One of the biggest events in New York City each year — and one that has become synonymous with the end of the summer — is the U.S. Open. From the matches themselves to the buzz across the entire grounds, it's part world-class sporting event and part New York social experience at its finest, with plenty to do, see, and eat.

Based on my past experiences, it's fair to say that the U.S. Open is unquestionably a lot of fun, but it can also be hot and crowded, with long lines. Being able to duck into a quieter, air-conditioned lounge (thanks to your credit card) and grab a Honey Deuce and maybe even a chair can be the perfect addition to the afternoon out in Queens.

Thankfully, both Chase and American Express again have a presence at the U.S. Open this year, with each operating dedicated lounge spaces just for their cardholders.

Here's what you need to know about the Chase and Amex lounges at the 2026 U.S. Open, including how to get inside.

Related: These are the top card offers of August 2026

Chase Lounge at the 2026 U.S. Open

The Chase Lounge will open in time for Fan Week at this year's U.S. Open. During Fan Week, the Chase Lounge will be open Aug. 24-28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a first-come, first-served basis for Chase customers.

During the main part of the tournament, which starts on Aug. 30, the Chase Lounge will be open from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. during the daytime sessions and 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. during the evening sessions. Note that the lounge is open for sessions 1 - 19 and session 21 and is closed for sessions 20 and 22 - 27.

However, unlike during Fan Week, the Chase Lounge will operate on a reservations-only model for Chase customers during the main draw of the tournament.

Reservations for the Chase Lounge during those main sessions will be released daily at 9 a.m. Eastern on the ChaseGetsYouCloser.com website for the following day's sessions.

Related reading: Here is what the Chase Lounge and Chase Terrace were like at the U.S. Open in 2024

Some of the new offerings at the Chase Lounge this year include a bar featuring matcha lattes and iced blueberry matcha lattes during the daytime sessions and matcha popsicles during evening sessions.

As in previous years, you can also expect some included light bites, mobile charging, live coverage of the matches and the all-important air conditioning.

Chase will also again operate the Chase Terrace at the U.S. Open for Chase customers on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chase Terrace is typically an open-air space at the Grandstand with views of Courts 8 - 10, along with seats and shade. You'll need to show your Chase card to enter the terrace.

During Fan Week (Aug. 24 to 28), the Chase Terrace will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then, during the main draw of the tournament, the Chase Terrace will be open for Sessions 1 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. It will be closed for Sessions 19 to 27.

Related: Complete guide to Chase Sapphire airport lounges

Amex Lounges at the 2026 U.S. Open

American Express will operate not one, but two lounges at this year's U.S. Open.

First, there's the Amex Centurion Lounge, which will be open to American Express Platinum Card® and American Express Centurion cardholders via same-day, one-hour reservations bookable on Resy beginning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day of the tournament, starting on Aug. 30.

Platinum cardholders can make a reservation for up to two people (the cardholder and one guest), while Centurion cardholders can make a reservation for up to four people (the cardholder and up to three guests).

Located on the second floor of Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Centurion Lounge will offer dishes by Kwame Onwuachi and Mike Solomonov of the Culinary Collective, along with drinks and a place to sit and cool off between matches.

You'll want to be sure your Platinum and/or Centurion Card is on file in your Resy account before reservations open.

The information for the Amex Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related reading: Here's what it was like at the Amex lounge at the U.S. Open in 2024

But don't worry if you don't currently have an Amex Platinum or Centurion card, as the issuer also operates an American Express Card Member Lounge open to all Amex cardmembers (and up to two guests), located on the second level of the Amex Fan Experience.

And for those who don't have any Amex cards, you can still go inside and enjoy the Fan Experience itself.

There are other Amex-related goodies available at the U.S. Open, too, such as an earpiece radio for Amex cardmembers with the ESPN broadcast and live U.S. Open updates.

Additionally, eligible cardmembers can enroll in an Amex Offer to get $10 back after they spend $100 on qualifying purchases on-site at the U.S. Open beginning Aug. 30.

Related: Complete guide to Amex airport lounges

Bottom line

We are just days away from the start of the U.S. Open, and if you are going and want to maximize your Chase or Amex perks while you are there, now is the time to set a reminder to reserve a seat at one of their lounges.

Even if you ultimately don't get a reservation (as we expect them to fill up quickly each day), be sure to bring your Chase or Amex card to access the first-come, first-served spaces.

And if you haven't yet purchased your U.S. Open tickets, remember that some tickets are available via StubHub, which means it could be the perfect time to use your second biannual StubHub statement credit of up to $150 (up to $300 annually) on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) if you haven't already done so (activation required; through Dec. 31, 2027).

