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Amex Platinum Credit Score + requirements for approval

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The average American Express Platinum Card applicant has a credit score of 715.

The best credit card offers are reserved for people with the best credit scores. These are the customers that the banks and card issuers want to attract, so it makes sense that they offer big sign-up bonuses, lucrative rewards and valuable benefits to entice them.

There are also some credit cards that are more impressive to carry than others. The Platinum Card by American Express is one of those cards. 

Not only does it have a big sign-up bonus, great earning potential and top-tier benefits, but many people and merchants know that not everyone has the income and creditworthiness to get approved for this card so it’s akin to driving a luxury car for some.

You might be considering this card because you are collecting Membership Rewards for a big trip and you are interested in the current 75,000 point sign-up bonus and high points earning potential, but before you fill out that application let’s see what credit score it requires and what type of consumer(s) it is ideal for.

Who is the Amex Platinum Card For?

American Express has many charge and credit cards for personal and business use, but the Platinum card is a top-of-the-line premium card in the American Express portfolio. There is only one Amex card that is more exclusive, and that is the invitation-only Centurion Card by American Express.

The odds of you getting an invitation for the Centurion card though are small as it is designed for less than 1% of the population, and it carries a hefty annual fee of $5,000 as well as an initiation fee of $10,000. 

There is no online application for the Centurion card, as you have to be invited to apply. Keep in mind that an invitation does not mean you will be successful with your application.

The Platinum card is not quite as exclusive or as expensive to hold as the Centurion, but you need to have the Platinum card to even get invited to apply for the Centurion. The Platinum card itself is still widely respected and recognized as a status symbol, and it’s your gateway to an invitation to apply for the Centurion card if that is your aspiration.

In general, you’ll need good or excellent credit to be approved for the Platinum Card from American Express. This means you need a credit score in the range of 680 to 740. The average applicant has a score of 715 but some have been approved with a credit score in the 640’s when it’s coupled with a high income.

Amex Platinum is Good for Travelers and Business Owners

The Platinum Card by American Express is best suited for travelers because many of the benefits and statement credits offered are for travel. This card comes with automatic elite status in two hotel programs: You’ll get Gold elite status in both the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs. 

You’ll also have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,300 lounges at more than 500 airports worldwide in 140 countries.

Plus it lets you earn 5x Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel. Those bonus points can be earned on up to $500,000 in airline bookings. If you fly that much, you can do the math. You’ll be sitting on a pile of points.

You can also earn 5x points on Amex Hotel Collection bookings, and you get a $100 on-site credit for prepaid hotel stays of at least two nights in one of those hotels. You can use the credit for dining, spa and other activities at the hotel or resort.

You also get access to Platinum Travel consultants and a personal concierge. That all makes this card ideal for small business owners who travel or for people who travel frequently. If you only take one or two vacations a year, you won’t be able to take advantage of all the benefits so this card may not be right for you.

If you own a small business and travel for work, consider applying for the business version of this card. It has the mostly same benefits but comes with some extra perks as well.

Membership Rewards Bonus Points

The Amex Platinum card is a great card to apply for if you are collecting or want to start building a stash of American Express Membership Rewards as it currently comes with a 75,000-point welcome offer when you spend $5,000 in the first six months of having the card, and that can really jumpstart or boost your points balance. 

The welcome offer also lets you earn 10x on purchases at gas stations and in supermarkets on up to $15,000 in purchases in the first six months, which is great for people who have not been able to travel or dine out because of the pandemic. 

That is equal to 150,000 points if you max out the offer, which will bring the total welcome bonus up to 225,000 Amex Membership Rewards points. You’ll also get 1x point per dollar on all other purchases that are not in a bonus category.

If you’re not sure if you qualify for the Platinum card, there are other Amex cards that might be a better fit for starters, and you can work your way up to applying for a more premium card. But if you’ve had a few credit cards and maintain a good credit history and score, then it might be time to pull the trigger and upgrade to the Amex Platinum card. 

Don’t upgrade one of your current Amex cards though as you will lose out on the sign-up bonus. Fill out a new application and be sure to look around for a rumored 100,000 point welcome bonus that is popping up on browsers as a limited time offer. Very limited that is. If you close your browser it will disappear. 

How much does it cost?

The Amex Platinum is a premium card that comes with a $550 annual fee, but not everyone is willing to pay a yearly fee to hold a credit card and not everybody can meet the minimum spend required to get the welcome bonus.

The Amex Platinum is similar to other premium cards with fees in the $500 range like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige cards, and while the costs and benefits differ the Amex Platinum is more popular, especially for status seekers and travelers.

This is generally not a good card for beginners because of its high annual fee, but if you’re interested in it for the points and perks you might want to apply for an Amex Gold card which is one level below this card and has a $250 fee and a 60,000 point welcome offer when you spend $4,000 in the first six months. 

If you don’t spend enough to earn either the Gold or Platinum sign-up bonus and you don’t need all the benefits of those cards, you can also consider the American Express Green card, which has a $150 annual fee and comes with a 45,000 point bonus after spending $2,000 in the first six months.

Is the Amex Platinum worth the $550 annual fee?

If you can meet the minimum spend to get the welcome offer on the Amex Platinum card and your credit score is good enough to qualify, the welcome bonus alone will offset the annual fee. The 75,000 points you earn for signing up are worth a minimum of $750 in travel.

Those points can be even more valuable if you transfer them to an airline frequent flyer program. Amex Membership Rewards transfer to 16 airline programs including:

  • Aer Lingus
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Canada
  • Air France/KLM
  • Alitalia
  • ANA
  • Avianca
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Delta, El Al
  • Emirates
  • Etihad
  • Hawaiian
  • Iberia
  • JetBlue
  • Qantas
  • Singapore
  • Virgin Atlantic

All three airline alliances are represented in the mix, as well as a few foreign airlines that don’t belong to an alliance so there are plenty of redemption possibilities.

You can also transfer your Amex Membership Rewards points to three hotel programs including  Choice Privileges, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. You can also use points for gift cards or other redemptions, but those are not usually a good value.

Statement Credits for Travel

If that’s not enough, you’ll also get a $200 credit for incidentals on the airline of your choice. The credit runs on a calendar year, so it gets refreshed every January and you have until the end of January to select the airline you want to use the credit on, and then you have until the end of the year to use the credit for things like baggage check and in-flight amenities like food, beverages and entertainment. You can also use it for pet fees and overweight baggage.

The airlines you can choose from include Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest and United. You might be tempted to select the airline you fly most often, but if you already have elite status on that carrier or hold a co-branded card that gives you benefits like free checked bags, then you might be better off selecting a low-cost carrier that you fly less frequently and have to pay for bags or seat assignments.

The card also comes with Uber VIP status and a monthly Uber credit of $15 with a $20 bonus in December, so that adds up to $200 per year if you take Ubers regularly. The credit can also be used for food delivery through Uber Eats. 

You’ll also get a $100 credit every four years if you apply for Global Entry or every 4.5 years if you apply for TSA PreCheck. These expedited airport security clearances are good for five years.

Statement Credits for Shopping and other Travel Perks

You also get two semi-annual $50 credits to use at Saks Fifth Avenue, so that adds up to another $100 statement credit. One is good from January to June and the other in the second half of the year.

All together that’s $600 if you take advantage of all of these statement credits. That pays for the card itself, and you still get all the other perks like gold elite status in two hotel chains and lounge access in airports. There are also no foreign transaction fees when you use this card overseas, and those can add up so this is another consideration when deciding if the Amex Platinum card is right for you.

Additionally, you get access to Premium Global Assist, a 24/7 hotline for medical, legal and financial issues that may arise when you’re traveling. You need to be more than 100 miles from home to use this service. 

You can get a translator to help you locate services needed, they can wire you money and they can even transport you to a new hospital for free if you meet the requirements. Hopefully you won’t need help, but having these benefits offers peace of mind when traveling as emergencies do come up.

Credit Score and Income Level Requirements

If you’re sold on getting the Amex Platinum card, you might think you need a top credit score to have a successful application. You’ll be surprised to know that it only requires a score of 700 or more, which is a good to excellent credit rating.  It can even be as low as 680 if your income is high and your credit history is clean.

