Deal alert: Fly to Spain from Chicago, Miami and Washington, DC, from $371 round-trip

The deals for European travel keep coming.

We’ve just been tipped off to a big sale on flights to a number of popular destinations in Spain, including Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Departure cities include Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C.

This sale’s travel window involves flights between September and March of next year — potentially one of the best times to visit Spain, depending on your destination. For example, fall in the Canary Islands is generally a pleasant affair, thanks to mild temperatures and a low chance of rain. But take note: The flights in this sale all involve layovers.

A carry-on is included in this sale for most airlines. Checking a bag will cost between $75 and $85 each way. However, if you book a fare on TAP Air Portugal and need to bring a large suitcase, consider upgrading to the “Classic” tier for an extra $65 each way. That will cost less than paying for the checked bag fee separately.

Tibidabo mountain and Sagrat Cor church at sunset, Barcelona, Spain.
Tibidabo mountain and Sagrat Cor church at sunset in Barcelona. ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES

Deal basics

Airline: Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Europa, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines

Routes: From Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C. to Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, La Palma de Canaria, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia, Spain

How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline

Travel dates: Availability from September 2024 through March 2025 (holidays are excluded)

This deal was originally sent out by the deal alert company Going. Sign up for Going to get up to 90% off select flights via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $69 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year for access to all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.

You can also sign up for a free trial through this link.

Sample flights

Let’s start by showing you a great deal out of Chicago to Madrid. You can book flights in September from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on TAP Air Portugal for just $379 round-trip.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Chicago and Madrid on TAP
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

According to Google Flights, that’s is an incredible deal for this route.

Screenshot of Google Flights estimate of flight savings
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

If you have your sights set on partaking in the legendary party vibes of Ibiza, you can fly from Chicago to Ibiza Airport (IBZ) in late October for less than $500 round-trip on Iberia.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Chicago and Ibiza
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

We found flights from Miami to Bilbao at steeply-discounted prices. Here’s one itinerary we found in November from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Bilbao Airport (BIO) available on Iberia for only $464 round-trip.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Miami and Bilbao on Iberia
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

The same route in the spring of 2025 is available at $470 round-trip.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Miami and Bilbao on Iberia
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

There are some good deals from the tri-state area to the Canary Islands in this deal as well. TAP Air Portugal has round-trip flights to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in October available for $450, an excellent price. It’s also an ideal time to visit the Canaries.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Newark and Tenerife
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

I love knowing when I get a good deal, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Google Flights data shows this price is about as low as it gets for this route.

Screenshot of Google Flights savings estimate
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, consider taking a trip to Spain’s capital city. TAP Air Portugal has good availability for flights from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Madrid in the fall for under $400 round-trip. November had lots of options to consider.

Screenshot of a roundtrip flight between Washington, D.C. and Madrid
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

Maximize your purchase

Be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

Bottom line

This is one of those sales where travelers who can get by with a well-packed carry-on bag can really save big on an overseas ticket. Oh, and if you decide to book a trip to Ibiza but aren’t interested in party-hopping on the island, read TPG’s guide on how to explore the party-free side of the popular Canary Island.

Related reading:

What is a ‘babymoon’? How about a ‘sleepcation’? These 8 travel terms make me roll my eyes

Every once in a while, I see something travel-related that makes me cringe — people barefoot on planes, tourists with selfie sticks and, most recently, an influx of nonsensical and unnecessary words to describe different types of trips.

Enter: “sleepcation.” Seriously, it’s a thing. You’ll probably sigh as deeply as I did when I found out what it was.

Why do marketers insist on creating cutesy terms for things that already have names?

In fairness, a term like “glamping” (camping but with certain amenities that make it more glamorous) makes sense because it sounds like the original word: “camping.”

“Staycation” (when you take time off to stay home and do nothing or visit places nearby) also works because it rhymes with “vacation” — a word that, for decades, has sufficed to describe types of leisure travel that may or may not take you far away from home.

Now, it seems we have new jargon born from slapping “-cation” or “-moon” on the ends of words and calling them trends. Speaking of being born, don’t even get me started on “babymoon.” The whole thing is out of hand. In the infamous words of Regina George from “Mean Girls”: “Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.”

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the made-up travel terms that give me, as the kids say, “the ick.”

What is a ‘babymoon’?

An expecting couple on a babymoon sitting on a rock overlooking the water
MESQUITAFMS/GETTY IMAGES

A babymoon is the trip an expecting couple takes to spend time together before their baby arrives (or, possibly, to mourn the loss of their free time, disposable income and privacy).

What is ‘bleisure’ travel?

The word itself comes from a combination of “business” and “leisure.” It indicates that you’re either tacking on a few days of paid time off onto a business trip or bringing non-colleagues — like friends or family members — with you for the ride. This has become increasingly prevalent as remote work has enabled longer trips than used to be standard.

What is a ‘buddymoon’?

A buddymoon is a honeymoon where friends tag along. To me, this just sounds like a weird way to say “honeymoon where you have no alone time whatsoever.”

What is a ‘digital nomad’?

A man with his back to the camera working on a laptop by a resort pool overlooking the ocean
ROBERTO MOIOLA/SYSAWORLD/GETTY IMAGES

A digital nomad is someone who can work from anywhere, including remote destinations, and changes locations frequently to do so. As long as they have a Wi-Fi connection and a host of electronics, they’re set to be on a constant workcation. (See below.)

What is a ‘sleepcation’?

A sleepcation is a vacation a person takes for the purpose of finding a good night’s sleep. Imagine paying money to accomplish what you should, in theory, be able to do at home in your bed. The concept is almost as ridiculous as the word itself.

What is a ‘travel curator’?

A travel curator is someone who travelers pay for customized travel planning services. Essentially, it’s a travel agent with a fancy name. Other aliases include “travel advisers” and “travel designers.”

What is ‘voluntourism’?

A man in a yellow hard hat carrying two trees to plant in the forest
TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES

Voluntourism is traveling for the combination of both pleasure (tourism) and volunteer opportunities. It can include everything from medical and conservation work to teaching abroad. The term is silly, but the premise behind it is noble — as long as participants are actually helping, that is.

Related: How to earn a free night in Hawaii by giving back to the community

What is a ‘workcation’?

Although similar to bleisure travel, a workcation is different in that the travel isn’t for business purposes. It’s for pleasure, but you work while you’re there. A workcation can be something you take as a one-off or, if you’re a digital nomad (see above), something almost constant or indefinite.

Bottom line

Some of these terms have been adopted more widely into the travel vernacular; others struggle to take hold. What they all have in common, though, is that they were coined by marketers trying to generate buzz around certain types of trips or to make things sound fancier than they are.

But remember: These trips aren’t necessarily what everyone makes them out to be simply because they have their own made-up words. Moving forward, just call them vacations.

Related reading:

Why I love the Amex Business Platinum’s Pay with Points perk

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

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers frequent travelers several ways to add elements of luxury to their travel plans. From flight discounts to hotel elite status and a comprehensive airport lounge access benefit, the Amex Business Platinum Card delivers unparalleled travel perks that you can only find with a premium travel rewards card.

The card does come with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). However, the plethora of travel perks and a generous welcome bonus for new applicants can offset this fee.

Let’s dig into one of my favorite benefits of the card — the Pay with Points perk — which gives me a discount on business- and first-class flights.

Related: Is the Amex Business Platinum worth the annual fee?

An overview of the card

Here are just a few of the valuable features that accompany the Amex Business Platinum: up to $400 in statement credits each calendar year for U.S. Dell technology purchases (ends Dec. 31), up to $189 statement credit for Clear Plus annual membership fee and up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits on one selected airline.

Combined, these three benefits alone can more than offset the card’s annual fee. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits. But the perks don’t stop there.

THE POINTS GUY

In total, the Business Platinum has well over $1,500 in available statement credits each year, which vastly outweigh the annual fee if maximized. There are additional travel benefits such as access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on same-day Delta flights)*, hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and cellphone protection**. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Right now, the card is offering 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.

But the one Amex Business Platinum perk I hold near and dear to my heart is the Pay with Points rebate. Let’s take a closer look at my favorite benefit to see why it’s so incredibly valuable to cardmembers.

*Effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. 

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex Pay with Points

What is the Amex Pay with Points rebate?

Most travel-focused premium cards offer flight-related benefits or credits, such as reimbursing you for fees incurred when traveling throughout the year. But the Amex Business Platinum has a unique airfare rebate for anyone who redeems their Membership Rewards points to pay for qualifying flights through Amex Travel.

