Volaris Airlines – read before you fly in 2022

June 16, 2021 by Lauren Graves

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

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

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

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Is Volaris Airlines Safe?

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

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

Customer Sentiment – What do consumers think of Volaris

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

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

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

Where Can You Fly With Volaris?

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

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

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

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

Volaris Booking and Check-In

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

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

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

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

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

Volaris Airlines Baggage Policy & Allowances

There are three fare classes with Volaris:

Basic
Classic
Plus

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

See the baggage allowance for each fare class below.

Class	Allowance
Basic	One personal item
Classic	One personal item + one carry-on
Plus	One personal item + two carry-ons, and one checked bag

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

Carry-Ons

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

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

Checked Baggage

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

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

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

Excess Baggage Fees

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Volaris Combos

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

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

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

Volaris Airlines Pet Policy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Volaris Airlines Customer Service and Contact Info

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

Country	Customer Support Number
United States	(55) 1102-8000
Mexico	1-855-865-2747
Costa Rica	+506-4-0000-229
El Salvador	+503-2504-5540
Guatemala	+502-2301-3939

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

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

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

Volaris Airlines Loyalty Program

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

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

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

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

Volaris Airlines Inflight Accommodations

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

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

Hotel and Car Rental Bundles

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

Fees to Watch Out For

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Wyndham Rewards and Member Level Perks

June 11, 2021 by Lauren Graves

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

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

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

What is Wyndham Rewards?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wyndman Rewards Member Rate

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

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

Caesars Rewards

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

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

How Wyndham Rewards Compares

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

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

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

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

How do I Join Wyndham Rewards?

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

Go Get ‘Em

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

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

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

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

Wyndham Rewards Credit Cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Use Wyndham Rewards Points

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

Go Free

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

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

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

The phone numbers for other Wyndham properties are listed below:

Wyndham Vacation Clubs: 1-866-370-8548

Wyndham Vacation Rentals: 1-866-996-7937

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

Landal GreenParks: 1-888-862-8053

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

Go Fast

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

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

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

Go For It

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

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

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

How to Redeem Points

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Visa Infinite Program – What is it & What Does it Offer?

June 10, 2021 by Lauren Graves

Visa Infinite is an awards program at the top of Visa’s benefit levels. It was first launched in Europe and only came to the US in 2016. It remains relatively obscure in the states with little search volume for it on Google.

The program consists of three Visa tiers are Traditional, Signature, and Infinite, with Infinite being the top tier and Traditional the most basic. Every benefit encompassed within the Traditional and Signature tiers is included within the Infinite tier, with many additional perks on top of those at the Infinite level.

Visa Infinite members enjoy the best prizes and travel benefits Visa has to offer, and cards that qualify for this program are available through many banks. If your card is a Visa Infinite card, you’ll know—it’ll say “Visa Infinite” right on the front.

Here’s what the Visa Infinite program is all about and everything its awards package is likely to include.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

What is the Visa Infinite Program and Which Cards Apply?

The Visa Infinite Program is a perks-packed Visa offering, structured in three tiers, that only individuals with certain Visa credit cards have access to.

Generally speaking, these cards cater to higher net worth individuals that travel frequently. This is because many Visa Infinite cards require high credit scores and incomes to qualify, and many of the benefits associated with Visa Infinite are related to travel, and more specifically high-end travel.

The Visa Infinite card is available through many carriers—Chase, Citibank, and U.S. Bank, to name a few. Specific, popular Visa-branded credit cards within the Visa Infinite Program include:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Citi Life Visa Infinite Credit Card
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card

Privileges and Benefits of the Visa Infinite Program

The features of a Visa Infinite credit card vary by carrier, as most of the privileges within Visa Infinite are set by the banks that carry these cards rather than Visa itself. Just understand that your own card might have more or less perks than what we’re outlining below as a general standard.

Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully for a thorough understanding of what your benefits package includes.

For an in-depth look at what the Visa Infinite program generally includes, at its base level, continue reading…

Visa Infinite Luxury Hotels

Get the best experience your hotel has to offer with the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection.

Hotels within the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection give members the “ultimate hotel experience” when they travel. All participating hotels provide seven benefits:

VIP guest status,
room upgrades at check-in,
a best available rate guarantee,
complimentary in-room breakfast,
complimentary WiFi,
late checkout, and
a $25 food and beverage credit per stay.

Cardholders need to book through the Visa Infinite Hotels site to secure these benefits.

200 hotels from the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection also include an eighth benefit, which might be either an additional $75 food and beverage credit (on top of the included $25) or a $100 spa, golf, or room rate credit. The hotels decide what the eighth benefit will be.

