The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Gold Card, Platinum Card and Centurion Members (Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Although Jocks air tours have long since ceased, the skys the limit when it comes to creative decor, incredible fun, and some truly boozy brilliance. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors 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. However, because all of this is clear as mud, we have received some reports of theme park ticket purchases with the Savor card coding as travel. Independent Walt Disney World Vacation Information. Learn More About Cruise Offerings and Plan Your Trip Today. Heres what you should know about the change in guest policies at Centurion Lounges effective today. The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-Book Now Available! All Rights Reserved, BonusTracker: Best credit card bonus offers, When to use miles or points vs. paying cash (using our points calculator with newly added features! The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. American Express Lounge: We used this several times. Please Review. The person who used to staff the lounge was also an AmEx employee, not a Disney CM. The bar has a bright, tropical feel with some comfy seating options, and the eats here are pretty darned delicious. Check out the big expansion planned for Disneys Polynesian Village Resort! With the Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card, you have access to the following types of lounges: American Express Centurion lounges. The menu has excellent options for the foodie in the family, with crispy salmon croquettes and a bison burger being stars of show. What could be better than listening to Polynesian music while sipping a fruity tropical drink out of a pineapple? Take some time to explore our favorites, then enjoy finding a few of your own. Strategically using one of the best credit cards for theme park tickets will mean that you can earn bonus cash back or some extra miles and points to put toward the next family vacation. The new Centurion Lounge guesting policy comes as Amex is working hard to expand and renovate its existing network of outposts. A better option will usually be to transfer AMEX Membership Rewards to Starwood and then from Starwood to Marriott. The lounge area itself is bright and modern with shades of blue accentuated with geometric shapes. What is in these lounges? 1. Other Global Lounge Collection . Ever since his parents took him to the Magic Kingdom on a family vacation as a youngster, he has had an interest in the magic that Disney creates for families. How To Get American Express Airport Lounge Access | Credit Karma Truly memorable is the wine flight, so dont miss that if you go! Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. As with Marriott and Starwood, this is a good way to save on cash or extend your points, but youll need to make sure youre getting good value for the points you save! Enrollment required. Since early in the Starwood-Marriott merger, youve been able to transfer your Starwood points to Marriott points at a 1:3 ratio. EPCOT International Food And Wine Festival, Butterfly Garden Opens At 2023 EPCOT Flower And Garden Festival, Live Video Enchanted Tales With Belle at the Magic Kingdom, 2023 EPCOT Flower And Garden Festival Topiaries, Josh Gad: New Jungle Cruise Skipper at Disneyland Resort (Video), Disneys Typhoon Lagoon Reopening in March. And because this is the Grand Floridian, you won't find pub grub here. ), How much are Amex points really worth? The one piece of Disney World advice you want to take when you get here is this look up. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. When you return to the lounge, check out the conference room, which has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Test Track entrance, the external acceleration test area, and Spaceship Earth as well as the Imagination Pavilion and The Land. Guest Post Guidelines We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Siemens took over sponsorship of Spaceship Earth from AT&T (formerly Bell System) in 2005. By cutting free guests, Amex is seemingly working to reduce overcrowding. Weve Eaten at Every Disney Springs Restaurant. Authorized users on the Business Platinum cost a whopping $350 per year each (see rates and fees). We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. That's what TPG's CEO Brian Kelly did when he purchased a pricey Disney VIP tour using his Chase Freedom Unlimited and wanted to be sure he earned a good number of points no matter how it coded. Boasting a lineup of over 200 Tequilas, this small but mighty location will entice even the most critical cocktail connoisseur with a collection of creatively magnificent margaritas. Our travel experts and partners have the destination expertise and the inside access to book everything from a day of sightseeing to your entire trip, including flights, lodging, and even dining reservations. World Of Walt 2021 All Rights Reserved. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. 