If you consider layovers one of the least appealing aspects of traveling, you’re going to love this new deal featuring Oneworld alliance members. American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have cut rates on nonstop flights from the U.S. to some of the most popular destinations in Europe. We’re talking Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome, to name a few.
When we spotlight fare sales, the lowest-priced itineraries almost always include layovers. So this is a good time to book a nonstop across the Atlantic at a discount.
The departure cities are Charlotte, Dallas and New York City, and the discounted fares are available for travel between August 2024 and March 2025.
This deal is for economy fares, which include a carry-on bag. Checked luggage costs around $75 each way.
Routes: From Charlotte, Dallas and New York City to various destinations in Europe
How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline
Travel dates: Primarily between August 2024 and March 2025 for economy fares
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.
Destinations from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) include:
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)
Destinations from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
DUB
FRA
LHR
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
CDG
FCO
Destinations from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) include:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
MAD
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
You can fly nonstop to Dublin from Charlotte in the fall for $481 round-trip.
According to Google Flights data, this is a huge discount from what this itinerary usually costs.
American has nonstop flights from Charlotte to Frankfurt in January for $553 round-trip.
If you live in Texas, you can score excellent prices on flights to Spain. Fly nonstop from Dallas to Madrid in February for just $447 round-trip.
We also found nonstop flights from Dallas to Paris. You can fly from DFW to CDG for less than $500 round-trip in February and March. Plus, there was good availability at this price.
We found availability on nonstops from JFK to LGW on British Airways. This itinerary in February is available for only $429 round-trip.
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
Some of the routes featured in this sale work as open-jaw flights. This means you can fly into one city and depart from another. It’s a great way to visit several countries during a single vacation. It’s ideal for European vacations because rail service can help you get from, say, Amsterdam to London in just a few hours.
I am not a hot-weather person. As soon as the thermometer starts climbing toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll find me indoors with the air conditioning blasting. So it should come as little surprise that I prefer to skip typical summer vacations to warm-weather destinations in favor of milder — or perhaps even snowy — climes.
Fortunately, since northern summer is southern winter, there’s the entire Southern Hemisphere to explore. But there are also destinations across the Northern Hemisphere that remain delightfully cool all summer long.
To help inspire your next “coolcation,” here are nine destinations around the world for those looking to escape the heat, whether you’re looking for snow, sweater weather, or simply a lack of oppressive heat and humidity.
Grampians National Park, Australia
Australia is known for its soaring temperatures in its harsh desert interior and tropical rainforests along the northern coast. But the southern part of the country does cool down throughout the winter months of June, July and August — particularly if you get up in elevation.
That’s why Grampians National Park in Victoria, about a three-hour drive from Melbourne, is an ideal cool-weather vacation destination. The average August temperature is in the mid-50s Fahrenheit.
With hiking trails along mountain ridges dotted with waterfalls, cool-climate wines, and art ranging from ancient Aboriginal rock art to contemporary galleries, there’s plenty to do, taste and see here. Cool weather aside, winter is also the offseason, so there will be fewer crowds.
Accommodations vary from campgrounds to private rentals to hotels. For the last, we recommend the Royal Mail Hotel (rates start at $159 per night), known for its two restaurants: the fine-dining Wickens by executive chef Robin Wickens, which serves a seasonal tasting menu, and the more relaxed a la carte restaurant Parker Street Project.
Bariloche, Argentina
Are you craving a summer ski getaway? Make your way south to San Carlos de Bariloche, more typically called Bariloche, in Argentinian Patagonia. The ski season in this Andean alpine town begins in July and runs through September, with temperatures hovering just above and below freezing.
Bariloche is a great dupe for the Swiss Alps, so long as you are OK with the flip in seasons. Germans who had originally immigrated to Chile founded the town at the end of the 19th century, with immigrants from various Alpine countries following in subsequent decades. In the 1930s, the town redesigned its center to emulate Swiss Alpine architecture to boost tourism. (Bariloche is also particularly known for its chocolatiers.)
For a points-friendly city-center stay, book the Sheraton Bariloche Hotel (rates start at $170 or 18,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night), or for a more picturesque stay outside of town, try the Llao Llao Hotel (rates start at $240 per night).
Lapland, Finland and Sweden
This northern region in Finland and Sweden is often thought of as a winter wonderland — particularly the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. But Lapland is also a pretty magical place to spend the summer.
Temperatures are typically in the 60s Fahrenheit, with sunlight lasting up to 24 hours. For that reason, you shouldn’t expect to see the northern lights during a summer visit, but you can hike or bike through the Arctic wilderness here at pretty much any time of day.
Many visitors, including domestic Swedish and Finnish tourists, stay in cabins, but there are a few hotels in the region. The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (rates start at $257 per night) near Rovaniemi has a collection of stand-alone stilted “nests” with picture windows.
Newfoundland, Canada
Summer temperatures in Newfoundland, Canada, are usually in the pleasant high 60s Fahrenheit (though heat waves are not uncommon, so beware). Start this road trip by flying into St. John’s, the largest city on the island. Be sure to visit its colorful “jellybean” houses on your way to the scenic overlook at the Scenic Hill National Historic Site. Stay at the Alt Hotel St. John’s (rates start at $189 per night) for harbor views and a top-notch restaurant.
Then, drive 3 1/2 hours to Gander, home of the iconic Gander International Airport. Once a crucial refueling stop for transatlantic flights, this airport has welcomed the Beatles, Queen Elizabeth and even Fidel Castro. The airport’s lounge is now a little museum dedicated to this history and its heartwarming role in receiving passengers diverted on 9/11 (you might be familiar with this story from the Broadway musical “Come From Away”).
Finally, visit Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a hiking, camping or boating adventure. Parks Canada operates special programs throughout the summer — don’t miss the Indigenous programs, from a fireside sharing circle to a guided hike with Mikmaw interpreters.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
It might be hard to believe that a destination on the equator can be cool, but the northern summer months start the Galapagos’ cool season. Thanks to the Humboldt current that ferries frigid water from Antarctica up to the archipelago, July and August can prove quite cool in the Galapagos, usually in the 60s or 70s Fahrenheit.
That makes hiking across the islands a pleasant experience versus the hot season when temperatures are regularly in the 90s. Plus, the current brings up vital nutrients for sea life, meaning the waters are teeming with fish, sharks, turtles, rays — the list goes on.
