Cruise travelers finally have a more premium credit card that offers valuable cruise perks and redemption options.

The Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® credit card is a new cobranded credit card for fans of the three Royal Caribbean Group cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. It offers high earning rates on both cruises and general travel and lifestyle purchases, as well as benefits like priority embarkation and luggage delivery.

Some Royal Caribbean loyalists might be disappointed to learn that this card does not earn points toward status in any of the three cruise lines' loyalty programs. It also comes with an annual fee, though it's relatively modest for a premium card.

The appeal is the ability to rack up points from cruises and redeem them for cruise discounts and onboard credit, reducing your total cruise bill. The Royal ONE Plus card is ideal for cruisers who don't mind paying a low annual fee to access discounts and special privileges on their favorite vacations at sea.

Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

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

Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature: The basics

Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Royal Caribbean, Silversea and Celebrity Cruises, is trading its single-cruise-line cobranded credit cards for its first tri-branded cards, with earning and redemption options across all three cruise lines.

The Royal ONE Plus credit card is the brand's new premium card, with an annual fee of $99. Cardholders who spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening will earn a welcome bonus of 70,000 points.

Cardholders can access elevated earnings opportunities across several purchase categories, most importantly on cruises.

You'll earn 4 points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea purchases and 2 points per dollar spent on eligible airline, hotel, dining, gas, grocery and EV charging purchases. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent.

While you can earn points across categories, you can only redeem them on cruise-related rewards.

Cardholders can choose whether they wish to redeem points for discounts on cruise bookings and other Royal Caribbean Group purchases or for onboard credit to pay for shipboard purchases such as spa treatments, drink packages and specialty dining.

One point is valued at one cent and 5,000 points is the minimum redemption (equal to a $50 discount or credit). Points cannot be used to pay for taxes, fees or gratuities.

The credit card also offers several cruise perks to cardholders, including priority boarding with suite guests and expedited luggage delivery. You will also receive a $200 cruise discount when you spend $20,000 on the card within one year.

Additionally, the card offers up to $120 in statement credits every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry enrollment fees.

Dedicated Royal Caribbean Group cruisers can easily rack up points on their cruise and everyday purchases with the Royal ONE Plus, and it's appealing to travelers who spend a lot with the three cruise lines but don't receive the perks of cruisers with high-tier elite status.

Related: The best Caribbean cruise for every type of traveler

Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature pros and cons

Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature benefits

The Royal ONE Plus credit card offers elevated travel benefits that will appeal to frequent cruisers.

Substantial welcome and anniversary bonuses

The card offers a generous welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of opening your account. That's equivalent to $700 in cruise discounts or onboard credit. Choose the cruise discount, and it's possible to use that reward to get a short cruise for two in an inside cabin for free (plus taxes, fees and gratuities).

If you like bonuses, you'll get a $200 cruise discount every year if you can spend $20,000 on the card annually. You could use the bonus to lighten your final bill or even upgrade your cabin category.

Elevated earnings across multiple categories

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea loyalists have never before had so many ways to earn points with a Royal Caribbean-branded credit card.

The Royal ONE Visa Signature Plus offers a whopping 4 points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean Group purchases. A Royal Caribbean purchase is not limited to cruise bookings, as it includes pre-cruise purchases of shore excursions or Wi-Fi packages and onboard expenses charged to your ship account. If you typically book cruises through a travel agent, talk to your advisor to make sure cruise reservations will code as Royal Caribbean on your credit card so you can take advantage of the higher earnings rate.

The card also offers 2 points per dollar on groceries, gas and EV charging, as well as dining, hotel and airline expenses. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.

That means a large fraction of your travel purchases can earn double or quadruple points, but everyday expenses work harder for you, too.

Unlike with the previous Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature® credit card and Celebrity Cruises® Visa Signature® credit card, Royal ONE Plus cardholders can earn an unlimited number of points each year. Those points will also never expire.

The information for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature and Celebrity Cruises Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Cruise-focused perks and redemptions

When it comes to rewards, this card is hyper-focused on cruises.

Redemption options are simple: Cardholders can redeem points for either discounts on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Silversea purchases or onboard credit with any of the three brands. Each point is worth one cent, so the minimum redemption of 5,000 points will get you $50 of onboard credit or a $50 discount.

Just as you can earn points on any of the three brands, you can redeem them on your choice of cruise lines. You can choose if you'd like to book a Celebrity cruise and then redeem the points for onboard credit on the same cruise, or earn points with a more expensive Silversea cruise and then redeem the points for a discount on a more affordable Royal Caribbean fare.

In addition, adding the Royal ONE Plus Visa to your wallet entitles you to priority boarding with suite guests (which may include shorter lines or a premium waiting area) and priority luggage delivery, so you don't have to wait long for your checked bags to be brought on board.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on your next cruise

Additional benefits

The Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature card offers additional travel and non-travel benefits.

On the travel side, cardholders receive up to $120 in statement credits to cover the costs of enrolling in or renewing TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Other travel-related benefits include no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance, roadside assistance, basic travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation and interruption and lost luggage coverage), an emergency assistance hotline and exclusive rates on Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection bookings.

Outside of travel, card perks include access to a 24/7 Visa Signature Concierge, extended warranty protection, $0 liability guarantee for fraudulent charges and overdraft protection.

Related: Should you get a cruise line credit card? Here's a closer look

How to earn and use your rewards

The Royal ONE Plus credit card offers multiple ways to earn points and simplified redemption options.

You'll earn points for purchases at the following rates:

• 4 points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean purchases across the three sister cruise lines
• 2 points per dollar spent on dining, hotels, airlines, groceries, gas and EV charging stations
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

For example, if you paid $5,000 for a Celebrity cruise, you'd earn 20,000 points. Add in $1,000 on airfare and $500 for a pre-cruise hotel, and your trip will earn an additional 3,000 points. The combined 23,000 points is worth $230 in discounts or credit.

Bank of America will transfer the points balances of existing Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cardholders to their new Royal ONE accounts at the same value.

Redemptions are limited to cruise discounts and onboard credit across Royal Caribbean brands. Points are valued at one cent each, and the minimum redemption is 5,000 points for $50 of credit or a $50 discount on a cruise purchase or other Royal Caribbean expense. To redeem points, log into the relevant Royal Caribbean Group cruise line's website or app, or contact the cruise line's call center.

While you can't transfer points to other programs or redeem them for non-cruise travel, cruisers loyal to Royal will find they have a choice in how to spend their points.

You could save up points to cover your entire cruise fare (for example, you'd need 200,000 points to get a $2,000 cruise for free). Or, you could redeem the points you earn from a cruise booking and related travel expenses to turn into an onboard credit, which could pay for specialty dining, spa treatments, gift shop purchases, cocktails and coffee purchased on the ship.

Many cruise add-ons (such as Wi-Fi and drink packages and shore excursions) are often discounted when booked online before sailing. Cardholders can use points for a discount that they can apply to their pre-cruise Royal Caribbean charges.

Where Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature falls short

Frequent cruisers are always looking for a faster path to top-tier loyalty status in the cruise lines' individual loyalty programs (Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club and Silversea Cruises Venetian Society).

Unfortunately, points earned through the Royal ONE Plus credit card are completely separate from the nights earned in these loyalty programs. Spending more on the credit card won't put you on a faster path to onboard perks like onboard discounts, milestone free cruise certificates, lounge access and invitations to exclusive events.

Plus, for guests who typically book the highest-tier suites, card perks like expedited boarding and luggage delivery are worthless, as they already receive them as suite perks.

Though the earning options are robust, the card has limited redemption options with just two options. Cardholders cannot transfer points into other travel programs or redeem for flights and hotels, something other premium travel cards offer. This might be less of a big deal if the points value weren't so low at just one cent per point.

Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature vs. Royal ONE Visa Signature

Bank of America has a second option for Royal Caribbean fans who would prefer a card with no annual fee. The Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® credit card offers a more basic version of the Royal ONE Plus with reduced perks and earning options.

The Royal ONE Visa offers these less lucrative earnings rates:

• 3 points per dollar spent on eligible cruise purchases
• 2 points per dollar on groceries, gas and EV charging
• 1 point per dollar on other purchases

It's the better choice for cruisers who won't spend $20,000 annually on their card. The anniversary cruise discount for the Royal ONE Visa is $100 each year after $10,000 annual spend on the card. The bonus is less, but you spend half as much to receive it.

Perks are limited to priority boarding via a dedicated line, not the more premium suite entrance. The $0 annual fee card does not offer priority luggage delivery or a Known Traveler Program credit.

The Royal ONE Visa is the better choice for cruisers who prefer not to pay an annual fee and won't get value out of the elevated earnings options on other travel and dining purchases. It's also a good option for Royal fans who won't use the upgraded perks of the premium card or spend $20,000 annually on the card.

Frequent travelers who routinely book airfare and hotel stays along with their cruises, who are looking for more cruise perks and plan to spend a lot on their Royal Caribbean branded card, would do better to choose the more premium Royal ONE Plus Visa.

Is the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature worth it?

If cruising is your passion and you are loyal to Royal brands, the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature offers high earning rates. Cardholders can quickly rack up points on cruise, general travel and everyday purchases and redeem them for discounts and freebies on their beloved cruise vacations.

However, if you love to cruise, but also book flights and hotel stays, other travel rewards cards offer better redemption value with points worth more than one cent and transfer options among travel currencies. Even though cruise redemption options aren't always the best, cruisers will ultimately get more from their points with transfers and airfare and hotel stay redemptions.

When to apply for the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature

For a limited time, you'll earn a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases with your Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature in the first 90 days of opening an account. Those points are redeemable for $700 in cruise discounts or onboard credit on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.

Current Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises Visa cardholders will be automatically switched to the entry-level Royal ONE Visa Signature card. New cards should arrive after June 2026. If you're an existing cardholder and prefer the premium card, you need to wait until you receive the new Royal One Visa card and then you can request an upgrade to the Royal ONE Plus.

Note that existing cardholders will not be eligible for the welcome bonus of either card.

Other cards to consider if you don't want a Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature

Even diehard Royal Caribbean fans should research other premium rewards cards before committing to the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature. It's likely that a more flexible rewards card will ultimately yield better value.

Other cards to consider for broader redemption options and luxury travel benefits include:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): This card combines flexible redemptions with a high earnings rate and extra perks on cruises. You can earn 8 points per dollar spent when you book a cruise (or other travel) through Chase Travel℠. Plus, if you book eligible cruises through Voyages by Chase Travel, you can receive cruise perks such as onboard credit, upgrades and more. The annual fee is, however, much higher than the Royal ONE Plus card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• American Express Platinum Card®: This card is an appealing option for travelers looking for premium travel experiences and a wealth of statement credits for travel and other luxury lifestyle purchases. But its real value for frequent cruisers is with its Cruise Privileges Program; book an eligible sailing through American Express Travel® and you'll receive onboard credit and a special gift for each cruise. To learn more, check out our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card is for those who want premium travel perks with flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn elevated rewards on hotels, rental cars and flights booked through Capital One Travel, along with a solid flat rewards rate on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, including cruises or transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs for potentially greater value. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards.

For additional options, see our full list of the best travel rewards cards.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Bottom line

The Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature is sure to tempt Royal Caribbean fans with its high earnings rates on cruises, Royal-exclusive redemptions and extra cruise perks. If cruises account for most of your travel expenses, it can be a great option.

However, the value per point is lower than that of other premium travel cards. Cruise fans planning air and land travel might get more mileage (pun intended) out of a more flexible premium travel card.

Apply here: Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature credit card

We've brought back our popular reader success and mistake stories here at TPG to both celebrate your wins and learn from your errors.

This week's mistake story is from reader Heather H., who tried to take advantage of a valuable hotel-booking perk offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), but a simple error cost her dearly.

"Like most people, I'm trying to get use out of my Sapphire Reserve card benefits," she said. "I recently booked a hotel through The Edit to get a $250 credit. I just found out that since I didn't prepay on the website, I don't get the credit. And the worst part is, I could've booked directly with the hotel for a little cheaper, but I wanted to use the credit."

As Heather noted, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders have access to The Edit by Chase Travel℠, a program that offers various benefits similar to those that come with having elite status at 1,000 properties worldwide. Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) and the J.P. Morgan Reserve® cards also have access to The Edit.

The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What Heather attempted to use was the credit of up to $250 per prepaid The Edit booking (of two nights or more), up to $500 annually, which both Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders receive.

The critical word in the $250 credit benefit is that it applies only to "prepaid" bookings, and this is where Heather came unstuck: The credit would not apply if she did not prepay.

She will need to find another booking to use the $250 credit and ensure it is prepaid at the time of booking. Fortunately, she can still enjoy the following benefits that come with every The Edit booking, regardless of whether she prepaid or not:

• Daily breakfast for two
• A special benefit worth up to $100 (unique to each property but often includes a lunch or dinner for two, a spa treatment, golf green fee waivers, a welcome gift or airport transfers)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi at properties that offer Wi-Fi
• A room upgrade at select properties (when available)
• Early check-in and late checkout at select properties (when available)

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve jumps to 150,000 points — is this the best-ever offer?

Bottom line

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can book premium hotel stays with a host of perks through The Edit by Chase Travel. Just make sure you prepay in full if you want to use the credit of up to $250 per The Edit booking (of two nights or more), up to $500 annually.

We'd like to thank Heather for sharing her story in the hope that her experience can help other readers avoid making the same mistake.

We'd love to hear more of your stories! You can submit your own reader mistake story with the details of what went wrong and what you'd do next time to avoid it. (If you have an ongoing issue with a travel company that you feel owed compensation for circumstances beyond your control, you can reach TPG's ombudsman, Michelle Couch-Friedman, at ombudsman@thepointsguy.com.)

Have a win or amazing redemption you'd like to share? We're also accepting reader success stories, too.

Due to the volume of submissions, we can't respond to each story individually, but we'll be in touch if yours is selected. We look forward to hearing from you!

Related reading:

• The Edit by Chase Travel: How you can get elitelike perks without status
• What's the difference between Chase's The Edit properties and Points Boost?
• Stretch your points: 8 of the most valuable Chase Points Boost bookings
• The full list of Chase's The Edit properties is now available for Sapphire Reserve cardholders
• Chase Sapphire Reserve statement credits: What they are and how to use them

The World of Hyatt award chart is about to get much more complicated, and you only have a few days left to book hotels at existing rates.

On May 20, Hyatt's three-tier award pricing system of Off-peak, Standard and Peak pricing is retiring. We'll see a five-level model roll out in its place, with the following redemption zones:

• Lowest
• Low
• Moderate
• Upper
• Top

While Hyatt is maintaining its eight hotel categories and separate award charts for all-inclusive and Miraval resorts, these five new tiers have raised the ceiling for many redemptions at top-tier properties.

To put it frankly, the upcoming changes will likely make some of our favorite points sweet spots a little less sweet during peak seasons.

With this in mind, we've rounded up 10 of our favorite properties you should consider booking right now — before the changes go into effect very soon.

Related: 22 best Hyatt hotels in the world to book with points

Alila Ventana Big Sur

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

Guests can truly unplug and unwind at California's secluded Alila Ventana Big Sur. All stays here include meals, snacks and nonalcoholic beverages.

However, award prices are going up. Previously, the maximum you could redeem for a standard room at a Peak rate was 45,000 points. Now, a night during the Top redemption period reaches 75,000 points — a 30,000-point difference.

If you're considering a stay here in summer or early fall, you may run into these Top-tier redemption rates.

Related: Sardines, Steinbeck and sea otters: TPG's guide to exploring Monterey, California

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

Stays at Hawaii's Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort are chic, elevated and stylish. The food options, including a breakfast buffet and poolside snacks, are a true highlight.

When Hyatt's award chart changes go into effect on May 20, one night here could reach 75,000 points in the high season. Previously, it peaked at 45,000 points.

We anticipate the highest rates kicking in around summer and early fall, so be on the lookout if you're planning to visit then.

Related: The 18 best hotels on Maui, from luxury stays to family-friendly resorts

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

Hyatt loyalists can enjoy an authentic ski vacation at Colorado's Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, one of our favorite ski hotels. It's known for its fantastic location and ample on-site and nearby activities, such as ice skating, shopping and dining.

Top-tier nights here could reach as high as 75,000 points, when it previously peaked at 45,000 points.

You're likely to see the highest rates around ski season and winter holidays.

Related: The best ski resorts in the US for your next trip to the slopes

Park Hyatt New York

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

One of the best ways to experience New York City in luxury is a stay at the Park Hyatt New York. From its gorgeous saltwater pool to beautiful guest rooms with breathtaking views, there's a lot to enjoy here.

It could get much pricier to stay here on points, as Top-tier nights could reach 75,000 points instead of the previous Peak rate of 45,000 points.

New York's high travel seasons can vary, but when visitors flock to the Big Apple in early fall and during winter holidays, redemption rates may reach the Top level.

Related: The 24 best hotels in New York City

Park Hyatt Sydney

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

If you're heading to Australia, the Park Hyatt Sydney is a stellar choice for your accommodations. Guests receive access to private balconies with views of Sydney Harbor and can enjoy one of the city's rare rooftop pools.

This is another property where Top-tier nights could cost 75,000 points per night, up from the previous Peak rate of 45,000 points.

You may encounter these Top redemption rates throughout the Australian summer (i.e., the Northern Hemisphere's winter season).

