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Only the latest slick travel news
Black Friday cruise deals 2024: Here are the best preholiday bargains at sea
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/black-friday-cyber-monday-cruise-deals/
With cruises selling like hotcakes, you’re already behind if you haven’t yet thought about your 2025 summer vacation. Fortunately, many cruise lines are offering Black Friday deals this year, allowing you to take advantage of fare discounts and perks like cabin upgrades, “kids sail free” offers, onboard credit, free airfare and other bonuses if you’re …
5 things you need to know about debit and credit card holds
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/things-need-to-know-debit-credit-card-holds/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’ve ever checked your credit card or bank account after a gas station purchase or during a hotel stay and noticed “pending” charges larger than what you’ve actually spent, then you’re likely well aware of what’s known as “holds.” A …
Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X
https://thepointsguy.com/news/book-hertz-rentals-venture-x/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. No one likes waiting in line — for anything. And some of the worst lines can be those at airport rental car counters. These (frustratingly) always seem to appear after a long flight with your family when all you want is …
This super-long world cruise is now a 4-month Pacific sailing – here’s why
https://thepointsguy.com/news/world-cruise-now-pacific-sailing/
Would you like to spend more than 130 days exploring Asia, the Pacific and Alaska? Princess Cruises has switched up its previously announced world cruise itinerary to make the voyage more immersive in the Pacific region. With ongoing unrest affecting the Red Sea region, Princess decided not to send a ship through the area to …
Is the $100 property credit for select Hilton cardmembers worth using?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/hilton-aspire-property-credit/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Hilton Honors offers several cobranded American Express cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a solid midlevel card, but I believe the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is one of the most undervalued hotel credit cards. It’s easy to get …
What it’s really like staying at the brand-new Regent Santa Monica Beach
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/regent-santa-monica-beach/
Editor’s note: Regent Santa Monica Beach provided TPG with a complimentary two-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. It may be a California comeback, …
This major cruise line is giving loyalists new freebies, including cabin upgrades
https://thepointsguy.com/news/msc-cruises-loyalty-program-new-tier/
MSC Cruises fans will soon receive more perks for their loyalty. The line announced Thursday it will add another tier to its MSC Voyagers Club loyalty program. The new Blue Diamond level will be the highest tier frequent MSC cruisers can obtain, requiring 25,000 points or more. The Blue Diamond membership tier brings embarkation-day benefits …
How vintage tickets will slash $1,500 off our family’s next Disney World trip
https://thepointsguy.com/news/using-vintage-ticket-to-visit-disney-world/
Sometimes, it pays to be a pack rat, and during my last visit to Orlando, I found out just how much: about $1,500. By keeping track of some very important paperwork, I will be able to save money on my family’s next Walt Disney World trip. The key to these Disney World savings? Cashing in …
Plan your ski trip using points and miles: How to book flights, hotels, lift tickets and more
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/planning-your-ski-trip-with-points-and-miles/
The 2024-2025 ski season is almost upon us. Big-name U.S. resorts like the ones in Vail, Colorado; Park City, Utah; and around Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border are slated to open in mid-November, and Colorado’s Wolf Creek Ski Area is already open thanks to an October snowstorm. That means now is a great time …
Spacious suites and beachfront views: A review of Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/zachari-dunes-mandalay-beach-curio-collection/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”20420185766″] Beach hotels in California aren’t exactly novel. But it’s harder than you might think to find a resort located right on the sand. However, a bit north of Los Angeles, in the laid-back surfer town of Oxnard, the only thing between Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach and the Pacific is a gorgeous stretch …
Why you should carry a backup credit card while traveling
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/why-you-should-carry-a-backup-credit-card-while-traveling/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. According to Experian, the credit reporting agency, the average American has four credit cards. However, travel rewards card enthusiasts may differ slightly from the average American regarding credit cards and may carry more than four cards. But if you’re new to …
How to earn World of Hyatt points to redeem for your next vacation
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/earn-points-world-of-hyatt-program/
World of Hyatt is one of TPG’s favorite hotel loyalty programs, and in our November 2024 valuations, we value its points at 1.7 cents apiece. You can stay at some amazing Hyatt properties with reasonable redemption rates. So, it’s worth saving up now if you have your eye on an aspirational stay. Seriously, redeeming Hyatt points …
How common is norovirus on cruise ships? Here’s why you shouldn’t worry
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/norovirus-on-cruise-ships/
What’s sneaky, super contagious and bound to cause diarrhea and vomiting? If you answered “norovirus,” you’d be correct. But what is it, and why is it often associated with cruises? An excessive number of news reports exist for norovirus cases on ships, making it seem to the unsuspecting public that cruise vessels are dirty or …
Can someone else use my Global Entry application credit?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/global-entry-credit-for-other-people/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Having access to expedited-security programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck can be extremely valuable if you travel frequently. Even better, although these programs carry fees, there are a number of credit cards that reimburse you for them. Those credits might seem redundant if you’ve …
Get up to 100% bonus miles: Buy Hawaiian Airlines miles and transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan now
https://thepointsguy.com/news/buy-hawaiian-miles-alaska-mileage-plan-bonus-promo/
