If you’re longing to explore Seoul’s rich history and famous food scene, now could be the perfect time to plan a trip. Delta Air Lines has excellent award availability to the South Korean capital this summer — and you can travel in comfort in its Delta One business-class suites for only 130,000 SkyMiles.
First flagged by @FindFlightsforMe, these spacious lie-flat cabins typically cost more than 400,000 SkyMiles. Keep reading to find out how you can snag this one-way flight deal
Book Delta One award availability to Seoul this summer
Delta is currently showing plentiful award availability in Delta One, its business-class suites, from the East Coast to Seoul in July and August. We found flights from New York, Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C., for just 135,000 SkyMiles and $6 one-way. Atlanta to Seoul is even cheaper at 130,000 miles and $6 one-way.
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You can fly into one of Seoul’s two international airports: Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP). It’s easiest to search all Seoul-area airports by typing “SEL” into the destination box.
To check availability across an entire month, tick the “My dates are flexible” box when you begin your search, then click “Price calendar.” Be sure to also check the “Shop with miles” box and select Delta One in the fare drop-down menu.
If you’re not located on the East Coast, don’t feel left out. We found Delta One award availability to Seoul from Dallas, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles for the same price. Or, if you’re not near one of these hubs, you might consider booking a positioning flight.
Plus, if you hold a Delta cobranded credit card, you’ll get a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights (not including taxes and fees); this means you could pay fewer than 115,000 miles one-way.
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Delta One is a fully enclosed suite in the sky with sliding doors and do-not-disturb indicators. These seats provide extra privacy along with the usual business-class perks, including lie-flat seats, gourmet food, lounge access and more. Delta One seats on long-haul flights can often go for hundreds of thousands of miles each way. So, 130,000 is a great deal.
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While getting to Seoul in Delta One is a steal, coming home is a different story. Award availability from Seoul to the East Coast is currently hovering around 400,000 miles for Delta One (or 135,000 if you downgrade to economy class).
In this case, it’s worth searching for your return flight on other airlines and credit card travel portals to find the best rate, in either points or cash.
Delta is also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, allowing you to turn your Membership Rewards points into Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Note that the transfer process requires a fee of $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum of $99, which will be charged to your card account. If you don’t have enough SkyMiles for redemption, this is a quick way to replenish them.
Here are some of our favorite cards for earning Amex Membership Rewards:
It’s rare to find Delta One award availability on a flight like this for just 130,000 miles one-way — and there’s no better time to spring for business-class seats than on a long-haul flight. If Seoul is on your bucket list, consider snagging this deal before it disappears.
Southwest Airlines has just become the latest carrier to increase its ancillary fees.
The Dallas-based airline recently jacked prices for two popular optional services: EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding. This news was first reported by Danny Deal Guru and later confirmed to TPG by an airline spokesperson.
Southwest’s updated fee structure for these products now ranges from:
EarlyBird check-in: $15 to $99 one-way, per traveler
Upgraded Boarding: $30 to $149 per segment, per traveler
While Southwest didn’t change the minimum amount it charges for these services, it stealthily boosted the maximum amounts. Previously, the airline charged up to $25 and $80 for EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding, respectively.
The roughly 300% increase for EarlyBird check-in and nearly 100% increase for Upgraded Boarding mark a steep price hike. The airline previously upped these fees a year ago, so some loyal Southwest flyers might feel particularly rankled by these changes.
It follows a larger, industry-wide move to increase ancillary fees that began earlier this year, as airlines look to boost revenues from the entire travel experience. Every major U.S. airline raised its checked bag fees (at least once) earlier this year. Southwest famously doesn’t charge for checked bags, and combined with its lackluster first-quarter financial performance, the airline is likely feeling the pressure to boost profits.
“This price range increase is a result of our regular evaluation of pricing for ancillary products based on market trends and customer demand and will generate incremental revenue in support of the company,” airline spokesperson Tiffany Valdez told TPG.
Southwest is also unique among U.S. airlines in that it doesn’t offer assigned seating on its planes. Rather, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis to travelers based on when they check in for their flight. This incentivizes flyers to check in exactly at the 24-hour window.
Travelers who don’t want to deal with this can purchase EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically reserves their place in line 36 hours before departure; this way, they won’t need to manually check in when the 24-hour window opens. Southwest doesn’t cap the number of EarlyBird upcharges it sells on each flight, so it’s not uncommon to still get a mediocre seat when using this product.
That’s why Southwest also offers Upgraded Boarding. This is available for purchase anytime during the check-in window and allows travelers to snag one of the first 15 boarding positions. This add-on is even more expensive than EarlyBird check-in and is only available when there are unsold Business Select fares (which guarantee access to this special boarding priority).
These increased fees will particularly sting for groups traveling together. The airline doesn’t offer any volume discounts on these products, and upgrades add up quickly. If you’re looking to avoid paying these fees, it might be time to consider opening a cobranded Southwest credit card.
