Month: January 2024

Alaska Airlines is making a few changes to its route map in the coming months, including the addition of one route to Canada and the subtraction of another between two major tech hubs.

Starting later this spring, the Seattle-based carrier will add a new Canadian city — and the country’s busiest airport — to its route map. On May 16, Alaska will begin daily nonstop flights between its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) base and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ).

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

New Seattle-to-Toronto route

Toronto will be the sixth Canadian city served by Alaska. The airline currently flies to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, as well as Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

With the addition of Toronto, here’s what Alaska’s route map between the U.S. and Canada will look like as of June, as displayed by aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Alaska will fly its Seattle-to-Toronto route with its Boeing 737-900 aircraft, the most common aircraft in its fleet.

The airline cited Toronto’s prominence as a leisure and business destination in announcing the news.

It’s worth noting that the carrier has strengthened its ties to Canada in recent months, especially when considering its new partnership with Porter Airlines, a smaller Canadian carrier.

By the end of this month, Porter will have two of its own routes between Toronto and key West Coast operating bases for Alaska. These will help feed into a new interline agreement between the two airlines — allowing customers to book certain itineraries featuring seamless connections between Alaska and Porter. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can also earn miles on certain Porter flights as part of the tie-up.

Here’s how the schedule looks for the new route that begins May 16:

• SEA-YYZ: Depart at 7 a.m. PDT and arrive at 2:40 p.m. EDT
• YYZ-SEA: Depart at 3:40 p.m. PDT and arrive at 5:55 p.m. PDT

Austin-to-San Jose, California, route ends

In announcing the new route, Alaska also filed plans this weekend to eliminate another.

As of March 7, the carrier will eliminate its route between Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

The move is part of a decision by the airline to focus its Austin flying from the Bay Area out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a spokesperson told TPG.

This route elimination comes as Austin has seen some positive and negative movement with routes in recent months, including Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines scaling back operations and Delta Air Lines adding Austin capacity.

In the second quarter of this year, Austin is scheduled for a slight dip in the number of departing flights compared to last year, according to data from Cirium. However, airlines will still offer slightly more seats versus that same period in 2023.

Related reading:

• When is 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

Editor’s note: TPG’s Erica Silverstein accepted a free trip from Royal Caribbean to sail its newest ship, Icon of the Seas, to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Hideaway Beach. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.

Royal Caribbean will officially open its long-awaited adults-only beach on the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay next week, but TPG got an early look at the 18-and-older oasis, known as Hideaway Beach.

Not only does the 8-acre, no-kids-allowed beach feature sandy shores and lounge chairs, but it also offers beach swings and hammocks, a pool with a swim-up bar, 10 poolside private cabanas, a sports bar and a pizzeria. You’ll have to pay to play, with daypasses running $39 to $89 per person. This rate is not nearly as pricey as the more upscale and more exclusive Coco Beach Club on the other side of the island, where the daily fee to enter is about $200 per person.

If escaping from kids isn’t enough, visitors can purchase access to the even more exclusive Hideout on Hideaway Beach to get away from everyone else and enjoy a higher-end experience. The area features 10 additional cabanas and a heated infinity-style plunge pool.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

I visited Hideaway Beach during a preview cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s new Icon of the Seas. I couldn’t stay long because I was traveling with my young daughter, but I was able to tour the adults-only beach club area. Here are my first impressions of Hideaway Beach, with plenty of photos to whet your appetite for your next visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Hideaway Beach

Icon of the Seas was the only ship docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay (which normally can handle two Royal Caribbean megaships at a time). Still, Hideaway Beach was hopping when I dropped by in the early afternoon. The beach has a capacity of close to 2,000 people, so you’re only escaping children — not necessarily your fellow cruisers.

Hideaway Beach is not meant to be an isolated, peaceful oasis. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley told journalists at a press conference that the beach is meant to be a place to party, and you need a lively crowd to create that vibe.

The focal point of that party is the enormous lagoon-style pool overlooking the central portion of the beach. Like the Oasis Lagoon on Perfect Day at CocoCay that is open to all, the Hideaway Pool has a large swim-up bar and a DJ booth. You won’t be catching Z’s in a poolside lounge chair — it’s loud over there.

Complimentary loungers flank the pool, but if you want a private party space, you can rent one of 10 poolside cabanas. Pricing ranges from $1,199 to $1,699 for a package including the cabana rental and daypasses for your entire party.

The wooden cabanas come with private lounge chairs on the deck, Adirondack chairs out front, an L-shaped couch inside and a minifridge. Cabana attendants will bring you drinks; just push a button for service.

The beach area is on a small bay sheltered from the ocean waves by a rock wall. In addition to the complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas you’ll find throughout the island, you can kick back in hammocks on the beach and in the water.

It’s about a five-minute walk from the Perfect Day at CocoCay tram stop to Hideaway Beach. Along the way, there are some great spots for photos with your ship in the background. Trams also take guests from the end of the plaza to two stops at Hideaway Beach, one by the pool and one by the On The Rocks bar.

Hideaway Beach bars and eateries

Hideaway Beach is meant to be your all-day destination, so of course it has several dining venues and bars for visitors to enjoy. Royal Caribbean’s drink packages carry over to Perfect Day at CocoCay; otherwise, you can pay for drinks with your cruise card.

The central Hideaway Bar is a swim-up bar accessed from the lagoon on one side and a regular open-air on-land bar on the opposite side.

On the end of the beach opposite the Hideout, On the Rocks sports bar overlooks the beach and bay. It has comfy seating and a few table games to keep folks entertained.

Two smaller beach bars also keep the refreshing drinks coming.