5 Things to Know About AmEx Lounge Access - NerdWallet Being able to take advantage of AMEX offers and stacking that with a discount from your AP, DVC, or Tables in Wonderland makes Disney prices a little more bearable. For a trip to Walt Disney World, youll want to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). One of the perks of the recent Hilton changes is the introduction of a pay your way points and money option. Note that this card has a $695 annual fee. Through our unique partnerships with Avis/Budget, Christie, Coca-Cola, Edgewell Personal Care, Haagen Dazs, Macy's and Niagara guests can enjoy exclusive offers and benefits. OPEN NOW. Lufthansa lounges. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Book a Cruise Through American Express Travel and Sail Away on the Adventure of a Lifetime. These spending requirements reset each calendar year. There is a huge plus to the California Grill Lounge. We are excited to see whats in store when this resort and hopefully this lounge is back up and running. Plus, it will often be better to book a hotel through the AMEX Travel Portal than to transfer points to that hotels chain. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. This is obviously less than the 1 cent you get by booking air travel through the portal (and way less than some international business class flight redemptions), but it will sometimes be the best value you can get using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book hotels. American Express Credit Cards, Rewards & Banking The menu varies seasonally, so you are likely to find a seasonal soup, plus theres always a charcuterie and a mouth-watering dessert. You know how we love a good cheese option on a menu, and Territory Lounge offers up a Chardonnay fondue, a slightly boozy, super creamy snack option that comes served with practically perfect pretzel bread. With the3:1 transfer ratio, youd need 120,000 AMEX points for this redemption. This is one of the most popular spots to beat the heat at Disneys Animal Kingdom, but increase your chances of snagging a seat by getting there when they open. When you're not at the theme parks, take advantage of the hotel's daily scheduled activities. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest setting of the resort, the open-air bar has both a table service lounge and a walk-up quick service counter. American Express Card Member Presale, Card Member Exclusives, and By Invitation Only events for theater, music, dining & more Okay, we may be a little too excited, but what an incredibly unique experience, and one of the big reasons Three Bridges makes our favorites list. But, Disney World has been reopened since the summer of 2020 and even Disneyland is starting to reopen to those who purchase $75 tickets -- albeit still without rides. But you wont get consistent good value when you transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to hotel partners. Try the Fuzzy Tauntaun, and see what all the buzz is about, or opt for a non-alcoholic Blue Bantha, which is the famous blue milk topped with a yummy cookie. Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. When you enter Mission: Space, you usually turn right into the attraction where a Cast Member asks you whether you want to ride the Green Team or Orange Team version. AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton points at a 2:3 ratio. Dec 5, 2018 #1 I had a chance to speak with the woman who held the post when AmEx's sponsorship ended. AmEx lounge access may include Sky Clubs when flying Delta. The rates for the Dolphin start at 10,000 Starwood pointsper night, while the Swan starts slightly higher at 12,000 Starwood points per night. Although these lounges no longer host guests, there are still a few VIP lounges that welcome guests daily. Please share it! Because the AMEX Travel portal offers ~0.7 cents per point pretty consistently when you pay with points forhotel bookings,youll need to carefully compare these options depending on the specifics of your stay. are just for the employees of the sponser companies. New locations are planned for Washington National (DCA), Newark Liberty (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) airports. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. American Express Lounge. Disney World Restaurant Search Tool If you enjoy visiting American Express Centurion Lounges, this is your reminder that there's now a cost for bringing guests into the lounge with you from today. Sorry! The Lapu Lapu, served in a whole pineapple, is a treat right off the beach in Hawaii, with dark rum and tropical fruit. Disclosure Policy I am fairly sure they dont, but not 100% on this. at DFBStore.com. Youll want to keep this in mind to avoid usingyour AMEX Membership Rewards points now on a hotel stay if you could get much better value out of them in the future. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Is Disneys Wilderness Lodge the right resort for you? Thats actually better than booking air travel and paying with points! This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Platinum Card from American Express offers an abundance of perks in addition to its lounge access. Tee off at one of three nearby courses, all with lessons, a driving range, and putting green. 