One-way flights from San Diego start at $59 for travel this summer.
Additionally, round-trip flights across the network — including those to and from SAN and the other routes announced today — are available to book 35% off through May.
Deal basics
FLYBREEZE.COM
Airline: Breeze Routes: Across the Breeze network How to book: Directly with the airline using the promo code “GETFRESH” for 35% off round-trip fares Travel dates: April 30 to Sept. 3 for the new one-way routes; Jan. 15 to May 22 for all round-trip flights Book by: Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST for the new one-way routes; Jan. 12 at 11:59 p.m. EST for all round-trip flights Blackout dates: Varies by route
Sample routes
As mentioned, this deal is two-for-one, as all round-trip flights across the Breeze network are currently 35% off starting Jan. 15 through May 22. Use the promo code “GETFRESH” to book discounted round-trip fares through Friday.
Additionally, the eight new nonstop routes announced earlier Tuesday, which begin this spring and summer, are on sale. This includes one-way flights from San Diego starting at $129. The other routes announced Tuesday begin at $59.
The following one-way flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below flights will be available when you book:
Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), from $59
Bradley International Airport (BDL) to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), from $59
SAN to RDU, CVG, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF), from $129
SAN to BDL, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), from $139
The above routes are priced for travel from April 30 through Sept. 3, and you must book them by Jan. 15. Note that you can book the aforementioned round-trip routes using the promo code to receive the discount.
As a reminder, the 35% discount only applies to the base fare and excludes taxes and fees. All Breeze fare types include a personal item, while fees for full-size carry-on items and checked luggage start at $30 and $35, respectively. Standard seat selection begin at $10 each way.
Unlike most low-cost airlines, Breeze does not charge fees if you change or cancel your flight up to 15 minutes before departure. If you cancel your flight, you’ll receive a flight credit valid for rebooking within 24 months.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
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)
All Breeze round-trip flights are currently 35% off, including five new routes from San Diego. You must book travel by Friday to enjoy the discounted routes. One-way routes from San Diego and three other new routes are available starting at $59 but offer slightly more flexibility to book through Jan. 15.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Ultimate Rewards points are the currency of most Chase-branded credit cards. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for everyday spending and then redeem them for a wide range of rewards.
Transferring Ultimate Rewards to travel partners is often the most valuable way to redeem your hard-earned points. With 14 different transfer partners, you have plenty of options, since you can keep your Chase points in your Ultimate Rewards account until you can transfer them.
All transfer ratios are 1:1 (though there are occasional transfer bonuses), and you must transfer points in 1,000-point increments.
How long do Ultimate Rewards transfers take?
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Most transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards to its partner programs are instantaneous, with two exceptions. In our testing, transfers to both Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy can take up to two business days.
We’ve heard anecdotal stories of delays with other programs, but as long as the name on your Ultimate Rewards account matches that on your loyalty program account, these should process immediately.
Note that transfer bonuses can also be inconsistent. For example, when TPG’s Nick Ewen recently transferred points to Aeroplan to take advantage of a 20% bonus, the base points arrived immediately, but it took three days for the bonus points to post.
How do I transfer Chase points to partners?
You can easily transfer Chase points online. First, log in to your Chase account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards portal. Under the Travel drop-down, select “Transfer to Travel Partners” to access the main transfer page.
CHASE.COM
You will then see the list of transfer partners. Any current transfer bonuses will also be shown (note that the screen shot below may show outdated offers). Select your desired transfer partner, link your external account if you have not already done so, select the number of Ultimate Rewards points you wish to transfer and then submit the transfer.
CHASE.COM
CHASE.COM
CHASE.COM
Remember, Ultimate Rewards transfers cannot be reversed, so it’s best to wait until you have a specific use before transferring them.
What are the best Chase transfer partners?
HYATT REGENCY LAKE TAHOE
Given the low award chart rates of the World of Hyatt program, many TPG staffers believe Hyatt is the best hotel transfer option for Ultimate Rewards points.
If you would prefer to transfer to one of the 11 different airline program partners, the best option may depend on which airlines fly to and from the destinations you wish to travel, who the program partners with and which airlines you like to travel with.
There are sweet spots to be found in most airline transfer options, especially those programs that have retained award charts.
The World of Hyatt award chart has two appealing factors. First, its mere existence is notable, given most other hotel programs (including IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, the other Chase hotel partners) have shifted to dynamic pricing.
Beyond that, Hyatt award rates can be incredibly low compared to some competitors. You can book some of the fanciest Park Hyatt properties in the entire portfolio, including the Park Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt Sydney, for just 35,000 points per night during off-peak dates. TPG values Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, so 35,000 points are worth $595.
That’s a great deal for hotels that sell for close to $1,000 per night, even when demand is low.
There’s also great value at the lower end of the Hyatt award chart. Category 1 hotels range from 3,500 to 6,500 points per night, depending on whether you travel on peak, standard or off-peak dates.
Iberia flights to Madrid
Round-trip, off-peak flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Spain’s capital will only set you back 34,000 Avios in economy, 51,000 in premium economy or 68,000 in business when you transfer your Chase points to Iberia Plus. Considering that most airlines charge at least 60,000 miles for a one-way business-class award to Europe, you’re essentially getting a 50% discount.
By transferring your Ultimate Rewards to British Airways, you can book awards with Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. As long as your nonstop flight distance is under 3,000 miles each way (and saver-level award space is available), you can leverage British Airways’ distance-based award chart to fly from any West Coast gateway to Hawaii for only 32,000 Avios round-trip — after a December 2023 devaluation that saw prices increase by up to 32%.
ANA flights booked through Virgin Atlantic
For just 145,000 miles, you can fly round-trip in All Nippon Airways first class between the West Coast and Tokyo. Flights from other U.S. gateways only cost an extra 25,000 miles (170,000 miles round-trip). Business-class redemptions are an even better deal, costing just 90,000-95,000 miles round-trip, depending on your U.S. departure airport. If possible, you’ll want to route through New York-JFK and fly ANA’s new industry-leading “The Room” business class, which is only available on select routes.
However, availability can be difficult to come by.
Short-haul flights to Canada
Aeroplan stuck to an award chart for partner redemptions but added dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights. As a result, you can often find super-cheap short-haul tickets from the U.S. to Canada. For example, New York to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) can be booked for under 6,000 miles one-way on many dates.
However, you can also find very reasonable award rates on Star Alliance partners through Aeroplan — including Lufthansa, Swiss and EVA Airways.
Finally, Chase points are worth 1 cent apiece if used for simple cash back.
How do I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points?
JOHN GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY
There are many ways to earn Chase points at 1-10 points per dollar spent, depending on the specific Chase credit card you carry.
The first three cards below earn fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points by themselves, while the remaining four are technically billed as cash-back credit cards.
