Delta Air Lines is making some high-profile changes to its network.
The Atlanta-based carrier filed plans this weekend to exit two noteworthy international routes. The airline will scrap service from Atlanta to Stuttgart, Germany, and from New York to Bogota, Colombia, as first seen in Cirium schedules and confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Both cuts take effect on Oct. 26, coinciding with the official start of the airline’s winter season.
The bigger story is the cut in Stuttgart because after Delta exits the market, the German city will no longer be connected with the U.S. with nonstop flights.
Delta has been flying to Stuggart for more than two decades. This business-focused route connected Mercedes Benz’s and Porsche’s U.S. headquarters in Atlanta with their main offices in Germany. Delta suspended the route from March 2020 until March 2023 due to the pandemic, and now it’s being scrapped for good.
The airline explained the cut with the following statement: “Delta will discontinue service to and from Stuttgart on October 26, 2024, as we adapt our schedule to align with consumer demand. Delta customers will have access to and from Stuttgart through Delta partners Air France and KLM. Delta’s service at Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin will continue.”
This marks Delta’s second noteworthy cut in Germany in recent months. Last year, the airline cut flights to Dusseldorf, leaving another German city disconnected from the U.S. with a nonstop link. (German carrier Condor plans just four one-off flights from New York to Dusseldorf this September and October, Cirium schedules show.)
In addition to the long-haul adjustments, Delta will end flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Bogota, Colombia’s El Dorado International Airport (BOG) later this year. The airline says the cut is being made “as we adjust our schedule to align with consumer demand.”
Though the airline will no longer serve Bogota from New York, it will continue to offer twice-daily flights to the city from its Atlanta hub.
Travelers can also fly to Bogota via Delta’s joint venture partner, LATAM, which offers twice-daily service from Miami and daily service from Orlando to the Colombian capital.
Delta first started flying this route in December 2008, Cirium schedules show. The airline has operated the route pretty consistently since then, aside from two brief suspensions — one from 2016 to 2019 and another during the pandemic from March 2020 until December 2020.
The best time to book a cruise is when you’ve done your planning, picked a ship and found a cruise fare that fits your budget and offers good value. But that doesn’t stop vacationers from wondering if they’d find a cheaper price if they wait to book tomorrow, next week or next month.
I’d love to give you a magic date to circle in red on your calendar so you’d know for sure that was the best time to book a cruise. The truth is there’s no one best day, but knowing a few things about how cruise lines price cabins and when they tend to run promotions will help you identify high-value deals. When you see one, you’ll know it’s as good a time as any to book your next cruise vacation.
What is the best day to book a cruise?
Everyone wants to know the cheapest day to book travel — as if fares drop like clockwork on Wednesday morning and rise with the sun on Thursday. It doesn’t work that way.
It used to be that lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line would offer midweek sales on select cruises every Tuesday or Wednesday. These lines still offer the occasional flash sale, but they don’t always fall on the same day of the week.
Within a given cruise sale’s promotional period, I’ve seen cabin prices fluctuate daily and I’ve seen them stay the same for a week. It all depends on how many cabins a cruise line has allocated for a specific fare class and whether those rooms happen to sell out or not.
I could tell you that it’s cheaper to book a cruise at the beginning of a sale because availability is greatest. However, if the line sees a certain cabin category on a specific ship failing to sell as expected, it could drop rates halfway into the sale period.
The exception is any highly anticipated and publicized cruise, especially if it’s a one-off voyage or a short-season sailing, like a Great Lakes cruise. The maiden voyage and early inaugural season cruises of a new Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line ship will sell like hotcakes on the day bookings first open; the most beloved theme cruises also book up quickly. World cruises have sold out within hours, even with price tags of $150,000 per couple.
If you have exclusive early access to book one of these cruises, due to being a past passenger or loyalty program member, take advantage and book your vacation the day the voyage goes on sale.
If there’s no best day to book a cruise for the best deal, you might think there’s a best month. While you can find cheap cruises any month you look, I can give you some pointers about which months are most likely to feature cruise sales with value-added promotions.
The best months to book a cruise are January through March, when nearly every cruise line launches some kind of wave season promotion, and November through December, when Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales often start well before Thanksgiving and end days or weeks after. You might find a cheap cruise deal or a fare packed with extras (like complimentary beverage packages, free kids fares or reduced deposits).
Are you guaranteed to find the cheapest, most freebie-laden pricing during these months? Of course not! Cruise lines sometimes inflate prices before a sale, so deals for 30% or 50% off may not be as good as you think. Or, the cruise line may offer its best fares in a one-off sale at another time of year.
Whether the winter months are the best time to book a cruise depends on which itinerary you’re hoping to book and how popular that sailing is that year. In a year when Alaska cruises are popular, the wave season promotions in January and February might not be especially good because the lines don’t need to discount to fill cabins. But if Alaska cruise bookings are soft, the wave season specials could be the best of the year as cruise lines pull out all the tricks to fill ships.
I could say that winter is the best time of year to book a cruise because that would cover the late-fall Thanksgiving week sales and wave season promotions. I can guarantee that your cruise line will offer some promotions during the winter, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best time to book.
If you want to book a solo or family cabin on a Mediterranean cruise in July, you likely want to book much earlier than January for the most availability and the best prices. As I said earlier, great sales and deals can pop up year-round, including on other holidays such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
DENNIS FISCHER PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES
How far in advance should I book a cruise?
All this talk of the best time to book a cruise raises the question of how far in advance you should book. The key to the answer is recognizing that cruise lines adjust pricing as cabins sell out (or fail to do so) on any given ship and itinerary.
Cruise lines want you to book as early as possible. Not only do they get cash in hand sooner, in the form of your deposit, but they can rest easy when a ship sells out early knowing they don’t have to work to get people to come on board and spend more money.
Therefore, cruise lines often offer their best fares when bookings open to incentivize travelers to book early. Cruises open for bookings a year or more in advance. For example, as of August 2024, I can book a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line through spring or fall of 2026, depending on the ship.
Now, it might be the itinerary I’m looking at won’t be popular, and the cruise line will lower the fare closer to sailing. Or, the itinerary will sell well, and prices will only go up from the original price. I can’t know for sure, though I can guess that peak-season trips to popular destinations on a newer cruise ship are more likely to sell quickly. Christmas and New Year’s cruises, top suites and limited specialty cabins (such as solo and family cabins) also tend to sell out early.
If you ask me, the answer to “How far in advance should I book a cruise?” is as early as possible for the most popular cruises and cabin categories and at least nine months before most sailings.
Can I book a cruise at the last minute?
Yes, you can book a cruise at the last minute, but that doesn’t mean you should.
In the cruise industry, a last-minute booking is considered any cruise purchased after final payment is due, generally 60 to 90 days before sailing. That means you have to pay the entire cruise fare at the time of booking rather than paying a deposit and the rest at a later date.
The final payment date is a day of reckoning for cruise salespeople. It’s the last date that undecided travelers can cancel without penalty. Once final payment is due, the cruise line has a more accurate picture of who is likely to sail (since once you pay, you’re likely to go, barring an emergency). At that point, the line can see if the ship is comfortably full (meaning it can hold prices steady or raise them because it’s not worried about filling the ship) or is too empty (meaning it better run some promotions to get more folks in cabins).