5:00am - 12:00am . Drinks here take on the Pacific Northwest theme of the resort, including a Northwest Iced Tea (think Long Island Iced Tea) and some native beers. For 2023 guest privileges, your 2022 spending is the deciding factor. Of course, this hasn't been a normal year. One of the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to partner airlines and redeem them for flights. Inside Test Tracks gift shop, theres a door that leads to a long hallway featuring concept art of the reimagining of then Wonders of Motion in 1998. To book, Platinum and Business Platinum Card, Explore and book unforgettable Activities on the American Express, Send Money & Split Purchases: Venmo and PayPal, Credit Intel Financial Education Center. The most likely bonus categories for theme park tickets are entertainment or travel. If its a full-on prime rib dinner youre looking for, youve found it here. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. There are 2 ways to book hotels with AMEX Membership Rewards points. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. 56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets from Disney Food Blog, Disney World and Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Details, Disney Recipe From the Vault: Main Street Cinnamon Rolls, Top 10 Disney Dining Tips From the Experts, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls Disney Worlds Most Popular Snacks, Meet the Politically Connected Republican Allies DeSantis Appointed to the Disney World District Board, HUGE Price Increase at Cinderellas Royal Table in Disney World. They are: You can expect to get a value of between 0.6 cents and 0.8 cents per AMEX Membership Reward point when you transfer and bookthese hotelswith Starwood points. *, With Platinum Destinations Vacations, get one extra Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar you spend on a qualifying vacation package.1. Authorized users aren't subject to the $50-per-visit guest fee. If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. AmEx Global Lounge Collection: What to Know - NerdWallet Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. The AMEX Travel Portal can be used to book hotels at most chains, but here are some sample redemptions for Disney resorts: At most hotels, you can expect to get a value of~0.7 cents per point when you pay with points. When purchasing park tickets directly from the park itself, it's most likely the charge will code as an entertainment purchase on your card. If youre staying at one of thesix hotels weve listed, youll be getting a value of between 0.5 cents and 0.7 cents per Membership Rewards point when you transfer points to Hilton to book Disney trips. All rights reserved. The menu has some real standouts, but you cant go wrong with the Tiffins Bread Service. Privacy Policy, Recommended Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers, Recommended Disneyland Restaurants for First-Timers, BIG Change Comes to Magic Kingdom Park Map, The PROBLEM You Might Have When Renting an ECV in Disney World. Most cardmembers no longer have free guest privileges. Herb is the founder, author, webmaster, chief executive, and chief bottle washer for World Of Walt and he is the Disney enthusiast who put this site together. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. The most important trick to using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book flights is knowing which transfer partners can book flights on which airlines. Guys, you can get a SANGRIA DIPLOMA. Get access to the American Express Lounge In Universal Studios when you buy any Universal Orlando Multi-Park Ticket or Annual Pass with any American Express Card. From Disney World in Florida to Universal Studios Hollywood, from Dollywood to Knott's Berry Farm in California and beyond, there are typically more than 500 million annual visits to theme parks worldwide in a normal year. For example, before transferring Membership Rewards points to airline or hotel partners, youll want to compare to the cost of booking flights and hotels through AMEX Travel and paying with your points. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? The lounge is one of the most impressive on property, due to it's floor to ceiling windows looking into the underwater world of the Living Seas aquarium. On February 15, 2023 as of 5:00 a.m . Corporate Card Members are not eligible for the additional point. Eligible travel purchases include all travel purchases made with your Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card on amextravel.com, including air, prepaid hotels, prepaid car rentals, vacation packages (flight + hotel packages) or cruise reservations, minus returns and other credits. The person who used to staff the lounge was also an AmEx employee, not a Disney CM. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Mission: Space was first sponsored by Compaq, but when HP acquired Compaq in 2002, HP took over the sponsorship. JavaScript is disabled. All rights reserved. PDV bookings must be made using the eligible Card and eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. If you enjoy visiting American Express Centurion Lounges, this is your reminder that there's now a cost for bringing guests into the lounge with you from today.Most cardmembers no longer have free guest privileges. The American Express Global Lounge Collection includes several lounge products like the Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges but also airline-operated lounges, like Delta Sky Clubs. At Universal, your Amex credit cards can get you some special access extras. We're taking you through ALL the food in Disney's Hollywood Studios! Which Credit Cards Offer American Express Lounge Access? Tutto Gusto has a wine list of over 200 Italian wines, and to accompany your wine selection, there is a menu of Italian favorites that are truly delizioso. These Are the BEST. If you want to linger a bit longer, though, try to avoid popping in for a nightcap on your way out of EPCOT or in the midst of a rainstorm. Savor fresh seafood at Todd English's bluezoo, authentic Japanese fare at Kimonos, or Italian at Il Mulino New York Trattoria. If a charge for a purchase is included in a Pay Over Time balance on your Linked Account the statement credit associated with that charge may not be applied to that Pay Over Time balance. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Do you have a favorite use of AMEX Membership Rewards points for Disney? There are Mickey-shaped WHAT at this Wilderness Lodge restaurant? Check out our Disney Recipes Plus, your own feed of TPG content. American Express - American Express Ranks No. 1 on Fast Company's Most So it may be the best option of all, though I can't yet confirm.The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. Find Out More. World of Walt is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Benefits for AmEx lounges include much more than Centurion Lounges. Tucked into a back corner of Disneys Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. And ask your server if you can get the Ohana style bread pudding. Original Poster. Starwood operates 3 hotels very close to Disneyland. Find out where you'll find the Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? If Italian wine is your jam, EPCOTs Italy Pavilion has a real hidden gem for you. Entertainment will no longer be a bonus category on that card. And dont forget, you can also get 1 cent per point when you bookflights through the AMEX Travel Portal and pay with points. American Express Lounge. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. Take either take the stairs or the elevator to the VIP lounge where youll be given complimentary beverages and amazing views of the indoor queue and Advanced Training Lab. I'm afraid that I don't know what the original requirements for entry were, but American Express no longer sponsors The American Adventure, so the former lounge is now mainly used for private and cast functions. Unfortunately, this card is discontinuing its previous earning structure for current cardholders on April 9, 2021. Top 16 Bars and Lounges at Walt Disney World Ogas takes Advanced Dining Reservations. Benefits cannot be combined with other offers unless indicated. However, if you purchase park tickets from a travel agency (such as Undercover Tourist), charge them to your hotel room or include them as part of a larger vacation package, the odds are high that the purchase will code as travel. The cocktail menu features the timeless classics well made, like an Old Fashioned, but the food really shines here. Where did your favorite Disney moderate resort rank in our poll? Hilton no longer offersa fixed award chart, sothe only way to find out how many points a trip will cost is to actually search your selected dates on the Hilton website. She said it was the best job she'd ever had. How do I Earn Membership Rewards Points? This tough ratio can make it hard to get great value using your AMEX Membership Rewards points this way, but youll occasionally find Starwood hotels that make it worth it. Making Advance Dining Reservations at Disney Restaurants JavaScript is disabled. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. Disney World has bars and lounges in many of the resorts, at some of the theme parks, and definitely at Disney Springs, and it can be a difficult decision to pick a place to get your drink on. The Walt Disney World Dolphin Has a Great Location, and a 5-Night Award Stay Costs 24,000 AMEX Membership Rewards Points per Night! We've got a few We're in Disney World every single day, and we've eaten at EVERY restaurant. How do I find and add Amex Offers to my Card? She now heads up a variety of special projects at TPG when she isn't exploring the world with her own two girls. Those same Card Members will also get at least 1 additional point for each dollar of eligible travel purchases made on amextravel.com on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. Latest Walt Disney World News Coming Soon Remy's Ratatouille Adventure - Late 2020 Epcot Space Restaurant - 2020 TRON Coaster . Amex does partner with Universal, which is why they have something there I'm sure, now there used to be a lot at EPCOT for the ride sponsor my grandad worked for GE and we could go to that one but Disney is getting away with these. Have you overlooked THIS Walt Disney World steakhouse? Chase VIP Lounge is open during the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival to anyone with a Chase credit card. Universal Studios American Express Lounge - WDWMAGIC American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points? Like the Siemens Lounge, only HP employees and guests and Make A Wish participants are allowed access to this lounge. Destination Experiences - American Express Which Character Meal is Right For You? American Express Green Card: Best for earning Amex rewards; . Experience a transformative getaway with refreshing pools, spa, golf, pickleball, delectable dining and more.