Airport lounges can serve as oases from a busy, crowded or outdated terminal. Some lounges, like Priority Pass, belong to a membership network; others are airline-specific, like the United Club lounge.
If you’re a loyal United flyer or frequent one of the carrier’s largest hubs, visiting a United Club lounge is probably already on your radar. However, the airline recently made some major access changes, affecting most flyers.
So, keep reading to find out more about getting into United lounges.
How to access United Club and Polaris lounges
The Chicago-based airline offers a network of standard lounges, dubbed United Club, and exclusive ultra-premium lounges for international long-haul business travelers and Star Alliance premium cabin, known as Polaris Lounge. Lounge access provides travelers with complimentary drinks, snacks, and high-speed internet, and select lounges offer amenities such as private relaxation areas, showers and more.
So, how does one gain access to United’s network of lounges?
United Club Newark. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Same-day boarding pass requirement
Though United announced several changes when it comes to accessing its lounge network, one requirement that isn’t changing is that you’ll still need a same-day boarding pass. This can also be a same-day boarding pass for a Star Alliance partner airline, like Lufthansa or Swiss.
United now has two tiers of paid membership for entry to the Club.
United Club individual membership:
Price: $750 or 94,000 miles
This membership offers unlimited access to all 45-plus United Club locations for the primary member only. There are no discounts available for United Premier members. Individual members can pay to bring guests into the lounge on a one-off basis; you’ll need to pay $59 for a one-time pass per guest.
Individual members do not have access to Star Alliance partner lounges.
United Club All Access membership:
Price: Varies depending on Premier status
MileagePlus Premier status
All Access annual membership cost
General member
$1,400 or 175,000 miles
Premier Silver
$1,400 or 175,000 miles
Premier Gold
$1,400 or 175,000 miles
Premier Platinum
$1,300 or 163,000 miles
Premier 1K
$1,200 or 150,000 miles
Global Services
$1,000 or 125,000 miles
All Access members can enjoy unlimited United Club access for the primary member and up to two guests, or one adult and two dependents under 18 years old.
This membership also includes access to all Star Alliance member lounges, as well as other select partner locations. All Access members can use any Star Alliance member carrier-owned or Star Alliance-branded lounge.
While these new membership plans are already effective for new sign-ups, existing members who signed up before March 24 won’t see any changes until their membership year expires. Upon renewal, members must choose between an individual or All Access plan (and pay the associated higher fees).
Note that lifetime United Club members have been converted to All Access plans.
TPG values United MileagePlus miles at 1.35 cents each, per our March 2025 valuations, so your best bet is to pay the annual membership fee with cash instead of miles.
Access United Club lounges with a Credit card
Having an eligible cobranded United credit card can be the most cost-effective way to consistently enter the United Club.
You can get lounge access with the following cards (note that some cards only offer one-time passes):
United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees): Receive United Club membership for you and your eligible travel companions at all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide.
United Club℠ Business Card**: Receive United Club membership for you and your eligible travel companions at all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance lounges worldwide
* Starting May 1, one-time passes can only be used by the primary cardholder, an authorized user or a guest traveling with either cardmember; additionally, passholders can only use the pass within three hours of their scheduled flight departure.
** The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Note that lounge membership earned via a cobranded credit card offers a unique access policy that includes entry for primary cardmembers, one guest and any dependents under 18 years old.
Cardmembers can unlock an All Access club membership (bumping up the guest allowance to two people and unlocking access to partner lounges) in one of two ways. The first is to earn Premier Gold status or higher in a given year, and the second is to spend at least $50,000 in eligible purchases on their cobranded card in a calendar year.
Since the annual fee on both the United Club Card and the United Club Business Card is $695, having a credit card to enter the lounge remains a more attractive option than outright buying a membership.
Additionally, the United Club Card and the United Club Business Card offer four one-time passes annually when cardmembers have an authorized user on their account and have unlocked an All Access Membership.
If you’d prefer to avoid the hefty annual fee, you can opt for the entry-level United Explorer Card or the United Business Card, both of which include two single-use United Club passes each year. Note that these day passes don’t include guest access, nor can they be transferred to friends or family who aren’t authorized users or accompanying a cardmember into the lounge.
Access United Club lounges with Elite status
Select Premier members can use United Clubs at any time during their travel journey.
United Premier Gold (and higher) members have access to United Clubs when traveling internationally on any Star Alliance carrier, regardless of their class of service. They can also bring along one guest departing on a Star Alliance carrier from the same airport (note that the guest must be traveling on the same flight).
Star Alliance Gold members who hold status with another partner airline can use the United Club with any same-day Star Alliance boarding pass, including during domestic United travel (again, guests must be traveling on the same flight as the elite member).
Since Jan. 1, 2021, United’s invite-only Global Services members can enjoy lounge access on all United-operated flights, including those operating exclusively within the United States. Note that this new perk only covers the Global Services member — you’ll only be able to bring a guest into the lounge with an All Access membership, eligible cobranded credit card or when flying internationally.
Access United lounges with Ticket type
Premium-cabin Star Alliance travelers can also use United Clubs, though the exact terms and guest privileges vary by ticket type, as seen below.
UNITED
United Club One-time pass
If you don’t travel enough to commit to an annual membership, you can also purchase day passes for $59 at United Club locations or through the United mobile app. Just note that day passes don’t guarantee entry during peak crowding periods.
Starting May 1, travelers using a one-time pass can only enter a United Club up to three hours before their scheduled departure time. This exclusively applies to departure flights, and there is no time limit for entry on connecting flights.
Note that grab-and-go Club Fly locations no longer accept one-time passes.
You can also earn one-time passes for free with select cobranded credit cards, including:
United Explorer Card: Two single-use United Club passes each year
United Business Card: Two single-use United Club passes each year
United Club Card: Four one-time passes annually when cardmembers have an authorized user on their account and have unlocked Club All Access Membership.
United Club Business Card: Four one-time passes annually when cardmembers have an authorized user on their account and have unlocked Club All Access Membership
Other United Club access
United’s lounges are open to a few other travelers, including:
Active U.S. military personnel: You’ll need to travel with a valid military I.D., a same-day United boarding pass and be dressed in uniform, or bring your leave orders or rest and recuperation papers.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members: Maple Leaf Club North America members can use any domestic United Club location, while Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members can use all locations worldwide and bring a guest for each visit.
Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum and VIP elite members: Members may visit United Clubs by presenting a same-day boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia flight departing from the same airport. You can bring one guest if you’re traveling with United.
United Polaris Lounge access
Of course, Star Alliance premium-cabin passengers also have access to United’s Polaris lounges, which offer modern furnishings, private spa-like shower suites and elevated culinary experiences.
Three types of passengers are eligible for Polaris lounge access:
Travelers in United Polaris business class: Available at departure, connecting and/or arrival airports (no guests).
Travelers in Star Alliance first class: Only available at the departure airport for a long-haul first-class flight (one guest).
Travelers in Star Alliance business class: Only available at the departure airport for a long-haul business-class flight (no guests).
United Club Fly Access
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to United Clubs and Polaris Lounges, the carrier operates a grab-and-go lounge concept called “Club Fly.”
The first such space opened in Denver in November 2022, and a second one opened in Houston in early 2025. Eligible travelers can enter Club Fly by scanning their boarding pass at the self-serve entry gate.
Once you get inside, you can raid the snack bar that’s stocked with packaged and prepared foods, and you can also order a coffee from the barista.
Given Club Fly’s focus on efficiency, the access policies are a bit different. All travelers eligible to enter a United Club or Polaris Lounge can visit Club Fly, but they cannot bring any guests. (This excludes active U.S. military personnel, one-time pass holders and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members.)
United Club lounge Locations
You’ll find a plethora of United Clubs in the carrier’s main hubs, including:
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) — Five locations: three in Terminal 1 (near gates B6, B18 and C10), plus two in Terminal 2 across from Gates E7 and F9.
Denver International Airport (DEN) — Three locations: one near Gate B32, another near Gate B44 and a third near Gate A25. United Club Fly can be found near Gate B60.
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) — Five locations: one in Terminal A (across from Gate A9), one in Terminal B (south mezzanine), two in Terminal C (near Gate C1 and toward Gate C33) and one in Terminal E (between gates E11 and E12). United Club Fly can be found near Gates B12-20.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — One location adjacent to Gate 71A.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) — Three locations: one in Terminal A near Gate A27, and two in Terminal C near Gates C74 and C123
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — Three locations: two in Terminal 3 (near Gate E4 and Gate F11) and one in the international terminal (between gates G6 and G9).
Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) — Three locations in the Midfield Terminal (near gates C7, C17 and D8).
Except for Denver, all of the mentioned airports have Polaris lounges.
Most of the other clubs are scattered across the U.S., including in airports such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), among others.
At first glance, the Disney® Visa® Card (see rates and fees) and the Disney® Premier Visa® Card (see rates and fees) may appear to be only for Disney superfans, but anyone who has a Disney vacation on the calendar or makes frequent Disney-related purchases can potentially benefit from the discounts, the perks and — most importantly — the elevated welcome offers on these cards.
