Travelers headed to the airport faced major disruptions on Friday evening — and possibly beyond — after an extremely rare nationwide ground stop upended flight schedules across the United States.

Most departing flights in the U.S.were grounded indefinitely Friday afternoon on orders from the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency cited "extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety" in an advisory.

The FAA subsequently attributed the disruption to "communication issues impacting multiple Air Traffic Control Centers" and said FAA technicians were investigating the issue.

The fallout for travelers was severe, affecting thousands of flights, as of 8 p.m. EST, in a meltdown that was likely to cascade across multiple days. More than 5,130 cancellations had been tallied for Friday and another 838 already canceled for Saturday, according to flight-tracking service FightAware. That means hundreds of thousands of passengers have either been stranded or left unable to leave their home airport — a total that was almost certain to keep growing.

Federal government: Travelers are safe

Shortly after 5 p.m. EST, the FAA said every flight that was in the air at the time of the ground stop had been accounted for.

"Everybody is safe," U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin told reporters. "There is no reason to be concerned about your loved ones if they're flying, or anything like that."

However, Mullin said the federal government was still working to determine the root cause of the communications outage.

Flight cancellations, delays likely to climb

The disruption marked only the second time since 9/11 that a ground stop affecting the entire nation had been issued.

During the last nationwide ground stop in January 2023, more than 10,000 flights were canceled in the fallout of a computer outage at the FAA.

It remains to be seen how significantly flights will be affected this time around. That will largely depend on how long it takes to resolve the issue and for flights to resume.

By 6 p.m. EST, nearly 1,700 U.S. flights scheduled for Friday had been canceled, according to FlightAware. An additional 10,000-plus had been delayed.

That number was likely to grow significantly.

In a statement to TPG, American Airlines said it expected its operations to be affected for the rest of Friday evening.

"It will be all hands on deck across American to get customers on their way as soon as possible when the FAA lifts this ground stop," the carrier said.

Airlines issue flexible travel waivers

Airlines had begun to issue travel advisories. These waivers typically allow passengers with flights booked more flexibility to change their itineraries.

• Delta
• United
• Southwest
• Alaska and Hawaiian

Some departures still permitted

Airlines reported some departures were still permitted as of 6 p.m. EST Friday.

In a social media post, United Airlines said all of its new domestic departures were halted. International departures were being managed on a case-by-case basis, the carrier reported.

Alaska Air Group, which owns Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, said flights within the state of Alaska were still cleared to operate. Neighbor island service in Hawaii was also unaffected. Departures from the West Coast to Hawaii were also continuing, a spokesperson said.

What happens when there's a ground stop?

Typically when a ground stop occurs, flights in the air are permitted to land, but planes on the ground are prohibited from taking off.

Ground stops are frequently issued at individual airports when there is a localized disruption, like bad weather.

But ground stops covering the entire nation have only happened three times this century.

What to do if your flight is impacted

Passengers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed are entitled to a refund if they choose not to travel or accept a rebooked flight, regardless of the reason for the disruption.

Under Department of Transportation rules, a significant delay generally means arriving at your final destination at least three hours late on a domestic itinerary or six hours late on an international itinerary. For passengers who decided to not travel on those flights, airlines must provide refunds to the original form of payment, not just travel credits.

In large-scale travel disruptions like this, rental cars and hotel rooms at or near airports can book up quickly, so it can make sense to act fast if you want to secure a backup option.

If you have airline miles you can use to book a flight for tomorrow, that can also be a good self-insurance policy in case the disruption isn't resolved quickly. Just make sure you understand the cancellation and refund rules before booking a backup ticket.

And while many rewards credit cards offer built-in trip delay or cancellation protection if you used them to book your original airline tickets, it's not guaranteed that those benefits will cover FAA groundings of this nature. Still, save your receipts for any unexpected expenses in case you're eligible for reimbursement.

Related reading:

• Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do
• Getting a refund for your flight: What to know in 2026
• TPG's favorite credit cards with travel insurance
• EU261 compensation: What is it, and how does it work?
• Why it's so important to make sure your boarding pass says 'TSA PreCheck'

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Some of the most aspirational business-class award redemptions are increasingly hard to find, even for the most experienced points and miles enthusiasts.

Cathay Pacific is a prime example. It's harder and harder to find award availability in the Hong Kong-based airline's premium cabins, especially with partners.

But one trick still works: Look for award availability when airlines launch new routes or bring back old ones.

I was able to fly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) for just 75,000 Atmos Rewards points. That is a screaming deal. But there was only saver-level availability for a limited time when the schedule was first loaded.

It turned out to be a fantastic redemption, with excellent service, delicious food and a comfortable lie-flat seat for the long journey across the Pacific.

I'll have more details later in this story on how to find some of these incredible deals in business class, but first, let's talk a bit more about this flight.

Here's what my experience was like aboard Cathay Pacific's Airbus A350-900 and how you can use a similar strategy to find these elusive business-class awards.

Cathay Pacific's resumed Seattle service to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific relaunched its service to Hong Kong from Seattle in March 2026, after suspending the route during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The route originally launched in March 2019 and was canceled in November of the following year. The airline's CEO told TPG that the carrier had always wanted to restore the route, which was Seattle's first nonstop service to Hong Kong since the pandemic.

The plane was a nine-year-old A350-900 with the ship number B-LRL, with 38 business-class seats, 28 premium economy seats and 214 economy seats.

It was a very comfortable way to cross the Pacific and opens up fun new ways to get to Asia from the U.S. West Coast. It also adds another way to use points and miles to fly to Hong Kong, though as you'll read below, it's no easy task to find the lowest-level award availability.

The Club Lounge in Seattle

Business-class guests on Cathay Pacific are invited to use The Club at Seattle in the South Satellite area, which is connected to the main terminal by an underground train.

The Club SEA is an independent lounge that participates in Priority Pass. It offers a buffet of hot and cold food items and free drinks. It's basic, and it doesn't hold a candle to Cathay Pacific's own lounges in places like San Francisco and Hong Kong (no noodle bar here). However, it will do the trick for a quick drink and bite.

It was crowded during my quick visit, and I didn't spend much time at this lounge, since I'd had access to the beautiful Alaska Airlines lounge in the N Concourse. I grabbed a bite there before heading to the S Concourse, which is about to get a major, modern $2.5 billion renovation. It should be a much nicer place to hang out once the renovations are done.

Flying on Cathay Pacific's A350-900 in business class

Cathay Pacific has 38 business-class seats, split between two cabins. I was in the forward cabin with 30 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. There is a smaller cabin with just eight business-class seats behind a small galley/boarding area, which looked like a good option for a more intimate experience.

I chose seat 18K. These seats are 20.5 inches wide with plenty of pitch. There are no sliding doors, but there is a privacy wing at level with a passenger's face.

The seats fold down to 75 inches in length to become fully flat beds, though the footwell is a bit narrow.

Cathay Pacific gave out British lifestyle brand Bamford amenity kits that had moisturizer, cooling body gel, pillow mist, an eye mask, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste and mouthwash. There were also noise-canceling headphones and a bottle of water at the seat.

The seat had lots of little storage areas, along with slippers (but no pajamas, as Cathay only has pajamas on select planes with first class).

Bathrooms are plentiful, with two in the front of the main business-class cabin and one more behind. The coolest thing was that the two bathrooms in front have windows — something you don't see that often on airplanes. Amenities were provided by Bamford and included a moisturizing spray and lotion.

The inflight entertainment was great, with an 18.5-inch HD touchscreen and plenty of movies and entertainment. I was able to choose from hundreds of movies and television shows (including a documentary on Cathay Pacific's 80th anniversary). There was also a tail camera and a moving map. A handheld controller is available to navigate the screen.

Cathay Pacific provides free Wi-Fi for business-class passengers, and I found it worked well on my flight. It's not as fast as Starlink, but it was still easy for me to get some work done.

I really like Cathay Pacific's business-class seats on these planes, though I'm excited to try one of Cathay's newer Aria Suite business-class products someday. Those suites are currently being installed on their Boeing 777-300ER fleet.

I'm especially hoping to see it on flights to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which the airline has hinted could come as soon as next year. (The timing of that rollout remains to be confirmed.)

Soft product on Cathay Pacific's A350-900

A friendly and attentive crew, delicious food and good bedding made for a great flight across the Pacific. I had especially good service with flight attendants Mei, Amanda and Elsa, all of whom were super friendly and chatty.

Service wasn't as formal as some Asian airlines I've flown, and the crew was fun to be around.

A predeparture beverage of orange juice or water was served during boarding.

Not long after takeoff, flight attendants served drinks. I went with a nonalcoholic Cathay Delight, the airline's signature nonalcoholic drink, made with kiwi, coconut and mint.

That was followed by a lovely amuse-bouche of a deviled egg. I could have happily eaten 20 of them.

The egg dish was served with a Betsy Free, Cathay Pacific's nonalcoholic version of its signature Betsy beer, in a vintage-style Cathay Pacific beer can.

That was followed by an absolutely delicious lunch: a roast carrot soup with a selection of breads, a hearty buffalo mozzarella and rocket pesto salad with grilled radicchio and toasted hazelnuts, and a roasted chicken breast in a maple-chipotle barbecue sauce, served with corn on the cob, creamed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes.

The dessert cart was filled with things like cheese and fruit plates, a yogurt panna cotta, ice cream, or a raspberry tiramisu and, of course, port or wine.

The flight attendants saw me snapping a ton of pictures, so they ended up letting me sample a little bit of almost everything. What a feast!

As if that weren't enough, flight attendants later brought around a chocolate sampler.

There were also snacks set out in the area between the two business-class cabins.

I was able to pre-select a second meal before the flight, and went with a classic beef burger.

There was a nice set of options available on the pre-order menu.

That meal was served after I'd gotten a few hours of shut-eye. Cathay Pacific is well-known for its burgers, and this one didn't disappoint.

I'm not sure how they managed to make a burger served at 30,000 feet taste good, but they did.

The flight attendants helped make my bed with a Bamford-branded mattress pad, duvet and large pillow. I managed to get about five hours of sleep — not too bad.

Before landing, there was yet another meal.

Breakfast was a more traditional Chinese meal of congee with shrimp dumplings and siu mai. Honestly, at that point, I was so full that I didn't eat much of it, but I did enjoy about four cappuccinos.

I'll tell you one thing: Come hungry when flying international on Cathay Pacific.

How I booked business class for 75,000 points, and how you can, too

I was able to score that business-class seat on Cathay Pacific's newly resumed flight to Hong Kong for just 75,000 Atmos Rewards points and $5.60 in federal security tax. You can also book Cathay flights with American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

Unfortunately, low-level award space has been increasingly hard to come by using partners lately. That's why I always look when a new or newly resumed route goes on sale. I've often found low-level awards when the route first comes up for booking.

That also happened recently when American Airlines announced new service to Prague and newly resumed flights to Budapest,. The airline made business-class redemptions widely available for just 55,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points.

So when a new route starts or resumes, check award availability as soon as the seats go on sale.

Related: 9 flight award booking hacks every traveler should know

Of course, you'll likely find more availability using Cathay Pacific's own program: Asia Miles. Cathay Pacific often releases more award availability to its own members. You can transfer miles 1:1 from multiple Cathay Pacific banking partners — including Bilt and Citi ThankYou Rewards, among others — directly to Asia Miles. American Express Membership Rewards also transfers to Asia Miles but at a reduced 5:4 ratio.

Award search tools are increasingly a big part of my deal hunt. Some of my favorites include Seats.aero, ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG parent company, Red Ventures) and Roame.travel. I also rely on the Points Path award tool, which runs in my browser, so I can see award availability when I search on Google Flights.

Flexibility is another key to finding award availability like this. You'll often need to travel whenever a seat is available, not on a specific date. If you're open to multiple destinations, you'll also have better luck finding the cheapest awards, especially to destinations like Asia. Consider using wherever you find the best redemption as a jumping-off point to see other destinations in the region.

Bottom line

Business class on Cathay Pacific's A350-900s may not have all the excitement of its newer Aria Suite, but it's still a super-compelling product, as my recent flight from Seattle to Hong Kong showed. This trip proved once again why Cathay Pacific is one of my favorite airlines, and the newly resumed service from Seattle adds another option for American travelers.

Friendly service, a great seat, and incredible food and beverages made this trip one to remember. The best part was getting all that for just 75,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points.

Keep an eye out for newly launched (or relaunched) routes when you are looking for your next great redemption. You might get a happy surprise.

Related reading:

• Best airline credit cards
• Premium economy vs. business class: Are the differences worth an upgrade?
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• What are airline alliances, and who's in them?
• Cathay Pacific unveils its swanky new 'Aria Suite' business-class seat

We didn't have to wait long to find out how American Airlines is shaking up its route map in Los Angeles.

Just minutes after TPG reported the carrier was planning a route announcement at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), American revealed its plans. And there's both good and bad news for AA flyers in Southern California.

Most notably, the carrier plans to bolster its service on four routes to major U.S. cities.

It's also bringing back a route to Colorado that it hasn't offered in a half-decade.

Plus, American will end service to two cities from LAX.

All told, Friday's changes cover nine routes from its West Coast hub. Here's what to know.

Resuming service to Grand Junction

American confirmed it's bringing back service to Grand Junction, Colorado, for the first time in five years.

It will operate seasonal regional service from LAX between May 27 and Aug. 9 with a Bombardier CRJ700.

American last operated LAX service to Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in 2021, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

In 2027, this route will effectively replace American's flight to Colorado's Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which will be closed next summer for construction.

American will fly its LAX-GJT route with one of its smaller CRJ-700 aircraft.

More regular LAX service on 2 additional routes

Elsewhere, American will turn to two routes it's previously offered seasonally — and sporadically —from LAX into more regular service:

• Reno, Nevada, flights will operate year-round, three times per day beginning May 27.
• Bozeman, Montana, service will return on a seasonal basis next summer, from May 27 through Aug. 9

Both routes will operate with an Embraer 175 regional jet.

4 key US cities get more flying

Starting next spring, American will also add extra daily flights from LAX to several major U.S. cities.

Denver, Las Vegas and Seattle will all get additional frequencies. Plus, American will double its daily service on one transcontinental route — from LA to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Starting in May, American will offer twice-daily Dulles service. That'll make the IAD-LAX routes a stronger complement to AA's cross-country Los Angeles service from nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

2 route cuts from LAX

It's not all good news.

American will cut ties with its LAX route to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) effective Feb. 11.

That same day, it will also end service to Des Moines, Iowa.

American's big-picture plans at LAX

This network revamp in LA comes a day after American executives said the carrier was rethinking the routes it offers at its Southern California hub.

American's LAX service today sharply lags the flight offerings it had at the airport in 2019.

Speaking Thursday, American's chief commercial officer, Nat Pieper, said the airline would aim to offer more flights from LAX to major U.S. cities in a push to win more L.A.-based flyers.

"We're going to grow and we're going to invest in the local market," he said, speaking Thursday at the Skift Aviation Forum in New York.

That expansion, Pieper noted, will be gradual — and ramp up — as infrastructure work at LAX progresses over the next two years.

Related reading:

• Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
• American's AAdvantage program changes for 2026
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• This is now American Airlines' most premium plane: Here's what it's like on board
• The best credit card for American Airlines lounge access

American Airlines is planning to add more flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as part of a "gradual build" at its West Coast hub.

The Fort Worth-based carrier said it's about to add more LAX service to its schedule, with a focus on places executives describe as "important markets."

It's not clear whether that means entirely new routes or more frequent service on existing ones.

But either way, it comes after a long stretch where American seemed to focus far more of its attention on other parts of the country.

Sun Belt strategy

After the pandemic, the airline doubled down on its Sun Belt hubs, fortifying its strongholds in Dallas, Charlotte and Miami.

More recently, American reignited a longstanding Chicago turf war with United Airlines when it rapidly reinstated flying at O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

It looks like LAX will be its next project.

"We're going to grow," American chief commercial officer Nat Pieper said, speaking this week at an industry conference. "We're going to tailor a schedule to the local market."

It won't happen overnight.

A gap to close in Southern California

American has a smaller presence today in Southern California than it did several years ago.

This year, the carrier will operate about 32% fewer flights than it did in 2019, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

That's a significant drop-off at LAX, which is one of the nation's most competitive airports — and the only where each of the "big three" legacy carriers operates a hub.

By contrast, top L.A. rival Delta Air Lines has solidified its place as the airport's top carrier, and plans operate its largest-ever schedule there next year.

United Airlines has also signaled it has future growth aspirations at LAX.

Speaking earlier this year, United's top network planner, Patrick Quayle, lamented the fact that the airport is United's only hub where there's another airline with a larger presence.

"I don't like being No. 2," Quayle said during a company event at LAX in March. "And so I will, today, put Delta on notice here in L.A. — we will be No. 1, as well."'

How American plans to grow in L.A.

So where does that leave American?

