Hotels encourage you to use mobile check-in

If you have a confirmed stay with a major hotel group and have their app, chances are that you’ll get a push notification within a couple of days of arrival, inviting you to check-in online.

We’re used to the concept of checking in online with airlines, for example, as that’s how a vast majority of passengers (at least in the United States) obtain their boarding passes. However, people generally aren’t as enthusiastic about checking in with hotels. Why is that?

• With hotels, it’s much more common for people to want to talk to a front desk agent, either to discuss specific property information, see if any upgrades are available, ask for late check-out, etc.
• When you do mobile check-in with a hotel, you often still have to stop by the front desk to show your ID or payment method, or to activate your mobile keys
• Speaking of mobile keys, while that’s now widely offered (whereby you can use your smartphone to unlock your room), not everyone actually likes using that feature
• If you’re hoping to take advantage of any elite perks, that could become more complicated if you skip the front desk

It’s also worth emphasizing that mobile check-in doesn’t have the same functionality with all hotel groups. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, mobile check-in just asks you to confirm your arrival time and you push a button stating that you want to check-in, and that’s it. Meanwhile with Hilton Honors, there’s a lot more functionality, including the ability to select your specific room from any available room within your category.

My approach to hotel mobile check-in

I’m pretty lukewarm on hotel mobile check-in — sometimes I use it, while other times I don’t.

I guess the first thing to note is that I don’t remember the last time I actually used the mobile key option, whereby your smartphone can unlock a room. I’m not sure why, exactly, but it’s just something that has never really appealed to me. Maybe I just need to get in the habit of it… I’m curious if I’m alone in feeling that way?

Back when hotels first introduced mobile check-in (a decade or so ago), I had tried it several times, and almost always found it to be glitchy. So maybe those memories are why I still don’t use it.

With that in mind, here are the situations in which I typically do check-in online:

• If I’m happy with the room category that I’m blocked in (it typically shows through the app), factoring in the possibility for elite upgrades
• If I’m arriving really late, and want to make sure the hotel doesn’t cancel my reservation or walk me
• If I’m just staying at a limited service property, or if I’m on a short stay, where an upgrade is unlikely or not important to me

When I do mobile check-in, I always still drop by the front desk. However, I find that more often than not it speeds up the check-in process at least marginally, and often the keys are already prepared for me, and are handed over after showing my ID.

Meanwhile I typically don’t check-in online if:

• My room type doesn’t show as having been upgraded, and I feel like I might have better odds of an upgrade if checking in with a human at the front desk
• I’m heading to a resort or true luxury hotel, where the check-in experience can be helpful, and even pleasant

So yeah, I’m kind of wondering if most people take a similar approach to me, or if I’m in the minority. I don’t feel passionately one way or the other about this, though mobile check-in has never struck me as a huge time saver, unlike with airlines. But again, maybe I’m just stuck in my old ways.

Bottom line

We’re just about all used to checking in online for our flights. While most major hotel groups have this functionality, the benefit just isn’t the same, if you ask me. Personally I use mobile check-in sometimes, but even when I do, I wonder if it’s worth bothering. Meanwhile if I’m hoping for an upgrade beyond what the hotel app shows, I’ll usually hold off on checking in prior to arrival.

Where do you stand on mobile check-in with hotels?

Unfortunately at launch, the card was a bit of a flop, and I found it hard to make the math on the card work (especially when you consider the card launched before the first lounge even opened). So along those lines, JetBlue and Barclays have just announced some updates to this card, and they’re entirely positive.

JetBlue’s premium credit card gets valuable new perks

The $499 annual fee JetBlue Premier Card now offers the following new perks, which very much change the math on the card, in my opinion:

• Companion pass statement credits — cardmembers can earn a companion pass (up to $500 value) after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and unlock an additional companion pass (up to $1,500 value) after $75,000 in annual spending (you have to book and pay for your companion’s trip on your reservation, apply the pass, and receive a statement credit after you both travel)
• 25-tile bonus — the card now offers a 25-tile bonus after the beginning of each calendar year, putting cardmembers halfway to Mosaic 1; as before, the card offers one tile for every $1,000 in eligible spending, which is the same pace of qualification that’s offered on JetBlue’s other cards
• 15% redemption rebate — receive a 15% rebate on TrueBlue redemptions when you use your points for award flights on JetBlue or its partner airlines
• TrueBlue Travel statement credits — earn up to $300 in annual statement credits when using the card for hotels, rental cars, and cruises, through TrueBlue Travel, with no minimum requirement (so if you spend $300+, you can get a $300 statement credit)

These changes making the card significantly more compelling

When JetBlue and Barclays launched the JetBlue Premier Card, I was curious what they were thinking. The card just wasn’t interesting, and didn’t feel like it did enough to incentivize increased engagement with JetBlue TrueBlue, which is something the airline desperately needs. For example, the card offers no shortcut to elite status compared to the other cards, which seems like a miss for a premium card.

So with that in mind, these changes are very positive. First, the bonus of 25 tiles will be useful for anyone pursuing elite status with JetBlue. On top of that, the 15% rebate on redemptions is better than the 10% rebate you’ll find on JetBlue’s other cards, so that’s a competitive advantage as well.

But I’d say the companion pass perk is the most interesting. Admittedly this is somewhat limiting, in terms of the amounts you have to use ($500 and $1,500), though the good news is that if you can maximize that, the value here is excellent:

• An incremental $500 back on $15,000 worth of spending is a 3.33% return, beyond the points you usually earn
• An incremental $1,500 on $75,000 worth of spending is a 2% return, beyond the points you usually earn

Just as an example, if you had the card and spent $75,000 per year, you’d earn a total of 100 tiles, which is enough for Mosaic 2 (25 just for being a cardmember, and 75 for spending). You’d then also earn the $1,500 in companion pass credits, plus the points you usually earn. I think a lot of people could probably make the math on that work, especially as JetBlue prepares to roll out domestic first class on a widespread basis.

The card also offers $300 in statement credits for booking through JetBlue Travel, which can really come in handy. This could even be used for a $300+ hotel stay, so the barrier to using this isn’t huge (other than having yet another credit that needs to be redeemed).

Bottom line

The JetBlue Premier Card was launched in early 2025, but with little fanfare, as the benefits were really weak. We’ve just seen the value proposition of this card improve considerably. The card now offers a 25-tile elite status boost, a 15% rebate on award redemptions, the ability to earn up to $2,000 per year in credits for companions, and $300 in travel portal credits.

While I still don’t think this card is some absolute slam dunk that everyone needs, it’s now a niche product that could be worth spending on. The card is certainly way more competitive than it was before.

What do you make of these updates to the JetBlue Premier Card? Will they impact your decision to apply for it and/or spend on it?

Over the years, credit card issuers have become significantly more competitive when it comes to small business cards. While many people may be familiar with the American Express® Gold Card (review), there’s a business version of the card that’s also quite rewarding, and which I’d argue is one of the best business cards out there for earning points.

In this post, I’d like to take a look at that card, which is the American Express® Business Gold Card.

Amex Business Gold Card welcome offer & fee basics

For businesses looking to earn Membership Rewards points, the Amex Business Gold Card could prove to be the card for you, given that it earns up to 4x Membership Rewards points for spending in certain categories, in addition to a massive welcome bonus. While the card has a significant annual fee, the points you earn and the benefits you receive will in many cases more than offset that.

Welcome offer as high as 200K bonus points

The Amex Business Gold Card currently has a lucrative welcome offer as high as 200,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months. Personally, I value Membership Rewards points at 1.7 cents each, so to me those 200,000 points are worth $3,400 (assuming you’re eligible for the offer).

Be aware of Amex’s general restrictions on applying for cards, including the “once in a lifetime rule.” That means you’re not eligible for the bonus on the card if you’ve already had this card, though you are potentially eligible for the bonus if you’ve had other Amex cards. Anecdotally, I find Amex business cards to be quite easy to get approved for.

$375 annual fee

The Amex Business Gold Card has an annual fee of $375 (Rates & Fees). You can add additional cardmembers to your account at no extra cost. This is one of the higher annual fee business cards out there, but fortunately the card offers some perks that will help offset that.

Amex Business Gold Card points earning structure

One of the primary reasons you may want to consider the Amex Business Gold Card (other than the great welcome offer) is because of the bonus categories that it offers on purchases. The card offers up to 4x points, though the way in which these bonus points are awarded is pretty nuanced.

Earn 4x Amex points in select categories

Amex takes an interesting approach to offering bonus points with the Amex Business Gold, because the categories in which you earn 4x points adjusts along with your spending every billing cycle.

Each billing cycle you earn 4x Membership Rewards points in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle. There are a total of six eligible categories to choose from. Note that you earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year, and then 1x points thereafter. Categories eligible for 4x points include:

• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)
• U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.

Based on my valuation of Membership Rewards points, that’s the equivalent of a 6.8% return on spending in those categories, which is incredible.

What qualifies for card bonus categories?

How does Amex define the bonus categories on the Amex Business Gold? Here are some general guidelines to be aware of:

• U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing includes Apple, CDW, Dell, HP, IBM, Intuit, Lenovo, Microsoft, Newegg, Oracle, Rackspace, Sage Software, Salesforce.com, Symantec, and Tiger Direct
• U.S. advertising in select media includes Google, Facebook, Yahoo, NBC National Broadcasting, and CBS Radio
• U.S. wireless service providers include monthly charges from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and more, and it doesn’t include purchases for hardware, bundled services, VoIP services, and purchases from resellers or third party sellers

The gas station, restaurant, and transit categories are mostly self-explanatory. Just keep in mind that gas station and restaurant categories are limited to U.S. locations.

The Amex Business Gold Card limits you to earning 4x points on a total of $150,000 of spending every calendar year. That’s across all the bonus categories, and it doesn’t matter how it’s split up. There’s no limit to the total number of points you can earn with the card, though there is a limit to the 4x points categories.

Earn 1x points on other purchases

For categories in which you can’t earn 4x points, the Amex Business Gold Card offers 1x points per dollar spent. There are generally going to be better cards for everyday spending.

No foreign transaction fees on spending

The Amex Business Gold Card has no foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees), so you can use it for purchases globally. Just keep in mind that some of the 4x point categories are restricted to U.S. purchases.

Amex Business Gold Card points redemption options

The Amex Business Gold Card earns Membership Rewards points. This is one of the four major transferable points currencies, and is a favorite points currency for many.

These points can efficiently be transferred to airline and hotel partners, and for having the Amex Business Gold Card you also get a special rate at which you can redeem points toward the cost of airfare.

Transfer Amex points to airline & hotel partners

The best way to redeem your Amex points is to transfer them to one of the Membership Rewards airline or hotel partners. Points can be transferred to the below 21 partners, including 18 airline partners and three hotel partners.

The reason this represents such a good deal is that you can get outsized value toward first and business class travel. These tickets are often super expensive if paying cash, while they can be a good deal on points. On top of that Amex often has transfer bonuses, which can get you even better value.

How now to redeem Amex points

While you can redeem Membership Rewards points toward the cost of merchandise, toward gift cards, or to pay off your statement, these aren’t good uses of your points. You’ll typically get less than one cent of value per point, so that’s not how I’d redeem them.

Amex Business Gold Card benefits & perks

The Amex Business Gold Card offers several benefits that cardmembers may find useful, though do the benefits justify the annual fee? Let’s take a closer look.

Up to $240 flexible business credit annually

To help offset the annual fee, the Amex Business Gold Card offers up to $240 back annually for eligible purchases with FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores.

This comes in the form of up to $20 per month in statement credits toward eligible purchases. Enrollment is required for this perk, and for many, this will be worth face value. I’d say that it’s easy enough to spend $20 per month in any of those three categories.

Monthly Walmart+ membership credit

For being a cardmember you can receive a $12.95 monthly credit toward a Walmart+ membership, which covers the entire cost of it. Walmart+ can save you money on shipping and delivery of Walmart purchases, as well as on prescriptions and gas. You need to enroll for the Walmart+ benefit.

Access to the Amex Offers program

One of the great features of Amex cards is access to Amex Offers, which offers savings or bonus points on purchases with all kinds of retailers. The more Amex cards you have, the more offers you’ll have access to.

Amex Offers could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can access these offers by logging into your account and scrolling down to the bottom of your account summary page.

Access to The Hotel Collection

For staying two or more nights at select luxury hotels, you can receive extra benefits through The Hotel Collection. Benefits include a $100 hotel credit and a room upgrade if available. This is different than Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts®, which requires having a Platinum Card.

Is the Amex Business Gold Card worth it?

I tend to think that the Amex Business Gold Card is a pretty polarizing card. Either it’s absolutely a no-brainer for your business, or there are probably better cards out there.

Personally, I think it makes sense to get the Amex Business Gold Card if you have a business that spends a significant amount in the categories that are eligible for 4x points, since there are some unique categories there where not many other cards offer bonuses.

If you spend quite a bit in any of those categories, then it should be easy enough to justify the annual fee on the card, especially when taking advantage of the up to $395 in credits offered by the card annually.

There are other good cards to consider as well, though.

Tip: Complement with Amex Blue Business Plus

If I could get just one Amex business card it would be The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (review), which offers 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent every calendar year (1x after that). This is a no annual fee card (Rates & Fees) that should be a no-brainer for just about anyone.

This is a great complement to the Business Gold Card:

• You can earn 2x points on non-bonused spending with the Blue Business Plus
• You can earn 4x points in bonus categories with the Business Gold

Showdown: Amex Business Gold vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred

One of the best business credit cards out there is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review). The card has a massive welcome bonus, a reasonable $95 annual fee, offers 3x points in useful categories, has a great cell phone protection plan and rental car coverage, and more.

Personally, I think the Ink Preferred is a more well-rounded card with a more reasonable annual fee. If I could only get one card, I would get the Ink Preferred.

However, for some businesses, it could make sense to get both cards, or if you’re already in the Amex card ecosystem, then there’s value in continuing to earn Membership Rewards points.

Showdown: Amex Business Gold vs. Venture X Business

I’d argue that the Capital One Venture X Business (review) is another card that’s quite a competitor to the Amex Business Gold Card, given how lucrative it is. The card also has an excellent welcome bonus, so applying for the card is lucrative.

The card offers 2x miles per dollar spent with no foreign transaction fees. While the card has a $395 annual fee, that’s easy to justify thanks to the $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, and much more. Capital One miles can also be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners. Lastly, the card offers lounge access, including a Priority Pass™ Select membership, and access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings.

Bottom line

The Amex Business Gold Card is one of American Express’ best business cards for earning Membership Rewards points. The card has a steep annual fee, so it’s best for those who can maximize the bonus categories. It’s easy enough to help offset the annual fee by using the up to $395 in annual credits offered by the card.

If you’d benefit from the 4x points categories, the welcome offer, and the ongoing credits, then I think the card is definitely worth it. Otherwise, I think the Ink Business Preferred Card or Capital One Venture X Business are the two most lucrative business cards in general.

If you want to learn more about the Amex Business Gold Card, follow this link.

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: American Express® Business Gold Card (Rates & Fees), and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees).

While the lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass, it is the contract lounge used by several airlines, and it’s… fine? It’s actually the former Etihad Lounge, so the bones are unchanged and the lounge feels quite outdated and run down. But ultimately it’s a perfectly fine place to kill some time.

Primeclass Lounge Paris location

The Primeclass Lounge Paris Charles de Gaulle is located in Terminal 2A-2C. So once you clear security, you’ll see signage for the lounges, including for the American Admirals Club, Emirates Lounge, and Primeclass Lounge, so just move in that direction.

That signage points toward an elevator and stairs, which will take you up a level, to the lounges.

On the upper level, you’ll find signage for the various lounges, and should find the Primeclass Lounge immediately to the right.

Primeclass Lounge Paris hours

The Primeclass Lounge Paris is currently open daily from 6AM until 9:30PM, though you can expect the hours to vary over time based on flight schedules. Either way, it should cover a vast majority of departures from the airport.