However, if you have an Ultimate Rewards-earning card, you can effectively convert your cash-back rewards into Ultimate Rewards points. For this reason, having more than one Chase card can make sense to maximize your earning and redeeming potential.
Here are the cards that allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Why you want it: This is a fantastic all-around travel credit card. It earns points at the following rates:
5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025)
5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
3 points per dollar on select streaming services
3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Why you want it: The Sapphire Reserve offers earning power paired with travel perks that can easily cover the annual fee. It earns points at the following rates:
10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025)
10 points per dollar on Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards
10 points per dollar on hotel and car rental purchases through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
5 points per dollar on airline travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal
3 points per dollar on travel not booked through Chase
Welcome bonus: 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Why you want it: This is one of the best credit cards for small-business owners, earning 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchaseson travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. You earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, and points don’t expire as long as your account is open.
Four Chase credit cards are technically billed as cash-back products. However, suppose you have one of the three cards noted above. In that case, you can combine your points in a single account, converting these cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
Even better? None of these cards charge an annual fee.
Here are the four cards that offer this functionality:
Chase Freedom Flex: Earn $200 after you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening. Earn 5% back on select bonus categories, which rotate every quarter and apply on up to $1,500 in combined spending (activation required). Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned. There is no limit to how much you can earn. Every dollar in cash back rewards you earn is a dollar Chase will match. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases. Earn 1.5% on all other purchases.
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Earn $900 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year (then 1%). Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%).
Note that Chase also issues the Ink Business Premier Credit Card. However, the earnings on this card can’t be combined with others in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.
If you value the flexibility of choosing from 11 airline partners and three hotel partners, Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of our favorite credit card programs at TPG.
In the age of no-notice devaluations by some loyalty programs, it is smart to earn Ultimate Rewards via the range of credit card welcome bonuses, category bonuses and everyday spending, and then keep your Ultimate Rewards points until you are ready to transfer and book with an airline or hotel partner.
Hilton’s newest extended-stay hotel chain, which the company announced back in May 2023, finally has a name and the first location should be open for business by the end of this summer.
Originally given the working title, Project H3, the new chain will officially be called LivSmart Studios by Hilton. The first LivSmart Studios, currently under construction in Kokomo, Indiana, is slated to open by late summer of this year, Hilton announced in a release Tuesday morning.
The brand appears to already be a success in terms of owner interest, as Hilton claims more than 350 deals to open outposts are in various stages of negotiation. LivSmart Studios is the newest of Hilton’s 22 brands (including its three club and vacation brands) and was part of the company’s push into more affordable hotel segments last year following the debut of Spark, a so-called premium economy hotel chain.
It had become a bit of a guessing game in the industry as to when Hilton would officially brand Project H3 after some of its competitors moved ahead with official branding for their own extended-stay hotel concepts.
“After much anticipation, we’re thrilled to announce that LivSmart Studios by Hilton is official,” Isaac Lake, brand leader of LivSmart Studios, said in a statement. “With a resilient $300 billion workforce travel market, the extended-stay segment continues to grow. It has never been as primed as it is now for this long-stay brand, and we’re thrilled with the initial excitement we’ve received from owners.”
HILTON
Why all the extended-stay hotel interest?
LivSmart Studios adds to the growing interest of the broader hotel industry in extended-stay properties, which performed best of any hotel type during the pandemic. Extended-stay hotels typically attract essential workers in fields like construction or healthcare — industries that need people on the road who can’t work remotely — as well as those relying on hotels for temporary residences.
Marriott and Hyatt also launched extended-stay hotel brands — StudioRes and Hyatt Studios, respectively — in the last year.
“From luxury to premium economy, Hilton has a rich history of strategically building brands for every guest and every travel occasion,” Chris Silcock, president of Hilton’s global brands and commercial services said in a statement. “At Hilton, we continue to innovate our brands to meet the needs of the ever-evolving traveler, and we are excited to find an opportunity to better serve the long-stay guest with LivSmart Studios.”
HILTON
When a LivSmart Studios stay is just right
LivSmart Studios by Hilton hotels will be geared toward travelers expecting to stay 20 nights or longer at a stretch. Hotels will feature common areas like outdoor patios with grills, communal fire pits, fitness centers and laundry areas and retail markets. Hilton previously announced there would be free breakfast with grab-and-go items.
Apartment-style studios will feature fully-equipped kitchens with full-size refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, two-burner stovetops and plenty of storage. Multipurpose furniture in the guest rooms will create versatile spaces for working as well as relaxing and, of course, sleeping
Hilton previously indicated to TPG that a unique on-property elite benefit strategy is in the works for LivSmart Studios — something that Marriott also appears to be doing with StudioRes. That is likely to mean won’t get the full roster of elite benefits, nor earn as many points per dollar, as you would at a full-service Hilton property.
Rates at LivSmart Studios are expected to average around $100 per night, TPG previously reported.
Longtime JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes will retire, the airline announced Monday, and will be succeeded by airline president Joanna Geraghty.
Hayes, who is 57, will step down effective Feb 12., the airline said, citing health reasons.
“I’ve loved working in this industry,” Hayes said in a statement. “However, the extraordinary challenges and pressure of this job have taken their toll, and on the advice of my doctor and after talking to my wife, it’s time I put more focus on my health and well-being.”
Geraghty, who has been with JetBlue for nearly 20 years, will be the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last 20-plus years, and I am looking forward to building on this momentum as we execute on our strategic initiatives, return to profitable growth, and generate sustainable value for our shareholders and all our stakeholders,” Geraghty said in a statement.
Hayes has helmed the New York-based carrier since early 2015. He joined the airline in 2008 after working at British Airways as executive vice president for the Americas.
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes speaks in Boston ahead of the airline’s inaugural service to London in 2022. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
During his time at the airline, through stints as chief commercial officer, president, and eventually chief executive, Hayes led the charge to expand and grow the airline beyond a small, quirky boutique carrier. He led the development and expansion of the airline’s Mint business class product, along with the airline’s first routes to Europe.
He also spearheaded efforts to grow the airline through partnerships and acquisitions. Under Hayes, JetBlue tried to buy Virgin America in 2016, but was eventually outbid by Alaska Airlines.
Hayes’ departure comes at an inflection point for the airline as it awaits the decision in another antitrust trial, challenging its planned acquisition of Spirit Airlines.
In that case, which was heard in federal District Court in Boston late last year, JetBlue argued that it needed to grow through the merger in order to compete effectively with the “big 4” airlines that dominate 80% of the U.S. market — American, Delta, United and Southwest. By acquiring Spirit’s aircraft and employees, JetBlue could effectively double in size to become the fifth-largest U.S. carrier.