Obviously the higher your score is, the better your chances are of getting approved. In addition to reviewing your credit score, American Express will also look at your current income, your debt-to-income ratio and your credit card history.

Your FICO credit score looks at payment history (which makes up 35% of your score), amount owed (30%), length of credit history (14%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%).

To improve your chances of getting approved, we recommend having an excellent credit score over 720, an income of at least $50,000 a year and a good credit history for at least the past two years.

If you’ve got your eye on the Centurion Card by American Express, your score and income will need to be much higher. You’ll need a credit score over 800 and income in the million dollar range. Amex will also need to see spending of $100,000 or more on the card to invite you to upgrade from Platinum to Centurion.

Odds of Approval

If you’ve managed your credit well and have a sufficient income level, you have a good chance of getting approved for the Amex Platinum card. Even if your score is on the low end of the range in the high 600s, you can be approved if your income is $100,000 or more for example.

There are a few things to keep in mind though. If you applied for another Amex card recently and did not get approved, wait at least 30 days before applying again. In general, the longer you wait, the better the odds.

Check your credit report in the meantime to make sure there are no errors, and note the reasons for not getting approved. It could be that you have opened too many lines of credit recently or that you already have too many credit cards with American Express. Correct any  issues that you can before applying again, and if you get rejected again be sure to call the reconsideration line to plead your case.

Amex Rules

A number of banks and credit card issuers have come up with rules to stop people from churning cards, where they close a card after getting a bonus and then apply for the same card again to get another bonus.

American Express is no exception, and they have one of the strictest rules when it comes to sign-up bonuses. Other card issuers like Chase make you wait 48 months before you apply again and you can’t have another card in the family of cards you are applying for. 

Amex however does not allow a cardholder to get a welcome bonus twice. If you’ve held the Platinum card previously and already got a bonus, you will not be eligible for the new sign-up bonus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the card. It just means that you won’t get the 75,000 point bonus. So if that is why you are applying, don’t take the ding on your credit score just to find out you’re not eligible for the big welcome bonus.

Also, at Amex you can only get approved for two Amex cards every 90 days, so make sure you’ve left sufficient time in between applications. More time between applications is best.

If your company is in better financial shape than you are, then that may be the way to go to secure this card. It is sometimes easier to get the business version than the personal one, especially if you have a successful business and charge a lot of expenses.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a premium travel credit card and you pay your bills on time, have good income and a close-to-excellent or better credit score, then the American Express Platinum card is a great addition to your wallet and one that comes with a host of benefits, statement credits and Membership Rewards point earning opportunities especially for travelers.

Is it worth keeping the Amex Platinum? 

When the second year comes along, you should re-evaluate whether you want to pay $550 for the next year. Remember you won’t get that 75,000 point sign-up bonus so that will not help offset the annual fee. But the many other perks like $600 in statement credits can. But only if you use them. And elite status at Marriott and Hilton have value, but only if you plan to stay at those properties. The same goes for airport lounge access. If you don’t fly that often or there are no lounges in the network in the airports you use, then this benefit does not add much value.

If you can take advantage of many of the benefits offered it might be a good idea to hold onto the card. Also, if you do cancel the card and then reapply later because you missed the benefits, you may not be approved if your financial situation has changed. And a few last notes on cancelling a card, you will lose that line of credit in your overall credit availability and holding a card for only one year will also shorten your average length of credit so keep all this in mind before you decide to cancel the card as it can affect your credit score.

So when it’s time to renew the card, determine the value you got out of it the first year and see if your upcoming travel plans might benefit from status or lounge access. And lastly, look at the spend on the card for the past year and calculate how many Membership Rewards you earned. While other Amex cards give you 3x and 4x on travel, that extra point or two per dollar can really add up if you use the card to pay big bills.

Final though for first time applicants: If you are eligible for this card and you travel frequently enough to take advantage of the travel benefits, there is no need to worry about the cost of the card as you will more than make that back when you use your the Membership Rewards points you get just for signing up. Good luck on getting approved if you’ve made up your mind that this card is the one for you.

Flying with Delta Airlines? Here’s How to Get Priority Boarding

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image credit: delta.com

It’s no secret that Delta Air Lines offers a solid flying experience, but did you know that it’s easy to make that experience even better? As one of the most popular airlines in the United States with as many as 200 million passengers per year, chances are good that you’ll be on a Delta flight sooner or later. 

That’s why it may be a good idea to learn a few hacks to make your future Delta flight more enjoyable. Specifically, how to be one of the first passengers on the plane with priority boarding.

To board priority the next time you fly with Delta Air Lines, follow these tips and tricks.

Boarding Priority Zone Breakdown

Delta sorts all flyers into eight boarding groups based on ticket type, loyalty status, and more. Here is a look a the order of boarding as well as who falls into which groups:

  1. Pre-Boarding: Those with disabilities that require extra time/space or assistance to board AND active-duty U.S. military personnel.
  2. Delta One: Passengers with Delta One tickets AND flyers with Diamond Medallion loyalty status.
  3. Delta Premium Select/First Class: Passengers with Premium Select tickets, Passengers with First Class tickets, AND flyers with Diamond Medallion loyalty status (if Delta One is not offered on a flight).
  4. Delta Comfort+: Passengers with Delta Comfort+ tickets.
  5. Sky Priority: See “Who Is Eligible to Get SkyPriority?”
  6. Main Cabin 1: See “Who Is Eligible to Be in Main Cabin 1?”
  7. Main Cabin 2:* Passengers with Main Cabin tickets.
  8. Main Cabin 3: Passengers with Main Cabin tickets purchased at T, X, or V fares (these are deeply discounted Main Cabin fares—read more about Delta Air Lines Exception Fares here).
  9. Basic Economy: Passengers with Basic Economy tickets.

Main Cabin (called Premium Economy with some airlines) is the flight class above Basic Economy, but only the Main Cabin 2 boarding priority class is designated for these customers (unless they have a loyalty status that bumps them into a higher tier).

Who Is Eligible to Get Sky Priority?

Sky Priority is going to be best suited for you if you are not a Diamond Medallion member and you’ve got a Main Cabin or Basic Economy ticket. 

All those eligible to board with the Sky Priority zone include:

  • Platinum Medallion members
  • Gold Medallion members
  • Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members
  • Virgin Australia Platinum and Virgin Australia Gold members
  • SkyTeam Elite Plus members

Who Is Eligible to Be in Main Cabin 1?

Right below Sky Priority in the boarding zone hierarchy is Main Cabin 1. These passengers are far from the last to board, and there are many ways to land a spot in this rank.

All those eligible to board with the Main Cabin 1 zone include:

  • Silver Medallion members
  • Delta Corporate travelers (those traveling on business that also enjoy specialized services and enhanced booking customizability)
  • Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cardmembers (see “Become a Delta Credit Cardholder” below for more information on Delta credit cards)
  • Flying Blue Silver members
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver members
  • Virgin Australia Velocity Silver members
  • Those with SkyTeam Elite status (SkyTeam is an alliance of 19 partner airlines including Air France, China Eastern, and Virgin Atlantic)
  • SkyMiles Select members

About Delta Sky Priority

Delta SkyPriority is one of the broadest boarding zones because it encompasses passengers of many flight classes and loyalty statuses, even with other airlines. In addition to letting passengers be some of the first on the plane, Sky Priority offers:

  • Faster baggage check-ins
  • Streamlined security checks
  • Expedited baggage services (Sky Priority passengers are some of the first to receive their bags after a flight)
  • Priority lanes for baggage and customer service lanes
  • Earlier access to the best seats on the plane
  • Opportunities to earn rewards for checking in online

Sky Priority is available wherever Delta Airlines flies, but not all services are guaranteed at every Delta airline. 

All of the benefits of Sky Priority listed above are granted automatically to passengers with Delta One, First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Business Class tickets. Delta Comfort+ comes with perks like priority boarding and earlier deplaning, but you do not get the benefits above with Delta Comfort+.

If you do not qualify for priority boarding with your tickets because you usually book Economy or Main Cabin, shoot for Sky Priority.

