Month: November 2024

Checking your cruise luggage with an airline can be a scary proposition, especially when you factor in possible weather delays or missed connections that can separate you from your bags. The farther you have to fly, the scarier it becomes.

But what are your options? The obvious choice for most cruisers who fly to their embarkation port is flying with only carry-on luggage. Easy enough for a short cruise in the Bahamas or Caribbean where clothes are skimpier and cruises relatively short. But what about a cooler climate cruise or a longer sailing?

I recently faced a perfect storm of potential checked luggage issues for flights to a transatlantic cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line ship — unpredictable fall weather, a domestic connection involving an airline change, followed by a pair of European flights with a tight connection in an unfamiliar airport. That schedule left this firmly entrenched bag checker considering carry-on only on a long cruise for the first time.

When my aunt decided to join my husband and me on the cruise, the challenge rose to a new level. We’d be managing our bags and assisting her, which could be overwhelming.

Upon reflection, we decided that shipping luggage to the cruise seemed like a far better choice for her. She would still need a carry-on bag for our two nights precruise in Rome, but she could send a 50-pound bag directly to the cruise ship and have everything she needed waiting for her when we arrived.

Now we had the perfect opportunity to test these two luggage options head-to-head. Which plan was easier? Which one cost less? What were the pitfalls of each option? Read on for our results as you decide how light to pack and how best to get your bags to your cruise ship without incident.

Carry-on-only cruising: Costs and inconveniences

The first thing to consider when flying with carry-on bags is the maximum dimensions and weight of luggage allowed on the plane with you. While few domestic carriers have weight restrictions on carry-on luggage or personal items, regional, low-cost and non-U.S. carriers can have weight allowances on both.

The standard carry-on size for domestic flights within the U.S. is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Personal items (purses, tote bags, backpacks, briefcases and other small items stowed beneath the seat in front of you) are often capped around 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

Foreign carriers are far pickier about what you bring on board the aircraft. Expect similar carry-on luggage dimensions of 21.5 x 15 x 9.5 inches. Maximum personal item sizes can be as small as 15.5 x 11 x 4 inches — which is compact for a backpack. Weight limits vary by air carrier and even by seating class; our carry-on suitcases needed to have a maximum weight of 26 pounds and our backpacks could not weight more than 4.4 pounds.

Related: How to cruise with just a carry-on

All those restrictions sent me shopping. My husband had a hard-side spinner that met our specific airline restrictions, but I did not. The backpack and assorted tote bags I normally use as personal items were all too large. The camera backpack my husband normally uses was too small to be a useful personal item on a trip when every inch of space was needed for items more important than camera lenses. I would also need more packing cubes, so I could compress my belongings and pack the most clothes into such small spaces.

After three Amazon exchanges, I finally found a backpack that met the airline size restrictions and my personal requirements: a trolley strap, a water-bottle side pocket, a front-opening main compartment, a padded laptop compartment and several small outside pockets. (Beware that the online listings aren’t always accurate regarding bag dimensions.)

I spent $79 total for two backpacks. The best feature during actual use was a vented bottom-opening zipper compartment intended for shoes, which was ideal for stashing our quart bags containing TSA-approved liquid products. That easy access was invaluable during our fast dash through the Warsaw airport security line on our tight connection.

For a carry-on spinner, I had a strong desire to have a front fold-out compartment for electronics. I also wanted an expansion zipper, which couldn’t be used on our flights to Europe, but would come in handy for squeezing in the two bottles of wine we were allowed to bring on board our cruise. Once back in the U.S., our flights home on Southwest had no weight restrictions and larger size restrictions of 24 x 16 x10 inches, so the expansion zipper meant we could bring back a few small souvenirs and one bottle of wine.

You can spend a lot on carry-on bags, but I opted for an $89 knockoff on Amazon that had fabulous features that made it far more useful on the trip than I had expected. For example, the front electronics panel provides access to the inside contents of the suitcase, essentially making it a front-opening piece of luggage when there’s no space for the typical open-book layout of most hard-shell spinners. That proved to be critical in our tiny hotel room in Rome’s historic city center.

For compression packing cubes, I opted for a six-piece set from COR Surf that gave us maximum space savings for only $23. I squeezed a raincoat and a jacket into each of the two medium bags, five men’s shirts into one large bag and eight of my shirts into another.

For years, we’ve been happily cruising with our cosmetics, hair supplies and first-aid supplies packed in half of a cheap hanging shoe bag we attach to the stateroom wall with magnets. It was too large for our carry-on luggage, so I replaced it with two medium-sized travel toiletry bags with four compartments that unfold and hang from a hook. Again, Amazon to the rescue for $12 each.

Related: 12 items you should always pack in your cruise carry-on bag 

Traveling with carry-ons only, I also could not bring full-size toiletries. Our local drugstore sells a variety of empty small bottles and jars for carrying liquids like hair products, creams and gels. I spent $7 on an assortment of those.

