Sorry, United Airlines MileagePlus members — the airline is apparently rolling out another major mileage devaluation. As first reported on FlyerTalk, United is raising redemption prices on first-class travel with partners such as All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa.
United MileagePlus devalues first-class redemptions
Maybe you’ve dreamed of flying in Lufthansa’s first-class cabin or have secured tickets on a flight from the U.S. to Europe. While there’s no longer an award chart, in recent times, United has typically charged 121,000 miles one-way to book a seat in Lufthansa’s first-class cabin from the U.S. to Europe.
That’s already a lot of miles, and that number is apparently going way up. When running a search on the award tool Seats.aero, seats on dates after Tuesday now cost 154,000 miles. This is a 28% increase for Lufthansa first-class flights from the U.S. and Europe.
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Sadly, Lufthansa is not the only partner carrier that has seemingly undergone a devaluation. Flights between the U.S. and Japan on ANA-operated flights will see an increase of about 100% on first-class seats.
For example, in recent times, you could typically fly from the U.S. to Japan on ANA in first class, when available, for 121,000 MileagePlus miles. However, this is now priced at 242,000 miles one-way.
Flights from Honolulu to Japan also increased by more than 60,000 miles — from 121,000 miles to 181,500 miles.
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At first glance, this devaluation does not seem to apply to all ANA flights.
As you can see in the chart below, it looks like some first-class redemptions are still available for the old 110,000-mile price. However, when clicking on the cheaper flights that are currently priced at 110,000 miles in first class in order to actually book, the price jumps from 110,000 to 242,000 miles.
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For example, on Jan. 2, 2025, Seats.aero reports a flight from Haneda Airport (HND) to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) would cost just 110,000 points in ANA first class; however, when I click on the specific date, it states that it will actually cost me 242,000 MileagePlus miles. This is confirmed when searching pricing directly on United’s site.
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The only silver lining, if you can call it that, is that the best way to book first-class Star Alliance partner awards — like on Lufthansa and ANA — hasn’t been via United MileagePlus even before this change. A better way to redeem for some of these flights is often by using Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles. You can book those awards when there is availability for as few as 87,000 miles one-way.
Even so, this is a disappointing development.
While United operates using dynamic pricing instead of award charts, it’s a bit surprising to see these partner award prices jump this much this quickly. A big downside of dynamic pricing is it is hard to anticipate what it will cost when you go to book your award flight — and changes this dramatic do make me wonder about which other award flights at United might also spike in price.
Could a crackdown on Clear be brewing in the nation’s most populous state?
On Tuesday, California lawmakers will begin considering a bill that, if passed, could place serious new regulations on the expedited airport security service. Critics say it could effectively force Clear out of many Golden State airports.
At issue is the fact that Clear allows members a fast track to the front of the Transportation Security Administration’s screening lines.
The bill would specifically prohibit airports from allowing third-party companies to give certain travelers expedited access to the existing TSA lines — in essence, what Clear does for its paying members.
Instead, were this law to pass, the company would likely have to foot the bill (and find the space) for sending its members to an entirely separate set of TSA screeners. This requirement could prove fiscally and physically challenging for Clear within constrained airport terminals.
Clear at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). DAVID PAUL MORRIS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
First filed in February, the bill will go in front of the state senate’s transportation committee Tuesday, albeit with a long road ahead.
Before becoming law, it would have to clear a committee, win approval from both chambers of the California legislature and ultimately garner a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Although the bill has stiff opposition, including from several major U.S. airlines, it does have support from a TSA workers union in California, not to mention the nation’s largest flight attendants union.
Lawmaker questions Clear’s process
A favorite time-saving service for many frequent flyers, Clear provides members a shortcut through security with the help of a quick biometric scan to verify a traveler’s identity. Then, the traveler gets escorted to the front of the TSA security line (specifically, Clear members who are also TSA PreCheck-enrolled get escorted to the front of the TSA PreCheck line).
It’s those factors — a steep annual fee and a line-cutting shortcut — that inspired the bill, said its author, California Sen. Josh Newman, an Orange County Democrat.
“I became aware of that interaction that happens right at the TSA kiosks, where that jovial Clear attendant pushes some other traveler out of the way and says, ‘Sorry, Clear customer,’” Newman told TPG in an interview Monday.
In Newman’s eyes, the process favors wealthy travelers; Newman filed the bill “on behalf of frustrated travelers everywhere,” he said.
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Flight attendants, TSA workers voice support
Newman is garnering some support for the legislation.
The American Federation of Government Employees Local 1230, which represents TSA workers in Sacramento, has signaled its support for the legislation, according to a nonpartisan analysis of the bill. (The TSA itself doesn’t comment on any pending legislation, a spokesperson said Monday.)
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has also voiced support, arguing that the proposed legislation “would restore equal access and treatment at the airport security checkpoint,” AFA president Sara Nelson wrote in a letter viewed by TPG.
Nelson also voiced concerns about “irregularities” in Clear’s passenger verification, “which raises concerns about the integrity of aviation security.”
It’s worth noting that Clear has, in recent months, embarked on a major upgrade to raise the caliber of its security verification platform — though that process has led to complaints from some members about wait times.
If Newman’s bill gets serious consideration, it will undoubtedly face strong opposition.
Six major U.S. airlines — Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines — recently signed a letter opposing the bill.
If passed, the proposed legislation could increase checkpoint wait times and eliminate millions of dollars in revenue pulled in by airports through Clear partnerships, the carriers argued in a letter obtained by TPG. It could also fuel increased fares and decreased service in California, the airlines said.
It’s worth noting that Alaska, Delta and United are all strategic partners with Clear.
MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES
However, several state and local chambers of commerce have also voiced opposition to the proposed legislation, according to the bill analysis. The California Travel Association and California Airports Council — not to mention Clear itself — have done the same.
When asked about the proposed legislation, a Clear spokesperson did not specifically comment on the bill but noted the company has shared more than $13 million in annual revenue with California airport partners.
“We are always working with our airline and airport partners as well as local, state, and federal governments to ensure all travelers have a safer, easier checkpoint experience,” the company said in a statement Monday.
Not an outright ban, sponsor argues
For his part, Newman argues his goal isn’t to ban Clear from airports — he just wants to eliminate the “line-cutting” aspect of the service.
He specifically cited the new Delta premium check-in lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as an example of how a pay-to-play security offering can function without inconveniencing other non-paying travelers.