Meals are complimentary at the Hideaway Beach dining venues. The Hideaway Hut is the main dining venue on Hideaway Beach. It’s not a buffet; you order via a counter window. The menu differs from what you’ll find at the other CocoCay eateries. In addition to burgers and chicken sandwiches, you can order ceviche, coconut shrimp baskets, burgers, salads and funnel cakes.

A travel agent who dined there was impressed with her salad topped with the coconut shrimp.

Just before you reach the Hideout, you’ll find the secondary restaurant, Slice of Paradise. It’s a pizzeria and bar serving three types of pizza and empanadas. Table seating overlooks the waves. I tried a quick slice of cheese, and the pizza was similar to what you’d get at Sorrento’s on Royal Caribbean’s ships.

The Hideout

On the far side of the pizzeria is The Hideout, accessible only to guests who rent a cabana. The Hideout’s cabanas are larger than the poolside ones and front an undulating plunge pool, complete with dedicated in-water loungers. (The Hideout is made up entirely of the cabanas and pools; it does not have a separate beach or bar.)

A package, including the cabana rental and daypasses for your entire party, runs from $1,699 to $2,699.

There, you’ll be slightly more removed from the main pool party, so it’s best for groups looking for a less crowded adults-only beach day.

Bottom line

Hideaway Beach reminded me a lot of the Bimini Beach Club, accessible to cruisers on lines that stop at the island, such as Virgin Voyages (which takes over the beach club when its ships are docked) and Carnival Cruise Line. It has a party vibe, with convenient beach, pool and food access all in one area.

You can find the same poolside party vibe for free at the Oasis Lagoon on CocoCay; the beach located farthest south (fittingly called South Beach) tends to attract more adults than Oasis Lagoon, thanks to its floating bar.

Whether it’s worth paying extra for access to Hideaway Beach depends on how much you value a slightly more elevated lunch option, a guaranteed lack of children and the convenience of accessing pool and beach options without moving your lounge chair.

I would wager that Hideaway Beach will be more popular during peak cruising season when ships sail at maximum capacity with thousands of children on school break. It might be less of a draw during the offseason when it’s easier to find a spot on Perfect Day at CocoCay away from kids.

Either way, Royal Caribbean has created a fantastic party beach on its private island that will let the line bring two megaships to port at the same time, with plenty of room for everyone.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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

Chase is on a roll.

Just a week ago, the issuer opened the doors of its newest crown jewel, a stunning two-story Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

And now, Chase is back (on the other side of Queens) with more welcome news for New Yorkers and travelers passing through one of the busiest airports nationwide, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

On Tuesday, the Sapphire Lounge at JFK officially opened its doors to travelers, breathing new life into the former Etihad Lounge that was vacant for much of the pandemic. And while Chase’s JFK lounge might not be as iconic as the space in LaGuardia, there’s still lots to love.

Here are the details.

Want more aviation news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK location

You’ll find the new Sapphire Lounge by The Club in JFK’s Terminal 4, which is home to Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines and a slew of other international carriers.

After passing through security, stay on the upper level of the terminal and turn left. Perhaps ironically, the new Chase Lounge is located right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge at JFK.

The space is nearly impossible to miss — make sure you don’t take the escalator down to the departures level after clearing security.

The new Chase lounge at JFK is open daily from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK access

Chase’s new JFK lounge is unlike any other in the portfolio.

To date, the issuer has designed and built Sapphire Lounges from scratch, but this one occupies the space of the former Etihad Lounge at JFK. (Etihad’s lounge has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, so this marks the outpost’s first reopening since then.)

Chase and Etihad Airways are jointly operating this “new” lounge, and as part of that, the access rules are a bit more generous than those of the other Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations.

As with all other Chase lounges, primary and authorized cardmembers with the Chase Sapphire Reserve can enter the lounge for free, and they can bring up to two guests. Note that you’ll need to have the (complimentary) Priority Pass associated with the card to enter the lounge. Additional guests beyond the initial allotment will be charged at $27 per person.

The same access policy applies to those with the J.P. Morgan Reserve card or the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants), though the latter card includes unlimited guest access.

Even if you don’t have one of these cards, you might still be able to enter the Sapphire Lounge. Travelers with only a Priority Pass membership (from any other premium credit card) can visit one Chase Sapphire Lounge per calendar year and purchase additional entries for themselves and guests for $75 per person.

In addition to the aforementioned cards, select Etihad travelers can also visit the lounge before their flight to Abu Dhabi. This includes those flying in business or first class on Etihad-operated flights, as well as the airline’s Gold and Platinum elite members.

• The best credit cards for airport lounge access
• The best Chase credit cards

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

Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK layout

Chase’s JFK lounge might not be as opulent as the outpost in LaGuardia, but it still packs a mighty punch.

After entering the lounge, you’ll quickly realize you’ve stepped into a Sapphire Lounge. From the color palette to the trees lining the hallways, Chase’s design motifs are clearly on display. (And that’s a good thing.)

The reception desk gives way to the main lounge area — there’s a bar at the center of the lounge with seating areas spread all around it. You’ll find a variety of dining tables, couches and individual recliners right next to the bar.

To the right of the bar (as you face the runways), you’ll find another smaller seating area partitioned off with some trees and room dividers.

And just opposite the bar, there’s a narrow hallway that’s been turned into another seating space. There are a handful of two-top tables and recliners here. Given the lack of natural light, these might be the least popular seats, so if the lounge is crowded, this is likely where I’d go first to look for a seat.

The rest of the lounge is comprised of a dining area with a variety of table- and booth-style seats, as well as another relaxation area with some individual recliners and sofas in the corner of the space.

Here, you’ll even find two open-style workstations. It’s just too bad Chase couldn’t find a way to enclose them with some glass for additional privacy.

