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Only the latest slick travel news
Utopia of the Seas review: What it’s like on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ship sailing short cruises
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/utopia-of-the-seas-cruise-ship/
Editor’s note: TPG’s Kristy Tolley sailed on Utopia of the Seas on a free trip from Royal Caribbean. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line. If you’re big on action-packed vacations but short on PTO, a cruise on Royal Caribbean‘s new Utopia of the Seas might be …
Who is eligible for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-ink-business-preferred-bonus-eligibility/
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best business credit cards for travel rewards. It is currently offering a welcome bonus of 120,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. According to TPG’s August 2024 valuations, the bonus offer is worth $2,460. Before filling …
Amex Gold vs. Amex Business Gold: Which wins the race?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/amex-gold-vs-amex-business-gold/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re looking for cards that offer generous points-earning bonuses for a wide range of categories, the Gold lineup within the American Express portfolio is worth a closer look. The personal American Express® Gold Card and the American Express® Business Gold …
Hilton Honors Experiences: How to redeem points for activities, VIP events, concerts and more
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/hilton-honors-experiences/
If you’re a regular TPG reader, you know we believe that the best use of hotel points is for hotel stays — other uses are almost always a bad idea. This is because you typically lose value on your hotel points when you redeem them for other things outside of booking a hotel. However, Hilton …
American Airlines elite members: You can now register for a World of Hyatt status challenge
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-american-elite-status-offers/
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information and offers. American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt launched a new partnership in 2019. Thanks to this partnership, elite members in both programs can link their AAdvantage and Hyatt accounts and enjoy reciprocal earnings. American and Hyatt have occasionally offered fast-track elite status offers …
Which credit card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/which-credit-card-delta-flights/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Before you reach for your wallet to pay for a Delta Air Lines flight, you might pause to wonder which credit card to use. Should you use the one that says “Delta” on the front, or should you pay with something …
12 best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-panama-canal-cruises/
A Panama Canal transit is a rite of passage for many cruise lovers. Experiencing this marvel of early 20th-century engineering appeals to those with a wide array of interests, from history and politics to colonial architecture and wildlife. Built by the U.S. government between 1903 and 1914, this 50-mile waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific …
Arizona’s first Grand Hyatt will open this fall
https://thepointsguy.com/news/grand-hyatt-scottsdale-resort/
A much-anticipated Hyatt glow-up is expected to debut later this year in one of Arizona’s most popular destinations. The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort, the result of a $115 million renovation to the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, will open its rebranded doors this fall. The property, which will be the first …
What happens to your points and miles after you die?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/points-and-miles-after-you-die/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information. Losing someone is always difficult, and it can be confusing to determine what happens to the deceased’s accumulated points and miles when a person passes away. Who has ownership of these loyalty currencies when a person dies? As a whole, your points …
Tropical Storm Debby fuels 1,600 flight cancellations after an already rough weekend for air travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/debby-flight-cancellations/
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information. Flight cancellations are mounting Monday as Tropical Storm Debby bares down on Florida — disruptions that come in the wake of an already messy few days for air travel amid severe storms up and down the East Coast. By 2:30 p.m. EDT Monday, airlines had canceled …
Amtrak fall sale: 30% and more off Northeast travel — but act fast
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/amtrak-fall-sale/
Following its Northeast summer sale, Amtrak is now discounting fares for travel this fall with its fall travel flash sale — you can get at least 30% off normal Flex Fare prices if you book by Aug. 7. Deal basics Carrier: Amtrak Routes: Across the Amtrak network How to book: Directly with Amtrak Travel dates: …
Lane Bryant Credit Card review: Limited value even for Lane Bryant loyalists
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/lane-bryant-credit-card-review/
Lane Bryant Credit Card overview The Lane Bryant Credit Card is yet another store-issued credit card that offers a modicum of value for brand loyalists and not much else. It features some decent rewards for those who spend a lot at Lane Bryant but extremely limited value for everyone else. Card rating*: ⭐⭐ *Card rating …
7 best Bermuda cruises for 2024 and beyond
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-bermuda-cruises/
Those who live in the Northeast have long known the lure of cruising to Bermuda. Word is out that, like cruises to the Bahamas or the Caribbean, many cruise lines offer both long and short cruises that include a stop in Bermuda. Cruise lines are deploying some of their best ships to serve these routes …
16 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 …
When you should (or shouldn’t) use the Amex Gold Card
https://thepointsguy.com/news/when-you-should-use-amex-gold-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the American Express® Gold Card at TPG. While the card was refreshed in late July, it’s still in a Goldilocks sweet spot between premium and beginner cards, with strong earnings on restaurant and …
Maui wants tourists back 1 year after devastating fire: Why it’s a great time to go
https://thepointsguy.com/news/maui-great-time-to-go/
