All-inclusive vacations can simplify trip planning, and IHG Hotels & Resorts makes it easy to discover, compare and book a growing range of participating all-inclusive resorts across destinations worldwide.

Booking through IHG can add even more value to the experience. With IHG One Rewards, members can earn and redeem points at participating all-inclusive properties. That means a beach vacation can help fund a future trip or reduce your out-of-pocket cost if you redeem IHG points for your stay.

After all, one of the biggest appeals of an all-inclusive vacation is knowing that many of your meals, drinks and activities are included in your stay. But by booking a participating all-inclusive stay through IHG, you may also be able to earn points, work toward elite status and enjoy select IHG One Rewards benefits during your stay.

Here's what to know about getting more out of an all-inclusive vacation with IHG One Rewards.

IHG has a growing all-inclusive portfolio

IHG Hotels & Resorts has expanded its all-inclusive portfolio to give travelers more ways to discover and book resort experiences across a range of brands, destinations and stay types, all through the hotel loyalty program you already know and trust.

Iberostar Beachfront Resorts are a key part of IHG's all-inclusive offering, with participating resorts in beach destinations across Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

For example, if you're planning an all-inclusive trip to Mexico, you might look at Iberostar Selection Riviera Cancún or JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar. If the Caribbean is calling, Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites in the Dominican Republic may be worth considering. And if you're thinking about Europe, Iberostar Jardín del Sol Suites in Mallorca might be a good fit.

But IHG's all-inclusive options go beyond Iberostar Beachfront Resorts. For example, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Grand Residences All-Inclusive and Holiday Inn Club Vacations The Royal Sands All-Inclusive are notable options in Mexico. And if you're interested in an all-inclusive vacation without leaving the U.S., the voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort in Florida is worth considering.

Of course, the best all-inclusive resort for your trip depends on who you are traveling with and what you want from your vacation. Some resorts are better suited for families who want pools, activities and kids clubs. Meanwhile, other resorts are more appealing to couples, friends and multigenerational groups that want to package their stay, dining and activities together.

That's one reason it can be useful to start your search on IHG's website or app. You can look for participating all-inclusive resorts by destination and compare options. Plus, booking through IHG ensures your IHG One Rewards number is attached to your reservation.

Earn IHG points on all-inclusive stays

One of the best reasons to book an all-inclusive stay through IHG is that you can earn IHG points.

IHG members earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying stays at participating IHG hotels and resorts, including Iberostar Beachfront Resorts and Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts. Plus, travelers with IHG elite status can earn even more through status bonuses as follows:

Earning points can be especially valuable on an all-inclusive stay. Since these stays often cost more than a typical hotel night, a qualifying all-inclusive resort booking could earn you a significant number of IHG points.

To earn IHG points on your all-inclusive stay, book through an eligible method such as the IHG website or app and confirm your IHG One Rewards number is attached to your reservation. This is important, as your stay may not qualify for points or IHG One Rewards benefits if you book through another source (including most online travel agencies).

Redeem IHG points for all-inclusive stays

You can also redeem IHG points for reward nights at all-inclusive properties that participate in the IHG One Rewards program.

To redeem IHG points for an all-inclusive stay — including those at Iberostar Beachfront Resorts — go to IHG's website or app, log in to your account and search for your destination, dates and number of guests. Be sure to set your rate preference to "Reward Nights."

From there, you can compare properties. On the results page, you'll see the starting nightly award rate and some flags that let you know if the property is all-inclusive or adults only.

If you click a specific property, you can see the available room types. Note that some room types may carry a higher nightly award rate.

Be sure to click "Reward Nights + All Inclusive" for the room type and rate you select to confirm what's included in the rate.

It's important to enter the correct number of guests, including children, when searching for your all-inclusive vacation, as IHG adjusts reward-night pricing based on factors such as guest count and dining plan.

For example, a two-night stay at Iberostar Selection​ Cancun in Mexico might cost 90,000 points per night for two adults but 135,000 points per night for two adults and two children.

And at some resorts, such as Iberostar Waves Cristina in Spain, you can choose from breakfast-only, half-board and full all-inclusive award rates, each priced accordingly.

If you have an eligible IHG One Rewards credit card, you may be able to get even more value from your points at participating IHG properties. The fourth Reward Night is free when you redeem points for any stay of four or more nights. You'll automatically see the discounted award rates at participating properties if you're logged into your account, have an eligible card and search for a reward stay of four nights or longer. Plus, eligible Cardmembers have an annual Free Night that can be enhanced with points to access hotels above the 40,000-point redemption threshold.

Get IHG elite-night credits and benefits on all-inclusive stays

Qualifying all-inclusive stays can also help IHG One Rewards members work toward elite status and milestone rewards.

Plus, IHG One Rewards members can enjoy select benefits during qualifying all-inclusive stays at participating IHG hotels and resorts and participating Iberostar Beachfront Resorts. Even if you don't have elite status with IHG, you can access member rates, Wi-Fi access and 2 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability at participating hotels.

IHG Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members may be eligible for benefits such as early check-in, room upgrades and a welcome amenity at check-in, subject to availability.

And if you have an annual lounge membership that you earned through the milestone rewards program, you can use the Star Prestige facilities when available at participating Iberostar Beachfront Resort properties.

All these benefits can be especially useful at a resort. A late checkout can give you a few more hours at the pool before an evening flight, while an early check-in can make a morning arrival less awkward. And a room upgrade can make a special trip feel even more spectacular.

Just keep in mind that many elite benefits are subject to availability and may vary by brand, hotel and stay type.

Bottom line

All-inclusive vacations are appealing because they can make travel simpler, but booking an all-inclusive stay through IHG can add another layer of value.

Through IHG Hotels and Resorts, travelers can discover, compare and book all-inclusive resorts in a wide range of vacation destinations. And IHG One Rewards members can earn points on qualifying paid stays, redeem points for all-inclusive stays and enjoy member or elite benefits along the way.

Whether you're planning a family beach trip, a couples getaway, a friends trip or a multigenerational vacation, it's worth checking IHG's all-inclusive options before you book.

New York City has some of the best independent restaurants and coffee shops in the world. It's one of the reasons why I love living here, but it also means dining is easily my largest expense outside of rent each month — and most dining loyalty programs that help you save money at the places you eat at regularly are centered around national chains.

Enter Blackbird.

Blackbird is a loyalty program and payment app designed for independent restaurants and cafes. A friend introduced me to it earlier this year, and I've since fallen in love with it. You can earn and redeem rewards, access special perks, split and pay your bill and more via the app. The program even has elite status tiers that offer more value.

For anyone unfamiliar, I'm breaking down all the program's pros and cons to help you decide if it's worth investing your time and energy.

Why Blackbird is a game changer for big-city dining

Blackbird allows you to earn Fly rewards points at member restaurants when you check in via the app. The more you check in and spend, the more valuable each visit becomes thanks to the program's loyalty tiers. Those just joining will earn 3 Fly points per dollar spent, but you can earn up to 7 Fly points per dollar spent at the highest Blackbird Club loyalty tier.

Right now, Blackbird is available in nine destinations:

• New York City (including all boroughs, plus Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey)
• The Hamptons, New York
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Denver
• Aspen, Colorado
• Vail, Colorado
• Breckenridge, Colorado

The list of participating restaurants is still growing, but there's a solid number of available spots in New York City currently — from easy weeknight dinner spots like Barn Joo to chains like Tacombi to cocktail bars like The Tusk Bar. I also took a look at available options in Blackbird's other locations. Understandably, New York City has the largest concentration of participating restaurants, but the other major cities on the list have a decent selection of restaurants, too.

Checking in is as easy as tapping your phone to the small black Blackbird puck at the host stand, and it's easy to pay your bill (or split it among friends) directly in the app.

The best part? You can even stack rewards with your credit card to double up on earning. For example, if you use your American Express® Gold Card to pay your bill through Blackbird, you'll earn Fly points and 4 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

Related: Best credit cards for dining

Blackbird Club tiers

If you spend enough with Blackbird throughout the year, you'll get access to higher earning rates and additional benefits via the tiered loyalty program. You get access to higher tiers of the program by spending with Blackbird Pay or preloading money into your Blackbird account to use at checkout (similar to how you can preload money into your Starbucks Rewards account).

Here's a quick breakdown of each tier:

I wouldn't recommend preloading money into Blackbird to hit any of the elite tiers, as that would limit your ability to double-dip with credit card rewards when paying the bill at the restaurant, but if you do spend enough at Blackbird restaurants throughout the year to gain access to elevated earning rates, priority reservations and concierge help, those are all potentially valuable benefits.

The value breakdown

Earning and redeeming with Blackbird is surprisingly straightforward. Depending on your status level, you'll earn between 3 and 7 Fly points per dollar spent, and 100 Fly points equals $1 in spending power toward future Blackbird purchases. That means that even at the free level, you're getting a 3% return on spending, which is on par with a lot of credit card earning rates (and remember, you can also earn credit card points or miles on top of your Blackbird earnings). At the highest member tier, you'll get an impressive 7% return on spending.

Blackbird also offers opt-in challenges that let you earn additional Fly points (including a first-time user challenge) and a referral bonus, making it really easy to get immediate value from the program even after just one purchase.

A concrete example: I spent $45.30 at a Mexican-focused Tacombi location for my first-ever check-in and got 4,095 points total (3 points per dollar spent on the bill, plus a referral bonus and a first-time bonus). Given that points are worth 1 cent each, I had nearly $41 to spend on a future Blackbird Pay bill.

The downsides of Blackbird

I have laid out many of the pros in this article already, but there are also some downsides to consider.

Only nine destinations are currently participating, and within each, only select restaurants are available. In New York City and the other major participating metropolitan areas, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, you'll have plenty of options where you can earn rewards, but even in the Big Apple, the reality is that the majority of restaurants in the city aren't currently on Blackbird. In the Colorado mountain towns where Blackbird operates (Vail, Breckenridge and Aspen), your options for Blackbird are fairly limited.

Another con is that the bill split feature doesn't allow you to itemize. If your friend group tends to share food or split things evenly regardless of itemization, that's not an issue. But if you want to itemize, you'll have to do it the old-fashion way: Pick one person to get the full tab, calculate each person's share separately and then settle via Venmo or Cash App.

Who will find Blackbird most valuable?

Blackbird has the potential to be a really valuable program — but only for the right user. Consider joining if you're:

• A foodie who lives where Blackbird operates. Until Blackbird adds more cities, this program is only valuable to those who eat out often in the nine destinations where Blackbird is currently available.
• Someone who often eats family-style meals and splits the bill with friends. The ability to split the bill directly in the app is a great benefit for friend groups like mine, where everyone wants to earn credit card points and miles on the meal. We tend to split things evenly instead of itemizing, so it works perfectly for us.
• Regularly spending at least $500 on dining a year. Spending $500 per year will get you Member status and an elevated 4 points per dollar spent earning rate. If you also happen to have the Amex Gold, which offers 4 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), you'll earn a total of 8 points per dollar spent on every qualifying meal.
• An adventurous eater who likes trying a variety of restaurants. With Blackbird, you don't have to commit to being loyal to a single restaurant or chain to earn or redeem rewards.

Bottom line

I love a good travel redemption as much as the next girl, but there's something to be said about an easy way to earn rewards and benefits on an everyday expense like dining. Blackbird is straightforward to use, earns valuable rewards at an array of restaurants and allows me to stack rewards with my credit cards of choice. That's a no-brainer for someone like me who lives in an expensive city like New York and dines out at least once a week with friends.

Know, though, that we've seen this movie before with loyalty programs that offer huge sign-up incentives and high earnings without fees. In some ways, this program feels a little too good to be true to me, and, usually, that means it is too good to be true in the long term. (Looking at you, MoviePass.)

Still, the current earnings are simply too impressive to ignore, so I'm going to make the most of this program while its points are valuable and its earning rates are high, no matter which status I hold. If you sign up for the program, I'd recommend you do the same.

Quick take: United's new "Elevated" Polaris business class represents a sophisticated step forward for the airline. Hopefully the closing privacy doors will be certified soon.

Pros

• There's decent award availability for United cardholders.
• Seats are spacious and have closing doors.
• Upscale food and beverage service with pre-order is available.

Cons

• Privacy doors need to be certified before they can be used.
• Wi-Fi isn't free and is slower than Starlink.
• The sound systems in the seats seem to have a few bugs.

TPG got the first peek at United's swanky new "Elevated" Polaris business class in March when the airline showed off the fancy new suite-style pods at an event in Los Angeles shortly after flights went on sale.

Senior aviation reporter Sean Cudahy was also among the first to actually fly in the new suites when he boarded the inaugural flight from San Francisco to Singapore in April.

Sean actually flew in the enhanced "Studio" version of the suites, which are in the bulkhead row and cost a premium. So I took it upon myself to be TPG's guinea pig and fly the standard version of the seat on my own way from Singapore to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago.

The new Elevated Polaris feels like a timely step forward for the airline, with amenities and other soft touches that loyal United flyers have come to expect.

Here's what it was like flying nearly 16 hours in United's new business class and how to book it for yourself.

How much does it cost to book United's Elevated Polaris business class?

The cost of a long-haul, business-class ticket in United's new Elevated Polaris business class depends on the route, dates and whether you are flying round-trip or one-way.

My one-way flight from Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) cost me 90,000 United MileagePlus miles plus $74.23 in taxes and fees instead of a paid fare of $4,148. That yielded me a value of about 4.5 cents per mile, soundly beating TPG's September 2026 valuation of United miles.

It was free to choose a regular Polaris seat, but upgrading to a Studio seat would have cost $599 in advance. However, the price dropped to $499 when I checked in. Other passengers must have taken that offer since the five empty Studios I could see on the seat map had filled in by the time we departed.

My 90,000-mile award ticket was the lowest level I could find for this route for the entire next year. What's more, it was only available to me because I am a United cobranded credit card holder. Without a United credit card or United Premier status, I would have needed a whopping 250,000 miles.

The best way to increase your number of United miles quickly — and to unlock that preferential redemption rate — is to apply for one of the following cobranded credit cards:

• United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees): 2 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees): 2 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• United Club℠ Business Card: 2 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees): 3 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees): 4 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases
• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees): 5 bonus miles per dollar spent on United purchases

The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The good news is, there seems to be plenty of availability on this route, especially in the direction I flew, for that same 90,000 miles — even if you tag on another leg to your final destination within the U.S.

Checking into and boarding United business class

United Polaris business-class passengers can enjoy the following services at the airport.

My flight departed from Singapore Changi's Terminal 2. There were dedicated check-in lines for economy and Premier Access, which I could access thanks to my business-class ticket. I checked my bag, cleared immigration in a matter of minutes, and then made my way to Singapore Airlines' business-class KrisFlyer Lounge.

I only spent a few minutes there getting a coffee since it was rush hour and nearly every seat was taken, but you can expect a variety of seating areas and an extensive buffet with live cooking stations for items like egg dishes and soup.

Just over an hour before departure time, I made the 15-minute walk to the gate, which was just opening up for security checks. Boarding began right on time, 55 minutes before departure, and I was the first on board.

How comfortable is United's Elevated Polaris business class?

You can currently find United's Elevated Polaris cabins aboard a handful of newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Each plane features an enormous premium section spanning the front half of the aircraft, with a total of 64 Polaris seats, including eight premium Studios. The business-class section of the plane is split into two large cabins, each with eight rows of four seats.

Here's a quick look at the layout.

All the seats along the sides of the plane are angled out toward the window, so you're not really looking at other passengers.