For the purposes of this article, priority boarding will refer to boarding ahead of your typical boarding zone. 

Who Gets Boarding Priority Automatically?

Active-duty U.S. military personnel automatically get top-priority status when they fly with Delta Airlines. All they need to do is show identification. Others that are automatically given priority include those with disabilities that require extra time/space or assistance to board.

Unless you fall under one of these categories, you are not eligible to pre-board no matter what loyalty status you have or flight class you purchase.

Purchase a Higher Flight Class

Board first with first class! Settle in early.

Delta Air Lines offers six different flight classes. From lowest to highest: Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One.

Passengers in luxury flight classes enjoy the earliest boarding, with Delta One customers being the first to get on the plane behind those that pre-board. However, the price tag on a Delta One ticket is not going to be reasonable for most people as a ticket of this class may cost up to three times the price of the least expensive ticket available on a flight. 

But if you can afford to splurge on something between Economy and Delta One, you can take advantage of the priority boarding you’re looking for. Even Main Cabin tickets—the second-cheapest class—bump you up a little on the boarding totem pole.

Keep in mind, however, that it is possible to get priority boarding even when you purchase a Basic Economy ticket as there are many ways to qualify for priority boarding that have nothing to do with how much your tickets cost.

What You Need to Know About Delta Flight Classes

The first thing to note about the six different flight classes is that they are not offered on all flights. The first two, Delta One and Delta Premium Select are newer additions launched in 2017 that are mostly for long international flights. The four products from First Class down to Basic Economy are what Delta offers, for the most part, on domestic routes.

Here is a breakdown of the six flight classes Delta offers:

  • Delta One® – Delta’s most premium product. Mostly available on long international flights.
  • Delta Premium Select – Second most premium product. Also mostly available on longer international flights.
  • First Class – Third best option from Delta, but best for domestic flights.
  • Delta Comfort+® – Last premium option before the main cabin. Domestic flights. Main benefits are an expedited boarding process, more legroom and dedicated overhead bin space.
  • Main Cabin – Generally back of the plane seats with some standard Delta amenities.
  • Basic Economy – Main cabin seats but with less amenities.

Get to Elite Status With Delta SkyMiles

A great way to guarantee priority boarding for yourself on all Delta Air Lines flights is to work on your loyalty status.

Within SkyMiles, there are essentially two membership tiers. There is the general membership tier that all SkyMiles members start in and the Medallion membership tier that you need to earn your way into. Once you’ve gotten into the Medallion tier, there are four statuses: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

The coveted Diamond Medallion status is not easy to get to, but reaching Medallion status is an attainable goal for many. Even just barely making it into that Medallion membership status will get you priority boarding. Remember, Silver Medallion members get to board with Main Cabin 1.

There is also Delta 360, an elite, invite-only tier for the most loyal Delta passengers there are. The perks at this membership are neither set nor publicly disclosed, but you can bet they’ll be luxurious when so few get an invitation.

How to Become a SkyMiles Member

If you’re not already a member of the Delta Air Lines loyalty program, what are you waiting for? To join SkyMiles, just 

Please keep in mind that each SkyMiles account is registered to only one person and that miles are not eligible to be transferred or sold to other accounts. Make sure everyone in your party has their own account.

How to Reach Medallion Status

Unfortunately, you won’t get out of the general SkyMiles membership status until after you’ve flown 30 Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) OR 25,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) and spent at least $3,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD). You can earn MQDs on most Delta flights, flights with partner airlines, and flight purchases (as long as you’re booking directly with Delta). But once you’ve met these requirements, you’ll be bumped up to Silver Medallion status. Once in Silver Medallion status, you’ll board with Main Cabin 1.

To get to Gold Medallion status, you must fly 60 MQSs OR 50,000 MQMs and spend at least $6,000 MQDs on Delta Air Lines purchases and flights. Once in Gold Medallion, you’ll board with Sky Priority.

To get to Platinum Medallion status, you must fly 100 MQSs OR 70,000 MQMs and spend at least $9,000 MQDs. Members with Platinum Medallion status also board with Sky Priority, but there are more mileage bonuses, complimentary upgrades, and other perks in this tier than in Gold.

Finally, to get to Diamond Medallion status, you must fly 140 MQSs or 125,000 MQMs and spend at least $15,000 MQDs. Once in Diamond Medallion status, you will board with either Delta One or Delta Premium Select/First Class (depending on what is available on your flight).

Please note that you must meet the requirements for your status annually in order to maintain your elite membership. Otherwise, back down through the ranks you’ll go. 

Get to Elite Status With a Partner Airline

Not surprisingly, Delta partners with many other domestic and international airlines. This means that you may be able to benefit from your elite status with a different airline if your loyalty status with Delta leaves something to be desired.

Achieving elite status with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer), Flying Blue, and SkyTeam will guarantee you a better place in line when it’s time to board the plane. If you fly internationally a lot, try your best to do so through airlines that rub elbows with Delta.

Become a Delta Credit Cardholder

Bonus points are available for all new Delta SkyMiles card holders!

Another way to board a little sooner on Delta flights is to have a Delta-branded card. Having a Delta credit card will automatically get you into Main Cabin 1, no matter what type of ticket you have. All Delta cards are issued through American Express.

Here’s a quick look at the Delta credit cards currently available and how many bonus points you can earn if you sign up right now:

  • Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express: 35,000 miles
  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express: 40,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs
  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express: 40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs

Read more about bonus mile earning requirements, rates and fees, and perks associated with each card here.

Final Thoughts

It’s really not too difficult to get priority boarding with Delta Air Lines, and who doesn’t want to board before everyone else? However, as you can see, when you board ultimately comes down to loyalty status for most people. This means that if you haven’t joined Delta SkyMiles and started working your way up the ladder, you should probably get on that if you want to be prioritized when boarding.

You can also get a Delta credit card to easily obtain priority boarding status, but another surefire way to board earlier is to splurge on a higher flight class (if you can afford to). If you want to keep costs low but still board priority, shoot for a Main Cabin ticket or get your loyalty status up to at least Silver.

Black Cards: What They Are and How to Get One

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There is a wide variety of credit cards available to consumers, and they offer everything from 0% interest for a year or more to ones that offer rewards including miles and points that can be redeemed for travel, merchandise or cash back.

While many people may choose a card for its convenience and benefits, others enjoy the prestige and perks that come with having a particular card in their wallet. Although cards come in a variety of colors, the gold standard was the old standard if you were interested in impressing clients when you pulled out your card to pay for lunch.

Today, the most exclusive luxury card currently on the market is a black card, and there’s really just one that is widely recognized as being the most impressive credit card to hold because it is so exclusive. There are other cards that are black and premium, and even one that is called a black card, but they are not all created equal.

What is a Black Card?

The black card that has created a lot of buzz amongst status seekers is reserved for people with stellar credit scores and the biggest spending habits. It is not easy to obtain one of these ultra-premium cards because they are by invitation only. But there are a number of other credit cards that are black that also happen to be premium travel cards that you might want to consider while you wait for an Amex invitation.

You have to be careful when researching which black cards to apply for though, because one company markets a black card that is really just a premium card and does not have the full benefits you would get with other premium credit cards like Amex Gold or Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Citi Prestige. But while these cards generally cost $495 to $550 a year to hold, the Black Card by Amex can cost thousands of dollars a year just to keep it in your wallet.

In this article we’ll help you sort through the offerings, tell you more about the benefits of holding a black card and help you determine if this is something to strive for.

How Many Are There and Who Offers Them?

Holding an Amex Black Card is a sign of status and wealth, but while some cards may be black and others may be marketed as black cards, when people talk about the “Black Card” there is only one card they are referencing.

The Centurion Card by American Express

image credit: americanexpress.com

The top-rated and most widely recognized black card is the Centurion Card from American Express, which is an anodized titanium card also known as the Amex Black Card. 

This card has been around since the late 90s, and it is only available to high-net-worth individuals who already have the Platinum Card from American Express. There is both a personal and business version, but unless you’re spending $350,000 (personal) to $500,000 (business) a year, you’re probably not eligible for this card. 

