Green Horizons Traveler

Blockbuster partnership! United Airlines and JetBlue to team up in new alliance called ‘Blue Sky’

May 29, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Two major U.S. airlines are joining forces in a blockbuster partnership. United Airlines will team up with JetBlue in a new alliance they are calling “Blue Sky,” the carriers announced Thursday.

The alliance will include a full-blown loyalty partnership that will allow United MileagePlus and JetBlue TrueBlue members the ability to earn and redeem miles on either carrier. Plus, United Premier elite members will be able to enjoy their status benefits when flying on JetBlue. JetBlue’s Mosaic members will get the same treatment on board United.

As part of the new arrangement, United and JetBlue will also be able to sell each other’s flights on their own websites, including connections between the two carriers.

The tie-up will also usher in United’s return to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the first time in several years.

The reveal of this new Blue Sky partnership comes after weeks of speculation that United and JetBlue would join forces in a new partnership.

It will bridge two airlines that have a sizable presence in the New York City region, but on opposite sides of the Hudson River. United operates a major hub at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) while JetBlue calls Terminal 5 at JFK its home base.

For JetBlue, this new partnership comes nearly two years after a federal judge effectively ended its so-called Northeast Alliance with American Airlines following a protracted legal battle with the Biden administration in 2023.

“United’s global reach perfectly complements JetBlue’s East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members,” JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement Thursday.

“We’re always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedule,” United CEO Scott Kirby added.

JetBlue Airbus — SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Here’s what to know about the new United-JetBlue partnership, what it means for MileagePlus and TrueBlue loyalty members — and why these two airlines ended up joining forces.

United and JetBlue’s ‘Blue Sky’ partnership

For travelers who took advantage of JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance with American earlier this decade, Blue Sky will offer some familiarity — but some key differences, too.

Interline agreement

Once the partnership kicks off, United and JetBlue will launch an interline agreement, selling each other’s flights through their own websites and mobile apps. That means you’ll be able to book a United flight on JetBlue.com (or vice versa), and connect seamlessly on one itinerary between the two airlines.

United Airlines Airbus A321neo. — SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

The airlines did not immediately announce a launch date for this aspect of the partnership, but a United spokesperson told TPG some elements will begin early this fall.

Earn and redeem

Through Blue Sky, JetBlue’s TrueBlue members will be able to earn and redeem points across United’s global network.

United’s MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem miles “on most JetBlue flights,” the airline said. Some will be excluded, TPG learned — but, notably, JetBlue’s flights to Europe are expected to be part of the arrangement. That wasn’t the case with the now-defunct NEA between JetBlue and American.

Reciprocal loyalty benefits

A key component for frequent flyers, United and JetBlue will offer a host of reciprocal elite status benefits to elite Premier and Mosaic members.

It won’t be the full elite status experience (no mention of lounge access or first-class upgrades, yet) and some of the benefits are fairly static across all elite status tiers.

For instance, all elite members with either program — regardless of status level — will be able to access extra legroom seats on the other airline at check-in. That means a Premier member (regardless of tier) would be able to select a JetBlue EvenMore seat at check-in, and Mosaic members would get the same privileges with Economy Plus seats.

All elite members would also get priority check-in and boarding benefits, their first checked bag free and access to same-day changes.

Here’s the full, initial rundown of the reciprocal elite status benefits the carriers shared Thursday.

The carriers are expected to announce more details about the timing of this loyalty partnership later this year.

United returns to JFK

As part of the arrangement with JetBlue, United would launch up to seven daily round-trip flights out of JFK by taking over slots (tightly-regulated takeoff and landing rights) from JetBlue. It’s been a few years since United has had a presence at JFK, where it expects to launch service out of the airport’s new Terminal 6 as early as 2027.

Meanwhile, JetBlue would exchange eight flight timings with United at the latter airline’s EWR hub.

United shifts to JetBlue’s Paisly

Finally, in a less headline-grabbing aspect of Blue Sky, United plans to shift its hotel, car rental, cruise and vacation package booking services to JetBlue’s in-house platform, Paisly.

A major industry partnership

This joining of forces between United and JetBlue is a significant one for frequent flyers of both carriers who will now gain new connectivity and ways to earn and redeem miles in cities where their preferred airline does not have as strong a presence.

JetBlue executives, in particular, had for months said they hoped to link up with another U.S. airline in a new partnership to expand the earning and redeeming options — and connectivity— than it could offer with its heavily East Coast-focused route network.

It explored rekindling ties with American, but after those talks fell apart last month, JetBlue instead landed United as its new dance partner.

United expands the options for frequent JetBlue flyers, with its strength in the country’s midsection, where JetBlue doesn’t fly as much. That includes United’s hometown hub at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) as well as major hubs at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Denver International Airport (DEN).

United also has perhaps the most robust international network of any U.S. airline.

JetBlue, for its part, does have a budding transatlantic network, with nonstop destinations in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Edinburgh — along with Madrid, which it launched last week.

So far, the partnership has not included loyalty perks relating to premium-cabin upgrades. Part of that may stem from a premium inventory imbalance, at least from the outset; United’s regional and narrow-body planes sport first-class cabins, and its long-haul jets have Polaris business-class and premium economy.

JetBlue has its upscale Mint cabin, though only on a limited portion of its fleet. But it’s upping its game, with domestic first class expected to join its fleet in the coming years, along with new lounges slated for New York and Boston.

JetBlue finds its long-sought partner

JetBlue has spent much of this decade in search of a lasting U.S. airline partner, but with little success.

After its Northeast Alliance with American failed in federal court, another faceoff with the Biden administration doomed its proposed merger with Spirit Airlines.

Some aspects of Blue Sky, the airlines noted, would be subject to regulatory approval.

But the carriers were quick to note that they won’t coordinate on pricing or scheduling — something the federal judge who blocked the former Northeast Alliance said would have made JetBlue’s previous deal with American more acceptable.

Related reading:

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Bilt Rewards program: Guide to earning points on rent, transfer bonuses, dining and more

May 29, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Editor’s note: TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.

Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.

If you’re looking for a loyalty program ideal for renters, Bilt Rewards is a solid option. As a member, you’ll earn Bilt Points when you pay rent and make your regular everyday purchases. The points you earn can be redeemed for travel through loyalty partners, rent or future down payments, fitness classes, and more.

Plus, there are no transaction fees (see rates and fees) on rent payments when you use the Bilt Mastercard®. You can earn up to 100,000 points on rent per calendar year.

We’re celebrating the Bilt Mastercard (see rates and fees) for winning the Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card award at the 2024 TPG Awards. This card is a powerhouse for renters, who can earn valuable Bilt points on their rent payments with no transaction fee. You must make at least five transactions on the card every statement period to earn points (see rewards and benefits).