Iceland is certainly not an under-the-radar destination, with big-name hotels — looking at you, The Reykjavik Edition (rates start at $615 or 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) — and dozens of cruise itineraries. But for a cool-weather summer vacation, the island nation is a pretty ideal spot, with temperatures in the 50s Fahrenheit from June to September.
To escape the high-season crowds — and the volcano that may soon erupt again on the Reykjanes peninsula — rent a car and make for the Ring Road that circles the country. The farther you get from Reykjavik, the less crowded it’ll be. Visit small towns and villages, swim in a local pool or hot spring, and hike along volcanic hills or black-sand beaches (Reynisfjara is a favorite, but Diamond Beach by the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon sparkles with ice).
Are you looking for something even more remote? Head to Iceland’s central highlands and stay at the Highland Base Kerlingarfjoll (rates start at $430 per night), which the team behind the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon opened in 2023. This summer, the property debuted a series of geothermal baths, a welcome respite after hiking in the wilderness of Asgardur Valley.
Alaska
Interior Alaska can get fairly warm in the summer, but if you stick to the coast, it’ll likely be fairly brisk all season long: Temperatures will range from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit, depending on where you go.
If you stay in Anchorage (or just about an hour outside it at the Alyeska Resort, where rates start at $299), you can explore cultural sites, museums and state parks, like Chugach State Park. It has over 280 miles of maintained hiking trails, including dozens of shorter 2- to 5-mile treks that are ideal for day trips.
Or you can opt for a cruise in Southeast Alaska to explore small towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, see wildlife like bald eagles and brown bears, and perhaps even catch an iceberg calving off a glacier. Bring a raincoat, though, as this region is notoriously rainy, particularly in the late summer.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s capital makes a great city getaway in the summer. Edinburgh’s temperatures usually max out in the 60s Fahrenheit in July and August, which is perfect for city strolling. Wander the cobblestone streets, visit Edinburgh Castle or stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The city has no shortage of luxury hotels, but for something more unusual, consider Fingal, a converted supply ship docked in the Leith port district (rates start at $456 per night).
When you’ve had enough of city life, take day trips into the Scottish countryside or seaside. Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, is just 20 minutes from Edinburgh by train, while the oceanfront town of North Berwick is just 30 minutes away by train.
Svalbard, Norway
The icy Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is another destination most commonly visited by cruise ship, but you can book a stay at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen (rates start at $182 per night) to stay in the main town of Longyearbyen. From here, you can take day trips to see wildlife (polar bears and walruses and sea birds, oh my!), have a beer at the world’s northernmost brewery, and go glacier hiking.
Bring a hat, coat and gloves, as temperatures often sit comfortably in the 40s Fahrenheit throughout the summer. And while this is a popular northern lights destination, remember that you won’t be able to see the aurora unless there’s darkness at night — and there won’t be any in Svalbard until the autumn.
While airlines, hotels and other travel providers scrambled to offer refunds and alternative travel, given the likelihood of a delayed or canceled travel journey, you may have considered abandoning your trip altogether.
This is where refundable travel becomes valuable. You don’t need to wait on hold for hours for your airline to tell you there are no alternative flights available or scour the cancellation policy of a hotel booking you made last year to determine if you will receive your money back.
You can change or cancel your travel at your leisure by booking refundable travel.
If you want to avoid being caught up in the next travel meltdown, here is everything you need to know about booking refundable flights, hotels and rental cars, as well as travel insurance policies.
A lot can go awry on a trip, so carrying one of the best credit cards with travel insurance can offer peace of mind. This protection can save money by covering unexpected trip delays or lost baggage.
Many credit cards offer travel insurance when you use them to book travel. Here are some of the best options available right now:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
United Club℠ Infinite Card: Offers trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection, extended warranty protection and return protection
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Offers an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption/accident insurance, emergency medical and dental, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance*, trip delay reimbursement* and primary car rental insurance when traveling on business*
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.*
Consider purchasing independent travel insurance
Your premium credit card benefits usually offer robust protection for a simple weekend getaway. However, some may only cover transportation-related cancellation or interruption costs for illness, injury or death.
Furthermore, most credit card-based benefits cover expenses and activities paid with that particular credit card. Finally, credit card terms and conditions may limit you to a certain number of claims or maximum reimbursement amount within 12 months. There are also many exclusions and exceptions to be aware of, and you likely won’t be able to customize your credit card’s travel insurance policy to have all the perks you want and need.
So, you might want to consider purchasing an independent travel insurance policy instead.
You can purchase a third-party plan that covers many aspects of your travel, from the flights and hotel stays to the prepaid, nonrefundable tours and excursions, for any trip. Various policies are available, including comprehensive coverage and plans that offer coverage for specific travel-related concerns, such as emergency medical evacuation and travel medical protection.
If you’re looking for broad coverage, look for a comprehensive travel insurance plan that can cover your costs in the event of canceled, delayed or interrupted transportation, medical expenses and emergency evacuations, and any costs associated with lost or delayed luggage.
“Cancel for any reason” coverage means exactly that: Cancel because your flight was likely to be delayed by a global IT outage. Cancel because your significant other dumped you at the airport. Cancel because you feel like it. Whatever the reason, this level of coverage allows you the peace of mind of knowing that you can get your money back when plans go awry.
There are a few key points to note about this level of coverage:
Cancel for any reason plans usually must be purchased within 14 and 21 days from your initial trip payment. You can’t purchase it at the last minute.
You can expect the plan to cost at least 10% to 12% of your trip expenses.
You may have to insure 100% of your nonrefundable trip costs.
Though policies vary, most claim you must cancel your trip at least 48 hours before departure time to receive a refund. (Refunds vary per policy but typically amount to up to 75% of the trip cost.)
Book refundable flights
Frequent travelers know that they can cancel flights operating within or to the U.S. within 24 hours of booking; however, each airline has specific policies regarding last-minute bookings. For example, Alaska Airlines flights must be booked at least 24 hours before departure, while American Airlines flights must be booked at least two days before departure. Be sure to check each specific airline’s policies if you’re booking a last-minute trip.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is the governing entity behind this policy, meaning foreign carriers must adhere to this rule when they purchase a fare that arrives in the U.S.
If you don’t cancel within 24 hours of booking your flight, here are some other tips to ensure you can get your money back if you decide not to travel.
Book full-price flights
Nobody wants to pay full price, especially if discount options are available. But sometimes, that full-price flight is what you need when things go wrong because those are the only fully refundable tickets without cancellation or change fees. Basic economy tickets are cheap for a reason — the lower price reflects the increased restrictions.