The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
American Airlines is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world. However, when you go to book an award ticket on AA, don’t automatically assume your AAdvantage account will be the best loyalty program to use. Did you know that you can book American Airlines flights on partner carriers? And that it may cost you fewer miles?
Since British Airways is a fellow Oneworld alliance member, members of the British Airways Executive Club can redeem Avios, BA’s loyalty currency, on partner airlines; this includes American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Since you can transfer most credit card points to British Airways, it is worth considering which program you should book with.
Here are some scenarios where it can make sense to book an American Airlines award flight with British Airways Avios rather than American’s own AAdvantage miles.
AAdvantage still operates using an award chart. However, in 2023, it shifted its charts to reflect more of a dynamic pricing model with flights on AA “starting from” 7,500 miles within the U.S. and Canada. However, American will sometimes have award flights priced lower than the award chart.
Meanwhile, Avios redemptions for domestic AA flights start from 8,250 Avios points, each way in economy as follows:
Zone 1 (up to 650 miles): 8,250 Avios
Zone 2 (651-1,151 miles): 11,000 Avios
Zone 3 (1,152-2,000 miles): 14,500 Avios
Zone 4 (2,001-3,000 miles): 16,000 Avios
On off-peak dates, like midweek in winter, you can often find flights through AAdvantage for as low as 7,500 (or sometimes lower). This is a better option than the 8,250 Avios BA would charge.
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However, if you want a flight at a specific time or need to fly to a specific airport, using Avios is a cheaper option once the AA prices start to rise dynamically.
For example, flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to New York area airports in September start from a reasonable 8,500 AAdvantage miles.
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However, if you want to take the first flight of the day and fly into LaGuardia Airport (LGA), AA prices this flight at 12,000 miles.
You could book the same Zone 2 flight through British Airways for 11,000 Avios (plus the same taxes and fees AAdvantage charges), saving you 1,000 miles.
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If you are looking to book this same flight in first class, you will pay more than 83,000 miles. If you book this same flight on British Airways using Avios, you’d pay just 20,500 Avios.
Another sweet spot in the Avios versus American Airlines battle is nonstop flights between the West Coast and Hawaii on either American- or Alaska-operated flights. Booking one-way, nonstop award flights less than 3,000 miles long through British Airways will cost just 16,000 Avios plus $5.60 in taxes and fees each way.
American Airlines offers flights between the U.S. and Hawaii starting at 20,000 miles each way, so you can save at least 4,000 miles by booking through BA’s Executive Club rather than AA’s AAdvantage program.
Note that these prices apply to flights on both American and Alaska Airlines, so in either case, you’re likely better off redeeming Avios for awards to Hawaii from multiple West Coast gateways. Remember, too, that the Avios pricing only applies to nonstop flights; if you start adding connections, you’ll want to compare prices in each program before deciding which offers the best value.
Like domestic flights, you can find some sweet spots with shorter international flights using Avios rather than AAdvantage miles.
Looking at routes like:
MIA to Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) in Barranquilla, Colombia
MIA to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena, Colombia
They are just less than 1,150 miles long and cost 11,000 Avios in economy class.
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These flights start at 12,000 miles each way when booked with AAdvantage miles; booking with Avios instead saves only 1,000 miles. However, with American’s dynamic pricing, on the sample date of Dec. 4 above, the same flights are priced at 20,500 (plus the same fees and taxes) — almost twice the number of points.
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Nonstop flights to Japan in economy
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When booking with AAdvantage miles, flights from the West Coast to Japan in economy cost 35,000 miles each way.
However, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) requires just 25,750 Avios that would otherwise cost 35,000 AA miles.
You can also book Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and HND for 31,000 Avios instead of 35,000 AA miles.
Unfortunately, the business and first-class awards aren’t cheaper with Avios than AAdvantage miles.
This card is currently offering new applicants 85,000 Avios after they spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account.
The British Airways Visa Signature has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Level. Plus, you can earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. All other purchases earn 1 Avios per $1 spent.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Bottom line
Avios are valuable because they are easy to earn and redeem. The surcharges on British Airways-operated flights can be high. However, the sensible award chart means, unlike on other programs that price flights dynamically, you’ll rarely see a six-figure price for a single premium cabin flight on BA.
Therefore, booking American Airlines flights through British Airways can sometimes be a much more lucrative redemption option. So, it’s always best to double-check both programs before purchasing your award ticket.
Vasu Raja, American Airlines’ chief commercial officer, will depart the company in June, the airline said Tuesday.
Word of Raja’s exit comes a week after the airline denied that he was planning to leave the company, amid rumors that he was not present in the airline’s office and had been ousted by a board that was unhappy with American’s revenue strategy.
In a statement to the Airline Observer newsletter last week, an American Airlines spokesperson said that Raja was working remotely “for a few weeks while he takes care of some personal matters,” but was “not leaving.”
The airline did not elaborate on the reason for Raja’s departure, nor what had changed since last week. It was not clear whether the departure had been decided on since last week, or otherwise.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, American also lowered its financial outlook for the second quarter, saying it now expects revenues to decline as much as 6% compared to the same quarter last year. It previously projected a drop of up to 3% compared to last year.