If it’s the latter, that’s when you get last-minute deals on cruise ships with unsold cabins. However, even if that last-minute cruise is cheap, the 11th-hour airfare or precruise hotel booking could eat into your savings.
For the real procrastinators out there, the absolute last day you can book a cruise before its departure has changed over the years. Currently, a cruise line could accept a booking mere hours before sailing, as long as boarding is still open and the ship’s manifest (the list of passengers and crew members on board) has not been submitted to the authorities.
In actuality, most cruise lines will sell available cabins through the day before sailing but limit or deny same-day bookings. Depending on the line, you might only be able to book cruises within a day or two of departure directly with the cruise line’s reservations department.
Booking a cruise just days before sailing should only be attempted by travelers within an easy drive of the cruise port. You should also make sure that you have time to get any necessary documentation, as well as make related travel plans.
CULTURA-RM-EXCLUSIVEROSANNA-U/GETTY IMAGES
How do I know if I’m getting a good deal when I book?
Regardless of when you’re booking a cruise, you’ll want to know if the fare you’re paying for your vacation at sea is a cheap deal, average or overpriced. The best way to know that is to do your research.
Tracking prices allows you to watch the rise and fall of cruise fares over time, so when the fare drops, you’ll recognize the price as a deal and be able to pounce on it. This strategy is best if you plan to book early and aren’t as concerned about the ship selling out immediately.
Don’t forget to watch for value-added promotions as well. For example, Norwegian’s Free at Sea promotion currently includes six booking perks (a free beverage package, a shore excursion credit, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, extra guests and buy-one-get-one-free airfare).
If that sounds like too much math homework, I recommend that you call a travel agent. A cruise-knowledgeable travel adviser can help you plan your trip and determine if the current pricing is good or if you should hold out for a deal.
Bottom line
I’ll say it again: The best time to book a cruise is when you see a price and promotion that seems like a good value to you. If you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth on a cruise purchase, go ahead and book that dream vacation. There’s no way to be absolutely sure you’re buying when the cruise fare is the lowest possible price with the maximum number of fare inclusions.
Sometimes you might be forced to choose between the cheapest possible fare and one that offers a greater total value, given the included perks. Knowing when cruise lines will likely run promotions will help you strategize, but sales can pop up anytime — and not every promotion offers the cheapest fares.
Stop trying to game the system and focus instead on planning the perfect cruise vacation you and your loved ones will reminisce about long after you’ve forgotten how much you paid for the trip.
Dock Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side-by-side, and you’re likely to notice a couple things. The first is that as the largest and second-largest cruise ships in the world, respectively, they’re both massive. The second is that, despite their similar size, they look a bit different.
If you’re unfamiliar with the details of the vessels, it can be overwhelming to figure out which of these two behemoths is the better fit for your next sailing.
From onboard vibe and cabin options to entertainment, here are some of the key similarities and differences in a showdown of Utopia vs. Icon of the Seas.
Size
Aft view of Icon of the Seas. ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Even though Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are currently the world’s two biggest cruise ships, there’s still a size difference between the two.
At 250,800 gross registered tons, 20-deck Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 people on a double-occupancy basis (when there are two people booked in each cabin) and about 7,600 passengers when every berth is filled. That’s in addition to 2,350 crew members.
While still incredibly large, the slightly smaller 18-deck, 236,473-ton Utopia of the Seas can accommodate 5,668 travelers at double occupancy and roughly 6,988 guests when it’s full. Nearly 2,300 crew members work on board.
Although Icon of the Seas has two more decks than Utopia, it carries fewer people than Utopia does at double occupancy but more when it’s full. That’s because Royal Caribbean specifically designed Icon of the Seas for families, assuming that parents would share cabins with their children.
In the line’s 2024 second-quarter earnings call, Royal Caribbean executives said the ship has been operating with a 132% load factor, meaning it routinely sails with more than two people — sometimes three, four or even five — per cabin.
Layout
The carousel on the Boardwalk on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
To understand the layout of Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon, you’ll first need to know about Royal Caribbean’s neighborhood concept. Each distinct area of the ship groups popular themed offerings together in a layout that helps to control passenger flow.
The original vessels in the Oasis Class, to which Utopia of the Seas belongs, had seven neighborhoods, which have carried through to Utopia.
The seven neighborhoods are:
Central Park: An outdoor promenade with shops, bars and restaurants that’s also home to more than 10,000 live plants — with a resident gardener — and inward-facing balcony cabins that overlook the space
The Boardwalk: A boardwalk-style open-air space with a hot dog stand, a candy and ice cream shop, arcade games, a carousel, inward-facing balcony cabins and the innovative wake-facing AquaTheater, which features high-diving shows
The Royal Promenade: An indoor social hub with a mall-like vibe where passengers will find a pub, a karaoke lounge, two cafes (including a Starbucks), retail outlets and guest services. Inward-facing cabins with windows overlook this neighborhood, and occasional parades and parties take place here.
Pool and Sports Zone: The place for active outdoor pursuits and watery fun, incorporating surf simulators, rock climbing walls, miniature golf, a sports court, a zip line, bars, the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide (which drops 10 decks to The Boardwalk), teen clubs, an arcade, grab-and-go casual dining, four pools and several hot tubs, as well as kids water play areas and waterslides
Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center: The place for all things related to health, wellness, fitness and pampering, featuring free-to-use exercise equipment, for-fee fitness classes and personal training, a sizable jogging track, Ping-Pong tables, and spa and salon services like massages, manicures, pedicures and hairstyling
Entertainment Place: A tucked-away cluster of indoor entertainment venues like casinos, a comedy club, a nightclub, the ship’s main theater, an art gallery, and Studio B — a multipurpose space that houses ice skating, laser tag and theme parties
Youth Zone: The location for Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s kids club, which encompasses activity and learning rooms and separate spaces for babies and toddlers, kids and tweens; also where passengers will find the escape room (on ships that have one)
As Royal Caribbean has evolved its ships over time, new neighborhoods have been added. In addition to the ones above, Utopia of the Seas has an eighth zone — the Suite Neighborhood. It affords access to a private sun deck with hot tubs, a dedicated lounge, a sit-down restaurant and 24-hour concierge service for passengers booked in the vessel’s most expensive accommodations.
With the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, of which Icon of the Seas is a part, a few of the key areas have been removed, relocated and reimagined, making Icon feel a bit more segmented than Utopia of the Seas.
Like Utopia of the Seas, Icon of the Seas has eight neighborhoods, but only three of them — Central Park, the Royal Promenade and the Suite Neighborhood — are the same as the ones you’ll find on Utopia.
Note: Although Icon of the Seas doesn’t have the Youth Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place neighborhoods, the ship still offers the Adventure Ocean kids club, onboard spa and fitness facilities and a cluster of similar entertainment venues.
