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Only the latest slick travel news
What it’s like staying at the Grand Floridian, Disney World’s ‘grandest’ resort
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/disney-grand-floridian-resort/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”8985″] Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. When you think of the most opulent and iconic of Walt Disney World resorts, there’s a good chance that images of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dance through your head. This resort exudes a Disneyized version of …
United deal: 25,000 miles one-way to Paris
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/united-surprise-adventure-week/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. There is debate over the socially acceptable date to stop saying “Happy New Year,” but I think we know where United Airlines falls on that debate. To kick off 2025, United is back with its Surprise Adventure Week: five days of …
TPG’s Zach Griff’s 2025 elite status plans, trip stats and travel highlights
https://thepointsguy.com/news/zach-griff-travel-highlights-stats-plans-2025/
2024 was perhaps my biggest year yet, especially from a personal perspective. On the travel front, I logged upward of 100,000 miles on 59 flight segments, making it yet another busy year for me on the road. Some of the highlights include a ski trip to Europe in the winter, a sublime escape to Greece …
Save up to 40% on your next Marriott hotel stay with these new Amex Offers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/marriott-amex-offers/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Using offers on American Express credit cards is one of the best options for saving money and earning bonus points on everything from groceries to streaming services to travel. If you are planning an upcoming hotel stay, you may want to …
How to maximize your vacation days in 2025 to get the most time off work
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/maximize-annual-leave-pto-public-holidays/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. You might just be getting back to work after the holidays, but if you’re smart, you’re already planning how to take your annual leave in 2025 to completely maximize the number of consecutive days off. Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work …
Is a cruise right for you? Start by asking yourself these 7 questions
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/is-cruising-right-for-me/
If you’ve landed on this page, you’re probably thinking about taking a cruise for the first time. But you’re also wondering if a cruise is really right for you. You’re now in a precarious position — one where you might be unduly influenced by friends, family or even strangers with thoughts on cruising that might …
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card review: Earn cash back in popular bonus categories
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/u-s-bank-triple-cash-rewards-visa-business-card/
U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card overview The U.S. Bank Triple Cash Rewards Visa® Business Card rewards business owners with elevated earnings across multiple popular bonus categories. However, if you’re looking for rewards more flexible than cash back or if you spend extra in certain areas, you may be better off with another …
Bringing the fun back to flying: Virgin Atlantic A350 Upper Class review
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/virgin-atlantic-a350-upper-class-review/
Quick take: Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class brings fun back to flying, though the seats are showing some wear and tear. Pros Phenomenal, friendly service. Excellent inflight dining, including meals you can order ahead of time. Comfortable bedding and long, lie-flat beds. Cons They’ve only been in service for around five years, but seats are already …
Your ultimate guide to Hyatt hotel brands
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/hyatt-hotel-brands/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Hyatt has long been one of the most popular hotel chains among award travelers. But World of Hyatt has one serious shortcoming: Hyatt has a relatively small global footprint compared to giants like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Luckily, Hyatt is working to …
How to use the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit in 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/choosing-your-amex-platinum-200-airline-fee-credit/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. It’s no surprise that The Platinum Card® from American Express is packed with premium benefits. One of the most generous perks of the premium card is the annual statement credit for up to $200 in airline incidental fees. When fully maximized, …
United reveals exciting update about free Starlink Wi-Fi
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-airlines-free-wifi-rollout/
United Airlines has one final Christmas present for flyers: Free Wi-Fi is coming sooner than originally promised. The Chicago-based carrier announced Sunday that it will start installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its two-cabin regional fleet in the coming weeks. The first aircraft to receive Starlink Wi-Fi, an Embraer E175 regional jet, will be outfitted with a …
36 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. 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 offers 500 …
A resort fit for royalty: My stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/fairmont-scottsdale-princess/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”20420182995″] Editor’s note: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess provided a complimentary stay so that TPG 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 Fairmont, the hotel or any other external entity. As home to the …
Extra credit: How to pay college tuition with a credit card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/college-tuition-credit-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Higher education costs have steadily increased over the last two decades, making tuition a sizable expense for many families. While many colleges and universities accept credit cards for these payments, it isn’t always free to do so. If you’re responsible for tuition payment, …
2 for 1: How airline companion tickets can save you serious money on your next trip
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-cards-airline-companion-tickets/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the most bang for your buck on your next big trip, one of the best ways to do so is with airline credit card companion tickets. In addition to helping travelers earn …
