After continued progress and innovation, in 2007 they took delivery of the very first passenger Airbus A380, the First Class cabin of which had their original signature suites. 

Singapore Airlines’ First Class Suites have set the standard for luxury travel ever since. Their commitment to service is second to none, and their attention to detail will be apparent on every step of your journey.

Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have dominated the Skytrax world’s Top 100 Airlines list for Best Airline since 2017, alternating between 1st and 2nd position. 

SIA has five classes of service: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First, and Suites.

No aircraft has ‘regular’ First Class and Suites – it’s an either/or. Suites Class is only available on the A380, and this is the focus of this article. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to find and book one.

We experienced suites in their original iteration and were blown away. From being greeted by name to being literally tucked into our private lie-flat beds, we felt like royalty!

While service has always been one of this airline’s strong points, the hard product was upgraded back in 2017 to something even more incredible! 

Booking A Suite

At a whopping price tag close to $20,000 (USD) for a round-trip long-haul seat in one of Singapore Airlines’ First Class Suites, they were out of reach for most mere mortals. But with the advent and increasing availability of transferable points, the possibilities really began to open up.

When I got into the points game in 2015, my first goal was to book two suites from the US to Asia on Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines that accepts all of the major transferable points, they serve the areas I wanted to visit, their website is easy to navigate, and their awards availability is excellent.

I began to accumulate points in the Citibank, American Express, Chase, and Marriott Bonvoy ecosystems, and eventually had enough transferable points to book flights for our 2017 trip to Vietnam. 

Singapore Airlines does not have an official policy on whether they will hold flights for you while you transfer miles, but many people have had success by calling KrisFlyer customer service.

If the agent you get is unhelpful, use a strategy known as ‘HUCA’ (Hang Up and Call Back). Do this until you find someone willing to help you.

I found the seats I wanted, and started transferring points (I didn’t know about the HUCA strategy at the time, so I had not yet reserved our seats). This was my very first major points redemption, so I played a little fast and loose, probably spending more points than I should have.

I was not able to find Saver Fares for our journey, so I ended up paying over 200,000 KrisFlyer miles per person for a Standard Fare, one way. And I probably took a more circuitous route than necessary. But the journey is half the fun, right? 

When booking with points, it helps if you have some flexibility. Having at least a little wiggle room around your travel dates and a bit of creativity with routing can go a long way. 

We lived in El Paso, Texas at the time of this trip – not a major hub. At the time, the flight from JFK to Singapore via Frankfurt, Germany was on an A380 and had suites. This was the most convenient route for us, although it required a positioning flight.

Unfortunately, this route is now on the 777, but the ‘regular’ First Class is nothing to sneeze at! Maybe you can book JFK-SIN in regular First Class, and SIN to your final destination in a suite!

We booked a positioning flight to JFK on a Friday and our flight to Singapore left on Saturday. It just so happened that we arrived in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day, and NYC has one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world!

So, we booked the Millennium Broadway Hotel near Times Square and settled in to check things out. It was a fun diversion that helped get us into an adventurous mindset for the journey to come.

Contrary to popular thinking (at least in my opinion), longer layovers are better, particularly when flying in the Premium cabin.

For one, you usually have lounge access, and some of these lounges are luxurious and offer world-class cuisine (check out my review of the Al Safwa First Lounge in Doha, Qatar). Second, you don’t have to rush and can take your time moseying to the gate.

Have a little extra time? Why not consider adding in a stopover?

On this particular trip, we spent one night in Singapore and a full day in Tokyo. We were able to see some pretty cool sites, sample local cuisine, and get a flavor for the cities. Moreover, this type of routing can help combat jet lag as you cross time zones more gradually.

Some airlines even offer complimentary city tours or hotel rooms, so check your airline’s website. Singapore Airlines offers several complementary tours for all passengers – check their website for details.

Our Experience 

I should mention Singapore Airlines’ “Book the Cook” program, where you can choose your main courses on their website ahead of time. I always use this when available, not only to ensure we get what we want, but also to build anticipation for what is to come!

This service is available for Suites Class, First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy. The online menus are more extensive than those you receive in flight, and there are special meals for kids, vegetarians, folks who eat Halal, Kosher, etc…

When we flew, the A380s were equipped with 12 suites – four on each side with window access, and four in the middle. Singapore Airlines was the first airline to have double beds in the sky!

The center suites could be combined to form a double bed for couples traveling together. Unfortunately, we were not able to snag those. Instead, we had suites 2A and 3A on the port side of the aircraft. 

We arrived at JFK three hours early for our flight to Singapore. There are no Singapore Airlines lounges at JFK, but passengers do have lounge access:

• Suites customers and PPS Solitaire members can access the Virgin Clubhouse
• Business Class and PPS Club members have the Wingtips Lounge
• Star Alliance Gold and KrisFlyer Gold members can access the Air India Maharaja Lounge

All of these lounges are in Terminal 4, the International Terminal. 

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK was fantastic! It is Virgin’s flagship North American lounge. The decor was chic and modern, in shades of gray with red and purple accents.

The lounge offers a five-star a la carte menu and a full bar featuring craft and classic cocktails, as well as an excellent beer and wine selection. A pool table and other social games are available, as well as shower suites for freshening up.

We headed to the gate about an hour ahead of time to be sure we were able to enjoy every moment of our time in the suites. Boarding commenced around 45 minutes prior to our scheduled departure, and we were the first to board. 

Let me take a moment to address The Singapore Girl.

Back in 1973, their iconic outfits, known as ‘sarong kebayas’, were created by French haute couture designer Pierre Balmain. The colors are meaningful and symbolize the woman’s role onboard:

• Blue – Flight Stewardess
• Green – Leading Stewardess
• Red – Chief Stewardess
• Purple – Inflight Manager

While no weight requirements are publicly available, the women are required to be at least 5’2” (1.58 meters) and are expected to be ‘height-weight proportional’. The job is quite prestigious and allows the airline to be selective.

They undergo an extensive three-and-a-half-month training program and learn about safety, etiquette, and wine appreciation among other things. Training for Suites Class requires an extra day.

There are male flight attendants as well, and they look dapper in their tailored navy blue suits. Their position is indicated by tie color.

Two beautiful, elegant Singapore Girls greeted us warmly as we boarded the plane. Somehow, they already knew us by name! We were not the only people traveling in suites, and we didn’t show them our boarding passes… the first of many magical things that happened to us on this trip!

Our Singapore Girl, Amanda, led us to our suites and oriented us to the controls and amenities provided for us. We were blown away. This was our first experience in an international premium cabin, and we honestly could not believe what we were experiencing. 

The brown leather seats were wide and comfy, measuring 35 inches in width. My husband and I could actually both sit in the seat side by side!

The seats reclined and had a footrest for your waking hours, and when it was time to sleep, the flight attendants converted the seat into a 78” bed. The bed was made with a plush mattress and Givenchy linens, and the girls are trained to set it up in three minutes.

Across from the seat was an ottoman which became part of the bed, and could also be used as a second seat so you could dine with a travel companion. There were plenty of outlets for charging your devices, and lots of storage for your carry-on and small items. 

The entire suite was enclosed by a sliding door and two windows, with shades you could lower. The doors did not go all the way to the ceiling, but there was plenty of privacy.

The entertainment options were plentiful and the TV screen 23 inches, with a corded remote next to your seat. 

The amenity kits at the time were fantastic! Salvatore Ferragamo, with full-sized perfume for her (Signorina, retails for around $50 USD) and cologne for him, along with several other luxury items.

We were provided soft gray Givenchy pajamas, which we changed into soon after boarding and before take-off.

We were seated and immediately offered pre-departure beverages – a choice of Dom Perignon or Krug champagne. My husband chose one and I chose the other, both slightly preferring the Dom.

After take-off, we were served more Dom Perignon, with Oscietra caviar (retail prices start around $100 USD) served with finely chopped boiled eggs, onions, green onions, red onions, and blinis, with a tiny mother of pearl spoon.

My husband joined me in my suite for dinner, and the food was excellent. Their signature chicken satay never disappoints. I had braised short ribs and he had prime beef for our main courses, and everything was restaurant quality. 

After dinner, we settled in and watched TV. When I was ready to sleep, Amanda set up my bed while I was in the restroom. When I returned, she actually tucked me in, fastening my seatbelt around me.

We had a stopover in Frankfurt and, while we did not change planes, we had to disembark. We were escorted to the Lufthansa Senator’s Lounge where we enjoyed a quick breakfast and returned to our plane.

The service on the first leg was great, and on the second leg it was amazing!

This time, a male flight attendant greeted us with a knowing wink and a friendly warning that he would be watching us… He thought we were honeymooning and might make use of the privacy afforded us to join the Mile High Club…

More Dom, more caviar, more satay, and another fantastic meal. He had the lobster Thermidor, and I chose the lamb rendang. After a long nap, we had breakfast together and reluctantly disembarked in Singapore.

This flight was fantastic, and I have no complaints at all. Singapore Suites lived up to the hype and we loved every minute of both legs of our flight.

The amenity kits, food, and wine selection were perfect. The crew provided amazing service and took such great care of us, setting the standard for the rest of our travel lives! 

Then they had to go and take it to the next level…

New-Improved Suites

In 2017, Singapore Airlines unveiled their new, improved suites and stepped up their game. Carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways are constantly improving their product, and Singapore Airways was not to be outdone.

It took a while for all of the A380s to be retrofitted, and much of this occurred during the pandemic. All 12 were completed around 2021 and they are currently available for booking. 

There are now only six suites on the A380, in two rows with an aisle down the middle, and they are now on the aircraft’s upper deck.

The decor has been updated as well, and is more chic and modern, skewing more toward grays and silvers rather than tans and browns.

Adjoining suites are still available for booking, allowing two passengers to combine their beds to form a double bed. To access this feature, book suites 1A and 2A or 1F and 2F.

Two restrooms are available in the First Class cabin, which provides a great guest-toilet ratio. The restrooms are spacious and nicely decorated – much larger than the previous version. There is a separate vanity with seating so you can freshen up your makeup. 

SIA has 12 A380s at the time of writing. With some seasonal changes, the A380 flies routes to and from Singapore and the following cities: 

Auckland | Delhi | Frankfurt | Hong Kong | London Heathrow | Shanghai | Mumbai | Sydney |Tokyo Narita

The longest of these is the London to/from Singapore route, which is over 14 hours in duration. This flight would likely cost over $7,000 USD (one way).

Using KrisFlyer miles, you can snag a one-way ticket in one of these suites for a Saver Fare of 141,000 miles, or a Standard Fare of 225,500 plus £273 GBP or $347 USD. 

It is a good idea to begin your search as soon as booking becomes available, as there are only six suites per airplane.

You can book flights on SIA 355 days in advance, and I’d advise planning your points accumulations and trips accordingly. You want to have the max number of points available but, again, don’t transfer them until you know your preferred flights have seats available.

These new suites look amazing and review well, and I cannot wait to experience them myself. 

They are a whopping 50 square feet each and, rather than having to convert your seat to a bed, they have a separate swiveling recliner and a bed which folds down from one wall. 

The chair is 21 inches wide and the bed 27, so a bit narrower. The bed is now 76 inches in length, and the TV has been upgraded to a swiveling 32 inch HD screen. Unlimited Wi-Fi is included.

The new suites have iPads to control your entertainment system! This is quite an upgrade from the corded remote control.

The French company Lalique now provides amenity kits and pajamas for Singapore Suites. The amenity kit comes in a pouch valued around $150 USD itself, filled with a full-sized perfume or cologne and lotion, soap, room spray, body lotion, and lip balm.

The 30 ml L’Amour perfume in the women’s kit currently retails for 68 euros. Lalique also makes the soft, charcoal gray pajamas you’ll receive. Socks, slippers, and eye masks are provided as well.

Lastly, SIA no longer serves Dom Perignon.

Emirates acquired an exclusive contract to be the only airline serving that brand… so you will have to settle for Taittinger Comtes de Champagne. Many people prefer this brand over Dom anyway, and the retail price is similar at around $200 (USD).

Verdict

Even though I have not yet experienced Singapore Airlines’ new and improved suites, they remain my favorite airline. Since I would never pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for a plane ticket, the fact that they are very points-friendly endears them to me.

They accept all the major points, have good availability for award bookings, and have a very intuitive website that I find easy to navigate.