Related: Best Park Hyatt hotels, according to Globalists

Park Hyatt Tokyo

• Hotel award category: 8
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 45,000 points

The iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo, of "Lost in Translation" fame, stands tall over the city, occupying the floors between the 29th and 52nd stories of the Shinjuku Park Tower. With luxurious rooms that showcase pared-back Japanese design and a dining program that celebrates Japanese cuisine, this Park Hyatt outpost offers guests a truly elevated hotel experience.

Top nights here can now reach 75,000 points per night under Hyatt's new award chart, up from 45,000 points with its previous Peak rate.

If you're considering a trip during spring's cherry blossom season or the autumn foliage season, don't be surprised if you're subject to Top-tier redemption rates.

Related: The 11 best hotels in Tokyo for your next Japan getaway

Impression Moxche by Secrets

• Hotel award category: F
• New standard room Top pricing: 85,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 58,000 points

You can redeem Hyatt points for incredible all-inclusive resort vacations. Impression Moxche by Secrets is a luxe seaside retreat in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with large rooms that feature tropical ocean views.

A night here priced at the Top level under Hyatt's new award chart could require as many as 85,000 points. Previously, the Peak rate didn't exceed 58,000 points.

These rates are likely to go up during popular travel seasons, such as winter and summer breaks.

Related: The 14 best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world

Miraval Austin Resort and Spa

• Hotel award category: Miraval category
• New standard room Top pricing: 75,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 50,000 points

Relaxation and restoration are at the forefront when you stay with Hyatt's Miraval brand. The Miraval Austin is an elegant Texan escape highlighted by tranquil guest rooms and wellness-focused amenities.

A Top-tier night here could now cost up to 75,000 points, up from its previous Peak rate of 50,000 points.

We would expect these top rates to apply during ideal weather seasons, such as spring and fall.

Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

• Hotel award category: 7
• New standard room Top pricing: 55,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 35,000 points

Dreaming of a trip to the Maldives? You can redeem Hyatt points for a private villa at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, where natural beauty like banyan trees and sandy shores is front and center.

A Top-tier night here will cost up to 55,000 points. Before the award chart changes, it peaked at 35,000 points.

We expect rates to rise during the Maldives' dry season, which runs from December to April.

Related: 34 Maldives resorts you can book with points and miles

Great Scotland Yard Hotel

• Hotel award category: 6
• New standard room Top pricing: 40,000 points
• Previous standard room Peak pricing: 29,000 points

History buffs have a lot to dive into at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, a property named after the street where London's Metropolitan Police headquarters once stood and positioned at the site where Jack the Ripper was interrogated.

With Hyatt's new award chart, you would have to redeem 40,000 points for a night during the Top season. Previously, one night here peaked at 29,000 points.

You may encounter these Top rates in late spring and summer, when the weather is best in the U.K.

Related: The 25 best hotels in London

Bottom line

It's unclear how many nights will top out at the highest redemption level under Hyatt's new award chart.

However, if you've enjoyed redeeming Hyatt points at these standout properties during peak season under the old chart, we strongly recommend booking that next trip immediately before the new changes roll out on May 20.

The Rippling Corporate Card is designed for businesses that want cash-back rewards paired with built-in spend management features. Rather than operating purely as a stand-alone credit card, it's tied to Rippling's broader spend management platform that combines corporate cards, bill pay, expense tracking and travel booking into a single system.

Offering up to 1.75% in cash-back rewards, no annual fee and no personal credit check requirement, the Rippling Corporate Card could appeal to companies looking to centralize financial operations. However, the card's primary value lies in its software integrations and real-time spending controls rather than traditional travel rewards.

Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

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

Rippling Corporate Card: The basics

The Rippling Card is a corporate card with no annual fee and no interest charges, meaning balances must be paid in full according to your company's repayment schedule. Repayment cycles may vary from daily to monthly, depending on eligibility.

The card earns a flat up to 1.75% cash back on purchases and does not require a personal guarantee. New cardholders who apply via TPG's exclusive link and get approved for the Rippling Corporate Card can earn a $600 gift card welcome offer after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Businesses can choose from a variety of gift card options, including Macy's, Amazon and Uber.

Card highlights

• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards: Up to 1.75% cash back
• Welcome offer: $600 gift card after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months (a TPG exclusive offer)
• Annual percentage rate: None (charge card; balances must be paid in full)
• Personal guarantee: Not required
• Credit check: Based on business financials
• Redemption options: Statement credits, gift cards and travel bookings
• Key feature: Built-in expense management and ERP integrations

Related: Things to consider before switching to a corporate credit card

Rippling Corporate Card: pros and cons

Rippling Corporate Card benefits

Competitive cash-back rewards

The Rippling Card earns up to 1.75% in cash-back rewards on purchases. The exact rate depends on factors such as your credit rating, business financials, repayment cadence and expected monthly spending. Businesses typically need to allocate the majority of their spending to the card to qualify for the highest rate.

Transactions processed outside the U.S. do not earn rewards, though there are no foreign transaction fees. There are no category bonuses, which simplifies earnings but may limit them compared to category-based cards.

Rewards do not expire and can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards or travel bookings.

Built-in spend management platform

Card approval also includes complimentary access to Rippling's spend management tools, with no additional per-employee cost. Transactions sync automatically, enabling finance teams to track expenses, enforce budgets and manage approvals within a single system.

The Rippling spend management platform includes:

• Automatic receipt matching
• Expense categorization
• Policy enforcement
• Approval workflows
• Budget tracking

Because these features are built directly into the card experience, businesses may reduce or eliminate the need for separate expense management software. Rippling reports that companies using its platform typically lower software costs by around 40% or more through consolidation, though actual savings will vary based on each business' needs and existing tools.

Unlimited virtual cards and flexible controls

One important benefit is that businesses can issue unlimited virtual cards for employees. Each card can have individual controls, including:

• Spending limits
• Merchant restrictions
• Budget caps
• Approval requirements

Physical cards are also available upon request; note that the unlimited issuance applies only to virtual cards.

No personal guarantee required

Approval is based on business financials such as bank balances, cash flow and spending patterns rather than the owner's personal credit. This structure may appeal to startups and growing companies that want to avoid personal liability.

Integrated travel booking

Rippling includes a built-in travel booking tool that lets companies book flights, hotels and rental cars within the same platform. Businesses can enforce travel policies, set spending limits and automatically track travel expenses. There are no booking fees for travel reserved through Rippling Travel.

Another perk frequent travelers will appreciate is that cardholders can add loyalty numbers to bookings and earn rewards directly with airline and hotel programs.

Travel booked through the platform and charged to a Rippling Corporate Card earns cash-back rewards, provided the transaction is processed in the U.S.

The card also includes purchase and travel protections through Visa. Refer to your benefits guide for the full details.

Related: Best cards with no foreign transaction fees

How to earn and use your rewards

The Rippling Card earns flat-rate cash-back rewards on purchases, with no bonus categories. This structure simplifies rewards tracking but may limit earnings for businesses with high spending in specific categories.

The rate is determined based on your business' credit profile, repayment schedule and share of monthly spending placed on the card. Businesses that pay on a faster cycle (weekly rather than monthly, for example) may qualify for a higher rate.

Rewards do not expire and are designed to be simple to redeem, making this card more about efficiency than maximizing points or travel redemptions. Rewards can be redeemed for:

• Statement credits
• Gift cards
• Travel bookings

While the card is primarily focused on cash back, Rippling also offers the option to transfer rewards to a limited set of airline and hotel loyalty partners, including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, SAS EuroBonus, Finnair Plus, Avianca Lifemiles and Accor Live Limitless. Transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, with minimum increments of 100 points.

Overall, the rewards structure is geared more toward simplicity and operational efficiency than maximizing travel value.

Related: Should you get a flat-rate or bonus-category cash-back card?

Where the Rippling Corporate Card falls short

The Rippling Corporate Card lacks several features commonly found on traditional business credit cards. While it offers cash-back rewards, it does not include transferable points, airline or hotel bonus categories or premium travel benefits beyond the Visa Signature Business protections noted above.

Rewards are not earned on transactions processed outside the U.S. Cardholders should confirm whether their card is issued as a Visa Signature Business card to understand which travel and purchase protections are included.

Additionally, the card's value depends heavily on using the Rippling ecosystem. Businesses seeking a simple stand-alone card may find better options elsewhere.

Finally, while the cash-back rate is competitive, it may not outperform category bonus cards for businesses with more concentrated spending.

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

Is the Rippling Corporate Card worth it?

The Rippling Card may be a good fit for businesses that prioritize expense automation and spending visibility. Companies already using separate tools for expense tracking, approvals and corporate cards may benefit from consolidating workflows — and potentially cutting software costs significantly in the process.

However, businesses focused on maximizing rewards or earning transferable rewards may find stronger value in traditional business rewards cards.

Related: Business credit cards: What they are and how they work

Other cards to consider if you don't want the Rippling Corporate Card

If you want a business card that offers elevated reward rates in popular categories, plus the ability to earn valuable and transferable travel rewards, consider one of the following options:

• For built-in expense management: The Ramp Business Card pairs corporate cards with integrated spend management tools, offering up to 1.5% cash back and robust automation features. To learn more, read our full review of the Ramp Business Card.
• For a similar all-in-one fintech alternative: The Brex Corporate Card combines corporate cards with integrated expense management and offers bonus rewards in categories like travel and software. It may be a better fit for startups seeking stronger rewards alongside spending controls. To learn more, read our full review of the Brex Corporate Card.
• For maximizing rewards on business spending: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers elevated earning rates in common business categories and valuable transferable points, all for a $95 annual fee. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred card.

For additional options, check out our full list of the best business credit cards.

The information for the Ramp Business Card and Brex Corporate Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.

Bottom line

The Rippling Corporate Card can provide solid value for business owners who prioritize streamlined expense management and financial visibility over maximizing rewards. Companies looking to consolidate tools and automate workflows may find significant upside in its all-in-one platform.

Businesses can also earn a $600 gift card after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months when applying through TPG's exclusive link, adding extra value up-front.

However, if your goal is to maximize returns on every dollar spent, a business card with bonus categories or transferable rewards may be a better fit.

Apply here: Rippling Corporate Card

Park Hyatt has a devoted fanbase around the world, including many staffers here at TPG. But the beloved brand has been noticeably absent in Mexico — until now.

The Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol officially opened its doors in December, joining an upscale Cabo Del Sol development that already includes resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Cabo Del Sol. Since then, it's been wrapping up construction on a few last buildings and soft-launching some of its key amenities and dining concepts.

It's an enticing new option in Cabo for award travelers eager to use their points on a luxury vacation, especially since, in terms of vibes and aesthetic, it shares little in common with Hyatt's previous top luxury offering, the rowdier and edgier The Cape, A Thompson Hotel.

Given its place on our list of the most exciting hotel openings of 2025, I'd been waiting patiently to see it for myself, and with most of the property's ducks now in a row, this felt like the perfect time to pay it a visit. Here's what my experience was like.

First impressions

From the moment you pull up to the resort's modern, whitewashed exterior, you know you're going to get something special from a design perspective. Boxy architecture and straight lines contrasted beautifully with a laid-back interior design style rooted in organic materials, woven textures and fibrous art pieces, like the lobby's striking raw yarn chandelier from Mexican design studio Caralarga.

The staff at the Park Hyatt likes to say that on the property, the ocean finds you. Upon walking into the open-air lobby, you're greeted with views of the sparkling Pacific that pop against the resort's neutral palette. This is where the check-in process happens, which I completed while sipping a welcome drink of hibiscus, raspberry and a touch of citron.

This is also where I met my personal concierge, Tiffany, who took me on a quick property tour before showing me my room. Although we went by golf cart, we could easily have walked; the resort feels compact and particularly easy to navigate, which I appreciated as a solo traveler prone to accidental wandering.

The ocean views followed us no matter where we went on the property, and the resort's white walls became a canvas for cactus-shaped shadows as the sun sank lower in the sky.

The rooms

The Park Hyatt, once construction is complete, will house 163 design-forward, luxury guest rooms, more than half of which are suites. Even the non-suite rooms are large, with base-level rooms starting at 649 square feet.

Design-wise, rooms are contemporary and understated, meant to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape rather than compete with it. I loved the light and airy aesthetic, which made the room feel more serene.

I stayed in an expansive Deluxe Suite Ocean View, and my first thought upon entering (well, second thought — my first was excitement to see house-made chocolate truffles in the welcome display) was how great the setup would be for families with young kids. The suite opened into a massive living room with its own powder room that could close off from the bedroom — the perfect place to put a crib for parents who want to enjoy leisure time after their child goes to sleep.

The living room featured a minibar with complimentary drinks and snacks that my personal concierge offered to customize on request. Options included artisanal potato chips, energy bars and mini churros. You could also order premium alcoholic beverages for a charge, such as bottles of wine ($122 to $209) or craft beer ($14).

Both the living room and bedroom had access to what was arguably the room's best feature: A huge patio overlooking the resort and ocean with loungers, a small table and chairs I used for dining and work and a separate chair and side table for relaxing. A fan above kept things cool and could be controlled by a panel in the bedroom. Many of the resort's room types feature terraces or patios, some of which are outfitted with plunge pools.

The bedroom was bright and minimal, and it connected to a gigantic bathroom with a large soaking tub, a glass-enclosed rainfall shower, a separate water closet and a wood-paneled walk-in closet.

The bathroom was equipped with everything you could need, from bug repellent to bath salts.

Dining at Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol

Dining is an area where the Park Hyatt really shines — so much so that even after a three-night stay, I could have happily continued eating exclusively on property, which is not something I often say about resort food. Servers were also exceptionally attentive to dietary restrictions; they knew I was vegetarian before I arrived and even brought me off-menu desserts to accommodate my aversion to eggs.

As you'll find at most luxury resorts, food is on the expensive side. But swallowing resort prices is much easier when the quality is there, and at the Park Hyatt, it is.

Mesa Madre

Translating to "mother's table," this all-day Mexican restaurant is meant to be a welcoming space for guests to gather and sample a diverse array of local dishes, many of which are prepared on a traditional comal — a smooth, round griddle found throughout Latin American kitchens. I absolutely loved the heirloom tomato aguachile ($33) and poblano pepper stuffed with squash blossoms and corn ($36), as well as the Yaqui cocktail ($22), a play on a negroni with coffee-infused bacanora, vermouth, strawberry-infused Campari and chocolate bitters.

Silán

While the resort's signature restaurant, Silán, won't open until later this year, right now guests can preview its Levantine cuisine at Costamar Beach Club in the evenings. The menu combines North African and Middle Eastern influences with seasonal ingredients from Baja, with offerings including homemade hummus ($26) and labneh ($24), grilled rock cornish ($64) and smoked beef kebab ($87). The kitchen brought me perfectly cooked eggplant and zucchini kebabs to accommodate me as a vegetarian, and while I don't typically like baklava, Silán's version ($21), filled with walnuts, citrus honey and vanilla ice cream, was memorable.

Costamar Beach Club

Costamar is a perfect stop for a casual lunch with ocean views. On the menu, you'll find a mix of Mexican and American staples like guacamole, fajitas, pizzas, burgers and salads, along with a strong emphasis on seafood (think pokes and ceviches). The resort is part of a program that supports local fishermen, so expect everything to be fresh.

Pool Bar

If vacation to you, as it does to me, means having lunch in a pool chair, you'll want to order from the Pool Bar menu. Servers in the pool area are available to take food and drink orders, and I enjoyed the quinoa salad ($36) and guacamole ($26) from my poolside cabana. The menu also features a selection of tacos, tostadas, sandwiches and more.

Dátil Coffee Shop

This artisanal coffee bar was a must-visit for me every day (and if I'm being honest, multiple times a day). It serves a menu of espresso drinks made with beans sourced from Mexico's top coffee regions, as well as smoothies, parfaits, ice creams and house-made pastries and chocolate truffles. My visits mostly centered on procuring the Dammann Frères vanilla rooibos tea and a grab-and-go avocado and cacao bowl ($22).

In-room dining

In-room dining is available 24/7, and as great as the food was elsewhere on the property, the absolute best thing I had was off the room-service menu. The Healthy Bowl ($28) featured a base of yogurt blended with serrano peppers, topped with chia seeds, berries, avocado, sliced almonds and chocolate chips, and while it might sound a little basic, I'm still thinking about it. Plus, in-room dining comes with a fun little push-button remote you can press to cue housekeeping to pick up your dishes.

Amenities and service

• Service: Service was friendly and prompt throughout my stay, and staff members went above and beyond to help. In one instance, multiple people joined forces to track down a water bottle I'd left at the pool earlier in the day and brought it to me at the gym.
• Personal concierge: Each guest is connected with a personal concierge who you can text for help arranging anything from tourist activities to dinner reservations to nanny services. My concierge was extremely helpful throughout my stay and even and coordinated a delivery service to drop off the exact brand of spray sunscreen I had forgotten to pack.
• Pools: The resort has multiple pools to choose from, including a family pool. I loved that the pools didn't feel chaotic; the music wasn't overly loud or distracting, and the cabana I enjoyed for the day felt spacious and secluded. The one feature I would have liked to see is a hot tub somewhere on the property, but it was so hot during my stay that I didn't miss it.
• Beach: Like at many hotels, the beach here isn't swimmable. That said, you can still enjoy the views from the adults-only beach club, which has chairs both on the sand and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

• Kids club: The complimentary Roadrunners kids club for guests ages 5 to 11 is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and keeps kids busy with activities like maraca making, board games and piñata decoration.
• Pets: Dogs are welcome on the property with a $130 pet fee that includes a plush bed, water bowl and treats, and staff told me several had already visited and loved the resort's open spaces.
• Activities: For an extra cost, guests can choose from an extensive list of activities, including yoga, whale watching and two different cooking experiences. I did a class focused on masa, working with the chefs to make quesadillas, sopes and tetelas — along with accompanying salsa and guacamole — that I enjoyed for lunch at the end.

