Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access is obtained through the Chase Sapphire ReserveWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. credit card. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card that comes with an array of travel benefits to allow you to travel in luxury. The card comes with features like 50,000 points as an introductory bonus, a $300 annual travel credit, free Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and of course access to the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounges.
These lounges are also known as Priority Pass Select. Access can be earned by having one of a few different credit cards. While there are a handful of cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership, two of them stand out above the others. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Platinum Card from American Express (Learn MoreWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.). From our reviews, the Chase Sapphire Reserve takes the top spot as the best of the bunch. It offers the most plentiful travel benefits, comes with a great introductory offer, and is good for earning points through purchases.
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You Can Purchase Priority Pass Access
It’s also possible to buy a Priority Pass membershipWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you., but purchased memberships are not nearly as good. Membership through a credit card gives you an exclusive Priority Pass Select, which grants unlimited visits and two free guests included with every visit. If you purchase a Priority Pass membership directly, you are limited on visits and will have to pay $27 per guest.
Here are the regular prices for Priority Pass Lounge access:
Standard – $99: Includes membership, but each visit costs $27 for the member and $27 per guest.
Standard Plus – $249: Includes 10 free member visits ($27 per visit thereafter). $27 per guest.
Prestige – $399: Unlimited member visits. $27 per guest.
Select – (exclusive credit card benefit): Unlimited member visits. 2 free guests on every visit.
How to Easily Gain Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access for Free
The easiest and best way to get Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access (aka Priority Pass lounges) is by applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. As mentioned before, it comes with a ton of valuable travel benefits as well as the lounge access. The annual fee is high on this luxury credit card, but for good reason. It comes with enough luxurious benefits to far outweigh the fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and dining. Also Earn a total of 10X points on Lyft rides.
BENEFITS $300 annual travel credit. Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Points are worth 50% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfers to partner hotels and airlines. 1 year of Lyft Pink.
FEES $550 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best premium travel credit cards if you want some luxury. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal. The biggest key to this card is the airport lounge access. If you travel a lot, it's extremely valuable.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Instantly earn Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply HEREWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you..
Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Value
As you can see above, membership to Priority Pass lounges (if purchased directly) will cost $399. With Priority Pass Select through the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you will have an even better membership, which could easily be valued at $500. Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access alone is worth more than the annual fee of the credit card. On top of lounge access, you’ll receive even more travel value from the rest of the benefits. Together, the benefits are valued well over $2000! Obviously, you will only get as much value out of the lounge access as you can use it. This credit card is for people who travel often.
Other Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
Large Introductory Offer
These Chase Ultimate Rewards can go a long way when used for travel. If used in the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get 50% more value out of their points. This means that points can be redeemed for 1.5 cents per point, raising the value of your intro offer. If you want to get even more value out of your points, you can transfer them to one of the many travel transfer partners (hotels or airlines). By transferring points and redeeming them for flights or hotels, you can often get a redemption value of more than 2 cents per point. Going this route can make the introductory offer points worth over $1000.
$300 Travel Statement Credit
Obviously, this statement credit is worth a total of $300. It is incredibly easy to use and basically works on anything you can imagine that has to do with travel. I even paid off a parking ticket with my Chase Sapphire Reserve and it went toward the travel credit. I don’t advise getting parking tickets to try it out… It has also been reported that some airline and hotel gift cards can be credited as well. Some purchases that should be reimbursed through the travel statement credit are airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Membership
When you purchase a membership to either service you will be credited up to $100. This is enough to cover the complete five-year membership. This is one of the best and most affordable perks in the airline industry. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck allow you to go through airport security quickly, without having the empty your bags or take off your shoes. It helps make travel much more relaxing. The longest I’ve ever waited in line to go through security with TSA PreCheck is about five minutes. This Chase Sapphire Reserve benefit is valued at up to $100 (TSA PreCheck is only $85).
These three benefits along with the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access can make up for what you pay in an annual fee and then some. Together, the benefits of the card can be worth more than $2000, which is an extraordinary offer.
How to Enroll Your Priority Pass Membership
Never spend your layover uncomfortable in the terminal again. After you’ve been approved for your Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card you’ll have to enroll online before gaining access to any Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge. You’ll only have to enroll once. Your Priority Pass Select membership will renew each year and they will automatically send you a new Priority Pass card as long as you keep your Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you cancel your credit card, your Priority Pass access will immediately end. To enroll for free, follow these simple steps:
What to Expect in a Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge (Priority Pass)
You can expect luxury when you enter a Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge. Even the less luxurious lounges offer free drinks, a comfortable place to sit down away from the hustle and bustle of airport terminals, and usually some snacks at a minimum. Below are the amenities offered at a typical Priority Pass lounge.
Most Chase Sapphire Reserve lounges have the following general amenities:
Digital Membership Card Option
Free Wifi
Drinks & Snacks
Alcoholic Drinks
TV’s
Internet Data Ports
Newspapers & Magazines
Disabled Access
Some lounges even provide:
Showers
Conference Rooms (subject to a fee)
At Priority Pass restaurants, instead of getting lounge access, you’ll receive a credit of $28 for yourself and one guest off your final bill. That means if you and a guest go to a Priority Pass lounge together, your Priority Pass Select will allow you to receive $56 off. At most of the Priority Pass restaurants, that’s enough to cover the complete bill.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Locations
With over 1200 loungest worldwide and nearly 80 Priority Pass locations in the United States, it’s likely that you’ll find a lounge in the majority of airports you’ll visit. In recent years, they’ve also added some great restaurants to the list. When visiting a restaurant with your Priority Pass Select, you’ll receive $28 of food/drink in place of lounge “access”. At some of the locations, you really have to splurge to use the full allotted amount. In addition to my meal, I usually have enough left over credit to grab a drink and a snack for my flight when I visit a Priority Pass restaurant.
Location: Concourse B, Airside (near Gate B16) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour
Minute Suites
Location: Concourse T, Airside (near Gate T8) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour
The Club at ATL
Location: International Terminal, Concourse F, Airside, Mezzanine Level (next to the Chapel) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 10:30pm
Location: Terminal B, Airside After Security, Departures Level (opposite Gate B24)
*Domestic Flights Only Hours: Mon-Sun, 4:30am – 30min prior to last scheduled flight
The Lounge
Location: Terminal C, Airside First Floor, Concourse Level (across from Gate C19)
*Not accessible from Gates 40-42 Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 11:00pm (subject to space constraints, in particular 4:00pm – 8:00pm)
Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar And Grill (Restaurant)
Location: Terminal C, Landside Before Security, Departures Level (opposite Alaska Airlines’ check-in counter) Hours: Mon-Sun, 2:00pm – 8:00pm (cardholders will not be admitted outside of these hours; also subject to space constraints)
Air France Lounge
Location: Terminal E, Airside (turn right after security toward Gate 4; elevator or stairs to lounge) Hours: Mon-Sun, 11:30am – 11:30pm (3hr stay max)
The Club
Location: Terminal E, after Security (take the elevator down 1 level) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:30am – 1:00am
Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Minute Suites
Location: Airside, Main Atrium (next to the Food Court) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour.
