Take a relaxing break during your afternoon and enjoy complimentary light snacks, drinks, a full-time concierge and more. Theme park tickets are not generally a clearly spelled-out credit card bonus category in the same manner as gas or grocery stores. Find the right card for you. Although American Express airport lounge access is complimentary through these cards, the barrier to entry is high due to their annual fees.The Platinum Card from American Express carries a $550 . Independent Walt Disney World Vacation Information. Instead the statement credit may be applied to your Pay in Full balance. If you think your theme park tickets will code as travel -- and that's likely when buying from a travel agent, or if they are bundled with lodging or charged to a hotel room -- here are the best cards to use for those expenses. Privacy Policy Experience a transformative getaway with refreshing pools, spa, golf, pickleball, delectable dining and more. 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. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Building your business credit: 5 steps to success, Quick Points: Hyatt Globalists get free parking on award stays, What are points and miles worth? When youre evaluating your options for hotel bookings, youll always want to compare against paying with points. So Ive asked them to share their tips on booking trips toWalt Disney World and Disneyland using AMEX Membership Rewards points. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Disclosure Policy Authorized users aren't subject to the $50-per-visit guest fee. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. Here are three of the better options: Youre only getting between 0.5 and 0.7 cents per point booking these with AMEX points transferred to Marriott, so youll usually be better off booking through the AMEX Travel Portal. For more information, please see How we make money. There is a huge plus to the California Grill Lounge. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Explore the range of experiences possible at destinations worldwide. Unfortunately Le Cellier does not have a separate lounge. Scat Cats Club is a soulful, jazz-filled, joy of a lounge located at Disneys Port Orleans Resort French Quarter. If you believe this has occurred, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card. To continue your theme park vacation planning: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. For more information visit membershiprewards.com/terms. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, getting the most out of these transfer partners can be the key to saving Big Money! The Snakebite Sliders answer the Whyd it have to be snakes? question, and washed down with something from the secret drinks menu, youll never want to leave! The Lapu Lapu, served in a whole pineapple, is a treat right off the beach in Hawaii, with dark rum and tropical fruit. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members are only eligible for 1 additional point on cruise reservations. 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. Is Disneys Wilderness Lodge the right resort for you? Extra points will be credited to the Card Members Membership Rewards account within 8-12 weeks after completion of the PDV travel. Our guide to calculating their value, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, American Express Membership Rewards points, JetBlue, Delta, or Virgin America, you can transfer your points directly to that airline, you can transfer points to Aeroplan, ANA, or Singapore Air, you can transfer points to British Airways, you can transfer points to Virgin America. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). If you want to be extra sure, price your tickets from Undercover Tourist as they have always coded as travel for me. Find out where you'll find the Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? Best Disneyland Restaurants for First-Timers! Check out the secret bathrooms of Disney World! Content provided by Loungebuddy (opens in a new window) Terms & Conditions A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel! Youre in Walt Disney World, but youre in New Orleans. Universal Studios American Express Lounge. Check here before booking an award fare. It automatically awards 3% back in the category you spend the most in that month -- and two options are for entertainment and travel. Experience a world of enchantment at Walt Disney World Dolphin, with magical touches of whimsy at every corner. For more information please visit americanexpress.com/travelterms. For a trip to Walt Disney World, youll want to fly into Orlando International Airport (MCO). View the current offers here. JavaScript is disabled. That means for every 1,000 AMEX Membership Reward points you transfer, youll get 333 Starwood points. Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disneys Coronado Springs Resort is the home of Sangria University where an actual sangria sommelier will educate you on sangria. 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. Priority Pass Select lounges. You can get a minimum of ~0.7 cents per point when you pay with points. 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. Weve tried ALL the places at Walt Disney World where you can score a delicious drink and amazing appetizers, and these are the places we think are the top bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. To qualify for complimentary guest privileges, you must spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. Authorized users on the Business Platinum cost a whopping $350 per year each (see rates and fees). As the story goes, Indiana Jones long-trusted pilot discovered this waterfront gem while hunting for the Fountain of Youth in Florida. Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee? As you enter the discreet door, the first area you see is a foyer where guests enter a pin or press the call button. If you can peel your eyes away from the beautiful views, you might notice that all of the furniture is white. Benefit restrictions vary by property. The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Venmo credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The menu varies seasonally, so you are likely to find a seasonal soup, plus theres always a charcuterie and a mouth-watering dessert. I had a chance to speak with the woman who held the post when AmEx's sponsorship ended. 2X Membership Rewards Points: Membership Rewards-enrolled Card Members get at least 1 Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar spent on their Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more. 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. Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges. Thats actually better than booking air travel and paying with points! Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. American Express offers a calculator to help you with that math. All users of our online services subject to Privacy Statement and agree to be bound by Terms of Service. You must log in or register to reply here. These spending requirements reset each calendar year. Well show you the best ways to visit Disney with American Express Membership Rewards points! Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. Often, theme park tickets will code as entertainment purchases, but that isn't always the case. In the lounge, youll also see some fun technology like a touch screen that displays park info and wait times and allows you to change the color of the floor leading to the meeting space. Starwood operates 2resorts on Walt Disney World property, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin. What about an annual pass? Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 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. Is this All You Can Eat meal worth the trek? There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. They arent required, but this is the hottest spot in the Galaxy, so we definitely recommend that you try to line one up. Here's why. Youll first enter a holding room, which is decorated with construction photos and concept art from the attraction. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. Walk along the colorful road and youll be treated to floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views of Future World. 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. 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 Lounge. You can add up to three Platinum authorized user cards to your primary personal Platinum account for a total fee of $175 per year (see rates and fees). Weve Eaten at Every Disney Springs Restaurant. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Do you have a favorite use of AMEX Membership Rewards points for Disney? This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Cynthia, when purchasing tickets or booking rooms and packages through the Walt Disney World Resort website, Guests are welcome to make a payment using PayPal, as well as the following forms of payment: Visa Mastercard American Express Discover Card Diners Club Charge Card JCB (Japan Credit Bureau) Disney Gift Card Disney World extra experiences . I believe you can't get into the GM lounge unless one of you is a GM employee. 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. California Grill Lounge watch the Magic Kingdoms fireworks from here! Unfortunately, that is admittedly rare. These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is the world's most popular theme park -- and it's also one of the most complex when it comes to maximizing dollars spent with the best credit card. Mobile Order used to be one of our favorite Disney tips, but now it's really How different will the crowds be in Disney World next year? Check here before booking an award fare. The crowd can be elbow to elbow then, so try to go earlier in the day. Need a guide to EPCOT for your 2023 trip? Theres a large window that overlooks the brake testing section of the attraction and two design-your-own-vehicle stations. 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. For many families, the dream is tostay at a Disney resort. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.Additionally, while I haven't tested the Citi Prestige Card, it earns 5x at travel agencies. Disneyland Restaurants, Menus, and DINING REVIEWS Gen Z vs. millennials -- not all Disney adults are the same! WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). The Citi Premier Card awards 2x Citi ThankYou points per dollar on entertainment charges and 3x ThankYou points per dollar spent on travel charges. Although things can change, here are some TPG data points on how theme park ticket purchases have coded in the past: Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World. This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (advertiser listing); and general information about credit card products (editorial content). We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. Bonuses you may receive with your Card on other purchase categories or in connection with promotions or offers from American Express may not be combined with this offer, such as 5X bonuses for Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members. Enrollment required. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you. Please share it! Although the food menu is a little bit limited right now, there is no limit to the tropical goodness the Tambu Lounge can get into a glass with a little rum and some ice. Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve? A light and fresh Caprese salad really hits the spot on a hot day. AMERICAN EXPRESS LOUNGE - 16 Photos & 22 Reviews - 42 Sunset Blvd, Orlando, FL - Yelp Restaurants Auto Services American Express Lounge 22 reviews Unclaimed $ Lounges Edit Closed 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM See hours See all 16 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours 42 Sunset Blvd Orlando, FL 32819 Dr. Phillips, Horizons West / West Orlando Send Money & Split Purchases: Venmo and PayPal, Credit Intel Financial Education Center. If youre granted access, the door will open and fog will cover the entryway. 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. While there are ways to get value of over 1 cent per point (and well cover some), youre generally only going to get between 0.5 and 0.8 cents per point using your AMEX points this way. Guest Post Guidelines Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Jocks has become known for holiday specialties, so you want to look for seasonal menu items and festive decor. I thought they had one below the DVC Lounge.. (Above Imageworks) But Maybe I'm Wrong. 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. Mission: Space was first sponsored by Compaq, but when HP acquired Compaq in 2002, HP took over the sponsorship. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. AmEx lounge access may include Sky Clubs when flying Delta. You may have to hunt a bit to find Tutto Gusto, but look for the red Wine Cellar awning at the back of the Italy Pavilion. Related: Amex adds live capacity indicators for Centurion Lounges. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Pretty sure there is no Amex, they don't partner with them, they partner with Chase. Since all guests get a FastPass to the ride, you can create your vehicle then use your MagicBand to test it during the ride. These Are the BEST. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. Where You're Staying What is in these lounges? If Italian wine is your jam, EPCOTs Italy Pavilion has a real hidden gem for you. 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! TPG values it at $1,600. 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. Making Advance Dining Reservations at Disney Restaurants American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Plus, it will often be better to book a hotel through the AMEX Travel Portal than to transfer points to that hotels chain. We really want to try the maple crme brulee. And because this is the Grand Floridian, you wont find pub grub here. Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Caribbean Beach Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Counter-Service, Cult Favorites, disney resorts, disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, disney's hollywood studios, Drinking Around the World, Epcot, Featured, Grand Floridian Resort, magic kingdom, Polynesian Resort, Port Orleans French Quarter, Recipe, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club Resort Tagged With: 'Ohana, banana cabana, Bread Pudding, Disney, disney dining, disney food, disney parks, disney snacks, disney springs, Disney World, disney's animal kingdom, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, disney's wilderness lodge, Epcot, Geyser Point, Hollywood Studios, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Lounge, magic kingdom, Oga's Cantina, Scat Cat Club, Sebastian's, Tambu Lounge, Territory Lounge, Three Bridges Bar and Grill, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, Walt Disney World. How to access American Express lounge benefits. Learn more. It's only open from 12-5 P.M. So what are the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World? The menu is loaded with southern specialties like Bayou Wings, an Oyster Beignet PoBoy, and the boozed-up Baton Rouge Beignets. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. The most likely bonus categories for theme park tickets are entertainment or travel. Of course, this hasn't been a normal year. American Express has a spending tracker so cardmembers can follow their progress toward guest privileges. By cutting free guests, Amex is seemingly working to reduce overcrowding. Citi ThankYou points are transferrable to airline partners and are currently valued by TPG at 1.7 cents each, giving you a return of 3.4 to 5.1 cents in rewards in categories where you earn 2 - 3 points per dollar spent. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. The most important trick to using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book flights is knowing which transfer partners can book flights on which airlines. Find the right experience for your trip, budget, or travel style. JavaScript is disabled. Chevrolet, part of General Motors, is the last surviving original sponsor of the Epcot pavilions, and they have a pretty cool lounge in which to host their employees and Make A Wish families. Savor fresh seafood at Todd English's bluezoo, authentic Japanese fare at Kimonos, or Italian at Il Mulino New York Trattoria. You can avoid this charge by spending $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year or adding authorized users to your card. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. 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. Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. Like the Siemens Lounge, only HP employees and guests and Make A Wish participants are allowed access to this lounge. Check out our Disney Recipes We love to be immersed in the atmosphere and plied with clever cocktails, and youll find both at Ogas. 