Credit card issuers usually allow cardholders to upgrade existing products within the same family of products, avoiding opening new cards that require hard credit inquiries and having the additional hard inquiries performed on your credit profile.
Some credit cards offer upgraded or preferred boarding, while others allow you to earn first-class travel rewards. When considering upgrading, make sure that you understand how any upgrade will impact your credit scores and fees.
Upgraded or preferred boarding
Prior to this change, Southwest credit card holders could only upgrade for A1-A15 boarding groups at airports; now AAdvantage elite members may purchase them up to 24 hours prior to departure online with any eligible AAdvantage credit card and will be reimbursed should there not be an available seat on travel day.
Domestic Delta One and First Class upgrades may clear early at the window associated with your Member Status if space allows; upgrades for companions traveling on the same reservation can also be granted based on priority clearance of higher-tiered Members if available.
Credit card companies allow customers to change cards within a particular product line, so it’s essential that when selecting your new card it meets this criterion. For instance, switching from Chase Sapphire Preferred to Sapphire Reserve requires calling your card issuer first and asking them for permission for such product changes.
First-class lounge access
Lounge access is one of the greatest perks offered by airline credit cards. Depending on which card you hold, lounge access may require either an annual membership fee or be free as part of your frequent flyer program status. When entering an establishment offering lounge access, typically your card and boarding pass must be shown at its entrance before being granted entrance. If paying per use passes aren’t an option for you, annual memberships offer better savings over pay-per-use passes.
Capital One Venture X cardholders can access over 100 Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide as well as Priority Pass network’s airport lounges for lounge access. Furthermore, cardholders may bring guests into any lounge free of charge; other lounge programs charge guest fees.
When traveling between cabin classes within one ticketed journey (for instance a world international long haul flight and domestic connections), your lounge entitlement* will depend on which class of travel was highest on departure day. Furthermore, some airlines limit how often customers can visit their lounges.
Hotel upgrades
Hotel upgrades are just one of the many perks offered by joining a hotel loyalty program and using its associated credit card. Not only will these cards help you quickly achieve loyalty status and room upgrades faster; many also include other perks such as free breakfast, late checkout or airport shuttle service.
Your chances of landing a hotel upgrade increase by showing genuine enthusiasm and an honest desire for extra space. Travel during off-peak seasons when hotels tend to be less full. In addition, try booking through third-party sites directly as these often don’t have access to as many hotel inventory options and cannot provide upgrades as effectively as other methods can.
Requesting a hotel upgrade directly is another effective method, although be discreet when doing so – hotel staff might be able to detect if you’re trying to manipulate them; don’t complain about subpar bathrooms when making this request!
Airline lounge access
Airline lounge access is one of the most coveted travel perks, available to premium passengers on airline-branded flights as well as those who hold elite frequent flyer status such as American Airlines Gold, Platinum and 1K members and United Polaris Club customers. In addition, some credit cards provide lounge access as a benefit; such as American Express’ Platinum Card offering access through Priority Pass network.
Some airlines operate their own lounges, such as Delta Sky Club and American Airlines Admirals Club, for first- and business-class passengers with elite status or select credit card holders. Other lounges may be run by airports, airlines or third-party operators like Ben Gurion Airport’s Dan Lounge for international first-class rail passengers; most lounges limit how many guests each individual may bring into a lounge depending on its rules; many offer pay-per-use access that may cost more than their normal entry fee.