“There’s probably a different way to run this business,” Newman argued. “It’s just that nobody is incentivized at the moment to figure it out.”
Of course, for the bill to move forward, he’d have to win the support of his fellow lawmakers. Many of them, Newman acknowledged, use — and enjoy — Clear as frequent travelers to and from the state capital in Sacramento.
“I always ask them the same question,” he said. “Which is, ‘Hey, when the guy in the gingham shirt escorts you past the lady and her kids … do you look that person in the eyes as you cut in front of them?’”
Since the bill is proposed in California, any eventual crackdown would apply solely to California airport locations — not airports in other parts of the country. Again, that’s all contingent on the legislation passing.
As of now, Clear has locations at more than a half-dozen Golden State airports, plus five stadiums and arenas.
A major milestone for a high-stakes, high-speed rail project is expected Monday. Brightline West is set to break ground on a new rail system that will someday link Southern California with Las Vegas.
Once operational, it will be the nation’s first truly high-speed intercity rail system. And it will largely expand on Brightline’s innovative concept and service in Florida that currently connects the southeast coast with Orlando.
Brightline West
Monday’s groundbreaking at Brigthline’s future station in Las Vegas will mark the official start of construction on the planned 218-mile rail line, featuring a station just south of Vegas’ strip. From there, the all-electric trains would cross the Nevada desert en route to Southern California stops in Victor Valley and Hesperia, before reaching the westernmost station in Rancho Cucamonga, outside Los Angeles.
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In Rancho Cucamonga, Brightline West riders would be able to connect to regional transportation, with the planned station set to be located just steps from a Metrolink stop, where travelers could then travel onward to other parts of Southern California.
Once fully functional, trains are expected to reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour, with the ride between Rancho Cucamonga and Vegas expected to take just over two hours. By car, the trip can take well over four hours — including a drive across the Mojave Desert.
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In total, a Vegas-to-Rancho Cucamonga trip followed by a Metrolink connection to central Los Angeles should take closer to three hours, the company says.
Significant investment planned
Discussed for years, the estimated $12 billion project got a significant leg-up in December, when the Biden administration announced $3 billion in grants supporting Brightline West, made possible through partnerships with California and Nevada via the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
Like Brightline in Florida, the the company’s western line may be well-positioned to avoid many of the trappings of red tape, by relying on existing rights of way for its tracks. Brightline West trains will run along the Interstate 15 corridor — down the median of the highway. That should help the company avoid many of the time-consuming permitting processes that come with clearing land or cutting across properties — often factors that can delay rail projects.
BRIGHTLINE WEST
Construction on the Brightline West project is expected to last about four years. If all goes according to plan, that timeline could see the new system open just in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Groundbreaking Monday
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is expected to join local leaders and top Brightline officials at Monday’s groundbreaking.
That the ceremony falls on Earth Day is surely no accident, considering the trains will be emissions-free, running on electricity. Monday’s planned groundbreaking also comes exactly seven months after the company opened the extension of its Florida line, connecting its coastal stations with the terminals at Orlando International Airport (MCO).
As such, travelers often wonder whether you can only get a fourth or fifth night free when redeeming solely points. We often get asked whether you can use a mixture of points and free night certificates when getting a fourth or fifth night free. So, in this guide, I’ll answer this question for three popular loyalty programs that offer a fourth or fifth night free on award stays.
Marriott Bonvoy
COURTYARD ANAHEIM THEME PARK ENTRANCE/FACEBOOK
Marriott Bonvoy offers a “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk that allows you to get a complimentary night when you redeem Marriott points for five consecutive nights. In particular, when you redeem points for a standard redemption or PointSavers award stay under one reservation, you’ll only need to redeem points for four nights. You won’t get the fifth night free, though. Instead, you won’t need to pay for the lowest point redemption night within your stay.
Stay for 5, Pay for 4 Offer does not apply to Award Redemption Stays using Free Night Awards, Premium Room Redemption Awards, Cash + Points Awards, and Nightly Upgrade Awards.
So, you can’t use the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk unless you redeem points for five nights. Here’s an example where redeeming an up to 35,000-point free night award would only provide 4,500 points of value. After all, you’d need to redeem 81,000 points for your stay if you use the free night award or 85,500 points if you use the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk instead of your free night award.
However, you can get the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk and redeem credit card free night award certificates on the same stay if you redeem points for at least five nights. For example, consider this sample six-night stay:
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Redeeming a free night award on a six-night award stay could provide good value. After all, between the certificate and the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk, you’d get two of your six nights free. You can earn free night awards in several ways, including through select Marriott Bonvoy cards and Marriott Choice Benefits.
STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS — STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK
Several IHG credit cards offer a fourth-night-free reward perk. Cardholders of eligible cards can use this perk each time they redeem IHG One Rewards points to book a standard room reward night stay of four or more consecutive nights at the same property. Using this perk, you’ll pay the award night rate for the first three nights and zero points for the fourth night.
IHG.COM
I’ve saved a ton of IHG One Rewards points thanks to the fourth-night-free reward perk, and I’ve gotten a lot of value from IHG anniversary night certificates. But, unfortunately, you can’t use these perks together in the same reservation. After all, IHG directs members with anniversary nights to:
Please book your Free Nights in their own separate reservation transaction, one room at a time. To book additional paid nights, please create separate, additional reservations.
Applies only to 4 or more consecutive nights within the same Reward Night point redemption room stay at the same property. With this benefit, eligible members will be charged the Reward Night point redemption rate for the first 3 nights, and 0 points for the 4th night of the stay, as applicable.
If you want to use an anniversary night and a fourth-night-free reward at the same property, you must stay at least five nights and book two separate reservations. After booking, you could ask the hotel to link your reservations so you can stay in the same room.
The Hilton Honors terms and conditions note that the fifth-night free perk is only available “within the same full Points Standard Room Reward stay at the same property, up to 20 nights, when confirmed at time of booking.” As such, you’ll need to book consecutive reservations and stay for at least six nights if you want to use a free night certificate and receive the fifth night free on reward stays perk.
Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards don’t allow members to mix hotel points and free night certificates to get a fourth or fifth night free, but Marriott Bonvoy will let you book a stay using a combination of points, cash and certificates. You may also be able to extend your fourth- or fifth-night-free award booking by reserving a separate one-night stay with a free night certificate on either end of your Hilton Honors or IHG One Rewards stay.
