Which Travel Perks Offer The Best Value For Travelers

Nicole Hunter Travel Updated on 8/23/2025 at 6:04 pm

Top Travel Perks Guide — Top Travel Perks – best benefits for budget, business, family & points travelers.

Have you ever wondered how to get more out of your trip without overpaying?
From free bags to lounge access, the world of travel perks is vast. But which ones are really worth your attention and money? Year after year, the competition between airlines, hotels, and credit cards has only intensified, which means there are even more great deals to choose from.

What are Travel Perks?

Travel bonuses, or travel perks, are special benefits provided to passengers by airlines, hotels, financial institutions and other services. These are not just nice little things, but real savings of money, time and nerves. These bonuses can be included in the price of a premium ticket, provided for loyalty or be part of a premium credit card package.

Consider, for example, the loyalty programs of American and European airlines. Delta, with its SkyMiles program, offers bonuses that include free baggage and priority boarding. Turkish Airlines, with its Miles&Smiles program, provides access to lounges and upgrades to the class of service. Lufthansa (Miles & More) and British Airways (Avios) also have extensive programs that allow you to accumulate miles for future flights and enjoy additional privileges.

Turkish Airlines Perks Program – Miles&Smiles loyalty program with free bags, lounge access, upgrades, and exclusive partner rewards.

Bonuses can be divided into several main categories:

Credit card bonuses: This is the largest and most profitable category for many. Cards like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve offer everything from lounge access to travel insurance, and offer the widest range of perks.
Airline perks: Loyalty programs that reward miles for flying. The higher your status, the more perks you get.
Hotel perks: Programs that offer free nights, room upgrades, or free breakfast.
Third-party services: Programs like Priority Pass and CLEAR that speed up airport security, making your travel experience smoother and faster.
Travel agencies: Online services such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Groupon also have their own travel perks for tourists that really help you save money.

Best-Value Online Travel Agencies

When it comes to saving money while planning your next trip, a few online platforms stand out for their unbeatable perks and discounts. Expedia and Orbitz reward frequent travelers with loyalty points, member-only hotel rates, and bundled flight + hotel savings. Groupon Getaways caters to bargain hunters with steep discounts on all-inclusive vacations and last-minute deals, while CityPASS helps families and city explorers cut sightseeing costs by bundling top attractions at a fraction of the price. Together, these platforms offer some of the best-value travel options online, no matter your style of travel.

Expedia

Expedia Rewards:
- Earn points for every hotel, flight or package booking.
- 1 point is 1 cent, can be used for discounts on future bookings.
- Program members receive additional discounts of up to 10% on “Members Only Deals”.
- VIP Access Hotels:
- Partner hotels with bonuses: free Wi-Fi, late check-out, room upgrade.
- Available to members with higher status levels.
Bundle Deals (Flight + Hotel):
- When buying a flight + hotel package, you can save up to 20-30%.

Orbitz

Orbucks Rewards:
- Orbucks are earned for booking (1 Orbuck = $1).
- You can spend them immediately on hotels – no minimum amount restrictions.
Member Prices:
- Access to special hotel rates with discounts of up to 10%.
Orbitz Status Tiers:
- Silver, Gold, Platinum.
- Gold: priority support and free benefits at partner hotels.
- Platinum: Up to $50 baggage allowance, VIP service.

Groupon Travel (Groupon Getaways)

Big discounts on packages:
- Packages, hotels and cruises with discounts of up to 50–60%.
All-inclusive offers:
- Flight, accommodation, meals and excursions are often included – great for families.
Last-Minute Deals:
- Last-minute deals with huge discounts on resorts.

Airport lounge access

Value: Comfort, free food, drinks, and Wi-Fi. The average cost of a lounge is $50–$75 per visit. If you travel four times a year, that’s a savings of $200–$300.
How to get it: Premium credit cards like the Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550) offer access to the Priority Pass lounge network. This perk is ideal for frequent flyers who want to avoid the noise and crowds in the lounge.

Free checked bags

Value: This can save you a lot of money. For example, Delta charges $35 for the first checked bag on a domestic U.S. flight, and $70 or more on international flights. If you’re flying round-trip, that’s a savings of $70–$140.
How to get it: This benefit is most often offered to holders of airline-specific credit cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles American Express Card.

Travel insurance coverage

Value: Protection against lost luggage, flight delays, or cancellations, as well as medical coverage. This can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if something goes wrong. For example, flight delay compensation can be up to $500, and overseas medical care can be up to $50,000.
How to get it: Many premium credit cards automatically include insurance if you pay for your trip with that card.

Express security check

Value: Save time and reduce stress at the airport. This benefit allows you to bypass long lines.
How to get it: TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) and Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) programs allow you to speed through security. Many rewards credit cards, like Capital One Venture, reimburse the sign-up fee for these programs.