The DOJ, however, argued that removing Spirit from the market would cause the lowest fares to rise. JetBlue and Spirit countered that they could bring median fares down by competing effectively against the big 4.
JetBlue has not said what it would do if the merger is blocked.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be on Geraghty to lead the airline forward.
JetBlue’s president Joanna Geraghty speaking at London’s Gatwick airport after the airline’s inaugural flight from New York-JFK in 2021. DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
Both Hayes and Geraghty together brought the airline through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Geraghty has been actively involved with the day-to-day operation of the airline, as well as strategic planning, Hayes said in a statement.
In recent years, the airline has put Geraghty forward increasingly as a face of the airline, tapping her to liaise with media, partners and other stakeholders. She has flown on inaugural flights and engaged with partners on the airline’s transatlantic expansion, and been arguably more outspoken than Hayes as the airline began its bid to acquire Spirit.
Geraghty, 51, began her career as an attorney and was a partner at the law firm Holland & Knight before joining JetBlue as a lawyer in 2005.
For example, the Royal Caribbean® Visa Signature® Card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 25,000 bonus points (worth $250 in onboard credit) after you spend $1,000 within 90 days of account opening and an ongoing rate of 2 points per dollar on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises purchases. This might seem like a good bonus, but you can actually get a much better value from the welcome bonus on most general travel credit cards.
The information for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you want to get the most value from your vacation purchases, here we explore the best credit cards for booking cruises and why you always want to pay for your vacation at sea with a credit card.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
TIM FAIRCLOTH/AZAMARA
Why use a credit card to book your cruise?
At TPG, we recommend using a credit card whenever and wherever possible so you always earn rewards on your purchases. When it comes to cruises, you’ll get some serious benefits by booking with a credit card.
Earn points and miles
A cruise is a significant expense, which means it’s an opportunity to earn significant rewards. You can use a cruise booking to help you hit a spending requirement and earn a valuable welcome bonus on a new card or earn rewards to put toward future travel by using a card that earns bonus points on travel purchases.
Protect from billing mistakes
We’ve all experienced billing mistakes and the headaches that come with them. If you use cash or a debit card for your cruise, a billing mistake can mean money is already gone from your account before you realize there’s an issue. By using a credit card, your money is safe while you work to get the issue resolved.
Protect your spending
Many travel rewards cards come with trip delay and cancellation insurance, so you’ll be protected if your travel plans go awry. If you plan on doing significant shopping while on your ship, you can use a card with purchase protection to ensure your item arrives safely home.
When deciding which credit card to use for booking cruises, you’ll want to consider the rewards a card earns on cruises and benefits like travel and shopping protections. You can also benefit from a card’s more specific perks, like statement credits for travel and airport lounge access.
With this in mind, we recommend these credit cards for booking a cruise:
The information for the American Express Green Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite 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.
American Express Green Card
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in your first six months of card membership, worth $800 according to TPG valuations.
Annual fee: $150
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Amex Green earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, including cruises. This means you’ll earn bonus points on the cruise booking as well as any airfare or hotel purchases you make to get to and from your cruise. You’ll also get trip delay insurance* that covers you up to $300 per trip (maximum of two claims per 12-month period) and purchase protection† for up to 90 days after you make a purchase.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
†Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information for the American Express Green 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.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening, worth $600.
Annual fee: $95
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card earns 2 points per dollar on all travel purchases, including cruise line purchases as well as hotel and airline purchases. You’ll also get travel protections such as trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance and purchase protection for up to 90 days after your date of purchase.
And if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll earn an additional 25%-75% rewards bonus on every purchase — giving you an even greater return on your cruise spending.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,388 according to TPG valuations.
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Capital One Venture Rewards earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including cruise bookings. You can redeem the rewards you earn for a statement credit to cover travel expenses, including cruise line purchases. You’ll also get travel and emergency assistance services.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,388 according to TPG valuations.
Why it’s great for booking cruises: Like the Venture Rewards, the Venture X earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including cruises, and comes with several travel protections. What makes the Venture X stand out is that it can make your trip run more smoothly with additional perks like complimentary airport lounge access, a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and a $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,230 according to TPG valuations.
Annual fee: $95
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns a valuable 2 points per dollar on travel purchases, including cruise bookings. What makes this card stand out is its impressive travel protections. When you use it to book travel, you’ll get protection against lost or delayed baggage, as well as trip delays, accidents and cancellations.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, worth $1,230 according to TPG valuations.
Annual fee: $550
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, including cruise bookings. You’ll also get a slightly better suite of travel protections than with the Sapphire Preferred, plus airport lounge access and a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Perhaps the best perk on this card, however, is a $300 annual travel statement credit automatically applied to travel purchases, meaning you can get $300 back on your cruise booking when you use this card to pay.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership, worth $1,600 according to TPG valuations.
Annual fee: $695
Why it’s great for booking cruises: You won’t earn bonus points on cruise bookings with this card, but you’ll get access to the Amex Cruise Privileges Program, where you’ll receive onboard credit and an extra onboard amenity for each cruise booking. Plus, the Amex Platinum earns 5 points per dollar on flights (when booking with the airline or through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and comes with comprehensive airport lounge access, so it’s also great for booking travel to and from your cruise departure port.
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening, worth $750.
Annual fee: $400.
Why it’s great for booking cruises: The Altitude Reserve earns 3 points per dollar on travel purchases and comes with up to $325 in annual credits for travel purchases. This means you can get $325 back on your cruise booking when you use this card.
Using the right credit card to book your cruise allows you to rack up some serious rewards on your booking and protect yourself against a wide range of mishaps. Whether you’re focused on hitting a valuable sign-up bonus to help fund your next trip or earning bonus points on your onboard cocktails, you can feel great knowing your card is working hard while you’re kicking back at sea.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the American Express Green Card please click here. For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express please click here.
Despite its hefty $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), the rates and fees are well worth it thanks to its offering of Hilton Honors elite status, statement credits and impressive earning rates.
The most valuable benefit of the Hilton Aspire Amex is its offering of Hilton Honors Diamond status, which earns bonus points on hotel stays, free breakfast, room upgrades, and executive lounge access.
Today, we will dive into the specifics of the Hilton Aspire Amex and what makes it worth paying the annual fee.
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.
Impressive welcome offer
Currently, the Hilton Aspire Amex is offering 180,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchasing within the first six months of card membership. The offer ends Jan. 17.
THE POINTS GUY
The current welcome offer is the highest we have seen and an excellent time to apply for the card. TPG values Hilton Honors points at 0.6 cents each, and the welcome offer is worth $1,080.
As Hilton loyalists, cardmembers are sure to see their Hilton Honors point balances skyrocket with impressive earning rates. The rates and fees offer 14 points per dollar on purchases for Hilton portfolio hotel stays. Charges include hotel stays and incidentals charged to the room bill and paid for using your Aspire card.
