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Don't forget to do this before heading to the airport for your holiday flight

Nov. 19, 2023
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3 min read
Practical Pointers Holiday Travel Busy Airport_baona
Don't forget to do this before heading to the airport for your holiday flight
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Editor's Note

This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Holiday travel is starting, and with more than 55 million people projected to travel during the upcoming holiday week, it will be busy out there. In fact, more than 3.2 million people are expected to fly in the U.S. on the Sunday after Thanksgiving alone.

At many airports across the country, with all those passengers in the air, many cars fill the parking lots. In the last few years, we've seen airport parking lots hit capacity several times, and we expect that to happen in some spots again this week. Some airport social media accounts are already offering some warnings to that effect.

To ensure there's a spot for your car where you like to park at the airport, the safest bet is to go ahead and lock that reservation in now. Sometimes, those who book in advance can also save some over the drive-up rate.

packed parking lot
A packed parking lot in July 2022 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

On the airport’s website, you can likely go to the parking reservations page, input the day or time you’ll arrive at the airport and indicate when you plan to leave. You can also select which terminal you’ll be using.

Related: Best credit cards for booking flights

Booking in advance can save you money, too

Another thing to remember is that by booking your parking and paying in advance, you can often tap into some savings. These savings can go as high as 50%, though savings during holiday times may not always be quite that high.

Below, you can see the example per-day savings for parking at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW); savings come in at $13.25-$18.50 per day just by booking holiday dates ahead of time.

DFW

Bottom line

When hustling to make a flight during the busy holiday travel season, the last thing you want to do is have to drive in circles for 20 minutes searching for an airport parking space — or not be able to get into the parking lot at all.

Since airports offer parking reservations, if you know now that you’ll be flying — and driving to the airport — it's likely best to go ahead and lock in your space now.

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Featured image by BAONA/GETTY IMAGES
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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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)

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  • 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.