Surfside. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Brand-new neighborhoods on Icon include:
Surfside: A dedicated space for families with young children, offering family-friendly eateries and a bar with mocktails, a candy shop, an arcade, a carousel, a playground, kids splash areas and a wake-facing infinity pool; replaces The Boardwalk
AquaDome: A giant dome-like glass and steel structure with 220-degree ocean views that houses a now-indoor AquaTheater for high-diving and acrobatic shows and the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean’s first food hall, as well as bars and a Royal Caribbean gift shop
Chill Island: Replaces the “pool” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone found on Oasis Class vessels; offers four pools — including one with a swim-up bar — sun loungers, hot tubs and cabanas for rent
Thrill Island: Replaces the “sports” portion of the Pool and Sports Zone; features staples like the rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf course and sports court. It also has a ropes course-style attraction and the largest water park at sea, which incorporates multiple waterslides.
The Hideaway: An adults-only area just below Thrill Island; provides a suspended infinity pool, loungers, hot tubs, a Champagne bar and a party atmosphere
The Royal Promenade has also had a bit of a facelift on Icon of the Seas. Deck 6, which used to overlook the space, now wraps completely around instead of only partially, and a giant three-deck light-up sphere called The Pearl has been added as part art installation and part structural support. It also provides a way for passengers to move between the two decks of the Royal Promenade. Walls of windows on either side bring lots of light into the space.
The Royal Promenade’s lower deck no longer has the hydraulic “levitating” Rising Tide Bar, which has been removed, along with Cafe Promenade. Instead, the usual standalone Starbucks kiosk has moved into a more permanent venue, and the Pearl Cafe has been added one deck above.
You can find more information about changes to Central Park and the Suite Neighborhood in the “Dining” and “Cabins” sections below, respectively.
Theming
A balloon drop in the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Although both ships do a great job of catering to all types of passengers, Icon of the Seas was designed specifically to appeal more heavily to families with the addition of the Surfside neighborhood, as well as a slew of cabins designed to sleep more than two people.
Meanwhile, because Utopia of the Seas is the first brand-new ship to exclusively sail short three- and four-night voyages, Royal Caribbean bills the vessel as the “World’s Biggest Weekend.” It’s perfect for quick getaways, a fact that the line’s executives say lends the ship a more party-hearty — but not uncouth — atmosphere.
If you’re traveling with your children on Utopia, you’ll still find plenty for them to do at the ship’s water play areas and Adventure Ocean kids club, but you’ll also find more live music than ever before. There’s a heavy emphasis on parties, too, including one with a frat party theme and another — a pool party — with music, giveaways and guns that shoot Champagne.
Cabins
Ultimate Family Townhouse. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have standard inside cabins, ocean-view options with windows, rooms with balconies and a variety of suites, including huge ones for families with amenities that are every kid’s dream.
Icon debuted with 14 new cabin and suite types to choose from out of 28 total accommodation types. Many are family-friendly rooms that sleep four passengers; some can accommodate six or eight. In total, 313 cabins and suites are listed specifically as family-focused accommodations, but most standard rooms can sleep more than two people.
Of particular note on Icon of the Seas are new Panoramic Suites, which exist in part of the AquaDome. They offer natural light through part of the structure, which serves as a floor-to-ceiling window in each cabin.
Representing a change to the Suite Neighborhood, new Icon Loft Suites are two-deck-high accommodations, each with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony with a private dining area and floor-to-ceiling windows.
And, finally, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is the pinnacle of accommodations onboard. The three-deck-high suite is an evolution of the Ultimate Family Suite that wowed guests on Oasis Class ships. In addition to kid and adult sleeping areas, this 1,772-square-foot top-level suite features an in-suite slide, a movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces.
The only major cabin addition on Utopia of the Seas is a group of Solarium Suites. These bright, airy and spacious digs were added above The Solarium, the ship’s tranquil adults-only space.
Dining experiences
Tickets for Royal Railway – Utopia Station. MEGAN DUBOIS/THE POINTS GUY
All of your favorite Royal Caribbean dining staples — including Chops Grille steakhouse, Izumi sushi, Giovanni’s Italian, Sorrento’s pizza, Playmakers sports bar, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh Mexican and the Windjammer buffet — have reprised their roles on both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
But it’s the new additions that truly stand out on both of these ships.
On Utopia of the Seas, cruisers can enjoy grab-and-go items from the Spare Tire food truck or immerse themselves in for-fee train-themed dinner theater at Royal Railway: Utopia Station. Additional extra-cost options run the gamut from affordable shaved ice to ultrahigh-end Japanese food at Omakase, an eight-course experience that’s limited to just six people at a cost of $130 per person.
If you’re searching for an exclusive dining option on Icon of the Seas, check out the Empire Supper Club, which mixes an eight-course dinner with music for a cost of $200 per person. A major new addition to the Central Park neighborhood, the restaurant seats only 38 people, and it has an art deco theme that’s also a nod to New York.
Or, if you’re celebrating a milestone, you can rent your very own space at Celebration Table. It costs a flat fee of $999 for up to 14 people, and it’s the same price regardless of how many of the seats you fill. It’s located in the ship’s Hooked Seafood restaurant, but you can choose the cuisine you’d like the chef to prepare. The list includes American, Italian, Asian and seafood.
New family-friendly options abound, including Pier 7, a specialty restaurant with a California theme. It’s free for kids and a la carte for adults, and the menu serves items like Baja fish tacos, Korean fried chicken and warm toffee chocolate cake.
The new AquaDome Market is Royal Caribbean’s first food hall experience and offers a variety of cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, mac ‘n’ cheese, salads, sandwiches and desserts free of charge. Or check out the Pearl Cafe for complimentary small bites and coffee drinks.
Entertainment
Ice skaters dressed as molecules during the “Starburst” ice show. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas present a variety of theater shows, comedy, high-diving acts, Royal Promenade parades and themed parties, as well as a ton of live music and daily activities to keep passengers busy.
As for what’s different, the AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas has moved from The Boardwalk neighborhood — Deck 6, aft, on Oasis Class ships like Utopia — to the new AquaDome, which is indoors instead of open-air. Performances on both ships involve synchronized swimming, dancing, high-diving, acrobatics and more. Utopia’s show, dubbed “Aqua80,” incorporates songs from the ‘80s but with a modern twist, and “Aqua Action!,” performed on Icon, has a movie theme.
Similarly, both vessels have their own ice rinks with specially developed ice-skating performances. On Icon of the Seas, the Absolute Zero ice rink, found on Deck 5 in the Royal Promenade, replaces Studio B, which is on Deck 4 on Utopia of the Seas. The new and improved version on Icon is round instead of rectangular, and the shows also differ in theme.
On Icon, “Starburst” is themed around the elements (carbon, helium, etc.). Group, solo and pairs skating numbers are combined with next-level juggling by a character dubbed “The Starman.” On Utopia, “Youtopia” presents a blend of contemporary and retro music, gorgeous costumes (some that look like candy) and nearly flawless execution.
In the main theater, passengers can expect to find “All In” on Utopia. The show celebrates some of history’s most iconic parties and music festivals like Studio 54 and Burning Man. However, if Broadway-style shows are what you seek, Icon of the Seas might be more your speed; the ship features performances of “The Wizard of Oz” on board.