Cardmembers also earn 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked with specific car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery). All other purchases earn 3 points per dollar spent.
WALDORF ASTORIA MALDIVES ITHAAFUSHI/FACEBOOK
As a card meant for Hilton loyalists, it offers a great earning rate when staying at Hilton properties. However, the card falls short for everyday purchases, netting just a 1.8% return — a traditional cash back card will get you better value on everyday purchases.
Diamond elite status offers 100% bonus points on all Hilton stays, so an extra 10 points per dollar, a remarkable return on a benefit provided to cardholders. Diamond elite members also receive complimentary upgrades on rooms, including suites, based on availability, along with breakfast or a food and beverage credit. Cardmembers also enjoy executive lounge access at applicable properties.
Based on the comprehensive benefits of Hilton Diamond elite status, the $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) may be worth paying for benefits that’ll elevate your hotel stay experience.
Cardmembers receive up to $400 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases at eligible Hilton resorts. This credit is split into two $200 statement credits, January to June and July to December. The statement credit will be applied toward dining, activities, spa treatments and, even better, room rates and taxes.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Cardmembers also receive up to $200 in annual airline purchase statement credits, split into $50 each calendar quarter, for airfare purchased directly from an airline or through AmexTravel.com.
Additionally, cardmembers receive up to $100 Hilton property credit when booking at least a two-night paid stay at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties through HiltonHonors.com/aspirecard (or over the phone and quote booking code ZZAAP1).
Along with travel credits, the Aspire also provides a statement credit of up to $189 a year toward a Clear Plus membership. Clear is an expedited security program available at more than 50 U.S. airports, stadiums and large venues. If TSA PreCheck lines are long or closed, Clear members can use dedicated security lanes with their kiosks to clear airport security.
Hilton Amex Aspire cardmembers can receive up to three free night awards each year.
The first free night reward is given after opening an account and on the cardmember anniversary each year, with the ability to earn a second-night and third-night reward when spending $30,000 and $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, respectively.
Senior credit cards editor Matt Moffitt uses his free night rewards to stay at luxury properties when he visits New York City, a market with traditionally very high cash prices.
LUKE SHARRETT/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
The Aspire provides complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after enrollment in the Emerald Club program (terms apply) and travel protections, including trip delay reimbursement*, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance*.
Cardmembers also receive cellphone protection for a maximum of $800 per claim in reimbursement for the repair or theft of a device when the wireless bill for the specific cellphone line is paid using the Aspire card. There’s a limit of two approved claims every 12 months, with a $50 deductible each time.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Bottom line
The Aspire deserves a place in your wallet if you’re a Hilton loyalist who frequently stays at Hilton portfolio properties. You’ll receive elite-status benefits, a high earning rate with Hilton and useful statement credits.
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information.
A Disney family vacation is almost as classic of an American pastime as baseball games and 4th of July fireworks. It’s an escape from reality and can be a fun dose of magic and happiness. But along with all that joy and anticipation can come sticker shock at the cost of a Disney vacation. Disney can be done on a budget, but it will never be inexpensive.
While there are sometimes deals on Disney dining and lodging, scoring a meaningful discount on Disney tickets is hard. However, you can use some of your credit card points to get Disney tickets without spending a wallet’s worth of cash.
Whether you want to head to Disneyland or Disney World, here’s a look at different ways to use points to cover your Disney park tickets so you can make your next family vacation more affordable.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Disney ticket costs
How much a Disney ticket costs, and therefore the number of points you’ll need to use, depends on several factors.
These factors include guest age (under 3 are free, but at 10, you’re considered an ‘adult’), what date you’re going, how many days you’ll visit, which park(s) you want to visit and whether you want to park-hop.
One constant with Disney tickets is that the more days you visit a Disney park in one trip, the less your per-day cost.
(Screenshot courtesy of disney.go.com)
Looking at the value on a per-day basis, it’s clearly in your best interest to fit as much Disney as possible on a single trip.
Doing so will let you get significantly more bang for your points (or dollars) than taking multiple short Disney trips, unless you’re shopping for a Disney annual pass, which actually isn’t a bad strategy if you plan to visit multiple times in a year. A single-day, one-park tickets to Disney World range from $109 to $184. But your per-day cost on a longer Disney trip of up to 10 days can start as low as $62 per day at certain times of the year.
Park hopping, where you visit more than one of the theme parks in a single day, will make a one-day adult Disney World ticket cost $188 – $252 (plus tax), so you’re looking at a real chunk of change … or points.
How to redeem points for Disney tickets
If you’re looking for a magical way to get outsize value when using your points for Disney tickets the way you might when cashing in airline miles for a first-class ticket, we have some bad news.
It’s generally impossible to get an insane return for your points when using them on Disney tickets. Instead, as you’ll see below, the main ways to redeem points for Disney tickets are via a cash-back card or by redeeming them at a fixed rate.
But, the best use for your points is the one that makes you happy and if Disney is your happy place, your points can unlock the gates for your visit.
MELISSA ANN PHOTOGRAPHY
Bilt Rewards are very good points for Disney tickets
Bilt Rewards points are some of the best for securing tickets to Disney.
With Bilt Rewards and the Bilt Mastercard®, (see rates and fees) you can earn points that you can use for Disney tickets directly in the activities section of their travel platform at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, which is going to be a better return per point than most of the other options we’ll go through.
BILT
While there are more valuable ways to redeem Bilt points with transfer partners, using Bilt points for Disney tickets is pretty solid, especially if you are racking them up at an increased rate on the monthly Rent Day that does things such as result in double the earnings on dining, taking it from 3 points per dollar to 6 points per dollar, etc.
In the example above, Bilt’s travel booking site charges $167.04 for a one-day ticket to Animal Kingdom on Nov. 2, while Disney charges $158.69 directly. So, you are paying about 5% more in that case to use your points, but it’s still one of the better overall uses of points for Disney tickets.
Then, that option went away for many years. However, it’s now back, with some limitations.
In the Chase travel portal, three-day and longer tickets to Walt Disney World are available with points. However, the prices are a bit higher than purchasing directly from Disney in our comparisons. For example, on Nov. 2, 2024, Disney is charging $473 for a three-day adult ticket, while the option on the Chase site costs $544. Unlike the 5% difference with Bilt, that’s a larger 15% price increase in our example dates, so something to pay attention to when pricing out your trip.
That said, the $544 three-day ticket would cost you 36,277 points if you had a Chase Sapphire Reserve, which is mathematically not the best use of Ultimate Rewards points. However, it’s still a decent option compared to some others, considering you’re effectively getting 1.3 cents in value per point redeemed against the price Disney is charging (1.5 cents against the higher rate on the Chase site).