I'm spending Labor Day weekend in New York City, and my itinerary is almost entirely built around one credit card perk: presale access.

Getting tickets to popular concerts and sporting events at face value can be an accomplishment in itself — and missing the initial sale can mean paying significantly more on the resale market.

But card presales are the reason I'll be attending two bucket-list events on back-to-back days: the U.S. Open on Friday and Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Many of the cards I carry in my wallet come with terrific perks like automatic elite status, statement credits and travel insurance. But as a huge sports and music fan, presale access has become one of my favorites.

Here's why I love this underrated perk, how it helped me score both tickets and a few tips for maximizing your chances of doing the same.

How credit card presales helped me score Harry Styles and US Open tickets

I've used Amex presales twice this year to get tickets to two events I've been really excited about: Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden and the U.S. Open. In both cases, I accessed the presale with my Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

First up was Harry Styles. I joined the Amex presale in January and got tickets to his Sept. 5 show, which falls on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. I bought my tickets more than seven months before the concert, which shows just how far in advance you may need to plan if you want to take advantage of cardmember presales.

I paid $175 per ticket during the presale. Now, the show is sold out, and tickets in the same section are selling for more than $300 on the resale market.

A few months later came another Amex presale: the U.S. Open.

Going to the tournament has been a dream of mine, so I was excited to snag two tickets during the late-May presale. My tickets are for Friday, Sept. 4, the men's and women's third round at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.

I paid $199 per ticket, and tickets in my section are now selling for more than $250 on resale sites. Inventory is also pretty limited, which makes me even happier that I bought when I did.

Those two presales effectively built my Labor Day weekend. Once I knew I'd be in New York for two events I really wanted to attend, the next challenge was finding somewhere to stay.

I booked my New York City hotel entirely with points

I booked three nights at Hotel 50 Bowery for 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per night, which I earned with my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

The same stay would have cost $1,253.45, including taxes and fees, giving me about 1.67 cents per point in value. That's slightly below TPG's current valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents per point, but using points allowed me to avoid more than $1,250 in hotel costs over an already expensive holiday weekend.

For me, though, the tickets were what drove the trip. The presales gave me the chance to build a weekend around two events I really wanted to attend, while my Chase points helped cover one of the biggest remaining expenses once I knew I was going to New York.

What my Labor Day weekend would've cost without points and presales

The hotel redemption was a nice bonus, but the ticket prices really show why I value presale access. Here's how the prices I paid compare with current prices for similar tickets and what my hotel would have cost in cash.

These aren't perfectly apples-to-apples comparisons; resale ticket prices can fluctuate, and I redeemed points rather than paying cash for the hotel. Still, the numbers illustrate why these perks can be so useful when planning an expensive weekend around popular events.

You don't need a premium credit card to get presale access

One thing I particularly like about cardmember presales is that you don't necessarily need a premium card with a hefty annual fee to take advantage of them.

I used my Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card for both Amex presales. The card has a moderate $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Of course, eligibility can vary by presale, so I wouldn't open a card solely for access to a particular event. But if you're already considering a card and regularly spend money on concerts or sporting events, presale access is a perk worth adding to your list.

Related: The best credit cards to maximize your entertainment spending

How credit card presales work

Cardmember presales are pretty straightforward: For select concerts, sporting events and other live events, issuers give eligible cardmembers the opportunity to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

With Amex, eligible cardmembers can access Amex Presale Tickets for select events and seats during a specified period before the general on-sale date. You'll need a qualifying Amex card to purchase the tickets, and availability is limited, so having access to a presale doesn't guarantee that you'll get tickets.

Capital One and Citi also offer presale opportunities for select events through their entertainment programs. For example, I used my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to get access to a Capital One presale for Gracie Abrams later this year.

Eligibility and the purchasing process vary by issuer and event, so it's worth keeping an eye on the entertainment offerings from the issuers whose cards you carry. You can learn which Amex cards qualify for Amex Presale Tickets on the issuer's website.

Related: Want concert presale access? Don't be loyal to one bank

Tips for accessing and buying presale tickets

Getting access to a presale is only half the battle. If you're trying to buy tickets to a highly anticipated concert or sporting event, a little preparation can go a long way.