Primeclass Lounge Paris entry requirements

Paris has a shortage of Priority Pass lounges, and unfortunately the Primeclass Lounge also doesn’t participate in that program. Instead, this is a contract lounge used by many airlines, including Air Canada, Air India, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Aircalin (which I was flying).

This part of the terminal is downright quiet at night, with very few departures. I’m puzzled why this lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass, given that it wasn’t that full, so you’d think that would be a decent way to monetize this space.

I must say, my experience of actually getting into the lounge left a bit to be desired. For example, I showed up at the lounge a little before 5:40PM, just over three hours before departure. At the entrance I was told I was too early, and needed to come back later. I asked when I should come back, and the lounge receptionist came up with the answer of 12 minutes, which would’ve been three hours before departure.

Fair enough! I realize some lounges restrict how far in advance they’ll provide access, so I then returned three hours before departure, as asked. Well, when I returned, I had the same receptionist, and she tried to scan my boarding pass, but told me it was still too early to access the lounge. So I asked when I should return, and she said in 15 minutes.

So I finally returned again 15 minutes later, only to once again be told I should come back 15 minutes later. At this point I thought it was ridiculous — it’s fine if the policy is whatever it is, but stop telling me to come back in X amount of time, only for that to not be accurate.

At that point I just asked for a supervisor (since she couldn’t actually tell me when I should return). He quickly showed up, and after seemingly “opening” the flight for lounge check-in, I was finally admitted.

Primeclass Lounge Paris seating & layout

The Primeclass Lounge Paris opened under its current branding in 2024. Initially, this operated as the Etihad Lounge from 2013 until 2021 (I reviewed it at the time), at which point Etihad decided to close its lounge, as the airline focused on controlling costs. So in terms of design, almost nothing has changed since 2013, and this very much feels like an old-style Etihad Lounge.

The lounge covers a space of around 620 square meters (6,700 square feet), so it’s quite a good size. The main part of the lounge consists of rows of seats facing one another, with some TVs along the side of the room.

The other main part of the lounge consists of the dining and bar area, which includes a bunch of tables with chairs and banquettes, plus some high-top seating.

The back of the lounge also has a couple of private rooms that are roped off, though I doubt they’re used for much nowadays (back in the day they would be for those traveling in Etihad’s A380 The Residence).

The lounge also has a play room for kids.

The one thing that stood out to me is how run down the lounge was. It’s clear that no real maintenance had been performed since the initial Etihad days. Along similar lines, there weren’t many conveniently located outlets, and for those that did exist, they didn’t consistently work. Even the tables and chairs largely felt a bit wobbly and not terribly clean.

Primeclass Lounge Paris food & drinks

The Primeclass Lounge had a selection of self-serve food and drinks, and I’d say the options were pretty average, and you can find the menu below.

The food selection included a variety of salads and veggies, cold cuts, cheese, and hot options like basmati rice, lemon and thyme chicken, veal with mushrooms, and vegetables with spices.

When it comes to drinks, there was a selection of self-serve liquor, wine, bottled soft drinks, juice, water, a coffee machine, and tea.

There was also a fridge with some yogurts and desserts in cups.

Primeclass Lounge Paris bathrooms & showers

One side of the Primeclass Lounge Paris has all the bathrooms. Specifically, you’ll find this when you enter the lounge and turn right.

The men’s room had a few sinks, urinals, and toilets, and was relatively clean. The lounge also has showers (in theory), but it appears they might no longer be in use, since the Etihad days.

There was also a prayer room, obviously a remnant of Etihad times.

Bottom line

The Primeclass Lounge Paris Charles de Gaulle is hardly the most inspiring contract lounge out there. This is the former Etihad Lounge, and not a whole lot has changed in terms of design since it first opened in 2013, so manage your expectations on that front. When it comes to the soft product, food and drinks are roughly what you’d expect from a contract lounge at a place like Charles de Gaulle.

So I’ll put this lounge firmly in the category of “okay, but nothing special.” It’s a decent place to pass some time, but I wouldn’t arrive early to use this.

What do you make of the Primeclass Lounge Paris?

While cruising in general can be a relaxing and luxurious experience, I think the ultimate benefit of cruising is getting easy access to places where you can’t easily vacation on land. I think the prime example of that is Antarctica, which I think is a bucket list destination for just about any traveler. Along those lines, I was hoping to get some feedback, as I’m sure I’m not the only one who is curious to learn about the best options…

Planning an Antarctica cruise seems overwhelming

I think I’m hardly alone by having Antarctica at the very top of my bucket list of places to visit. To be honest, since we have two small kids, I’m not sure how realistic this trip is any time soon, even with family help, but it can’t hurt to dream, or to at least start thinking about when this might be realistic.

I think it goes without saying that planning any Antarctica trip seems like a big undertaking. You’re typically committing to a long and expensive journey, and many of the cruise lines that have good expedition ships might be different than the cruise lines that are known for great luxury experiences.

So I think for lots of us there’s a big learning curve in deciding which direction to go. Is it worth cruising to Antarctica and back, or is it worth taking one of the options that involves flying? While all Antarctica cruises are on the long side, is it worth booking one that is extra long, which potentially stops at some other islands as well?

I think the good news is that back in the day, people had to be prepared to disconnect when taking cruises like this. However, thanks to Starlink, it’s my understanding that connectivity at sea (including in Antarctica) is excellent.

What’s the best option for an Antarctica cruise?

As I start brainstorming this cruise concept, I’d love to hear from people who have taken a cruise to Antarctica, with their thoughts, or at least those who have maybe researched it more than I have.

Essentially, I’m curious what the “best” cruise line is for Antarctica. Obviously this is highly subjective. Antarctica cruises are primarily about the destination, and I’ve heard there’s a big benefit to the smaller ships, in terms of being able to get on land more often (given how closely regulated this is in Antarctica).

But beyond that, I’m just also curious which cruise line offers the all-around best experience in terms of the luxury of the ship, the food and drinks, the inclusions, the service, etc. I imagine there’s no right or wrong answer here, which is why I’d love to hear some firsthand reports.

It looks like cruises to Antarctica mostly leave from Ushuaia, and last anywhere from 10 days to several weeks. While that sounds like a long time, it takes at least a couple of days in each direction to get to Antarctica via the infamous Drake Passage, so it makes sense that the cruises aren’t shorter.

Looking at the options, several cruise lines come to mind as being most interesting:

• French cruise line PONANT seems to do really well when it comes to expedition cruising, and has a focus on that; my impression is that PONANT strikes a good balance between adventure and luxury
• National Geographic & Lindblad Expeditions has a focus on expedition cruising and the latest generation Endurance ships seem quite nice
• Some of the traditional luxury cruise lines, like Silversea and Seabourn, have voyages in Antarctica; however, I’m not sure if the more traditional luxury comes with a tradeoff in terms of expedition cruising, or if they have just as much experience with this
• While not cruising, I should mention that White Desert probably has the most premium trips to Antarctica, but those mostly don’t involve cruising; they include flying to & from Antarctica, and then land-based lodging

For some context on the general itineraries, most cruises from Ushuaia to Antarctica take a minimum of 10 days, as that includes two days in each direction to get through the Drake Passage, and then at least five or so days in Antarctica to enjoy the scenery and go adventuring.

Journeys can get much longer than that, though, especially if you pair it with the Falkland Islands. You can easily be looking at a three week trip, then, and it brings you to a part of the world that even fewer people see.

If you’re in more of a crunch for time, Silversea has some shorter six-night itineraries, which include roundtrip flights from Santiago to Antarctica, and then a shorter trip around the region. Flying in obviously lets you skip the rough seas of the Drake Passage, and it’s certainly a cool aviation geek flight!

Bottom line

Regardless of how one feels about cruising in general, I think it’s safe to say that Antarctica is the ultimate place to cruise, given that it’s a destination that isn’t exactly known for five-star hotels.

There are an overwhelming number of options for cruises to Antarctica, so I’d love to hear about some firsthand experiences about which cruises lines are worth seeking out, and which are worth skipping. Similarly, I’d be curious to hear about impressions of sailing across the Drake Passage, vs. flying into Antarctica, and cruising from there.

Anyone else fascinated by the concept of a cruise to Antarctica?

Delta SkyMiles awarding MQDs for lodging & rental cars

Just about all major airlines have portals through which you can earn bonus miles for booking hotels, rental cars, etc. After all, there are commissions to be made on this, and those who fly a lot are also likely to stay at hotels and rent cars a lot.

Historically Delta SkyMiles has only awarded redeemable miles for these kinds of activities, but that’s changing for a limited time. At the moment, Delta SkyMiles is offering one Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) for every dollar spent when booking a hotel, vacation rental, or rental car, at this link, in addition to earning two redeemable miles. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:

• You must book hotel, vacation rental, and rental car reservations between April 6 and May 18, 2026
• You must travel by September 30, 2026
• You earn one MQD per dollar spent on base rates for hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars, before taxes, fees, etc.
• The SkyMiles account must belong to the same person the booking is being made for
• It can take up to eight weeks after a completed activity for MQDs to post to accounts

It’s important to mention that while earning miles and even elite status for a hotel, vacation rental, or rental car, booking might sound appealing, keep in mind that there’s typically an opportunity cost to doing so. For example, with hotels you can’t earn hotel points if you book this way, and you typically don’t get elite perks. Furthermore, you’ll often find better rates elsewhere.

This is an interesting promotion from Delta SkyMiles

Nowadays Delta SkyMiles elite status is based exclusively on how many Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) you rack up, and status requires anywhere from 5,000 MQDs to 28,000 MQDs in a calendar year.

There are three ways you can earn MQDs:

• You earn one MQD per dollar spent on Delta flights
• You earn one MQD per dollar spent on vacations booked through Delta Vacations
• You earn one MQD per every $10-20 spent on an eligible Delta Amex card, depending on which product it is

When Delta first announced changes to SkyMiles for the 2024 program year, the plan was for hotel and rental car bookings to count toward elite status as well. However, after a lot of backlash over the new program, the elite requirements were lowered, and hotel and rental cars were also eliminated as a way to earn status.

So it’s interesting to see Delta now offering MQDs on a limited time basis for hotel and rental car bookings, and this being a recurring promotion.

It’s smart for Delta to incentive this kind of business, since this is pure profit for the carrier. The company is getting a commission on these bookings, and is just giving a small kickback to people who book this way.

I’m just confused by the concept of now offering a limited time promotion for the eighth time, rather than making it a permanent feature. Is Delta not seeing as many people qualifying for status as the airline was hoping, or is the airline keeping it limited time to avoid backlash over the elite status changes?

Bottom line

Delta SkyMiles has brought back a promotion whereby you can earn MQDs for hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars, booked through the carrier’s portal. For a limited time, you can earn one MQD per dollar spent, in addition to the standard two redeemable miles you earn per dollar spent.

Delta transformed its SkyMiles program in 2024, and initially the plan was that these kinds of travel arrangements would permanently count toward status. However, the carrier backtracked, and is now just offering this on a limited time basis (though on eight separate occasions since 2024).

What do you make of this Delta SkyMiles promotion?

The 164-key Hotel du Louvre Paris was a great choice, and I had a good stay. This is an old world Paris hotel with a good sense of place (unlike SAX Paris). The hotel also has a central location, friendly service, and a large percentage of accommodations are suites (which is good for upgrades).

Ultimately this is a tier below Paris’ top properties, and perhaps that’s my biggest hesitation with staying here — I do strongly prefer the Park Hyatt Paris, and if redeeming points, that’s only marginally more expensive. But for what it is, I think this hotel is very good.

Booking Hotel du Louvre Paris

I booked my stay at Hotel du Louvre Paris using World of Hyatt points. Specifically, this is a Category 7 property, and my free night redemption cost 35,000 points. I value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each, so to me that’s like paying $525 worth of points to stay here.

If paying cash, the rate would’ve been around €600 per night. If you are going to pay cash for a stay here, I’d recommend booking through the Hyatt Prive program, which offers extra perks, like a property credit, room upgrade, etc.

One general “value” hesitation I have with Hotel du Louvre is that the Park Hyatt Paris is only marginally more expensive when redeeming points, while it’s maybe double the price if paying cash. So if redeeming points, I do have a strong preference for the Park Hyatt, assuming it’s available, at least under current pricing (though that could soon change, with the upcoming devaluation).

Hotel du Louvre Paris location & history

Hotel du Louvre Paris has a very central location, and the name might be a hint as to where it’s located. 😉 Hotel du Louvre is between the Louvre Museum and the Opera Garnier. Personally I can’t say I have a strong preference one way or another on hotel location in Paris, as it’s a city where I enjoy just strolling around just about anywhere.

As you arrive at Hotel du Louvre, you’ll immediately appreciate what a historic building it’s housed in. Hotel du Louvre was commissioned by Napoleon III in 1855, as the first luxury “grand hotel” in Paris. The location ended up being moved across the square in 1887, but it’s still pretty cool that this building is around 140 years old.

Hotel du Louvre Paris lobby & check-in

Hotel du Louvre Paris has such an old world feel the second you step into the lobby, in the best way possible. The lobby spans two levels, with lots of historic design elements.

While there’s limited seating in the lobby as such, if you go up a level, you’ll find a room with some areas for lounging, which is a good place to hang out if your room isn’t yet ready.

I arrived at the hotel in the early afternoon, and my room was ready within around an hour. I was thanked for being a lifetime World of Hyatt Globalist member, and was told that I had been upgraded to a suite, and that breakfast would be included on account of my status. One of the great things about this property is that over one-third of accommodations are suites, so that’s great in terms of upgrade odds.

Hotel du Louvre Paris suite

I had been assigned room 150, located on the first floor (the hotel has five floors). Since this is an old building, there are a couple of directions you can go to get to the rooms. My fastest path included going down the hallway past reception (which goes past the restaurant and bar), and then going up a level via the staircase or historic elevator.

It was then just a short walk to my room. I thought it was cute how there was a little book exchange in the hallway, where you could leave or take a book.

Anyway, I was told that I had been upgraded to a Louvre Suite, though I don’t think that’s quite accurate. The Louvre Suite is marketed as being 50 square meters (540 square feet), and I got the sense that this suite was significantly larger. So I’m not sure if there’s just significant variance between the sizes of Louvre Suites, or if I ended up in a different category.

The suite featured an entryway with a half bathroom to the right, and then the living room straight ahead.

The room’s bones were incredible — the ceilings were high, there was tons of natural light, and the wall treatments were very impressive. What disappointed me a bit is that the furniture didn’t seem to match the design otherwise — the furniture felt rather shabby and worn, and didn’t look nearly as luxe as the pictures on the hotel’s website.

The living room boasted a couch and a dining table with two chairs.

Underneath the wall-mounted TV was a console with a Nespresso coffee machine and kettle.

The mini-fridge simply had two complimentary bottles of water. Rather than having a traditional minibar, the hotel instead has a menu off of which you can order minibar items, and they’ll be delivered within 20 minutes of making the request.

There was then a door separating the living room from the bedroom. The bedroom had a king size bed, though I must admit, I didn’t find the bed to be very comfortable. The mattress was on the hard side, and the pillows weren’t terribly plush. I don’t want to say it was a bad night of sleep, but I far preferred the bed at SAX Paris.

The bedroom also had a wall-mounted TV, plus two chairs and a side table.

The main bathroom was off the bedroom, and had a single sink, plus a shower “compound” with both a walk-in shower and a bathtub.

Toiletries were from CODAGE Paris, in reusable containers.

The toilet was then off to the side, in a separate room.

There was a half bathroom back toward the entrance, which had a toilet and sink.

The suite then had a narrow balcony that stretched the entire width of the room, with views of the surrounding area.

Around an hour after arriving in the room, I was delivered a very nice welcome amenity, consisting of a bottle of white wine, a bottle of water, and some chocolates.

All-in-all, I quite liked the room. I very much appreciated how big it was, and it also had a much better sense of place than SAX Paris. I do wish the hotel would spend a bit more on finishes and furnishings, because I think it would put this property into a different league.

