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Only the latest slick travel news
The 7 best cruise ship spas
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-cruise-ship-spas/
The best cruise ship spas are so tranquil and relaxing that they might become not just your personal sanctuary at sea but also the “happy place” you visualize the next time you go to the dentist. Like most onboard spas, these Zen retreats typically feature a thermal suite with a sauna, steam room and maybe …
Targeted Chase cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus points through Chase Travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/chase-travel-bonus-points-offer/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Attention, Chase cardholders: If you’re already planning your 2025 travels, you may want to check to see if you’re targeted for a new promotion. This lucrative new travel promotion is offering eligible Chase cardmembers the chance to earn 10,000 bonus Ultimate …
Flying Emirates’ first class from Miami to Bogota
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/emirates-first-class-mia-bog/
A ticket in Emirates’ first class might seem out of reach for most travelers. After all, a long-haul flight in the airline’s over-the-top suites can cost north of $10,000, depending on the route. Even if you have Emirates Skywards miles to redeem, the airline often levies high taxes and surcharges on award tickets that can …
Ho-ho-holiday fun: Tips for visiting ‘Ice!’ at Gaylord Hotels
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/christmas-at-gaylord-hotels/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. One of my family’s favorite holiday traditions is visiting a Gaylord Hotel for its annual “Ice!” event. Each location has magnificent glass atriums, lush landscaping that magically brings the outdoors in, and endless activities and restaurants. Gaylord Hotels are beautiful anytime …
Hard Rock International launches new cobranded credit card for loyalty members
https://thepointsguy.com/news/unity-by-hard-rock-card-launch/
Hard Rock International’s new loyalty program now has a cobranded credit card. The Unity by Hard Rock Mastercard Credit Card, launched today, enables Unity by Hard Rock loyalty program members to earn Unity points through card spending. The new credit card has no annual fee, is available to U.S.-based Unity members and can be used …
Credit card transfer bonuses (December): New Chase bonuses to Flying Blue, Aeroplan and more
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/current-transfer-bonuses/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers; some offers may be expired. If you truly want to maximize your points and miles, periodic transfer bonuses can offer lucrative opportunities for fantastic award redemptions. You can sometimes get significantly more value from your rewards by transferring them to a …
What are points and miles worth? TPG’s December 2024 monthly valuations
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/monthly-valuations/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. These valuations are not provided by card issuers. One of the questions people often ask us is, “How much is a point or mile worth?” The true answer varies from point to point and person to person. It also depends on …
Extended through Dec. 16: Earn a $40 bonus by joining Rakuten and shopping online at thousands of retailers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/rakuten-referral-bonus-online-shopping/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. One of our favorite online shopping portals here at TPG is back with a new offer — and the deal makes it even easier to save money this holiday season. Through Dec. 16, if you join Rakuten and spend at least …
Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum shopping credits reset soon — why you should use them now
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-platinum-business-platinum-shopping-credits-reset-tomorrow/
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. One important aspect of maximizing the credit cards you carry is taking full advantage of the travel credits and other statement credits they may offer. It’s not uncommon to think “I’ll use that credit later,” thus delaying the use of your credits. However, if you …
Alaska Airlines has a new $89 electronic bag tag. What is it, and do you need it?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/alaska-airlines-new-electronic-bag-tags/
Alaska Airlines has started selling an $89 electronic permanent bag tag. The carrier’s pitch: “Now you can skip printing your bag tags in the lobby and tag your bag anytime, anywhere — directly from the Alaska Airlines mobile app.” It sounds handy. But what exactly is an electronic bag tag, and do you need it? …
Tips on how to avoid jet lag for your next trip
https://thepointsguy.com/news/how-to-avoid-jetlag/
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information. It’s the best of times; it’s the worst of times. You arrive at a new destination far from your home, full of the promise of new discoveries. However, it’s also in a new time zone, many hours removed from your usual schedule. Even though you want …
Airlines to be grilled on Capitol Hill over rising add-on fees
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airlines-hearing-congress-ancillary-fees/
Executives from five major U.S. airlines are set to be grilled Wednesday on Capitol Hill over those pesky add-on fees that regularly cause passengers to pay far more than the base price of a plane ticket. A Senate subcommittee will hear testimony from leaders of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and …
Every student studying abroad needs one of these credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-credit-cards-studying-abroad/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re a college student planning to study abroad, you’re in for a real treat. There’s nothing like living outside the U.S. and immersing yourself in another culture — traveling and exploring different cities virtually every weekend. But this adventure doesn’t …
Maximize your seasonal spending with these 5 credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-cards-seasonal-decorations/
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. December is one of my favorite months of the year. I love the cooler temperatures and the holiday season. When I was growing up, Dec. 1 was a mini-holiday at my house because it was the day we put up Christmas decorations. Festivities involved multiple …
Upgrades clearing less? Airlines say more passengers are just paying for those first-class seats
https://thepointsguy.com/news/upgrades-clearing-less-first-class-tickets/