You won’t find an application for the Amex Black card online either. You need to be invited. And belonging to this cardholder club does not come cheap. There is a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee, so you’ll pay $15,000 the first year you have the card. An authorized user will cost you another $5,000, and you can only have two of them.

Citi Prestige

image credit: citi.com

The Citi Prestige card is technically black in color and a fairly prestigious card according to its name, though it is more on par with premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Platinum Card by American Express. Keep in mind that the Prestige card may be black, but it is not the coveted Black Card by Amex, nor does it come with such a high entry fee.

The annual fee for the Citi Prestige card is $495 and it comes with a host of benefits and point-earning opportunities that make it worth holding for many. This card earns Citi ThankYou points that can be used for travel, statement credits, cash or retail gift cards. You can earn 5x points on restaurants and air travel, 3x on hotel and cruise lines and 1x on all other purchases.

The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, and those points are equal to $500 in travel or they can be transferred to JetBlue True Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flyer Club and Singapore Airlines Krisflyer frequent flyer programs.

It’s a great card for travelers because not only do you earn 3-5 points per dollar spent on most travel, it also comes with a $250 travel credit each year which can be applied to any travel charges on the card. Through the end of 2021, you can also use that credit for restaurant and supermarket purchases due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.

The Citi Prestige card also includes VIP lounge access through Priority Pass Select, a complimentary fourth hotel night free that you can use twice a year when booking hotel stays through the ThankYou.com portal, and a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years. 

Ritz-Carlton by JP Morgan

image credit: chase.com

This is another card that is black and carries some prestige as it is co-branded with the Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel collection in the Marriott chain. If you frequently stay at the Ritz, you might be a candidate for the Amex Black Card. But this card won’t get you an invite. 

It is worth applying for on its own merits though, especially if you’re a traveler that stays at Marriott properties. You’ll earn 6x points at stays at over 7,000 hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, and 3x on airfare, car rentals and dining. All other purchases earn 2x points, which is nice as most other cards only offer 1x for non-bonus categories.

It also comes with automatic Gold Elite status in the Bonvoy program, which includes a 25% point bonus on stays, room upgrades and late checkout when available. You’ll also earn 15 elite night credits every year you hold the card, and if you spend $75,000 a year on the card you get elevated to Platinum Elite Status.

The annual fee for this card is $395, but you get a $300 travel credit and a $100 hotel credit for a stay at a Ritz Carlton or St. Regis property so that helps offset the fee. This is also a Visa Infinite card so it carries all the benefits that come with this line of cards as well as Priority Pass Select lounge access. It’s not the Centurion Card, but it’s definitely a high-end offering worth considering as you wait for an invitation from Amex.

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

image credit: citi.com

This is another co-branded premium travel card that happens to be black, but like the others mentioned in this article, its $450 annual fee is peanuts compared to the $15,000 a first time Centurion cardholder has to pay to accept the invitation to apply for the Centurion Card by American Express.

This AAdvantage card is the only travel credit card that offers Admirals Club lounge access, which is a pretty impressive perk with a value of up to $650 a year. This card comes with a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus, which can get you a free award ticket back and forth to Europe or two round-trip domestic flights.

If you’re chasing elite status with the carrier, you can earn 10,000 elite qualifying miles if you spend $40,000 on the card in a year, and you earn double points on all American Airline purchases.

You also get priority check-in, airport screening and boarding when you fly on the airline. And you get a free checked bag for yourself and up to eight passengers on the same ticket, as well as 25% off on in-flight food and beverages when using the card. It also comes with the benefits of a World Elite Mastercard.

But despite the VIP touches, this card will not impress your fellow travelers as much as the Amex Black Card. It is a worthy addition to your wallet though if you fly on American or its partner airlines.

The Mastercard Black Card

image credit: luxurycard.com

If you’re Googling black cards, you may come across a confusing option. The Mastercard Black Card is offered by a finance company called Luxury Card, which is owned by a company called Black Card. But beware, this is not the Centurion Card by American Express, and Luxury Card is not a bank or card issuer. The cards for this company are issued by Barclarycard.

Luxury Card offers gold, titanium and black cards, and the black card they promote is a premium credit card that charges $495. Though it boasts a black metal finish and a hefty weight of 22 grams, the annual airline credit is only $100 and there are no bonus earning categories, so this card falls short of the benefits and value of other cards we covered in this post.

You can redeem points earned on this card at a rate of 2% for airfare though, which is higher than what the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers which is a 1.5% redemption rate when cardholders book through the Chase portal. Amex and Citi offer a 1% redemption rate when booking through their portals.

Black cards you should avoid

There are also a few “black cards” offered by foreign banks or only to foreign customers of US banks, but these are not generally available to people living in the US. You might see some black card offers catering to customers in Dubai, Russia or other foreign countries, but it is advisable to steer clear of foreign websites and stick with something more familiar, especially when it comes to finances. 

You can usually tell it’s not a site for US consumers if the URL has something other than a .com on the end (e.g., .ru is Russia and .ae is the United Arab Emirates). If the fees cited are in a foreign currency, you’re also not on a site targeting Americans.

Who Are They For?

The Black Card by Amex is mostly for people who need a high-spending limit. Or no limit, as is rumored to be the case with the Centurion card. It is also for people who want the status that comes with holding one of the most exclusive credit cards in the market. It’s like one of those clubs where if you have to ask how much membership costs, you probably don’t belong there.

Other black cards included in this article are for travelers and miles/points collectors as they offer travel perks, sign-up bonuses and bonus points earning opportunities that can offset the $395 to $550 in annual fees they carry.

Co-branded cards like the AAdvantage and Ritz-Carlton cards are best for people who use those brands frequently as those miles and points need to be redeemed with those brands, though keep in mind that American has many airline partners in the oneworld alliance and Ritz Carlton is part of the Marriott chain, which has over 7,000 properties.

Cards with transferable points programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points are great for people collecting those points or travelers who want to turn their rewards into hotel points and miles, so be sure to check on transfer partners before applying. But between sign-up bonuses and bonus spending categories you can really boost your reward balances quickly to hit a travel goal.

What Are the Benefits?

The Centurion Card by American Express is not geared toward point-chasers as most purchases only earn a single Membership Rewards point per dollar, though you can earn 1.5x points on purchases over $5,000. And there is no sign-up bonus as Amex is not trying to lure customers to this card.

One big plus of this card and a real point saver though is that you can get 50% of your Membership Rewards points back as a statement credit when you book all or part of your airfare through the Amex portal.

The Amex Black Card focuses instead on upscale lifestyle and luxury experiences. For example, you can get automatic Delta Platinum Medallion, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status. That’s a whole lot of status and benefits to gain with just one credit card if you are out to impress.

The card also offers access to the Centurion collection of hotels, which includes eight luxury hotel brands, as well as Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts. In addition to upgrades, daily breakfast, a $100 amenity credit and late checkout, Amex Black Card holders also get a $100 or $200 credit per two-night stay when booking either of these hotel collections.

You also get access to American Express Centurion lounges, which can be found in Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle in the US, as well as Hong Kong overseas. These exclusive lounges offer luxury experiences like hand-crafted meals and cocktails, but keep in mind some are currently closed due to pandemic restrictions.

The Amex Black Card and the other premium travel credit cards we talked about in this article all offer similar benefits when it comes to travel, just with varying levels of coverage. They all also offer 24/7 concierge service, though the Amex Black Card offers personal concierge and shopping services.

The Centurion card also offers a host of other benefits that include credits for various purchases including $1,000 a year at Saks and over $3,000 a year toward Equinox gym membership. The offerings are similar to some that the Platinum card offers, but richer. If you’re both interested and eligible for the Amex Black card though, these credits are probably not that important to you and they likely won’t offset that $10,000 initiation fee, but they will add up in subsequent years when the annual fee is $5,000.

All of the cards noted in this article also have no foreign transaction fees, they include trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage reimbursement, car rental damage waivers and other travel benefits. Check the fine print in the terms & conditions to for more details on these benefits and to compare them before applying.

Are They Worth It?