By utilizing the Pay with Points function to pay for airfare through Amex Travel, Membership Rewards points are worth 1 cent apiece. On the face of it, that isn’t too exciting; TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece.

However, the Amex Business Platinum card offers a unique perk: you can get 35% of your points back on first- or business-class tickets on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

When using this benefit, you can get up to 1 million points back each calendar year, meaning you would need to use 2,857,143 points to pay for flights with Amex Travel before exhausting this benefit in a year. With points worth 1 cent each on these redemptions, you would need to buy $2.8 million in airplane tickets during a year to reach this cap, which means most people won’t need to worry about the annual limit on this benefit.

You can also use the Pay with Points feature toward purchases on your card, gift card purchases and car rental and hotel bookings through Amex Travel, but you will be redeeming points at less than 1 cent each, well below the 2 cents apiece that TPG values Membership Rewards points, so using it toward airfare is a better proposition.

These Amex cards for small businesses that offer a Pay with Points rebate, offering from 35% to 50% of your Membership Rewards points back when you pay with points (terms apply):

The information for the Centurion Business 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.

Related: Points of View: Can I cash out my points, and is it worth it?

How does the Pay with Points rebate work?

For the Pay with Points rebate, cardmembers will receive a 35% rebate of the total points used when paying for any flight on that selected carrier, or any business- or first-class flights booked through the Amex Travel portal — regardless of airline — up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

Factoring in that 35% rebate means you can use your Amex Membership Rewards points at a value of 1.54 cents apiece, rather than the usual 1 cent apiece when redeeming through Pay with Points for flights using other Amex cards that don’t offer a rebate. That’s a 54% bonus.

Cost of paying for a flight with points
AMERICANEXPRESS.COM

Assuming you have the Amex Business Platinum and redeem your points for eligible flights, you should receive the points rebate automatically. However, it can take up to a month.

Points rebate posting to account
AMEX

As you can see from my screenshots, it took about a month to receive my 35% points rebate from a business-class flight I booked with Delta Air Lines using the Pay with Points option, flying from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

With my original redemption, I spent 59,391 points for a $594 airfare, but that got slashed down to 38,604 points thanks to the 35% Pay with Points rebate on my Business Platinum Card.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

How to maximize the Pay with Points rebate

Amex Travel offers several ways to save on bookings, including “Insider Fares” and discounted “Recommended Fares.” For international travel on certain airlines, you may be able to knock the price down even more when booking through the American Express International Airline Program (IAP).

When comparing your options for booking directly with the airline or booking through Amex Travel, you’ll notice fares are sometimes equal. However, thanks to American Express Insider Fares and the International Airline Program, travelers can get even greater discounts when booking their flights with Membership Rewards points.

Here’s how to stack those discounts along with the Pay with Points rebate to get even more value from carrying the Amex Business Platinum.

Related: How to maximize the Amex Business Platinum’s 35% Pay With Points rebate on flights and when you might want to do so

Stacking discounts and rebates

This round-trip Iberia flight in business class costs $3,791 via Google Flights, which is the price you’d pay if you booked directly with Iberia.

airfare price
GOOGLE FLIGHTS

The International Airline Program through Amex Travel shows the same base fare, but it’s discounted by $200. And instead of 379,068 Membership Rewards points, you’d need 359,068 at the standard 1-cent-per-point rate when making your payment.

discount showing on plane ticket
AMEX

However, when you stack the Amex Business Platinum’s 35% points rebate on top of that, you’ll get 125,674 points back. Your out-of-pocket cost is 233,395 points, which you redeemed at a value of 1.54 cents per point.

Earning miles and elite status

Aside from the tremendous points savings that are possible by stacking the benefits mentioned above, the other significant benefit to booking flights this way is that airlines treat these tickets like cash bookings. Instead of needing to search for award availability and avoid blackout or peak dates, you can simply book any available ticket.

Moreover, since the flights are considered paid tickets, you should earn award miles and elite-qualifying metrics just like you would if you’d paid cash directly to the airline.

Related: Why the Amex International Airline Program discount is worth it

Bottom line

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers several great benefits, but the Pay with Points 35% rebate can be one of the most significant if you frequently fly in premium cabins. Not only can it save you hundreds of thousands of points per year, depending on how you book, but you can stack it with other discounts offered through Amex Travel.

This is a win-win in my book. It’s my favorite card perk and is one of the many reasons I keep my Business Platinum Card year after year.


Apply here: The Business Platinum Card


For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.

Etihad debuts new free stopover program in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways wants you to spend a day or two in its hometown during your travel journey.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline just announced that it will allow flyers to add a complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi on eligible tickets. That means that travelers who are trying to fly from New York to Bali, for example, can now enjoy one or two nights in Abu Dhabi along the way.

Etihad’s new stopover program is operated in conjunction with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.

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

Eligible travelers can spend one or two nights in a “premier” hotel as part of the new Abu Dhabi stopover program. The airline didn’t publish the list of eligible hotels, and they aren’t available yet on the carrier’s website.

The airline does highlight some suggested activities in Abu Dhabi, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.

A Etihad plan docked at an airport
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Note that even if you don’t take advantage of the stopover program, you can use your Etihad boarding pass to unlock discounts and other privileges across many of the city’s top attractions. This is part of the Abu Dhabi Pass, which you can learn more about by visiting this site.

To book a complimentary stopover, you’ll need to buy your ticket directly on Etihad’s website and select the Abu Dhabi stopover option.

Etihad’s program largely resembles that of other major Gulf and flag carriers, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, that also offer free or heavily discounted stopovers on itineraries that include connections in their hubs.

Map watching: The award for ‘sexiest new route’ of the year goes to … 

As a state-controlled airline, Etihad acts in some ways as a tourism driver for the local economy. As such, it’s likely no surprise that this stopover program is being debuted to promote visits to Abu Dhabi.

It wasn’t immediately clear if you could take advantage of an Abu Dhabi stopover on an award ticket. We will update this post if we hear back from Etihad.

Etihad used to offer a two-tiered version of a stopover program, with free one- and two-night stays at “basic” hotels and up to 40% off discounted rates at nicer hotels. Presumably, this new program will offer travelers a choice of hotels somewhere between the basic and luxury options that were previously on offer with the airline’s stopover program.

Related reading:

How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most useful and valuable currencies you can collect.

You can choose from a wide range of redemption options, including some of the best airline and hotel transfer partners, the easy-to-use Chase Travel℠ portal, cash back and payment for everyday expenses.

With two of the most popular Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards offering elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 points each, there has never been a better time to consider a Chase credit card.

If you’re looking to get the most value out of your Chase points, keep reading to discover how much each redemption option is worth.

What are Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

A luxurious lobby of a hotel
CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY

Ultimate Rewards points are the currency of most Chase-branded credit cards. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for everyday spending and redeem them for various rewards.

Here are some of the best options for earning Chase points:

Note that these three cards are the only ones that allow transfers to partner programs. However, if you pair one of them with a cash-back Chase card — like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card — you can combine your points into a single account, thus converting your cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

If you’re just getting started in the world of rewards credit cards, it’s typically best to start with Chase products thanks to the issuer’s well-documented 5/24 rule. In short, you generally can’t get approved for any Chase cards — including those that earn Ultimate Rewards points — if you’ve applied for five or more new credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months.

Remember this restriction as you build a strategy to maximize your credit card rewards.

How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, which you should ideally aim for when redeeming them. However, the exact value will depend on your choice of redemption.

When redeeming Ultimate Rewards points, you have three basic options:

Redemption option Examples Point value
Transfer points to travel partners 14 airline or hotel loyalty programs Possibly 2.05 cents each
Fixed-value redemptions through Chase Travel Flights, hotels, cruises, tours and rental cars Between 1 and 1.5 cents each, depending on which Chase card you have
Fixed-value, non-travel redemptions Cash back, gift cards and Apple products Between 0.8 and 1.5 cents each, depending on the redemption option

The main reason we value Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece is the slate of transfer partners. Each individual loyalty program has a number of sweet spots, and you have incredible flexibility by holding on to your Chase points until you’re ready to book a specific award.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these redemption options.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value when transferring to travel partners

Business class seats on a flight
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Transferring Ultimate Rewards to travel partners is often the most valuable way to redeem them.

You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to 11 airline programs:

Chase also partners with three hotel loyalty programs:

All transfer ratios are 1:1 (though there are occasional transfer bonuses), and you must transfer points in 1,000-point increments. As noted previously, you can only transfer points from Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred accounts, though you can move your cash-back rewards into those accounts using the “Combine points” functionality in the portal.