Editor’s note: In celebration of National Park Week, which runs April 20-28, The Points Guy is publishing a series of articles focusing on the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks. We will share guides, news and tips that will help you get the most out of your next national park visit. The following story is part of this series.
When Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park was established on Dec. 26, 1935, it became the 22nd federally designated tract of land considered special enough to preserve for the American people.
But unlike many fabled national parks in the U.S. — where glacier-capped peaks protrude from meadows and granite monoliths rise from valley floors — Shenandoah National Park’s uniqueness lies not just in its natural landscape but also in its history.
For thousands of years, the Iroquois, Shawnee, Catawba, Cherokee, Delaware and Susquehannock nations hunted and gathered in the fertile Shenandoah Valley against a backdrop of the ridgeline now encompassed within Shenandoah National Park.
By the mid-18th century, European settlers began moving into the valleys below the Blue Ridge Mountains; they were logging, building saw and grist mills, raising cattle, and harvesting chestnuts and apples.
Now, well over a million people visit the 100-mile ridge annually to hike, fish, climb and explore the many off-shooting ridges that overlook the rolling foothills of the Piedmont plateau to the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west.
Skyline Drive traverses the 4,000-foot ridge, providing easy access to countless pull-offs, scenic vistas and trailheads that lead hikers toward the park’s best-kept secrets.
Before you go
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With just one road — Skyline Drive — cutting through the park’s center, Shenandoah National Park can feel more crowded than some of its busier counterparts. Visiting during non-peak seasons and mid-week can help you avoid traffic and heavy crowds.
Many of the park’s viewpoints can be seen from Skyline Drive, contributing to its busier feel. However, the best way to experience the park is by lacing up your hiking boots and heading into the backcountry. If you intend to camp, you should reserve a campground or get a backcountry camping permit in advance, then hit the trails from there.
The park’s 200,000 acres are divided into three districts, and while all three can be done in a single trip, it’s good to have an idea of which district you want to be based in.
Despite its proximity to Washington, D.C., the North District tends to be a bit quieter and offer a more secluded feel than the others. In contrast, the Central District — which has some of the higher peaks and popular destinations like Old Rag Mountain — is relatively busy. Like the North District, the South District also tends to be a bit quieter.
Getting there and around
View from Blackrock Summit in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. CHANSAK JOE/GETTY IMAGES
There aren’t any park-run shuttle services in Shenandoah, but the entirety of the park is easily accessible by car. The northernmost entrance of the park in Front Royal, Virginia, is just 56 miles from Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Once you’re in the park, the 105-mile Skyline Drive traverses its entire length, passing most of the attractions and trailheads along the way. Make sure to grab an information pamphlet, which includes a map, from a visitor center at the start of the trip.
Spending a little time at the visitor centers will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the park. You can learn about its flora and fauna, find out about any closures, explore available guided nature walks and programs, and get some tips from the people who know the park best.
The best time to visit
Like any national park, the “best” time to visit depends on your priorities. During early October, deciduous trees at higher elevations become illuminated with reds, oranges and yellows; the bright colors work their way toward lower elevations as the month progresses. It’s a spectacular scene that comes with crowds, especially during peak foliage weekends.
Once the leaves fall and cold sets in between November and February, crowds dissipate, and opportunities to find solitude become endless. While temperatures tend to hover between the upper 20s and upper 30s Fahrenheit, it can snow at higher elevations, forcing temporary closures of sections of Skyline Drive.
Front-country campgrounds in Shenandoah are closed during winter, so lodging is confined to backcountry camping or hotels and lodges.
Early spring can be one of the best times to visit Shenandoah National Park. Wildflowers and trees begin to bloom, days become warmer and longer, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived. Weather can vary greatly, though, making planning a bit more difficult. The lowlands can sometimes be warm enough for shorts and a T-shirt, while higher elevations can still be covered in snow through March.
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, bringing warmer temperatures, longer days and crowds. Luscious greens take over the landscape, and cascading streams filled with brook trout beckon fly fishermen.
Thru-hikers taking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine are often seen hiking the 100 miles of trail that traverse the park. So, it can be a great time to meet interesting people. (Make sure to keep some cold beers or sodas around to share — it’s always appreciated.) Although it’s the most crowded time of year, you can still find some solitude in the forest by visiting mid-week, avoiding the most popular trails and spending time in the northern and southernmost parts of the park.
What to see and do
Doyles river falls in Shenandoah National Park. SAM SPICER/GETTY IMAGES
Hiking
Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in the park — and rightfully so. There are several ways to reach the summit, but the 9.4-mile Old Rag Circuit is one of the most exciting (and crowded). The hike combines a mix of relaxed trails through the forested, steeper sections of trail and strenuous rock scrambles over the 2,348 feet of elevation gain.
Hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views at the summit, perfect for enjoying a snack before the hike down. You must obtain a day-use ticket in advance from March 1 through Nov. 30.
In the North District of the park, the 7.4-mile Little Devils Stairs Loop is an all-day, full-value hike; it passes through a gorge with cascades and waterfalls as well as through an old-growth forest, yielding occasional views along the way. On the southern end of the park, the 3.4-mile hike to Chimney Rock features a granite outcropping overlooking the valley below.
Biking
With more than 15,000 feet of uphill on a meandering wooded road with periodic vistas, Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive is a road biker’s dream. Some cyclists choose to ride the entire 105 miles of the road, arranging for a shuttle or stashing a car at either end of the park; others prefer a more leisurely out-and-back from various starting points along the way. There is also a 1-mile section of gravel riding on the Rapidan Fire Road in the Big Meadows area.
Rock climbing
At over a billion years old, the Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the oldest in the world. Over the years, glacial activity and erosion have exposed pristine granite, some of which can be found within Shenandoah National Park and serve as a playground for rock climbers.
Scattered throughout the park, boulder fields present challenges for every skill set, but the two major roped climbing areas are Little Stony Man and Old Rag Mountain. The latter requires a more grueling approach and advanced climbing skills.
Unless you’re already an experienced outdoor climber, the best way to get the most out of climbing in Shenandoah is by booking a trip with a guide service like Blue Ridge Mountain Guides.
Waterfalls
From afar, Shenandoah National Park might not appear to have the dramatic terrain that would be home to countless waterfalls. But hidden in deep hollows, along streams that twist around boulders and plunge over granite outcroppings, there are enough waterfalls to keep visitors busy for a lifetime. The best time to visit the park’s waterfalls is during spring or after a period of heavy rain (before the hot and dry summers reduce many of them to a trickle).