Here at TPG, we often tout the value of points and miles for getting outsize value on travel. For first-class travel, an out-of-pocket cash cost of a few dollars toward taxes and fees or last-minute flights to see a family member in an emergency, points and miles are your biggest money savers.
This principle also holds true regarding canceling award bookings. Most airlines and hotels offer more lenient rules regarding award reservations because they’re refunding you in the company’s loyalty currency. If you cancel in advance, you can usually request to redeposit your miles for a fee, depending on whether or not you hold elite status with the airline. For instance, United MileagePlus members are eligible for full refunds on award mile redeposits up to travel time, meaning there is no charge to cancel your award booking, and you’ll receive all the miles.
Just be sure to cancel award tickets before your flight is scheduled to depart. For some airlines, those miles are forfeited the moment the flight takes off without you. For others, you’ll have to pay a higher fee to reinstate those miles.
Book budget airlines you don’t mind abandoning, if necessary
Most frequent flyers don’t celebrate low-cost carriers for either comfort or convenience. Instead, budget airlines usually win on one front alone — cost. The reason is simple: If you need to get from point A to point B, a good fare on a low-cost carrier can cost less than a tank of gas. Similarly, if you’re planning a trip but don’t want to drop cash on a travel insurance plan, purchasing a budget fare may make more sense than paying for a full-fare ticket you may have to abandon.
Book refundable hotels
Each chain, brand and property has its own rules and guidelines, and sometimes, different room rates will even have varying cancellation times and dates.
It’s important to read through specific hotel policies as some cost-saving or discounted rates often include a nonrefundable clause. Additionally, some properties will request greater advance-notice windows despite its parent company policies. Ensure you read the fine print carefully, ideally more than once, before hitting “confirm” for peace of mind.
And if unique circumstances are working against you so that last-minute cancellation is inevitable, keep in mind a cardinal rule of travel: It never hurts to ask for what you want (in this case, a refund). If you are in a bind, try asking for what you hope to accomplish in a nice, courteous manner without a sense of entitlement.
Regarding online travel agencies like Hotels.com, Expedia and Priceline, which purchase travel in bulk, know that these companies have little to no negotiating power with the hotels that offer room inventory. Moreover, OTAs aren’t as incentivized to help you because if you cancel, they lose out as well, unlike hotels under a chain seeking to earn your long-term business. Moreover, most of the best rates through Hotels.com or Expedia will include a nonrefundable clause because you’re trading your flexibility to guarantee they’ll earn your money.
Use hotel points to book award redemptions with more flexibility
Generally, you can get your hotel points redeposited to your account when you cancel hotel award bookings as long as you do so before your stay. Better yet, most hotels don’t charge redeposit fees on award bookings, unlike airlines.
Some properties require at least 48 hours of advance notice; therefore, you’ll also want to read the fine print carefully before booking.
Try booking an Airbnb instead of a hotel
Hotels generally tend to be more strict about refunds and no-shows. However, individual Airbnb hosts have control over their own cancellation policies.
You are neither guaranteed nor entitled to a refund if you must cancel, particularly when it’s at the last minute, but it never hurts to ask very nicely and offer some explanation, especially if the reason you can’t make it is out of your control. For instance, if your flight is canceled and you cannot get to your destination, it makes logical sense that you won’t be able to make it to your Airbnb.
Each Airbnb property includes that host’s cancellation policy at the bottom of the listing page.
Book refundable rental cars
Many companies want your business when it comes to booking rental cars. However, the industry can include many hidden fees throughout the booking process, and it isn’t always clear what is and isn’t mandatory.
Fortunately, you can shop around for prices and generally cancel rental car reservations without penalty since you don’t pay at the time of booking but instead at pickup. (This is a great time to read the fine print on your particular booking, just in case.) However, it’s still courteous to call and notify the rental car company if you know you won’t be picking up the car you reserved. This frees up your designated vehicle for another customer needing it to get home.
Canceling a trip you were eagerly looking forward to can be incredibly disappointing, no matter the reason for the cancellation. Nonetheless, following certain guidelines can help minimize the financial impact of canceling your trip. This way, while you may feel a sense of loss emotionally, at least your finances may not take as much of a hit.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
From savings to upgrades, the benefits of elite status are popular with savvy travelers. But rental car elite status doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Rental car status can pay off — it helped one TPG staffer rent a $100,000 BMW 7 Series for $3 per day. Whether you’re planning a road trip or looking for a vehicle to explore your destination, rental car status can help you skip lines, take the keys and be on your way in record time.
Many rental car elite status tiers are obtainable by holding the right credit cards or airline or hotel status, making them more accessible than you might think.
We’ll explore the different elite tiers offered by major rental car companies and how you can earn and make the most of your rental car status. Don’t forget to check out our post on how to save money on rental cars, particularly by using AutoSlash.
The baseline membership with Avis is called Avis Preferred. Anyone can join, and it’s completely free — and right now, Avis is offering 100 bonus points to new members who rent a car within three months of joining. Redemptions start at 700 points per day.
Basic membership allows you to go straight to your car, which has saved me lots of time over the years. You can also earn Avis Preferred points on paid rentals, though you’ll forgo earning airline miles or hotel points if you select this option. The higher status tiers allow you to earn points faster and provide additional benefits like free vehicle upgrades. Here’s an overview:
Avis Preferred
Avis Preferred Plus
Avis President’s Club
Qualifications
Free to join
10 rentals or spending $4,000 per calendar year
20 rentals or spending $6,000 per calendar year
Point accrual rate
1 point per dollar spent on rentals
2 points per dollar spent on accessories
1.25 points per dollar spent on rentals
2.5 points per dollar spent on accessories
1.5 points per dollar spent on rentals
3 points per dollar spent on accessories
Expedited service
✓
✓
✓
Dedicated support phone number
✓
Upgrades
Free one-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above
Free two-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above
Avis President’s Club is available to those who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or hold United Premier Platinum, Premier 1K or United Global Services status.
Primary cardmembers of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Presidential Plus℠ Card, the United Club Business℠ Card and the United Presidential Plus Business Card (no longer available to new applicants) are eligible for instant President’s Club status.
Avis also has an unpublished Chairman’s Club status tier that is invite-only.
The information for the United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card and United Presidential Plus 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.
