Here’s a way to travel to the airport in a bit more style … and at no extra cost.
JetBlue is offering a deal that could land you a free airport transfer aboard Blade, the helicopter service that will fly you from Manhattan to the airport in a matter of minutes.
Over the next week, travelers can earn a free Blade transfer when booking a flight in JetBlue’s premium Mint cabin to or from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Blade’s rides can get you to the airport in mere minutes, compared with the long wait travelers often find sitting in traffic or on public transportation en route to the airport.
Typically, the chopper transfers start at $195. Plus, JetBlue TrueBlue members who reach top-tier Mosaic 4 elite status earn four transfers as a loyalty perk.
So, this could be a great opportunity to try out the service, particularly if it’s something you’ve long had on your travel wish list.
A JetBlue Mint suite on an Airbus A321LR aircraft. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Promotion details
The Blade promotion unveiled Tuesday is available for trips booked between now and Feb. 21, and taken between Feb. 15 and March 8.
Again, to qualify, you have to book a trip in JetBlue’s Mint cabin. Keep in mind, Mint isn’t available on many JetBlue aircraft; the airline offers it on transatlantic routes to Europe, plus other select routes within the U.S. and Latin America.
A big caveat: You’ll only earn a Blade ride if your flight arrival or departure at JFK or Newark is within the company’s hours of operation. Those hours shift slightly depending on whether you’re using Blade’s facilities at West 30th Street or East 34th Street, and whether you’re using JFK or Newark.
Generally speaking, though, the company operates on weekdays (save for very early mornings or late nights) and Sunday afternoons.
Check the specific hours of operation for Blade’s JFK and Newark service on its website if you’re booking a Mint ticket with this perk in mind.
If you book a round trip from New York as part of this promotion, you’d be eligible for two transfers — one to the airport ahead of your departure, and another back to Manhattan after you arrive.
Your free Blade ride is not transferable to another, later date.
Booking your Blade transfer
After booking your JetBlue Mint accommodations, you’ll receive an email with instructions for booking your helicopter transfer.
Once your travel day arrives, you can show up at the specific Manhattan departure lounge you booked — if it’s for a departure — before your five-minute ride to the airport. Upon landing at the airport, a Blade vehicle will whisk you off to the terminal.
If you’re using the service for an arrival in the New York area, Blade will coordinate on a terminal pickup and escort you to the departure lounge before your ride to Manhattan.
While each Super Bowl is unique, some things never change. And in this case, it means that the Kansas City Chiefs are again Super Bowl champions and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is again going to Disneyland.
Putting the iconic “I’m going to Disney” commercial together in the minutes after the game ends doesn’t look like the easiest job in television. There are edits to make, contracts to sign and the final game outcome typically isn’t known until the very end — especially in the event of overtime, like Sunday night.
But that hustle and subsequent quick-turn creation of the “We’re going to Disney!” commercial are as much a part of the modern-day Super Bowl experience as a flashy halftime show and buckets of chicken wings.
If you’ve ever wondered how this came to be, the iconic commercial got its start after the 1987 Super Bowl when winning quarterback Phil Simms was the first to take in a payday (reportedly $75,000 in 1987) in exchange for saying a couple of lines and taking a trip to Disney World.
The commercial, largely unchanged from its original version, has happened almost every year since.
And yes, the players who say the magical phrase really do go to Disney World or Disneyland, usually the very next day after the game. This year, Mahomes and family will head to Disneyland, the closer of the two U.S. parks to Las Vegas, where the 2024 Super Bowl was held.
If you’re ever at Disney World or Disneyland the day after the Super Bowl (again, whichever park is closer to the location of the Super Bowl is typically utilized), there’s a decent chance you’ll see a representative or two from the winning Super Bowl team take their place in a celebratory parade down Main Street, U.S.A., which will be held Monday at 2 p.m. Pacific time.
Often, though not always, it is the MVP of the game that’s at either Disney World or Disneyland the next day.
Patrick Mahomes at Disneyland in 2023. HANDOUT/GETTY IMAGES
If that sounds like something you want to be a part of, it’s never too early to start planning for next year, when the Super Bowl will be held in New Orleans, making Disney World a good candidate for the day-after celebratory parade.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
There are many ways to earn points and miles, from the obvious ones (like flying or spending on a credit card) to some that aren’t as well known (like online shopping portals). One of my favorite ways to earn more on purchases I was planning to make anyway is by signing up for airline dining rewards programs.
Most airlines have a dining rewards program that allows members to earn extra miles by using an enrolled credit card when paying their bills at participating restaurants, bars and clubs. It’s a very low-effort way to score extra rewards in addition to those you earn from your credit card.
One of the best things about AAdvantage Dining is that once you set it up, you’ll earn extra miles whenever you eat at a participating restaurant. Head to the AAdvantage Dining website to register and link your credit card and AAdvantage account.
Even better, the AAdvantage miles you earn while dining count as base miles. This means they count as Loyalty Points, which can help inch you closer to American Airlines elite status.
You’ll only earn miles when dining at participating restaurants and paying with a linked card, but you can easily find participating restaurants on the AAdvantage Dining website. You can search for specific restaurants by name. However, I find it easier to type in a city or ZIP code and scroll through the list of nearby options.
It costs nothing to join AAdvantage Dining, and your membership will stay active as long as you have at least one qualifying dining experience every 36 months.
There are three different membership tiers in the AAdvantage Dining program:
Basic member: Earn 1 mile per dollar spent if you opt out of email communication from AAdvantage Dining.
Select member: Earn 3 miles per dollar spent if you opt in to email communication from AAdvantage Dining.
VIP member: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent if you opt in to email communication from AAdvantage Dining and have already completed 11 qualified transactions in the current or previous calendar year. (Members start earning at the VIP level on their 12th qualified transaction.)
These membership tiers and earning rates aren’t connected to your American Airlines elite status. So, having AAdvantage elite status won’t help you earn more miles in the AAdvantage Dining program.
Miles will appear in your AAdvantage Dining account three to five days after a qualifying transaction. They should be posted to your AAdvantage account within one to two weeks of the transaction.
What cards to use
Depending on your status within the AAdvantage Dining program, you’ll earn anywhere from 1 to 5 miles per dollar spent at eligible restaurants. The good news is that these AAdvantage miles are in addition to any card rewards you’d earn on the purchase. The restaurant where you’re eating will still process your transaction, so you’ll want to use one of the best cards for dining. Some popular choices include:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Alternatively, you might consider using a cobranded American Airlines credit card if you’re focused solely on earning American miles. However, these cards usually offer a lower return on dining than those mentioned in the list above.