The airline has trailed major competitors Delta and United in recent months as it has struggled to translate new distribution strategies into improved revenue performance. The airline has recently introduced new policies aimed at incentivizing customers to book tickets directly with the airline or with preferred vendors, rather than through various third-party booking platforms and channels.
During the airline’s first-quarter earnings call in April, CEO Robert Isom said that the airline was still “fine-tuning” the strategy, saying that during the first three months of the year there was “likely some benefit that our competitors received because of some of the changes that we’ve made.”
Isom is expected to present at a Bernstein investor conference on Wednesday, along with executives from United Airlines.
United on Tuesday reaffirmed its previous fiscal guidance for the quarter, which projects earnings of $3.75 to $4.25 per share.
It was not immediately clear what Raja’s departure will mean for consumers, although he was the main driver behind the airline’s new distribution strategy. One way or another, industry observers will likely keep a close eye on a potential change of direction for American.
Over the last year, World of Hyatt has made several changes to its loyalty program and portfolio, making loyalists question whether the beloved program is no longer the darling of the hotel orbit.
Hyatt combated its SLH loss by rolling out its first batch of Mr & Mrs Smith properties in April 2024. However, this addition made Hyatt enthusiasts question if the hotel brand was moving toward dynamic pricing since the participating Mr & Mrs Smith properties do not follow the standard World of Hyatt award chart.
So, are the changes to World of Hyatt a sign of the hotel brand’s decline? Furthermore, will World of Hyatt start pricing all its award nights dynamically, similar to Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors? In our opinion: Not exactly. Here’s why.
Hyatt’s introduction of dynamic award pricing
Many award travelers are disappointed that Hyatt used dynamic award pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith. Certainly, we hoped Hyatt would fit the often-aspirational Mr & Mrs Smith properties into its award chart when it acquired the luxury and boutique hotel booking platform in 2023.
As TPG director of content Summer Hull noted in a discussion, “As more parts of their offerings are dynamic, that has to be acknowledged as a not-great trend that’s a huge departure from how Hyatt has operated.”
And she’s right. We love that Hyatt still maintains an award chart and offers excellent World of Hyatt elite status perks on most stays. However, like Hyatt’s previous partnership with SLH, loyalists won’t get many of the Hyatt elite perks they love when staying at Mr & Mrs Smith properties.
ANDREW KUNESH/THE POINTS GUY
Why Hyatt is using dynamic award pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith
There’s a positive spin on why Hyatt uses dynamic award pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith properties: It unlocks the entire room inventory instead of just room categories designated for award redemptions.
“Transparently, members shared the challenges with lack of redemption availability at similar relationships — we’ve changed that with Mr & Mrs Smith,” a Hyatt spokesperson told TPG. “While Mr & Mrs Smith hotels fall outside the standard award chart, this opens up an increased inventory and more flexibility for travelers looking to use points during specific dates. Now any room a member sees available for a cash rate, they can redeem for points — opening more room types and experiences to explore.”
This is a fair argument, especially considering how the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform works. Still, it’s disappointing to find relatively low redemption value at many of the Mr & Mrs Smith properties you can book with Hyatt points. At least one property we priced out gave a value of just 1 cent per Hyatt point, which is much lower than TPG’s valuation of Hyatt points and definitely less than we strive for when redeeming Hyatt points.
There’s plenty of chatter in the award travel community that this is a case of a dynamic pricing canary down the coal mine. If travelers accept the award pricing strategy with Mr & Mrs Smith, won’t Hyatt inevitably roll out dynamic award pricing within the rest of its portfolio?
We’re a bit more optimistic than most. Although points and miles typically decrease in value over time, we believe Hyatt isn’t rushing toward saying sayonara to its award chart. The World of Hyatt loyalty program is still significantly smaller than its primary competitors. Marriott Bonvoy has roughly 203 million members, and Hilton Honors has nearly 190 million. World of Hyatt only has 46 million members, so there’s a motivation to make this smaller loyalty program more compelling to members with offerings unique to Hyatt.
“This is not a move toward dynamic pricing, and hotels in the Hyatt portfolio will continue to fall in either the standard or all-inclusive award charts,” the Hyatt spokesperson said regarding the Mr & Mrs Smith award redemption strategy.
Several discussions with Hyatt spokespeople indicate that Hyatt understands and appreciates how having an award chart differentiates its loyalty program from its primary competitors, making us believe the Hyatt award charts aren’t going anywhere soon.
However, the threat of dynamic pricing isn’t the only thing raising eyebrows among Hyatt’s loyalty program critics. The double-punch loss of relationships with MGM Resorts and SLH reduced coveted opportunities to earn and redeem Hyatt points.
However, analysts on recent earnings calls noted that Hyatt pushes efforts to a replacement strategy when it loses a partnership. Of course, some of these replacement opportunities are more appealing than others.