Pieper said the carrier needs to start by catering more to local Los Angeles customers — not just using the airport as a hub to route connecting traffic.

Doing that, he acknowledged, will likely require AA to offer a longer list of unique destinations.

Today, for instance, the carrier only serves four long-haul cities from LAX: London, Tokyo, Sydney and Auckland.

"People don't only want to fly domestically. They want to go to Latin America. They want to go to Europe. They want to go to Asia," Pieper said on stage this week at the Skift Aviation Forum in New York. "We need to be able to serve that with our own airplanes."

United is clearly following that formula. The carrier already serves more than a half-dozen transpacific destinations from Southern California — and will expand next year with a new route to Osaka.

Delta, for its part, is also pointing to LAX as a linchpin of its Pacific growth aspirations, having launched nonstops to Hong Kong and Melbourne within the past year. New flights to Manila will begin in 2027.

Major LAX upgrades on the ground

Delta's Los Angeles growth is also thanks, in part, to massive infrastructure investments the carrier has made at the hub which, among other things, is the only airport that's home to two Delta One Lounges.

American's LAX digs, meanwhile, are still a construction zone.

The carrier had to consolidate its presence at the airport last year to make way for a rebuild of the airport's Terminal 5.

American will grow at a "gradual" pace, Pieper said, until its LAX facilities are "ready to roll." That's expected to happen in late 2028, at which point the carrier will have access to 30 gates.

"Our facility will be as good as anybody's," he said.

That, along with more flights — plus connectivity to American's Pacific partners like Qantas and Japan Airlines— have the airline more bullish about its hub that's grabbed far fewer headlines in recent years.

"You combine all those things together," Pieper added, "I think we're going to have a compelling offering there."

Related reading:

• Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
• American's AAdvantage program changes for 2026
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• This is now American Airlines' most premium plane: Here's what it's like on board
• The best credit card for American Airlines lounge access

My husband and I have always dreamed of visiting London, but we knew we wanted to do it the right way: comfortable flights and a chic hotel stay, with room left in our budget for things like afternoon tea, souvenirs and even a day trip.

All of that can sometimes require some pretty deep pockets, which is why we spent the past year allocating our spending strategically, using my American Express® Gold Card to earn points toward both our flights and our hotel stay.

But like anyone on a budget, we wanted to get the most bang for our "point." So when American Express last offered a 30% transfer bonus to the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for eligible U.S. cardmembers, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity and book our trip asap. The good news? Amex is offering this same transfer bonus to Virgin again, now through Nov. 30, 2026.

Here's how I made the most of the transfer bonus, including the redemptions I made and how you can do the same with the current offer.

Transferring my Amex points to Virgin with the 30% bonus

First, let's break down how the bonus works:

The American Express Membership Rewards® program is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for eligible U.S. cardmembers until Nov. 30, 2026. That means every 1,000 Membership Rewards points you transfer becomes 1,300 Virgin Points®. Terms apply. Note that Amex points must be transferred in multiples of 1,000, with a minimum of 1,000 points.

Now I'm no math whiz, but I do know that means 100,000 Membership Rewards points would convert to 130,000 Virgin Points, instead of the standard 1:1 ratio. That's one of the best transfer rates Amex offers.

Several Amex cards earn transferable Membership Rewards points, including:

• American Express Platinum Card®
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express Gold Card
• American Express® Business Gold Card

Editor tip: If you're new to transferring Membership Rewards, like I was, I highly recommend checking out our beginner-friendly guide that breaks down how to transfer Membership Rewards points to partners like Virgin step by step, along with any restrictions you need to be aware of.

The best part about Virgin as a transfer partner is its surprising breadth. You can redeem your points for flights on Virgin Atlantic, as well as stays at Virgin Hotels and cruise sailings with Virgin Voyages.

I had built up a solid balance of Membership Rewards points through a combination of the Gold Card's welcome offer and my everyday spending, but the limited-time window of that bonus meant I couldn't afford to think about it for too long.

How I booked my Virgin Atlantic flights to London with Virgin Points

Outbound in premium economy

I live in Central Florida, and luckily for me, Virgin Atlantic offers nonstop flights from Orlando

International Airport (MCO) to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). However, Virgin Atlantic also flies nonstop to LHR from airports across the U.S., including:

• New York: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Washington, D.C.: Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Tampa: Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Las Vegas: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Personally, I've always been curious about Virgin's premium economy cabin after hearing so many great things about it from my fellow TPG colleagues. So for our outbound flight, we booked premium economy, which comes with perks like extra legroom and an elevated meal service.

It cost me 35,000 Virgin Points per person, plus taxes and fees. With the 30% bonus, I only needed to transfer 54,000 Amex points for the two of us, which means I saved 16,000 Amex points on the outbound leg alone.

Note that taxes, fees and charges apply in addition to the points price for reward flights in all classes. These vary depending on factors such as your destination and travel dates, and the applicable amount is shown at the time of booking.

From check-in to landing, the premium economy cabin proved to be the perfect balance of value and comfort. Extra touches like a dedicated check-in desk, a glass of bubbly after boarding, upgraded dining and amenity kits made the experience feel so special. The wide leather seats with extra legroom meant we arrived in London well-rested and ready to explore. I could see why so many people rave about it; it was the perfect middle ground between budget-friendly and comfortable.

Inbound in Upper Class

The real splurge was our return flight, which turned out to hardly be a splurge at all because I found a nonstop Upper Class flight home from LHR to MCO for just 29,000 Virgin Points per person, plus taxes and fees. Thanks to the bonus, I only needed to transfer 46,000 Amex points total for two people. That's 12,000 Membership Reward points saved on an already incredible redemption. Needless to say, I felt like I'd won the lottery.

I'll be the first to tell you that it doesn't get any better than Virgin's Upper Class for R&R on a nine-hour flight across the Atlantic. The direct-aisle-access seats converted into lie-flat beds, and the amenity kits were well curated. Not to mention that the dining and inflight service made me feel like, well, royalty.

By the time we touched down in Orlando, I had slept through most of the flight, which is a rarity for me as a nervous flyer. We arrived home feeling restored rather than depleted.

Total savings

Combined, our flights cost us 128,000 Virgin Points plus taxes and fees, which took 100,000 Amex points to cover. The transfer bonus saved my husband and me 28,000 Membership Rewards points across both flights, and we used them to redeem on Virgin Red for a rewards stay at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch.

Using Virgin Points for my stay at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

Booking my stay

Once I had committed to the Virgin Atlantic booking, staying at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch was a no-brainer with that 30% transfer bonus. And yes, when you transfer Membership Rewards points to the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can use them toward a stay at a Virgin Hotels property.

Editor tip: Once you've transferred your Membership Reward points to Virgin, check out our easy-to-follow guide to booking Virgin Hotels with Virgin Points.

On our dates, the stay came out to about 60,000 Virgin Points per night. For our four-night stay, I was looking at 240,000 points in total, which felt like a lot to give up. With the 30% transfer bonus, though, I only needed to transfer 185,000 Membership Rewards points, which was much easier to wrap my head around.

Staying at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch

When I booked the hotel, I had a feeling using my points would be well worth it, and from the moment we arrived at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch, my suspicions were confirmed. The hotel sits in trendy East London, far enough from the crowds and tourist traps, but close to the Old Street Tube station for easy access to activities and dining across the city. It's also a convenient 10-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station, which has direct access to LHR.

The hotel has quintessential Virgin design, with red accents everywhere, from the lobby carpets to the Smeg fridges in the guest rooms. Beyond the rooms, the property has a rooftop pool for the warmer months and a retro hi-fi listening bar called Hidden Grooves, which serves creative cocktails that are perfect after a long day exploring London.

As for how it compares to cash pricing, a comparable room size runs around $450-$550 per night. Our four-night stay on Virgin Points was equivalent to saving roughly $2,000 in cash, which suddenly made the Amex transfer bonus feel like money in the bank.

The activities I fit in with the money I saved

With our flights and hotels covered by points, we had cash to spend on our most anticipated experiences in London. Here are a few of my favorite trip highlights:

• Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason: When in London, you have to make time for it. Fortnum & Mason's classic afternoon tea came out to £168 (about $233) for two people. I loved trying the different teas, finger sandwiches and pastries. Of course, I stopped in their department store on the way out to pick up several tea flavors and biscuits to enjoy back home. If you'd rather use points, you can also redeem 23,000 Virgin Points for a Champagne afternoon tea for two at Fortnum & Mason through Virgin Red.
• Tours and experiences: There is so much history to see in London, so visiting the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London was absolutely surreal. My husband and I like to visit these places at our own pace, so we opted for self-guided audio tours at places like Westminster Abbey, which was surreal to see in person after watching coronations and royal weddings on TV growing up. We did the same at The National Gallery, where I teared up seeing some of my favorite paintings in person, like Claude Monet's The Bridge over the Water-Lily Pond.
• London shopping crawl: This was a nonnegotiable for me. During our trip, we spent an entire day wandering and shopping through different London neighborhoods, like Notting Hill and Marylebone, to pick up souvenirs. I picked up a few art prints and shirts at Abbey Road Studios, and took a tour of the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios. I'm also a big Disney fan, of course, we had to make a pit stop at the Disney Store to grab special London-edition items like pins and t-shirts for my Disney collection.

Bottom line

My Membership Rewards transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club covered nearly every big-ticket item on our London trip: flights in both directions, including a lie-flat Upper Class seat home, and four nights at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. With the 30% transfer bonus stretching every point further, we were able to spend our cash on experiences, dining and souvenirs.

If you've been sitting on a stash of Membership Rewards points, this is one of the best ways to use them right now, and you don't need to go to London. Virgin Atlantic also flies nonstop from the U.S. to Manchester and Edinburgh and connecting through Heathrow opens up destinations like Barbados, Cape Town, Dubai, Mumbai and the Maldives.

Your points aren't limited to flights, either. You can put them toward a stay at Virgin Hotels or even a Virgin Voyages cruise. Just keep in mind that the 30% transfer bonus, available to eligible U.S. cardmembers, ends Nov. 30, 2026, so whether you're dreaming of a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic or days in the sun at sea, now is the time to book your next trip.

Transfer your Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club here.

From bonus points on your next hotel stay to sales on award tickets, we're always looking for travel deals that help you earn more points and miles and redeem them for maximum value. In other words, we want to help you book the vacation of your dreams.

This week, we've got a flash sale on Target gift cards (plus pro tips for stacking your rewards). And there's still time to earn a valuable Southwest Companion Pass the easy way, but you'll need to act fast.

Each week, we help our readers by rounding up promotions so they don't have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. This includes everything from frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers and rental car deals. Here's our latest list of noteworthy new points and miles promotions for early November.

Airline loyalty program promotions (November 2026)

Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on specific dates, the opportunity to earn more points or miles for future travel and exclusive deals to accumulate points or miles toward elite status. Below are some of the best offers we found for November.

Stretch your Avios further with Qatar Airways flash sale

Qatar Airways Privilege Club is one of several airline programs that use Avios as their rewards currency. Right now, members can get 25% off redemptions to select destinations, including Ethiopia and the Seychelles in economy and Nepal and Malaysia in business class.

But this sale won't last long — you must book by Nov. 14 and travel by Dec. 31.

Earn up to 4x Aeroplan points on flights to Canada

If Canada is in your travel plans, you won't want to miss these limited-time deals from Air Canada Aeroplan.

You can earn double Aeroplan points (1 point per dollar) on cash flights between the U.S. and Canada in premium economy. Plus, you can earn even more (2 points per dollar) on cash tickets between Canada and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New York.

Book by Nov. 15, 2026 for travel until April 30, 2027.

Related: Flying Blue is adding Light, Standard and Flex awards — here's what it means for using your miles

Hotel loyalty program promotions (November 2026)

Hotel loyalty programs regularly offer discounted award stays and new ways to earn extra points. Here are some November deals to consider when booking your next stay.

Score up to 30k bonus points at Sonesta

The holidays are just around the corner, and that means pre-Black Friday sales are popping up across the travel space — including this lucrative deal from Sonesta Travel Pass.

With the Sonesta Holiday Travel Presale, members can earn 7,500 bonus points per eligible stay, up to 30,000 bonus points total. Plus, you can save up to 25% with flexible rates or up to 30% when you prepay.

Book with code EARLYACCESS by November 16, 2026, and stay through June 30, 2027.

Earn IHG bonus points in the U.S. and U.K.

Whether your winter travels will take you across the Pond or closer to home, this IHG promotion could be extra rewarding. IHG One Rewards members can earn 5,000 bonus points for every two nights spent at eligible brands in the U.S. and U.K., including:

• U.S.: Kimpton, InterContinental, Vignette, Hotel Indigo, & EVEN Hotels
• U.K.: Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, & Vignette

Register, book and stay by Dec. 31.

Related: Why you should register for hotel promotions — even if you don't think you'll use them

Credit card promotions (November 2026)

Card issuers offer deals and discounts on a wide range of products, from airfare to dining. Here are some of the offers we've rounded up this week. Note that these are targeted, so they may or may not be available on your account. You must activate these offers on your card and use the enrolled card to make the purchase in order to earn bonus rewards.

Targeted Amex Offer at Norwegian Cruise Line

Dreaming of sailing away on your next vacay? With this Amex Offer, you can earn a $150 statement credit after spending a minimum of $750 in one or more purchases of cruise reservations at Norwegian Cruise Line. Book online or by phone at 1-888-438-7114 by Dec. 31.

Targeted Amex Offer at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines

If an Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight is in your plans, check your Amex account for this offer. We spotted it on the American Express® Gold Card.

You can get $80 back after you spend $400 on flight reservations, for up to 20% in savings, as long as your flight(s) originate in the U.S. Book through the Alaska or Hawaiian website online or the Alaska Hawaiian app by Dec. 31.

Targeted Amex Offer at Air France and KLM

Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France and KLM, is a popular choice for award travelers. But if you need to book a paid flight through either airline, this offer could come in handy.

Spend a minimum of $1,500 on eligible flights online at airfrance.us or klm.com to get $150 back as a statement credit. Flights must originate in the U.S. and be booked by Dec. 15.

Targeted Chase Offer at Marriott

Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, check your Chase account for this offer — especially if you're hoping to snag last-minute Marriott elite status this year. You could be eligible for 10% cash back, up to $50 total, when you spend $100 or more at Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S. by Nov. 23.

This offer could be particularly lucrative if you have it on a Marriott credit card that earns bonus points on Marriott stays, or on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which earns 4 points per dollar on hotels booked direct.

Targeted Chase Offer at Emirates

This Chase Offer, which we spotted it on the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees), could help you save on your next Emirates flight.

If targeted, you can earn 5% cash back on your Emirates purchase of $500 or more, up to a $100 cash back maximum, by Dec. 1. This offer is valid in-store in the U.S. and online at emirates.com only.

Related: The ultimate guide to saving money with Amex Offers

Ongoing travel deals

In addition to these new offers, many others from previous weeks are still available:

Targeted Amex Offers

• Earn a one-time $100 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $500 at participating Hyatt properties in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America by Nov. 15.
• Earn 10 additional Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at AmaWaterways — up to 50,000 bonus points — including both cruise reservations and onboard spend. Book online by Nov. 18.
• Earn $200 back when you spend $450 or more at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by Nov. 30.
• Amex has a handful of offers at luxury brands like Edition, JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis, all expiring Nov. 30. We've seen offers for $160 back on purchases of $800 and $200 back on $1,000, for a savings of up to 20%.
• Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $2,000 or more in one or more purchases directly with Delta, including airfare, upgrades and baggage fees. Be sure to activate and use the offer by Nov. 30. Note: Eligible flights must originate in the U.S., including U.S. territories.
• Earn a whopping 30,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending at least $2,500 on qualifying ANA flight purchases. Flights must originate in the U.S. and be booked online by Nov. 30.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after spending at least $2,500 in one or more qualifying flight purchases made directly with Virgin Atlantic Airways by Dec. 13. Flights must originate in the U.S. to qualify.
• Get $40 back as a statement credit when you spend at least $200 on JetBlue purchases by Dec. 14. Flights must originate in the U.S. to qualify.
• Get $50 back on a single purchase of $250 or more with Italo Treno when you book online or through the Italo Treno mobile app by Dec. 27.
• Earn a $150 statement credit after spending $750 or more on qualifying Norwegian Cruise Line reservations by Dec. 31.
• Earn 15,000 bonus American Express Membership Rewards points when you spend $700 or more at select Leading Hotels of the World properties. This targeted Amex Offer is available to eligible Platinum Card members and must be activated and used by Dec. 31.
• Earn 20,000 bonus Hilton Honors points when you spend $200 or more at participating U.S. Hilton properties with an eligible Hilton Amex card. This targeted Amex Offer is valid through Dec. 31, and must be activated before use.
• Earn a $50 statement credit when you spend $250 or more at participating Best Western and SureStay hotels in the U.S. and Canada by Dec. 3, with this targeted Amex Offer.
• Earn a $30 statement credit after spending $150 or more on a Turo rental in the U.S. or Canada. Your car must be returned and paid for by Dec. 31 to qualify.
• Through Dec. 31, get $50 back as a statement credit when you spend at least $250 on stays at select Radisson Hotels properties in Europe and Africa.
• When you spend at least $1,000 in one or more Homes & Villas purchases by Dec. 31, you can earn a statement credit of $350.
• Earn a $125 statement credit after spending a minimum of $500 USD on WorldHotels purchases through Dec. 31.
• Get $225 back after spending $1,500 or more on Icelandair flights that originate in the U.S. You can meet the spending requirement across multiple qualifying purchases by Dec. 31.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Get $100 back when you spend $800 or more through Chase Travel in a single transaction by Dec. 31.