Chicago, IL (ORD)
Air France/KLM Lounge
Location: International Terminal 5, Airside (between Gates M8 & M7 on the left)
*T5 passengers only; smart-casual dress at all times (no shorts, vests, baseball caps, or football shirts) Hours: Tue-Fri & Sun: 8:15am – 12am, Mon & Sat: 8:15am – 9:30pm (3hr stay max)
(subject to space constraints, in particular 10:30am – 3:00pm & 5:00pm – 7:30pm)
Swissport Lounge
Location: International Terminal 5, Airside (between Gates M8 & M7 on the right)
*T5 passengers only Hours: Mon-Sun, 12:00pm – 9:30pm
Location: Airside (adjacent to Gate 6) Hours: Mon-Sun, 4:30am – last scheduled flight departure
Dallas, TX (DFW)
Minute Suites
Location: Terminal A (near Gate A38) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour
Minute Suites
Location: Terminal D, Airside (near gate D23) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour
The Club at DFW
Location: Terminal D, Airside (adjacent to Gate D22, through “Airline Clubs” double doors, take elevator to 5th floor) Hours: Mon-Sun, 4:00am – 10:30pm (subject to space constraints, in particular after 1:00pm)
Denver, CO (DEN)
Timberline Steaks & Grille (Restaurant)
Location: Concourse C, Airside, Center Core on the Left Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 9:00pm
Detroit, MI – Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Lufthansa Business Lounge
Location: North Terminal, Airside (next to Gate D8) Hours: Mon-Sat: 5:00am – 6:30pm*, Sunday: 11:00am – 6:30pm*
Greenville-Spartanburg (GSC)
RJ Rockers Flight Room (Restaurant)
Location: Airside, After Security (near Gate B3) Hours: Mon-Sun, 3:30am – last scheduled flight departure
Honolulu, HI (HNL)
The Plumeria Lounge
Location: Inter-Island Terminal, Airside, 3rd Floor (near Wiki Wiki shuttle pick up)
*Not accessible for Arrivals Hours: Mon, Weds, Fri, Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm; Tues, Thurs, Sun: 9:00am – 9:30pm
(subject to space constraints)
IASS Hawaii Lounge
Location: Overseas Terminal, Airside, Proceed to Garden Court (towards Gates 14-23, elevator to ground level & follow signs) Hours: Mon-Sun, 7:30am – 1:30pm & 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Houston, TX (IAH)
Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar (Restaurant)
Location: Terminal A, Airside (near Gate A17) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 10:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Landry’s Seafood (PP Restaurant)
Location: Terminal C, Airside (near Gate C42) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 10:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Air France Lounge
Location: Terminal D, Airside (opposite Gate D12) Hours: Mon-Sun, 12:00pm – 5:00pm (3hr stay max; subject to space constraints)
KLM Crown Lounge
Location: Terminal D, Airside (near Gate D8) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 9:00pm (subject to space constraints; 3hr stay max)
Indianapolis, IN (IND)
The Fan Zone (Bar/Restaurant)
Location: Airside, After Security (Near Gate B17) Hours: Mon-Sun, 8:00am – last scheduled flight departure
Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
The Club at LAS
Location: Terminal 1, Concourse D, Airside, 2nd Level (above Red Line train station, left behind Sugar Factory & Jamba Juice) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 12:30am
Location: Tom Bradley Intl Terminal, Airside (follow signs to All Gates, turn left before Duty-Free, elevator to 5th floor) Hours: Mon-Sun, 12:00pm – 8:00pm (hours may vary according to KAL international flight schedules; subject to space constraints)
Location: Central Terminal, Concourse E, Landside (departures level by door 11) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 11:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Viena (Restaurant)
Location: Central Terminal, Concourse E, Landside (Level 2, Miami Intl Airport Hotel elevator to 7th floor, follow signs) Hours: Mon-Sun, 11:00am – 12:00am (subject to space constraints)
Club America F
Location: Central Terminal, Concourse F, Airside (follow signs to lounge, 3rd floor)
*Customers on international flights only Hours: Mon-Sun, 7:30am – 9:00pm (hours may vary according to flight schedules)
Location: South Terminal, Concourse J, Airside (Gate J4, escalator to 3rd floor, turn left & left, end of the hall) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
VIP Lounge Miami
Location: South Terminal, Concourse J, Airside (near gate J5)
*Dress code applicable (no shorts or sandals) Hours: Mon & Tues: 12:00pm – 3:00pm; Weds – Sun: 4:00am – 3:00pm
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (MSP)
PGA MSP Lounge
Location: Terminal 1, Airside, North End of Airport Mall (stairs btwn Ike’s & French Meadow to Mezzanine Level; can also take elevator inside Ike’s) Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:00am – 8:00pm, Sat & Sun: 8:00am – 7:00pm (3hr stay max)
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR)
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Location: Terminal A, Airside (after security checks, near Air Canada departure gates) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 3:00pm
Art & Lounge
Location: Terminal B, Landside, Gate Level before Security (between Gates B2 & B3 or Gates 50 & 60) Hours: Sun-Fri, 9:00am – 11:30pm (may be subject to space constraints btwn 3:00pm – 7:00pm; 3hr stay max)
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Location: Terminal B, Airside, After Security (Gates B51 – B57, Elevator on Right to Airline Lounges) Hours: Mon-Sun, 2:00pm – 6:00pm (cardholders will not be admitted outside of these hours; max stay 3 hrs, also subject to space constraints)
New York, NY (JFK)
Air France Lounge
Location: Terminal 1, airside (near Air France boarding area by Gate 1) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 1:30pm & 11:00pm – 1:30am (3hr stay max)
KAL Business Class Lounge
Location: Terminal 1, Airside after security (right-hand side across from Gate 3)
*Passengers with Terminal 1 boarding pass only Hours: Mon-Sun, 2:00pm – 8:30pm (subject to space constraints)
Wingtips Lounge
Location: Terminal 4, Airside, turn right after security (lounge on the left ~100 meters down)
*Dress code applicable (shoes & shirts required; no baseball caps) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24 hrs (may be restricted btwn 5:00pm – 1:00am due to space constraints; 4hr stay max )
Alaska Lounge
Location: Terminal 7, Airside after security (mezzanine level) Hours: Sun-Fri: 5:00am – 10:00pm; Sat 5:00am – 5:00pm
(3hrs prior to scheduled departure, subject to space constraints)
Location: Airside, from Gates 1-29 (adjacent to XpresSpa) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 11:00pm
The Club MCO
Location: Airside, from Gates 70-99 (next to InMotion store, near Gate 91) Hours: Mon 6:00am – 10:30pm, Tue-Sun 6:00am – 9:00pm
Orlando, FL (SFB)
The Royal Palm Lounge
Location: Terminal A, Airside, Intl Departure Lounge (adjacent to Budweiser Tap Room) Hours: Lounge opens 3 hrs prior to first scheduled flight departure; closes after last scheduled departure or 11:00pm, whichever comes first.
Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Minute Suites
Location: Terminal B, Airside, between Concourses A & B (in AB connector) Hours: Mon-Sun, 24hrs (subject to space constraints)
*Cardholders receive complimentary access to a suite for 1 hr; discounted rates ($28/hr) for each subsequent hour
Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
The Club at PHX
Location: Terminal 4, Airside, end of N4 Concourse (Gates B15-B28)
*Only passengers on international & domestic flights arriving/departing from T4 Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 11:30pm (3hr stay max)
Location: International Terminal, Concourse A, Airside (first left after TSA)
*Only passengers on flights departing Concourse A Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:45am – 12:15am (3hr stay max)
San Francisco Giants Clubhouse (Restaurant)
Location: Airside, Concourse F (near Gate 82) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 11:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Yankee Pier (Restaurant)
Location: Airside, Concourse F (near Gate 72) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 11:00pm (subject to space constraints)
San Jose, CA (SJC)
The Club at SJC
Location: Terminal A, Airside, 3rd Level (across from Gate 15) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 10:00pm
Seattle, WA (SEA)
The Club at SEA
Location: Concourse A, Airside (across from Gate A11) Hours: Mon-Sun, 7:00am – 12:00am
The Club at SEA
Location: South Satellite, Airside (next to Gate S9) Hours: Mon: 5:30am – 6:00pm, Tue-Sun: 6:00am – 5:30pm
(access may be restricted between 10:00am – 2:00pm; subject to space constraints)
Location: Airside Connector, after Security (turn left, towards North Concourse B) Hours: Mon-Sun, 10:30am – 7:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Tampa, FL (TPA)
The Café by Mise en Place (Restaurant)
Location: Airside F (directly in front of security checkpoint by gate F85) Hours: Mon-Sun, 4:30am – last flight departure daily
Tucson, AZ (TUS)
Noble Hops(Restaurant)
Location: Landside, 2nd Floor (opposite the “Arroyo Trading Post”)
*Domestic Flights Only Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 8:00pm (subject to space constraints)
Washington, DC (IAD)
Air France/KLM Lounge
Location: Concourse A, Airside (opposite Gate A22) Hours: Mon-Sun, 7:00am – 3:00pm & 7:00pm – 8:30pm (subject to space constraints; 3hr stay max)
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Location: Between Concourses A & B, Airside (in front of Gate A32) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 1:30pm (no cardholders admitted outside of these hours; 3hr stay max)
Location: Concourse C, Airside (near gate C14) Hours: Mon-Sun, 6:00am – 10:00pm
(subject to space constraints)
Washington, DC (DCA)
Bracket Room (Restaurant)
Location: Terminal B, Airside (opposite Gate 12) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 9:00pm (subject to space constraints)
American Tap Room (Restaurant)
Location: Terminal C, Airside (near Gates 35-45) Hours: Mon-Sun, 5:00am – 10:00pm (subject to space constraints)
An easy way to find a Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge while traveling through airports is to download the LoungeBuddy app (enter code JnSjMo28aP “Credit” to get a $10 credit to purchase lounge access) to your phone. It’s easy to use. When you arrive at your airport, just open the app and it will tell you what lounges are available and whether you have access through Priority Pass Select. If there is no Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge at that airport, you may be able to purchase access using the app (and that $10 credit).
Other Credit Cards Offering the Same Lounge Access
The Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t the only credit card that offers chase sapphire reserve lounge access through Priority Pass Select. The most popular other credit cards that offer this type of lounge access are the Platinum Cards from American Express and the Citi Prestige card. The Amex Platinum cards also come with Global Lounge access, which adds even more airport lounge opportunity. Note that the other benefits of these cards don’t quite match those of the Chase Sapphire Reserve. They’re very close though.
Amex Platinum Card
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
BENEFITS Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month (bonus $20 in December). Enjoy access to the exclusive Global Airport Lounge Collection. $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 every calendar year with one qualifying airline. Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your card. Enrollment required. Fine Hotels & Resorts Access. Hilton & Marriott Gold Status. Discounts on First/Business/Premium Economy tickets.
FEES $550 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS With a large introductory offer, statement credits, and airport lounge access, this is an excellent premium travel credit card.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Instantly earn Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access plus more. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply HEREWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you..
Amex Business Platinum Card
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points. 50,000 after you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months, and another 50,000 Membership Rewards after spending an additional $15,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Earn 50% more points on purchases over $5000. (up to 1 million bonus points.)
BENEFITS $200 airline credit. Global Lounge Collection access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Get 35% back when booking a flight with Membership Rewards on a select airline. Two $100 statement credits from Dell annually. 1 year of Platinum Global access to WeWork. (enrollment through 2019)
FEES $595 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees Terms Apply
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS If you have many high ticket purchases yearly, this card will earn you a good percentage back. The WeWork membership could be very valuable, if you need a place to work for a year.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Instantly earn Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access plus more. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply HEREWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you..
