Destinations

How one can use airport rewards packages to get free perks like parking

I’ve flown out and in of Louisville Muhammad Ali Worldwide Airport (SDF) for over a decade now.

Each time I stepped into the parking storage elevator, I’d see an indication for the SDF Rewards Frequent Parker Program, and each time I stepped out, I promptly forgot about it.

The indicators have been in all places, and I ultimately realized I used to be probably lacking out by ignoring them — it took 5 minutes to join the SDF Rewards program. A couple of days later, I obtained a transponder that screens how regularly I park on the airport. After six journeys, I earned sufficient factors to park at no cost throughout a weekend journey to New York.

Associated: Do not miss out: Get perks only for signing up with these loyalty packages

I’m signed up for a number of free loyalty packages, from McDonald’s to Marriott. If I am being trustworthy, I get simply as excited to earn a free Food plan Coke as a free resort night time. So why not add free airport parking to the combination?

Nonetheless, SDF is not the one airport with a loyalty rewards program; a number of airports worldwide supply packages the place you’ll be able to earn free parking, meals, lounge entry and different rewards. The packages are free to affix, so enroll and begin incomes immediately.

What are airport loyalty rewards packages?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Very similar to resort loyalty and frequent flyer packages, airport loyalty packages reward frequent clients. The extra typically you go to a taking part airport, the extra rewards you’ll be able to doubtlessly earn. It is a win-win scenario for each airports and vacationers: The packages encourage patrons to spend extra money and time in airports, and vacationers have the chance to rack up freebies and reductions.

A number of main and regional airports take part in these free frequent traveler packages, and you are not restricted to solely signing up in your dwelling airport’s program — Should you often transit by means of some other airports, contemplate signing up for his or her loyalty packages as nicely.

What are you able to earn with airport loyalty rewards packages?

Denver Worldwide Airport. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Airport loyalty packages reward vacationers with factors based mostly on how a lot cash they spend on issues reminiscent of parking, meals and merchandise. You’ll be able to then use these factors on issues like:

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  • Free parking
  • Present playing cards
  • Money again
  • Airline miles
  • Lounge entry

Remember that every airport loyalty program works in a different way, although; some get fairly inventive with their rewards.

For instance, the Fly Lafayette Membership at Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) in Louisiana rewards members by coming into them into month-to-month giveaways. Every time you go to the airport and swipe your driver’s license or membership card at a chosen kiosk, you might be robotically entered to win month-to-month prizes reminiscent of meals, merchandise, reward certificates and extra.

The GNV Final Street Warrior Membership at Georgia’s Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) additionally provides out month-to-month rewards, that are donated by native companies reminiscent of museums and eating places. Nonetheless, as soon as a month, it rewards the passenger who took essentially the most spherical journeys by means of GNV with a particular grand prize. Whether or not or not you win, all Street Warrior members get personal airport lounge entry.

Our favourite airport loyalty rewards packages

Boston Logan Worldwide Airport. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY

This is not an exhaustive listing of airport loyalty rewards packages. Quite, we sought to focus on packages situated at among the busiest airports on the earth or ones which might be exceptionally profitable. Subsequent time you fly, do a fast search to see if any of the airports you will be passing by means of have a frequent flyer program and enroll earlier than your journey.

  • Buffalo Niagara Worldwide Airport (BUF) Frequent Parker Program: Earn factors towards free parking and get entry to devoted airport parking entry and exit lanes.
  • Harrisburg Worldwide Airport (MDT) Susquehanna Membership: Vacationers age 21 and above who fly at the least 25,000 miles per 12 months on an airline serving MDT can be part of the Susquehanna Membership airport lounge.
  • Greenville-Spartanburg Worldwide Airport (GSP) Parking Rewards: Join on-line and prebook parking to earn reward factors. You earn in the future of free parking for each 10 days of paid parking.
  • Larger Binghamton Airport (BGM) Enterprise Vacationers Rewards Program: This program has three tier ranges, every based mostly on how typically you park on the airport. You’ll be able to earn perks like free parking and reward playing cards to make use of at airport eating places.
  • Indianapolis Worldwide Airport (IND) parkIND Plus Program: Members earn factors towards free parking each time they park on the airport.
  • Heathrow Airport (LHR) Heathrow Rewards: Members earn factors by spending cash at taking part airport retailers, bars, eating places, resort companions, lounges, prebooked parking services and extra. Factors can be utilized for reductions on buying and parking or transferred to pick out airways.
  • Paris Aeroport’s Extime Rewards: This loyalty program is legitimate at each Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). After signing up, you’ll be able to obtain reductions on airport providers like parking and baggage wrapping. You too can earn factors at taking part airport retailers or when prebooking parking. Factors may be redeemed for parking or at choose retailers.
  • Thanks Once more Rewards: Greater than 100 airports, together with Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL) and Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), associate with Thanks Once more to supply frequent vacationers with rewards. Once you register, you’ll be able to hyperlink your debit and/or bank cards to your account and earn factors once you use your linked playing cards to buy, dine and park at taking part airports. You’ll be able to redeem your accrued factors for reward playing cards, money again or Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles.

The perfect bank cards for airport perks

Louisville Muhammad Ali Worldwide Airport reward store. LOUISVILLE MUHAMMAD ALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

With most airport loyalty packages, you must spend cash to earn rewards. You may as nicely put these prices on a bank card that may enhance your airport expertise much more. Listed below are a couple of of the perfect bank cards for perks like lounge entry and airport eating:

The next playing cards are a few of our favourite playing cards for airport lounge entry:

  • Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card: This card gives entry to greater than 1,300 lounges, together with Capital One Lounges and the Accomplice Lounge Community.
  • The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Categorical: With the American Categorical International Lounge Assortment, cardholders can entry over 1,400 airport lounges throughout 140 nations, together with Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Membership lounges (restricted to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025) and Precedence Move Choose lounges. Enrollment is required.
  • The Platinum Card® from American Categorical: With the American Categorical International Lounge Assortment, cardholders can entry over 1,400 airport lounges throughout 140 nations, together with Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Membership lounges (restricted to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025) and Precedence Move Choose lounges. Enrollment is required.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®: After a simple, one-time enrollment in Precedence Move Choose, you’ll be able to entry greater than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Categorical Card: Complimentary limitless entry to the Delta Sky Membership lounges when you find yourself touring on a Delta flight. Beginning in February 2025, this profit will change to fifteen free annual visits, with limitless annual visits after spending $75,000 in a 12 months.

The next playing cards supply a free meal for you and a visitor ($28-$30 worth per individual) at taking part Precedence Move eating places at greater than 20 airports.

*The data for the Financial institution of America Premium Rewards Elite, Citi Status, J.P. Morgan Reserve, Ritz-Carlton and UBS Visa Infinite playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

The Citi Status card will not be taking new candidates, and you’ll’t apply for the Ritz-Carlton card, although you’ll be able to acquire it you probably have one other Marriott bank card from Chase.

Backside line

Airport loyalty rewards packages aren’t essentially the most profitable packages on the market, however you don’t have anything to lose by signing up for a free membership. Should you spend cash on issues like airport parking and eating, these packages may also help you earn precious rewards that you should utilize towards future journeys.

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