If you have more than one card you regularly use when dining out, you may want to link them all to your AAdvantage Dining account to ensure you don’t miss opportunities to earn. I frequently switch between my American Express Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve, depending on whether I’m interested in earning Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points. So, I keep both cards linked to my account.
Whether you sign up with AAdvantage Dining or another dining rewards program, these programs offer an amazing opportunity to double dip and earn more rewards when dining out. If you eat out regularly and one of your favorite restaurants participates in AAdvantage Dining, you may easily earn VIP status and boost your earning rate significantly.
The AAdvantage Dining program is also great if you want to earn elite status with the American AAdvantage program, as most miles earned from the AAdvantage Dining program count as Loyalty Points. So, if you’re planning a work event or business meal, consider choosing a restaurant participating in the AAdvantage Dining program to rack up miles on your reimbursable expense.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card overview
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is IHG’s no-annual-fee card option. With this card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts as well as 3 points per dollar at gas stations, monthly bills and restaurants with this card. While the IHG Traveler Card offers some useful IHG-related perks, it may not be the best choice for you. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐1/2
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
IHG offers two personal cobranded Chase cards to help customers rack up points and maximize their stays. One of these cards is the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card. The IHG One Traveler Card certainly has more to offer to IHG loyalists than most no-annual-fee hotel cards, but it may not be your best choice.
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is for travelers who want to earn IHG points on their purchases without incurring an annual fee. Specifically, this card is best if you stay with IHG frequently and will use the card’s fourth reward night benefit.
The recommended credit score for this card is above 670. Now, let’s take a closer look at the IHG One Traveler Card so you can decide whether it is right for you.
Great earnings rate at 5 points per dollar on IHG purchases
Fourth-night-free perk
Redemption options outside of IHG properties provide low value
Poor transfer rates to airline partners
IHG One Rewards Traveler Card welcome offer
Currently, the IHG Traveler Card offers a sign-up bonus of 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. TPG values IHG One Rewards points at 0.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $500.
This isn’t quite the best offer we’ve seen on this card (120,000 bonus points), but it meets our criteria for an offer worth jumping on.
THE POINTS GUY
You may be eligible for the IHG One Traveler Card (and its sign-up bonus) if you satisfy all of the following requirements:
Don’t currently have a personal (not business) IHG One Rewards card
Haven’t earned a sign-up bonus on a personal IHG card in the last 24 months
As with even the best no-annual-fee cards, the IHG One Traveler Card doesn’t offer many luxury perks. Here’s a quick overview of the card’s main benefits and perks.
Fourth reward night benefit
Each time you redeem points for a stay of four or more nights, every fourth night will cost zero points. Once you’re a cardholder, this discount will be automatically applied when you redeem IHG points for eligible stays.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Save 20% on point purchases
You’ll get a 20% bonus whenever you buy IHG points with your card. But you can’t combine this discount with other promotions, such as when IHG points are on sale. And IHG sometimes offers a much better 100% bonus when you purchase points. So, although I often buy IHG points when the 100% bonus drops the purchase price to 0.5 cents per point, I don’t find the 20% discount appealing.
Automatic Silver status (with a path to Gold)
IHG One Traveler cardholders will enjoy automatic Silver Elite status in the refreshed IHG One Rewards program. This tier includes a 20% bonus on hotel stays, priority check-in and points that don’t expire.
In addition, you can buy your way to Gold Elite status when you spend $20,000 on your card each calendar year. This tier includes a 40% bonus on hotel stays and rollover elite nights for status the following year.
No foreign transaction fees
Many credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees; however, there are few cards on that list without an annual fee. If you travel abroad frequently, it’s worth having at least one credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
The IHG One Traveler Card also isn’t a good choice for most other purchases. After all, it only provides a 1.5% return at gas stations and restaurants, plus a 1% return on other purchases. Several simple, cash-back credit cards offer a 2% return on all purchases. For example, you can earn 2% per dollar on all purchases — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay — with the no-annual-fee Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees).
There are many options for redeeming IHG One Rewards points. Not surprisingly, you’ll get the best value from your points when you redeem for IHG hotel stays.
IHG has dynamic award pricing, but there are some good deals to be found. However, one downside to dynamic pricing is that you should more carefully consider when to use your points versus cash for a stay. I tend to use points when I can get better than 0.5 cents per point of value. And I almost always use points when I book a stay of four nights or longer to utilize the IHG One Traveler Card’s fourth reward night benefit. Conversely, I tend to use cash when IHG is offering a lucrative hotel promotion.
You also can use a combination of Points + Cash to book stays. For a given room, you’ll typically see a chart with discounts from the full nightly award rate in increments of 5,000 points.
IHG.COM
On a Points + Cash booking, you’re essentially buying the extra points needed to complete the redemption. So, if you cancel your room, your refund will be given solely in points. I rarely book Points + Cash rates since it’s usually a better value to use just points. However, it’s worth checking to see whether the math works out on each booking.
TPG senior credit cards editor Matt Moffitt likes to use his IHG One Rewards points for four-night award stays. Given he has the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, he gets the fourth night free on award redemptions. He usually targets Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express properties to stretch his points but occasionally splashes out on a Kimpton or InterContinental property.
Transferring points on the IHG One Rewards Traveler
IHG One has more than 40 airline transfer partners, but we recommend avoiding this redemption option when possible. Points transfer at a nearly 5:1 ratio on the lower side. The transfer process is also cumbersome, as you cannot do it online and have to call the IHG One Rewards service center. IHG generally is slow to process points transfer; some have said it took up to six weeks for the points to transfer.
The Kimpton Banneker Hotel in Washington, D.C. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
You can also transfer your points to other IHG One members starting at $5 per 1,000 points and free for Diamond and IHG Business Rewards Program members up to 500,000 points per calendar year.
Which cards compete with the IHG One Rewards Traveler?
For IHG loyalists, you may not be enticed by hotel credit cards from other chains. However, other cards are worth considering as alternatives to the IHG One Traveler card.