The total I spent on new items needed to make flying to our cruise with only carry-on luggage work was $203, but it would be easy to spend twice that. I don’t feel like I skimped on quality, and all items I bought should have a useful life in my cruise packing arsenal going forward. If you already have these items, your out-of-pocket cost will be far less.

With the airline weight restrictions, it was impossible to pack 18 days’ worth of clothing in two carry-on suitcases and two backpacks. We had to pare down our wardrobe to only the essentials and plan to do laundry on board.

I’m a rather small person, wear size 8 shoes and have been traveling with a compartment-style wardrobe of coordinating colors since before there was a trendy name for that. Even still, getting the basics pared down was a challenge.

It did not help that weather on a transatlantic cruise can be quite variable, which forced me to pack layers I wouldn’t have needed on a warm-weather cruise. Things I missed were a sweatshirt for chilly days at sea, one more pair of casual pants (I took three, two of which converted to shorts) and more than one hat.

At least our Carnival ship had a self-serve launderette. The machines were full-size with a cost of $3.50 per wash or dry. A box of laundry detergent large enough for two loads was another $2. (Next time we’ll bring laundry detergent sheets.)

Self-serve laundry once during a cruise isn’t a big deal, but needing to do laundry twice took away a little of the vacation relaxation, especially when the line to use the laundry facilities was long and full of cranky cruisers.

Many ships do not have this self-serve option, offering send-out laundry service only with costs ranging from per-piece pricing of $3 to $7 to discounted bulk by-the-bag prices or by-the-day packages. Our total cost for laundry was $16 for two loads, but on a similar cruise without self-service facilities or discounted packages, you could potentially spend hundreds in laundry fees.

Airline weight restrictions also forced us to leave behind a few nonclothing items we then had to buy along the way. These included extra hair spray and toothpaste, a room deodorizer and a corkscrew for our cabin. We easily found a corkscrew for 4.30 euros ($4.54) and a gel room deodorizer for 2.20 euros ($2.35) in a market only two blocks from our hotel in Rome. The store also had a fair selection of wine, so we snagged a couple of bottles to take on board, each in the six-euro range, considerably less than a cruise ship bottle.

We had enough toothpaste and hair spray to last a few days, so we waited to go shopping for toiletries until Cartagena, Spain. Finding a supermarket there required a bit of a walk, but we bought toothpaste and hairspray (5.76 euros and 3.49 euros, respectively, or $6.10 and $3.70), along with some Oreo-flavored Coke Zero. As much as I enjoy port shopping, the need to spend time looking for essentials like hair spray was a definite inconvenience when cities like Rome and Cartagena had so many amazing ways to spend our limited time.

Luggage shipping: Costs and inconveniences

We used a complimentary voucher from Ship and Play for my aunt’s luggage to test the service for this story. The cost to ship a full-size 50-pound suitcase one-way from her home in Texas to our cruise ship in Civitavecchia, Italy, was quoted as $244.99 for the shipment, plus a fee of $74.97. She added $2,000 in insurance for $22.99, making the total $342.95.

Because shipping directly to a cruise ship requires the address of the ship’s courier in the departure port, the shipping order had to be completed with a Ship and Play agent on the phone. That went smoothly, with the agent providing all necessary instructions, both verbally and via a follow-up email. The shipping label, customs forms and stick-on pocket for the label were sent via mail.

A FedEx tracking number was provided, but my aunt opted to place a tracking device in the bag as well, adding $24 to her cost, for a total of $366.95. If you’re a member of Clear, you can get 50% off your first shipment with partner company Ship and Play.

Shipping luggage internationally is pricier than it would be to a domestic embarkation port. A quick check of various cross-country prices to U.S. cruise ports showed base shipping rates (before the fees and insurance) of $74.99 on Ship and Play and prices starting at $99 on competing shipper Luggage Forward.

 

Related: 26 cruise packing hacks you need to know before you sail

The number one inconvenience in shipping luggage is planning for the shipment. It is not a last-minute option. You have to allow enough time to receive the shipping label and packet from your preferred shipper, to arrange for the pickup (or drop-off) and for the luggage to travel to its destination.

When your cruise departure port is international, the luggage ship date must also allow enough time for the bag to clear customs once it reaches the country of departure. Ship and Play calculated all those variables and then gave my aunt options for her pickup date, which were a full two weeks before the cruise. Her quoted price included selecting the day FedEx would pick up the luggage, but not a narrower time frame on that day. Selecting a two-hour window was available for an extra charge. She could also have opted to drop off the luggage at an authorized shipper at no charge.

My aunt said packing her main luggage two weeks before her cruise was a bit challenging. That’s too far out to predict the weather, so she had to prepare for all possibilities with layers and a rain poncho (that she never used).