The spa

At 59,000 square feet, the resort's Saria Spa is worth a visit, even if just to catch a glimpse of its stunning outdoor area. The design is meant to ground guests in the Baja California region, where the ocean meets the desert, combining architectural pools with mountain views and local flora.

Treatments here, like the Inner Calm massage, are named for the feelings they're meant to cultivate and kick off with a relaxing welcome drink of citrus, tea and caramel. Before and after, guests are invited to try out the spa's hydrotherapy pools, sauna and steam room.

The spa area also includes a yoga studio and state-of-the-art fitness center complete with Technogym equipment. I loved that the machines look out onto the beautiful spa pool so guests can still feel that sense of place even while working out indoors.

Location and logistics

The Park Hyatt is about 45 minutes by car from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), and you have a few transfer options. Private transportation, which the hotel can arrange, costs $190 each way, taxis are similarly priced and Uber does operate in the area. The Park Hyatt offers free parking for guests who choose to rent a car.

The resort sits within the luxury Cabo del Sol development, which also includes two golf courses and the upscale Anima Village mall. The Park Hyatt has a complimentary shuttle service that helps guests explore the Cabo del Sol area; rides can be arranged with as little notice as 10 minutes, and guests can text when they're ready to be picked up.

What it costs to stay at Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol and how to book

Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol is part of World of Hyatt, meaning you can earn and redeem points on your stay. Right now, award rates hover between 35,000 and 45,000 points per night through the end of 2026, representing solid value for a room that prices out between $800 and $1,200-plus per night.

However, that's all about to change with Hyatt's forthcoming award chart changes. As a Category 8 property, nights at the Park Hyatt Cabo could jump to as many as 75,000 World of Hyatt points per night beginning May 20.

When booking the Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol, you'll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hyatt stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts; automatic Discoverist status; and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts; automatic Discoverist status; and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.

You can also transfer Bilt Rewards Points and Chase Ultimate Rewards to World of Hyatt and use them to book the resort, and right now, new cardholders of the popular Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's the highest public offer we've seen on this popular travel card.

Accessibility

The Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol features two ADA-accessible accommodations, one standard room and one suite. Both are designed to support guests with limited mobility and include roll-in showers.

The wider property also features elevators and ramp access across buildings and amenity spaces to ease navigation, and golf cart transportation is always available on request.

Service dogs are welcome on the property.

As always, we recommend calling the resort ahead of time to ensure they can accommodate your needs.

Bottom line

Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol is a beautiful addition to the Cabo hotel scene, and an especially exciting one for Hyatt enthusiasts and those with Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Points to burn. The impeccable design, serene environment and top-notch food earned it a spot among my favorite hotels in Cabo, and I look forward to returning with my family in tow.

While the full launches of the spa and signature restaurant are still to come, and a few last buildings are under construction, the service is already in peak form, and I personally don't think you need to wait to visit.

Another thing you shouldn't wait on? Booking. If this hotel is on your must-visit list, lock in your stay before award rates balloon on May 20.

Related reading:

• Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol is officially open
• Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas has a swimmable beach and excellent dining
• Hilton's crown jewel resort just leveled up: Here's what's new at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

As someone with the United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees), I already enjoyed perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, expanded award availability and travel credits before earning Premier Silver status in the United MileagePlus program for the first time in 2025.

Now that I've experienced the benefits of having both a United cobranded credit card and entry-level elite status, I've been wondering: What does Premier status actually add that my card doesn't already cover?

If you're in a similar spot, here's a breakdown of how United Airlines elite status and United credit cards compare, including where they overlap, where they differ and how to decide which path is right for you.

Related: Last-minute strategies for United Premier elite status

What do you get with United Premier status?

United's MileagePlus program is built to reward loyalty in the air. The more you fly (and spend) with United, the more benefits you unlock — from complimentary upgrades and bonus miles to preferred seating and priority services.

To qualify, you'll need to meet thresholds based on Premier qualifying points or a combination of PQPs and Premier qualifying flights earned through flying or spending on a United credit card.

For 2026, United kept qualification thresholds the same as they were in 2025, meaning you won't need to fly or spend more to maintain the same tier.

Once earned, your status is valid for the rest of that year, the following year and through Jan. 31 of the second following year.

For example, if you earned status July 1, 2026, you would have status for the rest of 2026, all of 2027 and until Jan. 31, 2028. So, qualifying early gives you the longest runway to enjoy your benefits.

Let's have a look at how the tiers compare.

2026 United Premier status tiers

*In order to qualify for United status, you must take at least four United or United Express flights per calendar year.

Beyond the tangible perks, elite status also comes with an intangible layer of conveniences, which include:

• Access to the Premier Priority Desk: These dedicated agents can rebook flights faster during disruptions.
• Complimentary Economy Plus seating: These seats are available to all tiers at different points in the booking timeline and offer extra comfort, often on longer routes.
• Upgrade windows: While competitive and not guaranteed, the ability to enjoy an upgrade through status remains one of the few ways to regularly experience United's domestic first or Polaris cabins without spending additional miles or cash.

For travelers who fly United regularly (even a few times per month), these benefits can add up; however, they overlap heavily with what United's credit cards already offer.

Related: United's big MileagePlus program changes are here: What to know

What do you get with a United credit card?

All cards offer some combination of free checked bags, priority boarding and expanded award availability. These benefits can save you hundreds of dollars per year and can simplify travel, even for infrequent flyers.

Let's take a look at how the United cards compare.

United credit cards compared

The information for the United Club Business 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.

In addition to the above perks, select United cards include valuable trip protection and primary rental car coverage, which can be more robust than what some premium general travel cards offer. United cards can also help you earn status, with PQPs accrued through spending counting toward elite qualification.

The United Quest Card, for example, is currently offering new cardholders 80,000 bonus miles plus 3,000 PQPs after they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, which can be a fast track to status. The 3,000 PQPs I earned through my Quest Card welcome offer, combined with a busy year of travel, helped me earn Premier Silver status for the first time in 2025.

As a cardholder, one major perk is United's expanded award availability, as it unlocks saver awards that noncardholders and non–Premier members can't access.

Saver awards offer the best value for your miles but are limited, while standard awards are more expensive and often reflect the cash price of the ticket. The advantage for United elite members and cardholders is that they can see extra saver-level seats (coded as "XN" in search results) that aren't visible to most travelers.

Here is how it looks as a cardholder:

However, noncardholders without elite status will see the following price for the same flight:

This perk can save you a significant number of miles over time, making a United credit card even more valuable for frequent travelers, especially those without status.

Related: Current United MileagePlus credit card welcome offers

Where do United status and United cobranded cards overlap?

Here are some of the key perks that select status levels and cards offer:

• Checked bags and boarding priority: Most cards offer at least one free checked bag and Group 2 boarding, which is similar to what you'll enjoy as a Premier Silver member.
• Award travel advantages: Both offer expanded saver and standard award availability, improving redemption options on popular routes.
• Economy Plus or preferred seating: While cards don't guarantee upgrades, some provide partial or temporary access to preferred seating.
• Contribution toward status: Spending on cobranded cards earns PQPs, helping cardholders inch closer to status without flying extra segments.
  

For moderate travelers, these overlaps can cover nearly all the perks they'll regularly use.

Related: Why I charged $50,000 on my United card to get closer to Premier Platinum elite status

How United status and United cards differ

While there's some major overlap, the differences are where elite status begins to show its unique value.

Here are the key differences:

• Upgrades: Complimentary upgrades on domestic and international flights (which are not a benefit on cobranded cards) are among the biggest differentiators.
• Bonus miles on flights: Elite members earn higher mileage rates than cardholders, which compounds significantly for frequent flyers. A Premier 1K member earns 11 miles per dollar spent on United flights compared to the 1 to 4 miles per dollar spent on cobranded cards.
• Alliance benefits: Premier status includes Star Alliance recognition (Silver or Gold), which unlocks access to lounges, priority check-in and boarding on partner airlines — benefits no card can provide.
• Operational priority: Premier status grants you access to the Premier Priority Desk and higher rebooking priority when things go wrong, which is an advantage most United cards don't offer. This can make a big difference during delays or cancellations, helping you get rebooked faster and onto alternate flights before they fill up.

Essentially, cards handle convenience, while status delivers recognition and access.

How the latest MileagePlus changes reward cardholders

It's also worth noting that United recently overhauled parts of its MileagePlus program to increasingly reward travelers who carry a United cobranded credit card alongside elite status.

As of April 2026, cardholders can earn more miles on United flights, receive automatic award flight discounts and unlock higher earning rates when paying for flights with eligible United cards. In my case, holding Premier Silver status alongside the United Quest Card boosted my earning rate on United flights from 10 miles per dollar spent to 12 miles per dollar spent — a 20% increase overall.

Meanwhile, travelers without a United card now earn fewer miles on many tickets, especially on basic economy fares. The changes further blur the line between elite status and cobranded credit cards, reinforcing why many frequent United flyers may benefit most from combining both.

Related: Some MileagePlus members won't love the new changes — but as a United cardholder, I do

How to decide between United status and a United card

Deciding whether to chase United status or rely on a United card comes down to travel habits and priorities.

Consider a United credit card if:

• You fly United only a few times a year but still want perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.
• You value built-in protections, such as trip delay, trip cancellation and rental car insurance.
• You want to earn miles on everyday purchases to boost your balance faster.
• You prefer guaranteed benefits without meeting annual flight or spending thresholds.

Aim for United elite status if:

• You fly United (or Star Alliance partners) regularly and want upgrades, better seats and more flexibility when traveling.
• You're looking to maximize your mileage earning — elite members earn more miles per dollar spent.
• You value priority treatment during irregular operations, like flight delays or cancellations.
• You're already on track to meet the required elite status thresholds through business or personal travel.

In short, status rewards loyalty, while cards reward spending. Because of this, many travelers benefit from holding both.

Bottom line

United Premier status and United credit cards complement each other, but they also serve different purposes.

If you fly often enough to maximize upgrades, lounge access and elite recognition, chasing status can be worth the effort. But if you value predictable perks and built-in protections without the yearlong qualification chase, a credit card like the United Explorer Card delivers consistent, everyday value.

For me, the United Quest Card already covered many of the perks I value most, but after earning Premier Silver status for the first time last year, I've come to appreciate the added flexibility and recognition that comes with elite status. As a frequent traveler, it's become worth the extra effort to maintain.

Ultimately, how often you fly (and what you value most) will determine whether elite status, a credit card or a mix of both is the best fit for you.

Related: How to earn last-minute airline elite status — and whether or not it's worth it

At the end of 2025, Hilton announced it would launch a new top-tier elite status dubbed Hilton Diamond Reserve.

Whereas, before you could get Hilton's former top-tier Diamond status simply by holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, this new status is squarely targeted at high spenders who actually stay a good number of nights at Hilton-affiliated properties each year.

Forty stays or 80 nights and $18,000 in spend, to be exact. And there's no shortcut to this new status by holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, either.

Given those lofty requirements, we were curious just how much better Hilton Diamond Reserve benefits would be compared to those of regular old Hilton Diamond status.

So, we decided to test it out at one of Hilton's flagship resorts in the U.S., the historic Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.

We made two separate bookings, one by Eric Rosen, a Hilton Diamond member courtesy of his Hilton Aspire Amex, and another by Ellie Nan Storck, our hotels and destinations editor, who was gifted a year's trial for Hilton Diamond Reserve status.

Here's how our two experiences at the same hotel on the same night stacked up.

Hilton Honors Diamond versus Diamond Reserve benefits

Just before we get to the hotel experience itself, here's a quick reminder of how Hilton Diamond benefits compare to those of the newly minted Hilton Diamond Reserve tier.

As you can see, so far, the benefits are not extremely differentiated. The main ones are that Hilton Diamond Reserve members get:

• Dedicated customer service phone line.
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.
• Confirmable Upgrade Rewards where members can choose and confirm a premium room upgrade, up to a suite, at the time of booking for stays up to 7 nights.
• Higher priority for upgrades confirmable within 72 hours of check-in.
• 120% bonus points on stays versus just 100% for Hilton Diamonds.

With those subtle, but key, differentiators in mind, here's how our trip unfolded.

How we each booked our stay

We each reserved our stays through our corporate travel booking portal rather than directly with Hilton because this was a work trip. That said, we were able to make reservations that qualified us for our elite-status benefits and to earn points, just as we would have if we had booked directly through Hilton.

For the night of Saturday, April 25, we both reserved the same exact room category for the same exact price: A standard king bedroom in the hotel's historic Victorian wing for $690 per night, including taxes and fees. We made our bookings four weeks in advance and completed the process within an hour of each other.

Ellie did not use her Confirmable Upgrade Reward, deciding instead to chance an upgrade and see if her priority as a Diamond Reserve one-upped Eric's as a mere Diamond.

In addition to being a landmark historic hotel, the Hotel del Coronado is also something of a mishmash of resorts. You see, there's the 19th-century wing, which is part of Hilton's Curio Collection, as are some of its more recent additions, like the accommodations in the newer Views tower and the Cabanas building.

But there are also components of the resort that are part of Hilton's higher-end LXR Hotels & Resorts collection. Namely, the Shore House and the Beach Village of upscale villas.

Once our bookings were made, we were interested to see whether either or both of us would be upgraded — and to which part of the extensive resort.

Ahead of the stay

As mentioned, Ellie decided not to apply her Confirmable Upgrade Reward in order to make the playing field a little more even.

Both of us, however, were offered paid upgrades to better rooms within the Victorian and Views accommodations.

A Views room with a resort view would have been just $45 more per night, while Victorian partial ocean view and ocean view rooms in the Views tower would have been $108 and $162 more, respectively. Still, we held firm, waiting to see what would happen rather than pay for a better room.

While Ellie, with her newly minted Diamond Reserve status, got crickets ... five days before check-in, Eric received an email out of the blue informing him he would be checking into the Shore Club, part of the LXR component of the hotel.

Checking his reservation in the Hilton app, he found his new room would be a one-bedroom, hearing-accessible resort-view villa with a king bed in the Shore Club that would have cost $1,503 per night, including taxes and fees. That was like getting an $800 upgrade!

That same day, Ellie called Hilton's Diamond Reserve customer service number to ask whether she could expect an upgrade. The customer service rep told her that the resort was fully booked and that an upgrade might be available 72 hours before check-in or at check-in, but nothing was guaranteed.

So, she bided her time. Then, at check-in, Ellie was offered a complimentary upgrade to a room with two queen beds and an ocean view in the Views wing, so at least she had an ocean vista compared to Eric's view of the hotel driveway. But her upgrade value was worth less than $200, a far cry from what Eric had been assigned.

Eric's stay: Hilton Diamond delivers

My husband and I arrived at the resort at 2 p.m., hoping to check in ahead of the 4 p.m. check-in time, since we had only a single evening to spend there. Instead of the main hotel entrance, we pulled into the side driveway leading to the Shore Club, where we left our car with the valets and made our way inside.

The reception agents couldn't have been nicer ... or more apologetic that the previous guest in our room had booked via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and was thus using their guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout (the same benefit a Diamond Reserve elite would be entitled to).

It looked like they were going to take every last minute (and I didn't blame them), so we would only be able to get into our room at 5 p.m. at the earliest. While I was thrilled at the upgrade, the extra wait was a consideration. It also made me think that the villa had only been available because our stay was a single night. Still, we had full access to the resort's facilities while we waited.

The delay also gave me the opportunity to take a quick tour of the hotel. I was mostly impressed by the secluded, upscale feeling of the Shore Club's private pool. Unlike the main resort pool, which was overflowing with guests, this one was only accessible to Shore Club guests and was much quieter. It also looked out directly onto the beach, unlike the main pool, which was hemmed in by a restaurant on one side, the historic hotel building and the Cabanas wing on the others.

When we did get into the villa, it was truly impressive. The villas in the Shore Club seem to be part of the resort's residential area, some of which are bookable as hotel accommodations.

Ours was, in a word, huge. It included a full kitchen with a high counter, a dining room and a living room with a sectional sofa and a gas fireplace, plus a Juliet balcony overlooking the Shore Club's lawn and the historic wing. The decor was beachy and bright.

There was even a laundry room, which would come in handy on a longer beach trip, and a powder room, which could double as a second bathroom since the sofa doubled as a bed — so the villa could accommodate four guests total.

Through the door, the primary bedroom held a king-size bed with a dramatic wooden headboard, a wall-mounted television and French doors opening to another Juliet balcony.

The bathroom was palatial, with marble tiling, upgraded Molton Brown amenities and a separate tub and walk-in glass shower.

I was pretty darn impressed with the upgrade. I had booked a basic standard room in the oldest part of the hotel and had been given a villa in one of the newest wings, along with access to the more private pool. It's good to have status!

Speaking of which, as a Hilton Diamond staying at an LXR property, I also had a $50 daily food-and-beverage credit ($25 per registered guest). Rather than put it to use at the Shore Club's small buffet breakfast, which would have cost $48 per person, I treated Ellie and her travel companion to pastries and coffee at Eno Market, which essentially used up the whole credit anyway.

Now, before you surmise that my Hilton account was flagged as a member of The Points Guy team, I can only say that I have had several other recent Hilton stays, both immediately before and after my night at the Hotel del Coronado and at hotels ranging from basic Hampton Inns to Graduate Hotels and Hiltons, and nary an upgrade has come through, nor have I detected a whiff of special treatment, so I think this was merely luck of the draw.

