If you planned and budgeted for a cruise but suddenly found out it would cost you double what you expected, would you still go? That’s what most solo cruisers experience nearly every time they try to book a cruise. Cruise lines levy a fee called a single supplement on travelers looking to sail solo in a cabin intended for a couple.
It’s not fair, but there is a reason for the extra charge. Here, I’ll cover what a single supplement is, why cruise lines levy the hefty charges and what you can do to try to avoid them the next time you sail by yourself.
What is a single supplement on a cruise?
Nearly all cruise cabins are designed to accommodate at least two people. Unlike hotel rooms, pricing is per person, not per room, and fares are based on double occupancy. A single supplement is an added fee that cruise lines charge solo passengers when they book cabins meant for two or more people.
Because cruise lines generate much of their revenue from onboard purchases, they charge single supplements to compensate for the fact that only one person will be sailing in your cabin instead of two. With only one person in that room, the cruise line misses out on the potential revenue a second person would generate with onboard spending for things like shore excursions, alcohol, spa treatments and casino play. The supplement is an effort by the line to offset the financial loss anticipated when fewer people sail.
How much is a single supplement on a cruise?
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Generally, single supplements are 100% of the per-person fare. If you’re cruising alone in a cabin meant for more than one person, you can expect to pay double the price you see listed for any given cabin — your fare and the fare for the missing person who isn’t sharing a cabin with you on your voyage.
The only silver lining is that you won’t have to pay double the taxes and fees. You’ll pay those for yourself only, even if you’re cruising solo.
Do you have to pay a single supplement on a cruise ship?
That’s up to your cruise line, but you should expect to pay a single supplement any time you cruise by yourself in a room meant for more than one person.
Some cruise lines will offer limited-time sales with a reduced single supplement, only 25% or 50% of the second cruise fare, rather than the full amount. You’d still have to pay, but the cost would be less.
How can you avoid single supplements on a cruise?
As solo cruising gains popularity, many mainstream cruise lines have added cabins for one to their newest vessels. Solo cabins are priced higher than per-person double-occupancy rates, but they are still almost always less expensive than paying a single supplement.
Other ways to save include shopping for deals. During key times of the year, such as Black Friday and wave season, some cruise lines might waive the single supplement completely for bookings made within a certain window. You can also ask your travel agent to keep you posted on any single-specific promotions that pop up.
You might also want to consider booking through a charter company that runs voyages geared toward solo travelers. Sometimes, they can match you with a roommate so you can split costs and avoid single supplements.
If you like to use your points to stay at Disney World, there’s a new player in town: the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa, located at Disney Springs.
Thanks to a recent $25 million rebrand and renovation that involved the lobby, guest rooms and more, what was formerly known as the B Resort & Spa now has a fresh look and feel and is returning as the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa. This means there is now another option for using your Marriott points while staying on Disney property and enjoying some Disney-related perks, as this property is an official Disney hotel.
As an Orlando area local who is always looking for some well-located and value-oriented places to stay when I want to crash at the parks, I decided to take a peek at this property a few weeks ago. Here’s what it’s like.
Your hotel is either on Disney property or it isn’t, and given Orlando’s traffic, it’s ideal to be within the park. So it’s especially nice that the Renaissance Orlando sits on the aptly named Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Disney Springs resort area. This area features six other hotels from major chains, including Hilton, Drury Hotels, Holiday Inn and Wyndham, so you really have your pick of some budget-friendly and points-friendly options here.
If you plan to visit Disney Springs on your trip, the hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Disney Springs shopping and dining area. While this is convenient, I’m unsure if I would want to take this walk on the same day that I had a long stretch of walking in the parks; you can always take the resort’s complimentary bus transportation instead.
Disney Springs. MADISON BLANCAFLOR/THE POINTS GUY
What it’s like inside Renaissance Orlando
During my stay a few weeks ago, it was clear that Renaissance Orlando had indeed had a makeover since its former life as the B Resort.
Like most of the other Disney Springs hotels, this one doesn’t have all-immersive Disney theming, but it does have a notably Floridian vibe with palm leaves, wood accents and subtle tropical character.
There was a cute little cafe in the lobby where I was able to grab a quick breakfast consisting of an iced latte and pastry, and it was also stocked with other grab-and-go options like fruit, cereal and granola bars — ideal for some quick energy during longer park days. While I didn’t have time to dine here on this trip, I’ll note that there is also the American Kitchen Bar & Grill that’s open for sit-down breakfast, lunch and dinner.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
When it comes to the rooms, I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness and some of the bright, modern design elements of my 11th-floor room, which overlooked the resort’s pool.
LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY
The room’s features would likely suit the needs of anyone going on a Disney vacation. It had a good air-conditioning system that kept it quite cool, deep drawers for ample storage, plenty of standard power outlets for charging electronics, portable fans and a decent-sized closet.
There were also a mini fridge and a coffeemaker, both of which were basic but functional. The bathroom was also an impressive size for a budget-friendly hotel, with a large shower and refillable tubes of Aveda shampoo, conditioner and bodywash that smelled absolutely delightful.
The room did feel like it was recently outfitted with some new decor and furnishings — rather than being a whole new build — and they were perfectly serviceable and comfortable.
Disney-related perks of staying at the Renaissance Orlando
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to proximity to Disney Springs and included shuttle service to the parks, staying at a Disney Springs hotel such as Renaissance Orlando means that you get access to Early Entry into the four Disney World theme parks 30 minutes early every day. This can be a great way to get a quick start on your day and knock out a few rides while the wait times are lower.
Best way to book Renaissance Orlando
Since this is a Marriott hotel, you can easily earn or redeem points for your stay.
The standard base room rates often range from $149 to $189 per night, with suites for larger parties in the $400 to $450 range. I was able to snag my August one-night stay on the lower end of the spectrum at $159. It is important to note that there was a daily $45 resort fee on top of the room rate. This included Disney perks like the shuttle service to Disney Springs and Disney theme parks.
In addition, there was an overnight self-parking fee of $25. These extra costs increased the true cost of my one-night stay from $159 to $256.14, with taxes included.
If you want to book using Marriott points, you can often expect to use 30,000 to 40,000 points, which is a pretty solid deal for a Walt Disney World vacation, if you ask me.
My quick one-night stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa at Disney Springs actually impressed me.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
If your idea of a Disney vacation includes waking up directly in the heart of a themed resort, you may find the Renaissance’s more subdued contemporary theme less immersive. It’s also not the best choice if you want superdeluxe accommodations or an expansive pool area for you or your kids to enjoy during your downtime (the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a top nearby points-friendly pick for a fab pool).
However, if you want to balance booking a points-friendly hotel and location and get early entry each day into the Disney parks, the Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs will provide you with the best of those worlds.
Editor’s note: This is a reccurring post, regularly updated with new information.
No place in the United States puts on a more breathtaking display of changing fall foliage than New England — particularly the region’s densely forested, ruggedly mountainous interior. Here, you’ll find vast forests of the trees best known for their eye-popping color: Maple trees lead the charge, but beech, birch, oak, elm, ash and willow trees also stand out for their dazzling plumage.
This New England road trip lazily meanders along country roads, crossing New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Vermont’s Green Mountains, the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts and the Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut.
Although this trip abounds with brilliant shades of crimson, rust, mustard and chestnut in autumn, it still offers unparalleled beauty, sophisticated dining and lodging, and a bounty of cultural diversions the rest of the year.
Planning advice
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
Best start and end points
This trip is lovely no matter which direction you decide to follow.