While the JFK outpost might look like the other Sapphire Lounges, this one is definitely on the smaller side. It measures 7,600 square feet, and while the issuer didn’t share maximum occupancy numbers, I can already envision this space getting very crowded.

After all, not only do Chase’s top cardmembers get access, but so do premium passengers flying on Etihad.

With the upcoming resumption of Airbus A380 service to JFK, there will be roughly 100 eligible Etihad flyers passing through the lounge each day. Combine that with all the Sapphire Reserve cardholders flying through one of JFK’s busiest terminals, and this space might operate on a waitlist throughout the day.

That said, something is certainly better than nothing, and as the credit card lounge wars heat up, it’s great to see Chase getting creative in opening a space as soon as possible in one of the nation’s busiest airports.

(If the Chase lounge is too crowded, don’t forget there’s always the two-story Amex Centurion Lounge next door.)

Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK amenities

A key component of every Sapphire Lounge is a long list of amenities, such as a facial bar and massage chairs.

This outpost is lighter on the amenities, but it still checks the boxes for everything you’d expect for a top-tier airport lounge.

There are two reflection rooms near the back of the lounge. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and they double as prayer rooms.

The lounge also has three shower suites — one is designated as all-gender, and then there is one for men and one for women. The latter two are located in the restroom area.

Speaking of the restrooms, they feature snazzy vanity areas (just like before the renovation), and they’re stocked with Apotheke amenities.

Other amenities include fast and free Wi-Fi, power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports at nearly every seat, and incredible airside views for the aviation enthusiasts in the room.

The lounge overlooks the apron area between the A and B piers of gates and runways 4L and 4R in the distance. On a clear day, you’ll likely be able to see for miles.

Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK food and drinks

One area where the Sapphire Lounge excels is with the food and beverage offerings.

There’s a buffet area right next to the dining tables, and it features an assortment of hot and cold plates. I tried the curry cauliflower, hummus and warm focaccia and thought everything could’ve passed for restaurant-quality food in Manhattan. I especially enjoyed the apricot glaze on the cauliflower; it was a nice contrast to the curry seasoning in this dish.

Note that many of the dishes are halal, and kosher food choices are available on request.

Aside from the buffet, you can order several signature dishes, such as the Sapphire burger or lamb meatballs, via an online a la carte menu. Each table has a QR code to scan to open the lounge hub, where you can order food and drinks and even reserve a shower suite.

In terms of drinks, the bartender will be happy to whip up your classic favorite or craft a cocktail from the signature menu. The gin-based Concrete Jungle was refreshing and hit the spot.

For those looking to nibble, there is a large refreshment station separating the main lounge area from the dining room.

This is where you’ll find the coffee machines pouring Joe Coffee and an assortment of canned soft drinks, including Olipop and Spindrift. Don’t pass up the salted chocolate chip cookies or the biscotti in this area — I promise they’re well worth the calories.

Bottom line

In just a week, Chase went from having zero to two Sapphire Lounges in the nation’s biggest city.

With the opening of the JFK outpost, Chase’s lounge network continues to blossom, giving prospective and existing cardmembers more reason to sign up for or keep the Reserve card.

The JFK outpost is unique because it occupies an existing space and is jointly operated with Etihad. Don’t necessarily expect the complete Sapphire Lounge amenity experience, but the lounge still checks all the boxes.

It’s a welcome new option for cardmembers passing through JFK and a harbinger of good things to come for the Sapphire Lounge network, which is getting bigger and better than ever before.

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Occasionally, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers discounts on purchasing miles. Since these miles can be difficult to earn, buying them during these sales can help top off your account to save on future redemptions.

From now until Feb. 24, Alaska is offering a bonus of up to 60% when you purchase miles, with prices as low as 1.72 cents per mile. Simply log in and buy miles through the Alaska Airlines website.

TPG’s valuations peg Alaska miles at 1.4 cents each. However, buying miles slightly above this value can still be worthwhile if you have a specific redemption in mind. This sale is especially beneficial if you’re ready to book a high-value award flight and have already found available award space, especially given the upcoming changes to the Mileage Plan award chart in March 2024.

Now, let’s take a closer look at this offer.

Buying Alaska Miles with up to a 60% bonus

This is a targeted offer, and some TPG staffers received a 60% bonus for certain purchases on their accounts.

Here is an outline of what we’ve seen with the 60% bonus offer:

Miles purchased	Mileage bonus	Price per mile
3,000 to 19,000 miles	40%	1.96 cents
20,000 to 39,000 miles	50%	1.83 cents
40,000 to 100,000 miles	60%	1.72 cents

Purchasing miles with the 60% bonus decreases the cost to 1.72 cents per mile as long as you purchase at least 40,000 miles.

This is one of the highest bonuses we’ve seen for Alaska miles, though not as good as the 70% bonus we’ve seen in the past.

You can occasionally get more than our valuation of 1.4 cents from your miles. You can redeem Alaska miles for first- and business-class travel on one of Alaska’s many international airline partners like Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Fiji Airways.

Related: 6 things to know about the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program

How many Alaska miles can I purchase?

If you hold MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K elite status in the Mileage Plan program, there’s no annual limit on how many Alaska miles you can buy or receive as a gift. If you don’t hold elite status with Alaska, you can only buy or be gifted up to 150,000 miles per calendar year.

Know, though, that the calendar year limit for non-elite members doesn’t include bonus miles. If you’re targeted for a 60% bonus and haven’t purchased or received any Alaska miles as a gift this year, you could buy 150,000 miles through this sale and receive 90,000 bonus miles for a total of 240,000 miles deposited into your account.

However, keep in mind that you’d need to purchase your miles in two transactions since the website only supports buying up to 100,000 miles per transaction.

Related: Alaska Airlines unveils 4 major changes to MVP elite status

How should I redeem Alaska miles?

