Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Hilton returned its calendar year requirements for top-tier Diamond status to 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points in 2023.
If you fell short of meeting these requirements but currently hold Hilton Diamond status, your status likely expires on March 31, 2024. However, some Hilton Honors Diamond members with status expiring by March 31 may be eligible for a Hilton Diamond status extension before their status expires. Here’s what you should know.
What is the Hilton Diamond status extension?
The Hilton Diamond status extension is designed to let loyal Hilton Honors Diamond members extend their status by a year once per lifetime. You don’t have to tell Hilton Honors why you didn’t requalify for Diamond status in 2023, but you do need to be a Diamond member whose status expires by March 31 and who meets one of the following requirements:
Held Hilton Diamond status for at least three years (years do not have to be consecutive, but years in which you used a status match to achieve Diamond status don’t count)
Stayed at least 250 nights with Hilton (both paid and award nights count) or earned at least 500,000 base points since joining Hilton Honors (base points earned via bonuses, promotions and cobranded credit cards don’t count)
Beach villa at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
You can only use a Hilton Diamond status extension once in a lifetime. You won’t be eligible if you’ve used this benefit before, and once you use the Hilton Diamond status extension, you won’t be able to use it again. Visit the Hilton Diamond status extension landing page for more information and to request your extension if you are eligible and decide this is the year to use this once-in-a-lifetime benefit.
To earn Hilton Diamond status in 2024, you’ll need 60 nights, 30 stays or 120,000 base points during this calendar year. Luckily, there are a few ways to qualify for Hilton Diamond status without meeting the typical requirements.
The easiest way is by having the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which provides complimentary Hilton Diamond status as a cardmember perk (enrollment required) for as long as you have the card. The card carries a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers various benefits, including 14 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts, up to $200 in Hilton resort statement credits semiannually and a Hilton Honors free night reward in your first year of card membership and every year upon card renewal. (Terms apply.)
The information for the Hilton Aspire 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.
If the annual fee of the Hilton Aspire is too much for you, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card also provides a pathway to earn Hilton Diamond status. The Hilton Surpass Card has a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers complimentary Gold status as a cardmember perk (enrollment required) and the ability to spend to earn Diamond status. Specifically, you’ll upgrade to Hilton Diamond status if you put at least $40,000 of eligible purchases on your card during a calendar year. You’ll keep Diamond status for the year you spent at least $40,000 on your card and the subsequent year. (Terms apply).
Finally, you could earn lifetime Hilton Diamond status, but doing so requires having Hilton Diamond status for at least 10 years and either staying with Hilton at least 1,000 nights or earning at least 2 million base points.
Travelers may want to extend their status after not qualifying for Hilton’s Diamond tier for many reasons, including health issues, family factors and job loss. So, it’s great that the Hilton Diamond status extension lets some loyal top-tier elite members retain their status despite having a year with fewer Hilton stays, nights or base points.
However, I wouldn’t recommend most U.S.-based members who are eligible for a Hilton credit card use their once-in-a-lifetime Hilton Diamond status extension. Instead, I’d suggest getting the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and saving the extension for the future. After all, you may not be able to earn Hilton Diamond status via a credit card forever.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
It’s been almost five years since the world learned that a fourth theme park would be coming to Universal Orlando Resort called Universal Epic Universe. Aside from a March 2021 update that construction on Epic Universe would resume after it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Universal has been tight-lipped about what many believe will be one of the most immersive and exciting theme parks ever built.
On Jan. 30, Universal finally gave fans a peek inside the gates of Epic Universe. It revealed the park’s five lands and all the magic they will hold, with the bulk of the announcement surrounding a land called Celestial Park. Opening in 2025, Epic Universe will also feature three hotels and an entertainment center with restaurants and shops.
Here’s everything we know so far about this epic new theme park.
Epic Universe lands and rides
Epic Universe will be home to five worlds “filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond [guests’] wildest imaginations,” according to a press release. Inside those lands, the Epic Universe will feature more than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that come together to create an “epic” theme park experience.
Celestial Park
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Celestial Park will be the first world guests encounter as they enter the park. This astronomical-themed area will have ample green spaces and fountains for guests who want to relax as well as day-to-night entertainment. Such entertainment includes mystical fountain shows and three attractions ranging from family-friendly to faster-than-fast.
Starfall Racers is being touted as Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster. This dual-launch coaster can reach speeds of up to 62 mph and heights of up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. Guests who prefer to go at a slower pace can hop aboard the Constellation Carousel, a constellation-themed ride with vehicles that gently glide back and forth and make 360-degree rotations.
Celestial Park will also have an interactive water play area called Astronomica and multiple dining outlets. Options include Atlantic, a full-service “surf and turf” restaurant set inside a large Victorian-style aquarium and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant serving Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare. At the Oak & Star Tavern, guests can find barbecue and Pizza Moon serving, as you may have guessed, pizza.
You’ll also be able to shop for merchandise — including snacks and desserts from Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets and items themed to the park’s other lands — at shops like the Nintendo Super Star Store.