We’ve rarely seen a welcome offer higher than what is available on these cards right now. In fact, this offer doubles the typical welcome offer for both cards. It won’t last forever, though, so here’s some additional information on each of the cards and their benefits so you can decide whether it’s worth applying now.
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
$0
Disney Premier Visa Card welcome offer
Of the two Disney Visa cards, the Disney Premier Visa Card has more perks and a higher welcome offer, but those benefits come at a cost. This card has an annual fee, whereas its counterpart does not.
Annual fee: $49
Welcome offer: Earn a $400 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Is it worth it?
When you use this card to pay for a Disney vacation, the statement credit can offset a portion of your trip. If you’ve been considering applying for this card, now would be a good time to add the Disney Premier card to your wallet.
This card also offers theme park discounts and perks, including:
10% off eligible merchandise, dining and recreation purchases at select locations at Disneyland and Disney World
10% off select merchandise purchases aboard Disney cruises
15% off the nondiscounted price of select guided tours at Disneyland and Disney World
20% discount on tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life”
Exclusive photo-ops at the theme parks that are only available to Disney Visa cardholders
At home, you’ll also get a 10% discount on select credit card purchases at disneystore.com and up to $16.99 each month for up to three consecutive months in statement credits on qualifying Disney Bundle purchases.
In addition to the elevated welcome offers and special discounts, you’ll earn 5% back in the form of Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at disneyplus.com, hulu.com or espnplus.com; 2% back at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations in the U.S.; and 1% back on all other purchases.
You can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward select Disney vacation purchases at disneystore.com or by using Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature to redeem Disney Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases made with the card.
The earning rates are not as high as other low-annual-fee cards, and the redemption options are limited compared to cards with more flexible redemption options, but the discounts and theme park perks associated with this card can be beneficial for Disney vacations.
The Disney Visa Card offers theme park discounts and benefits similar to the Disney Premier but has no annual fee.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
THE POINTS GUY
Is it worth it?
The Disney Visa Card is similar to the Disney Premier Visa Card in many ways. You get the same theme park and shopping discounts, including:
10% off eligible merchandise, dining and recreation purchases at select locations at Disneyland and Disney World
10% off select merchandise purchases aboard Disney cruises
15% off the nondiscounted price of select guided tours at Disneyland and Disney World
20% discount on tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life”
Exclusive photo-ops at the theme parks that are only available to Disney Visa cardholders
The Disney Visa earns 1% back on all purchases. While any reward is good for a no-annual-fee card, other cards with no annual feeoffer a higher rate of return and better redemption options.
Both Disney Visa cards earn rewards in the form of Disney Rewards Dollars. With the Disney Visa, you can redeem those rewards for Disney shopping and vacation purchases or use them for a statement credit on eligible Disney-related purchases using Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature (though not toward air travel, as with the Disney Premier card).
Even with the $49 annual fee, Disney Premier offers a higher rate of return than this card, making it a better option for Disney fans unless you are only in the market for a card with no annual fee.
For more details, check out our full review of the Disney Visa Card.
Because many cards have earning rates and redemption options that surpass that of the Disney Visa cards, these cards are only suited for someone who can take advantage of the exclusive theme park perks and discounts. If you don’t fall into that camp, you may be more interested in a general travel rewards card or one of our other favorite cards for Disney vacations.
Considering these are the highest welcome offers we’ve seen on these cards in the last few years, you can get even more value if you apply now.
Remember, though, that these are limited-time offers — so you’ll need to act fast if you find one that suits your travel plans.
We’ve compiled transfer bonus updates for most major programs with transferable rewards to make tracking these offers easier. Just note that transfer bonuses are sometimes targeted, so some may not be available.
American Express Membership Rewards transfer bonus
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You can currently transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeromexico Rewards with a 20% bonus through April 30. Since Amex points typically transfer to Aeromexico at a 1:1.6 ratio, this means 1,000 Amex points will net you 1,920 Aeromexico points — not a bad deal.
You can also earn a 20% bonus when you transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Etihad Guestthrough April 30. This offer is targeted; check your Membership Rewards account to see if you can access it — in which case, you’ll receive 1,200 Etihad Guest miles for every 1,000 Amex points you transfer.
To maximize the Etihad Guest transfer bonus, we suggest redeeming your miles on the airline’s long-haul flights, such as New York to Abu Dhabi. We’ve found first-class GuestSeat fares for 160,000 miles from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH). With this transfer bonus, you can book this international first-class ticket on the Boeing 787-9 for just 134,000 Amex points.
Booking American Airlines short-haul domestic Y fares with Etihad Guest miles is another great way to use this transfer bonus.
How to earn American Express Membership Rewards points
If you’re looking to earn more of these valuable points, the following American Express cards could prove useful additions to your wallet:
IHG One Rewards members can get an impressive 80% bonus when converting Chase Ultimate Rewards points into IHG points through April 30. That means a transfer of 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points would become 1,800 IHG points during this period.
For example, you could stay at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (which usually starts at around 66,000 IHG points per night) for as little as 37,000 Amex points per night with this transfer bonus. Plus, if you stay three nights on points, you’ll get your fourth night free.
How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points
If you want to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the following Chase cards could make good additions to your wallet:
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 2.05 cents each when maximized with travel partners. Most Ultimate Rewards transfers will process instantly.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 25% transfer bonus when you convert your ThankYou points to Avianca LifeMiles by April 12. Since Citi normally transfers to Avianca at a 1:1 ratio, this means you’ll get 1,250 LifeMiles for every 1,000 ThankYou points you transfer.
This bonus could help you save points on your next redemption and partially offset Avianca’s recent devaluation. For example, you could book an 80,000-point business-class ticket to Europe for just 64,000 Citi points.
How to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points
These Citi credit cards could make useful additions to your wallet for earning Citi ThankYou Rewards points:
Citi Rewards+® Card: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases within three months from account opening. Plus, earn 5 bonus ThankYou Rewards points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions via the Citi travel portal through Dec. 31. (Note: You must pair this card with a premium Citi ThankYou card to access a full-fledged, transferable ThankYou points account.)
The information for the Citi Rewards+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card(see rates and fees): Earn three free night awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Each night is valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels may have resort fees.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn three free night awards after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Each free night award has a redemption level of up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.
According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, Marriott Bonvoy points are worth 0.7 cents each. Review our tests of Marriott transfer times before transferring points, since some airlines take a few days (or even weeks) to receive the points.
We only recommend transferring points or miles if you have a short-term plan to use them. Many programs have implemented devaluations over the last few years, so speculative transfers could prove a losing proposition. Transfers are irreversible — and you don’t want to be stuck with thousands of points or miles in a program you have little use for.
If you don’t have a specific redemption in mind but still want to earn points or miles, you’re likely better off earning rewards through card welcome bonuses and everyday spending.
And we always recommend you ensure award availability before transferring your rewards.
Bottom line
When a program with a transferable currency offers a transfer bonus, it’s important to run the numbers to determine whether it is worthwhile.
Generally, you won’t want to transfer your points or miles without a specific redemption in mind. After all, a large part of the value of transferable points and miles comes from their flexibility — which you’ll give up when you convert them to a partner’s currency. However, a transfer bonus can help you get more value from your points and miles if you use a partner program frequently or plan to redeem soon.
If you’re checking a bag in 2025 and not using an AirTag, please stop while you’re behind and read on.
It’s time to admit that delays, cancellations and subsequent lost luggage are a part of travel. While I am firmly Team Carry-On for these reasons and more, I don’t judge those of you who prefer to check a bag.
But if you are going to check a bag, I highly recommend using AirTags to track it. I even made my parents purchase a few for their own travels.
A silver disc slightly larger than a quarter, the AirTag uses the global network of Apple iPhones to track its location. It does this by sending a signal via short-range Bluetooth communications to iPhones in its vicinity and triangulating a location from them, which it then sends back to your iPhone.
You can buy a single AirTag for $29 or a four-pack for $99, though we typically see deals throughout the year. At the time of publication, a single AirTag was on sale on Amazon for $22.99 and a four-pack for $69.99.
How do I set up an AirTag?
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
As Apple devices, AirTags are only compatible with iPhones and other Apple devices, but non-Apple users can use AirTag alternatives, such as the Tile or Chipolo.
Apple users should ensure their operating system is iOS 14.5 or higher to enable precision tracking.
To enable an AirTag, you must first ensure your phone’s Bluetooth is turned on. To do this, go to “Settings,” navigate to “Bluetooth” and make sure the toggle is set to “On.”
How to connect your AirTag
To connect your AirTag to your phone, simply place it next to your phone. Within about 20 seconds, the phone should pair with the AirTag, without any other action required on your part.
Next, the phone will request that you share your location, to which you say yes. It will then prompt you to create a name and icon for your AirTag. If you are using multiple AirTags, add a little variety in the naming and icons so you can remember which AirTag is in which bag.
Once you name your AirTag, your phone will start you off with a screen showing tracking options. You can see where the AirTag is on a map and view directions to get there.
You can also select “Play Sound,” which is helpful if you’re looking for lost keys or if your bag is buried under others at the airport. You can also use verbal commands with Siri to ask the phone to locate the AirTag for you.