World of Hyatt card vs. Hilton Surpass card: Battle of the mid-tier hotel credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hilton-surpass-vs-world-of-hyatt-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Although sometimes overlooked, hotel credit cards can be a lucrative addition to any wallet. Many of these cards offer generous welcome offers, incredible hotel redemptions and free night perks. We’ll look at two mid-tier hotel credit cards: the World of …
The best all-inclusive wellness resorts and packages for a postholiday reset
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-all-inclusive-wellness-resorts/
From costumes to Christmas trees to Champagne toasts at midnight, life is a bit of a blur from late October to New Year’s Eve. Between wrapping up work deadlines, finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list and nonstop eating, drinking and being merry, there’s hardly any time to catch your breath — let …
Even experts need advice: How I chose my next credit card with help from fellow TPGers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/decision-making-process-my-next-credit-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. “Which credit card should I get next?” It’s easily one of the most common questions we at TPG get from readers, friends and family members. It’s also one of the most common questions we ask ourselves. Most of us are constantly …
Maximize your rewards: Your points and miles checklist for 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/beginning-year-points-miles-todo-list/
Citi is a TPG advertising partner It’s time to start the new year off right, and that may mean finally redeeming your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value. Or perhaps you’ll earn American Airlines AAdvantage status from your living room couch using American Airlines Loyalty Points. From opting for the best Marriott Choice Benefit …
How to choose an airline credit card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-choose-an-airline-credit-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Airline credit cards offer carrier-focused benefits and the ability to earn points and miles with a specific airline. I find good value in American Airlines and Air Canada cobranded credit cards because I consider their loyalty programs to be two of …
Thousands of flights affected as major winter storm hits East Coast
https://thepointsguy.com/news/winter-storm-flight-cancellations-delays/
The season’s most potent winter storm to date has reached the East Coast, wreaking havoc on all forms of travel — from the skies to the rails and roads. Nearly 11,000 flights have been delayed or canceled since Sunday, when a mix of snow, ice and bitterly cold air began sweeping across parts of the …
How I earned almost 30,000 Amex Membership Rewards points with help from Rakuten
https://thepointsguy.com/news/how-i-earned-membership-rewards-points-rakuten/
It isn’t often that opportunities to earn a large number of points in one transaction arise. That’s why I was ecstatic when I looked at Rakuten’s Cash Back Unwrap calendar for 2024 and saw it aligned with a TV purchase I had planned. On Nov. 20, 2024, Rakuten offered a bonus of 20% cash back …
More than 1,100 flights canceled Sunday as major winter storm disrupts travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/winter-storm-flight-cancellations-delays/
The season’s most potent winter storm to date is wreaking havoc on air travel across a large swath of the country. Snow, ice and bitter cold air are bearing down on much of the Midwest, fueling thousands of flight disruptions that could get worse as the system heads toward the East Coast. As of 1 …
Florida cruise ports: How many cruise ports are in Florida, what are they and which lines sail from them?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/florida-cruise-ports-guide/
If you’re new to cruising and looking to book a sailing, it’s likely you’ve considered a voyage from Florida — the gateway to most Caribbean and Bahamas destinations. Because the Sunshine State is the cruise capital of the world, it has a head-spinning number of ports for newbies to consider. Does Fort Lauderdale have a …
7 ways it pays to book ahead this year
https://thepointsguy.com/news/book-ahead-strategies/
With the holidays behind us, many people are planning trips for 2025. Traveling is often stressful, but there are things you can do to make it feel less so. Here are seven ways to book ahead and save this year. Lyft-DoorDash partnership Lyft and DoorDash users who link their accounts can take advantage of several …
The 8 best credit cards to maximize fitness spending
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-cards-exercise-fanatics/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Earn points or cash back while working up a sweat? Yup, it’s doable. If one of your 2025 resolutions is to try a new at-home workout program or hit your favorite fitness studio more regularly, we can help you maximize your …
Norwegian Encore review: A guide to Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Breakaway Plus Class ship
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/norwegian-encore-cruise-ship/
Editor’s note: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip from Norwegian Cruise Line to sail on Norwegian Encore. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line. Have you ever been to a Starbucks where every single customer belted out the lyrics to “Sweet Caroline” in unison, mid-latte? I …
How common is norovirus on cruise ships? Here’s what you need to know
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? Norovirus cases are on the rise this winter, both on land and at sea. “The total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024–2025 seasonal year …
Earn a $30 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 TPG’s favorite online shopping portals is offering a great money-saving deal for new members — perfect for using any gift cards you received as holiday presents (or to treat yourself to a little postholiday splurge). If you join Rakuten …
Amex shutters yet another Centurion Lounge amenity, adds new coffee bar
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-centurion-lounge-new-york-jfk-amenity-update/
Out with the old and in with the new at the American Express Centurion Lounge in New York. Over the holidays, Amex officially shuttered the Equinox Body Lab in its lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), TPG exclusively learned and later confirmed with a company spokesperson. Replacing the space that used …