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Only the latest slick travel news
How Marriott and United elite members can use RewardsPlus to status match and convert rewards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/marriott-united-rewardsplus/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership known as RewardsPlus. This partnership allows members of both loyalty programs to convert rewards, enroll in complimentary elite status and earn extra miles on select hotel stays. In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need …
Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/amex-gold-worth-annual-fee/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The American Express® Gold Card gets a lot of attention for its aesthetic, topping our list of the prettiest cards available. It’s also heralded as the ideal foodie card for its dining-related bonus-earning categories and statement credits. At first glance, the …
9 best South Pacific and Tahiti cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime trip
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-south-pacific-tahiti-cruises/
Cruising around the islands of the South Pacific is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many travelers. While some of the island nations, like Fiji, are well known to Americans, others, like Niue, are less familiar. A South Pacific cruise promises cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes and plenty of water-based activities. You can find South Pacific itineraries on …
10 best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-hawaii-cruise-tips/
A Hawaii cruise solves one of the major hassles of island-hopping in the 50th state: Packing and unpacking as you take multiple interisland flights in a bid to experience Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Island of Hawaii (aka the Big Island) in a single vacation. Most Hawaii cruise itineraries visit all four of the main …
Amex Gold cardmembers: Enroll now for new Resy and Dunkin’ benefits
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-gold-cardholders-enroll-new-benefits/
With the announcement of a refresh to the American Express® Gold Card came a number of (not all bad) changes to one of our favorite premium cards, with new statement credits to go along with an increased annual fee. The most time-sensitive of those changes come in the form of new annual credits at Resy and …
A glamping getaway you can book with Hilton Honors points: My stay at AutoCamp Yosemite
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/autocamp-yosemite/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”9780″] This summer, my friend and I were looking for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles that would bring us close to nature but not require too much equipment or planning — it was the perfect excuse to go on a glamping adventure. Enter AutoCamp Yosemite, an outdoor-focused resort that features Airstream trailers, …
Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-hawaii-cruise-excursions/
A Hawaii cruise offers a convenient way to island-hop as you experience Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii from both sea and land — but what exactly should you do while ashore? Choosing a cruise shore excursion in Hawaii can be tough due to the wide range of activities, such as snorkeling and …
Bilt Rent Day — Aug. 1: Virgin Voyages cruise benefits (bring a 2nd guest for free), bonus points, Blade party and more
https://thepointsguy.com/news/bilt-rent-day-promo/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor. Good news for Bilt Rewards members: Aug. 1 is another Bilt Rent Day. As on previous Rent Days, you can snag double points on nonrent purchases and play the Rent Free game. But …
Arson attacks cause significant disruption to Paris rail network ahead of Olympic opening
https://thepointsguy.com/news/paris-olympics-rail-arson-attacks/
France’s rail network has been thrown into chaos today following a series of arson attacks, just hours before the nation officially opens the 2024 Paris Olympics. Travelers have been advised to postpone their trips where possible following the incidents, which France’s transport minister Patrice Vergrete has described as “coordinated malicious acts.” The arson attacks that …
The ‘notable’ way flight attendants show their gratitude to frequent flyers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/flight-attendant-thank-you-notes/
As we were preparing to land at Orlando International Airport (MCO) during a recent Delta Air Lines flight, a friendly attendant handed me and a few other passengers a card with a handwritten thank-you note on the back. I had never received such a note, nor had I known they existed. I immediately texted my …
Glamping on points: Under Canvas is now live on World of Hyatt
https://thepointsguy.com/news/under-canvas-world-of-hyatt/
Hyatt wants to take you on a luxurious camping adventure — almost like a safari. As of Thursday, the glamping company Under Canvas is officially part of World of Hyatt thanks to Hyatt’s partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith. Under Canvas has camping locations across the country, from Acadia National Park to Moab, Utah. Now, …
Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Triple threat showdown
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/capital-one-venture-vs-amex-platinum-vs-chase-sapphire-preferred/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re going to add a new card to your wallet, you might as well add one with a valuable welcome bonus. Right now, three of the most popular travel rewards cards — the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, The …
Southwest to add seat assignments, extra legroom and red-eye flights
https://thepointsguy.com/news/southwest-airlines-redeye-flights-overnight/
Southwest Airlines is flying somewhere it’s never flown before: into the night, and by seat number. The airline said on Thursday that it will begin assigning seats and will add extra-legroom premium seats to its cabins. The airline also plans to operate overnight flights for the first time in its history, Southwest said Thursday. It’s …
The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2025 and 2026
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-hawaii-cruises/
Cruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is, in many ways, an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — …
Delta CEO Ed Bastian leaves Atlanta for Paris Olympics as meltdown abates
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-meltdown-ed-bastian-paris/
Delta Air Lines has been in the spotlight of the airline industry this week following a five-day-long operational meltdown that led to more than 5,000 flight cancellations and stranded passengers and their checked bags for days. The meltdown also drew the attention of the U.S. Department of Transportation, which has since launched a formal investigation …
American makes big cuts in Austin, brings flagship jet to Charlotte