The best hotel transfer partner

A particular standout transfer partner is World of Hyatt. Hyatt points are among the most valuable hotel points given the program’s low award redemption rates and excellent range of budget and luxury properties.

You can easily obtain at least 2 cents per Hyatt point/Chase point by redeeming in a pricey hotel market like London.

Screenshot of Hyatt hotel options in London
HYATT.COM

The best airline transfer partners

If you prefer flights over hotels, we have found numerous sweet spots for both short- and long-haul flights in economy and premium cabins, whether you fancy flying within North America or as far as Europe or Asia.

Our favorite Ultimate Rewards sweet spots include the following:

  • Iberia flights to Madrid: Round-trip flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on off-peak dates will only set you back 34,000 Avios in economy, 51,000 Avios in premium economy and 68,000 Avios in business class when you transfer your Chase points to Iberia Plus or British Airways Executive Club.
  • Flights to Hawaii with Alaska Airlines and American Airlines: By transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways, you can book awards with Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. As long as your nonstop flight distance is under 3,000 miles each way (and there’s partner award availability), you can leverage British Airways’ distance-based award chart to fly from any West Coast gateway to Hawaii for only 26,000 Avios round-trip.
  • All Nippon Airways flights booked through Virgin Atlantic: For just 145,000 points, you can fly round trip in first class between the West Coast and Tokyo (again, as long as there’s award availability). Flights from the East Coast only cost an extra 25,000 points (170,000 points round-trip). Business-class redemptions are an even better deal, costing just 90,000 to 95,000 points round-trip, depending on your U.S. departure airport.
  • Short-haul flights to Canada: Flights from JFK to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) on United can be booked for under 6,000 miles one-way on many dates when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to the Air Canada Aeroplan program.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value via the Chase portal

You can also book travel through Chase Travel and redeem points for your plane tickets, hotel stays, rental cars or experiences at a fixed cash value per point.

As a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred cardholder, each point is worth 1.25 cents. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each toward travel redemptions in the portal. If you have a Chase Freedom Flex℠, an Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, an Ink Business Cash Credit Card or a Chase Freedom Unlimited, points are worth 1 cent each.

This is another example of when it makes sense to combine your points in the card account that offers the most value for bookings.

For example, all the points you earn with the Freedom Flex can be moved to your Sapphire Reserve account, thus increasing their value from 1 cent to 1.5 cents each when used for travel.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value for non-travel redemptions

A meal featuring fish, french fries and pasta
CAROLINE TANNER/THE POINTS GUY

You can also redeem Chase points for a statement credit or bank deposit at a flat rate of 1 cent each. This rate also applies to gift cards and Apple products (outside of a limited-time special).

However, with Chase Pay Yourself Back, you can redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1.25 to 1.5 cents each, depending on your card. This redemption rate is valid on statement credits toward rotating purchase categories, such as select charities.

Finally, you can link your eligible Chase cards to your Amazon account and pay for purchases with the Shop With Points program. However, you will only receive around 0.8 cents per point, which is lower than virtually all other redemption options.

How do I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

There are many ways to earn Chase points at rates of 1 to 10 points per dollar spent, depending on the specific Chase credit card you carry.

Remember that only the first three cards below earn fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, while the remaining four are technically billed as cash-back credit cards. However, you can combine your Chase cash-back rewards in a single account to maximize your earning and redeeming potential.

Here are the seven cards that allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is an excellent all-around travel credit card. It earns points at the following rates:

  • 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through March 2025)
  • 5 points per dollar spent on all travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
  • 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services
  • 3 points per dollar spent on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
  • 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees and comes with many travel perks, including delayed baggage insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and primary car rental insurance.

Annual fee: $95

Application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is the card to get if earning power is most important to you. Its travel perks can easily cover the annual fee. It accrues the following earnings:

  • 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through March 2025)
  • 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards
  • 10 points per dollar spent on hotel and car rental purchases through Chase Travel
  • 5 points per dollar spent on airline travel booked through Chase Travel
  • 3 points per dollar spent on travel not booked through Chase
  • 3 points per dollar spent on other dining purchases
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

Other perks include an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100 once every four years) and access to Priority Pass Select lounges and a growing list of new Sapphire airport lounges. This is one of the few cards that allow you to use your Priority Pass membership for discounted meals in airport restaurants; however, this perk will no longer be available from July 1 on. Cardholders also get primary car rental coverage, trip interruption/cancellation insurance and other protections.

Annual fee: $550

Application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is an excellent option for small-business owners, earning 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases, and points don’t expire as long as your account is open.

Annual fee: $95

Application link: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn up to $750: $350 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This can be converted to 75,000 points if you have another Ultimate Rewards points-earning credit card.

Why you want it: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year (then 1%). You can also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%). If you have one of the three cards above, you can convert these earnings to Ultimate Rewards points.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn $750 cash back (which can become 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back rewards on every purchase. These cash-back earnings can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above, which means your small business can essentially earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all charges made with this card.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 (which can become 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening.

Why you want it: The card earns 5% back on select bonus categories, which rotate every quarter and apply on up to $1,500 in combined spending (activation required). Past bonus categories include gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, warehouse stores and department stores. You can convert these rewards to valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back.

Why you want it: These earnings can be converted to valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases. Earn 1.5% on all other purchases. The card also offers 120-day purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Bottom line

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely valuable because they are both easy to earn and offer so much flexibility when using them.

Chase points usually cost around 1 cent each for cash back or gift card redemptions. When redeeming them through the Chase Travel portal, the value increases up to 1.5 cents, depending on the type of Chase card you hold.

However, you can obtain up to and above 2.05 cents in value per Ultimate Rewards point by transferring your points to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.

Don’t miss out on elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points currently available on the Chase Sapphire cards.

Wyndham adds 9 all-inclusive resorts with bargain award redemption rates

Another day, another wave of all-inclusive resorts taking on major hotel loyalty affiliation.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continued its all-inclusive resort expansion Tuesday through a new partnership with Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, a Latin American all-inclusive resort operator. The partnership kicks off with nine resorts across Mexico, Panama and Jamaica, and it brings Wyndham’s overall all-inclusive resort footprint to more than 50 properties around the world.

The Decameron resorts will maintain their existing likeness but take on an affiliation with two of Wyndham’s brands. Five resorts will take on Trademark Collection by Wyndham branding, while the remaining four will join Ramada.

Wyndham Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points at the resorts, which will have award night redemptions starting as low as 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night.

“The all-inclusive segment is the fastest growing segment in the hospitality industry since the pandemic,” Gustavo Viescas, Wyndham’s president of Latin America and the Caribbean, said in an interview with TPG ahead of the partnership launch. “It’s not easy to be an independent hotel nowadays and be up to date with all the technology. There is strong competition, so the easy way to be at the top is connecting with a big brand.”

Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort.
Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort. WYNDHAM

By partnering with Wyndham, the nine Decameron resorts will join Wyndham Rewards; members can earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualified stays. Free night redemptions will start at 15,000 or 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night, depending on the property.

It’s a competitive landscape out there, with hotel giants like Marriott, Hilton and Wyndham pushing into all-inclusive resorts. So why did Decameron go with Wyndham above the rest? Brand synergy.

“We had some conversation with other brands, but we decided to move forward with [Wyndham] because we saw a perfect match between our brands and their brands,” Ximena Gomez, vice president of sales at Decameron, said.

Decameron leaders also liked how extensive Wyndham’s customer base and brand awareness are in the U.S. and Canada; the Latin American company would like to boost its own awareness in those markets with travelers looking to book an all-inclusive getaway.

“The access to the U.S. market through a loyalty program like Wyndham Rewards, with more than 110 million members globally, is something extremely, extremely positive,” Viescas added.

In turn, Wyndham gains a foothold in the Panama resort market and boosts its existing footprint in Mexico and Jamaica.

Where to stay

While the partnership officially begins May 14, bookings are in a presale offering for the next two weeks for stays beginning June 1 onward. The nine Decameron resorts joining Wyndham Rewards are as follows:

With so many properties starting at just 15,000 points per night, paradise can be yours for a bargain.

Related reading:

Rakuten deal alert: Earn 15% to 20% cash back at major retailers when shopping online

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

If you’re looking to make some purchases before your summer travel plans, there’s a big online shopping event this week to maximize your spending. Plus, you can use these promotions to score some big deals and stack up the savings.