Maui wants you to come back to paradise. Smaller crowds and cheap flights, in fact, might make it a great time to visit. Exactly one year ago today, deadly fires tore through the historic neighborhood of Lahaina, destroying one of the most vibrant neighborhoods on Maui and killing at least 102 people. Hawaii officials said …
Which credit card should you use for American Airlines flights?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/which-credit-american-airlines-flights/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. You’re about to book a flight. You reach for your wallet, but what credit card should you use to pay? Is it the one with the airline’s name stamped on the front, or will a different credit card offer more? American …
How to make the most of your time on short Utopia of the Seas cruises
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/things-to-do-utopia-of-the-seas-cruise/
Royal Caribbean’s mammoth new Utopia of the Seas is loaded with dozens of dining and bar venues and top-deck attractions. Its daily schedule is filled with theme parties, crew-led activities, live music and shows. The challenge for would-be cruisers is that they won’t have a full week to experience them. The 237,000-ton, 5,668-passenger Utopia of …
Traveling with kids to Europe? Why including a cruise might be better than just staying on land
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/traveling-with-kids-to-europe-cruise/
You may associate the word “cruising” with short jaunts to the Bahamas or Mexico. On those cruises, a lot of the experience is about the onboard fun, and some passengers never even leave the boat. But if those typical short cruises out of Florida aren’t necessarily your kind of thing and you are planning a …
This giant Royal Caribbean ship is about to get a massive makeover
https://thepointsguy.com/news/allure-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-makeover/
One of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships at sea is about to get a major glow-up. The Miami-based line on Tuesday announced that the massive 225,282-ton Allure of the Seas will head to a shipyard early next year for a $100 million overhaul. The refurbishment will include the addition of new Ultimate Panoramic Suites above …
One of Hawaii’s best hotels is officially part of Marriott Bonvoy, now bookable from 84K points
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ritz-carlton-oahu-turtle-bay-points/
Earlier this year, it was announced that the iconic Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii would transform into a Ritz-Carlton. Points and miles enthusiasts welcomed the news with fanfare since it meant another Hawaii property would join the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. Now, there’s even more good news: The Ritz-Carlton …
Southwest flights now appear on Kayak. Here’s why that’s a big deal
https://thepointsguy.com/news/southwest-airlines-flights-kayak/
From assigned seats to red-eye flights, it’s a time of big changes at Southwest Airlines — and this week has brought another. Travel search site Kayak now displays Southwest fares, the company announced Monday. This allows users to compare prices and itinerary options directly with those of other airlines. It’s a major shift. Historically, Southwest …
Discover it Cash Back credit card review: Rotating 5% cash back
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/discover-it-cash-back-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Discover it Cash Back overview The Discover it Cash Back provides 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in purchases that you make each quarter at select merchants. The eligible merchants rotate quarterly and require enrollment. You’ll earn 1% cash back …
American Express Gold checklist: 5 things to do when you get the card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/5-things-to-do-amex-gold-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. A few years ago, I applied for the American Express® Gold Card, which has since become one of my favorite rewards cards. In late July 2024, the card underwent a refresh with some new changes. The card earns 4 transferable Amex Membership Rewards …
How to stop your British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, Qatar Airways and Finnair Avios from expiring
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-stop-your-avios-from-expiring/
Avios are the rewards currency of British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Aer Lingus AerClub and now Finnair Plus. Avios are easy to earn, and with so many different ways to use them, they are definitely a currency you should know about. Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer …
21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-tips-tricks-hacks/
Cruising is easy. Or so cruisers will tell you. For starters, you only have to unpack once, even as you travel from place to place. You also don’t have to go hunting for a restaurant every night. There usually are a bunch just steps away from your cabin with tables waiting for you. You’ll also …
3 ways to fly Icelandair using points and miles
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/points-and-miles-to-fly-icelandair/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Icelandair is a popular carrier for visiting Iceland because its hub is Keflavik Airport (KEF), an airport located about 31 miles outside of Reykjavik. Icelandair is well known for its inexpensive flights, and many travelers use the airline to travel between the U.S. …
The top credit cards for families
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-credit-cards-for-families/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Families need many things: groceries, diapers, new shoes for growing feet, gymnastics classes, doctor’s appointments — and, whenever possible, a relaxing vacation from it all. Thankfully, the things your family needs (like groceries and checkups) can help pay for the things …
Iberia schedules first A321XLR flights — but American’s timeline slips to 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airbus-a321xlr-first-flights-planned/
It appears we’re now less than four months away from the first commercial flights aboard the new Airbus A321XLR — a single-aisle aircraft hailed as a “game changer” for its ability to fly longer transoceanic routes. (The “XLR” in the A321XLR stands for “Extra Long Range.”) In recent weeks, Spanish flag carrier Iberia has shared …
Bermuda cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/bermuda-cruise-guide/
Is Bermuda on your cruise radar? Many people don’t realize they can cruise to Bermuda because the itineraries are usually seasonal. You can’t escape January’s snowstorms by hopping on a cruise to Bermuda the way you can with a Caribbean cruise. Plus, the itineraries are unusual because they mostly depart from Northeastern U.S. home ports …