Enterprise rental car elite status
The Enterprise Plus program works similarly to Avis Preferred. Anyone can join as a base member and begin earning points for qualifying rentals (you earn 1 point per dollar spent as a basic member). You can then redeem these points for free rental days. The program also has three elite status levels with additional benefits. Here are the details:
Plus
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Qualifications
Free to join
Six qualifying rentals
12 qualifying rentals or 40 days
24 qualifying rentals or 85 days
Point accrual bonus
10%
15%
20%
Free car upgrades
One per year
Two per year
Four per year
While the benefits are limited, elite status with Enterprise can help you get free rentals faster.
The Hertz loyalty program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Like Enterprise’s and Avis’ programs, it’s free to join. Basic members enjoy designated aisles where they can choose any car at some Hertz locations. You can earn 1 Gold Plus Rewards point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals and optional charges like satellite radio and car seats, and you can redeem your points for free rentals. Members can also transfer points to their spouses or domestic partners.
If you reach the elite status tiers, you’ll earn more points per dollar and have access to more vehicle choices and free upgrades. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to qualify and the benefits you’ll receive:
Gold
Five Star
President’s Circle
Qualifications
Free to join
10 rentals or $2,000
15 rentals or $3,000
Point accrual bonus
25%
50%
Upgrades
As available
Guaranteed
Ultimate Choice aisle
Gold aisle
Five Star aisle
President’s Circle aisle
No second driver fees
✓
✓
✓
Tier benefit experience
Five Star for a day
President’s Circle for a day
Dedicated customer service line
✓
As with Avis, Hertz provides elite status for some frequent flyers. Delta Air Lines Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can enjoy complimentary President’s Circle status, while Silver and Gold Medallion members receive complimentary Five Star status. All Medallion members are also eligible to earn bonus SkyMiles when renting with Hertz — with details provided on Delta’s website. Link your accounts to begin enjoying complimentary elite status with Hertz.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
National’s loyalty program is known as National Emerald Club and offers two elite status tiers.
As with the other programs, the basic membership tier is free to join and allows you to skip the counter and select any car in the Emerald Aisle when you rent a midsize or above. The Emerald Aisle is one of the best ways to get on the road faster. You’ll also earn rental credits that you can redeem toward free rental days, airline miles or hotel rewards. Renters who reach the elite status tiers can enjoy additional perks:
Emerald Club
Executive
Executive Elite
Qualifications
Free to join
12 paid rentals or 40 rental days in a calendar year
25 paid rentals or 85 rental days in a calendar year
Free day accrual rate
One free day every seven credits
One free day every six credits
One free day every five credits
Car selection
Choose any car (midsize and above) in the Emerald Aisle and pay only the midsize rate
Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate
Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate
No second driver fees
✓
✓
✓
Guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through a luxury car
✓
✓
Guaranteed vehicle
Up to full-size with 24-hour notice
National also has an invite-only tier called VIP, though the criteria for reaching it are somewhat mysterious.
As an Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum cardholder, you can receive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).
The German rental car company Sixt has grown significantly in the U.S. since entering the market in 2011. The Sixt loyalty program offers many of the same benefits listed above, including the ability to skip the lines and collect points or miles for your rental. The Sixt Status program also has three elite status tiers (one by invitation only). Here are the details of each:
In addition to the partnerships and methods for earning elite status listed above, it’s possible to score rental car elite status just by holding a card. Here are some of the best options for travelers:
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Another way to snag rental car elite status is by matching your status from another program. You may have heard of airline and hotel status matches, which let you bypass elite qualification requirements if you hold status with a competitor. The idea is simple: If you earn status in one program (or get it automatically through a credit card), a status match allows you to get a similar elite tier with other programs. (Generally, you’ll only be able to keep the “free” status for the first year; beyond that, you’ll have to meet the usual qualification requirements.)
Some car rental agencies offer this, too. Some will match the status only at competitors, while others match the status at airlines and hotels as well. Here are some examples, with links to their status match request forms:
Renting a car isn’t nearly as glamorous as flying around the world or staying in a luxury hotel, but it can nevertheless be rewarding — especially when you hold elite status. With continued long lines at many rental counters, elite status can not only help ensure your reservation is honored but also allow you to head straight to your assigned vehicle at many airports. If your credit card or airline loyalty program includes automatic elite status with one or more rental car agencies, be sure to sign up.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. For the rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
Holland America is out with another epic itinerary from North America to Europe and back — this time with an unusual twist.
On Monday the Seattle-based cruise line said the 35-night round-trip voyage from Boston to some of Northern Europe’s most alluring destinations will include a viewing of the solar eclipse that will take place above Northern Europe in August 2026.
Dubbed the Voyage of the Vikings, the sailing will take place on Holland America’s 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam and offer North American travelers a chance to visit such hot spots of Viking history as Greenland, Iceland and Norway without getting on a transatlantic flight.
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The voyage will kick off in Boston July 18, 2026, with a sailing up the coast of North America that initially resembles a New England and Canada cruise. The first port calls will be Portland, Maine, and Sydney, Nova Scotia.
But the call at Sydney will mark just the start of an unusually in-depth look at the coast of Eastern Canada, which will include four stops in Newfoundland and Labrador — Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony and St. John’s — as well as Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Some of the Canada stops will take place as the ship heads toward Europe, while others will be on the return voyage.
After its initial visit to the Canadian coast, Zuiderdam will turn east across the North Atlantic for a multiweek visit to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Calls in Greenland will include Paamiut (Frederikshab), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehab).
Iceland calls will include Reykjavik (where the ship will stay overnight), Seydisfjordur, Husavík and Grundarfjordur.
Other stops during the trip will be Eidfjord in Norway; Rotterdam in the Netherlands (for an overnight stay); Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland; and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
The solar eclipse will occur when the ship is sailing off the western coast of Iceland near Grundarfjordur.
The trip will end back in Boston on Aug. 22, 2026.
The new Voyage of the Vikings cruise is just one of three sailings Holland America announced on Monday that will include the chance to see the solar eclipse occurring in 2026. The others:
A 28-night Scandinavian Solar Eclipse sailing on the 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam out of Dover, England. It begins July 26, 2026.
A 13-night Mediterranean Solar Eclipse sailing on the 1,964-passenger Oosterdam out of Lisbon. It begins Aug. 9, 2026.
The longer Voyage of the Vikings sailing is just the latest at Holland America to offer vacationers the opportunity to sail from North America to Europe and back without ever getting on a transatlantic flight — something of a specialty for the brand.
