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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Melanie is currently the managing editor for global features at TPG, where she oversees daily travel and lifestyle news, destination coverage, travel features and reports. Prior to TPG, Melanie was an editor at Travel + Leisure magazine, and her work has appeared in Bloomberg Pursuits, Yahoo Travel, Jetsetter, Boston Common magazine, Luxe City Guides, Thrillist and Saveur magazine, among others. She has been recognized for her journalism, poetry, prose and playwriting in various competitions and festivals, and has been featured as a travel expert by notable outlets across radio, podcasts, in print and on television, including "Good Morning America," MSNBC, Fox Business and The Weather Channel.
September 9, 2020 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
A luxury trip to New York City can be affordable with strategic planning and use of select travel perks.
Travelers can access elite hotel benefits, discounted Broadway tickets and skip lines at major venues by leveraging specific programs and memberships.
Free or reduced admission is available at top museums, and there are ways to enjoy premium dining and transportation experiences for less.
Seasonal and location-based deals, such as pay-as-you-wish museum entry and day passes to hotel pools, further enhance value.
What to consider
Some offers and discounts mentioned may no longer be available; always check current terms before booking.
Certain perks require advance registration, specific memberships or eligibility through particular payment methods.
Many deals are time-sensitive, such as Broadway Week or free museum days, so planning ahead is essential.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing luxury experiences in New York City while minimizing costs, including step-by-step guidance for accessing exclusive perks.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Editor’s note: As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We’ll be here to help you prepare, whether you’re traveling next month or next year.
One look at the average nightly hotel rate or nearest dinner menu, and you might think the only way to have an affordable trip to New York City is to pack a backpack filled with granola bars and sneak onto the nearest walking tour.
It's true that a trip to the Big Apple can come with a big price tag, but you don't need to drain your savings account or sleep on the subway to make it happen. In fact, travelers can take a page out of any savvy New Yorker's notebook and have an elevated, downright luxurious trip to New York City for less than the average visitor.
All you have to do is plan ahead — trust us.
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Get elite benefits at a luxury hotel
(Photo by Melanie Lieberman/The Points Guy)
Sure, you can redeem points for a completely free night (or more) at a dizzying number of hotels all around New York City. But if you really want to feel like a VIP guest, consider booking through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, if you have either The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express in your wallet. You can use Membership Rewards points to book your room (read: stay for free), or you can choose instead to earn 5x points on prepaid bookings. Either way, you’ll get exclusive perks like daily breakfast for two; a room upgrade upon arrival, when available; noon check-in, when available; guaranteed late check-out; and a $100 property credit (which might be redeemable at the spa or at on-site restaurants) among others benefits.
More than two dozen luxury New York City hotels participate in the program, many of which can't be booked through any other loyalty program such as The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel; the Baccarat Hotel New York; the first-ever Equinox Hotel in Hudson Yards, the Four Seasons and the storybook-worthy Plaza.
Score a seat to the biggest shows (for a bargain)
(Photo by NAO/Twenty20)
Few activities scream "fancy weekend in New York City" quite like a Saturday night performance of the most talked-about production in town. But even terrible seats at the most in-demand shows can easily cost upwards of $500. I'll admit that, in desperation, I've paid more than that for tickets in the past. Don't be like me, though! With a little patience and planning, you can save big on theater tickets. And really lucky travelers might even score tickets for free.
You can find reduced prices on same-day tickets (up to 50% off) at the TKTS booths in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Lincoln Center — if you're willing to get out of bed early and wait in line. During Broadway Week, which happens twice a year, you can buy two-for-one tickets to select shows. There's also the TodayTix app, which helps you find discounted tickets up to a month in advance (or more). And if you're traveling with little ones in tow, Kids Night on Broadway (KNOB) lets you buy an adult ticket and receive a free ticket for a child 18 and under (actually, the tickets will show half-price for each of you).
There are also a number of shows (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child; The Lion King; the Book of Mormon) that offer a daily digital lottery. And depending on what credit cards are in your wallet, you may have access to cardholder-only presale tickets. How else do you think I was able to afford to see Hamilton?
They say time is money, and you can save a lot of both if you sign up for Clear in advance of your New York City vacation. You can use it to breeze through security at all the New York-area airports — JFK, LGA, EWR and Westchester County (HPN)— and also skip the lines before a sporting event or concert at Citi Field, Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden.