Keep in mind that some of these features look a little different from one hotel to another, and all of these bonuses are subject to availability.

Visa Infinite Concierge Status

Visa Infinite members will get all of the travel help and advice they need 24/7 with Visa Infinite Concierge Services. This digital concierge service, available 365 days a year, can help with everything from booking reservations to helping you find the best prices for your stay. You can even ask for dining and entertainment recommendations, and you’ll get exclusive access to deals and dates.

Global Entry Statement Credit

This perk is best for those that do a lot of international travel. Global Entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that grants expedited clearance into the United States to pre-approved returning travelers, will cost you $100 less when you’re a Visa Infinite member.

Visa Infinite gives its users a $100 statement credit for Global Entry, the current price of the program’s application fee. This equates to free Global Entry, which you can apply for through the Trusted Travelers Program section of the Homeland Security site.

Visa Infinite Car Rentals

Visa Infinite car rental privileges are many, and they can be redeemed through Avis, Hertz, National, and Silvercar. The benefits are different for each rental agency.

With Avis, cardholders can enroll in Avis Preferred Plus—a car rental rewards program much like a frequent flyer program—, take advantage of rate discounts of up to 30%, and get weekend rentals for free. With Hertz, cardholders enrolled in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards have access to special savings and speedier service. Visa Infinite cardholders receive complimentary Emerald Club Executive level membership with National and 25% off. Finally, cardholders save up to 30% with Silvercar.

Lounge Access and Priority Pass

Unlock access to over 1,300 airport lounges across 148 countries.

Priority Pass lounge access is granted to Visa Infinite cardholders. This provides entrance to more than 1,300 airport lounges in 148 countries and over 600 cities.

The credit card you have determines your access level, with Standard being the lowest, Standard Plus being the middle, and Prestige being the highest tier. Standard will get you the fewest free lounge visits annually and you’ll have to pay per guest, and Prestige will get you unlimited visits for yourself and a few free guest passes.

Airline Incidental Statement Credit

Airline incidental fees for checked baggage, flight changes, inflight amenities, etc. accumulate all too easily. But when you’re with Visa Infinite, you’ll get a statement credit in the form of rebates for some of these. How much and for what is determined by your card issuer.

Fine Wine and Food

The Fine Wine and Food benefit offered to Visa Infinite cardholders is great for foodies and wine aficionados. However, it is also available to Signature members and isn’t as all-inclusive as Visa makes it sound (“Enjoy world-class celebrity chefs and winemaker experiences”).

With this feature, you’ll get two wine tastings for the price of one when you purchase one with your Visa Infinite card. You’ll also have access to preferred pricing on wine tastings and dining at select Sonoma wineries. Call the winery you’re visiting to find out what offers you’re eligible for.

Golf

Want to play private courses without the fees or membership commitments? Now you can.

Love hitting the links? Have a Visa Infinite card? Then you should probably join the Visa Infinite Troon Golf Rewards program. With this, you’ll receive premium benefits when golfing at over 115 courses across the United States. These include the ability to reserve tee times, bring guests at discounted rates, play private courses, and more.

Infinite Chauffeured Car Service

Visa Infinite, in partnership with GroundLink, offers the option of chauffeured car services to cardholders. The GroundLink chauffeured black car service, which includes professional drivers and high-tech rides, is 15% off when you have a Visa Infinite card. You’ll also get a $30 credit toward the service, which is accessible worldwide.

Protection

In addition to cost-cutting and luxurious privileges and benefits, Visa Infinite extends additional protection to its members. This purchase protection insures many different aspects of travel. Please note that many of the following benefits are not exclusive to Visa Infinite as they are actually included in the Signature package as well.

Auto Collision Damage Waiver

Use your Visa Infinite card to pay when booking a rental car and receive insurance coverage automatically. Visa Infinite Auto Rental Coverage covers not only collision damage but also theft, towing expenses, loss-of-use charges, and more.

Extended Warranty Protection

Extended Warranty Protection under the Visa Infinite program is applied to qualifying items with warranties of three years or less. This benefit extends a manufacturer’s warranty by one year. You do not need to register or pay for this addition as long as a purchase is made with your Visa Infinite card.

Roadside Dispatch

Roadside Dispatch, while not a complimentary Visa Infinite feature, could prove to be handy. Use this service when you’re in trouble and help, a locksmith or tow, will be dispatched right to your location. You will pay a predetermined price, set by your card issuer, per service call.