Qatar and Emirates are both wonderful as well, but Singapore still edges them out in my book. Not only is the service impeccable, but it is also friendly and warm. The understated elegance of the decor, and the beauty and poise of the Singapore Girl certainly enhance the experience.

Every dish we had onboard was excellent, high-end restaurant quality, and the wine list is second to none. Their amenity kits are still our faves!

As you can tell, I LOVE Singapore Airlines, and I am confident you will too! 

Next time, I’ll tell you all about the SilverKris Lounge, KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, First Class Check-In and The Private Room at Singapore’s Changi International Airport. 

And the trick is, you can actually still earn Avios when you use codeshares to fly with Emirates. I was researching flights back to the UK from Australia when I first noticed codeshares — the secret trick behind better Avios collection.

Qantas and Emirates’ special agreement is the backbone of this less orthodox points collection. But we’ll get into all that in just a minute.

For now, all you need to know is that this guide will show you how you can still earn Avios with Emirates. It will require you to book a specific flight, so just hold fire on booking any flights just yet. I’ll get you totting up your Avios in no time. 

Does Emirates Use Avios? 

No, Emirates does not use Avios. They are not part of the Oneworld Alliance (more on that below), and operate with their own points and rewards system called Skywards Miles rather than Avios.

Before we rush off to look at earning Avios, it’s worth seeing what Emirates offers in its own right.

Skywards Miles works in exactly the same way as Avios. You collect them each time you fly, and you can calculate how much you’ll collect on their Skywards Miles calculator tool. The more you clock up, the better you can redeem them.

There are non-flying collection options, too, which are handy for more optimal collection potential. You can collect Skywards Miles through hotel stays, car rentals, shopping, and banking. 

Tier Miles

Another aspect of the Skywards program is Tier Miles. Tier Miles are the Emirates equivalent of Status Points. You collect Tier Miles to rise through Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership levels.

Here are the different privileges you can expect for each status level:

Blue

Blue is the entry-level membership in the Skyward program. It includes free unlimited messaging onboard and complimentary Wi-Fi. Other benefits include waitlist priority and instant upgrades at check-in.

Basically, Blue is a good status level to show that you are a loyal Emirates flier, and you’ll receive friendly appreciation for it.

Silver

Silver is the first real rung on the ladder. If you climb up to this status level, you bag Business Lounge access and complimentary seat selection before your flights. You’ve got to earn 25,000 Tier Miles to reach this level.

The good news is you get a complimentary 14 months to enjoy Silver status after your annual review, even if you don’t reach the right miles. This 14-month buffer makes a year of collecting more serious points worthwhile.

Gold 

Gold is the status level you reach after 50,000 Tier Miles. You get all the lower benefits, like Business Lounge access and complimentary seat selection.

However, you also get access to extra lounges around the world, invites to exclusive Emirates events, and priority baggage delivery.

Gold just gives you that extra level of comfort.

Platinum 

Platinum is reached after 150,000 Tier Miles. You get access to First and Business Class lounges worldwide, and you get to bring a guest.

As an extra marker of generosity, you can also gift a Gold membership to a friend, partner, or family.

As you can see, Emirates definitely has its own thing going on. It’s also worth noting that the higher your status level, the more Skywards Miles you’ll earn. There’s a 30% bonus for Silver, a 75% bonus for Gold, and a 100% bonus for Platinum. 

Emirates & The Oneworld Alliance 

As we know, Emirates is not part of the Oneworld Alliance. This means you cannot earn Avios with Emirates in the typical way. 

The Oneworld Alliance was launched by five founding members: Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Canadian International (which is no longer active). Nowadays, it has 13 full members and shares membership bonuses like Avios collecting abilities. 

The reason you can collect Avios when flying with Emirates is because Qantas and Emirates began a codesharing agreement in 2012-13.

This agreement means that both parties can sell the other’s charters as their own. You still get the Emirates experience, but you can book through Qantas and receive a Qantas flight code. 

Because of the agreement between Qantas and Emirates, you can piggyback Oneworld Alliance benefits without Emirates being a member. This is totally allowed by the Alliance, too, so you aren’t doing anything sneaky; you’re just savvy.

For instance, British Airways states you can earn Avios and Tier Points on any flights operated by Qantas under a third-party codeshare agreement. 

In summary, Emirates is on the outskirts of the Oneworld Alliance. However, its relationship with Qantas means you can fly with Emirates and still snag some of the Alliance benefits.

What Are Codeshare Agreements? 

Before we discuss the practical steps to earning Avios with Emirates, let’s define codeshare agreements. The best way to explain them is that airlines use codeshares to split marketing responsibilities. 

Every airline has its own code. These are the two or three letters you see at the beginning of a flight code. For instance, QF8413 would signal that you are flying with Qantas (known as QF). 

Codeshare agreements mean that different airlines can use their flight code on charters that don’t belong to them. For example, Qantas could sell you an Economy ticket on an Emirates flight, and then your ticket would have QF8413 rather than EK8413.

This splits marketing responsibilities for airlines, allowing them to work together to sell and publish routes and tickets. 

How To Earn Avios With Emirates: 3 Simple Steps 

So, how do you actually do it? What are the steps to earn Avios with Emirates? I’ll give you the three simple steps you need to bag Avios flying with this non-alliance airline.

1. Set Up a Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership

Your first task is to set up a Qantas Frequent Flyer membership. You can sign up for free, add your details, and be up and ready to go in less than 5 minutes. It’s a really minimal-hassle way to become eligible for Avios via Emirates. 

Remember, you are signing up for Qantas to unlock the fruits of their codesharing agreement with Emirates. It’s basically like getting best-friend privileges. You use one to access the other’s benefits.

I personally really like the Qantas Frequent Flyer program as well. I found it more useful when living in Australia, as I find collecting points trickier in the Northern Hemisphere because so many of the partnered brands are Australian-owned.

However, as a general rule, this is a great (free) membership to have up your sleeve for moments like these.

Note that Qantas gifts its passengers with Qantas Points, so you’ll also need a British Airways Executive Club membership number to enter and trigger your reward in Avios instead.

2. Book a Codeshare Flight

Your next step is to book a codeshare flight. You can typically find these through third-party operators like Skyscanner and Expedia. However, if you get stuck, you can search via Qantas or get help from a travel agent. 

Codeshares are a little tricky to find but definitely worth chasing if you want to earn those precious Avios. You can spot them using their mismatched flight codes (remember that Qantas is QF and Emirates is EK). There should also be an ‘Operated by Qantas’ message on codeshare Emirates flights. 

Have your membership numbers handy, and just book as normal. If you want to maximize your points even further, you can also book the flights with an Avios-earning credit card, which I’ll cover more in a second.

3. Watch As Avios Come Rolling In

That’s it! You’ve finessed the points system and secured Avios while flying with Emirates. Congratulations on thinking outside of the box.

Your Avios will be credited to your account after you complete your flight. When you fly with British Airways, Avios usually appear in your account after three days. However, if you fly with a partner, this should be within seven days. 

Allow a week for your Avios to be granted. Then, just repeat the process for your next flight! 

The Bad News…

Unfortunately, I’ve also got to be a bearer of bad news: there are only codeshares on specific flight routes.

This isn’t a strategy that applies to every Emirates flight – it wouldn’t make sense for Emirates to let Qantas market and sell all their tickets and vice versa. Instead, you’ll have to spot the specific codeshare flights to bag the ability to collect Avios.

This reduces your ability to collect Avios widely through this strategy. It isn’t a case of every flight being eligible for Avios, but a case of some flights being eligible.

This also means that if you’ve already booked flights with Avios, the likelihood that you booked a codeshare flight is low. For those of you wondering whether your pre-existing Emirates booking is eligible for Avios collecting, it’s not looking good. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you while you rush off and check.

You’ve got to be really intentional in booking Emirates flights to collect Avios. That isn’t hard to do when you know the right way to go about things. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll earn Avios accidentally in this manner.

To confirm whether a flight is codeshared, look for a mismatched flight code and an ‘Operated by‘ note when booking. You can also contact airlines directly to enquire about their available codeshare services.

Maximizing Your Avios Earning With Emirates 

So, you’ve secured Avios on your codeshare Emirates flights. Fantastic. But how can you maximize your earnings even further?

When collecting points, you should always be looking to make your pound or dollar stretch that extra mile. You want to maximize the points you earn for as little amount of money as possible. There are a few ways you can do this:

1. Book With An Avios Earning Credit Card

Avios-earning credit cards are my personal favorite way to maximize your points. What even the lowest-earning card can do for your points-collecting journey is amazing. 

I can understand some people’s reservations about getting a credit card for this purpose. Having just got my first credit card finally approved the other year, it can be a bit of a hoop to jump through, especially as a young person. I’ve definitely noticed the benefits, though.

I use my British Airways Amex as an extra payment step, immediately transferring the funds from my other account rather than borrowing.

Doing this earns me an extra Avios per pound spent. So if I book a flight for £800, I’ll immediately get 800 Avios (it works the same for US dollars).

There are other card options you can use that earn you even more points. I suggest researching and sorting an Avios-earning card so you can earn extra points when booking flights. This way, you can still earn even if you don’t choose a codeshare Emirates charter.

2. Upgrade Your Ticket Class

Now, I’m not saying you need to upgrade from Economy to First Class on a Transatlantic flight; we all know that would be extortionate. However, if you can, upgrading to the flight class above can hugely increase your Avios earnings.

One of the biggest jumps is actually between the Economy and the Premium Economy classes. As a blanket rule, you should always aim to book Premium Economy to bolster your Avios earnings. This way, you can always upgrade a class with points, too, which you can only do from Premium Economy.

If you fly codeshare with Emirates, look at the Premium Economy cabin for better Avios earning capabilities. 

To Conclude: Earning Avios With Emirates 

In conclusion, it’s totally possible to earn Avios with Emirates. If you’re sitting here having already booked a flight, I’m afraid you probably can’t earn any Avios this time. However, it’s a clever trick to remember when choosing your next flight.

It’s impressive what choosing a codeshare flight can do for your points collection. Codeshares are definitely something to keep in mind when booking trips and boosting your points collection. I’d always recommend shopping around and researching Avios rules before committing to a certain flight.

Of course, don’t forget about other Avios boosting methods. You can make slight adjustments like booking Premium Economy rather than Economy to bolster your Avios. And, of course, a real-life hack is to book everything on an Avios collecting credit card.

When you start researching ways to maximize your collection, you realize just how unlimited the potential is. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and this Emirates trick proves just that.

Back in 1929, the airline was founded by the Chilean Air Force Commodore Arturo Merino Benítez. Fast-forward a few decades to 2010, when the original airline finally merged with a Brazilian airline and formed the LATAM Airlines Group, it’s now the largest airline corporation in Latin America.

I had the pleasure of flying from Costa Rica to Peru with LATAM. They’re an efficient airline with tons of destinations in the Americas which makes them one of the best airlines to take while traveling in that part of the world.

My flight departed on time, and the staff was friendly and attentive. All in all, it was a seamless experience that left a good impression and was a great way to begin my journey in South America. 

Where You Can Fly LATAM 

Flying across Central and South America is affordable, thanks to LATAM. They serve 133 international destinations across 26 countries, in spots between North, Central, and South America, and Europe.

They also fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.  

LATAM Lounges

If you’re someone who wants to relax in an exclusive lounge before your flight, LATAM has just the place. Currently, LATAM has five lounges of their own and other contracted lounges.

Those five lounges are in Santiago, Chile, Bogota, Colombia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Guarulhos, Brazil, and Miami, Florida. There are also dozens of third-party VIP lounges. 

To gain access to the LATAM Lounges, you need to hold one of the following: 

• LATAM Pass Black Signature membership: With this, you can enter a lounge with your family, plus one companion. When you’re on a partner airline, you can only enter with yourself and one companion.
• Black and Platinum membership: You can enter with one companion.
• Santander World Member: You can enter with a companion to the LATAM VIP Lounge in SCL airport (Chile).
• Premium Business or Premium Economy Ticket: Either of these boarding passes will unlock access to their lounges.

LATAM Pass

If you’re a frequent LATAM flyer, then signing up for the LATAM Pass might be a great idea.

Every time you fly on LATAM and associated airlines (Delta, Aero Mexico, Alaska, British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar, SWISS, Virgin Atlantic), you’ll earn miles you can put towards future flights. 

