Travel Experience Archives - AwardWallet Blog

Iberia Opens a New First Class Lounge, Even Though It Doesn’t Have First Class — Here’s How To Get In

September 10, 2026 0

In a surprising move, Iberia opened a new first class lounge in Madrid, even though the airline does not have first class cabin. Here are the details, including how to access this exclusive new lounge.

Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed by Harrison Pierce

Southwest Airlines Announces 11 Lounges in Partnership With Chase — Here’s Everything We Know So Far

September 2, 2026 1

Southwest has finally announced their rumored plans to open airport lounges, and they are partnering with Chase to do so. They'll also be launching a new premium credit card to access the lounges.

Mark Jackson

JetBlue Unveils New Details on Domestic First Class Debuting This Fall — Here’s What To Know

September 2, 2026 1

JetBlue is set to unveil its BlueFirst domestic first class product later this year. Here's everything we know so far about the BlueFirst rollout, including what passengers can expect onboard and how soon you can book a ticket.

Mark Jackson

Reviewed by Harrison Pierce

Score a Free Hotel Stay in Abu Dhabi With Etihad Stopover Program in 2026

August 31, 2026 9

Planning a trip with Etihad Airways? If your journey includes a layover in Abu Dhabi, you could score a free one- or two-night hotel stay with Etihad’s stopover program. This deal provides a great way to explore the UAE without extra accommodation costs. How does it work, and what's included in the free hotel stay? Here’s everything you need to know to take advantage of Etihad’s stopover offer.

Skye Class

Reviewed by JT Genter

Business Class vs. First Class: What’s the Difference and When Is It Worth Splurging?

August 29, 2026 8

The differences between first class and business class can vary widely depending on your route, airline, and even aircraft type. From seats and cabin size to dining, service, and lounge access, here's how the two premium cabins compare — and when it may be worth splurging on first class over business class.

Mark Jackson & Miguel R. Quiñones

Reviewed by Toni Southam

JetBlue Opens New BlueHouse Lounge in Boston — Here's The Full List of Locations and How to Access

August 27, 2026 3

JetBlue is in the process of building an airport lounge network and operates two BlueHouse lounges, one at each of its biggest hubs. Here’s everything you need to know about JetBlue’s BlueHouse airport lounges, including where they’re located, how to access them, and what you’ll find inside.

Tyler Glatt & Shawn Gallagher

Reviewed by JT Genter

A Complete Guide to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses Lounges and How to Access Them

August 24, 2026 0

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses are some of the best airport lounges around. These are Virgin's most premium lounges, and there are only six locations worldwide. Access to these Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounges is one of the many great benefits available to top-tier Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members and Upper Class passengers, as well as Priority Pass members and select other travelers. In this guide, we will discuss where to find Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, who can access them, and everything else you need to know.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Travel News Roundup: New European Business Class, Instant Elite Status Opportunity, and More

August 22, 2026 0

Plenty of news happens each day in the travel industry that doesn't require immediate action, but it's still good information to have on your radar. Here's everything to know about what happened this week in travel, including a new American Airlines corporate status pass promotion, a new European business class, and more.

Harrison Pierce

Priority Pass Keeps Getting Worse for U.S. Credit Cardholders — Here’s What Changed

August 22, 2026 0

With the news that Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations will leave the Priority Pass and LoungeKey networks starting August 15, 2026, Priority Pass doesn’t look as favorable as it once did. Here's a glimpse of the changes Priority Pass has made in the last two years.

Sophie Atkinson

Reviewed by Harrison Pierce

Travel News Roundup: Fake Wi-Fi Leads to Loyalty Account Lockdowns, New Entrant to Airline Lounges, and More

August 17, 2026 0

Here's a weekly roundup of some interesting travel news, including Delta restricting SkyMiles access to passengers due to a fake Wi-Fi network, dozens of new airline routes, a new entrant into the airport lounge game, and updated partner earning charts.

Harrison Pierce

Can’t Find a Global Entry Interview? TTP Appointments Can Alert You to Openings

August 10, 2026 1

Getting Global Entry into the USA is great, but getting an appointment for Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler Programs can take months. Thankfully, a recent high school graduate has figured out a way around the nightmare. Here's the story of TTP Appointments and how you can shave months off your wait for your Global Entry appointment.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Qatar Airways Starlink Rollout: More Than 80% of Widebody Aircraft Offer High-Speed Wi-Fi

August 6, 2026 1

Qatar Airways is continuing to make progress in installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet. The airline has completed the rollout on a large portion of its widebody fleet and is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2026. Here's the updated timeline and who can access Starlink.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Harrison Pierce

Fly All Fall and Winter for $199: What to Know About Frontier’s Just-Launched Seasonal GoWild! Pass

August 5, 2026 3

The Frontier Airlines GoWild! Pass can be very valuable, but it's not for every traveler. For travelers who don't need checked bags, seats, or other perks — and can be flexible enough to take a trip on a moment's notice — this pass might be for you. Here's what to know.

Harrison Pierce & Tyler Glatt

Reviewed by JT Genter

7 Ways To Prevent Credit Card Fraud When Traveling Abroad

August 2, 2026 0

Traveling internationally can be one of the greatest experiences of your life — but can also turn into a nightmare in an instant. Scammers and hackers continue to evolve in their abilities to commit fraud, so it's important to protect yourself in any way possible. Here are seven different ways to prevent credit card fraud.

Andrew George Bradshaw & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Toni Southam

How Priority Pass Lounge Access Works — and Which Credit Cards Offer a Membership

July 31, 2026 31

Having access to airport lounges is a game-changer when it comes to the travel experience. With Priority Pass Select, you can access lounges throughout the world for no additional cost. Additionally, you can enjoy a credit on meals at eligible restaurants and use your membership for other non-lounge experiences.