Ellie's stay: Hilton Diamond Reserve doesn't quite add up

My boyfriend and I arrived at Hotel del Coronado around 4 p.m. and checked in after parking our car in the garage. (Note — especially if you're traveling with heavy luggage — it takes a bit of time to navigate from the underground parking garage over to the lobby.) We waited in line for about 10 minutes as the hotel was quite busy on a springtime Saturday afternoon.

Upon check-in, the receptionist thanked me warmly for being a Diamond Reserve member and presented me with a small card outlining all the benefits (which we've mentioned above in this article). I confirmed that we would have access to the on-site Premium Club, as Hotel del Coronado is one of just 12 Hilton properties worldwide that offer one, so this seemed like an important perk to test out (more on that in a moment).

We were offered complimentary water bottles, and the resort's general manager came out to the desk to say hello and thank me for my membership. As mentioned above, I was upgraded to an ocean-view room in the Views building with two queen beds (this would have been $162 more than my original booking, if I'd opted into the original upgrade that was emailed to me before our check-in date). Being given a room with two beds sort of surprised me, since I'd noted in the reservation that I'd be traveling with my partner — but alas, an upgrade is an upgrade. And while we were happy for an ocean-view accommodation, it was still a shock that between Eric and I, he received the LXR, suite-style upgrade. The battle had begun!

Located on the fourth floor of the ocean-facing Views building, which is set among a beautifully landscaped, lush swath of vegetation, the room itself was comfortable and crisp, with lots of blonde-wood accents, blue hues and sunlight aplenty. There were two comfortable queen beds, a small bathroom, a shelving area with a minifridge, coffee maker and ice bucket, a large flat-screen television over a sizable dresser, a writing desk below a mirror and one armchair.

A lovely balcony, featuring a table and two chairs overlooking a courtyard and the ocean beyond, was the best part of the room — and befitted its place in the hotel section called The Views.

There were no extra amenities that came with this room type, but it was comfortable enough for a one-night stay (though if I were spending what it takes to earn Diamond Reserve status, I'd likely expect a more...luxe upgrade option).

The Premium Club experience at Ocean Club, a historic cottage just steps from the sand, was where things got especially interesting. As noted above, I confirmed at check-in that I would be able to access the resort's Premium Club as a Diamond Reserve member. The front desk receptionist explained that I could visit the Ocean Club (and bring one registered guest) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., when the club offered complimentary "evening light bites." That was all the information I was given, and I assumed the experience might be similar to an airport lounge, with complimentary snacks, soft drinks, wine and beer.

It wasn't quite like that, though. When my boyfriend and I arrived at the little gated cottage, the desk attendant checked for my name on a list and informed me that this was the "exclusive, members-only Ocean Club" and that my name was not on the list. I let her know that I was a Diamond Reserve member and clarified that this status was new but definitely included Premium Club access — I even let her know that the receptionist had ensured that I would have access during the "light bites" hours. I showed her the card, listing Diamond Reserve benefits, I'd been given at check-in. The Ocean Club desk attendant called over another colleague, who agreed with her: sorry, no luck. We were rejected!

I was miffed. I made the not-so-quick journey back across the property to the lobby and told the receptionist (a different person, now) the whole saga. They were friendly, apologetic and quick to confirm with the on-call manager that I did indeed have access to the Ocean Club, since it's a Hilton Premium Club. This receptionist called the Ocean Club desk attendant and let them know we'd be coming back. Alas, we made another trek across the property to the small beachfront cottage and entered. The desk attendant was surprisingly not so friendly, but did apologize and guided us to a pretty outdoor seating area with beachside views, comfortable seating and an outdoor bar.

Inside the cottage, replete with beachy-chic decor, we found an array of light bites (think cheese and crackers), an espresso machine and a fridge with water and soft drinks. This was all we had complimentary access to; when I ordered two glasses of wine at the outdoor bar, the total came to nearly $80 — before tip. That was far more than the $15 per person, per night food-and-beverage credit (so $30 total for this stay) that Diamond Reserve members get at Curio Collection hotels. In fact, the credit didn't even cover a single glass of wine at the Ocean Club.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed our wine, the fresh ocean breeze and the less crowded space for an hour before making our way to meet Eric and his husband for dinner at Nobu, wherein we had a bit of a chuckle about who got the better upgrade.

Checking out

With intense stay and spending requirements, and no shortcuts to status, Hilton's new Diamond Reserve tier promised to be a cut above Diamond with far fewer members and more tangible benefits. In practice, during our stay at a popular U.S. resort on a busy weekend, though, those benefits did not exactly play out as advertised.

In fact, one of the major perks — the highest priority for upgrades — did not come into effect at all, as the Diamond member in our cohort got the coveted Shore Club villa while the Diamond Reserve traveler got a much more modest upgrade. Throw in the uneven delivery of perks like Premium Club access, and folks who put in the time and money to earn Hilton Diamond Reserve might not find that their extra loyalty to Hilton pays off in worthwhile ways at all.

That said, Hilton Diamond Reserve is still a very new status, and, while it's disappointing, it's not surprising that Hilton properties are still figuring out how to apply benefits for Diamond Reserve versus Diamond. Hopefully that will change and we'll test it again later this year!

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

In what we now often refer to as "the good old days of air travel," it was common for friends and family members to be waiting at the gate when you stepped off the plane to give you a big hug.

It was also normal for them to go with you to the airport, hang out for a meal or snack in the terminal and then wave goodbye as you headed down the jetway for your flight.

Now, of course, all the emotional business must take place curbside or at the entrance to the security checkpoint lane ... or does it?

In a trend that warms our hearts, about 20 U.S. airports are now offering programs that invite nonticketed guests to apply for free passes that grant permission to go through airport security and spend time in the terminal. They can shop, dine, view art exhibits, listen to live music, watch planes come and go, and, yes, spend more time with loved ones.

These programs are great for friends and family. Not to mention, the open-arms policy also benefits postsecurity airport shops and restaurants.

How airport gate pass programs work

At airports offering gate pass programs (listed below), nonticketed guests must either sign up online ahead of time — usually between 24 hours and seven days prior to their planned visit — or, in some cases, at a kiosk in the terminal on the day they hope to visit.

The steps for applying for a pass can vary by airport, but all programs will ask you to provide your full name and the date you'd like to visit. Some airports take it from there and have the Transportation Security Administration run your information through the system. Others ask you to scan a passport or Real ID. Depending on the airport, the application approval window can range from right away (at airports with on-site kiosks) to just after midnight on the day you requested a visit.

If a pass is approved, you'll need to show that digital code with your ID and go through security screening along with ticketed passengers. TSA PreCheck and other expedited security lane status won't be honored, and, in some cases, passholders will be required to go through a specific checkpoint. The number of hours you are allowed to stay in the terminal — and what you carry with you — may also be limited, so be sure to read all the instructions.

US airports with gate pass programs (as of May 2026)

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

After a long pause following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tampa International Airport rebooted its TPA All Access Pass in November 2025.

Each of TPA's four airside concourses (A, C, E and F) has separate security checkpoints, so when applying for a day pass, applicants must choose one airside to visit. Entry slots have two-hour windows, but once you get past security, you may stay as long as you like.

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International Airport, which recently opened a swanky, new Terminal 1, expanded its visitor pass program in November. Previously, visitors could only apply for a SAN Pass to enter Terminal 2, but now, the program covers both Terminals 1 and 2.

Again, because each terminal has a separate security checkpoint, SAN Pass applicants must indicate on their application form which terminal they want to visit.

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

Albuquerque International Sunport rolled out its ABQ FlySide Pass just as the Thanksgiving 2025 travel weekend got underway.

Passes are available seven days a week from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. and can be applied for up to seven days in advance.

"Our airport isn't just about departures and arrivals. It's about the experience," ABQ's Aviation Acting Director Manny Manriquez said. "The FlySide Pass invites the community to the Sunport, whether you're joining family for a flight, enjoying a date night or simply watching planes take off and land on our airfield."

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport offers the Hopkins Hangout Pass.

Applications are accepted online as early as seven days but no later than one day before your proposed visit date, and the airport's limit is 100 visitors per day.

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

Kansas City International Airport, which opened its new must-see terminal in 2023, rolled out its Guest Pass Program in July 2025.

You may apply online one to seven days prior to your proposed visit or on the same day as your visit (if spots are available). Stays longer than six hours are not permitted.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

The Indulge MSY Guest Pass began as the MSY Guest Pass program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport back in 2019, shortly after the airport moved into its new terminal.

Applications for gate passes are accepted online ahead of a planned visit; for a day-of visit, applications are accepted at a kiosk on Level 1 near baggage claim between doors 2 and 3. Passholders have access to the secure side of the airport between 3:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

The Wingmate Pass at Philadelphia International Airport limits guest passes to 100 visitors a day.

You can apply up to seven days in advance but must do so at least 24 hours before a planned visit. Visitors are allowed in the secure area between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m., with a six-hour limit for each stay.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the SEA Visitor Pass Program is limited to 300 guests per day.

Apply online on the day of your visit or up to seven days in advance. Pass users must enter through TSA Checkpoint 4 and are allowed in the terminal between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. The last entry time is 9 p.m.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)

Nonticketed guests may apply for a same-day DTW Destination Pass at kiosks on the departure levels of both the McNamara and Evans terminals at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. They may use passes from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nashville International Airport has multiple live music stages and a liquor policy that permits customers to take their purchased drinks to the gates and other spots in the terminal.

The airport rolled out its BNA Passport in July 2024 and issues 75 guest passes each day to guests who apply online.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Palm Springs International Airport offers a Stay & Play Visitor Pass that you can apply for up to seven days prior to your planned visit. As with other gate pass programs, if you can't select a specific date for your visit, it means all passes for that day have already been allotted.

San Antonio International Airport (SAT)

You can apply online for a SAT Pass to visit San Antonio International Airport up to seven days in advance. The airport also accepts applications for same-day visits if the daily quota for passes has not yet been met.

Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

The TUL Visitor Pass Program at Tulsa International Airport accepts applications up to seven days before a planned visit. Both digital and printed passes are honored at the checkpoint at or after the approved start time and up to 9 p.m.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

John Wayne Airport in Orange County welcomes nonticketed guests with its OC AirPass. From 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., you can apply for a same-day pass at the information booths in Terminals A, B and C on the lower level of the bag claim area.

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Southern California's Ontario International Airport accepts applications for its ONT+ Visitor Pass Program online the day of your visit and up to seven days in advance. Show your digital pass and ID at the approved terminal (2 or 4).

Capital Regional International Airport (LAN)

Capital Regional International Airport in Lansing welcomes 25 visitors through its LAN Visitor Pass on weekdays only. Visits are limited to four hours per day, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Applications must be made at least 24 hours before a visit, and same-day requests are accepted.

Tri-Cities Airport (PSC)

Cozy Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco — which has flights to Seattle and nine other major cities — offers a PSC Pass for up to 10 visitors each day. Those interested must apply online no later than 8:30 p.m. the day before the requested visit date.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) rolled out its SFO Gate Explorer visitor pass program in late April 2026.

All boarding areas at SFO are now connected postsecurity. That means that you can go to the gates, visit SFO's diverse restaurants and shops, relax in one of SFO's three yoga rooms and surprise friends or family when they step off their flights from the U.S., Canada or Ireland.

It also means you can do some planespotting from SFO's postsecurity outdoor terrace or leisurely explore some of the excellent and often surprising exhibitions and public art offerings the accredited SFO Museum hosts throughout the terminals.

Visit the Gate Explorer page to complete an application up to 30 days in advance of the day you want to visit. Same-day applications are also permitted. If approved, you will receive an email with a digital pass that can be used (in digital or paper form) to enter SFO at a standard (i.e., not TSA PreCheck) screening lane at any security checkpoint.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

After a pause, Orlando International Airport (MCO) brought back an expanded Experience MCO Visitor Pass program in December 2025.

Applications can be made up to seven days in advance and, if approved, you will receive a digital pass that can be used, with your ID, at a standard screening lane between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Paper copies of the pass are not accepted, and you must exit the terminals by 8 p.m. Re-entry after exiting is not allowed.

Gate pass programs on hold

Now that its new landside terminal is open, we expect Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to revive the MyPITpass program it debuted in 2017 and put on holding during the pandemic.

If you haven't evaluated your credit card portfolio lately, now is a great time to do so.

That's because we regularly update this roundup to feature top welcome bonuses from cards that made the cut for our best credit cards list. Earning new card bonuses is the fastest way to accumulate a stash of points and miles, so if you're working on building up your travel rewards balance, it's likely that one of the options below might be a good fit for you.

Since many issuers have restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus on a card, it's important to time your application for when there's a solid offer. Also, higher bonuses don't always stick around for long, so if you're considering one of these offers, you'll want to hop on it sooner rather than later.

If you're not ready to add a higher-end card, consider these great starter cards or even one with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate.

The best rewards card offers of May 2026

*The welcome offer value is determined using TPG's May 2026 valuations and is not provided by, nor reviewed by, the issuer.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

This business card stands out not only for its extremely valuable welcome offer but also for travel perks that can easily cover the card's $895 annual fee.

Cardmembers enjoy automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs (enrollment required), along with some of the best lounge access perks of any business card out there.

As far as earning rates go, cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com and 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Business Platinum.

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

American Express Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold is a fantastic card for business owners looking to maximize earnings from a single card.

It has 4 points per dollar spent earning categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas (on the top two eligible spending categories each billing cycle; capped at $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).

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

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 200,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: American Express Business Gold Card

American Express Platinum Card

Often referred to as the king of the premium travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum offers a slew of benefits for an annual fee of $895.

Cardmembers enjoy perks like automatic elite status with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy and Leaders Club from The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required), plus some of the best airport lounge access of any card for eligible cardmembers.

Cardmembers also enjoy 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent), 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

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

Find out your offer and see if you are 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.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase's premium rewards card earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points and provides an excellent suite of statement credits to elevate your travels.

Highlights of the Sapphire Reserve include airport lounge access, the card's flexible $300 annual travel credit and useful travel protections.

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

Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Capital One Venture Business

Capital One's all-new business card provides straightforward rewards and useful credits in exchange for a $95 annual fee.

The Venture Business earns:

• 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases

Plus, cardholders receive useful benefits, such as an annual $50 credit for Capital One Business Travel and a $50 experience credit on every Capital One Lifestyle Collection stay.

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

Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $7,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 75,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Business

American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold Card is a favorite of many TPG staffers, largely thanks to its terrific earning rates on dining at restaurants worldwide and groceries at U.S. supermarkets (subject to spending caps).

It earns at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
• 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked with directly with the airlines, on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked on amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

The card also offers multiple dining statement credits to help offset its relatively manageable $325 annual fee.

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

Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite credit card

Right now, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards' top card, the Atmos Summit, is providing a great offer for interested cardholders.

The Atmos Summit is the program's premium option, featuring two Alaska lounge passes each calendar quarter, free checked bags and priority boarding for you and up to six guests flying on the same reservation. It also earns an unrivaled 3 points per dollar spent on all foreign transactions.

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

Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.

Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite credit card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

One Marriott Bonvoy card is providing a standout welcome offer. If you maximize the Bonvoy Boundless' offer, you'll be able to get up to $1,700 in value, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

The Bonvoy Boundless is a strong hotel card, offering an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.

Earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn an additional free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending a total of $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card

American Express recently introduced the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card, a new business card that earns 2% cash back^ on most eligible purchases.

The card also provides a bonus category, earning 5% cash back^ on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel® Online.

That said, many business owners may struggle to justify holding this card, given its steep annual fee and limited benefits. Those who are loyal to Amex and to earning cash back will be the best fit for this card.

To learn more, read our full review of the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited.

^Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at amazon.com checkout.

Earn $1,500 cash back in the form of Reward Dollars after spending $50,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Reward Dollars can be redeemed as a statement credit and at amazon.com checkout.

Apply here: Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card

United Airlines cards

If you're a United Airlines loyalist, you have some excellent options when it comes to cobranded credit cards.

Most of United's credit cards provide high-value bonuses worth more than $1,000, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the United Business, the United Club, the United Quest and the United Explorer.

Apply here: United Business Card. Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs: 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Club Card. Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs: 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Quest Card. Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs: 90,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQPs after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Apply here: United Explorer Card. Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.

Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

For those who aren't interested in paying a premium annual fee, the AAdvantage Globe offers solid perks for a midrange $350 annual price tag.

Cardholders enjoy benefits like an up to $100 annual Splurge credit to use with select brands (exclusions apply), four Admirals Club passes each year, a Loyalty Point head start each year for elite status and their first checked bag free.

To learn more, check out our full review of the AAdvantage Globe.

For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

Bilt Palladium Card

The premium Bilt Palladium Card is an excellent choice for those all-in on Bilt. Cardholders will earn 2 points per dollar and 4% Bilt Cash** (as long as you choose to earn Bilt Cash) on everyday purchases, which guarantees a sky-high 4.4% return on everyday purchases, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

You'll also receive a $400 Bilt Travel portal hotel credit each calendar year, split into two biannual $200 statement credits.

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

**Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over to the next year.

Earn 50,000 bonus points and Gold status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval.

Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card

Bottom line

The quickest way to earn points and miles is by applying for a new credit card. If any of these offers interest you, act sooner rather than later, as several of these offers are only around for a limited time.