The lengthy Mediterranean voyage was the second such sailing the line has added to its schedule in the past two years. The line is also planning a 42-night sailing from the U.S. to the Mediterranean in November.
The two Mediterranean sailings are out of New York and Fort Lauderdale, respectively.
The new Northern Europe itinerary announced Monday is the latest addition to a new series of Legendary Voyages that Holland America began unveiling in 2023. The extra-long sailings, scheduled to take place over the next three years, focus on a single region and range from 25 to 59 nights in length. They also feature special programming.
The initial lineup of Legendary Voyages included both previously offered routings and some all-new ones — the latter including an epic itinerary focused on Japan scheduled for later this year that will last more than 50 days.
In general, the voyages focus on far-off destinations — including Australia and New Zealand, the Amazon and South America, the South Pacific and Hawaii, Greenland and Iceland, Asia, and Alaska and the Arctic Circle. But in a twist, most sailings are designed to begin and end in a North American port, meaning that North American passengers can reach distant places without ever getting on an international flight.
The new lineup of long trips is designed to augment Holland America’s celebrated collection of even longer Grand Voyages — far-ranging, often world-circling sailings that are typically 70 nights or longer.
Holland America has long been known for longer sailings from U.S. ports that bring people to far-flung places around the globe. The new Legendary Voyages and an expanded lineup of other long cruises mark a doubling down by the line on such trips.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership known as RewardsPlus. This partnership allows members of both loyalty programs to convert rewards, enroll in complimentary elite status and earn extra miles on select hotel stays.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about the RewardsPlus partnership to maximize stays with Marriott Bonvoy and flights with United MileagePlus.
Marriott Gold Elite status provides 25% bonus points on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout at participating brands based on availability, enhanced room upgrades at participating brands based on availability, complimentary enhanced internet access and a welcome gift of points upon check-in at participating properties.
You can’t register for Marriott Bonvoy status if you’re a United Premier member who obtained status via an airline status match or challenge. You also won’t be eligible if you already have Marriott Gold Elite or higher status.
This United Premier status tier provides 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights, a 40% mileage bonus, a complimentary checked bag up to 70 pounds when flying in economy class, boarding in the second group, preferred seating at booking for you and up to eight companions, and Economy Plus seating at check-in for you and one companion. You’re also eligible for complimentary upgrades on some United flights, though you’ll typically fall very low on the upgrade list as a Premier Silver member.
Members who hold Marriott Bonvoy status from a hotel status match or challenge can’t register. Likewise, you won’t be eligible for the status match if you already have United Premier Silver or higher status.
Beyond reciprocal elite status, the RewardsPlus partnership unlocks the ability to convert Marriott points to United miles and United miles to Marriott points.
Converting Marriott points to United miles
You can convert between 3,000 and 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles daily here.
For every 3 Marriott points you transfer, you’ll get 1 United mile. Additionally, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer. So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points to MileagePlus, you’ll get 30,000 United miles.
TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg the value of 60,000 Marriott points at $510 and 30,000 United miles at $405. So, you’ll likely lose value on this transfer unless you make a high-value United MileagePlus redemption.
If you have United Premier elite status, you can convert up to 100,000 United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio every calendar year here. Each transfer must be for at least 500 miles.
We don’t suggest converting United miles to Marriott points unless you have a specific high-value redemption. After all, our July 2024 valuations peg the value of United miles at 1.35 cents each and Marriott points at 0.85 cents each.
Finally, if you plan to stay with Marriott Bonvoy at the destination of a United flight, consider starting your hotel search on United’s Marriott Bonus promotion page to earn bonus miles. These miles are in addition to your standard Marriott Bonvoy earnings.
When you visit the Marriott Bonus promotion page and sign in, you’ll see upcoming flights associated with your United MileagePlus account. Select “Book hotel” from your flight details and book a member rate to earn bonus points (the bonus points will appear in your account about 90 days after you check out from your stay). Since you’re booking directly with Marriott, you’ll still get on-site elite member perks and earnings.
This promotional offer isn’t available at the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Design Hotels and Bulgari brands, nor at the following properties:
Atlantis, Autograph Collection
Bulgari Hotel, London
Joshua G.E. Medical Corp. Conference Center
Jesse Jones Rotary Conference Center
Marriott Ranch
Protea Hotel Amani Beach
The Ritz-Carlton London
U.S. Postal Service Conference Center
Four Points by Sheraton Havana
The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Autograph Collection
If you redeem Marriott points or book a rate different from the standard Marriott member rate, you may not earn the bonus miles even if you book through the Marriott Bonus link.
Despite its lackluster transfer ratios, the RewardsPlus partnership is a great way for select travelers to receive an extra elite status. It’s also great for United Premier elite members to double dip on Marriott stays after United flights.
While Marriott Gold Elite and United Premier Silver are useful statuses, it would be great if travelers benefiting from this partnership also got a head start toward earning higher elite tiers in these programs. Still, with just a few clicks, you could unlock a new elite status level and earn bonus United miles on some Marriott stays.
Hyatt Globalist status is among the best hotel elite statuses you can earn. Many travelers — myself included — would argue it is the absolute best. Although my husband and I maintain high-tier elite status with multiple hotel loyalty programs, we prioritize requalifying for Hyatt Globalist status each year.
Qualifying for World of Hyatt Globalist status isn’t easy, as you need 60 tier-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points per calendar year. There aren’t many shortcuts for Hyatt Globalist status, although you’ll have lifetime Globalist status once you’ve accrued 1,000,000 lifetime base points. However, 1,000,000 lifetime base points require about $200,000 of spending with Hyatt.
Check out our guide to Hyatt Globalist status to learn why many travelers love having top-tier World of Hyatt elite status. In this guide, I’ll discuss three primary ways to get Hyatt Globalist status.
Tier-qualifying nights
As mentioned above, you can earn Hyatt Globalist status by staying 60 tier-qualifying nights with Hyatt during a calendar year. Specifically, you’ll have Globalist status through February of the second calendar year following qualification.
Hyatt defines “tier-qualifying nights” as when you stay overnight at a Hyatt hotel or resort, pay an eligible rate or redeem a free night award and associate your membership number with the reservation. However, if you book a promotional rate that gives a free night — such as a “stay four nights and get a fifth night free” rate — the free night won’t count toward your tier-qualifying nights. Likewise, stays placed on or settled to a group master account won’t give you tier-qualifying nights.