Our Concluding Takeaways: Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access is Worth It
If you want to travel more luxuriously, having Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access is one of the best ways to do it. The easiest ways to gain access to Priority Pass lounges are by getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum credit cards. Both have excellent premium benefits, but the Sapphire Reserve is slightly better and has a lower annual fee. Once you start traveling luxuriously with things like lounge access and priority security, you’ll never want to travel without them.
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HotwireWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. is one of the premier travel booking sites on the Internet for a good reason. So many people use this site in order to book their travel. It is useful for booking flights, hotels, and rental cars. It is capable of doing so much that there are many users who simply use the travel booking site for all of their travel needs. When it comes to travel booking, it is one of the best ways to save yourself money when going on a trip. Read on to see our full Hotwire review.
Today we are going to be taking an in-depth look at Hotwire and everything that it has to offer. You know that this is a popular website that has a good reputation. Even so, it’s always a good idea to gather some information for yourself so that you can make an informed decision as a consumer. Is Hotwire really worth your time or is it simply one of many similar travel sites on the Internet?
Read on to discover all of the important details during our Hotwire review. We’ll be digging into all of the details so that you can see if Hotwire is right for you. Once you’ve examined this site from every different angle, it’ll be much easier to make a final decision. You just might be able to save some money on your travel purchases so keep reading and we’ll come to a conclusion together.
Hotwire is a website that is all about helping people find the cheapest prices on travel. It is used to help people book flights, hotels, and car rentals. In many situations, Hotwire is able to help people find the lowest prices on travel. It has a reputation for being among the best travel booking sites when it comes to helping users get a good deal.
This is a pure travel booking site that doesn’t really have an associated rewards program. If you’re looking to accumulate rewards points that can be used toward paying for travel expenses, then you should know that you won’t find that here. This is simply an online tool for finding the best deals on travel and then booking them. If that’s what you’re looking for, then Hotwire is going to prove to be among the best options around.
Pros of Using Hotwire.com
Hotwire manages to give users a really fantastic overall experience. If you want to book your travel in the most convenient way possible, then Hotwire is really going to appeal to you. It offers an easy-to-use interface that gives you as much information as possible. Also, it really does help you to find the best deals on airfare, rental cars, and hotels.
One of the best reasons to consider using this travel booking site is due to its opaque fares. You’ll be able to book things such as rental cars with opaque rates. This means that you’ll be unaware of certain particulars about the car rental company before booking your car. For some people, this is going to be a bad thing but it does allow you to save a significant amount of money.
If you truly want to save the most money possible, then Hotwire is going to rank among the best travel booking sites on the Internet. Those who are looking to find cheap deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals will be able to make great use of opaque rates and fares. Doing so will let you take advantage of the lowest possible prices. Depending on what you want out of your travel experience, this might be the best option.
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Offers ease of use
Makes it possible to enjoy the most affordable travel prices
Offers opaque rates
Books flights, hotels, and car rentals in the same place
Cons of Using Hotwire.com
Of course, not everything is going to be perfect when it comes to using Hotwire. One of the biggest issues that people have with this website is its overall lack of filter options. When you compare Hotwire to other websites, it’s likely that you’ll find it to be lacking when it comes to filters. This can make it tougher to narrow down your search.
If you’re not looking for the cheapest hotels, then you may not like Hotwire either. This is a site that is primarily meant to help people get the best deals. This is great but it does mean that you’ll be looking at the most affordable hotel options. If you’re looking for high-end vacation spots, then this is not going to be your go-to option.
Hotwire is going to be more practical for those who are looking for affordable hotels or hotels that fall somewhere between high-end and cheap. If you’re looking for absolutely top-notch hotels, then that is not what Hotwire specializes in. Of course, most people are using this site in order to save some money. This is likely a moot point but it is important to know what this booking site is meant for.
Doesn’t have robust filter options
Is not the best site for finding high-end hotels
Booking Flights with Hotwire
Hotwire actually works really well for those who are looking to Book flightsWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.. It allows you to search for flights in a specific area. You can choose to either search available flights at a specific airport or you can go for a more general search of the surrounding area. You’ll be able to see all of the options available to you in order to track down the best possible deal.
When you’re looking at flight information with Hotwire, you’re generally going to see more details when searching for domestic flights. Domestic flights will show you information such as how many stops the flight has as well as baggage information. International flights will have more stops than usual and you’ll have to select your flight itinerary to get more detailed information.
Another thing that Hotwire does is it gives your flight an overall score. This takes many factors into account to determine how desirable it is. For instance, the length of the flight, the type of plane you’ll be flying on, and all of the perks of the flight go into determining the overall score. You should also be able to see how many seats are available. Overall, this is a very thorough search that is going to work brilliantly for your needs.
Booking Hotels with Hotwire
Booking hotels with HotwireWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. is going to be a very intuitive experience overall. When you’re starting your search, you’re going to be asked many questions. You’ll have to list how many people are going to be staying in the hotel as well as whether you need more than one room. You’ll then be able to choose whether you want to bundle your hotel with other purchases such as airfare or a car rental.
The results that you’re going to see pop up first will be what Hotwire refers to as “Hot Rate Hotel Deals.” These are discounted hotels that you’ll be able to book for a very low price. This is also often referred to as an opaque rate. You won’t know all of the details when booking this type of hotel.
You’ll only see all of the details once you have moved forward with your purchase. After this, you’ll see where the hotel is located and all of the other pertinent details. This may seem to be a big risk but you’ll typically be getting very good rooms. You’ll see an approval rating of the hotel ahead of booking it so you can make a judgment call on whether or not it looks as if it would be a good fit.
Hotwire is good at searching for hotels with a regular rate too. You can still find good deals on hotels even when you aren’t comfortable with being left in the dark on where the hotel is located. In order to search for hotels at the regular rate, you simply need to click the hotels tab in the search results window. You’ll be able to sort your results by price or overall star rating too.
You’ll also enjoy making use of the interactive map feature that Hotwire uses. This can show you the most popular places to visit that are in the area where you want to stay. You can then get a look at where all the nearby hotels are located. This makes planning your trip simpler and is likely something that will appeal to you if you’re traveling for vacation purposes.
Booking Car Rentals with Hotwire
Booking car rentals with HotwireWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. is a really great experience if you’re looking to save money. You’re going to be able to book cars using the opaque rates that have been mentioned above. This means that you’ll be able to save a lot of money but you may not know all of the information about which car rental service you’ll be using. For the most part, this is going to be very positive due to most companies offering the same types of cars.
You won’t know exactly which type of car you’re going to get but you’ll be guaranteed a compact car or something larger. Some people will consider this a risk but it should work out well for anyone who wants to keep costs low. This is one convenient option that will make your trip more manageable financially. Note that the opaque rates may not be available in places such as Europe.
Being able to bundle everything together can also help you to save some money. You can choose to book your airfare, hotels, and car rentals through Hotwire. This will allow you to save the most money that you can. It’s worth your consideration when you need all three.
Alternatives to Hotwire
One of the biggest alternatives to Hotwire is Priceline. This is actually going to give you a very similar experience to Hotwire so it’s worth looking into their site as well. Much the same as Hotwire, Priceline also allows you to book travel using opaque rates. This means that sometimes Priceline may wind up having a better deal than Hotwire.
Most of the time, Hotwire is going to come out ahead. Even so, it can be smart to search for travel using both Hotwire and Priceline. This will allow you to check to ensure that you’re truly getting the lowest possible price when booking travel. Keep Priceline in mind as they’re the closest competitor to Hotwire among the different travel booking sites.
Our Hotwire Review Final Thoughts
Through our Hotwire review, we’ve found that they are a very good travel booking site that is going to help you to save money. If you need to book a car rental, a hotel, or a flight, then this is a good place to start looking. It’s a good resource for finding deals and it’s pretty user-friendly overall. Just understand what the opaque rates mean for your travel situation before booking one of these great deals.
Remember that there are other travel booking sites out there that can offer you similar experiences. Some people may prefer Priceline for finding a good deal. Others may like the more straightforward nature of other travel booking sites. The decision is ultimately up to you but Hotwire is certainly a travel booking site that deserves its reputation as a great option for finding a good deal.
You can make use of Hotwire today to start booking your next vacation. This is likely going to appeal more to people who are booking travel for vacation purposes than it will to businessmen or businesswomen. If you can make use of the opaque rates and are flexible with your needs, then this site is great. Otherwise, you may want to book something at a standard rate so that the power of choice is placed in your hands.
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Have you ever heard of an American Express Centurion Lounge before? They’re known to be the most elite airport lounge brand of them all. If you travel regularly, you’ve probably at least noticed an airport lounge before. They look like a place where only business travelers and the rich are allowed to set foot in. Looks can be deceiving. There are other ways to gain access to these exclusive lounges where members receive free drinks and food in a more luxurious setting than the airport terminal.
The easiest and least expensive way to gain access to airport lounges is through premier travel credit cards. There are a handful of credit cards that offer the benefit of complimentary airport lounge access. Two of those cards offer the elite Centurion Lounge access.
Table of Contents
What is a Centurion Lounge?