Purchase Security

The Purchase Security Visa Infinite perk can be thought of as an extended return period. If you purchase something with your Visa Infinite card and that something ends up needing to be replaced or returned within 90 days of purchase, this is no problem. Even if an item is stolen, this policy is in effect. This, like Extended Warranty Protection, need not be applied or paid for. It can cover $10,000 per occurrence.

Travel and Emergency Assistance Service

The Travel and Emergency Assistance Services rolled into the standard Visa Infinite package is a 24/7 helpline that can help with any of the following needs that one might have while traveling:

Medical Referral Assistance
Emergency Transportation Assistance
Emergency Message Service
Emergency Translation Service
Emergency Ticket Replacement
Legal Referral Assistance
Lost Luggage Locator Service
Prescription Assistance and Valuable Document Delivery

These helplines are devoted specifically to providing emergency assistance and are available to you and any of your dependents at no cost.

Return Protection

Similar to Purchase Security, Visa Infinite Return Protection lets you make returns within 90 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with an item and a return is refused. So long as you use your Visa Infinite card to make the purchase and the item you are buying costs less than or equal to $300, you are covered under this benefit.

Air Travel Reimbursement

If you ever get annoyed with being nickel and dimed by airlines’ never ending in-flight fees such as entertainment (headphones and television access), in-flight food purchases, checked baggage fees and the like, then Visa Infinite will alleviate some headaches. With Visa Infinite you’ll receive reimbursements for air travel fees including the things mentioned above and more. Just remember though that the card issuer sets the statement credit amount.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Visa Infinite cardholders are eligible for reimbursement of lost or stolen carry-ons and checked bags—when a flight ticket is purchased with a Visa Infinite card, of course. This benefit is applied automatically.

Lost or Stolen Card Reporting

This benefit, which is really more of a necessity than a benefit, gives you access to global call centers that will initiate replacements and notify authorities for you in the event of a lost or stolen Visa Infinite card.

Trip Delay Reimbursement

Visa Infinite cardholders don’t have to pay out of pocket for fees caused by trip delays that are out of their control with Trip Delay Reimbursement. When members are stuck for more than six hours due to a covered hazard—equipment failure, inclement weather, strike, or hijacking/skyjacking—and they purchased their fare with their Visa Infinite cards, they are eligible to be reimbursed up to $500.

Zero Liability

Visa’s Zero Liability policy states that you will not be liable to pay for transactions that you do not authorize. This protects cardholders from identity theft and even purchases made with lost or stolen cards.

Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Reimbursement

When you book a trip with your Visa Infinite card and you need to cancel at the last minute or cut it short, Visa will reimburse you for all or part of your non-refundable fare (your benefits package should cover this in detail). In addition to air travel, this covers trains, buses, ferries, and cruise ships.

Emergency Cash Disbursement

If a Visa Infinite cardholder is ever in a pinch and needs a wire transfer fast, Visa will arrange for this. If you are in need of emergency assistance because you lost a card and are waiting on a replacement, Visa can make a wire cash transfer to you to a local Western Union location within 2 hours of your request being approved.

Emergency Card Replacement

If your Visa Infinite card is lost, stolen, or damaged, Visa will work with your bank to have it replaced in as little as 24 hours and no more than 72 hours. Emergency Card Replacement can be applied no matter where you are in the world.

Visa Infinite VS Visa Signature

Because Visa Infinite was originally launched in Europe, the Visa Infinite suite has significantly larger market share there than here in the United States. The Visa Signature line of cards is much more prevalent in the U.S. That said, there are very little differences between the two.

The main difference lies with the luxury hotel chains included and the perks offered at each. In terms of perks for example, Visa Signature offers room upgrades if available, $25 food and beverage credit, free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi and late check out. Whereas the Visa Infinite offers all of that PLUS a $75 food and beverage credit (vs just $25 with Signature) and a $100 resort fee credit (not applicable at all hotels and destinations). In terms of luxury hotel chains, Visa Infinite has a larger roster of superior hotels to choose from with over 900 luxury hotels around the word.

Final Thoughts

The Visa Infinite program is like many other premium credit card rewards programs in that it offers a nice range of luxurious benefits to card holders. The top tier has elite benefits and securities that are going to be most attractive to a wealthier demographic, especially those that travel often and wish to do so in luxury. But there are many Visa Infinite perks provided to Visa Signature cardholders as well, which has much broader acceptance.

Just remember, the specific benefits you are entitled to can vary and change sporadically.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Buying Airline Miles – When To Consider This Option?