At 93 feet, Overall Run Falls is the tallest in the park reachable via a strenuous 5.1-mile round-trip hike through a designated wilderness area. The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is much shorter and less strenuous, but it can also get relatively crowded.
Fly fishing
Shenandoah National Park is home to more than 70 boulder-strewn streams that cascade through thick forests toward the valley below, making it one of the East Coast’s premier fly fishing destinations. From March through May, native brook trout cruise the deeper emerald-colored pools, sipping freshly hatched mayflies from the water’s surface. This makes it the prime time for fly fishermen to visit.
You can reach most of the best spots by parking at trailheads along Skyline Drive and hiking down toward the lower stretches of streams. While online searches can yield specific spots to check out, simply grabbing a map and following a random stream downhill is often the best way to explore. To start, check out a few popular streams like Big Run or the Rapidan River.
Where to stay
The exterior of Big Meadows Lodge. JEFFREY GREENBERG/UNIVERSAL IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Hotels
At 3,680 feet, Skyland Lodge is a 19th-century lodge at the highest point on Skyline Drive. This historic mountain retreat has been renovated over the years to feature premium and traditional rooms, suites, cabins and pet-friendly rooms across 28 buildings. Not only does the lodge offer sweeping views of the valley from its property, but its location is perfect for accessing some of the park’s most popular trails. Rates start from $196 per night.
Built in 1939 with stones from Massanutten Mountain and native chestnut trees, Big Meadows Lodge is another lodge with similar accommodations to Skyland, including cabins, suites and standard rooms. As the name suggests, the lodge sits adjacent to a large meadow, perfect for stargazing or viewing wildflowers when they bloom in spring. In addition to 72 cabins and 29 traditional rooms, the property features a taproom with local beers, perfect for relaxing after a long day on the trails. Rates start from $127 per night.
Camping
Shenandoah National Park has ample opportunity for backcountry camping — a unique opportunity that requires self-reliance and rewards visitors with tranquility they can’t find at the drive-in campgrounds. But for those who might not be comfortable or interested in hauling camping gear into the woods, the park does have five campgrounds within its boundaries.
Matthews Arm Campground — which offers a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites — is the first you come to when entering the park from the north. Big Meadows, in the Central District, requires reservations and is conveniently near some of the park’s most popular hikes.
The Lewis Mountain Campsite is just south of Big Meadows, but it’s much quieter and requires self-registration once you arrive. Both the Loft Mountain and Dundo Group campgrounds are in the southern part of the park; the former boasts views to the east and west and the latter is available only to groups. Loft Mountain has both first-come, first-served and reservable sites.
Where to eat
STARR HILL BREWERY/FACEBOOK
Located within Shenandoah National Park, both the Skyland and Big Meadows lodges offer menus that feature regional dishes like venison bolognese and shrimp and grits. The nearby towns of Front Royal and Charlottesville are both worth a visit in their own right.
The small city of Charlottesville has a college-town vibe thanks to the University of Virginia, but it also has an unassuming culinary scene. Check out the Dairy Market Charlottesville, a food hall that opened in 2019 in the historic Monticello Dairy Building. Grab a local beer at the Starr Hill Brewery or a sandwich from Citizen Burger Stand. The nearby Ridley, which is in the Draftsman Hotel, offers unique and traditional takes on Southern food, such as shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes.
At the northern entrance of the park lies Front Royal, which is a bit quieter than Charlottesville but still has plenty of restaurants, wineries and breweries to choose from. Osteria Maria is an Italian restaurant that offers fresh pasta made in-house each day. Vibrissa Beer and Kitchen is a hip, modern brewery complete with a taproom, beer garden and full kitchen. Their menu is diverse, with options ranging from country-fried steak to pork belly miso ramen.
Tips
Before heading to Shenandoah, familiarize yourself with the seven “Leave No Trace” principles that will help you to be a conscientious and responsible user of our outdoor spaces. While this is important any time you head into the woods, it’s especially important in places like Shenandoah and other national parks that experience high visitation.
When camping, proper food storage is critical — especially during spring, summer and fall when black bears are out and about looking for an easy meal. Ticks can also be an issue, so make sure to pack plenty of bug spray, especially if you plan on hitting the trails.
If you plan to bring a pet along (Shenandoah is one of only a handful of national parks that allow pets), make sure to comply with their leash law, and don’t leave little gift bags around for the next hiker to find.
It’s also worth catching a sunset from one of the viewpoints on Skyline Drive and stargazing from Big Meadows while you’re in the park. Despite being relatively close to Washington, D.C., light pollution isn’t much of an issue here, so stargazing from the top of the ridge can be a spectacular experience.
One of the quirkier aspects of flying out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., is getting set for a major face-lift.
Yes, we’re talking about Dulles’ so-called “people movers.” Over the coming years, the airport’s fleet of “mobile lounges” and “plane mates” is getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul. It’s work that, like it or not, should solidify the notorious — and, dare we say, iconic — vehicles as part of the airport’s airside transportation picture for years to come.
This week, Dulles shared a video on social media of a crane hoisting a plane mate in the air, with the “Star Wars”-esque vehicle precariously dangling in the air.
Glow up loading! Delaware’s not just the first state, but also the first of our mobile lounges & plane mates to be rehabbed. The First Plane Mate made the trip to Brookville, PA after a successful -but precarious- flight from its chassis to a flat bed truck. See you in two years! pic.twitter.com/zH6Qj7tsJa
It was en route to a flatbed truck, which was standing by, out of frame, ready to transport the people mover to Brookville, Pennsylvania, for a two-year renovation.
People mover renovations approved
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Last summer, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), approved a plan to overhaul its fleet of 49 people movers.
What is the people mover at Dulles?
The Dulles fleet technically consists of 19 mobile lounges and 30 plane mates.
MWAA
Mobile lounges, which move passengers between concourses, are perhaps best known among Dulles travelers. You’re likely to ride on one if you’re flying out of United’s D gates, connecting between Concourse D and the regional A gates, or arriving from an international flight.
The plane mates act as mobile jet bridges, transporting passengers to remotely parked aircraft.
Each vehicle can move more than 100 passengers at a time. Dulles is, today, the only airport in North America that still uses these types of vehicles as a regular part of airport operations.