A Centurion Lounge is an exclusive room that members can enter while traveling. Inside they will be greeted with comfortable places to sit and lounge, TV’s to watch, newspapers to read, workspaces with computers and printers, and of course, amazing food and drinks that come complimentary.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi
Lounge pods
Computer workspaces
Printers
Large televisions
Premium cocktail bars
Showers
Buffet style dining at breakfast, lunch, and dinner
While most other lounges have just snacky type food, Centurion Lounges have full on cooked buffet’s that are prepared by chefs and have ever-changing menus. An example of a typical meal available in Centurion Lounges is a menu of fried chicken, wild rice, fresh bruschetta, Brussel sprouts, side salads, and vegetables, with chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
Of course, you’ll find typical drink choices like beer, wine, and cocktails available at the bar, but you’ll also find a menu of specially designed mixed drinks from renowned mixologist Jim Meehan. The drinks are designed around the Centurion Lounge location with recipes like the “Tex Mex” (Tito’s Vodka, Cabeza Blanco tequila, corn, honey, lime, and jalapeno) at DFW in Dallas or the “Big Apple” (Zubrowka Bison Grass vodka, Doc’s draft hard apple cider, Yellow Chartreuse, Miracle Mile celery bitters) at LGA in New York City.
Food and drinks aren’t the only amenities you’ll find at a Centurion Lounge. Some of the Centurion Lounge locations even offer professional spa treatments like massages, skin treatments, and manicures. Yes, these amenities are included too. Once you’re in a Centurion Lounge, what you see is what you get, included. You are free to tip as you’d like but per American Express, it is not expected.
How to Get Centurion Lounge Access
Unfortunately, Centurion membership cannot be bought. Gaining Centurion Lounge access can be had in only one way. By applying for one of two American Express credit cards that exclusively offer Centurion lounge access. These two cards are the Platinum Cards by American Express that are offered in a personal and business version. The cards not only come with Centurion Lounge access but also have an array of great travel benefits.
Amex Platinum Card
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
BENEFITS Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month (bonus $20 in December). Enjoy access to the exclusive Global Airport Lounge Collection. $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 every calendar year with one qualifying airline. Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your card. Enrollment required. Fine Hotels & Resorts Access. Hilton & Marriott Gold Status. Discounts on First/Business/Premium Economy tickets.
FEES $550 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS With a large introductory offer, statement credits, and airport lounge access, this is an excellent premium travel credit card.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Instantly earn Centurion Lounge access plus more. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply HEREWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you..
Amex Business Platinum Card
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points. 50,000 after you spend $10,000 in the first 3 months, and another 50,000 Membership Rewards after spending an additional $15,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Earn 50% more points on purchases over $5000. (up to 1 million bonus points.)
BENEFITS $200 airline credit. Global Lounge Collection access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Get 35% back when booking a flight with Membership Rewards on a select airline. Two $100 statement credits from Dell annually. 1 year of Platinum Global access to WeWork. (enrollment through 2019)
FEES $595 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees Terms Apply
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS If you have many high ticket purchases yearly, this card will earn you a good percentage back. The WeWork membership could be very valuable, if you need a place to work for a year.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Instantly earn Centurion Lounge access plus more. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply HEREWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you..
If you’re a frequent traveler, the Centurion lounge access alone can make up for the annual fee of either Amex Platinum credit card, but they come with a bunch of very valuable benefits. The travel benefits offered by either of these cards are easily worth over $1000 in value.
I value the introductory offers at more than $1000 because you can often redeem them for at least two cents per point through Amex travel transfer partners. The statement credits are worth about $500 together. Even though the annual fee can look to be very high and be a mental hurdle to get over, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to the value you’ll receive in return.
Centurion Lounge Locations
There are nine Centurion lounges worldwide, with eight of those being in the United States. American Express has three more lounges in the works, all of which should open in 2019. There are also another six international lounge locations and two arena locations that Amex Platinum cardholders have access to.
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge (LAS)
Location: Concourse D, opposite Gate D1
Hours: 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Dallas-Fort Worth Centurion Lounge (DFW)
Location: Terminal D, opposite Gate D17 on the upper level Hours: 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
San Francisco Centurion Lounge (SFO)
Location: Terminal 3, Boarding Area F, opposite Gate 75 on the mezzanine level Hours: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
New York-La Guardia Centurion Lounge (LGA)
Location: Terminal B, pre-security, third level Hours: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Miami Centurion Lounge (MIA)
Location: North Terminal, Concourse B, 4th floor, across from Gate D14 Hours: 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Houston Centurion Lounge (IAH)
Location: Terminal D, near Gate D6 Hours: 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Seattle Centurion Lounge (SEA)
Location: Concourse B, near Gate B3 Hours: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Hong Kong Centurion Lounge (HKG)
Location: Just before Gate 60, take the escalators or lift up to the 7th Floor, follow the signs to the lounge entrance Hours: 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM
Philadelphia Centurion Lounge (PHL)
Location: Near Gate A14 Hours: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Centurion Lounge Future Locations
As mentioned above, there are three Centurion Lounges being worked on for future locations. Denver, Los Angeles, and New York will be getting the newest and likely most lavish Centurion lounges in the near future. All three lounges will be very large and all three will likely include a spa inside.
Denver Centurion Lounge (DEN)
The DEN Centurion lounge is expected to be 14,650 square feet and will include all of the Centurion lounge basics, plus even more. It will feature a premium cocktail bar, high-speed internet, hot food buffet, showers, a family room, phone rooms, and a tranquility area for sleeping. On top of those amenities, the Denver Centurion lounge will have a spa (like DFW and MIA). It will also offer local beer and wine tastings within the lounge.
Los Angeles Centurion Lounge (LAX)
The LAX Centurion lounge is expected to be 13,900 square feet and will offer the typical luxurious amenities of all Centurion lounges. It will feature a full cocktail bar, a hot food buffet, and showers. The Los Angeles Centurion lounge location will also feature a spa, a family room, and a “tranquility area” with a mix of bright and dimly lit areas specially designed to help travelers adjust to new time zones.
New York City Centurion Lounge (JFK)
Coming in at an expected 15,000 square feet, the JFK Centurion lounge will be the biggest Amex lounge in their Global Lounge portfolio. It will occupy two levels in terminal 4 at JFK in New York City. While the exact details have not been officially announced, the New York Centurion Lounge should open in early 2019. The lounge will supposedly have extravagant views of the JFK airfield and extraordinary amenities. The amenities will include a complimentary bar, a food buffet, showers, soundproof workspaces, and likely much more. With that amount of space, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a spa as well.
Centurion Clubs & Platinum Lounges at International Airports
American Express also has a few international lounges that are accessible for Amex Platinum cardholders. They include the Centurion Clubs and Platinum Lounges located in the following airports:
Mexico City (MEX)
Buenos Aires (EZE)
Rio De Janeiro (SDU)
Sao Paulo (CGH)
Mumbai (BOM)
Delhi (DEL)
Centurion Suite Locations in Arenas
American Express has expanded their lounge locations from exclusively in airports to other stadiums and arenas. Literally, professional basketball arenas to be exact. There are now lounges, which American Express is calling Centurion Suites, in both the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. They also had a Centurion Suite at the 2018 US Open Tennis Championship.
At the two arena Centurion Suites, food and drinks are not complimentary but you may have more options than the stadium food. At both locations, there are a limited amount of people who will get access to the lounge and it is on a first come first served basis. You’ll likely need to arrive at the arena when it opens to get access.
Amenities in the Centurion Suites
Premium Food & Beverages
Dedicated Servers
Flat-Screen TVs
Limited Seating with a View of the Event
Complimentary Wi-Fi Access
Phone Charging Stations
Our Concluding Takeaway: Amex Platinum is Worth Getting for Access to Centurion Lounges
If it’s luxury travel you’re looking for, access to the Centurion lounges is the perfect way to both start and end your vacation the right way. With an American Express Platinum card you’ll be living a life of luxury the minute you walk into the airport. It gives you both lounge access and priority security so forget having to sit in the crowded, dirty, and expensive airport terminal. Say hello to traveling with comfy seating, amazing complimentary food, custom cocktails and sometimes even spa treatments.
My wife used to call me a “princess traveler” when I first told her about airport lounge access. Now she complains if we’re at an airport that doesn’t have such lounges. Once you get used to traveling in luxury with things like lounge access, it’s hard to go back to the life of a peasant traveler. Go get an Amex Platinum to try it out for yourself. I’ll bet you won’t ever want it to end!
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People who travel frequently want to be able to make their traveling experience as streamlined as possible. There are actually several things that travelers can do to help themselves out. One of the most popular methods is to get a Known Traveler Number (KTN). If you have never heard of this before, then you might be wondering “what is a Known Traveler Number?”
In this article, we are going to be explaining what a Known Traveler Number is and what you need to do to obtain one. Once you’ve read through all of the information, it’ll be a lot easier to move forward with this. It isn’t a difficult process, but you do need to know how to go about getting the number. Read on and we will explore everything that you need to know together.
Table of Contents
What Does a Known Traveler Number Do?
Firstly, you should know that Known Traveler Numbers are also referred to as Trusted Traveler Numbers by some. The terms are interchangeable, so don’t be alarmed if you see this being referred to by its other name. With that out of the way, we can focus on why you will want to get a KTN. KTNs can be issued by the Department of Homeland Security, the US Transportation Security Administration, and the Department of Defense.
This number shows that you have gone through a background check process or other screening methods ahead of your flight. You can use your KTN when booking your airfare to increase the chances of using the TSA PreCheck system. This is a streamlined process that lets you pass through security a whole lot faster than usual. For many travelers, this is going to save them countless hours of time every single year.
The KTN gives you access to another neat benefit as well. You’ll be able to enjoy streamlined customs processing if you’re a member of the Global Entry program. This is only going to be available at certain airports, but it’s still a nice perk. It’s another great way for you to save yourself some time when you travel a lot.
Do You Get TSA PreCheck Status Every Time?