Replacing MGM Resorts
Instead of booking MGM Resorts (Hyatt’s strategic partnership concluded in September 2023), World of Hyatt loyalists can now earn and redeem points at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. This casino hotel, currently undergoing a $340 million renovation, is located off the Las Vegas Strip.
While the Rio isn’t as centrally located as many Las Vegas properties in the MGM portfolio, it still provides Hyatt members with a casino hotel in Sin City. Best of all, weekday rates at the Rio start at just $31.51 or 9,000 points per night. There is a nightly $45.35 resort fee, but it is waived on award stays for all World of Hyatt members and eligible paid stays for Hyatt Globalist members.
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That said, it’s hard to imagine Hyatt is just resting on its laurels concerning Las Vegas. As such, we expect additional partnership opportunities down the line. Hard Rock International’s chairman recently hinted to TPG that the company — which is about to transform The Mirage Hotel & Casino into a new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — is in talks with major hotel groups about a loyalty partnership; however, no specific company names were mentioned. It’s hard to imagine Hyatt isn’t throwing its hat into the ring.
Like many travelers, we’re disappointed that Hyatt is using dynamic award pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith properties — especially since the resulting redemption rate is often lower than our valuation of Hyatt points.
But, if we can put aside the dynamic pricing disappointment and worries, some travelers might view Hyatt’s acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith as a net positive following the end of the SLH relationship.
For starters, you can earn and redeem Hyatt points at more than 700 boutique and luxury hotels participating in Mr & Mrs Smith. At its peak, the Hyatt and SLH partnership included around 350 hotels. Hyatt has said additional Mr & Mrs Smith hotels will be added to the World of Hyatt program quarterly.
“We are continuing to evaluate ways to enhance guest experiences and member experiences, especially for our most valued elite members,” Laurie Blair, Hyatt’s vice president of global marketing, said in April. “So, this is just the start of the relationship with Mr & Mrs Smith.”
Plus, although points are a limited commodity for most vacationers, we’ve met travelers who earn far more points than they need. For these travelers, booking Mr & Mrs Smith properties with Hyatt points may be appealing, even if the redemption value is lower than you can get at many other Hyatt hotels.
The very real fear is that World of Hyatt might look to its competitors as a reason to believe travelers will begrudgingly accept changes. Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy haven’t exactly bled loyalty members after both moved to dynamic award pricing and Hilton devalued its elite breakfast benefit.
We don’t like losing the ability to book SLH properties that fit into Hyatt’s eight-category award chart, and we don’t like losing the opportunity to earn and redeem Hyatt points when staying on the Las Vegas Strip. We’re also disappointed that Mr & Mrs Smith properties are much less affordable than SLH properties were when redeeming Hyatt points.
But we don’t believe the demise of World of Hyatt is imminent or that Hyatt has any upcoming plans to remove its award charts. Instead, Hyatt will likely strive to maintain its small-but-mighty stance on the loyalty front and stick to its award charts while finding partnerships and experiences that attract members to the World of Hyatt program.
It’s also important to remember that Wall Street appears fine with everything Hyatt is doing: As of the morning of May 22, the company’s $151.26 per share stock price is up 36% from a year ago.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
There are many ways to redeem points for hotel stays. I usually redeem for good-value properties that I can book for relatively few points. Having hotel points opens up a whole world of possibilities and has allowed me to stay at some spectacular properties that I couldn’t — or at least wouldn’t — have booked otherwise.
Many major hotel loyalty programs let travelers book amazing luxury properties with points. Unfortunately, standard award space for a reasonable-length stay is virtually nonexistent at some properties, such as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Other properties, like Hyatt’s new Mr & Mrs Smith collection, have such sky-high award pricing that they may not be the best use of your points. To set reasonable expectations, I left properties off this list that didn’t have at least decent award availability or points value.
Here’s a look at some of the most amazing luxury hotels you can book with points, including a few I’ve been lucky enough to visit and several more that are still on my wish list.
Alila Ventana Big Sur
Pool at Alila Ventana Big Sur in California. ALILA VENTANA BIG SUR/FACEBOOK
Cost in cash: From $1,606 per night
Cost in points: From 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night
You go to Ventana Big Sur to get away and relax. This rustic forest resort near Monterey, California, has 54 rooms and suites. Each resort booking includes all meals and select activities like yoga, meditation, tai chi and daily hikes. As such, Ventana Big Sur is certainly a resort where your points can provide significant value.
TPG’s Zach Griff loved his stay, as evidenced in his review of Hyatt’s Ventana Big Sur. But as I found when researching availability — and as Zach noted in his review — award space for rooms priced at off-peak rates is limited. However, I did find several nights with off-peak Category 8 pricing for standard rooms and many nights with off-peak standard and premium suite availability.
The resort is adults-only, so no guests under 18 can accompany you. Note, too, that the glamping side of Ventana Big Sur is different from the resort and doesn’t have access to many of the resort amenities.
Overall, this is a resort for those with plenty of cash, an ample stash of World of Hyatt points or a special occasion to celebrate. I’d likely try to book a short stay with off-peak standard room award pricing and use my points for a longer Pacific Coast Highway trip to get the most value.
