FoundersCard, a membership group providing unique perks and reductions on journey, enterprise bills, leisure and procuring, expenses $595 per yr for the standard membership. It’s marketed as a VIP go for entrepreneurs and enterprise executives. However to me, it felt much less like a VIP go and extra like a coupon guide that takes important effort to make use of.
Though FoundersCard appears like a bank card, it isn’t one. It’s a membership program that offers you elite standing to sure airline and lodge manufacturers and entry to a number of reductions, plus enterprise perks like members-only networking alternatives. Not like the premium bank cards it competes with, you gained’t earn a sign-up bonus or ongoing rewards with every buy. And, notably, it doesn’t include complimentary lounge entry, a profit vacationers typically use to justify the worth of premium playing cards.
FoundersCard could possibly be worthwhile for enterprise homeowners desirous to reap the benefits of the business-specific advantages or loyalists of a number of the collaborating airways who spend upwards of $3,500 a yr on flights. And in case you can entry membership at no cost (like I did) or at a reduced value, it may be deal. However at full value, it’s not worth for many vacationers.
What FoundersCard prices
FoundersCard has two membership ranges:
It’s comparatively simple to search out promotions to check out this system earlier than you pay. As of September 2024, you possibly can obtain a six-month free trial by means of the FoundersCard web site. I acquired a free yr of the Customary membership by means of my Clear membership.
Relying on the way you join, you will have entry to a distinct price. For instance, I used to be supplied a renewal price of $395 for the usual membership.
My expertise
As soon as I stuffed out the appliance type for FoundersCard, I acquired an electronic mail stating that the membership board would look over my software and get again to me in a single to 3 enterprise days if I used to be authorized. I acquired my approval electronic mail rather less than 24 hours later.
In the event you determine to just accept a membership, you’ll want to supply your bank card info, however you gained’t be charged till your trial interval ends.
You’ll be able to’t see this system’s full advantages till you’re authorized. As soon as you’re, you’re met with a dizzying quantity of reductions, perks and elite standing advantages. Listed here are some issues you may count on:
As much as 16% off flights by means of United Airways, Alaska Airways, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airways, Qantas and Qatar Airways.
Elite standing with Marriott Bonvoy (Platinum standing), Hilton Honors (Gold standing), IHG (Gold standing), Omni (Champion standing), Sonesta (Gold standing), Virgin Atlantic (Silver standing), Hertz, Avis and Sixt.
Reductions on choose inns.
Most well-liked pricing at sporting occasions, live shows and performs.
Reductions at choose retail shops, like Adidas, Mr Porter and COS.
Most well-liked pricing on fitness center memberships by means of Equinox, Crunch Health, SoulCycle and CorePower Yoga.
Most well-liked pricing on electronics by means of Dell, Apple and Lenovo.
Reductions and credit on enterprise companies, like Amazon Internet Providers, Google Workspace, Stripe, Sq. and Hubspot.
Reductions on memberships and each day passes at choose coworking areas.
As much as 15% off choose cellphone plans by means of AT&T.
A few of these advantages will be extraordinarily useful, particularly you probably have bills that match what FoundersCard gives. Others are much like offers you would possibly get on $0-annual-fee bank cards.
🤓Nerdy Tip
A few of FoundersCard reductions will probably be routinely utilized to your buy when you click on by means of the hyperlink on FoundersCard’s web site. However chances are you’ll want to supply a promo code to obtain a reduction, which you’ll discover when you click on on particular advantages.
What I like
As an avid bank card consumer, I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out perks by means of FoundersCard which can be more durable to search out on bank cards. Listed here are a few my favorites:
As much as 16% off United Airways flights
United Airways isn’t my first selection of airline, however since I reside close to a United hub, it’s typically the most suitable choice. In order that potential 16% low cost on flights could be important for me. It’s necessary to notice, although, that you simply’ll solely get this low cost when you pay for a Customary membership. The trial interval I at the moment have doesn’t include this provide.
In the event you pay full value for the Customary membership, you’d have to spend over $3,700 on United flights every year to interrupt even, which is greater than most individuals will spend. However even when it doesn’t cowl the complete price of a membership, it could possibly cowl a major chunk for vacationers who typically fly United.
Take note the maths would not apply to each collaborating airline with a reduction. The low cost varies by airline, so that you may need to spend much more to interrupt even in case you’re a faithful Alaska Airways flyer (which solely has a 5% low cost) or British Airways flyer (which solely has an as much as 10% low cost).