https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-cuts-austin-brings-777-300-to-charlotte/
It seems like Austin, Texas wasn’t as hot as American Airlines had expected. Over the weekend, the airline filed yet another major schedule change surrounding service at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). This time, American is exiting five routes in Austin, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed to TPG by a carrier spokesperson. …
My (totally fun) vacation at Nashville International Airport
https://thepointsguy.com/news/nashville-airport-hilton-guest-pass/
You may think you already spend too much time at airports. Most frequent flyers do. But the growing list of airports offering visitor passes to nonticketed guests is a sure sign that there’s fun to be had on the other side of the security checkpoint. This is especially true if you’re not juggling carry-on bags …
3 ways to get Hyatt Globalist status
https://thepointsguy.com/news/earning-hyatt-globalist-for-cheap/
Hyatt Globalist status is among the best hotel elite statuses you can earn. Many travelers — myself included — would argue it is the absolute best. Although my husband and I maintain high-tier elite status with multiple hotel loyalty programs, we prioritize requalifying for Hyatt Globalist status each year. Qualifying for World of Hyatt Globalist …
Turning rich limited-time Hilton Honors card offers into 5-star stays
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hilton-five-star-stays/
There are few things better in life than a summer vacation and enjoying the sunshine, school breaks and generally slower pace of the season. However, the reality right now is that things can be expensive, and some travelers are tightening their belts and keeping a closer eye on budgets this summer. But that doesn’t mean …
Amex Gold limited-time welcome offer: 60,000 points plus $100 statement credit
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-gold-current-offer/
Editors note: this is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers The American Express® Gold Card is beloved by TPG as it is one of the best rewards cards for dining and U.S. supermarkets. The card was refreshed on July 25. It added two new statement credits and a new white gold …
The end of an era: Why I’m sad about Southwest Airlines saying farewell to open seating
https://thepointsguy.com/news/southwest-airlines-farewell-open-seating/
I’ve flown and loved Southwest Airlines since 1992 — yes, that long. Even as other travelers raved about their favorite airlines where frequent flyer programs could unlock lie-flat seats and fancy upgrades, I favored Southwest. I might have even been the only TPG staffer who ranked Southwest first on their airline preference list when I …
Avelo goes international in 18-route expansion, adds 3 more cities
https://thepointsguy.com/news/avelo-18-new-routes-hartford-charlotte-florida/
Avelo Airlines announced a whopping 18 new routes and three new destinations as part of what the startup carrier billed as the “largest expansion in company history.” Included are the airline’s first-ever international destinations: Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cancun. Avelo also doubled down on Connecticut, where the carrier said it would expand to Hartford’s Bradley …
The 14 best solo travel destinations
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-solo-travel-destinations/
Whether you are on a journey of self-discovery, or just need some vacation time to yourself, solo travel can afford the most rewarding adventures. If you’ve never traveled alone before, the thought can be intimidating. But once you hit the road, you might just find your own company to be the best. Among the benefits …
Jump on this: Air France has flights to Japan from 53,000 points round-trip
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/japan-awards-points/
There is excellent awards availability to Japan on Air France-KLM Flying Blue right now, with round-trip economy travel available for as low as 53,000 points. There is availability from U.S. departure cities Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Seattle for flights to Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo from now through June of next year. The widest range …
Earn bonus miles with these airline shopping portal promotions
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airline-shopping-portal-promotions/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Maybe you’re planning a major vacation in 2024, or you simply want to top off your airline account with some miles. Did you know you can use an online shopping portal to earn cash back or airline miles or points for …
Amex Business Gold card: New welcome offer worth up to $2,000
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-business-gold-current-offer/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The American Express® Business Gold Card is a valuable mid-tier card for business owners. With valuable bonus categories, high earnings on Amex Travel purchases and up to $395 in annual statement credits, there are plenty of reasons to add the card …
Amex Gold Card refresh: Increased annual fee, new statement credits — and a stylish white gold option
https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-express-gold-card-refresh-2024/
One of the most popular cards among TPG staffers and readers alike is the American Express® Gold Card. The last time this card underwent a ‘”refresh” — meaning a change to its annual fee and benefits — was back in 2018. As we reported at the start of the year, we expected this card to …
Use points to book these 10 vacation rentals for Labor Day weekend
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/use-points-vacation-rentals/
Myth: It’s too late to plan a getaway anywhere good this Labor Day weekend using points. Fact: There are still some appealing vacation rental properties in places like Vail, Palm Springs and even Hawaii that are available for a Labor Day weekend stay— and you can book them with points. Fanned by the pandemic, the …
Act fast to get 50% off Brightline Smart and Smart Saver fares
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/brightline-offers-week-brightweek-flash-sales/
It’s Bright Week — that means Florida-based high-speed train company Brightline will send discounted fare offers to email subscribers all week. Once you sign up for Brightline’s emails, you’ll receive exclusive, limited-time rewards offers, flash sales, personalized milestone perks and news and updates from the rail company. Each offer will only last 24 hours, so …
Explore 12 of America’s less discovered wine regions
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/undiscovered-us-wine-regions/
It wasn’t so long ago that America’s most famous winemaking regions, the Napa and Sonoma valleys, attracted only a tiny and somewhat eccentric cohort of tourists. Then came the legendary Judgment of Paris competition in 1976, when two Napa wineries bested some of France’s most prominent vintners in a blind tasting, helping to legitimize Northern …