Here are some of my top tips:

• Sign up for artist, team and venue mailing lists. Cardmember presales aren't the only way to get early access, so sign up for email alerts and follow your favorites on social media to stay on top of ticket announcements and presales.
• Get your accounts ready ahead of time. Set up your Ticketmaster or other ticketing account in advance, confirm you have a qualifying card and save your payment information so you're ready when tickets go on sale.
• Know when the waiting room opens. Check the event instructions ahead of time so you know when to join the queue. Ticketmaster recommends joining the waiting room before the sale begins and using just one browser or device.
• Decide what you want to spend before tickets go on sale. Before the presale starts, have an idea of how much you're willing to spend and where you're willing to sit. That way, you can make a decision quickly when it's your turn to buy.
• Move quickly, but don't panic. Popular events can have limited inventory, so be prepared to buy if you find tickets that fit your budget — but don't let low-inventory warnings pressure you into overspending.
• Pay attention to the rules for each presale. Requirements vary: Some presales require registration or an access code, while others simply require you to pay with an eligible card. Check the rules before the sale begins.

Related: The best credit cards for concerts and music festivals

Bottom line

My Labor Day weekend in New York essentially started with two presales.

First, I got Harry Styles tickets for Saturday. Then I scored U.S. Open tickets for Friday. Those two purchases turned what could have been separate bucket-list events into an entire weekend trip — and redeeming 75,000 Chase points for my three-night stay at Hotel 50 Bowery kept $1,253.45 in hotel charges off my credit card statement.

I love automatic elite status and hotel perks, but cardmember presales have become one of my favorite credit card perks. If you love going to concerts or sporting events, having another opportunity to buy tickets before the general public can be incredibly valuable, particularly when an event is expected to sell out.

That said, I wouldn't choose a card solely for its presale access. Instead, look for a card that fits your spending habits and offers benefits you'll actually use, with presale access serving as a nice bonus.

Related: Credit card perks and benefits not to be overlooked

For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.

Nothing says summer vacation like an epic road trip: scenic ocean views, carefree beachside bike rides, eating lobster by the water and laughing with friends.

For us, that meant packing our bags for coastal Maine. Between Portland's restaurant scene, iconic lobster shacks, lighthouse-studded coastlines and sleepy island bike rides, it was everything we were dreaming of in an early-summer getaway.

And along the journey, we were able to put the refreshed American Express® Gold Card, with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), to the test by earning bonus points on flights, saving on dining, using some built-in statement credits and enjoying the hotel benefits.

Summer and Eric, here. We've been friends for nearly two decades. Back then, we used to meet up on mileage runs around the globe. These days, our travels have us checking out new hotels and up-and-coming destinations, but we still make time to get together whenever we can — preferably over a great meal (or, let's be honest, several).

Here's how we planned our quick Maine adventure, made the most of our Amex Gold perks and discovered why this stretch of New England deserves a spot on every summer travel list.

Fly and drive

Getting to Maine meant flights from opposite sides of the country: Summer from Houston and Eric from Los Angeles.

We booked our airfare with the Amex Gold because it earns 3 points per dollar on airfare booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™ or directly with airlines. This meant we earned Membership Rewards points before the trip even began.

Next, we took one of the card's new benefits for a spin. Literally.

At the rental counter, Eric's complimentary Hertz Five Star status (enrollment required) paid off with an upgrade from a compact car to a Buick Encore SUV — much appreciated for a few days of driving along Maine's coast. He'd also earned 2 points per dollar on the prepaid car reservation by booking through AmexTravel.com.

Although you cannot attach your Hertz loyalty number to the reservation on AmexTravel.com, you can add your confirmation number to your Hertz account and then your elite benefits should apply, as they did for us.

With the car loaded up, we pointed it toward the Maine coast and officially kicked off the trip.

Day 1: Lighthouses and lobster rolls

Rather than head straight into Portland from the airport, we pointed the car south to rugged Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, about 20 minutes away. After meandering along tree-lined roads past picturesque clapboard houses, we spotted the two lighthouses from which the park takes its name.

We parked our car and wandered along the rocky headland for a bit before stepping up to the counter at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, an area institution, for our first lobster rolls of the trip. They were heaped with claw and tail meat plus a healthy dollop of mayo with a sprinkle of Old Bay.

Eric ordered a whoopie pie so Summer could try this quintessentially Maine dessert on her first trip to the state, plus a slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie for good measure.

The salt-tinged Atlantic breeze made that first Maine meal taste even better. As a bonus, Eric earned 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar* by paying with his Amex Gold Card, which is a fantastic return for restaurant purchases.

Our next stop was the Portland waterfront, where we caught the Casco Bay Lines ferry for the half-hour ride out to Peaks Island, enjoying sun-splashed city views along the way.

Just up the road from the dock, we rented bikes and pedaled our way around the island.

