Consider a sample stay for 5 nights at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a Starwood resort in October. 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. I see that there are lounges at Epcot - what are the requirements to get in them? If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. The most likely bonus categories for theme park tickets are entertainment or travel. Of course you do -- we've Universal Parks & Resorts is building a NEW theme park experience in Texas! All users of our online services subject to Privacy Statement and agree to be bound by Terms of Service. To qualify for complimentary guest privileges, you must spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. Walt Disney World Dolphin - American Express The cocktail menu features the timeless classics well made, like an Old Fashioned, but the food really shines here. , aka Mommy Points, ran the Mommy Points site for families who want to travel more for less using miles and points for seven years. The lounge is first come, first served, and as you can imagine, people tend to try to get a table around fireworks time. 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. Banana Cabana at Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort. All this greatness is yours for the taking without having to first secure a reservation at the California Grill. Additional points will be credited to the Membership Rewards account 10-12 weeks after final payment is made. 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. These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. MADE IN ENGLAND. Send Money & Split Purchases: Venmo and PayPal, Credit Intel Financial Education Center. JavaScript is disabled. Amex now charges $50 for adult guests and $30 for children aged 2-17 to access its Centurion lounges. AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to Hilton points at a 2:3 ratio. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Find Out More. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Next button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. American Express offers world-class Charge and Credit Cards, Gift Cards, Rewards, Travel, Personal Savings, Business Services, Insurance and more. If you think youve seen everything there is to see of Spaceship Earth, youre wrong! We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. If you don't want to overthink things, this card is a really good bet. Its always worth taking a few minutes to do the math to see if a transfer to a partner is a better option than using pay with points. JavaScript is disabled. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. New locations are planned for Washington National (DCA), Newark Liberty (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) airports. are just for the employees of the sponser companies. World of Walt is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. Additionally,Starwood offers a Cash & Points option. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to 3 hotel chains: Because you can convert Starwood points to Marriott points at a 1:3 ratio, Marriott is an indirect transfer option as well at an effective rate of 1,000 Membership Rewards points for ~1,000 Marriott points. Related: Why you might want to use a Disney Vacation Planner. Delta Sky Club lounges. While the average ticket price varies dramatically from park to park, per person tickets often top $100 per day in some locations. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. 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. Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card: $199 annual fee. Some parts Copyright The Walt Disney Co. the best ways to use AMEX Membership Rewards points for flights in the US. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more. If the purchase codes as entertainment, you'd earn just 500 points as a non-bonused category. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. They arent required, but this is the hottest spot in the Galaxy, so we definitely recommend that you try to line one up. American Express Credit Cards, Rewards & Banking Unfortunately Le Cellier does not have a separate lounge. 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 . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The lounge at the American Adventure was for AmEx employees and their guests. American Express Green Card: Best for earning Amex rewards; . 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 . Participating suppliers and PDV benefits are subject to change. Here are the BEST Read this before hitting the parks with your MagicBand+! 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. That means for every 1,000 AMEX Membership Reward points you transfer, youll get 333 Starwood points. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. 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. Marriott has a large number of hotels around Disneyland, but youll get less value per point than at Walt Disney World. The person who used to staff the lounge was also an AmEx employee, not a Disney CM. 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? They may be able to get it for you after 5 PM. Disney World can be expensive. 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 With this option, youll sometimes be able to get great value from your points, so youll definitely want to look into whether this makes sense for your stay. Base21 Siemens VIP Center, the official name, is accessed through a door inside Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future, the post-attraction gaming area. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links. Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members Platinum Travel Service 800-525-3355 1. 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. Weve Eaten at Every EPCOT Restaurant. You wont want to miss some of the out-of-this-world snacks and drink options when you are visiting Disney Star Wars Galaxys Edge. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The drinks transport you right to Batuu yes, we know, its not really real, but you will feel like it is. 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. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. There is currently no corporate sponsor for the Seas, leaving the lounge to be used only for Disney special events and as a venue for Disney Weddings. Disney Food Blog does not claim to represent the Walt Disney Company in any way and is not employed by or affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. Other Global Lounge Collection . Weve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneys Animal Kingdom. 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. 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. Walk along the colorful road and youll be treated to floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views of Future World. Often, theme park tickets will code as entertainment purchases, but that isn't always the case. DFB Video: The ULTIMATE Guide to EPCOT in 2023. NEWS: Registration Dates ANNOUNCED for 2023-2024 runDisney Races, The Harsh Reality Behind Mobile Ordering in Disney World, Five Big Reasons You Might See An Empty Disney World in 2023. Find out where you'll find the Can't decide where to eat in Magic Kingdom? Pay with Points: To use Pay with Points, you must charge your eligible purchase through American Express Travel to a Membership Rewards program-enrolled American Express Card. This means transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to Marriott for Walt Disney World stays is often better thanpaying with points! Is Disneys Wilderness Lodge the right resort for you? See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. When youre evaluating your options for hotel bookings, youll always want to compare against paying with points. The type of experience credit varies by property; the experience credit will be applied to eligible charges up to $100. What could be better than listening to Polynesian music while sipping a fruity tropical drink out of a pineapple? 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. A great tip is to go earlier in the evening to avoid the fireworks rush, because as long as you return with your receipt, you can still access the observation area to watch the fireworks. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. My daughter is going next week on March 11 sh | planDisney American AdventureBackstage Magic TourCast MembersEPCOTEPCOT Flower And Garden FestivalEPCOT International Food And Wine FestivalFastpassFuture WorldImagination!MagicBandMission: SpaceMission:SpaceNightclubs & LoungesSpaceship EarthTest TrackThe American AdventureThe LandThe SeasToursWorld Showcase. Starting then, the card will no longer award 3x on travel and 2x on entertainment but instead will award 3x on air travel, hotels and gas stations along with supermarkets and restaurants. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Rooms and suites are chic and modern, featuring neutral dcor with bold pops of blue. 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. Weve got the recipe! Enrollment required. 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. Disney World Restaurant Search Tool The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-Book Now Available! I thought they had one below the DVC Lounge.. (Above Imageworks) But Maybe I'm Wrong. Any portion of a charge that you elect to cover through redemption of Membership Rewards points is not eligible to receive points. WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. 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 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. Hippopotomai-Tai at Trader Sams Grog Grotto. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Lets take a look at these hidden treasures. Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Best credit cards for Disney and Universal vacations Here are 3 to consider, along with estimatednightly rates: We also talked about some of Hiltons Disneyland hotels when we talked about credit card free nights. Benefit restrictions vary by property. See membershiprewards.com/terms for the Membership Rewards program terms and conditions. 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. And because this is the Grand Floridian, you wont find pub grub here. I dunno about the AE lounge but the sponser lounges (GM at Test Track, HP at Mission Space, etc.) Enchanted Rose Lounge 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. Before you decide which credit card to use for your theme park tickets, be sure and check for any Amex Offers that might save you money. Experience a transformative getaway with refreshing pools, spa, golf, pickleball, delectable dining and more. With the celebration of DVC's 25 th Anniversary, Disney added a second DVC Member Lounge! Well worth the visit, the list of luscious libations is enough of a selling point to entice you to join in the fun. Not all partners offer Platinum Destinations Vacations. 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! These changes affect cardmembers with The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Want more travel news and credit card advice from TPG? Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Check out the secret bathrooms of Disney World! Related: Amex adds live capacity indicators for Centurion Lounges. Feeding Frenzy at Jock Lindsays Hangar Bar. at DFBStore.com. 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! How do I Redeem Membership Rewards Points. 2. 1. Corporate Card Members are not eligible for the additional point. A better option will usually be to transfer AMEX Membership Rewards to Starwood and then from Starwood to Marriott. Come here for the music and the drinks, but stay for the food. Hows that for some Disney magic? While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. If its a full-on prime rib dinner youre looking for, youve found it here. Savor fresh seafood at Todd English's bluezoo, authentic Japanese fare at Kimonos, or Italian at Il Mulino New York Trattoria. Siemens has a private lounge situated on the second floor right above the Project Tomorrow exhibit space. You can almost feel the beach breeze. Experience Credit: $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities, A room upgrade at check-in, when available. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our travel counselors. And because this is the Grand Floridian, you won't find pub grub here. This means youre usually going to find better rates for Hilton Hotels by paying with points through the AMEX Travel Portal. Minimum redemption 5,000 points. You'll also get five points per $1 spent on . Unfortunately, this card is discontinuing its previous earning structure for current cardholders on April 9, 2021. Well show you the best ways to visit Disney with American Express Membership Rewards points! Hi Rebecca! The Citi Premier Card awards 2x Citi ThankYou points per dollar on entertainment charges and 3x ThankYou points per dollar spent on travel charges. AMEX lounge | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com 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. They have a visa lounge at Epcot during food and wine that's it. So what are the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World? 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. 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. Find the right experience for your trip, budget, or travel style. Learn more. Book a Cruise: Browse Cruises & Destinations - American Express Choose from grab-and-go options at Fuel, Java, or Picabu. Airspace lounges. In most cases youll get more value from transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to airline partners than to hotel partners. here Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation. Benefits are valid only for eligible U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Members (Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members are not eligible). Spend the day exploring the theme parks, with complimentary shuttle service available to all Walt Disney World parks. AMERICAN EXPRESS LOUNGE - 16 Photos & 22 Reviews - Yelp The Mandara Spa is a Balineseinspired oasis, with a full menu of body therapies, massages, facials, and beauty treatments. 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. Please share it! To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. When Epcot opened in 1982, the eight Future World pavilions were sponsored by large companies. Required fields are marked *. To get a 5th night free at Hilton, you have to be a an elite member. PDV bookings must be made using the eligible Card and eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Plus Ups are excluded. We are an independent publisher. If youre granted access, the door will open and fog will cover the entryway. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Where You're Staying 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. Dec 5, 2018 #1 Sign up for our free daily newsletter! Heres our full advertising policy: How we make money. Joined Aug 11, 2016 Feb 5, 2017 #3 NYDisneyKid said: To stay at a Disney resort with AMEX Membership rewards points, youll have to book it through the AMEX Travel Portal. 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. Set in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Enchanted Rose Lounge serves up sips and snacks in a space reminiscent of that tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast. If you look to your left, youll see a sweeping entryway, which leads to the door for this lounge. Entertainment will no longer be a bonus category on that 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. 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. The most important trick to using AMEX Membership Rewards points to book flights is knowing which transfer partners can book flights on which airlines. American Express has a spending tracker so cardmembers can follow their progress toward guest privileges. Love your videos and info! 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. With the Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card, you have access to the following types of lounges: American Express Centurion lounges. 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. It's also a pretty good card to use for theme park lunches since it awards 2x points per dollar on dining. We really want to try the maple crme brulee. The lounge features seasonal specialty cocktails, martini and margarita flights, and a full complement of wine and beer. The menu has some real standouts, but you cant go wrong with the Tiffins Bread Service. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. For example the American Express lounge? Making Advance Dining Reservations at Disney Restaurants