Targeted Citi Merchant Offers

• Get $10 back on up to two Uber Eats purchases of $20-plus each, for a total savings up to $20. Enroll your card by Nov. 24, and make your purchase(s) by Nov. 30.
• Earn $50 back when you spend $300 or more on JetBlue purchases by Nov. 30.
• Earn $30 back when you spend $300 or more in a single transaction at a Marriott Bonvoy property by Nov. 30, with this targeted Citi Merchant Offer, valid in-store only.
• Get 10% back on a single Lyft ride of up to $100, for a maximum $10 statement credit. This offer expires Dec. 31.

Related reading:

• 12 surprising winter vacation ideas for a warm-weather getaway
• From Alaska to New York City, here are our 10 favorite Christmas markets in the US
• How to pick the right travel credit card for you
• Travel gear and packing tips to help you avoid rising checked bag fees

When traveling abroad, what you pack in your wallet matters as much as what you pack in your luggage.

A card with no foreign transaction fees is a good starting point, but the best options can also help you earn rewards on purchases abroad and enjoy valuable travel perks, from airport lounge access to hotel elite status.

We've rounded up our picks for the best credit cards for international travel, covering a range of annual fees and benefits to help you find the right card for your next trip.

Best credit cards for international travel at a glance

All the cards on our list have no foreign transaction fees, making them solid options for purchases abroad.

Best overall credit cards for international travel

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture X are two of our top picks for international travel, thanks to their combination of flexible rewards, travel protections and valuable perks.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

• Best for: Overall value for international travel
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it's worth considering: The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a strong mix of rewards and travel protections without a premium annual fee. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide and 2 points per dollar on other eligible travel purchases, plus access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners. The card also includes trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and primary rental car coverage for eligible rentals, subject to terms.
• Keep in mind: The card doesn't offer complimentary airport lounge access, so travelers looking for more premium perks may want to consider another option.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Capital One Venture X

• Best for: Premium travel benefits at a lower cost
• Annual fee: $395
• Why it's worth considering: The Venture X earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, making it a straightforward option for expenses abroad that may not fall into traditional bonus categories. Cardholders also receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles and access to Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).
• Keep in mind: You'll need to book through Capital One Travel to use the annual $300 credit, and the $395 annual fee may be harder to justify if you don't travel frequently.

To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best credit cards for earning rewards abroad

From flights and hotels to meals and transportation, international travel can come with plenty of expenses. The Citi Strata Premier, Capital One Venture Rewards and Wells Fargo Autograph cards make it easy to earn rewards on those purchases, whether you prefer bonus categories or a straightforward earning rate.

Citi Strata Premier

• Best for: Earning rewards across multiple spending categories
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it's worth considering: The Strata Premier earns 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, making it a great option for earning rewards on expenses abroad. You can also transfer your Citi ThankYou Rewards points to airline and hotel partners, including American Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
• Keep in mind: The card earns just 1 point per dollar on purchases outside its bonus categories, so it may not be the best choice for all your spending abroad.

To learn more, read our full review of the Strata Premier.

Capital One Venture Rewards

• Best for: Straightforward rewards on purchases abroad
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it's worth considering: The Venture Rewards earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, so you don't have to worry about which spending category a purchase falls into. You can also transfer your miles to Capital One's airline and hotel partners or redeem them toward eligible travel purchases.
• Keep in mind: The card doesn't offer the extensive lounge access and premium travel perks found on the more expensive Venture X.

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

Wells Fargo Autograph

• Best for: Earning travel rewards with no annual fee
• Annual fee: $0
• Why it's worth considering: The Autograph earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, popular streaming services and phone plans. That makes it useful for international travelers who want to earn bonus rewards on everything from hotel stays to train tickets without paying an annual fee.
• Keep in mind: Purchases outside its bonus categories earn just 1 point per dollar, so a flat-rate rewards card may be more useful for other expenses.

To learn more, read our full review of the Autograph Card.

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards
Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph

Best credit cards for international dining

Whether you're sampling street food in Bangkok or enjoying a nice dinner in Paris, dining can be a big part of the international travel experience. The Amex Gold and Capital One Savor are two strong options for earning rewards on meals abroad, though they appeal to different types of travelers.

American Express Gold

• Best for: Earning Membership Rewards points on international dining
• Annual fee: $325
• Why it's worth considering: The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), making it a great option for travelers who spend a lot on dining abroad. You can transfer the Membership Rewards points you earn to Amex's airline and hotel partners to help book future trips.
• Keep in mind: American Express isn't as widely accepted internationally as Visa or Mastercard, so you'll want to carry a backup card. You'll also want to make sure you can justify the $325 annual fee with the card's earning rates and other benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

• Best for: Earning cash back on international dining without an annual fee
• Annual fee: $0
• Why it's worth considering: The Capital One Savor earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, making it a great option for earning rewards on meals abroad. It also earns 3% on entertainment and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). With no annual fee, it's a solid choice for travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to a premium travel card.
• Keep in mind: The Savor earns cash back rather than transferable miles on its own. However, if you also have an eligible Capital One miles-earning card, such as the Venture X or Venture Rewards, you may be able to convert your cash back into miles for greater redemption flexibility.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Savor.

Apply here: Amex Gold
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Airport lounge access can make a big difference when traveling internationally, especially if you have a long layover or want somewhere comfortable to relax before a flight. The Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve both offer extensive lounge access, along with other premium travel benefits.

The Platinum Card from American Express

• Best for: Access to an extensive network of airport lounges
• Annual fee: $895
• Why it's worth considering: The Amex Platinum offers access to an extensive worldwide airport lounge network through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required) and select partner lounges. Cardholders can also take advantage of hotel benefits, statement credits and other premium perks that can make international travel more comfortable.
• Keep in mind: The card's $895 annual fee is steep, and you'll need to use enough of its benefits to justify the cost.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Best for: Airport lounge access and premium travel protections
• Annual fee: $795
• Why it's worth considering: The Sapphire Reserve offers access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and more than 1,300 participating Priority Pass lounges worldwide, making it a strong choice for international travelers. The card also includes a $300 annual travel credit, valuable travel protections and access to Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Keep in mind: With a $795 annual fee, the card makes the most sense for travelers who can take advantage of its broader travel benefits and statement credits, not just lounge access.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best airline credit cards for international travel

If you frequently fly the same airline or its partners, a cobranded airline credit card can make international travel more rewarding. The United Quest and Atmos Summit offer benefits like award flight discounts, companion awards and elevated rewards on purchases abroad, making them worth considering for travelers loyal to either airline program.

United Quest

• Best for: Frequent United flyers and award travel
• Annual fee: $350
• Why it's worth considering: The United Quest offers several perks that can make international travel with United more affordable, including a $200 annual United TravelBank credit and a free first and second checked bag for the cardholder and a companion on the same reservation (terms apply). Cardholders also receive a 10,000-mile award flight discount each anniversary year, and access to expanded saver award availability, which can unlock significantly lower award prices on certain flights.
• Keep in mind: The card's benefits are primarily geared toward United travelers, so it may not be the best fit if you regularly fly other airlines.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest.

Atmos Rewards Summit

• Best for: Earning rewards abroad and international award travel
• Annual fee: $395
• Why it's worth considering: The Atmos Summit earns 3 points per dollar on eligible foreign purchases, making it useful for everyday spending abroad. Cardholders also receive a 25,000-point Global Companion Award each anniversary year, which can help reduce the points needed to book a companion on eligible award itineraries, including international partner flights. Plus, Atmos Rewards points can be redeemed for travel on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and international partners such as Japan Airlines and British Airways.
• Keep in mind: The card's Global Companion Award is most valuable if you regularly book award travel with a companion, and you'll need to understand the program's redemption rules to maximize its value.

To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Summit.

Apply here: United Quest
Apply here: Atmos Summit

Best hotel credit cards for international travel

If you're planning to stay at hotels abroad, a cobranded hotel credit card can help you earn more points on your stays while enjoying perks like elite status and potential room upgrades. The World of Hyatt Card and Hilton Amex Aspire are two options worth considering, particularly if you frequently stay with either hotel brand.

World of Hyatt Card

• Best for: Earning Hyatt points and enjoying hotel perks abroad
• Annual fee: $95
• Why it's worth considering: The World of Hyatt Card earns 4 points per dollar on eligible Hyatt purchases and comes with automatic Discoverist status, which provides perks like preferred rooms and late checkout when available. Cardholders also receive an annual Category 1-4 free night award, which can be valuable when redeemed at eligible Hyatt properties abroad.
• Keep in mind: Hyatt has a smaller global footprint than some competing hotel chains, so you may have fewer options depending on where you're traveling.

To learn more, read our full review of the World of Hyatt Card.

Hilton Honors Amex Aspire

• Best for: Premium hotel benefits and elite status
• Annual fee: $550
• Why it's worth considering: The Hilton Amex Aspire offers automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, which includes perks like complimentary breakfast at many international properties, executive lounge access at eligible hotels and space-available room upgrades. Cardholders also receive an annual free night reward, Hilton resort statement credits and flight credits that can help offset the card's annual fee.
• Keep in mind: The $550 annual fee is steep, and maximizing the card's statement credits requires some planning. The resort credit also only applies at participating Hilton properties, so it may not be useful for every trip.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Aspire.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Card

Apply here: Hilton Amex Aspire

How to choose a credit card for international travel

Whether you're looking to earn more rewards abroad or enjoy perks that make your trip more comfortable, here's how to narrow down your options.

• If you want one card for everything: Consider a flat-rate rewards card like the Capital One Venture Rewards or Venture X, which earn at least 2 miles per dollar on purchases, regardless of spending category.
• If you want to maximize rewards: Look for bonus categories that match your travel spending, such as dining with the Amex Gold or hotels, restaurants and air travel with the Citi Strata Premier.
• If you travel internationally often: A premium card like the Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve may be worth the annual fee for lounge access, travel protections and other perks.
• If you only travel abroad occasionally: A no-annual-fee card like the Wells Fargo Autograph or Capital One Savor can help you earn rewards without the added cost.
• If you're loyal to an airline or hotel: A cobranded card, like the Hilton Amex Aspire or the United Quest can offer valuable benefits like free checked bags, award flight discounts or hotel elite status.

Related: My top travel credit cards for 2026

Tips for using credit cards abroad

Even with the right credit card in your wallet, a little preparation can help you avoid unnecessary fees and payment headaches when traveling internationally.

• Pay in the local currency: If a merchant offers to charge you in U.S. dollars, choose the local currency instead to avoid potentially unfavorable exchange rates through dynamic currency conversion.
• Bring a backup card: Not all payment networks are equally accepted abroad, so it's smart to carry a backup credit card, ideally on a different payment network.
• Avoid using credit cards for cash withdrawals: Cash advances can trigger fees and interest charges, so consider a debit card with low international ATM fees if you need local currency.

Related: Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know

Bottom line

A good credit card for international travel should do more than just eliminate foreign transaction fees.

Depending on the card, you could earn bonus rewards on everything from meals abroad to hotel stays, save on flights or enjoy perks like airport lounge access and hotel elite status.

While premium cards can offer plenty of value for frequent international travelers, you don't need to pay a hefty annual fee to get worthwhile benefits. A card that earns solid rewards on your purchases abroad and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees may be all you need.

Related: 6 ways the Sapphire Reserve cards make international travel even better

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card, click here.

The American Express Platinum Card® is one of the most recognizable premium travel rewards cards on the market, offering everything from airport lounge access and hotel elite status to a long list of travel and lifestyle statement credits.

But with an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), it's also a significant investment.

The Amex Platinum offers plenty of opportunities to offset that cost, especially if you travel frequently and can take advantage of its statement credits. However, many of its benefits come with restrictions, and getting the full value requires some effort.

So, who can actually get enough value from the Amex Platinum to justify its annual fee? Let's take a closer look at who should — and shouldn't — consider adding this card to their wallet.

Who should get the Amex Platinum?

People who will use the lounge access

For frequent travelers, airport lounge access is one of the biggest reasons to consider the Amex Platinum.

The card offers access to one of the most extensive airport lounge networks available through a credit card, making it especially valuable if you spend a lot of time in airports.

Cardmembers can access American Express Centurion Lounges, receive a Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required) and visit Delta Sky Clubs when flying on eligible same-day Delta flights. Delta Sky Club access is limited to 10 visits per year unless you spend $75,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year to unlock unlimited visits. Access is subject to eligibility requirements.

Amex also operates Centurion Lounges at more than 20 airports, so the benefit can be particularly valuable if you live near or frequently connect through an airport with one.

If you travel frequently and would otherwise pay for lounge access, the Platinum could help you save money while making your time at the airport more comfortable. And when combined with the card's other travel benefits and statement credits, lounge access can help make the $895 annual fee easier to justify.

People who can maximize the lifestyle credits

While the Amex Platinum is best known for its premium travel benefits, it also offers a growing list of lifestyle statement credits that can help offset its $895 annual fee.

For example, cardmembers can receive up to $400 in Resy statement credits each calendar year (distributed as up to $100 per quarter) at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants* and up to $300 in Lululemon statement credits* (up to $75 quarterly) at U.S. stores (excluding outlets) and online.

The card also offers up to $300 annually in digital entertainment statement credits* (up to $25 monthly) for eligible subscriptions, along with up to $120 annually toward an Uber One membership to fully cover an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership*.

*Enrollment is required

If you're already spending money on dining, shopping and entertainment in these categories, the credits can provide meaningful value without requiring you to change your spending habits.

However, many of these benefits are divided into monthly or quarterly credits, so you'll need to keep track of when to use them. The Platinum is a particularly good fit for someone who doesn't mind managing these benefits and can consistently take advantage of them year-round.

Related: How to maximize benefits with the American Express Platinum

People who stay at Hilton, Marriott or select luxury hotels

The Amex Platinum can also be a valuable addition to your wallet if you regularly stay at Hilton, Marriott or luxury hotels.

Cardmembers receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which can provide benefits such as bonus points on stays and potential room upgrades. You'll also receive Leaders Club Sterling status with The Leading Hotels of the World, a collection of independent luxury hotels. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Beyond elite status, one of the Platinum's most valuable hotel-related perks is its up to $600 annual lodging statement credit (up to $300 semiannually).

Cardmembers can receive up to $300 in statement credits every six months on eligible prepaid bookings through American Express Travel®, including stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties, as well as select Airbnb Luxe stays.

The Hotel Collection and Airbnb Luxe require a minimum two-night stay, and beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will also require at least two nights to qualify for the lodging credit.

Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings also come with valuable benefits, including daily breakfast for two, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, room upgrades when available and a property credit valued at $100.

If you regularly book these types of stays, the lodging credit and additional perks can go a long way toward offsetting the card's annual fee. Just be sure to compare prices with booking directly, since rates through Amex Travel aren't always the lowest.

Related: How to maximize the Amex Platinum hotel statement credit

People who are over Chase's 5/24 rule

Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule generally makes applicants ineligible for many Chase cards if they've opened five or more personal credit cards across issuers within the past 24 months.

Travelers who are still eligible for Chase cards may want to prioritize products such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) before exceeding that threshold.

If you've already built a collection of Chase rewards cards, the Amex Platinum could be worth considering as your next premium travel card.

The card also earns Membership Rewards points, giving you access to a separate collection of airline and hotel transfer partners that can complement an existing Chase Ultimate Rewards strategy.

Who shouldn't get the Amex Platinum?

People under 5/24

Many people just starting in the points world underestimate the stringency of Chase's 5/24 rule. If you're just getting started with travel rewards and remain under Chase's 5/24 threshold, you may want to think carefully before applying for the Amex Platinum.

Opening the card could count toward your 5/24 total and potentially limit your eligibility for Chase cards in the future. That could mean missing out on valuable welcome offers or benefits from cards you planned to open later.

However, once you get over 5/24, it may be hard to get back under, and there's a massive opportunity cost in doing so. Having a plan and sticking to it will serve you well in the long term.

Of course, that doesn't mean everyone under 5/24 should avoid the Platinum. If its benefits are a particularly good fit for your travel habits, it may still make sense.

