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Only the latest slick travel news
Last day: Best-ever 120,000-point bonus on the Chase Ink Business Preferred
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ink-business-cards-current-offers/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. One of the best credit card welcome offers we’ve seen this year is for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. This card’s best-ever offer is ending Thursday, so it’s your last day to take advantage of this offer. Chase Ultimate Rewards …
The best time to go on a cruise
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-time-to-cruise/
Sorry to disappoint you, but the best time to go on a cruise is not a fixed week or month, as you might hope. The best time to take a cruise varies based on your travel preferences, starting with your destination. Then, you’ll need to consider the weather. The best time of year to visit …
Earn up to 175K points on the Amex Platinum and up to 90K on the Amex Gold with these CardMatch offers
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-platinum-cardmatch-targeted-bonus/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. While some truly valuable credit card bonuses are available right now, sometimes the most lucrative offers are reserved for targeted individuals. One of the best places to look for these elevated targeted offers is by using the CardMatch tool, where you …
Burning Man exodus: Reno airport’s busiest days of the year fueled by ‘Burners’
https://thepointsguy.com/news/burning-man-reno-international-airport-rno-2024/
More than 70,000 people traveled over the holiday weekend to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles from Reno, to occupy Black Rock City, the temporary town created to host Burning Man, the annual eccentric and offbeat camping event filled with art, music, creative endeavors and all manner of curious activities. This year’s Burning Man …
Move over, Delta: Why Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program has become my favorite SkyTeam loyalty program
https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-france-klm-flying-blue-best-skyteam-program/
Even if you travel on many different airlines, it makes sense to focus on just one loyalty program in each of the Big Three airline alliances: OneWorld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam. By focusing on one program per alliance, you can earn rewards faster by funneling everything into one program, as your points and miles won’t be …
Is Clear still worth it?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/is-clear-still-worth-it/
As a loyal Clear user for the past three years, I will continue paying for it for as long as it exists. It saves me time and stress when passing through Transportation Security Administration security. Though I’ve never doubted the expedited security program’s worth, the implementation of random ID checks undoubtedly questions its core tenet. …
Is it better to book a cruise through a travel agent? We say yes
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-travel-agent/
Going online to book an airline ticket or hotel stay is a familiar and fairly easy transaction. When you book a cruise, however — particularly your first cruise — you might want to reconsider the impulse to handle the transaction yourself through a cruise line website or an online advertiser with cheap prices. This DIY …
InterContinental Madrid review: Best for business, not leisure travelers
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/intercontinental-madrid/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”20420184365″] Nestled in an upscale neighborhood of Spain’s vibrant capital, the InterContinental Madrid is a beacon of luxury and hospitality in the city’s booming high-end hotel scene. Built in 1953 on the foundations of a 19th-century palace and designed by architect Luis Feduchi, the hotel attempts to blend classic elegance and modern sophistication. …
Hilton Honors Experiences: My VIP Formula 1 experience at the British Grand Prix
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hilton-honors-experiences-formula-1/
Editor’s note: Hilton provided TPG with complimentary VIP access to Formula 1 Grand Prix to experience a Hilton Honors Experiences package. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by Hilton or any external entity. I’ve always used points and miles as a tool to enjoy travel experiences …
Where are hotel workers striking right now? From Honolulu to Boston — what to know
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hawaii-boston-hotel-strikes-what-to-know/
Travelers to several major U.S. cities, including Honolulu, Boston and San Francisco, should be prepared for possible disruptions to hotel stays as thousands of hotel workers go on strike. Around the country, unions representing hotel workers have been negotiating for higher wages, better working conditions and more employee protections. With many hotel labor contracts set …
Exciting new airline routes from August 2024 and beyond
https://thepointsguy.com/news/airline-route-news-august-2024/
The airline network planners seemed to be on their summer vacations in August. After a blockbuster month of route adjustments in July, August was one of the quietest months of the year for network changes. While there were certainly some noteworthy changes — like Breeze Airways’ major expansion into New Haven, Connecticut — it was …
The best credit card welcome bonuses of September 2024
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/limited-time-card-offers/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. With holiday travel approaching, now may be a great time to evaluate your credit card portfolio. Credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers are the quickest and easiest way to rake in lots of points and miles, so we regularly update …
13 best all-inclusive resorts with swim-up rooms
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/all-inclusives-with-swim-up-rooms/
When you think of a tropical vacation, chances are that relaxing in a shimmering infinity pool with a cocktail in hand while taking in the striking views is not too far off from your dream scenario. Beautiful accommodations and great food are to be expected, but a gorgeous swimming pool is truly the cherry on …
JetBlue brings Mint to Montana in rare move for this business-class product
https://thepointsguy.com/news/jetblue-mint-to-bozeman-montana/
JetBlue thinks there might be some skiers who are willing to splurge on its top-notch Mint business-class experience. The New York-based carrier announced this week that it would start flying its Mint-equipped Airbus A321 to Bozeman, Montana, on a limited run from Feb. 14, 2025, to March 30, 2025. The airline will offer its business-class …
When is the best time to book a cruise?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-time-to-book-a-cruise/