What's interesting is that in the forward cabin, the center seats are angled toward one another with their seatbacks farther apart, while in the back cabin, the center seats have their seatbacks closer to one another and their footrests toward the aisle. For that reason, those back seats might be better for companions traveling together. All the center seats have huge privacy partitions that can be raised, though.

The biggest evolution of this new Elevated Polaris product is the fact that the seats have substantial sliding doors for privacy, so you can cocoon yourself away from the activity on the aisle.

Unfortunately, the plane I was on had only been delivered recently, and the doors had not yet been certified, according to the crew, so they were locked in the open position. I guess I'll just need to test them out on another flight!

Jokes aside, I found the footprint to be roomy and provide plenty of privacy.

The new Polaris seats also look more sophisticated than their predecessors, thanks to a moody palette of textured graphite-gray exterior shells with navy-blue interior walls, silvery-gray seating upholstery with accent cross-stitching, faux-marble shelving and caramel-colored woodgrain paneling. The aesthetic feels more sultry and elegant than the old Polaris' cheerier sky-blue and brushed-chrome combination.

The Studios comprise the four seats in the two bulkhead rows and have a roomier footprint, larger entertainment screens than the regular seats, an ottoman that can double as a companion's dining perch and some extra amenities and food and beverage options on board.

The regular seats have a few stowage options, including a small compartment next to the seatback with a mirror where you can tuck in provided noise-canceling headsets and amenity kits. There is another small compartment with a water bottle holder in the aisle-side armrest that can be raised or lowered up to 11 inches.

As I mentioned, these seats have doors that will eventually close, and I measured them at 54 inches from the top to the floor. The gap between the armrest and the preceding seat shell is 9 inches. So, it can be a tight squeeze, but it's pretty standard.

The ledge next to the seat on this side has a glossy faux-marble shelf and a wireless charging pad for phones that juiced my iPhone 17 Pro by about 1% every five minutes. Next to that is a corded remote for the entertainment system.

Beneath this shelf and labeled with helpful icons, there is a universal power plug and two USB-C ports (so if you have older devices, you might need to bring a USB-C to A converter).

Now for the fun part: In addition to buttons for preset seating positions, you could control the individual components of the seat using a touchscreen pad near the armrest. It took me a while to get the hang of it since it's sort of like a scrolling scale, but it was fun to use. This pad could also control the lights and even change the color palette to suit your mood. I spent way too much time playing with that feature.

The seat's 19-inch OLED 4K entertainment system is also a touchscreen, and the massive tray table deploys from below that. It can be unfolded to a whopping 24-by-16-inch surface with plenty of space for a meal service tray and my MacBook Air at the same time.

When it came time to rest, I reclined the seat to its full 78-inch lie-flat length, which was plenty long for me but might not be quite enough for taller travelers. The foot cubby is 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide at its opening, so that was enough space for me to roll over from one side to the other without knocking my toes; however, if you have really large feet, you might feel constrained.

Business-class passengers share four lavatories (one per 16 passengers). Two are behind the flight deck near the front galley, and the other two are by the second galley. Given the length of this flight, they only really got busy just after meal service, and the crew did their best to keep them clean. There was a mix of Perricone MD and Therabody products included.

Finally, I appreciated the overhead air nozzles, as they kept my seat cool when the cabin was otherwise a little too warm for me. Most passengers were also considerate and kept their windows' electronic shades set to the darkest mode for most of the flight so that everyone could rest.

Amenities in United's Elevated Polaris business class

These may be new seats, but passengers will still find the airline's signature (and beloved) Saks Fifth Avenue bedding on board. Each seat came stocked with a bedding set that included a firm cooling gel pillow for lumbar support, a soft medium-size pillow, a lightweight blanket that I used as a seat pad and a more substantial duvet wrapped in plastic. The only thing I would have preferred is for the larger pillow to also have a wrap so I could stow it until I needed it. I just kept it down in the seat rather than try to stick it in the overhead, though, so I could keep it clean.

I also found a pair of soft slippers on the seat's ottoman and donned them for most of the flight rather than wearing my own shoes.

There was a colorful blue-striped Brooks Brothers amenity kit stocked with the following products, including skincare items from Perricone MD:

• A toothbrush and toothpaste
• Ear plugs
• Eye mask
• Socks
• Tissues
• Pen
• Perricone MD Vitamin C cleansing wipe
• Perricone MD Vitamin C eye gel
• Perricone MD Vitamin C hand cream
• Perricone MD Vitamin C face mist
• Perricone MD Vitamin C lip balm

The inclusions were nice, and I actually appreciated how compact the kit itself was, making it easy to stow in the seat-side compartment.

The entertainment system felt very advanced. It was a 19-inch HD screen with accessibility options, and it was very easy to navigate. Luckily, it also had Bluetooth capability, so I could connect my own earbuds when the seat's headphone jack was not working properly. (Apparently, this has been a widely reported issue.) Once I did connect, though, the sound was good, and I appreciated the selection of movies and TV shows.

Among the new releases were "The Devil Wears Prada 2," "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and "Project Hail Mary." The television shows included selections from HBO, including "House of the Dragon" and "Rooster."

United is currently rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi, which is free to MileagePlus members on equipped planes. Unfortunately, this Dreamliner wasn't one of them. MileagePlus members could select a free messaging plan for phones that worked well enough on my iPhone for texting and WhatsApp, but not for email or any other apps.

Instead, I sprung for the full-flight paid Wi-Fi plan, which was available for a mere $8. It was sufficient for email and some light browsing, and it was easy to swap service between my laptop and phone.

How was the food in United's Elevated Polaris business class?

After most of the business-class cabin boarded, flight attendants came by offering a choice of water or Gambino prosecco, which retails for about $10. I stuck to water since United has recently upgraded its inflight wines, and I was waiting for the good stuff.

The airline allows you to preorder your meals in business class up to 24 hours in advance, and there was one main course choice of salmon available exclusively for preorder. I ordered one of the other dishes in advance to be sure they would have it.

Service began about 20 minutes into the flight with a choice of beverages and a little ramekin of warmed nuts.

About 20 minutes and another beverage service after that, the staff brought out the first course, which included a choice of:

• Spiced seared prawns with chorizo dukkah and cauliflower puree
• Mozzarella with charred grapes and balsamic vinegar cream
• Baby greens salad with cherry tomatoes, Parmesan and marinated artichoke hearts

They served entrees about an hour into the flight. Options included:

• Beef tenderloin with rosemary Parmesan Hasselback potatoes, ratatouille and demi-glace
• Frenched bone-in chicken breast with creamy polenta, broccolini and caramelized onion demi-glace
• Orechiette pasta with white fava bean puree, sundried tomatoes and sauteed mixed vegetables
• Seared salmon with braised lentils, asparagus and lemon-thyme butter (the preorder option)

I had the beef, and while the piece of meat was well-cooked, the potato that came with it was more like a plain baked potato; the ratatouille was mainly chopped bell peppers in the semi-sweet demi-glace sauce, so I mostly scraped that off.

For dessert, there was a choice of:

• Made-to-order ice cream sundaes
• Lemon pound cake
• Cheese plate with fresh fruit

I couldn't resist the sundae with the works, and the flight attendant assigned to my row made it expertly.

Among the wines on offer were:

• Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne
• Stony Hill SHV chardonnay from Napa Valley, California
• Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux Blanc from France
• Whispering Angel Rosé from France
• Shafer One Point Five cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley
• Lingua Franca Avni pinot noir from Oregon
• Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port

There was also a variety of sodas, juices, Illy coffee, Twinings teas and beers like Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois and Bell's Two Hearted IPA. As you can see, United has really stepped up its wine game with that Champagne and the cabernet sauvignon, in particular, which retails for well over $100 a bottle. It tasted great in the air, too.

Between meals, there were oranges, bananas and potato chips in the galley, and you could also request instant noodle soup.

However, the most interesting meal choice was actually the light option, which you could order up to two hours before arrival. It was dubbed a "Tapas" selection and included up to four of the following dishes to mix and match:

• Hainan chicken and rice with bok choy and carrots, inspired by Singapore's Maxwell Hawker Centre
• Vegetarian curry puff
• Laksa with noodles, prawns, fish cake, hard-boiled egg and sambal
• Soba noodles with goma dressing, chili oil, edamame and enoki mushrooms

I ordered one of each, and the flight attendant came back with the tray around three minutes later. Honestly, I should have just had this as my main meal since the dishes were light, fresh and flavorful, providing a little taste of Singapore.

After that meal, I snoozed a little longer and then worked for a few hours. About 90 minutes before arrival, the crew turned on the cabin lights and began serving a prearrival meal. The choice of main dishes included:

• Poached shrimp with chicken broth congee, ginger and scallions
• Chive scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, potato rosti and roasted tomatoes
• Ricotta pancakes with caramelized banana, honeycomb butter and toasted walnuts

I had the poached shrimp in congee, and the ginger and scallions lent the dish some much-needed flavor. The tray also came with a bowl of fresh fruit and a croissant.

All the meal services were efficient and well-executed. I would rethink my main meal order, and perhaps just go for the tapas course since it was much tastier and more interesting than the two regular meal services. If it's available on your flight, I recommend trying that.

One piece of advice: If you're interested in what's on the food and beverage menu for your flight, you can check your flight's status on the United website, click on the button for "inflight menu" and select your class of service to see the options listed.

Would you recommend United's Elevated Polaris business class?

United's new Elevated Polaris business class is an exciting new option for flyers on the airline's long-haul routes. Hopefully, award availability will continue to be good as more freshly delivered Dreamliners with the new seats on board come online.

I also hope to fly the seats again to try out the roomier Studios and to test out whether closing doors improve the experience. For now, though, the new Polaris product is a great way to fly from San Francisco to both Singapore and London, and I'll be on the lookout for more opportunities to try it out.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for airport lounge access
• The ultimate guide to United Club access
• The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• 7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
• The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers

It looks like American Airlines' loss may be Delta Air Lines' gain when it comes to one of America's top hotel loyalty programs.

Delta and Hyatt just announced they're teaming up in a new loyalty partnership that's set to launch in the coming months.

That word comes just hours after American and Hyatt revealed that they're ending their yearslong relationship.

Delta-Hyatt partnership: What to expect

This new "exclusive collaboration" will closely link Delta SkyMiles and World of Hyatt, the companies said Wednesday. It will allow members of both programs to simultaneously earn points and miles in both programs when flying Delta or staying at a property in the Hyatt portfolio.

In other words, a Hyatt stay could earn you both World of Hyatt points and Delta SkyMiles. Ditto for a Delta flight.

That dual-earning perk was a popular benefit Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage members previously shared at the height of their partnership, before it was scaled back last year. Now, it's back for World of Hyatt loyalists — but with Delta instead of American:

• SkyMiles members will earn miles based on their spending on eligible Hyatt stays
• World of Hyatt members will earn points when booking Delta flights in "qualifying fare classes."

It also sounds like there will be some reciprocal status benefits mixed in for Delta Medallion and World of Hyatt elite members.

For instance, American elites today can unlock Hyatt perks like lower-level hotel status and free night certificates as they climb the AAdvantage ladder.

Hyatt elites can earn on-board benefits like preferred and extra legroom seat coupons.

It remains to be seen what any perks could look like with the new Delta-Hyatt partnership. The companies expect to share more details in the next few months.

"Flying Delta creates experiences and opportunities that can't be found anywhere else," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement announcing the news. "Hyatt shares that same premium approach to everything from travel and dining to entertainment and accommodations, and it's what makes them such a natural fit."

2 major loyalty programs join forces

Delta's SkyMiles loyalty program is among the most powerful in America, thanks in large part to its lucrative credit card deal with American Express.

Meanwhile, World of Hyatt has been one of TPG's favorite hotel loyalty programs year after year.

According to TPG's September 2026 valuations, Hyatt points are worth 1.65 cents apiece — roughly double the value of a Marriott Bonvoy point and about four times the value of a Hilton Honors point.

What this means for Delta, Hyatt members

If you're a frequent Delta flyer who's also a Hyatt loyalist, this partnership is certainly welcome news. In the future, you'll be able to stack your SkyMiles and Hyatt earnings on flights and hotel stays.

That "double-dipping" perk was one of the best parts of the AA-Hyatt tie-up before it disappeared at the end of 2024.

And travelers who dabble in SkyMiles and World of Hyatt will definitely be glad to see that come back. We'll be watching, of course, to see how the earn rates stack up — and what any additional loyalty benefits between the two programs look like.

American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt launched a partnership in 2019. My favorite part of this partnership was reciprocal earnings: Hyatt elite members could earn 1 bonus point per $1 spent on qualifying American Airlines flights, and American elite members could earn 1 bonus mile per $1 spent on qualifying Hyatt stays. Unfortunately, the programs ended reciprocal earnings on Dec. 31, 2024. And now, they've announced plans to end their enhanced loyalty partnership.

American and Hyatt are ending their enhanced partnership

Press releases from both American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt on Sept. 9 state the programs "have mutually decided to not continue our enhanced relationship."

However, both programs say they are "committed to preserving the benefits members can earn through the current earning year in each program (including providing the standard time to select an award after it has been earned)."

Specifically, American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt members will see "no interruption in earning, selecting and redeeming their eligible benefits" for "the remainder of each program's current earning year."

What happens to current American-Hyatt benefits

Nov. 15 will be the last day to link your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts. But if your accounts are linked by Nov. 15, AAdvantage members can continue earning World of Hyatt awards through Loyalty Point Rewards through Feb. 28, 2027, and World of Hyatt members can continue earning AAdvantage awards through Milestone Rewards through Dec. 31, 2026.

As a reminder, American's Loyalty Point Rewards program offers members World of Hyatt benefits at select milestones reached within an elite-qualifying year. At some milestones, you'll get perks automatically, while at other milestones, you'll get one or two choices of perks.

• 100,000 Loyalty Points: Get World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• 175,000 and 250,000 Loyalty Points: Choose World of Hyatt Explorist status
• 400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Points: Choose a World of Hyatt Category 1-4 free night award
• 1,000,000, 3,000,000 and 5,000,000 Loyalty Points: Choose a World of Hyatt Category 1-7 free night award

I wouldn't, and haven't, chosen any of these perks as Loyalty Point Rewards since there are more valuable options. As such, I'm not particularly sad to see these options removed as of March 1, 2027.

However, if you reach a Loyalty Point Rewards tier on or before Feb. 28, 2027, you'll still get the standard amount of time to select your reward and then enjoy or redeem it. American currently gives members until March 31, 2027, to select 2026 Loyalty Point Rewards. If you select Hyatt free night awards, they'll expire 180 days from the date they are issued in your World of Hyatt account (be sure to check the expiration date once the free night award is in your account).

Meanwhile, the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program lets members choose American Airlines perks at select milestones:

• 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points and 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 base points: Choose 2 Preferred seat coupons on American Airlines
• 40 qualifying nights or 65,000 base points and 50 qualifying nights or 80,000 base points: Choose 2 Main Cabin Extra seat coupons on American Airlines
• 70, 80 and 90 qualifying nights: Choose AAdvantage Gold status
• 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 qualifying nights: Choose AAdvantage Platinum status

If you reach one of these Milestone Rewards tiers on or before Dec. 31, 2026, you'll still have the standard amount of time to select your rewards and enjoy or redeem them. Seat coupons typically expire 365 days from when they were issued to your AAdvantage account, while AAdvantage status selected as a milestone reward expires on March 31 of the following full year. So if you select an AAdvantage status as a milestone reward on Dec. 1, 2026, your status will be valid through March 31, 2028.

We'll also likely see the end of the ability to redeem American miles for Hyatt free-night awards and redeem Hyatt points for AAdvantage Status for a Day. But perhaps the most painful part of this partnership ending for many members will be the end of the status fast tracks for members of both programs.