Begin in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on Lake Winnipesaukee and loop up through Vermont; then, zigzag your way south into western Massachusetts and end in Litchfield, Connecticut. Or, do this drive in reverse. Either way, flying into one of the several airports in southern New England allows you to drive a loop, thereby avoiding one-way car rental fees.
Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, is a relatively compact, user-friendly facility that’s served by most major domestic airlines. It’s less than an hour from Litchfield and 3 1/2 hours from Wolfeboro.
Another easy option is the even smaller Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). It’s just over an hour from Wolfeboro and about three hours from Litchfield. It’s served by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines.
The region’s largest facility, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), is about two hours from Wolfeboro. It offers countless direct flights, but it also tends to have higher car rental rates and requires contending with Boston’s notorious traffic.
Something of a sleeper choice, northern Vermont’s Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) also sits directly along the route. It’s easy to navigate and is served by most major airlines (minus Southwest and JetBlue). However, it has fewer flights per day and, generally, slightly higher fares.
When to go for peak foliage viewing
The region’s foliage begins changing color earliest in northern New Hampshire and Vermont in mid-September, with the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills typically peaking closer to early October.
If you’re short on time and want the biggest bang for your buck, a good strategy is to spend the bulk of your trip in Vermont and New Hampshire during the last week of September or the first week of October.
If you have a week or more, start in New Hampshire the first week of October and gradually make your way south. You’ll encounter plenty of color up north, and you’ll continue to experience amazing color in the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills if you pass through these areas the second week of October.
Keep in mind that you will encounter steep airfare, as well as higher car-rental rates and hotel prices, during the fall foliage season.
When to visit for outdoor adventure
Thinking about making this trip during another time of year? The whole region is absolutely stunning in summer and even in late spring, a period hugely popular for hiking, boating and other outdoorsy activities. So, these periods are also considered high season price-wise.
Much of interior New England is popular for skiing and snowboarding from December through March, as well. Outside of ski areas, though, businesses sometimes shut down or reduce hours during this period, and winter driving can be treacherous. The post-foliage shoulder season (roughly mid-October through November) is a great time for scoring bargains and can still be quite beautiful — and snowy at high elevations.
Times to avoid
Whatever you do, avoid the wet, muddy early spring months of April and May (especially in Vermont and New Hampshire), which are prone to unpredictable weather and biting black flies.
Time needed to drive the route
Give yourself no fewer than five days and as many as 10 to complete this full itinerary. If you only have time for a long weekend, focus on a portion of the trip — Litchfield County and the Berkshires are easy to explore from the New York City area and Philadelphia corridor. New Hampshire and even parts of the Berkshires and Vermont are pretty accessible for weekend trips from Boston and Montreal.
Wolfeboro to Mount Washington
Mount Washington in New Hampshire is the highest peak in the northeastern U.S. at 6,288 feet. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
Wolfeboro, Alton Bay and Mount Major
Begin your trip on the southeastern shore of the largest lake in New Hampshire — Lake Winnipesaukee — in the tidy, upscale village of Wolfeboro, which has been drawing vacationers since the 1770s.
Fully leaning into its claim as the nation’s oldest resort community, the postcard-perfect town curves around a quiet bay and offers an endearing mix of neatly kept shops, galleries and eateries. The Yum Yum Shop bakery, the Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, Black’s Paper Shop and the Country Bookseller are some highlights.
As you circle counterclockwise around the southern tip of the lake, it’s fun to watch seaplanes take off from narrow Alton Bay. For a relatively easy hike with spectacular lake and forest views, you can make the 3-mile round-trip trek up a series of granite ledges to the top of 1,786-foot-tall Mount Major.
Weirs Beach and Meredith
As you continue up and around Winnipesaukee’s jagged western shore, you’ll encounter the nostalgic, family-friendly amusements of Weirs Beach and the neighboring town of Meredith. Think video arcades, candy and ice cream counters, and hot dog and burger shops. The scene can be fun or grating, depending on your tolerance for hokey diversions. Still, one worthwhile activity this time of year is taking a scenic cruise around the shoreline on the historic M/S Washington.
In Meredith, you’ll encounter a campus of popular hotels and restaurants along the lake’s edge, plus a marina where you can rent kayaks and canoes.
Holderness to Tamworth
Follow U.S. Route 3 to Holderness for a look at the smaller but arguably even more beautiful Squam Lake, which is surrounded by several inviting country inns. The lake is well-known as the filming location of the sentimental Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn movie “On Golden Pond.” Be sure to stroll the nature trails and admire the gardens and animal enclosures of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.
Follow Route 113 east to Tamworth, where you can sample artisan spirits at Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile, explore the offbeat Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm, and watch a performance at the 1931 Barnstormers Theatre (which presents first-rate plays through September).
Route 16 leads north through the eastern side of New Hampshire’s fabled White Mountains, a gorgeous tract of craggy, pristine wilderness that covers about a quarter of the state. It’s home to 48 peaks with elevations greater than 4,000 feet.
If it’s the first week of October, consider making a short detour just a few miles over the Maine border to attend the bustling Fryeburg Fair, a legendary agricultural expo that dates back to 1851.
After creeping through the inevitable traffic of lively (but touristy) North Conway, continue to the utterly charming village of Jackson. Here, you’ll find an Instagram-worthy covered bridge, several excellent country inns and cozy taverns.
Mount Washington
A bit farther north, you’ll come to the tiny town of Glen, the main jumping-off point for exploring lofty Mount Washington. At 6,288 feet, the mountain is the highest peak in the Northeast. Hiking this mammoth promontory is a difficult and extremely vertical undertaking — it’s a little more than 8 miles round-trip via the shortest routes.
Through early November, weather permitting, you can drive to the top via the Mount Washington Auto Road. This 7.6-mile route twists and turns some 4,000 feet up a very narrow road and can be a test of nerves if you’re uneasy about heights. At the top, you can visit the justly named Extreme Mount Washington museum, where the strongest gust of wind ever was recorded by a weather station (231 mph in 1934).
Guided tours up the mountain in custom vans are also available, but be sure to pack extra layers, as snow is a distinct possibility even as early as September.
Where to stay
Steps from Wolfeboro’s lakefront and colorful shops and eateries, the posh Pickering House Inn (rates start at $770 per night) offers the most sophisticated accommodations on Lake Winnipesaukee. Its on-site restaurant, Pavillion Food & Spirits, turns out superb farm-to-table cuisine.
On Winnipesauke’s western shore, the town of Meredith is home to Mill Falls at the Lake (rates start at $194 per night). The resort comprises several distinct lodgings and restaurants, along with an expansive spa.
Up in the eastern White Mountains, the busy town of North Conway has plenty of hotel rooms, from budget chains to rambling Victorian inns. The village of Jackson feels more relaxed and has several upscale lodgings, including The Inn at Thorn Hill (rates start at $130 per night). The 18-room property is a short walk from one of the best dining experiences in New Hampshire: the Thompson House Eatery.
For proximity to Mount Washington, you can’t beat The Glen House (rates start at $334 per night) — a modern, eco-conscious boutique hotel at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road.
Mount Washington to Stowe
Panoramic aerial view of the town of Stowe, Vermont, in the fall. BACKYARDPRODUCTION/GETTY IMAGES
Kancamagus Highway
Return south along Route 16 to the town of Conway, where you’ll cross over into the western side of the White Mountains via the famous Kancamagus Highway (aka Route 112, though most locals simply call it “The Kanc.”).