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. 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). This means transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to Marriott for Walt Disney World stays is often better thanpaying with points! Because AMEX Membership Rewards points are so valuable, its important to make the most of them when you book travel. How much we spent: A breakdown In total, we spent just. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); American Express. Experience Credit: $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, A room upgrade at check-in, when available. Disney World Restaurant Search Tool Independent network lounges include Priority Pass lounges, Loungebuddy and the Global Lounge Network. Ranking among the list of must-try locations in Disney Springs, the tapas-style menu and creative cocktails draw you in like an expert air traffic controller bringing in planes. Of course you do -- we've Universal Parks & Resorts is building a NEW theme park experience in Texas! Come here for the music and the drinks, but stay for the food. Disneyland is starting to reopen to those who purchase $75 tickets, theme park tickets will code as entertainment purchases, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Why you might want to use a Disney Vacation Planner. Terms of Service Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuers website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Now, after years of negotiating with the airport for a larger lounge space, American Express has opened up one of the largest Centurion Lounges in its network. Marriott has some great locations near Walt Disney World, allowing for some of the better redemptions weve seen: With these award nights, youll be getting a value of between 0.7 and 0.9 cents per point. 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. The detail in the decor is astounding at Jock Lindseys Hangar Bar. And if youre looking for some kid-free time, youll find it here after 8PM. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. There's no one best credit card for theme parks, but there are some solid options depending on where you want to go and how you are purchasing your tickets. 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. Additional Amex perks include 10% off merchandise purchases of $75+, 10% off . You can share the Kaikane s Barbecue Ribs since they give you a decently sized portion. Disney World can be expensive. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: $450 annual fee. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express.To bring guests into the lounge with you, you . Our preferred partners are hand-selected to fit yourtravelneeds. 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. Which Character Meal is Right For You? If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. You can check out some of our favorites in this post about using credit card free nights at Disney. The club will take you right to the heart of Bourbon Street, with live jazz music playing several nights a week (usually Thursday through Monday), and NOLA famous cocktails like the Southern Hurricane and the Sazerac. :), 2023 MillionMileSecrets.com. Terminal 1, International. Delta Sky Club lounges. Additional reporting by Joseph Hostetler and Ryan Smith. Even more tastes of the tropics can be found in the Hawaiian Mule or the Polynesian Mai Tai, but if youre looking for a bite, youre in luck. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. 3. The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. If you are pretty sure your theme park tickets will code as entertainment, here are the most rewarding cards to use for that category. For starters, you'll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after making at least $ 6,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of account opening. The lounge features seasonal specialty cocktails, martini and margarita flights, and a full complement of wine and beer. Top of the World Lounge-A Villains Lair @ Disney's Bay Lake Tower; If you've ever stayed at Disney's Bay Lake Tower next to the Contemporary Resort, you may have seen exciting things happening at the . Participating suppliers and PDV benefits are subject to change. This is because the whole color scheme of the room can be changed remotely! Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. 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. If you aren't sure how a charge will code, using a strong card for everyday spending isn't the worst plan. Thats a lot of points, but youd be getting a value of over 1.2 cents per point! Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. How do I Earn Membership Rewards Points? Warm wood, cozy seating, and soft lighting arent the only highlights of the Territory LoungeAnd while a lot of the top bars and lounges on our list get there based on elaborate theming or unique drinks, Territory Lounge is a standout when it comes to lounge eats. There's a NEW Magic Kingdom park map with a big change! The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Enrollment required. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. 1. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. There are Mickey-shaped WHAT at this Wilderness Lodge restaurant? How do I Earn Membership Rewards Points? Find all of our DFB E-Books and At low season, rates at the Dolphin will be ~$140 per night, so youll only be getting a value of less than 0.5 cents per point. The drinks transport you right to Batuu yes, we know, its not really real, but you will feel like it is. We have some Disney Springs must-dos for you right HERE!