Alaska Airlines partners with many great airlines. On top of Alaska’s Oneworld and Oneworld Connect partners, the airline also partners with various other airlines, including Korean Air and LATAM.

Best of all, you can add a free stopover on many Alaska Mileage Plan awards.

Alaska Airlines will undergo major Mileage Plan award chart changes in March 2024, moving to a new distance-based structure and dividing into three region-based charts. This overhaul will lead to some increases in award prices, so it’s important to note if you’re thinking of redeeming miles down the line.

You can check out Alaska’s starting award prices for inspiration, but here are a few of our favorite ways to redeem Alaska miles before the changes come to Alaska’s award chart.

Stopover in Fiji on the way to the South Pacific in business class

With its pristine beaches, Fiji is a bucket-list destination for many travelers. Before its partner award charts change in March 2024, you can fly from the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada to Fiji in Fiji Airways’ business class. Flights start at 55,000 Alaska miles, making it one of the best redemption values for the airline.

For example, if you want to fly nonstop from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Fiji in business class, you would need 55,000 Alaska miles to book this flight. With the current bonus promotion, you could purchase 37,000 miles with a 50% bonus, giving you 55,500 total miles. This would cost you $1,017.50, which will give you a purchase rate of 1.83 cents per mile.

While this rate is still higher than TPG’s valuation of Alaska miles at 1.4 cents, it is a great redemption if you don’t have Alaska miles and want to pay with points instead of purchasing a business-class ticket. If you were to purchase the nonstop business-class flight from San Francisco to Fiji, it would cost you $8,308. Therefore, you can save about $7,291 if you purchase miles instead of buying a ticket outright with cash.

Plus, you can use Alaska’s free stopover to continue to New Zealand, Australia or another South Pacific destination for no additional miles.

Fly from the US to South America in LATAM business class

LATAM is the largest airline in South America, with hubs in Santiago, Chile; Lima, Peru; and other major cities. You can book a one-way award from the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada to South America in LATAM business class starting at 45,000 Alaska miles.

During this sale, 45,000 (30,000 miles plus a 15,000-mile bonus) Alaska miles would cost about $825 if you can buy the miles at a rate of 1.83 cents each.

Head to Asia in Cathay Pacific first class

Cathay Pacific flies from several different U.S. gateways to its hub in Hong Kong. You can use your Alaska miles to fly in Cathay Pacific’s swanky first-class product to Hong Kong and beyond for just 70,000 Alaska miles one-way with minimal taxes and fees. Considering these tickets often cost more than $5,000 one-way, purchasing miles is an excellent deal for this award.

During this sale, 70,000 Alaska miles would cost about $1,210 — 44,000 Alaska miles plus 26,400 bonus miles. However, ensure you find first-class award availability before buying the miles. Fair warning: It can be hard to come by.

Related: Alaska Airlines announces major Mileage Plan award chart changes in 2024

Use 1 of these credit cards to pay for Alaska miles

Points.com — not Alaska — will process your purchase if you use this promotion. Because Alaska isn’t processing the purchase, you won’t earn bonus rewards for using a card with airline spending as a bonus category.

Pay with a credit card that offers a solid return on everyday purchases to earn the most rewards for your purchase. For example, consider using the following cards that offer bonus earnings on all purchases:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay).
• The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express: Earn 2 points per dollar on eligible purchases the first $50,000 spent on purchases per calendar year.

Related: The best credit cards for buying points and miles

Bottom line

We don’t recommend buying points or miles speculatively. However, if you have an upcoming trip that you want to book with Alaska miles and you’ve found award availability, this sale may let you earn Alaska miles at a reasonable rate.

If you don’t need the miles immediately and are instead starting to plan a trip, you may prefer to sign up for an Alaska Airlines credit card and earn miles through its sign-up bonus and bonus categories. For example, the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 70,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

While some lavish and expensive suites on cruise ships are apartment-sized, most cruisers stay in cabins that are not particularly spacious or fashion-forward.

The decor is designed to appeal to everyone, no matter their personal tastes, with mellow or nautical colors and nothing too distracting. Storage space is often at a premium, and a cruise ship cabin’s bathroom is likely far smaller than yours at home.

There are ways to jazz up your space, however. Here are some easy cruise cabin hacks to help make your onboard accommodations more livable, more personalized and less cluttered.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Add personalization to your cruise cabin

• You will be in your cruise ship cabin for several days, a week or more. So go ahead and bring your favorite pillow, a picture of your kids/dog/cat, a teddy bear, a throw blanket or any other comfort objects you cherish at home, keeping in mind luggage space if you are flying to reach the ship.
• When traveling with kids, let them bring a few of their favorite toys, along with a pillow and blanket.
• A fun cruise cabin hack is to bring an erasable magnetic-backed whiteboard (which will easily attach to the cabin’s metal door) and washable markers so you can draw pictures and leave messages – whether you’re with kids or being flirty with your soulmate.
• Real candles are banned on cruise ships, but battery-operated flameless candles can add a touch of romance to your room (and also serve as nightlights).

Don’t be afraid to move the furniture around

• Standard cabins have twin beds that can be combined into a queen bed, next to two side tables. You might also have a sofa or upholstered chair, vanity or desk, and a coffee table. If you have a balcony, it will be equipped with a pair of chairs or loungers and a drinks table. Don’t be afraid to move the furniture around — you can ask the crew to help — into a configuration that works for you.
• Ask that any objects in your way be removed. For instance, if you keep bumping into the coffee table, get it out of the room. Clearing away the ice bucket and wine glasses and anything else you’re not using will add additional counter space.
• Furniture can also be added. For instance, a stool can be replaced with a chair that may be more comfortable for your back. Ask your cabin steward for assistance.
• If the mini-fridge is filled with soda and booze that you have no intention of buying, have it cleared away. You can use the space for any soda or water you brought from home and for snacks gathered at the buffet (which will also save you any room service charges).