She also opted to send her large bag directly to our ship instead of to our precruise hotel. That meant she still had to take a carry-on and a tote bag for clothing and things she needed for the days we spent in Rome before the cruise. She said she had a hard time deciding which items to pack in each bag and found herself overthinking the process.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

If she had chosen to ship the bag to our hotel in Rome, she could have skipped the carry-on, but we would have had the inconvenience of dealing with the large bag at our small hotel and on our trip to the ship.

Ultimately, my aunt’s bag arrived in her cabin on the ship around 4 p.m. without her having to wrangle it into and out of multiple vehicles during the trip. After she packed her bag and handed it off to FedEx at her front door, she didn’t have to lift a finger until it came time to unpack it on board — which added a touch of luxury to her mainstream cruise.

Bottom line

Choosing to skip the bag check line all together is becoming a popular choice among cruisers, and not only because you can save on checked-bag fees and tips to porters. I have met fellow passengers with lost luggage on every cruise I’ve been on in the last four years. Losing your luggage on dry land is a problem, but a minor inconvenience when compared to being stuck on a cruise ship without your stuff.

The more complicated your flights are, the greater the chances for lost or delayed luggage. Traveling with only carry-on luggage or shipping luggage to your ship are both good alternatives. Which one you choose depends on your travel scenario.

We found that both options come with costs and minor inconveniences. Carry-on travel costs less but you’ll have to leave some desired items behind and take time out to do laundry during your vacation (or pay inflated rates to have someone else wash your clothes). Shipping luggage is the more expensive option, but you can pack full-size bags, have them picked up at your front door and not touch them again until they arrive at your cruise cabin.

No solution is perfect, but knowing the pros and cons of each option will help you make the right decision for your travel party on your next cruise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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

Even if you’re new to the points and miles game, you’ve probably heard the term “mileage run.” A mileage run is when a traveler takes a flight (or series of flights) primarily to earn rewards or airline elite status.

Mattress runs are similar to mileage runs. But instead of taking one or more flights as you would for a mileage run, mattress runs involve spending one or more nights in hotels primarily to earn rewards or hotel elite status. So, here’s what you need to know about mattress runs and when you might want to go on one.

What is a mattress run?

A mattress run is when you book and pay for a hotel room that you don’t need to earn rewards or qualify for hotel elite status. This idea might sound ridiculous, but the cost of the stay may be much lower than the value of the rewards and other benefits you’d obtain through the stay.

In its purest form, you might not even use the room you booked for a mattress run. Instead, you check in and then leave the property. But, as we discuss in this article, there are plenty of reasons you may want to stay in the room you book.

Related: Last-minute tips for locking in hotel elite status before the end of year

Mattress run for elite status

If you’re just a few stays or nights short of a given hotel status level, it can make sense to mattress run as the end of the year approaches and your window to qualify for elite status closes. After all, hotel loyalty programs offer all kinds of valuable perks for elite members.

For example, you might be close to earning Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. If you’ll have 48 elite-qualifying nights at the end of 2024 based on your currently booked stays, you’d need just two more nights to earn Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite status offers many useful perks, including breakfast at many Marriott brands, 4 p.m. late checkout and lounge access. In this case, a two-night stay at a Marriott property near your house before the end of the year might be well worth the cost.

Remember that many credit cards provide elite status (or the ability to earn toward elite status through spending) as a perk. So, completing a mattress run isn’t the only way to reach a higher tier. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers complimentary Platinum Elite status, and the World of Hyatt Credit Card lets you earn two tier-qualifying night credits per $5,000 in purchases each calendar year.

Related: When does your hotel elite status expire?

Mattress run to earn points

You might consider mattress running to earn points, especially during a lucrative hotel promotion. However, be sure the value of the points you’ll earn is significantly higher than the cost of your stay.

For example, Choice Privileges periodically offers a promotion where you can earn at least 8,000 Choice points for every two stays. So, if you’ve stayed at a Choice Hotels property once during the promotion period, it could be worth mattress running another stay to get the bonus points.

However, buying points (ideally during a sale) or transferring points is usually more beneficial if you need more rewards for an upcoming booking. The rewards you’ll earn on a mattress run will rarely be worth the cost.

Related: How and why you should maximize your hotel stays by using multiple loyalty programs

Other mattress run considerations

This analysis only captures part of the decision-making process regarding mattress runs. Before booking, you should consider a few other things.

Additional out-of-pocket costs

To complete a mattress run, you usually have to pay for something besides the room rate. If you drive to your local hotel, this might be gas for your car. Or it could be an additional meal you wouldn’t have paid for at home. You may also want to account for your time.

Turning a mattress run into a vacation

You might want to turn your mattress run into an actual vacation for you, your family or your friends. After all, it’s easier to justify an extra hotel stay if you can get some value beyond earning the nights or rewards you seek.

You’ll probably need to check in and stay

Hotel loyalty programs usually won’t award points or elite status credits to confirmed guests who don’t show up, even if the stay is prepaid. As such, you’ll usually need to check in at the property.