As mentioned, Utopia of the Seas is focused more on parties than any other Royal Caribbean ship. Onboard soirees include Senses, a pool deck party where cruisers will find house music and sunset scenes on the giant outdoor movie screen; ReZolution, where passengers wear white and become living art through a series of high-tech projections; and Plunge, a daytime pool party
And, finally, what would any Royal Caribbean cruise be without a Royal Promenade parade? On Utopia, you can join in “The Effectors Homecoming Parade.” It’s a departure from the full show “The Effectors” performed in the Royal Theater on Icon of the Seas. The homecoming parade on Utopia picks up the storyline at the end of the theater production when (spoiler alert) the band of superheroes — Captain Viz, Lume, Pixel and Reverb — defeat their archnemesis, Crash, and his sidekick, Burn.
Itineraries and pricing
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
One of the biggest areas in which the ships differ is itinerary. While Utopia of the Seas focuses strictly on three- and four-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral near Orlando, Icon of the Seas runs weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami.
Both ships include calls on Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line’s private island, on most of their routes. Utopia visits mainly Nassau in the Bahamas, Perfect Day and Cozumel in Mexico with little deviation.
Due to its longer schedules, Icon offers a wider variety of port calls, including stops at St. Kitts and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Maarten, the Dutch side of St. Martin; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; plus Labadee, Haiti, another of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, depending on the itinerary.
In terms of pricing, because Icon of the Seas offers seven-night cruises while Utopia’s are only three and four nights, the former will cost more overall to book.
When I compared per-night pricing just before publication, the least expensive Icon of the Seas sailing I could find was $1,186 per person for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing in January 2025. That works out to $169 per person, per night, for an inside cabin — not a bad price, considering Icon of the Seas is the industry’s largest (and also one of its newest) vessels.
Comparatively, the least expensive Utopia of the Seas voyage I located for the same time period was $593 per person for a four-night Bahamas and Perfect Day sailing. That’s $148 per person, per night — slightly less than Icon of the Seas’ cheapest nightly rate.
Rates will vary by sailing date, destination and cabin type, but due to demand, both ships are on the higher end of Royal Caribbean’s pricing. You should expect to pay a premium for cabins on both Icon and Utopia.
Bottom line
Icon of the Seas. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
When it comes to Utopia of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas, they’re both large ships that have plenty on board for passengers of all ages to do, see, eat and drink. Both have excellent kids clubs, phenomenal entertainment, a plethora of bars and restaurants and a wide selection of cabin types.
If you’re looking for a short cruise, a weekend getaway or a sailing that will cost you less overall, or if you want more of a party atmosphere, Utopia of the Seas should be your pick. Of the two, it’s also the best ship if you’re a fan of the original Oasis Class neighborhoods.
However, prospective Royal Caribbean cruisers will likely feel more at home on Icon of the Seas if they’re cruising with young children and want a dedicated family space, have a larger budget or want a weeklong voyage, or prefer to sail on the absolute largest cruise ship afloat.
Taiwan-based airline EVA Air is back with a “sweet and joyful” tradition — and one of the more interesting inflight experiences you’ll ever see.
The carrier this week debuted its latest aircraft adorned in Hello Kitty livery. The decked-out Boeing 777-300ER touched down Wednesday night at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and it will be making three weekly appearances at the hub going forward.
This freshly painted 777 is EVA’s fourth Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, and this one is nicknamed the “Besties Jet.” Like prior generations of the cartoon-centric plane, this wide-body features several famous Sanrio characters, from Hello Kitty herself to My Melody and Kuromi.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Unlike some of the other eccentric liveries you’ll see on the exteriors of commercial planes, the Hello Kitty theme runs much deeper than a paint job. It shows up in almost every aspect of the inflight service.
Hello Kitty jet’s O’Hare arrival
Fittingly, the jet arrived to significant fanfare in Chicago on Wednesday night. It started with a water salute as the aircraft pulled up to the gate, and there were excited gasps from travelers and fans as they got their first glimpse of the jet.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
But that was only the beginning of the party.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Inside O’Hare’s Terminal 5, shades of pink, bright lights, music and food made the occasion unmistakable.
This was not your average inaugural flight gateside party.
EVA Air, known for its high-end inflight meal service, offered passengers a taste of its culinary team’s skills with a mouthwatering array of hors d’oeuvres.
EVA’s catering team offered dishes like savory scallops with celeriac mousseline, purple cauliflower with romesco sauce, bresaola and asparagus with creme fraiche, and savory lobster with leek mousseline. Not to mention, there was a scrumptious array of elaborate desserts.
What to expect on EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flight
Then there was the Hello Kitty stuff … lots of it.
The carrier showed off the complimentary and duty-free items available on these themed flights, including Hello Kitty headrest covers and slippers for passengers in each cabin. (The black ones are for business class.)
Custom-designed place settings are used for the meal service, and special Hello Kitty boxes are even available for the children’s meals. During gateside remarks, EVA President Clay Sun — who traveled to Chicago for the event — said those are a particular favorite.
“I think over the years, passengers enjoy riding on EVA’s Hello Kitty jet very much. They have been captivated by the design and onboard amenities — especially the charming children’s meals,” Sun said.
He let the audience in on an “internal secret.”
“Some of the adults, when they make a booking, they say, ‘Oh, I want the child’s meal,’” Sun said. “They say, ‘Well, because it’s very, very cute.’”
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
3 weekly flights from Chicago
EVA’s first Besties Jet flight from Chicago took off from O’Hare at just after midnight Thursday.
The 777 will fly the Chicago-to-Taipei route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the duration of the airline’s summer schedule. It will shift to Monday, Wednesday and Friday operations during the winter months.
The airline said that on days when EVA flies a more traditional-looking jet to Chicago, passengers from O’Hare will still get the full complement of onboard amenities.
EVA AIR
Can you use points to book the EVA Air Hello Kitty plane?
If you’re hoping to book a seat on the EVA Air Hello Kitty jet, using points is a great way to save money.
To do this, one option is to transfer flexible credit card rewards to the EVA Air Infinity MileageLands program. You can transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to the program at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer Capital One miles to EVA, but at a reduced 4:3 ratio.
Find Star Alliance award space
There’s another option if you’re not a Capital One or Citi ThankYou member: Find award space on one of EVA’s partners in the global Star Alliance. It includes a host of carriers, from United Airlines and Air Canada in North America to other popular airline programs like Avianca LifeMiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
EVA AIR
With just a quick search, I found economy-class redemptions on the EVA Hello Kitty flight through Air Canada Aeroplan starting as low as 50,000 points, one-way.
AIR CANADA
I also found one-way economy redemptions starting at just 47,000 miles through Avianca LifeMiles.
Plus, right now, there are some lucrative credit card welcome offers that could help give you a leg up with your redemption, including Chase’s Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Between now and Sept. 5, new cardholders can earn up to 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
EVA Air’s 777 is laid out in a three-cabin configuration featuring lie-flat business-class pods, premium economy recliners and well over 200 seats in the main cabin.