RELATED: 7 reasons to splurge on a cruise ship suite

Beef up the bathroom supplies in your cabin

• Most mainstream ships now have shampoo, conditioner and liquid bath soap you pump from containers in the shower — an ecological and cost-saving measure that eliminates little plastic bottles. That’s all fine and dandy, but what you get will likely be generic brands and not quite what you are used to at home. The same goes for any provided hand or body lotion. If you’re fussy about products, bring your own.
• If you are not a shower gel fan, bring your own bar of soap. If your cabin includes a soap bar, it likely will be a tiny chunk of soap like you get at hotels. On the flip side, if you prefer liquid soap to wash your hands, bring a bottle so you don’t have to reach into the shower every time you want to wash up.

• Another clever cruise cabin hack is to attach a hanging makeup or toiletry kit to the bathroom door. This will allow you to free up space around the sink and more easily keep track of your own supplies. The sink may or may not have drawers or shelves.
• The switch for bathroom lights is often outside the door, meaning you will beam light into the whole cabin as you enter the bathroom in the middle of the night. Bring a plug-in or battery-operated nightlight for navigating around the bathroom without waking your cabinmates.

Improve your cruise cabin with helpful gadgets

• You and your family will likely bring along a selection of electronics — tablets, phones, cameras, an electric shaver and maybe even a curling iron or other gizmos. That’s a lot of stuff to plug into what’s likely to be a limited number of outlets. Bring an outlet extender to accommodate all those cords. (Just make sure it’s not one with a surge protector, as those are banned by cruise lines and will be confiscated.)
• If you’re a light sleeper, you might want to bring a travel-sized sound machine, or get a white noise app on your phone. Cruise ships have lots of creaks, rattling and other noises that could keep you awake.
• If you plan to sleep in, pack some binder clips or even paper clips to keep the curtains drawn tight, which is especially useful in the sunny Caribbean. They’re also useful in Alaska when it’s light out at midnight when you’re trying to go to bed.

Find clever hacks to create more storage space

Cruise ship cabins have a closet with hangers and shelves. There are also often drawers for clothes. Additional drawers for knickknacks might be located in the side tables near the bed or in the desk. When you’re packing for a week — especially if you’re packing for a family — there won’t be enough closet and drawer space for everyone’s clothes and gear, but there are ways to improve the situation.

• Ask your cabin steward for more hangers if your closet doesn’t have enough to hang all your clothes.
• Alternatively, double up clothes on the hangers — a blouse or jacket on top of a sundress, for instance.
• On many ships, the walls are made of metal, and magnets will stick to them. Bring some of your own magnetic hooks in case the cabin is short on the built-in variety so you have room for bathrobes, hats, snorkels and other hangable paraphernalia.
• An over-the-door organizer can help you easily tuck away socks and undies or slot sunscreen and other small items into their own spaces.
• A laundry bag on the floor of the closet lets you corral dirty clothes and keep them from getting in the way or mixing with your clean, unworn clothing.

Make use of the space under the bed

• Your suitcases can be tucked under the bed so they don’t take up space in your cabin or closet. If you keep one open, you can use it as an additional drawer.
• If you’re not using the bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer or other items provided — including decorative pillows if they are in your way — they can go under the bed as well.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

If you’re interested in earning more rewards on everyday purchases, you might want to start using — or using more frequently — dining rewards programs. While many travelers are familiar with online shopping portals, fewer are familiar with dining rewards programs. In short, dining rewards programs let you earn extra points or miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at select restaurants, bars and clubs.

You can’t earn rewards from two dining rewards programs simultaneously, but you might wonder whether you can simultaneously earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card. We’ll look into this common question in this post.

Dining rewards programs

Many major airline and hotel loyalty programs offer dining rewards programs. These programs let you earn points or miles at participating restaurants, bars and clubs when you use an enrolled card to pay. For example, here are some of the most popular dining rewards programs:

• Alaska Mileage Plan Dining
• American Airlines AAdvantage Dining
• Choice Privileges Eat & Earn
• Free Spirit Dining
• Hilton Honors Dining
• IHG One Rewards Dine and Earn
• JetBlue TrueBlue Dining
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining
• United MileagePlus Dining

If you haven’t yet joined a dining rewards program, consider enrolling when a program you like offers a new member bonus. By doing so, you can earn extra points or miles as you start to use the program.

When you join, you’ll need to link at least one credit or debit card to the dining rewards program. Then, you’ll automatically earn points or miles through the dining rewards program when you make eligible purchases at participating bars, clubs and restaurants with your linked card. Your exact earning rate will vary by program, but you’ll usually earn more rewards if you opt in for emails from the dining rewards program and frequently dine at restaurants that participate in the program.

However, Rewards Network runs most dining rewards programs, and it only lets you link each credit card to one dining rewards program. So, you can choose one dining rewards program and enroll your favorite credit card for dining with that program. Or, you can register different cards with different dining rewards programs. For example, you could enroll your American Express® Gold Card in Delta SkyMiles Dining and your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card in Marriott Eat Around Town.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: Which 1 is right for you?

Can you earn with a dining rewards program and a credit card?

You can simultaneously earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card. For example, if you enroll your American Express Gold Card in Delta SkyMiles Dining, opt in to email communications from SkyMiles Dining and then dine at a participating restaurant using your Amex Gold card, you’ll earn:

• 3 Delta miles per dollar spent from SkyMiles Dining (or 5 miles per dollar spent if you have VIP status with SkyMiles Dining)
• 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent from your card since the Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and delivery in the U.S.

This kind of “double dipping” is a great way to speed up your earning rate and earn more rewards without spending more money.

Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Amex Gold?

Bottom line

Stacking a dining rewards program with a credit card bonus category is a great way to earn more rewards. Sign up for the dining program of your choice, link your preferred credit card(s) and watch your loyalty program balance climb.

JetBlue is cutting several routes – and dropping one city altogether – as it tweaks its route map in an effort to improve profitability.

The airline will end all service to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on May 1. JetBlue also will cut or suspend several other routes.

The news was first reported by CNBC, citing an internal memo to staff from Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships.

Other cuts include the end of nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Portland in Oregon and San Jose in California as well as the suspension of flights from JFK to Milwaukee and Ponce, Puerto Rico beginning this fall. Also on the chopping block, according to the memo, is JetBlue’s nonstop route between Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York and Martha’s Vineyard Airport in Massachusetts.  Aside from BWI, the carrier will still serve those cities from its other bases.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

“We can’t fly everywhere we’d like, so we need to be highly selective about where we point our aircraft in order to turn a profit, support our overall network strategy, and offer a reliable operation,” CNBC quotes Jehn as saying in the memo.

News of the service cuts comes just three days after the Justice Department blocked JetBlue’s plan to merge with Spirit Airlines. However, JetBlue says the timing is coincidental.

“The changes we are announcing today have been in the works for nearly a month – long before we got the court’s decision on our acquisition of Spirit Airlines,” the airline said in a statement to TPG.

JetBlue said the cuts “are a necessary quick step to help return our business to profitability. All the routes included have recently underperformed our expectations and these changes come as post-COVID travel patterns continue to evolve.”

Previous cuts: JetBlue cuts 14 routes, drops a city in big network shake-up

Additionally, JetBlue said the cutting of flights was also made “with an eye towards reliability.”

“By removing some of our less in-demand flights, we will give our operation more breathing room as we plan for air traffic control challenges in the northeast,” the airline said in its statement. “Lengthening turn times and allowing more buffer into the system will help get customers where they need to go, with less chance of delays.”

Like all big airlines, JetBlue regularly updates its route map – adding new flights that it thinks will do well and cutting others that haven’t lived up to expectations.

Maximize your flying: The complete guide to the JetBlue TrueBlue program

In addition to those regular adjustments, JetBlue’s network has been in flux since its Northeast Alliance with American Airlines ended this summer – another court setback dealt to the airline by the Department of Justice.

While it was in effect, the alliance allowed JetBlue and American to collaborate on flights from the New York and Boston airports. In New York, where JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) airports are slot controlled, the carriers used some of each other’s slots to build out their alliance schedules – something that then had to be unwound with the forced ending of the pact.

Most recently, JetBlue announced in October that it was cutting 14 routes – including some that it launched from LGA with American’s slots – and dropping all service from Burlington, Vermont.

Related reading:

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

 

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Alaska Airlines Visa® card overview

The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is one of the best cards for earning Alaska miles. Even if you don’t live on the West Coast, Alaska Airlines miles are valuable since you can use them to book flights on Oneworld partner airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas and American Airlines. You’ll also get a free checked bag and priority boarding if you use the card to pay for your flight. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

---

Applying for the personal Alaska Airlines Visa credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card are your main options for easily earning a big chunk of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska miles can be hard to earn given that the program doesn’t partner with any major transferable points currency except for Marriott Bonvoy. Therefore, if you’re loyal to the airline and want priority boarding and checked baggage allowances, or you have a good reason to accrue Alaska miles for travel on Alaska Airlines or its partners, this card is worth considering.

Plus, with Alaska’s proposed acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, there will be more earning and redemption opportunities when flying to the Hawaiian Islands and beyond.

The recommended credit score for this product is 700 or above, but with a lucrative welcome bonus, now could be a great time to apply.

So, let’s see if the personal card is a good fit for you.

Alaska Airlines Visa welcome offer

Right now, the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card is offering 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

TPG values Alaska miles at 1.4 cents apiece, making 70,000 miles worth a solid $980.

Alaska Airlines Visa benefits

Obviously, this card is a great choice if you frequently fly Alaska Airlines.

With a $95 annual fee, this card provides elite like perks without Alaska Airlines MVP elite status. Cardholders get one piece of free checked luggage for themselves and up to six other passengers on the same reservation when they pay with the card, saving $30 per person each way on checked bags. You’ll also enjoy Alaska-related discounts, including 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases.

Suppose you fly Alaska with a friend or family member on paid fares at least once a year. In that case, this card’s most lucrative ongoing benefit is likely to be the annual companion fare, which you’ll earn every year on your account anniversary if you’ve spent $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year — though you’ll also get one as part of the current welcome bonus.

The companion fare is only valid for coach travel but is eligible for upgrades if you hold Alaska’s elite status. TPG’s Summer Hull has taken advantage of a status match to earn Alaska MVP Gold 75k status, then used some of the four one-way upgrades that come with that status to upgrade flights to Hawaii that were booked using the companion fare.

The best thing about this companion ticket is that you’re not limited to round-trip flights or specific economy fare classes. You can do an expensive one-way ticket or even a multi-city itinerary. In addition, you don’t have to fly on the ticket as the primary cardholder — though you must use the Alaska Visa to pay for your ticket.

For more information on the companion ticket and how to get the most value out of it, see our tips on maximizing the Alaska Airlines Visa Companion Fare.

As previously mentioned, the card also offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six other travelers on the same reservation when you use the card to pay for your flights. There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card anywhere around the globe without incurring extra charges.

Cardholders will also enjoy priority boarding, similar to Group 4 or 5 boarding on American Airlines for its cobranded credit card holders. You will board after first class, veterans, folks who need extra time, and Oneworld and Alaska elite members. Again, to access this benefit, you need to pay for your flight with your card.