Attention, points and miles enthusiasts: Hawaiian Airlines is currently offering up to 100% bonus miles when you purchase HawaiianMiles through Nov. 15. Though we don’t often recommend buying points and miles, it may be worth considering following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of the carrier. Following the merger, loyalty program members can transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Airlines …
Last chance: Buy business-class seats to Europe for less than $600 — here’s how
https://thepointsguy.com/news/buy-hawaiian-miles-alaska-mileage-plan-bonus-promo/
Attention, points and miles enthusiasts: Hawaiian Airlines is currently offering up to 100% bonus miles when you purchase HawaiianMiles through Nov. 15. Though we don’t often recommend buying points and miles, it may be worth considering following the merger between Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Loyalty program members can now transfer HawaiianMiles to Alaska Airlines …
Delta One private security opens at JFK, with direct link to high-end lounge
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-one-security-jfk-opens/
Last month, Delta Air Lines cut the ribbon on its second business-class-only lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). A beautiful but smaller, more food-and-beverage focused outpost, the new LAX facility can’t quite match the sheer scope of Delta’s sprawling, 40,000 square-foot oasis at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which launched the …
Colorado’s ski train is back — and tickets start at $19 one-way
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/amtrak-winter-park-express/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Another ski season is upon us, which means Amtrak‘s Winter Park Express train is also back. Skiers, boarders and snow bunnies alike can take the train from Denver to Winter Park Resort — Colorado’s longest continually operated ski resort featuring over 3,000 …
Your guide to Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/marriott-elite-breakfast-benefits/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Some Marriott brands, such as SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn, offer complimentary breakfast to all guests as a brand amenity. For stays at most other Marriott brands, though, it’s more complicated for Platinum Elite and higher members. They may get complimentary breakfast via …
United Premier status: How to earn it — and is it worth it?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/what-is-united-elite-status-worth/
If you are a frequent flyer and spend many hours traveling each year, having elite status with an airline, such as United Airlines, can make a significant difference in your travel experience. Shorter lines, faster service, complimentary upgrades, international lounge access and other benefits can easily make stressful trips more seamless. However, these perks do …
A highly curated guide to the 8 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/things-to-do-in-seoul-south-korea/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Seoul has emerged in recent years as an in-demand destination. But South Korea’s capital can still feel daunting for first-timers, given its size — it’s one of the world’s biggest and most densely populated cities — and differences in language and culture. As …
6 things to know before your first China cruise
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/things-to-know-before-china-cruise/
A trip to China isn’t all temples and dim sum. Before you can enjoy what this beautiful country has to offer, you first have to plan your trip — a task that isn’t always easy, thanks to obvious issues like culture shock and language barriers and not-so-obvious ones like cybersecurity and a cumbersome visa application …
Bank of America More Rewards Day: Earn extra rewards on purchases today
https://thepointsguy.com/news/bank-of-america-more-rewards-day/
Bank of America offers a large portfolio of cards. Some carry Bank of America branding in their names, such as the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. Others, such as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, are cobranded cards offered by Bank of …
The do’s and don’ts on how to maximize your holiday purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ultimate-guide-maximizing-holiday-purchases/
As we quickly approach the holiday season, you may already be in the process of finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones. However, if you are a travel rewards enthusiast, there is an important decision you need to make regarding these purchases. You must determine whether it’s best to pay for gifts directly or …
6 ways to get a deal on a cruise
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-cruise-ship-deal-tips/
Getting a great deal on a cruise is getting harder. Strong demand for cruises over the past year has allowed cruise lines to raise fares sharply and cut back on last-minute discounts to fill unsold cabins. One line recently said bookings have been so strong that it would be stopping all last-minute discounts indefinitely. As …
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review: Not to be underestimated
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-card-review-bank-of-america-premium-rewards/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card overview If you qualify for the Bank of America® Preferred Rewards® program, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has the potential to be quite a lucrative card to use for everyday spending. …
How to maximize award redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/maximizing-redemptions-ihg-rewards-club/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. IHG One Rewards often isn’t as well loved in the points and miles community as programs like Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. But IHG hotels and resorts are available in many destinations, and it’s easy to get good value when …
9 best ski resorts on the East Coast to plan a trip around this winter
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-ski-resorts-east-coast/
There’s no denying it — when it comes to skiing in the U.S., there’s nothing like skiing out west. But, for those closer to the East Coast, it’s oftentimes significantly easier to jump in the car and drive to your favorite ski resort, which might be located in a charming New England ski town with …
American tweaks domestic network with route cut, 4 new flights
https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-airlines-domestic-route-changes/
American Airlines may be busy boosting its long-haul network, but it’s also making some tweaks to its domestic operations. The Fort Worth-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to slash a domestic route and add four others, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson. American will exit the 667-mile …
Credit card transfer bonuses (November): 20% bonus when transferring Capital One miles to British Airways
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 …