Elite Membership

LATAM has an Elite membership with five different categories: Gold, Gold Plus, Platinum, Black, and Black Signature. Depending on your membership, you’ll receive different perks and benefits, including miles, Cabin Upgrade with segments, customer service, and more. 

You’ll earn an extra percentage of miles as a result of your membership for international flights: 

• Gold: 20%
• Gold Plus: 40%
• Platinum: 80%
• Black: 100% 
• Black Signature: 120%

My Experience Flying LATAM

The line for immigration and security at SJO airport in Costa Rica was long. I recommend arriving at least three hours before an international flight if you’re departing from that airport.

I don’t know if this is usually an issue at SJO, but I felt much better in having enough time. If I’d have arrived much later, it would’ve been pretty stressful. 

SJO is a nice airport with plenty of coffee, dining, and drinking options. Luckily, I found a delicious restaurant next to my gate called Malinche Restaurant, which served up one last Costa Rican meal before I boarded my flight. 

One of the downsides to flying LATAM was having to pay $57 for my carry-on bag. That wasn’t even for a checked bag! I didn’t want to risk getting charged at the gate, so I figured paying for it beforehand was the safest option. 

This flight had a 3-3 seat layout. It was a full flight, so I felt pretty cramped against the wall – but I was very grateful to have a window seat (anything but the middle!).

A window seat makes me feel as though I have a little more space if I can see outside, and although most of the flight was through the evening, as we departed Coat Rica I caught a beautiful sight of a rainbow. 

The flight was pretty barebones. There weren’t any charging ports, and there wasn’t any in-flight entertainment system. I spent most of the flight listening to my own music!

They did offer a pillow and blanket on every seat. LATAM also strives to be a more sustainable airline. The pillow and blanket were wrapped in a small piece of cardboard, and said “I replaced a plastic bag”. 

Halfway through the flight, they handed out a ham and cheese sandwich, a piece of chocolate, a portion of banana bread, and complimentary drinks.

Now for the big negative that may be a huge thumbs down for some of you. The aircraft offered only one bathroom for the entire economy section of the plane, which meant there was always a line to use the bathroom.

Usually, there are at least two bathrooms on flights to avoid this problem.

Once we arrived, immigration in Lima, Peru was fast – before I knew it, I was in an Uber and on my way to my Airbnb.

Meals on Board 

Because LATAM is a Latin American fleet, their cuisine reflects just that. I believe Latin America has some of the best food in the world.

Unfortunately my flight to Peru was so short, I didn’t get a full meal, only several very welcome snacks. You only get a full meal if you’re flying for 3-and-a-half hours or more. I’ll look forward to flying with them on a longer flight to trial their flight meals, and will be sure to update on here when I do!

LATAM’s sustainability practices are standout. On every flight, they try to use reusable or sustainable materials and reduce the amount of single-use plastic on board. I love this, and many airlines aren’t yet doing it as well as LATAM.

You know what else I love? LATAM values its local culture. So much so, its dishes are produced by female chefs from different places in Latin America.

Entertainment on Board 

Depending on which flight you are taking, LATAM may or may not offer in-flight entertainment. On my flight, there was no in-flight television, but on longer flights there is.

If you’re on a longer flight with onboard entertainment, LATAM have Disney+ movies and different premieres every single month. Some of them also offer free messaging and Wi-Fi plans. 

Checking a Bag 

I did not check a bag at the airport, nor did I have to check in with anyone at a desk. I checked into my flight the night before, paid $57 for a carry-on bag, and received a mobile boarding pass. 

LATAM charge different fees for checked bags. It depends if you’re flying domestically, within South America, between Central and South America, and so on. 

For example, between Central and South America, if you decide to check a bag 48 hours before a flight, they charge $50. Between 48 hours and 6 hours before the flight, they charge $65. Between 6 hours and 1 hour before the flight, they charge $80. 

Paying for Seats 

If you want to select your seat with an economy ticket, you can expect to pay anywhere from $9 to $20.

They also have the option to sit in a LATAM+ seat, which offers more space. You can comfortably stretch out your legs.

You’ll also get to board and disembark before everyone else on the plane, have 10 extra inches of legroom, and have a seat that reclines 40% more than a regular seat. There’s also an exclusive compartment to store your overhead bags. 

How to Book with LATAM

Booking a flight on the LATAM website is easy. After entering your departure airport, arrival airport, and intended dates of travel, the website will bring you to the next page, where you’ll be offered four different LATAM fares:

No matter what your budget is, LATAM has something to suit your budget. I usually go for the light fare when I’m traveling with only a carry-on, which is what I did from Costa Rica to Peru.

There’s a difference of $200 and more between the Basic and Premium Economy ticket prices.

Conclusion

LATAM makes traveling around North, Central, and South America easy, affordable, and fun. Their fleets are safe, the flight attendants are friendly, and they cover tons of destinations across several continents making traveling easy.

LATAM work hard on becoming a more sustainable flight with their reusable packaging and limited use of plastic.

Flying from Costa Rica to Peru was smooth, seamless, and worth the budget-friendly fare. We departed on time and arrived on time.

Even though the flight did not have in-flight entertainment or charging ports, it was still an enjoyable journey that got me to my destination comfortably and for a great price.  

Overall, LATAM offers a cost-effective way to travel around the Americas and several destinations around the world. With their delicious on-board Latin American cuisine, friendly staff, and stellar efficiency, they’re a great option whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to travel in style. 

Two of the most popular rewards cards are the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. On the face of it, there’s little to choose between them.

Dig a little deeper as I have, and you’ll see there are several key differences that you must consider in your selection. After all, you want the card that delivers for you, don’t you?

Capital One Venture Rewards – An Overview

If you want a credit card with easy-to-understand points earning and redemption policies, then the Capital One Venture card could be for you. There’s no need to think about spending categories before you use the card – every dollar you spend has equal points value.

With the need for meticulous planning eliminated, the Capital One Venture card is ideal if you take spontaneous trips (and who doesn’t enjoy a spur-of-the-moment travel treat?).

You’ll earn two miles for every $1 you spend on your credit card. This is boosted to 5 miles for every rental car and hotel you book through. It really is that simple!

For me, a standout feature of the Capital One Venture card is how easy it is to use the miles you’ve accumulated. You can use them for airline tickets, hotel stays, rental cars, and more, with no blackout dates or restrictions.

For new cardholders, there’s a significant sign-up bonus provided you meet the spending requirement of $4,000 in the first three months.

Chase Sapphire Preferred – An Overview

If you’re prepared to take a more strategic approach to spending, and want a card that pays higher travel and dining rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a real winner. Better for the meticulous travel planner, this card delivers on every step – from booking to dining out, and beyond.

Rather than the miles awarded on the Capital One Venture card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card awards points on eligible spending.

This is where you need to be strategic: x5 points for travel bought via Chase Ultimate Rewards; x3 dining points at restaurants worldwide, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and select streaming services; double points for travel not booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; and 1 point for every dollar on all other spending.

The real magic unfolds with Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s flexible redemption options. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

As a new cardholder, you’ll benefit from a generous welcome bonus upon meeting the requirement to spend $4,000 in the first three months. This could be worth hundreds in travel rewards.

Features In Comparison

Let’s look at each of the key features in more detail.

Key Features

Both cards charge a $95 annual fee. The credit rating requirement of 670 to 850 is the same for both cards, too, and neither card offers an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers.

Here’s how the other key features of each card compare:

Sign-Up Bonuses

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit card, you leave the runway with a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles provided you spend $4,000 within the first three months.

This is worth $750 if you redeem these miles through the Capital One Travel portal – a fantastic springboard to your next travel adventure, and a substantial initial boost to your rewards journey.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card awards a welcome bonus of 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within the first three months.

You’ll receive a 25% uplift in value on these points should you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making the bonus worth $750. A fantastic kickstart to your travel plans.

Earning Rewards

The Capital One Venture card is a champion of simplicity. You earn two miles for every $1 spent on all purchases, which increases to 5 miles for every $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

It’s a straightforward earnings formula that means you don’t need to worry about complex spending categories. Personally, I like this – it’s easy to calculate how many miles you’re earning on all your spending.

Conversely, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers better rewards if you don’t mind a little strategic shopping. It’s a much more complex earnings matrix:

• 10x points when you book hotels through the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3x points on dining worldwide, including eligible delivery services and takeout
• Double points on other travel purchases
• A base rate of 1 point per $1 on all other spending

It’s a multi-tiered approach that rewards targeted spending to maximize benefits.

Redemption Options

You’ve earned your points, now what? Both cards offer versatile ways to redeem your points, though the redemption processes are likely to appeal to different types of travelers.

If you’re likely to want to transfer your points to other schemes, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a more impressive range of transfer partners. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a straightforward approach to redeeming travel rewards, the Capital One Venture card is better.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Every mile you earn is worth 1 cent should you redeem your points through Capital One’s travel portal. You can also use your miles as a statement credit.

Your miles can also be transferred to more than 15 travel programs, which include airlines and hotels. You’ll receive 1,000 miles or points for every 1,000 Capital One miles you transfer to the following partners:

As well as all the above, you’ll receive 750 miles if you transfer 1,000 Capital One miles to EVA Air (Infinity MileageLands) and 500 points for transferring 1,000 Capital One miles to ALL (Accor Live Limitless).

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred boosts the value of your points by offering a 25% bonus when you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

This means you get an effective 1.25 cents per point, instead of the 1 cent per point if you choose to transfer to another rewards scheme. That’s a big difference when budgeting for flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences through Chase.

Like the Capital One Venture card, you can also choose to transfer to partner schemes. You can transfer at 1:1 to the following partners:

As you can see, both rewards programs offer a good slice of flexibility for points/miles redemption – which is best for you depends upon your individual travel preferences.

Travel Benefits and Protections

Of course, the value you reap from a rewards credit card is not only found in the accumulation of points or miles. You should also consider the other perks you could benefit from by being a Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire card holder.

These perks not only save you money; they also give you peace of mind.

I’m talking about perks like travel and car rental insurance, purchase protection, and more. Capital One focuses on perks that deliver a better travel experience, while Chase Sapphire is better if you plan to rent a car or put travel expenses on your card.

Travel Insurance

As a Capital One Venture cardholder, you have travel accident insurance for you and your family, covering death or dismemberment.

Chase Sapphire goes a step or two further with more comprehensive insurance cover. This includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.

Car Rental Insurance

So long as you decline the car rental company’s own insurance, your Capital One Venture card will cover damage due to collision or theft. This fills in the gaps that might not be covered by your personal car insurance.

Sapphire Preferred provides car rental insurance that I really like – primary. This means that all eventualities are covered before you need to claim off your personal car insurance, with most rental vehicles covered at home and abroad (providing you pay with your card and decline the car rental company’s own insurance).

If, like me, you often need a car to go about your business or enjoy your family vacation, you’ll never be ripped off by expensive car rental insurance policies again.

Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

Don’t you just hate the lines at airport security? Then you’re going to love the credit that Capital One Venture gives you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees – $100 every four years.

I’ve been in line for over an hour, both ends of an airport, on more than one occasion. How I wish I’d had this credit then.

Extended Warranty Protection and Purchase Protection

With the Capital One Venture card, you get the standard purchase protection for $500 per claim up to 90 days after purchase date provided by credit cards.

Chase Sapphire does much better than this. As well as purchase protection that extends to 120 days and for up to $500 (and $50,000 per account), you also receive an enhanced extended warranty that adds a year to manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less.

No need to even consider accepting a salesperson’s ‘kind offer’ of expensive in-store extended warranty options ever again!

Additional Benefits

There are a couple of other benefits you should know about before deciding which card to apply for.

For example, if you enjoy relaxing in an airport lounge rather than mingling in the melee of an airport, then you could be tempted by two complimentary visits to Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges as a Capital One Venture cardholder.

However, while the Capital One offer puts it among the best credit cards for lounge access, you might prefer the $50 annual hotel credit (for hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards) and 10% annual points bonus attached to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Annual Fees & Additional Costs

Both cards charge an annual fee of $95, and neither charge foreign transaction fees (this could add up to significant savings, with many cards charging as much as 3% for transactions outside of the United Sates).

Of course, if you don’t pay off your balance when it is due, you will incur interest charges and possibly late payment fees.

Expiry of Points/Miles

There is no limit on the points or miles you can accumulate on either card, and, providing you keep your account open and in good standing, your points/miles balance will never expire.