People who book airfare through online travel agencies

The Amex Platinum provides 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of spending each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) may be a better fit because their broader travel earning categories can include eligible third-party airfare bookings.

People who can't maximize the Platinum's statement credits

The Amex Platinum offers a long list of statement credits, but that doesn't necessarily mean every cardholder will get enough value from them to justify the $895 annual fee.

Following the card's 2025 refresh, several of its benefits are geared toward specific lifestyle purchases, including dining at Resy restaurants, shopping at Lululemon and purchasing an Oura Ring. (Cardmembers receive up to a $200 Oura Ring statement credit each calendar year. This statement credit applies to ring purchases only and doesn't cover subscriptions. Enrollment is required.)

Many of these credits also come with restrictions. For example, the Resy and Lululemon credits are distributed quarterly, meaning you'll need to use them throughout the year rather than all at once.

If you don't already spend money with these merchants, or you don't want to keep track of multiple credits and enrollment requirements, the Platinum may not be the best fit.

Before applying, carefully consider just how much these credits are worth to you; if they provide little to no value, another Amex card might be a better fit.

Related: 4 different flavors of Amex Platinum — which one is right for you?

People who'd be better off with the Amex Business Platinum Card

Business owners with substantial expenses may find that The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a better fit than the personal Platinum.

Although both cards carry an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), their earning rates and statement credits differ in ways that could make one more valuable than the other.

For example, the Business Platinum earns 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million in combined eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar.

The Business Platinum also provides up to $1,150 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. Dell purchases: up to $150 each calendar year and an additional $1,000 statement credit after spending $5,000 on Dell purchases with the same card each calendar year (enrollment required).

You can also access the Pay with Points redemption option on the Business Platinum card, which gets you a 35% bonus for eligible flights with your selected airline using your Amex points (up to 1 million points back per calendar year). This is notably not available on the personal Amex Platinum.

These business-focused benefits may be more useful for someone with significant company expenses, while the personal Platinum may be a better fit for travelers who can maximize its lifestyle credits.

When to apply for the Amex Platinum

New Amex Platinum cardmembers can find out their offer and may be eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)

Based on TPG's November 2026 valuations, that bonus could be worth up to $3,500, which is nearly four times the card's $895 annual fee.

While this is the card's standard welcome offer, now could still be a good time to apply if you're eligible for an offer you're happy with and can comfortably meet the spending requirement without making unnecessary purchases.

Just make sure you'll also get enough value from the card's ongoing benefits to justify its annual fee beyond the first year.

Related: The best time to apply for Amex cards based on offer history

Bottom line

The Amex Platinum offers an impressive lineup of premium travel benefits and statement credits, but its $895 annual fee means it won't make sense for everyone.

For frequent travelers who value airport lounge access and luxury hotel perks, and can consistently use the card's lifestyle credits, there's plenty of potential to get more value than the annual fee.

On the other hand, travelers who prefer straightforward rewards or don't regularly use the card's benefits may find better value with a lower-annual-fee option.

Ultimately, the Platinum is worth considering if its benefits fit your existing spending and travel habits — not because of the total advertised value of its credits.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.

Korean Air is adding a second New York-area gateway.

The SkyTeam Alliance carrier will land at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with flights from Seoul's Incheon Airport (ICN) in May 2027, Korean Air said on Thursday. The new route to east of the Hudson River complements its long-standing twice-daily service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Korean Air will offer daily flights to EWR from May 22. It will fly a Boeing 777-300ER on the route.

The airline did not say what 777 configuration it will fly to EWR. It flies planes with several layouts, including an older configuration with eight first class suites.

United Airlines launched its first-ever nonstop from EWR to ICN in September. The Star Alliance carrier flies a Boeing 787-9 on the route.

Korean Air's new EWR flight comes at a time of change for the airline as it wraps up a merger with fellow Korean carrier Asiana. Korean will complete the customer-facing integration of Asiana on Dec. 17, a combination that will significantly increase its market share at ICN.

While the merger does not add any new U.S. destinations to Korean Air's map, it does increase its presence at JFK to up to four daily flights including Asiana, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

First look: Inside Korean Air's stunning new flagship lounge at LAX

Future schedules show Korean Air continuing to serve JFK with four daily flights through June 2027.

The new EWR flight will complement Korean Air's JFK services and create a new connection with joint venture partner Delta Air Lines. The carriers have expanded their transpacific options in recent years with new routes, including Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to ICN on Delta.

The partnership allows Delta and Korean Air to coordinate commercial matters, including fares and schedules, between the U.S. and South Korea.

Korean Air highlighted the expanded flight options and New Jersey's pharmaceutical, biotechnology, financial, and logistics industrial clusters for its new EWR route.

EWR is Korean Air's first new U.S. destinations since it added Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2019.

Call it the ultimate Nile River cruise experience.

River cruise giant Viking has unveiled an epic new itinerary that sails the entire 600-mile stretch of the waterway between Cairo in the north and Aswan in the south.

Dubbed the Grand Nile Journey, Viking's 19-day trip revives a longer Nile cruise route that dates back to the late 1800s, when paddle steamers carried travelers from Cairo on the 465-mile journey south to Luxor, home to some of ancient Egypt's most famous temples and burial grounds.

From there, the vessels would continue to Aswan, another 130 miles to the south, with stops at ancient temples along the way.

Nowadays, most Nile River sailings skip the first 465 miles of this historic route, with ships only traveling along the 130-mile stretch of the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Passengers reach the ships by flying from Cairo to Luxor, typically after a few days exploring Cairo.

Related: The ultimate guide to Nile river cruises and cruisetours

Only a handful of vessels currently operate a longer itinerary of the sort that Viking has announced — and none at the luxury level for which Viking is known on the river.

Kicking off in 2028 but available to book now, Viking's new Grand Nile Journeys will begin with a three-night stay at a luxury hotel in Cairo (the line often puts guests in the elegant Fairmont Nile City, along the banks of the river). Then, passengers board the line's one-of-a-kind, all-suite vessel Viking Ra for the 14-night journey south to Aswan.

The voyages will include stops at ancient sites along the 450-mile stretch from Cairo to Luxor that most Nile River travelers never see, including the 4,600-year-old Meidum Pyramid near Beni Suef and the striking cliffside Noble Tombs of Beni Hasan.

Other rare stops will include a visit to Tell el-Amarna, the once-lost royal desert capital founded by the Pharaoh Akhenaten, and the Abydos Temple, famous for drawings of ancient pilgrims to the sacred Festival of Osiris.

After a week traveling south along this lesser-visited stretch of the Nile, the Viking Ra will arrive in Luxor for another week of travel southward along the more popular parts of the river.

An extended stop in Luxor will bring visits to the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Seti I at Abydos.

Additional stops include the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Philae near Aswan, among other sites in this area.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

By following this long route from Cairo to Aswan, the new Grand Nile Journeys will echo the long Nile sailing that Agatha Christie made famous in her 1937 novel "Death on the Nile." She wrote the book after taking one of the long journeys in 1933 on the Thomas Cook & Son luxury paddle steamer S.S. Sudan.

The first few days of each of the new Grand Nile Journeys in Cairo will include visits to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

At the end of the trip, passengers will also spend a final night at a hotel in Cairo before departing.

Passengers can extend their trips with optional pre- and postcruise land tours that include an extra two-night stay in Cairo and a four-night, fully guided excursion to nearby Jordan for visits to the Dead Sea, Petra and Amman.

While dating back to the late 1800s, when Thomas Cook & Son introduced "rapid steamers" that sailed the Nile from Cairo to Aswan, such longer Nile itineraries continued to be common until 1994, when the Egyptian government officially closed the 465-mile stretch of the river between Cairo and Luxor to overnight passenger ships due to security worries. Low water levels and shifting sandbars in the river also played a role.

After nearly 20 years of closure, the Egyptian government reopened the Cairo-to-Luxor stretch of the river to cruise vessels in 2012, following extensive river dredging, irrigation upgrades and major security overhauls. But long sailings from Cairo to Aswan have been slow to rebound.

Among the handful of other companies offering such trips is Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, which markets 14-night sailings from Cairo to Aswan on the 52-cabin MS Darakum.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Getting approved for a new credit card is exciting, but waiting a week or more for it to arrive in the mail isn't. Fortunately, some issuers let you start using your new card immediately after approval, either by providing an instant card number or by allowing you to add your card to a digital wallet.

That instant access can give you a head start on meeting the welcome bonus spending requirement, since the clock starts ticking as soon as your account is approved — not when your physical card arrives. It can also come in handy if you need to make a purchase right away, whether you're booking travel or taking advantage of a 0% introductory APR offer. For cobranded store credit cards, you may also receive a discount on your purchases, starting as soon as you use the card.

Here's a look at which major credit card issuers offer instant card numbers, digital wallet access or both.

Our top picks for cards with instant access

Some issuers provide an instant card number, while others, like Chase, instead let eligible cardholders add their new card to a digital wallet immediately after approval. Both options let you start using your card before the physical version arrives.

While there are too many cards to list that offer instant card numbers or access, here are six of our top picks.

American Express

American Express provides your new account number immediately after your online application is approved, provided your identity can be verified.

The instant card number will be the same as the physical card you'll get in the mail, but the four-digit card identification number on the front of the card will be different. Because of that, you may want to wait to set up recurring payments.

Note that instant card numbers for some cobranded cards may only be used with the cobranded company (like Delta, Hilton or Marriott).

In addition to instant numbers for new cardmembers, Amex gives existing cardmembers access to their card information when ordering replacement cards.

Related: The best American Express cards

Most Amex personal and business cards offer instant card numbers; notable exclusions include the Amazon Business Card and the Amazon Business Prime Card.

The information for the Amazon Business and Amazon Business Prime cards have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Some of our top picks include:

• Amex Platinum
• Amex Gold
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Related: The power of the Amex Trifecta

Bank of America

Occasionally, those with Bank of America checking accounts may receive a targeted promotion offering an instant card number for cards like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card; however, this is not standard practice.

You may be able to receive an instant card number by applying through the Bank of America app, but data points on this vary. Unless you already have an established relationship with Bank of America, you should plan on waiting for a physical card to arrive before use.

Related: The best Bank of America credit cards

Barclays

With Barclays, you may be eligible to receive a virtual card number upon approval. When added to a digital wallet, this number can be used to make purchases until your physical card arrives.

You should be able to retrieve your virtual card number on the same page where you check your application status, provided you're approved for the card.

Capital One

Capital One Mobile app users may be able to use instant card numbers immediately after they're approved, before their physical card arrives in the mail.

This differs from Capital One's virtual card numbers, which are designed to help protect your purchases rather than provide immediate access to a newly approved account.

Some of our top picks for Capital One cards offering instant card numbers to eligible applicants are:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Related: Capital One Venture X vs Venture Rewards

Cardless

Cardless focuses on cobranded credit cards you can use without a physical card. These are available instantly upon approval and can be used throughout the life of the card.

Through the Cardless app, you can access these cobranded cards and even get a new card number immediately if your card is ever compromised.

Cardless provides cobranded credit cards for brands like Avianca, Bilt and LATAM Airlines.

Chase

It is possible to use popular Chase cards instantly upon account approval by adding them to a digital wallet via Spend Instantly. These include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) and World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees).

It's important to note that this does not include a way to access an instant card number, but a way to instantly add your card to a digital wallet.

Here are the steps to set up Spend Instantly.

1. Open the Chase app.
2. Go to your card account.
3. Navigate to "Account services", then select "Digital wallets".
4. Then, choose which mobile wallet you want to add your card to. Follow those steps, and you should be good to go to use your card at merchants that accept digital wallets.

However, the issuer notes that several cards cannot be used immediately, including Mastercards, Amazon cards and business cards.

Related: The best Chase cards

Citi

Citi offers instant card numbers for select cards if your application is approved instantly and your identity is verified. If eligible, you'll see a "Get Card Number Today" option after approval, followed by "See Card Summary" to view your temporary card number and security code. You'll have just one opportunity to view this number, so be sure to write it down.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees) works differently: Eligible applicants may receive a temporary barcode that can be used only for Costco purchases.

Availability varies by card and instant credit card numbers are not available on small-business or American Airlines credit cards, according to a Citi spokesperson. Some readers have also reported not having the option to get an instant card number with cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).

Related: The best Citi credit cards

Discover

Discover often gives you an instant decision on whether you've been approved for a credit card. After this decision, if eligible, you can receive a virtual card number to use online or add to a digital wallet.

The Discover it® Cash Back is our top pick. It is a good card for beginners and has rotating 5% quarterly cash-back categories.

SoFi

SoFi's credit cards offer instant digital access, with physical cards arriving in the mail within 10 business days. These cards include:

• SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card
• SoFi Everyday Cash Rewards Credit Card
• SoFi Essential Credit Card

The first two options offer great cash back. The SoFi Unlimited offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases. Meanwhile, the SoFi Everyday offers up to 3% bonus cash back in a variety of categories, including dining and groceries.

The information for the SoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card, SoFi Everyday Cash Rewards Credit Card and SoFi Essential Credit 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.

Related: The best 2% cash-back credit cards

Synchrony

There are two Synchrony cards you can use immediately upon approval. However, you'll only be able to use them instantly within digital wallets or within their respective apps: PayPal (for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®) and Venmo (for the Venmo Credit Card).

You'll need to wait for your card to arrive by mail before you can make purchases through other methods.

The information for the PayPal Mastercard and Venmo Credit 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.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank typically offers instant card numbers only to consumer cardholders who have verified identities and a banking history with the bank. U.S. Bank has some excellent cash-back card offerings, including:

• U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Go and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature 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.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo generally does not offer instant card numbers, but you may be able to add your card to a digital wallet. Where you can use this virtual card may be restricted until your physical card arrives.

Bottom line

Some issuers offer expedited shipping for your new card. In most cases, though, you'll have to wait roughly a week for your new card to arrive in the mail. Having instant access to your new card details can make a meaningful difference when you're working toward a valuable welcome bonus or need to make a purchase right away.

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.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.

Business-class fliers on United Airlines will soon be able to relax in a fancy new Polaris Lounge at Denver International Airport (DEN).

Design work is underway on the new, exclusive lounge at DEN, Aaron McMillan, the managing director of hospitality programs at United, told TPG on Monday.

"We're going to build a mezzanine on top of [the existing] mezzanine and expand the floor plate a little bit," he said referring to a location at DEN near the end of Concourse A between gates A18 and A20. "We'll have a two-story Polaris lounge there."

United aims to open the new DEN Polaris Lounge by late 2028 or early 2029, added McMillan.

The news comes amid a club building spree by the airline. United opened a massive Washington, D.C.-inspired United Club in the new E Concourse at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Tuesday. The space is second in size only to the new club at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) that opened in October.

United is also building a new club at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) that is scheduled to open by the end of the year, and is in talks for new clubs at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

The Polaris Lounge is United's premium airport space accessible only to fliers booked in same-day, long-haul business class or in business or first class on several partner airlines, including All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Lufthansa.

The spaces compete with American Airlines' Flagship Lounges and Delta Air Lines' Delta One Lounges.

United has six Polaris Lounges: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), IAH, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), SFO and IAD.

DEN is United's only mainland U.S. hub without a Polaris Lounge.

When United opened its first Polaris space at ORD in 2016, lounges were only planned at its main international gateways and not DEN. The Colorado hub boasted only one long-haul nonstop at the time: Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT), schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

Today, United flies five intercontinental routes from DEN: Frankfurt Airport (FRA), London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), Munich Airport (MUC), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) and NRT. It will add its sixth route, to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), next summer.

"Aside from the local departures we've grown out of Denver, there's also a fairly significant number of local customers that are connecting over like Chicago, and Houston, and San Francisco that are traveling Polaris that can take advantage of the product," said McMillan.

And while McMillan was mum on the look and feel of the new Polaris Lounge at DEN, he was confident in one thing: it will not have an outdoor patio.

All travelers at DEN have access to the public outdoor patios at the ends of concourses A, B and C.

Related reading:

• United MileagePlus: Your guide to earning, redeeming, status and more
• The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
• United ditches flight segments, raises bar for 1K in Premier status shakeup
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Sneak peak: On board United's posh new Airbus A321XLR
• United adds 10 new international destinations in massive 13-route global expansion

While it would be a dream to get to every new hotel within days of opening to be among the first to experience special properties around the world, the reality is, that's not always possible. When it is, though, you can bet we jump on the opportunity. Especially when it's a flagship new points hotel.

That's how I ended up staying at the gorgeous new Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur within a week of its opening on Oct. 30, 2026. To be clear, I understood that not all the hotel's restaurants would be open, nor would its spa, so this is not a full review, rather a first glimpse at what's sure to be a favorite Hilton points redemption option soon.