Celestial Park will also serve as a gateway between the park’s other four worlds, which guests will enter through majestic themed portals.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
When Universal set out to build a fourth park, they searched for ways to bring more “Harry Potter” stories to life. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic will highlight the wizarding era of the 1920s featured in the “Fantastic Beasts” films.
You can expect to see iconic destinations from the films, including Paris and the British Ministry of Magic. Universal hasn’t revealed any other details besides that the land will feature one ride.
Super Nintendo World
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Super Nintendo World will take guests inside the adventures of favorite characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong … as well as not-so-favorite characters like Bowser. Guests will enter the land through a green warp pipe. Inside, Universal has revealed there will be a Mario Kart ride similar to the one built for Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywood, but there are rumored to also be rides themed to Donkey Kong and Yoshi.
How to Train Your Dragon — The Isle of Berk
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Similar to the “How to Train Your Dragon” films, this land will allow guests to soar through the sky with dragons in a world filled with Viking adventures. Universal will release more details on this land at a later date.
Dark Universe
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Universal’s annual Halloween Horror Nights is more popular every year, running last year for a record-breaking 48 nights. Now, guests won’t have to wait for fall to get their fill of all things spooky. Dark Universe will be a land where Universal’s classic monsters are reimagined with the mysterious Dr. Victoria Frankenstein at the helm.
Epic Universe hotels
Universal Terra Luna Resort. UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Late last year, we got a look at two of the three hotels coming to Universal Epic Universe. Adjacent to the new park, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each have 750 guest rooms, outdoor pools and quick-service dining options similar to Universal’s other Prime Value category hotels like Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel. UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Now, Universal has released information and artwork on a third hotel called Universal Helios Grand Hotel. This hotel will actually be inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park and will have its own dedicated entrance into the park. Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have 500 guest rooms and “one-of-a-kind” views “designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite,” according to a Universal press release.
Epic Universe map
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
If you want to get an idea of the park’s layout, Universal also released a map of Epic Universe with each land labeled accordingly. As you can see, Celestial Park is at the main entrance to the park, with Universal Helios Grand Hotel at the back of the land. From Celestial Park, you can enter portals to the other four lands.
When does Epic Universe open?
Epic Universe is scheduled to open in 2025.
Where is Epic Universe?
UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE
Epic Universe will be on a 750-acre tract of land near Universal’s current parks. Epic Universe will be about 3 miles down the road from the rest of Universal Orlando. The resort will provide complimentary shuttle service between Epic Universe (and its hotels) and the rest of Universal Orlando Resort.
Bottom line
It’s hard to describe Universal Epic Universe without saying it will be … epic. While many theme parks, including Universal, have immersive lands and attractions, we have yet to see a theme park of this scale with this groundbreaking level of detail and immersion.
Universal Epic Universe will cement Universal Orlando as a weeklong theme park vacation destination. From the resort’s recent additions like Minion Land and the upcoming Dreamworks-themed land to the new experiences coming to Epic Universe, Universal Orlando will truly have something for everyone.
Air Canada’s loyalty program, Aeroplan, is a favorite among award travelers, and for good reason. It’s easy to earn Aeroplan points, and the redemption rates are great, with plenty of sweet spots.
Unlike some major U.S. loyalty programs, Aeroplan’s award chart hasn’t disappeared completely, and the long list of airline redemption partners is impressive (and has continued to grow). Plus, Aeroplan is a highly valuable awards program since the airline is part of Star Alliance. Therefore, we’ve rounded up the best ways to use Air Canada Aeroplan points for maximum value.
How to redeem Aeroplan points
BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can redeem Aeroplan points for flights to more than 1,300 destinations on more than 50 airline partners worldwide. Partners include Star Alliance carriers and some non-alliance partners like Azul Brazilian Airlines, Bamboo Airways and Etihad Airways. Plus, you can mix and match partners as you see fit, which can be useful if award availability is hard to come by.
Aeroplan’s award chart is valuable for short-haul economy flights or international premium-cabin seats, particularly on partner airlines.
Air Canada’s flights have variable pricing to make every one of its seats available for award booking. Partner awards have a fixed price based on a chart, and seats may be limited.
The Aeroplan program uses a hybrid award chart, factoring in the distance you fly and the departure and arrival regions.
Flights within North America
The chart below shows the one-way award costs for Aeroplan awards within North America, with round-trip awards available for double the cost.
AIRCANADA.COM
The best sweet spot here is for the short-haul economy flights less than 500 miles on United Airlines and Air Canada, which cost as little as 6,000 points. TPG values Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each, so 6,000 points are worth $90. Routes under 500 miles include most flights within the Northeast of the United States and to and from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).
Short-haul flights, such as one-way flights from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Washington’s Dulles International Airport (IAD), can be incredibly expensive. You can book these awards for 6,000 to 10,000 Aeroplan points.
Longer economy flights within North America generally price out between 10,000 and 12,500 points each way, around the industry average. The exception is flights over 2,751 miles, such as from the East Coast to Hawaii, which range between 17,500 and 25,000 points. The benefit of using Aeroplan is the flexible transfer options you have for earning points in the first place.