A premium card like Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige and the Amex Platinum card is definitely worth it for travelers. The travel credit for each ($300, $250 and $200 respectively) offsets the annual fees of $550 on the Reserve and Platinum cards and $495 for the Prestige card. 

Travel enthusiasts and miles and points collectors are excellent candidates for any of these premium cards, and If you’re getting a big sign-up bonus those extra points more than make up the cost of holding the card the first year.

Also, several of these cards have programs that allow you to transfer miles to an airline program, and if you are trying to accumulate enough miles for first class tickets or a family trip then this is a great way to boost your mileage balance.

American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to 13 airline programs at a 1:1 ratio including Delta and British Airways, and three hotel programs including Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy and Radisson Rewards. Check the hotel link for point exchange ratios.

Chase Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to 10 airline partners including Southwest, JetBlue and United, as well as three hotel partners including Hyatt, IHG and Marriott. 

Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to 16 airline loyalty programs, though JetBlue is the only domestic carrier. Carriers that Citi works with include Etihad and Emirates if you are interested in trying their popular first class products. And keep in mind that all three domestic legacy carriers belong to airline alliances so you can often book domestic carriers using miles in a foreign program, but this kind of redemption is not easy for beginners.

Lounge access is also a nice perk for many travelers, but make sure the lounge access offered is available in airports you use or this benefit will not add value. Many of the cards we covered offer Priority Pass Select lounge access, but the AAdvantage card offers Admirals Club membership and the Black Card by Amex will get you into Centurion lounges.

If you’re a points collector and a traveler, any of the black cards we’ve mentioned in this article can be a great addition to your wallet as they all offer bonus points on travel purchases and other travel perks depending on the card.

If you’re wondering if the Centurion Card by American Express is worth it, the answer is honestly no, unless you are a celebrity or someone who highly values the prestige that comes with holding the Amex Black Card. Keep in mind that less than 1% of the population is eligible for this very exclusive card and getting an invitation does not even guarantee a successful application.

The Platinum Card by American Express

If you’ve got your heart set on having an Amex Black Card one day, then you’ll need to start by applying for the Platinum Card by American Express. It’s currently offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 Membership Rewards points, though you might see that offer bump up to 100,000 if you refresh your browser. To earn the sign-up bonus points you need to spend $5,000 in the first six months as a cardholder. 

It also currently lets you earn 10x bonus points on up to $15,000 in purchases at gas stations and supermarkets in the first six months of holding the card. Those are currently popular categories as people are traveling locally and eating at home due to pandemic restrictions, and those bonus points are in addition the point per dollar you would normally earn using this card.

That can add up to 225,000 in bonus points alone if you max out the bonus categories and earn 150,000 points and add that to the 75,000-point welcome bonus. This card is also geared towards travelers as it offers 5x on flights and pre-paid hotels booked through the amextravel.com portal, as well as a host of other travel perks that will only get better if you get invited to apply for the Centurion card.

Credit Score Required

In order to get the Centurion Card by American Express, you need a stellar FICO credit score above 800. For other premium cards we talked about, an excellent credit score of 720 or more is usually good enough to qualify.

Keep in mind there are other considerations beyond just your credit score to obtain any credit card. A bank or card issuer will look at current income, and some have rules about how often you can open a new card and how much credit they are willing to extend to you based on how many other cards you have with that particular issuer.

But even if you have the highest credit score available, you can’t get a Centurion Card unless American Express deems you worthy. So if you do strive to one day hold the ultimate in luxury cards — the American Express Black Card — keep your income, spending and credit score up. And don’t forget to get the Platinum Card by American Express in the meantime as that is your gateway to acceptance in the exclusive Amex Black Card club.

Volaris Airlines – read before you fly in 2021

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Now flying to 36 cities in Mexico and most major U.S. cities!

Volaris Airlines is a Mexican budget airline that makes it easy to fly on the cheap between the United States and Mexico, within Mexico, and to and from Central America. You can also use this airline to travel to Costa Rica, El Salvador, or Guatemala. As the Mexican airline with the most U.S. and domestic routes, it’s a popular choice among tourists and locals alike.

Should your next flight be with Volaris Airlines? To find out everything there is to know about this airline from baggage policies to how to book, keep reading.

Is Volaris Airlines Safe?

Volaris is considered to be one of the safest airlines in Latin America according to AirlineRatings.

And if you are considering flying to Mexico later this Fall, you’ll be pleased to know Volaris Airline’s CEO expects the country to recover its category 1 air safety rating before the end of the year after a downgrade by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in early 2021.

Customer Sentiment – What do consumers think of Volaris

An analysis of the 180 reviews left for Volaris Airlines on the BBB show an aggregate rating of 1.05 stars out of 5.0 as of June 2021.

The individual reviews articulate that customers are generally unhappy with their experience and in many cases irate. Many claim the airlines to be the worst in the business and several claim to have been taken advantage of, with one claiming items had even been stolen from his luggage. Of course none of these claims can be definitely verified but they’re certainly worth mentioning.

On Trip Advisor, a better picture is painted with a far greater number of reviewers – (6,291) and an average rating of 3 stars out of 5. Volaris gets their best marks 3.5/5 on cleanliness and 3/5 on value.

Where Can You Fly With Volaris?

Volaris is not a global airline, so you are fairly limited in where you can go when you choose to use this carrier. With that said, you can fly between most major U.S. cities and 36 cities in Mexico including Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, and Tijuana.

If you’ll be staying in a Mexican resort any time soon, you might want to look into booking with Volaris to spend less money getting there and back.

However, be aware that there are very few nonstop flights available between Mexico and the U.S., and you will more than likely need to touch down in a smaller city of Mexico before making it to your final destination if you’re headed to a more populous area like Cancun or Tijuana.

Volaris also travels to and from San Jose, Costa Rica; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Guatemala City, Guatemala. Visit this page for a complete list of cities.

Volaris Booking and Check-In

Book flights and Check-in using the Volaris Airlines Mobile App(s)

You can easily book a flight with Volaris online, through the mobile app, or over the phone.

Baggage must be checked at least two hours prior to your flight’s departure time for domestic flights and three hours prior to your flight’s departure time for international flights (between the United States and Central America).

Passengers on international flights can check in as early as 24 hours before their flight and passengers on domestic flights can check in between 72 hours and one hour before their flight.

You may check in online, through the Volaris mobile app, or at an airport counter. Please note that checking in at the airport counter rather than online or through the mobile app will mean paying a small fee.

Volaris Airlines Baggage Policy & Allowances

There are three fare classes with Volaris:

  • Basic
  • Classic
  • Plus

Basic offers the lowest costs but comes with the fewest baggage allowances, and Plus comes with a higher price tag but allows passengers to bring more baggage with them.

See the baggage allowance for each fare class below. 

ClassAllowance
BasicOne personal item
ClassicOne personal item + one carry-on
PlusOne personal item + two carry-ons, and one checked bag

Do not bring any bags containing batteries, gasoline, or other hazardous materials like bleach. And if you’re going to be traveling with firearms, which is only permitted on domestic flights within Mexico, be sure to check in a little earlier so that you can get the weapon fees paid and get through security before it’s time to board. Do not bring smart bags or hoverboards.

Carry-Ons

Personal items may not exceed external dimensions of 14 inches x 18 inches x 8 inches in order to ensure that your item fits under the seat in front of you.

Carry-on bags may not exceed external dimensions of 22 inches x 16 inches x 10 inches

Checked Baggage

Checked baggage, which is only included with Plus tickets but may be added onto any ticket, may not exceed 68 linear inches in size or 55 pounds in weight. This is both slightly larger and slightly heavier than the average airline permits (62 linear inches is a typical size restriction and 50 pounds is a typical weight restriction).

You can expect to pay between roughly $40 and $75 for your first checked bag, depending on where you are flying and whether you are flying during a high or low season. Flights between the U.S. and Central America cost more and fees are lower when you add checked bags while booking versus at the airport or boarding gate.

Additional checked bags after this will cost between $45 and $55 a piece on domestic routes and as high as $140 for international routes (with the highest prices charged when you pay at the gate).

