Boarding and the flights

Scott breezed through the TSA’s checkpoint in less than two minutes without having to take off his shoes. His laptop stayed in his suitcase, thanks to his membership in the Global Entry program, which includes expedited screening.

It took Candice nearly 15 minutes to get through regular security, which included taking off her shoes and jacket. There was also a delay after she forgot to remove a bottle of water from her purse, and found herself waiting shoeless for her belongings as a TSA agent searched her bag.

On the return flight, Scott cleared security in about three minutes. It took Candice 19.

Airport

Scott headed for the roomy airline lounge, and took advantage of the free Wi-Fi, newspapers and breakfast spread that included bagels, muffins, hardboiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and coffee. A day pass costs more than $50, but credit cards aimed at frequent travelers often include lounge access as one benefit that comes with a hefty annual fee of $450 to $550. Scott’s card also refunded him the $100 TSA Global Entry fee.

At the gate with everyone else, Candice found a seat with a table. There were outlets to recharge phones and a tablet to order food and get flight updates. She generally avoids eating much right before and during flights, though, and didn’t buy any food for the gate.

Scott’s airline status means he boards early, and often gets upgraded for free to first class — where there are no middle seats and passengers still get hot meals. Finding space for luggage in the overhead bins also isn’t a worry.

Elite status starts after flying 25,000 miles a year, or five round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco. Rack up more miles, and the perks increase substantially.

On this trip, Scott got upgrades both ways on Delta Air Lines. He was a served an egg sandwich, yogurt and fruit on the way to Orlando, a second breakfast after the first he enjoyed earlier in the lounge.

Candice waited in a disorganized crowd by the gate to board. Her pass said “Zone 3,” which was really the sixth of Delta’s seven boarding groups. The last passengers to board often struggle to find space for their bags, but there was still room in the overhead bins by the time Candice neared her seat.

Booking the flight a week in advance left Candice with a handful of middle seats to pick from. That can feel stifling for longer flights or with annoying seatmates, but was tolerable for a two-hour flight. She got cranberry juice and peanuts and defended her sliver of an armrest.

Once in Orlando, Scott was off the plane in seconds. Candice was six minutes behind as other passengers gathered their belongings and the plane cleared out.

Rental car

Members of car rental loyalty programs,

Scott was given a corner room on the 26th floor of a newer tower with floor-toceiling windows looking over the city. He also got access to the hotel club with free breakfast and drinks, and a nighttime happy hour with complimentary beer, wine and desserts.

Elite status at hotels starts with 10 nights at a chain. The benefits start at check-in, where members often get a dedicated line. On this trip, there was nobody waiting to check-in, so there was no advantage.

Candice had a room with comparable furnishings on the 12th floor of the hotel’s older tower. But she didn’t get the huge windows, and her view of the pool was slightly obstructed.

Scott was rousted from sleep at 6:45 the next morning, when an electrical fire meant an evacuation and a trek down 26 flights of stairs. Later, the front desk manager left a voicemail apologizing for the rude awakening and giving Scott 15,000 points — enough for a free night at the same hotel.

The disturbance wasn’t an issue for Candice — there was no fire alarm in her tower, so she got to sleep in.