CHASE
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can also use the card’s annual $300 travel credit toward Disney tickets — again, as long as it codes as a travel charge, so purchasing the tickets from Undercover Tourist is a good strategy for that plan.
The catch with this redemption method is that Disney tickets purchased directly from Disney don’t typically code as a travel charge if purchased by themselves.
If you want to offset the cost by redeeming flexible travel points such as Venture miles, you’ll need the purchase to code as travel.
As mentioned, if you book a larger hotel-and-ticket package directly from Disney, it will likely code as travel. But if you only want to buy Disney tickets without purchasing a broader resort package, again consider purchasing the tickets via a reputable third-party site like Undercover Tourist, as that should then code as travel. As a bonus, some of the tickets available via Undercover Tourists cost a bit less than buying directly with Disney (though some tickets for a shorter trip cost a little bit more).
Going that route means that you could use the 75,000 miles from the welcome bonus from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that you earn after spending $4,000 on the card in the first three months as $750 toward a Disney trip, again, as long as what you are buying codes as travel.
With some of the other credit card programs, the best you can do is earn cash-back rewards that you could use to offset the cost of Disney tickets or anything else for that matter.
For example, Bank of America Preferred Rewards points earned from the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card are worth 1 cent each. This card awards up to 2.625 points per dollar charged on non-bonus transactions and 3.5 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases if you have the highest tier of perks based on total assets on deposit with Bank of America and/or Merrill accounts.
If you are in that preferred earnings tier, it’s just about the most rewarding cash-back card on the market.
Right now, the welcome bonus is 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That has a $600 cash equivalent value that you could use to give yourself a statement credit, essentially offsetting the cost of the Disney tickets charged to that card.
Here’s a look at some of our other favorite cash-back cards.
What about the Disney Visa Card?
If you have a goal of using points for a Disney vacation, it’s logical to wonder why 1,000 words into the story, the namesake Disney® Visa® Card has yet to come up.
There are technically two versions of the Disney Visa. The no-annual-fee Disney Visa earns a simple 1% back on all card purchases in the form of Disney Rewards Dollars you can use at Disney.
Then there’s the Disney® Visa® Premier, which earns 5% back on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com, 2% back on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations, and 1% back everywhere else.
In both cases, the Disney Rewards Dollars you earn can be used toward expenses at the Disney parks, on a Disney cruise, etc. This means that it’s not a bad option if you want to rack up rewards for a Disney trip — especially if you lock in a good sign-up bonus, which I’ve seen as high as $300 – $400 on the Disney Visa Premier card that has the $49 annual fee.
There are some cool perks and discounts that come with the cards, but they aren’t the absolute best options for maximizing your ongoing spending to earn a future Disney vacation.
Here’s an entire story on whether the Disney Visa Card is worth it to help you decide what role that card could play for you in an overall Disney on points and rewards strategy.
It takes time and a concerted effort to build up enough points for a family’s worth of Disney tickets. However, strategically using one or more big credit card sign-up bonuses can help turn a dream Disney trip into a more wallet-friendly reality.
If you have more time to stockpile points, then the Bilt Mastercard is a great card to add to your wallet since its points are worth 1.25 cents each for Disney tickets. However, it currently doesn’t have a welcome bonus for new cardholders.
Getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve and earning its 60,000-point welcome bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months could get you close to two three-day adult tickets as long as they stay available in that travel portal.
While mathematically, there are often better uses of some credit card points than on Disney tickets, the best use of points is always the one that makes your travel dreams come true. So, if Disney is what you want for a future points-fueled trip, you can make that dream come true.
The crash between a Japan Airlines passenger jet and a Japanese coast guard plane in Tokyo this week is resurfacing questions about standards used to evaluate whether aircraft can be safely evacuated during emergencies.
It took about 18 minutes to evacuate Japan Airlines Flight 516, an Airbus A350-900, the Wall Street Journal reported. That’s despite aircraft certification requirements that the plane could be evacuated within 90 seconds, even with half of its emergency exits blocked, and tests that demonstrated that the plane met that target.
Although five of the six crew members aboard the coast guard aircraft were killed, all 379 passengers and crew members aboard the JAL flight escaped safely, even as the plane caught fire and smoke filled the cabin. Only a dozen minor injuries were reported — things like bumps, bruises and sprains from the trip down the evacuation slide.
The flight attendants on board have been widely credited with keeping passengers calm and helping ensure an orderly evacuation, while the modern design of the aircraft is seen as having helped to slow the spread of the initial fire, giving passengers time to escape.
Still, the discrepancy between the theoretically achievable 90-second window and the time it took to evacuate in Tokyo has raised old questions about whether that window is even possible, whether certification tests reflect real-world conditions and whether redesigning the test would have unintended consequences.
AKIO KON/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Legislation introduced in the U.S. in late 2022 by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., would require the Federal Aviation Administration to test evacuation times using a more realistic setting.
“Putting 60 people on part of a fuselage of an airplane and pretending that no one has carry-on baggage, and there are no children and senior citizens on board” doesn’t reflect real-world conditions, Duckworth told TPG in a Zoom interview at the time. “I wrote the legislation because I saw that these tests were not being done in a realistic way.”
A modified version of the legislation is included in the pending bill to reauthorize the FAA, which is expected to pass this year.
Duckworth — who sits on the Senate subcommittee for aviation and was a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army before losing both legs during combat in Iraq — renewed calls to address the evacuation standards this week following the JAL crash.
“What happened in Tokyo this week was a tragedy, but one that could have been much worse—and while we won’t know the full details for some time, I have been warning that something like this could happen in the U.S. for a long time now,” Duckworth said in a statement provided by her office Friday.
STR/JIJI PRESS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The episode highlights the need to reassess the 90-second rule, Duckworth continued, to “finally establish an emergency evacuation standard that takes real-life conditions into account—such as the presence of carry-on bags, children, seniors and passengers with disabilities—so we can make flying as safe as possible. That’s the least the flying public deserves.”
When first introducing the legislation, Duckworth noted that should aircraft fail the 90-second test under new standards, airlines would not necessarily have to make changes. Rather, the findings could be that the standard is unrealistic, unhelpful or unnecessary, leading to a change to the standard itself.
“I just want to get the basic data,” Duckworth said.
One effect could be to give pilots, flight attendants and ground rescue crews a new, more realistic real-world standard to train to.
“I think that ultimately it’s going to make everybody safer in the long run,” she said during that 2022 interview. “But to have an arbitrary standard and then to finesse the test so that you meet those standards is not how FAA regulations and safety regulations are supposed to work.”
The cause of the Japan crash is under investigation, along with the response to the crash — including the evacuation.
As the remnants of the A350 smoldered on the runway at Haneda Airport, however, it remained clear that regardless of how long the evacuation took, some confluence of factors prevented a tragedy from being significantly worse.