This tree-lined National Scenic Byway ascends through an alluring stretch of alpine scenery that’s been thankfully protected from any kind of commercial development or road signage. Try to drive this road early on a weekday to avoid heavy leaf-peeping traffic; you can break up the drive with an easy half-mile hike to refreshing Sabbaday Falls.
Lincoln, North Woodstock and Franconia Notch State Park
Route 112 continues west into a couple of family-friendly ski and recreation towns, Lincoln and North Woodstock. Their unabashedly goofy attractions — like the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves — have been delighting kids for generations.
Turn north onto Interstate Highway 93, which soon narrows from a typical freeway into a single scenic lane in each direction as it pierces a deep, lush valley for 8 miles within Franconia Notch State Park. There, you can hike through the dramatic Flume Gorge and view a massive granite cliff. (Until it collapsed in 2003, the cliff had a distinctive rock formation named Old Man of the Mountain. Its facelike profile still appears on New Hampshire license plates.)
Franconia, Bethlehem and Littleton
In the idyllic town of Franconia, the verdant grounds of The Frost Place museum, which honors the one-time home of American poet Robert Frost, are a fine place to take in the fall colors. The area is also home to a nearly century-old breakfast tradition, Polly’s Pancake Parlor, which doles out hefty platters of flapjacks with enticing toppings.
As you approach the Vermont border, consider stopping in two more charming villages that abound with galleries, funky shops, brewpubs and cafes. In Bethlehem, you can treat yourself to a luscious dessert at Super Secret Ice Cream. In Littleton, you can visit the stylish Schilling Beer Co. taproom for great pizza and German-style ales on a terrace overlooking the crystalline Ammonoosuc River.
Vermont’s ‘Northeast Kingdom’
As you cross the Connecticut River and enter Vermont’s sparsely populated “Northeast Kingdom,” sweeping panoramas of the state’s stunning Green Mountains range — which forms an angular 250-mile spine from north to south — lie ahead.
These forested peaks are generally lower in elevation than those in New Hampshire, but they stand out for their exceptional beauty and for the many endearing hamlets surrounding them. They are filled with quaint general stores, maple syrup-producing sugar houses, and peaceful farms and meadows.
Follow U.S. Route 2 west through a series of cute villages to Montpelier, the nation’s least populous state capital (with a little more than 8,000 residents). Then, turn northwest and parallel the Winooski River to Waterbury, home to Ben & Jerry’s very first factory. This famously socially conscious ice cream maker offers amusing factory tours that include a visit to its Flavor Graveyard (where you can lament the discontinuation of beloved concoctions like Bovinity Divinity and Holy Cannoli).
Stowe
The vibrant fall colors really burst to life as you follow Route 100 north to the classic country hamlet of Stowe, with its handsome inns, bistros and shops. Famous for skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking and hiking in summer, it’s also a beautiful spot to spend an autumn day — or weekend.
In early October, it also hosts the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. Continue north up one of the prettiest roads in the Green Mountains, Route 108, which becomes extremely narrow along a several-mile-long stretch of boulders and rocky outcroppings that lead through Smugglers’ Notch.
In the western White Mountains, the Lincoln-Woodstock corridor has the largest selection of hotels and ski lodges. But look to the area’s smaller towns for distinctive accommodations. Sunset Hill House (rates starting at $146 per night) is a grand 1880s hotel set high on a ridge in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, overlooking miles of mountains. The gracious Adair Country Inn and Restaurant (rates starting at $319 per night) in Bethlehem has an outstanding restaurant, clubby public spaces and fragrant country gardens.
In Stowe, Vermont, you’ll find an appealing mix of accommodations, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to quite snazzy spa resorts. The storied Trapp Family Lodge (rates starting at $283 per night) is set on a 2,000-acre property with astounding views; it was founded more than 70 years ago by the family that inspired “The Sound of Music.” The historic Green Mountain Inn (rates starting at $160) comprises eight early 19th-century buildings in the very center of Stowe village.
Stowe to Woodstock
Farm with an old wooden barn and cows grazing in a field in a colorful autumnal rolling landscape at sunset in Woodstock, Vermont. ALBERTPEGO/GETTY IMAGES
Burlington
Just north of Stowe, in quaint Jeffersonville, head west and then southwest through some glorious mountain passes to the state’s largest city, Burlington. The city has a population of about 45,000 people and hugs the eastern shore of Lake Champlain.
From downtown’s dapper Waterfront Park, the panoramas of New York’s soaring Adirondack Mountains are a sight to behold, especially in autumn. Burlington is a spirited, upbeat college town (home to the University of Vermont) with an exceptional restaurant scene and plenty of appealing indie boutiques, friendly bars and hip cafes.
Shelburne
U.S. Route 7 leads south through a fertile green valley to Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre Victorian estate with gorgeous grounds and gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It features a beloved dairy, a stately seasonal inn (rates start at $220 per night) and a restaurant. Be sure to visit the excellent Shelburne Museum, which has nearly 40 buildings transplanted here from around the state as well as a vast collection of pre-automobile-age carriages.
Clemmons Family Farm
Farther south, explore the historic buildings, art galleries, storytelling programs and agricultural operations of 148-acre Clemmons Family Farm, a highlight among the 22 sites on the state’s African American Heritage Trail and one of Vermont’s largest African American-owned farms.
Middlebury and the Green Mountains
Follow picturesque U.S. Route 7 south to the stately college town of Middlebury, with its handsome village and handful of excellent art galleries. From here, Route 125 zigzags east over the Green Mountains; there are several photogenic spots — including at Texas Falls Recreation Area and Riley Bostwick Wildlife Management Center — where you can hop out, stretch your legs and snap a photo.
Woodstock
Head south to Woodstock, one of Vermont’s most enchanting small towns. Late conservationist and philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller and his family made it a mission to preserve the town’s colonial heritage. The Rockefellers established the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, where 550 acres of gardens and carriage paths are anchored by the opulent mansion in which the Rockefellers once resided. Across the street, you can explore one of the state’s oldest working farms, the Billings Farm and Museum.
Lake Sunapee region
If you have an extra day or (ideally) two, consider detouring back across the New Hampshire border to explore the glorious Lake Sunapee region.
You can make a loop from Woodstock by driving across the dramatic Quechee Gorge and then crossing the Connecticut River into Hanover. The tree-shaded campus of Dartmouth College anchors the town with its acclaimed Hood Museum and the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
Continue southeast to the town of New London for a drive around rippling Lake Sunapee, where you can stroll through the gardens at John Hay Estate at the Fells. Head back toward Woodstock via the scenic Connecticut River village of Cornish, setting aside an hour or two to explore the stunning gardens, lawns and buildings of Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. The famed sculptor created many of his most memorable works here.
To return to Vermont, cross the 445-foot Cornish-Windsor Bridge — the longest historic covered bridge in the country. It’s about a 20-minute drive northwest back to Woodstock.
Where to stay
Burlington has the area’s greatest concentration of lodgings, including the contemporary Hotel Vermont (rates starting at $197 per night). Many of its well-equipped rooms offer impressive vistas of Lake Champlain. Next door, have dinner at the James Beard Award-nominated Hen of the Wood.
With its fairy-tale setting on Woodstock’s classic village green and a spectacular spa, the grand Woodstock Inn & Resort (rates starting at $298 per night) offers luxe accommodations, four restaurants and a slew of activities. Across the border in New Hampshire, the Hanover Inn Dartmouth (rates starting at $229 per night) overlooks the gracious campus of Dartmouth College.