10 Tips to Help You Decide

1. If you value simplicity and a straightforward rewards program, the Capital One Venture card is the card for you.

2. Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you frequently spend on travel and dining and want to maximize the value of your points.

3. If you travel internationally, both cards waive foreign transaction fees, but consider other travel benefits that might sway your decision.

4. If your travel often involves car rentals, the Chase Sapphire Preferred provides extra peace of mind with its primary rental insurance.

5. Consider the Capital One Venture card if you appreciate the flexibility of booking travel without blackout dates or specific airline and hotel restrictions.

6. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is best for rewards maximizers and if you are happy to plan your spending and redemption strategy.

7. Look at the sign-up bonuses; if you can meet the spending requirements, these bonuses can significantly offset the annual fee of either card in the first year.

8. If you value protection during your travels, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers comprehensive coverage.

9. Consider your spending habits; the Capital One Venture’s flat rate on all purchases might be more beneficial.

10. Lastly, consider your long-term travel goals and loyalty to airline or hotel brands, and choose the card that aligns best with your personal travel preferences.

Example Scenarios – Which One Is You?

Both the Capital One Venture card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are great options if you want a card to build up points or miles to use for travel-related rewards. Which is best for you depends on your spending habits, travel preferences, and rewards optimization strategy.

Using the tips above, here are three examples:

The Frequent Traveler

If you’re a frequent traveler who values a simple-to-use rewards card, the Capital One Venture card could suit you best.

Its flat 2x miles on everyday purchases and 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel make it straightforward to accumulate miles. Its rewards options are super flexible, and with no blackout dates it’s easy to plan time away using your accumulated miles.

On the other hand, if you spend more on frequent travel and dining experiences, the Chase Sapphire Preferred could prove to offer greater value. The 25% bonus value on travel redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards, together with premium insurance cover, make it a smart choice if you travel frequently and want added security.

The Everyday Spender

If you want to earn rewards for everyday spending, the Capital One Venture card offers an uncomplicated system. You earn 2x points whether you are grocery shopping, filling up the tank, or buying gifts.

This is great for accumulating miles steadily without the complication of figuring out how many miles you will be earning for different types of spending.

If you spend more on travel and dining, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card may be a better option. However, if you are willing to plan your spending more strategically, and leverage the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, the extra effort could deliver higher rewards.

The Rewards Maximizer

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card points earnings matrix may be more complicated than the easy-to-understand Capital One Venture miles formula, but it’s the card to go for to earn higher rates in specific spending categories.

If you then redeem your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you’ll boost their value further. The Capital One Venture card doesn’t offer quite the same potential value.

Travel Reward Credit Card Alternatives

There are alternative travel reward credit cards you might consider, ranging from zero-fee cards to the $650-a-year Amex Platinum card. These include:

• Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card – Great if you want flat rate rewards, no annual fees, and are looking for balance transfer options.
• American Express Gold Card – A good choice if you want to earn big rewards on everyday spending, including dining and supermarkets.
• The American Express Platinum Card – Tailored for luxury travelers seeking premium travel perks, such as global dining credits, lounge access, and hotel benefits.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve –An upgrade from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, improving benefits including annual travel credits and lounge access, for more frequent travelers.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Ideal if you travel frequently with enhanced travel portal benefits.
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard Credit Card – A bit of a curveball, this is a unique card that allows you to earn travel rewards on the rent you pay, with no annual fee.

The Bottom Line

Both the Capital One Venture card and Chase Sapphire Preferred card are top credit cards to earn travel rewards.

The Capital One Venture card is ideal if you prefer a straightforward earnings formula and want streamlined travel experiences.

If you are a strategic spender, you might prefer the opportunity to maximize earnings from travel and dining purchases, and the flexibility and value in point transfers offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Ultimately, your choice of cards depends upon aligning the card’s benefits with your spending habits and rewards preferences. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from maximizing your benefits by having more than one card – that’s what I do.

The best way to explain this airline is that British Airways is the parent company, and this is a smaller branch of the BA brand. It flies solely out of London Gatwick Airport and initially serves 35 destinations, with views to expand.

I’ve found the EuroFlyer opening story really interesting. It’s a fascinating business strategy from British Airways, which aims to compete with Gatwick’s low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air. 

These budget airlines almost entirely dominate the European flight routes from London Gatwick. By opening the EuroFlyer as a subsidiary, British Airways can compete with those airlines by reducing its prices and costs without damaging its original brand image.

It’s pretty smart, isn’t it? In this guide, I’ll introduce you to BA EuroFlyer and everything you need to know before flying with this airline. It only opened in 2022, so there’s a lot to learn about.

What Is BA EuroFlyer? 

The most important thing to get your head around is who owns this airline. British Airways is the parent company, and it runs EuroFlyer as a special lower-cost service, specifically from London Gatwick Airport.

It is wholly owned, meaning only British Airways oversees this airline. 

A subsidiary company just means that it belongs to another company. In BA EuroFlyer’s case, this translates to being a bit of British Airways in miniature.

Even though BA EuroFlyer has its own name, it is essentially just British Airways — a key point, because it explains the almost identical experiences. 

Take the fare options, for example. You can expect a normal BA service, with Euro Traveller and Club Europe choices:

Euro Traveller

Euro Traveller is the economy option onboard, with complimentary water and snacks included. You get leather seats with headrests, with new seat designs rolling out gradually through aircraft as of May 2024.

There is the option for Wi-Fi access, although it’s worth noting you have to pay for this, which I found a bit irritating. 

In terms of baggage, each one includes a cabin and a handbag. The fact that BA EuroFlyer still sticks to BA’s generous luggage allowance really sets it apart from other airlines from Gatwick.

Ryanair and easyJet are especially known for slightly stingy luggage policies, so generous luggage at cheap rates with BA EuroFlyer is pretty enticing.

Club Europe

Club Europe is the Business option onboard, with premium check-in, lounges, and a gourmet meal and bar service included. The full meal is a nice touch, offering breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner. 

The seats are almost identical to those in Euro Traveller, the only difference being that the middle seats are always left empty. This means you are guaranteed either an aisle or a window seat and just that extra space. The middle seat is either left empty or has a table on top. 

The main bonus of flying Club Europe is its lounge access beforehand. You don’t get the whole suite experience onboard, but you have more space, good food, and relaxation time beforehand.

What Routes Does BA EuroFlyer Serve? 

BA EuroFlyer operates all over Europe, specializing in short-haul flights. You can fly to all sorts of destinations, including ski break destinations like Geneva or Turin. 

You can also catch winter sun getaways in places like Lanzarote, and come spring and summer, dozens of beach holidays. There are perfect summer routes to Corfu, Mykonos, Agadir, and Morocco.

I was impressed by the variation in BA EuroFlyer’s routes. There’s enough diversity to ensure that it can operate with different holiday themes (winter sun, snow activities, spring city breaks, and summer beach holidays) all year round.

The airline also continually adds to its routes, so keep your eyes peeled for updates. 

What Does BA EuroFlyer Mean For Points Collecting? 

The good news is that BA EuroFlyer makes absolutely no difference to how you usually collect Avios and Tier Points. You’ll continue to clock them up in the usual way.

Since the airline is basically just a mini version of British Airways, there’s no difference in the passenger experience when collecting points. 

Obviously, the usual rules apply. You’ll earn more flying in Business than in Economy, a rule that applies to Tier Points and Avios. 

I guess it’s also important to note that since BA EuroFlyer solely operates short-distance flights, the average earnings will naturally be lower than those of longer flights. With shorter flights, you’re also less likely to incorporate stopovers, so you don’t get to boost point earnings there.

Of course, you’d find these limiting factors across most of BA’s short-haul fleet anyway. It’s something to generally remember when maximizing your points with BA.

EuroFlyer Vs BA’s Existing Short Haul Fleet

Quite frankly, there is not a lot of difference between EuroFlyer and BA’s existing short haul fleet. The main difference between them is just the name ‘EuroFlyer’.

EuroFlyer is associated with lower prices, although spokespeople for the airline vehemently deny being ‘low-cost’ — a subtle difference in quality associations, I guess. 

BA EuroFlyer is officially a subsidiary company, meaning it is owned wholly by British Airways but functions under its own name. It is a bit of an experiment and was cooked up over COVID-19 as the realization hit that London Gatwick was seriously not profitable.

Only opening in 2022, it is still very much in its early days and could go in many different directions regarding creative vision and success.

BA’s existing short-haul fleet goes by the names Euro Traveller (economy) or Club Europe (business). The service is identical, with the same classes and inclusions; it just has different prices and flies from airports all over Europe, while EuroFlyer flies just London Gatwick. 

In summary, these are the main differences between EuroFlyer and BA’s existing short-haul fleet:

• EuroFlyer only operates out of London Gatwick, while BA’s short-haul fleet is Europe-wide.
• EuroFlyer is a subsidiary company, while BA’s short-haul fleet is part of the original main company.
• EuroFlyer is new from 2022, while BA’s short-haul fleet has operated since the 1980s.
• EuroFlyer’s prices are lower on average than BA’s usual short-haul rates. However, critics say there have been more operational cost cuts than fare drops.

What’s probably equally impactful to know is their similarities; I mean, just look at how identical they are:

• The same aircraft are used in EuroFlyer and BA’s short-haul fleet.
• The same fare classes are available, with the exact same inclusions.
• You can still collect Avios and Status Tier Points in the exact same way.
• Even the onboard staff still wear the same uniforms.

Why Does BA Create Subsidiaries? 

I’ve already touched upon the story behind BA EuroFlyer’s creation, but in this section, I’ll really give you all the juicy details. Did you know that British Airways has two subsidiary airlines – BA EuroFlyer and BA CityFlyer? 

While BA EuroFlyer flies to and from London Gatwick, BA CityFlyer uses London City Airport as a base.

The main difference is that EuroFlyer mainly uses Airbus planes (six seats split in two by a single aisle), while BA CityFlyer uses regional planes (four seats split in two by a single aisle). These airlines operate under the total control of British Airways but with different names.

The question that begs is, why bother? Especially when considering how similar the subsidiary airlines are to British Airways. 

There are a few layers when answering this question, so I’ll split it into sections:

To Cut Costs

The first thing to consider is that British Airways took a real hit over COVID-19. The airline was making insanely lower profits, so cutting operational costs with subsidiaries was a real solution. 

Subsidiaries are a smart business decision. When you open a new company, you can cut unnecessary costs. By improving operational efficiency, you can make the overall business model more profitable and sustainable in the long term. 

For instance, running short-haul British Airways flights from London Gatwick Airport wasn’t profitable. By opening BA EuroFlyer, British Airways has a chance to completely re-organize and optimize operations.

To Compete With Dominating Airlines

British Airways was struggling to compete against Gatwick’s low-cost airlines. As a short-haul carrier, it offered higher prices to the same destinations; you can see why people opted out and chose other airlines. 

Airlines like Ryanair and easyJet were dominating London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. By creating subsidiary airlines BA EuroFlyer and BA Cityflyer, British Airways was attempting to better target customers in a competitive market without changing BA as an entirety.

Whether or not it works long term, we shall see. However, by providing similarly priced flights through subsidiary airlines, British Airways can compete without sacrificing its main brand image. Speaking of which…

Keeping Brands Separate

Opening subsidiaries protects the main brand image of British Airways. The airline opened in 1919 (originally Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited), making it over 100 years old. 

The British Airways brand image has been carefully curated and nurtured over the past century. The last thing you’d want to do is risk the consistency of your brand by making changes to your leading company and operations. 

By diversifying and opening subsidiary airlines, British Airways has put a small barricade between itself and these changes. This keeps its original associations and values while developing a new branch of experiences and branding.

The Criticism & What People Are Saying

I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you the full story. If you’re considering flying with BA EuroFlyer, you need the warts-and-all version. 

The main criticism is that there isn’t much of a price difference between BA EuroFlyer and the main BA flights.

Initially, BA EuroFlyer advertised flights at around $40, intending to price match low-cost competitors. However, people have quickly taken to flight search tools and found that EuroFlyer often matches standard BA prices. 

Of course, if that’s the case, it begs the question of what the real difference is and whether a subsidiary creation was justified from a consumer perspective. If you listen to the most ferocious critics, they argue that it was entirely born out of necessity and industry survival. 

This is definitely something to keep in mind. Of course, if you are looking to fly from London Gatwick or London City Airport specifically, it won’t make too much of a difference.