Hotel du Louvre Paris gym & private cabins

Hotel du Louvre Paris doesn’t have a spa or pool, but it does have a solid gym, which is open 24/7. The gym is located on the first floor, right above the lobby, and has a good selection of cardio and strength training equipment.

The hotel has another unique amenity, which I very much appreciate. The hotel has three private cabins (as they’re marketed), which are essentially shower suites. The idea is that if guests show up early and want to shower before their room is ready, these are places where they can freshen up. It’s a thoughtful amenity that I’m sure many guests appreciate.

What’s odd, though, is that the gym didn’t actually have a dedicated bathroom. It’s located right next to the three private cabins, but if those are occupied, there aren’t any other bathrooms to use.

Hotel du Louvre Paris restaurant & bar

Hotel du Louvre Paris has two main dining outlets — there’s Brasserie du Louvre, the all-day dining restaurant, and L’Officine du Louvre, the all-day lobby bar. Let’s take a closer look at both of those.

Brasserie du Louvre is open daily from 7AM until 10:30PM, and it serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, and you can find all the menus here. I’ve heard lunch and dinner here are excellent, though I only had breakfast during my visit. The restaurant is a good size, with a variety of seating options, both indoor and outdoor (weather permitting).

The breakfast buffet was high quality, with cold cuts, cheese, fruit, yogurt, cereal, bread, pastries, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, and more.

For those looking for a morning buzz, there’s also some champagne at the buffet, which guests can help themselves to.

Beyond the buffet, guests can order hot drinks and an additional dish from one of the servers.

I initially had an excellent cappuccino to drink, and then later I had filter coffee.

I also decided to order a veggie omelet off the menu, which was very good.

Beyond the main restaurant, L’Officine du Louvre is open daily from 9AM until 12AM, and is the hotel’s lobby bar. It serves food and drinks all day, so you can come here for a coffee, cocktail, or a full meal, and you can find all the menus here.

This space has a glass roof, and is described as a tribute to Napoleon III’s passion for botany. It’s such a charming space, and so quintessentially Paris.

The first day I came here for a coffee.

Then shortly after check-out time (since I had a late evening flight), I came here for a salmon club sandwich, and sat here for a couple of hours working. Yes, club sandwiches are my ultimate weakness, at least in Paris.

Hotel du Louvre Paris service

Service at Hotel du Louvre Paris was excellent across the board. I found all the staff to be friendly, polished, and professional. Admittedly this isn’t the highest touch property in the world, so it’s not like I had that many requests or unusual interactions. Either way, I have zero complaints about the service here.

Bottom line

Hotel du Louvre Paris is a great World of Hyatt property, and it’s an especially good option if you’re looking for an upscale hotel, but not necessarily the top tier of Paris hotels. I really loved the property’s bones, central location, nice restaurant and bar (with good breakfast), and friendly service. It’s also noteworthy how many suites there are, which means chances of a Globalist suite upgrade are good.

I just have two minor(ish) issues with this property. The first is that I feel the furniture holds back this hotel, and just feels kind of random, given the design of the hotel otherwise. I’m not sure if that was specific to my room, since the pictures online look much nicer. My other issue is simply that if redeeming points, I’d have a strong preference for the Park Hyatt Paris, which is way more expensive when paying cash, but only moderately more when paying with points (at least as of now).

What’s your take on Hotel du Louvre Paris, Hyatt Unbound Collection?

The $95 annual fee Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card (review) is the basic personal credit card of the Atmos Rewards program, which is the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The card is issued by Bank of America, and is a rebranding of the former Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card.

This is a card that many people may not have considered, so in this post, I’d like to share nine reasons you should pick up this card if you’re eligible. Not only does the card have a huge welcome offer, but it can also be worth holding onto. In no particular order…

Limited time bonus of 80K points & companion fare

At the moment, the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card has a limited time welcome bonus where you’ll receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account. Additionally, you can earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 or more on purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account.

I value Atmos Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, given the great uses of these rewards. That means that to me, the 80,000 points are worth $1,200. That doesn’t even account for the value of the companion fare or the flight discount code!

Note that eligibility for this card (including the welcome bonus) is unrelated to which other Atmos Rewards cards you have. So you’re eligible for this card even if you have the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® Credit Card (review) and/or Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card (review).

This is a card many people are eligible for

In the miles & points world, there are some cards that seemingly everyone has had at this point, and therefore they’re not eligible to apply for them and receive the bonus. Obviously, some people have had the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card (or its predecessor), but I assume there are lots more people eligible than with some of the mainstream travel rewards cards out there.

The Atmos Rewards program is incredibly useful, as there are lots of great uses of these points. The redemption possibilities are endless, including for travel on carriers like Condor, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Starlux Airlines, etc.

Ability to earn $99 companion fare annually

One incentive to actually put spending on the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card is that you can earn an annual $99 Alaska & Hawaiian companion fare when you spend at least $6,000 per anniversary year on the card, valid for flights within North America.

For many people, this could be well worth it, especially given the size of the Alaska and Hawaiian network in North America. This could save you hundreds of dollars on the cost of a ticket, and is one of the most flexible companion fares out there. Interestingly, this is a perk that isn’t available on the more premium version of the card, so it’s a reason that many people will continue to want to hold onto this card.

A lucrative rewards structure, up to 3x points

Atmos Rewards points can be hard to come by, as the program doesn’t partner with any major transferable points currencies, with the exception of Bilt Rewards. That’s why it’s worth noting the rewards structure of the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card.

The card offers 3x points on Alaska and Hawaiian purchases, and 2x points on gas, EV charging stations, local transit (including ride share), cable, and select streaming services. Keep in mind you can get even more value if you have an eligible Bank of America account, as you can receive a 10% relationship bonus in terms of the points earned.

This is a great way to generate Atmos Rewards points with your credit card spending.

Spend your way to Atmos Rewards elite status

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card can help you earn elite status. You can earn one Atmos Rewards status point per $3 spent on the card, with no cap to how many status points you can earn with the card.

If you are going to get serious about earning elite status with Atmos Rewards, you’ll want to go for the more premium card, the Atmos Rewards Summit Card, which offers one status point per $2 spent, so that will rack up status points quite a bit faster.

Preferred boarding on Alaska flights

Those with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card can receive preferred boarding for themselves and up to six companions on the same reservation when flying on Alaska. In order to use this perk, you need to charge the cost of the ticket to your card.

Preferred boarding can be valuable for ensuring that there’s overhead bin space for your carry-on bags, since that can otherwise be a challenge nowadays if you end up in one of the last boarding groups.

First checked bag free on Alaska & Hawaiian flights

Those with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card can receive a free first checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. You must purchase the airfare with your card, and this also applies for up to six travelers on the same reservation. Alaska and Hawaiian ordinarily charge $35-40 for a checked bag, so the savings there are substantial.

20% back on Alaska & Hawaiian inflight purchases

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card offers 20% savings on Alaska and Hawaiian inflight purchases, including for food, premium beverages, and Wi-Fi. If you fly Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency, those savings can add up quickly.

Valuable authorized user perks

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card allows you to add authorized users at no extra cost. Not only can the spending of authorized users help you accumulate more Atmos Rewards points (admittedly you have to foot the bill, though), but there are further perks that authorized users get.

Specifically, they receive the same preferred boarding, first checked bag free, and 20% savings on inflight purchases, as the primary cardmember. For example, it’s awesome to be able to add family, and have them get the same valuable perks that you get, even when they’re not flying with you.

Since a checked bag ordinarily costs $35 one-way, this benefit offers savings of up to $70 roundtrip per person, or potentially up to $490 per group roundtrip (if you were traveling with six companions).

Bottom line

The Atmos Rewards Ascent Card is currently offering an excellent limited time welcome bonus, which could earn you 80,000 Atmos Rewards points, plus a companion fare and flight discount code. Beyond that, the card offers significant value in the long run for those who fly Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency. If you’re eligible for this card and haven’t yet applied, I’d seriously consider doing so.

If you have the Atmos Rewards Ascent Card, what has your experience been with the card?

Details of the new Park Hyatt in Cancun, Mexico

There are plans for the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya, located in Cancun, Mexico. The hotel was initially supposed to open in 2025, and Hyatt is officially claiming the hotel will open in 2026, though based on my understanding, that’s not realistic, and at this point an opening in 2027 is most likely.

Details about the property are very limited. When it was first announced, it was described as a “sophisticated resort” that will “offer beachfront access, immersive and rare culinary experiences, bars and lounges, and more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space including a 2,000-square-foot ballroom.”

Once open, this adds to a growing number of luxury points hotels in the Cancun area. Just recently we saw the opening of the St. Regis Kanai and Waldorf Astoria Cancun, so it’s nice to see Hyatt’s most luxurious brand also expand to the Cancun area. As a matter of fact, the Park Hyatt will be immediately next to the Waldorf Astoria.

The Park Hyatt brand is really growing in Mexico right now. We’ve seen the recent opening of the Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol, while the Park Hyatt Mexico City is expected to open in early 2027. Beyond that, we also saw the recent opening of the Alila Mayakoba, another good luxury option in the Cancun area.

The Park Hyatt Riviera Maya will be all-inclusive

Here’s an interesting revelation that wasn’t clear when the property was first announced. The Park Hyatt Riviera Maya is expected to be an all-inclusive property, making it the first Park Hyatt in the world where that’s the case.

Admittedly this is pretty normal for the Cancun area, but still, it’s noteworthy for a brand like Park Hyatt. Hyatt has been leaning heavily into the all-inclusive space in recent times, particularly through acquisitions. So while Hyatt has grown massively in terms of its number of all-inclusive brands, it’s surprising to see even a traditionally non all-inclusive brand get this kind of an experience.

I’m generally not a fan of all-inclusives, or at least historically haven’t chosen to vacation at them. However, after my recent Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise, there is something I really enjoyed about not being nickel-and-dimed for everything, given how expensive luxury hospitality has become in so many places.

Bottom line

In late 2023, plans were announced for the Park Hyatt Cancun, which has since been branded as the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya. The hotel is expected to be all-inclusive when it opens in 2027, making it the first Park Hyatt property where that’s the case.

It’s awesome to see Hyatt’s luxury expansion in Mexico, as this will be the third Park Hyatt to open in a fairly short period.

What do you make of plans for the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya?

There’s now another exciting development, as Air India has just opened its own lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and it looks like it could be really nice!

Basics of the new Air India Maharaja Lounge SFO

As of late March 2026, Air India has opened a lounge at SFO, which covers 3,413 square feet. Specifically, the lounge is located in the lounge complex at the A Gates, on the fourth floor, between the China Airlines Lounge and Golden Gate Lounge. The lounge is open daily from 6AM until 11:59PM, so it clearly covers more than just Air India departures.

The general contractor for the lounge, Build Group, had published the below page online, which showed a rendering of the lounge space. The first real pictures of the lounge have also been posted on FlyerTalk.

I’ve gotta say, the lounge looks super elegant, so this should be a nice facility. However, at just over 3,400 square feet, this is one of the smaller outstation lounges out there, and I imagine it’ll get quite busy prior to Air India departures. At least Air India has a staggered schedule at the airport, so there’s never more than one Air India flight departing at a time.

Air India has massively grown its presence at SFO since starting service to the airport roughly a decade ago. The airline now operates up to 14 weekly flights to the Bay Area, so with double daily service, you can start to see merit to operating a lounge.

This is Air India’s second lounge location in the United States, with the other lounge being in New York (JFK). That lounge is undergoing a major and overdue renovation, so maybe it’ll have a similar design template to the SFO lounge.

Why has Air India opened its own lounge at SFO?

Some people might point out that there’s a United Polaris Lounge at SFO, and wonder why Air India is bothering to build its own lounge at the airport. It’s important to note that the United Polaris Lounge is in the G Gates, while Air India departs from the A Gates.

While these terminals are technically connected airside, it’s a really long walk between them, so for a majority of passengers, it’s not practical to use the United Polaris Lounge when flying Air India. Instead, Air India has been sending its premium passengers to the Golden Gate Lounge (and before that, the Air France Lounge).

Given the number of flights Air India operates from SFO per week, having the airline operate its own lounge makes sense. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the lounge monetized outside of those hours, and open to Priority Pass, as is the case at the carrier’s JFK lounge (though as of now, the SFO lounge doesn’t belong to Priority Pass).

Also, thanks to Star Alliance lounge access rules, many premium passengers should also have access to this lounge, including Star Alliance Gold members on other airlines.

Bottom line

Air India plans to open a lounge at SFO in the near future. The roughly 3,400 square foot lounge will be located in the A Gates. We even have a rendering of the lounge, which gives us a sense of the new lounge design concept that the Star Alliance airline is going for. I’m looking forward to learning more details, particularly about the soft product.

What do you make of the planned Air India Lounge SFO?

To the hotel’s credit, I found all the staff to be friendly and well intentioned, I enjoyed the breakfast at the rooftop restaurant, and I commend the hotel’s commitment to a theme… or something.

But this hotel simply isn’t for me, as it just has way too much focus on style over substance. The rooms are tiny and poorly designed, there’s not enough lighting in public spaces, there are way too many mirrors, and frankly, there’s just not much about the hotel that actually feels luxurious.

It’s a perfectly fine property, I just think it’s not priced or branded appropriately, since I’d say this otherwise feels more like a mid-range lifestyle hotel. In a separate installment, I reviewed Hotel du Louvre Paris, Hyatt Unbound Collection, which I preferred.

Booking the SAX Paris

I booked my stay at SAX Paris using a Hilton Honors free night award, which was expiring soon. As a point of comparison, if I had redeemed Hilton Honors points, the hotel would’ve cost 110,000 points for the night. Based on my valuation of 0.5 cents per Hilton point, that rate is like paying $550 per night to stay here.

If paying cash, the rate would’ve been around €600 per night. If you are going to pay cash for a stay here, I’d recommend booking through the Hilton for Luxury program, which offers extra perks, like a property credit, room upgrade, etc.

SAX Paris location & history

SAX Paris is in the 7th arrondissement, on Paris’ Left Bank. It’s located near the Champ de Mars, and that also gives it nice views of the Eiffel Tower. This is a unique location among hotels belonging to the major hotel groups, as it’s in a relatively quiet area.

So I don’t have a terribly strong take on the location. Paris is a city where I love to walk everywhere, so a mile here or there doesn’t make much of a difference to me.

I think there’s one interesting thing worth pointing out about this hotel, which is that this property was initially supposed to be branded as a “standard” Hilton. Specifically, it was supposed to be known as the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower, with an opening in 2019.

However, the hotel ended up opening six years later, and under a more premium brand. So I can’t help but feel like the “bones” of the hotel reflect what you’d expect from a more run-of-the-mill Hilton, rather than a luxury brand.

SAX Paris lobby & check-in

SAX Paris certainly has a distinctive design. I commend them for sticking to the theme, the problem is just that I don’t particularly care for the theme, and it makes me feel like I’m in some generic hip hotel in a random city, rather than in a place like Paris.

The lobby is cool but tiny, with two reception desks on the right, and two couches on the left. As you might expect, the lobby can get really busy when there are multiple people checking in or out.

The rest of the lobby has a lot of bricks, flowers, and faux candles. Again, I guess I should’ve anticipated this, but I felt like I was in some sort of a haunted house or funeral home, or something.

In order to access the elevators, you first have to take a set of stairs up a level. Again, the lighting is just really bad, and you can barely see where you’re going.

To continue on the topic of bad lighting, below are what the bathrooms look like in the lobby. Folks, I’m trying to feel like I’m enjoying a sunny day in Paris, and not like I’m in a nightclub at 2AM.

Anyway, back to the check-in experience. On the plus side, the people working at check-in were super friendly, and I was offered a drink (like a water, coffee, or champagne) upon arrival. I was checked in pretty quickly, and on account of my Hilton Honors Diamond status, I was upgraded one category, to a deluxe room. I was also informed that I’d receive complimentary breakfast on account of my status.