We stopped to admire the lovely homes, chat with summer residents and take in the ocean views from various perfectly placed benches.

After our ride, we were parched, so we stopped for lemonades (okay, and maybe a glass of rosé) at Jones Landing Bar and Restaurant so we could spot the ferry when it arrived for the return journey to Portland. At the same time, we earned another round of points.

*Earn 4 points per dollar on up to $50,000 spent on restaurant purchases worldwide each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year.

A collection of perks with The Hotel Collection

When we docked, we headed up the hill to our hotel, the Press Hotel, Autograph Collection.

The hotel is unique, charming and full of personality, located in the former offices of the Portland Press Herald newspaper.

You can find fun allusions to the building's past, including a wall in the lobby mounted with 62 vintage typewriters, woodblock installations and even vintage Scrabble sets for tests of wit (or vocabulary, at least).

Because the Press Hotel participates in both Marriott Bonvoy and American Express' The Hotel Collection, we were able to double dip a bit, earning Marriott points and elite benefits while also taking advantage of The Hotel Collection perks.

Amex Gold cardholders who book prepaid hotel stays through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar. Plus, when you book stays of two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App, you receive a $100 credit toward eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges (eligible charges vary by property).

Other benefits you can enjoy on eligible The Hotel Collection stays include:

• A room upgrade upon arrival, when available (certain room upgrades are not eligible for upgrade)
• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• 4 p.m. late checkout, when available
• The ability to use Pay with Points on prepaid bookings

We also added our Marriott Bonvoy numbers to the reservation we had made through AmexTravel.com so we could enjoy our elite benefits and earn Marriott points on the stay.

Summer received an upgrade to a Deluxe King while Eric got a Superior King. Both rooms were bright and spacious with large windows, king beds dressed in silky Frette linens with Cuddledown comforters, classic rolling leather office chairs emblazoned with the classic typing test line, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog," and marble bathrooms with tea- and amber-scented Ink & Water bath products.

We quickly put our respective $100 credits toward eligible charges through our The Hotel Collection bookings to good use.

They covered practical expenses like overnight parking, but they also turned breakfast at Union into an easy splurge, where we ordered lemon-mascarpone pancakes, fresh fruit drizzled with honey from the hotel's rooftop hives and a few pre-dinner drinks that included a tart mocktail with orange, lemon, honey and a spritz of soda later that evening.

Between the $100 credit toward eligible charges with The Hotel Collection and Summer's selected Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite benefits (which she received since she had added her Marriott Bonvoy number to her hotel reservation after she made it through AmexTravel.com), most of our incidental expenses disappeared, which meant we checked out without paying anything beyond our prepaid stay.

**Earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.

Delicious savings with Resy

A local friend recommended we spend an evening dining at the cozy Wayside Tavern, located in an 1881 Italianate mansion right on Congress Street, and whose dining room is a delightful warren of rooms bathed in natural light and the flicker of candles.

Conveniently, it's bookable on Resy, which meant it was time to put the Resy statement credit benefit on the Amex Gold to use.

Once enrolled, you can enjoy up to $100 in annual statement credits on eligible Resy purchases, up to $50 from January-June and up to $50 from July-December after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.

We started with sumptuous bites from chef Mike Sindoni's menu, like buttery broiled oysters and clams and silky scallops drizzled with rich bearnaise sauce and a briny dollop of caviar on top. For our mains, we had creamy tonnarelli pasta with guanciale and black pepper and a juicy filet of halibut bathed in brown butter, lemon and capers with roasted mushrooms.

We said we couldn't possibly consider dessert … until five minutes later, when we did just that. The luscious chocolate mousse sprinkled with olive oil, sea salt and hazelnuts was divine.

Day 2: Road trip snacks and seafood shacks

After breakfast at the hotel courtesy of the $100 credit toward eligible charges, we grabbed complimentary coffee in the lobby and stopped at Whole Foods for road-trip essentials such as locally made Maine Root sodas, popcorn and trail mix.

Paying with our Amex Gold Cards meant earning 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year) before we headed northeast along the coast.

Our drive took us over meandering rivers, across verdant woodlands and through postcard-perfect fishing villages until we reached the seaside enclave of Rockland.

Although we'd filled up on fresh seafood the night before, we both craved lobster for lunch, so we headed for Archer's on the Pier.

Summer had a simple salad of leafy greens and grilled veggies … heaped with nearly a full pound of fresh local lobster, while Eric went in a more purist direction, ordering a simple lobster cocktail with melted butter for dipping.