If you want more IHG perks: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $99 annual fee and provides automatic Platinum Elite status, a free night award each account anniversary (worth up to 40,000 points), $50 of United TravelBank credit each year and reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus (available every four years). It also has higher earning rates than the IHG One Rewards Traveler. For more information, read our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
If you want more flexible earnings: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee and earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer to IHG 1:1 for redemptions — plus use them with other airline and hotel programs. Other key perks include a 10% anniversary points bonus and up to $50 in annual hotel spending credits. For more information, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
If you stay at IHG properties a few times per year but want elevated perks when traveling, this card may be a nice addition to your wallet. Considering this card has no annual fee, this card is a no-brainer if you are below 5/24 and want entry-level IHG One status and the fourth night free when booking with points.
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card isn’t a bad option. You’ll get a 2.5% return at IHG hotels and resorts and a few IHG-related perks for no annual fee. For travelers who infrequently visit IHG properties but want access to the fourth-night-free benefit, this is a solid addition to your wallet. However, if you’re looking for extra perks during your stays, you’ll be disappointed with this card’s limited benefits.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you fly with American Airlines and its partners, you may have — or be interested in earning — American Airlines elite status.
In early 2022, American AAdvantage revamped how you earn American elite status. Loyalty Points are the sole metric you must focus on when striving for a specific American Airlines AAdvantage elite status tier. Here’s what you need to know about American Airlines elite status and how to earn it.
What is American Airlines elite status?
American Airlines elite status gives extra perks and benefits to AAdvantage members who interact with the program frequently. These elite perks and benefits when flying American Airlines range from free checked bags to complimentary upgrades.
Unlike airline loyalty programs in which flying is the primary activity needed to earn status, American AAdvantage lets you earn Loyalty Points toward elite status through many activities unrelated to travel, including online shopping, dining and spending on cobranded American Airlines credit cards.
You can earn different American Airlines elite status tiers by accumulating set amounts of Loyalty Points each elite-qualification year, which runs for 12 months from March 1 through the end of February. The status you’ve earned based on the Loyalty Points accumulated by the end of each February will be valid through the end of the following March. Then, your Loyalty Points balance resets and you have 12 more months to earn Loyalty Points and requalify for status.
You’ll find four published tiers of American Airlines elite status that you can earn via accumulating Loyalty Points during the 12 months starting each March 1:
Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
In addition to these tiers, there’s also the exclusive, invite-only Concierge Key status. However, American AAdvantage doesn’t publish any specific requirements for this status.
You’ll also earn Loyalty Point Rewards as you reach specific Loyalty Point thresholds. You’ll earn your first Loyalty Point Rewards choice after earning just 15,000 Loyalty Points within the 12-month qualification period following March 1.
American Airlines Boeing 737. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
To qualify for American Airlines elite status, you must earn the required number of Loyalty Points during each 12-month qualification period following March 1. As discussed above, you’ll need to earn 40,000 Loyalty Points for Gold status, 75,000 for Platinum, 125,000 for Platinum Pro and 200,000 for Executive Platinum.
We have a full guide to earning Loyalty Points. But, in short, you can earn two types of American Airlines miles: base and bonus. And while both base and bonus miles are redeemable, base miles also give you Loyalty Points. So, each time you earn a base mile with American AAdvantage, you’ll also earn a Loyalty Point.
You can earn American AAdvantage base miles through many different activities. Here’s a non-comprehensive list of some ways you can earn base miles (and hence Loyalty Points):
Flights sold by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia: Earn base miles based on your ticket’s base fare and carrier-imposed fees.
Flights sold and operated by other American AAdvantage partners: Earn base miles based on flight distance and the fare class of your ticket.
AAdvantage eShopping portal: Earn base miles when you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal before making purchases with select merchants.
SimplyMiles: Earn base miles when you enroll in SimplyMiles offers with participating merchants and then make eligible purchases.
AAdvantage Dining: Earn base miles when you use an enrolled card to pay at participating AAdvantage Dining restaurants, bars and clubs.
Rocketmiles and AAdvantage Hotels: Earn base miles when you book hotels through AAdvantage Hotels or Rocketmiles.
There are many other ways to earn American Airlines miles. However, check whether you’re earning base or bonus miles before you get too excited about how many Loyalty Points you’ll earn. Bask Bank mileage accounts are one example of an activity that earns only bonus miles — and hence no Loyalty Points.
American Airlines elite status comes with some valuable benefits. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy benefits, including how they differ by status tier.
Upgrades and better seats
Exit-row seating on an American Airlines Boeing 737. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
American Airlines elite members get complimentary upgrades from Main Cabin to the next class of service on select American-marketed and -operated flights. These upgrades are unlimited and automatically requested but are based on availability and only apply to flights within the U.S. and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America. The upgrades include award tickets and can also apply to a companion traveling with you on the same flight.
However, members with different American Airlines elite status tiers can confirm these complimentary upgrades at different times. Executive Platinum members may have their complimentary upgrade cleared as early as 100 hours before departure, Platinum Pro members as early as 72 hours, Platinum members as early as 48 hours and Gold members as early as 24 hours.
American Airlines prioritizes upgrades — including complimentary upgrades, mileage award upgrades and systemwide upgrades — in the following order:
AAdvantage status level (Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum and then Gold)
Type of upgrade (handled independently until at the airport, where systemwide upgrades and mileage award upgrades come before complimentary upgrades)
12-month rolling Loyalty Points (updated daily)
Booking code (W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O and then T)
Date and time of the request
Members with American Airlines elite status — and up to eight passengers traveling with you on the same reservation — can select Preferred seats without any extra fees during booking or anytime after booking (based on availability). Preferred seats have standard legroom but are located in more desirable locations throughout the economy cabin.
Main Cabin Extra seats with up to 6 inches of additional legroom are also available to AAdvantage elite members for free (based on availability). However, AAdvantage Gold members will have to wait until 24 hours before check-in to select these seats free of charge (if available).
Mileage bonuses
American Airlines elite members get a mileage bonus when flying on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Gol Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc and Royal Jordanian.
The bonus is calculated based on the base miles earned on the flight, with different elite tiers earning the mileage bonus as follows:
Gold: 40%
Platinum: 60%
Platinum Pro: 80%
Executive Platinum: 120%
The mileage bonus is treated as base miles, so you’ll also earn Loyalty Points. As such, it’s easier for higher-tier AAdvantage elite members to qualify for a specific American Airlines elite status tier based on flights than a traveler with lower-tier status or no AAdvantage status.