The normal rate for Clear membership is $179 per year. However, there are many ways to save and avoid paying that full retail price. TPG readers can use the promo code TPG149 to get a discounted membership of $149 for the first year or can use the promo code TPG2M to get a two-month free trial membership. You can enter either code manually or use the above links to get the discount. Clear has also partnered with both Delta and United to offer special membership rates. If you use the American Express® Green Card to purchase a Clear membership, you'll receive up to a $100 annual credit.
The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Save on the city's best museums
(Photo by JJFarquitectos/Twenty20)
Have a Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (US Trust) credit or debit card, such as the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card or the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card? Peg your trip to the “Museums on Us” program, which typically gives cardholders free admission to participating museums during the first full weekend of each month. In New York City, that means free access to the New York Transit Museum, the Rubin Museum of Art and the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museu, among others.
All travelers can also take advantage of pay-as-you-wish museums (the American Museum of Natural History; the Metropolitan Museum of Art) or visit during free times. The National Sept. 11 Museum, for example, is free every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Riding the subway is a right of passage, and can often be faster than trying to hail a cab. But it's definitely not the most glamorous way to explore the Big Apple.
You can easily leverage credit perks for a free Uber or discounted Lyft ride in New York City. The Platinum Card comes with up to $200 in annual Uber credits ($15 per month and $35 in December), which could translate into a free or inexpensive ride back to your hotel after dinner. And now, travelers with the Chase Sapphire Reserve get a complimentary Lyft Pink membership, which normally costs $19.99 per month. This means 15% off all rides, three free cancellations a month, priority airport pickups and — if you're feeling adventurous — three free bike or scooter rides per month.
But I think we can all agree that a serious upgrade to your New York City vacation means skipping the traffic altogether with a luxury helicopter ride. You can use your Uber app to book a ride to New York-JFK (and leverage the aforementioned Uber credit) for an eight-minute trip from Manhattan (sure beats sitting in traffic for an hour or taking the AirTrain). Or, try Blade, which sells seats to JFK, LGA and EWR from $195.
Get a free scenic boat tour
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
If it's your first trip to New York City, you're probably looking forward to taking a scenic boat ride around the harbor. But you can avoid the touristy sailings (which will often set you back at least $20 per person) and ride the free Staten Island Ferry instead. You'll get the same iconic views of the city skyline and the Statue of Liberty without paying a dime. The ferry runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every 30 minutes — and even more frequently during rush hour.
Dine at the hottest tables in town
(Photo by barrelofthelens/Twenty20)
Let's get this out of the way: You don't have to spend a fortune to eat well in New York City which, after all, is famous for its $1 slices of pizza, $6 burgers from Shake Shack and other inexpensive carbohydrates. But this sleepless city is also home to some of the greatest fine-dining institutions on Earth, and if you really want to travel like a VIP, you should carve out time for at least one over-the-top culinary experience during your trip.
Use your Platinum- or Centurion-branded card from American Express to access the Global Dining Collection: upscale restaurants around the world that partner with Amex to offer cardholders premium dining experiences such as special menu items, free drinks and prime reservations. Yes, even tables at restaurants that are otherwise fully booked online. There are more than 40 participating restaurants in New York City, including Eleven Madison Park, Carbone, Blue Hill and Gramercy Tavern.
Just be sure to pay with a card that earns you bonus points on dining, such as the American Express® Gold Card which offers 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants.
Post up by the pool
(Photo by Melanie Lieberman/The Points Guy)
Here's the thing about summers in New York City: They're hot. Really hot. So while lounging poolside may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're imagining a trip to New York, it can be a great way to spend an especially hot day during the summer. New York City is home to some incredible hotel pools, and you don't need to splash out for a room to get access.
At the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards, for example, you can hang out at the buzzy outdoor heated pool and roof deck by getting a day pass to the gym, or booking a spa treatment. At the James in Soho, you can post up by the pool for free during late-afternoon weekend pool parties. There are also day passes available for the resort-inspired pool at the Dream Downtown and The William Vale (spring for a two-person pergola for $100 on weekdays).
You don't need to take a second mortgage out on your home to enjoy New York City like a VIP. With some careful planning and a few careful splurges, you can experience a truly upgrade version of this sleepless city for a fraction of the price. And remember, a New York City vacation will also be filled with opportunities to earn bonus points and miles, so prepare your wallet accordingly to really maximize the experience.
To get the most value out of your trip, we recommend taking advantage of the perks that come with The Platinum Card® from American Express; putting your general travel expenses on the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x), the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x) or, if you prefer Membership Rewards points, the American Express® Green Card (3x).
When you dine out, be sure to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the American Express® Gold Card. And if you just want to take the edge off the final bill, consider using your fixed-value miles to “erase” travel purchases from your statement when you pay with a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