A half-century old
The vehicles’ age is remarkable, dating back to Dulles’ earlier years in the 1960s and 1970s. They’re so old that the original manufacturers no longer support the equipment.
A mobile lounge roams Dulles’ airfield in 2005. TRACY WOODWARD/THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES
Now, they’re at the end of their useful life, the MWAA said, and they’re in need of a “major rehab.”
To kick off that process, crews disassembled one plane mate and one mobile lounge at the airport and then transported it by truck to the facility in Brookville, about 250 miles away from the airport in western Pennsylvania.
MWAA
There, crews will spend the next two years designing and refurbishing the people movers on both the outside and the inside. The planned price tag: up to $16.4 million.
From there, the MWAA would have the option to proceed with a similar overhaul to the 47 other vehicles at a cost that could top $140 million over six years.
Crews transported the first plane mate to Pennsylvania on March 26, with the first mobile lounge transported this week. Both are now safely at the factory, a MWAA spokesperson said.
Does Dulles still use people movers?
The refurbishment of the Dulles people movers is intensive work that figures to improve the people mover experience for both passengers and the workers operating them.
But it also seems to make clear that the people movers themselves aren’t going away anytime soon.
That’s despite the airport’s plans — now in the works — to build a new E Concourse to support United Airlines’ hub, replacing the regional A gates, as well as the longer-term vision to do away with the existing C/D Concourse, not to mention the AeroTrain that launched service in 2010.
MWAA
Indeed, the size and flexibility of the people movers make them a “uniquely useful” tool, the MWAA said in a statement to TPG this week. “As Dulles continues to grow, mobile lounges and plane-mates will continue to be essential for the airport’s airside passenger transportation needs.”
Translation: Whether you loathe the people mover experience or find it endearing, it appears they’ll be around — in some capacity — for years to come.
When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to account for any tourism taxes you must pay during your stay.
Some are a small extra cost added to what you pay for your accommodation per night. Others may be a one-and-done (or even daily) fee, such as Thailand’s tourist tax. In some places like Bhutan, these fees can be quite costly.
You might find your vacation spot has implemented this kind of tax for several reasons. It could be a response to overtourism and concerns about sustainability and the environment (case in point: Venice, Italy), or it could simply be a way to help the local economy put funds back into tourism infrastructure.
Here, we’ll look at top tourist destinations that charge a tourism tax and how much each will cost you.
Europe
Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris and Prague all charge tourism taxes. GREG GIBB/GETTY IMAGES
Amsterdam
After increasing its tourist tax in 2024, Amsterdam now has the highest tourist levy in Europe, with hotels, vacation rentals (including Airbnbs) and camping sites all charging guests an additional 12.5% of their overnight rate (excluding value-added tax).
Meanwhile, cruise travelers are charged 14 euros (around $15) as part of the “day tripper tax” for every day spent in Amsterdam. The charge, however, excludes passengers who start or end their cruise in Amsterdam and those living in Amsterdam.
Fees on the islands vary from 1 to 4 euros per night, depending on the accommodation type, as follows:
4 euros (around $4.30) for those staying in luxury hotels
3 euros (around $3.20) for those staying in midrange hotels
2 euros (around $2.15) for cruise passengers and those staying in cheaper hotels and apartments
1 euro (around $1) for campers and hostel guests
This sustainable tourism tax applies to Minorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza. Travelers under the age of 16 are exempt.
Germany
Germany charges tourists both a culture tax, known as “kulturforderabgabe,” and a bed tax, known as “bettensteuer,” in several of its more popular cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
In Berlin, the tourist tax is 5% of the room price. It varies in other cities such as Frankfurt (2 euros per night) and Hamburg (up to 3 euros per night).
Greece
Depending on the accommodation type (either the number of stars the hotel holds or the number of rooms), Greece charges 0.50 euros to 4 euros per night.
France’s tourist tax varies depending on which city you are visiting but generally costs 0.80 euros to 4 euros per night, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. Find out more.
This year, however, Paris’ tourist tax has been raised in advance of the Summer Olympics. You can now expect to pay between 0.75 and 15 euros per night, depending on your accommodation.
Portugal
The tax is 2 euros per night for the first seven nights in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and nine other municipalities. Other parts of the country that charge a tourist tax usually have lower fees, around 1 euro to 1.50 euros per night.
Prague
In the capital of the Czech Republic, there is a charge of 50 korunas ($2.11) per person, per night for hotel stays.
Rome
In Rome, the tax varies from 3 to 7 euros per night, depending on the star rating of your accommodation.
Spain
In addition to the tourist taxes for Spain’s Balearic Islands mentioned above, you’ll find a couple of taxes apply when visiting Barcelona.
The city charges two different taxes to tourists. The first is the city tax, which increased in April 2024 to 3.25 euros per night. Visitors must also pay a regional tax depending upon the type of accommodation they’re staying in.
2.25 euros per night for rental accommodations
1.70 euros per night for four-star hotels
3.50 euros per night for five-star and luxury hotels
Cruise passengers also pay different amounts depending on the length of their stay. Expect to pay 3 euros for visits less than 12 hours and 2 euros for visits longer than 12 hours.
Venice, Italy
Taxes in this popular tourist destination vary from 1 euro to 5 euros per night and are paid to your accommodation. A separate tax for people visiting on a daytrip during peak times between April and mid-July costs 5 euros.
Other destinations
Additional places in Europe that charge tourist taxes include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some locales may only have regional tourist taxes.
Hawaii is considering adding a $50 Green Fee for visitors. M SWIET PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
California
A Transient Occupancy Tax of around 12% to 14% of the room price will appear on California hotel stays, according to Turbotax. There may be other tourism-related taxes as well.
Canada
Rates vary across the country, but Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec are among the areas that add a visitor tax to a hotel’s price.
Hawaii
While Hawaii doesn’t currently have a tourist tax, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check in to a hotel or short-term rental; it may pick up speed and become a reality at some point. This isn’t the first time a fee on visitors has been suggested in Hawaii, with previous calls for a $50 so-called Green Fee visitor payment also recently put forward.
New York City
New York City charges a hotel room occupancy tax to visitors that costs about 14% of the room price plus up to $2 per room, per night, according to the New York City government website.
Other destinations
In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should expect taxes and fees on hotel stays in most other U.S. states.