Aeroplan shines with award rates for long-haul travel — even more so now that Aeroplan has eliminated fuel surcharges. In the past, you could have paid close to $1,000 each way in fees for a premium-cabin award from the U.S. to Europe, eating away at the value of your “free” award, but that isn’t the case anymore.
Generally, when traveling from the continental U.S. to Europe on one of Air Canada’s partners, you’ll pay 35,000 to 40,000 points for economy, 60,000 to 70,000 points for business and 90,000 to 100,000 points for first class. To give you a better idea, a flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is roughly 3,900 miles, putting it in the first pricing band. Meanwhile, a flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Frankfurt is about 5,800 miles, which falls in the second band.
AIRCANADA.COM
This means you can book business class from the East Coast of the United States to most of Western Europe for just 60,000 points (or just 70,000 points from the West Coast).
You can also get great deals heading west. Partner awards between North America and the Pacific cost 35,000 to 75,000 points in economy, 55,000 to 105,000 in business and 90,000 to 140,000 in first class, depending on the distance.
Take, for instance, a flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) operated by All Nippon Airways. This route is just under 5,000 miles in distance; therefore, a business-class ticket would cost 55,000 points. Cash fares are usually upward of $3,000 each way, yielding a value of over 5 cents per point, which is phenomenal.
Aeroplan is one of the best loyalty programs for families. Aside from the family points pooling feature, Aeroplan charges some of the lowest fees for traveling with a lap infant. Infant awards are free for travel wholly within Canada and between Canada and the United States and cost just 25 Canadian dollars ($19) or 2,500 Aeroplan points for all other itineraries.
You can also add stopovers for just 5,000 points each. You can add one stopover for each one-way trip and two for each round-trip itinerary. Just note that flights within North America aren’t eligible for stopovers.
Another great thing about Aeroplan is that it offers an incredibly reliable search engine for Star Alliance award availability. Aeroplan also highlights mixed-cabin itineraries, so there’s no confusion about what class of service you’re booking. Additionally, Aeroplan’s booking engine was designed to minimize phantom award availability — a fairly common problem in the past.
How to earn Aeroplan points
YANA ISKAYEVA/GETTY IMAGES
The easiest way to earn a lot of Air Canada Aeroplan points is with the right credit card.
New Aeroplan® Credit Card applicants can currently earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening.
TPG values Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each, making this sign-up bonus worth $900.
Despite such a valuable welcome bonus, the Chase Aeroplan card has an annual fee of just $95.
With triple points in multiple categories, monthly bonus points, statement credits, Aeroplan elite status and discounted award pricing, this is an incredibly valuable card, especially if you ever fly Air Canada.
Aeroplan transfer partners
You can also transfer the following credit card rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 transfer ratio:
Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program offers solid redemption rates, flexible stopovers and no fuel surcharges. This means you can get some excellent deals on award tickets. It also partners with many of the largest transferable-points programs, so you may be sitting on various rewards that can ultimately become Aeroplan points.
Don’t forget the valuable Aeroplan credit card that offers plenty of benefits, especially if you fly with Air Canada.
As major programs switch to fully dynamic pricing with eye-watering redemption rates, Air Canada’s Aeroplan program remains an underrated and valuable option for your next points redemption.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Onboard cruise ship shops can be useful, but they’re generally overpriced.
They carry items you might have left at home and find that you need. Even the best packer has their suitcase lost by an airline occasionally.
They sell dresses and fancy shirts for the people who show up and then realize that formal nights really do require, you know, formal attire. Also, they’re the only place to purchase cruise line logo items if you wish to proclaim your love of your favorite line to the world.
If you need something, go ahead and buy it. However, cruise ship shops can be dangerous to your wallet — especially after a couple of gloomy rainy days at sea when some shopaholics will buy just about anything to get a hit of that “only on vacation” feeling.
Ships also tempt travelers with other ways to part with their cash, from pricey spa treatments to fine art sales.
In port, there are other pitfalls to avoid — products that won’t make it past your local customs officer, those that are hard to transport home and inexpensive (read: poorly made) tchotchkes that are likely to break before you even put the key in your front door.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Here’s our advice on what to avoid when the shopping bug bites on your next cruise vacation. Pay attention if you have a hard time keeping your wallet in your pocket when you’re traveling. You know who you are.
What not to buy on board
A cruise ship spa’s thermal suite. ANTHONY WELLER/VIEW PICTURES/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES
Art
Are you a world-renowned connoisseur of art from different time periods with an encyclopedic knowledge of minor artists and their lesser-known works? We didn’t think so.
Unless you want to spend hours frantically searching online for the value of an artwork, stay away from those onboard art auctions — no matter how bad the weather gets or how crowded the pool deck becomes on sea days.
Basic hygiene products are available in the ship’s gift shop for the desperate — and they’re often priced accordingly. If you’re heading into port in the morning and you can wait and buy the product at a regular drugstore, you’ll get a much better deal.
Also, curating a collection of toothpaste, shampoo, nail files and sunscreens from around the world will jazz up your medicine cabinet when you return home and serve as constant reminders of your international adventures.