Even guests who’ve physically checked in occasionally face issues on mattress runs. You’ll find notes in most hotel loyalty program terms and conditions stating you must physically stay at a property for a stay to be elite-qualifying. For example, the World of Hyatt terms and conditions state, “Members must actually check-in and complete the stay for their reservation at a Point Property to earn points. No points will be awarded for any non-refundable prepaid fees, cancellation fees, or no-show fees paid by a Member for a reservation that they did not actually use.”

So, to avoid issues and ensure your nights and rewards post as expected, you’ll want to make it apparent that you checked in, used your reservation and completed your stay. This provides even more incentive to make a staycation or vacation out of your mattress run.

Related: Breakfast, upgrades and more: 9 TPG staffers reveal their favorite elite status perks

Bottom line

Mattress runs can be a viable strategy for taking advantage of a promotion or earning additional credits toward elite status. Especially if you can convert a mattress run into a staycation or vacation, it may be well worth doing.

However, remember there are many other options besides mattress running. For some tips on earning last-minute elite status with your favorite hotel loyalty program, check out the following stories:

• Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status
• Last-minute strategies for earning World of Hyatt status
• Last-minute strategies for earning Hilton Honors elite status
• Last-minute strategies for earning IHG One Rewards elite status

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

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your loved ones.

Each year, we curate some of our top picks for the jet setters and road warriors on your list.

This year’s guide includes 25 of our top picks for travel tech, luggage, gear and more. The TPG team tested and approved all of them.

Without further ado, here are TPG’s 2024 holiday gift picks, many of which are currently on sale for Black Friday.

Apple AirTags

 

If there’s one must-have travel item this holiday season, it’s the Apple AirTag. While many travelers have and use AirTags, you almost can’t have too many. Plus, multiple airlines are on the verge of integrating the location of the AirTag into their lost baggage processes.

These coin-size item trackers are a lifesaver for those who travel with checked luggage, especially as delayed and misplaced baggage continues to be a periodic global travel issue.

Just pop one into each of your bags — and perhaps your keychain and backpack, too. Then, you’ll be able to track your bags directly on your iOS device. The next time an airline tells you that your bag is “lost,” you’ll hopefully have a much clearer picture of where it is.

Buy: Apple AirTag (pack of four): $69.99; Apple AirTag (individual tag): $19

Apple AirPods Pro

There are many top-notch noise-canceling headphones on the market, but none are as easy to use as Apple’s AirPods Pro, in our humble opinion.

The second-generation Pros bring major improvements to the noise cancellation experience, and the entire package can easily fit in your pockets — a game changer for travel.

Also, the latest generation Pros offer a USB-C charging case, which pairs perfectly with the new iPhone and the latest tech standards.

Buy: Apple AirPods Pro: $189.99 (normally $249)

Le Labo

Most of us can agree that one of the best parts about staying in luxury hotels is trying out all of the fancy scents and bath amenities that you wouldn’t necessarily purchase at home.

There are also quite a few TPG staffers who unanimously agree that Le Labo and the Edition are some of the best travel collabs out there, and it’s reason enough to consider staying at our favorite Edition properties.

Plus, Shop Edition lets you redeem Marriott Bonvoy points to cover the cost of your gifts. It might not be the world’s best points redemption, but it’s at least worth noting the option.

From lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body oil, the Le Labo product lineup is honestly all worth considering.

Buy: Le Labo Travel Set: $48 (normally $60)

Loop Engage Earplugs

If your family or friends are sensitive to noise when traveling, you might want to buy them a pair of Loop Engage Earplugs this holiday season.

TPG staffers agree that these are among the best earplugs available. The loop system should help them stay in your ears when you’re dozing off.

To buy: Loop Engage Equinox Earplugs: $27.95 (normally $34.95)

Silk Sleep Eye Mask

Eye masks are another sleep essential, especially when crisscrossing time zones on long-haul flights.

While there are various silk sleep masks on the market, this Lulusilk mulberry silk sleep eye mask boasts nearly 11,500 Amazon reviews. Its highlights include a 0.4-inch-wide elastic head strap design, which means it won’t tangle hair like a contoured mask and is suitable for side sleepers.

With this gift, you’ll help your friends and family doze off during their next flight — and they might not even ask you again for extra miles for a business-class upgrade.

To buy: Silk Sleep Eye Mask: $7.99 (normally $9.99)

Away Bigger Carry-On

With the launch of Away’s Softside collection, travelers now have an entire new collection to choose from, in addition to the brand’s original hardshell luggage line.

Away’s largest carry-on suitcase, the Bigger Carry-On bag, offers high-end luggage looks and features, such as a handy mesh laundry compartment, fun colors and 360-degree spinner wheels.

Having used the Softside Bigger Carry-On for the past year, TPG news reporter Caroline Tanner can confirm how spacious it feels while still adhering to domestic airline carry-on requirements.

