with little warning. If you plan a trip and don’t buy your tickets before the prices increase, you’ll be stuck paying the higher price. That may not sound like much on its own — but it can add up quickly once you factor in the number of people in your party, as well as the date and length of your visit.

Related: How I saved hundreds on a car rental when combining it with theme park tickets

There is a workaround that allows you to purchase tickets at the old prices, but you only have a short window of time to take advantage of it. Reputable Disney ticket resellers like Undercover Tourist and Get Away Today usually have an allotment of tickets they sell at the old price until they run out. Savings can run as high as $90 per ticket if you act fast after a price increase. That’s potentially hundreds of dollars in your pocket that you can use on other things like hotels, dining, souvenirs and other Disney expenses.

Even when you aren’t facing a price increase, ticket resellers like Undercover Tourist price their tickets less than what you would pay directly with Disney — sometimes, there’s as much as an $88 savings per ticket.

Choose the right credit card for Disney purchases

There are several ways that using the right credit card to pay for your Disney vacation can help you save money — as long as you pay off your monthly balance in full.

Earn a welcome offer

If you open a new credit card with an elevated welcome offer, you could earn a points bonus worth more than $1,000 by putting your vacation purchases like theme park tickets, flights and a hotel stay on your new card. While working toward a welcome bonus doesn’t directly help you save on your current trip, it can help you save on future ones. You can also use TPG’s CardMatch tool to determine if you are prequalified for an even higher offer than what’s publicly available.

Earn bonus points

You don’t have to apply for a new card to save money. Some credit cards earn bonus rewards points or cash back on purchases in select categories like travel and entertainment. For example, you can earn 3 points per dollar spent on purchases that code as travel when you pay with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (nonbonus category purchases only earn 1 point per dollar). If you purchase your tickets through one of the resellers mentioned above or as part of a Disney vacation package, your purchase should code as travel and you’ll earn those additional points.

Related: The best credit cards for your Disney vacation

Similarly, you could use a card that earns bonus rewards on rotating categories (including entertainment and amusement parks), like the Chase Freedom Flex®, to cover eligible purchases. Several Disney purchases, including tickets and Disney’s Lightning Lane “skip-the-line” service, should code as entertainment.

Use a travel credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve also comes with an annual $300 travel credit that you can use to offset the cost of your trip — but you only use it toward purchases that code as travel. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offers an annual $300 travel credit, but you need to book any vacation expenses through the Capital One Travel portal to use this perk (luckily, several Disney World hotels are bookable via Capital One). Renting Disney Vacation Club points to book your Disney World hotel should also code as a travel purchase, making you eligible for bonus points if you use the right credit card.

Related: The best credit cards to maximize your entertainment spending

Consider a Disney Visa

Finally, it should come as no surprise that the Disney® Visa® Card and the Disney® Premier Visa® Card can also help you save. The Disney Visa offers a $200 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, and the Disney Premier Visa offers a $400 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Additionally, you can earn a percentage back in the form of Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases that you can then use as payment at Disney to buy food, merchandise and more.

Related: Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

The Disney Visa cards also offer discounts on select Disney merchandise and dining purchases that can help you save money on meals and souvenirs while on vacation.

Use points and miles to cover a portion of the cost

There aren’t many ways to directly use points and miles to cover Disney costs, but we do have a few tricks to share.

With Bilt Rewards and the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees), you can earn points that can be redeemed for Disney tickets directly in the activities section of the Bilt travel portal. You can also redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for Disney tickets, hotel stays and vacation packages booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal, though availability is sporadic and limited based on our searches.

Related: How to use points to buy Disney tickets

Other cards, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, allow you to redeem Capital One miles at a fixed rate of 1 cent each toward travel purchases made using the card. Remember, this only applies to purchases that code as travel, so be mindful of how you make your purchase if you want to use this method.

Of course, if you have a stash of airline miles or hotel points, you can use those to offset your flight or accommodations. There are several points hotels near Disney World, and there are even a few on the property. While not technically “Disney hotels,” the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve hotels are located on Disney property between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Several Disney Springs hotels also participate in major hotel loyalty programs.

Save with discounted Disney gift cards

You’ve probably seen Disney gift cards near the checkout counter at Target, but you might have yet to realize their potential beyond Christmas or birthday gifts.

Related: How to save money by buying discounted Disney gift cards

Target Circle™ Mastercard holders receive a 5% discount when using that card to pay for most items, including gift cards, in-store and on target.com. That means a $100 Disney gift card will only cost you $95. That $5 in savings may sound insignificant, but it adds up if you purchase gift cards periodically throughout the year to cover the cost of your vacation.