Just don’t choose the airline only for low prices, and if budget is important to you, compare competitor options. If anything, all this just reasserts that flying with BA EuroFlyer isn’t a different experience from flying with BA short haul.

I don’t really see a strong negative to this. Just do your own due research beforehand and make the most of extra flight connections from Gatwick.

British Airways Fleet Types: 4 Ways To Fly

While we are on the topic of British Airways’ subsidiaries, it’s a great time to cover the different British Airways fleet types. Which travel type you experience all depends on where you fly from and where you fly to.

British Airways varies its travel experiences based on travel distance and airport of departure. 

For instance, if you fly from London Gatwick, you can fly with BA EuroFlyer. If you fly from London City Airport, you have the option of flying with BA Cityflyer.

If you fly long haul, you’ll go with World Traveller/Club World. In short haul, you’ll go with Euro Traveller/Club Europe.

There are four main categories that you should know about when flying with British Airways and its airlines. I’ll introduce you to each one now.  

1. BA’s Short Haul Fleet

British Airways has a whole fleet dedicated to flying short haul around Europe. This fleet offers an entirely different experience to flying long haul.

Euro Traveller and Club Europe are the two main classes on British Airways’ short haul fleet. This special fleet consists predominantly of A320, A321, and A319s. These planes typically carry up to 170 passengers and have a single aisle, with two lots of three-seat rows. 

You can choose between flying in economy, which is Euro Traveller. When flying in BA’s short haul fleet, economy includes a snack, a bottle of water, and a carry-on bag with additional personal items. 

Alternatively, you can fly Club Europe, which is business class on this fleet. As mentioned, this includes premium check-in, a gourmet meal and bar service onboard, and lounge access before your flight.

The seats aren’t suites, but they leave an empty middle seat, often covered by an extra table, to guarantee more space.

2. BA’s Long Haul Fleet

Of course, British Airways also has a long haul fleet. This offers an entirely different experience to the European fleet, with many more inclusions and fare options. 

British Airways’ long haul fleet uses a mixture of Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777 and 787s. Its planes all feature twin aisles, and some are double-decker designs (we are looking at you, Airbus A380s).

I really favor BA’s long haul fleet, mostly because of its excellent safety record — I can be a little paranoid about booking flights with new airlines. But I also like the inclusions and onboard experience.

You can book the following fare classes:

• Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class

These are roughly split into World Traveller for the Economy fares, which include one or two full meals, depending on the flight duration. You also get a personal entertainment screen with a headset, a personal blanket, and a pillow.

Club World is for business and above fares. In Business Class, you get lounge access, a private suite that converts into a flatbed, and a gourmet menu to choose from.

First Class is even more elaborate, with loungewear and an amenity bag to enjoy in a private suite and luxury lounges beforehand.

BA EuroFlyer

BA EuroFlyer is the subsidiary option for lower-priced flights, specifically from London Gatwick Airport. You can use BA EuroFlyer to travel all around Europe, with nearly 40 different connections around the region. 

This fleet uses a mixture of Airbus A320 and A321s, running a near-enough experience identical to British Airways’ short-haul flights. You can still choose from Euro Traveller and Club Europe. 

The only thing that sets BA EuroFlyer aside is its eye-catching low prices and Gatwick-specific departure point. The airline opened in 2022 and is a relatively new enterprise under the BA brand umbrella.

BA Cityflyer

BA Cityflyer is the other subsidiary option when flying specifically from London City Airport. Like EuroFlyer, Cityflyer is known for its slightly lower prices and was intended to rival low-cost airlines at LCY.

Unlike EuroFlyer, though, this airline uses regional planes — primarily the Embraer 190.

If you fancy a more regional experience with British Airways, BA Cityflyer is your only real chance to do so. Its planes offer just four seats per row, divided into pairs by a single aisle. 

This airline operates UK domestic routes as well as connections with Europe. You can fly to destinations in Malaga, Faro, Berlin, and Edinburgh. It connects London City Airport fantastically with the wider European region with a network of great short haul flights.

To Summarize: Flying With BA EuroFlyer 

Hopefully, you now feel confident booking a flight with BA EuroFlyer. I’ve got to emphasize that this airline is more a business strategy than a massively different offering. You won’t experience much difference from flying with BA’s Euro Traveller or Club Europe.

If you are based near London Gatwick, flying with BA EuroFlyer is potentially a way to save some money. The airline purposely runs cheaper flights than its parent company.

BA EuroFlyer’s main edge over its competitors, like Ryanair and easyJet, is its luggage allowance and fare options. 

You can fly Business and get a generous cabin bag —- which hugely differs from the boarding experience with the other two.

I’ve found that flying with Ryanair and easyJet makes the boarding experience pretty stressful. It feels like boarding staff are constantly breathing down your neck trying to find overweight luggage.

It’s alright if you’re looking to get somewhere fast and cheap, but there’s undoubtedly a market for more comfortable short-haul travel. 

Flying with British Airways feels much more relaxing. It feels like a win-win now that EuroFlyer has matched the general price levels.

The only potential limiter is that it operates only out of London Gatwick, and the jury is still out on whether it actually keeps ticket prices low and remains different enough. It will be interesting to see its profitability and future long-term. Let’s keep an eye, shall we?

Despite my lame impression of a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible-style run through Dubai airport to make my connection, I did indeed make the flight departing Dubai to London Heathrow to allow me to bring you this Emirates A380 First Class review.

First Impressions

As I was rather hurriedly connecting flights, I unfortunately didn’t have time to access the Emirates First Class Lounge. So my first impression when I ran onto the plane as pretty much the last passenger to board, was that I was definitely the last First Class passenger to board.

I had started my journey in Bali, which is renowned for having poor airport lounges and has no dedicated Emirates lounge (read my Bali Lounge review here) – and as Emirates do not offer a First Class service from Bali, I had travelled Business Class up until this point.

This was my first Emirates A380 First Class experience. Despite sweating, being horrendously out of breath and stressed because I was convinced I wasn’t going to make this flight due to a 3-hour delay at Bali, I was bowled over by the welcome.

A very personable greeting by my flight attendant and the immediate offer of champagne (or any other drink I wanted), a hot towel (although at this stage I really wanted a cold one), and then being shown to my suite, the first impression was exactly what I had expected – opulence.

First really is a big step up from Business.

The privacy afforded by the sliding doors, the attentiveness of the staff who are with you within seconds of hitting the call button, and of course the large bathrooms – this had the makings of a very comfortable final leg of my trip home.

There was a sting in the tail end of this story, which I will get to later – but for now, everything was pure bliss as my heart rate lowered back to it’s normal resting range.

Pre-Departure

Despite my rushing to catch the plane (it was at final call before I disembarked my preceding flight), we had time for three glasses of champagne prior to take-off.

I asked for one, and the free-pouring flight attendant just kept topping me up as soon as he noticed I was nearing empty.

The Dom Pérignon 2013 might not be the 2003 vintage that we used to see on Emirates, but at around $230 per bottle and a good year for the brand, it is still a very enjoyable sip.

I spent most of my time getting comfortable in my suite, which has ample space to keep your carry-on bag, as well as an array of snacks and drinks to keep you going during take-off and landing.

I also took this time to inspect the Bvlgari toiletries bag. This gifted a generous 30ml Bvlgari Le Gemme Gyan Eau de Parfum worth over $100, aftershave balm, emulsion, cleansing towel, razor, shaving foam, dental kit, deodorant, tissues, and a hairbrush.

Between swigs of champagne, I also checked out the Emirates pajamas, and got myself familiar with the ports and plugs for all my charging needs.

Before we took off, I was also asked when I’d like to take my shower. I opted for 90 minutes prior to landing. They also asked if I’d like my food straight after take-off. This was my preference, as it was a nighttime flight.

Main Service

I opted for skipping the breakfast options and went straight for the caviar (with all the trimmings) to start, followed by the mezze as my actual starter, and the spiced lamb with rice as my main.

I was asked if I wanted a foie gras amuse-bouche, which was hard to turn down – so the food was already flowing thick and fast.

In fact, if there’s one criticism of most First Class services, it’s that there’s simply too much food.

Anyway – the amuse-bouche was delicious, as was the mountain of caviar that I was presented with. I polished off the blinis and some of the melba toasts that accompanied it, and moved on to the mezze.

The mezze was my first mistake. I mean it was delicious, but it was a meal in itself. Even the flight attendant commented that it was a lot of food as he cleared my half-full plates.

Then came the lamb, which was slow-cooked, plentiful, and simply delicious. I had a glass of the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Louis Latour 2012, which retails at around $200 per bottle. This was a very large glass as you will see from my photographs, but was very enjoyable (if not to my taste completely).

What I love about the First Class experience with Emirates is that you can have what you want, when you want. I decided after the meal that I’d change into my pajamas, check out the lie-flat seat, and grab a few hours’ sleep.

The Bathroom

Before heading to my slumber, I visited the bathroom to change. This was perhaps the most impressive part of the whole experience for me. Having ample space to change into pajamas without feeling like you are performing some sort of contortion act is a real luxury at 40,000 feet.

The bathroom is even more spacious than I’d imagined after watching plenty of videos showing it. It is well kitted-out with a range of amenities, and has towels and additional toiletries should you need them.

Now you might think it would be too decadent to put a heated floor in the bathroom of an airplane, but that’s exactly what you get here. And when changing into your nightwear just before bed, that heated floor is just the ticket to help you feel relaxed.

More on the shower later… I headed back to my suite for a slumber.

Lie-Flat Seat

Back at the suite and I had made my bed lie flat. I have read that often the attendants will have made your bed for you, but as I hadn’t indicated to them that I was changing into my night clothes, they probably didn’t know to do this.

Anyway, I promptly made my seat lie flat with the touch of a button, and placed my mattress in place. I decided not to use the hefty blanket that was provided, as I was still quite warm – and on the previous flight I had been too hot when sleeping.

The difference between Business and First when it comes to the lie-flat seat is vast. This experience was as close as I have ever come to feeling 100% comfortable and as though I am in a real bed while flying.

What makes the experience even better is the sliding door to give you almost complete privacy. I closed the door, put my belt on, and went to sleep.

I slept for around 3 hours – which is a little less than I’d intended, but I’d already had around 2.5 hours’ sleep on my 9-hour flight from Bali to Dubai, so I was happy overall with that.

More Service

Upon waking, I pressed the call button and within 10 seconds the attendant appeared. I didn’t fancy breakfast or any of the other on-demand dining options, so asked for a cup of tea. I was promptly presented with a pot of tea and a selection of chocolates and biscuits.

All of which were delicious and some of which I saved to take home.

At this point I was gearing up for my in-flight shower, so used the supplied Emirates bag to pop my clothes into, and was promptly escorted to the bathroom by one of the attendants.

Emirates A380 Shower

The flight attendant offered to show me how everything worked in the bathroom – although it’s all very self-explanatory.

You get five minutes of hot water in the shower itself, but you can switch this on and off as required. They didn’t explicitly tell me how long I could spend in the bathroom, but I’m guessing around 25-30 minutes would be the limit.

Either way, I didn’t need anywhere near as long as that and was done within 15 minutes.

There is a helpful monitor that shows you how much hot water you have remaining, and this automatically shuts off at 25% remaining – just in case you are getting carried away, I suppose.

The heated floor is a lovely touch, the shower itself is pretty powerful – I’ve certainly had worse on the ground – and overall, this is a fantastic way to start or end your flight.

I was really glad to have chosen the end of the flight for my shower, as after two long flights I arrived at Heathrow feeling refreshed.

The array of a VOYA toiletries and a fresh towel are placed in the bathroom for you when you take your shower. I didn’t use any of these, but I am sure they are all great.

There are also extra dental kits, shaving kits, cotton buds and shower caps should you need them.

Having space to dry off in the large bathroom and dressing with space to swing several cats (although not advised) is a joy. Then, it was back to my seat for some pre-landing treats.

Pre-Landing & Exiting

As I hadn’t ordered any more food, I was presented with some fresh fruits and a mint tea. All very pleasant and pretty refreshing considering it was now early morning local time (around 6.30am).

I was also offered more chocolates (which I decided to take home for the kids), the pre-landing clean-up had commenced, and we were very quickly on the ground.