Also, cardholders can earn 4,000 EQMs for every $10,000 spent on the card (up to 20,000 EQMs each year) — which will help reach Alaska MVP elite status. In addition, you can get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership. Alaska lounges are some of the best domestic lounges and are known for their fluffy and golden brown pancakes.

Lastly, you’ll enjoy a 10% rebate on miles earned annually if you have an eligible account at Bank of America.

Earning miles on the Alaska Airlines Visa

With the Alaska Airlines Visa card, you’ll earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar on gas, local transit, EV charging stations, ride-hailing, cable and some streaming services, and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

In addition, if you have an eligible Bank of America account, you’ll enjoy a 10% bonus on all miles earned — boosting your effective earning rates on these purchases even higher.

If you frequently travel on Alaska Airlines for work or pleasure and want to build up your Mileage Plan balance, this card is an obvious choice for airline purchases. Considering that TPG values Alaska Airlines at 1.4 cents apiece, that’s a 4.2% return.

You should likely use another travel credit card for non-Alaska purchases since you can do better than the card’s earning rate of 1 mile per dollar. However, if you really want to rack up Alaska miles for partner award flights, then that advice may not apply since Alaska miles are valuable and challenging to get otherwise without flying Alaska.

Related: Alaska and Hawaiian Merger A Win-Win

Redeeming miles on the Alaska Airlines Visa

Note that Mileage Plan is overhauling its award chart in March 2024, shifting to a distance-based model. Some redemptions will be cheaper, but some of the program’s sweet spots will require more miles when the changes take effect.

Short-haul Alaska awards (such as Seattle to San Francisco) start at just 5,000 Alaska miles each way. Many longer flights (such as Seattle to New York City) are 12,500 miles in economy. If you want first class, it’s often 40,000 miles on longer domestic flights but can start as low as 15,000 miles each way on shorter flights. If you want to head to Hawaii, those awards start at 15,000 miles each way in economy and 40,000 each way in first class.

Alaska’s partners will also cover your travels across much of the globe. Those partners include British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. When redeeming through Alaska, you won’t necessarily get the lowest mileage booking rate for all of these partners (depending on the route). But you can build some great itineraries by taking advantage of Alaska’s allowance of one free stopover on one-way award tickets.

Some of our favorite ways to maximize Alaska Airlines redemptions include booking Cathay Pacific first class from the U.S. to Asia from 70,000 miles one-way, Japan Airlines first class one-way from the U.S. to Asia starting at 70,000 miles and Fiji Airways from the U.S. to Fiji one-way in business class from 55,000 miles.

You could even fly to Australia on Fiji Airways and add in a free stopover in Fiji for the same 55,000 miles in business class.

But you don’t have to lap the planet to maximize Alaska miles. Booking awards around the U.S. and Canada from just 5,000 Alaska miles each way is also a pretty great deal.

Which cards compete with the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card?

The biggest drawback of the Alaska Visa is that the miles are in a specific airline loyalty program. As a result, they’re more limited than other currencies, since you can only use them on Alaska and its partners.

Here are a few great cards for earning transferrable points if you’re not in specific need of Alaska miles:

• If you want to earn Chase points: Go for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, one of the top mid-tier travel cards on the market. It offers generous point-earning opportunities, such as 3 points per dollar on dining and select streaming services. These valuable points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
• If you’re after Capital One miles: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card combines fixed-value redemptions with 15-plus airline and hotel transfer partners. With its reasonable annual fee and attractive rewards on everyday spending, this card is a valuable asset worth holding onto. For more information, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.

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

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

Is the Alaska Airlines Visa worth it?

The Alaska Airlines Visa is a great choice if you’re an Alaska loyalist or want to diversify your points and miles portfolio with valuable Alaska miles. Thanks to a decent earning rate for Alaska Airlines purchases and the valuable annual companion ticket, the card’s low $95 annual fee pales in comparison to the benefits.

Bottom line

If you’re a dedicated Alaska Airlines customer or are looking to broaden your points and miles collection with valuable Alaska miles, the Alaska Airlines Visa is an excellent option. Even those who don’t frequently fly the airline or its partners can get solid value from the annual companion ticket. Add in some solid earning rates and the benefits of this card can far outweigh its annual fee.

---

Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card available with 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

---

 

There’s a fairly remarkable deal right now to fly on Delta Air Lines for as little as 50,000 points one-way in business class, including during the busy summer travel months.

You’ll need to act fast, however, as we don’t expect this deal to last long. The ‘trick’ to this deal is that you’ll need to use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to book these tickets to fly on Virgin’s partner Delta Air Lines or on a Virgin Atlantic-operated flight.

Many options from the U.S. are available, including flights to Barcelona, Dublin, Munich, Paris and more, as first seen on View From the Wing.

Remember that you can transfer rewards to Virgin from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. In some cases, transfers to Virgin are instant, though I found when I tested a transfer from American Express, it said it could take up to two days to go through, so there is never a guarantee of an instant transfer.

After about an hour, those 50,000 miles became available in my Virgin Atlantic account, and I was able to book a one-way flight during the peak summer season for just 50,000 Virgin Atlantic miles. 

Deal basics

Airlines: Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines.
Routes: Boston, Cincinnati, Minneapolis and New York City to Munich, Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Frankfurt and more.
How to book: Book directly with Virgin Atlantic.
Travel dates: Now through the end of the schedule.
Book by: ASAP

Sample flights

New York to Paris

I found, for example, a flight between New York-JFK and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for as little as 100,000 points round trip.

In this example, I could fly from New York to Paris on a Delta-operated flight with just $149 in taxes and fees.

Germany in the summer

I was also able to find flights to Germany in business class for as little as 50,000 miles each way, plus (higher) taxes and fees.

