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Only the latest slick travel news
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 …
5 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tips for first-time watchers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-tips/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Few things compare to seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person on a brisk November morning. Watching massive balloons like Snoopy and modern favorites such as Bluey and Grogu (aka “Baby Yoda”) fly down the streets of New York City …
Singapore Airlines is bringing first class to the world’s longest flights
https://thepointsguy.com/news/singapore-airlines-a350-cabin-retrofits/
Singapore Airlines is planning a major cabin facelift for its fleet of long-range Airbus A350 jets, including a new first-class cabin that will someday be offered on the world’s longest airline routes. On Monday, Singapore announced a $1.1 billion cabin retrofit program for its A350-900 fleet — covering both its long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft. The …
41 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 Hyatt offers 500 …
How to clean your credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-clean-your-credit-cards/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. When we talk about the prevention of spreading germs, there are a few things that immediately come to mind — washing your hands, disinfecting high-touch surfaces and wearing facial coverings. But there are a few everyday items that may not be …
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 …
Marriott leaders hint at cost cuts that will almost certainly impact future hotel stays
https://thepointsguy.com/news/marriott-cost-cuts/
At a time when major hotel companies like Marriott and Hilton increasingly grow by appealing to owners of existing hotels to take on a new brand affiliation, the executives of these brands have to do what they can to sweeten the deal. Monday morning, Marriott’s executive team indicated they’re about to roll out a major …
Free things to do in Alaska on a cruise
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/free-things-to-do-in-alaska-on-a-cruise/
If you’re used to cruising in the Caribbean, shore excursion prices on your Alaska cruise might surprise you. Want to take a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier to enjoy a dogsled ride? It’ll cost upward of $700 per person. Excited about an authentic Alaska fishing experience? That’s a $500-plus tour. A nearly …
What are points and miles worth? TPG’s November 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 …
3 ways to get cash on a cruise ship
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/get-cash-cruise-ship/
If there’s one thing I always forget to do before I cruise, it’s to stop at the ATM. Cruises largely operate on a cashless system, so traveling without cash is not a big deal. You attach a credit card to your onboard account and use your keycard to make purchases on board. But sometimes you …
Don’t make these time-change mistakes when planning travel
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/time-change-travel-mistakes/
On a damp evening in late March a few years ago in London, I learned the hard way that countries don’t all change their clocks for daylight saving time simultaneously. After ordering a glass of white wine at a cozy bar in Bermondsey, I mindlessly scrolled on my phone while the bartenders chatted about the …