SAX Paris guest room

SAX Paris goes from level minus two (the wellness area) to level eight (the rooftop), and I was assigned room 612, located on the sixth floor. As mentioned above, I was in a deluxe king room, marketed as being 280 square feet (26 square meters).

As expected, the room was compact. It featured an entryway with the bathroom to the left, the rest of the room straight ahead, and some closet space to the right.

The room then boasted a king size bed (which was very plush and comfortable), with a small night stand at each side. There was a TV at the foot of the bed, which could be lowered as well, to give the room a more open feel.

On the other side of the TV was a very small dining table with two chairs, which could also double as a desk.

The minibar was back near the entrance, and included a Nespresso machine, a selection of tea, and a variety of drinks and snacks for purchase (the one bottle of still and sparkling water were complimentary).

While some rooms at SAX Paris have an Eiffel Tower view, mine didn’t. My room actually looked at very little, mostly the back side of a nearby building. Another thing I should mention is that there was really loud music until late at night (I believe coming from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant), so you may actually prefer to stay on a lower floor, if you have the choice.

The bathroom was back toward the entrance, and included double sinks (but then with virtually no counter space), a walk-in shower, and a toilet in a separate room.

Toiletries were in reusable, hotel branded containers, and I found the scent to be pleasant.

Around an hour after checking in, I was brought a welcome amenity, consisting of a couple of madeleines and two bottles of juice.

Later in the evening, turndown service was provided, and I have to give the hotel credit for the quality of that, as it included a cushy floor mat next to the bed, and even some chocolates.

I don’t mean to be overly negative about the room, but this design just isn’t for me. What annoyed me wasn’t the small size of the room, but how incredibly poorly it was designed. It was like all the design choices were made purely based on aesthetics rather than functionality.

For example, I found it impossible to read the lighting switches (and my vision isn’t bad), I found the number of mirrors used throughout the property to be disorienting, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such poorly designed bathroom sinks. I have nothing against non-generic rooms and some cool mood lighting, but it can’t be used in a way where it feels like it just masks effort otherwise, and that’s very much how the room made me feel.

SAX Paris spa & gym

On level minus two, SAX Paris has its wellness area. This includes a small spa with two treatment rooms, though there’s not much to the complex beyond that. I didn’t get any treatments, but the option is there.

On this level you’ll also find the 24/7 gym.

While the gym lacks natural light, it’s otherwise solid, with an impressive variety of both cardio and strength training equipment. I also liked how the gym had an espresso machine and even some energy bars.

You’ll also find a sauna and steam room on level minus two, which is open daily from 7AM until 9PM.

SAX Paris courtyard & pool

Probably the most identifiable feature of SAX Paris is the courtyard area, located on the lobby level. It’s called The Garden (well, Le Jardin de SAX), and it’s a place where you can get food and drinks from the main restaurant and bar area.

Now, this space also has a small heated pool (it’s 29 degrees Celsius or 85 degrees Fahrenheit ) and a jacuzzi. I guess this is a cute concept, but I couldn’t help but chuckle. Could you imagine actually using the pool if the dining tables right up against it were occupied? Since I wasn’t visiting in summer, the outdoor space was entirely empty, but otherwise it might be a different story…

SAX Paris restaurants & bars

When it comes to dining at SAX Paris, there are a couple of main venues, so let’s go over them.

First there’s SAX, which is essentially the all-day dining restaurant, bar, and lounge, on the lobby level, serving what you’d expect to find at a Paris hotel. This is open daily from 10:30AM until 11:45PM. Much like the rest of the hotel, the decor is quite something, and on multiple occasions I had to remind myself that these weren’t Halloween decorations.

I worked from SAX for a bit in the afternoon, and came here for a latte, which was served with a couple of cute chocolates.

Later in the evening I met a friend for drinks at the hotel, and ordered a negroni, which was excellent, and was served with nuts and olives. While I was initially going to go out to eat, I ended up just ordering a club sandwich, as exhaustion got the best of me.

Then SAX Paris has Kinugawa as its signature restaurant. This is a small chain with Japanese inspired cuisine, with locations across France (and also in Dubai). This is quite the destination restaurant for the hotel, and is popular with non-guests as well. I didn’t go here for dinner, but this is where breakfast is served as well (between 7AM and 10:30AM), which is a treat.

It’s a gorgeous restaurant, no doubt, so how nice that breakfast can be enjoyed here.

There were two breakfast options — for €32 you could have just the buffet, and for €45 you can also add an extra dish. The Hilton Honors Diamond breakfast included the full option.

The breakfast quality was phenomenal, with a huge selection of fruits, veggies, yogurt, cereal, cold cuts, cheese, pastries, and much more.

There was also a station with freshly made crepes, waffles, and pancakes, plus a hot chooclate machine.

To drink, I ordered a cappuccino, which was barista made, and perfectly prepared.

I also ordered an avocado toast with a poached egg. Yummy!

Later as the sun rose, I could appreciate the nice views of the Eiffel Tower from up here!

SAX Paris service

I found staff at SAX Paris to be friendly across the board. I wouldn’t say service felt very high touch or that it gave strong luxury hotel vibes, but I can’t fault any employee I interacted with. The staff were definitely on the young side, but what they lacked in experience they made up for in enthusiasm.

Bottom line

SAX Paris was supposed to mark a new chapter of luxury for Hilton in Paris, given that it’s a city where the hotel giant’s portfolio doesn’t shine. While SAX Paris is a perfectly pleasant place to stay, it disappointed me, and the hotel isn’t for me.

On the plus side, the staff were friendly, the rooftop restaurant is nice, and the breakfast is good. However, other than that, I wasn’t impressed. The most basic issue is a “me” problem — I hate the design of this place, when I can’t figure out which light switches are for what, am worried I’m going to run into glass, etc. But beyond that, I feel like this is more of a mid-range lifestyle property that’s sort of masquerading as luxury. Then again, that describes a lot of hotels nowadays.

I apologize for being so critical, but again, it’s nothing against the hotel. It’s just not for me, but maybe it’s for you.

What’s your take on SAX Paris, Hilton LXR?

American’s current & former CEOs vacation together in Paris

Insider JonNYC shares an interesting report about a flight taken by a major airline CEO… well, two major airline CEOs. His initial post read as follows:

Ok I’m throwing the one up Without names until someone can 100% confirm. Consider it allegorical unless otherwise confirmed 🙂 “Nothing says out of touch like [major airline Bigwig] and [similar/former] family and their security flying back to [US airport] from their Paris vacation on Easter Sunday with Gucci shopping bags in hand, cutting [absolute highest level] pre-boards to get on the plane first to their 6+ seats in business, and never acknowledging a single customer along the way. “

He then followed that up with this, confirming that the people in question were American CEO Robert Isom and former American CEO Doug Parker:

OK, well, I still cannot confirm/comment on the behavior reported (yet…) But this was Isom and (wife or family) and Doug Parker and (wife or family.)

The part of this story that I find to be interesting

I don’t actually read too much into the concept of the CEO being pre-boarded ahead of everyone else, as that’s quite common, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable. For example, ideally the CEO would want to pre-board to be able to talk with the crew, thank them for their work, etc. That being said, three things stand out.

First, I hope that Isom and Parker declare whatever is in those Gucci bags, so they don’t lose their Global Entry. Or maybe they’ve been doing a bit of repacking of bags onboard, before the plane touches down in the United States. 😉

Second, it’s unfortunate to read this report that Isom didn’t acknowledge a single customer. I get that sometimes airline executives want a vacation as well, but it just blows my mind when they let such an easy opportunity go to waste. It reminds me of when I took the first long haul Lufthansa Allegris flight to Germany, and the company’s CEO was in the best business class suite, but then didn’t actually interact with any passenger, get feedback, etc. It just seems like a missed opportunity.

Third, and this is what I find most interesting — Isom and Parker are actually still good friends, to the point that they do couples trips to Paris? I guess I’m not surprised to hear they get along, since obviously there’s a better situation between them than between either of them and Scott Kirby.

But still, am I the only one who would pay to be a fly on the wall and hear their conversations at dinner? Was Vasu Raja on this trip as well? 😉

Bottom line

American CEO Robert Isom and former CEO Doug Parker are reportedly taking the same flight from Paris to Dallas, as part of a couples trip. Part of the report suggests that Isom didn’t actually acknowledge any passengers, and boarded before everyone else.

Though I still think the most interesting news is that Parker and Isom are so close that they’re taking couples trips to Paris.

Are you surprised to hear that Isom & Parker vacation together?

It had been many years since I had flown on one of Air France’s Dreamliners, so I was curious to see how the product is holding up. These planes have a solid hard product, though admittedly it’s not as cutting edge as on Air France’s newer aircraft, and I’d seek out those aircraft, all else being equal (the new A350 and 777 business class products are phenomenal).

Beyond that, though, this was the typical, excellent Air France transatlantic experience, with great food and drinks, very friendly service, and solid amenities. There’s not an airline that delivers more consistently across the Atlantic than Air France, in my opinion.

How I booked my Air France business class ticket

For this portion of the trip, I redeemed Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. Specifically, I booked the following for 60,000 miles plus $266.47 in taxes & fees:

11/16 AF343 Montreal to Paris departing 5:00PM arriving 5:55AM (+1 day)

Flying Blue miles are easy to come by, thanks to all the transfer partners that the program has. Whenever there’s a transfer bonus, I always top off my account a bit, since Flying Blue is one of the currencies I redeem most often.

Air France business class lounge & boarding

In a previous installment, I reviewed the Air France Lounge Montreal, which I visited prior to my flight. While it gets crowded, it’s a solid outstation lounge, with nice decor, lots of natural light, and pretty good food and drinks.

My flight was departing from gate 57, with boarding scheduled for 4:25PM, 35 minutes before the posted departure time. Sure enough, that’s exactly when boarding started, with business class passengers being invited to board first.

From there I boarded F-HRBB, the nine-year-old jet that would be taking me to Paris. I’ve gotta say, I think Air France’s updated livery with bigger font looks particularly good on the Dreamliner.

Air France 787 business class cabin & seats

I boarded through the second set of doors, where I was greeted by two super friendly flight attendants, and was pointed left into business class. Air France’s Dreamliners have 30 business class seats, spread across eight rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration, taking up the space between the first and second set of doors. Specifically, the airline has Safran Cirrus seats, a pretty standard last generation reverse herringbone product.

If you’re traveling with someone, you may want to select a pair of seats in the center section. Admittedly reverse herringbone seats aren’t ideal for couples traveling together, as you do still need to lean forward to communicate. If you end up in one of these seats and are traveling alone, worry not, as there’s a privacy partition that can be extended a bit.

Meanwhile for solo travelers, or those who just generally value being by a window, just about all the window seats are equally good.

I assigned myself seat 8A, the window seat on the left side in the last row of business class. Aside from the Air France-specific colors, this is your typical off-the-shelf reverse herringbone seat from a decade ago.

When it comes to seat features, there’s a console to the side of the seat, which includes an enclosed storage area with a vanity and a hook for headphones.

Next to that you’ll find the entertainment controller, though I don’t really find that to be necessary, given that the monitor is also touchscreen.

The tray table then slides out from the side of the seat, and to fully extend it, you need to flip it over.

You’ll also find the basic seat pre-sets next to the area with the tray table, plus the controls for the reading light.

This seat has AC and USB-A outlets, located underneath the console to the side of the seat. There’s no USB-C or wireless charging.

There’s a 16″ personal monitor at the seat, which is attached to the back of the seat in front. When stored it’s at an awkward angle, but it can be extended at the push of a button, for head-on viewing.

Lastly, the seat has a decent size ottoman, which becomes part of the bed when the seat is fully reclined. I’ll talk more about bed comfort a bit later.

When it comes to the overhead console, Air France has reading lights, but no individual air nozzles, sadly.

All-in-all, this is a competitive hard product, but nothing cutting edge. Air France’s new business class on the A350 and 777 is excellent. I am curious to see what Air France’s long term plans are for its small fleet of 10 787s — will the planes eventually get new cabins, will Air France transfer these to KLM (which has a larger Dreamliner fleet), or something else?

Air France 787 business class entertainment & Wi-Fi

Air France’s 787 business class boasts 16″ touchscreen monitors (there’s no bluetooth audio). Air France’s entertainment selection is generally very good, though the 787 doesn’t have the latest generation interface. Still, I found the variety of movies, TV shows, audio, etc., to be extensive, and more than sufficient.

Of course my favorite entertainment system feature is the map feature (assuming there’s no tail camera!), so I had that on for much of the flight.

When it comes to Wi-Fi, Air France’s Dreamliners have the service available for purchase. Free messaging is available for Flying Blue members, and then you can pay 12 EUR for a one-hour Wi-Fi pass, or 29 EUR for a full flight Wi-Fi pass. The pricing is a bit on the steep side, though fortunately Air France is transitioning to free Starlink Wi-Fi for most of its fleet in the coming months, which is exciting.

Since this was an overnight flight, I decided to just use the free messaging pass that’s available to all passengers, since I didn’t need the Wi-Fi otherwise (on a daytime flight, I would’ve purchased it).

Air France business class amenities

There were an impressive number of amenities waiting at our seat upon boarding. For one, there was the entire complement of bedding, including a pillow, blanket, and mattress pad. The mattress pad is a fairly new addition, and is in partnership with Sofitel. It’s awesome how this is available even on the shortest long haul flights.

There were also a pair of slippers. Again, it’s a much appreciated amenity, as it makes it easy to use the lavatory without having to put on shoes (and you don’t want to go into the lavatory barefoot or with socks).

Then there were a pair of noise canceling headphones, which I find to be pretty good quality.

There was also a bottle of Evian water.

Shortly after settling in, the crew passed through the cabin with pre-departure drinks, with the choice of champagne, orange juice, or water.

Moments later, amenity kits were distributed, with products from Clarins. The kit included socks, eyeshades, a dental kit, earplugs, lotion, and lip balm.

Later on in the boarding process, menus were distributed.

Lastly, warm towels were also passed out.

Air France 787 departure from Montreal

Despite the flight being full, the boarding process was efficient. By 4:45PM the main cabin door was closed, with every seat in business class occupied. A moment later, the captain was on the PA to announce our flight time of 6hr25min, and our anticipated early arrival in Paris.

At 5PM we began our pushback, and then at 5:05PM we began our taxi, at which point the safety video was screened. It took us about 15 minutes to get out to runway 24L, where we were cleared for takeoff at 5:20PM.

We hit a few bumps on the climb out, and the seatbelt sign was ultimately turned off around 20 minutes after takeoff.

Air France business class dinner service

Air France crews do a stellar job with efficient service on overnight flights, and this crew was no exception. As usual, dinner was served after takeoff, and you can find the menu below.

Then you can find the Air France business class drink list below.

When it comes to efficient service on an overnight flight, I tend to think there are two things to judge — how quickly the first drink comes out (let’s be honest, people are often happy once they have their first drink), and how quickly the entire meal service is performed. This is an area where I find Air France does a better job than any other airline across the Atlantic.

Just five minutes after the seatbelt sign was turned off, the crew passed through the cabin with trays of champagne, plus those addictive, irresistible cheese crackers. This is a great way to at least efficiently offer people something, before the main part of the service. The champagne on offer was De Saint-Gall “Le Tradition” Premier Cru Brut.

There wasn’t a long gap after that initial round of drinks. Just 40 minutes after takeoff, the meal tray was brought out, containing the appetizer duo, salad, cheese, and dessert.

The appetizer consisted of fennel and watermelon salad, and also of pan-fried sea scallop and citrus fruit zest. I like how Air France crews offer to crack pepper after serving you, since it’s a small, restaurant-style touch.

Then there was a simple salad, a selection of cheese, and the raspberry and nougat dessert. I was also offered a selection of bread, and to drink, I switched to the sauvignon blanc.