Although it's the Malaysian capital's newest hotel, the Waldorf Astoria actually occupies the site of the storied former Hotel Istana in the heart of city's Golden Triangle district — so called because it is the capital's main financial and shopping district, with luxury megamalls galore — which means it's centrally located, but tucked onto a quiet stretch of Jalan Raja Chulan.

Because of that, the hotel feels secluded and quiet, but plugged into the rest of the city, and easily accessible to most of the activities international visitors are likely to seek out while in town.

The hotel feels like a destination unto itself, too, though, thanks to its palatial suites (no mere rooms here) and an impressive slate of bars and restaurants, including outposts from celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Bangkok-based Garima Arora. The hotel will also be home to Malaysia's first and only La Prairie spa, and the outdoor pool is the perfect place to while away a tropical afternoon.

Here's what else you should plan to do during your stay at the new Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur.

Related: The best Hilton credit cards

Know before you go

• The vibe: The hotel's blocky tower might look like the nearby office buildings, but once inside, the ambience is bright and welcoming. The art deco decor is infused with Asian motifs and Islamic artworks from the owner's collection and the bronze and glass clock in Peacock Alley is even inspired by centuries-old astrolabes in the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
• The location: Central, central, central. The hotel is located in the city's tony Golden Triangle district within walking distance to several malls and the foodie street of Jalan Alor.
• Getting there: The hotel is approximately a 60-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Taxis cost around $60 each way, but you can also just hail a ride through the Grab app for $20-$30 in each direction.
• Parking: The hotel offers complimentary valet and self-parking.
• Size: Spanning 23 stories, the hotel has 268 suites, so it feels sizable but not overwhelming.
• Food and drink: The Waldorf Astoria has seven bars and restaurants, including an airy iteration of the brand's signature Peacock Alley lobby lounge, a vinyl album-inspired cocktail bar and a clutch of celebrity chef eateries.
• Pet policy: Pets are not allowed.

Rooms at the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

During my stay, only a fraction of the accommodations were ready for guests, but the hotel should be at full strength soon. There are no rooms here, just suites, which start at an impressive 80 square meters (861 square feet).

Deboss Collective is behind the decor, and sought inspiration from traditional Malay construction and crafts, incorporating lots of natural stone and timber, woven textiles and wooden furnishings that feel like contemporary urban updates to what you might find in a traditional rumah kampung, or village house.

To wit, there are huge windows overlooking the hotel grounds and the city skyline, letting in plenty of natural light. The carpet patterns and hardwood are meant to evoke traditional Malaysian marquetry while colorful accent walls call to mind vibrant Peranakan shophouses you can still find in parts of the city.

My suite's footprint was enormous, with a huge, welcoming living area that included a 65-inch flatscreen television, a breakfast table which could double as a workdesk thanks to a panel of plugs, a rounded sofa and armchair and a low-slung wooden chair that blended colonial and midcentury influences.

In the separate bedroom, a king-size bed was dressed with crisp white sheets embroidered with a "WA," just in case you forgot where you were. To either side were walls with a terete theme hearkening to the bamboo stalks that grow in gardens around the city. Another 55-inch flatscreen hung on the wall in there.

The bathroom was mostly white marble, including geometric floor tiling, but the countertops were a handsome darker hue. Anchoring the entire space was an elliptical standalone tub with a scalloped shell, while a water closet and separate walk-in shower stood close by. To lend a sense of place, the bath products are from Jo Malone's Jo Loves line and scented with citrusy-fresh pomelo, which is a staple in Malaysian cuisine.

Considering this was a standard category room, it felt positively palatial, with a huge amount of real estate that provided a variety of distinct spaces to enjoy within the suite at different times.

Dining and drinking at the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

The Waldorf Astoria isn't the biggest hotel in town, but it fields an outsize roster of restaurants that should be a draw for guests and Kuala Lumpur locals alike.

Peacock Alley

You can't call your hotel a Waldorf Astoria if it doesn't have a version of Peacock Alley, the famous lobby lounge from the New York City original. The one here sits smack dab at the hotel entrance and has soaring ceilings, sculptural marble columns, dramatic overhead chandeliers and a variety of seating vignettes that feel homey yet upscale.

The all-day menu offers items like chicken skewers with lemongrass and coriander ($10.50), a Waldorf salad ($14.50), a smash burger ($22) and Malaysian nasi goreng ($17) among other options.

Istana

Named after the previous hotel to occupy this spot, Istana is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant and is adjacent to the lobby. Breakfast includes an extensive buffet and both Western and Asian dishes. For lunch and dinner, you'll find specialties like spiced Borneo chicken wings with a honey glaze ($10.50), chargrilled red snapper with wild ginger chili sambal ($23.75) and fresh fiddlehead ferns from the Cameron Highlands sauteed in coconut milk with tongue-torching bird's eye chili ($8.75).

If you're up for it, the durian dessert with coconut cream and a palm sugar compote and served with toasted buttery buns is a rich way to end the evening ($12).

ABC Kitchens KL and the Bar by JG

This is Vongerichten's farm-to-table concept, so you'll find a menu focused on seasonal fruits and vegetables. The signature eggplant dip is smoky and smooth with tangy coconut yogurt and tomato chutney served with fluffy pita ($9.75). There are also tartines like a king crab crostini with tart lemon aioli and dill ($16.50), various pizzas and pastas, and an array of plant-based dishes including pistachio-crusted broccoli with hazelnut vinaigrette ($14.50).

At the entrance to ABC Kitchens KL, there is a bright, casual area with a cocktail bar and small plates.

JG KL

Jean-Georges Vongerichten has a longstanding relationship with the Waldorf Astoria brand, so it should be no surprise that the signature restaurant here is a French-Malaysian fine-dining fusion restaurant courtesy of the chef. It is only open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. I did not have the opportunity to dine here, but the menu features an entire caviar section, starters like diver scallops with caramelized cauliflower and caper-raisin emulsion ($29.50) and spice-charred duck breast with roasted cabbage and chili-lime broth ($39.50).

Yaari

It was not yet open during my stay, but Yaari will be the hotel's sophisticated Indian restaurant and will only be open for dinner from Wednesday-Sunday. The chef is Garima Arora, whose Bangkok restaurant, Gaa, holds two Michelin stars.

Coda

Located on the fourth floor, Coda feels like a swanky hideaway for those in the know. Glossy dark stone surfaces and emerald-green velvet chairs and banquettes give the space a swanky vibe, as does the menu of libations inspired by various vinyl albums, one of which will likely be spinning on the record player during your visit.

Even the classics get a Malaysian twist, like an old fashioned crafted with jerky-like beef bak kwa-washed Michter's bourbon, cardamom, clove and cascara distillate and mandarin-infused jaggery for a sweet finish ($20.50).

Amenities and service

Here are some of the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur's other amenities:

• The hotel has a small fitness center with a variety of Technogym cardio machines, free weights and a yoga studio for stretching.
• There is a beautiful pool with shaded loungers, some of which have a view of the Merdeka 118 skyscraper.
• The hotel will be home to Malaysia's first and only La Prairie spa, which should open mid-November. It will also feature vitality pools, a hammam and herbal steam rooms.
• Service was excellent across the board; an ideal mix of warmth, diligence and eagerness to please without tipping over into cloying territory.
• Take some time to wander the public areas admiring works of Islamic art from the hotel owner's collection.

How to book the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur

Nightly rates at the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur start at around $520 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points.

The Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, so if you have American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can make a booking through amextravel.com and receive perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit to use on-property during your stay for things like drinks or meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.

Both cards now offer a biannual $300 (up to $600 per calendar year) statement credit on prepaid stays at Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, so you could save $300 on a reservation at the hotel if you are able to take advantage of one of these cards' credits. Just note that this benefit is changing in 2027 and will require cardholders to book two nights or more to take advantage of the credit.

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

Accessibility

All public areas at the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur are wheelchair-accessible thanks to elevators (with wheelchair-height buttons), ramps and wide pathways. The hotel has accessible rooms in the King Urban Deluxe category. These accommodations feature audio and visual alarms, an automatic door closer, and wheelchair-height door viewer.

Checking out

The Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is an exciting new points option in the Malaysian capital, and one with plenty of award availability. While 100,000 points is a lot to pay, considering the sheer size of the suites here and the relatively high (for Kuala Lumpur) price point, it might be well worth it. Once the hotel's restaurants and spa are all open and operational, this should become one of the city's most popular luxury hotels.

Related reading:

• The award traveler's guide to Hilton Honors
• How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
• What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards
• TPG's favorite Waldorf Astoria hotels and resorts around the world

JSX is bringing its popular semi-private flights to Beantown.

The boutique air carrier plans to begin flying from Boston this winter, JSX said this week. The company's service will be based out of the nearby Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED) in the town of Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Boston service will launch with a route to New York City on Feb. 8, followed by flights to Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) in Florida beginning on Feb. 11.

More: JSX eyes more turboprops and new mountain routes after strong passenger response

JSX will operate four daily flights between Boston and New York from Monday through Friday, with two flights on Saturday and three on Sunday. The Miami service will run once per day five times a week: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Notably, JSX did not specify which New York airport would host the Boston flights. A spokesperson did not immediately answer TPG's request for further details. JSX typically flies to New York's Teterboro Airport (TEB) and Westchester County Airport (HPN), although various restrictions set by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey mean that JSX cannot publicly promote TEB as a destination.

Because of those restrictions, anyone looking to fly to or from New York has to sign up for the free Club JSX program, which offers rewards and has no minimum spending or flying requirements. Passengers can also earn United MileagePlus miles under a partnership between the two companies.

The carrier will use its Embraer E145 aircraft on both routes, which can seat up to 30 passengers in a 1-1 configuration. Fares start at $199 one-way between Boston and New York, with one-way flights between Boston and Miami starting at $599.

Club JSX: Earn rewards and fly in comfort with JSX's new loyalty program

"Greater Boston represents an exciting new chapter for JSX, marking our first entry into Massachusetts and an important milestone in the continued expansion of our East Coast network," JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said in a statement.

"As one of the nation's leading centers for business, innovation, and higher education, Greater Boston is a natural fit for our unique approach to flying," he added.

How JSX makes private-jet convenience available to the public

JSX operates as a "hop-on charter" service, which essentially operates private charter flights that anyone can buy a seat on. It means that JSX flights operate more like private flights than commercial, using posh private Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) instead of public airport terminals and allowing passengers to venture from curb to seat in just 20 minutes.

The flight experience itself is equally luxurious with no middle seats, lots of legroom, Starlink Wi-Fi, complimentary snacks and drinks and checked luggage that's returned right at the side of the plane. Overall, the service pitches the idea of private jet convenience for a fraction of the cost.

The public charter service — which does not bill itself as an "airline," due to different regulations between charter carriers and public airlines — operates out of 29 airports across the U.S. and Mexico. Although private jet passengers typically bypass TSA screening, JSX implemented a more thorough in-house screening process in 2025 to address security concerns.

Still, the process is remarkably quicker than going through the public terminal, making JSX an appealing option for those looking to skip the hassle of a regular flight.

Bottom line

JSX's flights from Boston are already on sale, with service scheduled to start in February.

With the entry to New England, JSX adds its 29th city, and brings its own entry to the competitive business of moving premium travelers between Boston and New York.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

If you carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) in your wallet, chances are you appreciate its premium travel perks and valuable rewards.

But even a card with a $795 annual fee can't cover every spending category or travel need. That's where a second credit card can come in handy.

I carry the Sapphire Reserve myself, but it's not the only card I reach for. Whether you're looking to maximize everyday spending, enhance your airline experience, or pick up hotel-specific perks, the right pairing can help you get more out of your wallet.

Here are seven cards worth considering alongside the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The best cards to pair with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Here's a quick look at seven options, including how much you'll pay in combined annual fees.

Best for everyday spending: Capital One Venture Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards is a solid option for Sapphire Reserve cardholders looking to earn more on everyday purchases.

Why the pairing works: One area where the Sapphire Reserve falls short is everyday spending that doesn't qualify for a bonus category. Those purchases generally earn just 1 Ultimate Rewards point per dollar spent, while the Venture Rewards earns at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases, regardless of category.

For example, you could use your Sapphire Reserve for purchases that earn bonus points, then reach for your Venture Rewards when shopping for clothing, furniture or other purchases that wouldn't earn elevated rewards with the Reserve.

For a $95 annual fee, the Venture Rewards also gives you access to Capital One's 15-plus transfer partners, opening up additional redemption opportunities beyond Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Key drawbacks: While the Venture Rewards has a relatively modest annual fee, it still brings your combined annual fees to $890.

You'll also be managing two separate rewards currencies, since Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Capital One miles can't be combined directly. While this opens up more redemption opportunities across different rewards programs, just make sure you're comfortable managing two rewards currencies before committing to both cards.

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

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for United flyers: United Explorer or United Quest

If you regularly fly United, pairing your Sapphire Reserve with the United Explorer Card or United Quest Card can help you enjoy additional airline-specific perks.

Why the pairing works: The Sapphire Reserve offers valuable travel benefits and flexible Ultimate Rewards points that you can transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio. However, it doesn't offer some of the perks that come with carrying a United credit card, like free checked bags and priority boarding.

Both United cards can help fill that gap, but they cater to slightly different types of travelers.

With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 annually, the United Explorer offers:

• Free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation (when you pay with your card)
• Priority boarding on United-operated flights (Group 2)
• Two United Club one-time passes each cardmember anniversary
• Opportunities to earn Premier qualifying points (PQP) toward United elite status through card spending

Meanwhile, the $350-per-year United Quest offers additional benefits for more frequent United flyers, including:

• A free first and second checked bag for the primary cardholder and one companion on the same reservation (when you pay with your card)
• Priority boarding on United-operated flights (Group 2)
• Up to $200 in United TravelBank cash each cardmember year
• A 10,000-mile award flight discount after each cardmember anniversary
• Additional opportunities to earn PQP toward United Premier status

The Explorer may be enough if you only fly United a few times a year, while the Quest makes more sense for travelers who can take advantage of its additional benefits.

I personally carry both the Sapphire Reserve and United Quest, and I appreciate being able to earn flexible Ultimate Rewards points while still enjoying United-specific benefits when I fly.

Key drawbacks: Both cards add another annual fee to your wallet (the Explorer after the first year), so you'll want to make sure you fly United often enough to take advantage of their benefits. There's also some overlap in travel protections and rewards earning, particularly on United purchases.

And while you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to United MileagePlus, you can't transfer United miles back to Chase, so it's worth considering which rewards currency you'd rather earn on each purchase.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer and our full review of the United Quest.

Apply here: United Explorer

Apply here: United Quest

Best no-annual-fee options: Chase Freedom Unlimited or Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are two great options for Sapphire Reserve cardholders looking to earn more Ultimate Rewards points without paying another annual fee.

Why the pairing works: Both Freedom cards offer opportunities to earn more rewards on purchases that might otherwise earn just 1 point per dollar with the Sapphire Reserve.

The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on purchases outside its bonus categories, making it a solid choice for everyday spending. Meanwhile, the Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%).

Although both Freedom cards are marketed as cash-back cards, they technically earn Ultimate Rewards points, with each point worth 1 cent when redeemed for cash back.

For example, $1,000 in nonbonus spending would earn 1,500 points with the Freedom Unlimited, compared with 1,000 points on the Reserve.

The biggest advantage of either pairing is that you can combine the rewards earned with your Freedom card and Sapphire Reserve, allowing you to redeem them as transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

You could even take things a step further by carrying all three cards, creating a version of the Chase Trifecta. This strategy allows you to maximize rewards across different spending categories without adding another annual fee.

Key drawbacks: The Freedom Unlimited's 1.5% earning rate isn't the highest available for everyday spending, while the Freedom Flex requires you to track and activate quarterly bonus categories to maximize its rewards.

Both cards also have some overlapping bonus categories with the Reserve, so you'll want to pay attention to which card earns the most on each purchase.

Ultimately, I'd lean toward the Freedom Unlimited if you prefer a simple, consistent earning strategy, or the Freedom Flex if you're willing to put in a little extra effort to maximize rotating categories.

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

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex

Best for business owners: Ink Business Preferred

The Ink Business Preferred is worth considering if you want to earn bonus rewards on business expenses.

Why the pairing works: The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year across several business-related categories (then 1 point per dollar spent):

• Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
• Internet, cable and phone services
• Shipping purchases
• Travel

While the travel category overlaps with the Sapphire Reserve, the other categories can be useful for business owners who regularly spend on advertising, shipping or telecommunications.

For example, $10,000 in eligible advertising purchases would earn 30,000 points with the Ink Business Preferred, compared with 10,000 points at the Reserve's standard earning rate.

You can also combine eligible Ultimate Rewards points earned with both cards, helping you build up your balance faster for future travel redemptions.

Key drawbacks: The Ink Business Preferred adds another $95 in annual fees, and you'll need to qualify for a business credit card to apply.