Benefits at the airport
Having elite status can save you time at the American Airlines check-in area. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
AAdvantage elite members enjoy — when available — Priority access at check-in, security and boarding. Specifically, Executive Platinum members board in Group 1, Platinum Pro in Group 2, Platinum in Group 3 and Gold in Group 4. Boarding with any of these groups usually means there’s still space in the overhead bin for your carry-on suitcase.
Elite members also get priority when standing by for a different flight on the same day of travel when flying to or from the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members can enjoy complimentary same-day flight changes on American when flying to or from the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada and select destinations in the Caribbean.
AAdvantage elites also enjoy complimentary checked bags: Gold members get one checked bag, Platinum members get two checked bags and Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members get three checked bags. Plus, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members and others on the same reservation get their checked bags tagged as Priority, which means their bags should be among the first to reach the claim belt.
In addition, your free checked baggage allowance is based on the higher of their status at booking or check-in. In other words, if you book a flight and then lose your status (or drop to a lower tier) by your check-in date, you’ll still receive the allowance of your status at booking. Likewise, if you book a flight and then reach a higher tier of status, you’ll enjoy the higher baggage allowance.
Other benefits
American Airlines elite status offers a variety of other perks, including the following:
Executive Platinum perks in Main Cabin: Executive Platinum members traveling in the Main Cabin can enjoy a complimentary alcoholic beverage and a snack on American Airlines flights with full drink service
Loyalty Point Rewards
You could choose systemwide upgrades as Loyalty Point Rewards and use them to upgrade on a long-haul flight. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Finally, although Loyalty Point Rewards aren’t tied to American Airlines elite status, they are tied to specific Loyalty Point milestones that you’ll inherently meet as you progress toward AAdvantage elite status. Here’s a look at the Loyalty Point Rewards you could choose as you progress toward the 200,000 Loyalty Points required for Executive Platinum status:
15,000 Loyalty Points: Group 5 boarding for the membership year plus a choice of Priority privileges and Group 4 boarding for one trip or five Preferred seat coupons. Starting with the new qualification year on March 1, 2024, 1,000 Loyalty Points will also be a choice.
60,000 Loyalty Points: Avis Preferred Plus status and a 20% Loyalty Point bonus with select partners for six months.
100,000 Loyalty Points: Avis President’s Club status and a 30% Loyalty Point bonus with select partners for six months.
175,000 Loyalty Points: A choice of two systemwide upgrades, 20,000 bonus miles (25,000 if you have an AAdvantage credit card), six Admirals Club one-day passes, a $200 trip credit ($250 if you have an AAdvantage credit card), carbon offset, $250 donation to select nonprofit organization, 15% award rebate (not offered in new qualification year starting March 1, 2024), two gifts of AAdvantage Gold status or 35,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available if you have an AAdvantage credit card). Starting with the new qualification year on March 1, 2024, 5,000 Loyalty Points will also be a choice.
Remember that you must accrue all these Loyalty Points within the 12-month qualification period following March 1. But, for those who have no issues earning Loyalty Points, there are also more Loyalty Point Rewards you can earn at higher milestones. Check out the AAdvantage Loyalty Point Rewards page for more details on these high-threshold tiers.
Can a credit card help earn American Airlines elite status?
Having a cobranded American Airlines credit card is extremely helpful if you want to earn American Airlines elite status. Although the sign-up and category bonuses provide bonus miles — which won’t give you Loyalty Points — you’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent with most AAdvantage credit cards. This means you can boost your Loyalty Point balance as you use your card for purchases and even qualify for American elite status from credit card spending alone.
Here’s a look at some of the currently available American Airlines credit cards:
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard: Best for 25% back as statement credits when you use your card to purchase food and beverages on American-operated flights
If you value getting Admirals Club access, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is an excellent choice. But I like the Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard — which I got by upgrading my AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard — since it gives me up to $25 per day in statement credits toward food and beverages purchased on American-operated flights and lets me earn up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points when I meet specific spending thresholds within my status qualification period.
The information for the AAdvantage MileUp, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select, CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select, Aviator Red and Aviator Silver 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.
American Airlines elite status is worth it for some travelers. For example, I’ve valued having Executive Platinum status since 2016 due to the domestic upgrades, waived checked bag fees, Priority check-in lines, systemwide upgrades and Oneworld Emerald status it provides. But, after struggling to earn Loyalty Points and reconsidering what I value in American Airlines elite status, this qualification period I’ll likely only requalify for Platinum Pro. In short, I decided the incremental value of Executive Platinum over Platinum Pro didn’t justify the extra costs I’d incur to earn the higher status.
It’s important to consider how much you’ll use your AAdvantage perks and the cost of earning American Airlines status. If you’ll organically earn American Airlines status through flights, then it’s likely worth earning. But if you’ll have to earn a significant number of Loyalty Points through other means, such as using the AAdvantage eShopping portal or spending on an AAdvantage credit card, there’s an opportunity cost to doing so. After all, you could earn more valuable rewards on another credit card or through another online shopping portal for some purchases.
Finally, if you’ll only use your American Airlines elite status perks occasionally or only need a specific perk, consider whether you can get what you seek through booking premium-cabin fares or getting a credit card that provides perks such as lounge access, preferred boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic itineraries. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (see rates and fees) is a good option for Admirals Club access, while the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard and Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard provide a first checked bag free on domestic flights.
Bottom line
American Airlines offers four elite status tiers you can earn by accumulating Loyalty Points: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum. These tiers offer perks including Preferred seating, complimentary space-available upgrades on American Airlines and Oneworld perks on select partner airlines.
If you frequently fly with American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia on expensive paid fares or spend a significant amount on American Airlines credit cards or when shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal, you’ll likely find it easy and worthwhile to earn American Airlines elite status. However, even lower levels of American elite status can provide significant value via Priority boarding and waived checked baggage fees — especially since these perks can extend to other travelers on the same reservation.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One of the questions people often ask us is, “How much is a point or mile worth?”
The true answer varies from point to point and person to person. It also depends on your travel goals and how well you can maximize a particular loyalty currency. Still, some rewards credit cards are clearly worth more than others, and our goal is to give you a sense of how they stack up.
Historically, TPG has valued points and miles based on a combination of the price at which we would purchase the miles, award costs in the program (factoring in availability and fees) and our own expertise in the inner workings of the programs.
However, we now use extensive data for the top six U.S. airline loyalty programs to better estimate the value you should aim to get from your rewards (you can read our full breakdown of this methodology in our explainer post).