Ashley Onadele & Ryan Flanigan

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Chase Is Tightening Sapphire Lounge Access — Here’s Who Gets in Starting August 15

July 31, 2026 4

Starting August 15, 2026, Priority Pass and LoungeKey members will no longer get one annual visit — or paid access — to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations. Access will be limited to select premium Chase cardholders. Here's what to know about this change.

Harrison Pierce

Private Islands, VIP Events, and Other Bucket-List Experiences You Can Book With Points

July 27, 2026 1

Flights and hotels aren't the only ways to use your points and miles. From Richard Branson's private island to VIP sporting events, Michelin-star dining, and unforgettable concerts, discover how loyalty programs can unlock exclusive experiences that most travelers would never pay cash to enjoy.

Mark Jackson

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Lufthansa Lounge Day Passes: Where You Can Buy Access and What It Costs

July 22, 2026 16

You can purchase Lufthansa Business Lounge access at multiple destinations in the U.S. and Europe starting from €39 (~$44). With the purchase, you can access the lounges regardless of your class of travel or, more importantly, which airline you are flying. Here's how this paid lounge option works.

Sam Helmy

Reviewed by Toni Southam

How I Stacked Credits To Save $5,000 on a Universal Studios Trip

July 20, 2026 3

Universal Orlando isn't cheap, but strategic use of premium credit card benefits can dramatically reduce the cost. Here's how I combined hotel credits, travel portal credits, points, and included Express Pass perks to save nearly $5,000 on a family trip while staying within walking distance of all three Universal parks.

Ryan Flanigan

Reviewed by Toni Southam

The Josie Hotel at RED Mountain Resort: Marriott Bonvoy's Hidden Canadian Mountain Gem

July 20, 2026 1

The Josie at RED Mountain Resort is one of Marriott Bonvoy's most underrated hotels. Here's why this ski-in, ski-out mountain retreat in Rossland, British Columbia deserves a spot on your radar, plus the best ways to book it with points.

Tyler Glatt

Complete Guide to Chase Sapphire Lounges: Locations, Amenities, and How to Access

July 16, 2026 25

The first Chase Sapphire Lounge opened its doors in late 2022. Since then, Chase has expanded the network to nine lounges, with more locations on the way. In this guide, we'll cover where Chase Sapphire Lounges are located, who can access them, and what you can expect inside.

Max Prosperi & Carissa Rawson

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

First Look: Chase Unveils a Texas-Inspired Sapphire Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

July 15, 2026 1

A brand-new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club has arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This Texas-inspired, split-level lounge spans 18,000 square feet and is one of the coolest and most functional spaces in the issuer's growing lounge network. Here's your first look at the space, along with what you need to know about accessing it yourself.

Tyler Glatt

Tips and Tricks To Skip the Line at Disney Parks With Lightning Lane

July 11, 2026 0

Disney's latest line-skipping programs for U.S. parks include Lightning Lanes and Virtual Queues. A successful day at California's Disneyland or Florida's Walt Disney World means employing all the strategies to avoid waiting in long lines. Learn the differences between them, how much they cost, and some tips on using them.

Samantha Holland & Ryan Flanigan

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Amex Centurion Lounges: Primary and Sidecar Locations, Current Access Rules, and Guest Policy

July 9, 2026 5

Travelers don't have many better places to wait for a flight than in an American Express Centurion® Lounge. In this post, we explain how you can score access to Amex Centurion Lounges (as well as Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge), the Centurion Lounge locations, and why they're so great in the first place.

Tyler Glatt & Toni Southam

Reviewed by JT Genter

Delta’s Unbundled Travel Experiences Extend to Premium Cabins — Here’s What This Means for You

July 8, 2026 0

Delta's unbundled fare structure (which it's calling "Travel Experiences") now extends to premium cabins. With 15 fare options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. Here's everything to know about the fare structure and how to know which one is best for your next trip.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID: How It Works and Where You Can Use It

July 8, 2026 1

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is the newest method to wizz through security, baggage drop, and boarding at many airports. It's currently available at 65 airports across the U.S. Here's how to use TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and where you can expect to find it.

Skye Class & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Toni Southam

Priority Pass Announces Its Best Airport Lounges for 2026. Here Are the Winners

July 6, 2026 0

A good airport lounge can greatly improve the quality of a trip, especially with long-haul flights or odd hours. But some are a cut above the rest. To help you figure out where those top lounges are are, here's the list of the 2026 best airport lounges worldwide from the Priority Pass Excellence Awards.

Skye Class

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

T-Mobile Customers Can Claim a Free Premium Beverage on Most Delta Flights — Here’s How

July 6, 2026 0

Many cell phone providers offer perks to their customers outside of their plans, which includes everything from food and gas discounts to free in-flight Wi-Fi. T-Mobile is one of the leaders offering complimentary Wi-Fi on multiple airlines. Now it's expanding travel perks for customers by offering free premium drinks on board most Delta flights.

Chris Nelson

More Than a Third of Alaska’s Fleet Is Equipped With Starlink Wi-Fi: Here's How To Experience It for Yourself

June 30, 2026 0

Alaska Airlines is making fantastic progress on rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet. Here's what you need to know about the updated rollout schedule and how to access Wi-Fi if you're traveling on an enabled aircraft.

Harrison Pierce

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

CLEAR+ Now Costs $219 per Year — Here’s How to Get it for Free

August 12, 2026 1

The cost of CLEAR Plus is set to increase by another $10 on July 1, 2026. If you've been eyeing a membership, now's the time to register before the price increases from $209 annually to $219 annually. Here are the full details of the changes, plus a quick overview of the ways you can save on the cost of enrolling in CLEAR Plus.

JT Genter & Tyler Glatt

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