There was an issue at Heathrow with the airbridge, so it took a good 15 minutes to leave the plane. First Class of course were first off, and the attendants were holding back the hoards of Business Class passengers who were almost fighting to exit.

Not the best experience at the end of the flight, but not something that Emirates could really do much about, I guess.

An Unfortunate End

Upon arriving at the luggage collection, it soon became evident that only a handful of people had their luggage. Due to the floods in Dubai, Emirates seemingly prioritized boarding passengers and not the luggage – as there were around 100-150 people without any luggage.

This might not have been a massive issue if there had been adequate staff to deal with the reporting of lost luggage – but this wasn’t the case.

To cut a long story short, I manage to fill in a form and hand it in (this took around 45 minutes) and my luggage arrived three days later to my house.

Although not all of this was Emirates’ fault, they are not off the hook entirely.

As mentioned, the airport staff was lacking at baggage claim – but there were zero Emirates staff at their desk on exit.

Emirates have a chauffeur lounge at Heathrow, where you can meet your chauffeur to drive you home. This was being renovated, so I was told by one of the builders to go to the desk opposite – but there was no-one there.

Luckily, my rather abrupt chauffeur had called me and told me where to meet him. He wasn’t easy to find, but I located him eventually and the journey home was swift.

Not a great ending to what was otherwise an exceptional flight and terrific experience.

Choosing the right air miles credit card can be tricky. There’s an armful of choices available, and each has a unique set of features and benefits.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or you’re planning the trip of a lifetime (I’m heading toward the perfect storm of a major birthday for both me and my wife, coupled with a big-number wedding anniversary), the card (or cards) you have in your pocket can make a huge difference.

Whether its miles for flights, upgrades, or hotel stays you want to earn, not all air miles credit cards are equal. Some will help you pile up the points quickly.

Others offer incredible perks that let you travel like a VIP. An airline branded credit card could be a game changer.

Here’s the question: which is the best for you?

Read on as we reveal which air miles credit cards offer the best benefits for your specific travel needs and consumer habits.

Factors To Consider

Before you sign up for an air miles credit card, there’s something I want to share with you.

The obvious strategy when choosing which is the best card is to think about which benefits and perks are most appealing to you. It’s a good strategy, except it might lead you up the wrong path.

You should also consider your nearest airport, and if it has a principal airline. If it does, then you might be best to focus on that airline’s branded card.

The same applies if you favor a specific airline. On the other hand, a more flexible airline miles credit card that allows you to transfer points/miles to a partner could be most appealing.

The long and short of it is to consider your travel goals, your spending and travel habits, what benefits and perks appeal most to you, if you have a specific airline loyalty or need, and how important flexibility of rewards is to you.

Ultimately, you’ll probably find two or more credit cards are much better than one.

Got all that? Then let’s drill down to the best air miles credit cards to meet different objectives before we examine these cards in more detail.

Best Airline Branded Credit Cards

Airline branded credit cards offer unique benefits tailored to frequent flyers of their respective airlines. These benefits might include welcome bonuses, travel perks like priority boarding and lounge access, and the ability to earn miles on everyday purchases.

The best airline branded credit cards for air miles are:

• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
• United℠ Explorer Card

Which is the best for you really depends upon your airline preferences, though the British Airways Visa Signature Card has the best flexibility.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For No Annual Fees

If you want an air miles credit card without annual fees, there are several options available to you. Of course, the benefits and perks aren’t likely to be as good as fee-charging cards, but you have a good range of benefits available, nonetheless.

Some of these cards may be classed as free from annual fees because the fee is waived during the first year. The best cards with no annual fees are:

• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Discover it® Miles

The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is the pick of these. It operates a cashback rewards system, and you can use this cashback to book in several ways, including booking travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Welcome Bonuses

Don’t you just love it when you get something for nothing? Okay, welcome bonuses aren’t exactly something for nothing, but they are valuable rewards for spending on a new credit card.

Of all the cards that we’ve reviewed in this article, only Discover it Miles and Chase Freedom Unlimited don’t give a welcome bonus.

However, the Discover it Miles card matches the miles you’ve earned during the first year, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited gives an extra 1.5% cashback on your spending during the first year (limited to an extra $300 on $20,000 of spending).

The cards with the highest and fastest welcome bonus offers are:

• British Airways Visa Signature® Card – Earn 75,000 Avios by spending $5,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Earn 75,000 miles as a bonus when you spend $4,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Earn 60,000 bonus points by spending $4,000 on the card during the first three months after opening the account.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Anniversary Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are fantastic but so, too, are anniversary bonuses. It’s like being given a gift for your loyalty each year. The best cards for anniversary bonuses are:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Of these, Capital One Venture X awards the highest miles for your card loyalty – an attractive 10,000 miles every year.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Luxury Travel Perks

If you fly frequently, you’ll appreciate a few perks on your journey – like lounge access, priority check-in, and travel credits. Ther following cards offer some of the best travel perks going:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the standout card here, with access to the Global Lounge Collection, up to $200 in Uber savings annually, comprehensive travel insurances, and more.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Earning Miles & Points

After welcome bonuses and anniversary bonuses, you’ll want to know what card is best to earn miles or points.

The choice depends on your spending habits. Some cards are better if you dine out frequently. Others pay higher rewards for frequent travellers.

Some ramp up rewards for everyday spending. Here are 10 cards that cover all bases:

American Express® Gold Card

4x points at restaurants worldwide, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on less than $25,000 per calendar year), 3x points when you book flights via amextravel.com or directly with airlines.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL, 2 Avios for every $1 you spend on hotel accommodation.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Unlimited 2x miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Unlimited 10x miles on car rental and hotels booked via Capital One Travel, and 5x miles when you book flights via Capital One Travel.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

5x on travel purchased via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, online grocery shopping, and select streaming services.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

3x points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit, 3x points on dining at restaurants.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

3x miles on Delta purchases and directly with hotels, 2x Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

3x miles on Delta purchases.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Earn 3x points on Southwest® purchases; 2x points on local travel and commuting, including rideshare; 2x points on cable, phone, and internet services; select streaming services.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

5x Membership Rewards points by booking flights directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.

Best Air Miles Credit Cards For Transferring Miles & Points

If you want the most flexibility in how you redeem your miles or points, it’s best to opt for a card that lets you transfer accumulated miles to other airline, hotel, and travel-related loyalty programs.

Not only can you benefit from rewards when spending on your card, but you’ll also improve your potential to maximize your redemptions. The best cards for transferring miles/points are:

• American Express® Gold Card (through the Membership Rewards program)
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Which is the best card for transferring air miles to partner programs? It’s a close call, but edging it are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which both offer 1:1 point transfer to a broad choice of partners.

Breaking Down Air Miles Credit Cards Features & Benefits

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

American Express® Gold Card

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Discover it® Miles

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

United℠ Explorer Card

Take Off With The Best Airline Credit Card

Wrapping up, choosing the best air miles credit cards depends on your habits and travel goals. Whether your preference is for a card with no annual fees, one that gives a few luxury travel perks, or one that makes it easy to accumulate miles, there’s an air miles credit card designed for you.

As you consider all your options, think about your travel habits, airline loyalties, and how much you value reward flexibility.

The perfect air miles credit card is out there, ready to make each journey more rewarding. Then sign up for the card(s) that promise to deliver the most rewarding travel experiences to you.

Soon, Capital One got into the premium credit card lounge game. They opened their first lounge in Dallas (DFW) in 2021 and their second at Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) in early 2023.

Capital One opened its third lounge at Denver International Airport (DEN) in November of 2023 and is Centurion’s top competitor.

Capital One Lounge

Concourse B Near Gate B34

I’ve just visited the new Capital One Lounge in April of 2024, and let me tell you – the word is out. This lounge is crowded, loud, and very difficult to find a place to sit. The lighting is bright, and it feels… not at all exclusive. 

Capital One Venture X, both business and personal versions, have unlimited access to the Capital One Lounges. If you have the Capital One Venture Rewards or Spark Business cards, you get two free visits per year.

This perk is going away as of January 2025 (after that, visits will cost these cardholders $45). 

With access, you can bring two guests free of charge, and beyond that, guests must pay $45. Anyone can purchase access for $65, and it is still probably cheaper than having a full meal with drinks at the airport.

At the top of the escalator, there was no line, and we were greeted by a very friendly agent who admitted us quickly. Behind the front desk, you’ll find grab-and-go snacks, and to the right of it a coffee station with hot and cold options.

When you enter the lounge and turn right, progressing clockwise, you first see the buffet and bar area to your left. The buffet has similar offerings to what we found in Dallas – small, locally sourced dishes in individual ramekin bowls or little pans. It is organized like a typical buffet, so you still deal with lines.

The lounge in Dallas, by contrast, has a central kiosk with separate stations for each dish – this really eliminated the serving line you often find at buffets. 

Small plates include Colorado bison sloppy joe sliders, broccolini with garlic, teriyaki stir fry, mac and cheese, and mac and cheese with bacon. There is a second buffet line with small individual salads, and tapas such as tomato confit crostini and buffalo deviled eggs.

At the end of the buffet, a drink station offers regular water, regular soda, craft soda, tea, fruit-infused iced water, and coffee.

The bar is massive and packed with people. They offer a variety of beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Drink offerings vary from lounge to lounge and have local flavor. This lounge’s choices include local microbrews, the tequila-based cocktail cleverly called the Juan Denver, and Colorado Cool-Aid. 

Continuing toward the back of the lounge, the six restrooms and two shower suites (all ADA compliant) are down a hallway to your left. There is something called a Parents’ room as well, which I’m guessing you will need to reserve up front. 

The restrooms are individual unisex rooms with toilets and sinks, which have spa music piped in. They are quite nice, and seem to be kept very clean. 

Past the hallway with the restrooms, you’ll find a dessert bar with cookies and brownies. The back area is very open, with bar tops on each side and lounge type seating with tables in the center.

A few comfy two-top tables line the windows, where you can watch people scurrying about on the concourse to your heart’s content. Opposite the dessert bar, you’ll find a tea station. 

Walking back toward the entryway, there are some more private seating pods and grouped chairs. There are work rooms and relaxation rooms that you can reserve at the front desks.

I could hear serene music coming from the relaxation rooms, and I swear I could smell the lavender. Unfortunately, I was not able to experience the relaxation rooms this time. 

Monitors scattered around the lounge keep you updated on your flight status. 

The staff at this lounge was the best part – very kind and helpful. They tried to help us find a place to sit, and finally found two barstools in the very back by the kitchen, and that is where I sit as I write this review. First impressions of this ‘new’ lounge – I am not overly impressed. 

I am comparing this lounge to the Capital One Lounge in Dallas (DFW), and it misses the mark. It seems like an older lounge that has been remodeled. The decor is somewhat chic and modern, but the lighting is too bright.

I love the fact that they have art by local artists and use locally sourced ingredients to craft locally inspired dishes and drinks, but I don’t love the arrangement of the lounge. I think they could have partitioned areas better and created spaces to minimize the crowded feel. 

But it is better than sitting at the gate! 

We had a little extra time, so we hoofed it on over to the Centurion Lounge on Concourse C. 

American Express Centurion Lounge

Concourse C Near Gate C46

To access the Amex Lounge, you will need to either have the American Express Platinum Card (business or personal), the exclusive, invite-only Centurion Card, or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card (which gives access if you are flying Delta).

Authorized users on your platinum card also have access, each of whom are now charged a $175 annual fee (you used to be able to have up to 3 authorized users for one $175 fee).

Guests must pay $50 unless you hit the $75K annual spend, in which case you can bring two guests free of charge. 

We just beat a mad rush and walked right in, but we have waited up to an hour to get into this lounge in the past.

If you take the escalator up, the entry desks are directly in front of you. It is quite a grand entryway, complete with the vertical greening typical of Centurion Lounges.

After gaining access with your ID and boarding pass (and card, if you don’t have a QR code), take a right.

It is even more crowded than the Capital One Lounge, and is configured pretty much the same way – U-shaped and open in the center, with views down to the concourse. It is larger and better laid-out than Capital One.

You walk down a long corridor with seating to your right lining the windows, overlooking the concourse. To your left, there are several open areas with a variety of seating options – personal pods, dining tables, and co-working tables. 

One bar is just off of the first room, and serves a variety of wines, beers, and craft cocktails. This is a good place to grab some snacks – brownies, pretzels, etc. – for the flight.