This month, our model showed a bit of variation with these numbers — though none of them were significant compared to previous runs of the data.
Looking for a convenient way to see all of your points and miles in one place? Download the free TPG app!
Note: These valuations are not provided by card issuers.
If you were planning a Turkish Miles&Smiles redemption, you should book it immediately. The program just announced a significant devaluation to commence on Feb. 16, with significant price increases across the board and a frustrating new per-segment structure that means your sweet-spot award to Europe (previously 45,000 miles each way in business class) will cost 85,000-90,000 later this month.
For this reason, we have reduced our valuation of Miles&Smiles from 1.3 to 1.2 cents each this month.
The other big news came from Delta and American Express, as the duo launched major changes to their personal and business cobranded credit cards. With higher annual fees and a slew of new statement credits, it’s another indication of issuers moving their cards to more of a lifestyle value proposition — rather than just focusing on travel benefits.
In more positive news, Chase continues to disrupt the domestic airport lounge scene by opening two new lounges in New York.
First was the Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which TPG’s Zach Griff now considers the best lounge in the airport. It features a 360-degree bar, a photo booth and even a hidden speakeasy-style retro arcade. To elevate the experience even higher, three Reserve Suites can be booked separately, starting at an eyebrow-raising $2,300 for a three-hour slot.
Then, just a week later, Chase opened the Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport Airport (JFK). This second airport takes over the former Etihad Airways lounge in Terminal 4. While not as jaw-droppingly good as the new LaGuardia lounge, it is still a step up from your average Priority Pass effort.
Travelers holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve enjoy unlimited access to these two lounges (including two guests) through the complimentary Priority Pass membership offered with the card. Those with Priority Pass memberships through other cards (or purchased directly from Priority Pass) can access them once per year as a tempting taster, with extra visits (or guests) charged at $75 per visit.
Chase’s impressive investment in these lounges is likely part of a wider strategy to increase the value of the Sapphire Reserve. This card was one of the best options for frequent travelers when it first hit the market, but competition has heated up in the years since. Even it’s lower-priced brethren — Chase’s own Sapphire Preferred Card — carries generous earning rates, solid perks and comparable travel protections.
That said, the Reserve card’s higher annual fee could now be a savvy investment if you live in New York or pass through these airports regularly.
In other news, the following loyalty programs are also offering bonuses on purchasing points and miles:
Alaska Airlines MileagePlan: Earn up to a 60% bonus on points purchases by Feb 24 with purchase rates as low as 1.85 cents per point.
Hilton Honors: Get a 100% bonus on purchased points by March 12, at 0.5 cents per point.
JetBlue TrueBlue: Earn a 90% bonus when you buy 3,000 or more points before March 31, 2024, at a rate as low as 1.32 cents per point.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards: Earn up to a 45% bonus on points purchases by Feb. 23 with purchase rates as low as 1.65 cents per point.
Travel credit card offers
JOSH GRIBBEN/THE POINTS GUY
Beyond these developments, there is no shortage of great welcome bonuses on many popular cards. Here are a few of our favorites this month.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Right now, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Per TPG’s valuation, that’s worth $1,230 when you leverage transfer partners or $750 if you redeem through the Chase travel portal at 1.25 cents per point.
The card comes with a manageable $95 annual fee, along with a variety of travel protections and additional perks — like a $50 annual hotel credit for reservations made through the Chase travel portal and a 10% anniversary points bonus based on your previous year’s spending.
Of course, you may want to spring for the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. While the card has a hefty $550 annual fee, it includes perks like Priority Pass lounge access, an annual $300 travel credit and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, among other benefits. Plus, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining expenses, so you can quickly rack up rewards for your next big trip.
On the higher end of the spectrum is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, one of the most exciting travel credit cards on the market, thanks to great earning rates and included perks.
The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — worth $1,388, according to our valuations, thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners.
The standard Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is currently offering the same welcome bonus as the Venture X. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Like the Venture X, the Venture card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on everything you purchase.
With the current welcome offer on the Amex Platinum, you’ll earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership — though you may be targeted for a higher offer through the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time).
Of course, the card is jam-packed with benefits like airport lounge access and hotel elite status. These benefits can make your travel experience smoother and more luxurious than ever before — especially with the most recent additions. The card has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
One of the most popular cards with TPG staffers, the Amex Gold offers 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. This welcome offer is worth $1,200 based on our valuations — but be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher offer (offer subject to change at any time).
The card is great for many everyday purchases. You’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees).
The Business Platinum Card offers 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first three months of card membership. Per our valuations, this welcome offer is worth at least $2,400, but you can get even more value when redeeming for high-end airfare.
The Capital One Venture X Business card launched in September 2023, and new applicants can now earn a massive welcome bonus of up to 300,000 miles. They’ll earn 150,000 miles after spending $20,000 in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 150,000 miles after spending $100,000 in the first six months of account opening. While that’s obviously a huge spending requirement, those rewards can go a long way toward your next trip.
The Venture X Business features nearly identical perks to the personal version of the card — including a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, extensive airport lounge access and 10,000 bonus miles on your cardholder anniversary.
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card offers a generous 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points welcome bonus after spending $8,000 in the first three months after card opening, worth over $2,000 by our current valuation. This could be a great option for business owners looking to benefit from a six-figure welcome bonus who might not reach the higher spending requirements of the Capital One Venture X Business welcome offer.
This card also offers triple points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines. There are also generous cellphone and purchase protections as tell we trip cancellation/interruption and delay reimbursement insurance.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Business, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Business, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business, click here.
This is The Points Guy’s permanent page for the most up-to-date valuations, so you can bookmark it and check back each month for updates.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Airline credit cards can be valuable tools to help you save money and enjoy the additional perks while flying. While some airlines have started offering no-fee credit cards, they are typically stripped-down versions that don’t deliver many valuable benefits.
Still, there are great airline credit cards with annual fees of under $100 a year, and some of them even waive the first year’s annual fee so you can test drive the benefits before paying a fee.
Here’s a list of the best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100 and why you might want to consider each.
The best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100
The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and JetBlue Plus 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.