Remember that Chase's 5/24 rule means that it's often best to apply for Chase cards before other issuers' products. If you want some guidance on what card to go for next, here's some help on how to choose the best credit card for you.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Graphite card, click 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 found nonstop flights to Tahiti for as few as 25,000 Capital One miles each way in economy, and you can earn up to 25,000 bonus AAdvantage miles on a flight to Australia or New Zealand. Plus, there are some stellar credit card welcome offers right now that can earn you 90,000 AAdvantage miles or 100,000 TrueBlue points when you are approved and meet the spending requirements.

We help our readers each week 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 May.

Airline loyalty program promotions (May 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 May.

Save 30% on award flights to Turkey

If Turkey is in your travel plans this year, check out this deal from Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. The program is offering a 30% discount on economy award tickets between Turkey and the following U.S. hubs: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Detroit, Dallas, New York, Newark, Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco.

Since Turkish Airlines usually charges 40,000 miles each way for economy tickets between North America and Turkey, this discount brings the price down to 28,000 miles each way (plus taxes and fees).

You don't have much time to jump on this deal — book by May 22 for travel between Oct. 1 and Dec. 10.

Earn Uber credits on premium Delta Air Lines tickets

Thanks to Delta's partnership with Uber, you can earn up to $80 toward future rides (up to $40 per ride for two rides) when you fly the airline's premium economy.

You'll get a promotional code for Uber after booking and taking a domestic flight marketed and operated by Delta or a Delta connection carrier in Delta Comfort Classic or Delta Comfort Extra. Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories are excluded.

Enroll in the Promotions section of your Delta SkyMiles account, then book and fly by July 19. Your Uber credits will be valid for 60 days from the date they appear in your account or until Sept. 19, whichever comes first.

Score up to 20,000 Frontier miles this summer

Frontier's "Fly One, Get One" promotion is offering 5,000 bonus miles — enough for the carrier's cheapest one-way redemptions — for every round-trip flight you take, up to 20,000 miles total.

Register by May 31, then book and fly by Aug. 31. You must register at least 24 hours prior to departure for your flight to qualify.

Related: How to choose an airline credit card

Hotel loyalty program promotions (May 2026)

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

Double your rewards at Sonesta hotels

For a limited time, Sonesta Travel Pass members can earn double points (up to 10,000 per stay) and save up to 25% at participating properties during the hotel chain's annual sale.

Book with code SUPERSAVINGS by May 19 for stays through Sept. 30.

Earn 15,000 Wyndham points on an extended stay

If you're planning a longer stay this summer, this offer at Wyndham's extended-stay brands is for you.

You can earn 15,000 Wyndham Rewards bonus points when you stay five or more consecutive nights at WaterWalk Extended Stay by Wyndham or Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham hotels. Unfurnished suites at WaterWalk Extended Stay hotels are excluded.

Register and book by June 30, and complete your stay by Sept. 30.

Earn 8,000 Choice points on every two stays

With the latest offer from Choice Privileges, members can earn 8,000 bonus points every time they stay twice. Even better, you can take advantage of this offer up to four times for a total of 32,000 bonus points — worth $192 when redeemed for award nights, based on TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Alternatively, you can redeem those points toward gift cards at select gas stations at a discounted rate of 8,000 points per $50. This discount is available through Aug. 6; then the price will return to 8,000 points per $25.

Register and book by July 6, then complete your stays by July 7.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (May 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 you must activate these offers on your card and use the enrolled card to make the purchase in order to earn bonus rewards. Not all offers may be available on your account.

Targeted Amex Offer at Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Dreaming of sailing away on your next vacation? This Amex Offer, which we found on the American Express® Gold Card, could be incredibly rewarding.

Earn 5 additional Membership Rewards points per dollar on qualifying Regent Seven Seas purchases made at RSSC.com, through AmexTravel.com or with a Regent Seven Seas personal consultant by May 25. You can earn up to 50,000 bonus points with this offer, worth a whopping $1,000 by TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Targeted Chase Offer at Cruise America

Ready for an epic summer road trip? This offer on the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) can save you money when you rent from Cruise America, the nation's leading RV rental company.

Earn $50 cash back on your Cruise America U.S. purchase of $400 or more by May 31.

Targeted Chase Offer at Turo

If you need to rent a car for an upcoming trip, check your Chase account for this offer at the car-sharing platform Turo. We spotted it on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

Until May 31, you can earn $30 cash back after spending $150 or more on the Turo app or at turo.com.

Related: Your 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:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards members who live within 75 miles of Snapdragon Stadium can get 100 bonus points for every goal scored at home by the local professional soccer teams. Register for the San Diego FC (men's team) promotion and the San Diego Wave FC (women's team) promotion separately.
• Double your base point earnings at Homes & Hideaways, World of Hyatt's vacation rental brand, for qualifying stays completed by May 31. No registration is required for this promotion.
• Save up to 25% on select flights to and from Europe with Flying Blue's May Promo Rewards, with economy deals starting from 18,750 miles each way. Book by May 31 for travel through Oct. 31.
• With this offer, you can earn five times the usual number of Lufthansa Miles & More miles on stays at over 8,000 Wyndham Rewards properties. Sign in to your Wyndham Rewards account and change your earning preference to Miles & More miles, then book by May 31 and stay by Aug. 31.
• With National Car Rental Emerald Club's "One Two Free" promotion, you can earn one promotional free day for every two eligible rentals between April 6 and June 7. To qualify, a rental must be at least two consecutive days in the midsize or larger vehicle class. Preregister online.
• Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards bonus points when you rent a car at a participating Budget airport location in the U.S. and Canada. Earn 600 points for rentals of one to three days or 2,400 points for rentals of four days or longer. Book with coupon number "MUAY174," and complete your qualifying rental by June 30.
• Earn up to 3,000 bonus Miles & More miles when you fly the program's newest member, ITA Airways. Activate this offer, book eligible flights and travel by June 30.
• Earn 2,000 World of Hyatt bonus points per night stayed — up to 60,000 bonus points total — at Under Canvas locations and select other properties. Register for this offer by June 30, and complete your stay(s) by July 1.
• Now through July 6, IHG One Rewards members can earn triple American Airlines AAdvantage miles on IHG hotel stays. Register first and enter your AAdvantage number.
• Get 20% of your World of Hyatt points back on award stays at participating Las Vegas hotels and resorts when you register, book and stay by July 31.
• Earn double Accor Live Limitless base points on an eligible stay of two-plus nights at a participating hotel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Panama or Brazil. Activate this offer first, then book by Aug. 8 and complete your stay by Sept. 8.
• With IHG One Rewards' "Pick Your Points" offer, you can choose to receive 2,000 bonus points for every two nights you stay this summer or 8,000 bonus points for every four nights, with no earning cap. Register, then book and stay between May 20 and Aug. 31.
• From June 1 to Aug. 31, you can earn 50% more Miles & More miles and elite status qualifying points when you fly premium economy on Lufthansa or its partners. To take advantage of this promotion, simply book through the participating airline's website with your Miles & More number.
• Best Western Rewards members can earn 1,000 bonus points per eligible night (with no cap) for stays between May 11 and Sept. 7. No registration is required.
• New members of the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program can save up to $50 on their next flight simply by joining the program by Dec. 31. U.S. residents outside Alaska, California and Hawaii can register here for their discount code; residents of Alaska, California and Hawaii can register here.
• Earn 5,000 bonus Hyatt points on each stay of five-plus nights at participating Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios properties. Register, book and stay by Dec. 31.
• If you're targeted for Hilton's "Stay More, Earn More" offer, you can earn up to 15,000 bonus points in total on your next five stays. Check to see if you're targeted and register here by Dec. 31, then complete your stay(s) within six months of registration.

Targeted Amex Offers

• Get $225 back as a statement credit after you spend at least $1,500 on flight purchases made on Icelandair's website. Flights must originate in the U.S. and be purchased by May 24.
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend a minimum of $1,000 at participating Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy properties. This offer expires May 24.
• Earn a $40 statement credit after spending at least $200 at participating Caesars Rewards properties in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada, by May 24.
• Earn a one-time $50 statement credit after spending a minimum of $250 on qualifying room rate and room charge purchases at select IHG Hotels & Resorts by May 26. Eligible locations include properties in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the U.K., Japan and Germany.
• Get a $100 statement credit when you make a single Sixt car rental purchase of $500 or more on the Sixt website by May 31.
• Get $100 back after spending at least $500 on qualifying purchases of cruise reservations booked through Carnival Cruise Line (or a Carnival travel adviser) by June 2.
• Earn an additional 5 points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases of cruise reservations made online at the Oceania Cruises website, by calling 855-623-2642 or through an Oceania Cruises travel adviser by June 10.
• Get $60 back after spending $600 on one or more qualifying purchases at participating Sonesta hotels in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Book at sonesta.com by June 20.
• Earn 10% back on purchases of prepaid hotel bookings ("pay now") online at expedia.com/amex by Aug. 4, up to a maximum of $125 in total statement credits.
• Get $100 back after spending $500 or more with Omni Hotels & Resorts. Enroll by July 13 and make your purchase by Aug. 14.
• Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend a minimum of $375 at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico before July 22.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend a minimum of $1,000 on qualifying Norwegian Cruise Line purchases by June 30.
• Get $75 back as a statement credit when you spend a minimum of $300 at select Hyatt Hotels & Resorts worldwide by June 30.
• Earn 10 additional points per dollar spent on qualifying prepaid hotel bookings at Hotels.com through June 30, up to a cap of 10,000 points.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn 10% cash back, up to $32, after spending $100 or more at participating Best Western brands in the U.S. before May 24.
• Get 10% cash back on room rates and room charges at select Caesars Rewards properties in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe; you can get up to a maximum of $50 cash back. This offer ends May 31.
• Earn 8% cash back on your first two payments at Viator or Trip Advisor Experiences through May 31, up to $10 cash back total. This offer is valid only at viator.com and/or tripadvisor.com/Attractions.
• Earn 10% cash back, up to $62 maximum, on your IHG Hotels & Resorts purchase of $400 or more by June 30. A handful of properties are excluded, so check the terms before booking.

Related reading:

• The best places to visit in May
• Airfares soar 27% as fuel costs spike: See our booking tips
• How to pick the right travel credit card for you
• 9 ways to save on your next family vacation

One of the frustrations with the hotel credits that come with some premium credit cards is that the savings don't always feel truly dollar-for-dollar, since the credit card issuer's travel portal may not show the lowest available hotel rates.

In other words, even if you're using a valuable hotel credit from one of your credit cards, if you're paying a higher nightly rate through the booking portal, it can make the savings feel less meaningful.

But there may now be good news for cardholders with the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), as we recently spotted a price match feature in some Chase Travel℠ accounts.

This could allow cardholders to use Chase Travel perks and statement credits without worrying whether they're overpaying for the hotel itself just to use the card's perks and credit.

Related: How to maximize the credits on the Chase Sapphire Reserve

How does the price match guarantee work?

If you have Price Match on your Chase account and you book a prepaid hotel stay through Chase Travel and then find a lower price (greater than a $5 difference) elsewhere within 24 hours of the booking, you can submit a price match claim within that 24-hour window.

The following details must be the same:

• Property
• Dates
• Room type
• Bed type
• Number of guests
• Currency
• Same cancellation and refund rules

Price Match is not currently available on all Chase Sapphire Reserve accounts, so we reached out to Chase for additional details and learned:

"Chase Travel recently introduced Price Match Guarantee, currently in beta to Sapphire Reserve for Business, J.P. Morgan Reserve® and select Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. Cardmembers included in this pilot who find a lower rate for a prepaid hotel booked through Chase Travel, and meet the criteria, can submit a claim within 24 hours and receive a refund for the price difference."

Testing Chase Travel's new price match guarantee

To test the feature ourselves, TPG's Editor-in-Chief, Nick Ewen, had the Price Match option appear on his Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business account and found a rate $50 lower directly with Hyatt for a two-night stay at the Park Hyatt Chicago.

Since the Park Hyatt Chicago is a member of The Edit by Chase Travel, he can apply one of his two annual statement credits of up to $250 toward a qualifying stay of two nights or more.

Within hours of submitting the Chase Price Match claim, he received an email confirming the claim had been approved.

This was followed by a pending $50 credit on his card account the next day, equal to the successful claim amount.

That means he locked in the lower rate while still using his statement credit.

He'll also receive the usual perks that come with The Edit bookings, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit and more.

Bottom line

A price-matching feature may seem minor, but it could be a valuable addition for Chase Travel users.

If rolled out more broadly, it would help cardholders feel more confident that they're getting access to the best hotel pricing while still maximizing the value of their Chase Travel perks and statement credits.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

United Airlines and JetBlue have been gradually rolling out their BlueSky partnership since last year, first by allowing United MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles on JetBlue flights and JetBlue TrueBlue members to do the same on United-operated flights. Now, the partnership is expanding into a new phase focused on elite traveler benefits.

As of Thursday, eligible TrueBlue and MileagePlus members can access reciprocal loyalty perks when flying either airline. This includes priority boarding and free checked bags, among other benefits.

New reciprocal benefits

Elite members of one airline who add their frequent flyer number when traveling on the other carrier are now eligible for status perks. These include priority check-in and security access, preferred seat selection after booking, one free checked bag with priority bag handling and same-day standby options.

Reciprocal perks will also include priority boarding, though privileges vary by status tier: United Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members flying JetBlue can board in Group 1, Premier Gold members can board in Group 2, and Premier Silver members can board in Group 3. Meanwhile, JetBlue Mosaic 2, 3 and 4 members flying with United can board in Group 1, and Mosaic 1 members can board in Group 2.

Additionally, complimentary extra-legroom seating is available to flyers at check-in. This will open up JetBlue's EvenMore and United's Economy Plus extra-legroom seats to elite travelers of the other carrier.

What United MileagePlus members get on JetBlue flights

United MileagePlus members can book JetBlue-operated flights directly on United's website using cash or MileagePlus miles.

In addition to the newly expanded reciprocal perks for elite members, MileagePlus members flying on JetBlue also earn 5 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent. However, JetBlue-operated flights do not earn Premier qualifying flights or Premier qualifying points. In other words, those flights won't count toward earning or maintaining United Premier elite status.

Also, keep in mind that MileagePlus members will not earn miles on select JetBlue routes, specifically those between Newark and Cancun, Aruba, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — routes where the two carriers remain direct competitors. Mileage earning is also limited to select JetBlue fare classes.

What JetBlue TrueBlue members get on United flights

JetBlue TrueBlue members can book United-operated flights directly through JetBlue's website using cash or TrueBlue points.

In addition to the newly expanded reciprocal perks for elite members, JetBlue TrueBlue members flying United can earn 5 TrueBlue points per dollar spent, which is slightly below the standard 6 points per dollar typically earned on JetBlue-operated flights.

Unlike United MileagePlus members on JetBlue flights, JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn tiles toward Mosaic status by crediting qualifying United flights to their TrueBlue account.

Restrictions: No lounge access or first-class upgrades

Lounge access is missing from the list of reciprocal perks. At the moment, Blue Sky does not grant United Club lounge access to JetBlue flyers, nor does it allow United flyers to access JetBlue's lounge. JetBlue recently opened its first airport lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and it is set to open another at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) late this summer.

The Blue Sky partnership also does not yet offer complimentary first-class upgrades, meaning JetBlue elite members cannot leverage their status to secure a spot on the upgrade list. JetBlue does not currently offer first class, though it plans to add it to some planes by the end of the year.

Looking ahead

JetBlue and United said one future Blue Sky improvement will include the ability to easily book multi-leg itineraries across both airlines' networks. For example, a flyer could book a United flight from point A to point B and then a JetBlue flight from point B to point C, all in one single ticket.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• 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

I've said again and again during my time as a United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) cardholder that it's one of my favorite credit cards. As long as you fly with United at least a couple of times a year, it's incredibly easy to get outsize value out of its $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year).

That said, cobranded cards are generally not meant for wide audiences, and the United Explorer is no exception. If you rarely fly with United, don't transit through airports with United Clubs or consider yourself a member of the carry-on-only club, it will be difficult to justify this card's place in your wallet. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

United Explorer: The basics

The United Explorer is a step up from the no-annual-fee United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees).

It's a great pick for a first cobranded airline card, since it offers great perks without asking for a monumental annual fee in return.

Key United Explorer benefits include:

• Free first checked bag: You'll receive this perk for you and one companion when you pay with your United Explorer.
• Priority boarding: You'll be able to board in Group 2 of 6, ahead of general boarding.
• United Club passes: Each cardholder year, you'll receive two United Club passes. These passes can be used when you fly any Star Alliance airline, not just United.
• Travel and lifestyle credits
• Elite status boost via spending

With this card, you'll earn United MileagePlus miles, which can be redeemed for a wide variety of options. Two of the best include using your miles for United flights and redeeming them to cover your annual fee.

United Explorer pros and cons

United Explorer benefits

Where I see the United Explorer offering the strongest value for the widest audience is in its United-related perks. Airlines across the board have been increasing bag fees due to higher fuel costs, which means this card's free checked bag perk is more valuable than ever.

Your first checked bag costs $50 with United (or $45 if you prepay). That means you'll offset this card's annual fee as long as you check a bag with United at least three times each year.

Priority boarding may not have a monetary value, but it can be a huge help when your flight is full and there's a risk of your carry-on getting gate-checked.

I really appreciate the two United Club passes that come every cardholder year with the United Explorer. You don't need to fly with United to use one; I was able to get into a United Club while flying with Air Canada, for example.

United Club passes are $59 each, meaning that using both of them will cover a large portion of the annual fee.