Because of the overlap in travel earning, this pairing makes the most sense if you have enough spending in the Ink Business Preferred's business-specific bonus categories to justify the additional cost.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred

Best for Hyatt loyalists: World of Hyatt Credit Card

If you frequently stay at Hyatt properties, the World of Hyatt Card can help you unlock hotel-specific benefits that your Sapphire Reserve doesn't offer.

Why the pairing works: The Sapphire Reserve gives you access to World of Hyatt through 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, while the World of Hyatt Credit Card provides additional perks for Hyatt stays.

For a $95 annual fee, the Hyatt card offers:

• Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• An annual Category 1-4 free night award after each cardholder anniversary
• Five qualifying night credits toward elite status each calendar year
• An additional Category 1-4 free night award after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year
• The card also earns 4 World of Hyatt points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties, on top of the points you earn as a World of Hyatt member

This pairing allows you to enjoy Hyatt-specific benefits while continuing to earn flexible Ultimate Rewards points with your Sapphire Reserve.

Key drawbacks: The Hyatt card earns World of Hyatt points rather than flexible Ultimate Rewards points, so you'll want to compare the value of each currency before deciding which card to use for Hyatt purchases.

And if you don't regularly stay at Hyatt properties, you may have a harder time getting enough value from the card's benefits to justify its $95 annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the World of Hyatt Card.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Card

Which Sapphire Reserve pairing is right for you?

There's no single best card to pair with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. The right choice depends on where you spend the most and what you want from your next credit card.

Here's how I'd narrow it down:

• If you want to earn more on everyday purchases: The Venture Rewards can help you earn at least 2 miles per dollar on purchases that don't qualify for bonus rewards with your Reserve.
• If you regularly fly United: The United Explorer and United Quest offer airline-specific perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding, that complement the Reserve's flexible rewards.
• If you don't want another annual fee: The Freedom Unlimited offers a simple way to earn more on everyday purchases, while the Freedom Flex rewards cardholders willing to track rotating categories.
• If you have business expenses: The Ink Business Preferred can help you earn more Ultimate Rewards points on eligible business purchases.
• If you regularly stay at Hyatt: The World of Hyatt Card can provide additional hotel benefits and opportunities to earn free nights.

Personally, I'd start by looking at where my Sapphire Reserve falls short, whether that's earning rewards on everyday purchases or offering airline-specific benefits that could make my travels easier.

After all, the goal isn't necessarily to have more credit cards. It's to make sure the cards you do carry work well together.

What to know before you apply

Before adding another card to your wallet, consider how it fits into your overall credit card strategy.

If you're applying for a Chase card, keep the issuer's unofficial 5/24 rule in mind, as well as any welcome bonus eligibility restrictions. You'll also want to weigh the combined annual fees against the additional rewards and benefits you're getting.

Finally, think about whether you'd prefer to pool more Ultimate Rewards points with another Chase card or diversify into a separate rewards currency, such as Capital One miles.

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers plenty of value on its own, but pairing it with the right card can help you earn more rewards and enjoy benefits you might otherwise miss.

Before adding another card to your wallet, consider where your Reserve falls short, your spending habits and whether the additional rewards and perks justify any extra annual fee.

Related: Better together: The ultimate guide to the best credit card combinations

JetBlue's newest premium seats are ready for takeoff.

The airline just unveiled its new domestic first-class product called "BlueFirst." It's set to debut on flights next month, but TPG got a sneak peek at the seats ahead of the launch.

The new first-class seats will take up the first few rows on most of JetBlue's planes, going forward.

Eventually, JetBlue flyers will see first-class on all of the carrier's aircraft — except for jets that already have its lie-flat Mint cabin.

And with complimentary upgrades on the horizon for JetBlue's Mosaic elite members, the addition of BlueFirst should offer TrueBlue loyalists some enticing new status perks in the near future.

Read more: JetBlue announces first-class upgrades, new elite benefits for 2027

How many first-class seats will JetBlue have?

JetBlue plans to offer three — or four — rows of BlueFirst, depending on the plane.

• Its larger Airbus A321s will have a total of 16 first-class recliners across four rows at the front of the cabin.
• Its Airbus A220 will have 12 across 3 rows. So will its A320s, including the recently retrofitted jet we got a look at Wednesday afternoon.

BlueFirst: What it's like on board

Like most domestic first-class products in the U.S., the seats are arranged in a 2-by-2 configuration.

JetBlue outfitted its BlueFirst seats with a handful of thoughtful touches, such as "flex foam" cushioning from mattress and bedding company Tuft and Needle.

The headrest also sports a special BlueFirst logo.

Beyond that, expect a host of seating upgrades from JetBlue's core cabin. These seats have cocktail trays, extra storage and a large tray table with a personal device holder.

The 13-inch seatback screens are the first in JetBlue's fleet to offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means passengers will be able to connect their wireless headphones, such as Apple AirPods.

The screens also offer a unique twist on ordering drinks inflight. "Mixologist Mode" allows BlueFirst flyers to customize their cocktail order with a base and mixers.

Soft product enhancements

JetBlue is also rolling out a new "soft product" around the BlueFirst seats, including a new line of inflight food, drinks and amenities.

While the carrier won't offer hot meals (no ovens!) on its domestic aircraft, there's an array of creatively assembled bento box meals. Options range from sesame beef noodles with crispy wontons and Szechuan dip to tortellini pasta salad and a pastrami sandwich (and more).

JetBlue has a strong track record for its on-board food. And while the lack of ovens probably means its BlueFirst food won't stack up to what you'd get on a long-haul Mint flight, the spread the airline showed off this week looks impressive — even if it will be served chilled.

BlueFirst service will also include a new array of wines curated by New York-based Parcelle Wine — plus a fresh lineup of amenities, glassware, and coasters designed by a local artist.

Debut set for December

JetBlue's new first-class product will debut on Dec. 8, on its service from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

The airline has dozens of routes already slated for the new seats, which will continue to roll out across its fleet as JetBlue retrofits its planes.

Mosaic complimentary upgrades

Among the biggest winners in its first-class launch: JetBlue frequent flyers with elite status.

All TrueBlue Mosaic members will be eligible for complimentary, space-available upgrades.

Plus, customers who carry JetBlue's top-end premium credit card will also be able to join the upgrade queue.

High-level Mosaics will also be eligible to use their confirmable upgrade certificates on BlueFirst (However, you can also still use those to upgrade to Mint, which will remain the airline's top seat).

You can read all about JetBlue's new upgrade policy and updated Mosaic benefits in our latest story about the TrueBlue program.

A big shift for JetBlue

The launch of BlueFirst marks a new chapter for JetBlue's on-board product.

The carrier began flying at the turn of the century with all-economy cabins.

It first waded into the premium space in 2014, when it launched Mint. Now, it's time to add domestic first-class to the mix — a cabin executives described Wednesday as "very JetBlue."

'Cheap chic': How JetBlue's first 25 years of flying helped reshape US aviation

It comes as U.S. travelers are about to see a wave of new first-class seats hit the market — from JetBlue to budget airlines Frontier and Allegiant.

There are some drawbacks to JetBlue's new seats at the front of the plane.

To make room for the new recliner seats, the carrier's long-celebrated economy legroom will shrink on some planes.

There's also no divider between first-class and coach — and, as we noted, the meals won't be hot.

But BlueFirst will certainly raise the bar on JetBlue's top-level service on domestic flights, and serve as a worthy complement to its popular Mint product.

Also, the chance for complimentary upgrades will be a key new perk for Mosaic elites.

And for an airline hoping to give customers more reasons to prioritize its TrueBlue loyalty program, the new seats could prove a meaningful addition for years to come.

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
• Is airline elite status still worth it?

If you typically fly with American Airlines and its partner airlines, earning elite status in the AAdvantage program can unlock many perks, from complimentary upgrades to priority boarding.

In 2022, American AAdvantage revamped the method for earning elite status to a system based on Loyalty Points.

Nowadays, members earn Loyalty Points through eligible flights, credit card spending and purchases with participating partners.

Here's what you need to know about American Airlines elite status, including how to earn it and what benefits it brings.

What is American Airlines elite status?

American Airlines elite status gives perks to AAdvantage members who interact with the program and its partners. The program lets you earn Loyalty Points toward elite status through many activities unrelated to travel, including shopping, dining and spending on cobranded American Airlines credit cards.

You can earn each American Airlines elite status tier by accumulating a set amount of Loyalty Points during the elite-qualification year that runs for 12 months from March 1 through the end of February. Once you reach the threshold, your status takes effect immediately and remains valid through March 31 of the following full year.

Note: Loyalty Points and AAdvantage miles are not the same thing (but more on that below).

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning American AAdvantage elite status

American Airlines elite status tiers

You'll find four published tiers of American Airlines elite status that you can earn by accumulating Loyalty Points during the 12 months starting each March 1:

• Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
• Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
• Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points

In addition to these tiers, there's also the exclusive, invite-only Concierge Key status. However, American AAdvantage doesn't publish any specific requirements for this status.

You'll also earn Loyalty Point Rewards as you reach specific Loyalty Point thresholds, including some that fall between elite status tiers. You'll earn your first Loyalty Point Rewards choice after earning 15,000 Loyalty Points within the 12-month qualification period beginning March 1.

Related: Your guide to American Airlines Million Miler status

How to qualify for American Airlines elite status

To qualify for American Airlines elite status, you must earn the required number of Loyalty Points during each 12-month qualification period following March 1. As discussed, you'll need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points for Gold status, 75,000 for Platinum, 125,000 for Platinum Pro and 200,000 for Executive Platinum each qualification period.

We have a full guide to earning Loyalty Points. But, in short, you'll earn two types of American Airlines miles: base and bonus. And while both base and bonus miles are redeemable, generally only base miles earn Loyalty Points. The exception is the elite status bonus on flights, which also counts (more on that below). So, each time you earn a base mile with AAdvantage, you'll also earn a Loyalty Point.

You can earn American AAdvantage base miles through many different activities. Here's a noncomprehensive list of some ways you can earn base miles (and hence Loyalty Points):

• Flights marketed by Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and JetSmart: Earn base miles based on your ticket's base fare and carrier-imposed fees.
• Other eligible partner-marketed flights, including those operated by Oneworld airlines or Gol Airlines: Earn base miles based on flight distance and the fare class of your ticket.
• AAdvantage eShopping portal: Earn base miles when you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal before making purchases with select merchants.
• SimplyMiles: Earn base miles when you enroll in select SimplyMiles offers with participating merchants and then make eligible purchases.
• AAdvantage Dining: Earn base miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at participating AAdvantage Dining restaurants, bars and clubs.
• Hotels: Earn base miles when you book hotels through AAdvantage Hotels or credit Marriott or IHG stays to AAdvantage.

There are many other ways to earn American Airlines miles. However, check whether you're earning base or bonus miles before you get too excited about how many Loyalty Points you'll earn. Bask Bank mileage accounts are one example of an activity earning only bonus miles — hence, no Loyalty Points. Basic Economy fares on American don't earn Loyalty Points either.

Note: American and Hyatt ended their enhanced loyalty partnership in 2026, so World of Hyatt status is no longer offered as a Loyalty Point Reward. You can still earn 500 AAdvantage miles per eligible Hyatt stay by giving your AAdvantage number at check-in.

Related: Be careful: 9 times you won't earn American Airlines Loyalty Points, even if you earn miles

American Airlines elite status benefits

American Airlines elite status comes with some valuable benefits. Here's a look at some of the most noteworthy benefits, including how they differ by status tier.

Upgrades and better seats

American Airlines elite members receive complimentary upgrades on eligible flights to select destinations within North America, the Caribbean and Central America, subject to availability. Depending on the aircraft, these upgrades can move members from Main Cabin to premium economy, from Premium Economy to business or domestic first class, or directly from Main Cabin to business or domestic first class (on aircraft without a Premium Economy cabin).

These upgrades are automatically requested and are available on paid tickets and award tickets. Members can also receive a complimentary upgrade for one companion traveling on the same flight. However, Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after May 18, 2026, aren't eligible for complimentary upgrades.

American will start processing these upgrades at different times depending on your American Airlines elite status tier. Executive Platinum members may have their upgrades confirmed as early as 100 hours before departure, Platinum Pro members as early as 72 hours, Platinum members as early as 48 hours and Gold members as early as 24 hours.

American Airlines prioritizes upgrades — including complimentary upgrades, mileage award upgrades and systemwide upgrades — in the following order:

• AAdvantage status tier (ConciergeKey, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum and then Gold)
• Type of upgrade (handled independently until at the airport, where systemwide upgrades and mileage award upgrades come before complimentary upgrades)
• Loyalty Points earned in the last 12 months (updated daily)
• Booking code
• Date and time of the request

Members with American Airlines elite status — and up to eight passengers traveling with you on the same reservation — can select Preferred seats without any extra fees during booking or anytime after booking (based on availability). Preferred seats have standard legroom but are located in more desirable locations throughout the economy cabin. This benefit does not apply to Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after May 18, 2026.

Main Cabin Extra seats, which offer additional legroom, are also complimentary for AAdvantage elite members and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation (based on availability). Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members can select these seats at booking, while Gold members must wait until within 24 hours of departure. Basic Economy tickets purchased on or after May 18, 2026, are not eligible for complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats.

Mileage bonuses

American Airlines elite members get a mileage bonus as follows when flying on eligible flights:

• Gold: 40%
• Platinum: 60%
• Platinum Pro: 80%
• Executive Platinum: 120%

The status bonus is added to the base miles earned on eligible flights, and unlike most bonus miles, it counts toward Loyalty Points as well. For example, on flights marketed by American, a member without status earns 5 miles and Loyalty Points per dollar, while an Executive Platinum member earns 11. That makes it easier for higher-tier members to requalify through flying.

Benefits at the airport

AAdvantage elite members enjoy priority access at check-in, security and boarding on eligible American Airlines flights. Specifically, Executive Platinum members board in Group 1, Platinum Pro in Group 2, Platinum in Group 3 and Gold in Group 4. Boarding with any of these groups might mean there's still space in the overhead bin for your carry-on suitcase.

AAdvantage status members also get priority when standing by for a different American Airlines flight on the same day of travel (and can standby for a later flight the same day) on eligible flights within the U.S. and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members — and up to eight companions traveling with them on the same reservation — can enjoy complimentary same-day confirmed flight changes on American when flying to or from the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AAdvantage elite members also enjoy complimentary checked bags when flying American Airlines: Gold members get their first checked bag free, Platinum members get their first two checked bags free, and Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members get their first three checked bags free. Best of all, this checked baggage allowance is also offered to guests traveling with the status member on the same reservation.

Other benefits

American Airlines elite status offers a variety of other perks, including the following:

• Perks on Alaska Airlines: Complimentary space-available access to Premium Class seats and first-class upgrades, subject to availability (Alaska Saver fares excluded)
• Oneworld status: Gold gets Oneworld Ruby, Platinum gets Sapphire, and Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum get Emerald
• Executive Platinum perks in Main Cabin: Executive Platinum members traveling in the Main Cabin can enjoy a complimentary alcoholic beverage and a snack (which includes any food item offered for sale in the economy cabin on that flight) on American Airlines flights with full drink service

Loyalty Point Rewards

Finally, American Airlines offers additional rewards at specific Loyalty Point milestones. Though these rewards are separate from AAdvantage elite status, you'll inherently unlock them as you accumulate Loyalty Points toward the program's elite status tiers.

Here's a look at the Loyalty Point Rewards you could choose as you progress toward the 200,000 Loyalty Points required for Executive Platinum status:

• 15,000 Loyalty Points: Group 5 boarding for the membership year, plus one choice of a limited-edition centennial luggage tag, 1,000 Loyalty Points, five Preferred Seat coupons, priority privileges and Group 4 boarding for a trip, two inflight food and beverage coupons for use on flights where service is offered, or a 12-month New York Times subscription to Games, Cooking or The Athletic.
• 60,000 Loyalty Points: All the benefits of the previous tier, plus Avis Preferred Plus status and a 25% Loyalty Point bonus when you spend with American Airlines Vacations, AAdvantage Hotels, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, AAdvantage Cruises and SimplyMiles during the six months after registering for this reward. You can earn up to 25,000 additional Loyalty Points through this promotion.
• 100,000 Loyalty Points: All the benefits of the previous tier, plus Avis President's Club status.
• 175,000 Loyalty Points: All the benefits of the previous tier, plus one choice of 5,000 Loyalty Points, two systemwide upgrades, 20,000 bonus miles (25,000 bonus miles if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a $200 trip credit ($250 if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a $250 credit toward American Airlines Vacations packages, a 75-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, a $250 donation to select nonprofit organizations, two gifts of AAdvantage Gold status, one AAdvantage Exchange gift, 35,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit cardmembers) or a 12-month New York Times All Access subscription.
• 250,000 Loyalty Points: If you earn 250,000 Loyalty Points or more during your 12-month qualification period following March 1, you receive all the benefits of the previous tiers, plus AAdvantage Executive Platinum benefits and two additional Loyalty Point Reward choices.