Another option: Consider buying travel sizes that can be refilled and live in your suitcase’s toiletry bag permanently to prevent future mishaps.
Spa treatment room on Celebrity Edge. MICHEL VERDURE/CELEBRITY CRUISES
Some cruise lines offer “medi-spa” treatments, such as Restylane injections, but do read the fine print to learn about the required training. You may be surprised to hear that the “medi” terminology is a bit misleading, and most ships are not sailing with doctors who perform these treatments. Also, sometimes you need multiple visits to experience the desired effects.
You also don’t want to sign up for any treatments that might leave you in pain or impact the food or alcohol you can consume or how much sun you can handle on your vacation. If you’re tempted, read all the fine print and ask about post-treatment care.
Regardless of which ship you sail, also avoid spa treatments with claims that wouldn’t be medically sanctioned back home, such as Ionithermie, which says it helps you lose weight. (Spoiler alert: We tried it. It doesn’t work.)
Manicure and pedicures
These salon services are often surprisingly marked up. Also, it takes just one bump from a wave to result in an imperfect finish. Our opinion? Take the time to get your polish done at home or look for a well-reviewed spot in port, but skip the onboard nail salon.
Room service on a cruise ship balcony. KIRK FISHER/GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
One of the perks that used to put cruise ships ahead of hotels was free room service, but those days are gone.
With most cruise lines now charging fees for all but continental breakfast, room service doesn’t quite hold the allure it once did — particularly when food is so readily available just about everywhere throughout the ship.
Our advice: Unless it’s late at night and everything else is closed, you’re feeling ill or you’re traveling with kids who will have a meltdown if you force them to venture to one of the onboard eateries, skip the room service if it’s not free.
Precious gems and “inch of gold” jewelry
If you’re not already an expert in evaluating gemstones, a cruise is not the best time to make a big-ticket jewelry purchase.
When dropping thousands of dollars, you want to ensure you’re getting the quality you expect. Your mind is elsewhere on a cruise — from the pool and the hot tub to the cocktail lounge or what’s on tonight’s menu.
After all, who wants to spend a sunny afternoon indoors researching gemstone cuts and carats?
Also, avoid the “inch of gold” sales, no matter how low the prices are. Trust us: None of it looks nice, and it’s not the real thing.
What not to buy in port
A souvenir market near the cruise terminal. P A THOMPSON/GETTY IMAGES
Souvenirs from the port terminal
From cheap hammocks in Mexico to inexpensive fans in Spain, the souvenirs you’ll find in trinket-filled shops are designed for the quick grab-and-go.
You went on a shore excursion and didn’t leave time to shop for your nephew? Pick up something at the terminal. The problem is that the quality there is generally low.
If you can, wander into town for a little while to pick up something marketed to locals rather than tourists. Look for souvenirs made by local artisans or produced locally.
Liquor
The most well-known mega-ship cruise lines will confiscate port-side liquor purchases and return them to you at disembarkation. (Luxury lines will let you bring alcohol on board.)
Still, buying liquor to bring home comes with risks and annoyances unless you are cruising right into your homeport. (You weren’t planning on filling your checked luggage with Tahitian vanilla rum, were you?)
That said, if you’re on a river cruise in France that goes through your favorite wine region, we understand if you make an effort to secure your favorite bottles to enjoy back home.
Trying to sneak culinary specialties such as jamon Iberico from Barcelona and raw-milk Comte from France through U.S. customs isn’t worth the stress — especially when being caught with it could put your Global Entry in jeopardy.
Our advice? Eat your fill at restaurants while on vacation — or as a picnic on your cabin’s balcony — and stick to non-controversial edible souvenirs, such as chocolate.
Fresh fruit and plants
Customs also won’t allow you to bring fresh fruit into the country. In some disembarkation ports, you’ll find bins with signs that threaten fines if you don’t dump any fresh fruit you might have tucked away in your luggage.
Yes, the bananas, mangoes, pineapples and coconuts in the Caribbean may be ripe and sweet, but the fines are rich, too.
Look for frozen drinks made from fresh fruit, rather than powders or syrups, when you’re in port so you can get your fill of the real thing before returning home.
Unfortunately, live plants are also banned, which means you won’t even be able to bring them back on board your ship with you. In other words, just say no to those woven palm hats the locals keep trying to convince you to buy.
Startup BermudAir is adding two new U.S. dots to its map. The airline has unveiled new flights between its namesake island and Baltimore and Orlando starting in March.
BermudAir will serve both cities three-times per week with flights from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) beginning March 18. Flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) begin a week later on March 26.
The carrier flies two Embraer E175 jets with 66 seats, including 14 business and 52 economy seats. Introductory fares start at $99 one-way to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), and $199 one-way from BDA with tickets already on sale.
With the additions, BermudAir will serve Bermuda from five destinations, all in the U.S. They include Baltimore, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Westchester County (north of New York City).
BWI and MCO complement BermudAir’s existing destinations by adding another key gateway in the “crucial” Northeast Corridor and increasing connectivity to Florida, airline CEO and founder Adam Scott told TPG.
The startup began flying in August to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Westchester County Airport (HPN). Flights at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) took off a month later.