You don’t get TSA PreCheck status every time you fly. Even with your KTN, there are going to be times when you’ll have to go through normal security. The KTN simply increases your odds of being chosen for the TSA PreCheck status. It works a lot of the time, but sometimes you might simply not have good luck.
You’re probably wondering what the reasons are for people with Known Traveler Numbers not being chosen. There are a few explanations. The most common explanation is that the TSA tries to randomize the selection process as part of their regular security screening procedures. This can be frustrating for those who went to the effort of obtaining a KTN, but sometimes it does occur.
The other reason is that you may not have used your KTN properly. There are many situations where customers find out that they wrote their KTN down wrong on an application or ticket. This can cause wires to get crossed and you’ll wind up not being allowed to go through the TSA PreCheck screening lane. This is why it’s so important to check to ensure that your KTN is written down properly.
Also, your KTN might not be saved to your frequent flyer profile properly. You’ll want to log into your frequent flyer account to check things out. If the number isn’t there, then it will be easy enough to remedy the situation. Once you get this fixed, it’ll be less likely to cause you any problems moving forward.
Many people choose to book their travel through third-party agencies as well. Sometimes, these agencies do not pass the KTN to the airlines properly. You can fix this by choosing to contact the airline directly. Just give them a call and make sure that your KTN is linked to your reservation.
There are some hoops to jump through to make sure that your KTN is being used properly. Even so, it isn’t that difficult once you know what to look out for. If you’re a member of TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, then you’ll be able to enjoy a streamlined process. Knowing this, you may want to consider applying for one of these programs to obtain your KTN.
Why Do People Sign up for These Programs?
These programs are really going to make your traveling experience that much easier. It costs money to apply for TSA PreCheck status and the same goes for the Global Entry program. The Global Entry program provides the same benefits of TSA PreCheck status while also offering faster US customs screening for international travelers when entering the country. Your KTN is valuable, and you’ll still be using it even when you gain membership into these programs.
Whenever you purchase airfare, you’ll need to write down your KTN. You want to make sure that this number is always present so that you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of being a known traveler. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of always looking for your KTN number when purchasing airfare. If it isn’t there, then you should ask questions and make sure that it gets put into the system.
How Do You Get a Known Traveler Number?
The simplest way to obtain a known traveler number is to apply for the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs. You can go about this in a couple of different ways. One of the most common ways is to simply apply on your own. As of the time of this writing, the American citizens can pay $85.00 to apply for the TSA PreCheck program and $100.00 to apply for the Global Entry program. If approved, you will get a five-year membership into the program that you applied for.
You also receive your KTN upon being accepted into one of these programs. These are the most common programs that people sign up for to expedite their traveling experience. It’s also possible to receive a KTN by signing up for the NEXUS or SENTRI Programs. We are going to go over why you might want to sign up for each of them below to give you a better idea of which programs will appeal to you.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is the best option for frequent travelers who only travel within the United States. If you’re a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US, then this is a great program to consider. It makes it a lot faster to get through security while traveling in the United States. Your travel within the United States will always be more pleasant when you’re a member of the TSA PreCheck program.
Being able to make use of the TSA PreCheck screening lanes really does save you a lot of time. Most travelers will save themselves many hours by simply being able to cut down on time spent going through security. It also makes it possible to show up to the airport a little closer to your boarding time due to the security process not being so time-consuming.
Global Entry
Global Entry offers you all of the same benefits as the TSA PreCheck program. The added benefit is that it makes getting through customs easier when you’re traveling internationally. This is going to be a good fit for anyone who has to travel outside of the country regularly. Business travelers and personal travelers both benefit from this convenient program.
It’s actually not much more expensive to get a Global Entry membership than it is to get the TSA PreCheck status. If you’re going to be traveling internationally at all, then this is the one you’ll want to sign up for. You’ll be able to make your travel that much easier, both domestically and internationally.
NEXUS
NEXUS is a program that appeals to those who travel to Canada regularly. It makes it simpler to get through customs when you’re traveling in the United States and when you’re passing through the Canadian border. This is a great program for both United States citizens and Canadian citizens. If you want to be able to travel across both countries easier, then this makes a lot of sense.
Also, it’s worth noting that becoming a NEXUS member allows you to go to Canada without having a Canadian passport. Many Americans who have family members living in Canada sign up for this program. As of the time of this writing, there is only a $50.00 online fee to become a NEXUS member. You’ll be issued a PASSID when you become a member of the program and this is the same as a KTN.
SENTRI
SENTRI is a program that is actually very similar to the NEXUS program. The difference is that this is for people who frequently travel to Mexico. Crossing the United States and Mexican border is going to be streamlined for those who are SENTRI members. If you’re a US citizen who travels to Mexico a lot on business or for personal reasons, then this is an ideal way to obtain a KTN.
As of the time of this writing, the SENTRI fee is $122.25. This is substantially more expensive than the NEXUS program. Similarly to the NEXUS program, you’ll be issued a PASSID once you have been approved. This will act the same as a KTN, so you’ll want to enter this whenever you’re traveling.
Receive a Known Traveler Number through the US Armed Forces
You should know that all US Armed Forces members will receive a KTN in the form of a DoD identification number. All of the benefits of using a KTN will apply to those who have earned it through their service. Whenever you travel, you should also make sure to enter the DoD identification number to reap the benefits. This will allow you to have a smooth traveling experience.
Get a Known Traveler Number for Free with these 3 Credit Cards
You can purchase Global Entry or TSA PreCheck for around $100, which gives you access to a known traveler number for 5 years. Even better yet, you can get either of those programs for FREE, through a few different travel credit cards. All of the following cards offer a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck as a benefit.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and dining. Also Earn a total of 10X points on Lyft rides.
BENEFITS $300 annual travel credit. Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Points are worth 50% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfers to partner hotels and airlines. 1 year of Lyft Pink.
FEES $550 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best premium travel credit cards if you want some luxury. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal. The biggest key to this card is the airport lounge access. If you travel a lot, it's extremely valuable.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
2. Capital One Venture
Capital One Venture
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 2X points on every purchase.
BENEFITS Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Transfer points to airline and hotel travel partners.
FEES $95 annual fee. (waived year 1) No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is a great travel credit card. It offers a large introductory offer, free TSA PreCheck for 5 years, plus the annual fee is waived the first year.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
3. American Express Platinum Card
Amex Platinum Card
INTRODUCTORY OFFER You’ll earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
BENEFITS Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month (bonus $20 in December). Enjoy access to the exclusive Global Airport Lounge Collection. $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 every calendar year with one qualifying airline. Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your card. Enrollment required. Fine Hotels & Resorts Access. Hilton & Marriott Gold Status. Discounts on First/Business/Premium Economy tickets.
FEES $550 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS With a large introductory offer, statement credits, and airport lounge access, this is an excellent premium travel credit card.
LEARN HOW TO APPLY NOW >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Remember to Book Your Travel with an Airline That Recognizes Your KTN
Not every airline recognizes the KTN system. There are a large number of airlines worldwide that will participate in this program. Many of the common airlines in North America such as United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Southwest Airlines are among those that are participating. Take the time to check and see if your preferred airline participates in this program.
Some airlines will even issue their frequent travelers a KTN by giving them access to TSA PreCheck status. There are also many airline-related credit cards that reimburse you for the fees that are associated with the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs. If you’re a regular traveler, then you likely already have a favorite airline that you stick with. Be sure to check what they’re offering to see if you can make obtaining your KTN easier.
Our Last Thoughts
Getting your known traveler number is really going to speed things up for you when you’re a frequent traveler. This is worth your while and you’re likely going to want to get one if you travel a lot. There are a large number of different ways that you can obtain a KTN. Which one of them is going to suit you the best is really dependent on your personal circumstances.
If you only travel within the United States, then applying for the TSA PreCheck program might be your best bet. Those who travel internationally frequently will be far better off paying the extra money to become a Global Entry member. Both the NEXUS and SENTRI programs are worthwhile for those traveling to Canada and Mexico respectively. You have many choices when you’re interested in obtaining a KTN.
Now that you have read all of the information above, you should have a much deeper understanding of what a KTN is and what it can do. You’ll be able to use your KTN to make your traveling experience more enjoyable. Take your time and consider your options before applying. You’ll be enjoying the benefits of having a streamlined traveling experience soon enough.
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When it comes to travel, I’m sure you already have a few travel apps downloaded onto your cell phone. The real question is whether any of the apps you have, actually benefit you. I’ve put together a list of the travel apps that I find to be the most useful while I’m traveling or planning to travel. Some of them will save you time, some will save you money, and some will do both. Do you already have any of the following travel apps? If not, I suggest you give them a shot.
If you have a Priority Pass giving you access to airport lounges, this is a necessity. It shows you what lounges are in each airport, reviews them, and tells you how to find the lounge. Once I get passed security or land for a layover, this is the first thing I check on my phone. Free food, free drinks, a relaxing place to wait, and TV? Yes please! If you don’t have Priority Pass yet, there are a few credit cards that offer membership as a perk.
This is an app that allows you to do in depth searches for paid flights, hotels and car rentals to find the best deal. You can also save flights, specific searches, and even get price alerts. It’s a must have for booking a vacation when you’re unable to use miles and points. It’s similar to Google Flights, but seems more in depth and has a phone app which makes it more convenient.
If you’re traveling around a large city, getting a Lyft or Uber car is very convenient. Depending on your travel location, taking rides when needed might be much more efficient than renting a car. Also, if you’re planning on drinking, you can let them be your DD. Lately, I’ve found Lyft rides to be slightly cheaper, but I always check both each time to get the cheaper of the two.