Related: Why (and how) I'm earning AAdvantage Platinum Pro elite status and not going for AAdvantage Executive Platinum

Can a credit card help earn American Airlines elite status?

Having a cobranded American Airlines credit card is extremely helpful if you want to earn American Airlines elite status. Although the sign-up and category bonuses provide bonus miles — which won't give you Loyalty Points — you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent with all U.S.-issued AAdvantage credit cards. This means you can boost your Loyalty Point balance as you use your card for purchases and even qualify for American elite status from credit card spending alone.

If you value Admirals Club access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, existing cardholders who had the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® and were transitioned to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) can still earn up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points by meeting specific spending thresholds during the qualification year ending Feb. 28, 2027. Unfortunately, this benefit is not available to new Globe card applicants.

The information for the Aviator Silver 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.

Is American Airlines elite status worth it?

American Airlines elite status is worth it for some travelers. I've held Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status since 2016 because I value the domestic upgrades, waived checked bag fees, Priority check-in lines and Oneworld Emerald status these tiers provide.

But, after reconsidering what I value in American Airlines elite status, I've only strived to qualify for Platinum Pro in recent years. In short, I decided the incremental value of Executive Platinum over Platinum Pro didn't justify the extra costs I'd incur to earn the higher status.

It's important to consider how much you'll use your AAdvantage perks and the cost of earning American Airlines status. If you'll organically earn American Airlines status through flights, then it's likely worth earning. But if you'll have to earn a significant number of Loyalty Points through other means, such as using the AAdvantage eShopping portal or spending on an AAdvantage credit card, there's an opportunity cost to doing so.

Finally, if you'll only use your American Airlines elite status perks occasionally or only need a specific perk, consider whether you can get what you seek through booking premium-cabin fares or applying for a credit card that offers that particular benefit.

Related: Which credit card should you use for American Airlines flights?

Bottom line

American Airlines offers four elite status tiers you can earn by accumulating Loyalty Points: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. These tiers offer perks including Preferred seats, complimentary space-available upgrades on eligible American Airlines flights, and Oneworld perks on select partner airlines.

If you frequently fly with American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia on expensive paid fares or spend a significant amount on American Airlines credit cards or when shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal, you'll likely find it easy and worthwhile to earn American Airlines elite status. Otherwise, it's smart to consider whether the value you'll get from American Airlines status is worth the cost you'll incur to earn it.

Related reading:

• Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
• American's AAdvantage program changes for 2026
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• American raises bag fees, tightens basic economy rules
• The best credit card for American Airlines lounge access

Is elite status worth it anymore?

It's a question we've been diving deep into at The Points Guy this month (and something we've been debating for years now). Not only has it been harder to get upgrades and more expensive to earn status, but redemptions have gotten more expensive and watered-down benefits have made pursuing status less appealing for many of us at The Points Guy.

But not me. Despite my complaints, I'm still a fan of top-tier status and can't quit the hamster wheel, though I'm not trying for quite so many these days.

I've already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist status this year, and I'll be able to requalify for top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage status. But I will also hold lower-tier status with United MileagePlus, Alaska Airlines' Atmos Rewards program and Delta SkyMiles.

In 2027, I'll continue to hold Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, as well as Hilton Honors Diamond status and Air Canada Aeroplan 25K status, just for carrying credit cards.

I even have top-tier status with Starbucks Rewards.

Here's the full breakdown of my elite-status plans for 2027, the credit cards I use to fast-track them, plus some tips to help you achieve your own status goals before the end of the year.

American Airlines AAdvantage: Executive Platinum

I've held top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum status on and off for years now. I'm already getting closer to requalifying for 2027, and since the qualification year runs through Feb. 28, I have a few more months to work toward my goal.

So far, I've earned 148,538 Loyalty Points — the metric that AAdvantage members must accrue to earn elite status — toward the 200,000 Loyalty Points required to qualify for the Executive Platinum tier. Once I hit that threshold, I'll requalify for perks like a 120% mileage bonus, Group 1 boarding, complimentary food and drinks when traveling in the main cabin and more.

Related: 5 ways to earn more American Airlines Loyalty Points before February ends

Thanks to the airline's Loyalty Point Rewards milestones, I can also hit a few more reward tiers along the way to Executive Platinum status. For example, once I hit 175,000 Loyalty Points, I can choose from a menu of valuable benefits, including two systemwide upgrade certificates.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

I'm likely to choose systemwide upgrades again, but the 25,000 bonus miles and the trip credits are probably the best alternate options.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

I've already used two systemwide upgrades from coach to business class on AA's transcontinental flight from San Francisco to New York and back. I also just confirmed two more upgrades for upcoming international trips, including a flight to Paris from New York and another from London back to New York.

Holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) makes it easier to rack up Loyalty Points. This card helps me reach my status goal by netting me up to 40,000 additional Loyalty Points per elite status qualification year (10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000, 90,000, 165,000 and 240,000 Loyalty Points).

Related: How I booked Japan Airlines first class for just 80K American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards: Gold (at least)

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is now the only major U.S. airline loyalty program that lets you earn elite status from actual flight miles. That means you don't have to spend an outrageous amount of money to earn top-tier status (though you can choose to earn status via spending). Alaska Atmos Rewards members can now also earn points on award redemptions, which has driven my status earnings this year.

I've spent my Atmos Rewards points on award tickets flying Cathay Pacific within Asia and a flight from Seattle to Hong Kong in business class, a Hawaiian Airlines first-class flight from Honolulu to New York and an American Airlines flight from New York to Prague.

So far, I've earned the 40,000 status points required for Gold status this year through a combination of reward flights and spending on my Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card. In addition to earning 1 status point for every $2 spent, with no spending cap, I also earn 10,000 status points each year on my account anniversary and 3 points per $1 on all foreign transactions with this card. This makes it worth the $395 annual fee, to me.

(Cardholders with the $95 annual fee Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card earn 1 status point per $3 spent, also with no spending cap.)

While Alaska's partnership with American Airlines means I can fly Alaska flights with my top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage status, I'm considering pursuing an even higher Alaska status in 2027. One of the main reasons is that Alaska upgrades its top-tier Titanium members (and a companion) to business class on international flights on the day of departure. Those with status are also now eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines flights. I've gotten upgraded on Hawaiian a few times with my status.

I'm also putting a ton of spending on my Summit card now, since Atmos Rewards has a partnership with Bilt that gets you 3 Atmos Rewards points for every dollar of rent you put on the card.

All that spending could help get me a good chunk of the way toward top-tier Titanium status, which requires 135,000 status points. I need to make a decision soon about my 2027 focus, but I haven't been able to cut the cord with American Airlines and fully commit to Alaska... at least not yet.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Alaska Atmos Rewards elite status

Delta SkyMiles: Silver Medallion (down from Gold)

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Over the past few years, my status with Delta has been on a steep decline. I enjoyed several years as a Delta Diamond, but it's just become too expensive (28,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars, to be exact) to earn top-tier status.

I only qualified for entry-level Silver last year, which requires 5,000 MQDs. A friend threw me a bone and gifted me second-tier Gold status, which typically requires 10,000 MQDs, but I'm not on track to re-earn it for 2027.

So far, my total spending this year is just 7,338 MQDs. This includes 5,000 MQDs just for holding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.

The $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) for the Delta Reserve is steep, but it's often worth it for those chasing status. It's just not enough of a boost to get me even to Gold status.

The Reserve card does give 1 MQD for every $10 you spend on the card. Technically, you could spend your way to status, but there's no way I can put that much spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. While I still like the card for all its perks, I'm no longer putting much spending on it.

While I am likely to drop down to Silver for 2027, I'll still fly Delta occasionally.

I've made great use of SkyMiles over the years. Last year, I lucked out with an award from Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and then to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Delta One. There was a brief moment when the flight was available for just 73,000 SkyMiles one-way. I jumped at the opportunity to fly in Delta One on the more-than-14-hour flight to Australia.

Despite being what I'd consider the least valuable airline currency, SkyMiles remain appealing, and I'll keep my Reserve and Platinum cards for the long term. I've gotten a lot of use out of the statement credits that come with holding the cards.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Delta Medallion elite status

Air Canada Aeroplan: Aeroplan 25K

I added another airline elite status to my collection in 2026: Air Canada Aeroplan 25K status, which I received simply for signing up for the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and carrying the card. This would typically require earning 25,000 Status Qualifying Credits through the airline.

Unfortunately, I haven't had many opportunities to actually fly with Air Canada, and I've even let some of my valuable eUpgrade credits expire unused.

Still, I've become increasingly interested in the Air Canada Aeroplan program, especially because of its extensive network of airline partners and the ability to book some excellent business-class award flights through them.

One of my favorite redemptions using my welcome bonus on that card was booking a business-class flight on Emirates from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires for just 56,000 Aeroplan points. It's a fascinating fifth-freedom route, and I was especially excited about the opportunity to finally experience Emirates.

I was also able to book Swiss Airlines business class from Cairo to Zurich and then on to New York for just 85,000 Aeroplan points.

Looking ahead, I'm particularly intrigued by Aeroplan's generous stopover rules. The program allows travelers to add a stopover of more than 24 hours on eligible international one-way award itineraries for just 5,000 additional points. That's an incredible opportunity to visit two destinations on a single award ticket.

Even though I haven't gotten much use out of my Air Canada elite status, Aeroplan remains one of the most interesting airline loyalty programs in my points-and-miles arsenal. I'm hoping to put more of those points — and perhaps some of those elite benefits — to work in the year ahead.

Related: How to redeem Aeroplan points for maximum value

United Airlines MileagePlus: Premier Silver

Another new status for me is United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Silver. I actually did a status challenge with United late last year, and enjoyed a few months of top-tier United Premier 1K status, but I wasn't able to complete the challenge to unlock it for a full year.

Still, I've really enjoyed flying United more. It's easier to get to their hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from my New York City apartment, and I ended up flying and earning enough this year to earn the entry-level United Silver status, which requires at least 6,000 Premier qualifying points or 15 Premier Qualifying Flights and 5,000 PQPs. (In 2027, United is ditching PQFs, making status eligible only through PQPs.)

Silver status allows me to get priority boarding, extra-legroom seats at check-in 24 hours before flying and standby for earlier flights.

During the brief window I had 1K status, I really enjoyed boarding ahead of Group 1.

Related: 5 last-minute ways to earn United elite status this year

More importantly, during my challenge I signed up for the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees), which got me a good stash of United miles that I've used effectively.

I was able to spend just 85,000 United miles for a one-way business-class flight from Tokyo to Chicago and then on to Newark this year, and I've just booked another business-class flight from Sydney, Australia, back to New York for 85,000 United miles.

I've earned a total of 8,640 PQPs toward status this year, but I'm unlikely to earn the more than 3,000 more I'd need for Premier Gold before the end of the year. I think Silver status is just fine for me for now.

World of Hyatt: Globalist

I've loved having top-tier World of Hyatt Globalist status again this year. I've been able to use suite upgrades at several stand-out properties this year, including the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Hyatt Regency Cairo West in Egypt.

Globalist benefits include guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, free breakfast and better upgrade odds.

This year, I've earned top-tier status organically with stays all over the world. I especially loved finally getting to check out the newly renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo and to stay at the Park Hyatts in Shanghai and Beijing.

While earning Globalist status requires 60 nights at Hyatt hotels per year, I've already stayed 79 nights this year. I may try to hit 90 nights in 2026, so I can earn another Milestone Rewards choice.

I also plan on keeping both my World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) and my World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) to help me get more elite nights toward status each year.

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

I've also been putting Hyatt stays on my World of Hyatt Credit Card to earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts. You also earn two elite nights for every $5,000 you put on the personal card.

To me, World of Hyatt is the most valuable hotel loyalty program because I often get upgraded and never have to fight for late checkout. Hyatt points also stretch very far, especially compared with Hilton and Marriott. I already have trips on the books next year for Alila Villas Uluwatu in Indonesia, Park Hyatt Milan and Hyatt Paris Madeleine.

Related: How to redeem Hyatt points for free nights and more

Hilton Honors: Diamond forever

Hilton Honors elite status is one of the easiest achievements to reach. Although I stayed at a Hilton hotel only a few times this year, I maintained Diamond status. How did I manage that? It's a perk of holding Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Hilton Honors elite status

The card comes with Hilton Diamond status for as long as you hold it. Despite a $550 annual card fee (see rates and fees), the card is still worth keeping.

There are other valuable inclusions, such as up to $400 to spend at Hilton resorts every year (up to $200 in statement credits from January to June and another up to $200 in statement credits from July to December), up to $200 in statement credits for eligible flight purchases (up to $50 per quarter) and a free night when you open the account and reach your annual card anniversary.

Last year, I used my free night at the chic Conrad Tokyo on a room that would have been more than $1,100. This year, I used it at the Hilton Tokyo in a room that went for more than $650 a night.

Conrad Tokyo. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

I used one of my $200 stay statement credits last year at the Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa in Morocco, and the other at Resorts World Las Vegas. In past years, I've also used it at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Hawaii.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

I also use the airline fee credits regularly. When using the Aspire card to pay, you get up to $50 in statement credits for eligible airline purchases each quarter.

Thanks to this card, I've had Hilton Diamond status since 2020.

Related: No suite upgrade but charm aplenty: What it's like staying at one of Hilton's SLH properties as a top-tier elite

While I have had some nice stays at Hilton properties — including the stunning Conrad Bora Bora Nui — over the years, I've rarely been upgraded despite my Diamond status. Still, the statement credits alone justify keeping the Aspire card and my Diamond status for 2027, even if I don't have as much luck getting upgrades with Hilton as I do with Hyatt.

Marriott Bonvoy: Platinum Elite

I will earn Platinum Elite status with Marriott again this year just for holding a credit card.

In the past, I've been content with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status I receive courtesy of the American Express Platinum Card®; it gives status in several hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).

Related: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum

Then in 2022, American Express surprised everyone by announcing that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card would get Platinum Elite status for as long as they hold the card. I jumped at the chance to apply for it. As a result, I've held Platinum Elite status since then.

I've spent more than two dozen nights at Marriott properties this year and having Platinum Elite status certainly enhanced my trips with benefits like guaranteed late checkout, lounge access and complimentary breakfast. I even got an upgrade at the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong.

The Hotel President Wilson in Geneva. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

I used the annual free night that comes with the Brilliant card two years in a row at the lakefront Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland. Last year, I used it for London's Bankside Hotel.

Related: 30 best Marriott hotels in the world that you can book with points

So far, I've booked 46 Marriott nights this year. I won't try to get the higher Titanium status — which requires 75 nights — though the idea of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is intriguing. Each year you hold the card, you receive 15 elite night credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

At least for now, though, I'll keep the personal Brilliant card open and enjoy Platinum Elite status without worrying about how many nights I need to stay.

Related: Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status

IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Like my other hotel statuses, I have Platinum Elite status with IHG One Rewards by virtue of holding its hotel-branded card.

Last year, I stayed at several memorable IHG properties, including the Kimpton Fitzroy in London, the InterContinental Porto in Portugal, the Kimpton Overland Hotel in Atlanta and the InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia. This year, I've checked into the Hotel InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand and WM Hotel in Sai Kung (a Vignette property) near Hong Kong.

Despite staying only seven nights at IHG hotels in 2026, I will maintain IHG Platinum Elite status simply by holding the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants). In addition to elite status, my favorite perk of this card is its free night award worth up to 40,000 points, which I've used at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.

The information for the IHG One Rewards Select 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.

The new version of the card is the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card (see rates and fees), which also provides Platinum Elite status. It also comes with a fourth night free on award stays and the ability to add points to your 60,000-point anniversary free night certificate (these perks aren't available on the Select card). The annual fee is $350.

I'll keep my IHG card for status (and a free night) again next year. I'm also sitting on a nice stash of points, so odds are I'll enjoy some great redemptions in the not-too-distant future — though I don't have any IHG stays planned so far in 2027.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning IHG One Rewards elite status

Starbucks Rewards Reserve

The last status I'll mention is with Starbucks, since I'm a regular at the cafe near my apartment.

That regularity earned me top-tier Reserve status in the Starbucks Rewards program, which was overhauled earlier this year.

Reserve status earns 0.7 Stars more per dollar spent than entry-level Green status (for a total of 1.7 Stars per dollar) and requires earning an eye-watering 2,500 Stars over a rolling 12-month period to reach. That's 2,000 more Stars than necessary for the next-lowest tier, Gold.

It may not be the most rewarding program in the world — especially if you have a lower status tier — but the savings I get through the program add up and have me just as hooked on it as I am on my preferred hotel and airline programs.

Related: Why I got top-tier status with Starbucks and enjoy it — despite the reduced earnings for some

Bottom line

I've thought about going fully free agent and stopping my pursuit of status. But the truth is, I have fun on the hamster wheel, and the perks really make the game worth playing.