BermudAir initially touted an all-business class model where it initially planned to sell just 44 of the 88 seats on its E175 jets before reconfiguring them to a bespoke 30-seat all-business layout. It abandoned that plan in October in favor of a mixed business and economy class layout.
When asked about the switch to a dual-class configuration, Scott said it was in “direct response to customer feedback and demand.” BermudAir has seen a “strong and positive response” to the product switch from travelers, he added.
BermudAir still plans to introduce its “Aisle Class” business-class product, where each premium seat is both an aisle and a window. However, supply chain delays have pushed the timeline for that product back to next year from November, Scott said.
“We are encouraged by our progress five months into operations and are satisfied with the overall performance on our existing routes,” he said.
BermudAir is one of multiple startup airlines that have hit U.S. skies since the pandemic. Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways are new domestic entrants; startups Norse Atlantic Airways and Play Airlines connect the U.S. and Europe; and Jetlines Canada and Lynx Air connect the U.S. with Canada.
The pandemic created an opening for new airlines by lowering the barriers to entry. Aircraft, staff, and other resources were easier — and cheaper — to secure early in the crisis before air travel demand surged back.
BermudAir has no competition on its new routes to BWI and MCO, airline data provider Cirium shows. However, American Airlines does fly between Washington Reagan National (DCA) and BDA during the summer.
A major U.S. airline is poised to launch a new nonstop route from New York to Tokyo. American Airlines plans to soon fly from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND).
The Fort Worth-based carrier revealed the news in an announcement late Friday, saying it won tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fly the route.
A DOT spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
It’s not yet clear when, exactly, the new flights will begin. American hopes to begin the new route “in the coming months,” it said in a statement, and plans to fly the route daily.
Tokyo, Japan. YU KATO/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES
Haneda slots limited
U.S. airlines can operate a limited number of flights to Haneda, which is governed by use-it-or-lose-it rules flight rules, known as slots. In recent months, carriers have been vying for those Haneda flight rights, petitioning the DOT for the slots. It now appears American has emerged victorious in that effort.
“We are grateful to the DOT and thankful to our partner Japan Airlines for supporting our application. Together, we are well-positioned to offer customers a comprehensive network between two of the most robust economies in the world,” American CEO Robert Isom said in a statement Friday evening.
Expanding Tokyo service
This would not be the first JFK’s first nonstop service to Haneda.
American’s Oneworld Alliance partner Japan Airlines also offers nonstop service between the two airports. In fact, TPG’s Eric Rosen just flew the route in recent days on Japan Airlines’ inaugural JFK-to-Haneda flight with its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.
For its part, American already flies to Haneda once daily from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and twice daily from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The new route will add 200,000 seats annually between the U.S. and Japan, American said.
There are two primary ways to book “free” stays at Marriott properties worldwide: You can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, and you can use free night awards. The latter are earned from activities like renewing your Marriott credit card membership each year or meeting an annual spending threshold.
Depending on which hotel you decide to use the award redemption at, this could amount to several hundred dollars in value.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issue
Let’s take a look at some properties that represent great uses of these valuable certificates. Seriously, you won’t believe the luxurious hotels you can book with your free night award redemption.
How to use 50,000-point Marriott certificates
JW MARRIOTT JEJU RESORT & SPA
Marriott no longer has an award chart. As a result, hotel prices are hard to pin down — but there are several hotels that reliably make for a great redemption with 50,000-point certificates.
Several Marriott credit cards offer free night certificates annually. Depending on the card, you’ll get a certificate worth 35,000, 50,000 or 85,000 points. Unfortunately, they’re only good for one night. For example, if you want to stay at a hotel that costs 40,000 points, you can use a 50,000-point free night award, but you’ll have to use the entire certificate, so you’ll forfeit 10,000 points in value.
Once you receive your certificate, the booking process is simple. Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account and search for an award stay of any length. If you find a property with award nights costing 65,000 points per night (or less), your free night award is eligible to be redeemed.
Standard points range: 50,000 to 85,000 points per night
The JW Marriott Venice is a luxury hotel located on a private island in the Venetian Lagoon in Italy. You can only enter the hotel by boat, making the experience extremely James Bond-esque.
The hotel is upscale while remaining extremely relaxed — otherworldly compared to Venice proper, which is about 1 mile away. Water taxis to and from St. Mark’s Square are free to use, so you can still get your fill of the excitement of the city.
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS MIAMI
Standard points range: 42,000 to 76,000 points per night
In a glassy tower in downtown Miami, the JW Marriott Marquis is near many of Miami’s cultural attractions, such as the Wynwood neighborhood, the Design District and the Pérez Art Museum.
At the hotel, you’ll find two restaurants — one helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Daniel Boulud — as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center with a rooftop pool providing sweeping views of Biscayne Bay. While the hotel isn’t on the beach, it’s just a short drive away from South Beach. The hotel itself is luxurious, with spacious guest rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows and other high-end touches like built-in TVs in the bathroom mirrors.
Standard points range: 40,000 to 76,000 points per night
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali can sometimes fetch $700 or even $800 per night. In the upscale Nusa Dua area, every room at this property is either a suite or a villa, and almost all of them feature private plunge pools.