Excess Baggage Fees

If your bags do exceed weight restrictions, the fees are as follows:

  • Bags weighing between 55 and 77 pounds: $25 – 90
  • Bags weighing between 77 and 99 pounds: $50 – 190

Excess baggage fees are also determined based on the route and what time of year you are flying.

Checked baggage can weigh up to 99 pounds. This includes musical instruments and sports equipment.

Please note that, per TSA guidelines, passengers traveling to and from the United States are permitted to carry only two pieces of baggage with them, meaning that you will not be allowed to fly with more than one personal item and one carry-on per person.

Strollers and mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers do not cost extra, but they often need to be checked. Just make sure that if you are flying with an infant or toddler, you purchase the Baby Combo package.

About Volaris Combos

To keep costs low, Volaris requires passengers to purchase combos when they need anything beyond the absolute basics. Here’s what you get with each type of combo.

  • Flexibility combo: unlimited changes to your flight at no additional charge
  • More baggage combo: one extra carry-on, one extra checked bag, and one piece of sports equipment or musical instrument (all must meet standard size restrictions)
  • More speed combo: priority boarding, express security check-ins, and standard seat selection

Some combos can only be added to your flight by calling Volaris.

Volaris Airlines Pet Policy

Volaris allows passengers to fly with their pets as long as their pets—carrier included—do not weigh more than 22 pounds. If your pet and their carrier weigh between 22 and 100 pounds, you will need to check them in when you are checking your luggage.

Pets cost between $58 and $70 when they are checked and between $64 and $85 when they travel with you in your seat.

Your pet’s carrier may not exceed 17.5 inches x 12 inches x 7.5 inches if they are flying with you and 62 linear inches if they are being checked in. 

Both dogs and cats are allowed, with some breed restrictions. Brachycephalic breeds (i.e. Bulldogs, Chow Chows, and Shih Tzus) are not permitted and “dangerous” breeds (i.e. Dobermans and Rottweilers) are permitted only when checked. Pets younger than four months old and pregnant pets are not permitted to fly in the cabin or with luggage.

It’s a good idea to arrive a little earlier than you normally would if you are traveling with a pet. Pets can be added onto a reservation at any time during booking or check in, or over the phone when you call customer service. However, do your best to add your pet to your trip as early as possible. Each Volaris flight travels with up to four checked-in pets and two on-board pets. 

Bring your pet’s up-to-date vaccination card and health certificate to the airport.

Volaris Airlines Customer Service and Contact Info

If you need to get in touch with customer support, here are the numbers you would call from any of the countries that Volaris flies to and from:

CountryCustomer Support Number
United States(55) 1102-8000
Mexico1-855-865-2747
Costa Rica+506-4-0000-229
El Salvador+503-2504-5540
Guatemala+502-2301-3939

The Volaris website does not list the airline’s call center hours. At this time, Volaris recommends contacting support in a different way due to high call volumes.

Their preferred method would be to get in touch with Volaris customer service by submitting a secure message through their website. You should get a response within 24 hours using this service.

Finally, Volaris representatives can answer your questions and help you with your booking through social media and WhatsApp. If you use Facebook messenger or WhatsApp to send a private message, you will get a response from the chatbot immediately and from a human representative within four hours.

Volaris Airlines Loyalty Program

If you like to shop around for the best deal when flying, you are probably a member of more than one airline loyalty program.

Volaris does not have a loyalty or frequent flyer program in the traditional sense, but there is a subscription that passengers can join to save money on regular flights. This program, called v.pass, guarantees that you will always get the best flight price available (e.g. no upcharges during popular times of year for flying) and lets you take one domestic flight a month at no added cost. For a fixed monthly fee, anyone can become a member.

When you are a member of v.pass, you can fly as much as you want, but one flight a month is included in your monthly subscription rate. This allows frequent flyers with the airline to save money during peak travel times when prices are higher.

Only flights within Mexico are eligible to use as a “free” v.pass flight. You will need to pay for all other flights, but you’ll get whatever the lowest price available is every time. V.pass members are automatically added to v.club, which offers preferential pricing and perks like an additional checked baggage weight allowance of 22 pounds.

Volaris Airlines Inflight Accommodations

Volaris offers a fairly stripped down flying experience when compared to other airlines. For example, Volaris planes do not feature inflight WiFi. Food is available for purchase, but inflight meals are not included in the price of any ticket. Beverages are also available for purchase. For a look at what’s on the menu for Volaris flights, go here.

All Volaris flights include only Economy class, so you can forget about roomier Business or First class seats and extra accommodations. There are also very few options for entertainment.

Hotel and Car Rental Bundles

Like many other airlines, Volaris also offers the option of bundling your travel to save. Go to the Ya Vas site to learn more about resort vacation packages, flight and hotel bundles, and promotional car rental rates.

Fees to Watch Out For

The major fee you’re going to want to know about before flying with this airline is the non-resident fee. This is charged to all passengers that are not residents of Mexico, and it’s about $28 on most flights. This charge is not eligible to be waived.

Avoidable fees to be mindful of include the airport check-in fee and higher prices on baggage not added to your trip until you arrive at the airport. Volaris also charges a small fee when you ask them to print out your boarding pass for you.

And of course, check to make sure that your baggage does not exceed size and weight restrictions to avoid excess baggage fees. Avoid paying for any of your baggage at the airport or at your gate to keep costs low.

Final Thoughts

Volaris is a good option for affordable travel between Mexico and the United States, with passengers that plan ahead standing to benefit the most from this airport’s pricing structure. If you’re okay with a no-frills flying experience that is more economical than luxurious, Volaris might be the way to go.

The sooner you complete your booking and check in, the more you can save when you choose this airline. Pre-paying for baggage is another great way to spend less money and traveling light is always a safe bet when you want to keep your flights cheap. 

And if you are going to fly with Volaris Airlines, you will probably get the best prices by booking directly with Volaris rather than with third-party flight booking sites like Expedia and Travelocity.

Wyndham Rewards and Member Level Perks

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Wyndham Hotels and Resorts boasts more than 9,000 hotel locations in over 80 different countries. Within this chain, there are 20 different brands for every type of lifestyle. The Wyndham Hotels & Resorts corporation includes upscale stays like Dolce, modest stays like La Quinta and Baymont, and popular budget stays like Super 8 and Days Inn. 

For a look at what this hotel chain’s rewards program is all about and how to fully take advantage of its perks, take a look at this complete guide to qualifying for elite status with Wyndham Rewards.

What is Wyndham Rewards?

Wyndham Rewards is a points program that rewards members for loyalty. By staying at Wyndham properties and making purchases with a Wyndham credit card, loyalty members receive points that can be redeemed for free bookings, rate discounts, and other perks and freebies.

Within the Wyndham loyalty program, there are four member levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

Update: How to achieve various levels of membership status in 2021:

From Jan 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 all members are assigned Blue status upon enrollment.

Members are then bumped up to Gold after staying 3 nights at participating Wyndham locations, to Platinum after staying 9 nights, and to Diamond after 24 nights.

Here’s a breakdown of the perks and advantages associated with each membership tier:

PerksBlueGoldPlatinumDiamond
Best available rate guarantee✓✓✓✓
Earn 10 points per dollar or 1,000 points (or more) per qualifed booking✓✓✓✓
Use points to book free or discounted nights✓✓✓✓
No expiration date on rollover nights/awards bookings✓✓✓✓
Local experience discount for awards bookings✓($5)✓($10)✓($10)✓ (*)
Access to a dedicated member services phone line✓✓✓
Preferred room choice✓✓✓
Accelerated earning✓(10%)✓(15%)✓(20%)
Late checkout upon request✓✓✓
Early check-in upon request✓✓
Caesars Rewards status match✓✓
Avis and Budget car rental upgrades✓✓
Suite upgrades✓ (every stay)
Complimentary snack or beverage at check-in✓
Give GOLD**✓

*2 free tickets to a local Experience per year.
**With the Give GOLD perk you can instantly upgrade one friend or family member to Gold level membership per year.

Preferred rooms are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Members that qualify for Accelerated Earning Points get these at a percentage of their Base points, or the points collected at a rate of 10 points per dollar of 1,000 points for every stay. All members earn at least 1,000 points per stay.