Existing variations of the Hello Kitty-themed aircraft include the “Bad Badtz-Maru Travel Fun” aircraft flying on EVA’s route from Taipei to Clark in the Philippines. Its “Celebration Flight” and “Joyful Dream” aircraft alternate service on the Bali and Cebu, Philippines, routes.
Want to double-check that you’re actually booking a flight on the Hello Kitty plane? The airline offers more details on that on this page.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Wherever the Hello Kitty aircraft flies, it draws global interest from fans and travelers, Andrew Su, executive vice president of EVA Air and head of the carrier’s North America operations, said.
“It is very successful to draw attention from the public,” Su told TPG. “There’s a lot of people, especially parents with their children, they try to find the Kitty jet, traveling especially in summer, in the winter, and are so excited to get on the aircraft.”
Can cool and conglomerate coexist — let alone thrive — when it comes to edgy lifestyle brands and multibillion-dollar hotel parent companies?
Hyatt and Standard International will be the latest test over whether lifestyle hotels can flourish post-acquisition, following Hyatt’s earlier takeovers of Dream Hotel Group and Two Roads Hospitality (which delivered the company brands like Thompson Hotels and Alila).
Competitors like Hilton acquired lifestyle hotel brands Graduate and NoMad in the last year, Accor took a majority stake in lifestyle hotel group Ennismore (owner of The Hoxton) in 2021, while IHG Hotels & Resorts made a splash in 2015 when it acquired Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants — seen as the originator of the boutique-turned-lifestyle hotel concept.
Lifestyle brands are a lot like celebrities: Their star power can grow brighter just as fast as they fade out. But whereas brands like W and Kimpton may have hit a few stumbles here and there in terms of maintaining their star wattage, Standard continues to high kick and grab headlines 25 years after first opening in West Hollywood.
Hyatt’s upcoming Standard acquisition includes The Standard, The StandardX, Bunkhouse Hotels, The Peri Hotel and The Manner brands, which have a global presence (some more than others). While you’ll be waiting a bit for these brands to integrate into the World of Hyatt network, here’s what you need to know about each of the upcoming brands entering the Hyatt ecosystem.
The Standard
The Standard Hua Hin in Thailand. THE STANDARD/FACEBOOK
It’s probably insulting to consider Standard International’s cooler-than-cool namesake brand the “grand dame” of the whole enterprise. Everyone from Madonna to Billie Eilish continues to show up to perform or just hang out in the brand’s The Standard, High Line, location in Manhattan — so this isn’t exactly like any of its soon-to-be-siblings in the Hyatt orbit elsewhere in New York City. The Standard is the pinnacle of the lifestyle hotel orbit, as its bars like Le Bain and restaurants like The Standard Grill are buzzed about just as much, if not more so, than the guest rooms upstairs.
But this is a lifestyle hotel concept that extends beyond its High Line and East Village branches in New York City. While the original West Hollywood location is no longer, there are currently eight options to check in at a Standard around the world. The brand’s colorful aesthetic wins over global jet setters, from London and Miami to Bangkok. Additional Standard hotels are in the works for cities like Singapore, Lisbon and Dublin.
Each Standard property comes with a hefty bar and restaurant line-up that each seems to have a simple requirement: Be the hottest ticket in town. Rooms and suites are unpretentious, albeit on the more luxurious end of the lifestyle hotel spectrum. Standard staff are also part of the draw — acting like your new best friend in an exotic locale. If you ask me, Hyatt’s finally hitting the mark in its wave of lifestyle hotel brand acquisitions with The Standard brand alone, as these hotels are significantly better maintained than some of the older Dream Hotels I’ve frequented.
The Standard High Line is known for its NYC views. STANDARD HIGH LINE
The StandardX
One of Standard’s newest offerings is The StandardX, a “rebellious younger sibling” that acts to The Standard what Tommie is to Thompson Hotels. This more affordable brand debuted in Melbourne, Australia, this year and has global growth ambitions for distinct, cultural neighborhoods around the world.
“[The StandardX hotels] will be in neighborhoods that we think fit this new brand,” Standard International CEO Amber Asher said in an interview with TPG earlier this year. “We’re not creating the brand just to grow it. We’re creating the brand for the opportunity to be in a neighborhood and to explore things in a different way.”
The rooftop at the StandardX, Melbourne. STANDARD INTERNATIONAL
While StandardX has a similar vibe as its older sibling, guests should expect a more streamlined experience at a more affordable nightly rate. Therefore, expect cozier rooms — albeit roomier than what you’d find at competitors like Marriott’s Moxy or Ennismore’s The Hoxton — and bars and restaurants that blend in with the surrounding neighborhood. Introductory rates at The StandardX in Melbourne started at $168 per night.
Ahead of the StandardX brand launch, Asher specifically pointed to areas like Brooklyn, East Austin in Texas, Shoreditch in London as strong fits for The StandardX. The official next property — The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit — is slated for Bangkok’s old town neighborhood. Cities that might not be able to handle The Standard’s nightly rates could also be good contenders for The StandardX.
A room inside the StandardX, Melbourne. STANDARD HOTELS
The Peri Hotel
Standard International fans in Asia have an “approachable and family-friendly style” brand just for them with The Peri Hotel, which currently operates in two locations in Thailand. The brand is leisure-oriented for the time being with its locations in the beach destination of Hua Hin and near Khao Yai National Park. But the first urban Peri is slated to open soon in Bangkok, per the Standard International website.
Guests can expect simple, clean, colorful designs in guest rooms. Amenities include specialty bars and restaurants that reflect the local surroundings (surf lodge vibes in Hua Hin compared to a mountain lodge aesthetic in Khao Yai).
To price shop: Entry-level nightly rates at the Peri Hotel in Hua Hin averaged around $64 next month, while those at the Standard, Hua Hin (one of the most affordable in The Standard network), started at $94.
Bunkhouse Hotels
The dining room at Ocho, within San Antonio’s Hotel Havana. BUNKHOUSE/FACEBOOK
One of the more surprising growth drivers at Standard International is from a brand you might not be familiar with. Bunkhouse Hotels is the company’s platform of smaller hotels in states like Texas, California and Kentucky as well as Mexico. These smaller lifestyle hotels range from motel conversions to trendy boutique hotels in markets that maybe can’t quite handle a full-scale Standard — but still like to party.
“There are these amazing cultural elements to a lot of little cities that perhaps are not those gateway markets,” Asher told me in an interview last summer. “A lot of the creative classes moved into those cities where life can be a little bit less high stress, so it’s a huge opportunity.”
“I think one of the biggest white spaces is and continues to be operating smaller hotels because there are so many independently owned hotels, whether it’s family-owned hotels in Asia or anywhere in the U.S.,” Asher said.
The Manner
Not yet open but still generating plenty of buzz is The Manner, an upcoming luxury concept Standard is opening in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. Details are light at the moment, but the company development website notes the brand ethos “embodies the generosity, discretion and effortlessness of staying with friends in New York’s most stylish neighborhood” — that is, staying with a friend with a knack for chic design.
A Women’s Wear Daily feature on the soon-to-open hotel notes The Manner is meant to be the grown-up sibling to The Standard, so expect a more refined vibe with greater attention to detail and service. The property will feature guests-only spaces for cocktails and rooftop coffee but also feature restaurants open to the public.