You could stay with Hyatt for 60 tier-qualifying nights within a calendar year to obtain Hyatt Globalist status. If these nights were each at off-peak Hyatt Category 1 hotels, you could snag Globalist status for just 210,000 Hyatt points each calendar year. Likewise, paying an average of $150 per night could get you Hyatt Globalist status for $9,000 each calendar year.
But, as I’ll discuss in the following subsections, there are ways to decrease the number of nights you must stay with Hyatt each year if you want to qualify for Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights.
If you think you’ll otherwise fall short of the 60-night requirement for Hyatt Globalist status, it can be worth rearranging your travel schedule to maximize a double elite night promotion.
Spend on Hyatt credit cards
If you want to get Hyatt Globalist status, you should seriously consider adding the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to your wallet. Both cards let you earn Hyatt points on purchases and provide various benefits to Hyatt loyalists. But these cards also let you earn tier-qualifying nights.
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll get five tier-qualifying night credits every calendar year, and you’ll earn two additional tier-qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card (you’ll get these nights credited to the calendar year in which the spend occurred). As such, you could spend $140,000 on your World of Hyatt card each calendar year to get Hyatt Globalist status.
And with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you’ll earn five tier-qualifying night credits for every $10,000 in purchases each calendar year. As such, you could spend $120,000 on your World of Hyatt Business card each calendar year and maintain Hyatt Globalist status without any stays.
However, as I’ll discuss later in this guide, very few Hyatt loyalists will get Globalist status solely from credit card spending. Instead, most loyalists earn tier-qualifying nights through various other means.
Hyatt members who gift a Guest of Honor award to another member now earn one tier-qualifying night credit when the member to which they gifted their Guest of Honor award completes their stay. So, gifting Guest of Honor awards is now a way to earn a few tier-qualifying nights each calendar year.
You’ll also qualify for Hyatt Globalist status any calendar year in which you accrue 100,000 base points. And you’ll earn lifetime Globalist status once you accrue 1,000,000 base points over your lifetime.
Base points are different from bonus points. In particular, you’ll only earn base points on eligible rates, eligible incidental charges and eligible nonstay charges at Hyatt properties. Specifically, on these eligible expenses, you’ll earn 2.5 base points per dollar at Hyatt Studios hotels and 5 base points per dollar at other Hyatt properties.
You can earn base points on up to three rooms per night. However, the member must pay an eligible rate for all the rooms and occupy at least one of them, and the rooms must all be within the same hotel or resort.
To get Hyatt Globalist status, you’ll need to spend $20,000 on eligible expenses at Hyatt properties (that aren’t Hyatt Studios hotels, which earn at a lower rate) each calendar year. This spending could occur on one short but ultra-luxurious stay or across many practical stays throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a shortcut to World of Hyatt status, it may be worth linking your AAdvantage and Hyatt accounts and participating in the Bilt Rewards program, since we’ve seen previous opportunities via these programs.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to earn Hyatt Globalist status via a mixture of base points and tier-qualifying nights. So you’ll want to consider early each year whether you plan to get Hyatt Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights or base points.
If you plan to qualify via base points, you’ll want to focus on paid Hyatt stays at eligible rates. You’ll also want to ensure you charge all eligible expenses to your room to maximize the number of base points you earn.
But if you plan to get Hyatt Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights, you’ll likely want to earn these nights through a combination of methods. For example, this year I expect to get the following:
49 tier-qualifying nights from stays at Hyatt hotels and resorts
Five tier-qualifying nights as a World of Hyatt Credit Card holder
Six tier-qualifying nights by spending $15,000 on my World of Hyatt Credit Card
Two tier-qualifying nights from gifting Guest of Honor awards
Out of my 49 tier-qualifying nights, I’ve booked paid rates for 15 nights, used free night certificates for five nights and redeemed 382,000 points for the other 29 nights. I’ve earned most of my Hyatt points through spending on my Hyatt credit card, utilizing Hyatt promotions and transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt.
Hyatt Globalist status is valuable due to the perks it provides on stays. However, the status’ required 60 tier-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points can be difficult for loyalists to earn each calendar year — especially since the shortcuts for these requirements are minimal. But, with some planning and the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card in your wallet, it’s possible to get Hyatt Globalist status without spending 60 nights or $20,000 with Hyatt each year.
One of my family’s favorite holiday traditions is visiting Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. With its magnificent glass atriums, lush landscaping that magically brings the outdoors in and endless activities and restaurants, it’s beautiful any time of year, but especially so during the holidays.
But it’s not just a Nashville thing. There are four other Gaylord resorts across the country in Kissimmee, Florida; Aurora, Colorado; Grapevine, Texas; and National Harbor, Maryland. Together, they collectively light up the holiday season with more than 7 million Christmas lights (that’s 295 miles of lights if you stretch them out end-to-end), 110,000 feet of garland, 600 Christmas trees and 30,000 poinsettias.
That’s a whole lot of Christmas, but that’s not even the main attraction. The hotels also display life-size, walk-through winter wonderlands using 36,000 blocks of ice (that’s 12 million pounds), hence the name of Gaylord’s flagship holiday event — Ice!
If you plan to add Gaylord Hotels’ Ice! to your lineup of holiday traditions, here’s everything you need to know before you ho, ho, go, including how to find discounts for 2024.
Each property’s Ice! event is unique
This year, Gaylord Ice! is coming to six properties across the U.S. — all five Gaylord Resorts, plus, for the first time, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Each property invites guests to experience immersive (and cold!) walk-through displays centered around various popular Christmas movies. While each display is different, they all have one thing in common — they are made from thousands of blocks of ice colored and carved by world-renowned experts into holiday masterpieces that will delight guests of all ages.
TODD SIMS PHOTO/GAYLORD HOTELS
Across all six properties, expert ice carvers from Harbin, China (which is home to the largest ice and snow festival in the world), travel to the U.S. to transform those 12 million pounds of ice into whimsical and surprisingly realistic holiday displays that are sometimes upward of 30 feet tall. The highlight of the event for kids — and kids at heart, like myself — is sailing down a frosty slide made of ice. There’s also a shorter slide designed for kids too small or frightened for the full-size slides.
Some Ice! activities, like character breakfasts and visits to the carved ice displays, have timed entry reservations. The earlier you purchase your tickets, the better chance you’ll have of getting the exact date and time you are hoping for. This is especially important to do if you plan to visit on or around a holiday or on weekends when the event is even busier than normal.