June 9, 2021 by Lauren Graves

Miles can be earned through frequent flyer rewards programs with nearly any airline. If you fly often enough with one or two airlines, you will more than likely be rewarded for your loyalty with miles. These can be put toward any number of things, including ticket upgrades, hotel reservations, car rentals, and even airline-branded merchandise, if you’re into that sort of thing.

But what if you want more miles than you’ve currently earned making airline purchases or flying?

Many airlines give customers the option of purchasing additional miles or points for their accounts, but there aren’t many advantages in doing this as the price at which they are sold often exceeds the value in which they can be exchanged for.

The tactic of acquiring more miles than you’ve “earned” isn’t going to be a huge money-saving hack by any means, but there are some instances where it can cut costs and make your life easier.

We will cover those potential scenarios in this article.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

When Should You Consider Buying Airlines Miles

In a nut shell, there are generally three scenarios in which one should consider purchasing airlines miles.

You might consider buying miles if:

Buying miles makes the price of the ticket more affordable than its retail price, or
Buying miles keeps you from having your frequent flyer account deactivated, or
Buying additional miles allows you to cash in a bonus offer or reward that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

If the price of the ticket is greater than the cost of purchasing necessary miles.

There are going to be times (albeit, not often) when ticket prices surpass miles prices. When this is the case, take advantage of the opportunity to save money and buy miles rather than the ticket itself.

To find out when this opportunity is present, you’ll need to do some basic math.

First, figure out the price per mile if you were to buy miles directly from your loyalty program’s website. Look for the “buy,” “gift,” or “transfer” tabs once you’ve logged in. The price per mile varies by airline, but a general rule of thumb is 2.5 to 3.5 cents per mile.

Second, after you’ve added up how much it will take to buy the required miles for the ticket, weigh this against the actual retail price of the ticket itself. Be sure to factor in taxes and fees.

To prevent accrued miles from expiring.

The last thing you want to do after racking up major miles is to let them go to waste.

Most frequent flyer programs set expiration dates on their miles if your account remains inactive for too long—18 months is fairly typical—and one way to keep an account active is to put more miles into it. It doesn’t matter whether these are purchased or earned or how many it is.

Especially if your favorite airline will let you purchase just one or two thousand miles or if your flying habits are more sporadic, buying miles to prevent account deactivation could be a great way to make sure that you never lose miles before you get a chance to use them.

The United Airlines MileagePlus program, for example, allows customers to purchase as few as 2,000 miles and it goes up in increments of 1,000. These miles cost $35 per 1,000 miles (or 3.5 cents each) so with the 2,000 mile minimum purchase requirement, it would cost you $70 ($35 per 1,000 miles) to purchase 2,000 miles and thus keep your entire allotment active.

Buying miles to cash in on a bonus or to top off a reward.

Many airlines run promotions to incentivize buying miles, and you’re going to want to be on the lookout for these. Don’t waste your time with deals that only save you a couple of cents a mile, but instead keep your eyes peeled for slashed rates. Rate reductions of anywhere from 10% to 50% are common when you buy more miles at a time.

For example, American Airlines is currently running a promotion until June 20, 2021 where customers can buy miles up to 40% off. The maximum amount of miles one can buy (and also where the greatest value lies) is 150,000 miles. With this promotion the cost of 150,000 miles is $2,902.50 or 1.935 cents per mile! Login to your AAdvantage account here to see this particular bonus offer.

Topping Off a Reward

Buying miles is a quick and easy way to supplement what you already have in your account, but only if the math makes sense.

If you’re really close to being able to use your miles on a great reward or ticket but just don’t quite have what you need in your account, consider buying enough to close the distance. The vacation package of your dreams could be just a few thousand miles away.

Consider the following:

Let’s say you and your significant other want to go to Hawaii for vacation and you’ve saved 145,000 miles between the two of you.

In general, it costs ~40,000 miles for one roundtrip ticket to Hawaii (or 75,000 miles for business class).

You two easily have enough miles to cash in on a free trip (40,000 miles each x 2 = 80,000 miles required), but with just 5,000 extra miles you could go in business class (75,000 miles each x 2 = 150,000 miles required).

In this scenario, it could make sense to purchase the additional 5,000 miles to bring your allotment from 145,000 up to 150,000 to cash in on the business class trip to Hawaii rather than flying coach.

Where To Go To Buy Airline Miles

Where you need to go to purchase airline miles will depend on which loyalty program(s) you are a part of and which airlines you fly most often. For the most part, airlines want you to buy miles so they make this easy and obvious to find.

If you visit your loyalty program’s website or online portal, look for links saying “buy,” “gift,” or “transfer” miles.

Other Variables To Consider

As stated, purchasing miles isn’t going to make sense in most cases, so make sure that you know how to make this decision wisely when the option presents itself.