Head west on U.S. Route 4 and Route 100A to Plymouth, then take Route 100 on a scenic journey past picturesque villages (such as Ludlow and Londonderry) and popular ski areas (Okemo and Bromley). You’ll then reach historic Manchester, one of the largest towns in southwestern Vermont. It’s home to several notable attractions, including the American Museum of Fly Fishing and Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, which was the early-20th-century estate home of Robert Todd Lincoln — the son of Abraham Lincoln and a future statesman and railroad executive in his own right.
On your way south, make the 5.2-mile drive up stunning Skyline Drive to the peak of 3,855-foot Mount Equinox, one of the best spots in the region to admire the autumn foliage.
Arlington, Bennington and Williamstown
Continue south via slower and more scenic Route 7A rather than U.S. Route 7. You’ll enter Arlington, a relaxing village that illustrator Norman Rockwell called home for more than a decade. Rockwell depicted the community on several occasions on the covers of The Saturday Evening Post magazine.
As you approach Bennington, you’ll spy the 306-foot-tall Bennington Battle Monument high above the treetops. Take the elevator to the top for a fantastic view of the countryside and the striking campus of Bennington College. You’ll soon cross the Massachusetts border and enter the Berkshires range, an extension of the Green Mountains.
Stop in another stately collegiate community, Williamstown. It’s home to a pair of outstanding museums: the Williams College Museum of Art and the Clark Art Institute, with its sleek contemporary addition by Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Where to stay
In Manchester, you’ll find a number of romantic accommodations, including the Kimpton Taconic Hotel (rates starting at $175 or 32,000 IHG points per night). Although it has a classic Colonial design, this three-story boutique property with a wraparound veranda and a popular gastropub offers many modern perks, including a heated plunge pool and tech-savvy rooms.
Just up the road, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa (rates starting at $197 per night) offers a wide range of amenities, including a plush spa, a Walter Travis-designed 1920s golf course and several restaurants.
There are a few other accommodation options in town and several more — including the upscale Williams Inn (rates starting at $271 per night) — in neighboring Williamstown.
Williamstown to Litchfield
Williamstown, Massachusetts, with Mount Greylock in the background. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
North Adams, Mount Greylock and Pittsfield
A few miles east of Williamstown, the once bustling mill town of North Adams fell on hard times in the 1980s with the closure of a major electric plant. Fifteen years later, the plant’s handsome vintage red brick buildings were reimagined as the outstanding — and enormous — Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, aka Mass MoCA.
Head south on Route 8 and either drive or hike to the 3,489-foot summit of the highest point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock. The striking Mount Greylock Veterans War Memorial Tower sits at the top.
Continue down through the region’s largest city, Pittsfield, which has a population of about 43,600. There, you can tour Arrowhead, the former home of “Moby Dick” author Herman Melville, and Hancock Shaker Village, a living museum dedicated to telling the story of this almost-extinct religious sect.
Lenox
Farther south on U.S. 7, the tony vacation town of Lenox has drawn generations of well-to-do families, many of whom built lavish summer estates during America’s Gilded Age. Some of these are now museums, including The Mount (where American novelist Edith Wharton once resided) and the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
Lenox is best known for two famous performing arts venues: Shakespeare and Company presents year-round plays, and Tanglewood is a 500-acre outdoor performance space and summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Stockbridge and Great Barrington
U.S. 7 continues south through Stockbridge, home to Chesterwood — the turn-of-the-20th-century estate of sculptor Daniel Chester French. It’s also home to the Norman Rockwell Museum (the artist resided in this town for the last 25 years of his life), which contains his relocated former studio.
This colorful village is anchored by the Red Lion Inn (rates start at $125 per night); the rambling, if idiosyncratic, hotel dates back to 1773. It also inspired Arlo Guthrie’s beloved folk song “Alice’s Restaurant.”
The last major stop in the Berkshires is Great Barrington, a fashionable weekend retreat among New Yorkers and Bostonians with see-and-be-seen restaurants and trendy galleries.
Litchfield Hills
Follow Route 41 south to Salisbury, in the northwestern corner of Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. It’s a warren of dapper villages, dense forests and small family farms that — like the neighboring Hudson River Valley — is quite popular with celebrities. (Meryl Streep, Michael J. Fox, Patti Lupone, Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman currently own or have previously owned homes in the area.)
Cornwall to Litchfield
Rejoin U.S. 7, following it down through Cornwall, with its scenic covered bridge, which dates back to 1841 and crosses the serene Housatonic River. Continue to the quaint, affluent town of Kent, then along the rippling shores of Lake Waramaug. The lake’s alpine setting recalls Switzerland.
Continue into New Preston and Washington, neatly kept towns filled with fine antique shops, stylish boutiques and renowned art galleries.
Turn northeast up through the region’s cultural and spiritual heart, Litchfield, stopping for a hike amid the lush wetlands, boardwalks and bird-watching platforms of the 4,000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center.
Where to stay
An easy walk from local restaurants and shops in lovely downtown Lenox, the Hampton Terrace Inn (rates starting at $340 per night) has 14 smartly appointed rooms, many with fireplaces. You’ll find several other hotels in Lenox and along U.S. 7 as you head north into Pittsfield. Farther south, Stockbridge and Great Barrington have a good range of mostly upscale options.
In Connecticut’s Litchfield County, the White Hart Inn (rates starting at $285 per night) has a handsome setting overlooking Salisbury’s pretty town green and dates back to 1806. It contains 16 rooms plus an excellent restaurant and casual cafe.
Just south of Litchfield in Morris, Winvian Farm (rates starting at $875 per night) is definitely a splurge. However, its 18 one-of-a-kind cottages are among the most memorable accommodations in the state. There’s even one suite that’s been created from a 1968 Sikorsky helicopter.
In North Adams, the stylish The Porches Inn at Mass MoCA (rates starting at $196 per night) has been created out of a row of restored Victorian mill workers’ houses. It’s also charmingly filled with well-curated contemporary artwork, reflecting its location just across the river from Mass MoCA.
You’ll find several other high-end inns throughout the area’s towns, especially Washington and Kent. There’s a sizable selection of mostly chain hotels and motels farther south and east in a handful of small cities outside Litchfield County, including Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford.
Air Canada and its pilots union reached an eleventh-hour deal on Saturday night that averted a strike at Canada’s largest airline.
Pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), were expected to issue a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday that could have grounded the airline as soon as Sept. 18. Air Canada was prepared to begin canceling flights on Sunday as it wound down its mainline and Air Canada Rouge operation.
The four-year tentative agreement between Air Canada and ALPA includes roughly C$1.9 billion ($1.4 billion) in wage increases, work rule improvements, and retirement benefits for pilots over its term, the union said.
“After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules,” said Charlene Hudy, chair of the master executive council at the Air Canada chapter of ALPA, in a statement. “This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, ten-year framework.”
Air Canada said in a statement that the pact “recognizes the contributions and professionalism” of the carrier’s pilots, and provides “a framework for the future growth of the airline.”
The deal is subject to a ratification vote by Air Canada’s more than 5,400 pilots, and the airline’s board of directors.
On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would not block a strike by pilots at Air Canada.
“Every time there’s a strike, people say ‘Oh, you’ll get the government to come in and fix it’ — we’re not going to do that,” Reuters reported he said. “We believe in collective bargaining, and we’re going to keep pushing people to do it.”
A strike at Air Canada would have affected travelers well beyond Canada’s borders. The carrier and its partner United Airlines are scheduled to fly nearly 57% of all seats between the U.S. and Canada in September, Cirium Diio schedules show. And many American travelers connect over Air Canada’s Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver hubs on longer trips to Asia or Europe.