Cost in cash: From $1,074 per night for single occupancy (from $1,933 per night for double occupancy)
Cost in points: From 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night for single occupancy (from 57,500 points per night for double occupancy)
Hyatt’s most luxurious wellness-focused brand is Miraval, which has full-scale resorts and spas in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts, plus an international outpost in Saudi Arabia. TPG staffers have stayed at all three domestic properties, giving each heaps of praise.
So, it’s not surprising that at least one Miraval resort would make my list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points. I’m most excited to visit Miraval Arizona due to its desert location and status as the original Miraval resort.
There’s a special World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval resorts, but redeeming Hyatt points still provides good value on most dates. All meals, snacks, coffee, smoothies and nonalcoholic beverages are included in stays. Plus, guests get shared shuttle transportation from Tucson International Airport (TUS) and a $175 per person nightly credit for spa services, fee-based activities and private sessions.
View from The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. CHRIS DONG/THE POINTS GUY
Cost in cash: From $1,504 per night
Cost in points: From 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
If you have a lot of Marriott Bonvoy points and want a spectacular stay in the Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is an excellent option. It’s just a 45-minute speedboat ride away from the airport in Male, where most international flights arrive in the Maldives. The standard point redemption will get you a one-bedroom ocean pool villa with an ocean view — although you can redeem more points at booking for an upgraded room type.
Former TPG reporter Chris Dong summed up his stay perfectly when he wrote, “I enjoyed my time at the Ritz, not because of how glamorous it was but because I felt truly cared for in a way that I’ve never felt at any other hotel in the world.”
Frankly, I doubt I’ll ever be willing to redeem the points required to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. However, especially considering paid rates, you’re getting a steal on most dates — particularly if you redeem points for at least five nights of your stay and can get a fifth night free.
An overwater villa at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Cost in cash: From $1,049 per night
Cost in points: From 190,000 IHG One Rewards points per night
My Six Senses Laamu review indicates how much I loved the resort, and it’s remained my favorite stay years later. As such, I had to include it on this list of amazing luxury hotels around the world that you can book with points.
Six Senses Laamu is a rustic luxury resort focused on environmental sustainability. It employs an entire team of marine biologists, offers amazing on-site snorkeling opportunities, includes some memorable experiential activities, has a cool kids club and features multilevel overwater villas as its base room type.
However, I’d likely book a paid rate if I return to Six Senses Laamu (which I hope to do). Redeeming IHG One Rewards points doesn’t make sense for most Six Senses stays for two reasons: You’ll get a lower redemption rate than at most IHG hotels, and Six Senses frequently offers excellent half-board paid rates if you stay at least four nights.
The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is surrounded by a pristine private reef. HYATT
Cost in cash: From $800 per night
Cost in points: From 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
Another luxurious option in the Maldives, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is home to more than 50 land and overwater villas, all of which are surrounded by a 360-degree private reef that offers plenty of snorkeling opportunities. Amenities include four restaurants and a bar, multiple pools, a yoga studio and fitness center, a spa and an on-site dive center.
Thanks to World of Hyatt’s generous award chart, this Category 7 property costs only 25,000 to 35,000 points per night, depending on the dates. That’s a solid value for a hotel where cash rates can climb to well over $1,000 per night.
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
View from a villa at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai. MARRIOTT AL MAHA/MARRIOTT
Cost in cash: From $1,176 per night
Cost in points: From 96,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night
I debated whether Marriott’s Al Maha resort in Dubai was worth splurging on a few years ago. After visiting in the summer of 2022, I’m happy I decided to try out this aspirational, essentially all-inclusive resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Our two-night stay was certainly memorable, from the meals on our villa’s patio and hours spent in our private pool overlooking the desert to the included activities.
The resort has 42 private villas with swimming pools, and guests redeeming points for their stay can enjoy three meals and two activities per day. Activities include archery, desert nature walks, desert drives, wildlife safaris, falconry demonstrations, horseback rides, camel trekking and sundowners in the dunes. We learned a lot during our desert nature walk and enjoyed light dune bashing during our wildlife safari.
Pool at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Cost in cash: From $1,202 per night
Cost in points: From 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night
I loved my trip to French Polynesia, during which I visited Bora Bora and a few other islands. TPG’s Summer Hull did, too, falling in love with the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Describing it as her best Hilton points redemption, her stay at the Hilton property is one she’ll never forget.
At the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, you’ll have access to four different beaches. There are also complimentary snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards to see marine life around the resort. Daily activities, including demonstrations on how to open a coconut and lei-making workshops, await as well.
Standard award nights typically cost 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. It’s easy to find five or more consecutive standard award nights during some seasons, though standard award availability can be difficult to find during other seasons. Unless you have more Hilton points than you’ll ever be able to redeem, you’ll likely want to avoid the outrageous premium award night pricing.
Remember, too, that Hilton Honors elite members can benefit from a fifth night free on standard award night stays.
