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Only the latest slick travel news
How to avoid the crowds while traveling in Japan
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/japan-travel-tips-to-avoid-crowds/
Six decades after hosting the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — when Japan rapidly rolled out new infrastructure like its Shinkansen bullet train and accommodations like Hotel New Otani Tokyo to welcome the anticipated influx of foreigners — the country remains one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the world. According to the Japan National …
A truly accessible hotel in Texas, Hilton’s ‘Lion King’ Suite on Broadway and other hotel news you might have missed
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hilton-lion-king-four-seasons-mallorca/
Don’t ask me how, but August is leaving and September is knocking — and while there are technically still a few weeks of summer left, I’m already dreading its end. This summer has been a good one for me, full of travel, friends and family. This month has been full of hotel news, too, including …
Quick Points: Earn bonus points by registering for hotel promotions
https://thepointsguy.com/news/enroll-in-hotel-promotions/
Your email inbox likely sees daily promotional emails from travel and lifestyle brands. The sometimes sensationalized language in the subject line is often irritating enough to make you close your browser. However, the promotional emails you should always click on are the ones sent by your favorite hotel loyalty programs. Though sometimes lackluster, promotions sent …
The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/princess-cruises-guide/
Call it the cruise line for people who want a big, amenity-filled ship that isn’t a floating amusement park. Princess Cruises operates relatively large, reasonably priced vessels. But unlike many of its competitors in that space — most notably Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises — it doesn’t load them up with sprawling …
7 of the coolest European fifth-freedom routes you should know about
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-fifth-freedom-flights-europe/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The fifth freedom is one of nine freedoms of the air — a set of rights that grants airlines the ability to operate a flight between two countries other than their own, among other things. An airline usually operates a fifth-freedom …
Get smarter at sea: Educational cruises and the travelers who love them
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/road-scholar-floating-campus-educational-cruise/
It’s a sunny afternoon aboard the gleaming new 190-passenger Ocean Albatros expedition ship docked at Scrabster in northern Scotland. Passengers are gathered not at the bar or the pool, but in a lecture room, where Professor Donna Heddle of the University of the Highlands and Islands in Orkney is giving a lecture on Scottish history. …
Everything you need to know about the Standard International hotel group as it joins Hyatt
https://thepointsguy.com/news/standard-world-of-hyatt-brands/
Can cool and conglomerate coexist — let alone thrive — when it comes to edgy lifestyle brands and multibillion-dollar hotel parent companies? Hyatt and Standard International will be the latest test over whether lifestyle hotels can flourish post-acquisition, following Hyatt’s earlier takeovers of Dream Hotel Group and Two Roads Hospitality (which delivered the company brands like …
Cheap and hassle-free: What it was like getting an expedited passport via rush service ItsEasy.com
https://thepointsguy.com/news/expedited-passport-service-itseasy/
Editor’s note: ItsEasy.com provided TPG with a free passport application to test its service. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the company or any external entity. A few months ago, I realized that my passport was nearly full. It wasn’t due to expire for another …
The best credit cards with airline fee credits
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/top-cards-with-airline-fee-credits/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Call it a la carte pricing or just nickel-and-diming. By any name, air travelers get pummeled by an array of fees for all sorts of services. Many of the best airline credit cards have perks that mirror basic elite status benefits …
Can you go on a cruise while pregnant?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-while-pregnant/
Cruising while pregnant might sound like a dream come true — or your worst nightmare. Imagine the 24/7 snack and meal offerings that cater to all your food cravings, plus onboard crew to do all the cooking and cleaning so you can rest and savor blissful alone time with your spouse before the baby comes. …
This epic new cruise will take you from the US to Antarctica without ever getting on an airplane
https://thepointsguy.com/news/holland-america-florida-antarctica-cruise/
Always wanted to see Antarctica? Holland America Line this week unveiled an unusual new option for getting there. The Seattle-based line announced an epic sailing to the White Continent that begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — a port thousands of miles away from the typical jumping-off points for Antarctica cruises in Argentina and Chile. Kicking …
Frontier adds 11 new routes, including new JFK service and return to Dulles
https://thepointsguy.com/news/frontier-airlines-new-routes-jfk-dulles/
The network shakeup continues at Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled nearly a dozen new routes Tuesday, each of which will launch this fall. Among the new routes are the carrier’s fourth and fifth nonstop destinations from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Prior to this summer, the carrier had never …
Why I chose the Hilton Aspire as my first cobranded hotel card — and how I’ll use the welcome bonus
https://thepointsguy.com/news/why-i-chose-the-hilton-aspire-as-my-first-cobranded-hotel-card/
I’m a big proponent of creating a spending strategy when applying for a new credit card. That way, I never miss out on a welcome bonus and don’t overspend trying to achieve one. I’m also a fan of planning ahead, especially when it comes to how I’ll use my credit card rewards, whether they take …
Ralph Lauren and La Roche-Posay: These are a few of my favorite things from Amex at the US Open
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/amex-lounge-us-open/
It’s the last week of August, which means tennis fans from New York City and around the world are hopping on the Queens-bound 7 train for one reason and one reason only: The U.S. Open tennis championship is back at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. From Aug. 26 through Sept. 8, attendees …
29 best Marriott hotels in the world
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-marriott-hotels/
Marriott is the largest hotel company in the world. It offers an incredibly diverse catalog of properties, from budget-friendly options to high-priced stunners around the globe. With over 30 Marriott hotel brands and more than 8,000 properties worldwide, it’s a tall order to find the absolute best of the best. But the best Marriott properties …