Editor’s note: TPG’s Ashley Kosciolek accepted a free trip from Carnival Cruise Line to experience Carnival Jubilee prior to its first revenue voyage. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.
I knew there was a reason I was drawn to the Center Stage Bar on Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship and the third in the Excel Class. But I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was. The bar — along with several other dining venues and the onboard shops — wasn’t open during my two-night sailing prior to the ship’s first voyage with paying passengers. But each time I passed by it in Grand Central, one of the ship’s six zones, I couldn’t help staring.
The Center Stage Bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
During dinner one night, following a discussion with fellow journalists and some of the cruise line’s public relations team, it hit me: Its “midcentury modern meets ’80s neon” vibe seemed to draw distinctly from the influence of Joe Farcus, the interior designer and architect responsible for Carnival’s quirky decor for more than 30 years.
It wasn’t just the one bar. Conflicting styles that worked surprisingly well together was a theme that kept repeating on board. Carnival Jubilee is, after all, a throwback ship, designed to pay homage to some of the fleet’s original vessels. It seems fitting it would meld elements from previous decades with a more modern flare.
For more cruise guides, news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
The Lido zone’s main Beach Pool on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
For example, the pool deck, with its citrusy color scheme and vintage smokestack design, is like something straight out of the ’70s. Meanwhile, some of the most technologically advanced LED screens back singers and dancers in the theater and show realistic animations via fake windows in the Currents zone, which make passengers feel like they’re in the Florida Everglades or Antarctica.
In other parts of the ship, a timeless, neutral color palette shapes the furnishings in the cabins and many of Carnival Jubilee’s restaurants, while bars and lounges are awash in eye-catching jewel-toned colors that belong more to the ’80s and ’90s. It’s kitschy but classy in the most unexpected and delightful ways.
I loved the cabin layouts and new entertainment, too. Here, I’ll run through the specifics of what I truly enjoyed while on board, and a few things that gave me pause.
Note: I was one of just three people on the ship who wasn’t a Carnival employee or a contractor putting the finishing touches on the vessel before its first “real” sailing. For that reason, there was no live music, the shops weren’t open, and many of the restaurants either weren’t serving food or held unusually limited hours.
The regular battery of daily programming — trivia, game shows, pool games, etc. — also wasn’t offered since there were no passengers. In other words, this wasn’t a typical sailing, so my account is limited to the aspects of the ship I could experience.
What had me smiling
The throwback design
A view of Center Stage in Carnival Jubilee’s Grand Central zone. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
“Can’t believe that’s a brand-new ship!” a former coworker commented when I posted a few photos on Instagram during my time on board. “It looks like something right out of the ’90s!”
Mission accomplished, Carnival.
Love it or hate it, there are throwbacks everywhere you look on Carnival Jubilee. A forever fan of Farcus — I even have one of his piano bar tables in my living room, rescued from Carnival’s former Tropicale — I think the design elements (the colors, the decor, the mixture of styles) are brilliant.
From the funky-elegant style of the three-deck Grand Central atrium with its squiggly ceiling, colored glass, floor-to-ceiling LED screens and seats that, from afar, resemble pink flamingos to the slightly more subdued monotone Piano Bar (so much purple), many of the public spaces will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
A photo spot set up in The Shores zone on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Plus, there are nods to Carnival’s first Jubilee everywhere. The vessel’s original bell and ship plaque, both from 1986, are on display. Also, the boat that’s positioned as a photo spot in the new Jubilee’s The Shores zone bears the original Jubilee’s hull number, 0717, as the fake registration number on its hull.
Then there’s the Lido Deck, which features amber, orange and lime green accents, wooden latticework, faux palm trees and vintage smokestacks that will have you thinking you magically woke up in the wrong century.
The ocean theme
The Pacific dining room on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to the vintage references, a well-executed ocean theme is carried throughout the ship. It starts with The Atlantic and The Pacific, the names of Carnival Jubilee’s two main dining rooms. They feature light fixtures befitting the Great Hall at Hogwarts Castle and look as if they contain water bubbles.
Follow that up with Currents, one of the zones on board. You can walk from the Golden Mermaid bar (which boasts a giant wall mural featuring mermaids and hidden references to SpongeBob SquarePants) through an archway designed to look like a whale skeleton.
The seating area for the Dr.Inks, Ph.D. bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
At the end of the hall, you’ll find a promenade area with Carnival’s new bar, Dr.Inks, Ph.D. Derived from the word “drinks,” the name of the bar is also the name of its cartoon mascot. Dr. Inks is an octopus with a doctorate degree in philosophy. She has pet butterflies that she keeps in a fishbowl, a jellyfish lava lamp and an extensive collection of eyeglasses in all colors and shapes. She’ll show up occasionally on the LED screens that make up the fake windows lining the promenade.
Dr.Inks Ph.D., a new bar in the Currents zone on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
While you wait for her, try one of several social media-worthy cocktails from her bar, including my favorite — the Snapping Pop (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, triple sec liqueur, maraschino liqueur, Pop Rocks and green apple candy) — and take in the other sights that appear on the screens. They include drawings by children from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dr. Seuss characters and wildlife scenes that will make you feel like you’re sailing in different areas of the world.
At set times, you can head up one deck — via a staircase with a glittering blue wall that evokes the ocean, offset by a suspended school of swimming fish — to a kiosk that allows you to change the location.
A stairway on Carnival Jubilee keeps up with the ship’s ocean theme. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Also scheduled are events that will allow you to make your own fish, which can be seen swimming by on the screens. And, throughout each sailing, passengers will have at least one chance to see the screens pulsating along, synthesizer style, to music that will play in the Currents corridor.
If you’re hungry, grab a bite at for-fee seafood eatery Emeril’s Bistro 717, with a menu created by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.
The ocean life-themed Currents zone on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
When you’re finished on Deck 7, the upper level of Currents, make your way up one more deck to The Shores, a beach- and boardwalk-centric zone that celebrates life above the sea instead of under it. There, you’ll find the nautically themed Marina Bar, and the ship’s deli, Beach Buns. Whatever you do, don’t miss Coastal Slice, which serves free and delicious pizza.
The entertainment
Members of the Carnival Jubilee production cast perform in the new show “Dear Future Husband.” ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Although some of Carnival’s nighttime song-and-dance theater shows can feel a bit dated, cheesy and lackluster, that isn’t the case on Carnival Jubilee.
When I sailed, I had a chance to see the full production of “Dear Future Husband,” a show in which a group of singers and dancers boards a cruise ship for the wedding of two of their friends. The performance takes the audience through boarding, the pre-wedding festivities, the process of hair and makeup, getting dressed up and, finally, the vows, all while belting out popular songs like Bruno Mars’s “Marry You” and, of course, Meghan Trainor’s “Dear Future Husband.”