How this all plays into Hyatt and beyond
There is an industry sentiment these days that smaller, buzzworthy hotel brands like Standard International all feel a sense of inevitability in terms of getting swallowed up by bigger conglomerates like Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott. But what happens after the dust settles is still a tad murky.
Industry cynics will say these big conglomerates are where cool goes to die. However, newly acquired lifestyle brands are increasingly being given autonomy, as some of these hotel parent companies appear to recognize they need a different creative approach to maintain brand appeal.
Standard has more brands to absorb than some of the other lifestyle players, so it will be interesting to see if Hyatt maintains all of these or if some get swallowed up by soft brands like JdV by Hyatt and the Unbound Collection.
In the meantime, it will be intriguing to see what happens over the next few years outside the walls of the major hotel groups.
Is everyone just waiting to get gobbled up and tap into major loyalty networks? Or, perhaps a next generation of Ian Schrager and Bill Kimpton-esque hoteliers emerge to seize an opportunity to fill in the void.
Always wanted to see Antarctica? Holland America Line this week unveiled an unusual new option for getting there.
The Seattle-based line announced an epic sailing to the White Continent that begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — a port thousands of miles away from the typical jumping-off points for Antarctica cruises in Argentina and Chile.
Kicking off Jan. 25, 2025, the 47-night voyage will take place on the line’s 1,432-passenger Volendam and is a segment of a longer pole-to-pole world cruise that Holland America has been selling since April 2023.
Like that longer voyage, the shortened segment is unusual in that it will allow Americans to get from the United States to Antarctica without taking a long international flight.
For people in and near Florida who can drive to Fort Lauderdale, it’ll be accessible without stepping on a plane of any sort.
That said, there is one big caveat for flight-avoiders: You’ll still need an international flight to return to the U.S. at the voyage’s conclusion. The cruise ends March 13, 2025, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From Florida to Antarctica
The newly announced cruise — one of several shorter segments of the previously announced pole-to-pole cruise that Holland America has opened for bookings — will begin with stops at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; Santa Marta, Colombia; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, as Volendam heads southward toward the Panama Canal.
After passing westward through the canal, the ship will head southward along the coasts of Central and South America for more than three weeks, with multiple stops in Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
This portion of the trip will include an extensive exploration of the Patagonia region and Chilean Fjords on the west coast of Chile.
From there, Voledam will sail across the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America to reach Punta Arenas, Chile, and then Ushuaia, Argentina — the two main jumping-off points for voyages to Antarctica.
Two more days crossing the famously rough Drake Passage will finally bring Volendam to Antarctica, where it will spend four days sailing along the ice- and mountain-lined coast.
Unlike on an expedition cruise to Antarctica on a small expedition vessel, passengers will not land on the continent. But passengers will be able to view the scenic coastline from the outer decks of the ship.
From Antarctica, Volendam will head up the east coast of Argentina to Buenos Aires. The final stops before reaching Buenos Aires will include the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina and Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
Montevideo, Uruguay, is also on the schedule as the ship heads northward.
Fares for the segment start at $9,684 per person, including all taxes and fees — or about $206 per person, per day.
The network shakeup continues at Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled nearly a dozen new routes Tuesday, each of which will launch this fall.
Among the new routes are the carrier’s fourth and fifth nonstop destinations from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Prior to this summer, the carrier had never served this airport.
Frontier is also returning to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) for the first time since last year and to Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C., for the first time since 2021.
Dulles International Airport (IAD). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
In all, the carrier’s latest network adjustment affects 15 cities across the country.
It’s the latest in a monthslong overhaul during which Frontier has embarked on an effort to boost profitability.
After adding well over 100 new routes so far earlier this year and eliminating dozens more, the carrier is shifting its fall schedule to primarily focus on the busiest days of the week for leisure travel — including deep cuts to its Tuesday and Wednesday flying.
Even with reductions in overall midweek flying, many of the new routes announced this week do include either daily service or several weekly round trips, including on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The carrier did not make any cuts in conjunction with Tuesday’s announcement, a Frontier spokesperson told TPG.
Frontier’s 11 new routes
Here’s the full rundown of Frontier’s 11 new routes:
Route
Launches
Frequency
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Oct. 11
Three weekly round trips (last flew in 2019)
ATL to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Nov. 4
Daily (last flew in 2020)
ATL to IAD
Nov. 14
Daily
BUR to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Nov. 21
Four weekly round trips (last flew in 2022)
BUR to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Nov. 21
Daily
BUR to Denver International Airport (DEN)
Nov. 22
Daily (last flew in 2022)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
Oct. 12
Weekly (last flew in 2021)
IAD to Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Nov. 14
Four weekly round trips (last flew in 2021)
JFK to MCO
Oct. 27
Daily
JFK to Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Oct. 27
Daily
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Oct. 11
Three weekly round trips
What to know about these new routes
Though Frontier doesn’t fly any of these 11 routes currently, the carrier has flown a number of them in the past, as noted above. In several cases, Frontier last operated the nonstop service in 2022 or earlier.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
With the exception of Cincinnati-to-Sarasota, each of these new routes touches a major hub of the “Big Three” U.S. network carriers. This aligns with a strategy Frontier deployed this year that focuses less on stalwart leisure travel destinations and more on travelers flying between big cities to visit friends and relatives.
With respect to the Washington, D.C., region, Frontier has been absent from Dulles in recent years; the carrier already serves Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Meanwhile, this latest route announcement continues the carrier’s fast growth in 2024 at ATL — the world’s busiest airport — and in CVG, where it recently established a crew base.
If you’re flying with Frontier, be sure to sign up for its Frontier Miles loyalty program to start earning miles and perks. The carrier’s revamped program, with new benefits and elite status tiers, rolled out earlier this year.
Yet another giant new Royal Caribbean ship is on the way. Maybe three.
The world’s largest cruise line on Tuesday ordered a fourth vessel for its new Icon Class series — the world’s largest cruise ships.
As part of the order, with the Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku, Royal Caribbean also got options for two more vessels in the series that could be built at a later date.
The agreement with Meyer Turku calls for the fourth Icon Class ship to be completed and ready to sail in 2027.
Meyer Turku built the original ship in the Icon Class series — the much-ballyhooed, seven-month-old Icon of the Seas. It’s also building the second ship in the series, Star of the Seas. That vessel is due to begin sailing in 2025.
A third as-yet-unnamed Icon Class ship also is on order from the Meyer Turku shipyard for delivery to Royal Caribbean in 2026.
“Building on the incredible momentum and market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas and the excitement for its sister ship, Star of the Seas, coming in 2025, we’re thrilled to join with Meyer Turku once again to expand our roster of Icon Class ships and continue our future growth plans,” Royal Caribbean Group president and CEO Jason Liberty said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
“Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance,” Liberty added.
The world’s largest cruise ship?
Royal Caribbean didn’t say just how big the new Icon Class ship would be. But the line has a history of building ever-bigger vessels as it rolls out new series of ships.