While we love this card, you don’t need to have it to earn and redeem points in the Bilt Rewards program.

TPG’s May 2025 valuations place Bilt points at 2.05 cents apiece, though there are plenty of ways to get more value from them. Let’s delve into all the details of the Bilt Rewards loyalty program and explore how to earn and redeem points for maximum value.

What is Bilt Rewards?

Bilt Rewards is a loyalty program that lets you earn points to redeem toward travel, Amazon purchases, home decor, fitness classes and more. You can earn Bilt points by simply becoming a member, linking a qualifying card to your Bilt Rewards account and transacting with Bilt partners.

a hand holds a credit card — THE POINTS GUY

Perhaps most notably, you can earn Bilt points by paying your rent. With the Bilt Mastercard, you can earn points on rent with no transaction fee (see rates and fees).

How do you earn Bilt Rewards points?

You don’t necessarily need to have the Bilt Mastercard or pay rent to earn Bilt points. There are nine primary ways to earn Bilt points.

1. Earning Bilt points by paying rent

Street scene with colorful pastel apartment buildings in London's Chelsea neighborhood on a gray day in February. — LYNDSEY MATTHEWS/THE POINTS GUY

You can earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent at any home (up to 100,000 points per calendar year) by paying your rent with the Bilt Mastercard.

You can pay your rent with your Bilt Mastercard through the Bilt app, but if your landlord only accepts physical checks, don’t fret. You can still pay your rent with the Bilt Mastercard on the app, and then Bilt will mail your landlord a rent check each month, allowing you to earn points on rent without incurring any additional transaction fees (see rates and fees). If applicable, you can also process payments through Venmo and your landlord’s online rent portal.

As of April 2025, you can now use a credit card that isn’t a Bilt Mastercard to pay rent, though it may not be the best option. If you use a Visa, Discover or Mastercard, you’ll earn 1 Bilt point per dollar spent on rent. Using an American Express card, you’ll earn 1 Bilt point for every $2 spent. However, you’ll incur a 3% transaction fee with this route.

2. Earning Bilt points with the Bilt Mastercard

Speaking of the Bilt Mastercard, it offers a simple earning structure:

5 points per dollar spent with Bilt Dining partners and Lyft, once you link your Bilt and Lyft accounts and pay with the Bilt Mastercard
3 points per dollar spent on dining
2 points per dollar spent on travel booked directly with the provider or through the Bilt Travel Portal and on Walgreens purchases and prescriptions
1 point per dollar spent on rent payments (up to 100,000 points per calendar year) and all other purchases

You must use your card at least five times during each statement period to earn points.

This no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees) offers impressive perks, including an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, and No Foreign Transaction Fees (see rates and fees).

You do not need to pay rent to apply for the Bilt Mastercard.

3. Earning Bilt points through Bilt Dining

Bilt also has its own dining rewards program called Bilt Dining.

You can link any Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card to the Bilt Dining program to earn up to 3 points per dollar spent at Bilt Dining restaurants when you pay with any eligible card in your Bilt Wallet.

These earnings come in addition to what you earn with your credit card. For example, if you pay with your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn 3 additional points per dollar spent*, for a total of up to 6 Bilt points per dollar spent. Put differently, that’s a 12.3% return on your dining purchases, according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations.

Serving Fresh Gourmet Bruschetta — TOM WERNER/GETTY IMAGES

Bilt states that you can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on eating at a Bilt Dining restaurant and paying with any eligible card on file in your Bilt Wallet. Plus, there is no cap on how many points you can earn through Bilt Dining.

4. Earning Bilt points on the Bilt travel portal

Expedia powers Bilt’s travel portal, where you can earn points on flights, hotel stays, car rentals and things to do. As a Bilt member, you earn 1 point per dollar spent on travel booked through the portal.

As a Bilt Mastercard holder, you earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the portal and 2 additional points per dollar by charging your purchase to the card*. That is a total of 4 Bilt points per dollar spent.

5. Earning Bilt points with referrals

You’ll earn 2,500 points each time you refer a friend to the Bilt Mastercard, on up to 50 total referrals. For every five referrals, you earn 10,000 bonus points. You can refer friends to the card through the website or app.

6. Earning Bilt points with Lyft

You can earn 2 Bilt points per dollar spent on Lyft rides when you link your accounts. When you pay for your ride with the Bilt Mastercard*, you’ll also receive an additional 3 Bilt points per dollar spent.

7. Earning Bilt points with fitness studios

You can earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on fitness classes booked through the Bilt app.

These studios include SoulCycle, Pure Barre, Barry’s and Rumble Boxing.

8. Earning Bilt points by playing the Rent Free game

Bilt offers a game show-style opportunity for members to earn extra points on Bilt Rent Day (the first of the month): Rent Free.

Rent Free is set up like “Family Feud,” with a new creator or personality playing the game each month. As a Bilt member, you can earn points with Rent Free when you pick a top-three answer, when you correctly rank that answer (double points) and when the celebrity guest picks the same answer as you (triple points).

On top of earning points, the top 10-scoring players will win free rent for a month (up to $2,500). The next 600 top-scoring members will get Bilt points. If you tie, the tie will be broken based on who played the game first.

9. Earning Bilt points on home buying

In 2024, Bilt launched a new way to earn points: home buying. The loyalty program partnered with eXp Realty, and when you work with an eXp agent, Bilt members will earn 1 point for every $2 of a home purchase price. For example, if you purchase a home for $500,000 using an eXp Realty agent, you could earn up to 250,000 Bilt points. According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, those points would be worth $5,125.

*You must use your card at least five times during each statement period to earn points.

Bilt Rewards elite status tiers

Bilt offers four status tiers. You can reach Bilt elite status in two ways: earning Bilt points and receiving fast-track status with spending on the Bilt Mastercard and within the Bilt ecosystem.

While you won’t earn fast-track status on rent spending, you can earn it through SoulCycle classes booked in the Bilt app, Bilt Dining restaurant purchases made with any card linked in your Bilt Wallet, Lyft rides when Bilt is set as your rewards partner, and bookings made via Bilt’s travel portal.

Every member of Bilt Rewards starts in the Blue tier.

Here’s a quick overview.

	Blue	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Option 1: Bilt points qualification	All Bilt Rewards members	50,000 points	125,000 points	200,000 points
Option 2: Fast track with spending	All Bilt Rewards members	$10,000 spent	$25,000 spent	$50,000 spent
Earn interest on your points (at the FDIC-published national savings rate)		✓	✓	✓
Blade benefits		✓	✓	✓ (including a complimentary Blade flight)
Access to complimentary homeownership concierge			✓	✓
Rent Day transfer bonuses		Higher transfer bonuses	Gold-level transfer bonuses	Platinum-level transfer bonuses

Your member status is based on the total points earned in a calendar year. You’ll receive the higher of the two statuses through qualifying points or via spending on the fast-track status path.