Have you found that elite status upgrades are harder to come by? There’s a good reason. Delta Air Lines recently revealed a head-turning statistic: 15 years ago, just 12% of passengers sitting in its domestic first-class cabin actually paid for their ticket, executives shared. Today, it’s a very different story: Around 75% of first-class passengers …
Southwest Premier Credit Card review: Reasonable value for a mid-level card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-premier-card-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card overview The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is the middle of the pack for Southwest personal credit cards. While airline credit cards generally don’t have many perks, the absence of foreign transaction fees and …
9 best points hotels in the US where kids are treated like VIPs
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-points-hotels-for-kids-us/
Once you become a parent, family vacations look a lot different from the years B.K. — before kids. You can — and should — still travel; after all, it’s important to show your children the world. But if we’re being honest, those long days spent strolling aimlessly around new cities are a lot more challenging …
6 credit card perks you can gift for the holidays
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-card-perks-to-gift-others/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re an avid points and miles traveler, you may have multiple premium credit cards in your wallet. This is for a good reason: these cards tend to have excellent perks that can make your travel experience more enjoyable. That said, …
Aven, the credit card backed by your home equity
https://thepointsguy.com/news/aven-credit-card/
There’s a unique credit card that you might not have heard of that could be an interesting way to leverage the equity in your home to reduce your interest rates and earn rewards. The Aven Visa Credit Card is an innovative financial solution that rewards you with a lower cost of capital for having built equity …
Hawaiian Airlines cuts Austin service, begins network integration with Alaska
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hawaiian-airlines-cuts-austin/
Hawaiian Airlines is ending service on one of its newest routes. The Honolulu-based airline will cease flying between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) on March 26, 2025, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson. This 3,764-mile route from Austin to HNL was launched …
DOT proposes compensation for flight delays, but Trump administration will get final say
https://thepointsguy.com/news/biden-administration-proposes-airline-compensation-delays/
Even as the Biden administration prepares to leave office in just over a month, it’s getting the ball rolling on possible new rules that could mean compensation for passengers when a flight is canceled, changed or delayed and it’s the airline’s fault. The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking Thursday …
Southwest Priority Credit Card review: Valuable perks for frequent Southwest travelers
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-priority-credit-card-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card overview The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines’ personal credit cards, offering a $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. With the most benefits of any …
Condor premium economy A330neo review: Is it worth the extra cost?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/condor-premium-economy-a330neo/
Quick take: This is not a true premium economy seat. However, it may be worth paying extra to upgrade from economy — for the right price. Pros Low cash fares and award pricing Friendly, efficient service Quiet plane Cons A hard, narrow seat with limited recline Substandard food Slow, unreliable Wi-Fi Frankfurt-based airline Condor is …
Avelo announces 10 new routes, 2 new bases in latest expansion
https://thepointsguy.com/news/avelo-new-routes-new-bases-expansion/
Avelo Airlines continued its 2024 expansion by announcing 10 new routes and two new bases. North Carolina featured heavily in Wednesday’s announcement, with Avelo’s three destinations in the state combining to land seven of the 10 new routes. Avelo will add three new routes from Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and two from Concord-Padgett Regional Airport …
A guide to Capital One’s Spark business cards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-cards-capital-one-spark-business-cards/
Capitol One offers an expansive suite of personal cards, some of which are at the top of our lists, but the issuer also offers a family of cards made for businesses. These cards are known as the Spark cards, and they earn cash back or Capital One miles. You can currently apply for six Spark …
You can now earn United miles with Turo
https://thepointsguy.com/news/turo-united-partnership/
United MileagePlus members can earn miles when renting a Turo car thanks to a new partnership between the car-sharing service and the airline. As of Dec. 4, you can rent a Turo car and earn 1 mile per dollar spent after earning 5 miles per dollar spent on your first Turo trip. You must add …
How much would you pay for a year of unlimited cruises? One line is making an offer
https://thepointsguy.com/news/year-unlimited-cruises/
If you could take unlimited cruises for a year for a flat fee, would you? Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages seems to think so. Virgin will allow travelers 21 and older to hop on and off an unlimited number of cruises for a whole year, with destinations ranging from the Caribbean and the Bahamas to …
Air Canada, WestJet unveil 6 new routes from Vancouver to the US
https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-canada-westjet-new-vancouver-routes/
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia is getting a handful of new transborder routes. Air Canada announced on Monday three new routes between Vancouver and the U.S. for the upcoming summer season. The airline will add service to Nashville, Tampa and Raleigh, North Carolina. Nashville service will commence May 1, 2025, and operate four …
Sustainable-chic in San Francisco: A stay at 1 Hotel San Francisco
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/1-hotel-san-francisco-review/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”9768″] Editor’s note: 1 Hotel San Francisco provided TPG with a complimentary three-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity. You might not …
All the best Travel Tuesday flight deals
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/save-airfare-black-friday-deals/
Editor’s note: This article was updated with new information and offers. It’s Travel Tuesday, and we are seeing a bunch of great airline travel deals today. We’ve rounded up the best airfare deals so far so you don’t miss a bargain. In case you don’t see what you want right away, here’s advice on finding …