{"id":267149,"date":"2026-07-20T23:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T23:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=267149\/"},"modified":"2026-07-20T16:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:18:08","slug":"how-i-stacked-credits-to-save-5000-on-a-universal-studios-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/stacking-card-credits-universal-studios\/","title":{"rendered":"How I Stacked Credits To Save $5,000 on a Universal Studios Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

My family loves going to theme parks. And now that our son is finally tall enough for most of the rides at Universal Studios Florida, it was time to plan that big trip we've been looking at for a few years. But Universal isn't cheap. And while I know how to save money on a Disney trip<\/a>, Universal was brand new to me.<\/p>\n

But I had some tricks up my sleeve to knock these high costs down for hotels and tickets. Here's how I tackled this trip.<\/p>\n

Our Hotel Hopping Strategy<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our top priority when we visit any theme park is being able to walk there in the morning. We are used to hotel hopping and would prefer not to rent a car or deal with unreliable or crowded transportation in the morning.<\/p>\n

I figured we would need three hotels. One near Volcano Bay, another near Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, and a third near Epic Universe<\/a>. But if we wanted to take advantage of Universal's perks, like early entry or express passes, my stash of miles and points wouldn't do us much good. So I came up with a different plan.<\/p>\n

American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> credits<\/span><\/h3>\n

The first hotel that I knew I wanted to book was Loews Portofino Bay<\/a>, which is within walking distance of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The property participates in the American Express\u00a0Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0program.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d earn 5X Membership Rewards<\/a>\u00ae points on the eligible prepaid hotel booking made through American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup>, plus receive daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit toward eligible charges, and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.<\/p>\n

But the kicker is that Portofino Bay guests receive Universal Express Unlimited at participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Based on the standalone prices for our dates, that benefit would have cost our family of three almost $900 per day.<\/p>\n

You get the Express Pass for your check-in and checkout day, so a one-night stay could really save you a ton of money if you wanted to go to both parks for a day or two.<\/p>\n

While the value of the Express Pass is reflected in the inflated\u00a0room cost, I used the card's up to $300 semiannual Hotel Credit<\/a> by making an eligible prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> booking through American Express Travel\u00ae<\/sup> with our American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

We had three separate Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup> accounts in our family, each with an available Hotel Credit, letting us offset $900 across the eligible bookings.<\/p>\n

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American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>\n
\"American<\/div>\n
How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\n
Rates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms apply)<\/span><\/div>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div>\n
Annual Fee:<\/strong>$895<\/b><\/div>\n
Show more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>
Cardholders can access more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, take advantage of up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, up to $219 in CLEAR+ credits, and TSA PreCheck\u00ae<\/sup> or Global Entry fee credits. The card also includes an annual hotel credit worth up to $600 on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup> or The Hotel Collection bookings (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay), Hilton Honors\u2122 and Marriott Bonvoy\u00ae<\/sup> Gold Elite status, and a suite of benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts\u00ae<\/sup>. Additional perks include $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership credit (with applicable sales taxes and Plus Ups not include), up to $300 in annual digital entertainment credits, up to $300 Equinox credits, and up to $200 annual Uber Cash and $120 Uber One Credit. Enrollment required for select American Express benefits.<\/div>
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