Latin America, South America and the Caribbean
Destinations in Quintana Roo, Mexico, require visitors to pay a fee. WOLFGANG KAEHLER/GETTY IMAGES
Buenos Aires
Tourists will pay $1.50 per room, per night when staying in Argentina’s capital city.
The Caribbean
Taxes vary by country in the Caribbean. For example, Bonaire has a one-off $75 fee that tourists need to pay via its official website, while Aruba adds 12.5% to your room rate plus $3 per room, per night. In Barbados, you’ll pay $2.50 to $10 per room, per night, and there will typically be a $70 departure tax already included in your flight cost.
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also known to apply tourist taxes. Check details before booking or traveling, as there may be a departure tax already included in your airfare.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
In 2024, entry fees for visitors to Galapagos National Park are set to double in cost, with visitors now paying $200 to enter the park from Aug. 1. A reduced fee is set to be available for children under the age of 12, and children younger than 2 will be able to enter for free.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
This region charges a one-off tourist payment of 224 Mexican pesos (around $13) to visit any destination in Quintana Roo. This includes Cancun, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. A tourist tax may also be added to hotel stays in these areas and other parts of Mexico.
Asia and the Pacific
In 2022, Bhutan’s tourist tax went up to $200 per day. DAVID LAZAR/GETTY IMAGES
Bali, Indonesia
Bali introduced a tourist tax in February 2024. It charges 150,000 rupiahs (around $9.25) in addition to other visa fees. The tax aims to combat overtourism on the popular island.
Bhutan
Until recently, Bhutan charged a whopping $200 fee per day. Known as the Sustainable Development Fee, this tourist tax is designed to assist with paying for infrastructure improvements, environmental efforts and fair wages for locals, among other things.
However, this was recently reduced to around $100 per day to encourage more people to visit. This is the most expensive tourist tax in the world and is paid regardless of your accommodation type.
Japan
There is a charge of 1,000 yen ($6.47) included in all airfare for flights departing Japan. Find out more.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s tourist tax costs 10 Malaysian ringgits ($2.08) per room, per night.
Maldives
The tourism tax in the Maldives ranges from $3 to $6 per day. The Green Tax total varies depending on if you’re staying in a guesthouse, hotel or resort. Find out more.
New Zealand
When you book your New Zealand visa, you’ll usually pay 35 New Zealand dollars ($20.60) for the International Visitor Levy.
Thailand
A one-time fee of 300 baht ($8.14) was introduced in June 2023. All tourists arriving by air will need to pay this tax. For visitors who enter the country via a port or land border, the fee will be 150 baht.
Bottom line
More and more, tourist taxes are becoming a regular part of travel around the world. While these fees are nominal and shouldn’t cause too much of a dent in your budget in most cases, they can rack up quite quickly in some destinations if you’re not careful. Always research the fees at the destination you plan to visit before you get there, and make sure you budget for it if you don’t want a surprise bill.
Editor’s note: This guide has been updated with the latest information.
Rocking and rolling is not how most people prefer their cruise ships. However, if you’re sailing on a music-themed cruise, rock ‘n’ roll is the vibe you want as you soak up some sun and cruise the world with thousands of like-minded music fans.
Music-themed cruises cover a wide array of styles, including rock, metal, country, Broadway, disco and blues. They offer a complete immersion into the world of each genre. You’ll enjoy close-up encounters with your favorite artists during performances and meet-and-greets and find a sense of community from being with other fans for multiple days at sea. (Not to mention, you’ll get to visit beautiful destinations in the process.)
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Note that these specialty music cruises sell out — often as soon as cabins are made available. All sold-out cruises we’re featuring offer a waitlist you can join. You’ll be notified if someone cancels, as well as be among the first to be alerted of on-sale dates for future sailings.
Below are 11 music-themed cruises in 2024 and 2025 that are bound to create epic memories, whether your vibe is crowd-surfing during a rock show or belting out show tunes with Broadway’s best.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, cruise fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise basics like meals, select nonalcoholic beverages (water, juice, coffee and tea) and use of the fitness center, hot tubs, pools and casino, among other onboard amenities.
Soft drink and alcohol packages are available for an extra fee. Theme cruise events, such as concerts, are included, though some limited-access special events often cost extra. Fares were valid as of writing but are subject to change based on availability.
The good ol’ days can now be found sailing the Caribbean on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise. Set to take over all decks of Holland America‘s Nieuw Amsterdam, the ’50s and ’60s music cruise will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with four days at sea.
Favorites set to perform on board include The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, Chubby Checker, The Coasters, Darlene Love and The Chantels. Highlights among the ship events range from a senior prom and a sock hop to game shows and karaoke.
The Malt Shop Memories Cruise is filling up fast. Rates for available cabins start at $2,349 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise website or by calling 844-855-6258. If your preferred cabin category is currently sold out, you can join the waitlist here.
Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise
Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. FACEBOOK
Cruise ship: Independence of the Seas Date: Dec. 9-14, 2024
Maybe one stop in Jamaica isn’t enough, and reggae vibes are calling your name. If so, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise might appeal to you. This five-night cruise on Royal Caribbean‘s Independence of the Seas, organized by Jamrock Productions and Rose Tours, will travel round trip from Miami to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
The entire list of performers for the December 2024 voyage hasn’t been released as of this writing but so far will include Stone Love, Steelie Basement, Westafa, Seani B and Spexdaboss.
You can also take part in themed parties, soccer and domino tournaments and Jamaica-themed film screenings when you’re not enjoying ship amenities like a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, waterslides and a bar arcade.
Welcome to Jamrock’s prices start at $1,359 per person for an inside cabin, not including $399 in additional fees and taxes.
How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Rose Tours website or by calling 215-663-8800.
For fans of rock and metal music, ShipRocked is a popular sailing organized by Ask4 Entertainment. The 2025 edition aboard Carnival Cruise Line‘s Carnival Magic will start in Miami and include stops in St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.
There will be multiple stages for performances throughout the ship. The 2025 lineup will be announced soon, though top bands like Dead Poet Society, Black Stone Cherry, Highly Suspect and I Prevail performed during past cruises. Fans can enjoy one-on-one time with their favorite groups at scheduled meet-and-greets with all the bands.
Prices for ShipRocked’s 2025 cruise start at $1,600 per person for an inside cabin. The fare includes access to all performances and meet-and-greets with artists.