Bottom line

American and Hyatt's partnership has already become less valuable since reciprocal earnings ended at the end of 2024, and I won't personally miss most of the current cross-program reward choices. However, I'm sad to see the status fast-track benefits disappear, as they could offer significant value to eligible members of both programs.

If your AAdvantage and World of Hyatt accounts aren't already linked, it's worth doing so by Nov. 15. That will let you continue earning the current cross-program rewards through the end of each program's earning year. And even after the enhanced partnership ends, AAdvantage members will still be able to choose to earn 500 miles instead of World of Hyatt points on eligible Hyatt stays.

For many travelers, airport lounge access is crucial. It not only provides a space to relax before a journey but can also serve as an ideal place to be productive and get work done.

This is where American Admirals Club lounges come in. There are nearly 50 of them worldwide, and you can get access by purchasing a day pass, redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage miles, having elite status, flying in a premium cabin or holding the right credit card.

In my opinion, the best-value way to access Admirals Clubs is through one specific credit card: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees).

While it does come with a $695 annual fee, here's why its lounge access benefit might make it worth adding the card to your wallet.

Admirals Club membership overview

If you can't access an Admirals Club through elite status or the class of service you're flying, one option is to purchase a membership.

Here is the annual pricing broken down by AAdvantage status level (note that pricing will differ if you have an existing membership and renew before Oct. 3):

Cardholders of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) can enter Admirals Clubs — but only four times a year.

Cheaper than paying for an Admirals Club membership

While you could pay for an Admirals Club membership, the best and most affordable way to get entry into Admirals Clubs is to hold the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card. You'd actually save money by having the card versus paying for any of the membership options, plus you'd earn a lucrative welcome bonus if you're eligible.

With a full membership — which the Executive card provides — you can access approximately 50 Admirals Club locations as well as around 60 partner lounges globally (including Alaska Airlines lounges).

For instance, say you were considering purchasing an Admirals Club membership as a general AAdvantage member (with no elite status).

Instead of paying $1,400 for a full-fledged membership (or $750 for no guests or partner lounge access), you'd be better off applying for the Citi Executive card and paying the $695 annual fee per year, which would also give you additional perks as a cardholder.

Related: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard worth it?

Authorized user access

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive card allows you to add up to three authorized users for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user.

Authorized users can also access Admirals Clubs. (Note that while primary cardholders have access to all Admirals Clubs and partner lounges, authorized users only get access to Admirals Clubs.)

This applies whether the primary cardholder is flying with that person or not, a fantastic perk that differs notably from similar premium cards offered by other U.S. carriers.

However, both the primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or up to two traveling guests into the lounge.

Other valuable card perks

With this Citi card, you'll also earn 12 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the AAdvantage hotel and car rental portals.

Additionally, cardholders earn 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (5 miles per dollar spent for the remainder of the year after spending $150,000 in a calendar year).

They also receive up to $500 in statement credits for American Airlines Vacations bookings (up to $250 semiannually), up to $120 in statement credits for prepaid Avis and Budget car rentals each year, up to $180 in credits annually for Lyft (receive one $15 monthly credit after taking three rides) and up to $100 back every year for eligible inflight and Admirals Club purchases.

The card comes with Group 4 priority boarding and a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries (for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation).

Plus, like many other premium cards, this one also offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. You'll get up to a $120 statement credit once every four years to reimburse your application fee.

New cardholders can currently earn a limited-time offer of 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening.

This offer is worth $1,813 based on TPG's September 2026 valuations.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Bottom line

As a frequent American Airlines or Oneworld alliance flyer, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive is the best card for Admirals Club access, in addition to many other perks such as statement credits, Loyalty Point bonuses and decent earning rates.

It also stands out for letting you share lounge access with friends and family. By adding authorized users for a reasonable fee, you can extend American Airlines-related benefits in a way that an Admirals Club membership alone doesn't allow.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard

Last December, Scott Tallal redeemed 68,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles for a business-class ticket from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

Unfortunately, when he arrived at the airport for his flight, he learned that it had been canceled. Helpful agents rerouted him, but in the process, they downgraded him to economy. No worries, they told him. American Airlines would refund the difference in miles between the two classes since it was an involuntary downgrade.

Six months later, despite numerous calls and emails to American Airlines customer service, Scott's points were still missing. In his last written correspondence with the airline, an agent informed him that his complaint had been extensively reviewed. According to her, American Airlines did not owe him a refund in miles or cash, and the airline considered his complaint closed.

That's when Scott sent his request for help to TPG.

A gaggle of gripes

After I spoke to him and reviewed his paper trail, I had good news: American Airlines did owe him the refund he had been expecting. The Department of Transportation requires it, in fact. But it took me a while to untangle.

So what went wrong? Scott had made one of the most common mistakes travelers make when writing a complaint: overcomplicating things.

In an effort to convey the full extent of his inconvenience, Scott had submitted a laundry list of grievances. He included a lengthy narrative about previous flights, other cancellations, partner airline experiences, delays and other extraneous information. That turned what should have been a straightforward request into a complicated maze that customer service agents could not follow.

In fact, when I first reviewed Scott's complaint, even I had difficulty determining what had happened and what he was asking American Airlines to do.

Not surprisingly, when customer service agents — or even a consumer advocate — cannot easily identify the problem, there is little chance of a positive outcome. If you cannot pinpoint the issue, you cannot offer a solution.

After I delivered his complaint to my executive contact at American Airlines in a concise, easy-to-understand format, though, Scott quickly received his miles.

I review hundreds of consumer complaints each month. Many involve legitimate grievances that customer service agents and even company executives have rejected. In many of these cases, the complaint should have been approved. But the traveler made one or more common — and mostly correctable — mistakes when presenting their request.

Here are the top reasons valid complaints fail and how to give yourself the best chance of finding a resolution to your problem.

Make sure you're sending your complaint to the right company

Even the best travel complaint letter can succeed only if a traveler delivers it to the correct entity. Unfortunately, that isn't as easy as it sounds in 2026.

Recently, I received a request for help from Shane McCormick, who thought he had paid Costco Travel $6,000 for two cabins aboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas. He was angry about the company's inability to provide what it had promised at the quoted price. Instead of two cabins, his family had been assigned just one when his itinerary came through.

So what had happened? When I reviewed his paper trail, a surprising detail emerged. McCormick had not actually been corresponding with Costco Travel.

Google search results had misdirected him to a scam call center posing as Costco Travel. All of McCormick's emailed complaints had been sent to the fraudsters, who had very little interest in correcting his mistaken belief — or fixing his problem. Those bad actors were only interested in spending the $6,000 they had convinced him to send them.

For several years now, scammers have been flooding the internet with fake customer service centers posing as major airlines and cruise lines. And those human agents are always available and eager to receive your complaint and "help" you fix the problem.

Before calling a number or emailing a grievance, it is crucial to make sure you have the company's correct contact information. Never rely on search results to find it. Instead, visit the official website of the business you are trying to reach. Check the URL in your browser to confirm. Downloading the company's app is also another reliable way to find real contact information for a cruise line, airline or hotel.

If you need help locating customer service contacts or consumer-facing executives to escalate a problem beyond the frontline, my advocacy organization, Consumer Rescue, maintains a free directory that I continually update.

Keep your complaint concise

One of the best ways to give your complaint letter a fair chance of succeeding is to keep it concise.

Earlier this month, I received a request for help from a United Airlines customer whose EU 261 claim was rejected. He sent me an eight-page missive that he had already submitted to the airline. It read like a court presentation, complete with labeled exhibits and complicated legal jargon.

This traveler was surprised that his manifesto had not produced the outcome he had hoped for. He shared his suspicion that no one at United Airlines had actually read his magnum opus. I agreed.

Travelers should always keep in mind that the company representative receiving the letter is likely reviewing dozens of complaints every day. You want that person to be able to scan your message and quickly figure out what happened and how to help.

You can do that by keeping your complaint brief and factual. Start with the problem. End with the desired resolution. Be realistic about what you ask for. Never send a complaint that extends beyond one page. If the company needs more information, it will ask.

Don't "bury the lede" in your complaint

"Don't bury the lede" is a foundational rule of good journalism, and the same concept applies when writing a grievance. An effective travel complaint catches the customer service agent's attention and immediately conveys the reason for the letter.

I know from my case files, however, that travelers often compose complaints that begin long before getting to the actual problem. They hide the pressing issue hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of words into the narrative.

That's a mistake. Most customer service agents likely will not ever reach that far in an individual complaint. Even worse, AI programs are now reviewing and responding to many emailed grievances. These systems often limit how much text they will process. If your critical information is not near the top, the bot may never even consider it.

Remember, your goal is to make the problem simple to understand and instantly clear.

An easy-to-read, bullet-point list showing what happened and the resolution you are requesting often works best.

If you use AI, don't forget common sense and fact-checking

Increasingly, consumers are leaning on AI programs to help them compose complaint letters and the results are mixed. These programs can help travelers create professional-looking complaint letters free of typos and grammatical errors.

However, AI is also known to invent laws and regulations and encourage travelers to escalate minor grievances into catastrophic, and sometimes sinister, events. In the worst cases, AI creates problems where none exist.

Celebrity Cruises customer Cherie Johnson turned to AI after she and her husband were denied boarding a transatlantic cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox. The couple arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, ready to begin their much-anticipated vacation. Instead, the crew told them they needed Brazilian eVisas to board.

That was something they did not have.

Even before Equinox sailed away without them, Cherie began asking AI who was to blame and whether they really needed those visas.

Google Gemini instantly agreed with her suspicion that they did not need visas. According to the AI bot, Celebrity had made a grave error by preventing the couple from boarding. It cited "Brazilian Decree 86715/1981," which Gemini claimed allowed cruise passengers to use the ship as a visa-free transit zone as long as they remained onboard while docked in Brazil.

The AI agent also told Cherie that Celebrity was legally required to inform passengers of all documentation requirements before the cruise.

But it was all an AI hallucination. Cruise ships are not visa-free immigration zones, and there is no Brazilian decree that makes them so.

Cherie sent the AI-created "proof" to Celebrity Cruises' legal department and accused the crew of wrongfully denying her boarding and keeping her money. She included an itemized chart of all the things she expected the cruise line to reimburse her for beyond the cost of the cruise. The grand total exceeded $16,000.

Celebrity was not swayed by the confident accusations in Cherie's letter. Despite the AI's certainty that the cruise line had made a mistake refusing to let the couple board the ship, it was wrong and Celebrity knew it. As a result nearly all her letters were simply ignored.

By the time Cherie sent me a request for help she had been unsuccessfully trying to convince Celebrity for four months that it owed her $16,000. She hoped I could shine a light on what had happened and succeed in proving the cruise line's mistake.

The task of telling her the truth and hopefully ending her futile battle fell to me. AI had misled her by citing an outdated legal doctrine that didn't apply to her situation. The cruise line had not made a mistake in her case.

Travelers are responsible for having the documents required for their international flights and cruises. This is written into the terms and conditions of every cruise line and airline that I know of.

To ensure you don't end up in the unpleasant situation this couple did, visit the State Department's website. There, you can verify what you need for entry to all countries on your itinerary.

Before asking AI to help with your travel complaint, make sure you understand its limitations. These programs can confidently provide false information — especially if your questions suggest the answer you want to hear.

Always independently verify the "facts" AI provides. And never sign your name to a complaint letter until you have thoroughly researched every claim it contains.

Don't file a credit card dispute before appealing to the company first

The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) allows consumers to dispute credit card charges involving billing errors or unauthorized transactions. But a chargeback should not be your opening move. I see consumers misuse this important protection every day — sometimes with devastating consequences.

First, ask the company with which you have an issue to try to resolve your problem. Follow its complaint process and give it a reasonable opportunity to investigate. Do not simultaneously file a complaint with the company and a dispute with your credit card issuer. Once a chargeback is underway, the company will typically allow that process to play out instead of continuing to negotiate with you.

If you lose the dispute, the company will have very little motivation to reopen your case — even if your original complaint was legitimate. By then, you may also have weakened your chances of getting help from a consumer advocate.

The proper order of events is simple: Exhaust your options with the company first. Consider a credit card dispute only after those efforts fail and only if your claim qualifies under the FCBA.

Don't insult the company or declare "I'll never be your customer again"

Telling a company you're done with it and will never give them business again is counterproductive. Think about it: If you've written off the company, why shouldn't it write you off too?

Your complaint letter should be cordial, clearly explain the facts and propose a reasonable resolution.

Yet so many complaint letters I receive begin with some version of: "I will never use your services again. Now give me the goodwill gesture I'm asking for."

Surely, once the emotion is removed from the situation, most travelers can see the problem with that approach. In nearly every case, the traveler feels mistreated by a company they have been loyal to. They do not really want to never be its customer again. They want to be heard and have their problem handled properly. However, by telling a company that you will never patronize it again, you disincentivize it from helping you.

Before sending this type of letter, take a breath and think about what you really want. Maybe even close your browser for the night. In the morning, start again and explain what the company can do to keep you as a valued customer.

Do not threaten legal action 

In the age of AI, this is becoming increasingly important to underscore. AI seems to love escalating minor problems into legal battles. But consumers should understand that once they send a legal threat to an airline, cruise line or other travel provider, they had better be prepared to follow through.

The problem is that ordinary travelers are being encouraged to make legal threats without any factual basis.

As a professional mediator and TPG's ombudsman, I always begin by attempting a cordial resolution. Most legitimate travel complaints can be resolved with a friendly overture to the company backed by clear facts.

But if you open your complaint with a threat to sue or announce that you have involved a lawyer, your letter will likely be forwarded directly to the company's legal department. At that point, frontline customer service may no longer be willing or authorized to help you.

I have seen consumers threaten legal action over disputes involving as little as $25. Companies recognize these empty threats for what they are, and those complaints often land in a virtual garbage can.

If you genuinely want the company's help, leave the legal threats out of your complaint.

Make your complaint clear

A concise complaint is not necessarily a clear one. Make sure your message explains what went wrong, when it happened and what you are asking the company to do about it.

Include your confirmation or reservation number and any evidence that directly supports your claim, such as a receipt, cancellation notice, or written promise from a company representative. Leave out unrelated documents and details that make the problem harder to follow.

Before sending your complaint, ask someone unfamiliar with the situation to read it. If that person can't quickly explain what went wrong and what you want the company to do, the customer service agent probably won't be able to either.

Over at Consumer Rescue, I have published a free resource page that includes a template for an effective complaint letter along with a variety of sample letters.

The bottom line

Writing an effective complaint letter doesn't have to be difficult if you keep a few things in mind. The letters that receive the most favorable response follow the three C's. They are:

• Cordial
• Concise
• Clear

But don't forget one more essential ingredient: a reasonable proposed resolution.

Travelers often weaken legitimate complaints by asking for far more than the situation warrants. Asking a company to correct its mistake or reimburse a documented loss is reasonable.

Demanding a full refund, substantial additional compensation and a pile of loyalty points for a relatively minor problem probably is not.

The goal of a complaint is to make you whole — not to provide a windfall.

Customer service agents are much more likely to help when they can quickly understand what happened, why you believe the company is responsible and what you are asking to be made right. Leave out the insults, legal threats, lengthy backstory and anything else that distracts from your central problem.

You may not receive exactly the outcome you want. But keeping your complaint cordial, concise and clear — and ending with a fair proposed resolution — gives it the best chance of reaching someone who can, and wants to, help.

