Best FoundersCard Benefits for Travelers

Have you ever heard of the FoundersCard? It’s not a credit card, though it does provide similar benefits to some high-end credit card offerings. Instead, this card acts as a membership program for its customers, providing a wide variety of benefits across travel, lifestyle and small business needs.

Let’s take a look at FoundersCard, its benefits for travelers and how you can use them to save money when traveling.

What is FoundersCard and how much does it cost?

FoundersCard advertises itself as a program designed for those with small businesses, but there are also some serious benefits available for those who like to travel, including complimentary elite status, discounts on flights and discounted hotel rooms.

The cost of a standard FoundersCard membership is currently $595 per year with a one-time $95 initiation fee, though it’s possible to use a referral code for a discounted rate. Because this isn’t a credit card, the application does not include a credit pull, nor does it show up on your credit report or affect your credit score.

» Learn more: How to choose a travel credit card

Top 5 travel benefits for FoundersCard members

1. Virgin Atlantic elite status

Those with a FoundersCard can also receive elite status with Virgin Atlantic. After submitting a request to join, members can receive a one-time upgrade to Flying Club Silver elite status. There are requirements for those looking to use this benefit:

• Members will receive Silver status after completing one round-trip flight.

• The flight must be a paid ticket.

• The flight must be flown within 12 months after making the upgrade request.

Those who fly with Virgin Atlantic will be happy to know there’s also an opportunity to fast-track to Gold elite status; you simply need to earn 500 tier points within six months.

Virgin Atlantic isn’t part of an airline alliance but its partnership with Delta Air Lines means that Silver members will receive priority boarding, priority baggage and priority check-in when flying with Delta.

Those flying on Delta with Gold status will receive far more:

• Extra baggage allowance (up to three pieces in business class).

• Priority check-in.

• Priority baggage.

• Priority boarding.

• Access to the Delta Sky Club with any connecting transatlantic flight to the U.K.

• Complimentary access to Comfort+ at the gate (based on availability).

» Learn more: Which airline elite status should you pursue in 2022?

2. Flight discounts

Those who fly often will appreciate the discounts available through FoundersCard on a variety of airlines. The rates you’ll receive will vary according to airline and range from 5% to 25% off standard fares:

• United Airlines: Up to 12%.

• British Airways: 10%.

• Etihad Airways: Up to 10%.

• Qantas Airlines: Up to 25%.

• Alaska Airlines: 5%.

• Singapore Airlines: Up to 15%.

» Learn more: How to get free flights (or close to it)

3. Caesars Diamond status

For frequent Las Vegas travelers, FoundersCard provides complimentary Diamond status with Caesars. Diamond status at Caesars confers a number of benefits, including:

• 15% off best available room rates.

• Waived resort fees.

• $100 annual Celebration Dinner (must have at least 100 tier credits).

• Complimentary valet and self-parking.

• Access to the VIP Laurel Lounge (with payment).

• Complimentary stay at Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

Caesars is also a reciprocal partner with Wyndham, which means that you can instantly match your Caesars Diamond status over to Wyndham Diamond status (and you can re-match every year as long as you hold the card).

» Learn more: Best hotels in Las Vegas to book with points

4. Hilton Gold elite status

Hilton’s Gold elite status is one of the best mid-tier statuses around. It’s possible to get Hilton Gold status in a variety of ways, but if you’re not looking for a credit card or don’t stay at Hilton properties often, this can be an easy avenue to score status.

Hilton Gold status comes with a wide variety of benefits, including:

• Complimentary breakfast or a daily food and beverage credit.

• 80% bonus on points earned from stays.

• 5th night free on award stays.

• Room upgrades.

As we mentioned above, Hilton Gold elite status is easy to achieve via several different credit cards, some of which are much cheaper than the FoundersCard:

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Complimentary as long as you hold the card.

• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Gold status earned after spending $20,000 in purchases in a calendar year.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary as long as you hold the card. Enrollment required.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Hilton Honors program

5. Discounted hotel rates

In addition to flight discounts, FoundersCard members can enjoy reduced rates on hotel stays. These aren’t as broad as discounts with a whole chain; rather, you’ll get discounted rates at specific properties, which change periodically. These include properties from Hyatt and Hilton, among others.

» Learn more: The guide to World of Hyatt brands

If you’d like to get a FoundersCard membership

Though it’s primarily a membership program for small business owners, the FoundersCard has plenty of benefits for those who travel often. Although the annual membership fee is high, frequent travelers can easily recoup their costs between complimentary airline elite status, discounts on flights, hotel elite status and discounted hotel rates.

FoundersCard and NerdWallet have partnered to offer a discounted membership rate of $100 off the regular cost, plus a waived initiation fee (details here).