Every vessel in the line’s seven-ship Oasis Class series, which is still rolling out, has been at least a little bigger than its predecessor. The Oasis Class ships were the world’s biggest vessels until the debut of Icon of the Seas.
At 248,663 gross tons, Icon of the Seas is the current size leader in the cruise world. It was nearly 6% bigger than the biggest ship at sea when it debuted in January. That ship, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, measures 235,600 gross tons.
Icon of the Seas, notably, can carry up to 7,600 passengers — a new record for a passenger ship. That’s about 7% higher than the maximum capacity of the biggest ships that came before.
Add in 2,350 crew, and it can sail at times with nearly 10,000 people on board — a new all-time record for a ship.
The bigger passenger capacity is partly due to the ship’s greater focus on family travelers. Icon of the Seas was built with a lot more cabins that have plenty of extra bunks to accommodate families with many children. It also has more amenities geared toward families. This includes a new-for-the-line outdoor “neighborhood” called Surfside dedicated to families with young children.
Royal Caribbean on Tuesday didn’t reveal what features the newly ordered Icon Class vessel would have, but it’ll likely be similar to Icon of the Seas with a few new twists. That’s typical for ships built in the same series.
In a recent conference call with Wall Street analysts, Royal Caribbean executives said Icon of the Seas had been sailing at record-setting levels of occupancy since it first debuted.
Royal Caribbean is just the latest cruise line to order giant new ships in recent months as the cruise industry booms. Cruise giant Carnival ordered three massive new vessels just last month. The parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line ordered four big ships for that brand in April as well as four ships for sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
Chase has been operating an exclusive lounge at the U.S. Open in Queens, New York, at Flushing Meadows venue for 13 years now. In fact, its presence at the U.S. Open was its first real lounge product before its now-famous Chase airport lounges.
For the third open in a row, this year Chase has brought back its outdoor terrace where you can watch tennis with a bird’s-eye view of the courts and sip a cocktail in style.
There’s also a cool Chase ATM dispensing swag, a photo-op for tennis fans of all shapes and sizes, and stations where you can borrow phone chargers. Even if you can’t get into the main lounge, there are plenty of activities to enjoy
Chase invited TPG back to the U.S. Open again for 2024 to check out all the venues.
Here’s what it’s like to visit the various Chase experiences.
Chase Lounge at the US Open
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
One of the hottest tickets at the Open is the Chase Lounge. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for day sessions and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for evening sessions. It will remain open during the US Open through Sept 8 and can be found on the second floor of the Chase Center.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Among the amenities (if you can get a coveted spot) are air conditioning and lots of space to take a load off and cool off.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Inside, there are lots of places to chill between matches, plus food and drinks and other fun things to do and see. Upon entering, you’ll find yourself in a large space with several connected rooms.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll find various seating areas and interesting views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The restrooms are nice, and they didn’t have lines when I was there, which is always a bonus.
I loved the broadcast center that will feature live ESPN moments during the U.S. Open.
Friendly workers are on hand to help serve drinks or just welcome you in and I found everyone eager to help.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
There was fresh fruit and coffee (both cold and hot by Lavazza) the morning I was there. There was also free lemonade, iced tea and ice water. You won’t be able to get a full meal here, but it will give you a little fuel on the go.
There are also complimentary light bites like fruit cups and pastries in the morning, soft drinks and a good selection of alcoholic beverages — though those are not free. Domestic beer is $15 and Heineken is $15.50. Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Daou Rosé and Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc are all $19. Cocktails from Grey Goose or Dobe Ace start at $21.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Be sure to grab a free Chase-branded baseball cap, a pair of socks or a tote bag, and head to the back of the lounge to get your name embroidered on it when you arrive.
It’s a fun swag moment, though be prepared for a line. You can pick up the item later on a rack out front.
The lounge wasn’t totally packed when I was there this time, but as you can see from the photos from 2023, it can get crowded.
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How to get in to the Chase Lounge at the U.S. Open
To access U.S. Open benefits as a Chase cardholder, you need reservations or to join the waitlist at ChaseGetsYouCloser.com.
U.S. Open 2024 reservations page. CHASE.COM
Unfortunately, reservations were not easy to get even if you tried to sign up for the first day they were available. Most folks get added to a waitlist instead. Chase representatives said they have been able to open the lounge to some on the waitlist, but you shouldn’t count on it. Hopefully, you’ll get lucky and get a spot.
Once you check in and enter the lounge, you’ll receive a wristband that allows you to enter, leave and reenter the lounge. However, it’s capacity-controlled, so you may need to wait for reentry if the lounge is at capacity.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
The lounge is right inside the East Gate entrance of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It’s not far from the entrance you would use if taking the subway or the Long Island Rail Road.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Fortunately, it’s not the only opportunity for Chase cardholders to have that VIP feeling at the tournament.
Chase Terrace at the US Open
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I actually preferred the Chase Terrace to the Chase Lounge since it was out in the open air and had incredible views of several tennis courts. Of course, it wasn’t too hot when I was there, so your experience may differ.
Access is on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively for Chase cardholders.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll check in on the ground floor, get a bracelet and walk upstairs. The Chase Terrace will be on your left.
The terrace sits on an outdoor hospitality area with sweeping views of three tennis courts and a few cash bars. The bleachers allow folks to sit and watch the matches. Complimentary lemonade, iced tea and water is available here as well.
There’s a full bar here, with mixed drinks for purchase. Among the offerings is a Grey Goose Honey Deuce for $23, or you can get a 20% discount on the signature drink from Chase partner Dobel Ace — the Dobel Spicy Margarita for $17.60.
There’s also a refreshment stand with grab-and-go snacks like Skinny Pop popcorn.
One other very popular feature was the IHG cobranded amenities bar.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Guests can pick one treat from the bar, including a fan, hand sanitizer, Evian face mist or even fancy La Roche-Posay sunblock.
There are also several shaded areas set up with soft-cushioned lounge chairs. Last year, I heard one woman say she really felt like a VIP in the space. Indeed, I would have been happy to spend a few hours here.
You do not need to make a reservation to enter the terrace, and it does not close between day and evening sessions. It’s open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Again, it’s a great spot to watch a match or two.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Flash your Chase card for free swag
On the way to the Chase Terrace entrance are a few more Chase-branded areas, including the “Magic ATM” which dispenses swag instead of money. Among the prizes are fanny packs, sunglasses, fans, seat upgrades and more.’
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
There was also a great feature that lets you pretend you just won the U.S. Open. We had TPG’s Caroline Tanner try it out, and there were smiles all around.
Chase charging centers
Another cool feature from Chase is the charging centers, where you can text a code to Chase and get a fully charged power bank to keep your mobile phone going all day. A charger pops out once you’ve texted the number on the screen. Once you are done, you are asked to drop it off at one of the multiple big blue mailbox-looking stations all over the grounds. You’ll find these charging centers all over the U.S. Open campus and at the main lounge.
Chase Sapphire at Seaport
If you can’t make it to Queens but want a little taste of the experience, Chase created another lounge on the rooftop of Pier 17 in Manhattan’s Seaport neighborhood. The lounge offers seasonal cocktails, exclusive menu items, a dedicated seating area, games and charging stations. You’ll need to show your Reserve card to enter.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge at The Seaport is located at 19 Fulton Street in New York City.