After all passengers were served, the crew came through to clear the appetizer trays, and then another flight attendant came around to bring out the main courses. For the main course, I opted for the seared Canadian lobster with creamy rice bisque, maple-roasted sweetcorn, and edamame beans. The dish tasted great, and also had very nice presentation (when you consider that dishes aren’t plated onboard).

After the meal, a trolley was rolled down the aisle with after dinner drinks. I ordered a vanilla and almond tea, and the lovely flight attendant also talked me into ordering a cognac.

I thought the meal was excellent, and in particular, I was impressed by the pace. The meal service was done just over an hour after takeoff, which has to be some sort of record.

Air France 787 business class lavatories

Air France’s 787s have two business class lavatories — one is at the front left of the cabin, right by the cockpit, while the other is at the front right of the cabin, right in front of row one. These are pretty standard Dreamliner lavatories, and they were kept tidy throughout the flight.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that there were some products from Clarins.

Air France 787 business class bed

After dinner, I reclined my seat into bed mode, and tried to get some rest. Placing the mattress pad onto the seat was super easy. I should mention that the crew actually offered to place this on my seat at the beginning of the flight, but I declined at the time. But it basically just adds an extra layer of comfort, regardless of whether you’re trying to sleep or lounge.

By the time I actually got around to sleeping, there were just under 4hr30min remaining to Paris.

Fortunately I fell asleep almost immediately, and woke up just under three hours later, with around 1hr30min remaining to Paris.

Air France business class breakfast

Breakfast was served within 10 minutes of me waking up, and you can find the business class breakfast menu below.

For such a short flight, I find it impressive that Air France serves a hot breakfast, since some other airlines don’t. Also, I very much appreciate how Air France often has vegetarian egg dishes, unlike US carriers, which seemingly refuse to serve eggs without pork (hey, I’m just sharing my personal preferences, and am not claiming I’m right, or that airlines should cater to me!).

Breakfast consisted of fruit salad, yogurt, and a hot dish with scrambled egg, potato rosti, mushrooms, etc.

While I had a coffee with my meal, I also asked for an espresso afterwards, which was nicely presented on a tray, with a glass of water.

Air France business class service

I find that Air France has among the best flight attendants you’ll find at any European carrier, and this flight was no exception. In particular, the chief purser, Corina, was working in business class, and she couldn’t have been lovelier.

Not only did she have an incredible eye for detail, but she was extremely entertaining, and fun to talk to. She was from the Alsace region of France, so we communicated in German throughout the flight. Sometimes I had to remind myself that I wasn’t on Lufthansa.

But yeah, kudos to Air France flight attendants more broadly, for being (in my opinion) the best combination of efficient and friendly.

Air France 787 arrival in Paris

All too soon, the flight was already coming to an end. At around 5AM Paris time, the captain announced that we’d be descending in around 10 minutes, and would be landing 30 minutes after that. Sure enough, that’s the timeline with which we descended, and the seatbelt sign was turned on at 5:25AM.

At 5:40AM we ended up landing in Paris on runway 26L, and from there had a quick taxi to our arrival gate, where we pulled in at 5:45AM, around 10 minutes ahead of schedule. I bid farewell to the lovely crew, and then it was time for a fun two nights in Paris.

Bottom line

Air France’s 787 business class is a pleasant ride across the Atlantic. Admittedly while I think that Air France offers the all-around best business class across the Atlantic, the 787 doesn’t have the cutting edge cabins that you’ll find on many A350s and 777s.

The thing that sets Air France apart is the friendly and efficient service, comfortable seats with good bedding, and delicious food and drinks. Ultimately this is all that one could ask for on a quick overnight flight.

What’s your take on Air France’s 787 business class?

The Park Hyatt Tokyo is now a resort, not a hotel

The Park Hyatt Tokyo recently reopened, after an extensive renovation, and it’s easily one of the flagship properties in Hyatt’s portfolio. Typically I find Japanese Hyatt properties to be very “by the book” when it comes to delivering elite perks, more broadly reflecting the country’s culture.

However, as reported on FlyerTalk, we’ve just seen a subtle change at the Park Hyatt Tokyo — as of April 2026, the property is being categorized as a resort, rather than as a hotel. Multiple people report being told this by hotel staff. On top of that, it’s even reflected on the hotel’s website — under the “Amenities” section, you’ll now see “Resort Property” listed as one of the features (which wasn’t there a week ago).

I’m really scratching my head as to how anyone would consider the Park Hyatt Tokyo to be a resort. Yes, the hotel has a very nice wellness area, but this is otherwise a quintessential city business hotel. It wouldn’t be logical for a defining characteristic of a (non-resort) hotel to be its lack of a nice pool and gym.

Is this reclassification about elite late check-out?

What incentive is there for a hotel to be classified as a resort rather than as a hotel? The primary difference I can come up with is that World of Hyatt Globalist members get guaranteed 4PM late check-out at hotels, while at resorts, it’s subject to availability.

In the days since this policy change has been implemented, it seems like the hotel has already started using this to its advantage, to deny late check-out on capacity grounds.

I am curious, did the hotel just have a major issue with the late check-out benefit causing problems? I can imagine this hotel gets a very high percentage of Globalist guests, and I also imagine lots of guests want to stretch their stay as long as possible, and may utilize the late check-out.

If this happens often enough, I can imagine it’s hard to manage expectations when you have to offer people a check-out time that’s potentially after the check-in time for the same room.

Regardless, I’m not a fan of hotels trying to skirt the rules in this way, and I hope this isn’t the start of a larger trend…

Bottom line

The Park Hyatt Tokyo has started classifying itself as a resort rather than a hotel. While the property has a nice wellness area, I can’t imagine any reasonable definition by which that’s logical. I suspect that this change is being made due to concerns over the elite late check-out benefit… at least it’s the only explanation I can come up with.

What do you make of the Park Hyatt Tokyo’s resort transformation? 😉

Hotel credit cards are incredibly underrated. Even if you don’t spend much money on them, they can offer huge perks, including elite status and free night certificates. When you combine these two factors, a lot of these cards offer outsized value.

In this post, I’d like to look at the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, which is an awesome card that’s nearly identical to IHG’s personal premium card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. I’d consider that to be a good thing, since there can be value in holding onto both cards. This is an especially good time to apply, given the welcome offer that’s currently available.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card welcome offer & fee basics

The IHG Premier Business Credit Card is the only Chase and IHG co-branded business credit card. Even if you don’t plan on putting much spending on the card, this card can be worth having for the anniversary free night certificate, fourth night free on award redemptions, elite status, and much more.

For those unfamiliar with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the group owns InterContinental, Six Senses, Regent, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, and more. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about this business card.

Limited time welcome bonus of up to 200K IHG points

For applications through April 29, 2026, the IHG Premier Business Card is offering a two-part limited time welcome bonus where you can earn up to 200,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points. Specifically:

• Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months
• Earn 60,000 additional bonus points after spending a total of $9,000 within the first six months

Personally, I value IHG points at 0.5 cents each, so to me, the complete bonus is worth $1,000.

IHG credit card eligibility restrictions & rules

The welcome bonus on the IHG Premier Business Card isn’t available to those who currently have this exact card, or those who have received a new cardmember bonus on this card in the past 24 months. However, you are eligible for the card if you have either of the personal IHG cards, including the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) or IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (review).

$99 annual fee & $0 authorized user fee

The IHG Premier Business Card has a $99 annual fee. You can add additional cardmembers to your business account at no extra cost. As I’ll explain below, the annual fee is well worth it even if you don’t spend money on the card, since you get an anniversary free night certificate.

IHG Premier Business Card points earning structure

The IHG Premier Business Credit Card has a pretty well-rounded rewards structure, and it could very well be worth spending money on the card. That’s especially true when you consider the new spending threshold bonuses.

10x IHG points at IHG properties

If you have the IHG Premier Business Card then you can earn a total of 26x IHG One Rewards points per dollar spent at IHG properties. However, in reality, not all of those points are coming from the credit card as such. Here’s how this breaks down:

• You earn 10x points from IHG for being an IHG program member
• You earn 6x points from IHG with Platinum status, which is a benefit of this card
• You earn 10x points for paying with your IHG Premier Business Card

5x IHG points on travel, gas stations, dining, and more

The IHG Premier Business Card offers 5x IHG One Rewards points in a variety of spending categories, including:

• 5x points on travel, including hotels
• 5x points at gas stations
• 5x points on dining
• 5x points on social media and search engine advertising
• 5x points at office supply stores

There are no caps on any of those bonus categories, so you can earn 5x points on unlimited spending in any of those categories. Based on my valuation of IHG points, that’s like a ~2.5% return on that spending. In and of itself that’s not so amazing, but there are further incentives to spend money on the card.

3x IHG points on other purchases

For categories in which you can’t earn 5-10x points, the IHG Premier Business Card offers 3x IHG One Rewards points per dollar spent. There are potentially still better cards for everyday spending, though there are some significant incentives to spend money on the card, which I’ll cover below.

No foreign transaction fees

The IHG Premier Business Credit Card has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good card for purchases abroad. That’s especially true when staying at IHG properties abroad, as well as for dining and commuting outside the United States.

$100 statement credit & 10K bonus points with spending

As a further incentive to spend money on the card, the IHG Premier Business Card offers a $100 statement credit plus 10,000 IHG One Rewards bonus points when you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year, plus make one additional purchase.

As I mentioned above, I value IHG points at 0.5 cents each, so between the statement credit and points, that’s like $150 of additional value, making it an incremental 0.75% return on $20,000 worth of spending. When you stack it with the card’s other perks, that could add up.

IHG Diamond status with spending

The IHG Premier Business Card offers IHG Diamond status if you spend $40,000 or more on the card in a calendar year. This is IHG’s top tier elite status, which offers perks like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out, and more.

With the Milestone Rewards program (which you can unlock based on how many elite nights you earn with IHG per year), you can receive benefits like confirmed suite upgrades, club lounge access, food & beverage credits, and more.

Second IHG anniversary free night with spending

In addition to the anniversary free night award that you get just for having the card (which I’ll cover below), you can earn a second free night award annually when you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. The free night award can be used at a property costing up to 40,000 IHG One Rewards points, though you can use additional points to top off the award and redeem at more expensive properties.

IHG Premier Business Credit Card benefits & perks

What makes the IHG Premier Business Credit Card exceptional is the benefits and perks that it offers, which in my opinion more than offset the annual fee on the card. Let’s take a look at some of those perks.

IHG anniversary free night award

Every year on your account anniversary you get a free night certificate, valid at any property costing up to 40,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. This doesn’t require any spending, though as noted above, you can earn a second free night award by spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. 

Best of all, you can use points to top off your award and redeem at a more expensive property. In other words, you could book a hotel costing 60,000 points per night by using the certificate and redeeming an additional 20,000 points.

This free night certificate will be issued shortly after your anniversary and is valid for 12 months. I’ve consistently gotten huge value with these certificates, and have been able to redeem them at properties costing $250+ per night. And that’s not even accounting for the ability to top them off and redeem at more expensive properties.

Fourth night free on award redemptions

Just for having the IHG Premier Business Card you get a fourth night free on award redemptions. When you book four consecutive nights on an award redemption then you only have to redeem points for the first three nights.

This is an awesome perk, since it can be used an unlimited number of times (you can even use it to book multiple rooms at the same hotel). If you usually redeem points for stays in increments of four nights, this is like getting 25% off all your redemptions.

IHG Platinum status

You receive IHG One Rewards Platinum status for as long as you have the IHG Premier Business Card. Among other things, IHG Platinum members receive:

• Complimentary room upgrades, subject to availability
• 60% bonus points
• Late check-out, subject to availability
• Priority check-in
• Complimentary internet
• Welcome amenity
• Access to award sales throughout the year
• Access to the Milestone Rewards program based on how many elite nights are earned, offering perks like confirmed suite upgrades, club lounge access, and more

Up to $50 United® TravelBank Cash per year

The IHG Premier Business Card offers up to $50 in United® TravelBank Cash per year:

• Each calendar year you’ll receive one $25 United® TravelBank Cash deposit around January 1, and another around July 1
• Deposits made between January 1 and June 30 expire on July 15, and deposits made between July 1 and December 31 expire on January 15
• You must complete one-time registration to receive this benefit

If you fly United with any frequency, then this is like $50 worth of travel on United per year, which is awesome.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit

The IHG Premier Business Card offers a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit once every four years. Just charge the membership fee of up to $120 to your card, and it will automatically be reimbursed. It doesn’t matter who the fee is being paid for, as long as you charge it to your eligible card.

Is the IHG Premier Business Card worth it?

If you stay at IHG properties with any frequency, then I think the IHG Premier Business Credit Card is absolutely worth having.

The card’s $99 annual fee is easy to justify based on the perks that it offers. The card offers an anniversary free night certificate, a fourth night free on award redemptions, IHG Platinum status, up to $50 in United® TravelBank Cash per year, a Global Entry fee credit, and more.

Admittedly if you have the personal card as well, some of the benefits do overlap. However, I consider the anniversary free night award alone to be worth more than the annual fee, so that’s a reason to pick up this card.

IHG Premier Personal Card vs. IHG Premier Business Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) is the personal version of this card, so how does it compare? The benefits are virtually identical, though I’d say the business version of the card has some potential advantages:

• Both cards offer an anniversary free night certificate, IHG Platinum status, a fourth night free on award redemptions, up to $50 in United® TravelBank Cash each year, etc.
• The major differences are that the business card has a few more bonus categories, and offers an additional free night award if you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year

Both of these cards are excellent, and personally, I think it’s worth picking both up, so that you can earn two free night awards per year without having to spend anything.

Bottom line

The IHG Premier Business Credit Card is a product that I highly recommend getting, and this is a particularly good time to apply, given the bonus that’s currently available. The card’s $99 annual fee is easy to justify, thanks to the anniversary free night award, up to $50 in United® TravelBank Cash, IHG Platinum status, and much more.

This free night certificate is the single biggest benefit of the card, and consistently offers outsized value. Best of all, you can top off the award to redeem at a more expensive hotel.

I know some people are opposed to having a lot of credit cards, but often it can make sense to have some cards just for the perks they offer, even if you don’t necessarily plan on spending much money on the card. This is one of those cards.

If you want to learn more about the IHG Premier Business Card, follow this link.

Rosewood is one of the fastest growing luxury hotel groups, and has an impressive portfolio of hotels. Rosewood is approaching 40 properties, with nearly two dozen more hotels in the pipeline. Rosewood properties are known for beautiful design, great dining outlets, and friendly service, and the brand is quickly becoming a global name.

While Rosewood doesn’t have a loyalty program, there is a way to get extra perks for Rosewood stays by booking through an eligible travel advisor. In this post, I’d like to talk about why it typically makes sense to book a Rosewood property in such a way, as travel advisors can add perks to your booking, all at no extra cost to you. Let’s take a look at the details of that.

How travel advisors can help with Rosewood bookings

Many people think that the concept of booking hotels through travel advisors is outdated. While that’s true for many types of hotel stays, that’s very much not the case when it comes to luxury hotels.

For luxury hotel brands like Rosewood, you’ll almost always get the best deal by booking through a luxury travel advisor, who can help add perks to your booking at no extra cost to you. There’s even a specific program available to select travel advisors that adds value at Rosewood properties.

How is this possible? Well, hotels spend a lot of money on marketing so that they can fill rooms at decent yields. One sales technique that hotels use is that they offer select trusted travel agents extra perks they can give their clients when staying at Rosewood properties. It’s a win-win-win, for Rosewood, the guest, and the travel advisor.