This app is awesome, especially if you travel often. It will automatically find your flight and hotel bookings in your email and if your flight gets delayed or canceled it will automatically send the airline a message trying to get you compensation. It will also find upcoming bookings and make sure you got the best price for your flight or hotel and re-book them if not. The best part is you don’t have to pay anything until you actually get compensation.
If you want to earn airline miles for paid hotel stays, this is for you. Every stay at a hotel that you book through their app earns you miles on your airline of choice. Sometimes they even have promos where you can earn 5000 or more bonus miles for just a one night stay. I earned 11,000 Alaska Airlines miles for two one night stays, which was enough miles to book a short round-trip flight!
Google Translate
This is pretty self explanatory. If you don’t speak the native language of where you’re traveling all you have to do is tell the app whatever you want to say. It translates your words to the native language and then you can push play for the person you’re trying to communicate with. It supports over 100 languages.
Travel Apps Save Time & Money
Have you already tried any of these? How do you like them? If you haven’t tried these out, I’d suggest testing them for yourself when you travel next. If you use any other travel apps that you can’t live without, leave a comment and share with the rest of us!
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There are five Chase credit cards that earn at least 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points from the signup bonus alone. Two of them are personal Chase Sapphire credit cards and three are business Chase Ink credit cards. All five of these Chase Ultimate Rewards cards earn top ranks when it comes to travel credit cards. Out of the five, we’ll analyze each card and determine which comes out on top in the battle of Chase Ink vs Sapphire.
Ink Business PreferredWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. (Best Intro Offer)
Chase Sapphire PreferredWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. (Best First Travel Card)
Ink Business CashWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. (Best to Earn Pts Spending – 5X Bonuses)
Chase Sapphire ReserveWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.(Best Travel Benefits)
Ink Business UnlimitedWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.(Best for Simple Earning – 1.5X on Everything)
As you can see, the Ink Preferred card has the highest introductory offer. All of these cards have their own benefits. Let’s start comparing them.
Table of Contents
Chase Sapphire: Personal Credit Cards
There are two versions of the Chase Sapphire credit card. The all-around good credit card in the Sapphire Preferred, and the ultra-premium credit card in the Sapphire Reserve. They’re both excellent travel credit cards in their own ways. It just depends on what you, the consumer, prefer. Let’s see what they have to offer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 2X points on travel and 3X on dining.
BENEFITS Points are worth 25% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfer partner hotels and airlines.
FEES $95 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is the best first travel credit card to get. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and dining. Also Earn a total of 10X points on Lyft rides.
BENEFITS $300 annual travel credit. Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Points are worth 50% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfers to partner hotels and airlines. 1 year of Lyft Pink.
FEES $550 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best premium travel credit cards if you want some luxury. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal. The biggest key to this card is the airport lounge access. If you travel a lot, it's extremely valuable.
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The Best Chase Sapphire Card
Before examining the Chase Ink vs Sapphire debate, let’s find out which of the Sapphire cards is the best. This will be a tough decision because the differences between the cards are great. The signup bonuses are very similar. The Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining compared to 3 points per dollar on the Sapphire Reserve. Now to compare the benefits and fees. The Sapphire Preferred has minimal travel benefits and has an annual fee of $95. Sapphire Reserve, on the other hand, has extremely valuable benefits but also comes with a high $450 annual fee.
Basically, the better Chase Sapphire card depends on what you’re looking for as a cardmember. If you don’t want a high annual fee, the best card is the Sapphire Preferred. But, if you want airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck, and will spend at least $300 on travel to receive the statement credit, the Sapphire Reserve is definitely worth the fee for you.
Overall, we’ll say that the Sapphire Preferred is the winner of the Chase Sapphire category because it has no annual fee the first year and has an equal signup bonus. Now let’s check out the Chase Ink business cards so that we can find out which is better in the Chase Ink vs Sapphire contest.
Chase Ink: Business Credit Cards
Now that we’ve seen what the Chase Sapphire cards have to offer, let’s dive into the details of the Chase Ink business credit cards. There are three Chase Ink cards with widely differing features. They are all excellent choices. I actually have all three of these credit cards because they work well together. If you have multiple Ultimate Rewards credit cards you can transfer points between accounts to join them together.
Ink Business Preferred
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 100,000 points after spending $15000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and select business expenses (including online social media ads). *Limited to first $150k per year.
BENEFITS Points are worth 25% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. Employee cards at no additional cost.
FEES $95 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS The signup bonus alone for this card is amazing. Pair that with some great rewards earning for your business and this card is great. If you have a business, we find the Ink Preferred to be the best offer available.
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Ink Business Cash
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn $750 (in the form of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 5X points on internet, cable, phone, and office supply stores. *Limited to first $25k per year. Earn 2X at gas stations and restaurants. *Limited to first $25k per year.
BENEFITS Points can be transferred to primary Chase card accounts for better redemption. Employee cards at no additional cost.
ANNUAL FEE No annual fee
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS The signup bonus on this no-fee card is amazing. Pair that with some great 5X reward categories for your business and this card is great. This card pairs well with the Chase Sapphire cards and the Ink Preferred.
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Ink Business Unlimited
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn $750 (in the form of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $3000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 1.5X on all purchases. No limit.
BENEFITS Points can be transferred to primary Chase card accounts for better redemption. Employee cards at no additional cost.
ANNUAL FEE No annual fee
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS The signup bonus on this no-fee card is amazing. Pair that with 1.5X rewards on every purchase for your business and this card is great. This card pairs well with the Chase Sapphire cards and the Ink Preferred.
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The Best Chase Ink Card
Hands down, the best Chase Ink card is the Ink Business Preferred. It is honestly the best credit card out there. Period. The signup bonus is nothing less than amazing. My wife and I were able to book both round-trip flights to Hawaii and a resort on the beach for 3 of our nights with just the points from this signup bonus. No other card can get you that kind of value. Plus, the card only has a $95 annual fee. The Ink Preferred can also be converted to a no-fee card at any time if you wish.
Here’s why I have all three of these cards for a deadly combination of points earning. The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on certain business expenses and when the points are in this account they’re worth more and you can transfer to partner airlines and hotels (I often get 2 cents per point on redemptions this way). The Ink Business Cash earns 5 points per dollar on common expenses like cable, phone, and office supplies (5X on gift cards at an office supply store – they have a lot of options – wink, wink). Then, the Ink Business Unlimited earns 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. Together, they are a point-earning machine!
Chase Ink vs Sapphire: Who’s the Winner?
Now we’ve seen the features of each credit card. We’re now ready to discuss which is better between Chase Ink vs Sapphire. This is how we’ll do it. We’ll have a few category winners for the cards that are the best at one particular feature. Then we’ll crown the overall winner of the Chase Ink vs Sapphire battle.
Best First Travel Card:Sapphire PreferredWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Top Premium Travel Card:Sapphire ReserveWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best Card for Earning: 5X Points on Many Purchases:Ink CashWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Top Card for Simplicity in Earning:Ink UnlimitedWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
CHASE INK vs SAPPHIRE CHAMPION:INK PREFERREDWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Deciding which cards are best between the Chase Ink vs Sapphire is difficult. They’re all very good travel credit cards in their own right. But we have to choose a winner. The champion of the Chase Ink vs Sapphire debate is the Chase Ink Business Preferred card. It has the best signup bonus, a low annual fee, good earning potential, and great point-redemption value. Not only is it the best card in the Chase Ink vs Sapphire battle, but it’s also the best credit card of ALL cards. The value of the signup bonus can be worth well over $1500 in travel if redeemed through partners.
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If you’re planning on traveling outside of the United States any time soon, then you should really look into getting your US passport. A passport is necessary for US citizens who wish to travel abroad. If you don’t have your passport, then you’ll likely be denied entry into whatever country you’re trying to travel to. There are some exceptions to this rule, but you’re going to need to get your passport if you want to travel to most countries.
Those who have never applied for a passport before might not even know how to get started. This isn’t something that everyone does, as many people never bother to try to leave the country. If no one in your family has ever applied for a passport before, then it’s perfectly understandable to not know what you need to do. Thankfully, the process isn’t all that difficult once you know how to get started.
Today we’re going to talk about the US passport application process. You will be able to learn how to apply for a US passport and we’ll also speak about some other pertinent information. This is going to give you the necessary knowledge to get your passport situation handled properly. You should be able to get your passport and you’ll be ready for your upcoming trip in no time.
Table of Contents
Applying for a New Passport in Person
If you have never had a passport before, then you’re going to need to apply for a passport in person. This shouldn’t be difficult to do, but you’ll need to know where you’re supposed to go. Depending on where you live, the location for getting a passport is going to differ. Some people might need to go to the local courthouse while others may need to go to a government building known as the Secretary of State.
You should do some research online to determine where your local passport acceptance facility is ahead of time. This will allow you to figure out where to go and you’ll be able to do everything that you need to do from there. This information should be readily available on your local government websites. Going to the state government website should provide you with the right answers.
Once you’ve figured out where you need to go, you’ll need to make sure that you’re bringing the right stuff to the passport acceptance facility. You’re going to need to have several different items to get your passport. Take a look at the items below so that you can gather everything that is necessary. You’ll have a far easier time if you bring these items to the passport acceptance facility.