Plus, Away is currently offering 25% off sitewide through Dec. 2.

To buy: The Bigger Carry-On: $221 (normally $295)

Anker Prime 67W USB-C Charger

Cable clutter can be frustrating, but there are ways to minimize the number of power bricks and cables you carry in your travel backpack.

With Anker’s 67-watt USB-C charger, you can leave all your big and bulky power bricks at home. This small cube easily fits into your backpack, and it boasts two USB-C ports and one USB-A port for easy charging of up to three devices.

No wonder the TPG team swears by it.

Buy: Anker Prime 67W USB-C Charger: $35.99 (normally $59.99)

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder

We’ve all been there. You just picked up a coffee at the airport, and now you need to figure out how you’ll hold the cup, wheel your bag and carry your purse or briefcase without spilling the drink.

Enter this luggage cup holder. It fits perfectly on the handle of your rollaboard and is the perfect place to put your coffee when you’re hustling to the gate.

It has already saved some TPG travelers from multiple spills, and it’s the gift that certainly pays dividends.

Buy: Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder: $8.49 (normally $11.99)

Wanderlust Passport

There are many digital tools available to track your travels. However, sometimes a pen and paper will be your best bet. Also, if you want to help a loved one get started on journaling their travels, consider the Wanderlust Passport.

This notebook features maps and open-ended prompts to help jog their memories, and it includes pockets to store ticket stubs and receipts. This would make a great gift for adventurous kids and teens.

Buy: Wanderlust Passport — A Travel Journal: $36

Q Slim Portable Charger

If your friends and family members aren’t yet traveling with a portable power bank, it’s time to change that. On a recent long-haul flight, the power outlet was broken, forcing me to either drain my battery or resort to using a power bank.

When gifting a power bank, Q Ultra’s 10,000mAh model is a good bet. Not only does this power bank have enough juice for all your devices, but it also has built-in charging cables for added convenience.

Buy: Q Slim Portable Charger: $25.91(normally $33.99)

Sabre Door Stop Security Alarm

Not to be an alarmist, but danger can strike at any time. As a traveler (especially if you’re a solo female traveler), it’s important to protect yourself.

Even at home, take precautions with a Sabre 120 dB Wedge Door Stop Security Alarm.

This door alarm is small and lightweight, and it’ll provide extra peace of mind in hotels and Airbnbs.

Buy: Sabre Door Stop Security Alarm: $13.19 (normally $14.99)

Belkin BoostCharge Pro

This 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W from Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro has become a fixture for TPG senior aviation reporter Zach Griff, who reports on the multiple tech devices he uses while traveling.

This all-in-one dock can wirelessly charge up to three devices with just a single power cable. Additionally, with the introduction of Standby Mode with iOS 17, iPhone users can dock their phones and peek at all their important widgets without even touching the device — a game changer when I first wake up in the morning.

The Belkin site is currently offering up to 35% off sitewide for Black Friday.

Buy: Belkin BoostCharge Pro: $95.99 (normally $129.99)

Vuori Joggers

When it comes to being comfortable on flights and travels (or anywhere, for that matter), Vuori’s Performance Joggers are a top choice for TPG’s senior editorial director, Summer Hull.

The good news is that Vuori has a variety of joggers available for both men and women in various colors, designs and materials. If you have a frequent flyer in your life, here’s an easy way to make them more comfortable on their next journey.

Buy: Women’s DreamKnit Performance Joggers: $94
Buy: Men’s Transit Jogger: $118

‘How to Win at Travel’ by Brian Kelly

That’s right, the Points Guy, Brian Kelly — our esteemed founder and head honcho, the man who started this here website from the ground up — has finally gone and written a book. It’s a weighty tome that details all of his secret strategies for leveraging airline and credit card points and traveling like a bona fide expert. Whether you’re a beginner to the points and miles world or a seasoned frequent flyer, this book is jam-packed with helpful advice that will change the way you travel — and save you money to boot. 

Buy: How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly: $27.90 (normally $30)

Tile Mate

If you’re not quite indoctrinated into Apple’s iOS world and want a reliable alternative to the much-lauded Apple AirTags, look no further than Tile and its lineup of luggage trackers. 

This Black Friday, you can save up to 20% on their entire range, including Tile Slims, Pros, Stickers and select Tile Mates. 

Buy: Tile Mate: $19.99 

FrSara Neck Fan 

Yep, that’s right. This headphone-looking contraption is actually a bladeless fan designed to be worn around the neck to keep you cool on the move. 

One of the most popular fans we’ve ever featured on the site, this is an absolute travel essential if you’re planning a trip somewhere sunny in 2025. 

Its output is virtually soundless (less than 25 decibels, e.g., as loud as rustling leaves), and it weighs just 6.7 ounces, so it won’t strain your neck. The battery lasts between four and 16 hours, depending on the power setting you use, making it ideal for almost all trips or hikes. 