The information for the Target Circle Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Pack your own snacks and drinks

You can lessen the sticker shock of in-park food-and-beverage purchases by packing along some of your own. Disney doesn’t allow you to bring in a full-size food cooler, but you can bring snacks and drinks in your bag or backpack. I always bring a reusable water bottle to refill throughout the day, but you can also pack soda or Gatorade.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World

I usually place a grocery order for cereal, yogurt and fruit to eat in the room before I head to the parks and take granola bars, crackers and other small bites for myself and my kids to snack on throughout the day. By doing this, we can usually get away with purchasing only one or two meals each day.

How to get into the parks without paying for MagicBands

I’d be lying if I said Disney’s MagicBand+ isn’t fun to play with at the parks. Like the old MagicBand, you can use MagicBand+ to get into the parks, open your hotel room door, access skip-the-line Lightning Lanes, link PhotoPass photos and charge items to your hotel room bill. You can also use it to play interactive games in the parks.

However, those perks cost between $35 and $55. A prearrival discount can save you up to $10, and Disney Vacation Club members or annual passholders can save 20% — but those prices sting all the more because, until a few years ago, MagicBands were provided free of charge to Disney hotel guests since they were first introduced in 2013.

The good news is that you can still use any old MagicBands you have lying around from past vacations as long as the battery still works. I have MagicBands that are 3 or 4 years old and still work just fine.

In even better news, you don’t need a MagicBand at all. At Disney World, you can ask for a “Key to the World” card at guest services or from the hotel front desk if you are staying at a Disney hotel. Key to the World cards look like hotel keycards (but cuter) and perform the same functions as the original MagicBands.

At Disneyland and Walt Disney World, you can also use each park’s respective mobile phone app to do everything a MagicBand does, including charging select food and merchandise purchases to your hotel folio. For any other purchases, you could use the virtual wallet on your phone without pulling out your physical wallet.

Look for hotel and ticket discounts

Disney regularly releases discounts that can help you save hundreds on your hotel stay, such as on Disney dining plan and theme park tickets. TPG has a list of Disney World discounts to help you stay up to date on current offers.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG’S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.

Even if you’ve already booked your vacation, you can usually still apply any discounts you are eligible for retroactively. This rule is one of the reasons why we recommend booking your vacation through an authorized Disney vacation planner; they will keep an eye out for any applicable discounts up until the beginning of your trip.

Know the cheapest times to visit Disney

Disney ticket prices can vary wildly based on when you visit. If you go during peak demand times (like over a holiday season), a one-day Magic Kingdom ticket can run as much as $199 per person. Meanwhile, if you visit in August or September, you might pay as little as $119 for the same ticket.

Related: These are the cheapest days to visit Disney World

You may have little control over when you visit, but check Disney’s pricing calendar to help you choose the cheapest, most convenient dates.

How to save money on transportation to Disney

Getting between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Walt Disney World used to be free to hotel guests via Disney’s Magical Express (may she rest in peace). In its place, a handful of alternatives have popped up, but they sadly all carry a fee.

Of those, I’ve seen the best pricing from Mears Connect. The cost is $16 one-way for adults and $13 one-way for kids (or $32 and $26, respectively, round-trip). You can pay an additional fee for express service that will take you directly to your resort with no stops. It also runs occasional promotions where kids ride for free with a paying adult.

Depending on the number of guests in your party, this service may be less expensive than taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport. Using a ride-hailing service can cost more than $70 for a one-way trip during busy times.

How to enjoy the parks without spending money on Lightning Lane passes

It still pains me to think about the days when skipping the line at Disney World was free using FastPass+. Unfortunately, FastPass+ has gone the way of the dodo and was replaced in late 2021 with a paid skip-the-line service called Disney Genie+. Last year, a new service called Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which more closely resembles FastPass+, was introduced.

At Walt Disney World, the cost of Lightning Lane Multi Pass varies by park and day. The service starts at $15 per person, per day, but it can go as high as $39, especially during holidays and popular times of the year like Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break.

While it certainly can save you time in line, you don’t have to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass to enjoy your Disney vacation.

Disney also offers a free service within the My Disney Experience app called Disney Genie that helps you plan your day by displaying rides with low wait times, creating a personalized itinerary based on your preferences and more. You may not get on Disney’s most in-demand rides unless you are willing to wait, but it does present an opportunity to check out rides with lower waits that you usually skip over. You may find a new favorite.

If you’re going the free route, you also must utilize the rope drop strategy. “Rope dropping” means arriving at the park at least 30 minutes before it officially opens (or 30 minutes before the start of Early Theme Park Entry for Disney resort guests) and heading straight for your first attraction the moment the rope drops. By arriving early, you can usually knock out one or two popular attractions before the crowds descend on the parks at the busiest part of the day.

If you find the parks so crowded that you don’t want to wait in line, there are many things you can do at Disney outside the parks (even without a park ticket).

