TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Credit Card and Elite Status Perks
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
We recently asked our TPG Lounge readers to share the credit card or elite status perks they've used the most so far this year. Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
Perks Related to Airport Lounges and Flying
Whether it's lounge access at the airport or in-flight freebies like free drinks and complimentary checked bags, our TPG Lounge members had plenty to talk about in terms of airline-related perks.
"The Southwest Companion Pass!" — Carmela P.
"Free Admirals Club membership with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard." — Malcolm S.
"Free Delta Sky Club access with the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express and free checked bags I get as a Medallion member and Delta Amex cardholder." — Regina P.
"With The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta lounge access and before the SPG/Marriott merger, I appreciated the Marriott Gold Elite benefit of club access. Now you have to be a Platinum to get access." — Whitney W.S.
"Alaska Airlines' free checked bag and the $99 companion fare." — Austin P.
"Free alcohol drinks for Mosaic members on JetBlue." — Annmarie B.
"The Amex Platinum's 5x points on airfare benefit." — David C.
"$200 airline credit. 35% Amex Membership Rewards bonus points back when you book using points on business class and select airlines. I have milked almost every benefit!" — Joseph S.
"United Platinum status' complimentary upgrades to first class." — Matthew R.
"Priority Pass via my Amex Platinum card. Our home airport, PDX, has great options, plus we've had some extended layovers on family trips where lounge access was incredibly helpful. Also have used Uber credits with the same card, usually for Uber Eats. With Alaska Airlines, the waived change fees [is a great perk]. I'm not sure how many changes I've made in the last week, but at least three as work schedules evolve." — Sara L.T.
"Same-day standby on American Airlines. It really helps you get somewhere more quickly, especially on flights where the connection wouldn't normally be allowed." — David O.
"Alaska Airlines MVP Gold. Moved my flight from yesterday to tomorrow with no change fees. Will be at 75,000 after Sunday’s flight." — Derek S.
"Priority Pass membership with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and free Economy Plus upgrades on United." — Colton B.
"United Club Card. Being able to stop in the lounge before every flight is awesome, especially after having the annual fee waived the first year. You're basically getting a free year of club membership." — David T.
"Priority Pass lounges and restaurants for departure and arrival on all our flights. Terrific perk!" — Trang N.
"United's Presidential Plus card. Paid for itself a few times this year with free luggage and club access." — Lyn G.
"Centurion Lounge access. I estimate that I have saved over $500 in food and beverage expenses between IAH and SEA." — Paul N.
Hotel-Related Perks
As far as hotels are concerned, most TPG Lounge readers revealed it was the little things — like complimentary breakfasts, upgrades and instant hotel status — that made their stays all the more memorable.
"Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card's (1) unlimited Priority Pass access, (2) $250 airline incidentals credit (UA), and (3) automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status." — Keith M.
"Marriott Platinum (now Platinum Premier). Breakfasts, upgrades and United Silver status have been great." — Brad H.
"Amex Platinum: Marriott Gold status and 4:00 p.m. late checkout." — MG C.L.C.
"Free breakfast and food and beverage credits at Hilton." — Nathan P.H.
"Hilton Diamond status. Moved across the country and decided to drive, staying at Hilton properties every night burning points. Man, those free breakfasts, parking, even laundry services paid off! It depends on what Hilton [brand] you stay at — Hilton Garden Inn has Diamond Elite parking, while Homewood Suites and Home2Suites have complimentary access to laundry services. I imagine it also depends where you stay. I don’t think this would even be possible in New York City, but fine in Mentor, Ohio." — Neil M.
"Amex Platinum’s Fine Hotels & Resorts." — Alex L.
"Hilton Diamond status through the Hilton Amex Aspire. Got $250 in airline and resort credits, plus free breakfast and parking." — Shaun M.
"I’ll probably be the odd man out and say the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card. Priority Pass access is amazing. The upgrade to the queen ocean view room with terrace from a mountain view room at The St. Regis Princeville Resort in Kauai was the best value return with Marriott Gold status. And the $300 statement credit was triggered by it." — Jay Z.
Additional Perks TPG Lounge Readers Love
For some TPG Lounge members, the most valuable perks came through not at hotels or in the air, but with car rentals and overall savings thanks to certain travel credit cards.
"Our family has used Delta lounges this year as authorized users with my Amex Platinum. My daughter regularly used the Uber credits. We've also used National Car Rental's Executive Choice and Hertz's Gold Plus Rewards." — Doug M.
"Hilton Aspire Diamond membership and Amex Platinum's Centurion Lounge and Uber benefits. It's a tie." — BeFresh E.
"Chase Sapphire Reserve: lounge access, primary insurance, Silvercar and of course, my $300 travel credit." — Soroya G.G.
"The $300 travel credit and Priority Pass membership with the CSR. Upgrading my CSP to the CSR was such a smart idea that I'm kicking myself for not having done it sooner. I didn't receive any extra perks for switching, but it was still worth it to me to upgrade. That one extra point on dining and travel has already made a difference in my points earnings, not to mention the other benefits I've already gotten from it. It would have been years for me to qualify for the sign-up bonus on it so I decided upgrading was pretty much my only option." — Becky B.
"Priority Pass and the Silvercar discount from using my CSR. It also gives you elite status with National Car Rental and Enterprise, but that value doesn’t come close to what Silvercar offers for the same price. I highly recommend the CSR [as it's the] best, well-rounded card for me at least. I use a variety of airlines and mostly stay in Airbnbs instead of hotels so it fits my needs well." — Andrew B.
All photos by TPG staff.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.