If you're on your way to United elite status, the United Explorer earns 1 Premier qualifying point (PQP) for every $20 spent (up to 1,000 PQPs each year). Unlike higher-tier United cards, however, it doesn't offer a lump sum of PQPs at the start of each year. Personally, I don't view this card as being the best aid for achieving elite status.

The biggest reason I tout the Explorer as often as I do is because of how easy it is to get meaningful value from it without needing to use merchant credits that may not fit your spending habits.

Like many credit cards in this day and age, the United Explorer offers numerous statement credits to help cardholders justify its annual fee. Some of these, such as the up to $100 annual JSX credit and up to $10 monthly Instacart credit (activation required; through Dec. 31, 2027), may be too niche for most cardholders to get meaningful use out of.

The up to $60 annual ride-hailing credit (activation required) is nice, but it's broken down into small $5 monthly increments. With ride-hailing prices soaring due to high gas prices, this credit may feel more like a negligible discount than a proper credit card perk.

That said, this credit will likely be the easiest for cardholders to maximize.

How to earn and use your rewards

As mentioned earlier, the United Explorer earns United MileagePlus miles. As a cardholder, you'll earn at the following rates:

• At least 6 miles per dollar spent on basic economy fares and at least 9 miles per dollar spent on standard fares (earning rate may be higher if you have status with United)
• 3 miles per dollar spent on all other United purchases
• 2 miles per dollar spent on hotels booked directly and dining
• 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

Your miles can be redeemed for lots of options, including gift cards, statement credits through Chase Pay Yourself Back and to book experiences. These redemption options often don't provide the best value for your miles, so your best bet is to use them to book flights or to pay for your card's annual fee.

Miles can be redeemed for flights on United or with one of its partner airlines, such as Air Canada or Lufthansa.

TPG credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens recently redeemed 28,200 United miles for two nonstop, one-way economy flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Lihue Airport (LIH) in Hawaii. Flights were around $550 each, making this a great domestic redemption.

If you redeem your miles to pay for your card's annual fee, you'll receive a value of 1.5 cents per mile. That's higher than TPG's May 2026 valuation of United miles at 1.35 cents per mile.

Where the United Explorer falls short

Cobranded cards are intended for a fairly specific audience, which means they won't be right for everyone. The United Explorer may not be for you if:

• You fly with United once per year or less
• You rarely or never check a bag
• You rarely transit through an airport with a United Club
• You already have extensive lounge access through other cards
• You're chasing status with United, since this card limits your PQP earning to 1,000 PQPs each year

United fans who don't have an appetite for a higher annual fee card should be able to get a lot out of the United Explorer, but it's still important to make sure you can properly justify its $150 annual fee (after the first cardholder year).

United Explorer vs. United Quest

The $350-per-year United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees) is the next step up from the United Explorer.

It offers substantially more perks, including an annual 10,000-mile flight discount, your first two checked bags free (versus just one), and a 1,000 PQP head start each year. You'll still earn PQPs at the same rate — 1 PQP for every $20 spent — but you'll be able to earn up to 18,000 PQPs in a year (versus just 1,000 PQPs).

It's worth noting that, despite its annual fee, the United Quest doesn't offer any kind of United Club lounge access. If you already have extensive lounge access from other cards, that may not matter much to you. Otherwise, it's worth giving some thought.

I think the United Quest and United Explorer are both compelling options. In my opinion, the decision comes down to your annual fee tolerance, how much you care about lounge access and whether you want to pursue United elite status.

I'm very happy with my United Explorer, whereas Stephanie is an outspoken fan of her United Quest.

Is the United Explorer worth it?

The United Explorer is worth it for most United fans, as long as you fly more than once a year with the airline. It's very easy to recoup this card's $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year), as long as you check a bag when you fly and can make use of two visits to a United Club.

Even in years when your flights aren't taking you on board United jets, this card comes with statement credits to help justify its cost. Unless you want more extensive benefits, a better path to elite status or aren't willing to pay an annual fee, the United Explorer is worth seriously considering.

When to apply for the United Explorer

Currently, new United Explorer cardholders can earn up to 80,000 bonus miles:

• Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account opening.
• Earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months of account opening.

According to TPG's valuations, these 80,000 miles are worth $1,080. If you're able to earn all the miles, this welcome offer matches the best we've seen in the card's history. That means now is the best time to apply.

Other cards to consider if you don't want the United Explorer

If the United Explorer doesn't feel like the right fit for you, consider these other cards instead:

• If you want a no-annual-fee United card: The United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees) has no annual fee, but comes with fairly limited benefits. However, you'll still earn bonus miles on United flights and receive an inflight discount for eligible purchases. To learn more, check out our full review of the United Gateway.
• If you want unlimited United Club access: The United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) provides a basic United Club membership, with a value of at least $750 each year. If you're able to maximize this perk, that will easily justify this card's $695 annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the United Club card.
• If you want a more flexible travel card: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) offers a widely-applicable $300 travel credit every year that can be used for United flights, or virtually any other travel purchase you make. The Ultimate Rewards points you earn with this card can be transferred to any of Chase's 14 airline and hotel partners, including United. To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.

For additional options, check out our picks for the best United cards and best travel cards.

Bottom line

The United Explorer will maintain its spot in my wallet for the foreseeable future, thanks to how easy it is for me to get solid value out of it each year. It doesn't require me to juggle multiple statement credits to justify it, nor does it require me to be exclusively loyal to United.

Whether you have zero cobranded airline cards or five, I recommend you give the United Explorer proper consideration. For regular United flyers who want meaningful perks without paying for a premium airline card, the United Explorer hits a sweet spot.

Apply here: United Explorer Card

The American Express Platinum Card® is an excellent premium card that provides a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits for a high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Even with all the benefits it offers, the Amex Platinum isn't for everybody. With multiple statement credits to track, some may think it takes too much effort to maximize.

If you're debating whether to keep your Amex Platinum, consider switching to one of these seven rewards credit cards.

The best cards to replace your Amex Platinum

Each of the cards I've selected earns transferable rewards and provides its own suite of benefits, credits and perks for cardholders to enjoy.

• American Express® Gold Card: Best for foodies
• Bilt Palladium Card (see rates and fees): Best for earning points on housing expenses
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for overall simplicity
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for premium perks at a lower annual fee
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Best for easy-to-redeem benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Best for diversified statement credits
• Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Best for all-around points earning

Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

American Express Gold Card

If you want to keep earning Membership Rewards points, the Amex Gold may be the right card for you.

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

This offer is worth up to $2,000, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
• 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline, amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
• 2 points per dollar spent on cruises booked on amextravel.com
• 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Amex Gold earns Membership Rewards points (the same rewards as the Amex Platinum) and provides a solid list of perks for a lower annual fee than its premium counterpart.

The Amex Gold's statement credits could be potentially easier to maximize than the Amex Platinum's — especially if you spend more frequently on food. Standout benefits include:

• Up to $120 in Uber Cash per calendar year (up to $10 a month when you enroll with your Amex Gold and pay with any Amex card; U.S. rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders only)
• Up to $120 in dining statement credits with select merchants (up to $10 per month) per calendar year
• Up to $100 in statement credits with U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $50 in statement credits semiannually) per calendar year
• Up to $84 in monthly statement credits (up to $7 per month) per calendar year with U.S. Dunkin' locations
• Enrollment is required for select benefits

Plus, cardmembers have access to the same The Hotel Collection* benefits as those with the Amex Platinum.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.

*Eligible charges vary by property. Minimum two-night stay required.

Apply here: Amex Gold

Bilt Palladium Card

The Bilt Palladium is the premium travel card for Bilt members to earn valuable Bilt Points on everyday purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points and Bilt Gold status (through the rest of the calendar year in which it was earned and the following calendar year, excluding rent or mortgage) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Cardholders also receive $300 in Bilt Cash upon approval. Up to $100 of Bilt Cash earned rolls over each year.

According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, this offer is worth $1,100 in points. If you combine these points with the $300 in Bilt Cash, you'll receive up to $1,400 in value from the bonus.

Earning rates:

• 2 points per dollar spent on everyday spending†
• Up to 1.25 points per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments*
• 4% Bilt Cash earned on everyday spending (if you opt to earn Bilt Cash; up to $100 of Bilt Cash rolls over each year)

*In order to unlock the full 1.25 points per dollar spent, you'll need to opt in to Bilt 2.0's tier-rewards system and spend 100% of your rent in non-housing purchases.

†Tax payments do not earn points.

Annual fee: $495 (see rates and fees)

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Bilt Palladium rivals the Amex Platinum as a premium option in the Bilt ecosystem. It's an excellent card for earning Bilt points, which TPG's valuations place at a whopping 2.2 cents each.

Many of the annual benefits for cardholders are travel-oriented. A highlight is the card's up to $400 in credits for hotel bookings made through the Bilt Travel portal. This perk is split biannually each calendar year, so you'll receive $200 to use in the first six months of the year, and $200 to use in the last six months of the year.

Bilt could be a great choice for renters and homeowners, since you have the option to unlock points on your housing expenses.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bilt Palladium.

Apply here: Bilt Palladium Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If simplicity and a lower annual fee are what you're searching for, the Capital One Venture Rewards may be the choice for you.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth about $1,388, according to TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

Annual fee: $95

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Venture Rewards is an excellent travel card if you want low-frills but solid earning on everyday purchases.

While the Amex Platinum packs a punch with benefits, the Venture Rewards keeps it simple, earning valuable miles that you can use to book travel and cover eligible travel purchases.You can transfer your rewards to one of Capital One's 15-plus airline and hotel partners for maximum value.

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

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X is a worthy competitor in the luxury rewards card space thanks to its solid suite of benefits for a relatively low annual fee.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Per TPG's valuations, this offer is worth about $1,388.

Earning rates:

• 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

Annual fee: $395

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Venture X is Capital One's premium travel rewards card. It charges a much lower annual fee than the Amex Platinum in exchange for easy-to-earn rewards and select travel benefits.

The Venture X's highlight perks are its $300 annual statement credit for select travel booked through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary. These two benefits alone offset the card's $395 annual fee, since TPG's valuations deem 10,000 Capital One miles to be worth $185.

Like the Venture Rewards, the miles you earn from the Venture X can also be used to book travel and even cover eligible travel purchases, or you can transfer them to one of Capital One's 15-plus airline and hotel partners.

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

Learn more: Capital One Venture X

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

For people who want to earn Ultimate Rewards points for a modest annual fee, there's the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This is worth $1,538, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Earning rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ (excluding the $50 hotel credit)
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027)
• 5 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points)
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel not booked through Chase Travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

Annual fee: $95

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: While this card doesn't include lounge access and other premium benefits like the Amex Platinum, it does come with a number of useful travel benefits.

These perks include primary rental car insurance, a $50 annual hotel statement credit on bookings made through Chase Travel and travel and shopping purchase protections. Additionally, you'll receive a 10% points bonus on all purchases at the end of every year.

You can transfer points to Chase's 14 airline and hotel partners or use them to book travel and cover purchases through statement credits.

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

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Travelers love the Chase Sapphire Reserve because it offers a variety of benefits to cardholders.

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This offer is worth $3,075, according to TPG's valuations.

Earning rates:

• 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases (of at least $150; maximum of 50,000 points; through Dec. 31, 2027)
• 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel (including The Edit)
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

Annual fee: $795

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: The Sapphire Reserve is a direct competitor of the Amex Platinum in that it provides multiple statement credits.

With this card, you'll receive an annual $300 travel credit, up to a $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years, access to every Chase Sapphire Lounge, a Priority Pass membership, access to The Edit (Chase's luxury hotel program), primary rental car coverage and travel and shopping purchase protections.

Note that you won't earn points on travel until after the first $300 is spent on travel annually.

These points can be transferred to valuable loyalty program partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.

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

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Citi Strata Premier Card

The Citi Strata Premier is a solid points earner that comes with a modest annual fee.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

This offer is worth $1,140, per TPG's May 2026 valuations.

Earning rates:

Annual fee: $95

Why it can replace your Amex Platinum: This card is a great choice if you value earning rates more than statement credits. While it serves a different purpose than the Amex Platinum, if you want to switch up your strategy, the Strata Premier is a great choice.

This card earns ThankYou points, which can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to multiple transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage.

Plus, every year, you'll receive a $100 credit toward a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) that's booked through CitiTravel.com. This benefit alone covers the $95 annual fee.

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

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier

Bottom line

While the Amex Platinum still holds value for many cardmembers, others may feel inclined to replace the card with another on the market. Fortunately, there are several great alternatives to consider.

Each card comes with its own pros and cons, though in many cases, each offers similar (if not better) benefits as the Amex Platinum for a lower annual fee.

Regardless of where your loyalties lie, there's a card that will suit your spending habits and travel goals.

Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?

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

The very first JW Marriott-branded, all-inclusive resort is now taking reservations.

Scheduled to open this fall, the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, All-Inclusive, sits in the popular resort area of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, on the country's northwest coast.

Rather than build something new, developers Mullen Real Estate Capital opted to totally reimagine the former Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica property. The resort incorporates elements of traditional Costa Rican design as well as architecture from the Bribri and Cabécar Indigenous peoples.

There are 415 rooms at the resort, as well as a hotel-within-a-hotel property called Griffin Club, which offers more privacy, butler services, and dedicated pool and beach access.

Speaking of pools, this resort has "the largest resort poolscape in Costa Rica," measuring a whopping 44,000 square feet, according to a statement from Marriott. It also features pool cabanas, a large on-property garden, a modern fitness center, a kids club and dedicated family experiences as part of the Family by JW program.

And of course, no resort feels complete without a spa for some pampering and relaxation. Thankfully, the Spa by JW spans 16,000 square feet and offers everything from full-body treatments and massages to special kid-friendly treatments.

Food is often the main aspect people wonder about when it comes to an all-inclusive resort. The first JW all-inclusive resort will feature 11 bars and restaurants, including a classic international buffet, as well as Japanese, seafood, Italian and Costa Rican dining venues, among others. Guests can even learn to cook at the resort's culinary school, which provides interactive cooking sessions that teach visitors how to prepare local dishes and develop new kitchen skills.

And, for a bit of fun, the property will pay homage to J.W. Marriott Sr.'s original business by opening the brand's first stand-alone root beer stand.

How to book the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa, All-Inclusive

The resort will open Sept. 10., according to its website. However, Marriott's booking calendar is only showing availability starting Oct. 15 for $577 per night, based on double occupancy. Marriott Bonvoy award rates are currently unavailable.

Related:

• Marriott's new rhino-focused luxury safari lodge is now taking reservations
• These are the hotel openings TPG is most excited for in 2026
• Marriott Bonvoy: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more

As credit card annual fees continue to rise, it's important to take a critical look at your wallet to ensure you're getting the full value from your setup.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) charges $795 per year. Though that's currently the second-highest annual fee in the premium travel rewards credit card market, its cost is offset by multiple perks and statement credits.

Is it worth it? Let's review the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve and see if they provide enough value.

Welcome bonus

New applicants to the Chase Sapphire Reserve can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is worth $3,075, per TPG's May 2026 valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each. This is almost quadruple the $795 annual fee — and is the highest publicly available offer we've seen in the card's history.

However, you can only earn this bonus once in a lifetime, so you'll want to maximize the other benefits on the card to make its place in your wallet worthwhile.

Related: Chase Ultimate Rewards points: How to redeem for maximum value

Lounge access

A top perk for those who hold the Sapphire Reserve is airport lounge access for themselves and up to two guests.

This access includes eight Chase Sapphire Lounges currently open and lounges included with a Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass grants access to more than 1,700 lounges worldwide. Plus, when flying with a Star Alliance airline, you'll receive access to more than 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges.

Sapphire Reserve authorized users receive the same airport lounge access for a $195 fee each year.

If you're a frequent traveler who prefers stopping by a lounge before a flight, this card comes with access to high-quality Chase lounges and Priority Pass locations.

However, if you don't travel frequently or rarely visit lounges when you fly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is a better choice. You'll still earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but you'll pay only a $95 annual fee.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which premium travel card is right for you?

Flexible travel credit

The Sapphire Reserve provides one of the easiest travel credits to use: a $300 annual travel credit that broadly applies to multiple travel purchases.

This credit is automatically triggered by eligible purchases, including bus tickets, campgrounds, ferries, flights, hotels and parking.

The travel credit alone slashes more than a third off the Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee, effectively lowering it to $495 a year.

If you're eligible for a business card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) could also be a solid option for you. This card comes with the same annual travel credit and other benefits helpful for business owners.

Related: The 5 easiest travel credits to redeem

Useful travel benefits

Frequent travelers are the Sapphire Reserve's target audience, and the card provides multiple perks to help them offset the annual fee.

The Edit credit

Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive access to The Edit, Chase's luxury hotel booking platform.

Booking with The Edit gives access to valuable perks at various properties, including free daily breakfast for two, early check-in and late checkout (when available), and space-available room upgrades (when available).

Cardholders also receive two $250 statement credits to use with The Edit (up to $500 annually). This applies when you book eligible properties with Chase Travel℠. You must book prepaid stays of at least two nights. The credits can be used at any time, but they can't be combined.

If you fully maximize the general travel ($300) and The Edit ($500) statement credits each year, that $800 total more than offsets the $795 annual fee.

However, if you don't think you'll maximize one or both of The Edit credits or don't mind staying in midrange properties, a hotel cobranded card or mid-tier general travel rewards card would be a more affordable option. The Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees), with its $95 annual fee, could be a good choice.