Air Canada will allow travelers who changed their travel plans to avoid the potential strike can change back to their original itinerary at no cost if space is available, the airline said.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One major misconception is that the only ways to earn miles are to fly an airline regularly or carry a travel rewards credit card. But one of the easiest ways to earn airline miles is to leverage online shopping portals. In this article, we’ll focus on how to use the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.
What is Delta SkyMiles Shopping?
Delta SkyMiles Shopping is an online portal where you can earn bonus miles on purchases with hundreds of merchants.
If you don’t already have an account, sign up using your Delta SkyMiles number.
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Then use the search box to find your favorite stores or a specific product. Remember to look out for stores offering bonus miles, featured deals and special offers.
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After you’ve selected a specific merchant, click “Shop now” to go to the merchant’s website, where you can shop and check out as normal.
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If you make an eligible purchase, the merchant will alert Delta SkyMiles Shopping, and bonus miles will be added to your account. You’ll receive an email when your miles post, which usually takes three to five days (but can take up to 15 days).
If you frequently forget to check the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal before making an online purchase — or don’t want to worry about remembering — you can download the Delta SkyMiles Shopping Chrome extension to remind you anytime you visit a website where you can earn bonus miles.
When you use Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you’ll earn bonus miles in one of two ways: as a set amount of miles per eligible purchase or as a multiplier of the cost of your eligible purchase. The earning rates you’ll see for a specific merchant through Delta SkyMiles Shopping change frequently and may vary depending on what you purchase.
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If you’re looking for merchants currently offering elevated earning rates, check the extra rewards page and sort by the earn rate.
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When you visit some merchant pages on Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you may see special offers and discounts. For example, here’s an offer for up to 50% off bedding sets at The Home Depot, valid through Oct. 2.
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In addition to bonus miles, the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal has free shipping offers for some merchants.
Best credit cards to use with Delta SkyMiles Shopping
You’ll shop with the merchant after you click through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal. So, you’ll usually want to use one of the best credit cards for online shopping. Unless your purchase is likely to post in a category where your card will earn bonus points or miles, you’ll likely want to use a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited® that earns more than one point or mile per dollar on all purchases.
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Depending on your purchase, you may want to use a card that offers extended warranty protection or purchase protection, even if it earns just one point or mile per dollar. Likewise, to earn even more Delta miles, consider using a cobranded Delta credit card for your purchase.
Whatever card you choose, check whether any credit card merchant offers may let you earn more rewards or enjoy a statement credit on your purchase. Some popular programs include Amex Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers, although occasionally offers through these programs may require you to purchase through a specific link (which means you won’t also be able to click through Delta SkyMiles Shopping).
Aspects to keep in mind when using Delta SkyMiles Shopping
Using the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal is an easy way to earn bonus miles when shopping online. But remember, you must click through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping site link and then make a purchase from the page that pops up. If you navigate away from this page and come back later to make a purchase, you may not earn bonus miles on your purchase.
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You’ll also need to enable cookies in your web browser for the retailer’s site. Cookies are how your shopping activity is tracked, so you’ll need to keep them enabled if you want your purchases tracked through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping program.
Using discount codes you find via other methods, including the merchant’s site, may be tempting. But, if you want to earn bonus miles through Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you’ll need to only use promotions and discount codes that you find via the portal.
It’s also important to read the terms and conditions for each merchant, as these often say what types of purchases won’t earn bonus miles. For example, CVS won’t give bonus miles on prescriptions, gift cards, orders with five or more of the same item and orders over $500.
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Finally, using a different online shopping portal may show different earning rates for the same merchant. We recommend using an online shopping portal aggregator to compare earning rates if you aren’t set on only earning Delta miles.
The Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal is a fantastic way to earn bonus miles for online purchases at various merchants. You can rack up Delta miles on your everyday spending, from clothes to shoes to electronics. Even if you only earn an extra mile or two for every dollar you spend, these earnings can quickly add up.
The ultraluxury expansion from IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Western Hemisphere continues in the Bahamas, and you can catch an early preview here.
Six Senses Grand Bahama isn’t expected to open until 2026, but there are new details out to keep future guests excited ahead of the official debut of this luxe getaway. The more than $250 million project will feature 70 resort villas and 28 branded residences, as well as a wellness center, a signature Six Senses Spa and a variety of restaurants. Six Senses Grand Bahama is being developed by Weller Development Partners and Pegasus Capital Advisors.
“The Six Senses Grand Bahama masterplan demonstrates our commitment to creating a vibrant, year-round community, with the canals and waterway providing a unique version of the front porch,” said Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs in a statement. “Integrating intentionally designed and efficiently built structures within the majestic natural landscape establishes a framework for guests to connect or disconnect, explore or escape, allow a sun-soaked lunch to tumble into dinner, and access a whole range of crafted experiences and wellness programming. Sustainability and resiliency measures reinforce the plan, ensuring its viability for years to come.”
SIX SENSES GRAND BAHAMA
Six Senses properties are renowned for their health and wellness offerings and locally sourced ingredients, so we’re eager to see what seafood masterpieces emerge from the future kitchens at Six Senses Grand Bahama. Beyond delectable dining and indulgent spa treatments, future Six Senses guests can also expect event spaces, a beach club and an oceanfront pool to luxuriate in and soak up stunning ocean and canal views.
The Gensler-designed, 50-acre resort is meant to blend in with the surrounding landscape, so don’t expect any hulking hotel towers here. Instead, villas blend in with the palm trees and sandy shoreline, while the overall property is meant to honor Grand Bahamian culture and the island’s Lucayan heritage.
SIX SENSES GRAND BAHAMA
“We have assembled a world-class design team, with Olson Kundig working on the residences and Gensler on the resort,” said Marc Weller, founding partner and president of Weller Development Partners, in a statement. “The architectural design and the overall masterplan reflect the core values of our partnership with Six Senses and shared focus on wellness, sustainable design and a connection with nature and the community. We believe Six Senses Grand Bahama has the potential to set a new benchmark for sustainable living and ecotourism models in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, not only through its design, but also through its operations and programming.”
While Six Senses has plenty of brand awareness in the U.S., it doesn’t have much in the way of a physical presence in the Americas — for now.
Real ID is coming. It’s time to get serious about making sure your identification is up-to-date.
The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation (DOT) just published a notice in the Federal Register regarding the rollout of new security standards that driver’s licenses and state identification cards have to meet in order to be used for federal purposes — including passing through airport security checkpoints — beginning in the spring of 2025.
But there’s a catch: full enforcement won’t be in place until 2027.
After multiple delays, DHS now says its latest deadline, May 7, 2025, is locked in for officially implementing the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel. The rule will become official after a period for public comment.
Beginning May 7, 2025, those presenting a state-issued driver’s license or identification card at the airport must present a Real ID-compliant card. Passengers without a compliant ID may face delays at ID verification; although the phased implementation would still allow them to enter secure areas under certain conditions during the rollout, the deadline for the normal requirements is set, a DHS spokesperson told TPG.
The newly proposed rules add some flexibility to the full rollout, a TSA spokesperson said. “…[T]his proposal would give federal agencies the flexibility to enforce REAL ID,” and “… to prevent travelers (in particular) from being turned away.”
If you read the fine print signed by Administrator David P. Pekoske, local authorities will have up to two years to fully implement the new requirements:
“This proposed rule recognizes these concerns and would provide flexibility by permitting agencies to, for a period of up to 2 years, implement REAL ID card-based enforcement using a phased approach tailored to their specific operations.”