Rakuten is one of the most popular online shopping sites that awards cash back for shopping online, and it has some very increased earning rates at popular retailers running from May 6-13. It’s the online shopping platform’s “Big Give Week” event.

This is how you take a good deal to a great one: Layering a hefty side of cash back on already discounted prices.

Remember, with Rakuten, you can choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. So, instead of getting up to 15% cash back in the examples below, you could earn 15 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent; this can yield a significantly higher value overall if you maximize the points with travel partners.

Here’s what you need to know about increased cash-back opportunities with Rakuten.

Increased cash back with Rakuten

Woman shopping online
ROCKAA/GETTY IMAGES

To earn cash-back rewards or Membership Rewards when shopping online, begin your shopping trip on the Rakuten website. Once there, search for your desired store and click to be redirected to the retailer’s website. After you make a qualifying purchase, Rakuten will track your transaction and add bonus rewards to your account — generally within a day or two.

Here are some of the stores we see with increased cash back right now. Each of these retailers is offering 15% cash back or 15 points per dollar from May 6-13 through Rakuten. However, some are offering 20% off.

  • Adidas
  • Dyson
  • E.l.f. Cosmetics
  • Ulta Beauty
  • Expedia
  • Groupon
  • Hertz
  • Sunglass Hut
  • DSW
  • Staples
  • Office Depot
  • Hotels.com
  • Viator (20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)
  • Neiman Marcus (up to 20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)
  • Bergdorf Goodman (up to 20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)

You’ll earn the cash back in addition to any earnings on the credit card you swipe. At most merchants participating in these promotions, you’ll want to pay with a credit card that earns bonus points and miles on everyday purchases. Or, use one where you’ve added a Chase or Amex Offer for that retailer to stack your savings.

Related: How to earn more points and maximize elite status benefits by double dipping

Bottom line

The summer holiday shopping season is upon us. Even if you only use this time of year to get better deals on the things you would buy anyway, note that the increased cash-back deals are in full effect. To ensure you choose the right option with the best rewards for your planned purchase, compare all the different cash-back sites before you buy.

Note, too, that if you are a new Rakuten shopper, you can earn a $40 cash bonus when you spend at least $40 on a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days. If you join Rakuten by May 13, you can also earn an extra 10% cash back boost (up to $50) to shop on the platform.

Many eligible merchants for these promotions also participate in credit card merchant offers. So, it’s smart to check whether a merchant has an offer through Amex Offers, Chase Offers, Citi Merchant Offers and American Airlines AAdvantage’s SimplyMiles program before making your purchase.

The best credit cards for Online Purchases in 2024

For additional options, check out our favorite cards for online shopping.

Related reading:

At one with its historic surroundings, Park Hyatt Kyoto is one of the best Park Hyatts in the world

[circuit type=review circuit_id=”9647″]

Many travelers say that a stay at the Park Hyatt Kyoto is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. Maybe so, but after visiting in March, I hope fate brings me back to this enchanting spot soon.

The hotel was born out of a collaboration between renowned 19th-century teahouse and kaiseki multicourse restaurant Kyoyamato, Japanese construction company Takenaka and Hyatt. This initiative proves that it’s possible to build a brand-new hotel that seamlessly blends with a heritage cityscape and hews to the time-honored traditions of the region.

It certainly earns its place on our list of the best Park Hyatts in the world thanks to its extraordinary character and unique location; it’s slotted into the hillside of the historic Higashiyama neighborhood. Known for its narrow alleyways and winding stone staircases, there are Instagram-worthy vistas everywhere you look.

Japanese garden at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Explore the many paths that wind through gardens at Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The hotel, with its mukuri tile roofs and Japanese gardens, doesn’t feel out of place among the traditional Japanese shops, townhouses and storefronts. However, it also offers plenty of modern conveniences. The Jacuzzi and separate steam shower sealed into their own compartment in our suite’s master bath is something we’ll talk about forever.

Service struck the right balance of authenticity and old-fashioned excellence, and the staff seemed able to navigate nearly any situation. Here’s everything else you need to know about the Park Hyatt Kyoto and why it’s so worth a stay.

Yasaka Pagoda in the distance as seen from a suite at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Yasaka Pagoda as seen in the distance from Ninenzaka House (suite 308) at Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Getting there

Most travelers arrive at Kyoto Station via the Shinkansen bullet train. We took the Nozomi (fastest train) from Tokyo. The journey lasted two hours and 15 minutes; I paid 15,400 yen (about $98) per person, one-way for first-class reserved seats. (We bought tickets on the smartEX app.)

Pro tip: If you or anyone in your party suffers from motion sickness, pack some ginger chews, peppermint or meclizine/Bonine/Dramamine. The train races along the track at about 185 mph, and the curves can be tough for some people. The train was also very warm, so don’t overdress.

When you exit the train, follow signs to the taxi stand; then, take a quick 11-minute ride (about $15) to the Higashiyama Ward, home of the Park Hyatt Kyoto.

Higashiyama Ward outside Park Hyatt Kyoto in Japan
Higashiyama neighborhood is just steps away from Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Booking details

The Park Hyatt Kyoto is an outsized value for redeeming points, but you must book early — especially if you hope to successfully apply a Hyatt upgrade certificate for a Park Suite to your stay. For my early March 2024 stay, I booked a standard king room 12 months in advance at a cost of 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. (Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to your Hyatt account instantly on a 1:1 basis.)

If you have your mind set on visiting in the spring for cherry blossom season, you really have to be on top of booking any hotel in Kyoto as soon as the reservation window opens (that’s 13 months in the case of Hyatt properties).

If paying cash, a standard king room with a garden view goes for around 365,000 yen ($2,390) per night during peak season. TPG values World of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, so laying out 35,000 points per night for a standard room is equivalent to paying $595. In this scenario, you’re actually getting closer to 6.7 cents per point, which is a fantastic redemption value.

It’s this kind of value that keeps me a loyal World of Hyatt member, and the reason why two of my favorite credit cards are the World of Hyatt Card Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. However, if you’re not working toward World of Hyatt elite status and only care about points, your better bet is probably the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® since you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt so easily.

Our trip commemorated 30 years of marriage, so we decided to spring for a paid upgrade to a premium suite. It was 180,000 yen ($1,180) per night to upgrade to Ninenzaka House (see the Suite section below for details and photos of that suite). The going cash price for that suite was about $2,600 per night for our dates.

If you don’t book directly with Hyatt, Park Hyatt Kyoto is also part of American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts. That’s ideal for anyone holding  The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Book via the Amex travel website for complimentary perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit to use on-property during your stay for things like drinks or meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed late checkout.

If you don’t have World of Hyatt points or the Amex Platinum card, book via a Hyatt Prive travel agent. These rates offer similar benefits to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. You’ll receive all your World of Hyatt perks plus benefits, including complimentary breakfast, a one-category room upgrade when available, early check-in (when available), late checkout (when available) and a food and beverage credit.

Standout features

Beautiful wood table in Park Hyatt Kyoto lobby
The inviting lobby features stunning furniture, fireplaces and a gilded ceiling. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
  • Phenomenal public spaces make you feel thoroughly at home from the moment you walk past the Japanese garden at the entrance and into the dimly lit lobby with its roaring fireplaces.
  • Staff members have perfected their craft and make you wish you could live full-time at the Park Hyatt Kyoto.
  • It offers a not-to-be-missed gourmet teppanyaki experience from a dining room with incredible views of Yasaka Pagoda and much of Kyoto.

Drawbacks

  • If you don’t book with points, a stay at Park Hyatt Kyoto can be pricey (more than $2,000 per night in high season).
  • We encountered a bit of a language barrier in the casual dining room (Kyoto Bistro). It wasn’t a huge deal, but it’s something to be aware of. If you have dietary requirements, learn the words in Japanese or translate them on a card to show your waiter.
  • The area of Kyoto around the hotel is not easy to navigate if you have mobility challenges. I brought a cane, which I needed to more easily manage long, steep staircases with no handrails.

The vibe

Cherry blossom arrangement at The Living Room at Park Hyatt Kyoto
The Living Room at Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

To describe the hotel’s vibe, I need to tell you about a Japanese architectural concept summed up as “inward depth and interval.” It’s executed flawlessly at the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Guests are meant to shift through a sequence of quiet spaces as they transition from the busy tourist district to the comfort of their guest room or suite.

Sheer rock walls flanked by cedar trees are the focal point of the hotel’s entrance. A dimly lit walkway leads guests past the Yasuo Kitayama-designed Pritzker Garden on the right with 31 300-million-year-old stones from Colorado (a gift from the Aspen home of Hyatt executive chairman Thomas J. Pritzker).