GAYLORD HOTELS
Booking early also opens up more opportunities for discounts on Ice! and the other activities at Gaylord properties. For a limited time, you can save on tickets and vacation packages as Gaylord Resorts celebrates the launch of Ice! tickets for 2024, but you can expect additional discounts around Black Friday. Be sure to follow Gaylord Hotels on social media to stay current on available discounts.
Gaylord Rockies — Aurora, Colorado
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “The Polar Express,” the Mistletoe Scavenger Hunt and the Elf Training Academy.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus access to the Gingerbread Decorating Corner and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus Tier 2 seating at Cirque: Frost.
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “Frosty the Snowman,” Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt and ice tubing.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus ice skating, the Gingerbread Decorating Corner and hot cocoa.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus the Snowball Build & Blast.
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “Elf,” TwElf Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt and Snow Flow Mountain ice tubing.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus Snowball Build & Blast and the Gingerbread Decorating Corner.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus Elf Training Academy, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas traditions and Cirque: Spirit of Christmas.
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt featuring Rudolph and the Misfit Toys and Snow Flow Mountain tubing.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus the Gingerbread Decorating Corner and Snowball Build & Blast.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus ice-skating and the Christmas Carousel.
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt and Snow Flow Mountain tubing.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus access to the Gingerbread Decorating Corner and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas traditions.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus Snowball Build & Blast and fountain-level seating at Cirque: Spirit of Christmas.
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country — San Antonio, Texas
Save up to 20% with the Festive Favorites Pack. You can get access to Ice! featuring “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” ice tubing and The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt.
Save up to 30% with the Holiday Deluxe Pack. Includes everything in the Festive Favorites Pack, plus Snowball Build & Blast and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions.
Save up to 50% with the Ultimate HoliDAY Pass. Includes everything in the Holiday Deluxe Pack, plus access to the Gingerbread Decorating Corner.
The splendor of Ice! may be what gets you through Gaylord’s door, but the walk-through displays are hardly the only thing you can do when you visit a Gaylord Resort during the holiday season; there are enough activities to keep your family entertained for a full day or an entire weekend.
The offerings vary slightly from property to property, but you’ll find experiences like snow tubing, holiday-themed scavenger hunts, gingerbread decorating, ice skating, ice bumper cars, family-friendly escape rooms, horse-drawn sleigh rides, photos with Santa, holiday character breakfasts and more.
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
After several years of visiting, our favorite activities are the Ice! walk-through, ice skating (they have pushchairs that you can use to balance and help young kids), the scavenger hunt and the ice bumper cars.
Most activities require an advance ticket purchase, but during my family’s last visit to Gaylord Opryland, we spent as much time strolling through the atriums and marveling at the dazzling decor and dozens of Christmas trees (which you can do for free) as we did building snowballs and sliding down the tubing hill.
Dress appropriately
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Spoiler alert: Ice! is cold. Very cold. Nine degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact. The kind folks at Gaylord will provide you with one of the lovely blue parkas pictured above, but you’ll also want to make sure you are wearing closed-toe shoes, pants and gloves so you can comfortably enjoy the experience.
The jackets have hoods, but you may also want to bring a hat to retain some much-needed body heat. If you have them, bring touchscreen-friendly gloves, because there are photo opportunities around every corner, and frozen fingers don’t take the best pictures.
If you are also planning on tubing or ice skating during your visit, you’ll be happy you packed your cold-weather gear, even if the temperatures outside are warmer than they are inside. If you happen to forget a hat and gloves, you can purchase them at the resort.
Build in some downtime
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
After several holiday visits to Gaylord Ice!, we’ve learned a few things that influence how we plan our itinerary.
There is so much to do that we packed almost every available second of our first visit with the above-mentioned activities. When our youngest son was too exhausted to swim at the indoor water park and fell asleep in his stroller, I knew we should probably cut back on activities or add another night to our stay.
It’s also worth mentioning that the sheer size of most Gaylord resorts means lots of travel time between your room and whatever fun activity you are headed to, so it can start to feel like you never stop to rest unless you intentionally build in some downtime.
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
On our next visit, we scheduled only two to three daily activities. We left time in between to return to our hotel room for a snack or, after visiting the Ice! walk-through, for snuggling in our beds to warm up.
Even if you aren’t staying overnight and are only visiting for the day, I would recommend choosing only a few activities instead of trying to do it all. Part of the fun of being at a Gaylord resort is exploring the shops, eateries and gardens that span the gorgeous glass atriums — you want to leave plenty of time for spontaneous wandering while you are there.
If you are staying on-site, I recommend taking an hour or so after you check in to do a lap around the resort and get the lay of the land. It’ll help ease the stress of trying to make it to any activities with scheduled tickets at the correct time.
Hotel guests receive extra perks
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Other than the obvious perk of earning and redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points and enjoying free night certificates at all Gaylord properties, overnight guests also receive Ice!-specific perks. All overnight guests can utilize the “Chill Pass” for front-of-line access and shorter wait times when visiting Ice! This complimentary perk is included with your stay, so you don’t need to do anything additional to utilize it, but you do still need to purchase a ticket for Ice!
Overnight guests can also take advantage of “Extra Cool Hour,” a benefit that allows hotel guests to enter Ice! one hour before it opens to day guests. Fewer people means shorter lines and more trips down the ice slide.
The easiest way to gain access to the event during Extra Cool Hour is to make your room reservation before you purchase your Ice! tickets.
GAYLORD HOTLES
When you purchase your Ice! tickets, filter the ticket type to “Overnight Guests Only” and choose your preferred date and time. You should receive a code in your prearrival confirmation email that you can enter during the purchase process if you choose a time during the first hour of the day. Alternatively, you can purchase a room and Ice! ticket package and you will receive email instructions on reserving a day and time to visit the attraction.
Because entry to Ice! is timed, it didn’t feel overly crowded when we visited during normal operating hours, but as we near the holidays or if you visit during the weekend, the Chill Pass and Extra Cool Hour may come in handy.
Book an atrium-view room
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The unique glass atrium design is what makes staying in a Gaylord resort so special.
My family loves to wake up in the morning and throw open the balcony doors to listen to the rushing waterfalls and see the decor. We usually eat breakfast out there, as well. When the sun sets in the evening and the atrium darkens, the twinkling lights and glittering decor take on an entirely different — and magical — appearance.
