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Only the latest slick travel news
Save money on holiday gifts: 6 ways to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/using-membership-rewards-holidays/
If money is a little tight this year, you may find your American Express Membership Rewards points balance is higher than your savings account balance. If you fall into this camp, you may wonder how you can turn some of your Membership Rewards points into holiday gifts this season. Typically we’d recommend redeeming your points …
New offer: Earn 70,000 miles and a companion ticket with this limited-time Alaska Airlines card offer
https://thepointsguy.com/news/current-alaska-card-offer/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re looking to boost your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan balance, here is a good opportunity to do so. New applicants for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card get 70,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus …
Why your next dream vacation should be an AmaWaterways river cruise in France
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amawaterways-river-cruise-france/
Our AmaWaterways guide, Andrea, is leading us through the narrow streets of Arles, France, to a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater — a relic of the ancient world as magnificent as anything you’ll find in Rome. But as we soon learn, the 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t just an icon of the Roman era. As …
Delta to open Boston Delta One Lounge with unique dining flair
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-one-lounge-boston/
Delta Air Lines is doubling down on its premium digs at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), where the carrier is set to open its third Delta One business-class lounge Wednesday. The airline offered a sneak peek Monday, and — of course — TPG was there for a look. Delta positions itself as America’s most premium …
Avelo will fly to 4 new US cities, launch a new international route in 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/news/avelo-airlines-new-routes-2025/
Avelo Airlines has no plans to slow its fast growth in Connecticut after the calendar flips to 2025. The Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier plans to add four new U.S. airports to its route map early next year, the airline announced Monday. Between February and May 2025, Avelo will launch service from two large hub airports, a …
Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship review: A guide to Royal Caribbean’s newest Quantum Class vessel
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/odyssey-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-review/
At a glance A scaled-back version of Royal Caribbean’s largest family-friendly ships Unbelievable onboard activities like skydiving and bumper cars Excellent food with plenty of free options, as well as specialty restaurants Odyssey of the Seas overview Odyssey of the Seas is what you get when you combine the technology and pizazz of Royal Caribbean’s …
Final days to get your Ikon Pass and ski for less this year: Plus how to possibly save an extra 20%
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ikon-ski-pass/
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information. Winter is here. Snow is falling, lifts are running and skiers are taking their first turns. In fact, some ski resorts even opened earlier than usual due to some great early-season snow. But with falling snow comes your final chance to get a ski pass for …
Notre Dame Cathedral reopens after a 5-year restoration
https://thepointsguy.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-reopens-after-restoration/
On April 15, 2019, a catastrophic fire destroyed parts of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The 12th-century cathedral’s iconic bell towers survived the blaze, but its spire and roof collapsed, coating the interior in toxic lead dust. Following a more than five-year restoration project, Notre Dame reopened Saturday for two days of invitation-only celebrations. There …
What is a Royal Caribbean virtual balcony cabin on a cruise, and is it worth the money?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/virtual-balcony-cabin-cruise/
I didn’t set out to book a Virtual Balcony, Royal Caribbean’s twist on an inside cabin. Truly, I didn’t. I simply wanted the least expensive room on my recent weeklong sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas. When I called to book, all of the standard inside cabins were sold out. The next cheapest …
Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for December 2024
https://thepointsguy.com/news/points-and-miles-travel-deals/
Editor’s note: Some of the below offers may be targeted. From bonus points on your next hotel stay to generous sales of airline miles, we’re always looking for travel deals to help you earn and redeem your points and miles better. In other words, we want to help you book the vacation of your dreams. …
Hyatt adds online redemption for suite, club upgrade awards
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-online-suite-club-awards/
World of Hyatt members can now apply earned or gifted suite upgrade awards and club access award certificates to new bookings online or in the Hyatt app. This adds valuable flexibility for high-tier elite members, who previously needed to call to utilize these benefits. If you want to add one of these certificates next time …
Quick Points: Use a shopping portal aggregator to maximize your online purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/shopping-portal-aggregator/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. It’s no secret that online shopping portals are an easy way to earn extra rewards. But with so many loyalty programs offering shopping portals, it can be difficult to know which portal has the best earning rate for a particular purchase without checking …
Mandarin Oriental plans for major growth in luxury vacation rental business
https://thepointsguy.com/news/mandarin-oriental-exceptional-homes/
One of the most lavish hotel companies in the world is about to give a major boost to its exclusive mix of ultraluxury vacation rentals. Mandarin Oriental now has full ownership of its small platform of luxurious vacation rental homes, company leaders announced this week at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France. …
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus business card is a cash-back king with a travel twist
https://thepointsguy.com/news/capital-one-spark-cash-plus-with-travel/
Business owners have unique spending patterns that sometimes make it tough to earn consistent rewards. Plus, many credit cards and charge cards for businesses have caps on earning in the most lucrative categories. Preset spending limits can also cause headaches for businesses that have higher expenditures they’d like to run through a rewards card but …
Inside Chase’s stunning new Sapphire Lounge in San Diego
https://thepointsguy.com/news/chase-sapphire-lounge-san-diego/