The best time to book a cruise is when you’ve done your planning, picked a ship and found a cruise fare that fits your budget and offers good value. But that doesn’t stop vacationers from wondering if they’d find a cheaper price if they wait to book tomorrow, next week or next month. I’d love …
Current credit card transfer bonuses (September): 30% bonus when converting Amex points to Hilton
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 …
Tipping on a cruise: What to know about cruise ship gratuities
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-ship-tipping/
How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. That’s because some cruise lines tack daily service fees onto passenger bills — yet many travelers still hand out additional cash gratuities, either as a matter of course or for exemplary service. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges …
At Six Senses Kyoto, a modern hotel pays playful homage to an ancient city
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/six-senses-kyoto/
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”20420184446″] There are few places in the world as mesmerizing and magical as the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto, home to thousands of temples, shrines and monuments. Visiting the city that served as the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years feels like stepping back in time, though Japan’s present-day, ultramodern lifestyle …
Glaciers, orcas and pristine bays: An epic road trip through Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/kenai-peninsula-alaska-road-trip/
Few places provide as awe-inspiring a maritime landscape within a short drive of a major international airport as the 16,000-square-mile Kenai Peninsula, which hangs from the coast of Southcentral Alaska like an emerald pendant earring. A popular destination with cruise ships, this minimally developed tract of evergreen-shrouded coastal mountains, deep frigid fjords and sprawling glaciers …
8 hot cruises you’ll need to book at least 1 year in advance — maybe even 2!
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/book-cruises-far-in-advance/
You might think that with all the cruise ships out there with the potential to hold thousands of passengers, you have all the time in the world to book a cruise. However, some sailings can sell out a year or more before the ship even leaves the pier. That’s especially true of unique itineraries or …
3 things to do if your flight is delayed
https://thepointsguy.com/news/flight-delay-tips/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The U.S. is currently in the throes of what may be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record. Between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4, the Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 17 million passengers. With so many moving …
Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in September
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/credit-cards-monthly-checklist/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Depending on how many credit cards you have, the list of benefits you should be using this month might feel overwhelming. Can you remember all of these perks without help? Maybe not. Rather than trying to keep track of all of …
This airline allows female passengers to avoid sitting next to men
https://thepointsguy.com/news/indigo-airline-female-seat-assignments/
Whether due to someone removing their shoes right after boarding or eating a stinky sandwich during mealtime, we’ve all occasionally wished we had the power to choose our seatmate when we fly. One airline finally gives some customers that option, though for a different reason than the olfactory examples listed above. IndiGo, a low-cost airline …
Retired flight attendant pushes beverage cart from Boston to ground zero to honor 9/11 victims
https://thepointsguy.com/news/paulies-push-2024/
As a flight attendant, Paulie Veneto spent much of his adult life pushing a beverage cart up and down the aisles of planes, and he absolutely loved it. “I really would’ve done that job without pay because the interactions I had with the passengers and the camaraderie with my fellow flight attendants were just amazing …
A guide to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen on Royal Caribbean cruise ships (with menus)
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/giovannis-italian-royal-caribbean-cruise/
Royal Caribbean has no shortage of food on its ships. However, the next time you’re on a cruise and hankering for lasagna, chicken parmigiana or soup that will make you feel like your nonna is sailing with you, check out specialty restaurant Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. When you’re there, you’re never far from a great bottle …
Bilt Rent Day (Sept. 1): Transfer bonuses, Virgin Voyages cruise benefits (bring a second guest for free) 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: Sept. 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. Bilt …
How to earn Southwest points with the Rapid Rewards Shopping portal
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/southwest-rapid-rewards-shopping-portal/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. One of the biggest misconceptions for people new to the loyalty world is that the only way to earn points and miles is by flying an airline regularly or carrying an airline credit card. But did you know you can earn …
Delta cuts Germany, Colombia routes in latest network adjustment
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-air-lines-cuts-stuttgart-bogota-routes/
Delta Air Lines is making some high-profile changes to its network. The Atlanta-based carrier filed plans this weekend to exit two noteworthy international routes. The airline will scrap service from Atlanta to Stuttgart, Germany, and from New York to Bogota, Colombia, as first seen in Cirium schedules and confirmed by a carrier spokesperson. Both cuts …
Disney cruise AquaDuck, AquaDunk and AquaMouse: What are the differences?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/disney-cruise-aquaduck-aquadunk-aquamouse/
When it comes to kids clubs, onboard entertainment and service, Disney Cruise Line blows just about every other mainstream cruise line out of the water. However, it doesn’t quite have the top-deck “wow” factor of other brands. On its ships, the main attractions tend to be the pools and water rides, which include AquaDuck, AquaDunk …
4 things I think about when booking basic economy
https://thepointsguy.com/news/basic-economy-things-i-consider/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. As most frequent travelers know, basic economy has evolved quite significantly since airlines began adding the low-cost fare option over the course of the last decade. Airlines originally saw basic economy as a way to compete with low-cost carriers, and the …