Living area at Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. ADAMSLAMA/VIRGINLIMITEDEDITION
Cost in cash: From $5,650 per night
Cost in points: 2,000,000 Virgin points per seven-night stay
Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands is one of the most epic hotels you can book with points. In fact, it’s a bit of a stretch to call this private island retreat a hotel.
If you book an award stay at Necker Island, your stay includes your accommodation, breakfast, round-trip transportation from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) and access to water sports equipment. The island is also home to various animals, including lemurs, giant tortoises and flamingos.
You can book a room through Virgin Red, the sister program of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, but you’ll have to commit to a seven-night stay, and award stays are only available during a handful of “Celebration Weeks” each year, some of which are adults-only. Children can stay for a surcharge on some “Celebration” dates, but the above prices are only for double occupancy.
This is far from a comprehensive list of luxury hotels you can book with points, and you’d likely include different hotels on your own list. For instance, while many travelers would include the Park Hyatt Sydney on their list, I personally think the best hotels are remote and separated from urban life. Even if your idea of an amazing hotel differs from mine, I hope this list helps you dream and aspire to build your stash of points and miles in 2024.
You’ve probably already heard this, but the Olympics are coming to Paris this summer. If you are, too, you’ll need someplace to stay.
As we’ve previously reported, hotel availability is scarce in the City of Light. In fact, in many cases, popular hotels have already been sold out for months.
But don’t despair: There are several accommodation alternatives that will put you in the heart of the action while also providing incredibly comfortable stays. Best of all, these options provide unique stays and currently still have space for the July 23 to Aug. 11 Olympic stretch.
Here are three top accommodation alternatives for the Olympics that are still available to book.
Viking River Cruises
VIKING
How about making your home away from home a floating one? Viking has several sailings on its “Paris and the Heart of Normandy” Seine river cruises that coincide with the Olympics and are not yet sold out. These cruises spend the first two nights in Paris and conclude with one additional night back in the City of Light. The itinerary also involves a stop in Normandy, France, where you can commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Although the ships usually dock in sight of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine is being used for long-distance swimming events (no, really, I’m not making this up), so no commercial boats are allowed to dock or sail on the river during the Olympics. Instead, Viking will use the port of Le Pecq, a suburb about 22 miles west of the city.
I docked here on a recent Viking Seine cruise when the river was too high to make navigating the city’s 37 bridges possible, and it was charming. There’s an easy-to-navigate train that takes passengers into the heart of Paris in about 40 minutes. However, the location is perhaps best suited for reaching Olympic events that will take place on the west side of the city. The Centre Aquatique Olympique, where water polo, diving and synchronized swimming competitions will occur, is just 6 miles from Le Pecq — a much more convenient option than circumnavigating the busy Paris streets.
The departure dates I found with availability include a sailing from July 30 to Aug. 6. The first two nights and the last one are spent in Paris. Rates start at $3,000 per person for a seven-night sailing.
Kitchen in Paris Perfect’s apartment. MELISSA KLURMAN/THE POINTS GUY
I first tried Paris Perfect during a special birthday trip a few years ago. These are elegantly furnished apartments, all in prime sightseeing locations.
What makes them different from, say, Airbnb is that you’re not dealing with individual owners in an app-based environment. Instead, this is a management company that vets each unit and oversees all the apartments in the program, so they all have the same amenities, including hotel-worthy sheets and towels.
My duplex apartment felt like a boutique hotel but with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, plus a well-appointed kitchen. It even had a small balcony with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
For the Olympics, Paris Perfect still has availability, but it also has some rules. There’s a five-night minimum stay, and while you can cancel prior to 60 days out, when you hit the rapidly approaching two-month deadline before the Olympics, payments will be nonrefundable.
Among the properties I found with availability for the opening ceremonies was the Saint Chinian, athree-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in the swanky Seventh Arrondissement. It’s currently priced at $968 a night (note that there’s a seven-night minimum and an additional Paris tourist tax and damage waiver fee).
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a luxury Paris home and the ability to earn (or use) points for your rental, consider booking with Onefinestay, which participates in the Accor Live Limitless loyalty program.
For the Olympics, the company is not only offering its super plush multibedroom apartments in prime locations but also a range of special concierge services. For example, they can arrange private transportation to any of the 25 Olympic venues around the city and book exclusive sports lessons with top trainers so you can get into the spirit of the games. Additionally, Onefinestay will even provide Olympic gear in support of your country’s bid to win.
All of this, plus services like private chefs to whip up French delicacies in your personal kitchen (so you can watch the games from your Parisian living room), makes Onefinestay a great option for anyone looking to get pampered while enjoying the Olympic Games.
One option with full availability in July and August is the Rue de l’Yvette, which was built with the same iron frames and crafting techniques as the Eiffel Tower and also served as the former atelier of renowned sculptor Henri Bouchard. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-story home can accommodate seven people and even has a private garden. There’s a minimum seven-night stay during the Olympics, with prices per night starting at $1,600 (plus taxes).