Yasuo Kitayama-designed Pritzker Garden at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Yasuo Kitayama-designed Pritzker Garden. TAKESHI NAKASA/HYATT

A covered walkway spans from the driveway entrance to reception, with the garden on the right and a shallow pond filled with river stones on the left.

Indoor/outdoor hallway flanked by pond lined with river stones at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Tranquility begins before you even enter the hotel. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Next, guests trigger an automated door, where the transition from outdoors to indoors begins. In one direction is the hotel’s casual restaurant, Kyoto Bistro, and an elevator to some guest rooms; the lobby and additional guest rooms are in the other direction.

indoor cherry blossoms illuminated by lights at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Gorgeous cherry tree branches decorate hallways and the lobby. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Once inside the hotel, guests turn left to walk along an indoor/outdoor hallway that leads to the lobby, The Living Room and Wine Bar.

entrance to Park Hyatt Kyoto
ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The Living Room across from the front desk and concierge is also dimly lit and accented by waves of light from strategically placed glass-fronted fireplaces. It’s here where your mind is coaxed into thinking you are visiting the home of a Japanese friend.

As you walk farther into this oasis, you pass the dining area where afternoon tea is served. Natural light filters in from a wall of windows. The elevator to guest rooms is hidden around the corner.

The first time I stepped off the elevator on the way to my suite, I was struck by how quiet and dark the hallway was. The area by the elevator was also cordoned off by automated doors that created a bit of an “airlock” feel. Our suite was at the very end of the hallway, and we walked past several lantern-style lights that emitted warm amber tones along the way.

Quiet and dark hallways illuminated with lanterns at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Guest room hallways are quiet and dark, illuminated by lanterns. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

By the time we arrived at our suite, I was already in love with the feel of this hotel. Beauty, simplicity and serenity typify the Park Hyatt Kyoto. If you’re looking for bold colors, bright lights and buzzy nightlife, this is absolutely not the hotel for you.

The suite

Ninenzaka House suite 308 living room at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Ninenzaka House, suite 308. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Since we were celebrating a big anniversary, we booked a specific (named) suite for this trip, of which there are nine. (See the next section for information about standard rooms.)

Suite types include Park Suite and Ninenzaka House (both 732 square feet), the 968-square-foot Higashiyama House and the 1,453-square-foot Pagoda Houses. We secured Ninenzaka House and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The suite was beautiful and offered excellent views of the city. All rooms and suites are stocked with amenities that make your stay more comfortable: bathrobes (Western and kimono-style), slippers, Aesop toiletries (bergamot rind, frankincense and cedar shampoo and conditioner; geranium leaf body cleaner and bar soap in a pleasing bergamot rind and Tahitian lime scent), bath salts, a powerful Dyson hair dryer and more.

I also loved that you could call guest services to ask for all sorts of complimentary amenities, such as baby shampoo and lotion, deodorant, eye masks, instant noodles, earplugs, lens cleaning wipes, heat packs, nail polish remover and more. If you like doing light workouts in the room, you could also request a free weight set, yoga mat and even fitness shoes.

Upon check-in, there were some nice treats in our room (some due to me being a Globalist and others to celebrate our anniversary). We enjoyed a bottle of Ruinart Champagne, a delicious strawberry cake and two types of loose-leaf tea from purveyor Kyoto Narumiya.

Welcome Champagne and anniversary cake at Park Hyatt Kyoto
The Ruinart welcome Champagne was a nice touch. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

When it comes to guest rooms and suites, American interior designer Tony Chi worked with Takenaka to create warm interior spaces using natural materials.

Throughout the hotel, you’ll see wooden beams tied together via traditional methods using no nails. Beige walls accent the bright grain of the Japanese cypress and tamo ash woods used throughout. Bathrooms are outfitted with rich marbled granite, and there are gold accents in the suites and rooms.

In Ninenzaka House was a half-bath to the right as you entered the suite and walked toward the living area.

Both the living room (with a daybed, three chairs, table, TV and bar) and bedroom (with a king bed, chair, ottoman and side table) featured floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ninenzaka House living room at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Ninenzaka House living room. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

We felt as if we were in the center of the historic district — even when we were just kicking back in our room. Don’t worry, though: The blackout curtains don’t let any light into the suite when you want to rest.

In the living room, there was a flat-screen TV as well as a minibar and coffee/tea setup.

Minibar setup at Park Hyatt Kyoto
In-room minibar and coffee/tea area. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The king bed was very comfortable, and I liked having a little table and chair in the room as well.

Ninenzaka House bedroom - Park Hyatt Kyoto
Ninenzaka House king bed. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

A second flat-screen TV faced the bed with the master bath through a door on the right.

Ninenzaka House bedroom - Park Hyatt Kyoto
Ninenzaka House bedroom. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The master bath was stunning. The sliding doors on both ends of the closet area, which connects the entry hallway to the bathroom, were convenient. You could also enter the master bath from a sliding door in the bedroom. The master bath featured a separate steam shower and bathtub, a dual-sink vanity and a separate room with a Toto toilet.

rooms

There are 70 guest rooms at Park Hyatt Kyoto. Standard rooms with hillside views start at about 484 square feet and accommodate up to two adults plus a baby in a crib. Rooms are outfitted with either a king bed or two twins, a work area, a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a coffee maker and a daybed. In the bathroom, the bathtub and shower are separate, and the vanity has dual sinks.

The rooms in the next category up are the same size as the standards but have garden views.

Japanese garden at Park Hyatt Kyoto in Japan
Gardens at Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

For a very serene and atmospheric view, go for the terrace rooms with views of a Japanese-style garden. If you have your heart set on a possible pagoda view, opt for King or Twin Bed View rooms.

Finally, there are two categories of roomier deluxe rooms that clock in at 732 square feet. Deluxe rooms have hillside views, while Deluxe View rooms look out over the 1,350-year-old Yasaka Pagoda.

Food and drink

Although there are phenomenal restaurants all around Kyoto, you’ll want to spend a meal or two enjoying the Park Hyatt Kyoto’s restaurants.

Yasaka

Chef cooking at Park Hyatt Kyoto teppanyaki restaurant, Yasaka
Restaurant with Yasaka Pagoda views. HYATT

Yasaka offers a teppanyaki experience that fuses Japanese culinary sensibilities with French cooking techniques. It’s the hotel’s signature restaurant, and I wish I had made reservations here for more than one dinner. It was exquisite.

There are two identical dining rooms that each feature one U-shaped table. Both have gorgeous views of Yasaka Pagoda. Book the early seating if watching the sunset is important to you.

The tasting menu cost 32,000 yen ($209) per person and included:

  • Amuse bouche
  • Scamorza with canola flower, brussels sprouts, tsubomina and fava beans
  • Scallop with poached tomato and Bourgogne butter
  • Wakayama flounder with white asparagus and morel mushroom
  • Wagyu beef tenderloin with granny smith apple and wasabi
  • Kyotango rice with sakura shrimp, green beans and bamboo shoot
  • Strawberry with rose and fromage blanc

Wine pairings will set you back an additional 20,000 yen ($131) per person, while nonalcoholic pairings are 8,000 yen ($52).

This was an expensive meal but we felt it was worth the splurge given the gorgeous presentation and wonderful profusion of flavors.

Kyoyamato

Kyoyamato restaurant on the grounds of Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoyamato restaurant on the grounds of the Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The hotel highly encouraged us to dine at Kyoyamato because of its ryotei-style setting, its long history dating to 1877 and its authentic Japanese cuisine. This Michelin-starred kaiseki experience is a sought-after reservation for locals and visitors alike.

However, my palate is not very adventurous when it comes to Japanese meals. I don’t eat raw fish, and while the food depicted on the website looks beautiful, I knew I would not enjoy it. So, we skipped.

Kyoyamato dining room.
Kyoyamato dining room. TAKESHI NAKASA/HYATT

There are two set meals offered at both lunch and dinner; it costs 16,500 and 22,000 yen ($108 and $144) for the early meal of the day and 38,500 and 49,500 yen ($252 and $324) at dinner.

Note that Kyoyamato prepares the Hyatt’s daily Japanese-style breakfast, which is served at Kyoto Bistro or in your room.

Kyoto Bistro

Kyoto Bistro dining room. Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoto Bistro dining room. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Kyoto Bistro is Park Hyatt Kyoto’s casual restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kyoto Bistro breakfast buffet at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoto Bistro breakfast buffet. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

As a Globalist, breakfast was comped for us each morning. You may order a la carte or enjoy the continental buffet (3,850 yen or $24) or the full buffet (6,050 yen or $38) with a choice of main dish plus juice, coffee and tea.