Complimentary elite status

The card provides Hertz Five Star status for perks when booking a rental, such as 25% bonus points on all Hertz rentals and complimentary one-car-class upgrades (subject to availability).

Cardholders also receive complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027). This mid-tier status level includes bonus points, plus complimentary upgrades and late checkout (when available).

If you spend $75,000 or more on the Sapphire Reserve in a calendar year, you'll earn top-tier IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status, World of Hyatt Explorist status and Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status.

Other travel rewards cards, such as the American Express Platinum Card® — which gives cardmembers complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors, Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Sterling status with The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required) for a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) — provide elite status for a higher annual fee.

Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi

Dining perks

The Sapphire Reserve offers solid perks for foodies. The card covers everything from food delivery to those hard-to-get reservations. If you like to spend on food, this card could be worth the annual fee if you maximize the credits.

Biannual dining credit

Cardholders receive two $150 biannual credits (up to $300 per year) toward reservations made through Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables via OpenTable.

Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables provides access to special dining events and hard-to-get reservations at select restaurants across the U.S. The more than 25 cities where these perks are available include New York City, Philadelphia and Miami. No prepayment or payment through OpenTable is required.

DoorDash benefits

The Sapphire Reserve also provides two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo each month (totaling up to $300 per year) with DoorDash.

Additionally, cardholders receive a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership worth $120 for at least one year. (The membership must be activated by Dec. 31, 2027.)

Sapphire Preferred Card holders also receive a complimentary DashPass membership and one $10 nonrestaurant promo each month. This card charges a much lower annual fee than the Sapphire Reserve, so it could be worth considering if you'd like to pay less for similar benefits.

Related: Which purchases count as dining with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Lifestyle credits

The Sapphire Reserve also offers valuable lifestyle credits to take the sting out of the annual fee, including:

• Apple: Receive up to $288 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through June 22, 2027. (One-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase mobile app is required.)
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus: Receive up to $120 as an application fee credit every four years.
• Lyft: Receive $10 monthly in-app Lyft credits (up to $120 annually, through Sept. 30, 2027; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides).
• Peloton: Receive $10 per month for a Peloton membership (up to $120 annually, through Dec. 31, 2027; activation is required).
• StubHub and Viagogo: Receive $150 biannually (up to $300 annually) to use on event tickets through StubHub or Viagogo through Dec. 31, 2027.

When added together, these credits provide up to $948 in value, which offsets the Sapphire Reserve's $795 annual fee. However, some may find these lifestyle credits challenging to maximize. Many are split into monthly or biannual increments, which requires a high level of organization.

If you don't want to spend the extra time factoring these credits into your lifestyle, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice. It provides lounge access and luxury perks, including an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit. However, it doesn't come with a long list of statement credits to offset its much lower $395 annual fee.

Related: How to make the most of Chase Sapphire Reserve's 5 lifestyle credits

Top-notch travel and purchase protections

As a Visa Infinite card, the Sapphire Reserve offers cardholders travel and purchase protection benefits, including:

• Emergency evacuation and transportation insurance
• Emergency medical and dental benefits
• Extended warranty protection
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Primary rental car insurance
• Purchase and return protection
• Trip cancellation and delay coverage

You can access these benefits even if you pay for just a small part of the trip with your Sapphire Reserve, such as taxes and fees on a points redemption.

While everyone hopes to avoid travel hiccups, they do happen. The Sapphire Reserve's robust protections can make its annual fee worthwhile for the peace of mind they provide.

The Sapphire Reserve provides higher levels of travel insurance and purchase protection than the Chase Sapphire Preferred, its lower-fee counterpart. However, the protections are still quite similar, so it may be worth considering the $95-annual-fee card if you don't require the strongest coverage.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve carries a high $795 annual fee.

However, the card provides a long list of benefits — including lounge access, travel credits, luxury benefits, lifestyle credits, dining perks and travel protections — to help offset that.

If you maximize the perks, the math works out. If you can't keep up, a simpler option, such as the $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred, may be better.

And, if you're eligible for a business card, consider the comparable Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business or the $95-annual-fee Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) since they also earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

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

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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

If you collect transferable points such as American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is a frequent-flyer program worth considering. It's a transfer partner of most of the major transferable points programs and is one of the best ways to book Singapore Airlines' coveted first-class suites and excellent business-class cabins.

Even if Singapore isn't in your travel plans, KrisFlyer's Star Alliance and non-alliance award charts have some hidden gems to know. From booking one-way award seats to Hawaii for less than 15,000 miles to earning valuable miles with credit cards, keep reading to learn the ins and outs of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer so you can decide if KrisFlyer miles are of value to you.

Related: Is Singapore Airlines' premium economy worth it on the Airbus A350?

Earning Singapore KrisFlyer miles

There are several ways to earn KrisFlyer miles. You can earn by flying on Singapore Airlines and its Star Alliance partners, like United Airlines, Air Canada and Lufthansa. You can also transfer miles from different credit card programs, stay with hotel partners and make purchases through the KrisFlyer shopping portal.

Earn by flying with Singapore Airlines

When you fly with Singapore Airlines, you'll earn miles based on the distance flown and the fare class booked. Here's what you'll earn on tickets issued and operated by Singapore Airlines:

To calculate how many miles you'll earn on a flight, find your ticket's fare class in the email confirmation you received after booking your flight. Then, head to the Singapore Airlines miles calculator to see exactly how many points you'll earn.

For example, say you're flying Singapore Airlines' fifth-freedom flight round-trip from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in S-fare premium economy. In this case, the actual mileage flown is 7,694 miles, and the fare earns 125% miles flown. As a result, you'd earn 9,618 KrisFlyer miles. You'd earn an additional 25% bonus if you have KrisFlyer elite status when you fly.

Earn with partner flights

Singapore Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, so you can earn KrisFlyer miles when you fly with other Star Alliance members. Additionally, you can earn miles with nonalliance partners like Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic.

Each of these airlines has its own Singapore Airlines earning chart. You can view the full Singapore Airlines earnings chart for partners on the airline's website (PDF link). To calculate your earnings, find your fare class underneath your airline partner's name and multiply your flight's distance by the percentage listed. Each partner airline has its own earning chart.

Here's an example. Say you book a round-trip flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with United Airlines in G-fare economy. This round-trip itinerary clocks in at 5,131 miles and earns 25% miles flown, meaning you'd earn 1,282 miles.

Earn KrisFlyer miles with credit cards

While Singapore Airlines doesn't offer a cobranded credit card in the U.S., the airline partners with several major transferable rewards programs, including:

• American Express Membership Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; transfers are usually instant
• Capital One miles: 1:1 transfer ratio; transfers usually occur instantly
• Citi ThankYou Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; transfers usually take less than 24 hours
• Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; transfers usually occur within 48 hours
• Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 transfer ratio, plus a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred; transfers usually take less than 48 hours

One of the easiest ways to accrue KrisFlyer miles is to earn transferable points with one or more of these programs and transfer them to Singapore Airlines. We only recommend transferring credit card points and miles to KrisFlyer once you've found award space and are ready to book your ticket.

The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:

• American Express® Gold Card
• American Express Platinum Card®
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)

Earn with the KrisShop

The KrisShop portal lets you buy products directly from Singapore Airlines. When you shop through the portal, you can earn up to 4 miles per Singapore dollar spent (roughly 5 miles per U.S. dollar).

Earn with hotel partners

Singapore Airlines has partnerships with many major hotel companies, including Marriott, IHG, Hilton and Hyatt. The airline also partners with several smaller hotel groups, such as Shangri-La, Melia Hotels International and Pan Pacific. You can view a full list of partners on Singapore Airlines' website.

The partner determines how you earn miles on stays. Some hotel groups let you earn miles instead of hotel points, while others allow you to convert your hotel points to KrisFlyer miles.

Earning KrisFlyer miles with hotels can make sense in some cases, but not always. As a general rule, you'll usually get more value by earning hotel points.

The program also has a range of other "on the ground" earning partners, like car rental companies and retail partners.

Redeeming Singapore KrisFlyer miles

Redeeming your miles for flights on Singapore Airlines and its partners will deliver the greatest value.

Redeem miles for Singapore Airlines flights

Historically, Singapore Airlines has only released its long-haul business- and first-class awards to KrisFlyer members. However, you can now book long-haul Singapore Airlines business-class flights with programs like Air Canada Aeroplan.

Singapore Airlines has three redemption tiers: Saver, Advantage and Access. Saver award space is generally harder to come by, but costs the least and allows one stopover on round-trip bookings.

Advantage award space is more expensive but easier to find and includes up to two free stopovers on a round-trip ticket. For example, you could book a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Bali's Denpasar International Airport (DPS) with a stopover in Singapore (SIN). Stopovers are bookable online.

The third award type, Access, is the most expensive. These tickets let you book any seat on a Singapore Airlines flight — so finding award space isn't an issue — but they come at a high cost. Access awards are dynamically priced, so you can often expect to pay over 250,000 miles for a one-way flight from the U.S. to Singapore. You should only book these fares if you need to be on a specific flight.

You can view the Singapore Airlines award chart on the airline's website. All Singapore Airlines award space can be found and booked online, so there's usually no need to call. However, if you want to hold an award seat while transferring miles, Singapore Airlines generally charges 25 Singapore dollars (approximately $19) or 2,500 miles.

Spontaneous Escapes

Singapore Airlines publishes monthly Spontaneous Escapes, offering discounted redemption prices (typically 20%-30% off) on select routes. While not all routes are included, some long-haul routes are, so it is worth checking if your preferred route is part of this month's discounts. These fares are listed as "Promo" awards on Singapore Airlines' website.

Best Singapore Airlines redemptions from the US

Unfortunately, the airline's fabulous Airbus A380 Suites product does not currently operate to the United States.

Singapore Airlines operates ultra-long-haul, nonstop Airbus A350 flights (without a first-class cabin) from various U.S. airports to Singapore. Here are the Saver business-class award rates from each of the carrier's North American gateways:

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 112,500 miles
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 112,500 miles
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 112,500 miles
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 117,000 miles
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City: 117,000 miles

Another great way to redeem Singapore Airlines miles is on the carrier's fifth-freedom flight from JFK to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). If you find Saver award space, this option can be booked for 89,000 miles each way in business class or 106,500 miles each way in first class.

Additionally, the airline operates flights from LAX to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT). Saver rates on these flights are 114,000 miles each way in business class or 132,500 miles each way in first class.

Stopovers on Singapore Airlines award tickets

Singapore Airlines allows stopovers on its award tickets. Saver award tickets include one stopover on a round-trip ticket, while Advantage award tickets include one stopover on a one-way ticket and two on a round-trip ticket. To use the KrisFlyer stopover, Singapore Airlines must operate all flights on your itinerary.

You can add stopovers to an open-jaw ticket by booking two one-way Advantage awards. If your city pair is eligible for a stopover, you can add a stopover online.

Redeem on partner flights

You can redeem KrisFlyer miles for flights with partner airlines, including some outside of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance award chart is posted on the KrisFlyer website (PDF link). If you look at the chart, note that the rates shown are for round-trip tickets, but one-way bookings cost half the miles shown.

You can book Star Alliance awards on the KrisFlyer website. To do so, input your search on the homepage, check the "Redeem flights" box and search. On the next page, toggle the "Show flights for" selection from "Singapore Airlines" to "Star Alliance."

Best KrisFlyer bookings in the US

KrisFlyer miles offer a great way to book premium domestic tickets with United Airlines. For example, you can book premium transcontinental business-class flights for just 29,000 miles one-way, making it the best way to fly United Polaris seats from Newark to Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, award space can be tough to come by.

You can use KrisFlyer miles to fly to Hawaii, too. In many cases, KrisFlyer charges 20,500 miles for a one-way economy ticket, which is far less than United MileagePlus usually charges for the same seat. Meanwhile, business class costs 43,000 miles one-way. This can be a good way to book long-haul flights to Hawaii from cities in the Northeast.

You can also redeem KrisFlyer miles for Alaska Airlines flights. The airline offers great redemption rates on Alaska Airlines flights, but you can't book these flights with stops. Instead, you can only book nonstop Alaska Airlines flights with KrisFlyer miles.

There are still some fantastic deals on the Singapore Airlines' Alaska Airlines award chart (PDF link). You can book a one-way economy-class flight from the West Coast to Hawaii for just 13,500 KrisFlyer miles. This is one of the cheapest ways to use miles to fly to Hawaii and is worth considering if you live near an airport with Alaska nonstop service to Hawaii.

Singapore KrisFlyer elite status

Singapore Airlines offers two tiers of elite status: KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold.

These elite status tiers require 25,000 and 50,000 elite miles in 12 consecutive months, respectively. You will earn qualifying elite miles when you fly with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Juneyao Air, Star Alliance carriers, and other eligible airline partners.

Both elite status tiers earn 25% bonus miles on Singapore Airlines-operated flights in eligible fare classes, along with other benefits. Here's what KrisFlyer Elite Silver has to offer:

• Select standard seats in economy when flying Singapore Airlines
• Automatically assigned a seat at booking when flying Scoot
• Priority reservation waitlist, airport standby and boarding
• Star Alliance Silver status
• Extra and discounted baggage allowance when flying with Singapore Airlines or Scoot, depending on the itinerary

And here are the top perks of KrisFlyer Elite Gold:

• Select forward zone or standard seats in economy when flying Singapore Airlines
• Automatically assigned a seat at booking when flying Scoot
• Extra baggage allowance
• Priority check-in, boarding, security and luggage delivery
• Priority reservation waitlist and airport standby
• Star Alliance Gold status
• Lounge access when flying Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Star Alliance carriers and Star Alliance connecting partner airlines

For Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite members based in the U.S., one of the best benefits is access to United Club lounges on domestic United Airlines flights. This applies to all Star Alliance Gold members except United Premier elites, and you can use the benefit to save hundreds of dollars a year compared with buying a United Club membership outright.

KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards

KrisFlyer members earn Milestone Rewards after earning a certain number of elite miles in one calendar year. However, only elite miles earned while flying Singapore Airlines or Scoot count toward Milestone Rewards. Flights operated by partners do not qualify.

• 1,000 elite miles: 1,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles on your next flight with Scoot
• 2,500 elite miles: 20% discount voucher on Scoot
• 5,000 elite miles: KrisPay miles (equivalent to 10 Singapore dollars, about $7.50)
• 10,000 elite miles: SG$20 (about $15.50) off KrisShop promo code valid on a minimum purchase of SG$150 (about $115)
• 20,000 elite miles: 25% bonus KrisFlyer miles for a single flight segment
• 30,000 elite miles: 50% bonus KrisFlyer miles for a single flight segment
• 40,000 elite miles: 5,000 KrisFlyer miles redemption discount (award flight or upgrade)
• 60,000 elite miles: Double KrisFlyer miles (for a single flight segment)
• 75,000 elite miles: A confirmed cabin class upgrade on an eligible Singapore Airlines short-haul flight segment
• 100,000 elite miles: A confirmed upgrade from economy to premium economy for one Singapore Airlines segment (subject to availability)

Make sure to read the terms and conditions of these perks before you redeem them. Only select fare classes are eligible for certain benefits, such as upgrades.

PPS Club

Singapore Airlines' special elite status program, PPS Club, is available only to travelers who earn at least 25,000 PPS value per membership year. PPS value is earned based on your spending on Singapore Airlines, with SG$1 (about 75 cents) equaling 1 PPS value. There's also a tier above PPS Club: Solitaire PPS Club, which you can obtain after earning 50,000 PPS value in a membership year.

But there's a catch: You can only earn PPS value when you fly Singapore Airlines premium cabins (defined as business, first and Suites class), so economy and premium economy flights don't count. Additionally, airport taxes do not count toward PPS Club status — per the Singapore Airlines website, only the actual airfare and "applicable surcharges" count.

That said, you can earn up to 2,500 and 5,000 PPS Value for PPS Club and Solitaire Club, respectively, without flying. You can earn this when you use Kris+, KrisShop and Pelago.

Anything earned beyond these non-flight earning limits is saved as Reserve Value for future years. Likewise, anything earned beyond your qualification is saved as Reserve Value. For example, if you earn 27,000 PPS value and qualify for PPS Club status with the required 25,000 PPS value, the excess 2,000 PPS value can be applied to a future qualification year. Reserve Value is valid for three years.

PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members receive additional benefits, like complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi and guaranteed economy-class reservations. You can learn more about PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club benefits on Singapore Airlines' website.

Bottom line

KrisFlyer is the only way to redeem miles for Singapore Suites and is a great option for redeeming miles for transcontinental flights and flights to Hawaii on United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

If you're interested in these redemptions, you can transfer rewards from multiple programs with transferable currencies to Singapore KrisFlyer.

In the hands of the right person, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) can offer enough value to offset its $350 annual fee.

That's in large part due to its roster of benefits, including four Admirals Club passes each calendar year and an American Airlines companion certificate ($99 plus taxes and fees) that starts in your second cardholder year, after renewal.

If you're considering this mid-tier American Airlines AAdvantage card, here's what to know before you apply.

Am I eligible for the Citi / AAdvantage Globe's welcome bonus?

Currently, new AAdvantage Globe cardholders can earn a limited-time offer of 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.

According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, this bonus is worth an impressive $1,440 and matches the highest-ever bonus we've seen on this card, last offered in March.

Of course, how far you can stretch this welcome offer will vary depending on how you redeem your miles, but I frequently find domestic one-way flights for as few as several thousand miles.