How to familiarize yourself with the Find My app
AirTag tracking is conducted through your iPhone’s Find My app, which tracks the location of your Apple devices, such as laptops and iPads.
Click the Find My app icon, hit the “Items” button, and you should see your chosen AirTag icons there. If you have multiple Apple devices, you’ll also see them on the screen when you hit the “Devices” button.
APPLE
You can zoom in and out on the map within the Find My app. Zoom out if you don’t know what city, state or continent your item is in. If you zoom in as far as a 100-foot-wide map area, you can track the precise location.
The official iPhone Bluetooth range is 800 feet, which means if you or anyone with an iPhone passes within 800 feet of an AirTag, you can track it. However, the effective Bluetooth range varies based on surrounding conditions and obstructions like buildings and electronic interference.
The AirTag correctly registers as “With You” when the item is with you; when you leave an AirTag behind or are not near it, you’ll get a different notification.
How to use the Apple AirTag
Once you have set up your AirTag on your iPhone, simply put the tag inside the baggage item you wish to track, such as your handbag or suitcase. You can also attach it to a keychain or luggage tag accessory, such as a Belkin AirTag case with a key ring. You can even buy a dog collar that you can put an AirTag in to keep track of your pup.
Especially when traveling, you may encounter some gaps in coverage, where your AirTag icon might temporarily change from a specific location to a blue circle covering a large section of the area where it is.
In other words, don’t expect your AirTag to deliver exact tracking of your bag as it moves around within an airport, for example. It’s common for an AirTag not to display real-time updates as it moves through the bowels of the luggage handling section of the airport. However, it would be reasonable to use the AirTag to try to find your luggage within a specific baggage claim area.
APPLE
If tracking becomes less precise and more intermittent, it’s likely that the AirTag is no longer within contact distance of an iPhone; the location will not update or provide specificity if there are no iPhones or other Apple devices within its Bluetooth range. In these instances, the Find My app will show you a “last updated” figure in minutes or hours to let you know how long it’s been since it was detected by the network.
If you hit the “Directions” button within the Find My app, the phone will take you to the mapping function. It will provide driving, walking or biking directions you can use to reunite with your AirTag, as well as an estimated time to get there.
AirTag’s Lost Mode and notification functions
The AirTag works with the Find My app to help you if your item is lost or you just want to keep an eye on where it is. You can turn on Lost Mode by selecting “Enable” for a specific AirTag. You can also add your phone or email address to the AirTag with a notification for any other iPhone user who might find it.
For someone to contact you, you must allow notifications from the Find My app.
You can help other AirTag users if you find a piece of luggage or a keychain with an AirTag attached. Just hold your phone near the AirTag; a notification should appear sharing either basic AirTag data or full contact information if the AirTag is marked as lost.
What the AirTag can’t do
An AirTag can’t help you if you don’t use an iPhone, nor can it track items out of the range of iPhones. If your bag falls off a delivery truck in the remote countryside, you may be out of luck unless an iPhone-toting pedestrian happens upon it. Likewise, if you’re using an AirTag to track your pet and Spot wanders off into the woods, you likely won’t get a signal if they end up away from civilization.
The lack of updates can be frustrating if you’re trying to track the delivery of a lost bag or if your AirTag suddenly loses contact just as you’re getting close to it.
Additionally, an AirTag doesn’t track historical data. While it may be interesting to see your missing bag’s entire journey — and possibly useful in contradicting airline claims that it was sent for delivery — you’ll have to make do with screenshots along the way done in real time, as you can’t rewind the clock to check where the AirTag has been.
Bottom line
The Apple AirTag can be quite useful for knowing the general location of your luggage while traveling. While it can’t always provide a real-time location, it can help you narrow down the location of your luggage.
AirTags aren’t perfect in terms of supplying precise locations and tracking information — but they can work as an added tool to locate your bags, keys and more, providing peace of mind along the way.
If you are on social media these days, you’ve likely seen an abundance of viral TikTok and Instagram hacks claiming to transform the way you travel. But how many of them can you really trust?
Unfortunately, as it turns out, much of what you hear is flat-out wrong. For example, there’s a rumor that if you dress nicely, you could get an upgrade to first class. And there’s a myth about playing “check-in chicken,” where you wait until the gate agents assign seats to passengers who haven’t picked (or paid for) a seat. The idea is that if you are last to board, you might score an extra-legroom seat. The problem is that, most likely, you’ll just end up in a middle seat in the back of the plane.
With all the viral videos out there, we wanted to give you some travel hacks that actually work. Here are some of our favorites.
One of the best hacks that I only learned about in the past couple of years is one that allows you to get some extra room in the coach cabin of many airlines. Most people don’t know this, but in many aisle seats, there is a lever or a button you can push that allows you to lift the aisle-side armrest. You can lift it during flight and spread out a bit more, as my brother demonstrated in the video above on an Alaska Airlines flight to Hawaii.
It’s a bit hard to find on some aircraft, but it’s usually in the hinge of the armrest.
“I still see jaws drop when I lift the aisle armrest to get out,” Mark Anthony Sproviero said in the TPG Lounge Facebook group. “Some kid saw me lift it once, but he didn’t see me press the release. He looked like he might rip his armrest off the seat trying.”
On a full flight, this can be a game changer for extra room. If you are lucky enough to have an empty middle seat, you can really stretch out.
Book window and aisle seats to keep the middle open
Korean Air coach cabin. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
If you are traveling as a couple in coach, it can make sense to book the window and aisle seats in a single row. When passengers are selecting seats, the middle seats between two other people are usually the last go.
Even if the flight does fill up, you can tell the person seated in the middle you can switch with them for a window or aisle seat so you can still sit with your traveling companion. You may get lucky and end up with a row to yourselves.
“My husband and I always book the window and aisle seats (and still sometimes sit there with a random person in the middle), but the odds go up of having the row to ourselves sometimes, or if we do want to sit next to each other usually the middle seat person is more than happy to swap,” TPG Engineering Manager Zoe Jablow said.
Power plug hacks
Electrical outlets on an Alaska Airlines plane. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
“You can twist your power plug in most power outlets on planes so that it won’t fall out,” TPG Lead Writer Katie Genter said. “Pretty much every universal outlet I’ve encountered on a plane lets you slightly twist your plug after putting it into the outlet all the way. Doing so locks it in.” Katie mentioned the hack in her review of Qatar Airways’ Qsuite back in 2022.
That blew my mind because my laptop plug often falls out of outlets that have been loosened over time.
“I’ve also found that when my devices won’t stay plugged in, sometimes using my international adapter (set to the U.S. setting) will work better,” TPG Senior Aviation Reporter Sean Cudahy said.
Depressurize your containers
American Airlines breakfast in Flagship First on a flight from Rome in 2024. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
TPG Senior Director of Content Summer Hull blew my mind when she told me one of her favorite hacks: Poke holes in your yogurt when in flight. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened the yogurt that came with breakfast only to have it blow out when I peeled back the lid due to the cabin pressure. If you poke some holes, it can prevent a mess.
The photo above shows the lid bowed out from the air pressure inside. That’s a recipe for an unpleasant surprise.
And it doesn’t only work on yogurt. TPG reader Jerry Lim said, “If they serve you any drinks in a pressurized can, give it a few taps with your fingers from the bottom up so it doesn’t explode like the yogurt.”
Put your carry-on bag in the bin opposite your seat
Alaska Airlines luggage bin in the opposite row. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I loved the hack from one of our TPG Lounge members, Rosie Ribeiro McWhorter: “I have found that putting your carryon in the overhead bin opposite side of the aisle is so much more efficient getting off the plane, vs. everyone doing the twisty swinging suitcase around in front of you bit.”
Another reader said it also allows you to keep an eye on your stuff at all times.
Food hacks
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY
Lots of folks had food hacks for me.
One of the top tips was to order a special meal in coach. When you order a special meal, like a gluten-free or kosher option, you’ll almost always be served first (and thus have more time for sleep). Those meals come out before the flight attendants serve the rest of the regular meals.
“Look whether you should preorder meals ahead of time — you may have extra choices (like on American Airlines and Singapore Airlines) or get a discount compared to on board (on some budget carriers),” Katie said.
You could always bring your own food, too.
“On morning flights, if I’m feeling cheap, I’ve also brought instant oatmeal packs and toppings (pack of raisins, a banana) and asked for a cup of hot water and made myself breakfast,” TPG Managing Cruise Editor Eric Silverstein said.
One reader suggested bringing ketchup and hot sauce packets in your carry-on bag to add flavor to sometimes bland food. Other readers suggested putting hard butter pats wrapped in foil under the hot dish to make them easier to spread on bread.
Reader Pieter Boone has a whole system: “When flying economy, bring a white napkin as a ‘table cloth’ and a small real wine glass for an upgraded feel when your meal arrives. I also bring sachets of ketchup, hot sauce, salt & pepper (sometimes even grated cheese) to upgrade the taste of the meal. And finally: remove and store away wrapping material, covers and other stuff that clutters your meal tray.”