Bottom line
If you’re heading to the Olympics in Paris and have waited too long to find a hotel option, you don’t have to settle for less-than-thrilling accommodations. Instead, consider alternatives such as luxury vacation rentals or even a river cruise to see the games in style. But don’t delay — the Olympics will be here faster than you can say “100-meter dash.”
Imagine it’s embarkation day for your long-awaited cruise vacation, but your same-day flight gets delayed. Your new arrival time means you might not get to your ship before check-in closes. Or, imagine you wake up to a snowstorm and unplowed streets, and you can’t get to the airport. Or maybe your car breaks down on the way, and you miss your flight.
In all of these scenarios, you’ve left yourself mere hours to fly from your home city to your cruise port. An unexpected delay means your voyage hangs in the balance.
DANIEL A. VARELA/MIAMI HERALD/TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE/GETTY IMAGES
As experienced cruisers know, one of the best ways to avoid potential embarkation day travel headaches is to fly in at least a day before your ship’s departure.
Flying in early is generally a smart idea, but consider these pros and cons before you decide when to arrive for your cruise if you’re traveling by plane.
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Pros of flying in early for your cruise
You’ll have time to rebook if there are delays
CRAVETIGER/GETTY IMAGES
You know how the stereotypical dad arrives at the airport five hours before any flight? Flying to your cruise departure city early is the same concept but on a larger scale.
If you plan to arrive the day before your cruise and your flight is delayed or canceled — or you run into another snag that prevents you from being on the plane as scheduled — you’ll be able to make alternative travel plans and arrive in port before your ship sets sail. Knowing you have time to develop a Plan B will allow you to keep some travel stress at bay.
One of my least favorite things about cruising is the limited amount of time most ships provide in port. If you fly in a day early for your voyage, you’ll have a chance to explore your city of embarkation before your ship departs.
Plan to check out a local restaurant or two, visit a museum or take in the sights. One day is sufficient, but if you have the time, consider a two- or three-day pre-cruise stay to enhance your vacation and really explore the area.
You can rest and start adjusting to any time changes
If running around taking in the local attractions the day before your cruise sounds more exhausting than fun, you can also use the time to do the opposite: relax. Check into your hotel, have a leisurely meal and rest up before boarding the following day.
This is also a great way to jump-start your body’s adjustment to any time changes you might encounter if you’re flying farther afield to meet your ship.
If you’re flying in the day before you embark, you’ll need a place to stay. That means more vacation planning. Is it better to stay closer to the port or local attractions? Does the property you’ve chosen offer perks like free breakfast or Wi-Fi? What is the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? Which attractions are best to visit, and do you need a car to get to them?
You’ll also need to find your way to the port on the day your ship leaves. If your hotel doesn’t have a shuttle, you’ll need to research taxis, ride-hailing services or other public transportation options.
If you’re on a strict budget, the extra costs involved with a pre-cruise hotel stay might not be affordable or worth it. Are you giving up a shore excursion in a port of call in order to fund meals and accommodations prior to your sailing?
You’ll want to research not only hotel prices but also costs for meals, sightseeing and transfers between the airport, hotel and cruise port. Then, you can decide whether you want to fly in a day early. Look to points and miles that might help you score a pre-cruise hotel room for free or at a discounted rate, or look to redeem award nights for your stay.
Bottom line
FLUXFACTORY/GETTY IMAGES
Arriving early for a cruise has its pros and cons. However, the reasons to arrive at least a day ahead of time far outweigh reasons not to — especially if a pre-cruise hotel stay is within your budget.
Making your way into town a day or more in advance will provide you with additional peace of mind, a chance to explore and an opportunity to rest up for embarkation day.
If you can’t afford a pre-cruise stay or don’t have time to fly in the day before you sail, I recommend booking the earliest flight possible on embarkation day. This way, you’ll have time to hop on another one if your travel plans go awry.
It’s also offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership — worth a whopping $3,000, according to TPG’s latest valuations.
But the card also offers a slate of perks that might not be as familiar to cardholders or those considering getting the card. Here’s a list of some of the card’s best benefits, including some you might not have noticed before.
The card’s well-known benefits
As a reminder, here’s the card’s current offer and some of its more notable travel benefits.
The Business Platinum Cardis currently offering 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership.
Up to $360 in statement credits per year for purchases with Indeed; Up to $90 back per quarter
Up to $120 in statement credits per year for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card; Up to $10 back per month
Now that we’ve got the top-banner travel benefits out of the way, let’s get into the nitty-gritty perks that cardholders might not be taking advantage of, or even know they have:
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
If you book a round-trip flight entirely with your eligible card* and the flight is canceled for a “covered reason” — including inclement weather, terrorist action, call to jury duty, sudden illness or injury to you or an eligible traveler or physician-led quarantine — you may receive reimbursement of nonrefundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip, with a maximum of up to $20,000 per eligible account for each consecutive 12-month period.
