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Only the latest slick travel news
Disney’s Disability Access Service pass made our trip to see the mouse significantly easier
https://thepointsguy.com/news/disney-disability-assistance-pass/
There’s no sugarcoating it: A trip to Disney World can be stressful. It doesn’t matter if you are a solo traveler or a family of six, there’s a lot to figure out. Add a family member who has cognitive disabilities to the mix, and the day can be even more taxing. Yes, you can purchase …
Buckle up: 12 tips for taking a safe winter road trip
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/winter-road-trip-tips/
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information. Snow, ice, sleet, slush — if you’re going on a winter road trip, you need to know how to deal with the season’s inclement weather, preferably before you turn the key in the ignition. Even if you’re planning a winter road trip specifically to avoid snow, it’s still …
The best time to apply for these 9 popular travel credit cards based on offer history
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-welcome-offers/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Nothing is more disappointing than applying for a card, only to learn that you could have held out a bit longer to get a better welcome offer — especially since many banks won’t match you to that better bonus after you’ve …
Promo code saves you 25% on some Southwest Airlines points bookings for 2025 travel
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/southwest-rapid-rewards-sale/
Good news for deal shoppers: Southwest Airlines is offering 25% off some flights booked with Rapid Rewards points for travel on eligible dates from Jan. 7-May 22, 2025, as long as you book by Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Deal basics Airline: Southwest. Routes: Valid for travel on select interisland and continental U.S. Southwest flights from …
Why we’re so excited about MSC World America – and you should be, too
https://thepointsguy.com/news/reasons-to-sail-msc-world-america/
MSC World America will bring a new world of cruising to Florida’s shores when it makes its debut in April 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited. Designed for immersive and enriching experiences at sea, the ship is the first in MSC’s groundbreaking World Class to sail in the Caribbean, where it will offer seven-night …
7 travel packing tips to save space in your luggage
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/travel-packing-tips/
As a traveler, I’m a proud member of team carry-on. Each time I fly, whether it be for a few days or a few weeks, I strive to fit everything into a carry-on bag. There are plenty of other people who prefer to check a bag, though. Whether you’re with me on team carry-on or …
26 cruise packing hacks you need to know before you sail
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-packing-hacks/
Packing for a cruise is an art form, and everyone has their favorite cruise packing hacks. I’ve scoured the internet, talked to fellow cruisers and even been known to sneak peeks inside cabins with open doors, always looking for newer or better ways to pack and manage all the stuff we need to take with …
Hyatt and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas plan loyalty partnership
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-the-venetian-las-vegas/
World of Hyatt fans will soon have a major new option for earning and burning points in Sin City. Hyatt and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas are entering into a long-term licensing agreement that will put The Venetian and The Palazzo on Hyatt booking channels and the World of Hyatt loyalty program. World of Hyatt …
How to travel safely with Christmas presents
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/travel-safely-with-holiday-gifts/
The holiday season is a joyful time full of family reunions and fun times with friends. But let’s be honest — it’s also a bit stressful when it comes to traveling with Christmas presents. This is amplified even more if you’re flying. Ensuring your gifts arrive in one piece (and still wrapped) can be a …
Round-the-world SAS EuroBonus challenge part 1: The journey begins from Portland to Bali
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-eurobonus-challenge-part-1/
Last week, I wrote about how I was taking on the SAS EuroBonus million-mile challenge. Now that my trip has kicked off, I’ll be checking in with periodic reports on how it’s going. I’m flying around the world in 25 days on 18 flights with 15 airlines, visiting 15 countries, and journaling every step along …
Our 2024 credit card predictions and trends: What did we get right and wrong?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/credit-card-predictions-2024-review/
At the start of 2024, we made 10 predictions on credit card trends that we expected to see this year. Among them were higher fees, lower interest rates and superior technology. So, as we do each year, let’s critically examine our predictions to see which ones we got right, partially right and wrong. Credit card …
Best Western Rewards: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-best-western-rewards/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information. Best Western Rewards remains relatively unknown in the world of points and miles. The program doesn’t have any major credit card transfer partners, and its cobranded credit cards aren’t on most travelers’ radar. But if you find yourself staying at Best Western properties frequently for work …
What to do if a boarding pass isn’t marked TSA PreCheck
https://thepointsguy.com/news/what-to-do-if-a-boarding-pass-isnt-marked-tsa-precheck/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Ahead of the holiday travel season, there’s still time to sign up for TSA PreCheck. This program allows preapproved, low-risk travelers to expedite their way through airport security at more than 200 U.S. airports. More than 90 domestic and foreign airlines …
Childproof your next trip with these must-have baby travel gear items
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-baby-travel-gear/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. As a new parent, traveling with your baby can seem like an insurmountable goal. You want your baby to feel safe and comfortable, but you can’t pack up your entire nursery to do so. Here at TPG, we’ve spent a lot of time …
Discover it Miles review: Simple earnings for beginners
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/discover-it-miles-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Discover it Miles card overview The Discover it® Miles provides 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Your miles are worth one cent each, regardless of how you decide to redeem them. Plus, Discover will match the miles you earned …
The 12 best secret beaches in the Caribbean