Bring your own amenities
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Several readers suggested bringing your own comforts on board. “For longer flights (5+ hours), I take hotel slippers with me so I can take my shoes off and use those when I walk around the cabin,” Sheila Hozhabri said. “Just toss them after the flight.”
I love this idea.
Someone else suggested buying a seatback organizer, sometimes called a travel pocket, that can hook onto your tray table and give you extra storage. Amazon has an interesting-looking one by the brand Airplane Pockets.
“I also travel with an airplane pocket that slips over the tray table and gives me storage space so I don’t have to use the backseat pocket,” Hozhabri said.
TPG Director of Content Operations Andrea Rotondo suggested a travel fan: “I always bring a small portable fan — especially on long-haul trips. I run hot, and sometimes it is just uncomfortably warm in the cabin, and I need that little bit of extra airflow!”
Turn your jacket into a pillow
TPG writer Lori Zaino models a TPG sweatshirt and jacket. THE POINTS GUY
One of our readers had a fabulous idea. “When flying with a down jacket, I take a black satin pillowcase with me (it takes up no room at all!) and stuff the jacket in the pillowcase to make a pillow when flying in economy, which hopefully isn’t often!” TPG reader Christine Krzyszton said.
In fact, Krzyszton said that in her experience, pillows, blankets and bags with food for a meal don’t count as carry-on bags, so load up.
“When flying with only a backpack, carry a small collapse-able backpack with you to place under the seat with valuables and anything you need for the flight so you don’t sacrifice all your legroom,” reader Kevin Hawk said.
“After takeoff, I will pull my underseat bag out so I can stretch my legs over it and put my feet under the seat in front of me,” Erica said about seat storage.
Gifts for flight attendants
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Flight attendants endure a lot of abuse. Their pay is low, and their job is demanding. No wonder some get cranky. That’s why several of us at TPG recommend bringing treats for flight attendants or even gate agents. “I always bring Starbucks gift cards and ‘fancy’ protein bars (like Barebells) to give to the flight attendants. It usually leads to some nice conversations, which can make the start or end of a trip more enjoyable,” Andrea said.
Several readers said they bring small gifts of chocolate, candy and other treats for the flight attendants. This often results in friendlier service and a more comfortable flight.
Over the years, I’ve given candy and hand lotion to flight attendants on some flights just to be nice. I can’t prove it, but gifts to the gate agents before a long-haul flight to Auckland may have helped me clear into business class.
And even if you get nothing in return, it can make you feel good.
Bottom line
Maui, Hawaii, in 2024. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
This is just scratching the surface of some of the many hacks that can lead to better travel. Other tips include wearing compression socks and getting up often on flights to prevent blood clots, studying seat maps on sites like SeatGuru and Aerolopa to pick the best seats, and drinking lots of water.
We could continue, but hopefully, these tips get you started toward a better travel future.
Unless you primarily commute via public transit, chances are you’ve recently stopped to gas up. Whether your total was a couple of dollars or you ended up paying triple digits to fill your tank, if you didn’t use a gas credit card, you’re missing out on earning rewards.
At TPG, we’re all about maximizing spending wherever possible, whether that means maximizing the bonus categories on a cash-back card or transferring your rewards points to leverage a killer transfer bonus.
Out of all the cards I currently hold, my Costco Anywhere Visa offers the highest reward rate in this category — 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases for the first $7,000 in combined spend per year, then 1% thereafter. Because of these rates, using it to fill up is a no-brainer.
In fact, my February 2025 Costco reward certificate (for all of my 2024 spending) came in at $226.73. A large portion of that spending fell into two main categories: Costco groceries and Costco and non-Costco gas fill-ups.
Whether you’re a road warrior, an occasional driver or fall somewhere in the middle, here’s why you need a gas credit card in your wallet — plus our top picks for the best gas cards.
*The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best gas credit cards
Here are TPG’s top recommendations for the best gas credit cards.
Earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco, and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases (including Costco Travel).
Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and costco.com.
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
$0, though a Costco membership is required to get this card
Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel.
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs).
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases.
Earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within 90 days of account opening and earn another 25,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases within 365 days of account opening
Earn 8 points per dollar spent on Hotels by Wyndham.
Earn 8 points per dollar spent on gas.
Earn 5 points per dollar spent on marketing, advertising and utilities.
Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).
Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on net purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
Earn 4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels and car rentals.
Earn 4 points per dollar spent at gas stations and EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter; excludes discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs).
Earn 2 points per dollar spent on dining, streaming services and grocery stores (excluding discount stores and supercenters).
$0
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Welcome offer: Earn $250 cash back after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at amazon.com checkout.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees).
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: The Blue Cash Preferred is a fantastic starter card for those just getting into credit card rewards. It offers simple earning and redeeming options, but it’s also great for the more seasoned credit card veteran seeking to maximize their spending across multiple categories.
I’ve had this card for 11 years, and every single year I’ve held it, it has more than paid for itself thanks to the hundreds of dollars I’ve earned in cash-back rewards. I’m not a huge Amazon shopper, but when I do have a couple of items in my cart, I’ll put my Blue Cash Preferred Reward Dollars toward those online purchases.
Usually, though, I redeem my cash back for statement credits, which offset some of my spending on this card. In May 2024, I reserved a private room at a Manhattan karaoke bar for a birthday celebration for around $300; more than half that figure was covered by the cash back I had earned on my Blue Cash Preferred.
This card is ideal for those who prioritize earning cash back above other currencies, although keep in mind that redemption options are limited compared to other cash-back cards that let you pocket rewards by adding them to a bank account or opting to receive a check for your rewards balance.
Though I’ve graduated to other cards that earn valuable travel points instead of cash back, I still have the Blue Cash Preferred in my wallet for two main reasons:
The up to $7 monthly Disney Bundle statement credit (up to $84 back per calendar year, subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required, and terms apply)
The 3% cash-back rate on transit (paying for metered parking hurts a tiny bit less when I’m earning rewards on these charges)
Before I made the Costco Anywhere Visa my primary gas credit card, the Blue Cash Preferred was my go-to thanks to earning a decent rate of 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations.
This, coupled with the crown jewel reward category on this card — 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) — has earned the Blue Cash Preferred a well-deserved spot in my wallet year after year for over a decade.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: The Bank of America Customized Cash card doesn’t charge an annual fee, so you can keep it year after year without worrying about that additional expense. Each month you get to select which category you want to earn 3% cash back in from the following options:
Gas and EV charging stations
Online shopping (which includes cable, streaming, internet and phone service charges)
Dining
Travel
Drugstores
Home improvement/furnishings
Cardholders also earn 2% cash back on grocery store and wholesale club purchases (which is great considering you usually need to get a wholesale club cobranded card to earn rewards at these stores).
Both the 2% and 3% categories noted above are limited to a $2,500 maximum each quarter — once you hit it, you’ll earn 1% cash back on purchases.
If you’re prioritizing earning cash back and looking for flexibility — or if your spending varies between a couple of different categories month to month — the Customized Cash Rewards is a great card to add to your wallet.
Another bonus? If you already have a relationship with Bank of America, you may qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® Program, which could net you bonuses ranging between 25% and 75% depending on which tier you’re in.
For example, if you’re a Preferred Rewards Program member at the Gold tier (which nets you a 25% bonus), instead of earning 3% on gas purchases, you’ll earn 3.75% cash back on each fill-up. Platinum tier members will enjoy a 50% bonus and earn 4.5% cash back, while Platinum Honors, Diamond and Diamond Honors members will each receive a 75% bonus for a total of 5.25% cash back.
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is a solid card for the cash-back fan who occasionally travels but is still getting their footing under them when it comes to credit card rewards.
Though this card doesn’t earn an elevated reward rate in the gas category, it does earn unlimited 1.5% cash back across all purchases. If you don’t care to track specific spend categories and want a (mostly) flat-rate earner, the Quicksilver Cash Rewards may be a good fit.
This card also gives you access to Capital One Travel, where you’ll earn a standout 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked with the Quicksilver Cash Rewards card. Remember how I said this is also a decent travel card? Cardholders enjoy no foreign transaction fees when using their card abroad, which is nice for a product that doesn’t charge an annual fee.
Plus, there’s no minimum redemption amount, and you have options when it comes to redeeming your cash back. You can opt to receive a statement credit, check or gift card or use your reward balance on amazon.com purchases and through PayPal.
Annual fee: $0, though a Costco membership is required to get this card.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: Costco fans can easily benefit from holding the Costco Anywhere Visa. If you have a Costco membership, getting — and keeping — this card costs nothing thanks to its lack of an annual fee (see rates and fees). This card features solid gas earning rates and even covers EV charging, making it versatile as well.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card holders can earn 5% cash-back rewards on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 in combined spend per year; then 1%). This means you’re earning rewards every time you fill up your tank or charge your EV, which is especially useful for households that use both types of vehicles.