Staying in an atrium-view room can cost anywhere from around $70 to $100 more per night than staying in a standard exterior-view room, but I got it for no additional cost — and you can, too.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite member, I am eligible for a complimentary room upgrade when I stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property, based on availability. You can earn Gold Elite status with 25 eligible stays per year, but you can earn it much faster with a travel card that automatically grants you Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (you will have to enroll online or by calling your card’s customer service and giving them your Marriott Bonvoy number), such as The Platinum Card® from American Express.
I decided to roll the dice and booked an exterior-view room with the hopes of being upgraded to an atrium-view room. The upgrade typically can’t be guaranteed until check-in, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to call prior to our arrival and have them make a note on the reservation. I spoke with a friendly customer service agent who made a note on my account. I expected to have to wait until I checked in for the upgrade to be confirmed, but the next time I opened the Marriott app, my room type showed as an atrium-view room.
I’m not a huge gambler, but this one paid off, and I saved some cash.
Bottom line
With five resorts across the country, there’s a good chance you aren’t too far from a Gaylord resort.
During the holiday season, each one offers festive activities, decor, treats and drinks (scientifically, a hot toddy can help you warm up after you’ve been in the cold) to help your family make lasting memories and traditions that will keep you coming back to Gaylord year after year.
France’s rail network has been thrown into chaos today following a series of arson attacks, just hours before the nation officially opens the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Travelers have been advised to postpone their trips where possible following the incidents, which France’s transport minister Patrice Vergrete has described as “coordinated malicious acts.”
The arson attacks that occurred between 1 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. local time have affected several TGV lines in the country. Paris’s prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation.
According to France’s state-owned railway operator SNCF, its services are expected to be severely affected throughout the weekend after fires were set at various points along lines connecting Paris to the west, north and east. The fires appear to have targeted electrical or signaling boxes, according to reports.
SNCF employees and French gendarmes inspect the scene of a suspected attack on the high speed railway network at Croiselles, northern France. DENIS CHARLET / GETTY IMAGES
An SNCF statement said: “Last night, SNCF was the victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines.”
⚠️ Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting several high speed lines, several high speed trains are being diverted or cancelled. Our teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centers, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach… https://t.co/IRXQK6lCtu
Jean-Pierre Farandou, the CEO of the SNCF told French news network BFM TV” “I am thinking of all the French who won’t be able to go on holiday today or those who will leave in worse conditions.” Adding that the disruption will not be a quick solve. “It will certainly last the whole weekend, because it will take a long time to fix….it’s a day of sadness today.”
Eurostar faces significant disruption along the high-speed line connecting Paris and Lille. Delays are expected to extend the usual journey time by up to an hour and a half and have already forced a slew of cancellations.
EUROSTAR.COM
Thus far, the Eurostar website shows extensive delays across all its services throughout today and at least 11 cancellations. The worst affected services currently appear to be connections between Brussels and Paris.
A sign displaying a Eurostar train cancelation notice at St Pancras International Station, London. DAN KITWOOD/GETTY IMAGES
A Eurostar spokesperson said: “Due to coordinated malicious acts in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday 26 July.”
“Eurostars teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination.”
The major European rail operator is encouraging its passengers to postpone their trips where they can and allowing its customers to cancel their trips free of charge and receive a full refund. Passengers are also informed that they can modify their journeys free of charge.
A Eurostar confirmed with TPG that the train operator expects to cancel around 25% of its planned schedule over the weekend, with disruption stretching into Monday morning.
French-located flight hub EuroAirport Basel-Muhouse-Freiburg, jointly operated by France and Switzerland, temporarily grounded flights this morning following the evacuation and closure of its terminal due to “safety reasons” following a reported bomb alert, according to Reuters. It is unclear whether this is related to the earlier rail arson attacks, and the airport has now been reopened.
“For safety reasons, the terminal had to be evacuated and is currently closed. Flight operations have been temporarily suspended.” The airport said on X. “Passengers are requested to contact their airline for information about their flight.”
26/07/2024 – 10:54
For safety reasons, the terminal had to be evacuated and is currently closed. Flight operations have been temporarily suspended. Passengers are requested to contact their airline for information about their flight. Update follows… pic.twitter.com/AUGUsNcspZ
Amélie Oudéa-Castera, the sports minister, said authorities are working to “evaluate the impact on travellers, athletes, and ensure the transport of all delegations to the competition sites”.
It is unclear just how long it will take to get rail services fully operational again, and there is no indication of who may have been responsible for the attacks. This is a developing story, which we will update as we find out more.
Bottom line
Today was due to be one of celebration in France with the opening of the Paris Olympics 2024, one of the most anticipated events of the year. The event has, however, been marred by a series of arson attacks that have severely affected French rail operations. The disruptions are expected to continue into the weekend and passengers due to travel are advised to postpone their trips, wherever possible.
There is excellent awards availability to Japan on Air France-KLM Flying Blue right now, with round-trip economy travel available for as low as 53,000 points.
There is availability from U.S. departure cities Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Seattle for flights to Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo from now through June of next year. The widest range of available awards space is in January and February, but be sure to check the the entire travel window to see what works best for you. There are good options in April from several cities, which is right on time to enjoy the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.
Once you determine your departure date, you can book it as a one-way ticket or you can complete your itinerary by pairing it with your preferred return flight.
It’s important to note that this award space is operated by Delta, but you’ll get a better return on your points by using Air France to book the flight. By using Citi’s 25% transfer bonus, you can reduce the cost of points needed for each flight to as low as 26,400 each way, plus fees. Air France’s points booking interface can be challenging, so if you need some help, check out this helpful trick for navigating the Flying Blue calendar search tool.
Deal basics
PHOTO: ALVIN HUANG/GETTY IMAGES
Airlines: Air France, Delta
Routes: From Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), and Seattle (SEA) to Tokyo (HND)
How to book: Browse Air France-KLM Flying Blue for available dates and pricing
Travel dates: Now through June 2025; availability varies based on route, but mostly
Book by: As soon as possible
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 to access all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
We saw one-way flights from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Haneda Airport available from 35,000 points and about $33 in fees. As we mentioned above, January is a great time to jump on this deal.
AIR FRANCE
There are one-way flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Tokyo in January for just 35,000 points and $200.10 in taxes/fees.
AIR FRANCE
There are one-way flights out of Detroit Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Tokyo in November for 35,000 miles and $190.10 in taxes and fees.
AIR FRANCE
If you don’t have enough Flying Blue miles, you can transfer points and miles from the following programs :
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)