After the show, “guests” (passengers) are encouraged to attend the “reception” (a dance party with the ship’s DJ) in the ship’s Limelight Lounge.
It’s a fun concept but with one drawback. Passengers have to make their way to the lounge, which isn’t next to the theater. (On Deck 6, the theater is next to the spa and fitness areas, and on Deck 7, it’s right in front of the casino.) Because there weren’t passengers to test it out on my sailing, it was unclear how many people would actually make their way to the lounge versus peeling off to gamble or find other nighttime activities.
Overall, I give the show kudos for its cute and easy-to-follow storyline.
The Beach Pool on Carnival Jubilee at night. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
“Dear Future Husband” isn’t the only interactive entertainment you’ll find on board. Another is the Lone Star Tailgate, a three-hour pool deck event in tribute to the ship’s Texas home port.
Because Carnival Jubilee’s homeport is in Galveston, you’ll find nods to the Lone Star State throughout the ship, including on the ship’s hull where there’s a star — something no other vessel in the fleet has. Another offering is the tailgate party with games, dancing and prizes, where passengers can pretend they’re getting ready to cheer on the fictitious Carnival University football team.
The full-scale event wasn’t offered during my sailing, but I’m giving the line points for both creativity and interactivity, as well as for recognizing how much its Texas audience values American football culture.
The crew
The crew undertook spot cleaning to prep Carnival Jubilee for its first sailing. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
I’ve never had an opportunity to sail on a pre-inaugural cruise without at least a few hundred other passengers. My voyage on Carnival Jubilee was truly a test run, and it was fascinating to see the crew in action as the last-minute details came together seamlessly. Because there were no passengers, their responsibilities turned to readying the vessel. That meant I was able to see them more relaxed as they worked on nailing every last detail before the big first sailing.
The room stewards worked hard to make sure every cabin was sparkling and set up just perfectly. Even though some of the restaurants weren’t open, waiters were in their uniforms to do dry runs of evening dinner service. The retail workers ripped open box after box of inventory and, over the course of just 48 hours, stocked all of the shelves in the onboard shops. The kids club staff mobilized to organize the ship’s multiple activity spaces. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there, and they all welcomed each other with smiles. The excitement was palpable, which bodes well for passengers since the crew is prepared and the ship is ready.
The Bolt roller coaster on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
In their downtime, the crew was encouraged to attend the evening theater shows to cheer on the entertainment staff, who had been rehearsing diligently to fine-tune their performances. Crew members were also invited to test the vessel’s top-deck activities, including the ropes course and the Bolt roller coaster.
More than 1,600 crew members and Carnival employees gathered around Carnival Jubilee’s pool deck for a pre-debut pep rally. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
On the final day of the cruise, more than 1,600 crew members gathered for a pep rally and group photo on the Lido Deck in matching Carnival jackets the line had specially made for the occasion. It was mind-boggling to see them all in one place at the same time. Until then, the sheer number of people required to keep a ship of Carnival Jubilee’s size running smoothly hadn’t fully registered.
As they gathered in groups by department and fanned out around the main pool, the cruise director called out each of the many facets of ship operations — culinary, housekeeping, spa, entertainment, guest services, finance — eliciting cheers from each one. (If there were an award for most enthusiastic, I’m still not sure whether it would go to the bar team or the casino staff.)
The cabins
An Ocean Suite on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
What’s nice about Carnival’s newer ships is that they offer a choice of more cabin categories than the line’s older vessels. On Carnival Jubilee, options include inside cabins, outside rooms with windows, balcony accommodations and mini-suites, which are basically larger balcony cabins that have more closet space and can sleep up to four people.
The living room of an Excel Suite on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
But the ship also offers some of the first real suites in the fleet, featuring separate living room and bedroom areas, bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, and walk-in closets.
The lounge for passengers booked in the Family Harbor area of Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Another nice option is the Family Harbor area. Cabins in this section of the ship come in several configurations to suit different needs, and they include access to a dedicated lounge, allowing families to spend time together over snacks, drinks and even board games.
I stayed in an Ocean Suite (a type of mini-suite), and I was thoroughly impressed by the amount of storage space, which would have been more than adequate for the four people my room could accommodate. I was also floored to discover ample electrical outlets, including at least one USB port near every bed in the room — including the bunk that pulled down from overhead. These are great examples of how Carnival has paid attention to passenger preferences.
The drinks
A bartender puts the finishing touch on the A Pearly Bubble drink at the Golden Mermaid Bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
I’m not generally someone who cares about alcohol. Give me one or two pina coladas on a weeklong cruise, and I’m good to go. However, the massively creative options on the menus at both the Golden Mermaid and Dr.Inks, Ph.D. bars are absolutely worth a shoutout.
For the wow factor, the best drink I had was A Pearly Bubble. Found on the menu at the Golden Mermaid, it’s a mix of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. It was a bit too dry for me, so I didn’t care for the taste, but you won’t want to miss the presentation.
The Golden Mermaid Bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
For taste, which I know is subjective, my favorite is the aforementioned Snapping Pop (Swedish Fish candy-infused vodka, triple sec liqueur, maraschino liqueur, Pop Rocks and green apple candy). I prefer sweet drinks, and this hit the spot.
Be warned that it’s messy, though. My hands felt sticky for hours afterward, no matter how many times I washed them. When I finally went back to my cabin at the end of the night, I was amused to find I had Pop Rocks stuck in my hair.
What I don’t care for
Location of Guy’s Burger Joint
The Ringer, one of several burgers available from Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
My first complaint isn’t exclusive to Carnival Jubilee. The change in location of Guy’s Burger Joint — the free burger stand created by Food Network star Guy Fieri that’s now a Carnival staple — first appeared on Mardi Gras in 2021.
On most vessels, the burger counter is positioned on the Lido Deck, adjacent to the BlueIguana Cantina, which serves tacos and burritos. On Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee, though, it’s one deck above. It’s a minor gripe, but it feels like you’re going out of your way to trek up a deck to grab a burger.
This is especially true if you have a group that wants to eat together but has differing opinions about which casual venues each person wants to hit. It can be a pain to have to venture to a different area of the ship to grab food when your friends and family are looking at other dining options closer to the pool.
On the plus side, the burgers are still as tasty as they’ve always been.
The RedFrog Tiki Bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
However, just because Guy’s doesn’t have a presence on the main pool deck doesn’t mean RedFrog — the bar associated with Guy’s on many other Carnival vessels — isn’t represented. In fact, a two-deck RedFrog Tiki Bar is ready to keep you hydrated during your sunbathing hours.