Comparison of the best airline credit cards with annual fees of $100 or less
3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit, including ride-share, purchases
1 mile per dollar on other purchases
Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
$0 introductory annual fee the first year, then $95
2 miles per dollar on United, dining, and hotel purchases (direct with hotel)
1 mile per dollar on other purchases
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Alaska Airlines Visa credit card
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $95
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Why it’s worth it: The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card is most famous for its annual Companion Fare. This benefit allows the cardholder to book a paid round-trip economy airfare on the airline and add a companion for only $99 (plus taxes and fees from $23). Best of all, the primary ticket can be purchased for someone else, too, and both the first passenger and the companion earn miles and are eligible for upgrades, just like with a paid ticket.
Eligible purchases from Alaska Airlines earn 3 miles per dollar, while all other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar. Cardholders also receive 20% back on inflight purchases.
The card provides one free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation. With checked bag fees of $30 each way, that’s a savings of $60 per person on every round-trip flight.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
THE POINTS GUY
Annual fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months of account opening.
Why it’s worth it: The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard earns 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, gas, and eligible American Airlines purchases. These bonus categories are a quick way to earn enough miles for a free flight.
You’ll also earn a $125 flight credit when you spend $20,000 each account year and renew your card.
But the big savings come with people who check their bags. Cardholders and up to four companions traveling on the same itinerary can get their first bags checked for free. That’s a savings of $60 per person on round-trip flights.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee within the first 90 days.
Why it’s worth it:JetBlue Plus cardholders earn an additional 5,000 bonus points yearly when they renew the card. With JetBlue points worth 1.4 cents on average, according to TPG valuations, this welcome bonus is worth $840, and the annual bonus is worth $70.
Cardholders also receive the first checked bag free for themselves and up to three companions on the same reservation, which saves the $35 fee each way. For a family of four, that’s a savings of $280 on a round-trip flight. Plus, you’ll save 50% on inflight, inflight food and cocktail purchases.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn a Companion Pass (good through Feb. 28, 2025) plus 30,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Why it’s worth it: In addition to the valuable welcome bonus, cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on dining, including restaurants, takeout, and eligible delivery services, for the first year.
With this card, you’ll also receive 6,000 bonus anniversary points when you renew your card each year. With Southwest points worth an average of 1.4 cents each, that’s $84 toward future travel that comes close to offsetting the card’s annual fee.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Why it’s worth it: The United Explorer Card is the only one on this list that includes airline club passes (two one-time United Club passes each year), upgrade eligibility on award tickets, and reimbursement of up to $100 for either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years (4½ years for PreCheck). These benefits, plus the fact that the first year’s annual fee is waived, make it a no-brainer to try out.
Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays booked directly with hotels. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar. Folks with this card also receive a first checked bag free for themselves and one companion traveling on the same reservation. Although this is the lowest number of free checked bags of any card on this list, it still amounts to a potential savings of $140 per round-trip itinerary.
Airline credit cards offer numerous benefits for travelers. Although some of the best airline credit cards charge annual fees, at the minimum, you can still expect the benefits of free checked bags, discounts on inflight purchases, and priority boarding with those that charge $100 or less per year to carry.
After a long gray winter, there are few things that can lift my mood like seeing the first pink cherry blossoms of spring filling the sky with their delicate blooms.
I’m especially lucky — some of the best buds on the East Coast bloom near me at Branch Brook Park in Newark (yes, that Newark). The 5,000 trees create a cotton candy skyline for a week in early April that banishes all thoughts of bleak winter days.
I’m not the only one who feels the cherry blossoms’ positive mood pull. The Japanese equate sakura, cherry blossoms, with new beginnings, and the act of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, in early spring is met with both reverence and celebration in Japan, with multiple generations spending days and evenings at parties, picnics and festivals lauding this fresh new start.
Although Japan, especially Tokyo, is equated with hanami celebrations, you can find sakura in destinations around the globe. It’s the perfect excuse to plan spring travel — a cherry blossom pilgrimage offers not just the visual spectacle of the blooms and their aftermath of soft silky petals covering the ground like fragrant snow, but a chance to immerse yourself in the culture of each destination, too.
Of course, trees can be temperamental depending on the weather, so build a bit of time buffer into your travels if you’re planning a trip specifically around seeing the delicate pink and cream blooms and their flower fireworks.
From Amsterdam to Japan, here’s where to immerse yourself in spring’s sakura.
Tokyo
MATTEO COLOMBO/GETTY IMAGES
If you’re considering traveling to see spring’s cherry blossom bloom, chances are you have Tokyo in your sights already, since sakura are synonymous with this city, where the tradition of hanami dates back 1,200 years. The entire city celebrates the blooms with picnics and events, special sakura-themed menus, and hanami bento and snack spots near viewing areas.
There are multiple locations around Tokyo to view the pink sakura wave. Among the most prominent is Ueno Park, which transforms into a pink wonderland with 1,000 flowering trees that bring millions of visitors to bask in their rosy glow. In the evenings, the park is illuminated for a glowing nighttime visit. Another top stop is Chidorigafuchi Park, where the Imperial Palace is located, which is especially memorable for its nearly half-mile tunnel of blooms plus a sakura-lined canal that you can boat through.
According to Japan’s cherry blossom forecast, Tokyo’s blooms are predicted to start March 23 and be at full flower on March 30. (Once again, these dates can wiggle a bit depending on Mother Nature.)
Where to stay: Staying near major transportation hubs will make it easy to see sakura around the city (and not be stuck in the crowds at the most popular spots). The Conrad Tokyo occupies the top floors of the Shiodome skyscraper, with stellar views of Tokyo Bay, and is near several train stations. It’s also next to Hama-rikyu Gardens, a hidden gem for peaceful sakura viewing. During peak hanami, the last week in March, rooms start at $818 or 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Recreational boats tied up on the Uji canal with blooming cherry blossoms. MASAHIRO MAKINO/GETTY IMAGES
It’s not just Tokyo where the sakura are revered in Japan. Kyoto is also world-renowned for its surge of cherry blossoms that bloom just in time for spring and romantically outline the tranquil pathways of its many parks. Known as the cultural heart of Japan, and serving as the central preservation hub for Japan’s vibrant culture and history, seeing the sakura among its 2,000 temples and shrines — including Nijo Castle and Toji Temple — truly imbues the ancient practice with a sense of history.
One particularly special spot is Philosopher’s Path, which weaves through cherry tree-lined canals between the Ginkakuji and Nanzenji temples. It’s a particularly serene setting for hanami. For evening viewing, Maruyama-Koen Park is especially popular for its illuminated branches and picnic areas under the bowers.
