32
Only the latest slick travel news
Southwest passengers will start noticing big changes long before assigned seating starts
https://thepointsguy.com/news/southwest-boarding-dynamic-pricing/
If you’re a regular Southwest Airlines customer, you may start noticing some big changes at the airline sooner than you might expect. Late last month, executives at the Dallas-based carrier laid out a massive commercial overhaul, including more details on the airline’s plan to ditch its half-century-old open seating policy in favor of its first-ever …
7 mistakes to avoid when booking holiday travel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/holiday-travel-booking-mistakes/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. We’re still a month or so away from turkeys appearing on supermarket shelves en masse and familiar holiday tunes playing on the loudspeakers in stores. However, now is the best time to get serious about booking holiday travel — particularly when …
The best Hyatt Category 4 hotels to maximize your free night award certificate
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-hyatt-category-4-hotels/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. One highlight of the World of Hyatt program is that it still uses award charts to determine the points you’ll need to redeem for a free night. The World of Hyatt award chart for Hyatt hotels and resorts has eight categories. Award …
Hyatt officially owns lifestyle hotel group Standard International. Now what?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-standard-takeover/
Does this week mark the day the lifestyle hotel died? Depends on who you ask. Hyatt officially closed this week on its asset-light takeover (meaning Hyatt will own the operations but not the real estate) of Standard International. Standard, the still-trendy-at-25 chain of lifestyle hotels, encompasses brands like The Standard, StandardX, Bunkhouse Hotels and The …
Quick Points: Earn elite nights on award stays with these hotel loyalty programs
https://thepointsguy.com/news/earn-elite-nights-on-hotel-award-stays/
Hotel elite status provides plenty of benefits to make your next stay more comfortable, including room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, bonus points and complimentary breakfast. These can be valuable, especially for top-tier elite members who receive far more perks than nonmembers in most loyalty programs. You probably know that you can redeem hotel …
The long-awaited Thompson Palm Springs is now open
https://thepointsguy.com/news/thompson-palm-springs-reservations/
One of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2023 — yes, we’re flipping the calendar back a year — is finally open in the sunny city of Palm Springs, California. And it’s great news for Hyatt loyalists. The Thompson Palm Springs has been a long-awaited hotel, and we’ve been waiting to book following a slew of …
Credit card and loyalty program changes 2025: Find out what’s ending and changing
https://thepointsguy.com/news/credit-card-loyalty-program-changes-2025/
It’s that time of year again: Time to use any credits that will expire at the end of the year, plan any last mileage runs or mattress runs for elite status and start thinking about your points-and-miles strategy for next year. It’s also a good time to see what loyalty program and credit card changes …
The best adults-only cruises to try if you can’t stand being around kids on vacation
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/adults-only-cruise-lines/
What are the best adults-only cruises — the ones that not only ban kids but cater to grown-up tastes and interests? You may be asking because you just spent time on a megaship where the kids took over the pools and hot tubs (not to mention the elevators), much to your chagrin. Or, you might …
2024 holiday airfare special report: 7.2 million pieces of data show how valuable your airline miles are this season
https://thepointsguy.com/news/holiday-travel-using-miles/
The holidays are an expensive time of year — especially if you’re hoping to travel to visit loved ones or head out on a peak-season vacation. As you’ve probably noticed, airlines often raise their airfare prices during periods of peak demand, including around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Thankfully, as savvy travelers know, you can …
You’ll never guess which luxury company is planning the world’s southernmost hotel
https://thepointsguy.com/news/silversea-cruise-hotel-antarctica/
There’s about to be a new southernmost hotel in the world — operated by a company you might not expect. Luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises revealed on Wednesday that it will build a 150-room luxury property just south of Puerto Williams, Chile — the southernmost settlement in the world. The luxury brand, which has not …
Marriott announces Uber partnership changes: The good, the bad and the totally worthless
https://thepointsguy.com/news/marriott-bonvoy-uber-partnership-changes/
Marriott announced changes to its partnership with Uber on Tuesday, including devaluing riders’ points-earning potential while adding new yet less-than-worthwhile perks. As of Oct. 14, the Marriott Bonvoy points-earning threshold for Uber spending is lowered as follows: From 6 points per dollar spent on Uber Eats deliveries to hotels operating under Marriott brands in the U.S. (a minimum order …
9 ways to have an adult vacation on a cruise ship full of kids
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/adult-vacation-on-cruise-filled-with-kids/
If you aren’t cruising with kids, the family-friendly lines can sometimes seem a little too kid-friendly. I’m sure you’re picturing goggle-clad youngsters playing Marco Polo in the hot tubs where you thought you could relax and preteens loitering in the stairwells and pushing all the buttons as they crowd into an elevator. Or the massive …
Save $40 on a $200 Alaska Airlines flight with this targeted Amex Offer
https://thepointsguy.com/news/alaska-airlines-amex-offer/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Alaska Airlines frequent flyers, check your American Express account. Some TPG staffers are seeing a new targeted Amex Offer for Alaska Airlines flights. This offer allows targeted cardmembers to receive a $40 statement credit after spending $200 or more on Alaska …
Southwest sale: 40% off travel through early 2025
https://thepointsguy.com/deals/southwest-sale-fall-winter-discount/
It’s the airline that just keeps on giving: Southwest Airlines is back with another deal. The carrier is offering flights up to 40% off for travel throughout the continental U.S., plus Puerto Rico and Hawaii, among other destinations. Use the code “SAVEWOW” through Thursday for 40% off of travel through March 2025. Deal basics Airline: …
Global Entry is now free for kids — here’s how to register
