Trip Sweepstakes: Who Pays for Flights, Taxes, and Meals?

Trip sweepstakes sponsors pay only for the items listed in the official rules. Flights, taxes, meals, lodging, and local transportation may be covered, partly covered, or left entirely to the winner. A "trip prize" is usually a package of specific travel benefits, not unlimited free travel.

Before entering or accepting, check both what the prize includes and what you must pay yourself.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on September 09, 2026.

What does the sponsor actually cover?

Start with the prize description in the official rules. It should identify included transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and other benefits, along with restrictions or exclusions. Coverage varies significantly.

The NHL Stadium Series sweepstakes includes round-trip coach airfare and hotel accommodations for the winner and one guest. However, the winner must pay taxes, meals, insurance, airport transfers, baggage fees, incidentals, and any additional airfare or lodging costs, according to the NHL sweepstakes rules. The 2026 Big Kahuna Getaway has a broader package.

It includes coach airfare, six hotel nights with room tax, selected activities, and sponsor-hosted meals, while leaving prize taxes to the winner, according to the Big Kahuna official rules.

Does included airfare mean every flight expense is covered?

Not necessarily. "Round-trip coach airfare" describes the basic ticket, but the rules may exclude baggage, airport transfers, insurance, or extra lodging caused by the winner's plans. Check these details before accepting: Also check who controls the arrangements.

In the Big Kahuna promotion, the sponsor chooses the airline, hotel, and travel dates. A winner or guest who cannot travel on those dates can lose the trip.

• Which airports the trip uses
• Whether baggage charges are included
• Whether transportation between the airport and hotel is covered
• Whether extra hotel nights are your responsibility
• Whether changing the sponsor's itinerary creates added costs

Who pays for meals and daily expenses?

Meals are covered only when the rules say so. A prize might include particular sponsor-hosted meals while leaving breakfast, snacks, drinks, room service, and other dining expenses to the winner. Build a personal trip budget around the exclusions, not just the prize headline.

Consider meals, baggage, airport transportation, insurance, hotel incidentals, and any optional activities. "Hotel included" may also mean the room alone. Review whether the package covers room taxes and whether the hotel may require a card for incidental charges.

Are trip sweepstakes prizes taxable?

For U.S. federal income-tax purposes, prizes won through drawings and similar events generally count as income. When the prize consists of travel or other goods and services, the winner includes its fair market value—the value of what was actually received—under IRS Publication 525.

That tax obligation usually remains even when the sponsor pays for airfare, lodging, and meals. Before accepting, compare the expected value of the trip with the cash you may need for taxes and uncovered expenses. Keep the official rules, prize paperwork, itinerary, and records describing what the sponsor provided.

If the reported value appears inconsistent with the trip received, consider asking the sponsor for clarification and consulting a qualified tax professional.

Prize taxes are not release fees

A legitimate tax bill handled through normal tax reporting is different from a demand for immediate payment to collect a prize. The Federal Trade Commission warns that a caller demanding upfront taxes, processing fees, or shipping charges to release winnings is operating a prize scam. Do not send money or provide payment information in response to such a demand.

Instead, locate the sponsor's published contact information independently and compare the message with the official rules.