Wyndman Rewards Member Rate

Just being a Wyndham Rewards member qualifies you for the Best Available Rate on qualifying Wyndham hotel bookings. This discounted rate will show up when you book a stay with a participating Wyndham hotel online through your Rewards account or over the phone.

Please note that La Quinta hotels and Caesars Entertainment properties do not participate in this rate discount program at this time.

Caesars Rewards

Caesars Entertainment and Wyndham Hotels are in partnership with each other, which means more perks for rewards members of both brands. 

Wyndham Rewards members that stay at one of over 30 Caesars Entertainment casinos can earn points for their booking and cash these in for discounts and free stays through Wyndham.

How Wyndham Rewards Compares

According to this 2020 WalletHub Study, the Wyndham Rewards program offered the highest rewards value and ranked as the best hotel rewards program overall last year. Rewards for elite members/frequent travelers are valued at an estimated $13.36 for every $100 spent and for all other members at about $12.87/$100.

Additionally, this brand is one of the best in terms of global geographic coverage as there are over 9,000 participating locations across the world.

Wyndham also stands out for offering high-value rewards for all membership tiers, so you don’t need to be an elite member that does a lot of traveling to benefit from membership. You can be a Blue member and still do well.

All in all, you don’t have much to lose by being a reward member with Wyndham, and there’s no reason you can’t be a member of multiple hotel loyalty programs at once.

How do I Join Wyndham Rewards?

To work your way up the ladder to elite status, you need to start earning points or open a credit card. All points you earn are referred to as “Go Get ‘Em” rewards.

Go Get ‘Em

It probably goes without saying, but staying at Wyndham hotels, resorts, and rental properties is a great way to earn points. Members receive points per stay at a percentage determined by their rewards status (see the chart in “What Is Wyndham Rewards?”).

All members earn whichever results in more points: 10 points per dollar or 1,000 points on every stay. In some cases, only payments toward the room rate itself (not service fees and additional amenities) are counted. Bookings made through third-party sites do not qualify. A reservation is not required to earn points on a stay.

You can also choose to earn Travel Partner Currency—airline or train points—instead of Wyndham Rewards points by selecting this preference in your member profile. Travel points can be redeemed at American Airlines, United Airlines, and others. Just know that Travel points may not be redeemed for Wyndham Rewards.

Making purchases with qualifying credit cards is another easy way to rack up points. Here’s more on what each Wyndham-branded credit card offers.

Wyndham Rewards Credit Cards

Wyndham offers 3 rewards credit cards. The Earner, Earner Plus and Earner Business.

The Wyndham Reward Earner card is the most basic card this brand offers and can help you earn Wyndham points on everyday purchases.

Currently, this card comes with a promotional offer that qualifies new members for 30,000 bonus points when they spend at least $1,000 within 90 days of issuance. This card has no annual fee.

After that, cardholders earn two points per dollar spent on grocery and dining purchases (not including purchases made at Target or Walmart stores), five points per dollar on Wyndham hotel and gas purchases, and one point per dollar on all other purchases made with this card.

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus card is the next card up. This card qualifies new members for 45,000 bonus points when they spend at least $1,000 within 90 days of issuance. This card has a $75 annual fee.

Then, cardholders earn four points per dollar on grocery and dining, six points per dollar on Wyndham hotel and gas purchases, and one point per dollar on all other purchases made with this card.

Finally, there is the Wyndham Earner Business card. This card also qualifies new members for 45,000 bonus points when they spend at least $1,000 within 90 days of issuance. This card has a $95 annual fee.

After that, cardholders earn four points per dollar on marketing, advertising, and utilities; eight points per dollar on Wyndham and gas; and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

The Wyndham Earner card qualifies you for Gold status, the Earner Plus card qualifies you for Platinum status, and the Earner Business card qualifies you for Diamond status.

How to Use Wyndham Rewards Points

Within the Wyndham Rewards program, there are basically three ways to redeem your points. You can “Go Free,” or cash in on free hotel stays; “Go Fast,” and receive discounts at select hotels; or “Go For It,” and shop with your points for gift cards and other goodies.

Go Free

Wyndham points can be used to book free stays at thousands of Wyndham hotels and resorts.

Awards nights cost 7,500, 15,000, or 30,000 points. The cost of awards bookings varies by location. To successfully use rewards points to book a stay, you are required to make a reservation in advance. For most Wyndham Hotels, this can be done online through your Wyndham Rewards account or over the phone at 866-996-7937. All Go Free reservations are subject to availability and restricted by blackout dates/rates.

Do not try to contact a hotel property to redeem awards for bookings—this will not work.

The phone numbers for other Wyndham properties are listed below:

Wyndham Vacation Clubs: 1-866-370-8548

Wyndham Vacation Rentals: 1-866-996-7937

Cottages.com: 1-866-232-8628 (Go Fast awards are not available at cottages)

Landal GreenParks: 1-888-862-8053

7,500 points are enough for a free standard rate room at many locations, but rooms at resort locations cost a minimum of 15,000 points and up to 30,000.

Go Fast

If you don’t want to wait until you have enough points to book a stay for free, you can “Go Fast” and just use your points for a discounted rate. You will need between 1,500 and 6,000 points for a room discount at a participating Wyndham hotel and between 3,000 and 6,000 points for a discounted rate at a resort or rental property.

Each hotel, resort, and rental property location decides for themselves how many points a rate discount is worth. More expensive stays typically require more points for a discount.

Go Fast rewards are also subject to blackout dates/rates and some properties do not participate in the Go Fast program.

Go For It

Finally, you can use your points to shop freebies, including:

  • Online merchandise
  • Marathon gas discounts
  • Over 100,000 local tours and activities (you can what’s currently available here.)
  • Gift cards to participating stores (Amazon, Starbucks, Macy’s, American Eagle, etc.)
  • Donations to select charities (Operation Homefront, National Parks Conservation Association, YMCA, etc.)

You may also exchange Wyndham Rewards points for Travel points or Caesars Rewards credits (just remember that Travel points may not be exchanged for Wyndham Rewards points).

How to Redeem Points

To cash in your points, log in to your Wyndham Rewards account. You should be able to see how many points you have earned on the dashboard.

If you are redeeming your points for a free or discounted booking, call Wyndham customer support and they will redeem your points for you. If you are using your points to “Go For It,” just visit the Wyndham Rewards site and pay with points.

Final Thoughts

The Wyndham Rewards program is an excellent way for fans of the hotel chain—and you are likely a fan already, as this franchise operates many big brands—to get more for their money when they book stays.

There are certainly better credit cards than the Wyndham Earner cards, but the rewards program is great overall. Members of every tier can cash in on savings on nearly any booking, and Platinum and Diamond members enjoy VIP treatment and even more discounts. Qualifying for Diamond status requires a lot of travel, but you’d do well to seek out Wyndham locations whether you stay at hotels frequently and qualify for elite status or not.

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United Airlines Baggage Policy, Exceptions and Fees [2021]

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image credit: united.com

If you’re planning on flying with United Airlines this year then you’ll want to know what to expect in terms of potential fees and luggage restrictions for both your carry-on items and checked bags.

So for your convenience, whether you’re traveling with carry-ons, checked bags, or both, here’s a comprehensive list of every important United baggage policy all passengers should be aware of in 2021.

United Airlines Carry-On Allowance

Don’t risk arriving at the airport for your flight and having your carry-on luggage turned away or unexpectedly checked. United Airlines lets most passengers travel with one carry-on bag and one personal item each, free of charge, as long as the items do not go over the airline’s size and weight restrictions.

Basic Economy tickets allow for one personal item only and do not include free carry-on luggage. If you do bring a full-sized carry-on bag when flying economy, you will be required to check the bag and pay the checked bag fee (whatever it is for your flight) and a $25 gate handling charge on top of that. All other flight classes include one free carry-on and one personal item.

Your carry-on bag technically has no weight restrictions, but it is expected to fit in the overhead bin. This means it must not exceed 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches or 22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters. This includes all exterior hardware such as handles and straps. Your personal item, which is expected to fit under the seat in front of you, must not exceed 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches or 22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters.