Seat Upgrades / Extra Legroom

Value: Better comfort, more space, sometimes includes food and drinks.
How to get it: Airline loyalty program membership: If you have high status, the airline may upgrade your ticket for free or give you access to better seats. Additionally, some airline-linked premium credit cards offer upgrade vouchers or access to special fares. You can also always purchase these seats for an additional fee, which usually ranges from $20 to $100 for extra legroom and $200 to $1,500 for an upgrade. Another way is through last-minute specials that airlines may offer during online check-in or at the airport, especially if the flight is not fully booked.

Elite status at the Hotel

Value: Room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, early check-in, club lounge access.
How to get it: The most common way is to accumulate qualifying nights through loyalty programs, where status increases with the number of stays you make. However, the fastest way is to use credit cards that partner with hotel chains (like Chase or American Express), which grant status simply by owning the card. You can also take advantage of a “status match” program, where one hotel chain grants you status that matches your status at a competitor. Finally, keep an eye out for promotions that allow you to earn status after staying just a few nights.

Bonus Miles and Points

Value: This is the most powerful savings tool. Sign-up bonuses on credit cards can give you 50,000–100,000 bonus miles, which is equivalent to $500–$1,000 in travel. These points can be redeemed for free flights, hotels, or car rentals.
How to Get It: Choose cards with high welcome bonuses and meet initial spending requirements to earn the most points.

Prescott Regional Airport — Travel privileges: your path to a seamless airport experience.

Bonuses to Suit Your Travel Style

Budget Travelers

For those trying to stretch every dollar, perks like free checked baggage, travel insurance, and bonus miles on everyday purchases can make a huge difference. A single free bag per trip can save $70–$80 roundtrip, and built-in insurance protects you from costly delays or cancellations without extra spending. Even a no-annual-fee card with miles can cover a future short-haul flight.

Business Travelers

Frequent flyers benefit most from airport lounge access, which provides meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, and quiet workspaces that can easily be worth $30–$50 per visit. Priority boarding ensures overhead bin space and less stress, while CLEAR or TSA PreCheck credits save valuable time at security. Together, these perks help business travelers stay productive and comfortable while on the go.

Families

Family trips often mean multiple bags and higher costs. That’s where perks like free checked luggage for all passengers, discounted car rentals, and hotel elite status upgrades come in handy. A family of four could save over $300 per trip on baggage fees alone. Complimentary breakfasts, late checkout, or suite upgrades at hotels add extra convenience and value for parents traveling with kids.

Points Hunters

If your goal is maximizing rewards, then big welcome bonuses, multipliers on travel and dining, and cashback options are the ultimate perks. Smart points collectors can combine bonuses with strategic redemptions, turning a single credit card signup into a free international flight or luxury hotel stay. For those chasing aspirational travel, these perks offer the highest return on spending.

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Seattle — Hotel perks are important because they directly affect the value and comfort of a trip.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all set of perks. The most valuable travel perks are those that fit your lifestyle and travel habits.

Smart travelers don’t just spend, they invest in their comfort and save by using the right benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Travel Perks

Is lounge access worth it?

Yes, if you fly more than 5–6 times a year, lounge access can easily pay off. A single airport meal and drink can cost $25–$40, while lounges offer unlimited food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfort. With a Priority Pass or Amex Platinum, the value can exceed $500+ per year.

How much can I save with free checked bags?

Most airlines charge $35–$40 per checked bag each way in the U.S. If you take 3 round trips per year, that’s $210–$240 saved per traveler. Families save even more since bag fees apply per person.

Which credit card has the best travel perks?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum are leaders in the U.S., offering lounge access, travel credits ($200–$300 annually), TSA PreCheck/Global Entry reimbursements, and strong insurance. For airline-specific perks, cards like Delta SkyMiles® Gold or United Explorer give free checked bags and priority boarding.

Are seat upgrades or extra legroom worth the price?

Extra legroom seats typically cost $30–$120 per flight segment. For tall travelers or long-haul flights, the comfort may justify the cost. With elite status or certain cards, upgrades can be free.

Do travel credits really save money?

Yes. Premium credit cards often include annual travel credits ($200–$300). If you already spend on flights, hotels, or Uber, this offsets the annual fee. For example, Amex Platinum’s $200 airline fee credit + Uber Cash + lounge access can provide over $1,000 in value yearly.

Is Global Entry or TSA PreCheck worth getting?

Absolutely. TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) saves time with shorter lines and no need to remove shoes or laptops. Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) speeds up customs for international travelers. Many premium credit cards reimburse the fee — making it effectively free.

Which travel perks offer the best value for families?

Free checked bags, hotel elite status (like free breakfast or suite upgrades), and attraction discounts often save families hundreds per trip. For example, a family of four flying with two checked bags each could save $400+ per trip just on baggage fees.