Rosewood Elite perks: free breakfast, upgrades, and more

Rosewood has a special program for select travel advisors, which allows them to give their guests extra benefits on Rosewood stays. This is similar to programs offered by other hotel groups, like Accor Preferred, Belmond Bellini Club, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Hilton for Luxury, Hyatt Privé, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, Marriott STARS, Oetker Collection Pearl Partner, Peninsula PenClub, and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

The program is called Rosewood Elite, and for booking through a Rosewood Elite travel advisor, you get the following benefits:

• Daily breakfast for up to two people per bedroom
• Complimentary room upgrade upon arrival (based on availability)
• A welcome amenity and note
• Additional property specific elite enhanced amenities, which vary by property; these can include a $100 credit per stay, though you’ll want to check with a Rosewood Elite travel advisor to determine the property specific amenity available for your stay

These benefits are only available when booking published rates and featured Elite Exclusive Offers. This includes many of the rates available directly through Rosewood, including a fourth night free offer, for example. A few important things to note:

• Upgrades and VIP treatment are prioritized for Rosewood Elite guests over those booking through other programs, like Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts® or Virtuoso, so you’re almost always best off booking through a Rosewood travel agent
• What sets Rosewood Elite apart from booking through other programs is that the perks are combinable with other promotional rates offered directly by Rosewood, allowing you to really maximize value.
• A good Rosewood travel advisor can help you compare rates through these various programs

Ford and his team have access to Rosewood Elite perks, and can be reached at ford@fordbtravel.com. They don’t charge any service fees for Rosewood reservations, with a certain minimum. In some cases they might even be able to help with existing Rosewood bookings that don’t have these benefits added.

Why Rosewood hotels are worth considering

For those of you not familiar with Rosewood, the brand currently has around three dozen luxury properties. Rosewood was founded in 1979, though the brand has been growing at a much faster rate in recent years, especially since being acquired by a Hong Kong-based firm in 2011.

I’d say Rosewood is probably most comparable to Four Seasons in terms of quality. What I love about Rosewood is the huge variety of locations. Rosewood has some phenomenal city hotels (like in London and Hong Kong), while it also has some of the top resorts in vacation destinations (like in Courchevel, Los Cabos, etc.).

Just to give a few examples, the Rosewood Hong Kong is regarded as one of Hong Kong’s top hotels, while the Rosewood Mayakoba and Las Ventanas al Paraíso are regarded as two of Mexico’s best resorts. In particular, the company’s properties in Asia are known for being next level, given that they’re largely also owned directly by Rosewood (rather than there just being management contracts). Some of them also have the awesome Manor Club concept.

Rosewood Elite travel advisor booking FAQs

While the above hopefully covers the basics of Rosewood Elite, let me answer some FAQs regarding the program, in no particular order.

What hotels belong to Rosewood Elite?

Currently all Rosewood properties across the globe belong to Rosewood Elite, as they’re all bookable through the program. This is the most reliable way to get extra perks at Rosewood properties.

What rates are eligible for Rosewood Elite perks?

Rosewood Elite perks can generally be combined with any rate bookable directly with Rosewood, including advance purchase rates, best available rates, etc. This is an advantage of Rosewood Elite over other programs, as the perks are combinable with more types of rates.

Is there a minimum stay requirement for Rosewood Elite bookings?

No, you can take advantage of Rosewood Elite benefits even on a one-night stay, so there’s no minimum stay required.

Can you book Rosewood Elite rates without a travel agent?

In order to book a Rosewood Elite reservation, you have to go through a travel advisor affiliated with the program. There is one way that travelers can book these rates directly, though it still (sort of) uses a travel advisor.

Specifically, the TravelWits portal lets you book Rosewood Elite rates directly. You’re still booking through a specific travel advisor’s platform, but it’s great to be able to compare rates. These portals do have to be password protected, so if you’d like to use Ford Beckett Travel’s portal, you need to email travelwits@fordbtravel.com to request the password.

For example, this lets you see how you can apply Rosewood Elite benefits to a promotional, non-refundable rate…

How do you pay for Rosewood Elite reservations?

When you reserve a Rosewood Elite booking, you’ll still pay the hotel directly, so it’s no different than if booking direct. A travel advisor simply has to assist you with making the reservation, and then the hotel handles the stay.

Bottom line

Rosewood has some gorgeous hotels, and the brand’s portfolio keeps growing. From well-regarded resorts, to cutting-edge city hotels, Rosewood is in many cases setting a new standard for luxury.

The best way to book a Rosewood hotel stay is through a travel advisor affiliated with the Rosewood Elite program. While Rosewood doesn’t have a loyalty program, you can get perks that rival typical elite benefits by booking through a Rosewood Elite travel advisor. This will get you free breakfast, a room upgrade subject to availability, and some additional perks.

In many cases travel advisors won’t charge any sort of service fees (that’s because they get a commission from hotels, even though you’re paying the same rate you would directly), and that’s why booking luxury hotels through a travel advisor is a no-brainer.

If you’ve stayed at a Rosewood hotel before, what was your experience like?

In recent years, we’ve seen luxury hospitality companies increasingly getting into the cruising industry. For example, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was among the first, then we recently saw the launch of Four Seasons Yachts, and then in 2027 we’re supposed to see the launch of Aman at Sea.

There’s another luxury hotel cruising experience that’s coming soon, and I’d like to cover the details, especially in light of recent developments with some competitors. Specifically, I’m talking about Orient Express, which is known by many for its incredible luxury train journeys (well, and hotels).

Orient Express Corinthian sets sail in June 2026

Orient Express Sailing Yachts is the name of Orient Express’ new sailing venture, which is expected to carry its first passengers as of June 2026. The concept is debuting with the Orient Express Corinthian, which is described as the world’s largest sailing yacht. The 220-meter (721-foot) yacht will feature a total of 54 suites, accommodating up to 110 guests.

As it’s described, the Orient Express Corinthian will offer “a floating sanctuary of refinement.” Suites will be a minimum of 47 square meters (506 square feet), which is absolutely massive for a ship, and will feature panoramic sea views. The experience will be all-inclusive, with fares including meals, premium drinks, butler service, room service, entertainment, and much more.

Given the small size of the ship, the sheer number of dining and entertainment outlets is very impressive. Dining will include everything from La Table de l’Orient-Express by Yannick Alléno, to La Terrasse, to L’Ecrin, to Marina Bay, and beyond. The ship will have a pool, full service spa, gym, several entertainment venues, a marina, and more.

I must say, this has to be one of the classiest looking ships I’ve ever seen.

How much will Orient Express cruises cost?

Orient Express Sailing Yachts is expected to set sail as of June 2026, and it’ll sail the Mediterranean in summer, and the Caribbean in winter. You can find all the voyages here — they range from two to 14 nights, and some of the itineraries are actually rather interesting (at least given the regions), and go beyond just the major ports.

How much will these sailings cost? Orient Express rail journeys are super pricey, and the company is taking a similar approach with its cruises. You can see the price for each suite on each sailing by looking up itineraries at this link. Just to give a general sense of the pricing for entry level suites:

• A seven-night Europe cruise in September costs €36,400 per suite
• A 14-night transatlantic cruise in October costs €60,200 per suite
• A three-night Caribbean cruise in November costs €16,500 per suite

Suffice it to say that this is at the very top end of the market when it comes to cruise pricing. If you do book one of these journeys, I’d recommend using a travel advisor affiliated with the Accor Preferred program, as they can offer you some extra perks (including a credit), while paying the published cost. Ford and his team are happy to help with these requests, and can be reached at ford@fordbtravel.com.

Will this luxury cruising concept succeed?

Obviously the concept of luxury cruising is nothing new. However, there’s no denying that the industry is evolving a bit:

• We’re seeing luxury pushed to new levels in terms of the exclusivity of ships, the pricing, etc.
• We’re seeing cruising positioned differently; these luxury cruise lines are no longer just for rich retirees, but these cruise lines are also now targeting a younger crowd that might not typically consider cruising (at least for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts, and Aman at Sea)

I recently took my first Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise, and as a non-cruiser, I have to say that I was really pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. What’s interesting is that among all of these ventures, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is by far the most reasonably priced.

After Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts is next when it comes to pricing, while Aman and Orient Express are priced at the very top of the market. This entire luxury cruise space is getting pretty saturated, I’d say, especially when you consider the amount of capacity (with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection launching three ships over a few years).

I do think that Orient Express has an advantage over Four Seasons and Aman, in terms of the crowd that it’s going after:

• Orient Express is generally popular with an older crowd, and that’s also a good demographic for cruising
• Orient Express already offers non-hotel experiences, so convincing Orient Express loyalists to try a different kind of vacation shouldn’t be too difficult

Orient Express’ pricing is absolutely at the top of the market for cruising. Then again, the company’s experience also looks incredible, so that doesn’t seem that surprising. If you’re traveling even as a small group, the pricing is to the point where you can charter a pretty nice yacht for a similar price.

Bottom line

Orient Express is expanding into the cruising industry, with the launch of Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and specifically, the Corinthian ship. This is described as the world’s largest sailing yacht, and I must say, it looks pretty incredible.

This concept will be launching in the coming months, debuting just shortly after Four Seasons Yachts, and shortly before Aman at Sea. It’s fascinating to see the amount of growth in the luxury cruising sector at the moment, and I’m curious to see how this all evolves.

What do you make of Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and how do you think it compares to the other luxury cruise startups?

On the points & travel front, this week we saw some US carriers increase checked bag fees, Trump revealed plans to increasingly privatize airport security, United announced a new basic business class product, TAP Air Portugal moved closer to belonging to a major airline group, and more.

With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:

Hotel credit cards are often underrated, given the welcome bonuses and valuable perks that they can offer. The Hilton Business Card is Hilton’s only small business credit card, and it’s an example of how valuable hotel credit cards can be.

While you can read a full review of the Hilton Business Card here, in this post, I want to share nine reasons you should consider applying for this $195 annual fee card (Rates & Fees), as this is a particularly good time to do so. In no particular order…

Welcome offer of 175K points + free night award

For applications through April 15, 2026, the Hilton Business Card has a limited time welcome offer where you can earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a free night award after spending $8,000 within the first six months.

Personally, I value Hilton Honors points at ~0.5 cents each, meaning that the 175,000 points are worth $875 to me. That doesn’t include the value of the free night award, as that can be redeemed at a property costing up to 250,000 points. The potential value of that is massive.

Card doesn’t report to personal credit

Assuming your account remains in good standing, the Hilton Business Card shouldn’t report to your personal credit, at least based on the reports that I’ve seen (and my own personal experience). For example, if you’re trying to stay under Chase’s 5/24 limit, then applying for this business card shouldn’t count toward that.

Hilton Gold elite status for being a cardmember

Arguably the best ongoing perk of the Hilton Business Card is the hotel elite status that it offers. Specifically, you receive Hilton Honors™ Gold status for as long as you have the card. This is in my opinion the most valuable mid-tier hotel status out there, as it offers perks like complimentary breakfast, a daily food & beverage credit, and/or executive lounge access, plus bonus points, room upgrades, and much more.

Hilton Diamond elite status with spending

The Hilton Business Card offers Hilton Honors™ Diamond status if you spend $40,000 in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year. I don’t want to say that this is a no-brainer, but some people will find this to be worthwhile.

Hilton Diamond elite offers some incremental perks, like more bonus points, potentially better upgrades, guaranteed lounge access at many brands (rather than subject to availability for Gold members), and more.

Up to $240 in Hilton credits per year

The Hilton Business Card offers a benefit that will in and of itself more than justify the annual fee, for those who stay at Hiltons with any frequency. The card offers up to $240 in statement credits annually for Hilton stays.

The way this works, you get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio. So as long as you spend at least $60 per quarter on a Hilton stay — whether it’s on room rates or incidentals when redeeming points — this card will net you $240 per year in statement credits.

12x Honors points on Hilton stays

The Hilton Business Card can be a great card to use for spending at Hilton-family properties, as you earn 12x points per dollar for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Based on my valuation of 0.5 cents per Hilton Honors points, that’s like a 6% return on Hilton spending, in addition to the points you usually earn for your stay.

Up to 5x Honors points on everyday spending

The Hilton Business Card has what’s arguably the best return on non-bonused spending of any Hilton Honors credit card. The card offers 5x points on other eligible purchases on the first $100K in eligible purchases per calendar year, and then 3x points thereafter. That’s a solid return on spending, especially if this also allows you to earn Hilton Diamond elite status.

National Emerald Club Executive status

Just for having the Hilton Business Card, you can receive National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® Status for as long as you’re a cardmember (Enrollment required). I consider National Car Rental to be the best major rental car agency in the United States, and having Executive status gets you access to a larger selection of cars, lets you rack up rewards faster, and more.

Access to Amex Offers

You can never underestimate the value of the Amex Offers program, which offers savings for purchases with select retailers. The Amex Offers program saves me hundreds of dollars per year, and for many cards the program alone more than justifies the annual fee I pay. The more Amex cards you have, the more Amex Offers you’ll have access to.

Looking for a personal card instead?

If you’ve had the Hilton Business Card, and/or are simply looking for a personal card, consider The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card (review). There are lots of great perks to the card, and for that matter, there’s a lot of overlap between the two products. You’re even potentially eligible for the welcome offers on both cards.

Bottom line

The Hilton Business Card is a lucrative business card. In addition to the exceptional welcome offer available right now, the card offers Hilton Gold elite status just for being a cardmember, which is useful. The annual fee is super easy to justify if you stay at Hiltons at least once per quarter, since you can earn up to $240 in Hilton credits per year.

If you have the Hilton Business Amex, what has your experience been with the card?

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees).

The Air France Lounge Montreal was last renovated back in 2021. While it’s primarily intended for Air France-KLM passengers, it’s also available to those with Priority Pass, at least over select hours. This is physically a beautiful lounge with great views, and it has a pretty decent food and drink selection as well. Let’s get into the review.

Air France Lounge Montreal location

The Air France Lounge Montreal is located in the international terminal, near gate 57. You’ll only be able to visit this lounge if you’re traveling on an international flight to a destination other than the United States (since transborder flights have their own section of the terminal).

Once you’re in the international terminal, just turn left, and follow the signage in the direction of gate 57.

Once you approach that gate, you’ll see the entrance to the Air France Lounge on the right.

While the lounge’s reception is on the same level as the concourse, the actual lounge is up a level, and can be accessed by an elevator or stairs.

Air France Lounge Montreal hours

The Air France Lounge Montreal is currently open daily from 5AM until 10PM. In the afternoons, the lounge largely caters to passengers on Air France and KLM transatlantic flights. As you might expect, this lounge can get really busy during those periods, given the number of passengers with lounge access.

Meanwhile the lounge is open earlier in the day in order to be monetized, through Priority Pass and other access agreements.

Air France Lounge Montreal entry requirements

The Air France Lounge Montreal is primarily intended as a lounge for Air France and KLM passengers traveling to Paris and Amsterdam, respectively. In line with SkyTeam lounge access policies, the lounge can be accessed by SkyTeam business class passengers, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members.

On top of that, the lounge is also open to Priority Pass members. There are of course many premium credit cards offering Priority Pass™ Select memberships. Priority Pass members are limited to using the lounge for two hours (it sure feels like time constraints on Priority Pass visits are getting pretty extreme). Also note that Priority Pass members may occasionally be turned away due to capacity constraints, particularly in the evenings.

Air France Lounge Montreal seating & layout

The Air France Lounge Montreal isn’t particularly large. It’s 490 square meters (~5,300 square foot), and it has seating for 149 guests. What’s awesome about the lounge is that it has a modern design, tons of natural light, and amazing views, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows.

The main part of the lounge is a large rectangular room, set around the buffet and bar. The center of the room has cafe-style tables and booths, some of which seat two people, and some of which are communal. It really is a pretty space, especially with the slanted ceilings.

The bar area has high-top seating, as well as a communal table.

Then along the windows, you’ll find more traditional lounge seating, with leather chairs arranged in rows, facing one another.

The lounge also has some couches, which even have an Air France Concorde model — how cool!

Right near the entrance, there’s also an area with quasi workstations facing outside.

In the very back of the lounge, you’ll find an area with around a dozen dining tables.

Near the entrance to the lounge, there are some lockers for luggage storage. There’s also an area that’s roped off for Flying Blue Ultimate members, which is the top tier status in the Flying Blue program.