Other items that all passengers may bring in addition to their carry-ons include standard “special” items such as umbrellas, FAA-approved child restraint systems and safety seats, assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, and pet carriers.

Carry-On Allowances for Toddlers and Children

Bring the essentials free of charge! Details below.

If you are going to be traveling with an infant or young child, there are a number of necessary items you can bring that United Airlines will not charge you for. These include: 

  • A diaper bag 🎒
  • A breast pump and milk 🍼
  • An FAA-approved child or infant restraint seat 👶
  • A compact folding stroller that meets carry-on size restrictions (9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches or 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches) 👩‍👧‍👧

All children under the age of two may travel with one car seat and one stroller. This allowance is included in all flight classes and on all flights. Strollers usually need to be checked at the gate but if they do not collapse, you’ll need to check them at the ticket counter.

Bringing Pets Onboard

Small dogs and cats are allowed on most domestic and international flights, but you will, of course, need to pay for your pet to travel with you in the cabin. A service charge of $125 is charged each way for a pet, and an additional charge of the same amount is assessed for every stopover of greater than four hours.

Service animals are not under the same restrictions as pets. See this page for information on traveling with service animals.

Pit Bull breeds are not permitted on the airplane at all.

The requirements for traveling with pets are as follows:

  • Puppies and kittens must not be younger than 16 weeks old
  • Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to fly with pets
  • Additional pets require an extra ticket and an additional $125 each way
  • Pets that don’t fit in kennels may not accompany you in the cabin and will need to travel in a separate compartment of the plane through United Airlines’ PetSafe transport program
  • You and your pet must be on the same flight
  • Oxygen services are not available for pets in the event of an emergency

Your pet will need to be up-to-date on its rabies vaccinations and you must bring a health certificate showing that they are to the airport. Some states, like Hawaii, have their own restrictions in place that you need to research.

Musical Instruments

Small instruments such as violins and guitars are permitted as long as they are in a hard case. If they are placed in the overhead bin, they’ll count as your carry-on. If they are placed beneath the seat in front of you, they’ll count as your personal item.

Prohibited Items

Certain items are strictly prohibited on United Airlines flights. These restrictions are put in place by the federal government and there are no exceptions.

Items never allowed on a flight include:

  • Self-balancing or self-riding bags
  • Camping equipment that contains fuel of any kind
  • Defense sprays such as pepper spray, tear gas, or mace
  • Explosives including but not limited to fireworks, flares, and gunpowder
  • MREs containing flameless heaters
  • Shock absorbers
  • Smart bags with batteries that cannot be removed
  • Tasers
  • Select electronic devices
  • Perishable items

Items allowed on flights with restrictions include:

  • Batteries
  • Power tools
  • Mobility devices
  • Firearms

United Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

How many bags you can check for a United flight and how much each of those bags will cost to check depends on your loyalty status with the airline and the flight class you’ve chosen. Size and weight restrictions are also dependent on flight class and loyalty status.

Here’s a Visual Breakdown:

For United Economy flyers, checked baggage may weigh up to 50 pounds or 23 kilograms. United Business, United First, and United Polaris checked baggage may weigh up to 70 pounds. The latter is also the restriction for passengers with Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Star Alliance Gold (First, Business, or Polaris) MileagePlus status. 

No bag may exceed a combined total of 62 inches (length + width + height) unless checked by an active-duty U.S. military member traveling for official business.

You can pay for your checked baggage, provided that it meets size and weight requirements, online before your flight or at check-in.

How Much Do Checked Bags Cost on United?

To get the most accurate cost breakdown on how much it will cost to check your bags on your next United flight, use their baggage cost calculator.

The cost varies not only by route but also by which cabin you’re sitting in (economy, premium economy, business or first) as well as your membership and status. Your membership and status are determined by the credit cards you hold and whether or not you are active in the U.S. military.

In general, for North American economy flights you can expect to pay $30-$35 per bag depending on whether you prepay or not. If you need to carry a second bag this will cost an additional $40-$45.

For flights to Europe the first checked bag is free even for those in the economy cabin, however second bags will cost up to $100 to check.

If you’re flying any level above economy both your first and second bag will be checked free of charge. Same goes for acting U.S. military members. You can read more about this in our “Exceptions and Waivers” section further below.

Checked Baggage for Children

The same checked baggage policies apply to children with purchased tickets and infants flying internationally on 10% of adult fare as for adult passengers. Should a child’s baggage exceed their personal allowance, the fare-paying adult accompanying them will need to assume the excess baggage as part of their own allowance.

Excessive Baggage Fees

image credit: united.com

If you must bring a bag that exceeds the above size and weight restrictions or you want to bring an additional bag, you may do so for a fee. Some flights do not allow oversized or overweight bags at all, so be sure to look into this every time you fly.

Checked baggage may never exceed 115 linear inches. Most baggage may never exceed 100 pounds. Musical instruments and mobility devices, however, may weigh up to 165 pounds. Overweight bags (weighing over 70 pounds but less than 100) can cost up to $200 each. Oversized bags measuring more than 62 linear inches also incur a fee, which is dependent on the flight destination and subject to change.

Please note that if a bag is more than one of these things—extra, overweight, or oversized—you’ll be charged more than one service fee. Extra bags are permitted only when there is space available on the plane.

Fragile and/or Bulky Items

If you happen to be flying with an oversized, bulky or fragile item that is too delicate to transport as checked baggage, you may choose to purchase a ticket for it and have it sit next to you or in another open seat. This item and ticket purchase must be approved by a United Airlines agent.

Some examples of cabin-seat baggage that would be approved by United may include the following:

  • large musical instruments
  • electronic devices (cameras, computer hardware, medical devices)
  • artifacts
  • garment bags

Please note the following cabin-seat baggage restrictions:

  • Item(s) must not exceed 165 pounds (75 kg).
  • Item(s) must be safely covered in a way that avoids injury to other customers.
  • Item(s) must be secured in a seat adjacent to the owner.
  • Item(s) must be properly secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight.
  • Item(s) must not restrict access to, or use of, any regular or emergency exit or aisle of the cabin.
  • Item(s) must not obscure any customer’s view of “seatbelt,” “no smoking” or “exit” signage.
  • Item(s) must not contain dangerous goods.
  • Item(s) must be reserved in advance and applicable charges paid.

You can read more on United’s cabin-seat baggage restrictions here.

Exceptions and Waivers

Both active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents and MileagePlus Premier members and their travel companions can have checked baggage fees waived. For these flyers, a maximum weight of 70 pounds is enforced rather than the standard 50 pounds.

Active-duty military personnel and their dependents receive 3 complimentary checked bags for personal travel, 2 for travel orders, and 5 for official business travel. MileagePlus Premier Silver members receive 1 complimentary checked bag on most domestic and select international economy flights, Gold receive 2 complimentary checked bags on economy flights, and Platinum and 1K members receive 3 complimentary checked bags on economy flights. All premium cabin travel permits 3 complimentary checked bags for those with Silver, Gold, Platinum, or 1K status.

Some destinations such as flights to San Salvador and Havana have additional restrictions in place when it comes to complimentary checked baggage. See these here.

Credit Cards That Give You a Free Checked Bag With United Airlines

As you can see, United Airlines does not offer free checked baggage to just any customer, as some budget airlines do, but there are a couple of ways to check a bag for free when you’re a United passenger. 

Not a member of the military or a United Airlines favorite customer? A United Airlines credit card might be the way to go for you. United offers five different credit cards through Chase bank and all cardholders receive at least one checked bag for free.

Here’s how many free bags you can check when you’re a United cardholder:

  • United Explorer Card: 1
  • Club Card: 2
  • Presidential Plus Card: 2
  • United Business Card: 1
  • United Club Business Card: 2

According to United, having the United Explorer card (first card on the list above) can save you up to $140 per round trip! The primary card holder plus one companion on the same United reservation both get their first standard checked bag for free on all United-operated flights. You’ll have to make the purchase with the United Explorer card for the deal.