If you have a problem with a cruise line, airline, car rental company, vacation rental or credit card company, send your request for free help to ombudsman@thepointsguy.com. I'll be happy to try to help or offer advice that may allow you to resolve the problem on your own.

The Transportation Security Administration now wants you to visit the airport without a plane ticket.

Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed airport security and largely put an end to non-ticketed visitors meeting loved ones at the gate, the TSA is rolling out a new program welcoming non-ticketed visitors at 13 airports.

The program, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, invites non-travelers with TSA PreCheck status and Known Traveler Numbers to apply for an airport day pass and use the dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for expedited entry to the airport.

"This new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way," TSA said in the program announcement, adding that the program brings back "the moments that once defined air travel."

The program could be particularly useful for people who want to help family members navigate the airport. Parents could accompany children all the way to their departure gate, while family members could escort older relatives through security or meet them at the gate when they arrive.

How it works

Gateside by TSA PreCheck is free and is open to TSA PreCheck members and those with Known Traveler Numbers.

To use the program, you'll need to apply one to three days before your planned visit, log in using your Login.gov account (or create one), enter your personal information on the form and wait for approval. Kids are welcome to join you, but be sure to enter their information on your reservation.

Related: Big changes for our favorite airport shortcuts: How TSA PreCheck, Clear, Global Entry are evolving

Once approved, you'll need to bring a Real ID or other acceptable form of ID to a PreCheck lane at the airport and be prepared to log in to the application portal to show the TSA officer your approval status. Keep in mind that TSA says screenshots or printouts of your approval status won't be accepted for this program.

For now, the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program is only available at 13 airports, with more promised by TSA in the coming months.

If you don't have TSA PreCheck or know that your membership will soon be renewed, here's the TPG guide to everything you need to know about TSA PreCheck and some ways to get free or discounted TSA membership.

Airports rolling out Gateside by TSA PreCheck

• Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas
• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Arkansas
• Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma
• Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Nebraska
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)

Gateside by TSA versus other airport gate pass programs

At least 20 airports already welcome non-ticketed guests to apply for gate passes to visit the non-secure side of the airport.

These programs go by different names at each airport; for example, there's the Hopkins Hang Out Pass at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and the Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). These programs differ from Gateside: While they do run an applicant's name through the TSA database, anyone can apply for a pass, and no PreCheck membership is required.

And for these gate pass programs, using the TSA PreCheck lanes to enter the airport is prohibited.

Related: The best credit cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Some of those gate pass programs also differ in that applications for same-day access are often permitted, the application windows can be much longer, and screenshots and printouts of approved passes are often allowed.

Here's a list of airports with their own gate pass programs:

• Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ)
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
• Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
• San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
• Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
• John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California
• Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California
• Capital Regional International Airport (LAN) in Michigan
• Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Washington
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) in Louisiana
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Note that two of the above airports — SAN and DTW — are also on the Gateside by TSA PreCheck list. We checked with the airports to see whether anything about their gate passes will change.

Matt Morawski, director of communications and external affairs at DTW, said the DTW Destination Pass is available to anyone who meets the program requirements and has a valid government-issued ID. "We do not anticipate that the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program will have any impact on our DTW Destination Pass program," Morawski said. "We're pleased to continue offering this safe and convenient option for our customers."

As for SAN, the airport's public information officer, Nicole Hall, said: "While both programs offer a similar experience by allowing access to the gate area without a boarding pass, they operate independently of one another, and there are some differences."

She noted that TSA's Gateside program is only available to TSA PreCheck members, while the SAN Pass program works with TSA to approve applicants to use the normal (non-PreCheck) TSA security checkpoint line.

"The timeline for requesting passes also differs between the programs," Hall said. "Our SAN Pass Program allows applicants to apply for the SAN Pass as early as seven days prior to their visit date and as late as the day of the visit."

Bottom line

Gateside by TSA PreCheck brings back an airport experience that largely disappeared more than two decades ago: the ability to accompany loved ones all the way to the gate even when you aren't flying yourself.

Beyond meeting friends during layovers or taking advantage of airport dining and shopping, the program could be particularly valuable for families who want to accompany children or older relatives through the airport. And unlike existing airport visitor-pass programs, eligible Gateside visitors get the added benefit of using TSA PreCheck lanes to get through security.

I added the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to my wallet over 10 years ago for its simple earning rates and modest $95 annual fee.

It has remained a valuable mid-tier travel rewards card due to its straightforward earning rates and no foreign transaction fees. Plus, you have multiple ways to redeem your rewards, including covering recent travel purchases at a fixed rate and transferring your miles to any of the 15-plus Capital One airline and hotel partners. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: The basics

The Capital One Venture Rewards offers at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, making it an excellent everyday spending card. Plus, it offers 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. These earning rates make the Capital One Venture Rewards card an appealing and good option for consumers who want to use one card for all their purchases.

Unlike many of the other best everyday spending cards, the Venture Rewards card stands out by offering no foreign transaction fees. The card carries a $95 annual fee but offers a $50 experience credit on every Lifestyle Collection booking, complimentary Hertz Five Star status and up to a $120 statement credit (every four years) when you use your Venture card to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Plus, cardholders enjoy price prediction and free price drop protection when booking flights through Capital One Travel.

The Capital One Venture Rewards earns miles that you can redeem for travel, cash back, gift cards, experiences and more. But you can also transfer your miles to 15-plus travel loyalty programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Choice Privileges.

Related: 7 reasons to get the Capital One Venture Rewards card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card pros and cons

Related: Why I keep the Capital One Venture Rewards card in my wallet

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card benefits

The Capital One Venture Rewards offers cardholders several benefits that help offset the card's $95 annual fee.

Price prediction and free price drop protection

One of my favorite benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards is the price prediction and free price drop protection that's available when I book flights through Capital One Travel.

The price prediction appears anytime you search for a flight through Capital One Travel. It provides guidance on whether to book now and also estimates how pricing is likely to change if you wait to book.

If the price prediction advises booking now, Capital One Travel will automatically apply price drop protection to that purchase at no additional charge. Then, you'll receive up to $50 of the difference back if the price drops within 10 days.

These two features often give me the confidence I need to book or continue to track prices. I've gotten money back on several flights via the automated price drop protection, which is always a nice surprise.

Price match guarantee on select travel bookings

You also have some protection if you book a flight, hotel or rental car through Capital One Travel and then find a better price for the same flight, hotel or rental car on another site within 24 hours of booking. Specifically, you can call Capital One Travel, submit a price match claim and then get a travel credit for the difference if the agent can verify the lower price.

I've successfully done price match guarantees for several flights, with the phone calls often taking under 10 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that the itinerary must be an exact match to what you booked on Capital One Travel, and you must submit your claim within 24 hours of making your reservation through Capital One Travel. The price must be in dollars and available to the general public without any coupons, promotions or member discounts.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders receive up to a $120 statement credit every four years for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The credit will apply to whichever program is applied to first, so consider your application timing if you plan to pay for applications to both programs with your card.

I love having Global Entry, as it lets me get through U.S. immigration queues quickly, and it also gives me TSA PreCheck. I'd pay the Global Entry application fee even if my Capital One Venture Rewards card didn't offer a statement credit, so this perk effectively gives me (up to) $120 back every four years.

Complimentary Hertz Five Star status

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders can enroll in complimentary Hertz Five Star status through the "Benefits" tab of the Capital One website or mobile app. However, it may take up to 72 hours after you register for Hertz status for the upgrade to take effect, so don't wait until you're about to pick up your rental car to register.

I like having Hertz Five Star status, as it provides upgrades when available, 25% more points and a wider choice of vehicles at Ultimate Choice locations.

Perks on eligible Lifestyle Collection stays

Each time you make an eligible Lifestyle Collection booking through Capital One Travel, you'll get a $50 experience credit to enjoy during your stay. The booking must be made in the cardholder's name, and the cardholder must be staying on the eligible booking.

If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel will apply the credit at checkout to qualifying charges up to $50. Check with the hotel to determine which charges are qualifying, and then charge qualifying charges to your room during your stay. If you're staying at a vacation rental, the host provider will apply the credit when you book an eligible experience with a Capital One credit card. However, at some vacation rental properties, you may get the experience credit as a gift card.

You'll also enjoy other perks on eligible Lifestyle Collection stays, including complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in and late checkout. However, early check-in and late checkout are only provided when available, and bookings may have a minimum stay requirement. At hotels, you are also eligible for a room upgrade (subject to availability).

Capital One Dining and Entertainment

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders also get access to Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment.

The entertainment platform may be your ticket to cardholder-only VIP packages and hard-to-secure tickets to popular games, concerts and shows.

Meanwhile, the dining platform can help you secure hard-to-get reservations at top restaurants and provide access to exclusive dining events.

Related: Is the Capital One Venture Rewards card worth it?

How to earn and use your rewards

Capital One miles are easy to earn and redeem yet still offer significant value. Here's what you should know about earning and redeeming Capital One miles.

Earning miles

The Capital One Venture Rewards offers simple-to-remember earning rates. Specifically, you'll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

These earning rates make the Capital One Venture Rewards an excellent option, whether it's your only card or you use it primarily for purchases that wouldn't earn bonus rewards on other cards. I often use my Capital One Venture Rewards for purchases that would earn just 1 point or mile per dollar spent if I used another rewards credit card.

Redeeming miles

One of the big positives of the Capital One Venture Rewards is the flexibility of its miles. However, the two best ways to redeem Capital One miles are to cover recent travel purchases and to transfer earnings to select airline or hotel loyalty programs.

Redeeming Capital One miles to cover recent travel purchases gives you 1 cent per mile and is incredibly easy. Once you make an eligible travel purchase with your card, you'll have 90 days to log into the Capital One app or website and redeem rewards to cover your purchase.

However, I prefer to redeem my miles by transferring them to the 15-plus Capital One airline and hotel program partners. Some of my favorite options include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles, but you also have access to JetBlue TrueBlue, Wyndham Rewards and many other programs. I recently redeemed 80,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points (along with $85 in taxes and fees) to fly in business class from Cape Town to Perth, Australia, on an itinerary that would have otherwise cost $2,233.

As long as you get more than 1 cent per mile when transferring miles to partners, this is the most valuable redemption option. However, TPG's September 2026 valuations peg the value of Capital One miles at 1.85 cents each. So, you'll usually want to choose airline or hotel programs that offer at least this much value for your miles when you transfer them.

Related: Have the Capital One Venture Rewards Card but new to points and miles? Here's what you need to know

Downsides of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to consider

The Capital One Venture Rewards won't be the right card for everyone. Here are some drawbacks to keep in mind:

• Bonus earning outside Capital One Travel is limited, with most purchases earning the card's standard 2 miles per dollar, (only hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel earn 5 miles per dollar spent).
• There are no airport lounge benefits.
• There are no annual statement credits or miles to help offset the annual fee.
• JetBlue is the only U.S. airline that is a transfer partner.

If the lack of airport lounge benefits and potential difficulty in offsetting the annual fee are your primary concerns about the Capital One Venture, it may be worth considering the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card instead.

Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Venture X

The Capital One Venture X has a higher annual fee ($395) than the Venture ($95), but it offers $300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel. Therefore, if you can naturally use the Venture X's full $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, it can effectively narrow the difference between the cards' annual fees to $0.

Venture X cardholders also get 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary, starting with the first anniversary. Between the bonus miles and the annual travel credit, most consumers will get more value than the card's annual fee each year.

Plus, the Venture X offers 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Capital One Venture X cardholders also get access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One lounges.

Choose the Capital One Venture X if you prioritize:

• Credits and miles that can offset the annual fee
• Higher earning rates on some types of travel booked through Capital One Travel
• Access to Priority Pass and Capital One airport lounges

Choose the Capital One Venture Rewards if you prioritize:

• Paying a lower annual fee
• Potentially easier approval (especially if you have good, but not excellent, credit)

Related: Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X: Worth the extra $300?

When to apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

You'll want to apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card when its welcome offer is 75,000 miles or higher. We've only seen offers higher than 75,000 miles in airports from June 2023 to July 2024, and these offers were targeted.

As such, the current welcome offer is worth considering: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, receive a $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year upon account opening.

This is one of the best offers we've seen for this card. According to TPG's valuations, this welcome offer is worth $1,688, including the credit.

Note that Capital One won't approve you for a new Capital One Venture Rewards card if you opened a Venture Rewards or Venture X card and earned a bonus in the last 48 months. So, you'll need to wait at least 48 months after earning a welcome bonus on either of these cards before you apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards.

Related: Are you eligible for the Capital One Venture Rewards' welcome bonus?

Cards to consider if you don't want the Capital One Venture Rewards

If the Capital One Venture Rewards isn't right for you, here are a few other cards to consider:

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: The no-annual-fee sibling to the Venture also offers elevated earning rates; cardholders can earn 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. Check out our full Capital One VentureOne review to learn more.
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): This no-annual-fee option from Citi offers at least 2% cash back on all purchases (provided as 1% cash back when you buy and 1% when you pay). Check out our full Citi Double Cash review to learn more.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): With this Chase card, you'll enjoy more bonus categories and travel protections but lower earning rates on everyday spending. Check out our full Chase Sapphire Preferred review to learn more.

For other options, read our story on the best starter travel credit cards.

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you

Bottom line

I've kept the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in my wallet for more than a decade because it doesn't require much work to get value from it.

Its 2-mile-per-dollar earning rate makes it useful for purchases that don't earn bonuses on my other cards, while Capital One's transfer partners give me the option to pursue higher-value travel redemptions.

The Venture Rewards isn't the right choice if you want airport lounge access or extensive annual credits. But if you value simplicity, flexible rewards and a reasonable $95 annual fee, it remains a strong mid-tier travel card.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Members of our video team just visited all seven New Wonders of the World — from Machu Picchu in Peru to the Taj Mahal in India — and one special type of plane ticket made it possible.

The Oneworld airline alliance offers a Round The World (RTW) ticket that lets you visit (almost) as many countries as you like, all on one itinerary at one price.

Check out the full video here — and keep reading to learn how to book your own round-the-world adventure.

What is a round-the-world ticket?

Oneworld's RTW tickets offer hundreds of destinations in 170 countries and territories, with three types of fares:

• Oneworld Explorer: The price you pay depends on the number of continents you visit, with up to 15 flight segments on one ticket.
• Global Explorer: The fare depends on the distance you travel, with a total cap of 39,000 miles. However, this includes additional partner airlines like Aer Lingus and WestJet.
• Circle Pacific: Only includes continents that border the Pacific Ocean.

The cost of a ticket starts around $3,600 for a three-continent journey in economy class.

To cover all seven Wonders, two members of our intrepid team took RTW tickets in business class. Between them, they covered six continents and traveled on seven different Oneworld airlines.

Maximizing rewards on your ticket

Since there's no way to book these tickets with miles, here are our top tips to maximize your rewards on a cash booking.

First, you should be able to purchase RTW tickets directly with individual airlines. If you do, make sure you're using a credit card that offers bonus points or miles on airfare purchases.

Start by planning your itinerary through Oneworld's site and then call your favorite Oneworld airline (such as American) to book and pay. This way, your transaction will code as an airline purchase, and you'll earn bonus points and any other perks your card might offer.

Check out our favorite airline cards for maximizing your RTW ticket purchase.

In addition, since these are cash tickets, you'll able to earn miles and credit toward elite status for each flight.

Your best option is likely to pick your preferred program — like American AAdvantage or Alaska Atmos Rewards — and add that frequent flyer number to your ticket.

Maximizing rewards on your journey

Trip expenses don't end after you step off the plane. Our team had to budget for tours and tickets for each of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as ground transportation from the airport, and they used the credit cards already in their wallets to help offset these costs.