That’s the extent of the lounge. As you can see, it’s modern and has lots of natural light, so it’s a good outstation lounge.

Air France Lounge Montreal food & drinks

What’s the food and drink selection like in the Air France Lounge Montreal? During my afternoon visit, there was a self-serve food selection, and you can find the menu below.

Cold options included salad, a variety of cold cuts, cheese, veggies, salad, bread, crackers, pastries, and more.

Then warm options included beef stew in red wine sauce, sun-dried tomato cream sauce pasta, roasted carrots and parsnip, rice pilaf, quiche, and soup.

There was also a selection of self-serve drinks, including a soda fountain, water, a Lavazza coffee machine, and a selection of tea.

Lastly, additional drinks were available at the bar. The menu differs based on what time you visit. For example, when visiting in the evenings, there’s a more extensive cocktail list.

Meanwhile last time when I visited before 2PM, the drink list was as shown below.

I had a negroni to drink, which was perfectly prepared.

Air France Lounge Montreal bathrooms & showers

The Air France Lounge Montreal has bathrooms and showers located in the back of the lounge behind the bar, along a corridor. There are a total of seven bathrooms, and three of them have showers as well.

I appreciate how each bathroom is its own room, with both a sink and toilet, so that affords a bit more privacy than you get in most airport bathrooms.

The shower rooms are compact but functional, and each has a sink, a walk-in shower with a glass shield, and a toilet.

Toiletries were in unbranded, wall-mounted containers.

Bottom line

The Air France Lounge Montreal is a solid outstation lounge, with modern decor and lots of natural light. This lounge is of course open to Air France and KLM passengers, but it’s also open to Priority Pass members, making it a great option in the terminal.

While the lounge can get busy (especially in the evenings), it’s ultimately a solid outstation lounge, and I appreciate the views, modern design, good cocktails, and solid food.

What’s your take on the Air France Lounge Montreal?

In recent times, I’ve been writing a series about some of the world’s best small luxury hotel groups, including Airelles, Aman, BVLGARI, Capella, Cheval Blanc, Oetker, One&Only, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, etc. I’ve also written about some of the bigger luxury hotel groups, like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, etc.

I’d like to dedicate this post to Rosewood, a hotel brand I’ve never written a dedicated post about (though I’ve written about many of the new hotel openings, I’ve reviewed some of the properties, etc.).

I think Rosewood might just be the fastest growing and most interesting hotel group that’s scaling right now. While it’s probably most directly a competitor to Four Seasons, I think each of the brands has some pros and cons.

The Rosewood brand’s history & ownership structure

It’s always interesting to take a look at the history of hotel groups. In the case of the Rosewood brand, I’d say there have been two main chapters so far — from 1979 until 2011, and from 2011 until present. Let’s go chronologically.

The Rosewood brand launched nearly 50 years ago, in 1979. It was founded in Dallas by Caroline Rose Hunt, the daughter of an oil tycoon, with The Mansion on Turtle Creek being the first property in the portfolio. Between 1979 and 2011, the brand grew from one hotel to 19 properties, with a heavy emphasis on hotels and resorts in the Americas, including in the United States, Caribbean, and Mexico.

A lot changed in 2011, though, which is when I’d argue that “modern day” Rosewood was founded. At that point, New World Hospitality (now branded as Rosewood Hotel Group) acquired the Rosewood brand for $229.5 million.

New World Hospitality is a subsidiary of privately held Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, a big real estate and investment conglomerate. While the company already had some hotels prior to this acquisition, the idea was that this would allow the company to greatly expand its luxury hotel presence.

Under new ownership, the goal has been to grow the brand at a fast pace. I also think it’s worth emphasizing the unique way this has been done — nowadays, so much of the hotel industry takes an asset-light strategy, where the management company doesn’t actually invest in properties.

That’s something that sets Rosewood apart, since the parent company invests in many of the properties that get Rosewood branding. Given that Rosewood is based in Hong Kong, we’ve seen huge growth to the company’s portfolio in Asia, with the opening of many flagship properties.

One other thing that I think is worth pointing out is that Rosewood CEO Sonia Cheng is a pretty cool person. The 45-year-old became CEO of Rosewood in 2011. I’m not trying to paint this as some “rags to riches” story, because she’s part of the billionaire family that owns the hotel group.

However, here’s why I say this — Cheng is just an incredibly passionate person, and she clearly puts everything she’s got into running the hotel group. I imagine she could’ve had a much calmer and easier life if she wanted, but clearly making Rosewood the hospitality brand that it is today is something she really cares about.

Rosewood’s growth & evolving portfolio is incredible

The Rosewood portfolio has been growing at an impressive pace in recent years. As mentioned above, in 2011, the brand had 19 properties. 15 years later, the brand has twice as many hotels, as there are now 38 properties in 23 countries. Perhaps most impressive is that nearly two dozen more properties are under development, so some number of years down the road, the brand could have around 60 hotels.

If you ask me, Rosewood has a really interesting mix of properties, and it has been fascinating to see how the portfolio has evolved. There are some brands that do city hotels really well, but then fail with resorts, and vice versa. In the case of Rosewood, the brand really has great properties on all ends of the spectrum.

Rosewood has some incredible city hotels, ranging from the Rosewood Chancery London to the Rosewood Hong Kong, and also some incredible resorts, like the Rosewood Mandarina and Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Even beyond that:

• I love the number of historic and charming properties that Rosewood is involved with; I’m talking about properties like The Carlyle New York, Rosewood Villa Magna, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, etc.
• Rosewood’s Asia properties in particular are known for being great, since they’re largely owned by the parent company, and are therefore intended to impress
• I love the areas that Rosewood has been expanding in as of late; for example, Four Seasons has zero properties in Austria and Germany, while Rosewood now has three, so that’s pretty cool
• At select Asian properties, Rosewood has the Manor Club concept, which many guests love; it’s a special club lounge for those who book a suite, or those who book a Manor Club room
• Some Rosewood properties have extremely quirky designs, and I quite like that; I tend to think that on balance, Rosewood is a bit more design-focused than Four Seasons, but it is property dependent

How I view Rosewood competitively in the luxury hotel space

The luxury hotel space is more competitive than ever before, so where exactly does the Rosewood brand rank? As is the case now more than ever before, there’s massive inconsistency between individual properties of a brand, so I try not to make blanket statements about quality.

In terms of size, Rosewood is an interesting brand, as it’s way bigger than the small groups like Airelles, Capella, Oetker, Peninsula, etc., but way smaller than brands like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, etc. In terms of number of properties, it’s most comparable to Aman and Waldorf Astoria (all in the 30-40 range — admittedly very different concepts).

Personally, I think Rosewood is probably most directly a competitor to Four Seasons in terms of the type of experience offered, quality, etc. I’d say Four Seasons is perhaps a bit more consistent of a brand, especially when it comes to service.

However, I’d say that Rosewood properties are on average a bit smaller and with more interesting design, so that’s a tradeoff. I also think Rosewood is really strong in Asia, given its roots.

So while not all Rosewood properties are created equal, I think most of the brand’s properties are exceptional, and among the best in their markets.

How to book Rosewood properties with extra perks

As is the case with virtually any luxury hotel, there are many ways to book, and reserving directly typically isn’t the best option, since you can book elsewhere and get extra perks without paying more.

The one consistent way to get perks at Rosewood is to book through a travel advisor affiliated with Rosewood Elite, which is Rosewood’s preferred partner program. Through this channel, you’ll receive exclusive amenities, like daily breakfast, room upgrades, an additional property-specific benefit, and more. Ford’s team is happy to help with Rosewood Elite requests, and can be reached at ford@fordbtravel.com.

Rosewood Elite rates can be combined with any rates available directly through Rosewood, so you can stack this with any free night offers, advance purchase rates, etc. So that gets you extra value at no extra cost.

There are of course some other ways to get value with luxury hotels as well. Several premium cards offer some sort of hotel credits when booking hotels costing a certain amount or when staying a certain number of nights, so that’s worth looking into as well.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts locations

In the interest of being thorough, let’s go over the Rosewood locations around the globe. In the United States, you’ll find the following Rosewood properties:

• Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort (Kona, Hawaii)
• The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel (New York, New York)
• Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek (Dallas, Texas)
• Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
• Rosewood Sand Hill (Menlo Park, California)
• Rosewood Washington, D.C.
• Rosewood Miramar Beach (Montecito, California)

In Canada, you’ll find the following Rosewood property:

• Rosewood Hotel Georgia (Vancouver, BC)

In Mexico, you’ll find the following Rosewood property:

• Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort (Los Cabos)
• Rosewood Mandarina (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico)
• Rosewood Mayakoba (Riviera Maya)
• Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

In the Caribbean and Atlantic, you’ll find the following Rosewood properties:

• Rosewood Bermuda
• Rosewood Baha Mar (Nassau, Bahamas)
• Rosewood Little Dix Bay (Virgin Gorda, BVI)
• Rosewood Le Guanahani (St. Barth)
• Rosewood Sao Paulo (Brazil)

In Europe, you’ll find the following Rosewood properties:

• Rosewood Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin (France)
• Rosewood London (United Kingdom)
• Rosewood Munich (Germany)
• Rosewood Vienna (Austria)
• Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, Italy)
• Rosewood Villa Magna (Madrid, Spain)
• Rosewood Schloss Fuschl (Salzburg, Austria)
• Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel (Paris, France)
• The Chancery Rosewood London (United Kingdom)

In Asia and the South Pacific, you’ll find the following Rosewood properties:

• Rosewood Miyakojima (Japan)
• Rosewood Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
• Rosewood Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• Rosewood Doha (Qatar)
• Rosewood Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
• Rosewood Beijing (China)
• Rosewood Guangzhou (China)
• Rosewood Sanya (China)
• Rosewood Hong Kong
• Rosewood Luang Prabang (Laos)
• Rosewood Bangkok (Thailand)
• Rosewood Phuket (Thailand)
• Rosewood Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand)
• Rosewood Kauri Cliffs (New Zealand)
• Rosewood Matakauri (New Zealand)

On top of that, the following Rosewood properties are currently under development:

• Rosewood Chengdu (China) — 2026
• Rosewood Hangzhou (China) — 2026
• Rosewood Milan (Italy) — 2026
• Rosewood Red Sea (Saudi Arabia) — 2026
• Rosewood Rome (Italy) — 2026
• Rosewood Venice (Italy) — 2026
• Rosewood San Francisco (United States) — 2026
• Rosewood Shenzhen (China) — 2026
• Rosewood Calistoga (United States) — 2027
• Rosewood Crete (Greece) — 2027
• Rosewood Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) — 2027
• Rosewood Mexico City (Mexico) — 2027
• Rosewood Ranfaru (Maldives) — 2027
• Rosewood Seoul (South Korea) — 2027
• Rosewood Shanghai (China) — 2028
• Rosewood Dubai (United Arab Emirates) — future opening
• Rosewood Exuma (Bahamas) — future opening
• Rosewood Hoi An (Vietnam) — future opening
• Rosewood Houston (United States) — future opening
• Rosewood Miami Beach (United States) — future opening
• Rosewood Ningbo (China) — future opening

Bottom line

Rosewood is one of the fastest growing luxury hotel groups. While the company started as a Texas-based hotel group with properties in the Americas, it has evolved massively over the past 15 years, under new ownership. Given the company’s Hong Kong-based owners, we’ve seen a huge expansion to the Asia portfolio in recent times, with plenty of properties that are owned by the hotel group.

It has been cool to watch Rosewood double in size over the past 15 years, and that growth trend is expected to continue. With just under 40 properties, Rosewood is somewhere between the small groups like Capella, and the bigger groups like Four Seasons.

What’s your perception of the Rosewood brand, and if you’ve stayed at a property, what was your experience like?

The Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card (review) is the business credit card of the Atmos Rewards program, which is the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The card is issued by Bank of America, and is a rebranding of the former Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card. The card has a $70 annual fee for the company, and a $25 annual fee per card (meaning you’ll pay a minimum of a $95 annual fee).

Let me emphasize that there are a lot of similarities between this and the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card (review), in the event that you prefer a personal card.

This is a business card that many people may not have previously considered picking up, so in this post, I’d like to share the reasons you might want to consider applying for this card. This is an especially good time to apply, given the welcome offer that’s currently available. In no particular order…

Limited time bonus of 80K points & companion fare

At the moment, the Atmos Rewards Business Card has a limited time two-part welcome bonus, making it the ideal time to apply. After spending $5,000 within the first 90 days, you can earn 80,000 Atmos Rewards bonus points, in addition to a $99 companion fare (plus taxes and fees from $23), valid for flights on Alaska and Hawaiian in the Americas.

I value Atmos Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, given the great uses of these rewards. That means that to me, the 80,000 points are worth $1,200. That doesn’t even account for the value of the companion fare.

Note that eligibility for this card (including the welcome bonus) is unrelated to which other Atmos Rewards cards you have.

Ability to earn companion fare annually

One of the biggest incentives to actually putting spending on the Atmos Rewards Business Card is that you can earn an annual Alaska and Hawaiian companion fare when you spend at least $6,000 per anniversary year on the card, valid for flights within North America.

For many people, this could be well worth it, especially given the size of the Alaska and Hawaiian networks. This could save you hundreds of dollars on the cost of a ticket, and is one of the most flexible companion fares out there. Interestingly, this is a perk that isn’t available on the more premium version of the card, so it’s a reason that many people will continue to want to hold onto this card.

Anecdotally easy approval & limited restrictions

This is all anecdotal, but based on everything I’ve seen (and personally experienced), I don’t think there are many business cards that are easier to get approved for than the Atmos Rewards Business Card. There are a couple of things that are particularly noteworthy:

• It seems like lots of people are getting instant approvals on this card, more so than with most other business credit cards, and more than with the personal version of the card
• The eligibility requirements around earning the bonus aren’t particularly strict; you can earn the bonus on the card even if you’ve earned it in the past

Applying for the card doesn’t count toward 5/24

Chase has the 5/24 rule, which is a restriction whereby you typically won’t be approved for a Chase card if you’ve opened five or more new card accounts in the past 24 months (though nowadays it doesn’t seem to be consistently enforced anymore). If this is a limit you’re trying to stay under, applying for most business cards, including the Atmos Rewards Business Card, shouldn’t count toward that limit.

That’s because the card won’t show up on your personal credit report, which is another reason to consider this card.

Spend your way to Atmos Rewards elite status

The Atmos Rewards Business Card can help you earn elite status. You can earn one Atmos Rewards status point per $3 spent on the card, with no caps.

If you are going to get serious about earning elite status with Atmos Rewards, you’ll want to go for the premium personal card, which offers one status point per $2 spent, so that will rack up status points quite a bit faster.

Free checked bag on Alaska & Hawaiian flights

Those with the Atmos Rewards Business Card can receive a free first checked bag on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. You must purchase the airfare with your card, and this also applies for up to six travelers on the same reservation. Alaska and Hawaiian ordinarily charge $35-40 for a checked bag, so the savings there are substantial.

Preferred boarding on Alaska flights

Those with the Atmos Rewards Business Card can receive preferred boarding for themselves and up to six companions on the same reservation when flying on Alaska. In order to use this perk, you need to charge the cost of the ticket to your card.

Preferred boarding can be valuable for ensuring that there’s overhead bin space for your carry-on bags, since that can otherwise be a challenge nowadays if you end up in one of the last boarding groups.

20% back on Alaska & Hawaiian inflight purchases

The Atmos Rewards Business Card offers 20% savings on Alaska and Hawaiian inflight purchases, including for food, premium beverages, and Wi-Fi. If you fly Alaska or Hawaiian with any frequency, those savings can add up quickly.

3x miles on Alaska & Hawaiian flight purchases

The Atmos Rewards Business Card offers 3x points per eligible dollar spent on Alaska and Hawaiian purchases. While there are some other credit cards that offer up to 5x points for airfare purchases, I’d note that Atmos Rewards points are a special currency that can be hard to rack up, and the program doesn’t partner with most major transferable points currencies.