No matter when you earn status each calendar year, it’s good for the rest of the year and the following year.

Bilt Platinum members can apply for an Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match

Bilt Platinum members can receive 12 months of Flying Blue Gold status. To activate this status match, members must go to the Bilt app and select “Elite Status Match.” Then, members must transfer 10,000 Bilt points to Flying Blue to officially activate their Gold status. Luckily, these 10,000 points can be used toward a future Air France-KLM award flight.

Air France 777 — ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

After requesting status, it may take up to three business days for your Flying Blue Gold status to become officially active.

Flying Blue Gold status will give Bilt members additional airline perks and qualify them for SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which includes benefits on other SkyTeam airlines like Delta Air Lines.

Learn more about specific Flying Blue Gold status perks on Flying Blue’s tier benefits page and the added benefits of having SkyTeam Elite Plus status on SkyTeam’s FAQ page.

How to use Bilt points: Best-value option

The Bilt Rewards loyalty program gives you many ways to use your points, though not all carry equal value.

Let’s start with the best way for you to redeem your Bilt points. Nothing beats the outsize value of transferring your points to Bilt’s 20 airline and hotel partners.

Transfer your Bilt points to travel partners

Joining these loyalty programs is free, even if you’ve never flown the airline or stayed with the hotel brand.

By transferring your Bilt points to the right programs, you can easily get 2.05 cents per point in value — and perhaps much more — and score a lie-flat airplane seat or a luxurious hotel stay.

Program	Transfer ratio	Transfer time
ALL — Accor Live Limitless	3:2	**
Aer Lingus AerClub	1:1	Within minutes
Air Canada Aeroplan	1:1	Within 24 hours
Air France-KLM Flying Blue	1:1	Within minutes
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	1:1	Within minutes
Avianca LifeMiles	1:1	Up to 72 hours
British Airways Club	1:1	Within minutes
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles	1:1	Within minutes
Emirates Skywards	1:1	Within minutes
Hilton Honors	1:1	Within minutes
Club Iberia Plus	1:1	Within minutes
IHG One Rewards	1:1	Within minutes
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank	1:1	**
Marriott Bonvoy	1:1, with 5,000 bonus points for every 20,000 points you transfer in a single transfer	Within 48 hours
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards	1:1	**
TAP Miles&Go	1:1	**
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles	1:1	Within minutes
United Airlines MileagePlus	1:1	Within minutes
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club	1:1	Within minutes
World of Hyatt	1:1	Within minutes

**TPG has not yet tested transferring Bilt points to these programs.

Best-value transfer partners

Air Canada planes on the tarmac in Toronto — JAMES MACDONALD/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Bilt Rewards partners with some of our favorite airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and World of Hyatt. These programs have largely kept standard award charts for award flights and hotel nights, meaning you’ll pay a predictable rate and can often get outsize value from your points.

Transfer bonuses

Bilt Rewards has historically offered some of the best transfer bonuses we’ve seen during Rent Day (the first of every month).

These have included 150% transfer bonuses to some carriers, such as Emirates Skywards, and up to a 100% transfer bonus to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan for July 2024 Rent Day. Additionally, Bilt has previously offered a 100% transfer bonus to Flying Blue.

How to use Bilt points: Medium-value options

The following redemption options will get you decent value with a redemption rate of at least 1 cent per point.

Use your points to save up for a down payment on a home

Bilt offers the unique ability for users to save up their points toward a down payment on a home.

Couple buying online. — DRS PRODUCOES/GETTY IMAGES

If you opt for this route, your Bilt points are valued at 1.5 cents each toward a down payment. This means 10,000 Bilt points are worth $150 toward your down payment.

Redeem for travel on the Bilt travel portal

You can use the Bilt travel portal to offset the cost of flights, stays, rental cars and activities at a rate of 1.25 cents per point.

How to use Bilt points: Poor-value options

If you want to extract maximum value from your Bilt Rewards points, you’ll likely want to avoid some of these less valuable redemption options.

Use points for Amazon purchases

You can select your Bilt Mastercard on Amazon as a payment method and redeem your points to cover all or a portion of your purchase at checkout. However, Bilt points are worth 0.7 cents each when used this way.

For example, you’ll need approximately 14,300 Bilt points to cover a $100 Amazon purchase. Compare that to TPG’s May 2025 valuation of 2.05 cents per Bilt point, and it’s not necessarily the best deal.

Shop the Bilt Collection

The Bilt Collection is a curated list of items, including art, home decor and apparel. The value per point will vary, but since it rarely exceeds more than 1 cent per point, you should likely pass on this option.

Redeem your points for fitness classes

Fitness enthusiasts can redeem their Bilt points to attend name-brand classes like SoulCycle, Solidcore, and Y7 Studio. The value will depend on the class you select, but it hovers around 1 cent per point.

Redeem your points for rent

A potentially enticing option with your points is to save them to help cover your next rent payment. However, the redemption value is just 0.55 cents per point.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Bilt Mastercard charge a fee to pay rent?

No, the Bilt Mastercard does not charge a transaction fee (see rates and fees) when you use it to pay rent through Bilt Rewards. However, you can only earn 100,000 points on rent each calendar year, and you must make at least five transactions with the card in each statement period to earn points.

Can you use Bilt without the Bilt Mastercard?

Yes. You do not have to hold the Bilt Mastercard to enroll in Bilt Rewards and earn Bilt points in the program.

Does my landlord/management company have to have a partnership with Bilt?

No, you can use Bilt to pay rent even if your landlord does not partner with the program.

What are Bilt points worth?

TPG’s May 2025 valuations deem Bilt points as worth 2.05 cents per point. Depending on how you redeem your points, however, you could get a much higher or lower value for them.

Is the Bilt Mastercard worth it?

The Bilt Mastercard could be worth it if you want to earn points on rent without incurring a transaction fee (see rates and fees). The card also features popular bonus categories and could be a great option if you find value in the program’s transfer partners.

However, the card doesn’t feature a traditional welcome bonus, and some features aren’t as useful if you live in a less populated area. So, as with any decision, you should consider what you want in a card before you apply.

Bottom line

Bilt Rewards presents an exceptional value proposition for both renters and nonrenters. Bilt has established partnerships with some of the more lucrative airline and hotel loyalty programs, enabling you to extract extraordinary value from your points. Your points transfer seamlessly at a straightforward 1:1 ratio (except when transferring to Accor), and most programs process the transfers instantly.