The following two considerations are also important to keep in mind if you are thinking about buying miles.

Can you purchase miles with a rewards credit card?

If you’ve got a great reward credit card in your wallet and it makes sense for you to purchase airline miles (using our guide above), then you may want to compound the miles you earn by purchasing them with your reward credit card.

Buying miles using a rewards credit card will earn you even more miles or credit card points at no additional cost to you—just make sure that both the airline and the card will let you do this.

The best cards count miles purchases as travel purchases, which is a good way to earn more points or miles than you pay for.

Co-branded airline cards are a great way to maximize the earning potential on anything travel-related with a certain carrier, especially miles, while general rewards cards may or may not be compatible with your airline of choice.

How many award seats are available on the flight?

Airline miles can’t just be used to purchase flight seats whenever you please. Unfortunately, award seats—or seats set aside specifically for award redemption—are often limited. And even more unfortunate, a carrier won’t always make it easy to find out how many award seats are still available when you go to book a flight.

Searching for tickets through your airline’s search engine and filtering the results is going to be your best bet, but make sure that you’re searching only direct flights, as flights through partner airlines are not typically eligible to be paid for with miles and points. Also note that if you are traveling with a large party, you are unlikely to be able to use miles for all of your seats. Usually, a flight or cabin only has between one and five award seats available, but this will depend on many factors including the airline, flight route, seat class, etc.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the scenarios in which purchasing airlines miles makes sense are few and far between.

If you are close to being able to redeem a loyalty reward, your miles are about to expire due to account inactivity, your favorite airline is running a promotion you can’t pass up, or the cost of a flight ticket is greater than the cost of enough miles to pay for said ticket, then buying miles makes some sense. Outside of this, however, you’ll be hard pressed to find a scenario in which it would be advantageous to purchase miles.

Before you go through with any purchases, just make sure that you’re using the right credit card and award seats are still available on the flight you’re looking to take.

The ability to purchase airline miles is a useful option to keep in mind, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that frequent flyer miles or points are more valuable than they really are. The true dollar value of any given mile ebbs and flows.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Differences Between Business Class and First Class – broken down by airline

June 2, 2021 by Rosemarie Clancy

If you’re ready to take to the skies again, you might be considering booking a seat in business or first class for your next trip, especially if you are taking a long-haul flight or you need some extra legroom.

Who doesn’t need a little extra room these days with airlines packing as many seats in coach as they can? Nobody wants to get off their flight with cramped legs, and if it’s an overnight flight it’s nearly impossible to sleep comfortably in a coach seat that barely reclines no matter how good your neck pillow is..

The free-flowing wine, champagne and upscale menus in first or business class are also part of the fun! Exclusive lounge access before you board lets you grab a bite and sometimes even a shower before your flight to ensure you sleep well during your journey.

But what is the difference between the two classes of service, and is it worth the extra money or rewards to pay for a premium seat or upgrade your ticket? One thing to keep in mind is that rates and services will vary by carrier, route, aircraft and demand, but we can give you an idea of what the differences are so you’ll know what to look for when you’re booking.

We’ll also take a look at the three domestic legacy carriers and provide details on what they offer to passengers in first and business class cabins, and we’ll also tell you about some premium services offered in select business travel markets by the three airlines.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Key Differences for International Flights

Long international flights are a prime opportunity to try business or first class service. Flights to Europe are often scheduled overnight, and if you’re headed to Asia you could be on a plane for 15-20 hours.

Seats that lay flat in business or first class can let you get some sleep during your flight so you can land refreshed and ready to tour the destination or attend to business. In some cases, there are even private lounges for upper class passengers to use before boarding.

But not all seats are created equal, so don’t expect a lie-flat seat on all premium bookings, and not all airports have lounge access, so depending on your departure city you may or may not be able to take advantage of that perk.

Premium cabin travel usually includes expedited security screening and check-in; two or three free checked bags depending on the carrier, ticket and your elite status; priority boarding and even quick access to your luggage when you land. And the food is definitely better than the much-maligned meals served in coach, with business and first class menus often designed by renowned chiefs.

There are also sleep kits that are handed out in premium cabins that can include slippers, pajamas and impressive pouches filled with designer amenities. Most premium cabins also have dedicated flight attendants for personal service, and extra entertainment options and sometimes free wi-fi. But as airlines reimagine business travel, they have introduced branded products that are often more upscale than traditional first class seats, so read on to find out more.