While there's no way to guarantee it, you'll generally be in a stronger position for approval if you meet the following criteria:

• Have good to excellent credit
• Reside in the United States or one of its territories (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Have not received a welcome bonus for this card or a card you product-changed to the AAdvantage Globe in the past 48 months
• Have not applied for a Citi card in the past eight days or more than one Citi card in the past 65 days

Of course, Citi will take other factors into account when deciding whether to approve you. These can include how many total credit accounts you have open across all issuers, your income, other AAdvantage cards you have and how many credit accounts you've opened recently.

Unfortunately, Citi doesn't publish exactly how it weighs each aspect of your credit profile.

One important detail to keep in mind is that the 48-month countdown mentioned above begins when your welcome bonus posts to your account, not when you're approved for the card. Given that the AAdvantage Globe launched less than a year ago, if you've earned a bonus on this card, it's safe to bet you aren't currently eligible to earn another one.

If you product-changed a different Citi / AAdvantage card to the AAdvantage Globe and can't remember when your welcome bonus posted on your original card, call Citi at 888-766-2484.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

What if I'm denied?

Credit card denials are common, even among seasoned points and miles enthusiasts. Sometimes, the reason is in your control, such as having opened too many accounts recently. Other times, approval may simply come down to timing. Your income may not meet Citi's lending criteria, or your credit report may not have enough history.

Regardless of the reason, if you receive a denial for the AAdvantage Globe, call Citi's reconsideration line at 800-695-5171.

If a reason wasn't provided to you at the time of rejection, ask for it when you speak to the representative. Sometimes, you may be able to provide additional context and get the rejection overturned.

When speaking to the representative, keep these things in mind:

• Remain cordial. Getting frustrated with the representative will not encourage them to change your application status in your favor.
• Don't say that you want the card just for its welcome bonus, even if that's true. Issuers want to believe that you'll continue to use a card long after your welcome bonus posts.
• Highlight some of the card benefits that interest you, such as the AAdvantage Globe's Admirals Club lounge passes or up to $100 annual Splurge credit (exclusions apply).
• If the representative you're speaking with won't approve you, hang up and call again. You might have better luck with a different representative, but if it's still a no after a couple of tries, it may be best to wait a few months before applying again.

Bottom line

One of the best aspects of getting approved for a new credit card is the chance to earn its welcome bonus. Understanding Citi's application restrictions can help you avoid missing out on the AAdvantage Globe's welcome offer.

Keeping track of all the factors issuers consider can feel overwhelming, but hopefully this guide helps you secure approval for the AAdvantage Globe.

If you meet most of the criteria above, you'll likely be in a strong position for approval. If not, call Citi's reconsideration line and make your case. If all else fails, make any necessary adjustments to your credit situation and try again when the time's right.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Globe.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

One of the biggest surprises in award travel is that the exact same flight can cost radically different amounts of miles depending on which airline program you use to book it.

In some cases, I'm talking 7,500 miles versus 40,000-plus miles for the same seat on the same plane.

And no, it's not because someone was on a VPN booking on a Tuesday right at midnight, and someone else is getting scammed and overpaying. It's because airline alliances and partnerships let you book flights through multiple loyalty programs, each with its own pricing rules.

Here are three real-world examples that show the program you choose when booking a flight can mean the difference between spending a few thousand miles or tens of thousands more than necessary.

Flying short Delta Air Lines routes for fewer miles

Delta Air Lines uses dynamic award pricing on its own-operated flights, which means you really won't know how many Delta SkyMiles it will cost you to fly until you search.

For Delta's 6:40 p.m. nonstop from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on June 5, here's what Delta charges directly:

• 15,900 Delta SkyMiles for Main Cabin Basic Fare (13,500 miles with 15% off if you have an eligible Delta credit card)
• 19,800 Delta SkyMiles for Main Cabin Fare (16,800 miles with 15% off if you have an eligible Delta credit card)
• 44,200 Delta SkyMiles for First Class (37,500 miles with 15% off if you have an eligible Delta credit card)

That's not terrible, but you don't have to pay those prices.

The important thing to understand is that the same Delta flight can often be booked through partner programs for dramatically fewer miles.

A quick search on seats.aero shows exactly why partner bookings matter. While Delta wants more than 40,000 SkyMiles for domestic first class on this route, the exact same seat is available for 21,000 miles via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or 15,000 miles through Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France and KLM.

The reason for these wildly different prices is that partner programs often use their own award charts or pricing formulas instead of Delta's dynamic pricing system.

For example, Virgin Atlantic still uses a distance-based award chart for many Delta flights. Since ATL to MCO is under 500 miles, the route prices at just 7,500 Virgin points in economy or 21,000 points in domestic first class.

Partner availability isn't guaranteed, but this flight was indeed available through Virgin Atlantic for 7,500 points in economy or 21,000 points in domestic first class.

TPG tip: You also don't need to already have Virgin points sitting in your account to book something like this. Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, to name a few.

But Virgin Atlantic isn't even the cheapest option here.

Through Flying Blue, this same Delta flight drops to just 5,000 miles and $17.66 in economy, or 15,000 miles and $23.58 in domestic first class.

Just like with Virgin Flying Club, you can transfer credit card points to Flying Blue from virtually all major transferable points currencies.

TPG tip: If you have kids, the deal when booking flights with Flying Blue is even better, as the program gives a 25% discount on awards for kids under 12.

In this case, one adult and one child could book the flight for a combined 8,750 miles plus taxes and fees, versus the 31,800 SkyMiles Delta charges directly.

Fly JetBlue Mint business class for fewer miles

The pricing differences can get even more dramatic on premium international flights.

JetBlue now has a host of flights from Boston and New York to Europe — and they have swanky Mint business class options on these flights.

The problem?

Sometimes, JetBlue charges a whole lot of JetBlue points for those bougie seats across the Atlantic. In the example below from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) this summer, it'll cost 298,000 JetBlue points and $5.60 for the lie-flat Mint seat.

But that exact same Mint seat can be booked through partner programs for a fraction of the cost.

Instead of nearly 300,000 JetBlue points, the same seat was available for:

• 78,000 Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios
• 80,000 Etihad Guest miles
• 115,000 United MileagePlus miles

As with the other airline currencies previously mentioned, it is very easy to transfer points to Avios from major credit card programs. Qatar Avios are also relatively easy to get because they can be transferred between various Avios programs, such as British Airways, Iberia and Qatar at a 1:1 ratio.

TPG tip: Transfer bonuses from credit cards to Avios often happen a few times a year, so be on the lookout for a chance to spend even fewer points.

In this case, booking through Qatar reduced the cost of the same seat by roughly 220,000 points.

Or if you wanted to use Etihad miles (which are also transferable from multiple credit card programs), the same JetBlue Mint seat is available for 80,000 miles.

TPG tip: American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Etihad Guest are currently scheduled to end in June 2026.

At these award rates, the inflight JetBlue Mint dessert might taste even sweeter.

Fly American Airlines for fewer miles via Atmos Rewards

OK, last for now, but certainly not least, is the phenomenon that is using Atmos Rewards for American Airlines-operated flights.

Atmos Rewards is Alaska Airlines' newer award-booking program, and it has quietly become one of the most interesting ways to book some American Airlines flights for fewer miles.

There are plenty of examples where Atmos prices American Airlines flights significantly lower than American's own AAdvantage program.

For a nonstop American Airlines flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Vail's Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) on Jan. 22 to go skiing, the mid-afternoon flight is bookable for a respectable total of 12,000 American miles and $5.60 one-way in economy, or 36,500 miles and $5.60 in domestic first class.

But the very same American Airlines flights are bookable for just 4,500 Atmos Rewards points and $19 in economy or 9,000 Atmos Rewards points and $19 in first class.

Paying 9,000 points instead of 36,500 miles for the exact same first-class seat is the kind of pricing gap that makes partner bookings so valuable. Like other partner programs, Atmos sometimes uses a completely different pricing structure than the airline actually operating the flight.

I should mention that Atmos Rewards points are somewhat harder to earn than currencies like Avios or Flying Blue miles, but Bilt members can transfer points directly to the Atmos program at a 1:1 ratio.

You can also earn Atmos Rewards with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card.

Bottom line

The airline operating your flight is not always the best place to book it with miles.

When we encourage you to pay attention to airline partners and international loyalty programs, it's not because we want you spending your free time earning a Points PhD.

But having a basic understanding of how partner bookings work can save you a massive number of miles over time. The good news is that tools have made this process dramatically easier than it used to be, searching partner by partner.

Seats.aero is one of my go-to tools when I know I want to use miles, while Points Path is especially helpful if you're deciding between paying cash or redeeming points, because it can surface multiple booking options side by side right on top of Google Flights results.

TPG readers can get an exclusive offer for 15% off the first year of an annual Points Path Pro membership. Go to pointspath.com/pricing and choose the annual Pro plan, then use TPG15 as the promotional code on the checkout page. Valid for first-time paid subscribers only.

Having flexibility is also why transferable credit card points are so valuable. If your points are locked into a single airline program, you can't take advantage of sweet spots like the ones above. Flexible point currencies let you transfer to whichever partner offers the best deal.

For example, the current highest-ever offer of 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 in the first three months on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) can transfer to many of the programs mentioned, including Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, British Airways Club and Air Canada Aeroplan.

With a flexible stash of transferable points and a quick comparison across partner programs, you may be able to book the exact same seat for a fraction of the miles another traveler pays.

I'm a dork. I love skyscrapers. I love luxury hotels. If you were designing a hotel just for me, you'd put it on the top floors of one of the world's tallest buildings. Preferably in an underrated destination.

That's why the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur seemed tailor-made for me. The hotel occupies the highest levels of the world's current second-tallest building, Merdeka 118.

And while some travelers skip KL for Asia's more bustling or beachy destinations, the Malaysian capital has plenty to keep me occupied, whether I'm sampling the famous charcoal-grilled chicken wings at Wong Ah Wah on Jalan Alor, bargaining for batik in the historic Central Market or perusing the handcrafted wares at the boutiques of the GMBB creative hub.

With those attractions in mind, I finally found time to visit the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, which opened in August 2025, and it did not disappoint. Here's what staying at one of the world's highest hotels is like and why you might want to redeem some of your Hyatt points there if you get the chance.

The vibe

No matter where you are in Kuala Lumpur these days, you can spot the faceted facade of Merdeka 118 from one vantage point or another.

Little wonder, since the skyscraper stands an astounding 118 stories high and its diamond-like silhouette was designed to resemble the salute of Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, as he proclaimed independence from Great Britain in 1957.

Inside, a grand atrium welcomes guests, who swan up an escalator then transition to a bank of elevators that whisks them up to the 75th-floor lobby in a minute flat (not too fast, or your ears would pop).

Although it's high in the sky, the light-filled space was inspired by Malaysia's traditional kampung stilt house with vast windows and wooden slatwork to filter the tropical sunlight, plus patterned accents inspired by Malaysia's traditional batik patterns and songket woven textiles.

You might see a mix of business travelers convening on important matters, or well-to-do families celebrating special events, but there are always staff members on hand to cheerfully direct (or accompany) you to a restaurant, your room, or the spa, depending on your schedule. You don't even need to ask.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur location

The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is located in the Merdeka 118 development, toward the city center's southwest, but within walking distance to the historic Merdeka Square and Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.

You can walk to various public transport options, but taxis are inexpensive, so most guests tend to call those or use the ride-hailing service Grab for adventures around town. A Grab to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) takes around 45 minutes and costs around $25-$30.

Standout features

• Spacious rooms with incredible city views.
• A gorgeous 99th-floor wellness suite with a luxury spa and a huge infinity-edge pool.
• Top-notch restaurants with interesting menus from breakfast to dinner.

Drawbacks

• The surrounding area doesn't have much going on.
• Some design touches are head-scratchers, but likely due to the architecture.
• A preponderance of room categories makes it hard to tell what you're paying for.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur rooms and suites

The hotel has just 252 rooms and suites total. Although I'm just a lowly Discoverist elite with World of Hyatt, I was upgraded from the regular King room I'd booked to a King Bed Corner room that would have cost around $160 more per night, and that was around 100 square feet more spacious.

My room was located at the end of the corridor on the 102nd floor with uninterrupted views facing to the west. The layout was … unique thanks to the building's angular architecture.

Just inside the entrance was a large minibar with a gorgeous, patterned gold screen inspired by batik fabrics, plus a huge walk-in closet. To the other side of the entry hallway was a water closet with the toilet and a small sink.

The bedroom was separated from the entry by a low counter and included a breakfast table under a wall-mounted television, a crisply made king-size bed with a textured, tatami-like accent wall and a plushly cushioned window seat, inspired by the traditional sofas and verandas in Malaysian homes, which ran the length of the panoramic windows.

The main part of the bathroom was opposite the bed, behind shutterlike wooden panels and was tiled in a handsome gray limestone, while the enormous glassed-in shower had a wall of brass tiles interlocked in a basket-weave pattern, with Le Labo Bergamote 22 products on hand.

The soaking tub, meanwhile, was in an alcove unto itself next to the windows with a glossy and dramatic deep-veined white marble wall. Perfect for a contemplative sunset soak.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur restaurants and bars

The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur's dining and drinking establishments are all on the 75th floor where the main reception area is also located.

Taking up about half the floor, the hotel's main all-day dining restaurant is the Park Lounge, which encompasses several dining areas plus live cooking stations and a bakery counter.

At breakfast, guests can help themselves to a buffet of items including fresh fruit, pastries and congee, though they are also invited to order as many little a la carte dishes as they like, including Western dishes like eggs Florentine, Malay specialties like roti jala crepes with curried chicken, Chinese options like dim sum and assorted Indian plates. Although I had not booked breakfast as part of my rate, it was still included with my stay and there was no bill for me to sign.

I dropped by the Park Lounge for lunch one day as well, and enjoyed a refreshing Yuzu Blossom Spritz with yuzu and lemon juice, Perrier and flower syrup ($11) along with a hearty portion of nasi goreng crab fried rice with just the right amount of chili and tangy sambal hitam for a hit of spice plus trout roe for a touch of brine ($21).

On my way out, I also spied some well-dressed ladies enjoying afternoon tea, with a selection of dainty pastries served from a cart and an assortment of teas from around the world. If I'd had another quiet day to spend at the hotel, I definitely would have found time to indulge (starting at $55 per person).

On the other side of the 75th floor, Cacao Mixology & Chocolate is a whiskey- and chocolate-themed cocktail lounge. And yes, I thought it sounded gimmicky, too. Until, that is, I tasted the Cacao Nut Highball with Ford's gin, house pandan-coconut soda, a smoky hint of hinoki bitters and Kelantan 70% cacao bitters ($19). It was slightly sweet, but also earthy and bright … really well-balanced, in short.

And the friendly servers even invited me over to the chocolate counter to taste morsels of chocolate specially sourced from around Malaysia that they chiseled off of giant chunks to see which I preferred as a pairing.

The hotel's fine-dining destination, Merdeka Grill, was unfortunately closed for some renovations and updates during my visit (odd since the hotel is so new). Overseen by chef Stig Drageide with sweets from pastry chef Holger Deh (whose handiwork is also evident on Cacao's cocktail list), it's normally open for lunch and dinner. The menu is that of a contemporary chophouse, with seasonal starters and sides, carefully sourced cuts of meat and sustainable seafood.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur amenities and service

Plan to spend an entire day on the hotel's 99th floor if a visit is in your future. That's where you'll find all the wellness amenities.

The health club is equipped with the latest selection of LifeFitness cardio and weight equipment.

But saunter down the moodily lit hallway, whose arches are reminiscent of traditional Malaysian shophouses, and spend a spell in the locker rooms, which have Himalayan pink salt saunas and hydrotherapy pools with unparalleled vistas over the city.

The dramatic 30-meter (98-foot) infinity pool is also a peaceful place to while away an hour (or get some laps in).

It's well worth considering a spa splurge, too, since the treatments are performed with high-end Omorovicza and Ground products. They include circadian-inspired offerings like massages designed to combat jet lag and promote deep sleep, but I couldn't resist a 90-minute herbal compress massage inspired by ancient Thai and Malay techniques that aids in recovery and circulation and that was positively heavenly (90 minutes; $175).

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur accessibility

The Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has a handful of rooms with wheelchair-accessible features such as wider doorways and lowered counters, visual indicators for hearing-impaired guests and closed-captioning decoders for televisions.

The hotel's public entrances and areas are accessible via elevator and no-step pathways and entrances. However, to access some facilities like the spa locker rooms and pool, guests might need help with large, heavy doors.

Guests with specific accessibility requirements are advised to contact the hotel directly to ensure that its spaces and accommodations meet their needs.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur booking details

Rates at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur start at $324 per night. The hotel is in World of Hyatt Category 5, so award rates currently range from 17,000-23,000 points per night, though that will likely change to 15,000-35,000 points per night once Hyatt's award chart changes go into effect.

To make the most of your stay, consider the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees), both of which offer lucrative welcome bonuses, automatic elite status and elevated earning rates at Hyatt properties.

Alternatively, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) directly to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, which may put an award stay within reach.

Checking out

Although Kuala Lumpur tends to be just a quick stopover for folks heading elsewhere in Asia, if the city is on your itinerary, consider spending a few nights at the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Not only are the sweeping views from its soaring lobby and rooms simply stunning, but the hotel's various amenities make it well worth a visit.

Hopefully, once the adjacent mall and other businesses open, the hotel and its surrounding district will be a bit more lively, though as it is, you can easily get to the city's top sights via quick and cheap taxis and public transport.

Related reading:

• Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards
• 22 best Hyatt hotels in the world to book with points