For a main dish, I tried the French toast with caramelized banana and maple syrup. Diners around us enjoyed the fried noodles with shrimp, chili and bonito flakes as well as the homemade yogurt, granola, fresh berries and dried fruit. Breakfast was the best meal we had here.

For those who enjoy local cuisine, go for the Japanese breakfast (7,150 yen or $45) prepared by Kyoyamato. Globalists can upgrade to the Japanese option for about $30 per person.

Kyoto Bistro French toast - Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoto Bistro French toast. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Lunch and dinner items include salads (garden, Caesar or grilled octopus salad), grilled wagyu sirloin with red wine sauce, and grilled Hiyoshi pork with chimichurri sauce. While the menu items appeal to a Western palate, the execution tends to be more of a Japanese spin on dishes. (For instance, the Caesar salad dressing tasted novel and delicious, but perhaps not the same as in the U.S.) So, don’t take the menu literally.

At lunchtime, you can order a la carte or opt for a 4,400 yen ($29) three-course meal. It includes an appetizer; choice of main, including linguine with shrimp and flying fish in a tomato cream sauce, fusilli with vegetables in a Genovese sauce, a cheeseburger, Wagyu beef curry rice or butter chicken curry rice; dessert; and coffee or tea.

My favorite aspect of the bistro, though, was the bakery counter where you could pick up a dessert and drinks — such as bottles of wine, Champagne and sake — to enjoy in your room. The wines included bottles from Craggy Range, Au Bon Climat, Girard, Clos Floridene, Ruinart and others.

Kyoto Bistro to-go fridge at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Kyoto Bistro to-go fridge. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

I especially enjoyed the Earl Grey tea and whiskey pound cake. My husband appreciated the a Kyoto Brewing beer in the refrigerated case.

desserts to-go at Kyoto Bistro - Park Hyatt Kyoto
Pastries from Kyoto Bistro. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

You can enter the bistro from the hotel’s main entry hallway or from an exterior door leading to Ninenzaka (street).

Kyoto Bistro entrance on Ninenzaka - Park Hyatt Bistsro
Exterior entrance to Kyoto Bistro. You can also enter from inside the hotel. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The Living Room

The Living Room. Park Hyatt Kyoto, Japan
The Living Room. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

If you love afternoon tea, head to The Living Room from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

Afternoon tea desserts at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Afternoon tea desserts. HYATT

A five-course menu changes with the season but offers inventive items such as spring pea and caviar tart, matcha and strawberry Opera, foie gras macaron with strawberry and rhubarb jam, Alps salmon potato waffle, strawberry mousse and strawberry eclair. This experience costs 6,600 yen ($42) per person.

The Living Room, Park Hyatt Kyoto, Japan
The Living Room. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

In the same venue, you can order light meals from noon until 5 p.m. (and desserts until 7 p.m.) When we visited, some of the standout items included white asparagus soup, Caesar salad with Kyoto Tamba chicken, a club sandwich and gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce.

Globalists and those who book suites receive complimentary Champagne in The Living Room each night from 5 to 6 p.m.

Champagne at Park Hyatt Kyoto, Japan
Complimentary Champagne daily for Globalists and suite guests. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Tea Lounge

Tea Lounge. Park Hyatt Kyoto
Fifth-floor Tea Lounge at Park Hyatt Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

There is a second tea lounge on the fifth floor. This was a more casual spot to hang out, with a pared-down menu.

Bars

Wine Bar at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Wine Bar. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The Living Room fluidly transitions to the Wine Bar (open from 5 to 9 p.m.).

Wine Bar at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Wine Bar. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, or book a cheese and wine pairing experience, where the cheese is curated from purveyor Herve Mons. The event includes three kinds of wine and local cheese for 4,950 yen (about $31) per person.

Wine Bar at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Wine Bar. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Kohaku is the hotel’s second bar, and it’s tiny. It’s mainly a spot where Yasaka diners can grab a drink before or after their teppanyaki meal.

Amenities and service

Like most Park Hyatt hotels, this one offers several free and for-fee experiences.

Concierge

If you don’t have time to plan your Kyoto visit, it’s not a terrible idea to contact the concierge for advice. The concierge team can book all sorts of things on your behalf, including a rickshaw tour (16,000 yen or $101 per person) or a private driver and tour guide.

If you have time, book the exclusive 90-minute tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

“This special experience includes a sermon by the head priest, a tour of areas not typically open to the public and time of tranquility in front of a garden that has been off-limits. Please enjoy deep learning and new discoveries about Kiyomizu-dera Temple while exploring the main hall and temple grounds with the head priest,” according to the hotel. You’ll pay 18,150 yen ($115) per person.

Would you prefer a kaiseki lunch and tea ceremony? For 132,000 yen ($863) for two people, you’ll enjoy an appetizer, soup, sashimi, grilled dish, side dish, simmered or steamed dish, rice and fruit at Michelin-starred Soyotei followed by a traditional tea ceremony at Koro-an.

Fitness center

The hotel also houses a small fitness center on the third floor with TechnoGym equipment (treadmills, weights and more). There’s also a spa on the third floor that offers appealing treatments using traditional Japanese rituals and therapies.

Spa

Spa treatment room at Park Hyatt Kyoto
Spa treatment room. HYATT

The spa on the hotel’s third floor offers a mix of traditional spa treatments as well as Japanese rituals. The hotel’s signature spa experiences include a Kotoshina essential oil facial, though treatments can change seasonally. An 80-minute treatment facial was 35,000 yen ($230). An 80-minute facial using Kotoshina products is 30,000 yen ($196).

Park Hyatt Kyoto spa
Spa treatment. HYATT

The Spiritual Bamboo treatment looked most interesting since it includes organic green tea oil combined with gliding bamboo to improve circulation and release tension (80 minutes for 30,000 yen or $196). But, many travelers probably opt for the hourlong jet lag remedy that also improves circulation and promotes a deep sleep (23,000 yen or $150).

The locker rooms contained changing areas and ofuro-style stone hot tubs for soaking, a cold plunge, a sauna and a steam room.

Out and about

Kyoto is a city that’s on nearly every “greatest hits” tour of Japan. We stayed five nights and didn’t see everything we wanted to. Don’t miss it, even if you can stay for only two or three nights.

Opt for the following if you only have time to see a few things near the hotel.

Higashiyama is the historic district that comprises the immediate area around Park Hyatt Kyoto. Ryozen Kannon Temple, with its 24-meter-high Buddha statue, is just a few minutes walk away, so don’t miss it.

Ryozen Kannon Temple Buddha statue in Kyoto.
Ryozen Kannon Temple Buddha statue in Kyoto. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

The Zen Buddhist temple Kodai-ji is 0.3 miles from the hotel; Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a bit farther, at half a mile.

The Yasaka Shinto shrine in the Gion district is a nine-minute walk from the hotel. It’s the pagoda you can see from many guest rooms and the hotel’s signature restaurant, Yasaka.

Yasaka Pagoda in Kyoto, Japan at sunset
Yasaka Pagoda. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Finally, visit the following streets to get a true taste of Kyoto while snapping some Insta-worthy photos:

  • Ichinen-zaka (townhouses line this picturesque cobblestone alley)
  • Ninen-zaka (for cafes, restaurants and gift shops)
  • Sannen-zaka (for ceramics, other souvenirs and restaurants)
  • The pedestrian-only Nene-no-Michi (the perfect place to see cherry trees in bloom each spring)
  • Ishibe-koji Alley (one of Kyoto’s most recognizable streets, which is lined with restaurants, bars and inns)
  • Hanami Koji Street (in Gion where you may see a maiko or geiko in the evenings)

If you have more time to explore Kyoto, add these places to your itinerary:

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine (home to thousands of orange torii gates)
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • Gion District (where to see geisha in the evenings)
  • Kinkaku-ji Zen Buddhist temple (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion Kyoto
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace
  • Nijo Castle (palace of the shogun Tokugawa)
  • Nishiki Market
Nijo Castle gate. Kyoto
Nijo Castle gate. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

Accessibility

The hotel’s lobby, guest rooms, restaurants and spa area are accessible for people who use a wheelchair, scooter, walker or other assistive device. There are no stairs from the hotel driveway to the entrance, and you can easily access elevators, which have Braille blocks in front of them for reference.

Hallways are wide, and there is an accessible room on the third floor that includes grab bars in the bathroom (shower/bath and toilet areas). Note that the bathroom does accommodate a wheelchair but does not have a roll-under sink.