After that fortification, we dashed into the Farnsworth Art Museum, a local landmark with over 15,000 works of art by American artists who lived and worked in Maine, including the father-son duo N.C. and Andrew Wyeth as well as Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer and Rockwell Kent.

Cultured up, as we were, we hopped back in the car for another scenic drive to the town of Freeport.

Eric had one mission in Freeport: find a summer hat at the flagship L.L. Bean store. He left with a retro-inspired style that should get plenty of use on future beach trips.

Shopping complete, we fueled the last stretch of the road trip with a Berry-Açai Lemonade Dunkin' Refresher and an Oreo Cloud Latte from Dunkin'. That purchase triggered the up to $7 in statement credits available each month on U.S. Dunkin' purchases, up to $84 per year (enrollment required).

A gourmet goodbye

Our final night in Maine called for a fabulous dinner at Central Provisions, another Resy restaurant with lively vibes along bustling Fore Street.

Since Summer had used her Resy credit the night before, it was Eric's turn to use the up to $50 he receives biannually with the Amex Gold Card's Resy credit, plus earn 4 points per dollar.*

With the help of a mutual local friend who joined for the evening, we tucked into specialties like luscious bluefin tuna crudo with radish, fried shallot and scallion in soy sauce; rich Maine peekytoe crab with apple and citrusy yuzu over a savory miso pancake; ribbony mafaldine pasta with lobster, cream and Calabrian chiles; succulent pan-roasted cod with ultrafresh asparagus and green garlic in white wine butter; and tender suckling pig in apple brown butter with marcona almonds.

With the Resy credit on Eric's Amex Gold taking a bite out of the meal, we felt a lot less guilty about again sampling desserts, including a sunshine-bright key lime tart and summery rhubarb-raspberry trifle with nutty pistachio honeycomb.

It was the perfect final meal before a busy summer of travel and proof that some of the best trips are the ones built around good food, great friends and a stretch of road you've never driven together before.

Learn more: American Express® Gold Card

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, please click here.

Dreaming of escaping to the beach on points? World of Hyatt's newest member promises to make your Caribbean dreams come true — whether that means an active vacation, restorative retreat or something in between.

And because Hyatt Vivid Cancun is an all-inclusive property, you can use World of Hyatt points to cover not just your lodging, but most food, drinks and activities during your stay.

Related: 25 best all-inclusive resorts in the world

Hyatt Vivid Cancun is now open

The hotel, formerly the family-friendly Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, recently transitioned to the adults-only, all-inclusive Hyatt Vivid portfolio.

"The Hyatt Vivid brand was created for travelers who want an all-inclusive experience that feels more flexible, more locally connected and more reflective of how they travel today," Ana Tomicevic, Vice President of Global Brand for Hyatt Inclusive Collection, said in a press release. "Hyatt Vivid Cancun builds on that vision by blending destination-inspired experiences, effortless hospitality and a unique location that encourage guests to be fully present."

The experience starts with Hyatt Vivid Cancun's 416 rooms and suites, each of which features ocean views. For a more personalized stay, guests can upgrade to Vantage Club room types, offering premium accommodations, Vantage Club lounge access, dedicated concierge service and more.

Guests can tailor their experience with dining and activities, as well.

The resort boasts seven restaurants, ranging from Mediterranean fusion to contemporary pan-Asian to Italian classics, as well as seven bars. In keeping with the brand's focus on flexibility over formality, every stay includes unlimited a la carte dining with no reservations required plus 24-hour dining options. Unlimited natural fruit juices, soft drinks and international and domestic top-shelf spirits are also included.

According to the press release, Hyatt Vivid Cancun is "designed to balance movement, restoration, and social connection" and "invites guests to embrace wellbeing on their own terms."

That could mean staying active with a game of padel or pickleball, catching a wave in one of two surf pools or teeing off at the 18-hole golf course. On the other hand, guests may prefer to unwind at one of the hotel's three pools or ocean-view spa. The spa menu includes massages, facials, hydrotherapy and locally inspired treatments like a cacao ritual body wrap.

To help guests connect with the destination on a deeper level, Hyatt Vivid Cancun offers cooking classes, tequila tastings and art workshops inspired by local culture.

The resort's location within the gated Puerta del Mar community, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Puerto Cancun marina, promises a tranquil beach setting just minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN) and the Hotel Zone tourist district.

Bottom line

For travelers seeking a simplified vacation where most, if not all, costs are paid upfront, Hyatt Vivid Cancun is an option worth considering. The resort is now open, with nightly rates starting around $280 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points based on double occupancy.