With six on-site dining options and a seemingly endless stretch of pristine beach, guests are sure to never get bored. However, the property also provides unique options for those looking for more structure in their day. The Ritz-Carlton offers a program that allows guests to give back to the local community through various service programs, which are perfect for a meaningful family vacation or team-building activities at a corporate event.
Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa in the Maldives. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Standard points range: 44,000 to 70,000 points per night
Le Meridien Maldives is a relatively new hotel that, in our opinion, is priced far too low for the product it delivers. As with any luxury Maldives resort, you’ll have to pay dearly for the island transfer (a seaplane, in this case, for $420 per person round trip) — but the points rates here are a steal.
The island has six restaurants and cafes, plus a handful of pools and a gym overlooking endless turquoise water. Other Maldives-standard amenities, such as a diving center and free water sports, also come standard.
The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama
THE RITZ-CARLTON ABAMA IN TENERIFE
Standard points range: 43,000 to 76,000 points per night
On Spain’s famed Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, you’ll find a beautifully pink, Moorish-style palace otherwise known as The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama.
Set on cliffs above the blue sea, this property is an ideal spot for a laid-back European island vacation. The 459-room resort has six bars and restaurants, one of them — M.B — holding two Michelin stars for its Basque-inspired cuisine. When you’re not busy eating, relax by one of the resort’s multiple pools or at the beach, get a workout in at the fitness center, play a round of golf at nearby Abama Golf or hit one of seven tennis courts at the Abama Tennis Academy.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado
TAMBO DEL INKA, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT AND SPA
Standard points range: 42,000 to 70,000 points per night
In one of the world’s most beautiful — and mystical — places, Tambo del Inka in Peru encourages you to embrace the rugged setting while getting pampered every step of the way. Use this resort as your home base for exploring the home of the ancient Inca people — it’s easier than ever thanks to the hotel having its own train station that you can use to reach Machu Picchu.
Gaze at the imposing Andes from your room or suite, enjoy a meal at one of the two on-property bars and restaurants or treat yourself to a service at the spa — you’re going to want one after a day of exploring the Sacred Valley.
Bottom line
Marriott’s free night awards have always been valuable, but with the ability to combine certificates with up to 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you can book more hotels than ever. Just remember, some hotels have resort fees that you’ll have to pay on top of points.
Even if Singapore isn’t in your travel plans, KrisFlyer’s Star Alliance and non-alliance award charts have some hidden gems you should know about. From booking one-way award seats to Hawaii for less than 15,000 miles to earning valuable miles with credit cards, keep reading to find out the ins and outs of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer so you can decide if KrisFlyer miles are of value to you.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program
ANDREY ARMYAGOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier of Singapore, offering connections to major cities in Australasia, Europe, North America and beyond. The airline also has several fifth-freedom routes, some of the most well known being New York to Frankfurt; Houston to Manchester, England; and Los Angeles to Tokyo.
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer loyalty program has continued to publish an award chart so you can redeem your miles at a predictable rate. However, it publishes a different award chart for flights flown by partners. For example, here’s the Star Alliance award chart and the Alaska Airlines award chart. When flying Singapore Airlines and its partners, you earn KrisFlyer miles based on the distance flown.
Finally, the airline has two basic elite status tiers, with the higher tier offering Star Alliance Gold benefits. In addition, Singapore Airlines has two special elite status tiers for big spenders. We’ll take a closer look at how to earn Singapore Airlines elite status and give an overview of each tier’s benefits later in the article.
Earning Singapore KrisFlyer miles
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
There are several ways to earn KrisFlyer miles. You can earn by flying on Singapore Airlines and its Star Alliance partners, like United Airlines and Air Canada. You can also transfer miles from different credit card programs, stay with hotel partners and purchase through the KrisFlyer shopping portal.
Earn by flying with Singapore Airlines
When you fly with Singapore Airlines, you’ll earn miles based on distance flown and fare class. Here’s what you’ll earn on tickets issued and operated by Singapore Airlines:
For example, a Premium Economy Lite fare (indicated by the R fare class) earns 8,440 miles on a one-way flight from San Francisco to Singapore if you don’t have any elite status with KrisFlyer. That’s 100% of the flight distance.
Singapore Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, so you can earn KrisFlyer miles when you fly with other Star Alliance members. In addition, you can earn miles with non-alliance 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 earning chart for partners on the airline’s website. To calculate your earnings, find your fare class underneath your airline partner’s name and multiply your flight’s distance by the percentage listed.
While Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a cobranded credit card in the U.S., the airline partners with several major transferable rewards programs, including:
Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 transfer ratio; transfers usually occur within one day, but some readers have reported transfer times of up to seven days.
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.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Earning transferable rewards with one or more of these programs and transferring them to Singapore Airlines is one of the easiest ways to earn KrisFlyer miles. However, we only recommend transferring credit card points to KrisFlyer if you have a specific redemption in mind.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:
Singapore Airlines used to have a KrisFlyer Spree shopping portal, which operated much like the U.S.-based airline shopping portals.