Even if you aren’t renting or don’t want to apply for the Bilt Mastercard, you can earn lots of points by linking your Lyft account, enrolling in Bilt Dining and booking travel through the Bilt portal.

See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here.
See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.

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When you should (and shouldn’t) pay bills with your credit card

May 29, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Whether you’re trying to reach the minimum spending requirement for a welcome offer or simply racking up miles for your next award trip, putting everyday expenses on a credit card can unlock serious value.

No points and miles enthusiast wants to leave potential rewards or cash back on the table, but before you start swiping for every bill, it’s crucial to follow the golden rule of credit card use: always pay your balance in full and on time. Doing so helps you avoid interest charges, protect your credit score and even earn credit card rewards.

While using a rewards credit card for recurring bills and other expenses can pay off, not every transaction is worth charging, even if you’re a responsible cardholder.

Here’s how to decide which bills make sense to pay with a credit card — and when it’s better to keep that card in your wallet.

How to decide whether to pay a bill with a credit card

Can you pay off the full balance?

If you charge more than you can afford to pay off by your due date, you could face steep interest charges. In fact, the average APR on interest-accruing credit cards was over 21% in Q2 2025, according to the Federal Reserve.

That’s why it’s crucial to know your credit card’s APR — especially if you tend to carry a balance.

A person holding holding a credit card while looking at a bank account — ARTISTGNDPHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES

Even if you take advantage of a 0% APR offer, carrying a balance from month to month can have drawbacks. Credit card debt can cost you money in hidden ways, including the fact that a higher credit card utilization rate could harm your credit score.

In general, it’s best to only use your credit card only for bills and purchases you’re confident you can pay off in full by the next due date.

Are there fees for using your credit card?

Before entering your credit card details to pay a bill, check whether the merchant or service provider charges a surcharge.

Due to bank interchange fees (charged by banks), landlords, utility companies and other service providers often pass those costs on to customers who pay by credit card.

Woman calculating card value — HOBO_018/GETTY IMAGES

In some cases, you may be able to sidestep surcharges by using alternative options. For example, the Bilt Mastercard®* lets you pay rent with a credit card without transaction fees (see rates and fees).

*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt advisor and investor.

When it comes to merchants or service providers, you might also consider switching to a card that doesn’t tack on extra fees for credit card payments.

However, sometimes, there’s no avoiding the surcharge — unless you use a different payment method. In those cases, it’s worth doing the math to decide whether the rewards you’ll earn outweigh the added cost.

TPG’s monthly points and miles valuations can help you crunch the numbers. And if you’re trying to meet a welcome offer’s minimum spend or earn bonus rewards in a specific spending category, those extra points, miles or cash back could tip the balance in your favor.

Is fraud or purchase protection important for this transaction?

One major benefit of using a credit card is the added protection it offers compared to debit cards, cash or checks. For instance, if your debit card is used fraudulently, your liability could be higher. But with a credit card, the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) allows you to dispute charges for things like billing errors, undelivered goods and services and more.

Many credit cards also offer purchase protection, which can reimburse you if an eligible item is damaged or stolen shortly after it has been purchased, assuming you paid with a card that offers this benefit. Some even include extended warranty benefits, adding extra peace of mind if something breaks after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Bottom line

Some expenses are better left off your credit card — especially if you can’t pay your full balance each month and risk racking up high-interest charges. In that case, it may be wise to pause credit card spending until you’ve paid down your debt and created a plan to avoid overspending.

But when used responsibly, credit cards can be a smart payment method — particularly when you can pay the balance in full and avoid surcharges. Even if a fee applies, the rewards or benefits you earn might still make it worth it, depending on how the math works out.

See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here.

See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.

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Here’s how to use airline miles for a first class upgrade

May 28, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

The most coveted perk in the frequent flyer world is an upgrade to a comfier seat with better legroom, more recline and better food and beverage. While it’s easy to envy the elite members who get “complimentary” upgrades, anyone who’s ever taken an economics class will tell you that there’s no such thing as a free ~~lunch~~ upgrade.

Elite members pay for their “complimentary” upgrades through extended periods of loyalty (and revenue generation) to a single airline and alliance. But even if you don’t have elite status, many airlines will let you upgrade eligible tickets using your miles.

Let’s unpack the mileage upgrade options on the table with most major U.S. airline programs — and whether or not the option is worth it.

Upgrading airfare with miles

American A321T business class — CHRIS DONG/THE POINTS GUY

As airlines switch to a more revenue-based model for earning and redeeming miles, they’re willing to accept miles instead of a cash payment for upgrades. Upgrading with miles sometimes presents an easy way to fly comfortably without shelling out hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars for a seat at the front of the plane.

When and how to upgrade with miles

One common misconception that people have about upgrades of all types is that if there’s an empty seat in the next cabin, you can upgrade to it if you’re willing to pay. Airlines make a large chunk of their revenue selling premium cabin seats — especially full-fare ones to last-minute business travelers. In some cases, they’d rather gamble that someone will buy that seat close to departure rather than offer it as an upgrade, even if it goes out empty.

Each airline has a revenue-management department that controls how many seats are available for upgrades, just like they control how many are available for award redemptions. This means that when upgrading with miles, your upgrade may not clear before the flight unless there’s upgrade inventory in the cabin you’re trying to upgrade to. For example, on American Airlines the “C” fare class is for upgrades from economy to business class on two- or three-cabin planes, while the “A” class is for Flagship first-class upgrades on three-cabin aircraft.

If you’re still unfamiliar with the general process of upgrading tickets, check out TPG’s guide to getting upgraded on the Big Three domestic airlines: American, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

You should do your best to search for upgrade inventory before trying to initiate an upgrade request. If you’re using a mileage upgrade and it doesn’t clear before departure, you’ll likely fall below all the elite flyers on the upgrade waitlist at the airport. If you intend to upgrade a ticket, you may want to search for upgrade inventory before booking your flight.

The good news is that mileage upgrades can almost always clear in advance of departure if there’s upgrade inventory, so there’s no incentive to wait until closer to the flight. If you have the miles and see the upgrade space, lock it in while it’s still available.

What types of tickets can I upgrade?

Exactly which tickets you can upgrade will vary from airline to airline. For example, American and United do not let travelers upgrade award tickets with miles. Delta, on the other hand, will let you upgrade mileage tickets with SkyMiles.

Further, most airlines don’t allow you to upgrade basic economy and other deeply discounted economy fares with miles or cash. Specific airlines might also publish excluded fare classes — so it’s essential to understand which fare class you’re booking if you intend to upgrade your flight with miles.