Cheaper stays at smaller lodge manufacturers
Don’t get me incorrect: I really like my lodge rewards. However generally it’s good to remain at a boutique lodge that isn’t linked to a big lodge chain. FoundersCard provides you deep reductions at over 500 inns, a lot of them smaller chains. You’ll be able to typically discover 20% reductions, and a number of other inns even waive resort charges.
As much as 15% off Hyatt stays by means of Hyatt Leverage
FoundersCard provides you automated Hyatt Leverage, a program designed for small companies that offers individuals as much as 15% off qualifying stays. Anybody can join Hyatt Leverage, however in case you (or your staff) don’t keep at the very least 50 nights per yr, you possibly can get faraway from this system. With FoundersCard, there’s no such requirement. Due to Hyatt’s small footprint, I do not keep on the model typically. However a 15% low cost undoubtedly makes me search out Hyatt inns when it is accessible.
What I don’t like
Airport lounge entry isn’t free
FoundersCard will get you into No1, Plaza Premium and The Membership lounges for as much as 20% cheaper than most of the people pays. That’s not nothing. However contemplating the worth of a membership that touts its premium journey advantages, I’d count on to sip cocktails in a free airport lounge.
Many bank cards — some with considerably decrease annual charges — get you into airport lounges at no extra price. For instance, the $395-annual-fee Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card comes with entry to Capital One lounges, Precedence Go lounges and Plaza Premium lounges. Even the United℠ Explorer Card, which has an annual price of $0 intro for the primary yr, then $95, comes with two free day passes to United Golf equipment.
Low ranges of elite standing
FoundersCard gives automated elite standing for a number of inns and rental automotive firms. It is a good perk, however many lodge bank cards additionally provide an equal or larger degree of elite standing for a a lot cheaper price. For instance: My $99-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card provides me Platinum Elite standing for IHG. FoundersCard solely comes with Gold.
Lack of transparency
FoundersCard doesn’t present any significant info to potential members. Certain, it’s comparatively simple to get a free trial, however it might be good to know what you’re signing up for — earlier than it’s a must to present your bank card info.
Even with my free membership, I can’t view key info that might affect my choice to resume my membership or improve to the Elite degree. As much as 16% off United flights is a serious perk. However I can’t see what the “as much as” entails with out paying. If I may assure 16% off all United flights, it might undoubtedly affect my choice to resume my membership. However what if this price solely applies to sure routes or sure courses? The precise profit could possibly be a lot much less useful than I’d hope for.
Inconsistent leisure reductions
FoundersCard generally gives occasion tickets at a reduced price. Whereas an awesome perk, it wouldn’t be a promoting level for me.
In September 2024, I checked out tickets to a Texas Rangers baseball recreation, a number of broadway exhibits and a Taylor Swift live performance. The Rangers tickets had been roughly half the worth by means of FoundersCard. The Broadway exhibits had been the identical value or much more than reserving by means of Broadway.com. And Taylor Swift tickets had been promoting for a whopping $2,000 greater than you possibly can guide on SeatGeek.
For individuals who can justify the price of FoundersCard, potential financial savings on leisure is a pleasant addition. However for the worth, I’d count on extra assured financial savings on this spending.
Calculating your potential worth is sophisticated
Not like many premium bank cards, FoundersCard doesn’t include assertion credit that can assist you cowl the price of the annual price. You would luck out and rating an awesome deal on a lodge room or a few firstclass flights to cowl the annual price. But when not, you’ll probably want so as to add up small, particular person financial savings all year long and hope the worth outweighs the price.
Even the $695 annual price on The Platinum Card® from American Categorical is less complicated for me to justify (see charges and charges). The Platinum Card® from American Categorical comes with complimentary lounge entry, which will get me into Centurion Lounges, Precedence Go lounges and Plaza Premium lounges, and it gives the identical degree of Hilton elite standing (enrollment required). Phrases apply.
On high of that, it is simple to calculate the worth of the opposite advantages. I recoup $640 every year with bills I’m already going to make by profiting from three essential assertion credit:
$200 airline incidentals price credit score.
$240 leisure credit score.
That leaves simply $55 to make up all year long — considerably lower than the $395 (or $995) I’d have to justify with FoundersCard.
Is FoundersCard value it?
If you could find a free trial, it’s value opening an account to check out the advantages. Enterprise homeowners will in all probability get probably the most use out of the membership, however most vacationers would in all probability be higher off making use of for a bank card with rewards and perks that match their way of life.