Check your Chase Offers and Amex Offers for targeted savings at tour booking sites like Viator. Or consider redeeming points for tickets through your credit card travel portal.

Select American Express cards offer monthly Uber Cash on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. Meanwhile, eligible Chase cardholders can unlock bonus points and monthly in-app credits with Lyft.

At a minimum, be sure to pay with a card that earns bonus points on general travel to maximize your rewards on tours, tickets and transportation — and make sure you're not paying any pesky foreign transaction fees.

Bottom line

If you're hoping to book your own round-the-world journey, check out these sample itineraries for inspiration. Alternatively, you can chart your own course with Oneworld's handy tool.

Let us know which continents you're dreaming of in the comments!

New York City-based travelers will have a new business-class option to Germany next spring.

The all-business-class airline La Compagnie will launch service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) on April 23, it announced Monday. The carrier will offer five weekly flights, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

La Compagnie will fly an Airbus A321LR with 76 lie-flat, business-class seats in a 2-2 layout on the new EWR-DUS route.

All La Compagnie flyers have access to its lounge, Lounge&Co, at EWR and the DUS Sky Lounge at DUS.

"La Compagnie is bringing a clearly defined product to our airport: nonstop, comfortable and designed for people who want to cross the Atlantic efficiently and in a relaxed way," Lars Redeligx, CEO of Dusseldorf Airport, said in a statement.

Filling a gap from New York

DUS, a large business and industrial center in northwestern Germany, lacks a regular nonstop to New York City. Only Condor offers limited seasonal flights in September and October, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

"Dusseldorf represents a natural next chapter in La Compagnie's development," Christian Vernet, CEO of La Compagnie, said in a statement. "At the heart of one of Europe's most dynamic economic regions, with strong international businesses and long-standing ties to the United States, North Rhine-Westphalia is well suited to our unique all-business-class model."

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DUS boasted regular daily flights to New York City. Lufthansa flew to EWR from at least 2004 until 2018, when its budget subsidiary, Eurowings, took over the route, Cirium data shows. Eurowings suspended flights in 2020.

And now-defunct Air Berlin flew from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to DUS from 2008 until its shutdown in 2017.

La Compagnie's EWR-DUS route complements its existing flights from EWR to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) and Paris Orly Airport (ORY).

Tickets on the new route start at $2,428.50 one-way, according to the airline's website. That compares to $2,313 one-way on United Airlines from EWR to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in April 2027.

If you have the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) or legacy Chase Freedom®* in your wallet, take note: It's your last chance to activate your Q3 categories.

Through Sept. 30, you can earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) on electric vehicle charging, gas station purchases, select live entertainment, transit and United Way. You must activate your categories by Sept. 14 to earn at these rates (on up to $1,500 in combined spending across these categories; then 1% back or 1 point per dollar spent), so don't wait any longer to do so.

Here's what you need to know about this quarter's categories.

Last chance: Activate your Chase Freedom third-quarter categories

*This card is no longer available to new applicants. The information for the Chase Freedom has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Freedom Q3 2026 categories

Through Sept. 30, Freedom and Freedom Flex cardholders can earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) on up to $1,500 in combined purchases across these bonus categories (then 1% back or 1 point per dollar spent):

• EV charging and gas stations
• Select live entertainment
• Transit
• United Way

Gas, EV charging and select live entertainment all appear regularly as quarterly categories, but this is the first time we've seen public transit and United Way appear.

Activate this quarter's categories now to unlock their bonus-earning potential. You must activate by Sept. 14, so there isn't much time left to activate for this quarter's categories.

It's simple to complete this process through your Chase account; just provide your last name, the last four digits of your card and your ZIP code.

Analyzing the Q3 bonus categories

With gas prices remaining high and many people choosing to switch to electric vehicles, it's nice to see gas and EV charging stations return as bonus categories for this quarter. Select live entertainment has appeared in the third quarter every year since 2022, aligning with summer and early fall as popular times for concerts, festivals and sporting events.

Chase now has a pattern of offering a select charity as a bonus category each quarter. This time, nonprofit charity network United Way is its choice.

Here are the details:

• Gas and EV charging: If you own a car or frequently rent cars when you travel, you should easily be able to get a lot of value out of this frequently appearing category.
• Select live entertainment: The third quarter is the time to book concerts, festivals and sporting events if you haven't already. It's difficult to find cards that offer substantial bonus rewards on live entertainment, so take advantage of this category while you can. Additionally, consider stacking this category with bonuses from sites like Rakuten and Rove.
• Public transit: Whether you live in a city with a solid transit system or plan to travel to a place with one, this category means your eligible Freedom card will be the best choice to swipe with every time you ride while the third-quarter categories are live. Chase's transit category is quite wide, so even tolls and parking garages will earn bonus rewards.
• United Way: United Way is a network of local nonprofits around the world that aim to tackle problems that directly impact the communities they serve. If you have a United Way nonprofit in your area, you can earn bonus rewards on your charitable contributions in the third quarter.

Remember that Chase limits the 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) you can earn to the first $1,500 spent in combined bonus categories each quarter. After you reach the maximum, you'll earn 1% back (or 1 point per dollar spent) on these purchases.

Chase Freedom rotating categories history

Chase Freedom bonus categories FAQs

How do rotating categories work?

Each quarter, Chase announces a group of bonus categories that will earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) throughout the upcoming three-month period (on up to $1,500 in combined spending each quarter).

Generally, these categories are announced halfway through the month before the new quarter starts to give cardmembers time to activate new categories beforehand. However, you can activate your categories until midway through the last month of the quarter.

The categories tend to repeat periodically. For instance, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations are all common categories you'll notice frequently pop up on the bonus calendar. So, depending on the categories and whether you can maximize them, these two cards can offer quite a nice chunk of cash back or bonus points over the year.

How much cash back can I earn each quarter?

Chase limits the 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) to the first $1,500 spent in combined bonus categories each quarter you activate the bonus.

While that may not sound like a lot, that cash back adds up over time. Maximizing the cash-back categories each quarter, you'll earn $75 in cash back quarterly and up to $300 per year. For a no-annual-fee credit card, that's a lot of value.

Alternatively, suppose you have a card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). In that case, you can combine the rewards from your Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex card with those you earn from your more premium Ultimate Rewards-earning card. By doing this, your rewards become fully transferable.

If you combine rewards this way, your $300 in bonus cash back would be worth 30,000 Ultimate Rewards points. TPG's July 2026 valuations peg Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece, making the 30,000 points you can earn in a year worth $615.

How do I activate my 5% categories each quarter?

You can head to Chase's site to activate your 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) categories for this quarter. You can also register through the Chase mobile app.

Here's how to register:

1. Head to the Chase bonus activation page, or log into your Chase account.
2. Enter your last name, the last four digits of your card number and your billing ZIP code. If you don't have your card on hand, log in to your Chase account to retrieve these digits.
3. Click "Activate your 5%" to register.
4. If you have multiple Chase Freedom cards, make sure to register each one.
5. Save a screenshot of your activation in case of any issues later, though you should also receive a "You're Activated!" confirmation email.

Can I have both the Chase Freedom and the Chase Freedom Flex to double my earning potential?

Yes, you can have both cards. So, if you already have the Chase Freedom and want to add the Chase Freedom Flex to your wallet, you're free to do so.

Remember that the original Freedom card is no longer open to new applicants. If you'd rather only have one, though, the Freedom Flex is available as a product change.

Of course, you'll also want to ensure you're eligible for a new Chase card.

How do I maximize my Freedom and Freedom Flex cards?

The most important thing is to activate your card to earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar) each quarter in the specific categories and then use your card for purchases in those categories.

You can set up a recurring reminder in your calendar or sign up for the TPG newsletter. (We send out a reminder when it's time to activate every quarter, plus tips and tricks for how to maximize your card strategy and score some excellent award redemptions.)

In addition to the rotating bonus categories, the Freedom Flex accrues 5% cash back on all other travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 3% cash back on dining (including eligible delivery services) and 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

Better yet, when paired with a Chase credit card that earns fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, the Chase Freedom Flex's 5% cash back effectively becomes 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar. You can learn all about this in our guide detailing the Chase Trifecta.

Bottom line

If you're a Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex cardholder, you'll earn 5% cash back (or 5 points per dollar spent) on electric vehicle charging, gas station purchases, select live entertainment, transit and United Way from now through Sept. 30.

Activate these categories now so you don't miss out on any bonus rewards. You only have until Sept. 14 to activate for this quarter. And remember that Chase limits your quarterly bonus category earnings to the first $1,500 of combined spending each quarter.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

There's a reason TPG awarded Marriott Bonvoy with Best Hotel Loyalty Program for two years and counting. Actually, there are several.

With more than 30 brands and over 9,000 properties across the globe, you'll find exactly what you are looking for when you stay with Marriott, whether it's a luxury stay, a budget-friendly getaway or anything in between.

When it comes to earning and redeeming points, Marriott Bonvoy's structure is surprisingly simple and lucrative. Marriott Bonvoy members earn up to 10 points per dollar spent on qualifying charges at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, which can be redeemed for hotel stays and room upgrades, or transferred to more than 38 airline programs.

And the perks you can get at Marriott Bonvoy's elite status tiers — like bonus points, space-available room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability) — add comfort and value to your stays when booked with a qualifying rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy. Room upgrades are subject to availability upon check-in and only available to Gold and Platinum Elite members.

Right now, you can earn even more points and get on the fast track to elite status with elevated welcome offers on two Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cards. These offers end Sept. 30, 2026, so let's take a look at how to choose the right card for your travel style.

A top-tier card with premium benefits

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the most premium card in the lineup, offering benefits that enhance not only your Marriott stays but also your everyday life.
New Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders can earn 150,000 bonus points and a $250 statement credit after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Sept. 30.

The Bonvoy Brilliant card has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees), but when you combine the Bonvoy Brilliant's annual free night award (available upon annual card renewal, certain hotels have resort fees), which can be redeemed for up to 85,000 points per night at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and the annual $300 Brilliant Dining Credit (up to $25 in monthly statement credits for eligible dining purchases worldwide each calendar year), it's easy to get outsize value from the card before you even dip into the other benefits.

Cardholders also get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, which includes benefits such as 50% bonus points on stays at participating brands, lounge access, room upgrades and late checkout. These benefits are subject to availability and apply only when a stay is booked at a qualifying rate at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

You can earn up to a staggering 21 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels on the card: 6 points for paying with the Bonvoy Brilliant card, up to 10 points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and up to 5x points from Marriott Bonvoy on eligible hotel purchases with the 50% bonus points on stays benefit for Platinum Elite members.

And with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and either a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every four years, frequent travelers will reach for this card again and again.

Whether you are a Marriott loyalist or only stay a few times each year, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card's complimentary Platinum Elite status, annual free night award (certain hotels have resort fees) and bonus points earning potential make it easy to take full advantage of its suite of benefits.

And, if you apply by Sept. 30, you can earn 150,000 bonus points to use toward your next dream vacation.

High earning potential for Marriott loyalists

If you are looking for a lower annual fee or don't fancy yourself a frequent traveler, but still want to enjoy the benefits of elite status, the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is a solid mid-tier option.

The Bonvoy Bevy card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees), and new cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points and a $150 statement credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Sept. 30.

Bonvoy Bevy cardholders get perks like a welcome gift of points when you stay at participating Marriott brands, automatic complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability upon check-in) and a 2 p.m. late checkout (based on availability, when the stay is booked with a qualifying rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy).

You can also earn up to 18.5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels: 6 points for paying with the Bonvoy Bevy card, up to 10 points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and up to 2.5 points with the 25% Bonus Points on Stays benefit for Gold Elite members.

When you combine the bonus points you can earn on stays, plus the Bonvoy Bevy's 125,000-point welcome offer, you'll be on your way to points-fueled vacations in no time.

Bottom line

No matter which card you choose, it's clear that a Marriott Bonvoy American Express card is the upgrade your next trip needs. Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card before these elevated offers end on Sept. 30.

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card.

For rates and fees of the American Express Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Bonvoy Bevy, click here.

Terms apply to all offer and benefit mentions.

For years, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry have been staples for frequent flyers hoping to speed through the airport. If you travel enough, you're probably familiar with Clear, too.

But lately, there have been a ton of changes with all three programs.

We've seen new versions of old travel hacks and high-tech upgrades to some of our favorite time-savers.

The good news: A lot of these new (or improved) shortcuts won't cost you anything extra.

But it can be a lot to keep track of — even if you're a seasoned traveler.

And that's what we're here for. Let's quickly walk through our favorite airport shortcuts, how they're changing and how they can save you time before (or after) your next flight.

TSA PreCheck

Millions of travelers already use and swear by TSA PreCheck, which remains one of the best ways to get through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

TSA PreCheck gets you access to the expedited lanes, which typically have shorter lines. You can also keep light jackets on and leave liquids in your carry-on bag.

Cost: $78 application fee; membership is valid for five years after you complete your interview and receive approval. You can also gain TSA PreCheck access through Global Entry, which costs more but includes expedited passport control. Some credit cards will reimburse the application fee for either program.

Recently, TSA PreCheck has gotten some high-tech upgrades. Keep reading to hear more.

TSA PreCheck Touchless ID

Over the last year, the TSA has significantly expanded its new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program.

Now live at more than 60 U.S. airports, these special TSA PreCheck lanes are typically even faster than the regular PreCheck lanes.

When using the Touchless lanes, you don't have to pull out your ID or boarding pass. A camera snaps your photo and verifies your identity.

The only catch? You have to opt into the program with each individual airline you fly with in order to gain access.

The cost: Nothing extra. If you have TSA PreCheck access, you're eligible to sign up for the Touchless lanes.

What about the new TSA e-gates?

The TSA is also now trialing new automated "e-gates" at a few major East Coast airports.

This isn't technically a new program to join. These are just lanes where the TSA has automated ID checks with high-tech gates.

Instead of handing your ID to an officer, a computer will snap your photo — and then the gates will open and you proceed.

The TSA is currently testing e-gates at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in certain TSA PreCheck lanes.

At Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), the automatic gates are live in Terminal C for United Airlines passengers using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.

Key reminder: All TSA photography is optional. If you don't want your picture taken, you can opt out.

Cost: You don't need to pay or do anything extra. Just go to the airport, and there's a chance you might go through an e-gate instead of checking your ID with an officer

Clear

A favorite of road warriors, Clear is another way to significantly reduce your wait at TSA checkpoints.

I sometimes think of this as an "add-on" you can buy on top of TSA PreCheck, because it works best if you have both PreCheck and Clear.

Clear's flagship service at the airport (which is technically called "Clear Plus") essentially allows you to skip the main security line.

Instead of verifying your ID with a federal officer, you head right to a Clear kiosk. It snaps your photo, verifies you're you, and a Clear worker escorts you to the front of the TSA line.

Cost: The program recently hiked its membership fee to $219 per year. However, certain credit cards will reimburse the membership dues. Alternatively, elite status with some major airlines will get you a discount

Clear e-gates

Clear is currently upgrading its service at airports across the country with its own "e-gates".

This new equipment should make the paid service even faster by improving passenger flow at security checkpoints.

Clear's e-gates are now in place at more than 70% of the airports it serves, the company told TPG. The tech is expected to be at all its airport stations by the end of this year.

Global Entry

Global Entry is the best way to save time at passport control after an international flight.

Members who have paid their application fee and completed an interview can skip the main passport control line.

Instead, they head right to the blue Global Entry kiosks, The machine snaps a photo and verifies a travelers identity — often within one or two seconds.

Members usually don't even need to pull out their passport.

