Credit Scores, Compensation, Lounges & Everything Else
If you've got a question that isn't covered in the other FAQ pages, like receiving airline compensation after a bad flight, our favorite tools for searching award flights, understanding Global Entry, improving your credit score or pursuing points retroactively, we should have an answer for you here.
Start Using Points
- The Beginner's Guide to Points & Miles
- The Savvy Traveler's Points & Miles Glossary
- 10 Commandments for Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- 10 Most Valuable Transfer Partners for Flights and Hotels
- Finding Flight Deals From a Specific Airport
How to Fly Business Class on Points
Want to use your points to fly business class? Save thousands of dollars by following these tips:
Want to know how to get upgrades and elite status? See: Elite Status and Upgrades for Airlines & Hotels
Searching Award Availability
See some of the best ways to look for and find award availability:
- Boost Your Award-Booking and Upgrade Success With ExpertFlyer
- Our Favorite Award Availability Tools
Learn how to find award availability for specific airlines:
Airline Compensation & Fees
Have a bad flight experience, and looking for a refund? These should help:
Looking to avoid change and/or cancellation fees? Here's how we'd do it:
Were your bags delayed, mishandled or lost? We've got you covered:
- What to Do If an Airline Loses Your Bag
- Which Credit Cards Cover Baggage Delays?
See all things Travel Insurance
Receiving Points Retroactively
Fly somewhere but forgot to log into your account beforehand? Get points after your flight:
Or did you create frequent flyer account after your flight?
Claim your missing miles (for AA only):
- Claim Missing American Airlines Miles
Improving Your Credit Score
Want new credit cards but stuck with a bad credit score?
Taxes
Interested in using points to pay your taxes? See this post before you do:
Lounges
Want to know about lounges, how to get in, and the best ones to go to?
See: all things Lounges & Club Lounges
Priority Pass Lounges
Airport Security & Immigration
Interested in expediting airport security, customs and/or immigration? These programs are meant to do just that.
CLEAR Expedited Security
Considering CLEAR? Want to learn about it? See: all tings CLEAR Expedited Security
- CLEAR Expedited Security Program — Is it Worthwhile?
- Free CLEAR Expedited Security for Delta Diamond Members
Global Entry
One of the biggest programs, available to U.S. citizens and foreigners alike. See: all things Global Entry
Mobile Passport
A favorite of some TPG team members, are you considering Mobile Passport?
- Should I Use Global Entry or Mobile Passport App?
- Why Mobile Passport Can Be an Even Better Option Than Global Entry
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Active Military
Currently serving in the military and looking for a new credit card, or just hoping to strategize your points game?
Big Purchases
About to buy a home, a car, some jewelry or any other expensive item? Looking for the best cards to do it?
- 6 Things to Consider Before Making a Large Purchase
- Earning Tons of Extra Miles on a Large Purchase
- Paying Rent and Mortgages With a Credit Card
Car Rentals and Coverage
Looking to rent a car with points?
Want to know which cards have rental car insurance?
Currency & Exchange Rates
Looking for tips on exchange rates and changing currency while traveling?
- Avoiding ATM Withdrawal Fees When Traveling Abroad
- Can You Save Money Purchasing Airline Tickets in Foreign Currency?
- Credit Card Payment Networks with the Best Exchange Rates
- Where to Exchange Currency for an International Trip
Expats
Helpful information about credit cards, points & miles for Americans living abroad
- The Best Credit Cards and Award Programs for Expats
Travel Scams (how to recognize & avoid them)
Unfortunately, tourists are always targets of quick, petty scams for cash. Know to recognize them before you fall into a trap.
Using Credit Card Portals
Looking to book a flight or hotel stay through a portal, but not sure what it entails?
- Do I Get Airline Miles & Elite Benefits With Portal Bookings?
- Should I Use a Card Travel Portal or Hotels.com to Book a Room?
Shopping Portals
Looking for another way to earn points & miles when shopping online?
Can't find what you're looking for? Check out our guides or travel resources page. Still nothing? Shoot us an email and we'll do our best to get back to you: info@thepointsguy.com. If you'd like to see something added to this FAQ, send us a Facebook message with what you think we're missing. If your request is popular with other readers we'll add it!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.