Another perk of having the open-loop Costco Anywhere Visa is that you can earn solid cash-back rates in other popular categories, like 3% at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases. Better yet, the travel rate can be stacked on top of the 2% cash back Executive members get with their premium membership for a combined 5% cash back on travel purchases. This additional 2% rate applies to the first $50,000 spent each year at Costco, costco.com and Costco Travel but does not apply to the gas category. Even so, you’re still earning between 4% and 5% on filling your tank or charging your EV.
Though I love shopping at Costco and being a Costco Anywhere Visa Card holder, and I personally don’t mind waiting a year to get my reward certificate each February, I can see how this calendar may be off-putting to some. If you prefer to earn your credit card rewards on a rolling monthly basis, this card may not be for you.
The good news is that there are plenty of other cards to choose from that earn elevated reward rates on gas purchases and offer reward access more frequently.
Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: The Freedom Flex is easily one of the best cash-back cards on the market. It earns generous rates in key spend categories, including 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate) and at least 1% cash back across all other purchases that don’t fit into any of its other reward categories.
Gas has been included as a bonus category one quarter per year since TPG began tracking the bonus categories for this card in 2014. Though these categories fluctuate, chances are that you’ll be able to take advantage of earning 5% on gas expenses three months out of the year as a Freedom Flex cardholder.
The Freedom Flex makes it so that you’re earning rewards every time you pay, no matter the purchase. This card also features some impressive perks for a no-annual-fee card, such as cellphone protection, shopping protections and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Whether you’re getting gas on a cross-country road trip or just filling up for your daily commute, you’re earning — at minimum — 1% cash back each time you hit the pump. Plus, when you pair this card with another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — you can convert your cash back to this valuable point currency.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: This card is a staff favorite at TPG thanks to stellar travel protections and solid earning rates in popular categories. The Sapphire Preferred is also an excellent card for those who are ready to add another card to their roster that earns valuable transferable points.
Gas is not a specific bonus category on this card, but you will earn a flat rate of 1 point per dollar spent when you pay with this card at the pump. That may not sound like much, but every point you earn on this card is valuable since Chase has lots of great airline and hotel transfer partners — and there are often several opportunities to take advantage of transfer bonuses throughout the year.
The Sapphire Preferred is a chameleon, earning generous reward rates across popular spending categories, though it really shines as a travel rewards card.
Cardholders earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked via Chase Travel, plus an up to $50 annual hotel statement credit on hotels booked through this portal. My partner has this card, and we make sure to use this hotel credit every year (which is easy to do since the credit is applied automatically without the need for activation).
Cardholders also enjoy 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online groceries and 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel purchases.
Because this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, you’ll enjoy the previously mentioned earning rates throughout the U.S. and abroad, making the Sapphire Preferred the perfect travel companion.
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: Chase Freedom Unlimited cardholders will enjoy earning at least 1.5% cash back across all purchases outside of the bonus categories featured on this card.
If you choose this as your primary gas rewards card, you also enjoy the following earning rates:
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
3% cash back on drugstore purchases
3% cash back on dining at restaurants — including takeout and eligible delivery services
A flat cash-back rate in all nonbonus categories means fueling up will automatically earn you 1.5% back on every dollar you spend, and since this card doesn’t come with an annual fee, getting and keeping it is a net positive year after year assuming responsible card usage.
This card is a great option for card novices and pros alike because it helps fill in any gaps in your reward-earning strategy.
Like the Freedom Flex, the Freedom Unlimited allows you to transfer your cash rewards into Chase Ultimate Rewards points if you hold another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, the Sapphire Reserve or the Ink Business Preferred.
Welcome offer: Earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within 90 days of account opening and earn another 25,000 points after spending $12,000 on purchases within 365 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
THE POINT GUY
Standout benefits: In addition to being a solid earner on gas purchases — netting a generous 8 points per dollar spent — this card offers cardholders a reward balance boost of 15,000 bonus points each anniversary year.
This product makes the most sense for small-business owners who are also Wyndham loyalists, as it earns 8 points per dollar spent on Hotels by Wyndham. Others are better off with a general rewards or travel card.
In addition to a decent welcome bonus of up to 75,000 points, cardholders can maximize their business expenses by earning 5 points per dollar spent on marketing, advertising and utilities.
The cherries on top are the automatic Diamond elite status that confers perks like suite upgrades and a welcome amenity at check-in, the ability to get complimentary employee cards for easier expense tracking and the absence of foreign transaction fees — ideal for the business traveler.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Welcome offer: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $75.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: The consumer Wyndham Rewards Earner card features a smaller annual fee ($75) than its business counterpart and still comes loaded with perks.
If you frequent Wyndham properties, you’ll enjoy earning 6 points per dollar spent at Hotels by Wyndham and on gas purchases, making this card another sleeper hit when it comes to earning gas rewards.
This card also comes with automatic Platinum elite status and 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on net purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
THE POINTS GUY
Standout benefits: For a no-annual-fee card, the Altitude Connect Visa offers some pretty stellar perks and earning rates where you want them — especially if you’re a traveler, commuter or foodie:
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
4 points per dollar spent at gas and EV charging stations (up to your first $1,000 each quarter; excludes discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs)
4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases made directly with airlines, hotels and rental car companies
2 points per dollar spent on dining, on streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding discount stores, supercenters and wholesale clubs)
Cardholders can also enjoy up to $100 in statement credits toward their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee (every four years) and a complimentary Priority Pass membership that allows four no-cost visits to over 1,600 airport lounges all over the world.
When it comes to earning points, don’t discount the Altitude Connect Visa. There are other cards that earn a more valuable reward currency than the points issued by U.S. Bank, but if these bonus categories align with your spending, this card can be a solid choice.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You have tons of options if you’re looking to choose a gas credit card. The good news is that we’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting for you. If you want a card that earns cash back or prefer one that earns travel rewards points, you’ll find an option for you on this list. Here’s what else you should think about before applying.
If you’re still relatively new to credit card rewards, a cash-back card may offer a more comfortable introduction to earning and redeeming this specific reward currency. If you’re eager to start earning valuable points you can transfer to partner programs, a product like the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be more your speed since it features a healthy welcome bonus and solid transfer partners like World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Just make sure you prioritize a card that’s well suited to your needs.
A welcome bonus presents a stellar opportunity to earn a stash of cash back, points or miles depending on the card you choose. When it comes to applying for a gas-specific credit card, factor in whether the welcome bonus offers you decent value in addition to the main reward categories featured on the card you’re considering.
For me, getting the Costco Anywhere Visa made sense since I already had a Costco membership and was looking for ways to maximize my reward-earning strategy across my main spending categories.
Spending habits
The best reward strategy is one that covers the categories you spend the most money in; for me, groceries, travel, dining, streaming and gas are big ones.
ZORANM/GETTY IMAGES
I’ve set up my wallet to include cards that cover all these bases. When choosing your gas credit card, consider which card will earn you elevated reward rates each time you fuel up and across other categories, too.
Annual fee
Annual fees run the gamut from $0 to sky-high. Whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee — or want to avoid them altogether — our picks for best gas cards offer something for every budget.
How we chose the best gas credit cards
To choose the best gas credit cards, we selected options suitable for different types of budgets and spenders.
We also took care to choose versatile cards that earn rewards in popular spending categories like streaming, groceries and transit, as well as cards from various issuers that offer hidden gems like purchase protection and even trip delay insurance. For a deeper dive into our selection process, check out our methodology here.
Redemption options for gas credit cards
Most of the gas cards on this list earn cash back, though the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners.
The best gas credit card is the one that is going to build up your reward currency stash and work for your specific needs.
Bottom line
If you drive a vehicle that runs on gas or needs to be charged, you need a gas credit card. Otherwise, you’re leaving money on the table — especially when there are so many flexible options when it comes to cards that earn elevated rates in this category.
If you already have a Costco membership, consider the Costco Anywhere Visa. If you want a no-annual-fee gas card, consider the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card. If you’re willing to pay a sub-$100 annual fee and spend a lot on groceries in addition to gas, you can’t go wrong with the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. You have options, and once you decide what type of rewards you’d like to earn and what your most popular spending categories are, you can narrow down your selection from there.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
Editor’s note: AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles and Moxy Downtown Los Angeles provided TPG with a complimentary stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotels and their amenities shortly after they opened. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by either hotel or any external entity.
Why have one when you can have two? That seems to be the question for hotel developers around the world. More and more these days, dual-branded hotels — essentially two different brands sharing the same building while offering two totally different hotel experiences — are popping up.
One dual-branded hotel in Los Angeles, though, has had this hotel reporter’s attention since it first opened a few years ago (and was featured on our list of the best new hotels of 2023): AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles and Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, housed in a 37-story building right by the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena.
In total, the double-feature, Yabu Pushelberg-designed hotels have 727 guest rooms, 12 restaurants, an entire floor dedicated to dining and nightlife, and two distinct vibes catering to different types of travelers.
I stayed the night at both hotels and spent a Saturday night working my way around Level 8, the Las Vegas-like floor full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Here’s what it’s like — and why you should consider staying at one (or both!) of these Marriott Bonvoy properties.
Rates at both the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles and AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles start as low as $184 per night or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Just note that due to the hotel’s location near the convention center and Crypto.com arena, these rates can fluctuate wildly as major events and concerts arrive.