Cost: Global Entry now costs $120 for five years, but the program includes TSA PreCheck access. Some credit cards will reimburse the application fee.

Global Entry camera capture

Recently, Global Entry has looked a little different at some airports.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which runs the program, is currently trialing new tech that allows passengers to walk through passport control without ever stopping or standing in line.

This new "camera capture" technology is live at six major airports.

At those hubs, you may walk into the customs hall and just hear an officer call out your name, and tell you you're clear to proceed.

I've used it twice so far, and it was really fast both times. I'm curious to see if this setup gets expanded.

3 more ways to speed through customs

• Global Entry via mobile app: For three years, there has been a mobile app version of Global Entry that allows you to skip the kiosks. That app is changing in September, but it remains an option for travelers.
• Mobile Passport Control: Don't fly enough to justify paying for Global Entry? Mobile Passport Control is a great (free) alternative. It doesn't require an interview and is often available for travelers who can't get approved for Global Entry for one reason or another.
• Enhanced Passenger Processing: CBP now has a facial-scanning process designed to speed up international arrivals for travelers who aren't part of any of the other programs we've been talking about. It's called Enhanced Passenger Processing, and it's now live at a growing number of U.S. hubs.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• Which US airline is best? TPG's 2026 rankings
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
• TPG tried out the TSA's new e-gates. Here's what it's like

With its discount fares and robust frequent flyer program, Frontier Miles can offer great value for frequent Frontier Airlines travelers.

As a Frontier Miles member, you can earn miles and elite status. Frontier elite status offers multiple perks to make your travels more enjoyable and less expensive, including complimentary luggage, priority boarding and the ability to pool your miles. You can then redeem your miles for award travel.

Here's an overview of how the program works.

How to earn Frontier points and miles

The Frontier Miles program is free to join. It offers two types of rewards: miles redeemable for award flights and elite status points used to reach elite status tiers and get perks like free bags and seat selection.

Earn points and miles on eligible Frontier purchases

Under its revenue-based mileage accrual system, Frontier Miles allows you to earn based on the dollar amount of your ticket plus any additional products you purchase.

For bookings made on or after Sept. 1, how many miles and elite status points you earn depends on your elite status, whether you purchase a basic fare or an Economy, Premium or Business bundle and whether you're a Frontier Airlines World Mastercard® holder. Bundled fares now earn significantly more than basic fares.

The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here are Frontier's current earning rates:

These rates apply to bookings made on or after Sept. 1. Additionally, select Frontier Airlines World Mastercard holders who use their card for eligible Frontier purchases can earn an additional 5 miles and 1 elite status point per dollar spent.

Earn redeemable miles and elite status points with the Frontier Airlines credit card

Frontier Airlines partners with Barclays to offer the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. New cardmembers earn 60,000 bonus miles: 50,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full in the first 90 days from account opening, plus 10,000 miles after adding an authorized user who makes a purchase in the first 90 days. You can also unlock Elite Gold status for 90 days after making your first purchase in the first 90 days of account opening. You can retain Elite Gold status for 12 months from account opening by spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.

The card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible Frontier purchases, 3 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases. You'll also earn 1 elite status point for every dollar spent on the card.

The card offers valuable benefits like Group 4 boarding on all Frontier flights, two free checked bags and family miles pooling. You can also earn a $100 flight voucher each account anniversary after spending $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during the card membership year.

Unless you place a high value on Frontier Airlines miles and elite status, we generally don't recommend this card. Most travelers are better off with a transferable points or miles credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

Earn miles with Frontier's partners

Frontier offers several more ways to earn miles, but keep in mind that these only earn miles, not points toward elite status.

Frontier has relationships with several major rental car companies, so you can earn bonus miles and access negotiated rates when booking through Frontier's partner page. While earning rates depend on the rental car company, you can generally earn between 50 and 100 miles per rental, per day or between 500 and 1,000 miles per rental.

Frontier Miles also partners with Marriott Bonvoy and Wyndham Rewards. Marriott Bonvoy members can earn 1 to 2 Frontier miles per dollar spent at participating Marriott brands, and Wyndham Rewards members can also earn 1 to 2 Frontier miles per dollar spent at participating hotels, depending on their status.

In both cases, you must update your hotel loyalty account preferences to earn Frontier miles instead of hotel points. We don't recommend doing this since you'll typically get a lower return with Frontier miles.

For example, basic Bonvoy members earn 10 points per dollar spent at Autograph Collection hotels. According to TPG's September 2026 valuations, which put Bonvoy points at 0.75 cents each, that's a return of 7.5%. Compare that to the 2 Frontier miles per dollar you would earn at Autograph Collection hotels, which provides only a 2.6% return.

You also have the option to convert your existing hotel points to Frontier miles. Marriott points transfer to Frontier at a 3:1 ratio, while Wyndham points transfer to Frontier at a 5:1 ratio. Frontier also became a transfer partner of Rove in July 2026. Rove miles transfer to Frontier Miles at a 1:1 ratio, giving members another way to top off a Frontier account without flying or using the Frontier credit card.

Frontier has a few other partners to give you more options for earning miles. You can earn 10 miles per dollar spent when you order flowers from Teleflora. Or, you can book a cruise through Frontier Cruises and earn miles at a preset rate:

• One- to five-night cruises: 1,500 miles
• Six- to eight-night cruises: 3,000 miles
• Nine- to 12-night cruises: 5,000 miles
• Cruises 13 nights and longer: 10,000 miles

This may be a useful option for Frontier loyalists, but you can often earn more miles by booking through other cruise platforms.

Lastly, you can buy Frontier miles at 2.5 cents per mile. This is considerably higher than TPG's September 2026 valuation of 1.3 cents per Frontier mile, so we don't advise it in most cases. However, if you're planning a redemption and you're short a few miles, it could make sense.

Related: When does it make sense to buy points and miles?

How to redeem Frontier miles

One-way award flights currently start at the following rates:

• Basic: From 5,000 miles
• Economy: From 7,000 miles
• Premium: From 9,000 miles
• Business: From 13,000 miles

Frontier says there are no blackout dates for award flights, although the number of miles required varies by flight and availability. Taxes and fees start at $5.60 each way but can increase sharply depending on the destination.

Redeem miles for add-ons

Economy bundles start at just 2,000 miles. If you want to use miles for a bundle, you must select the "Use miles for bundles" option before choosing your flight during the original booking process. Frontier allows bundles to be paired with standard, Discount Den, GoWild and award fares.

Considering Frontier provides many add-on options — and has various fees that can quickly stack up, even if you book your ticket with miles — being able to redeem miles for these items could be a great asset for Frontier Miles members.

Redeeming your 5,000-mile Super Bowl weekend bonus

If you were lucky enough to catch Frontier's Super Bowl weekend promotion (no longer available), you might be wondering how you can use your 5,000 miles. Fortunately, basic award flights now start at 5,000 miles one-way, meaning you can use your entire bonus in one go.

For example, you could fly between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for just 5,000 miles one-way, plus $6 in taxes and fees.

These great deals can be found on longer journeys and even on connecting flights. Flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tampa International Airport (TPA) via DEN start from the same 5,000 miles plus $6 in taxes and fees.

With this Super Bowl weekend bonus in hand, you'd have enough miles to book either of these redemptions.

Frontier's Discount Den membership

Frontier Airlines offers a membership program called Discount Den. While not the same as elite status, this program provides access to discounted fares for a $59.99 annual membership fee. New members must also pay a $50 enrollment fee, bringing the first-year cost to $109.99.

On "Kids Fly Free" flights, one child under 15 can fly free for every adult Discount Den fare purchased, offering excellent savings on certain routes.

We've historically found that Discount Den can offer pretty good deals, too, with savings of $20 per person on both domestic and international tickets.

Discount Den can also help you earn Frontier status. The purchase of the Discount Den membership itself earns Frontier miles and elite status points at Frontier's bundle earning rate.

We recommend that frequent Frontier flyers consider a Discount Den membership if they expect to save more than $109.99 in their first membership year or more than $59.99 in subsequent years. It's easier to get value from a Discount Den membership when you travel with kids; a family of four may recoup the annual cost with just one family vacation.

Frontier's GoWild Pass

Frontier Airlines also offers an all-you-can-fly pass called GoWild.

Frontier regularly changes the types and prices of GoWild passes it sells. As of September 2026, the carrier is selling its fall and winter pass for $249, which covers travel through Feb. 28, 2027. GoWild flights can be confirmed the day before departure for domestic travel and beginning 10 days before departure for international travel. Frontier sometimes lets members book earlier on select flights for an additional early booking charge.

Each flight segment has a fare of 1 cent, but government and airport taxes and fees still apply. You may find unexpectedly high fees and limited availability with this pass, depending on your travel dates and routes. Bags and seat assignments generally cost extra unless your elite status provides them.

GoWild can also help you earn elite status. Eligible GoWild ticket purchases earn Frontier miles and elite status points, while the purchase of the GoWild Pass itself earns miles and elite status points at Frontier's bundle earning rates.

Related: I bought a Frontier all-you-can-fly pass — here's what it was like to use it

Frontier elite status

Frontier announced significant changes to its elite status levels in August 2026.

Elite Diamond status now requires just 75,000 elite status points, down from 100,000. For the remainder of 2026, Elite Silver status continues to require 10,000 points, Elite Gold status requires 20,000 points and Elite Platinum status requires 50,000 points.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the thresholds for Elite Silver and Elite Gold will increase to 15,000 and 25,000 points, respectively, while Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond will require 50,000 and 75,000 points, respectively.

When you qualify for Frontier elite status during a calendar year, you can use that status for the remainder of the year in which you qualify and throughout the following calendar year. For example, if you reach an elite status tier in June 2026, you can enjoy that status through Dec. 31, 2027.

However, your elite status point balance resets to zero at the beginning of each calendar year for requalification purposes, so you'll need to earn enough points each year to retain or improve your status.

The following benefits apply to bookings made through Dec. 31, 2026.

Elite Silver status:

• No change/cancellation fees (more than seven days before departure)
• Priority customer care
• Family miles pooling
• Standard seat at booking
• Preferred seat at check-in
• Group 4 boarding (for everyone on booking)

Elite Gold status (includes the same benefits as Elite Silver, plus):

• Carry-on bag (for only the member)
• Preferred seat at booking
• Premium seat at check-in
• UpFront Plus (four hours before departure)
• Group 1 boarding

Elite Platinum status (includes the same benefits as Elite Gold, plus):

• Carry-on bag (for everyone on booking)
• First checked bag (for everyone on booking)
• Standard seat at booking (for everyone on booking)
• Premium or preferred seat at booking (for the member)
• Premium or preferred seat at check-in (for everyone on booking)
• UpFront Plus (12 hours before departure)
• Group 1 boarding (for everyone on booking)
• Companion travel
• Pet-in-cabin fee waiver
• 50% off Discount Den membership
• Ability to gift Elite Silver status

Elite Diamond status (includes the same benefits as Elite Platinum, plus):

• Refundability (more than one day before departure)
• Two checked bags (for everyone on booking)
• Premium seat at booking (for everyone on booking)
• UpFront Plus (upon check-in, subject to availability)
• Priority boarding (for everyone on booking)
• Discount Den membership
• Ability to gift Elite Gold status

Frontier elite status benefits from 2027

Frontier's new elite qualification thresholds take effect Jan. 1, 2027, while the updated elite benefits below apply to bookings made on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Each tier includes the benefits of the tiers below it.

Elite Silver, at 15,000 points, will receive complimentary space-available upgrades to UpFront Plus or first class four hours before departure when traveling on an Economy or Premium bundle. Elite Silver members who buy an Economy bundle will also be eligible for upgrades to preferred seating, Group 4 boarding, priority customer care and family pooling.

Elite Gold, at 25,000 points, will receive UpFront Plus or first-class upgrades eight hours before departure and premium seat upgrades when purchasing an Economy bundle. Elite Gold also includes a free carry-on bag and Group 1 boarding.

Elite Platinum, at 50,000 points, will receive UpFront Plus or first-class upgrades 18 hours before departure and premium seat upgrades for everyone on the reservation when purchasing an Economy bundle. Elite Platinum will also include a free carry-on bag and one checked bag weighing up to 50 pounds for everyone on the booking, plus a waiver of the pet-in-cabin fee. However, the Elite Platinum tier's current unlimited companion travel benefit will be replaced by two companion travel certificates in 2027.

Elite Diamond, at 75,000 points, will receive UpFront Plus or first-class upgrades 24 hours before departure, two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each for everyone on the reservation, unlimited companion travel and preboarding.

Frontier also plans to introduce milestone rewards in 2027. These will let elite members select additional benefits as they progress through the program. The airline has not yet announced the full details.

Ways to fast-track Frontier status

You don't necessarily have to earn Frontier status solely by buying flights. A few shortcuts can help:

• Use the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard: You'll earn 1 elite status point per dollar spent on card purchases, plus enhanced earnings on eligible Frontier bookings. Some card offers may also include a temporary shortcut to Elite Gold status, so check the current application terms.
• Buy a Discount Den or GoWild Pass: Frontier treats the purchase price of both memberships as eligible spending that earns miles and elite status points at the applicable bundle rate.
• Watch for status matches and promotions: Frontier has offered paid instant-status deals and status matches in the past, so it's worth keeping an eye on its status-match website for new opportunities.

Bottom line

The Frontier Miles loyalty program can be worthwhile for those who fly the airline often. Award flights start at just 5,000 miles, and members can now redeem miles for bundles starting at 2,000 miles, which can help offset some of the extra costs associated with flying an ultra-low-cost carrier.

However, the program became much less rewarding for travelers who book basic fares without a Frontier credit card in September 2026, though its elite status can still be particularly valuable for families and travelers who want to avoid baggage and seat assignment fees.

Whether Frontier Miles is worth pursuing ultimately depends on how well Frontier's route network and ultra-low-cost model fit your travel patterns. Status, the cobranded card and memberships like Discount Den can substantially reduce Frontier's add-on costs, but they don't change the carrier's more bare-bones basic fare experience or make sense if you rarely fly Frontier.

As the peak summer travel season wrapped up this past weekend, Delta Air Lines revealed plans to slash five routes from its network.

Between now and December, Delta plans to trim a total of three routes from New York City: two from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and one from LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

The Atlanta-based carrier will also end Las Vegas service from two cities in Southern California.

It's time to book: When to buy holiday, spring break and summer flights for the best fares in 2026-27

That cutback at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) came as a result of lower travel demand to Vegas this winter, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, here's how the airline explained its cuts in New York City:

"Delta continually evaluates its network to ensure we're offering a schedule that best meets customer demand," the airline said in a statement about the changes. "We apologize for any inconvenience and will contact impacted customers directly about these changes."

Delta's 5 route cuts

All five of the routes will end between early November and mid-December.

Here's the full rundown of the flights Delta is ending:

There is a silver lining for Delta flyers in New York and Wisconsin who have taken the JFK-MKE service in the past: The carrier still offers four daily round-trip flights between LGA and MKE.

And, Delta does plan to operate some limited Las Vegas service to both San Diego and Orange County in early January. Those flights are meant to cater to travelers attending the city's massive Consumer Electronics Show, where the airline has been a headliner in the past.

Cutting back in Las Vegas

Delta is not alone in cutting back its Vegas flight schedule.

This winter, the airline's total departures from LAS will be down roughly 7% versus last year, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

In 2026, the entire airport is set to see 7% fewer flights than last year, per Cirium.

That's after the city as a whole saw a 7.5% dropoff in visitors last year versus 2024, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It came amid one of the "more complex operating environments" the tourism sector had seen outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization said in January.