I'll have top-tier status with American, Hyatt and Hilton again next year. I'm excited to use more of my perks in 2027, and I will report back on my 2028 plans next year.

If you're considering going for status, you should really do the math to see if the extra costs are worth the benefits you get. It's harder to earn status these days, and the benefits keep getting whittled down. Don't do it unless you know you will use the perks and that you can do it without spending a small fortune.

It can be more cost-effective to get a credit card that automatically gives you some status perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding.

At least think about it. I'm not sure I'm the best at following my own advice.

For rates and fees of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire, click here.

If you fly United Airlines regularly, the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) can be a powerful way to earn more miles and reduce your out-of-pocket travel costs.

As someone who frequently flies United, I've found that the Quest hits a practical middle ground. It offers meaningful airline perks, including a $200 annual United TravelBank credit, two free checked bags and discounts on award flights, without the hefty annual fee of a premium airline card.

But with a $350 annual fee, the Quest isn't necessarily right for everyone.

Here's who I think can get the most value from the card and who might be better off with another option.

Overview: Who should (and shouldn't) get the United Quest Card?

Related: I just changed my airline loyalty — here's how the United Quest Card sealed the switch

United Quest's current welcome offer

New United Quest cardholders can currently earn 500 PQP after their first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, you can earn another 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Based on TPG's November 2026 valuations, which peg United miles at 1.2 cents apiece, the full 90,000-mile bonus is worth $1,080. That's not including the additional value of the 500 PQP, which can help you get closer to United Premier status.

While not the strongest offer we've seen in the card's history, it's still a great time to apply if you've already been considering the Quest, particularly if you have upcoming United travel planned.

Who the United Quest Card is best for

There's a lot to love about the United Quest Card. Here's who will benefit most from having the card.

Semi-frequent United flyers who redeem miles

If you fly United several times per year, you'll want to take a closer look at the Quest.

That's because many of the card's most valuable perks are tied directly to flying United. Cardholders receive:

• 25% back on United inflight purchases as a statement credit (including Wi-Fi, food and beverages)
• Priority boarding on United flights
• Elevated earnings on United purchases
• Strong travel protections

One of the card's strongest perks is its earning structure. The United Quest earns a strong 10 total miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights as a United MileagePlus member — that's a whopping 12% return, according to TPG's valuations (mileage earning may differ for basic economy and base option tickets).

As someone who holds Premier Silver status, I can earn a total of 12 miles per dollar spent on eligible United flights when using my Quest, which is an even better return.

But what I find especially valuable are the discounts United cardholders now receive when booking award flights. Eligible United cardholders without Premier status save at least 10% on qualifying United-operated award flights, while cardholders with Premier status save at least 15%.

I take advantage of these discounts pretty regularly. Recently, I booked two tickets from Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) for a mother-daughter trip to Europe. Thanks to my cardholder discount, each ticket cost just 34,000 miles plus $11.20 in taxes and fees, rather than 45,000 miles plus taxes and fees.

That's a savings of 11,000 miles per ticket, or 22,000 miles total, worth $264 according to TPG's valuations.

The Quest also offers two additional award flight discounts: 10,000 miles beginning with your first card anniversary and another 10,000 miles after spending $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

I recently used my 10,000-mile award flight discount toward a transatlantic flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to IAD. The flight would have cost 34,000 miles, but the credit brought it down to just 24,000 miles plus $112.83 in taxes and fees.

That's another $120 worth of miles saved, based on TPG's valuations.

Between the cardholder award pricing discounts and the annual award flight credits, the Quest gives me several ways to stretch my United miles further, which is why it's a card I plan to keep in my wallet long-term.

Related: United unveils huge MileagePlus shake-up, rewarding cardholders with higher earn rates

Travelers who check 2 bags

This is one of the most underrated — and potentially most valuable — perks of the United Quest Card.

The card includes two free checked bags for you and a companion on the same reservation. On domestic economy flights, United typically charges $50 ($45 if prepaid) for the first checked bag and $60 ($55 if prepaid) for the second bag.

That means you could pay up to $110 per person each way if you check two bags without a card benefit.

If you and a companion each check two bags round-trip on just one domestic flight, that could cost up to $440 total. That alone covers the Quest Card's $350 annual fee.

Personally, I frequently fly United and regularly check two bags free thanks to my Quest Card. For travelers who often travel with a companion, don't pack light, take longer trips or occasionally travel with bulkier items like skis or golf clubs, this benefit alone can justify holding the card year after year.

Related: These 27 credit cards can get you free checked bags on your next flight

Travelers who can maximize the Quest's statement credits

Each account anniversary, the Quest Card provides $200 in United TravelBank cash. This credit can be used toward United-operated flights and is automatically deposited into your TravelBank account.

I recently used my $200 TravelBank credit to offset the cost of a round-trip flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to IAD to visit family. The ticket originally cost $560, but my TravelBank credit brought my out-of-pocket cost down to $360.

And the TravelBank credit isn't the only statement credit available with the Quest.

Cardholders can also receive other statement credits, including:

• Up to $150 in hotel credits each anniversary year for Renowned Hotels and Resorts purchases for United cardmembers who prepay directly
• Up to $150 in JSX flight credit each anniversary year
• Up to $180 in Instacart credits each calendar year (one $10 Instacart credit and one $5 Instacart credit monthly) for purchases made directly through Instacart with your Quest Card (benefits end Dec. 31, 2027)
• Up to $80 in rental car credits (two up to $40 credits) each anniversary year for your first and second Avis or Budget rental when you book through cars.united.com
• Up to $100 in ride-hailing statement credits each calendar year (up to $8 monthly from January through November and up to $12 in December; yearly activation required)
• A Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus credit every four years

I wouldn't go out of my way to use a credit just to justify the card's annual fee, but if you're already spending money with these merchants, they can provide some additional savings.

For me, the TravelBank credit is the easiest to use. When you subtract its $200 value from the Quest's $350 annual fee, that leaves an effective cost of $150 — assuming you can use the credit in full — before factoring in free checked bags, award flight discounts and other benefits.

Travelers worked toward United elite status

If you're working toward United Premier status, the Quest Card can also help you get there.

Cardholders can earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent on purchases with the card, up to 18,000 PQP per calendar year.

Those PQP count toward United Premier status qualification, potentially helping you close the gap to your next status tier.

Plus, beginning in 2027, eligible United cardholders will receive a head start on status qualification. United will deposit PQP equivalent to 5% of the amount required for their current Premier status tier into their accounts at the start of the year. That means Premier Silver members, for example, will receive a 300-PQP boost.

I earned United Premier Silver status for the first time last year, and I've already secured it again for next year, thanks in part to the PQP boost I received at the beginning of the year and the PQP I've earned through flying and spending on my Quest.

I generally don't put much spending on the card outside of United purchases, since I have other cards that earn more flexible rewards on everyday expenses. However, I did intentionally increase my Quest spending over the past few months to earn the additional PQP I needed to secure Silver for another year.

For me, that was worth it because I regularly fly United and appreciate the benefits that come with Premier status.

Of course, I wouldn't recommend putting unnecessary purchases on a card just to earn PQP. But if you're already close to qualifying for status, the Quest can give you another way to get there.

Flyers who want more perks than the Explorer offers

The United Quest Card is a strong step up from the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) — especially for travelers who fly United more than once or twice per year.

The Explorer is a great entry-level option, with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150) and useful perks like a free checked bag and two one-time United Club passes each year. For occasional United flyers, that may be all you need.

But if you're booking multiple United flights annually and check bags or redeem miles, the Quest's incremental perks can quickly outweigh the difference in annual fees and deliver stronger long-term value.

In short, the Explorer fits the occasional flyer. The Quest is designed for frequent United travelers who can maximize its recurring value.

Who should skip the United Quest Card

While the United Quest Card is packed with benefits for United fans and frequent travelers, there are a few reasons why the card might not be the right fit. Let's take a deeper look at who the card isn't the right fit for.

Travelers who want United Club access

While the United Quest Card has many travel-related benefits, it does not come with any lounge privileges, and you don't get any guest passes.

If lounge access is a priority, the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) may be a better fit. It includes a United Club membership as part of its annual fee, which grants access for the primary cardholder and eligible guests.

And for those who don't want to pay the United Club's steep $695 annual fee, remember that the United Explorer offers two guest passes annually for a much more approachable fee ($0 introductory; $150 after the first year).

That said, not everyone needs airline-specific lounge access. For example, I personally get lounge access through the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, so I don't need the Quest Card to provide that benefit.

While the number of Capital One lounges is limited, the Venture X also includes a Priority Pass lounge membership (at participating lounges), so I rarely feel short on options.

If you also already have lounge access through another premium travel card, the lack of United Club access here may not matter.

Related: Is the United Club Card annual fee worth it?

Those over Chase's 5/24 rule

The United Quest Card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule. If you've opened five or more personal credit cards across all issuers in the past 24 months, you're unlikely to be approved.

If you're currently over 5/24, you may need to wait — or consider a card from another issuer.

Related: Chase's 5/24 rule: Everything you need to know

Travelers who prefer earning flexible points

The United Quest Card earns United MileagePlus miles. If you don't regularly fly United — or you prefer more flexibility in how you redeem your rewards — a transferable points or miles card could be a better option.

Flexible points and miles can typically be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners or redeemed in other ways, giving you more options.

Two strong alternatives with significantly lower annual fees include:

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees) earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners (including United). To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
• The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee) earns transferable Capital One miles that can be used across a wide range of travel partners. To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.

If you value flexibility over airline-specific perks, one of those cards may be a better long-term fit.

Bottom line

If you fly United multiple times per year, check bags regularly and can easily use the $200 annual TravelBank credit, the United Quest Card's ongoing perks can quickly offset much of its $350 annual fee.

However, if you prioritize lounge access, prefer flexible points or miles over airline-specific miles or only fly United occasionally, another card — either within United's lineup or outside of it — may be a better fit.

Ultimately, the Quest Card shines for travelers who are loyal enough to United to benefit from its airline perks but don't need the full premium treatment of a club membership.

To learn more, read our full review of the United Quest Card.

Apply here: United Quest Card

'Tis the season … when frequent flyers scramble for eleventh-hour ways to qualify for airline elite status they haven't quite reached yet.

If Southwest is your airline of choice, the end of 2026 is particularly important to hit status milestones, as Southwest's Rapid Rewards program is about to change in major ways in early 2027.

Key details

With fewer international flight options and no premium cabins for upgrades, chasing Southwest status might not seem as necessary as it does with larger competitors like United Airlines or Delta Air Lines.

But if you fly Southwest a lot and are close to hitting a status goal, it's wise to explore easy and inexpensive ways to get over that hump.

What you need to do to earn status depends on what part of Southwest's program you are targeting. Southwest technically has two official status tiers in 2026. Plus, members who fly (or spend) the most can unlock its popular Companion Pass.

• A-List: Earned by flying 20 qualifying one-way flights or acquiring 35,000 tier qualifying points (TQPs) in a calendar year.
• A-List Preferred: Earned by flying 40 qualifying one-way flights or acquiring 70,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year.
• Companion Pass: Earned by flying 100 qualifying one-way flights or acquiring 135,000 companion pass qualifying points in a calendar year.

Coming next year: Commonly asked questions about Southwest's recent Rapid Rewards reboot and Companion Pass changes

You can check how close you are to status by logging into your Rapid Rewards account where there are easy-to-read status bars for each goal.

There are very different methods for earning the Companion Pass than there are for earning A-List and A-List Preferred status. If the Companion Pass is your only goal, you need to act quickly. The "easy" way to do that with credit card bonuses effectively ends forever no later than Dec. 2, 2026.

This year also marks the last that many partner points count towards Companion Pass, from credit card refer-a-friend bonuses to completing hotel stays booked on the Southwest Hotels portal.

More: Last chance to earn a Southwest Companion Pass the easy way with card bonuses as high as 90,000 points

5 tips to Southwest status

If traditional A-List or A-List Preferred status is your goal, however, here are 5 ways you can get the flights or points you might still need.

Note that beginning in 2027, Southwest will rename those tiers as part of a broader overhaul (more on that below), but that will not affect how you qualify in 2026 for 2027.

1. Book several super-cheap one-way flights.

If you are only a few flights away from qualifying for Southwest status, one of the easiest ways to get to the finish line is by taking a trip or two before year's end.

The amount of money spent doesn't matter at all if you qualify purely by counting up the number of one-way flights flown, so book and fly the cheapest nonstop Basic fares you can find.

Use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar to search quickly for the least expensive days to fly to various destinations. The best deals are usually midweek. Early and mid-December (between peak Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday travel) will likely offer lower prices and reduced chances of travel disruptions.

2. Buy and fly a more expensive Southwest fare.

If you can't hit a status goal by counting one-way flights and need to earn status via tier qualifying points instead, you should take the opposite approach. Instead of booking inexpensive Basic fares, book and fly Southwest's most expensive fare option: Choice Extra.

This fare earns a whopping 14 TQPs per dollar spent in 2026. If you spend $500 on Choice Extra fares for a November or December mileage run, for example, you will add a quick 7000 TQPs to your Rapid Rewards account balance—one fifth of the way to A-List status.

Those same points are also worth about $90 when redeemed for award travel, so consider the rebate in your cost-benefit calculation.

3. Spend on (some) Southwest cobranded credit cards.

If actually flying the airline before the year is up isn't a realistic option, another way to earn tier qualifying points is by spending on a Southwest credit card.

The different cobranded cards earn TQPs differently in 2026. Holders of the lower annual fee Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) are out of luck; that card doesn't earn TQPs at all.

The higher fee cards each earn incrementally higher TQPs, as follows:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card*: earns 1500 TQPs per $5000 spent
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): earns 2000 per $5000 spent
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees): earns 2500 TQPs per $5000 spent
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): earns 2500 TQPs per $5000 spent.

(Note, however, that all cards earn Companion Pass qualifying points at a different rate—1 point per $1 spent.)

One critical detail: TQPs earned from credit card spending only count towards 2026 status if the points post to your account before year's end. That means it is essential to complete all spending before the closing date of your December credit card statement, meaning many travelers may only have a few weeks left.

A reminder, though: Credit card spending will count differently beginning next year for customers trying to qualify for status for 2028.

*The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit 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.

4. Spend on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card (see rates and fees) and already spend heavily on it, there is a quick and easy shortcut to Southwest A-List status (but not A-List Preferred). If you spend $75,000 on that card annually, you'll be rewarded with complimentary A-List status for the remainder of the year and the following year (activation required).

You'll also earn a $500 annual credit towards booking Southwest flights in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. That same spending level unlocks other perks from a variety of travel brands like Hyatt and IHG, so there are more benefits than just the Southwest ones to consider.

This method doesn't require fussing with flight counts or TQPs or even hopping on an airplane before 2026 is up, but it's only a viable option for a smaller subset of Southwest customers who carry the card and are capable of meeting a significant spending minimum.

5. Register for a status match.

Like many airlines, Southwest offers a status match promotion and challenge where you can leverage your elite status on another airline into temporary status on Southwest. If you hold status elsewhere, consider taking advantage.

The current promotion is open for registration through Dec. 30, 2026. As soon as you register, Southwest confers automatic status for a 120-day trial period. You can extend this status for another 12 months if you complete additional flights or earn additional TQPs in the promotion period.

If you plan to fly several trips on Southwest at the end of 2026 or in early 2027, this promotion might make sense. The requirements to meet the status challenge extension are substantially lower than the ones for achieving status the standard way.

Just be aware that only flights booked after registering for the status match count. If you have future Southwest travel already booked, you'll need to cancel and rebook, potentially at higher prices.

Quick reminder: How to earn TQPs on Southwest

Before committing to any of these strategies, be certain that you understand how Southwest counts Rapid Rewards points in 2026.

Southwest currently counts points three different ways. There are points redeemable only for award travel, and there are two other types that count towards status. Only tier qualifying points, earned primarily through flying or credit card spending, count towards A-List and A-List Preferred Status.

A broader collection of companion pass qualifying points (including credit card welcome bonuses) still count towards earning the Companion Pass for 2026 only.

Quick look ahead: What's happening with the status tiers in 2027?

A lot will soon change when the calendar page turns to 2027.

A-List members will become Silver, and A-List Preferred members will become Gold. Members who have earned a Companion Pass due to points activity in 2026 will continue to be able to use those benefits until the end of 2027.

If you want to earn a Companion Pass anew in 2027 or later, however, you'll have to aim for a new status tier: Platinum. And if you want to achieve Silver or Gold in subsequent years, be aware that that benchmarks will change. The way TQPs are calculated for several Southwest fare types and for credit card spending will be different as well.

Related reading:

• Your complete guide to maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards
• The best Southwest Airlines credit cards
• How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Southwest's new seating and boarding policies: What to know
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Reverse redeye? Southwest is launching one of America's wildest itineraries