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-caribbean-beaches/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post updated regularly with new information. Whether planning a warm, tropical getaway or simply dreaming about future trips, the Caribbean is a beautiful — and easily accessible — option from many parts of the United States. However, many others have that idea, and Caribbean beaches can get crowded quickly. …
United adds 8 new Denver routes, including first-ever flight to Rome
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-new-denver-routes/
United Airlines is elevating its status in the Mile High City with another big expansion. The Chicago-based carrier announced Thursday that it would add eight new routes from its hub at Denver International Airport (DEN) for the summer 2025 season — injecting another growth spurt into the carrier’s fastest-growing hub. The routes are highlighted by …
Disney Treasure cruise ship review: Themed shows, bars and dining are Disney at its best
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/disney-treasure-cruise-ship/
Editor’s note: Disney Cruise Line provided TPG with access to a three-night media preview sailing. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own and weren’t subject to review by the line. At a glance It’s a family-friendly ship with activities for kids and adults, both separately and together. Onboard spaces are themed to favorite Disney characters …
Discover it Student Cash Back review: Building credit with rotating bonus categories
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/discover-it-student-cash-back-review/
Discover it Student Cash Back overview The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a student-oriented card earning elevated cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating bonus categories that you activate each quarter. The card can be used to build credit history and earn rewards — even without a credit score. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐ *Card …
I paid $400 to upgrade from KLM economy to premium economy on an 11-hour flight — was it worth it?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/klm-premium-economy-upgrade-experience/
I had to travel to South Africa for a work conference in October, and I was dreading the thought of spending 22 hours in economy to get there. The last time I flew such a long distance in coach was three years prior when I hopped aboard Qantas for the 17-hour trek from Dallas to …
Today only: Frontier Airlines offers year-long all-you-can-fly pass for $299
https://thepointsguy.com/news/all-you-can-fly-frontier-airlines-gowild/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Few things get frequent flyers more excited than an all-you-can-fly pass. Theoretically, it’s the holy grail that grants you access to an unlimited travel buffet of flight options. For the last few years, Frontier Airlines has offered a variety of all-you-can-fly passes — …
The best 2% cash-back credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/news/best-two-percent-cash-back-cards/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. While we love earning travel rewards here at TPG, there’s also some real value in using a cash-back credit card to earn cold, hard cash back in your pocket. There are several cards that will give you a solid 2% cash …
The 11 best new cruise ships of 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-new-cruise-ships-2025/
The most exciting new cruise ship debuting in 2025 comes from a line you might not expect. MSC Cruises, the scrappy, under-the-radar cruise operator known to international travelers and deal-seekers, is making a splash in 2025 when its gigantic MSC World America arrives in Miami this spring. Never before has the cruise line homeported a …
Supercharge your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance with these top 5 cards
https://thepointsguy.com/2016/09/top-cards-maximizing-ultimate-rewards-earnings/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Chase Ultimate Rewards points have long boasted one of our highest valuations, as you can redeem this transferable currency with 14 valuable travel partners, including Hyatt, Southwest and United. According to TPG’s December 2024 valuations, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and …
These were the busiest airline routes of 2024, according to OAG
https://thepointsguy.com/news/busiest-airline-routes-2024-oag/
It’s been a banner year for air travel, with the busiest-ever Thanksgiving in the United States and an upcoming holiday travel season that’s expected to shatter records globally. With traffic expected to continue climbing next year, OAG, a data platform for the aviation and broader travel industries, released an analysis outlining the busiest routes around …
Earn 4,000 bonus Virgin points by linking your Virgin Red and Flying Club accounts
https://thepointsguy.com/news/bonus-virgin-points-by-linking-accounts/
Check your email for a holiday gift: You can easily earn 4,000 Virgin points for just a few minutes of work by linking your Virgin Red account to your Flying Club account. Targeted Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members (who may not have yet linked their account to Virgin Red) have received emails with a unique …
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: A top travel and dining card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-preferred-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card overview The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best-known travel rewards credit cards, earning 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and Lyft purchases, 3 points per dollar spent on dining, …
How far is Port Canaveral from Orlando, and can I go to Universal, Disney World and other theme parks on a cruise?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-far-is-port-canaveral-from-orlando-cruise/
Did you know that you can cruise to theme parks? And it’s not just an option for Disney cruisers. Normally, Port Canaveral in Florida is an embarkation port for cruises, but occasionally, ships will visit there as a port of call after departing from someplace else. Given that Port Canaveral is the port for Orlando, …
How to avoid the crowds in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/rome-jubilee-2025-crowds/
For devout Catholics around the world, the countdown is on for the 2025 Jubilee in Rome. Occurring every 25 years since 1470, a Jubilee is an occasion for pilgrims to visit the religion’s holiest sites and ask for forgiveness for their sins. This means that Rome is shaping up to be more crowded than ever. …
Your guide to American Airlines Million Miler status
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/american-airlines-lifetime-elite-status/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. If you frequently credit flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage program, you may be interested in learning what it takes to earn lifetime elite status with American. In its recent updates to the AAdvantage program, American announced plans to add two new Million …