New York to Munich in the spring

How about Germany in the spring? We found flights as low as 100,000 miles round trip in April with only $126 in taxes and fees.

Munich in the summer

This evening after an hour or so, the American Express Membership Rewards points I transferred became available for use and I was able to book a one-way flight from Munich to New York for just 50,000 Virgin Atlantic miles. Unfortunately, the taxes and fees are higher on one-way redemptions, so I also had to pay about $283 in addition to the miles.

Still, this is an amazing deal, especially since I was planning to use Flying Blue miles to get home from a previously booked open-jaw ticket I had on American Airlines for this summer. That would have cost me 133,000 Flying Blue miles plus $383 in taxes and fees.

Maximize your purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on the taxes and fees portion of your trip.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel
• American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly through the airline or American Express Travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly through the airline or American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare

Bottom line

Finding business-class flights for just 50,000 points each way to Europe on various routes and during busy travel months is increasingly unusual, especially on Delta Air Lines-operated flights. If you are sitting on a stash of Virgin Atlantic points, now is the time to use them.

It lasted long enough for my American Express Membership Rewards transfer to fully process, so that may work for you, too. I doubt this availability will last very long, so act quickly if you want to book.

Related reading:

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

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

After lengthy delays, Venice, Italy’s daytripper tourist tax will finally come into force April 25.

This tourism tax has been in talks for several years. It will be followed by a cap of 25 people for tour groups in the summer.

Here’s what you need to know about each regulation.

5-euro daily tourism tax

On April 25, Venice will begin a pilot run of its daytripper tourism tax after it was previously delayed by the city council.

Initially, the “entry fee” is due to only be in place on certain days between April 25 and July 14 and will cost 5 euros (about $5.45). The tax can be paid prior to entry by visiting the online booking platform.

Currently, the Venice tourism tax won’t apply to hotel guests or the city’s many workers, commuters and students. Visitors traveling to Venice’s lagoon islands — including Murano and Burano — will also be exempt. However, if you’re arriving at these locations via vaporetto ferries from the city center, you will still be required to pay the fee.

Children under 14 will also not be required to pay the tax, nor will those visiting residents of the “Old City” historic center of Venice.

Those transiting through the Piazzale Roma bus terminal, Tronchetto or Stazione Marittima dock will also be exempt if they’re not passing into the Old City.

Additionally, visitors with certified disabilities (along with any caregivers) or those traveling to the city for a sporting event or medical treatment will also be exempt.

Eligible visitors will need to register for exemption on the same website linked above.

What dates will the Venice tourist tax be in force?

In 2024, visitors will be required to pay the fee on the following dates between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• April 25-30
• May 1-5
• May 11-12
• May 18-19
• May 25-26
• June 8-9
• June 15-16
• June 22-23
• June 29-30
• July 6-7
• July 13-14

How to prepay the daytripper tourist tax if you’re visiting Venice

You must book your visit via the Venice city council’s online booking platform.

Once you’re on the site, you need to click “Pay the Access Fee,” which will take you to a site signposted by Venezia Unica. This is the official tourism site for Venice, and you should not pay this fee anywhere else.

Once you’ve accessed this area of the website, you’ll be able to select your travel dates and the number of people you are traveling with, including children — though, as noted above, kids younger than 14 won’t be charged. 

You’ll then be asked to enter the names of any travelers who are not exempt before paying the fee. Once paid, you’ll receive an email with your booking details and also a QR code to show authorities should you be asked during your visit. 

In “exceptional” circumstances, you will also be able to pay on arrival at the Piazzale Roma bus terminal or the Venezia Santa Lucia train station. However, you’re advised to pay prior to your visit.

Should you need to cancel your visit, you can do so up to 11:59 p.m. the day before you’re due to arrive. 

How to register for exemption from the Venice daytripper tourist tax

Those staying overnight in Venice, as opposed to visiting as part of a daytrip, will not have to pay the entry fee provided they have a confirmed reservation. They will instead pay an overnight tax as part of their hotel or rental costs.

Visitors can register for an exemption on the city council website. It’ll ask you for an exemption reason before you give the dates of your visit, personal details and contact information. 

If successful, you will receive a QR code to show to authorities if asked during your visit.

25-person tour group cap

The aforementioned tax for daytrippers is just one of several fees and other measures the city plans to implement to curb the effects of immense tourism.

A new municipal resolution will cap tour groups at 25 people (i.e., half the passengers on a tourist bus). It’ll also ban loudspeakers “that may cause confusion and disturbance.” Both rules are effective June 1. This measure will also apply to groups in Murano, Burano and Torcello.

“It is a provision that is part of a broader framework of interventions aimed at improving and better managing tourism in Venice,” tourism councilor Simone Venturini said in a statement Dec. 30, 2023. “A limit was therefore introduced on the number of participants in tourist groups and the use of amplifiers and parking in narrow streets, bridges or places of passage was prohibited. The number of 25 people was also decided to give homogeneity to what already happens for visits to the city’s civic museums.”

Bottom line

Venice is the latest popular tourist destination to add or bolster tourism-related fees in recent years. From Europe to New Zealand, leaders have grappled with the dual effects of immense tourism spending and tourists’ toll on the environment and infrastructure. These impacts have been particularly potent as travel surged leading up to the pandemic and in the most recent couple of years.

Last summer, UNESCO recommended putting Venice on its list of endangered heritage sites, citing — among other factors — the impacts of tourism, severe weather and climate change.

Related reading:

• The best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• Everyone is going to Sicily — try these 7 underrated places in Italy instead
• Inside Six Senses Rome, a wellness sanctuary in the heart of Italy’s capital city
• Insider tips for eating and drinking your way through Italy
• United will send its poshest plane on a new flight to Italy