Usually the average traveler doesn’t have to pay too much attention to their specific fare class. After all, if you’re not chasing elite status with American Airlines, it doesn’t matter if your economy ticket falls into the Y, G, N or Q fare class beyond the ticket price. If you want to upgrade your ticket with miles, the fare class can determine whether your ticket is eligible for an upgrade and how much it will cost.

Domestic versus international

There aren’t many differences between domestic and international mileage upgrades, but international business-class seats are usually harder to come by and cost more.

Perhaps the biggest thing to be aware of is that many international planes now feature a premium economy cabin as an intermediary option. While the terms and conditions of most upgrades reference a “one cabin upgrade,” in some cases, you can still upgrade directly from economy to business class.

United's Premium Plus cabin aboard a 777-300ER — ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

How to upgrade with airline miles

Let’s examine the specifics of mileage upgrades for the Big Three major U.S. airlines. You’ll notice that Alaska Airlines is excluded from this list, as it no longer allows for mileage upgrades.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers the most straightforward chart for mileage upgrades. Note that discounted fares include a cash copay if you’re upgrading from economy to business or from business to first. Meanwhile, full-fare tickets only require additional miles to upgrade.

American Airlines mileage upgrade chart — AMERICAN AIRLINES

In TPG’s May 2025 valuations, we value American Airlines miles at 1.65 cents each. When you factor in the $350 copay, you’re looking at about ~$762 to upgrade to business class on some of American’s longest flights. This is not a bad deal, but upgrade inventory is tough to come by.

If you’re wondering what exactly American counts as a “discount economy ticket,” here are the relevant fare codes for each category of upgrade pricing:

Discount Economy with published fares booked in H, K, M, L, V, G, Q, N, O, S and Military or Government fares booked in Y
Full-Fare Economy with published fares booked in Y
Discount Premium Economy with published fares booked in P
Full-Fare Premium Economy with published fares booked in W
Discount Business with published fares booked in I
Full-Fare Business with published fares booked in J, D or R

Note that different rules apply to upgrades on British Airways, Iberia and Qantas flights that can also be upgraded with American miles.

United Airlines

United 787-10 business class — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

You can estimate the number of miles you’ll need to upgrade a United flight using this calculator on the United website. This calculator will show you how many miles you need for an upgrade and what cash copay may be required, as you’re required to pay a copay for United upgrades unless you’re booked in O, Y, or B classes. (Note that cash co-pays are also waived for some United Premier elite members.)

Here’s a look at an example search from the U.S. to Europe.

United Airlines mileage upgrade calculator — UNITED AIRLINES

These rates are valid until Nov. 24, 2025. After that, United’s website states that “the cost for the upgrades will be displayed on united.com.” In other words, expect United Mileage Upgrade Awards to be priced dynamically after the end of November, similar to how Delta prices its upgrades.

You can upgrade partner flights by requesting a Star Alliance Upgrade Award. This is actually often better than upgrading United flights, as the airline doesn’t charge upgrade copays on partner flights. However, only some fare classes are upgradeable. Generally, C, D, Y and B fares are eligible across all Star Alliance carriers, plus the following:

Air Canada – O class
Air China – J and G class
Air New Zealand – E, U and O class
ANA – J, Z, E, G, M and U class
Austrian – G, E, M and U class
Copa Airlines – M, H, Q, K, V, U, S, O, W, E, L, T and A class
Ethiopian Airlines – G and S class
EVA Airways – K class
Lufthansa – J, E, G, M and U class
Shenzhen Airlines – M and H class
Singapore Airlines – S, Z, J and U class
South African Airways – M class (domestic only)
SWISS – J, M and U class

These can be a pretty great deal if you find a low-cost fare in a participating fare class. For example, this flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) costs $3,825 in U fare economy class with All Nippon Airways. According to United, you can upgrade this flight to business class for 50,000 miles round-trip.

ANA flights from New York to Tokyo on ITA Matrix — ITA MATRIX

The same business class flight costs $8,588 round-trip, so using your miles to upgrade would save you thousands of dollars.

ITA Matrix showing a round-trip business class flight from New York to Tokyo on ANA — ITA MATRIX

Of course, make sure your ANA flight has available award space before you upgrade, as upgrades and awards generally pull from the same inventory. You can use your favorite Star Alliance search tool to find this. If your flight has award space, it can likely be upgraded with United miles.

That said, it’s also worth noting that some specific flights are not upgradable. These include:

Intra-Japan flights with All Nippon Airways
All flights operated by Air Japan
All A350, A380 and 777-300ER aircraft flights and D class with Singapore Airlines

Delta

Delta has two upgrade options — “Upgrade with Miles” and “Mileage Upgrade Awards.”

The first allows you to buy cash upgrades at a value of roughly just over 1 cent per SkyMile. This is a lackluster redemption. Meanwhile, the latter option is the standard mileage upgrade award we’ve been discussing throughout this post. Unfortunately, these upgrades are no longer available on Delta-operated flights within the Americas and can only be used for select international markets. You can also upgrade select partner-operated flights, not just flights on Delta Metal.

Delta flights (departing from France, Ghana, or the UK): Eligible fare classes include P, A, G, Y, B, M, H, Q, K
Air France (marketed and operated): Eligible fare classes include W, S, A, Y, B, M
Delta-marketed, Air France-operated flights: Eligible fare classes include P, A, G, Y, B, M
KLM-operated flights: Eligible fare classes include Y, B, M
Delta-marketed, Virgin Atlantic-operated flights: From economy to premium economy or Upper Class, eligible classes include Y, B, M, H, Q, K; from premium economy to Upper Class, eligible classes include P, A, G
Delta-marketed, Aeromexico-operated flights (U.S. to/from Mexico only): Eligible fare classes include Y, B, M, H, Q, K, L, U, T

Delta upgrade offer for a flight from Spokane to Atlanta — DELTA

Unfortunately, the only way to use these upgrades is to call a Delta reservations agent for a quote. If you’re trying to upgrade on a Delta flight, many will tell you that the only option for upgrading with miles is to accept whatever offer appears on your My Trips page. If this happens to you, politely end the call and call back for a new agent.

Bottom line

Delta cabin — CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Traveling the way you want to requires some flexibility, and it helps if you have several different tools at your disposal. These include leveraging transfer partners to book premium cabin awards at lower rates, hunting for low cash fares and learning the different types of upgrades available to you.

While the value isn’t always great, mileage upgrades are a good option to consider if you don’t have elite status with an airline but still want to score a better seat on your upcoming flight.

Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg.

Related reading:

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How to avoid late and overdraft fees

May 28, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Late fees and overdraft fees can serve as a significant source of revenue for credit card issuers and banks, often at the expense of consumers. In fact, Americans pay an estimated $12 billion in credit card late fees each year.