According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, peak sakura viewing in Kyoto will start with the first blooms on March 23 and peak on March 31. The city sponsors multiple events, including night viewings.
Where to stay: The Park Hyatt Kyoto has a prime location in the Higashiyama ward and combines modern luxury with ancient pagoda guesthouse-style accommodations. (TPG staffers also love its French-inspired teppanyaki dining at Yasaka and its convivial bar, Kohaku, where craft cocktails are served with classic Kyoto views). Rates during hanami start at $1,273 or 35,000-45,000 World of Hyatt points per night, making it a great option for World of Hyatt loyalists.
The cherry blossom spectacle at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul is a must-see, and it doesn’t have the same influx of foreign travelers that you’ll find in Tokyo, so you can avoid some of the flower-viewing crush that’s become part of the experience there. Some of the top viewing spots are Yeouido Park and Gyeongbokgung Palace, both of which have stunning views of clouds of blooms.
The Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the biggest viewing events in South Korea. It takes place in early April and features parades and performances, including a magical night lantern parade. Although it’s not in Seoul, it’s possible to do a one-day excursion with Klook, where a bus will pick you up in the morning, take you to the festival and then bring you back in the evening.
Where to stay: The stylish Andaz Seoul Gangnam is centrally located, making it easy to walk to most of Seoul’s main attractions; plus, there’s direct access to Apgujeong station to reach the cherry blossom sites. Expect design details like bojagi, a traditional Korean cloth used to create textile art. The hotel has an array of hot tubs, a sauna and a lap pool. The property is a Category 5 World of Hyatt property; rooms start at $281 or 20,000 Hyatt points per night during the first week of April.
I am solidly in the camp that thinksParis is always a good idea, especially in late March and the beginning of April when cerisiers (cherry trees) paint the town pink.
You’ll find pockets of the pink flowers all around the city. Some top spots include near the Louvre at the Jardin du Palais-Royal, where you’ll also spot spring daffodils filling the flower beds. You can also catch the pink wave along the Champ de Mars leading to the Eiffel Tower and in the Trocadero Gardens (the ultimate Instagram selfie with the tower and the pink petals). One of my favorite cherry blossom spots in Paris — Square Jean XXIII, next to Notre Dame — is currently closed, but it should be open for the 2025 flower season, if you’re planning a trip for next year.
Unlike other destinations where you’ll find cherry blossom events, there are no organized festivals in the City of Light. Do like the Parisians do, and plan a picnic under the flowering bowers.
Where to stay: The Hotel du Louvre, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is tucked in between the Louvre and the Jardin du Palais-Royal, so you’ll have cherry blossom views no matter which way you turn when you walk out the door. For a double room in mid-April, the member rate with breakfast starts at $565 per night. This is a Hyatt Category 7 property, with point redemptions available for mid-April starting at 30,000 points per night.
Although this might not be the biggest display in Europe, the cherry blossom season in Amsterdam has something that no other city can claim: a distinctly feminist feel. At Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park) in Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) in Amstelveen, a suburb of Amsterdam located 5 miles south of downtown, the park’s 400 trees, a gift from the Japanese Women’s Club, are all named after women, with half in Dutch and half in Japanese.
There are no exact dates for the blooms, but expect about a two-week bloom sometime in late March or early April. Note that picnicking is only allowed during weekdays, and there are no restrooms in the gardens (check out the Amstelveen website for nearby restaurants).
Where to stay: From the centrally located Kimpton DeWitt Amsterdam, it’s easy to both explore Amsterdam and to hop on tram line 5 to reach Amstelveen (about a 25-minute ride). IHG member rates for the hotel start at $231 a night in early April, with reward night stays starting at 31,000 IHG points. And as part of Kimpton’s Plant Pals program, the hotel will deliver a plant, which has a name and name tag, to your room.
Sure, it’s impressive to see hundreds of cherry blossom trees together. And when you view thousands in one place, it’s quite a sight. But how about millions of trees? That’s what awaits in the Jerte Valley in the Extremadura region of Spain (about three hours west of Madrid), where more than 2 million cherry trees create a sea of petals in late March and early April.
During an extended celebration that runs from late March all the way into May, you’ll find everything from special marketplaces to medieval fairs, plus music, culture and cuisine events centered around the blooms. Unlike the ornamental varieties of Japanese cherry trees, the ones here produce prized fruit. If you return in May or June, you can even join the cherry harvest.
Where to stay: The Jerte Valley enjoys a rural setting, and there are no opportunities for points redemptions here. However, there are some authentic and welcoming places to spend the night, including Hospederia Valle del Jerte, which has a historic exterior but modern rooms. There’s an outdoor pool, a full breakfast and fantastic views of the valley, all for around $110 per night.
Washington, DC
The Washington Monument stands behind cherry trees blossoming in Washington, D.C. RICHARD T. NOWITZ/GETTY IMAGES
As a former resident of the nation’s capital, I can attest that Washington’s nearly 4,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees transform the serious, buttoned-up city into a veritable pink carnival during the short lifespan of the blooms.
In addition to the festival held March 20 to April 14, with everything from a parade to a kite festival to a “Petalpalooza,” the Tidal Basin, where the majority of cherry blossoms are located, turns into a round-the-clock picnic scene, with thousands of people lying in the soft fallen petals, enjoying the spring weather.
Note that if you can’t visit during the main peak bloom period, another variety of cherry blossom, the Kwanzan, usually blooms two weeks later in other parts of the city. And if you want to avoid the crowds, head to the National Arboretum for a much more relaxed viewing experience.
Where to stay: Hilton fans will want to head to the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, which occupies the Old Post Office building. It’s grand and very ornate, with a multifloor atrium and even a 19-foot cherry blossom tree in the lobby, where a Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea is served. Special Cherry Blossom packages include a two-night stay, exclusive seating for the tea and special access to hanami locations around DC. Expect rates around $580 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night during the peak of bloom season.
Macon, Georgia
CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, MACON GEORGIA/FACEBOOK
Here’s a U.S. spot for hanami that may come as a surprise: Macon, Georgia. The Yoshino trees here were mistaken for the more popular dogwood when they were originally planted in 1949, according to city officials. Today, though, the annual bloom is celebrated in big style. For 10 days — this year, the bloom is predicted from March 15 to 24 — the entire city turns pink as more than 350,000 cherry trees are in full bloom (by comparison, Washington has 3,800).