What it’s like staying at the Moxy Downtown Los Angeles
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
The vibe
Moxy is Marriott’s playful and typically affordable lifestyle brand. Though Moxy has always been a little on the cheekier side, newer iterations are feeling more grown up, thoughtful and stylish — but without losing that youthful spirit that threads the hotels together. This is in part thanks to Lightstone, the development company behind both the AC and Moxy in downtown LA, as well as the New York locations that have a similar vibe.
Moxy Downtown Los Angeles was inspired by the 1969 film “Easy Rider” and the spirit of Southern California. Upon entering the lobby, I noticed green succulents contrasted against concrete floors and a massive snake rug dominating the public seating area where people hung out or worked at large tables. A motorcycle with a sidecar was the star of many guest photographs. The vibe felt distinctly cool, and I enjoyed spending time in the lobby.
The room
Moxy Downtown Los Angeles has 380 rooms, and even though they come in a few different configurations, they all have a similar aesthetic and similar features, like a design-forward take on Moxy’s signature peg wall holding the TV and clothing hangers.
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
My room was a corner king overlooking the convention center and measured in at about 267 square feet. The massive, floor-to-ceiling windows let in ample natural light and sheer and blackout curtains pulled back to block it when necessary (like after a wild night at Level 8, but more on that later).
Though Moxy rooms are typically small, they offer smart storage solutions, like under-bed storage and multiple places to hang clothes.
Moxy hotels, in general, encourage folks to get outside of their room and spend time in social places like the lobby. So if you’re planning on working inside your room, know that the nightstand doubles as a small desk but there’s plenty of great coworking space downstairs.
The bathroom space in my room, right off the door, had a small vanity with a sink, towels and multiple mirrors. The bathroom and shower each had their own small, narrow sections.
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
The hallways leading to the rooms in the Moxy had fun carpeting, sort of mirroring an airport runway — but with a little alien-themed twist. This area also featured help-yourself amenity closets where you could grab extra towels and other things one might need during a stay.
I loved my corner king room. It was comfortable, clean and very stylish. And those floor-to-ceiling window views were the icing on the cake.
Bar Moxy
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
In the lobby, Bar Moxy is the place to hang. It’s open for coffee, cocktails and food at various times throughout the day. I didn’t have the chance to eat at Bar Moxy, but the menu included items like a cheeseburger ($21), Thai glazed chicken wings ($19) and a buffalo chicken flatbread ($21). There were various cocktails, mocktails, beers and wine on offer here, as well.
Bluestone Lane
Attached to the Moxy lobby, Bluestone Lane, a popular Australian coffee chain, is open from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. It serves nearly any kind of coffee you can think of plus an all-day menu of bowls, toasts, sandwiches and burritos. Pro tip: scan the QR code in your room to order ahead to skip the long morning lines.
What it’s like staying at the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
TANNER SAUNDERS/THE POINTS GUY
The Vibe
While Moxy’s lobby is located just off the street, checking into its sleek sister hotel requires a trip to a sky lobby up on the 34th floor of the building accessed through a separate ground-level entrance, really making it feel like a totally separate hotel. AC Hotels are typically design-forward, often with that sort of pared back, effortless style that makes you say: “I wish my house looked like this.”
This hotel is no exception.
Throughout the lobby, minimalist elements like elegant potted trees and rock sculptures were an earthy yet chic reminder of California’s various landscapes. To one side of the lobby, a library with communal seating stayed busy throughout the day. The massive wall of windows also stayed crowded with guests taking in sweeping views of the City of Angles.
The room
I stayed in a corner king room at the AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Like the lobby, the room was much more muted in color and design compared to the neighboring Moxy (I realized the two hotels were actually connected on every floor via a set of discrete double doors in the hallways you’d probably never think to open).
The room had a small couch in the corner and a small, circular table.
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Across from the bed, a TV hung above a large desk with a chair, a lamp and a writing pad — a significant departure from the layout of the more social-minded Moxy.
The bathroom area was also minimal, with the sink and mirror floating off to the side and, like the Moxy, the shower and toilet divided into two rooms across from the vanity.
This room also had a closet with shelves and hanging space as well as amenities throughout like a safe, a basic coffee maker, a hairdryer and a steamer.
The room was comfortable, chic and efficient. I slept well and enjoyed the views of the city from my large windows and, most of all, how Los Angeles looked during a dramatic sunset.
AC Bar & Lounge
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Open for breakfast, dinner and late night drinks, AC Bar & Lounge serves the standard hotel restaurant classics: Caesar salad ($16), a burger ($27) and a Spanish cobb salad ($28), alongside cocktails like the hotel’s signature gin & tonic ($19).
I wrongly assumed that this spot would be open throughout the day, so I was disappointed when I popped over around 11 a.m. on Sunday for food and realized I’d missed breakfast and the kitchen wouldn’t reopen until dinner.
La Lo La Rooftop
My Sunday brunch alternative was La Lo La Rooftop, perched on the 34th floor and (mostly) open throughout the day. When the sun is shining and the there are few clouds, the views alone are worth a visit to the lounge-like space fully of tables, couches and a bar.
To eat, I filled up on a delicious California-style breakfast burrito ($22) and a smooth Bloody Mary ($19). The avocado- and egg-stuffed burrito was delicious (and messy, naturally!), but eating it from a couch with those views really made my day. In fact, I ended up spending a good chunk of my afternoon sipping margaritas ($18) and people-watching around the space.
Shared amenities
Both hotels share an efficient and rather large gym with plenty of equipment — and incredible views — high up in the hotel.
I also found a CVS vending machine on one floor that had nearly anything you might need or have forgotten at home, like toothpaste, painkillers and more. There was also a microwave in this area, which might seem random but could be handy for guests.
Level 8
Level 8 has to be seen to be believed. In full, the concept by the Houston Brothers (known for LA hot spots like Dirty Laundry and Break Room 86), has more bars, restaurants and experiences than one could possibly try to visit in a night — though I certainly tried.
Fully taking up the eight floor, and with a private entrance from the street, my experience started with a cowboy-themed pool party at Golden Hour (featuring a carousel bar with a pool deck).This set the tone for my Saturday night, which involved galavanting between bars and restaurants on Level 8, ranging from a spritz and crispy tuna rice at the outdoor Mother of Pearl to South American-style seafood and cocktails at Que Barbaro and fresh sushi at Lucky Mizu.
Whatever you do, just make sure you visit Sinners y Santos, which the hotels describe as “part ruined cathedral, part Lucha Libre ring.” Come for the cocktails and stay for the full-on wrestling ring that descends on top of the bar to catch real-life Lucha Libre-style wrestling surrounded by bottle service, DJs and an entertaining mix of people coming and going throughout the various venues.
The best tip I got, though, was to stop by the rooftop taco truck, open late into the night, to grab mouthwatering tacos to take back to my room.
If clubbing isn’t your thing, you can also just visit the restaurants that open before things get too crazy. My Sunday dinner was at Maison Kasai, a French-meets-Japanese teppanyaki spot by Michelin-starred chef Joshua Gil where you can choose from a tasting menu or order high-end steaks and seafood cooked right in front of you. While I very much enjoyed all of my hearty steak, the real showstopper was a squash blossom appetizer.
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Accessibility
Both hotels offer rooms ADA-compliant rooms, as well as wheelchair access to the public spaces, elevators and to most bars and restaurants.
TPG always recommends calling the hotel to confirm accessible room types before booking and to be sure the hotel can accommodate each guest’s specific needs.
Checking out
People might tell you that Downtown Los Angeles is a mixed bag — and it can be. But you likely won’t regret rooting a stay at either of these dynamic hotels. Whether you’re looking for a trendy lobby full of hip creatives, like at the Moxy, or want an elevated, design-forward stay, as the AC offers, you’ll be comfortable. And best of all, with Level 8 and all of its entertainment offerings literally in the building, all you have to do is hop on an elevator for a night out you’ll never forget.
If I find myself in DTLA again, I’ll gladly rebook at either of the hotels in what’s arguably the most unique dual-branded hotel in the world.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
United Business Card overview
The United℠ Business Card provides a plethora of perks for a $150 annual fee. From a first checked bag free on United Airlines flights to ride-hailing statement credits and more, the card can provide solid value to the right small-business owners. However, some businesses may find it inconvenient to track the card’s coupon book of monthly benefits. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The United Business Card is a mid-tier card for small businesses that use United for flights at least several times a year. The card offers perks like a free checked bag and inflight discounts on food and beverages to help businesses save on ancillary flying fees.
United recently refreshed its entire credit card portfolio. The United Business Card’s annual fee rose to $150, but we also saw the introduction of new statement credits and upgrade certificates to ease the sting. These benefits are not exclusively geared toward travel, so you’ll want to ensure they fit your spending habits.
For the best chances of approval, you’ll want a credit score of 670 or higher. If you have a small business and travel with United (even occasionally), you might want to consider applying for the United Business Card.
Here are all the United Business Card benefits you need to know about to decide if it’s right for you.