Buy: FrSara Neck Fan: $23.79 (normally $27.99)

Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack

Dagne Dover is one of our favorite travel brands at TPG, and Caroline would recommend multiple items from the brand on this list if she could.

If you are new to the brand or are just looking for a chic yet efficient backpack, Caroline recommends starting with the Dakota Neoprene Backpack.

If you’re a gal (or guy) on the go, this backpack seamlessly provides the space you need to get through your day, from work to the gym to the plane and beyond.

It has a water-resistant Neoprene sleeve and is 100% vegan. Their medium-sized Dakota backpack fits a 13-inch laptop, but there are smaller and larger versions as well.

Plus, each backpack comes with a shoe bag (I mean, are you serious?) for all your commute needs.

Buy: Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack: $195

Calpak Packing Cubes

Calpak’s five-piece packing cube set is Summer’s favorite because it is one of the most durable and aesthetically pleasing packing cubes on the market.

She appreciates the thick mesh and polyester material, which has held up extraordinarily well across a variety of theme park, ski and cruise trips. The see-through mesh allows for breathability and a peek at what’s inside.

Plus, her Calpak packing cubes have survived many rounds of heat in the dryer without any noticeable impacts, which is not the case for all packing cubes.

They’re currently discounted thanks to Calpak’s Black Friday sale.

Buy: Calpak five-piece packing cube set: $54.40 (normally $68)

Hoka Women’s Everyday Running Bondi 8

People have mixed feelings when it comes to Hoka, but regardless of how ugly you find them, there seems to be a consensus that they’re comfortable. And, let’s be honest, this becomes all the more important with age.

Hoka’s Bondi 8 appears to be a starter shoe for the brand. It’s great for those of us just wanting to dip our toes into the ubiquitous sneaker, no pun intended. For those of you reading right now, these shoes are currently on sale for less than $150.

Buy: Hoka Women’s Everyday Running Bondi 8: $131.99 (normally $165)

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

The universal travel adapter from Epicka will cover all your charging needs whether you are traveling domestically or abroad. This worldwide adapter includes four plugs covering more than 150 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain.

This adapter has four USB-A ports, one USB-C port and an AC socket, so it can charge up to six devices simultaneously. It’s compatible with iPhones, laptops, tablets, power banks and other devices. Although it can charge various items, it is not a voltage converter and should not be used for high-voltage items like hair styling tools.

Buy: Epicka Travel Adapter: $19.99 (normally $25.99)

trtl Travel Pillow

Caroline first heard about the trail travel neck pillow from one of her favorite comedians, Heather McMahan, after which she promptly bought it.

Although she eventually lost it along her travels at some point (relatable), she still recommends it as the only travel pillow that allows you to fall asleep on board a plane by dropping your neck. The trtl is known for providing ultimate neck support that helps keep your head and neck in an upright position at all times, without straining.

If you’ve been wanting to try out the trtl but were turned off by the cost, it’s currently on sale for Black Friday at less than $50.

Buy: trtl Travel Pillow: $45.49 (normally $64.99)

Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information.

For a limited time, you can save $70 on future Southwest Airlines flights.

Costco is currently offering extra savings on an already great deal for Southwest Airlines. Costco members can save an additional $20 on top of the $50.01 in savings they already receive when purchasing a $500 Southwest gift card through Costco for $429.99.

This sale is only good until Dec. 2 (while supplies last).

Deal basics

Airline: Southwest Airlines
How to book: Purchase the e-gift card through Costco
How to redeem: Redeem online, at a ticket counter or by calling 1-800-I-FLY-SWA
Travel dates: N/A
Book by: While supplies last through Dec. 2

Costco users can purchase a $500 Southwest Airlines e-gift card for $429.99, resulting in $70.01 in savings. You can use gift cards to book Southwest travel online, in person or by phone. The gift cards do not expire, but they are restricted to five per membership in one transaction. Also, they are not refundable.

Maximize your purchase

If you buy a gift card, consider using the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for 2% cash back on wholesale club spending (on up to $2,500 spent on combined purchases every quarter, then 1%). Or use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees) for 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com.

Bottom line

You can purchase $500 Southwest gift cards for $429.99 while supplies last. This is an opportunity to save $70.01 on Southwest flights — and potentially earn bonus points by using the right credit card.

Act fast, as these prices are only good until Dec. 2. Quantities are limited.

Related reading:

• Costco Anywhere Visa Card review: A great option for Costco lovers
• I flew to Atlanta for the day to earn a 2-month Southwest Companion Pass — here’s why (and how it went)
• Southwest Rapid Rewards: Complete guide to earning, redeeming and maximizing points

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

All-business-class airline La Compagnie is back with its “Blue Friday” promotion, offering discounted round-trip flights from New York City to Paris; Nice, France; and Milan starting at $2,200.

Flights are on sale Thursday through Monday for travel through April 30, 2025. There’s availability over Christmas and New Year’s, among other peak travel periods.