Bottom line

As with most things, there’s no getting around the fact that visits to Disney World are getting more expensive. Sometimes, you have to get creative to make your travels affordable, and these tips are a great place to start so you don’t go into debt for your magical vacation — you may even have a few bucks left over to treat yourself to a Dole Whip (or two).

For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

Related reading:

• Tips for visiting Disney World: 17 ways to save money and have more fun
• 30 best Disney World rides ranked
• 12 reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property

In our opinion, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is well worth its $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) if you’re a Hilton loyalist, as it offers valuable earnings rates and automatic Hilton Gold elite status (terms apply).

Hilton Gold status includes complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and boosted earnings when staying at Hilton brands, making it one of the most valuable automatic status perks on any card.

Keep reading to discover why this card is worth the annual price tag.

Hilton Surpass welcome offer

New Hilton Surpass cardmembers can earn 130,000 bonus points plus a free night reward after spending $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card in the first six months of card membership.

The card’s current offer meets our criteria for a great time to apply, as those points are worth $780 plus the value of a free night reward according to our March 2025 valuations.

American Express lists the following terms for the welcome offer:

You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.

Before you submit your application, Amex will let you know whether you’re eligible for the bonus.

Related: A complete guide to Amex’s one-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions

Earn bonus points with Hilton

The Hilton Surpass card earns 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar spent on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

The non-Hilton spending returns aren’t amazing, but you’ll still earn considerable value with just your Hilton spending — another reason to consider this card if you’re a Hilton loyalist.

It’s worth mentioning here that the Hilton Gold status that comes complimentary with the Hilton Surpass grants additional bonus points for every dollar spent with Hilton. By using your Hilton Surpass on eligible Hilton purchases, you’ll net 30 points per dollar.

Redemption options

The simplest way to maximize your Hilton Honors points is to redeem them for free nights. However, you should note Hilton’s dynamic pricing system, which can fluctuate based on the time of year and other factors.

Hilton’s Points Explorer page can help you determine how many points you’ll need for a free night across properties within the Hilton portfolio. You can always leverage your redemption with Hilton’s fifth-night free perk to maximize your use of points.

Hilton Honors also allows members to earn and redeem Hilton points with partners. However, most non-hotel redemption options provide relatively low value for your points, so you’ll likely want to steer clear of these options.

Related: The 21 best Hilton hotels in the world

Elite status

The Hilton Surpass offers complimentary Hilton Gold status, which includes the following perks (additional terms may apply):

• 80% points bonus on paid stays
• Space-available room upgrades up to executive-level rooms
• Elite rollover nights
• Fifth night free when you book a stay completely with points
• Daily breakfast or a food and beverage credit

Additionally, if you spend more than $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll earn Diamond status, Hilton’s top-tier offering, through the end of the next calendar year. Terms apply.

Cardmembers also receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after enrollment in the Emerald Club program. Terms apply. Benefits include increased access to cars, guaranteed upgrades and no second-driver fees.

If you don’t use National you can leverage the elite status to complete a status match to other car rental companies.

Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them

Hilton statement credit

A valuable perk of the Hilton Surpass that helps to offset the annual fee is a statement credit toward eligible Hilton purchases. Cardmembers receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter (up to $200 every calendar year) when using the card for Hilton purchases.

Enrollment is required; terms apply.

Eligible purchases for the statement credit are those charged directly with a Hilton portfolio property, including room rates and incidental charges such as room service, minibar consumption and laundry services.

Even if you don’t stay at a Hilton property every quarter, you may be able to maximize this credit by purchasing a Hilton gift card online, or visiting a Hilton property to have a meal or purchase something from the gift store.

Related: Battle of the mid-tier hotel cards

Free night reward

The Hilton Surpass offers a free night reward when you spend $15,000 on purchases on the card in a calendar year. It can be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide. Terms apply.

If you value that free night at, say, $300, that still makes for a 2% return on the $15,000 in spending.

Related: How to get maximum value from Hilton free night certificates

Other benefits

Finally, the Hilton Surpass includes no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) when traveling outside the U.S. and Amex’s “Send & Split” feature, which lets you divide bills like a group dinner with friends. Enrollment is required; terms apply for select benefits.

Additionally, the card comes with Amex’s “Plan It” perk, which makes it possible to pay large purchases over time, plus secondary rental car insurance of up to $50,000 for theft or damage.*

Enrollment is not required for the “Plan It” perk.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. 

Related: 5 reasons to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card

Bottom line

The Hilton Surpass doesn’t have the flexibility or over-the-top perks of some other cards, but it could be just what you’re looking for if you’re a semi-frequent traveler who’s partial to Hilton.

Automatic Gold status, high points-earning opportunities and up to $200 in annual Hilton credits each calendar year make this card a great option for Hilton loyalists.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Surpass.

Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.