United Business Card pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Earns bonus miles on United purchases and common everyday categories
Multiple statement credits
Earn United TravelBank credits
Receive bonus miles if you hold both a personal and a business United card
Redemption options are mostly limited to United and its partners
Other United cards have higher earning rates on some purchases
Restrictions on United Club one-time passes
Statement credits can be difficult to maximize
United Business Card welcome offer
New United Business Card holders can earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, new cardholders can earn another 5,000 miles after adding an employee card in the first three months of account opening.
Based on TPG’s March 2025 valuations of United miles at 1.35 cents each, this bonus is worth up to $1,755.
Although this is not the highest offer we’ve seen on the card, it is the highest bonus we have seen on the card over the past two years. We recommend applying now if you want to add this card to your wallet.
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You aren’t eligible for this welcome offerif you currently have or had the United Business Card and received a welcome bonus for it within the last 24 months.
Chase considers the United Business Card a distinct product from the United Club℠ Business Card and the no-longer-available United Explorer Business Card. So, if you have or previously had either of these cards, you’re still eligible for the welcome bonus on the United Business Card.
The United Business Card also likely falls under Chase’s unpublished 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more credit card accounts in the last 24 months, you might not be approved for it.
The information for the United Club Business and the United Explorer Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The United Business Card is best suited for small-business owners without United or Star Alliance status looking for United Airlines benefits.
This card can certainly satisfy that desire with the following United-linked benefits:
First checked bag free: Get the first checked bag free as the primary cardmember and for a companion traveling on the same reservation on United-operated flights.
Priority boarding: Get priority boarding as the primary cardmember and for a companion. If you don’t like gate-checking your carry-on because the overhead space is full, this perk will help you avoid that.
Two one-time United Club passes: Note that these can only be used by the primary cardmember, an authorized user or a guest traveling with either type of cardmember.
FareLock statement credit: Earn up to $25 in statement credits annually after purchasing FareLock for a United flight using the United Business Card.
United travel credit: Earn $125 in United TravelBank cash after five $100-plus United flight purchases per calendar year.
Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn two continental U.S. Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $25,000 in a calendar year.
Discount on United inflight purchases: Receive 25% back as a statement credit on eligible inflight United purchases when you pay with your United Business Card.
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Aside from the United-related benefits, this card offers a set of statement credits to help offset its annual fee. These credits can be useful for business owners, but their usefulness depends entirely on your spending habits and merchant preferences.
These statement credits include:
Up to $100 United Hotels statement credit: Receive $50 in statement credits on your first and second prepaid hotel stays purchased through United® Hotels using your United Business Card each anniversary year.
Ride-hailing credit: Receive $8 each month ($12 in December) in ride-hailing statement credits for a total of $100 each calendar year. Yearly enrollment is required. Chase has a broad definition of what counts as a ride-hailing service. That means this credit will be more flexible for your business than the ride-hailing credits offered by other issuers, like American Express.
United travel credit via car rental: Earn up to $25 in United TravelBank cash per eligible Avis/Budget rental when booking through cars.united.com. This benefit is limited to two $25 United TravelBank credits per anniversary year.
JSX statement credit: Earn up to $100 in statement credits each anniversary year when making JSX purchases directly with the airline. JSX offers a semiprivate flying experience at commercial fares, so it may be worth exploring for a special company trip.
Instacart+ membership and statement credits: Receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership for three months, then a 25% discounted annual plan. Cardholders can also earn up to $10 per month ($120 each calendar year) in Instacart credits on purchases made with the United Business Card. These benefits end December 31, 2027.
Overall, the statement credits and benefits are useful but require monitoring and tracking. The easiest statement credits to utilize are the ride-hailing credit and the $125 United TravelBank cash.
Businesses will find no value in the JSX and Instacart credits if they do not use these services organically. Fortunately, your business can still get positive value from this card’s annual fee through its other benefits.
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You’ll also enjoy the following additional benefits:
Expanded award availability: The primary cardholder may see expanded award availability when using miles to book any United-operated flight.
Earn Premier qualifying points: Earn 1 Premier qualifying point for every $20 in card spending, up to 4,000 PQPs in a calendar year. These PQPs can be applied up to Premier 1K elite status.
Employee cards: Get employee cards at no additional cost and set individual spending limits on each employee card.
No foreign transaction fees
Business owners who fly United regularly will easily get enough value from these benefits to justify paying the $150 annual fee. However, this card will require extra effort and attention to detail to keep track of all its perks. If your business is looking for a card that doesn’t require a slate of monthly reminders, this isn’t the card.
The bonus-earning for United Hotels feels too restrictive for business owners. Earning 2 miles per dollar spent on any hotel purchase would be more useful.
According to TPG’s March 2025 valuations, you’ll get a 6.8% return on United purchases and a 2.7% return on other category spending. You’ll also earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases, which is an approximately 1.4% return.
Compared to the United Club Business Card, the United Business Card earns a stronger 2 miles per dollar across key business-related bonus categories. Nonetheless, not all businesses are alike, and some may benefit from the United Club Business Card’s 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all nonbonused spending.
Redeeming and transferring miles on the United Business Card
You can use United miles to book award travel on United, other Star Alliance airlines and partner airlines.
It’s worth noting that United uses dynamic award pricing rather than award charts. Although this makes it more difficult to determine the price of an award until you’re ready to book, dynamic pricing can lead to inexpensive award flights in some situations.
Chris Nelson, a credit cards writer at TPG, loves United’s Excursionist Perk. He booked a round-trip ticket between the U.S. and Europe, flying from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in Scotland. He then flew to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) before heading to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The trip only cost him 60,000 United miles since the Excursionist Perk let him fly for free between Edinburgh and Madrid.
You’ll generally get the most value from your United miles when you use them to book flights. Other redemption options include:
However, this is far from the most valuable option, so we recommend avoiding it unless you need to top off your Marriott Bonvoy balance for a specific redemption. You can’t transfer more than 100,000 United miles to Marriott in a calendar year, but that shouldn’t be an issue for most.
Which cards compete with the United Business Card?
If you want to earn United miles on your business purchases, the United Business Card has a few notable competitors.
If you want a personal United card: The United℠ Explorer Card comes with the same annual fee of $150 beginning in the second year ($0 introductory annual fee the first year), plus ride-hailing credits, a free checked bag and United TravelBank credits. If the United Business’ bonus categories don’t fit your needs or you’re not invested in earning more PQPs, the Explorer Card is the perfect alternative. To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer Card.
If you want more benefits: The United Club Business Card has a significantly higher annual fee of $695 but greater United-related benefits, such as a United Club membership for the primary cardholder, the ability to earn United Club All-Access membership, two free checked bags and a better earning rate for PQPs. To learn more, read our comparison of the United Business Card and the United Club Business Card.
If you’re a United fan but want more general rewards: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers the ability to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points on different business expenses. Your points can then be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, including United MileagePlus, or redeemed directly for travel through Chase Travel℠. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
The United Business Card offers United Airlines benefits and partner perks that allow the right small-business owners, freelancers and side hustlers to justify the card’s $150 annual fee. As a business owner, if you can’t utilize the card’s perks or maximize the opportunity to earn United elite status, you’ll be better off with a more general business credit card.
Bottom line
The United Business Card provides several ways to earn United travel credits and make progress toward United elite status. The card offers meaningful value for some, but its steep annual fee and the effort required to maximize its credits means it won’t be right for all businesses.
If your business can naturally use the credits this card offers or is aiming toward United elite status, this card is likely a no-brainer.
Finding Qsuite award availability just got significantly easier. Seats.aero, a search tool to find award flight availability, has added another airline program, Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
I’ve previously written about how using this third-party tool has revolutionized how I find the best ways to redeem my points and miles across airline programs in seconds. However, I pointed out that the platform wasn’t perfect; most notably, it did not show results from at least one of the five Avios programs.
Thankfully, this has now changed with Seats.aero adding Qatar Airways Privilege Club to its search platform. Qatar Airways provides the most award availability to its own Privilege Club members when booking Qsuite business class and offers limited partner airline availability.
However, I’ve found that the Privilege Club website is clunky and can be frustrating when searching for more than one date at a time.
Seats.aero now provides an easy way to see every redemption seat in business class, including those not offered to partner programs. Here is how.
Select “Qatar Qsuites Finder” from the “Tools” tab, then change the regions to “North America to Asia” to show flights to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH). Unfortunately, at this stage, the results will not show connecting flights, so if you wish to fly onward from Doha, you’ll need to search for that the same way after you find availability to Doha.
Each search takes just a few seconds to load the results, so don’t be put off by having to piece your itinerary together leg by leg.
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You can then use the handy filter fields to narrow down the results by date, origin, destination or loyalty program — or even by how many points, miles or Avios you would like to redeem.
The green bed icon means that this flight is scheduled to take place on a Qsuite-operated aircraft, though note operational equipment swaps can happen occasionally.
You’ll notice most availability through partner programs between North America and Doha is either last minute (departing in the next 14 days) or toward the end of the schedule in 2026.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members have access to only 10 flights over the next 12 months, while JetBlue TrueBlue members have access to 23 flights. Virgin Australia Velocity members can access 44 flights, though these points are difficult to earn.