DS-11 Form
Proof of US citizenship
Government-issued photo ID
Color passport photograph
Fee payment in the form of a check or money order
Additional Requirements for Children
Proof of relationship to the child
Both parents must be present
If both parents cannot be present, the absent parent needs to sign a consent form
What to Know Once You Get to the Office
Now that you’ve gathered all of the necessary items and documents, it’ll be time to pay a visit to the passport acceptance facility. Go and speak to the appropriate workers at the right government building to get things started. They will be able to guide you through the process. This is actually going to be fairly straightforward once you get things going.
It should be noted that you can print the DS-11 form online and fill it out ahead of time. If you can’t do this for one reason or another, the office should have a DS-11 form that they can give you. Depending on how busy the building is, it might be practical enough to sit there and fill out the form. The form isn’t overly long or complicated, so it shouldn’t take too long to get things sorted out.
All of the other items really need to be gathered ahead of time. If you’re missing even one piece of the required items listed above, then you won’t be able to go through with your passport application. Note that proof of US citizenship is going to include items such as your birth certificate or naturalization certificate. You should also know that a military ID will work as a substitute for a driver’s license.
You also need to keep in mind that you can’t pay for the passport fees with cash or your debit card. Many people don’t use checks any longer, but this is still one of only two accepted payment methods. This may change at some point in the future, but you’re going to need a check or a money order to pay for your passport. Both checks and money orders should be payable to the U.S. Department of State.
Applying for a Passport Outside of the US
Applying for a US passport from outside of the US is going to play out a little bit differently. Instead of going to a local government office, you’re going to need to travel to a US embassy or consulate. You’ll be able to request the proper forms to apply for your US passport while there. The process is going to be similar to obtaining your passport while inside of the country, but you’ll be dealing with the embassy or consulate the entire time.
There are some differences when you’re applying for a US passport from Canada. Canada has a different relationship with the US and there are going to be situations where some Americans who are living in Canada will be able to do things by mail. This is mostly going to apply to renewing a passport, rather than applying for a new one. Just be sure to contact the US embassy to get more details on what needs to be done if you’re at all confused.
Passport Photos
Passport photos need to be considered ahead of applying, too. We mentioned that you’re going to need a passport photo above, but we’d like to go over this in more detail. If you’re new to applying for passports, then you might not be aware of all of the requirements. These photos won’t be difficult to obtain, but you do want to make sure that you’re doing things right.
All passport photographs need to be in color. The photo should be a clear picture of your face and it needs to have been taken in the last six months. No filters or other alterations of the image are allowed. Someone else needs to take your photograph too, meaning that selfies are strictly prohibited.
If you wear eyeglasses, then you’ll need to go ahead and remove them for the photo. The photo should also be taken against a plain white background. The background can also be off white if necessary. As long as you can meet these requirements, you’ll be able to take the photos at home while being sure to follow the proper rules.
Most people choose to have their passport photos taken at a place of business, though. Many drug stores have passport photo areas where you can easily get your passport photos taken. They’ll even print the photos off for you in the right sizes. Passport photos need to be 2 x 2 inches, so it’s likely going to be more convenient to have the photo taken at a drugstore or other professional facility such as this.
The photo needs to be printed out on glossy paper, too. Typical printer paper is not going to cut it for a passport photo. You’re supposed to have a neutral expression on your face during the photo as well. Be sure that you have your eyes open, too, to avoid any potential problems.
How Long Does it Take to Get Your Passport?
The length of time that it takes to get your passport will differ depending on the season and other factors. If you want an up to date estimate, then it’s going to be best to check your local state government website for more information. There are some general guidelines that you can follow to give yourself a good idea of how long it will take on average. This information should be accurate, but it could change slightly based on certain factors.
Routine service is usually going to take somewhere between four and six weeks. You’ll receive your passport in the mail sometime after one month has passed. This is the most common situation that people deal with when applying for their passport. That is why it’s best to apply for a passport months in advance to give yourself time to actually receive your passport.
There will also be an expedited service option that can make things go a little bit faster. You can choose to pay more money to get your passport issued to you within two or three weeks. This is substantially faster, but it’s still not immediate. For most people, it’s still going to be practical to just apply for a passport far enough in advance.
If you need to travel abroad due to an emergency, then it’ll be possible to make use of a really fast expedited passport option. This is available at agency locations and can get you your passport within eight days. You have to meet certain criteria to qualify for this, though. You have to be facing an immediate life or death emergency or be traveling within two weeks to make use of this.
Passport Book Versus Passport Card
You’ll also want to know that there are two different types of passports that you can apply for. There is the passport card and the passport book. Passport books are going to be the traditional types of passports that make traveling by air possible. If you plan on traveling to another country via airplane, then you’re going to want to apply for a passport book.
Passport cards are going to be a lot less expensive to get. The only downside is that they don’t allow you to enter other countries via airplane. You’ll be able to get into other countries by land or by sea using the passport card. Also, you can’t use a passport card to enter all countries.
The passport card will allow you to enter Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda via land or sea. If you’re planning a vacation to Europe or Asia, then you need to pay the extra money to get yourself a passport book. It’s important to understand the restrictions that have been placed on the passport card. For most people, the passport book is going to be the better option, since it doesn’t come with the same strict limitations.
There is a certain convenience to the passport card, though. It’s a lot smaller and you can even fit it inside of your wallet. Even so, it just can’t do as much as a normal passport book. Consider where you want to travel and how you want to travel before coming to an ultimate decision.
Our Final Thoughts on US Passport Applications
Now that you’ve read all about how to apply for a passport, you should be ready to go out and get yours. If you’re thinking of traveling outside of the country anytime soon, then you need to take care of this right away. Standard service can take between four and six weeks to get your passport to you. As long as you get things started several months in advance, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping your travel plans.
Getting a passport doesn’t have to be a stressful situation. When you follow the rules and do your best to gather the necessary items, it’ll be a smooth experience. You can get your passport in your hands in time and you’ll be ready to go see the world. Remember to think about what type of passport you want and do your best to pick an option that works for you.
Renewing your passport will generally be easy too. US passports are valid for 10 years after they’re issued. This means that you’ll be able to go a long time without having to renew it. Also, you’ll usually be eligible to renew by mail so long as you don’t wait too long and let your passport lapse.
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A common question I’ve heard recently is “where does Southwest fly?” It’s a good question because, in recent years, their route map has been changing drastically. Just a few years ago, they only had flights within the continental US. Through their expansion, Southwest will soon have 103 destinations that they fly to. Their destinations will include flights within the continental US, internationally to Mexico, Central America, and the Carribean, as well as to all four major Hawaiian islands.
Southwest is quickly becoming much more than a regional airline. They’ve grown substantially in the last decade and continue doing so. Not only have they been growing, but they continue to bring great service and excellent travel features to their customers. They are the home of no fees and continue to go the opposite direction of other airlines. Let’s find out the answer to your question: Where does Southwest Airlines fly? Here’s our complete list:
Table of Contents
Where Does Southwest Fly: Listed by Region
Where Does Southwest Fly in the Western United States (21)
If you’re wondering “where does Southwest fly”, but need to see it visually, you can look at their route map. To see where you can fly from each Southwest location check out the Interactive Southwest Route Map.
Fly with a Free Companion on Every Southwest Flight
By earning a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass you can have a free companion on every single Southwest flight you take. The companion pass stays active for the calendar year in which you earn it as well as the following year. That means if you earn the Southwest Companion Pass in January of 2019 you will have it through December of 2020. How do you get Southwest Companion Pass? It’s actually pretty simple.
You must earn 110,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points. It sounds like a lot, but you can actually earn that many points very quickly without ever taking a flight. Amazingly, points earned through the Southwest credit cards count toward earning the companion pass. Both, signup bonuses and earning through spending on the credit cards work.
With typical credit card introductory bonuses ranging between 40-60,000 points, you can earn enough (or close to enough) points simply by being approved for two of the Southwest credit cards. One personal card and one business card (don’t worry, you probably qualify for a business card – or could easily). You can learn more about how to earn it in our detailed Southwest Companion Pass post.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 50,000 points after spending $1000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn points on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals.
BENEFITS Earn 3000 points on your cardmember anniversary. All points from credit card count toward Companion Pass.
FEES $69 annual fee.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS Southwest points are great because when they have a sale, their award chart goes on sale as well. By getting a personal and business Southwest card you can be well on your way to Companion Pass status.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 50,000 points after spending $1000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn points on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals.
BENEFITS Earn 6000 points on your cardmember anniversary. All points from credit card count toward Companion Pass.
FEES $99 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS Southwest points are great because when they have a sale, their award chart goes on sale as well. By getting a personal and business Southwest card you can be well on your way to Companion Pass status.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 50,000 points after spending $1000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals.
BENEFITS $75 Southwest travel credit each year. 4 Upgraded boardings per year. 25% back on in-flight drinks and wi-fi. Earn 7500 points on your cardmember anniversary. All points from credit card count toward Companion Pass.
FEES $149 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS Southwest points are great because when they have a sale, their award chart goes on sale as well. By getting a personal and business Southwest card you can be well on your way to Companion Pass status.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Premier
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $3000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals.
BENEFITS Earn 6000 points on your cardmember anniversary. All points from credit card count toward Companion Pass.
FEES $99 annual fee. No foreign transaction fees. Employee cards at no additional cost.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS Southwest points are great because when they have a sale, their award chart goes on sale as well. By getting a personal and business Southwest card you can be well on your way to Companion Pass status.