That means some states may be able to give people a little more time to get the correct documentation for entry to government offices and to pass through security at airports.
Are you Real ID-compliant?
The good news is that you may already be “compliant.” You can tell if your driver’s license or ID is Real ID-compliant by looking at the star in the upper right or left corner, as shown in the photo below.
Example of a Real ID-compliant driver’s license. DHS.GOV
Here are a few examples of compliant ID symbols.
DHS.GOV
If you don’t see a star on your ID or it says something in fine print on the document like “Not for federal identification” or “Not for federal purposes,” then it is not Real ID-approved.
You can use this tool to figure out if you are compliant. It will ask you a series of questions to determine if you are ok to travel. Remember that a U.S. passport qualifies as Real ID in all cases.
Real ID tool. DHS.GOV
If you need to get a new state-issued Real ID-approved license or identification card, it may be as simple as renewing your current ID. Just be sure to make it clear that you want the Real ID-approved version(s). Some states still issue standard licenses or IDs that don’t include Real ID provisions.
Note, too, that even if you have Clear or TSA PreCheck, you still need an ID that matches the new Real ID requirements.
When the Real ID Act is fully implemented, you will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints without a Real ID compliant identification.
Here are the alternatives to a state-issued Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card:
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card (I-766)
U.S. merchant mariner credential
Bottom line
The federal government is sticking to a May 7, 2025 deadline for instituting new ID requirements for security at airports and other government facilities after years of delays. There will be some wiggle room, however in the new rules to give local authorities more time to fully comply with the new rules.
You should check to see that your state-issued ID is Real ID-compliant now and make a plan to fix that if its not. It sounds like the government is finally getting serious about implementing a law passed in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks 23 years ago this week.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
The American Express® Business Gold Card has a few well-known (and well-advertised) perks, including 4 points per dollar on your top two spending categories each month from the following list (up to the first $150,000 in combined purchases, then 1 point):
Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly with U.S. wireless telephone service providers
U.S. purchases at restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers, plus software and cloud system providers
The card’s welcome offer is sizable, too: new cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Still on the fence because of the Amex Business Gold’s steep $375 annual fee (see rates and fees)? Here are five lesser-known perks that could sell you on the Amex Business Gold. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Pay over time
The Amex Business Gold automatically enrolls all cardmembers in its Pay Over Time program, which gives you the option to carry a balance and structure payments on charges over $100. However, the variable interest rates are painfully high, varying from 19.49% to 28.49%, depending on your credit history.
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While this likely won’t be your first choice for managing your cash flow, it’s a nice option to have if you need it in a pinch. I recommend always paying your balance off in full each billing cycle, but if that’s not possible Pay Over Time is there to help out.
Account management tools
Keeping with the theme of primarily rewarding larger businesses, the Amex Business Gold card offers a comprehensive suite of account management tools.
You can add employee expense business cards with no annual fee; however, adding an employee Business Gold Card costs $95 for the first five cards, then $95 for each card thereafter (99 card limit; see rates and fees).
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You can also designate an employee as your account manager, allowing you to delegate the tasks of making payments, adding employee cards and tracking expenses to someone you deem trustworthy.
Or use the Amex receipt match feature, which lets you upload receipts from mobile or desktop, tag and annotate transactions and even sync with QuickBooks to streamline your accounting.
Cardmembers can also take advantage of paying vendors through Bill.com. The basic plan comes with no monthly fee but limits usage to the first user, with a second user having no fee for six months. After six months, the second user pays $15 a month. Other fees may apply based on plan type and number of users.
The Amex Hotel Collection
Amex Business Gold cardmembers will also enjoy benefits on select travel bookings. In addition to earning points on bookings made through Amex Travel, you’ll enjoy a $100 experience credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa and resort activities at properties within The Hotel Collection.
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You’re also eligible for room upgrades upon check-in, when available. Certain room categories are not eligible for an upgrade.
These benefits are only offered to cardmembers who make a minimum two-night consecutive stay.
And like all Amex cards, you’ll have access to Amex Offers, which can help you save money or earn bonus points on purchases you were already planning to make. Many of these offers are targeted to specific cardmembers, and while this is purely anecdotal, Amex sometimes appears to target Gold and Platinum cardmembers with the best offers.
Sometimes, these offers may be for cash back or additional Membership Rewards points on specific hotel purchases.
Car rental and baggage insurance
While these are not the most generous policies on the market, Amex Business Gold offers certain travel insurance policies in the event that something goes wrong while you’re on the road.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
If you use your Amex Business Gold to pay for the entire cost of a rental car, you’ll be entitled to secondary coverage beyond and in addition to your own personal policy in the event of theft or damage*.
There are a number of restrictions to be aware of, such as excluded countries (Australia, Italy and New Zealand, for example), excluded vehicle types (off-road vehicles, limos and antiques, among others) and the fact that you must decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver to be eligible.
You’ll also be eligible for reimbursement if your baggage is lost, stolen or damaged if you pay for the entire cost of the ticket with your Amex Business Gold**.
Coverage limits are $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage; New York state residents are limited to $10,000 for all covered persons per covered trip.
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*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Extended warranty, purchase and cellphone protection
There’s something exciting and nerve-wracking about the first days after you buy a new phone, laptop or camera. If you use your Amex Business Gold card for eligible purchases, you can enjoy up to 90 days of purchase protection against theft or accidental damage***. This coverage is limited to $1,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 per cardmember per calendar year.
You can also rest easy with extended warranty benefits.*** On eligible purchases with warranties of five years or less, you can get one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty.
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The Amex Business Gold also offers cellphone protection when you pay for your cellphone plan with your card****. This plan covers stolen or damaged cellphones, up to $800 per claim with a limit of two claims in a 12-month period. Claims are subject to a $50 deductible.
***Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
****Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Bottom line
The Amex Business Gold clearly targets high-spending businesses looking for a simple, rewarding strategy that doesn’t involve managing multiple cards or carefully studying and maximizing benefits.
If this is going to be your primary card, these lesser-known perks can add a ton of value and simplicity to your life. From tools to help your business track expenses to insurance policies in the event that your trip goes wrong, there’s more to the Amex Business Gold than meets the eye.
Asia Miles is the loyalty program of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and HK Express. These airlines connect Hong Kong with the world, with Cathay Pacific’s route network covering many major cities in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.
The airline is also a Oneworld member, so you can earn and redeem miles with other major carriers like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and British Airways. You can use its Oneworld award chart to book round-the-world trips on partner airlines or get a solid deal on Cathay Pacific flights. Furthermore, you can earn Asia Miles with hotels, car rental companies, retail partners and the program’s cobranded credit card. Asia Miles is also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards, so the miles are easy to earn.
There are many ways to redeem your miles, but we recommend concentrating on flight rewards. These will give you the best value per mile, especially when you book tickets in premium cabins.
Here is everything you need to know about Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program.
Who are Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles partners?
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Cathay Pacific is a Oneworld member. That means you can earn and redeem Asia Miles with the following Oneworld airlines:
In addition, Asia Miles partners with several airlines outside of the Oneworld alliance. Be sure to read the specifics of each partnership, as some may have restrictions on reciprocal mileage earning and redeeming.