Many may prefer to put their airline spending on this card, because earning 3x points is a solid return. Keep in mind you can get even more value if you have an eligible Bank of America account, as you can receive a 10% relationship bonus in terms of the points earned.

Looking for a personal Atmos Rewards card?

If you want an Atmos Rewards credit card but don’t want to apply for a business card, you have two great options to choose from.

The most comparable card is the $95 annual fee Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card (review), and there are lots of reasons to consider this card. The card has largely overlapping benefits, and a big welcome bonus. There’s something to be said for getting both the personal and business card, especially if you value the companion fare (you can generally get approved for both a personal and business card on the same day).

Meanwhile the most talked about card at the moment is the $395 annual fee Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® Credit Card (review). This card has a very nice welcome bonus, and some very cool perks and benefits, like 3x points on all foreign purchases, the ability to earn Global Companion Awards, free points sharing, waived partner award booking fees, eight Alaska Lounge passes annually, and more.

Bottom line

The Atmos Rewards Business Card has a reasonable annual fee, and is offering a huge limited time welcome bonus of 80,000 points, plus a companion certificate.

This is also a card potentially worth holding onto long-term, given the ability to earn a companion certificate every year, plus the ability to spend your way toward elite status, priority boarding, a first checked bag free, and more. If you’re eligible for this card (which a vast majority of small business owners should be, even if you’ve had the card in the past), then applying should be a no-brainer.

If you have the Atmos Rewards Business Card, what has your experience been with the card?

For the first hotel stay of my exotic journey to Bangkok via Paris, I spent a night at the 169-key Four Seasons Montreal. I had heard good things about this property from many people, and it didn’t disappoint.

I find Four Seasons to be the most consistent major hotel group in the world when it comes to service, and that’s one major advantage of staying with the brand. Beyond that, though, the Four Seasons Montreal has modern yet cozy rooms, solid amenities, and an excellent food & beverage scene. I’d absolutely return, and I was bummed to only have a fairly short stay here.

Booking the Four Seasons Montreal

I only booked my stay at the Four Seasons Montreal the day of travel, and I’m pretty sure I booked the last available room (since it showed as sold out after I booked). It’s a long story, but there was one alternative outbound routing I was considering, so I wanted flexibility with hotels until the last minute.

For what it’s worth, the rate for my stay was around 500 USD. In this case, I booked using an Amex 300 USD hotel credit, meaning I only paid 200 USD out of pocket, and then received a bunch of perks (an upgrade subject to availability, a 100 USD property credit, etc.).

If you don’t have such a credit to spend, the best way to book any Four Seasons property is through the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program, which offers extra perks just for booking through an eligible travel advisor. Ford and his team are happy to help with these requests, and can be reached at ford@fordbtravel.com.

Four Seasons Montreal location

The Four Seasons Montreal is located on Rue de la Montagne at Boulevard de Maisonneuve, in the heart of Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. The hotel is connected directly to Holt Renfrew Ogilvy (a high-end department store), plus there’s lots of shopping and dining on nearby Saint Catherine Street.

In terms of getting from Montreal Airport (YUL) to the hotel, it’s a roughly 20-minute drive.

Four Seasons Montreal lobby & check-in

Upon arriving at the Four Seasons Montreal, I was warmly welcomed by Akash, who couldn’t have been more engaging. He helped me with my bag, and walked me up to the lobby. While the hotel has an arrivals area on the ground floor, the main lobby is up on level three.

The Four Seasons’ lobby feels quite luxe, with the reception desk on one side, and then plenty of seating across from it.

My check-in process was efficient and friendly. Because of the way I booked, I’d receive a 100 CAD credit for breakfast, plus a 130 CAD food & beverage credit, so I had quite a bit to spend! Since the hotel was sold out, I just received the deluxe room I booked, as no upgrades were available.

By the way, as is standard at Four Seasons properties, there was coffee and tea available in the lobby in the mornings. I wish this were more common among other hotel groups, as it’s something I oh-so-appreciate.

Four Seasons Montreal guest room

The Four Seasons Montreal spans 12 floors, and I was assigned room 815, located on the eighth floor.

Entry level rooms here are marketed as being 38-44 square meters (408-473 square feet), so they’re quite generously sized. The room featured a long entryway with the main part of the room straight ahead, the bathroom to the left, and the closet space to the right.

Four Seasons has the hotel industry’s best beds, so the king bed in this room was supremely comfortable. I thought it was cute how it was a four-poster bed… that’s not something you often see at a city hotel!

Across from the bed was a dining table with two chairs, plus a wall-mounted TV. As much as I don’t love how so many hotels are eliminating in-room desks nowadays, I like Four Seasons’ approach of having a dining table that can double as a desk, and think it’s a good compromise.

The minibar was also in this area, and it boasted a Lavazza coffee machine, a kettle, and a variety of drinks and snacks for purchase.

The bathroom then featured a sink, a walk-in shower (with BYREDO toiletries), and a toilet in a separate room. I believe I may have been in an accessible room, so I imagine this bathroom was a bit different than the typical one.

When it comes to views, I imagine that my room probably didn’t have the best view available at the hotel. 😉 Again, I booked the last room, so had no expectations of anything else!

One thing that really impressed me is the welcome amenity that showed up around 15 minutes after I got to my room. Specifically, I was brought a dirty martini (my preferred alcoholic drink). What a lovely, customized amenity — it’s not complicated, but it shows attention to detail, and that’s all too rare at many hotel groups.

Four Seasons Montreal pool & gym

The Four Seasons Montreal has its gym and pool on the sixth floor. Four Seasons properties consistently have excellent gyms, and this hotel is no exception, with the 24/7 gym having a massive amount of cardio and weight equipment.

The Four Seasons also has a nice indoor pool setup, open daily from 7AM until 8:30PM.

Adjacent to that is a changing room area with a sauna, steam room, showers, etc.

Four Seasons Montreal spa

The Four Seasons Montreal has a Guerlain Spa, located on the first floor. It has eight treatment rooms, including one couple’s suite. I didn’t visit this or get any treatments, but I’ve heard it’s popular with locals as well, and you can find all the treatments here.

Four Seasons Montreal restaurant & bar

The Four Seasons Montreal has a cohesive food & beverage concept. All the outlets are located on the third floor, and this includes Marcus Restaurant + Terrace (the main restaurant concept) and Marcus Lounge + Night Bar (the bar and lounge concept).

Marcus Restaurant + Terrace is an all-day dining concept, serving breakfast, brunch (on weekends), lunch, dinner, etc., and you can find all the menus here. This isn’t just a typical hotel restaurant, as it’s lively, and popular with locals.

The restaurant area has a variety of seating options, ranging from tables with chairs, to booths, to counter seating.

In the morning, I met a friend here for brunch. We decided to have the Marcus Brunch, which is the restaurant’s signature brunch concept. OMG, this was decadent. It included a bagel tower (with smoked salmon and Montreal-style bagels, of course), scrambled eggs or avocado toast, a cinnamon roll, and more. We also ordered the salmon tartare.

To drink, I had a cappuccino, which was excellent as well.

I wish I had also gone to the restaurant for dinner, but I was so tired that I was asleep by 7PM, so that didn’t work out.

Also on the third floor is Marcus Lounge + Night Bar, which is open from the afternoon until late at night, and you can find all the menus here. This isn’t just your typical hotel lobby bar. There’s a main seating area, and it’s my understanding that there’s often live music here.

But then there’s also what feels like more of a nightclub, which is enclosed and behind the main lounge area.

Again, all of this was happening way past my bedtime, but based on the number of people moving around the lobby, these places are very popular.

Four Seasons Montreal service

The single thing that the Four Seasons brand does best is having hotels with consistently great service, and this property was no exception. Across the board — from the front office to the restaurants — I found all employees to be friendly and competent.

As mentioned above, a special shoutout to Akash, who greeted me on arrival and bid me farewell on departure, as he was so professional. It’s often the smallest interactions that leave the biggest impression.

Bottom line

I had an excellent stay at the Four Seasons Montreal, and think it’s the perfect North American city hotel. I didn’t actually do that much in the hotel during my stay (though I did get a lot of sleep!), but I enjoyed the comfortable room, excellent brunch, nice wellness area, and friendly service.

I hope to return at some point, though hopefully with a bit more time to actually enjoy Montreal (ideally in summer!).

What’s your take on the Four Seasons Montreal?

Long Lisbon security lines cause missed TAP flight

An OMAAT reader shared the following experience with me, about a recent transit at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS):

I wanted to share an interesting thing that recently happened to me at the Lisbon Airport. I’m not sure if I did something wrong, TAP did something wrong, or it’s just an unfortunate situation, but considering how regulated European aviation is, I feel like I’ve been wronged.

On 26-MAR I was flying BRU-LIS-RAK on a business class fare paid in cash. My fiancee was traveling on the same flights, in the same class, on an Aeroplan award. The BRU-LIS flight on Thursday even went off without a hitch. We had an overnight layover in Lisbon.

The following morning, our scheduled departure time to Marrakech was 9:20, and we arrived at the airport at about 7:00 AM, a little over 2h before departure. We had boarding passes in hand, no checked baggage, and proceeded to fast track security, which we quickly cleared without incident.

Monitors were showing a 28 minute wait for non-EU passports, so we went straight to passport control. We were greeted with a massive, loud, and somewhat disorderly crowd. We assumed we’d be in line for a half hour, as advertised, but a half hour turned to an hour, which turned to 90 minutes, which became two hours…

As we sat in line, on several occasions we attempted to get the attention of airport staff to tell them of our approaching departure. We actually managed to team up with 7 other passengers on the flight, but they refused to let anyone move to the front of the queue (which in a sense I appreciate), until about 10 minutes before departure. At 9:10 we were stamped out of Portugal and ran to the departure gate only to see that it had been closed. About 5 minutes before departure time.

As we missed the flight, we were directed to exit the terminal and go to the ticket counter. The only accommodation TAP offered me, a paid business class passenger, was to purchase another ticket and fly out two days later. I wound up booking an EasyJet flight out later that afternoon and made it to RAK.

Coincidentally, the next TAP flight arrived 5 minutes before my EasyJet flight later that afternoon, and I saw several of the passengers that I met in the immigration line. The only option they were given was also to pay cash for a new ticket, and although they were all originally ticketed in economy, TAP only offered them business class tickets.

Look, I understand it’s the passenger’s responsibility to show up early enough, and the airline has no control over immigration. My question is, what is reasonable? I was at the airport over 2h before departure and went to the immigration line as quickly as possible. Clearly there is an issue in LIS because as I stated, 7 other passengers from my flight faced the same fate. Is there really nothing in TAP terms or EU regs that doesn’t require rebooking in a situation like this? US carriers have many deficiencies, but I’m certain I would have been rebooked in a similar situation.

The ticket agent told me I should have shown up earlier. I understand that in this isolated incident, but it just seems very unreasonable and very customer unfriendly.

Am I the one who is in the wrong here? I feel like I’m owed something, but I also understand the one-sided nature of contracts of carriage.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share. I guess maybe show up 5h early if you’re flying out of LIS in the morning.

Is there any recourse in a situation like this?

When I hear of people missing flights due to long security lines, it’s often because they didn’t plan sufficiently, and were unrealistic. For example, if you show up at the airport 40 minutes before departure and then miss your flight due to long security lines, it’s hard to feel too bad.

However, that’s not at all what happened here. The traveler showed up over two hours before departure with just carry-on bags, and that’s as early as anyone could possibly expect to arrive at the airport for a flight, short of some extraordinary event that the airline warned people about.

I don’t know what happened here that caused these long lines, but this definitely seems out of the ordinary, and not like something that’s acceptable. If these lines are going to be so bad, it also seems like the airline should’ve warned people in advance of the possibility of that.

I think that also leads to the frustrating lack of accountability here. Admittedly an airline can’t be responsible for long security lines, so the airline wouldn’t be on the hook for paying for things like EC261 compensation, since this is fully outside of a carrier’s control.

However, both the airline and airport are run by the government, and as I see it, the real issue here is how European airlines generally have a policy that if you miss a flight, you have to pay for a new ticket.

It seems borderline unethical for a carrier’s hub airport to have unacceptably long security lines, and for the airline to then charge passengers to rebook if they miss their flight. It’s one of the ways that aviation in Europe is very punitive, as it’s not like the United States, where you’re typically just put on standby for the next flight if you miss the one you’re booked on.

I totally agree with this reader that he didn’t do anything wrong, and it’s not unreasonable that he feels he’s owed something. As he concludes, though, he’s correct that this is one of those situations that reflects just how one-sided airline contracts of carriage are.

Airlines are rarely generous beyond their published contract of carriage, especially for customer service after the fact. So this might be one of those rare situations where I’m not sure there’s any good recourse, I don’t have any advice, and I also am not sure what the lesson is. I certainly wouldn’t recommend showing up well over two hours early for a typical flight from Europe, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

So do we just put this in the category of “if you travel enough things sometimes go wrong, and there’s nothing we can do about it?” Or is there another lesson?

Bottom line

A TAP Air Portugal passenger missed his flight due to very long security lines at Lisbon Airport. That’s super frustrating, since it’s not like he was cutting it close, so this could’ve happened to any reasonable person. While it’s frustrating to miss your flight in this situation to begin with, what makes it even worse is that he was forced to buy another ticket, since European carriers don’t generally just roll your ticket over to the next flight.

Is there any good advice that I’m missing, or what do you make of this situation?

United & AFA reach tentative agreement on new contract

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) and United Airlines have announced that they’ve reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for 30,000 flight attendants. For some background, in recent years we’ve seen flight attendants at most major airlines in the United States negotiate new contracts, following the pandemic.

Delta flight attendants aren’t unionized, so they get proactive pay raises, but don’t negotiate new contracts in the same way, since they don’t have collective bargaining. Meanwhile the only major airline where flight attendants haven’t received a new contract is United.

Around the middle of 2025, a tentative agreement was reached for a new contract at United. However, flight attendants ended up rejecting the contract in a vote, with 71% of the membership base voting against the contract. This has been a really drawn out negotiation process, and it has certainly caused some bad blood between management and the union.

The full details of the tentative agreement have just been made public. Voting among flight attendants will take place between April 23 and May 12, and if ratified, the new contract would go into effect as of May 31, 2026.

United has obviously been improving financially in recent years, and is increasingly moving out of American’s league and into Delta’s league. However, United has also had a major advantage when it comes to labor costs, given the number of employee work groups that don’t have new contracts.

Details of the new United flight attendant contract

Back in 2025 when flight attendants voted on the first contract, the agreement included the following (or so it was described):

• Industry leading compensation
• Industry leading retro pay
• Hotel, scheduling, reserve, and other quality of life improvements
• In the first year alone, flight attendants would gain 40% of total economic improvements

It was actually a very competitive contract, but flight attendants wanted an industry leading contract, and there were some specific provisions the membership base wasn’t happy about. It seems that with this updated contract, flight attendants can expect the following incremental improvements over the last contract:

• Improved base pay rates
• Restrictions on redeye flying 
• Sit pay for scheduled and rescheduled sits of over 2.5 hours
• Increased retro pay
• Improved language in hotels and electronic notifications

For example, below is the new proposed pay scale, looking at how rates would evolve over the course of the contract.

With this contract, flight attendants would also get retro pay dating back several years, which is a percentage of eligible earnings. For example, they’d get 4% pay for September through December 2021, 4% pay for 2022, 2023, and 2024, 22% pay for 2025, and 25% pay for January through May 2026.

Bottom line

United flight attendants and management have reached a new tentative agreement on a contract, after the membership overwhelmingly rejected the 2025 contract proposal. We now know the details of the new contract, and there are indeed some incremental improvements.

I hope that flight attendants are happy with this and that it gets ratified, so that this tension between management and employees goes away. For that matter, it’ll be very interesting to see how this impacts United’s financial performance as well…

What do you make of United flight attendants once again having a tentative agreement?