An SOS button in the bathroom and toilet room will light lamps inside and outside the room to alert others of an issue.

You can book an accessible room via Hyatt’s website or call Park Hyatt Kyoto directly at +81 3 6364 1348.

While the hotel may be accessible for individuals using a wheelchair, walker or cane, many parts of Kyoto are not. I don’t normally use an assistive device, but I did in Kyoto due to a knee issue. There are a lot of stairs, narrow alleyways and uneven walking surfaces (plenty with chiseled stone or gravel).

Checking out

Park Hyatt Kyoto entrance
Park Hyatt Kyoto entrance. ANDREA ROTONDO/THE POINTS GUY

I honestly felt a bit misty as we made our way through Park Hyatt Kyoto’s lobby to check out. Our stay at this luxury hotel ranks as one of our top travel experiences. I wasn’t very motivated to leave and slowed my pace to take in the gorgeous lobby one last time.

As we stepped outside and walked through the rock garden toward the hotel’s portico, it started to snow. Living in Florida, I don’t see snow and was downright giddy due to this unexpected treat from Mother Nature. The snow against the cherry blossom buds was striking. As I laughed, bellhops dressed in voluminous robes raced toward us — umbrellas in hand — to escort us to our waiting taxi. It was a fairytale ending to an incredible few days at this very special hotel.

Related reading:

Cunard cabins and suites guide: Everything you need to know

In its more than 180-year history, Cunard Line has evolved from offering essential transatlantic transportation to leisure travel. Its current fleet offers several classes of cabins with plush furnishings and modern comforts that still evoke nautical ocean-liner style. Although the options might seem confusing at first, they’re fairly easy to understand once broken down.

Across inside, outside, balcony and suite categories, Cunard offers four accommodation classes, each with its own dining room. Regardless of cabin type, passengers have access to the same public areas — including pools and sun decks, gyms, theaters and spas. Although, some categories do have their own lounges and outdoor spaces.

Here, we’ll go through the types of cabins available and what they include in the way of amenities, square footage and dining experiences.

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Cabin square footage varies by ship and location on the ship. Cabin configurations also vary by vessel. Multiple configurations can exist within the same cabin type, which accounts for differences in square footage. Accessible cabins are larger than standard cabins, and those measurements are included in the ranges given. Contact your travel agent or cruise line representative for specific details before booking.

Cunard cabin primer

The main dining room on Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship
The Britannia Restaurant dining room on Cunard’s Queen Anne. CUNARD LINE

Cunard ships feature four main categories of cabins: inside (no window or balcony), outside (a window or porthole), balcony (with a small, semi-private outdoor space) and suites. They fall into four experience tiers — Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill — each with different perks, inclusions and dining assignments. (See below for more details, or check out Cunard’s amenity comparison chart.)

The Britannia Club Restaurant dining room on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise ship
The Britannia Club Restaurant dining room on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. GREYWOLF STUDIOS LIMITED/CUNARD LINE

Britannia cabins come only in inside, outside and basic balcony categories, while Britannia Club rooms are available only in the balcony category. The latter rooms are a step up from basic Britannia balcony accommodations. Cruisers booked in these categories will be assigned to either the Britannia Dining Room or Britannia Club Restaurant, respectively.

The Princess Grill Dining Room on Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship
The Princess Grill Dining Room on Cunard’s Queen Anne. CUNARD LINE

Passengers wanting an elevated experience — complete with more space, lots of added perks and more expensively outfitted accommodations — will want to look to the Princess Grill Suites and Queens Grill Suites. Standard rooms feel more like any cabin on a mass-market vessel, while Grill accommodations are outfitted with more elegant furnishings, richer colors (think regal hues like purples and reds), and more plush linens and furniture.

The Queens Grill Restaurant on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise ship
The Queens Grill Restaurant on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. GREYWOLF STUDIOS LIMITED/CUNARD LINE

Depending on the suite booked, you’ll find walk-in closets, separate living and sleeping areas, and bathrooms with higher-quality amenities (such as marble countertops and mirrors with built-in makeup lights). These rooms provide access to either the Princess Grill Restaurant or Queens Grill Restaurant, as well as the Grills Lounge, which is exclusive to travelers staying in suites.

Cunard offers a variety of accessible rooms in all cabin categories, from inside cabins to suites. They are designed for passengers who use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other mobility devices or who otherwise require features like wider doorways, flush zero-entry thresholds, extra square footage for maneuvering, and wet bath-style bathrooms with grab bars and pull-down shower seats. (You can find more accessibility specifics on Cunard’s website.)

Cunard was one of the first cruise lines to offer accommodations for one — something that has become standard on many cruise lines’ newest vessels. You’ll find a selection of solo cabins in inside and ocean-view categories under the Britannia experience if you’re traveling alone and don’t want to pay a single supplement. The former range from 152 to 243 square feet; the latter come in between 133 and 201 square feet.

All rooms, no matter the category or type, feature rich furnishings in nautical colors like bright blue, sunny yellow and deep red. Each room provides passengers with a queen-size bed that can be converted into two singles on request; bedside tables with lamps; a vanity area with a desk, chair, mirror and both 220-volt U.K.-style outlets and 110-volt North American-style ones (Queen Anne also has USB ports); a closet and drawers for storing personal items; a TV, safe, hair dryer, phone, refrigerator, minibar and tea- and coffee-making facilities; bathrobes and slippers; and an in-cabin bathroom with a shower and Penhaligon toiletries.

Each cabin also includes 24-hour room service options and the daily services of a room steward who will clean up and provide you with any items — like ice, extra towels and the daily activity schedule — you might need. More expensive cabins come with additional or upgraded amenities, extra space and more furniture. Details about inclusions, square footage and more can be found below.

Inside cabins on Cunard ships

An inside cabin on a Cunard ship
An inside cabin at the Britannia level on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. GREYWOLF STUDIOS LIMITED/CUNARD LINE

Britannia insides range from 152 to 243 square feet and include all of the amenities listed above, plus a half-bottle of sparkling wine at embarkation. Passengers booked in these cabins are assigned to eat in the Britannia Dining Room, which is basically a standard cruise ship main dining room but with ornate art deco touches.

On Queen Mary 2 — known for its iconic transatlantic voyages between New York City and Southampton in the U.K. — cruisers can also choose from special inside cabins that overlook the ship’s atrium.

Outside cabins on Cunard ships

An outside cabin on a Cunard ship
An outside cabin at the Britannia level on Cunard’s Queen Anne. CUNARD LINE

Britannia ocean-view rooms provide between 133 and 201 square feet of space. Passengers in these cabins also take meals in the Britannia Dining Room.

Outside cabins include the same amenities as inside ones. The most obvious difference is that you’ll have a window to look at the ocean as you sail.

Balcony cabins on Cunard ships

Britannia balconies

A balcony cabin on a Cunard ship
A balcony cabin at the Britannia level on Cunard’s Queen Anne. CUNARD LINE

Ranging from 228 to 472 square feet, these cabins feature the same general furnishing style as insides and outsides but with semi-private balconies. These balconies offer passengers their own outdoor space, where they can enjoy fresh air from the comfort of their room, complete with chairs and a table.

These accommodations include the standard amenities listed above and dinner in the Britannia Dining Room. On Queen Mary 2, passengers can select cove-style balconies; they offer a bit of shelter from the wind since they’re more akin to an enclosed pod with an open window than a balcony open on all sides.

Britannia Club balconies

A large balcony on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth cruise ship
The larger balcony in a Britannia Club cabin on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. CUNARD LINE

Britannia Club rooms, a step up from Cunard’s Britannia balcony accommodations, come in the balcony category only. In addition to slightly more square footage (248-470 feet), they include additional amenities.

All previously mentioned features come with these cabins. They also include upgraded tea and coffee makers, a pillow menu, velour bathrobes, a full bottle of sparkling wine at embarkation, daily fresh fruit on request, and priority embarkation and disembarkation. Cruisers booked there can dine in the Britannia Club Restaurant, which is a bit more understated and refined than the Britannia Restaurant but offers similar food.

Suites on Cunard ships

Princess Grill Suites

A Princess Grill Suite on Queen Mary 2
A Princess Grill Suite on Queen Mary 2. MARK LAING/CUNARD LINE

Princess Grill Suites are the first-tier of suites on Cunard ships; they offer access to an exclusive restaurant, Princess Grill, featuring elevated food options. Guests can also order menu items from the Grill via room service and order off-menu in the restaurant with advance notice. Passengers in Princess Grill Suites share a dedicated Grills Lounge or Concierge Lounge (found on Queen Mary 2) and sun deck with passengers booked in Queens Grill suites (see below).