The non-Oneworld alliance partners include:
Air Canada (Star Alliance)
Air China (Star Alliance)
Air New Zealand (Star Alliance)
Bangkok Airways
LATAM
Lufthansa (Star Alliance)
S7 Airlines
Cathay Pacific elite status
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Cathay Pacific has an elite status program that awards frequent flyers benefits like lounge access, advance seat reservations and more. These benefits can make the travel experience smoother and more luxurious when flying on any Oneworld carrier.
To earn status with Cathay Pacific, you’ll need to reach the following number of Status points per year to upgrade or renew your elite status:
Green: 0 points
Silver: 300 points
Gold: 600 points
Diamond: 1,200 points
Meeting the Status points requirements can qualify you for one of Cathay’s status tiers. You’ll earn Status points when you fly on paid flights operated by Cathay Pacific or any of its partners. The number of earned Status points depends on the airline you’re flying with, the route you’re flying and the class of service you’re traveling in.
Check out the Cathay website for more information on elite status tiers and their respective benefits.
How to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
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You can earn Asia Miles both on and off the plane — here’s a look at all the best ways you can stock up on Asia Miles.
Earn Asia Miles by flying
When you fly with Cathay Pacific, you’ll earn Asia Miles based on the fare class you’re booked in and the zone you’re flying to — not on how much you spend. This means that longer flights in premium cabins will earn more miles.
You can view all earning rates on the Asia Miles website and use the program’s earning calculator to price out specific flights. For example, I priced out a ticket from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in W-fare premium economy, which typically starts around $2,500 round-trip. This ticket earns 7,500 Asia Miles one-way.
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Other airline partners earn miles based on distance flown and fare class. You can view the earning rates for each airline on the Asia Miles website — just find your airline on the list, click on it and select your cabin class at the center of the screen.
Earn Asia Miles when you stay at hotels
You can earn Asia Miles instead of hotel points at thousands of hotels worldwide, including Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, InterContinental, Shangri-La properties and so many more. Look closely at these earning rates before you opt to earn Asia Miles instead of hotel points. Sometimes, you may find that you’re better off earning hotel points if you can redeem them for high-end hotel stays.
If you already have a stash of hotel points you want to unload, you can transfer them to Asia Miles. Again, ensure the transfer ratio makes sense for your specific redemption.
Earn Asia Miles with your favorite rental car company
Asia Miles partners with a number of rental car companies, including big names like Avis, Hertz and National. Just note that you likely won’t earn rental car points if you opt to earn Asia Miles on your car rental. Make sure to assess which points you value more before you book your car.
Cathay Pacific offers a cobranded credit card in the U.S. in partnership with Synchrony Bank. The Cathay Pacific Visa® Card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on Cathay Pacific purchases, 1.5 miles on dining in the U.S. and abroad and 1 mile per dollar for all other purchases made in the U.S.
Additionally, the card is offering an elevated bonus of 38,000 miles after spending $3,000 with your card in the first 90 days of account opening. You’ll also receive several perks when flying Cathay Pacific, including priority check-in and boarding.
The information for the Cathay Pacific Visa 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.
Transfer miles from credit card programs
Alternatively, you can transfer rewards from four programs with transferable currencies directly to Asia Miles:
American Express Membership Rewards
Bilt Rewards
Capital One
Citi ThankYou Rewards
Each has a transfer ratio of 1:1, so 10,000 points or miles equals 10,000 Asia Miles.
With larger welcome bonuses and higher earning rates than the Cathay Pacific Visa, you may consider a card that earns points and miles you can transfer to Asia Miles instead.
Here are some of our favorite transferable rewards-earning cards:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership.
Unlike many U.S. carriers, Cathay Pacific has opted to continue pricing award tickets based on a standard award chart. This means that you’re not subject to dynamic pricing, and awards on both Cathay Pacific and its partners can be redeemed at a predictable rate, so long as there’s open award space.
That said, redeeming your miles can be a bit confusing. The loyalty program has three different award charts that cover different types of redemptions — here’s a quick overview:
Asia Miles award chart: Prices award tickets on Cathay Pacific-operated flights around the world.
Airline partners award chart: Prices award tickets on Oneworld and nonalliance partner carriers.
Oneworld multicarrier award chart: Prices multistop award tickets operated by two or more Oneworld partners. You can use this to build round-the-world award tickets.
Note that the airline does pass on fuel surcharges, which are priced based on region and not fare type. Check out Cathay’s updated fuel surcharge chart to find out the cost.
Booking Cathay Pacific flights with Asia Miles
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This award chart is reasonable, especially for long-haul flights in premium cabins. Under this award chart, you can book a one-way ticket from New York to Hong Kong in business class for 85,000 miles and flights departing from Los Angeles to Hong Kong would cost 70,000 miles.
Booking partner flights with Asia Miles
Unfortunately, Asia Miles doesn’t officially publish an airline partner award chart, with all partner awards having a mileage surcharge on top of Cathay Pacific awards of the same length.
For example, while Cathay charges 7,500 miles for an “ultra-short” flight up to 750 miles in length on its own metal, to book a flight of this length on partner airline Alaska Airlines requires 10,000 miles, reflecting the partner mileage surcharges.
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To identify the partner award pricing, you’ll need to search on Cathay Pacific’s website. Just enter your origin, destination and airline. You’ll then be shown the pricing for all available cabins — though note that select partners are not eligible for online bookings.
Booking award tickets online
Booking award tickets operated wholly by Cathay Pacific can be done online. Just head to the award redemption page and sign in. Enter your search criteria at the center of the screen and click the yellow “Search flights” button to initiate your search.
However, the process for actually booking award tickets is a bit complicated. You can only book tickets for certain partners online. The following airlines show award space and should be bookable on the Asia Miles website:
Air China
Alaska Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
LATAM
Malaysia Airlines
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Royal Jordanian
S7 Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
If you’re hoping to book one of these airlines, follow the directions above for booking a Cathay Pacific award ticket. If not, follow our guide to searching for Oneworld award space to find the award ticket you’d like to book. Then, call Asia Miles when you’re ready to book the ticket.
Book a round-the-world ticket with the Oneworld multicarrier award chart
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
You can book a round-the-world ticket for relatively few points using this chart. These awards are priced based on the distance flown and your cabin of travel. You can book these awards in any class you’d like, including first class. Here’s a look at pricing:
ASIAMILES.COM
The routing rules are pretty straightforward:
You’re allowed a maximum of five stopovers plus two transfers and two open jaws.
You can fly up to 50,000 miles.
You must return to the original point of departure.
You must fly at least two Oneworld partners, not including Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon.
You can’t add nonalliance partners to a multicarrier award.
You cannot travel in premium economy.
To book one of these tickets, find award space and ensure your ticket meets all the restrictions. Then, call Asia Miles to book.
Upgrade and companion awards
You can also use your miles to upgrade paid Cathay Pacific flights and take a companion with you on your journey. The upgrade award chart is also divided by distance and priced based on a one-way upgrade.
ASIAMILES.COM
Redeeming Asia Miles for merchandise and other travel
You can also use your Asia Miles for merchandise, hotel stays and other nonair-travel redemptions. That said, this is rarely a good idea. You almost always get a lower cent-per-point value when compared to booking premium airfare — in some cases, you get less than half of TPG’s September 2024 valuation of 1.3 cents per mile.