There used to be a pool table and a few other table games in this area, but they have been removed in favor of additional dining tables. There’s a drink stand in the first seating area providing coffee, tea, and water. 

Continuing to the back of the lounge, you’ll find binary gendered restrooms and two shower suites, complete with L’Occitane toiletries. You can reserve your shower suite at the front desk. 

At the bottom of the U is a second bar, and more seats lining the windows. To the left of the bar are additional dining tables and a bar top overlooking the concourse. Heading back toward the entryway, you’ll find the buffet, additional seating, and another drink station. 

While this is not the nicest Centurion Lounge in the network, it is a known quantity and a solid choice. You can expect good food with a decent amount of protein, high-quality ingredients, and excellent drink selections with top-shelf choices.

If you can get in and find a place to sit, despite being busy the lounge does not feel as crowded, loud, and bright as the Capital One Lounge.

On our visit, the buffet included grilled rosemary chicken which was moist and flavorful, rice, roasted brussel sprouts, and a decent salad bar. There was a nice selection of desserts, but the best part was the made-to-order pasta station. 

Verdict

These lounges are both solid choices for a decent meal and drinks. During my visits, both were crowded, but so was every square inch of Denver Airport.

The Centurion wins in a head-to-head battle, mainly due to the space. It is larger, at 14,000 square feet, compared to the Capital One Lounge at 10,800 square feet.

I think the Centurion Lounge has a better layout, with multiple partitioned areas, so that it feels less crowded. But I can understand why the Capital One Lounge is so open, being two-thirds the size.

Moreover, the food choices at the Centurion Lounge are slightly superior, in my opinion. Both lounges boast stylish decor and have nice amenities, like shower suites and private work rooms. If you have time and access, check them both out and see what you think!

It’s a world in which your next ride to an airport, your next meal out, and your next hotel stay brings you closer to a wealth of rewards, including free nights at more than 7,000 properties around the globe.

As if this isn’t enough, it gets even better. With lowest price guarantees, free Wi-Fi, digital check-ins, and the option to choose your own room, you cease to be a meagre hotel guest.

You become a valued member enjoying discounts, bonus points, and more. Did I mention the mobile app that turns your phone into a room key and travel planner yet?

The Hiton Honors Rewards Program has the power to shift your travel experiences into overdrive, and it’s free to join. Read on to get the low-down on all you need to know.

Hilton Honors: The Basics

Let’s start with a quick breakdown of what Hilton Honors is all about, and what better starting point than their lowest price guarantee?

If you’ve ever booked a hotel room and then found it to be advertised cheaper elsewhere, you’ll know the feeling of frustration and regret – the ‘if only’ annoyance that taints even the most enjoyable stay.

Well, you can wave goodbye to that emotional anxiety, thanks to Hilton’s lowest price guarantee, which could be the best around. Hilton won’t only match a lower qualified price, but they will also throw in a 25% discount on your stay.

That’s a great sweetener to add to the peace of mind of knowing you’ve got the best deal.

As a Hilton Honors member, you also get to choose your own room, access exclusive Hilton Honors experiences, and benefit from other perks like free Wi-Fi. The further you move up the membership scale, the more benefits become available to you – but more about these later.

You can earn points in a multitude of ways, from dining experiences to hotel stays and more. When you come to redeem them, you can claim free nights and experiences, and even spend them on shopping!

How to Earn Hilton Honors Points

It’s not hard to accumulate points in the Hilton Honors program. Every time you check into a Hilton hotel, you’re earning.

You earn while you sleep, eat, and even when using extra services like spa treatments and room service. It’s a little like Hilton are tipping you for being their guest!

However, the opportunities to earn Hilton points ripple out far from the hotel lobby:

Lyft Rides Turn Your Miles Into Points

Link your Hilton Honors account with your Lyft account, and you’ll earn points for every ride you take. Whether you’re traveling to the airport or getting around town, each journey gives you a reward.

It’s the perfect union of getting to where you want to go, and moving closer to where you want to be on vacation.

Earn While You Eat

If you enjoy dining out, why not get a little extra than what’s on the menu? Register your credit card with your Hilton Honors account, and you’ll start earning points for every forkful at participating restaurants.

Your dining adventures not only fuel your body and soul, but they can fuel your travel plans, too.

Hilton Promotions To Pump Up Your Points

Keep an eye out for Hilton promotions, a magnificent way to accelerate your points accumulation. You could earn bonus points for stays, on seasonal offers, and for using Hilton branded credit cards.

Watch out for Hilton Honors emails in your inbox for details of their latest promotion to ensure you don’t miss out.

Earn On Rental Cars

If you use a Hilton partner when you hire a rental car, you could earn up to 5,000 points per rental. Drive your route to Hilton points with Enterprise, National, and Alamo.

Dial Up Bonus Points

Are you a frequent flyer who needs to stay in touch with family, friends, and work back home? Then buy a OneSimCard to earn 100 points for signing up and an extra point for every minute on incoming and outgoing calls when you’re abroad.

Buy Points To Boost Your Balance

If you’re short of points, you can also buy them to top up your balance.

I wouldn’t recommend this route though – the points cost 1 cent each (with a minimum purchase of 1,000) while the estimated value of a Hilton point is 0.5 cents.

Swipe Points With Hilton Branded Credit Cards

There are several Hilton branded credit cards for individuals that will help you accumulate points on everyday shopping – the easiest way to earn your points. Terms apply with all the cards (and are subject to change), but here are the basics at the time of writing:

Hilton Honors American Express Card

No annual fee, and a 100,000-point welcome bonus if you spend $2,000 in the first six months.

You’ll earn 5 bonus points for each $1 spent at US restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 7 points for each $1 of eligible purchases at a Hilton hotel or resort; and 3 points for other eligible purchases.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

For a $150 annual fee, your rewards receive a massive boost – 155,000 points welcome bonus when you spend $3,000 in the first six months; up to $200 cash back on eligible Hilton purchases; and between 3 and 12 bonus points for spending on your card.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? But how about this: for spending $15,000 within a (calendar) year you get a free night reward at a weekend, and 10 free airport lounge visits when you enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Now we’re really cooking on gas! This card may come with a $550 annual fee, but you’ll earn up to 14 points for every dollar of eligible spending on top of the 150,000-point welcome bonus for spending $6,000 in the first six months.

On top of this, you’ll enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Diamond Status, a free annual weekend night for signing up and on every renewal, up to $400 in statement credits for eligible spending at Hilton Resorts, $200 for eligible flight purchases, and unlimited Priority Pass Lounge visits.

How To Redeem Hilton Honors Points

Now for the fun part – how to spend all those points you’ve accumulated:

Unlock Free Nights

Rack up those points and start swapping them for free nights at the Hilton properties.

There’s no fixed points redemption – how many points required depends on the category of hotel, location, season, etc. – but each free night is a chance for a new experience without reaching into your pocket.

VIP Experiences

Hilton Honors Experiences offer you the chance to live like a VIP.

From backstage passes to private dinners with a top chef to VIP tickets for sports events, and more, you can trade in your points for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Shop Till You Drop

If retail therapy is your go-to, use your points when you shop online with Amazon or Hilton’s online mall.

It’s not how to get the most value from your points, but it’s perfect when you have your eye on something special.

Fly High With Airline Transfers

Convert your points into air miles with one of Hilton’s airline partners and fly to a destination of your desire.

Rides & Drives

Use your points to pay for Lyft rides, or redeem them for rental cars with Hilton’s partners. Your points really can keep you on the move.

Points & Money Nights

If you haven’t accumulated enough points for a free night, you can use points and cash. You decide how many points to use (the minimum is 5,000) and add the cash needed to pay for your stay.

This is often better value than buying the points you would need for a points-only free night.

Membership Tiers & Benefits

As a Hilton Honors member, you’ll enjoy benefits that include access to the Hilton Honors Discount rate, earning points toward free nights and more, no resort fees on reward stays, digital check-in, choosing your room, a digital key, free Wi-Fi, and exclusive Hilton Honors Experiences.

However, the more nights you stay with Hilton, the more benefits and rewards you get:

Silver (10+ Nights)

Receive free bottled water, every fifth night free on reward stays, elite rollover nights, and all-inclusive spa discount. Oh, and a 20% earning bonus on stays.

Gold (40+ Nights)

See your points earning bonus boosted by 80% and, in addition to all the extras you receive as a silver member, you become eligible for space-available room upgrades, a daily food and beverage credit, and milestone bonuses.

Diamond (60+ Nights)

Your points earnings bonus rises to 100% on stays, plus you receive a 48-hour room guarantee, premium Wi-Fi, and Executive Lounge access.

The Hilton App

I like to think of the Hilton App as a personal assistant in your pocket. Its features make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable, both before and during your stay.

Before your stay, you’ll be able to use the app to search for the best rates among Hilton’s huge portfolio. Once booked, you can manage your reservation in the app, track previous and upcoming stays, and even discover local attractions.

In addition, you can choose the exact room you want up to 24 hours before you arrive, and the app helps you to snag exclusive offers to earn even more points.

During your stay, there’s no need to wait in line at the front desk to pick up your key – the app acts as a key to your room. It also controls your TV, lights, and thermostat in locations where this is possible.

Forget about the wait at reception to check out, too – the app takes care of this for you. Finally, if you need a ride during or after your stay, request a Lyft through the app.

Overall, the Hilton app is a powerful addition to your armory, giving you more control and greater choices.

Maximize Your Hilton Honors Membership Benefits

The Hilton Honors Program offers terrific benefits as it is, but here are five simple tactics that will help you to get the most out of your membership:

Sign up for and use a Hilton branded credit card: The welcome bonuses are an incredible springboard to free nights and more. The extra bonus points available are the bread and butter of significant points accumulation.

Sign up for email notifications to stay ahead of promotions and exclusive deals.

Take advantage of the Hilton app: It’s your powerhouse tool from choosing a room to checking out and beyond.

Plan ahead: Plan stays around free nights and 5^th night-free deals.

Remember that loyalty pays: The more you stay with Hilton, the faster you’ll rise through the membership tiers to unlock even more benefits and points-earning potential.

How Do I Sign Up For Hilton Honors Membership?

Joining the Hilton Honors Program couldn’t be easier:

1. Visit the Hilton Honors sign-up page.
2. Fill out the online form with the basic information required (such as name, address, email address, and so on).
3. Set your preferences to tailor your Hilton experiences.
4. Download the app.

That’s it – you’re only four steps away from earning points and taking full advantage of membership.

Become More Than A Guest With Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a one-of-its-kind program. With a rich blend of benefits like free nights, digital conveniences through its app, exclusive experiences, and an array of ways to earn and spend points, it’s a must-have membership for all types of travelers.

Every trip you plan and every stay you take can be enhanced with tangible rewards.

If you believe that a rewards program shouldn’t be just about where you stay, but about making each trip more rewarding as an experience and in value for money, you should sign up for Hilton Honors today.

The exception is if you have Oneworld status or are flying in a premium cabin on American or its Oneworld partners. You can pay for Admirals Club access, but if you have other options, I’d choose another lounge. 

(Read with a serious Texas drawl…)

DFW ain’t half bad for killin’ some time. Y’oughta snag a longer layover so ya don’t go rarin’ around like a spooked steer.

I ain’t interested in sweatin’ over a measly fifteen-minute delay, yellin’ “Git outta my way, ya varmints!” at folks as I run through the terminal. Much better to mosey on down, take a slow stroll, watch the herd movin’ about, and soak up the scenery ‘fore hittin’ that fancy waitin’ room they call a lounge.

Read on to find out which lounges are the best and which one is right for you, pardner! 

Minute Suites

There are two Minute Suites locations at DFW – one in Terminal A near gate A39, and one in Terminal D near gate D23. The D terminal location has showers available, while the A terminal location does not.

Minute suites are not typical lounges. Instead, small rooms are provided for napping, watching TV, or a quiet workspace. Vending machine-type snacks are available for purchase.

Each suite consists of a daybed and a smart TV, where you can log into your own Netflix, Hulu, etc. and watch your favorite shows. You may have to ask for bedding at the front desk, if you plan to try and catch some zzzs. Each room has a thermostat and a noise masking system. 

Most locations only have one type of suite; however, Dallas offers a few larger options and adjoining rooms, which cannot be booked online. You have to actually place a phone call!

You can access Minute Suites in one of two ways.

You can pay what seems to me like a very high price for what you get – $55 for the first hour and $13.75 per 15 minutes after that. An 8-hour overnight stay is $175, and a shower will set you back an additional $20.