Related reading:

• Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
• How to redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value
• Best Delta credit cards
• The best credit cards to reach elite status in 2026
• How many first-class seats is too many? Delta is willing to find out
• Best US airlines: Delta edges out rivals to win 8th straight title

Gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, dramatic volcanoes, incredible biodiversity and phenomenal hotels ranging from sprawling seaside resorts to intimate jungle lodges … Costa Rica is truly one of the most unique, welcoming destinations in the world. The coffee is pretty phenomenal, too, if you're into that (and I am!).

To travel there is to fall in love with its natural wonders and cultural riches — I have yet to meet anyone who has visited and not wanted to return.

Costa Rica pioneered the ecotourism trend, protecting over a quarter of its territory as national reserves and parks, both on land and in the ocean. It's also a beacon of stability in a region that has been volatile at times, making it a safe bet for a hassle-free vacation.

While many folks flock to its Pacific and Caribbean beaches, its world-class surf breaks and golf courses, others are enchanted by its teeming forests, where you can spot unique fauna like snuffly tapirs foraging for food, dazzlingly colorful resplendent quetzals, quizzical toucans and languorous sloths sunning themselves in the canopy. Just to name a few.

So, if this little Central American nation has been on your travel to-do list, now might just be the right time to plan your visit, especially once the summer heat has dissipated and the days turn dry and sunny. Here are some of our best tips to make the most of your trip to Costa Rica, and how to get the most out of your points and miles while doing so.

What's the best part of Costa Rica for a trip?

Although it's the third-smallest country in Central America (and that's not saying much!), Costa Rica still clocks in at over 19,000 square miles, which means most travelers will likely want to stick to one or two spots during their visit.

The capital of San José offers plenty of flights to and from U.S. hubs, but for many vacationgoers, the main arrival point is Liberia on the country's west coast thanks to its proximity to the beach resorts of Guanacaste, the rainforests of the interior and the national parks to the south.

For the purposes of this guide, we'll just stick to the regions around Liberia, though if you're interested in exploring other parts of the country, let us know in a comment and we'll write up guides to those as well.

Related: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica

Mix and match Alaska Airlines and American Airlines awards

One of the best ways to fly from the U.S. to Costa Rica is to take either American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, two U.S.-based Oneworld airline partners that, between them, fly to Liberia from the following airports (though note some of these are seasonal):

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

That gives flyers a lot of choices when it comes to redeeming miles. In some cases, you're better off redeeming Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points for shorter American Airlines flights, but in others, redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage miles for its own flights as well as those on Alaska is the better choice. So … you have to do a little homework, but it can be worth it to save thousands of points or miles.

For instance, you can book American Airlines' flights from Miami to Liberia for as few as 7,500 Alaska points plus $44 (or $76 in the other direction), while American's award rates start at 9,000 miles plus slightly lower taxes and fees.

However, Alaska will charge you 17,500 points and the same taxes and fees from other hubs like DFW, JFK and LAX ...

Whereas American AAdvantage rates tend to start at around 10,000-11,500 miles each way plus $24 in taxes and fees (or $56 coming from Costa Rica). Use a tool like seats.aero to compare rates quickly and determine which is best.

So that you're stocked up and ready with the specific types of points or miles you need when you're ready:

Alaska is a 1:1 transfer partner of Bilt. If you have the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card or the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card, you can earn 3 Atmos Rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible rent when paying through Bilt, on up to $50,000 per calendar year; terms apply.

Related: The best credit cards for Alaska Airlines flyers

American Airlines is a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou, so you can transfer points to your AAdvantage account if you have one of the following cards:

• Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): Best for Citi Travel users and American Airlines flyers
• Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Best for earning full-fledged ThankYou Rewards points with a low annual fee
• Citi Prestige® Card: Best for restaurants, airlines and travel agencies

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You also might want to check out one of the following American Airlines cobranded cards to rack up miles quickly with a large welcome offer and keep your account stocked thanks to earning miles on everyday spending:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
• Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best credit cards for American Airlines flyers

Use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue miles for Delta flights

Delta flies to Liberia, Costa Rica from its megahub at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airline also recently announced it would be relaunching weekly nonstop service from JFK from Dec. 19, 2026-Apr. 10, 2027.

The Delta SkyMiles program prices awards dynamically, so the higher the cost of airfare, the more miles you'll need for tickets. However, the airline is also partners with other carriers including Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM, so you can often find lower-priced awards using miles from their loyalty programs instead of SkyMiles.

For instance, this flight from Atlanta to Liberia would cost 31,700 SkyMiles plus $25 in taxes and fees in economy.

But it would only cost 18,500 Virgin Atlantic miles plus the same taxes and fees.

Even better, Air France-KLM Flying Blue would only charge you 16,500 miles, though the taxes and fees are $52. Still, that could be worth it to save nearly half your miles compared to using Delta SkyMiles!

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a 1:1 transfer partner of:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Wells Fargo Rewards

Flying Blue, meanwhile is a 1:1 transfer partner of:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt
• Capital One
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Rove miles
• Wells Fargo Rewards

Even if you don't regularly fly Virgin or Air France-KLM, or fly Delta for that matter, you have tons of ways to top up your frequent-flyer accounts.

Related: Credit card transfer partners: Guide to transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels

Book United flights using Air Canada Aeroplan points

United Airlines flies nonstop to Liberia from its major hubs, including:

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

United MileagePlus prices award tickets dynamically based on airfare, too, so the more tickets cost, the more miles you can expect to redeem. That's why it pays to keep Air Canada's Aeroplan program in mind since you can redeem Aeroplan points for United flights.

For instance, this flight from Chicago to Liberia requires just 15,000 Aeroplan points.

But the same flight would cost 20,000 United MileagePlus miles, unless you have elite status or a cobranded United credit card. That's the lowest price discrepancy I could find — typically, United flights to Costa Rica start closer to 22,500 miles each way.

Now, the taxes and fees on United MileagePlus awards are just about $80 round-trip, versus $180 with Aeroplan, but it could be worth spending the extra cash to save miles, as well as the fact that round-trip airfares on this route typically run anywhere from $760-$2,200 over the next several months.

Also keep in mind that if you do have elite status or a cobranded United Credit card, that you often have access to award prices that are cheaper than general MileagePlus members. That 20,000-mile award drops down to 18,000 miles, so be sure you're logged into your account to see what pricing is available to you.

United is transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt, so even if you don't fly the airline regularly or have a United credit card, there are plenty of ways to stock up on miles.

Air Canada Aeroplan is a transfer partner of:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt
• Capital One
• Chase Ultimate Rewards

Whether you want to go with United miles or Aeroplan points, you have plenty of options for stocking up on them.

Related: The best United credit cards

Stay true (blue) to JetBlue

For East Coasters, JetBlue is also a contender since it flies to Costa Rica from its hubs at:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• New York-JFK

Even better, the airline's flights can be downright bargains when redeeming its own JetBlue TrueBlue points. You can find flights from JFK, in particular, for as few as 11,900 TrueBlue points plus $24-$63 each way instead of $195-$229. Like Delta and United, JetBlue prices awards dynamically based on airfares, but you can count on a solid fixed value per point of about 1.4 cents apiece.

JetBlue is a transfer partner of the following programs at the following ratios:

• American Express Membership Rewards (250:200),
• Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1)
• Citi ThankYou Rewards (Varies from 1,000:700 to 1,000:1,000 depending on your card)

Related: The best credit card for JetBlue flyers

Use Marriott points at these Costa Rica hotels

There's no shortage of resorts where you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to save on hotel rates. You can stretch your points and your budget even further by redeeming points for all-inclusive hotels. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are three great Marriott-affiliated hotels where your points can come in handy.

The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa is a favorite with families and couples alike since it has an adults-only area and one for guests of all ages as well as dreamy pools and a beach club. Guests can also enjoy over a dozen bars and restaurants serving everything from tapas and pizza to Asian fusion and seafood. Rates at the Westin Reserva Conchal start at $512 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

For something a little sultrier, you can opt for the nearby W Costa Rica-Reserva Conchal, which has just 132 rooms and 18 suites, for a more intimate, design-forward feel. While away an afternoon in one of the poolside cabanas or relaxing at the Away Spa and then celebrate with a predinner cocktail at the seaglass-inspired Living Room and dinner at the lively Zona Azul Beach Club. Rates at the W Costa Rica start at $350 or 59,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Marriott's latest Costa Rica resort will open later this fall. The JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa is a sophisticated new all-inclusive making its debut along the Guanacaste coast with 415 rooms and suites and a 44,000-square-foot pool among its hallmarks. Guests will also find 11 bars and restaurants and a huge spa. Rates at the JW Marriott Costa Elena start at $580 or 112,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Related: The best Marriott credit cards

Use Hilton points at these Costa Rica hotels

Hilton points turn out to be versatile whether you want to stay near the beach or up in the mountains.

One of the most exciting recent additions to Costa Rica's hotel scene in recent memory is the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, perched above beautiful Culebra Bay, about a 45-minute drive from Liberia's international airport. The resort comprises 148 guest rooms and 40 suites spanning 20 room types, so there are choices for every configuration. The hotel also offers several distinct restaurants, including Tico Tica for seafood and pasta, La Finca for upscale Costa Rican cuisine and, of course, an outpost of Waldorf's signature Peacock Alley for coffee, tea and cocktails. The Waldorf Astoria Spa is another selling point in its favor. Rates at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica start at $622 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Looking for something a little more niche? Remember that you can also redeem Hilton Honors points at many boutique lodges thanks to the program's partnership with Small Luxury Hotels, including the captivating Rio Perdido, which has just 38 stilted bungalows constructed of timber and volcanic stone and surrounded by lush jungle on a 1,500-acre reserve. Guests can go on wildlife hikes, zipline through the forest and swim in a geothermal river, among other distinctive activities. Rates at Rio Perdido start at $290 or 90,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Related: The best Hilton credit cards

Use Hyatt points at these Costa Rica hotels

Hyatt beckons with classic beach retreats as well as more unique offerings thanks to its acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith.

One of TPG staffers' all-time favorite Hyatt redemptions is the beautiful Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, located in a lush private development along Culebra Bay, just 45 minutes from Liberia. The hotel sprawls along a ridgeline overlooking the inlet and features a swanky cocktail bar, high-end restaurants, a peaceful little spa and plenty of pools, not to mention a private beach club to which guests can catch a free shuttle boat. Rates at the Andaz Papagayo start at $512 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Prefer an all-inclusive where you don't have to watch your dining budget? Consider the adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, which has a more casual, but still intimate feel with just 202 rooms and suites, not to mention a beautiful oceanfront location. The hotel has a whopping 12 bars and restaurants, including an alfresco deck with a health-focused menu, a pan-Asian eatery and an Italian cucina. Rates at Secrets Papagayo start at $560 or 25,000 Hyatt points per night.

Finally, for a nature-filled, off-the-grid experience in the heart of Costa Rica's rainforest, consider a visit to Origins Lodge, which is tucked up in the highlands near the country's northern border with vistas that stretch all the way to Nicaragua, about 90 minutes' drive from Liberia. The hillside bungalows are at one with their surroundings, with plenty of natural light as well as private decks with woodfired jacuzzis. Guests can enjoy gourmet meals of locally-sourced ingredients with daily changing menus in between activities like guided nature hikes to spot sloths and visit thundering waterfalls, horseback rides, whitewater rafting and more. Rates at Origins Lodge start at $885 or 76,750 World of Hyatt points per night.

Related: Which credit cards should you use for Hyatt stays?

Avoid resort fees when redeeming hotel points in Costa Rica

Unfortunately, resort fees are a fact of life and can add hundreds of dollars to your trip cost depending on the hotel and the length of your stay. Sure, $30-$40 extra per day might not break the bank, but some resorts charge much, much more than that. The Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique, for instance, charges a 12% mandatory daily fee. On rates that tend to hover around $1,250, that's an extra $150 per day!

Luckily, Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt waive resort fees on award stays, so you might want to consider those programs first if you're going to redeem points for a hotel on your trip.

Related: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for beach visits or hiking trips

Save on luxury stays with premium card credits

There are plenty of very high-end hotels to stay in Costa Rica, and Guanacaste in particular. If you are considering resorts on the costlier side of the budget spectrum, it could be worth taking a look at the cards in your wallet and whether they open up possibilities for booking (and saving) through the issuer's hotel booking portal.

For instance, folks with either the American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can book American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and get up to $300 back in statement credits semiannually for up to a total of $600 per year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more for the latter) through American Express Travel.

Not only that, but by booking through FHR, you also receive benefits like availability-based upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast for two and a $100 credit to use for on-property charges like meals or spa treatments, so you can end up saving even more. That can come in handy at a hotel like Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, where room rates are already high and redeeming Marriott points can come at exorbitant levels.

Similarly, if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) and book a hotel that is part of The Edit by Chase Travel℠, such as the longstanding favorite Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, you are eligible for two statement credits of up to $250 each (for a total of $500) this calendar year to put toward stays of two nights or more. During your stay, you are also eligible for availability-based upgrades, complimentary daily breakfast and a $100 on-property credit.

Related: Our favorite American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts around the world

Use points toward activities

While we often suggest redeeming points for flights and hotel nights to get the most value, don't forget that you can use certain types of points and miles for activities, in addition to travel.

For example, you can redeem your Capital One miles from a card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card at a rate of one cent apiece for experiences like a kayak and snorkeling trip around Culebra Bay near Papagayo, or a full-day volcano zipline, horseback ride and whitewater tubing experience in the nearby mountains.

If you have a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can also redeem them at one cent apiece for activities like a catamaran sailing and snorkeling tour, or a horseback ride along Conchal Beach.

Are these the highest-value redemptions? No. But if they help you create a memorable experience for yourself and your loved ones during your trip — and save you money — then, why not?

Rental car documentation in Costa Rica

If you want to cover some ground during your time in Costa Rica, you might consider renting a car. Especially because doing so might be cheaper than paying for your hotel's airport shuttle, and once you get to your accommodations, many resorts provide free parking.

However, car rentals in Costa Rica work a little differently than in the U.S., and many other countries, for that matter. That's because you must — no getting out of it — purchase third-party liability insurance from the Instituto Nacional de Seguros, which covers damage and injuries to third parties, but does not cover you or your vehicle. It costs around $10-$20 per day.

Then, unlike pretty much anywhere else you rent, just using a credit card to pay for your rental that provides primary or secondary insurance is not enough, either. Some agencies will still require you to purchase their own collision damage and liability insurance, so call ahead to see if you need to factor that in. If you do find an agency that will allow you to rely on your own credit card insurance (Alamo and Avis should let you do so), then you will still need to obtain a formal letter from your credit card stating that your rental will be covered by their insurance. A call to your card's customer service phone number should suffice, then they will email you a letter that you can print and take with you. It's a rigmarole, but worth saving hundreds of dollars over the course of even a short rental.

Related: Credit card rental car insurance: Best cards and how it works

Bottom line

Costa Rica is truly one of the world's most versatile destinations, with something for everyone, whether it's a relaxing beach vacation, a laidback surf trip, an adrenaline-inducing adventure in the jungle or a wildlife-filled rainforest experience. There are also plenty of ways your points and miles can help you save on a trip there, so bookmark this page and come back to it for ideas.

And, if you have more questions or tips of your own, feel free to share those in the comments!

There's a fun new tool out there that can save you some money and help you stack offers across your various credit cards and shopping portals more effectively. It's called Savewise.

Savewise shows you the best available cash back or points offer from almost any online shopping portal and credit card out there. The company will also allow you to see stackable offers. That's just scratching the surface.