My advice is to skip these redemptions if you can. They provide a poor value, especially if you travel often and can use your Asia Miles for future flights.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles sweet spots
Cathay Pacific first- and business-class flights
Unsurprisingly, using Asia Miles for Cathay Pacific tickets can be a good deal. While the loyalty program doesn’t have the world’s best pricing on Cathay Pacific awards, you can still score a solid deal on premium cabin tickets — especially if you’re departing from the West Coast. Here’s a look at Asia Miles’ round-trip award pricing from U.S. destinations to its hub at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG):
Route
Economy award price
Premium economy price
Business-class award price
First-class award price
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to HKG
84,000 miles
120,000 miles
170,000 miles
250,000 miles
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to HKG
84,000 miles
120,000 miles
170,000 miles
250,000 miles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to HKG
60,000 miles
90,000 miles
140,000 miles
220,000 miles
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to HKG
Round-the-world tickets with the Oneworld multicarrier award chart
The Oneworld multicarrier award chart can be extremely valuable for booking round-the-world tickets on Oneworld carriers. You can use these awards to book a ticket with up to five stopovers. These tickets span multiple regions if your ticket is 50,000 miles or fewer.
Be sure to allow plenty of time and flexibility to plan and book a round-the-world itinerary.
British Airways award tickets
Asia Miles charges lower fuel surcharges than other Oneworld partners on British Airways award tickets — even in premium cabins. You may pay slightly more miles than when booking with other carriers, but the cash savings may be enough to warrant the higher points cost.
For example, you can fly round-trip from New York’s JFK to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) in British Airways business class for 126,000 Asia Miles and $765 with no peak/off-peak pricing.
CATHAYPACIFIC.COM
Booking through the American Airlines AAdvantage program would set you back 115,000 miles plus nearly $1,783 in taxes and fees. British Airways would impose similar surcharges, though you may be able to lower those costs by redeeming additional Avios.
If you’re transferring points to book a British Airways ticket, be sure to compare the award pricing through British Airways and Cathay Pacific; the latter may offer lower award prices and fewer taxes and fees.
Bottom line
Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program may not be on your radar as the best program for earning (and redeeming) rewards in the Oneworld alliance.
However, while it isn’t perfect, there are some excellent deals to be had. You’ll get the best deals when redeeming for Cathay Pacific flights and multicarrier round-the-world tickets, especially if you book in premium cabins.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One of the first lessons I learned when I got into the points and miles hobby is to put everything possible on a travel rewards card. Simultaneously, choosing the best card is important to ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck — especially when making a large purchase.
So, today, I want to discuss the most significant factors to consider the next time you plan on swiping your credit card for a significant amount of money.
For starters, let’s agree that the definition of a “large” purchase can vary significantly from person to person. While you may not be able to charge a new car purchase to a credit card, spending $1,000 or more on a medical bill, a new laptop or an essential household item may be much more common.
No matter what the case, though, here’s what you should consider when deciding which credit card can help you maximize large purchases.
5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at Amex Travel
1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year
4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
But beyond this welcome offer, what sets the Chase Freedom Unlimited apart from other flat-rate cards is its great introductory annual percentage rate (APR) period. While we always recommend paying off your credit cards in full each month, an introductory APR period (when used responsibly) can help you finance a larger purchase over time.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Why it’s great for large purchases: If you’d rather earn cash back than travel rewards, it doesn’t get much better than the Citi Double Cash. You’ll earn 2% back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill each month. It’s a flat-rate card like the two aforementioned options in this list, meaning you don’t have to worry about what bonus category your specific purchase falls into. You’ll get up to 2% back, no matter the merchant. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal through Dec. 31, 2024.
However, if you do want to use your rewards for travel (and you also have a card that’s part of the ThankYou program), you can convert your cash-back rewards into Citi ThankYou points.
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Why it’s great for large purchases: The Amex Business Platinum is great for larger purchases for multiple reasons. First, a large purchase could help you hit the high spending requirement for the 150,000-point welcome bonus. That bonus is worth $3,000 according to TPG valuations, but the $20,000 can be a hard threshold to hit in just three months.
Additionally, the Amex Business Platinum offers 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. This means that, according to TPG’s valuations, you’ll essentially get a 3% return in the form of valuable Membership Rewards points. Finally, the card also offers extended warranty* and purchase protection*, which can provide peace of mind when you’re purchasing large-ticket items.
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Welcome offer: Earn $1,000 cash back after you spend $10,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Why it’s great for large purchases: The Ink Business Premier is intended for business owners with large operating expenses. As such, the Ink Business Premier offers 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases. The best part is that there’s uncapped potential for earning rewards, so the more you spend, the more rewards you’ll accrue.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership.
Why it’s great for large purchases: While the Amex Gold doesn’t offer bonus rewards for large purchases, it does offer up to $10,000 in purchase protection per covered incident, including accidental damage and loss. American Express makes it easy to determine the level of protection available on your card. Just go to the American Express website, select the type of protection you’re interested in and then click on your card.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Note that most of these policies limit the coverage provided for natural disasters, and you can’t use the benefit on purchases of permanent household fixtures (like carpet or tile). But if your upcoming large purchase is for an eligible physical item that could be lost or damaged, the Amex Gold can be a lifesaver. And even without a bonus category, you still get 1 point per dollar (worth 2%) return on non-bonus spending.
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 miles when you spend $30,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Why it’s great for large purchases: You’ll earn an impressive 10 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar on flights when using Capital One Travel. The upside to booking business travel on the card is that Capital One has 15-plus transfer partners, and points earned can be redeemed for award tickets with good-value programs such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and British Airways Executive Club.
Of course, there are also other opportunities to use your credit cards to maximize large purchases.
Use large purchases to earn a welcome offer or sign-up bonus
Even if you have a card that doesn’t offer bonus points in the category you’re planning on making the large purchase in, it can still make sense to use a specific card if you’re trying to hit a high spending requirement.
The Amex Business Platinum from our list of best cards for large purchases is one example, as is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. With the latter, you can earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Using the card for a large purchase could help you hit that threshold and earn that stellar bonus, making using it worth it even if you aren’t racking up bonus points on the purchase itself.
Using large purchases to hit spending thresholds for extra benefits
Select credit cards offer valuable spending threshold bonuses that reward you for spending large amounts on your card during the year. Some examples include the following:
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) boost by giving cardholders $2,500 MQD each Medallion qualification year in addition to 1 MQD for every $10 spent ongoing.
Charging a large purchase to a credit card that offers a threshold bonus could get you most or all of the way to the spending requirement for the bonus.
Check Amex Offers, Chase Offers and shopping portals for merchant deals
Often overlooked when maximizing earnings are Amex Offers and Chase Offers. These programs provide statement credits or extra points when you add an offer to your card and then make a qualifying purchase. You can view the currently available offers when you log in to your online account.
You’ll usually find more Amex Offers per card than Chase Offers, but it’s worth checking the offers on all your cards before making a large purchase. Offers are usually available from travel, shopping, dining and entertainment merchants, ranging from bonus points to statement credits.
And, of course, you should always check online for potential shopping portal offers if you’re making a large purchase with an online retailer. Shopping portals allow you to double dip rewards alongside credit card bonuses.
For example, let’s say you purchase a $6,000 appliance at Home Depot. If you have a targeted 10% rebate Amex Offer on your Amex Business Platinum and use a shopping portal, you could earn the rebate, 1.5 points per dollar on the purchase itself and up to 4 AAdvantage points per dollar spent by clicking through the AAdvantage shopping portal (note that the AAdvantage shopping portal payout is currently 4 points per dollar but that is subject to change at any time).
If you have a large purchase coming up, you should definitely think about which credit card makes the most sense. Some considerations above relate to earning and redemption potential, while others act as insurance policies if things go awry. The right card for each purchase will depend on the item being purchased and your particular circumstances.