So, what exactly are these fees — and how can you avoid them? Here’s what you need to know.

What are late fees?

Late fees are charged when you miss your credit card’s minimum payment deadline. The exact cutoff time depends on your card issuer — some require payment by 5 p.m. Eastern time (the end of their business day), while others allow you to pay until midnight on the due date. If you miss the deadline, you could be charged a late fee, typically somewhere in the range between $20 and $40.

Unhappy Man Feel Worry About Financial Problems At Home — AQUAARTS STUDIO/GETTY IMAGES

How to avoid late fees

To avoid late fees, make at least the minimum payment by your credit card issuer’s cutoff time on the due date. Cutoff times vary — some banks require payment by 5 p.m. ET, while others allow until midnight, so be sure to check your issuer’s policy.

Paying the minimum amount due will help you avoid late fees and other penalties, such as raised interest rates or annual percentage rates.

However, paying only the minimum amount due can lead to other expenses, such as interest on your credit card balance. The best way to avoid paying interest on credit cards is to pay your full balance each month.

If you’re worried about missing a due date, consider setting up autopay for at least the minimum amount to ensure your payment is always on time.

What are overdraft fees?

Late fees apply to credit cards, while overdraft fees are tied to your checking account. Overdraft fees occur when your account balance goes below zero — either because you spend more than you had, or because you withdrew funds that weren’t yet available.

For example, if you deposit a large check that’s placed on hold and then make a withdrawal before those funds clear, your account can be overdrawn. In these cases, banks typically charge overdraft fees — often around $35 per transaction.

a father and young daughter look at bills on a dining room table — ANCHIY/GETTY IMAGES

These fees are similar to those charged for bounced checks, which happen when a check is returned due to insufficient funds in your account.

How to avoid overdraft fees

The simplest way to avoid overdraft fees is to keep your checking account balance positive and avoid spending more than what’s actually available. But this can get tricky due to deposit and debit card holds.

Be mindful of deposit holds — banks may delay access to funds from large checks or other deposits, sometimes for several days. If you spend money before it’s officially available, your account can go into the negative, triggering an overdraft fee.

Debit card holds can also tie up funds. For instance, hotels or rental car companies may place a temporary hold for incidentals. That money won’t be available for spending or withdrawal until the hold is lifted, often days later.

To avoid overdrafts, always check your available balance — not just your account balance — before making payments or withdrawals. And make sure you understand your bank’s deposit availability policies to avoid surprises.

Bottom line

No one likes paying extra fees – and the good news is, many are avoidable. By paying your bills on time, keeping an eye on your account balances, and understanding how deposit and debit card holds work, you can steer clear of unnecessary charges. Most importantly, try to spend within your means.

If you’re finding it difficult to manage your debt, know that you’re not alone. These resources may help:

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4 ways to recession-proof your credit score

May 27, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional information.

With our economic future unknown and the ever-looming possibility of a recession, it’s more important than ever for you to have a solid financial footing.

This includes ensuring your credit score is in tip-top shape. Having a solid credit score gives you a better chance of approval for credit cards as issuers get stricter with approvals. Plus, with a good credit profile, you can take advantage of welcome offers, including those that offer cash back to put extra money directly back into your pocket.

Let’s look at four ways to recession-proof and protect your credit in the long term.

Keep your accounts active

The easiest thing you can do to protect your credit is to make sure that you are keeping your credit card accounts active, especially your no-annual-fee cards. This demonstrates to issuers that you are utilizing your full lineup of cards to prevent them from closing any of your accounts.

We recommend:

Using all of your cards at least a few times a year, even if you just make a small purchase, such as a coffee or a pack of gum
Putting small recurring charges like streaming services on cards you don’t use often to ensure they remain active
Following our No. 1 commandment of credit cards: Pay your balance in full on these cards after you make these purchases

Ensuring your credit card accounts remain active is a simple way to maintain a good credit score. That’s because closing a card can reduce the length of your credit history and your overall total credit, which lowers your overall credit score.

It’s pertinent to keep these no-annual-fee cards open as “unused cards that don’t hold an annual fee are particularly susceptible to being closed as issuers mitigate their risk,” says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.

Person with credit card at computer — DEJAN MARJANOVIC/GETTY IMAGES

Using your cards frequently reduces the chances of your credit limits being lowered and accounts being closed, which could negatively affect your credit score.

During a recession, banks and credit card companies will look for any and every way possible to mitigate risks and prevent delinquencies. So, how does that translate to them shutting down unused accounts?

“From the issuer’s perspective, if the card has been sitting in a drawer unused for the last year, what’s the chance the consumer is going to suddenly start using that unless they are in a bind?” said McBride. “That’s the risk issuers are trying to mitigate.”

While issuers encourage spending, they don’t want people to spend more than they will be able to pay off. So, dust off those no-annual-fee cards and use them on a few small purchases. That way, those accounts are more likely to stay open and your credit limits are more likely to stay high, both of which help you maintain a high credit score.

Related: How credit scores work

Pay off debt

It’s important to reduce your debt as much as possible before the next financial downturn. When a recession comes, you will want to have as little debt as possible because:

Paying off balances now gives additional wiggle room in your budget.
You’ll have one less monthly payment to make.
Reducing debt allows you to save more money in your emergency fund.

Our recommended strategy to pay off your debt is to:

Prioritize paying debt with higher interest rates first (such as credit cards).
Then look at auto loans, mortgages and personal loans.
Consider a balance transfer, which moves high-interest credit card debt to a card with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate to save on interest payments.

It’s important to note that paying off nonrevolving credit (such as a mortgage) won’t help your credit score. And these types of credit tend to have lower interest rates, so it may not make sense to prioritize them unless you are close to paying them off.

Reducing your balance across all cards will result in a higher credit score because it will reduce your credit utilization ratio. This is how much of your total available credit you’re using, and it makes up 30% of your credit score. If your credit utilization rate is higher than this percentage, you will likely have a lower credit score.

Save, save and save more

While this doesn’t directly affect your credit score, unexpected expenses may pop up that you can’t fully cover in the event of a recession. Having an adequately funded savings account can prevent you from going into further debt, which can potentially lower your credit score.

Be mindful of financial reviews

Financial reviews became prevalent after the 2008 recession and are typically most common with American Express. A financial review is when issuers look at and evaluate your financial information and determine if you can manage your credit and repay debt.

Financial reviews can be triggered by several things, including:

Making unusually large purchases
Maxing out your entire credit limit, then paying it off and making more purchases within the same billing cycle
Opening and closing credit cards frequently (“credit card churning”)
Rapidly increasing or decreasing your spending
Using most of your credit limit

The exact process and pattern of behaviors that trigger a review differ from issuer to issuer. Note that even normal behavior can trigger a review.

woman at computer — FRESHSPLASH/GETTY IMAGES

Generally, American Express will notify you that your ability to charge has been suspended and provide a way for you to reach out for more information. However, if Chase suspects you of risky behavior, it may shut down all of your accounts and only notify you retroactively.