Chase’s rise to relevance in the credit card airport lounge games has been nothing short of impressive. The issuer’s take on airport lounges, dubbed the Sapphire Lounge by The Club, first opened in the U.S. in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2023. The domestic network has since expanded to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John …
Save on airport rides with this DashPass and Lyft promo
https://thepointsguy.com/news/dash-pass-lyft-promo/
DashPass members and Lyft riders can get 50% off four scheduled airport rides and half off one DoorDash order, up to $10, through Dec. 31, 2024. Users must link their accounts by Dec. 31 to participate. In addition to these limited-time promotions, DashPass members and Lyft riders can take advantage of a series of perks, …
New to travel rewards? Here’s the perfect beginner card combo
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-freedom-unlimited-power-duo/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Getting started with credit card rewards can be incredibly overwhelming. Should you start with cash back or points and miles? Which card family should you choose first? Or, should you try cards from different families? Will the annual fee on cards …
Alaska Airlines makeover: Asia flights coming to Seattle hub, premium credit card and more
https://thepointsguy.com/news/alaska-airlines-seattle-long-haul-routes-major-changes/
The integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has officially commenced, and with it comes some serious changes to how the two carriers have historically operated. It starts with combining and expanding the two networks, which will soon see Seattle turned into an international gateway, among other changes. The merger will also bring about some …
New Hertz Gold Plus Rewards promotion lets elite members gift status to friends and family
https://thepointsguy.com/news/gift-hertz-elite-status/
‘Tis the season for status — at least, at Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Thanks to the program’s new promotion, Hertz elite members can choose up to two friends or family members to gift elite status to before the end of the year. All you have to do is fill out a form on Hertz’s website …
Hilton Honors promo: Earn double points on 2025 stays
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/hilton-honors-bonus-points-offer/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post regularly updated with the latest information. Attention Hilton Honors members: Hilton has a new sweet bonus points deal on every hotel or resort stay within its portfolio through winter and spring 2025. Hilton’s Double Points Promotion is active for all Hilton Honors members who stay at a Hilton …
Hot take: Why doubling down on 1 rewards program may be better than diversifying
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/choose-one-points-program/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The points game is one of strategy. You want to pick loyalty programs that earn the types of rewards you can get the most use out of, and obtain the associated credit cards that offer earning rates and benefits you can …
46 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/hyatt-new-hotel-bonus/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. I stayed at the Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton in South Africa shortly after it opened in 2021. When I checked my account activity after my stay, I noticed an “opening bonus” of 2,000 points. Then I remembered that World of Hyatt …
Don’t miss NCL’s limited time offer: Free second guest, plus Norwegian’s all-new More At Sea cruising package
https://thepointsguy.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-black-friday-deal/
Attention: This is your last chance to take advantage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s exclusive offer, which includes a free second guest* who can cruise with you for free when you buy an NCL cruise and the all-new More At Sea cruising package, , which includes unlimited open bar, specialty dining and more. If you were …
Reminder, tomorrow is first day to get 10% off Target gift cards
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/target-giftcard/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Starting Dec. 7, Target Circle members can get 10% off Target gift cards (up to $500). This deal is exclusively for Target Circle members, Dec. 7-8. If you are not a Target Circle member, you can join online, on the Target …
Need to know: The 6 top travel trends for 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/news/2025-top-travel-trends/
It has been a remarkable few years of changes in the travel landscape. We saw a dramatic surge in travel demand after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, and there appears to be no letup in sight. Flights remain full and expensive, with travelers growing increasingly interested in booking trips to international and more remote …
Why ‘dead weeks’ are the best time of year to travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/travel-dead-weeks/
The weeks after Thanksgiving might be the best time of year to travel. Prices are low, the weather is often mild and attractions are uncrowded. Travel expert and TV personality Samantha Brown recently posted a Reel on Instagram stating as much, saying, “The Monday after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of what is known as a …
Cruise ship casinos: Everything you need to know about gambling at sea
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-ship-casinos/
Cruise ship casino gambling is a big deal to some cruisers. You know how you often hear people on a cruise ship planning their day around the entertainment, tours and mealtimes? I once eavesdropped on a conversation where a group of six people were planning their entire next day around time in the ship’s casino. …
12 cards currently offering welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more
https://thepointsguy.com/news/cards-with-100k-point-bonuses/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Credit card welcome offers are the fastest way to increase your points and miles stash. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing a massive bonus post to your loyalty account. From there, you can start dreaming about using your travel …
How Disneyland’s newest ride proves that ‘progress is impossible without change’
https://thepointsguy.com/news/tianas-bayou-adventure-future-disneyland/
Walt Disney has countless inspirational quotes that I could have used in the headline for this story, but George Bernard Shaw’s words felt more appropriate. Many Disneyland guests, myself among them, visit partially for the familiar sense of history and nostalgia that the park offers. It was, after all, the only Disney park that Walt …
Earn more and spend less: 5 tips on how to use your points and miles better in 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/new-years-resolution-use-your-points-better/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information. At TPG, we try to cross off a few destinations from our travel wish list yearly. However, finding the most economical way to get there and back is challenging. Although many TPG readers and staffers use credit card rewards for flight bookings, …