Deal basics

Airline: La Compagnie
Routes: From New York City to Paris and Nice, France, and Milan
How to book: Online through La Compagnie
Travel dates: Thursday to April 30, 2025; some blackout dates apply, and fares are subject to availability
Booking window: Thursday to Monday

Sample flights

The following flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below round-trip flights will be available when you book:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), starting at $2,200
• EWR to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), starting at $2,200
• EWR to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE), starting at $2,200

One-way La Compagnie flights normally start at $1,600, so this promo is an opportunity to save up to $1,000 on its lowest fare type.

For this sale, the cheapest flights will be for the airline’s Promo fare type, which includes two checked bags, lounge access and free changes. The same conditions apply to both Smart and Flex fares, except that Promo fares are nonrefundable while Smart fares are refundable for a $600 fee. Flex fares are fully refundable and include access to the Extime Lounge at Orly.

La Compagnie is an all-business-class airline with 76 full-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration on its aircraft. Travelers can expect free Wi-Fi, amenity kits with Caudalie skincare products, seasonal menus curated by acclaimed chefs, and a selection of organic wines and Champagne.

Maximize your purchase

If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel
• American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare

Bottom line

Round-trip, business-class flights are available for travel through April, thanks to La Compagnie’s annual “Blue Friday” sale.

If you’ve never flown the airline or are hoping to fly business class to Paris, Nice or Milan, this is your sign to do so.

Related reading:

• The best Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday hotel deals
  
• The best hotels in Paris
• How points and miles made my son’s Paris travel dreams come true
• 10 best day trips from Paris

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

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are almost upon us, and if you’re anything like us, you likely already have a few items on your Amazon watch list. While the actual sales are yet to officially begin, we’re already seeing a smattering of price drops across various items on Amazon and other retailers (not to mention, some great early hotel deals).

After Amazon Prime Day, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are some of the best ways to save money on everything from headphones to household staples. Whether you are gearing up to save some cash during the sales or looking for deals on any of the other days of the year, here are ways you may be able to save money on your next Amazon “add to cart” moment.

Use points

After filling your Amazon cart, you might have noticed the “Shop with Points” option at checkout. This is not always the best use of your credit card points from a monetary value perspective, as you can often get better value from your points when redeeming for travel.

Sometimes, though, promotions award money off your Amazon order even when using a small number of points.

At any given time, various targeted American Express offers give cardholders the opportunity to save. In the past, TPG staffers with eligible American Express cards have been targeted to save between 10% and 40% on Amazon orders using as few as 1 American Express Membership Rewards point. Offer terms vary, but the concept remains relatively the same. If one of these offers is available for your account, it can be a great way to save on your next Amazon order.

To be eligible, you must link your eligible Amex card(s) to your Amazon account to shop with Membership Rewards points.

We regularly check for new offers. If you haven’t already, we suggest you do the same to make sure you’re not already eligible for an offer. Bookmark any offers pages to check again later if you’re not eligible right now.

Related: Save up to 50% on Amazon purchases using just 1 Amex point

Earn bonus points with the right credit card

If you have an American Express card, see if you’ve been targeted for any Amex Offers. These offers vary from account to account and can be a great way to rack up bonus Membership Rewards points or save money on purchases you would make anyway.

Amazon periodically appears in Amex Offers.

The trick here is to check your Amex account frequently to see if you’re eligible to earn bonus points or additional savings. You must manually add these offers to your Amex account and then use that card to pay for your Amazon orders.

TPG’s November 2024 valuations peg Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, so getting 5 points per dollar spent at Amazon is like earning 10 cents in rewards per dollar spent. To start accessing these Amex Offers, a couple of good American Express cards to consider that don’t even come with annual fees are:

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates and fees)
• Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees)

Use an Amazon credit card

While we’re discussing the best credit cards for Amazon purchases, let’s talk about Amazon’s own card: the Prime Visa.

It doesn’t have an annual fee, and new cardholders will receive a $200 Amazon gift card immediately upon approval. You can use the gift card straight away for sale purchases. The card is only available to Prime members, so factor that in when deciding if it is the right match for you.

The card usually awards 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market; 2% cash back on restaurant, gas station, and local transit and commuting purchases; and 1% cash back on everything else.

Related: Prime Visa card review: A good choice for regular Amazon shoppers

Use coupons

This tip won’t come as a surprise, but if you see a coupon available on Amazon, be sure to click on it.

You’ll know if there’s a coupon available for your item, as there will be an icon that says “Coupon” below the price. The coupon will be activated if you check the box next to it. Coupons are sometimes only for a few cents or dollars, but saving money is saving money.

Some items will also let you save by subscribing for repeat deliveries.

Track prices and set price alerts

It’s hard to know just how good a sale is if you haven’t been pricing a certain item for a while. One site that can tell you the historical price of an item on Amazon — and even alert you to price drops — is CamelCamelCamel.