Trip delay insurance
The card’s trip delay protection* covers round-trip flights purchased entirely with an eligible card. (This includes using the card to pay taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay With Points tickets.) If your trip is delayed by more than six hours because of a covered reason, this perk will reimburse unexpected expenses — such as meals, lodging and personal-use items — up to $500 per trip and up to two claims per card per consecutive 12-month period.
Lost or stolen baggage insurance
Like many other travel cards, this one offers insurance for lost or stolen bags**. When you use your card to purchase the entire fare on a common carrier, coverage is provided up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage per person. For New York State residents, there’s a $2,000 limit per bag/suitcase for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all people per trip.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Car rental loss and damage insurance
This is secondary rental insurance, rather than the primary insurance offered by other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, but will cover you up to $75,000 for damage or theft.
Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Purchase protection**
This oft-overlooked benefit gives cardholders coverage up to 90 days from the date of purchase if an item is stolen, accidentally damaged, etc. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per account per calendar year to repair, replace or reimburse you for the item.
Extended warranty**
This benefit adds up to one extra year to the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. Coverage is up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per calendar year.
Return protection
Return protection provides refunds to cardholders when a merchant won’t take back an eligible item up to 90 days from purchase. The benefit applies to eligible purchases charged entirely to your card up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per account per calendar year, based on the date of purchase.
Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.
Pay Over Time feature
This is especially handy for small-business owners whose cash flow might be irregular at times. If eligible, cardholders can enroll and pay certain purchases over time, though they do accrue interest on the balance, as with a credit card.
Concierge
Cardholders have access to a special phone service that can assist with tasks such as booking restaurants and events, or delivering items on demand. You must call to activate this benefit, but you can also sign up for texting for more convenience.
Preferred Seating Program
Thanks to Amex’s connections, its high-end cardholders get access to premium seats for cultural and sporting events based on availability.
Premium Private Jet Program
Cardmembers who purchase a Delta Private Jets Card (now part of Wheels Up) are entitled to a 20% discount off published fares for select fare classes in effect when booked.
ANDRES MORALES
Connect to QuickBooks
Amex business cardholders get this perk, which automatically logs transactions using their associated card to their Quickbooks account daily, which makes keeping track of purchases and expenses that much easier.
InCircle
This is Neiman Marcus’s loyalty program. When you enroll your Business Platinum Card with InCircle, you receive 1 point for every dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow or Cusp. For every 10,000 points you earn, you’ll get a $100 InCircle Point Card. Points are not awarded for the costs of sales tax, shipping, alterations, gift packaging, fur services, repair and cleaning of shoes, handbags, optical, precious jewelry, monogramming, salon products and services, and valet parking.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Bottom line
Although the Business Platinum Card comes with plenty of widely advertised perks, several lesser-known benefits can add tremendous value to the card if you maximize them.
These include travel and purchase protections, exclusive access to events, premium travel experiences and more. If you carry the card or are thinking of applying for it, be sure to read the card’s benefits guide in detail to take advantage of all it has to offer.
This week, the carrier unveiled new nonstop flights from IAD to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California. United will operate one daily flight on this new 2,188-mile route starting Dec. 19. This new seasonal winter service will run through April 30, 2025.
This will be United’s longest flight to Palm Springs, joining existing service from five other U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In fact, the options will become the first-ever nonstop route between the D.C. metro area and Palm Springs. United says this new transcontinental route will be supported by both origin and destination demand and one-stop connections for travelers looking to explore destinations beyond Dulles.
“This service will be the first-ever connection between Washington, D.C., and Palm Springs and create unparalleled access to Palm Springs from the East Coast and Europe through one of United’s fastest-growing hubs. We pride ourselves in offering unique, world-class destinations and are excited to offer our customers more service to beautiful Greater Palm Springs,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, in a statement.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The new flight will depart Dulles at 9 a.m. EST and arrive on the West Coast at 11:40 a.m. PST. It’ll turn around at 1 p.m. PST and land back at Dulles at 8:45 p.m. EST. United will deploy a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on this new route, featuring the carrier’s new signature interior, as well as 16 first-class recliners, 54 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats and 96 standard economy seats.
United will enjoy a monopoly on this new nonstop route. It remains to be seen how this new seasonal service will fare, especially considering that there were just 16 daily passengers on average flying between IAD and PSP during 2023, Department of Transportation data analyzed by Cirium shows.
Meanwhile, there were, on average, 34 daily passengers flying from D.C.’s more convenient Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to PSP in 2023, so perhaps United thinks it can convince all the flyers headed to and from the D.C. metro area to choose this new nonstop flight. Most flights from DCA are limited in length by a perimeter rule.
(Of course, every itinerary from D.C. to Palm Springs last year involved a connection, so by pulling out all the stops, United may be able to stimulate some additional demand. Plus, some travelers may have opted for nonstop flights to Los Angeles and then drove about four hours to Palm Springs.)
From its midcentury modern architecture to its thriving cultural and dining scenes, Palm Springs has proven to be a popular destination in winter. And now, there’s a never-before-operated way to get there.