However, Singapore replaced the KrisFlyer Spree portal with the KrisShop portal, which lets you buy products directly from Singapore Airlines. You can earn up to 4 miles per Singapore dollar spent (roughly 5 miles per U.S. dollar) when you shop through the KrisShop portal.
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, like Shangri-La, Pan Pacific and Worldhotels. You can view a full list of partners on the Singapore Airlines website.
How you earn miles on stays depends on the partner. Some hotel companies will let you earn miles instead of hotel points, while others let you convert your hotel points to KrisFlyer miles. For example, Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to KrisFlyer, and you’ll earn a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.
Earning KrisFlyer miles with hotels can sometimes make sense, but not in all cases. In many cases, you may get more value by earning hotel points.
Redeeming Singapore KrisFlyer miles
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll get the most value by redeeming your miles for flights on Singapore Airlines and its partners. We’ll review how to book these redemptions and discuss some of the most interesting award chart sweet spots below.
Singapore Airlines has two redemption tiers: Saver and Advantage. Saver award space is generally harder to come by but costs fewer miles to redeem and allows one stopover on round-trip bookings. Advantage award space is more expensive but easier to come by and includes up to two free stopovers on a round-trip ticket.
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 you transfer miles, Singapore Airlines generally charges 25 Singapore dollars (around $19) or 2,500 miles.
Spontaneous Escapes
Singapore Airlines publishes monthly Spontaneous Escapes, where redemption prices on selected routes are discounted by varying amounts, usually 20% or 30%. While not all routes are included, some long-haul routes are, so it is worth checking if your preferred route is included in this month’s discounts.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Best Singapore Airlines redemptions from the US
One of the best ways to redeem Singapore Airlines miles is on the carrier’s fifth-freedom flights from the U.S. If you want to go to Europe, consider booking the airline’s flights from New York to Frankfurt or from Houston to Manchester. If you find Saver award space, these can be booked for 81,000 miles each way in business class or 97,000 miles in first.
Additionally, the airline operates flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Saver rates on these flights are 103,500 miles each way in business class or 120,500 miles in first.
Finally, 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 its North American gateways:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 107,000 miles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 107,000 miles
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 107,000 miles
Vancouver International Airport (YVR): 107,000 miles
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): 111,500 miles
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): 111,500 miles
Stopovers on Singapore Airlines award tickets
As mentioned, 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. All flights must be operated by Singapore Airlines to use the KrisFlyer stopover.
You can add stopovers to an open-jaw ticket by booking two one-way Advantage awards. For example, you can book an Advantage award from Houston to Manchester to Singapore and then a separate Advantage award from Singapore to Frankfurt to New York.
If your city pair is eligible for a stopover, you’ll be able to add a stopover online.
You can redeem KrisFlyer miles for flights with partner airlines, including some outside the Star Alliance. The Star Alliance award chart is posted on the KrisFlyer website. If you look at the chart, know 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 Star Alliance bookings in the US
United Polaris business class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
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 26,000 miles one-way, making it the best way to fly United Polaris seats from Newark to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
You can use KrisFlyer miles to fly to Hawaii, too. In many cases, the 19,500 miles KrisFlyer charges for a one-way economy ticket is far less than what United MileagePlus requires for the same seat. Meanwhile, business class costs 39,000 miles one-way. This can be a good way to book long-haul Hawaii flights from cities like Newark and Washington.
Booking Alaska Airlines flights with KrisFlyer miles
You can also redeem KrisFlyer miles for Alaska flights. The airline offers great redemption rates on Alaska Airlines flights, but you can’t book Alaska flights with stops. Instead, you can only book nonstop Alaska Airlines flights with KrisFlyer miles.
There are still some great deals on the Singapore Airlines’ Alaska Airlines award chart (PDF link). You can book a one-way economy-class flight from the U.S. 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 an option to consider if you live near an airport that has Alaska nonstop service to Hawaii.
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’ll earn elite miles when you fly with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Juneyao Air, Star Alliance airlines and other select airline partners.
Both elite status tiers earn 25% bonus miles on flights operated by Singapore Airlines in eligible fare classes. But here’s a look at the top perks of KrisFlyer Elite Silver:
Select standard seats in economy when flying Singapore Airlines
Automatically assigned seat at booking when flying Scoot
Priority reservation waitlist and airport standby
Star Alliance Silver status
And here are the top perks of KrisFlyer Elite Gold:
Select forward zone or standard seats in economy when flying Singapore Airlines
Automatically assigned seat at booking when flying Scoot
Lounge access when flying Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara, Star Alliance airlines and Star Alliance Connecting Partner airlines
For Singapore Airlines elite members based in the U.S., one of the best features of KrisFlyer Elite Gold is that you can access United Club lounges when traveling on domestic United Airlines flights.
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.
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: 1,500 KrisPay miles (equivalent to SG$10, about $7.45).
10,000 elite miles: SG$20 (about $15), KrisShop promo code valid on minimum purchase of SG$150 (about $111)
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
It’s important to read the terms and conditions of these perks, as only select fare classes are eligible for some perks
PPS Club
A newly expanded KrisFlyer Gold lounge is also part of the revamped complex in Singapore. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Singapore Airlines’ special elite status program, dubbed PPS Club, can only be earned by 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 ($0.75) equaling 1 PPS value.