In both scenarios, there are steps you can take to help get your accounts back in good standing, but those processes are an added stress. With reviews likely becoming more frequent during a recession, it’s important to be mindful of your credit behavior.

Have a plan when applying for new cards

According to Bankrate’s McBride, issuers in a recession get much pickier about who they give credit to and how much they allocate. They want to do business with high-quality borrowers with minimal risk of default.

While those with credit scores of 700 and up are likely to be OK, those hovering below that may have a little more trouble getting approved for new cards. If you don’t have a high credit score, you may get declined for some credit cards, which can temporarily lower your credit score.

It’s also important to note that each time you apply for a new card, you incur a hard inquiry on your credit report. These tend to lower your credit score (usually by less than five points) but generally won’t have an impact on your score after a few months. After two years, they should fall off your credit report.

However, if you are going to apply for new credit cards, make sure you have a clear plan in place before applying.

Prior to going on an application spree, analyze your credit card goals and what cards will be best suited for your wallet. Be especially mindful of issuer-specific rules. For example, Chase’s 5/24 rule means you’ll probably want to apply for Chase cards before non-Chase cards.

Hands of a Man Taking his Credit Card out of His Wallet to make on Online Order on his Laptop Computer — FRESHSPLASH/GETTY IMAGES

If you do apply for new cards, make sure you can pay any balance you rack up. And if the card offers a welcome bonus, make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement without overextending yourself financially. Be sure to keep an eye out for limited-time welcome bonuses across cards on your wishlist.

Bottom line

Regardless of whether we are in an economic boom or bust, building and maintaining good financial habits can help recession-proof your credit score.

You should always aim to practice responsible credit card habits:

Paying off your bills in full each month
Never missing a payment
Avoiding using your credit card as an emergency fund
Staying on top of your credit score and reports

Related: Best credit cards

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The best military travel deals for service members

May 26, 2025 The Points Guy No comments

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, updated regularly with new offers and information.

Many airlines, hotels, theme parks and cruise lines pay year-round tribute to those who serve our country with various discounts and benefits. Sometimes these deals are available only to active-duty military personnel, and sometimes the perks extend to U.S. military veterans and their families.

No matter the form these military travel deals take, they all reflect the gratitude the travel industry feels toward those who have sacrificed so much to protect our country.

Here are the perks that military members can take advantage of on their travels.

Military hotel discounts

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY

B Hotels & Resorts

To honor military members, B Hotels & Resorts offers an exclusive “B Saluted” discount of 15% off regular rates and two welcome drinks per stay to military members, veterans and their families. B Hotels & Resorts has locations in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Marathon, Florida.

Best Western

Best Western properties across the U.S. offer discounted rates for veterans, military members and government personnel.

Best Western’s Service Rewards program — the hotel chain’s award program tailored to military and armed forces members — unlocks even more member benefits, including an automatic upgrade to Gold status and bonus points on qualified stays.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels — including Comfort, Sleep Inn and Quality Inn hotels — extends a discounted rate for official and leisure travel to active-duty and retired military personnel, their dependents and members of several military associations. When you are searching for a hotel, open the drop-down “Rate” menu and choose “Military/Veterans (Leisure)” for leisure travel or “Government/Military (Official Business Travel)” for work travel.

Active-duty military members, veterans and military spouses are eligible to join the Choice Privileges rewards program at the Lifetime Gold Elite level.

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge offers up to 40% off nightly rates for active, retired and veteran military members through the Howling Heroes offer. The offer is valid for up to four guests per room.

Hilton

Federal and U.S. military employees qualify for military rates and discounts at participating Hilton properties. There are separate discounts for official military travel and leisure travel. For official military travel, check the box labeled “Government and military rates” for applicable rates. For leisure travel, visit Hilton’s Military Family Rate page and search for your travel destination and dates.

Hyatt

Veterans, active-duty members and their immediate family members are eligible for a discount of 10%-15% off Hyatt’s standard rate at participating hotels. To get the discount, use the offer code “MILVET” while booking.

IHG

The hotel chain behind brands such as InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton offers a military rate at participating locations across the U.S., Canada, and Central and South America. The rate applies to active-duty military personnel, veterans, retired military personnel and their families.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy and its many brands have discounted federal, state and local government rates available to government and military personnel. To access the discounted rates, choose the “Government & Military” option from the “Special Rates” drop-down menu when searching for a stay. You’ll get a list of all the Marriott Bonvoy properties in your chosen city that offer special rates and their eligibility requirements.

Motel 6

Motel 6, along with its sister extended-stay brand Studio 6, offers a 10% discount on standard rates to active and retired military personnel and their families.

Red Roof

Active-duty military personnel, veterans and government employees are eligible for a 10% discount on official travel at any U.S. Red Roof location. The hotel chain also has a 10% discount on leisure travel for all government employees and military members, veterans and retirees.

Wyndham

Participating Wyndham properties offer discounts of up to 15% off their best available rate to active and retired military personnel, veterans and their families. Plus, qualifying military personnel and their spouses get automatic Gold-level status when they enroll in the Wyndham Rewards program and bonus Wyndham Rewards points for qualified stays.

Military airline discounts and benefits

Two United planes on a tarmac — GARY HERSHORN/GETTY IMAGES

Alaska Airlines

In some markets, Alaska Airlines offers military fares to active-duty military personnel and their dependents when you call Alaska Airlines at 800-252-7522 to purchase your tickets. The airline also offers discounts through the WeSalute+ program.

Active-duty U.S. military personnel can board early, check up to five bags for free, receive 15% off inflight food purchases and receive complimentary day passes to visit an Alaska Lounge when traveling in uniform. All other active-duty military personnel can purchase a discounted day pass for $30.

Allegiant Air

U.S. active-duty and reserve military members, military veterans, members of the National Guard and their dependents get up to two pieces of checked baggage for free through the Allegiant Honors program. Also, the airline waives its typical fees for oversized checked baggage, a carry-on bag, getting a boarding pass printed at the airport, bringing a pet on board and seat assignments. Qualifying service members can also board their flights early.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers government or military fares in some markets, but you must call the airline at 800-433-7300 to book. Veterans and their families can access reduced fares by enrolling in the WeSalute+ program.

Active-duty military personnel are also allowed Group 1 boarding privileges, and they can bring up to five free checked bags when traveling on orders and up to three free checked bags when traveling for leisure (weight restrictions apply).