Diamond status: Which credit card should I use to buy an engagement ring?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/which-credit-card-should-i-use-to-buy-an-engagement-ring/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. If you’re ready to pop the question, congratulations! But first, you’ll want to ask a different one: How will you actually pay for the ring? According to The Knot’s Jewelry and Engagement Study, the average engagement ring costs around $5,500. Understandably, you’ll …
Your AirTag battery only lasts a year — here’s how to check it
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airtag-battery/
If you’ve used an AirTag for less than a year to track your luggage, you may not realize that the original AirTag battery only lasts for roughly one year. In the same way that you can replace your iPhone battery, you can also replace your AirTag battery when it dies. When your battery is on …
Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas: Comparing Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ships
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/utopia-of-the-seas-vs-icon-of-the-seas-cruise/
Dock Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side-by-side, and you’re likely to notice a couple things. The first is that as the largest and second-largest cruise ships in the world, respectively, they’re both massive. The second is that, despite their similar size, they look a bit different. If you’re unfamiliar …
The Capital One credit cards that earn transferable miles
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/capital-one-cards-earn-transferable-miles/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. While you may associate Capital One with its fixed-value rewards, allowing you to redeem your points for statement credits or to offset travel purchases, there is another way to use your miles that can provide greater value. In recent years, Capital …
How to use credit cards to defeat basic economy
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/use-credit-cards-defeat-basic-economy/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. There’s no doubt: basic economy is infuriating. From carry-on baggage restrictions on some airlines to a lack of seat selection, it’s a step down from what travelers are used to getting when flying. The airlines are also doing a good job …
Thousands of hotels workers from Honolulu to Boston could strike soon — what to know
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hawaii-boston-hotel-strikes-what-to-know/
Travelers to several major cities in the U.S., including Honolulu, Boston and San Francisco, should be prepared for possible disruptions to hotel stays as thousands of hotel workers prepare for potential strikes. Around the country, unions representing hotel workers have been negotiating for higher wages, better working conditions and more employee protections. With many hotel …
Disney After Hours is returning in 2025: Here’s what to expect at this late-night event
https://thepointsguy.com/news/disney-after-hours-magic-kingdom/
Editor’s note: Disney provided the writer with a complimentary ticket to Disney After Hours. All opinions are the writer’s own and were not subject to review by Disney. I’ve been going to Disney World since I was a kid, and I’ve grown accustomed to the necessary forward planning that it takes to get on the …
Have one of the popular credit cards? Here are the others you should get to boost your points
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-credit-cards-points-you-can-combine/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. When considering your next credit card, it’s best to first look at your wallet and see if you can build a strategy around what you’ve already got. It’s beneficial to have many points with one credit card issuer, rather than a …
Upscale cruising is coming to a new port in Florida — one you might not expect
https://thepointsguy.com/news/upscale-oceania-cruises-tampa/
Fans of upscale cruises are about to have a new option for sailings to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Upscale cruise operator Oceania Cruises on Wednesday announced it would begin regular sailings to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal out of Tampa in 2026 — a first for the line. It’ll mark the first …
The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-no-annual-fee-hotel-credit-cards/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to pay annual fees topping $695 to get the best travel credit card. If you don’t travel enough to use all the benefits that come with a top-tier card — or simply don’t have …
Meet the airplane mechanic who went viral for connecting aviation with … ‘The Lord of the Rings’?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airplane-facts-with-max-lord-of-the-rings/
What do a hobbit and the leading edge of the wing on a Boeing 737 have in common? Not much. But that doesn’t stop one prolific airline pro from pointing out a connection. Max Comer is an aviation maintenance technician who works at a maintenance base for a major U.S. airline. If you’re on social …
Earn double points on Best Western stays worldwide with new fall promotion
https://thepointsguy.com/news/best-western-rewards-promo/
A new promotion allows Best Western Rewards members to earn double points on all stays between Sept. 3 and Nov. 18. At more than 4,000 properties worldwide, members can earn double points on base rate stays after registering for the promotion — and there is no limit to how many bonus points members can earn …
The 6 best cruise lines for girlfriend getaways
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-girlfriend-getaway-cruises/
If you’re scouting for a vacation to take with your best gal pals where you can get pampered, barhop and dine at fun, eclectic restaurants, a cruise checks off all the boxes. Even better? You only have to unpack once, and there’s no driving involved. This super-flexible vacation option takes the stress out of satisfying …
The best credit cards for college students
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/starter-credit-cards-college-students/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Building credit as a college student is an essential step to a life of financial responsibility, helping you form a solid relationship with the money (and plastic!) in your wallet. Opening up your own line of credit as a young adult …
Hyatt to buy growing lifestyle hotel giant Standard International for as much as $335 million
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-standard-acquisition/
The luxury and lifestyle hotel sector continues to be the bread and butter for Hyatt. On Tuesday, the Chicago-based hotel giant announced plans to acquire New York City-based Standard International and most of its affiliates for a base price of $150 million. Standard International’s acquired portfolio, which includes The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands, encompasses …