But there’s a catch: You can only earn PPS value when you fly Singapore Airlines premium cabins, 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.
There’s also a tier higher than PPS Club named Solitaire PPS Club, which you can obtain after earning 50,000 PPS value in a membership year.
PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members get a variety of extra perks. But on top of these perks, they also get PPS Rewards based on the PPS value earned during their membership year:
30,000 PPS value: Earn double KrisFlyer miles on two segments.
40,000 PPS value: Enjoy a 50,000-mile discount on an award flight or a redemption upgrade.
60,000, 75,000 and 100,000 PPS value (for Solitaire PPS Club members): Receive a voucher that you can use for a one-cabin confirmed upgrade on a Singapore Airlines flight of your choice.
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.
It appears Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will begin returning to the skies in the coming days after the planes were grounded in the wake of a harrowing incident on an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this month in which a door plug explosively blew out of an aircraft during flight.
Both Alaska and United Airlines reported Wednesday evening the carriers had received final instructions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for inspecting their fleets of MAX 9 aircraft, which have been grounded since the Jan. 5 incident.
Alaska, late Wednesday, said it will begin detailed inspections of its MAX 9 aircraft and plans to return the jets to service, one-by-one, once each is completed.
Each inspection involves removing rows of seats, paneling, and then opening the door plug itself, before checking and — if necessary — repairing any problems, according to United Airlines, the largest U.S. operator of the aircraft, which also reported it received final inspection instructions Wednesday.
As for timing, Alaska said each of the planes is expected to take around 12 hours to inspect.
The Seattle-based carrier expects its first few MAX 9s will begin flying as soon as Friday, with the remainder of its inspections expected over the next week. Alaska said it hoped to return more planes to service each day as inspections are completed and each aircraft is deemed airworthy.
Alaska has 65 MAX 9s in its fleet.
Meanwhile, United says it will likely begin returning MAX 9s to the skies as soon as Sunday, also following detailed inspections as dictated by the FAA.
“We will only return each MAX 9 aircraft to service once this thorough inspection process is complete,” United executive vice president and chief operations officer Toby Enqvist said in a letter to the airline’s employees Wednesday, obtained by TPG.
For weeks, it’s been unclear when the aircraft might return to service — especially as Alaska and United both reported finding loose bolts around the door plug on other MAX 9s.
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into the Alaska Flight 1282 incident is still ongoing.
Understandably, the return of the aircraft to service could leave travelers wary.
In a social media post Wednesday evening, FAA administrator Michael Whitaker remained adamant that only aircraft deemed fully safe to fly will return to commercial service.
“We grounded the Boeing 737-9 MAX and made clear it would not return to flight until it was safe,” Whitaker said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The enhanced review our team completed gives me and the FAA confidence to proceed to the inspection and maintenance phase prior to returning to operation.”
The FAA also announced Wednesday that it will not allow the Boeing to expand its production of the 737 MAX aircraft “until satisfied the quality control issues uncovered are resolved.”
For its part, Boeing plans to hold the first in a series of “quality stand downs” on Thursday, during which employees will pause their work for a day “so employees can take part in working sessions focused on quality.”
The company has drawn the ire of regulators, lawmakers and airlines in the wake of the Jan. 5 inflight emergency.
The airline will operate a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the new route. The jet features 28 Polaris business-class lie-flat pods, 21 Premium Plus recliners, 36 Economy Plus seats and 158 standard economy seats.
United filed the schedule for the new route on Wednesday, and tickets are already available for purchase via united.com.
CIRIUM
With the addition of Chicago service, United will connect Athens with three hubs this summer, including Newark and Washington, D.C. In total, the airline will increase its flying to Athens by roughly 25% year over year.
United plans to resume its seasonal service from Newark to Athens earlier than usual (on March 30), followed by flights from Washington on April 24.
This summer, United will offer a whopping 15 nonstop European destinations from its Chicago hub at O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
American Airlines is United’s major competitor in Chicago, and until now, American has had a monopoly on the Chicago-to-Athens route, which began in 2019, according to Cirium schedules.
American’s seasonal service to Athens begins on May 6, and the airline has already had a head start on bookings by travelers who want to lock in their trips ahead of time.
With additional competition, it will be interesting to see how fares adjust to account for the new flight.
Interestingly, this is the second new route United has announced since it first unveiled its preliminary summer schedule for the upcoming season.
After a few back-to-back years of splashy press releases and cocktail parties, United’s hotly anticipated transatlantic network update was announced in October. It included only one new destination and three new flights — not nearly as exciting as the three new destinations and six new flights that were added last summer.
Now, the airline is back with a second new route, and it seems that United isn’t concerned about softening demand in the transatlantic market for the upcoming summer season.
“With nonstop service to destinations no other U.S. carriers serve, earlier starts to our most popular seasonal routes and even more transatlantic flights for our customers across the country, United is the clear choice for customers looking to travel to Europe this summer,” Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, said in a statement.