Foreign Carriers

Foreigh carriers offer some of the most deluxe premium cabin experiences with some carriers like Lufthansa offering its first class passengers chauffeured cars to the airport. And Etihad Airways even offers suites called Apartments in the Sky to its first class passengers.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the three largest domestic carriers and their offerings to showcase the amenities for business and first class passengers and give you an idea of how the two classes of travel differ and what you can expect.

Business Class vs First Class on American Airlines

On American, premium cabins are suggested according to routes. American Airlines recommends booking business class service on its shorter international flights from the US to Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico and some destinations in South America. First class is recommended for flights from the US to Asia, Australia, Europe and other parts of South America that are further away..

A business, first class or premium economy ticket will get you priority privileges before you board that include letting you speed through check-in, security and boarding, even if you arrive late. Of course, first class passengers get priority, then business, then premium economy and elite status or those who carry one of the airline’s co-branded cards that offer this benefit. You’ll also get free checked bags: two for business class travelers and three for first class passengers.

Comfortable Seats and Upscale Meals

First class service on American includes wider seats with more legroom, premium dining with menus designed by Dallas restaurateur Julian Barsotti, as well as free entertainment and wi-fi. Shorter international flights offer similar services in business class.

The airline’s most exclusive services are called Flagship First and Flagship Business. It is offered on international and transcontinental flights on its Boeing 777-300 aircraft, and is only available in five airports currently in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and New York’s JFK, with Philadelphia launching soon. Lounges in those cities for first and business class Flagship passengers offer chef-inspired meals, premium wine tables, specialty cocktail bars, shower suites and more.

Business and first class seats and services can vary greatly by aircraft and route, so be sure to check this page to see what you are booking, and check what services are available in your departure city and destination.

Flagship First and Five Star Services

Flagship First Dining for example allows you to have a sit-down dining experience in the lounge before you board so you can maximize the amount of time you can sleep while flying. Dishes are designed in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, a culinary arts organization. The first class experience can also extend after you land in London for example, where American Airlines offers showers and breakfast and lunch buffets in its Arrivals Lounge.

American also offers Five Star Service at 16 US airports and four international ones to its premium class passengers, though this will cost $350 more per adult ticket and $100 for an additional adult. It includes access to Flagship First check-in and access to Admirals Club lounges. You can also use 35,000 AAdvantage miles to add this service on for the first adult and 10,000 miles for the second adult.

Business Class vs First Class on Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines premium products can be a little confusing. The carrier offers first class service on its shorter international flights and some domestic routes, but it’s most premium product is actually Delta One, which is technically a business class fare that is offered on longer flights.

Delta Airlines offers Sky Priority service to its first class passengers, which includes expedited check-in, security and boarding, and you also get your bags first when you land. First class seats offer up to 8” of extra legroom and seats that recline up to 5.4” compared to the main cabin. Food is made fresh and varies by length of flight. Flights over 900 miles include a chef-curated meal.

Delta One

Delta One passengers also get Sky Priority services, and on board there are 180-degree lie-flat seats. The airline’s A350 and A339 planes feature doors and privacy dividers between center suites for Delta One passengers. Passengers are offered TUMI amenity kits that include LE LABO lotion and lip balm. Delta One passengers also get Sky Club lounge access before their flight.

If you’re booked on Delta One, you’ll be the first to board the plane, and you’ll have an elevated dining experience on board with chef-designed meals with local, seasonal and regional offerings paired with premium wines. Top-shelf liquor choices include Grey Goose vodka and Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select.

Delta One is available primarily on long-haul routes, but is also available in some domestic markets including flights departing from LAX. First class passengers and Delta One passengers also have access to Sky Club lounges where available before their flight.

Business Class vs First Class on United Airlines

United First is the premium class of service offered on flights throughout the US including Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. If you’re booked on a United First ticket you get Premier Access benefits which include dedicated check-in and security lane access as well as priority boarding. You can also check up to two bags for free. Business class passengers also get Premier Access benefits.

United Business is offered on flights between the US and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as some transcontinental flights, and offers similar benefits as those offered to first class passengers. The biggest difference is in service levels when flying.

On board in first and business class you’ll get a premium leather reclining seat with a six-way adjustable headrest with a slot for your laptop in the armrest. Granite-topped tray tables offer a flip up mobile device holder and a universal power plug. Entertainment options include United Private Screening where you can stream from an extensive series of movies and TV shows as well as DirectTV.

The carrier has teamed up with Trotter Project to offer restaurant-quality dining as well as On the Rocks cocktails, a rotating craft beer selection and illy coffee for first, business and Polaris customers.