https://thepointsguy.com/news/global-entry-free-kids/
Global Entry is a Truster Traveler Program that grants expedited customs clearance for preapproved, low-risk travelers entering the U.S. through dedicated security lanes at more than 75 airports. There have been some recent changes to the Global Entry program that are a mix of good and bad news. First, the bad news. Beginning on Oct. …
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/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, updated with new information. It’s been a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm Thursday, Sept. 26, and started her devastating path up through the southeastern U.S. The storm deluged areas in western Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle, eastern Tennessee, western North …
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can now access select Air Canada lounges
https://thepointsguy.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-expands-lounge-access/
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of our favorite travel cards and provides excellent travel benefits, including some of the best lounge access. This week, Chase expanded its lounge offerings. Now, Sapphire Reserve cardholders have access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges worldwide. How to access Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges The Chase Sapphire …
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 …
How an 80-euro bid for an extra seat saved an otherwise miserable flight experience
https://thepointsguy.com/news/azores-airlines-myextraseat-upgrade/
Flying a relatively small and unknown airline is always somewhat of a risk when it comes to the experience you’re going to have both on the ground and on board — my recent nonstop flight on Azores Airlines from New York City to Madeira, Portugal, was no exception. But a surprising upgrade bid for an …
Spirit Airlines considers bankruptcy filing, WSJ reports
https://thepointsguy.com/news/spirit-considers-bankruptcy-wsj/
Spirit Airlines is considering filing for bankruptcy protection amid mounting financial losses following its failed merger with JetBlue, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The airline is in discussions with creditors about restructuring the company, the Journal reported, citing multiple unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Spirit has been exploring multiple options, …
Titanic vs. Icon of the Seas: A look at 2 behemoths of their time
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/titanic-vs-icon-of-the-seas/
Think about the largest cruise ship in the world; I wouldn’t blame you if one of your first thoughts was Titanic. But you might be surprised to learn that the infamous vessel was considerably smaller than Icon of the Seas, which is currently the world’s largest ship. How do these two ships measure up? Although …
The best credit cards for Amazon purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-cards-for-amazon-purchases/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. From toothpaste to treadmills, you can find almost anything you need (and want) on Amazon — delivered in two days with your Prime membership. If you’re planning to spend a lot of money this Prime Day (Oct. 8-9), you’ll want to …
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ final dates sparks Airbnb and hotel surge in US and Canadian cities
https://thepointsguy.com/news/taylor-swift-eras-tour-hotels/
The global economic juggernaut that is Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” is finally coming to an end later this year after a final leg that features stops in Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis before concluding in Canada with performances in Toronto and, finally, Vancouver, British Columbia. As you might expect, demand for Airbnb stays and …
Which airports and airlines use TSA PreCheck?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/tsa-precheck-guide/
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest information. Since 2013, TSA PreCheck has allowed users to avoid the hassle of waiting in a long airport security line, plus the annoying process of taking off their shoes and removing laptops, liquids and other items from their carry-on bags. Thanks to the dedicated TSA …
TSA PreCheck adds 2 carriers to program, bringing total to 104 participating airlines
https://thepointsguy.com/news/tsa-precheck-new-airlines/
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest information. Flyers who don’t want to deal with the hassle of long security lines can now use the Transportation Security Administration’s expedited screening program at even more airports across the U.S. and U.S. territories. The TSA added these two airlines to its TSA PreCheck program …
Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in October
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 …
Plan holiday trips now: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2024
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-time-to-book-a-flight/
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. It’s time to start monitoring and booking your holiday flights. At TPG, one of our key goals is to help you find the cheapest airfare. However, your ability to find valuable airline deals depends on a few factors. Flights during the holidays, spring …
Cruising during hurricane season: What to know — and should you go?
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruising-during-hurricane-season/
Veteran cruisers know that fall is a great time to snag a deal on a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas. But the deals come with a big caveat: Fall is hurricane season in these regions, and there’s a chance a hurricane or tropical storm could disrupt your sailing. During most years, at least a …
2 buzzworthy hotels in New Orleans are now part of World of Hyatt
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-new-orleans-expansion/
Two of the trendiest hotels in New Orleans are now officially part of World of Hyatt. Maison Metier (formerly Maison de la Luz) and The Barnett (formerly Ace Hotel New Orleans) became Hyatt-affiliated hotels earlier this year, but World of Hyatt members weren’t able to enjoy the perks and loyalty credits associated with the program until this …
This big ship cruise line will now include more dining, drinks and Wi-Fi in its cruise fares
https://thepointsguy.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-introduces-more-at-sea/
It’s the end of an era. After years of offering variations on its Free at Sea booking perks promotion, Norwegian Cruise Line is sunsetting its signature offering of included drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and specialty restaurant dining. But don’t be sad. The cruise line wants to offer its guests “More at Sea.” That’s right, …