So few seats are available through these partner programs because this popular product is in high demand among points and miles enthusiasts. It’s also due to Privilege Club offering more seats to its members than to members of partner programs.
You can filter the results to show only those bookable through the Privilege Club program, which offers an impressive 1,009 flights compared with the five flights the AAdvantage program offers.
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The second way of finding availability through Seats.aero, which allows for more filtering options and includes economy options, is to select Qatar Airways Privilege Club from the “Explore” tab at the top and choose Qatar Airways from the “Airlines” filter to ensure you only see Qatar Airways-operated flights.
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You may notice there are two different prices for Qsuite flights to Doha. That is because Privilege Club uses a two-tier off-peak and peak pricing system (think: strictly limited Saver and more available Flexi fares).
Off-peak business-class flights to Doha cost 70,000 Privilege Club Avios each way, while peak flights cost 140,000 Avios each way; partner programs do not have access to peak flights.
While 70,000 Avios is an exceptional deal for a more than 13-hour flight in one of the world’s best business-class products, 140,000 Avios is still a decent price for a long-haul flight. If you compare that to other programs that operate using dynamic pricing, such as Delta SkyMiles, you can pay upward of 400,000 miles for a six-hour flight to Europe.
To find the right flight for you, use Seats.aero’s handy filter options to narrow down your search. For example, if you set the departing field to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), it will only show the dates with nonstop availability from Dallas to Doha, which you can reorder by price to show the off-peak dates first.
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Or, if you want to fly out on a specific date, are flexible as to the departure airport and want to see which routes are available and at what prices, you can do so by entering a date in the date field.
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If the seats you want aren’t available (or perhaps are only available at the higher rate), remember you can set alerts through the app to be notified if they are added to Privilege Club or any of the other supported airline loyalty programs.
You can make the alert criteria as narrow or as wide as you like. For example, you could set an alert to notify you by email or text of any seats at the 70,000-Avios off-peak level made available between all major U.S. airports to Doha during September 2025.
How to earn Privilege Club Avios to book Qatar Airways Qsuite
For a limited time only, you can utilize a 20% transfer bonus and transfer your Membership Rewards to Privilege Club through March 31. You must transfer a minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points to receive 1,200 Avios; up to 750,000 points can be transferred, and Avios will appear in your Privilege Club account within 48 hours.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Qatar Airways Privilege Club:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Check to see if you’re targeted for a higher welcome offer through CardMatch (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases with your card within three months from account opening.
My favorite platform for finding the best award availability to redeem my points and miles improved. I’m thrilled to see the addition of Qatar Airways Privilege Club as the latest loyalty program supported by Seats.aero.
Instead of spending hours clicking through the Privilege Club website to find Qsuite fares, I can now find award availability in a few seconds. Plus, if the award seats I want aren’t available at the time of my search, I can simply use the alert function to be notified if and when they are.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Credit card fraud and identity theft are two terms you have probably heard before. And if you’ve been unlucky, you may have even fallen victim to one of these two crimes yourself.
However, credit card fraud and identity theft aren’t the same. Both may involve the theft of information that belongs to you, but one is much easier to stop and recover from.
Read on for a look at how credit card fraud and identity theft are different. Plus, I’ll throw in some tips on how to recover from these crimes if the bad guys ever get their hands on your personal information.
Credit card fraud
Has a credit card issuer ever contacted you regarding a suspicious transaction you didn’t authorize? Or have you ever checked your credit card statement to discover charges you didn’t make? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, you have probably been a victim of credit card fraud.
The FBI defines credit card fraud as “the unauthorized use of a credit or debit card, or similar payment tool (ACH, EFT, recurring charge, etc.), to fraudulently obtain money or property. Credit and debit card numbers can be stolen from unsecured websites or can be obtained in an identity theft scheme.”
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Technically, credit card fraud can be classified as a type of identity theft. Even so, it isn’t really the same as having your identity stolen.
Sure, it can be troublesome to find out someone stole your credit card information. It can be upsetting to learn that a thief used your account to pay for unauthorized purchases. Credit card theft, however, is typically much easier to stop and fix compared with other forms of identity theft.
For example, TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed had his Chase Sapphire Reserve® compromised within two days of receiving the card in 2016. He used his card for the first time to pay for a meal at a restaurant, and soon after the in-person transaction, his card had nearly $10,000 in unauthorized charges.
See below for tips on how to handle credit card fraud if it happens to you.
Identity theft
Identity theft is a term that professionals often use to describe something much worse than a few unauthorized charges on your credit card account. According to the FBI, “identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform fraud or other criminal acts.”
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How do criminals get the information they need to assume your identity? The FBI explains that crooks can get your personal information from a variety of sources, such as:
Stealing your wallet
Rifling through your trash
Compromising your credit or bank information
Approaching you (in person, by telephone or on the internet) to ask for the information
When someone steals your personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, etc.) and uses that information to open fraudulent accounts in your name, this is called true name fraud. When most people say their identities have been stolen, true name fraud is the crime to which they are really referring.
Unlike credit card fraud, true name fraud has the potential to haunt you for years. Trying to recover from identity theft can be a much bigger ordeal than simply changing your credit card number to stop a thief. Thankfully, there are federal laws designed to protect victims of identity theft.
See below for tips on how to recover from identity theft if it happens to you.
Recovering from credit card fraud
If someone uses your credit card without your permission, my first piece of advice is not to panic. Thanks to federal law, you are actually well protected from fraud liability.
In fact, as long as you report fraudulent charges promptly (within 60 days), you likely will not be held responsible for the phony transactions.
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Here’s a look at the two main federal laws that protect you from credit card and debit card fraud.
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA): The FCBA caps your liability for fraudulent credit card transactions to a maximum of $50. Just don’t drag your feet. You must report any unauthorized charges to your card issuer within 60 days to enjoy this protection. As a matter of customer service, all four of the major credit card networks currently have zero-liability fraud policies. This means if you report fraudulent transactions to your card issuer promptly, you’ll probably never pay a dime out of your own pocket.
The Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA): The EFTA caps your liability on debit card fraud to no more than $500 ($50 if you report the fraud within two business days). In addition to higher liability caps, debit card fraud can be more painful for another reason. Unlike credit card fraud, it’s your personal money that a thief is stealing when debit card fraud occurs. As a result, the funds in your bank account might be tied up and unavailable to use while your bank investigates any unauthorized activity.
As you can see above, debit card fraud protections aren’t quite as strong as credit card fraud protections. This is one reason why I advocate that most people may want to choose credit cards over debit cards as their go-to payment method. The key here, of course, is to make sure you can commit to paying your balance in full each month.
If someone steals your credit card information, you can report the fraud to your card issuer, and it will shut down the account. As long as that thief can’t access your new card number (hint: update your online passwords frequently to be extra safe), the ordeal should be over.
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The same isn’t true when your personal identifying information is stolen.
You can’t exactly change your Social Security number and your date of birth to prevent crooks from using your information for their own personal gain. But the good news is that you can make it a lot harder for bad guys to profit using your personal data.
Here’s how.
Place fraud alerts on your credit reports with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to place free fraud alerts on your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus. When you place a fraud alert, it tells lenders they must first contact you to confirm your identity before opening any new credit accounts in your name.
Freeze your three credit reports: With a fraud alert, a lender is supposed to ask your permission before opening a new account in your name. This leaves a little room for potential human error. With a credit freeze, on the other hand, new lenders cannot access your reports unless you allow your reports to be seen. (This is accomplished by “thawing” your reports in advance with a PIN code or password.)
Check your credit reports frequently for signs of fraud: The FCRA allows you to expect only accurate information to be included on your credit reports. It’s up to you, however, to verify that your reports are indeed error-free. If you haven’t claimed your three free credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com in the past 12 months, that’s a great place to start. Beyond that, I recommend checking your credit reports at least once a month as an added measure of safety. (Tip: Checking your own credit report will never damage your credit score.)
Report identity theft promptly: If you become a victim of true name fraud, it’s important to report fraudulent accounts to the three credit reporting agencies promptly. You can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov to create a report. Once completed, send your identity theft report to Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Per the FCRA, credit reporting agencies must block fraudulent information from your credit reports within four business days of receiving your identity theft report.
Being proactive is the key
Regardless of whether you’re a victim of credit card fraud or identity theft, it’s crucial to be proactive. You can’t expect your card issuer or the credit reporting agencies to detect fraud on your behalf (though sometimes you might get lucky). It’s your responsibility to make sure that your credit reports and credit card statements contain accurate information.
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Make a habit of checking your credit card statements and your three credit reports each month for errors, mistakes, and fraud. If you discover suspicious activity, remember that you’re protected by federal law as long as you report the issue promptly.
Bottom line
Although both credit card fraud and identity theft are terrible situations, you can recover faster from credit card fraud thanks to federal laws and zero liability protection on credit cards. On the other hand, identity theft is a much larger problem where your personal information, such as your SSN, date of birth, and address, is compromised. In either scenario, report suspicious activity immediately to your credit card issuer and the credit reporting bureau to ensure you’re protected.