United Polaris

The real premium product on United flights is United Polaris, which is being rolled out on new and retrofitted planes. It is a business class product that is available on long-haul international flights and is replacing United first class on long flights. Seats lie flat and there are dividers between them if you are traveling alone.

The airline has teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue to offer luxury bedding in Polaris cabins, which includes a quilted duvet or a lighter throw blanket. You can even request mattress cushions for more comfort.

Amenity kits include slippers and pajamas for flights over 12 hours and skincare items from Sunday Riley, as well as earplugs and other amenities. There are also exclusive Polaris lounges you can visit before boarding in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco. If there is no Polaris lounge at your departing airport, first, business and Polaris passengers can use United Club lounges before boarding.

COVID Restrictions

Some food and beverage services are currently limited on some airlines and flights due to the pandemic, so check on what the airline is offering if this is part of the experience you are looking forward to. And some lounges that provide access to first and business class passengers are currently closed, so check on that as well if you are planning to use a lounge prior to boarding.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of variables and considerations when booking a premium airline seat, and in some cases business class service is actually more premium than first class, so do your homework before booking to ensure you get the experience you want.

Many domestic flights for instance, are not that long or you have to change planes at an airline hub, so it may not be worth paying extra for a business or first class experience. Many flights don’t offer upper class services and/or there are limited seats, though it is usually an option on transcontinental flights.

Some planes are also older, and the seat configurations can vary greatly so be sure to check out the type of plane and its floor plan to get a better idea of what the actual seat you’re considering looks like, especially if the fare is lower than you expect. That may be because the plane has older seats that only recline and may not lay flat, or the seat width and pitch are not as great as you would expect.

If your company is willing to pick up the tab, then flying in a premium cabin is a no-brainer on business trips. But check out a few options for the route you are taking because it could mean the difference between having an enclosed area with a lie flat seat or just getting a wide reclining seat. Also, some carriers may have lounges in your departure city, while others don’t. It also might be of interest to find out what they’re serving and/or arrival times to make your final decision.

If you are paying for the flight or using points or miles for an award ticket, consider the value you are getting before booking a first or business class seat. For miles and points collectors, award seats in premium cabins usually offer the best value for redemptions, so if you’ve got a lot of miles and points stashed it might be time to find an award seat in a first or business class cabin to get the most value for your rewards. Shop around if you’re using miles because you can usually get a better first or business class experience with fewer miles or by transferring points if you do your research.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

Guide to United Airlines Electronic Travel Certificates [2021]

May 25, 2021 by Lauren Graves

An electronic travel certificate with United Airlines can be used to book trips on most United flights. These certificates, which can be easily redeemed for flights and/or preferred seating, can be a great way to save money.

Issued when a flight is canceled, these vouchers do not cost anything to you and are worth the full price of a canceled ticket.

So how do you get them, how do they work, and are they worth having? Find out below.

✈️ Looking for a new travel credit card this year? See today’s top offers below:

What is United’s Electronic Travel Certificate?

A United electronic travel certificate can be used to purchase tickets for United flights, United Express flights, and flights through other airlines that are United Express-branded. However, these certificates are not redeemable for flights on airlines within the Star Alliance network or United-branded flights elsewhere. These certificates are not the same as award tickets.

In addition to select flight tickets, these certificates can be used to purchase upgrades such as Economy Plus seating, Basic Economy seating, and preferred seating.

Travel certificates are valid for two years after issuance and go into effect immediately after a flight is canceled. They are offered as an alternative to rebooking and paying a change fee to customers that need to cancel their flight. You can apply the full value of your canceled flight to one of these certificates and use it to purchase any qualifying flight even if it is for a different reservation.

Electronic travel certificates are issued by United for situations such as irregular operations, customer goodwill, fare difference during a ticket exchange, and instances of denied boarding. They are also offered as an option to passengers that voluntarily cancel a flight, but not all canceled flights are eligible to receive full refunds in the form of electronic travel certificates (certain payment types such as credit card points, for example, may not qualify). In some cases, you may only be offered future flight credit.

Electronic Travel Certificate vs Future Flight Credit: Which is Better?

Electronic travel certificates and future flight credit are often compared to each other because they are very similar: they are both issued when a flight is canceled and can both be used to book flights. But which is better?

That depends. Travel certificates have the advantage of being more flexible with time and future flight credit has the advantage of being more flexible with flight options; certificates have residual value and FFC does not. Basically, which is better comes down to when and how you’re most likely to use your credit to fly.

Here’s a breakdown of how the two compare.

When booking new travel you can:	Travel Certificate	Future Flight Credit
Change dates and/or locations	✅	✅
Book on partner airlines	✅	✅
Use for new travelers	❌	✅
Book on United and United Express	✅	❌

This table should help you determine whether to take future flight credits or a Travel Certificate.