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How to Earn Even More Southwest Miles to Use with Your Companion
It’s your lucky day. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio. That means that when you earn your Southwest Companion Pass, you can stack your Southwest miles account balance by earning Chase Ultimate Rewards to transfer over. Below are the two best credit card offers to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 2X points on travel and 3X on dining.
BENEFITS Points are worth 25% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfer partner hotels and airlines.
FEES $95 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is the best first travel credit card to get. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal.
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Ink Business Preferred
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 100,000 points after spending $15000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and select business expenses (including online social media ads). *Limited to first $150k per year.
BENEFITS Points are worth 25% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. Employee cards at no additional cost.
FEES $95 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS The signup bonus alone for this card is amazing. Pair that with some great rewards earning for your business and this card is great. If you have a business, we find the Ink Preferred to be the best offer available.
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If you’re looking to travel a lot in the next year with that Companion Pass, you might also be interested in priority airport security screening and airport lounge access. You can receive those travel benefits and much more with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
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INTRODUCTORY OFFER You'll earn 60,000 points after spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS You'll earn 3X points on travel and dining. Also Earn a total of 10X points on Lyft rides.
BENEFITS $300 annual travel credit. Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Points are worth 50% more when used in the Chase travel portal. No foreign transaction fees. 1:1 point transfers to partner hotels and airlines. 1 year of Lyft Pink.
FEES $550 No foreign transaction fees.
TRAVEL FREEDOM THOUGHTS This is one of the best premium travel credit cards if you want some luxury. It has a valuable signup bonus with easy to redeem points. You also get a boost to your points value in the Chase travel portal. The biggest key to this card is the airport lounge access. If you travel a lot, it's extremely valuable.
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Even if you don’t have an interest in earning the Southwest Companion Pass, these Southwest credit cards can add up to a lot of free travel. Southwest is one of the best programs for using points to fly. With 103 destinations, you better get started if you want to visit them all. Now that you know all their destinations, you’ll never have to ask “where does southwest fly” ever again.
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Have you ever been on the checkout page of the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal and noticed a box to enter a Chase Ultimate Rewards Promo Code? When I see promo code boxes of any online checkout, it makes me wonder if I’m missing out on a discount of some sort.
Well, when it comes to Chase Ultimate Rewards Promo codes, you’re probably not missing out on anything. There have only been a few times in recent years that there was actually a live Ultimate Rewards promotion code, and they were all targeted.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal Promo Codes Available in the Past
Most likely you won’t find a current Chase Ultimate Rewards promo code because they don’t offer them very often. As mentioned, over the past few years, there have only been a handful of Chase Ultimate Rewards travel promo codes. Here are some of the previous offers.
$100 off a hotel stay of $300 or more
$30 off a hotel or flight booking
Chase Ultimate Rewards Promo Code on Amazon Purchases
LIVE OFFER: (You may need to link your accounts before the offer is activated)
There have also been a few promos in the past that give a discount on AmazonWe may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. when you redeem at least one Ultimate Rewards point towards the purchase. These Chase Ultimate Rewards promo codes are typically found within your Amazon account if you’ve linked your accounts. At checkout or on the product page, you’ll typically see an offer saying something like “Use Chase Ultimate Rewards to get $15 off your purchase of $60 or more”.
These Amazon offers, like the other Chase Travel Rewards promo codes, are also targeted. They will not be offered to everyone. A good place to find out if there’s a current offer is on Slick Deals where you can search for “Ultimate Rewards Promo Code”.
How to Get Targeted for a Chase Rewards Promo Code
There’s a chance that Chase has had other targeted Ultimate Rewards promo codes on occasion. If you were a targeted Chase customer, they would email to you directly with an Ultimate Rewards promo code. To see if you’ve been targeted for any of these promotions in the past, do a simple search within your email for something like “Chase Promo Code” or “Ultimate Rewards Promo Code”. Any emails that contain those words will show in the results.
Which Chase Credit Cards Earn Ultimate Rewards?
If you want more Chase Ultimate Rewards, there are seven credit cards that earn them. There are four personal credit cards and three business cards that offer Ultimate Rewards signup bonuses. The signup bonuses range from 15,000 points all the way up to 80,000 Ultimate Rewards. Here are each of those cards and their signup bonus offers.
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Learn More >>We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Credit card signup bonuses are by far the easiest way to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards. Some of the signup bonuses are worth more than $1000 in travel if you redeem them with Chase travel partners. For example, you can book a roundtrip flight from the west coast to Hawaii for just 25,000 Ultimate Rewards.
Why Ultimate Rewards are the Best Travel Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards is the best loyalty program of all travel points systems. Ultimate Rewards are so valuable because they’re easy to earn and are so flexible to redeem. There are four ways to earn Ultimate Rewards and three ways to redeem them. Chase Ultimate Rewards are just easy to use.
Earning Ultimate Rewards
There are four ways to earn Ultimate Rewards. They can be earned through travel credit card signup bonuses, credit card spending, the online Chase shopping portal, and through referring friends to Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards. After earning Ultimate Rewards, there are three different ways to redeem them.
Credit Card Signup Bonuses
Credit Card Spending
Chase Shopping Portal
Refer a Friend
Earning Ultimate Rewards is done most simply by signing up for Chase Ultimate Rewards travel credit cards. There are primary Ultimate Rewards credit cards and secondary Ultimate Rewards cards. The difference is that the primary cards have more options for redeeming points. They are the only cards that offer Chase transfer partners and they have elevated redemption rates in the Chase travel portal.
Redeeming Ultimate Rewards
There are three ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards. The two options that involve travel will earn great point redemption rates of 1-2+ cents per point and one option that is essentially cash back will give an average redemption rate of just 1 cent per point. Redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel is by far the best option if you’re looking to get the most value out of your points.
Chase Travel Portal
Chase Transfer Partners
Cashback-Like Redemptions
By far, the most valuable way to redeem Ultimate Rewards is to transfer them to travel partners. There are 13 partner airline and hotel loyalty programs to choose from. They all transfer at a ratio of 1:1 with Ultimate Rewards. You can also book travel through Chase directly, or use your points for cash back, but these redemption options aren’t as valuable as transferring to partners.
Learn More about Chase Ultimate Rewards
As you’ve seen, Chase Ultimate Rewards are very valuable. They are easy to earn and also easy to redeem, making them the most flexible travel points around. If you want to learn how to earn and redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards like a pro, check out our epic guide that covers everything “Ultimate Rewards”. If you’ve already heard enough and are ready to start earning Ultimate Rewards, go ahead and apply for one or more of the credit cards mentioned above.
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When travelers consider making use of Airbnb to save money, it’s typically with respect to finding affordable accommodation options. Indeed, as noted in ‘6 Ways to Save Money on Travel’, the service is typically very easy to use, and can often be cheaper than other rental or booking options.
Flipping things around though, Airbnb can also help travelers save money as renters. Some who travel regularly have realized that by listing their own homes while away, they can build up Airbnb businesses of their own, thus offsetting the costs of trips — and more, in some cases. Below, we’ll look at some of the reasons that this can actually work, and become a good, strategic way to fund your travel ambitions.
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Airbnb Renters Make Real Money
A lot of apps and online services that claim to be able to make you money tend to wind down to lots of work with little reward. But Airbnb renters tend to be able to make fairly respectable earnings. In The Balance’s assessment of Airbnb returns, or instance, it’s suggested that renters in a big city like Seattle can make roughly $150 per night posting their own properties on the service. That’s on the higher end of things, given that Seattle is both a big city and a popular destination. But even a third of that rate for several nights while you’re on a trip abroad can add up to a meaningful chunk of income. Even if it doesn’t totally offset your vacation cost, it will make a big difference. And if you do happen to live in a big city or sought-after destination, you’ll be in even better shape.
Starting an Airbnb Business is Easy
While some travelers might disregard an idea like this simply because it can seem like more hassle than it’s worth, there’s actually not that much involved with getting started with this kind of effort. Per ZenBusiness’s outline of Airbnb businesses, all you really need to do is define your business plan and structure, register the business, and manage costs and property needs. Once you get the early processes taken care of, you’ll be ready to rent out your property, and listed on Airbnb. Yes, there are some management and upkeep efforts involved. But part of the idea of Airbnb is that once you’re up and running the platform does a lot of the work for you.
You Can Market to Gain Visibility
Some may also opt out of the Airbnb idea out of concern that they don’t have desirable properties, or aren’t in popular locations. Of course these factors can affect your earning potential, and a high-end Seattle condo is going to perform better than a low-cost studio apartment in a small town. That said, your visibility and appeal are at least partly up to you. As the aforementioned outline of Airbnb businesses points out, it’s up to you to “paint a picture” of your property, convey what’s interesting or appealing about it, and then do a bit of external advertising to draw attention to it. You won’t have full control over rental potential, but if you make a bit of an effort you’ll already be ahead of a lot of other Airbnb renters who rely entirely on the platform.
There’s No Effort While Traveling
Another major perk to the idea of funding travel through Airbnb is that it doesn’t require effort of you while you’re traveling. So many suggestions related to this topic — such as teaching a language, taking on odd jobs, or running a travel blog — effectively involve taking time to work during your trips. Even among Travel & Leisure’s travel work suggestions, which are by and large more laid back (ideas like selling videos, or taking on courier work), there is some level of distraction that can take away from your time abroad. With Airbnb though, all the work you need to put in is done before and after you’re away. You can make money to offset travel costs without worrying about the effort at all while you’re actually traveling.
Because of these factors, Airbnb is a legitimately interesting avenue to consider if you’re looking for a way to help fund your travel.
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