For example, if you are looking for an item from Macy's, Savewise shows you which portal to start your shopping trip from and flags any offers for that retailer from credit cards issued by banks like American Express or Chase.

It's a great first stop on any shopping journey, and the company has also made some very customer-friendly updates in the past few weeks.

All core Savewise features, including its shopping portal comparison, merchant search and the browser extension, are free to use. But it may be worth investing in a "Pro" membership for added features that can maximize savings.

Note that there is also an Apple iOS version of Savewise if you don't want to use the browser as I do.

The company also just released a new "Savewise Wallet" feature that will allow you to optimize shopping portals and card-linked offers to maximize every card benefit and spending bonus category all in one place.

Also, right now, get a special offer on a professional membership through this special TPG offer by using the code "TPG" at checkout. You'll get 20% the normal cost on either the annual or lifetime plans.

Getting started with Savewise

As you can see in the screenshot above, the interface is fairly self-explanatory. To get started, go to getsavewise.com.

Once you create an account, search for a store you want to shop at and then a full list pulls up that shows you the available offers.

Easy peasy.

Here's a search I did for Bloomingdale's.

In this regard, Savewise is not that different from another TPG favorite, the shopping portal aggregator Cashback Monitor.

Related: Use a shopping portal aggregator to maximize your online purchases

But as Savewise itself says, it goes beyond just being an aggregator and " ... adds several features that go beyond basic portal comparison, making it a more complete solution for people who want to maximize their online shopping rewards."

How is Savewise different?

According to the company, here is what makes Savewise different:

• Offer history tracking for each shopping portal, so you can see how rates have changed over time and decide if now is the right time to buy.
• Offer alerts that notify you by email when a store's cash back rate meets your criteria.
• Card-linked offers from Amex, Chase, Citi and SimplyMiles are displayed alongside portal rates so that you can stack multiple rewards on one purchase.
• Auto-activation of card-linked offers across all your cards (with Pro).
• Discount gift cards are shown alongside portal and card-linked offers for a third layer of savings.
• Grocery coupon clipping that automatically clips digital coupons at supported grocery stores.
• Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Safari that surface savings while you shop.
• A native iOS app for comparing offers on the go.
• Support for additional portals, including Capital One Offers, Kudos and Rove.

How I use Savewise

Let me run through a few examples of how Savewise works, starting with the Macy's example from above. Let's pretend I want to buy some new bedding from Macy's, but I want to be sure I'm maximizing the points or cash back I could earn on the purchase.

In the browser version, I would type Macy's into the search bar. That search then takes me to a page with a massive list of potential portals to use to start the shopping process (so many portals, I couldn't screenshot them all!).

In this case, the best rewards were from two sites I hadn't heard of, so I focused on two I use all the time. As you can see in the screenshot below, TopCashback is offering 8% cash back on Macy's purchases, and another of my favorite portals, American Airlines eShopping, is offering 3 miles per dollar spent on all Macy's purchases.

But am I getting a good deal by using either of these portals? I click the "History" button to view historical trends for these portals.

Savewise shows me the last 14 days (and up to 18 months with Pro) of history for these browsers. And recently, American Airlines was offering 7 miles per dollar spent, so maybe I can wait to buy that bedding?

Maybe I do wait, since TopCashback was offering up to 12% cash back at Macy's this year.

But Savewise also shows you potential savings from credit cards you may already have.

That offers some pretty good stacking opportunities. If I have the American Express offer on one of my Amex cards, I could save up to $15 in statement credit by using that card to make a purchase.

Here's another example. I've used the rental car company Turo before, and Savewise shows me that there are some bonus portal offers.

If I book a Turo rental through the Rakuten portal, I can earn 2% cash back. As you can see above, Savewise flags cash-back offers from American Express as well. (And it shows me I also have a Turo credit offer on one of my other credit cards!).

In any case, when I looked at my American Express account, sure enough, there was an Amex Offer.

If I spend $150 or more on a Turo rental and use my American Express card to pay, I'll get a $30 statement credit.

Also, note that Savewise can sync my offers via a browser extension on my desktop. More on that below.

Savewise browser extension

I have the Savewise browser extension on my laptop and find it does a good job flagging offers whenever I shop online or log in to my credit card accounts. This allows you to skip going to the Savewise website entirely.

The browser extension automatically detects when you are on a supported store's website and shows you the best available offers.

According to Savewise, here is what the extension can do:

• View shopping portal offers for the store you are currently browsing, with rates compared across all 29 supported portals.
• View card-linked offers from your synced banks that apply to the current store.
• Sync card-linked offers from Amex, Chase, Citi and SimplyMiles.
• Auto-activate card-linked offers across all your cards (Pro).
• Auto-activate SimplyMiles and Rakuten In-Store offers (Pro).
• Clip grocery coupons automatically at supported grocery store websites.

Groceries

One of the features I haven't played around with too much yet is the grocery tools.

It allows you to automatically clip coupons at your favorite grocery store websites.

As you can see, when I visit Safeway.com, Savewise can automatically clip all the coupons for the store.

I'll play with this feature more and update this article with my thoughts in the future.

How much is Savewise Pro?

The "basic" version of Savewise is free.

While you don't need to buy a premium membership to use Savewise, some of the best features come with a pro membership, which costs $72 a year or a one-time payment of $149 for a lifetime membership.

Right now, you can get 20% off Savewise by entering the code "TPG" at checkout when buying a plan.

Bottom line

Savewise is a next-generation shopping aggregator that does that and much more. It's been a useful tool to help maximize my rewards and cash back, and it gives me confidence I'm not missing out on any ways to save and stack or leaving points, miles or money on the table.

What I especially like is that Savewise brings together several tools I would normally have to check separately. Instead of looking at multiple shopping portals, digging through my credit card accounts for targeted offers, and trying to remember whether a particular cash back rate is a good value, it does all of that in one place.

The free version is powerful enough that I'd recommend trying Savewise before your next big online purchase. For more serious points-and-miles maximizers, the Pro features — especially automatic activation of card-linked offers — could make the paid version a no-brainer.

Either way, Savewise has earned a spot in my online shopping routine.

As a business owner myself, I've spent more brain power than I'd like to admit thinking about which credit cards can help me get more out of my business spending.

Two cards that often come up when you're looking for a simple, no-annual-fee business card are the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Capital One Spark Cash Select — and it's easy to see why they're competitors.

Both keep earning simple, offer tools and benefits for business owners and don't charge an annual fee. At the end of the day, though, the Ink Business Unlimited has an edge for most business owners, especially if you can pair it with an eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards card.

I've already put more thought into business credit cards than any reasonable person should, so let me break it down for you.

Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: At a glance

Quick picks by business type

Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: Welcome bonus

The Ink Business Unlimited currently offers $1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months after account opening. The Spark Cash Select offers a one-time $750 cash bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

The Ink's bonus is $250 higher, but you'll need to spend an additional $2,000 to earn it. If that level of spending is already normal for your business, the extra $250 is an easy win. But don't spend more than you otherwise would just to chase a bigger bonus.

Eligibility is important to consider, too. Chase's application terms say the Ink Business Unlimited bonus may not be available if you've ever had this card or another no-annual-fee Chase business card.

Meanwhile, Capital One states that the bonus may not be available to existing or previous Capital One Business cardholders.

Winner: Ink Business Unlimited. Assuming you can comfortably meet the higher spending requirement, the extra $250 makes it the better offer.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select: Benefits

Neither card is going to wow you with a long list of amazing perks — but that's hardly a surprise for a business card with no annual fee.

However, both options offer more protection than you might expect, including extended warranty coverage and rental car insurance.

*Capital One Mastercard benefits are subject to issuer participation. Check your card's Guide to Benefits for applicable coverage.

There's quite a bit of overlap between the two cards. Both offer extended warranty protection, purchase protection and rental car coverage, although the exact terms and coverage limits differ.

The Ink Business Unlimited has an edge on purchase protection. Eligible purchases are covered against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per year), whereas the Spark Cash Select only covers up to 90 days (with the same limits).

The rental car comparison is closer than it first appears. Ink provides primary coverage when renting for business purposes, with reimbursement of up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most eligible vehicles. Depending on your card's applicable Mastercard benefits, Spark's MasterRental coverage can also be primary for eligible business rentals and rentals outside your home country. With primary coverage, you shouldn't have to file a claim with your personal auto insurer first.

Spark, meanwhile, has an advantage if your business takes you abroad. It charges no foreign transaction fees, compared with 3% on the Ink Business Unlimited.

Winner: Tie. Ink offers longer purchase protection and straightforward primary rental car coverage for eligible business rentals, while Spark counters with competitive protections and no foreign transaction fees.

Related: Why nearly every purchase should be on a credit card

How to earn and redeem rewards with the Ink Business Unlimited vs. Spark Cash Select

At first glance, there's not much separating these cards when it comes to earning rewards. Both earn at least 1.5% back on everyday purchases, with no spending caps to track.

The Spark Cash Select has the edge on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, earning 5% cash back.

The Ink Business Unlimited has a 5% category for Lyft rides through (Sept. 30, 2027), but it's a temporary perk with a much narrower use case.

Winner on earning: Spark Cash Select. Both cards earn the same 1.5% on everyday purchases, but Spark's 5% return on Capital One Business Travel bookings gives it a leg up.

Redeeming rewards

Cash back is the easiest way to use rewards with either card. But if you're willing to do a little more work, both cards have the potential to become much more useful for travel.

You can convert the cash back you earn on the Ink Business Unlimited to points with an eligible Ultimate Rewards card, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees). Doing so lets you transfer those points to Chase's airline and hotel partners.

The Spark Cash Select works similarly. If you have an eligible Capital One miles-earning card, you can convert your cash back into Capital One miles and transfer those miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners.

Neither program is automatically better for travel, either. Chase and Capital One have different airline and hotel transfer partners, so the better option depends largely on which programs you actually use.

If you already earn rewards with Chase or Capital One, that's an even stronger reason to stick with the same program and combine your rewards rather than starting from scratch with the other.

Winner on redeeming: Tie. Both cards make cash back easy, while pairing either with an eligible card can open the door to transferable travel rewards.

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points

Can I have both the Ink Business Unlimited and Spark Cash Select?

Yes. Since one card is issued by Chase and the other by Capital One, there's nothing stopping you from holding both. But you'll still need to qualify for each card individually.

For the Ink Business Unlimited, keep Chase's 5/24 rule in mind. You'll need to be under 5/24 to qualify, though most business cards won't count toward your 5/24 total.

Capital One doesn't have a publicly stated rule comparable to Chase's 5/24 rule, but you'll still need to meet the issuer's current application requirements to qualify for the Spark Cash Select.

But do you actually need both? Probably not. Since both earn at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases, there's a lot of overlap. And with several cash-back cards earning 2% on everyday spending, neither is the strongest choice based on its base earning rate alone.

These cards are a better fit if you value simplicity, want to avoid an annual fee or already earn rewards with Chase or Capital One.

But if you're starting from scratch, I'd look at options like the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card (see rates and fees), which earns 2% cash rewards on purchases, or the The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card, which earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% back on all purchases).

Related: The best business credit cards to add to your wallet

Should I get the Ink Business Unlimited or Spark Cash Select?

Choose the Ink Business Unlimited if you already have or want to get a Chase Ultimate Rewards-points earning credit card.

Choose the Spark Cash Select if you regularly make international purchases or book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel. It's also a natural fit if you already have a Capital One travel card and can combine your rewards for more redemption options.

Related: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards

Bottom line

After weighing it all, Chase's Ink Business Unlimited comes out ahead, but just barely. Its useful protections and the potential to get more from your rewards by pairing it with another Ultimate Rewards card give it the edge.

Still, Capital One's Spark Cash Select puts up a good fight. With no foreign transaction fees and 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, it could be the better fit for some business owners.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited and our full review of the Capital One Spark Cash Select.

Apply here: Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Select

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for beginners and experienced points-and-miles enthusiasts who want an easy way to earn miles with minimal effort — all for an affordable $95 annual fee.

The Venture Rewards card's current welcome offer is especially compelling: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, you'll receive a $300 credit upon approval to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.

Here's what the offer is worth and what to know before applying.

Capital One Venture Rewards welcome offer

New Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, you'll receive a $300 credit upon approval to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.

Including the credit, this offer is worth $1,688, per TPG's September 2026 valuations.

In terms of miles alone, this is the standard welcome bonus on the card. However, the inclusion of the $300 credit makes this offer among the most valuable we've seen.

For comparison, previous welcome offers have gone as high as 100,000 miles after meeting the minimum spending requirements (no longer available), but with no credit.

It's possible to squeeze even more from that bonus if you redeem Capital One miles for maximum value, thanks to their impressive roster of 15-plus transfer partners.

Who is eligible for the Venture Rewards welcome bonus?

There are some eligibility requirements to keep in mind before applying. You don't want to waste a hard pull on your credit report if you aren't eligible for the current offer.

First, if you've previously earned a welcome bonus on the Venture Rewards, you won't be able to earn another one for 48 months. Note that this is 48 months from the date you received your bonus, not from the date you were approved.

In addition, if you previously earned a welcome bonus on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you will more than likely not be eligible to earn a welcome bonus on the Venture Rewards.

Capital One may consider multiple factors when deciding whether to approve you; for a deeper dive into its application requirements, check out our full guide.

Related: The best Capital One credit cards

Earning Capital One miles

This card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. So, by spending $4,000 on it to earn the welcome bonus, you'd earn at least 83,000 miles in the first few months, including the welcome bonus.

And since the Venture Rewards earns 5 miles per dollar spent on car rentals, hotels and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, it's possible to earn even more miles while working toward your welcome bonus.

While some travel credit cards may earn slightly higher rates on select categories such as groceries or dining, the draw here is the simplicity and guarantee of earning at least 2 miles per dollar spent on anything you buy without the need to memorize multiple bonus spending categories.

Related: Why I keep the Capital One Venture Rewards card in my wallet

What can Capital One Miles get you?

Your total value from this welcome bonus depends largely on how you redeem your miles. There are two key options:

• Redeem for 1 cent apiece toward travel
• Redeem by transferring to Capital One's 15-plus partner airlines and hotels (our recommendation)

When converting your miles to hotel points or airline miles, most partners offer a 1:1 transfer ratio, though a couple of partners have different ratios. You can get great sweet spot redemptions by transferring miles to programs like Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

For example, TPG's editor-in-chief, Nick Ewen, transferred 117,000 Capital One miles to Emirates Skywards to upgrade himself and two family members to Emirates first class. This broke down to 39,000 miles per person, a reasonable cost for the upgrade.

If you don't want to transfer your miles, you can redeem them by booking a trip through Capital One Travel. These redemptions can be very handy in a world where you may be renting recreational vehicles, booking vacation home rentals or securing a cabin close to home more often than hopping on a flight to the other side of the world.

Related: Cashing in Capital One miles? How to get the maximum value when redeeming miles

Other Venture Rewards perks

The Capital One Venture Rewards doesn't offer the same benefits as more premium travel rewards cards, including its upscale sibling, the Capital One Venture X Rewards.

But for its modest $95 annual fee, the Venture Rewards provides some useful benefits:

• An up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
• Car rental insurance
• Complimentary concierge service
• Extended warranty protection
• No foreign transaction fees

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards

Bottom line

The Capital One Venture Rewards remains a strong option for travelers who value simplicity. It earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases and gives cardholders access to Capital One's airline and hotel transfer partners, all for a $95 annual fee.

Plus, the current welcome offer includes a solid haul of miles and a $300 credit for Capital One Travel, one of the best offers we've seen. Just remember to use your credit in the first cardholder year, or you'll forfeit the value.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards card.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.