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Only the latest slick travel news
Why getting the Capital One Venture X Business card may be the easiest decision you’ll make for your company today
https://thepointsguy.com/news/venture-x-business-valuable-rewards/
Small-business owners have enough to worry about without always trying to maximize their credit card rewards. Choosing a card that promises a high sign-up bonus and lots of perks to save you money on expenses or enhance your travel is easy. But when it comes time to redeem those hard-earned points and miles, it can …
This new cruise offer could get you thousands of American AAdvantage miles
https://thepointsguy.com/news/aadvantage-cruise-miles-october/
Looking to book a cruise in the next few weeks? If you act fast, you can get thousands of extra American Airlines AAdvantage miles. On Tuesday, American Airlines Cruises kicked off a promotion offering customers 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on a cruise fare (the base amount excluding taxes and fees). That’s twice the …
Hurricane Helene: What you should do if you have a trip planned to the Southeast US
https://thepointsguy.com/news/is-it-safe-to-travel-southeast-usa-hurricane-helene/
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday and started her devastating path up through the southeastern United States. The storm deluged areas in western Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle, eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and regions of Georgia and South Carolina with record-breaking rainfalls, and the resulting flooding has decimated many parts of the …
United debuts new international service to Caribbean destination
https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-airlines-dominicana-flights/
United Airlines will add a new country to its route map with the inauguration of flights to Dominica. The Chicago-based airline filed plans over the weekend to launch weekly flights from its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) in Dominica, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by …
The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/holland-america-ship-class-guide/
Of all the big cruise brands, Holland America has one of the simplest fleets to understand. The storied, Seattle-based cruise line operates 11 vessels that can be bunched into just four groups. Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made of ships that were constructed around the same …
Emirates Skywards loyalty program: How to earn and redeem miles, elite status and more
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/emirates-skywards/
While Emirates’ blingy first-class cabins and onboard bar and shower have caught the eye of almost every award traveler, the carrier’s Skywards frequent flyer program has historically been an afterthought. Simply put, there have been cheaper ways to book Emirates award flights with miles that could be earned more easily. Unfortunately, many of these alternative …
Say yes to the (bridesmaid’s) dress: How credit cards can reduce your wedding costs
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cover-wedding-expenses-credit-cards-points-miles/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. There’s nothing like being asked to be a part of someone’s special day. Whether it’s via a thoughtful gift box or an excited phone call, when a sibling or close friend asks you to be in their wedding party, you’re almost …
Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review: Luxury perks and valuable rewards
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-reserve-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card overview The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best rewards credit cards of all time. Offering up to 10 points per dollar on travel through Chase Travel℠ and dining through Chase Ultimate Rewards, this card earns incredibly …
Disney cruise cabins and suites: Everything you need to know
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/disney-cruise-cabins-and-suites-guide/
Choosing the right Disney cruise cabin for you is important, but it’s not super complicated. Unlike some of Disney Cruise Line’s competitors, such as Royal Caribbean, Disney’s cabin categories are fairly easy to understand. Even better, the line does not offer a huge range of cabin styles across its fleet, so once you find your …
Hilton Honors Amex Card review: Solid perks and no annual fee
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/hilton-honors-american-express-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Hilton Honors American Express Card overview The Hilton Honors American Express Card is Hilton’s no-annual-fee (see rates and fees) entry-level cobranded product. Featuring bonus points on eligible Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, the card is a solid option …
Air France unveils free Starlink Wi-Fi for high-speed onboard internet
https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-france-free-starlink-wifi/
Air France will become the latest major airline to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi. The Paris-based carrier announced Thursday that it would begin installing Starlink satellite internet service on its jets next year. Wi-Fi service will be free for all customers; all that’ll be required is a Flying Blue frequent flyer account, which anyone can sign …
Quick Points: How to avoid excise tax offset fees on points transfers from American Express
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/amex-excise-tax-offset-fees/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Are you planning to transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to a U.S. airline? You might want to take advantage of this workaround to transfer your Amex points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Note: You’ll have to pay an excise tax offset fee. Here’s an …
Chase Aeroplan Credit Card review: A compelling and valuable airline card
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-aeroplan-world-elite-mastercard-review/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Chase Aeroplan Credit Card overview Chase’s Aeroplan® Credit Card is one of our favorite cobranded airline credit cards, offering award flexibility and valuable airline benefits. With its strong earning rate and incentives to spend on the card beyond earning the welcome …
Big news: You can now transfer Hawaiian miles (and by extension, Amex points) to Alaska Airlines
https://thepointsguy.com/news/transfer-hawaiian-miles-to-alaska/
There’s been a major development in the merger of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, as the two carriers just launched the ability to transfer miles between their respective loyalty programs. While post-merger plans call for a single, combined loyalty program, this is an important first step — and opens up a lucrative new avenue for …
Best-ever bonus on the Aeroplan credit card — but with a large spending requirement