How to book: Although this cruise is sold out, there is a waitlist. For future sailings, book through the Ask4 Entertainment Reservations portal or by calling 888-402-2754. A deposit is required to secure your spot. Ask4 Entertainment strongly suggests buying travel insurance.
Groove Cruise
Groove Cruise. FACEBOOK
Cruise ship: Allure of the Seas Date: Jan. 23-27, 2025
Electronic dance music fans 21 and older can turn up on this early 2025 Whet Travel sailing from Miami aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. The cruise visits the line’s private beach, Labadee, in Haiti.
The lineup for the EDM sailing hasn’t been announced, but previous performers include major headlining acts Tiësto, Diplo and John Summit, plus a remarkable list of dance music stars, such as Aly & Fila, Boris, Craig Connelly, Disco Lines, Haliene and Joel Corry.
Along with multiple music sets, Groove Cruise hosts fun theme party nights focusing on everything from an ’80s prom to fire and ice.
Cabins on Groove Cruise start at around $1,549 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: At the time of writing, the ship was mostly sold out, with fewer than 200 cabins available to book. To add your name to waitlists and be among the first to know about future sailings, head to Whet Travel’s website or call 877-438-9438.
Adding more than a bit of boot-scootin’ country to the cruise life, The Country Music Cruise takes over Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam for a weeklong jamboree at sea. The voyage leaves from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Key West, Florida, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The artist lineup of country music favorites includes John Michael Montgomery, Deana Carter, The Bellamy Brothers, Neal McCoy and Lacy J. Dalton. This is your chance to meet and greet the country stars, join in on jam sessions and attend panel discussions. If you like to kick up your heels, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for line dancing, Texas swing and two-stepping.
Cabins for The Country Music Cruise are sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist. Rates start at $2,399, plus taxes and additional fees totaling $365, per person for an inside cabin.
Wrestling and rock fans will love this Sixthman cruise with wrestler and musician Chris Jericho. For the fifth installment of Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea, cruisers will sail on Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Gem from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
The 2025 lineup hasn’t been announced yet beyond two musical guests, Fozzy and Kuarantine. The sailing will offer autograph sessions and host four days of wrestling matches featuring wrestlers from All Elite Wrestling.
Rates for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise start at $1,100, plus taxes, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: Cruisers eager to jam and sit ringside can learn more on Sixthman’s website or by calling 877-379-9174.
Outlaw Country Cruise 9
Outlaw Country Cruise. FACEBOOK
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem Date: Feb. 22-28, 2025
If you’re a little more country than rock ‘n’ roll, maybe a cruise with a country twang is the right vacation for you. In February, Norwegian Gem will host the ninth installment of the popular Outlaw Country Cruise. This Sixthman voyage will sail from Miami and stop in Nassau, Bahamas, and St. Thomas.
The ship features five different venues where notable country acts like Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Carlene Carter will perform. Along with endless concerts, passengers can enjoy activities like yoga classes and film screenings.
The cruise is sold out and is waitlist only. Rates start at $1,465 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: For more information or to join the waitlist, check out Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9189.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X. FACEBOOK
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem Date: March 21-26, 2025
For blues and jazz fans, Sixthman also offers the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X cruise, which sails from Miami and stops in Harvest Caye, Belize, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a casino in addition to special music events.
The lineup for the cruise features musicians like Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Larkin Poe and Thunderstorm Artis. More artists will be announced closer to the sail date.
There will also be collaboration shows from some of the artists on board, as well as autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite musicians.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X is sold out and waitlist only. Join the waitlist, as cancellations do occur. You’ll also be among the first to be alerted about future sailings. The rates for the 2025 cruise start at $1,630 per person for an inside cabin.
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem Date: March 31-April 4, 2025
Tony Award-winning Broadway stars are coming aboard for Sixthman’s third Broadway Cruise, which will sail round trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a waterslide, a climbing wall and a casino, plus many special concerts, events and insider panels.
The lineup for the 2025 Broadway Cruise hasn’t been announced yet, though last year’s cruise featured Tony Award winners like Christian Borle, Matt Doyle and Santino Fontana, as well as Broadway A-listers Phillipa Soo, Norm Lewis and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
Expect plenty of fun Broadway-themed events, including a Broadway pub crawl and show tune singalongs, plus autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite Broadway stars.
Prices are not published as of this writing, but expect them to hover around $1,600 per person for an inside cabin.
Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit Date: March 15-22, 2025
The best of the ’70s lives on as music icons from that rockin’ era show they’ve still got it on the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise. This weeklong getaway on Celebrity Cruises‘ Celebrity Summit, organized by StarVista Live, will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.
The lineup of ’70s rock legends includes Air Supply, Kansas, The Guess Who, Melissa Manchester, The Family Stone and Dire Straits Legacy. They’ll be performing, hosting events and attending special meet-and-greets.
The top-tier music acts join a long lineup of rock ‘n’ roll icons. The cruise will feature days filled with concerts, artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and game shows.
Available rooms start at $2,449, plus taxes and additional fees of $365, per person for an inside cabin.
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl Date: Feb. 19-25, 2025
Jam out at sea to the greatest disco anthems as Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond returns for a fifth year in 2025. The six-night cruise is an immersive, nonstop music festival with legendary music acts performing and hosting events throughout Norwegian Pearl. The round-trip itinerary from Miami includes port stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The 2025 lineup includes Kool & The Gang, Shalamar, Lisa Lisa, George McCrae, Boogie Wonder Band, Rose Royce and other classic disco acts. In addition to more than 40 live performances, entertainment will include dance and costume parties, theme nights, dance contests and game shows. Passengers will appreciate the opportunity to go behind the music as artists sit for intimate Q&A sessions, panel discussions and meet-and-greets.
Prices for Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond start at $1,799 per person for an inside cabin, not including $300 per person in taxes and port fees.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.
For many travelers, airport lounge access is crucial as it allows a space where you can either relax before a journey or be productive and get work done.
This is where American Admirals Club lounges come in — over 50 of them exist all over the world, and you can get access by purchasing a daypass for a fee or using AAdvantage miles.
However, the best way to access Admirals Clubs is through one specific credit card: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) — which is the only card that can get you into Admirals Clubs. While it does come with a $595 annual fee, the exclusive lounge access might make it worth adding to your wallet.
In fact, managing editor Matt Moffitt’s main reason for opening the Citi AAdvantage Executive card was for Admirals Club access.