You can stop by and shower without renting a room for $30. These prices are per suite, not per person.

Priority Pass members get the first hour free and subsequent hours for $34. Interestingly, you can bring up to 3 guests with you… the rooms seem a bit small for four people, but this might work if you are traveling with kids or very close friends.

Of note, if your Priority Pass membership came with your Capital One Venture X or your Amex Platinum (personal or business), it does not include this benefit. 

There are a couple of nice perks they offer – nursing mothers can use a suite for 30 minutes for free. Military members and flight crew with valid IDs get a 20% discount. 

For me, Minute Suites do not make a lot of sense. The prices seem awfully high for what you get, and there are so many other options at DFW, I can’t see myself making use of this facility.

If I want to relax, I’ll use one of the other lounges. If I need to stay overnight at DFW, I’ll book the Grand Hyatt in Terminal D (this gorgeous hotel is adjacent to the airport and is super convenient!) and either earn or use valuable World of Hyatt points!

Gameway

Gameway is a unique concept in lounges. There are two locations at DFW, one by gate B42 and one near gate E16.

They consist of several gaming stations, each equipped with a PlayStation 4 Pro (loaded with games), a comfy chair, charging stations, and a place to store your luggage. 

The lounges are open from 6 am to 8 pm, and you can access two ways: 

1. Pay $15 for 30 minutes, $25 for an hour, and $45 for an unlimited amount of time. Military members get 10% off. 

2. Priority pass will get you an hour for free and 10% off each subsequent hour, but not if you got your membership through Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X. PP also gets you a free snack and drink.

USO Lounge

DFW has a 6,000 square foot USO Lounge located near gate B47 that is open to active duty US military members and their dependents. Retirees can gain access as well, if space is available.

You must have your military ID card, and VA issued ID cards or driver’s licenses that indicate veteran status will not gain you entry. 

The lounge is comfortable and has cafe seating as well as poofy leather recliners for movie viewing. A children’s play area is provided, and board games are available to pass the time.

The selection of snacks varies, and it is pretty basic; but everything is donated, and military members greatly appreciate this. The lounge is also staffed by volunteers. 

Centurion Lounge

Amex opened its first Centurion Lounge in the Las Vegas airport back in 2013. DFW was the second airport to host this club, and it became so popular that they had to change locations to allow for a larger footprint. 

The new Centurion Lounge at DFW opened in 2019, and it is more spacious and has a more logical layout. You can check in ahead of time on the app to save a few seconds at the check-in desk, but you’ll still have to show your ID and boarding pass for a flight leaving that day.

If your flight originates in Dallas, you will only be admitted 3 hours in advance of that flight. For layovers, the 3-hour rule does not apply.

The lounge is open from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm. Continental breakfast is served from 5:30 am till 6:30 am and a full breakfast buffet from 6:00 till 11:00 am, when the buffet is switched over to lunch/dinner.

These dishes are available until 9:30 pm. Bar service is available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Access

Amex Platinum Cardholders

Unless you spend $75,000 per year on your Platinum card, guests will cost you $50 each, with authorized users being an exception. At the time of writing, each authorized user has an annual fee of $175.

These are relatively new changes implemented to reduce overcrowding. We have still had to put our names on waiting lists several times, but it seems like the desk agents are admitting less people to keep the lounge less crowded.

Centurion Members

For those of you holding the invitation-only black Centurion card, all bets are off. You can bring guests, and you’ll have reserved seating.

Rumor has it that only big spenders are invited to apply, and they must pay a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee. No thanks!

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardholders

You can access the lounge when flying the same day on Delta or Delta-operated flights. 

I love the DFW Centurion and am happy to book longer layovers, so I have time to dine here. When you check in, you continue into the oblong, L-shaped lounge. Turning right will take you to the spa and shower rooms, and to the left is everything else.

You’ll find a coffee station and a variety of seating areas in the corridor, eventually making your way to the dining room/bar area. 

Past that is another set of bathrooms, another coffee station, and more seating. The back of the lounge opens up and has loungers, cubbies, and a coworking table, along with telephone rooms and a children’s’ area.

The last few times I’ve visited, there have been long lines for the buffet and bar. The buffet usually consists of good food, typically with regional flavor and chef inspired.

You’ll typically find a salad, two or three protein choices, several sides, and two or three dessert options. We never leave hungry.

All beer, wine, and spirits are included, so no upcharges.

Capital One Lounge

Looking for the cool kids? You’ll find them here. I was super excited to find out that Capital One lounges were coming to our hub.

The first Capital One Lounge opened in Dallas in November of 2021. At the time, I only had the Capital One Venture card, which gets you 2 annual passes. After our first visit, we knew we had to upgrade to the Venture X. 

We debated for a while, since we already had access to the Centurion Lounge. Was the $395 annual fee worth it? 

A few factors went into our decision…

No Guests For Free With Amex

The first was that Amex took away the guest benefit for Centurion lounges (unless you spend $75K on the card per year, which I don’t). So, unless you’re traveling companion had their own card or was an authorized user on your card ($175 per user), they would be subject to a $50 fee.

Capital One Venture X Travel Credit

Capital One Venture X has a $300 travel credit which can be used when booking travel through their travel portal. I don’t usually recommend booking through a credit card travel portal, but for rental cars, I don’t see a problem.

So, I book my rental cars through their portal and, in addition to using travel credit for a discount, I get 10X points.

Capital One Miles

Capital One miles are pretty valuable and transfer to an ever-increasing number of partners.

Less Crowded Lounges

The lounges are less crowded than Centurion (at the time of writing). Over the past couple of years, Centurion Lounges have become more and more popular and more crowded.

I have had to wait to be granted entry several times, only to have to wander aimlessly through the lounge for several minutes to find seats. As I mentioned, Amex is implementing changes to reduce overcrowding, so this could change.

Great Atomosphere

Honestly, I love the vibe. The Capital One Lounge just feels hip and trendy, and tends to be populated with young professionals.

The food selections are interesting and tapas-sized. The decor is clean, modern, and sophisticated.

Access

For unlimited use of the Capital One Lounges (Now at DFW, Denver International Airport, and Dulles in Washington DC), you must have the Capital One Venture X Personal or Business card. You can bring up to 2 guests for free, and additional guests must pay $45.

Until January 1, 2025, the regular Venture card as well as the Spark Miles for Business card get you two visits. Any more visits than that will cost you $45, and after Jan. 1, 2025, any visit will cost you $45.

Anyone can pay $65 to access the lounge.

The Capital One Lounge is located near gate D22 and shares an entryway and elevators with the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. Up the elevators, break left and you will enter the spacious, smartly designed space. 

You will need to show the attendant your boarding pass for a flight departing that day and Capital One Venture X card.

The guidelines say that your flight must depart within 3 hours, but we haven’t been denied entry when ours left later. If the lounge becomes more crowded, the rules may become stricter.

Continuing into the main part of the lounge, there is a central hub around which food stations are arranged. I love the way this is set up – it avoids the long buffet lines, and you can just grab a little metal tray and seek out the dishes you want.

The dishes are on small plates, in ramekin bowls, or cute little pots, and consist of regional, chef-inspired dishes like bibimbap, mac and cheese with bacon, chicken adobo, mini-caprese salad, etc. We have found the food to be very good! 

In addition to the main dishes, there are pastry stations with croissants and pastries in the morning, and cookies and brownies in the afternoon and evening. There’s a coffee station and self-serve beverage stations.

One of the coolest features is their grab and go section, where you can get salads, sandwiches, beverages, and all sorts of other snacks to take with you. 

Around the periphery of the lounge are numerous partitioned sections with a variety of seating areas. There are dining tables, conversation sets of couches and/or chairs, and chairs facing the floor-to-ceiling windows where you can watch activity on the runway.

Toward the back is a full service bar with a great selection of wine, beer, and spirits.

Other Lounges In Terminal D

The Club

The Club is on the mezzanine level near gate D27. You can access The Club with your priority pass or by paying $50. I rarely visit The Club, because if I go all the way to Terminal D, I’m going to Centurion or Capital One… but I needed to check it out. 

The verdict? It was fine. Definitely better than sitting at the gate, but not worth a hike to Terminal D if you are departing from another terminal.

The Club can be accessed through Priority Pass or by paying a $50 per visit fee. You can enter the lounge 3 hours before your flight, but if your flight is delayed you can stay longer.

Children under 2 are free, and kids aged 2-17 must pay full price and be accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

There are several seating areas, some overlooking the concourse below. The food was good enough to fill your belly, and the buffet changes over from breakfast to lunch/dinner/all-day dining at 11:00 am. When we visited, they were serving enchiladas, soup, salad, a variety of fruit, and small desserts.

There is a full bar serving a limited variety of beer, wine, and spirits. High-speed Wi-Fi is available, and showers are complimentary – just book at the front desk.

KAL Korean Air Lounge

This lounge has closed permanently. Business and First Class passengers flying Korean Airlines can use the Capital One Lounge.

Drew Pearson’s Sport 88 

This sports bar, which serves breakfast in addition to typical bar food, is located near gate E5 and is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. If your Priority Pass membership comes with the restaurant benefit, you can take $28 credit per person.

The benefit includes a guest, so you and one travel companion can save $56 on your meal by presenting your Priority Pass card and a boarding pass. Again, PP memberships obtained through Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X do not include this benefit. 

Other Lounges In Terminal E

If you are departing from Terminal E, be sure to check which gates you are departing from, because this will greatly influence the amount of time it takes you to get to your gate.

Gates E22-30 are actually located in Satellite Terminal E, and you should allow an extra 5-10 minutes to walk to these gates. If you arrive in another terminal, take the SkyLink train to Terminal E, then you’ll have to walk down the corridor next to gate E21 to get to the satellite. 

Plaza Premium Lounge

Located near gate E31 and open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm is one of two Plaza Premium Lounges in the US. The other is in Orlando (MCO). 

After years of traveling, the founder of Plaza Premium decided to open a chain of lounges available to anyone, regardless of class of travel. He developed the first Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong in 1998, and they can now be found all over the world.

The majority of these lounges is in Asia, focusing on China, but they can be found on every continent in many major airports. In the past, you could access these lounges with Priority Pass, but that partnership ended in 2021. 

Now, you can access these lounges through your Amex Platinum (personal or business) credit card, Capital One Venture X card, or by purchasing a membership or one-time pass. 

When accessing via your Amex Platinum or Capital One card, you are entitled to two guests, free of charge.

If you want to pay outright for your visit, it will cost $50 per person for a 3-hour visit, or $25 for one hour (no free guests), and you can pay at the lounge or book ahead online up to one year in advance. The question is, should you?

The lounge is nicely decorated and comfortable, but can get crowded. The food selection is nothing special, but if you have access through a credit card and need a quick bite, it is not a bad option for a balanced meal. I personally would not pay for entry.

United Club 

The DFW United Club is located between gates E6 and E7. This is a basic option that is convenient if you are a United Airlines loyalist or have access with a credit card or boarding pass.

It is not the nicest United Club, but it can provide a quiet place and a free snack if you need it. With the wealth of choices, I would not hang out here unless it was my only option.

Delta Sky Club

Ditto for Delta in Dallas… this lounge, located between gates E10 and E11. reminds me of a doctor’s office waiting room with a view of the tarmac.

Again, if you have access as a Delta loyalist or credit card holder, it will meet your basic needs, but I would not seek it out.

Verdict

If you have a wallet full of metal credit cards, DFW will spoil you for choice! In my opinion, the Capital One Lounge is choice #1, Centurion is choice #2, and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge #3.

If I am traveling from Terminal E with a less than 2-hour layover, I’ll visit the Admirals Club or Plaza Premium Lounge.

If you don’t have Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X but travel from or through DFW often, you should consider one of these cards. If you just look at the cost of airport food and drink, this will likely offset the annual fee. Add in the travel credits, and you can at least break even, but most likely come out ahead.

I personally would not choose Minute Suites or Gameway under any circumstance I can think of (but I am not a gamer). I’d prefer an Admiral’s Club or Airport hotel. I might pop into the United Club or Delta SkyClub if necessary to grab a snack and a quick respite from the crowds, if I had a quick layover in Terminal E. 

With anything longer than 2 hours, I would hoof it over to Terminal D and have a full meal and beverage at one of the premium lounges in that terminal.