In a nut shell…

Both:

Allow you to change travel dates and/or cities
Let you book United or United Express
Are eligible to earn miles

Electronic travel certificates:

Can be used to book new travel
Do not place restrictions on the travel-by date
Do not carry rules and restrictions from the original ticket
Can be used to book multiple flights
Can be used to book travel for someone else
*May maintain United card benefits such as priority boarding and free checked baggage. Learn more about United’s baggage policy in 2021.

Future flight credit:

Can be used to book flights on partner airlines
Maintains United card benefits such as priority boarding and free checked baggage

If you’re a United Chase cardholder, you’re going to want to read this closely. When you use your United card to pay for a ticket and end up canceling that flight in exchange for flight credit, your card benefits will carry over when you rebook. But if you receive a travel certificate instead and the cost of your new flight is less than the value of your certificate, your benefits will not transfer. If, on the other hand, the cost of the flight exceeds the value of your certificate and you pay the difference with your card, you’ll get those perks. If you have a United Explorer, Club, Presidential Plus, United Business, or United Club Business card, one of those perks will include either one or two free checked bags.

Another major difference between the two is that certificates are typically valid for twice as long. Normally, future flight credit expires within 12 months of issuance while electronic travel certificates take 24 months to expire. With that said, future flight credit for tickets issued between May 1, 2019 – March 31, 2021, is valid for travel commencing on or before March 31, 2022 gives passengers 24 months to rebook. Please note that the certificate expiration policy has been recently extended and used to be just 12 months. This is subject to change again but unlikely to do so in the near future.

One major benefit of travel certificates is that they can be put toward more than one flight. If you book a flight with your certificate that is valued at less than the value of your certificate and still have credit left over, the extra will remain in your account for use on your next purchase until the full value of the certificate has been used or the certificate expires—whichever happens first.

So as you can see, electronic travel certificates beat future flight credit in many ways because they are generally more flexible. They usually have a longer expiration period and fewer booking restrictions. But if you need the option of traveling through a United partner airline and/or you want to be able to use your United credit card perks with a flight that costs less than your voucher is worth, future flight credit might be the better choice for you.

How To Use or Redeem a United Electronic Travel Certificate

To redeem your United electronic travel certificate, visit united.com and select Deals & Offers navigate to Promotional certificates, then enter the code or PIN on your certificate. This will tell you how much is left on your credit and how long you have until it expires. You do not need to pay anything when you redeem your certificate to book travel online except for service fees associated with any flight. But if you redeem over the phone, you’ll be charged a small redemption fee.

Travel certificates, which are always issued in USD, do not have monetary value and may not be sold, transferred, or redeemed for cash. Trying to sell or trade a certificate will result in said certificate automatically becoming invalid, even for the original recipient. But if you do intend to use a certificate to purchase a ticket for a flyer other than yourself, which is permissible, you’ll need to make sure to do this from your own account and know that the certificate can only be redeemed by you. United will require identification at the time of purchase and your last name will be linked to the ticket.

Travel certificates may not be used in conjunction with MileagePlus awards, PlusPoints upgrades, or prepaid tickets and are not valid when redeemed through a travel agency. Service charges and fees may not be paid for with certificates—you will need to pay these with a card at the time of purchase and check-in. You may combine up to ten separate certificates as long as they are all valid.

Current Status of United Electronic Travel Certificates From United

Due to current and past travel restrictions put in place in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations, United electronic travel certificates are now valid for 24 months from the date they are issued. They take effect immediately after you cancel a flight and select this option. Your certificate will be automatically sent to your email.

Lately, there has been some debate about whether travel certificates are actually a good alternative to just rebooking a flight like normal. This is because recently and temporarily, United has loosened up its flight change policy by allowing passengers to rebook without incurring a typical change fee of $200. However, this will result in you forfeiting some of the value of your original ticket if you opt for a flight that is priced lower than what you first paid.

Remember that travel certificates maintain the full value of your original ticket and can be used on more than one flight. So even with this flexibility in mind, electronic travel certificates are probably the way to go if you intend to fly through United or United Express in the next two years.

Final Thoughts

These electronic travel certificates are just another way that flyers can stretch their money and save when traveling. Electronic travel certificates come out on top when compared to future flight credit in many instances and are the logical choice over a traditional flight change. Across the board, these certificates are generally going to save you more than rebooking and the pesky change fees that come with that, but if you can wait to see if United will cancel your flight—in which case they are required to issue a full refund—or make changes to it, do that.