This year a new event, The Pink Provisions Party on Poplar, on March 15, will feature local restaurants and bars presenting all of their signature creations for the celebration. Think cherry ice cream, pink doughnuts, foamy fuchsia cocktails, a cherry blossom pilsner from Ocmulgee Brewpub and even a cherry blossom coffee blend from Z Beans.
A live “Bloom Cam” feed allows those who can’t make it to watch the cherry trees as they announce the arrival of spring.
Where to stay: Use your Marriott points to stay at Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The new boutique 95-room hotel is right in the middle of all the pink party happenings, and you can check it out from the Hightales Rooftop Bar. Double room rates start at $216 or 39,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night during cherry blossom season.
Vancouver, British Columbia
YUN HAN XU/GETTY IMAGES
With more than 40,000 cherry trees, many of which came directly from Japan, Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park becomes a veritable puff of pink in the spring.
With so many trees comprising multiple varieties, the blooming period spreads over nearly two months, so if you’re visiting in March or April, you will likely be able to spot some petals on the trees.
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from March 29 to April 25 (almost a full month), with a mix of arts and culture events, including a Japanese Sakura Days Fair, a Haiku Festival and a Blossoms After Dark event for illuminated evening viewing.
Where to stay: Keep your stay green with a visit to the Fairmont Waterfront, whose organic rooftop garden grows everything from vegetables to fruit trees, not to mention beehives (you can try the honey at their “pollinator” dinner.) Room rates start at $299 a night in early April (Accor Live Limitless members receive 5% off the lowest rate).
Victoria boasts the mildest year-round climate in Canada, and as a result it’s a haven for spring florals. Starting at the end of February and going until May, the city offers an incredibly extended, and impressive, cherry blossom bloom.
One of the most popular places to see the tapestry of pink hues is along the aptly named View Street in the heart of Downtown Victoria. It’s usually the first area to explode in a sea of pink flowers, so this is a stop for early birds.
Although there’s no formal festival, Victoria does have an interactive cherry blossom map, so you can find the blooms around the city whenever you visit in the spring.
Where to stay: The Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour is a TPG favorite, with availability starting at $225 or 36,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night in March. There are cherry blossoms around the harbor area for easy viewing, and the hotel has a pool for post-hanami relaxation.
If you want to book a last-minute spring break flight, this Southwest Airlines deal is for you. One-way flights starting at $69 are available to book across the carrier’s network.
This deal is timely, as it only lasts through Feb. 8. It also includes flights for travel through most of May.
Deal basics
SOUTHWEST.COM
Airline: Southwest Routes: Across the Southwest network How to book: Directly with the airline Travel dates: Feb. 27—May 22 Book by: Thursday at 11:59 p.m. PST Blackout dates: Varies by route; travel blacked out on certain dates to and from Puerto Rico and Hawaii
Note that a 21-day advance purchase is required for this sale, and sale fares are nonrefundable. Fares purchased through this sale are limited based on availability, and they apply to nonstop travel when available or a single connecting service. Rapid Rewards bookings do not include the $5.60 in taxes and fees each way.
Sample flights
If your travel dates are flexible, use the airline’s Low Fare Calendar to search your desired routes. For example, you could book a round-trip journey from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Miami International Airport (MIA) the first week of March for just more than $200.
SOUTHWEST.COM
Sale flights will be indicated on the calendar. You will also see the original price crossed out when viewing flights.
SOUTHWEST.COM
The cheapest flights available will be Wanna Get Way and Wanna Get Away Plus fares, which allow travelers to bring two free checked bags and two carry-on items. They can also be canceled up to 10 minutes before departure for free changes. Wanna Get Away fares that are canceled will receive a flight credit in lieu of a refund and also include free inflight entertainment and messaging.
SOUTHWEST.COM
Since this sale includes flights across the Southwest network, be sure to search your desired routes for possible sale fares.
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 with the airline or through amextravel.com
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year)
Hyatt took another blow on the partnership front this week, as Hilton is now poised to be the new exclusive partner with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a platform of 560 independent luxury hotels around the world.
The partnership is a major boost to Hilton’s luxury network, which currently relies on brands like Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and LXR Hotels & Resorts, which is a soft brand of independent-style hotels that tap into the Hilton booking and loyalty systems.
“We’re thrilled to begin this win-win relationship with Hilton as it brings exciting possibilities for both brands,” Shaun Leleu, chairman of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said in a statement. “Hilton customers, including Hilton Honors members, gain access to our unrivalled collection of exceptional boutique hotels, while our properties enjoy amplified reach to a loyal and discerning audience. It’s a game changer for independently owned hotels on a global scale.”
Hyatt did not respond to TPG’s request for comment in time for publication, but World of Hyatt members aren’t entirely out of luck on the bespoke luxury hotel front: The company acquired the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform of luxury hotels last year.
The SLH-Hilton partnership, which will fully roll out in the coming months, means all Hilton Honors members will be able to book a stay at a participating SLH property and earn and redeem Hilton Honors points. Participating SLH properties will appear on Hilton’s booking channels, meaning even non-Hilton Honors members who book direct can still opt for a stay at an SLH-partnered hotel.
Given the release’s use of “participating,” it appears not every SLH property will take part in the Hilton partnership (similar to how it worked with Hyatt).
“This relationship with Small Luxury Hotels of the World will grant Hilton customers and Hilton Honors members access to a community of high-end boutique hotels in exciting new luxury travel destinations, giving them more ways to dream, book, and earn and redeem points with Hilton,” Chris Silcock, Hilton’s president of global brands and commercial services, said in a statement.
Hilton’s luxury push
The SLH partnership announcement arrived the same day Hilton reported a $1.15 billion profit for all of 2023, including $150 million for the last three months of the year. Eyes are still on what’s happening at the company and its push further into the luxury and lifestyle space.
Reports emerged this week Hilton is considering an acquisition of Graduate Hotels, a smaller chain of lifestyle hotels in college towns or cities with a significant higher education presence. But the company is also reportedly considering an acquisition of NoMad Hotels, a two-property brand that could unlock the door for Hilton’s ambition to operate in the luxury lifestyle hotel sector.
Given SLH has a significant mix of traditional luxury hotels, it’s likely Hilton would still be considering an additional brand play in order to better compete in the luxury lifestyle sector currently dominated by players like Marriott’s Edition and Hyatt’s Alila.
This story will be updated following this morning’s Hilton earnings call.