Texas’ weird alcohol laws
A bartender pours two Snapping Pop drinks into glasses at the Dr. Inks Ph. D. bar on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
To be clear, this isn’t Carnival’s doing, but for anyone who’s trying to maximize their alcohol package, it’s worth noting as a potential annoyance.
When cruise ships are in Texas waters, the onboard bars are only allowed to serve alcohol that was obtained in Texas. That means the types of alcohol available could be limited when Carnival Jubilee (or any other ship) is in port. If you’re loyal to a particular brand of vodka, for example, you might have to switch things up and try some Tito’s if you’re hankering for a tipple before you set sail.
This rule applies from the time you board the ship until it sails into international waters, about 12 nautical miles off the coast.
A suite at the JW Marriott Mauritius Resort. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you accrued 50 or more elite nights with Marriott Bonvoy in 2023, you’ll want to select your Marriott Choice Benefits by the Jan. 7 deadline.
Once you reach 50 elite nights in a calendar year, you can choose one of the following:
Five elite night credits (toward your 2023 elite nights)
Five Suite Night Awards
A $1,000 discount on your favorite Marriott hotel mattress
A $100 charity donation
A gift of Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status for a family member, friend or colleague
Once you accrue 75 elite nights in a calendar year, you’ll get an additional selection. Aside from the options you receive once you reach 50 elite nights, you’ll also get to choose if you’d like to gift Gold Elite (rather than Silver Elite) status or add the option of a free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points.
If you don’t choose by Jan. 7, Marriott will automatically choose Suite Night Awards for you.
Those with an American Express card that issues an annual airline fee credit have until Jan. 31 each year to change the airline they’ve selected for the credit. If you do nothing, your selection will remain what it was the previous year.
Some of the American Express cards that offer annual airline fee credits include:
Amex says you can use the airline fee credits for “incidental fees such as checked baggage, in-flight refreshments, and flight change fees” that you pay to your chosen airline using an enrolled card.
Whether you want to fly to Aruba, Jamaica, Hawaii or Nebraska, generally speaking, the earlier in the year you earn the Southwest Companion Pass, the better.
Southwest increased the Companion Pass requirement from 125,000 to 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points (you can also earn the pass after 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year). However, Southwest cardholders now enjoy an annual boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points toward Companion Pass qualification.
Once you surpass the threshold to earn a Companion Pass, your designated companion can fly for free with you on Southwest (other than the cost of taxes) for the rest of the calendar year in which it’s earned and the following calendar year. That means you can earn the pass now and have it through Dec. 31, 2025.
If you’re striving to earn the Companion Pass, signing up for a new Southwest credit card can help. After all, sign-up bonuses from Southwest credit cards count toward the 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points needed to earn a Companion Pass. However, other earning activities — including buying Rapid Rewards points — won’t count in your quest for the Companion Pass.
Like Marriott, Delta Air Lines awards its higher-tier elite members with Choice Benefits. You get one selection when you qualify for Platinum Medallion status and three selections when you qualify for Diamond Medallion status.
Unfortunately, the timing for choosing these perks isn’t always clear. Delta uses the term “Medallion year” when describing this deadline, which can (understandably) lead to confusion.
In short, you earn the next year of status based on the previous calendar year’s worth of flying. So, your qualifying activity from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023, earned you status for the 2024 Medallion year.
So, what does this mean for Choice Benefits? Here it is in simpler terms:
If you earned Platinum and/or Diamond Medallion status based on your qualifying activity in the 2022 calendar year and you haven’t selected your Choice Benefit(s), you must do so by Jan. 31, 2024.
If you don’t make a selection before the deadline, the option(s) will disappear entirely, never to return.
It’s also worth pointing out that if you still haven’t made a selection for your 2023 Medallion year, carefully consider when the benefits you select will expire. You may want to select benefits such as bonus miles or a travel voucher, as these don’t expire at the end of the Medallion year associated with your Choice Benefits.
You might also have Choice Benefits to select from your 2023 flying activity (2024 Medallion year). You’re welcome to pick those now, but they will remain available until Jan. 31, 2025.
Some credit card travel credits reset with the calendar year, and some operate by cardmember year (i.e., when you were first approved for the card). Regardless, this is a good time of year to see when your available travel credits reset and put them to good use.
In addition to the Amex airline fee credits already mentioned, here’s a look at some of the other travel-related credits you might have:
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Up to $300 for travel purchases each account anniversary year (though it is based on a calendar year if you got the card before May 21, 2017)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Up to a $50 statement credit each calendar quarter (January through March, April through June, July through September and October through December) on flight purchases made through amextravel.com or with the airline directly; earn up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually (up to $400 annually) on eligible purchases made at participating Hilton resorts with your Hilton Amex Aspire Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Up to $200 annual statement credit when you book a prepaid rate through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts with American Express Travel (this benefit can also be used on stays of two nights or more at properties in The Hotel Collection)
The information for the Citi Prestige and Hilton Aspire cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You might also have travel credits with airlines. If so, now is a good time to make a plan for using these credits.
A few popular rewards cards have other non-travel-related credits that reset on Jan. 1, such as:
Up to $50 Saks Fifth Avenue statement credit is issued twice yearly for those with the Amex Platinum — once from January to June and then a second up to $50 statement credit valid from July to December. Enrollment Required.
Up to $200 Dell statement credit is issued twice yearly for those with the Amex Business Platinum — once from January to June and then a second up to $200 statement credit valid from July to December. Enrollment Required.
With many airlines and hotels, you must requalify for status by the end of each calendar year. But if you don’t requalify, you often keep your status until the end of January or February.
In short, you may have a month or two of “free” status if you didn’t requalify. As such, the beginning of the year is an ideal opportunity to use up elite status perks left over from the previous year, such as airline or suite upgrades and potential status matches to other programs. Sometimes, you can even use upgrade certificates for friends, depending on the program’s rules, so they don’t always have to go to waste just because you aren’t traveling in the next few weeks.
Brush up on your current bonus categories and goals for the year. You may want to reallocate your spending among the cards you currently hold. Or, maybe you’ll realize it’s a good time to pick up a new travel rewards card and spend a certain amount to receive a welcome bonus.
Whatever travel goals and credit cards you select, it’s helpful to label those cards with the benefit you’re chasing and the card’s bonus categories so you don’t miss out on optimizing your spending.
If you’ve maxed out booking fourth-night-free stays with the Citi Prestige (capped at two per calendar year), hit the maximum yearly bonus limit for 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1%) on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or reached another similar limit in 2023, this is the magic time of year when many of the clocks reset.
Not all cards reset bonus spending limits by calendar year, though. It’s important to carefully review your online benefits guide to ensure you don’t sacrifice any bonus points.
There’s a lot to do at the beginning of the year to set the rest of the year off right — especially when it comes to points, miles and credit card rewards. However, a little extra work now likely means you’ll maximize your rewards in 2024.