The 335- to 513-square-foot Princess Grill Suites feature separate living and sleeping areas and private balconies. Passengers can enjoy all above-mentioned inclusions, plus elevated perks like an in-cabin atlas, dedicated concierge service, sparkling wine and chocolates at embarkation, complimentary spring water, afternoon tea in the Grills Lounge, and a bathroom with a bathtub and a shower. (Note that bathtubs aren’t available at the Princess Grill level on Queen Anne.)

Queens Grill Suites

A Queens Grill Suite on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise ship
A Queens Grill Suite on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. MARK LAING/CUNARD LINE

The most lavish rooms on board Cunard’s vessels are the Queens Grill Suites, featuring 484 to 2,249 square feet of space. They come with all of the above perks, plus additional in-cabin books, binoculars for use on board, fresh flowers, complimentary minibar items, a bottle of Champagne and chocolates at embarkation, and priority tendering where applicable. (Note that Queen Anne offers bathrooms with tubs and showers at the Queens Grill level.)

Passengers booked in these accommodations have access to the Queens Grill Restaurant in addition to the shared spaces — Grills Lounge, Concierge Lounge (where available) and sun deck — that cruisers booked in Princess Grill Suites also can use. Each suite’s butler will deliver in-cabin canapes daily prior to dinner.

Queens Grill Suites are impressive, especially the duplex-style suites found only on Queen Mary 2. Three 1,566-square-foot Duplex Apartments (Windsor, Buckingham and Holyrood) and two 2,249-square-foot Grand Duplex Apartments (Balmoral and Sandringham) are all the way aft on decks 9 and 10. These accommodations — some of which are larger than land-based apartments — offer stunning wake views via two-story windows.

Bottom line

Although Cunard’s cabin experience types might seem confusing at first, they’re fairly straightforward. The relatively small number of cabin types and categories makes the booking process easier to navigate while still offering enough variety to cater to many tastes and budgets.

Whether you choose to sail in a basic Britannia inside cabin or the most swanky Queens Grill Suite, you’re sure to enjoy Cunard’s upscale nautical vibe.

Curious about Cunard? The Points Guy has you covered:

Tips for using a smartphone to photograph the northern lights

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2019 but has been updated since many people around the world may have a unique opportunity to see and capture images of the northern lights tonight.

I was lucky enough to catch the elusive northern lights on a special delivery flight, Singapore Airlines’ first 787-10 Dreamliner delivery flight from Charleston, South Carolina, to Osaka, Japan, and finally on to Changi Airport.

As our flight approached the state of Alaska, flyers on the starboard side were treated to a magnificent display, which — with much effort — I was finally able to clearly capture with my point-and-shoot camera.

At that moment, I pledged to see the northern lights from the ground — not far from our Dreamliner’s flight path — in interior Alaska. That adventure became a reality in 2019 when I traveled up to the incredibly remote camp of Coldfoot, Alaska, along the state’s famed Dalton Highway.

Capturing photos of the northern lights

Many of the best images you’ve likely ever seen on the northern lights have been taken with an extended exposure.

Northern lights over Mount Kirkjufell in Iceland. SUTTIPONG SUTIRATANACHAI/GETTY IMAGES

Since the lights are often quite dim, at least when compared with objects and effects captured in daylight, photographers often use shutter speeds of one second or longer. That means the lights don’t look quite as vibrant in person, but, on a clear night, they look absolutely spectacular in photographs.

Generally, if you’re using a “real” camera, you’ll need a tripod — unless you have exceptionally still hands, which is especially challenging. In many cases, if you’re joining an aurora tour, your guide will provide one, but you’ll certainly want to confirm that in advance; you might not be able to capture sharp photos if you arrive unprepared. I also recommend bringing along a flashlight, to aid with focusing (more on that below).

In my opinion, there’s a much better option, though.

The newer generations of smartphones can capture outstanding photographs in low light. In 2019, I was able to snap some incredible shots using only a handheld iPhone 11 Pro Max, and of course, there are even more advanced models and technology out since then.

I’ll focus on Apple’s night mode here since that’s what I used, but other recent models offer similar functionality. Note that the process with some models that have come out even more recently than this may differ a bit, though the concepts likely remain similar:

  • Select the content for your frame — consider mixing in mountains, trees, cabins and other structures, to make your pictures more interesting and add perspective.
  • Open the native camera app and ensure focus — briefly light a tree or structure using a powerful flashlight, if your phone is struggling to focus on its own.
  • Confirm that night mode is active — when using the 1x lens in “photo” mode on the iPhone 11 that was used at this time, an indicator will appear at the top left corner, while other smartphones may offer a dedicated “night” shooting option.
  • Capture plenty of frames — the aurora effect changes quickly, so don’t be afraid to snap away!
  • Review your work every few shots to ensure that you’re happy with focus, exposure and other details.

If all goes well, you should walk away with images that look something like this:

Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy.
Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy.

Related: Why the iPhone 15 is a game changer for travelers

Editing photos of the northern lights

You may notice that the image above looks a bit dull compared to the finished product I included at the top. While you can certainly share an image directly from the phone, you can really make your shot pop by making some tweaks directly on your smartphone, as I did here:

Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy.

For northern lights photography specifically, I recommend the following adjustments.

  • Correct exposure as necessary — I didn’t make any adjustments here.
  • Reduce the highlights to bring out more detail in the northern lights — I adjusted to the full range (-100).
  • Increase shadow levels to boost detail elsewhere in your image — I adjusted +18 here.
  • Boost vibrance — I added 51 to this image.
  • Reduce warmth — this is my preference, but I felt the image really popped with a warmth of -13.
  • Adjust the tint — I added 94 to this image.
  • Increase sharpness and definition, if necessary — here, I went up 20 and 91, respectively.
  • Correct vertical or horizontal perspective, to ensure trees are aligned (this one’s a bit complicated, so if you’re not sure how to achieve this with your smartphone, feel free to skip this step).

The extent of your processing will depend on the image and your own preferences, of course — darker auroras may need a bit more work than brighter ones. If you’re planning to share on your Instagram Story, you’ll also want to crop the image to 9:16 within your photo app, to ensure maximum sharpness.

Related: Guide to taking a cruise to find the northern lights 

How to find the northern lights

Typically, your best shot at capturing the northern lights is to head somewhere above the Arctic Circle, including in Alaska and Scandinavia, though there also are opportunities to see the aurora farther south, including in Iceland and sometimes — such as this weekend — even in the contiguous United States.

On my aurora-hunting trip, I decided to venture deep into the state of Alaska, a few miles past Coldfoot, a small truck stop, to the tiny village of Wiseman. Roughly 10 people live in Wiseman, and the village consists of little more than a few log cabins, but given its position directly below the auroral oval, you can see incredible activity throughout much of the sky on a clear night.

In fact, my visit happened to coincide with forecasted periods of low activity, but that simply affects the distance from which you can see the northern lights — the display was quite vibrant directly underneath. The full moon also had little impact — in fact, I found it helpful, since the moon lit up the nearby mountains and cabins.

Image courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Image courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The ideal viewing period varies depending on when and where you go — for my October visit to Wiseman, I was told we’d have the best show between midnight and 3 a.m., so plan for a very long day, perhaps broken up with a post-dinner nap.

Though my 5-degree-Fahrenheit night in October was considerably warmer than what you’ll find in winter, when temperatures can drop to 40 below, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing the lights later in the season. That includes the spring, when temperatures begin to warm again.

Just note that there’s never any guarantee that you’ll see activity, even on a clear night — I missed out on the second night, as clouds and snow came in after sunset, despite a clear forecast. The one variable you can control is your camera, however, and if you’re going to spend the money to travel for the aurora, I highly recommend investing in the latest smartphone, too.

There are also apps such as My Aurora Forecast & Alerts that can give you alerts to help tell you when it’s a good time to step outside and take a look up at the sky.

Bottom line

It’s extraordinarily rare that the northern lights dip all the way south into Texas, Florida and even Mexico, but that gives so many of us a special chance to enjoy them without having to travel north in search of this magnificent natural phenomenon. And luckily, your smartphone can do a pretty good job of capturing the moment if you follow some of these tips.

Don’t worry if you miss this round, as we are forecast to be in an extended period of higher-than-normal northern lights activity in case you feel inspired to start planning a trip for later this year with that main purpose in mind.