If you can’t get access to an Admiral Club from elite status or the class of service you’re flying, one option is to purchase a membership. Here is annual pricing broken down by AAdvantage level:
1. Cheaper than paying for an Admirals Club membership
However, the best way to guarantee entry into Admirals Clubs is to have the Citi AAdvantage Executive card. You’d actually save money by having the card versus paying for any of the membership options.
For instance, say you were considering purchasing an Admirals Club membership as a general AAdvantage member (no elite status). Instead of paying $850 for access per year, you’d be better off applying for the Citi Executive card and paying the $595 annual fee per year, plus getting other credit card-specific perks.
THE POINTS GUY
The card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 70,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $7,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, worth $1,106, based on TPG’s most recent valuations.
The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard allows you to add up to 3 authorized users for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user. Authorized users can also access Admirals Clubs.
This applies whether the primary cardholder is flying with that person or not, a fantastic perk that is notably different from similar premium cards offered by other U.S. carriers.
Note that while primary cardholders have access to all Admirals Clubs (over 50 worldwide) and partner lounges (about 60 worldwide), authorized users only get access to American Admirals Clubs. However, both the primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or up to two traveling guests into the lounge.
With this Citi card, you’ll also earn 10 miles per dollar on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars.
In addition, cardholders earn 4 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, up to $120 in statement credit for eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $10 per month) and up to $120 statement credit on Avis or Budget car rentals each calendar year.
The card comes with Group 4 priority boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
American Airlines requires a same-day boarding pass for American or one of its partners to access an Admirals Club lounge before or after a flight. While this move is said to reduce overcrowding in the lounges, it’s undeniably a devaluation for elite members and paying customers alike.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
This new rule was instituted regardless of how you earned access — whether through a credit card or paid outright for an annual membership. That means you’re not disadvantaged with this Citi AAdvantage Executive card over other club members.
The Citi AAdvantage Executive card is unique in that you can spread the benefit of the annual fee with friends and family in a way that you can’t do with just an Admirals Club membership by adding authorized users and paying a moderate fee.
As a frequent AA or Oneworld alliance flyer, this is the best card for Admirals Club access in addition to many other perks such as statement credits, Loyalty Point bonuses, and decent earning rates.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you want to earn a few extra Hilton Honors points on dining purchases, you’ve come to the right place.
Hopefully, you’re already earning credit card rewards on restaurant spending with one of the best dining credit cards. However, many major hotel and airline loyalty programs offer dining rewards programs that let you earn rewards while dining out.
There are many types of rewards you can earn through these programs. We’ll dive into how you can use the Hilton Honors Dining program to earn Hilton points.
The Hilton Honors Dining program allows you to earn Hilton Honors points when you dine at select restaurants. These points are on top of the rewards you’d normally earn through your credit card or the restaurant’s rewards program.
To get started with the Hilton Honors Dining program, you need to join the program, enroll at least one card and then search for eligible restaurants. The remainder of this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Go to the Hilton Honors Dining website to join the Hilton Honors Dining program. You’ll fill out a short form with your first name, last name, ZIP code, Hilton Honors number, email address and desired password.
You’ll also need to agree to the program’s terms and conditions. You’ll likely want to opt in to emails to maximize your earning potential.
The last step required to join Hilton Honors Dining is to link a card to your account. When adding a card to Hilton Honors Dining, it will automatically be removed from any other dining programs you’ve registered it with. For example, within a few minutes of adding a card to my Hilton Honors Dining account, I received an email noting that the card had been removed from my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining account.
Once you’ve joined Hilton Honors Dining, you’ll want to search for restaurants, bars and clubs near you that participate in the program. You can do so by using the search function. Type your city into the search bar to see a wide range of results.
HILTONHONORSDINING.COM
Each time you dine at an eligible restaurant, bar or club and pay with a card you’ve registered with Hilton Honors Dining, you’ll automatically earn bonus points.
Note that you can only enroll each credit card in one Rewards Network-operated dining program at a time. So, if you add a card to another Rewards Network-operated dining program, it will be automatically removed from Hilton Honors Dining.
Your earning rate with the Hilton Honors Dining program varies based on several factors. Specifically, you’ll earn:
8 bonus points per dollar if you dine 11 or more times a year and agree to email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining. This earning level is referred to as the VIP level, and you maintain it for the year you earn it and the year after.
5 bonus points per dollar if you dine 10 or fewer times a year and opt to receive email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining. This earning level is referred to as the Select level.
2 bonus points per dollar if you don’t opt for email notifications. This earning level is referred to as the Basic level.
Based on TPG’s valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth about 0.6 cents each. So, earning 8 points per dollar would get you a 4.8% return on your spending. Meanwhile, 5 points per dollar would equate to a 3% return, and 2 points per dollar would provide a 1.2% return.
As such, it’s worth opting in to receive email notifications if you plan to use the Hilton Honors Dining program. You’ll get emails about once a week, and they will provide restaurant recommendations and alerts when new restaurants in your area join the program.
If you didn’t initially choose to receive email notifications, you can do so now by logging in to your Hilton Honors Dining account. Click on the “profile” tab and then check the box stating: “Yes, I want to earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points dining at participating restaurants. Email me occasionally about restaurants in my area, special offers and bonus opportunities to earn Bonus Points.”
You’ll ideally enroll one (or more) of the best cards for dining when you set up your Hilton Honors Dining profile. Here are some of the best currently available cards to use:
American Express® Gold Card: 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
If you’re looking to accrue Hilton Honors points quickly for an upcoming redemption, you may want to enroll a Hilton card in the Hilton Honors Dining program. If you enroll and use the Hilton Amex Surpass Card for dining at an eligible U.S. restaurant, you’ll earn 6 Hilton points per dollar due to the card’s bonus category; you’ll also earn up to 8 Hilton points per dollar from Hilton Honors Dining.
As with all dining rewards programs, knowing which nearby restaurants participate in the program is the best way to maximize Hilton Honors Dining. However, you’ll only earn at the highest rates if you have VIP-level status.
While dining rewards programs are free to join, you should consider whether the Hilton Honors program is the best dining rewards program for you. After all, you can only enroll each credit card in one Rewards Network dining program at a time.
Based solely on TPG’s valuations, some airline dining programs may provide better value than the Hilton Honors Dining program. Ultimately, it comes down to which points and miles you’re most interested in earning now.