U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform on a same-day American flight can enter Admirals Club lounges with their immediate family — defined as a spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 — or up to two guests at most Admirals Club locations except for Airspace Lounge at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Japan Airlines’ Sakura Lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

Delta Air Lines

Active-duty U.S. service members can call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 for discounted fares unavailable to the general public. Delta also offers priority boarding and free checked baggage to active-duty military members. The number of bags you are allowed is based on the type of travel and fare type, and you must adhere to the specified size and weight restrictions for baggage.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier typically charges for carry-on bags and checked baggage. However, active-duty armed forces, National Guard and Reserve members, their accompanying spouse and children can receive a free carry-on bag, two free checked bags and one free personal item.

JetBlue

Active-duty military personnel traveling for business or leisure are eligible for a 5% discount off base fares. If traveling on government-sponsored business, you can call 800-538-2583 to receive your discount and up to five free checked bags. This discount applies to you and your immediate family.

U.S. active-duty military members, retired military members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families enrolled in WeSalute+ can also get a 5% discount off base fares and up to two free checked bags.

Southwest Airlines

Special fares are available for military and government travelers, but you must call the airline at 800-435-9792 or visit the airport ticket counter to book them. Additionally, military members traveling on active duty (in or out of uniform) can board between the A and B groups and are exempt from the limit of two pieces of checked baggage.

Spirit Airlines

Active-duty U.S. military members and their accompanying spouse and/or children can board early, check two bags for free, and bring a carry-on item on their flight for free, in addition to their free personal item.

United Airlines

United offers an additional checked baggage allowance, priority boarding and United Club lounge access to active-duty military members traveling in uniform. U.S. military veterans, active-duty military members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families are also eligible for a 5% discount on United-operated flights through the WeSalute+ program.

Military train travel discounts

Amtrak

Active-duty U.S. military personnel, spouses and dependents are eligible for a 10% discount on the lowest available fare in select fare classes. Select “Military” for each eligible passenger during your ticket search on Fare Finder. Amtrak also welcomes uniformed military personnel to the front of the ticket line.

Military theme park ticket discounts

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Epcot. DAVID ROARK/WALT DISNEY WORLD

Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks

All U.S. SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Sesame Place parks offer discounted tickets to active-duty military members and veterans through the Waves of Honor program.

Disneyland

Disneyland honors active and retired U.S. military personnel with discounted three- and four-day Disney Military Promotional Park Hopper tickets. The tickets include access to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure each day of your ticket, excluding blackout dates. Pricing starts at $295, and you must purchase tickets at a participating U.S. military base ticket office or through govx.com. Theme park reservations are required.

Hotel discounts are also available by calling 800-453-4911.

Dollywood

Dollywood offers discounted tickets and annual passes to U.S. active or retired military members, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents.

Holiday World

Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, offers discounted daily tickets and season passes to active, retired and veteran military members. To access this discount, purchase online or present your government ID at the park’s ticket booth.

Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City offers a ticket discount to U.S. active or retired military personnel, veterans and military reservists, along with their spouses and dependent children (ages 4-17) living in their households.

In addition to discounted tickets, Silver Dollar City invites all military members and veterans to help raise the American flag during the park’s daily opening ceremony. Service members are also given a red, white and blue ribbon to wear in the park, allowing employees and guests to thank them for their service.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando offers a Military Freedom Pass promotional ticket to all active-duty and retired service members. Ticket prices start at $210 for unlimited admission between now and Dec. 19, though blackout dates apply. Each eligible service member can purchase up to six promotional tickets and must buy them through a participating authorized military ticket and travel office. Military members can also purchase discounted tickets to the new Universal Epic Universe park.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood offers discounted tickets to active-duty, retired and eligible veteran military members, and their spouses and dependents. Additional on-base discounts are available, including a 12-month Military Pass.

Walt Disney World

Active and retired U.S. military personnel are eligible for discounted hotel rates and specially priced theme park tickets at Walt Disney World. Military members can purchase a Military Salute ticket with either Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus starting at $399 for a four-day ticket, $419 for a five-day ticket and $439 for a six-day ticket.

Blackout dates apply, and theme park reservations are required. Hotel stays can be booked by calling 407-939-7830. Tickets must be purchased at a participating U.S. military base ticket office.

Military cruise benefits

A cruise ship with a bird painted on the hull floats on teal-blue water with a purple sky and clouds behind it — Margaritaville at Sea’s Paradise cruise ship. MARGARITAVILLE AT SEA

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways offers active and retired service members a special military discount of $250 off a river cruise when you use the code “MIL250” when booking.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line shows its appreciation for active and retired armed forces members with discounted cruise rates, onboard credits and reduced deposits. Additionally, some ships have a Heroes Tribute Lounge, and every ship holds a military appreciation gathering for service members and their families.

Celebrity Cruises

On select Celebrity Cruises sailings, active and retired military members can save $25 on inside and ocean-view cabins and $100 on veranda cabins and above. This discount applies to the first and second guests in the cabin.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers special rates to all military members, active and retired, and their spouses. Discounted rates are only available on select sailings.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers discounted fares to all active and retired U.S. military personnel, plus family members traveling with them. You can receive a discount of 5% on interior and ocean-view cabins, 10% on balcony and suite cabins, and a “kids sail free” promotion on select sailings.

Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville at Sea honors active and veteran military members with a free two-night cruise through the Heroes Sail Free program. On select sailings, military members and an additional guest in the same cabin can get a free fare (taxes and fees are not included). A third and fourth guest can be added at the regular fare. On all other sailings, military members can save 20% off the retail fare for the first four guests in the cabin.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Military Appreciation program extends exclusive benefits to military members, veterans and their spouses. Members of the program receive a 10% discount on all cruise fares and up to a 35% discount on select sailings.

Princess Cruises

Veterans and active, retired and disabled military personnel can receive up to $250 free onboard spending money on select Princess Cruises sailings. You can use this onboard credit for specialty dining, onboard boutiques, shore excursions, spa treatments and more.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers military rates to active and retired personnel, veterans and their spouses. The discounted rates also apply to friends and family members staying in the same cabin as the eligible service member. The best way to access the discounted rate is by booking through a travel agent or directly with Royal Caribbean over the phone.

Bottom line

A host of benefits awaits travelers who serve or have served in the U.S. military.

Because these military travel deals, their requirements, and the eligibility of family members, spouses and dependents vary, carefully research each military discount offer to avoid surprises. Many airlines, hotels and other businesses might ask for proof of eligibility, so don’t leave home without the military ID, veteran ID, dependent ID, orders and/or other documentation you’ll need to take advantage of the many travel offers.

Related reading:

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