Chase also offers concerts and other events during the summer at Pier 17 in Manhattan, including a live recording session with Tennis Hall of Fame member Andy Roddick on Aug. 28, 2024. Go to Chase’s events website for tickets
There’s a lot to do at the U.S. Open, even if you don’t have tickets to any actual matches. There are sponsored venues galore, and you can access some cool free extra perks if you’re a Chase customer.
Reservations are sold out for the Chase Lounge, but you can put yourself on the waitlist. In my opinion, though, the Chase Terrace is the real gem. It allows you to get close to the tennis action even if you can’t score tickets to a match or get into the Chase Lounge.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
World of Hyatt is one of the few hotel loyalty programs that still has award charts. Although World of Hyatt uses dynamic pricing for Mr & Mrs Smith properties, it still publishes and uses fixed award charts for its others. The program also maintains different award charts for all-inclusive resorts and Miraval resorts.
Hyatt implemented peak and off-peak pricing in October 2021. So award nights can vary in cost slightly for a specific property depending on whether your stay is peak, standard or off-peak. Let’s take a closer look at each of the Hyatt award charts.
Standard rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts
Here’s the current Hyatt award chart for booking standard rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts (excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith properties):
Hotel category
Off-peak points per night
Standard points per night
Peak points per night
1
3,500
5,000
6,500
2
6,500
8,000
9,500
3
9,000
12,000
15,000
4
12,000
15,000
18,000
5
17,000
20,000
23,000
6
21,000
25,000
29,000
7
25,000
30,000
35,000
8
35,000
40,000
45,000
You can also book a Points + Cash option at some properties. With Points + Cash, you pay 50% of the points required based on the chart above and get 50% to 70% off the standard rate for the room type you’re booking.
You can book standard awards, including Points + Cash awards, online. When these rates are available, you’ll see them when you check the “Use Points” box before searching.
You can book club rooms at some Hyatt hotels and resorts for slightly more points than standard rooms. Club rooms provide access to the hotel’s club lounge, which typically offers complimentary breakfast, snacks, drinks and appetizers.
Here’s the Hyatt award chart for club rooms at Hyatt hotels and resorts (again, excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr & Mrs Smith properties):
Hotel category
Off-peak points per night
Standard points per night
Peak points per night
1
5,500
7,000
8,500
2
10,500
12,000
13,500
3
14,000
17,000
20,000
4
18,000
21,000
24,000
5
24,000
27,000
30,000
6
29,000
33,000
37,000
7
34,000
39,000
44,000
8
45,000
50,000
55,000
When available, you can book club rooms online using points. Check the “Use Points” box and look past the standard room awards listed under the “Rooms” tab on the results page.
You can also book suites using Hyatt points. Here’s the award chart for booking standard suites and premium suites at Hyatt hotels and resorts (again, excluding all-inclusive resorts, Miraval resorts and Mr. & Mrs. Smith properties) that offer these room types:
Hotel category
Off-peak points per night
Standard points per night
Peak points per night
1
6,500 (standard suite)
7,000 (premium suite)
8,000 (standard suite)
10,000 (premium suite)
9,500 (standard suite)
13,000 (premium suite)
2
11,500 (standard suite)
13,000 (premium suite)
13,000 (standard suite)
16,000 (premium suite)
14,500 (standard suite)
19,000 (premium suite)
3
17,000 (standard suite)
18,000 (premium suite)
20,000 (standard suite)
24,000 (premium suite)
23,000 (standard suite)
30,000 (premium suite)
4
21,000 (standard suite)
24,000 (premium suite)
24,000 (standard suite)
30,000 (premium suite)
27,000 (standard suite)
36,000 (premium suite)
5
29,000 (standard suite)
34,000 (premium suite)
32,000 (standard suite)
40,000 (premium suite)
35,000 (standard suite)
46,000 (premium suite)
6
36,000 (standard suite)
42,000 (premium suite)
40,000 (standard suite)
50,000 (premium suite)
44,000 (standard suite)
58,000 (premium suite)
7
43,000 (standard suite)
50,000 (premium suite)
48,000 (standard suite)
60,000 (premium suite)
53,000 (standard suite)
70,000 (premium suite)
8
56,000 (standard suite)
70,000 (premium suite)
61,000 (standard suite)
80,000 (premium suite)
66,000 (standard suite)
90,000 (premium suite)
You can also use the Points + Cash feature when booking suites. As with standard rooms, the Points + Cash rate allows you to pay 50% of the points required for a free night and get 50% to 70% off the standard rate for the suite type you’re booking.
You can book suites online using Hyatt points, but you must contact Hyatt to book one using Points + Cash.
You can redeem Hyatt points for room upgrades on paid stays at some hotels and resorts. Here’s how many Hyatt points you’ll need to redeem for each upgrade type:
Club upgrade: 3,000 points per night
Standard suite upgrade: 6,000 points per night
Premium suite upgrade: 9,000 points per night
You can book new stays online but must contact Hyatt to upgrade an existing paid stay using points. You may need to meet minimum room type and rate requirements to upgrade your reservation. You’ll usually need to pay the standard rate for at least a deluxe room at Hyatt resorts and a standard room at a hotel that is not a resort.
Hyatt’s award night rate only includes two people at all-inclusive resorts. So, as you can see in the following chart, you’ll need to use more points if you plan to bring a third or fourth person to your Hyatt all-inclusive award stay.
All-inclusive category
Off-peak points per person for the third or fourth guest
Standard points per person for the third or fourth guest
Peak points per person for the third or fourth guest
A
6,500
7,500
8,500
B
8,500
10,000
11,500
C
10,500
12,500
14,500
D
13,000
15,000
17,000
E
17,000
20,000
23,000
F
22,000
25,000
29,000
Based on the points cost for additional guests, a family of four might prefer redeeming Hyatt points for two rooms with two guests each instead of one room with four guests.
Every award night at Miraval includes meals, snacks, a $175 resort credit per person, fitness classes and wellness activities. You can book the Berkshires location online, but you’ll need to contact Hyatt to book stays at the other locations with points. Points + Cash rates are available at Miraval properties as well.
If you frequently stay with Hyatt, remember you can select a Miraval extra night award through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program at the 100-, 110-, 120-, 130-, 140- and 150-night milestones.
Miraval Austin yoga barn. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Frequently asked questions
How many Hyatt points do you need for a free night?
You need 3,500 Hyatt points to book an off-peak award night in a standard room at a Category 1 Hyatt property. However, an off-peak Category 1 night could cost just 1,750 Hyatt points plus a cash copay if you book a Points + Cash rate.
What is a Hyatt point worth?
Based on TPG’s August 2024 valuations, a Hyatt point is worth 1.7 cents.
The World of Hyatt award chart can be overwhelming since you can book multiple room types with points, each costing a different amount. Plus, you’ll need to redeem different point amounts for peak, standard and off-peak nights. However, this can be good once you get a handle on the award charts. You can still find great value even if you prefer to stick to the low end of the Hyatt award chart.