https://thepointsguy.com/news/air-canada-aeroplan-chase-credit-card/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. The Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase is a valuable cobranded airline credit card that offers cardholders ongoing value for a low annual fee. Right now, the card is offering potentially its best-ever bonus; however, it comes with a couple of caveats, …
TSA chief wants huge TSA PreCheck member growth — and says those big CT scanners are faster than you think
https://thepointsguy.com/news/tsa-administrator-precheck-growth-ct-scanners/
On any given day, about a third of passengers who pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints use the TSA PreCheck lanes. The agency’s top leader hopes it’ll someday be three-quarters of passengers. “We have said publicly, and I’ll say it again here: We want more people in PreCheck,” TSA administrator David Pekoske said last week …
The best credit card welcome bonuses of October 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 …
Targeted Chase cardholders can save $100 through Chase Travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/chase-travel-cashback-offer/
If you’re a Chase cardmember, check the offers section of your account. You may have been targeted with a generous new travel promotion offering $100 back when you spend $500 or more on Chase Travel℠. So far, we’re seeing this offer available for some Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Chase Freedom Unlimited® and …
Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/foreign-transaction-fees/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. There’s very little that we dislike more here at TPG than unnecessary fees — including foreign transaction fees. You may have noticed that when you use some credit cards abroad (or on a website not hosted in the U.S.), an additional …
Delta adds 5 new Austin routes just weeks after American’s big retreat
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-air-lines-new-austin-routes-nonstop-flights/
Delta Air Lines is picking up the slack that American Airlines left in Austin. The Atlanta-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to add five new routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), as first seen in Cirium schedules and later announced by the airline. None of the new Austin routes touch a Delta hub. Instead, …
SAS awards now available using Delta SkyMiles (and other partners), including on business-class flights to Europe
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-awards-delta-long-haul/
It’s been nearly a year since Scandinavian Airlines announced plans to leave Star Alliance, which it helped found over 25 years ago, as part of a financing deal with Air France-KLM. The airline officially exited SkyTeam at the end of August and has since been forging closer ties with its new SkyTeam partners, including Delta, …
13 European destinations that are best experienced in the fall
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/europe-fall-destinations/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Traveling to Europe during shoulder season is a great idea for many reasons. Crowds are smaller, the weather is cooler and you have a better chance of scoring a deal on flights or hotels. In fact, some of the best places …
6 things to know about IHG’s little-known hotel brand offering on-post lodging
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/ihg-army-hotels/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. If you frequently stay at IHG Hotels, you’re probably familiar with most of the program’s brands. However, have you heard of IHG Army Hotels? You may be surprised to learn that there are IHG Army Hotels available at 40 U.S. Army posts. The …
Your guide to United Million Miler status
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-lifetime-elite-status/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Whether you’re a dedicated business traveler or a passionate jet-setter, reaching United Million Miler status is a testament to your loyalty. Although it requires a lot of flying on paid tickets, Million Miler members enjoy United Premier status for life. In fairness, only …
Venice cruise port: How to spend your day in Italy’s most romantic city
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/venice-cruise-port-guide/
Setting sail from Italy’s Stazione Marittima (Venezia Terminal Passeggeri) near sunset is one of the most magical cruising experiences in the world. And if you’re aboard a smaller cruise ship, gliding down the Grand Canal as the sinking sun colors iconic landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace in golden hues is likely …
A new Grand Hyatt is opening in Park City just in time for ski season
https://thepointsguy.com/news/grand-hyatt-deer-valley-reservations/
Ski season in Park City, Utah, is right around the corner, and with it comes a new Hyatt hotel that’s sure to be the talk of town. Scheduled to open Nov. 20, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is the debut property of Deer Valley East Village, an expansion of Deer Valley Resort. Deer Valley East Village …
Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for October 2024
https://thepointsguy.com/news/points-and-miles-travel-deals/
Editor’s note: Some of the below offers may be targeted. Citi is a TPG advertising partner. From lucrative deals for bonus points on hotel stays to generous sales of airline miles, we’re finding plenty of travel deals to help you earn and redeem your points and miles so you can book the vacation of your …
Hurricane Helene travel impacts: Flight cancellations as storm leaves trail of destruction
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hurricane-helene-travel-impacts/
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the latest information about the storm. Check back here for the latest. Much of the Southeast was walloped by Hurricane Helene late Thursday night through Friday, after the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in northwestern Florida shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday night. The storm …
Can’t find cheap business-class awards to Europe on American? Try these routes and hacks
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/american-business-class-awards/
As American Airlines has moved to dynamic pricing for mileage awards, it’s been increasingly difficult to find really good award deals … especially on highly desirable routes like the U.S. to Europe in business class. If you are having trouble finding business-class awards on American or other Oneworld airlines, know that there are some routes …
US connections after some international flights to get a lot easier
https://thepointsguy.com/news/tsa-one-stop-connections/
Are you tired of having to recheck your bags and clear security again for your connection after arriving in the U.S. on an international flight? Relief may be on the way — at least for some travelers. The Transportation Security Administration is laying the groundwork for a new program that will allow passengers flying from …