This website can help you gauge just how good a sale is. If it’s not an urgent purchase, you can also use this site to help you decide whether or not to hold off on buying an item until you get a better price through a sale or price drop.

Get credit for no-rush shipping or pickup

If you have time to spare, you can opt for no-rush shipping on your items and save them for an “Amazon Day Delivery.” This way, you’ll earn a credit that you can use for future digital purchases such as select e-books, music, videos and apps. The amount of the credit varies, but, based on my tests, it often totals up to a couple of dollars.

You’ll find this option during checkout when you’re prompted to enter your shipping information.

If you decide to send your order to an Amazon pickup point (rather than your home), you may be rewarded with a promotion. In the past, we’ve seen $10 credits on future $20 Amazon orders by using a code and retrieving orders at an Amazon Hub, such as an Amazon Locker or Locker+.

Sign up for a free Amazon Prime trial

If you’re not already an Amazon Prime member, you might be able to sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. It’s a great, free way to try out the service if you haven’t already. You’ll be able to receive free, two-day shipping on eligible items and also get access to Prime Video. After that, if you don’t cancel, the plan increases to $14.99 every month.

Purchase Amazon gift cards

If the credit cards in your wallet don’t offer any points or cash-back bonuses for Amazon, you can also purchase Amazon gift cards at grocery stores with a credit card that gives bonus rewards at that specific retailer.

For example, if you buy a $100 Amazon gift card at the grocery store and pay for that purchase with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, you can earn 6% cash back on that purchase (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1%). Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at amazon.com checkout.

Bottom line

From having the right credit card to using American Express Reward Dollars for purchases, there are several ways to save money while shopping at Amazon. Bookmark this page for the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and beyond.

Related reading:

• Amex Blue Cash Preferred card review: Generous bonus categories and a solid welcome offer
• How to redeem your points and miles for Amazon purchases
• The do’s and don’ts on how to maximize your holiday purchases
• Earn bonus points and miles: How to maximize shopping portals for Black Friday and holiday deals

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex, click here.

Like many people, you’ve probably booked the cheapest rental car option in the past without giving much thought to rental car loyalty programs. However, if you’re planning to rent a car in the near future, you definitely should sign up for a rental car rewards program. Not only is it free, but by being a rewards member, you can earn some sweet perks like car upgrades and points toward free rentals.

Here’s a breakdown of the best car rental rewards programs and what you need to know about them.

Alamo Insiders

Unlike many of the programs below, Alamo Insiders doesn’t have elite status tiers, and you can’t earn rental car points. However, Alamo Insiders will receive a 5% discount on base rates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Additionally, members can choose to earn points or miles on qualifying car rentals from Alamo’s airline or hotel partners, such as American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors and Southwest Rapid Rewards. To see the full list, check out Alamo’s partner page.

Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals

Avis Preferred

With more than 5,000 locations worldwide, spanning over 170 countries, Avis has a large global footprint. Therefore, joining this car rental service’s loyalty program should be on your to-do list.

Avis Preferred has three elite status tiers: Preferred, Preferred Plus and President’s Club.

Avis Preferred

As a Preferred member, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on car rentals and 2 points per dollar spent on accessories. You can redeem points for car rentals starting at 700 points per day with no blackout dates.

The primary benefit of Avis Preferred is the ability to skip the line at the rental counter at most locations worldwide.

Avis Preferred Plus

You can reach Avis Preferred Plus when you rent at least 10 times or spend $4,000 within a calendar year. Once you reach that level, you’ll earn 1.25 points per dollar spent on the rental cost and 2.5 points per dollar spent on optional products.

As a Plus member, you’ll receive all the Preferred perks plus a complimentary one-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above (based on availability).

How to get this status: If you have United MileagePlus Premier Silver or United Premier Gold elite status, you can sign in to elevate your Avis status. Additionally, if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express in your wallet, you’ll receive complimentary Avis Preferred status (enrollment required).

Avis President’s Club

You’ll receive Avis President’s Club after 20 rentals or $6,000 in spending in a calendar year. You’ll earn 1.5 points per dollar on car rentals and 3 points per dollar on accessories.

Here are the benefits of Avis President’s Club status:

• Two-class upgrade when reserving a midsize car or above; excludes large SUVs and Signature Fleet (subject to availability)
• Guaranteed car up to a full-size with a confirmed 24-hour advance reservation
• Access to a dedicated Avis Preferred Plus customer service and reservation line

How to get this status: The following United cobranded credit cards offer Avis President’s Club status as a perk: United ClubSM Infinite Card and the United Club^SM Business Card. Additionally, MileagePlus members who have Premier Platinum elite status or higher also have this rental car status perk.

The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: How to never pay full price for a rental car

Budget Fastbreak

Budget’s Fastbreak loyalty program is free to join and allows members to easily pick up and drop off their rental cars.

Like Alamo Insiders, Budget Fastbreak has no elite status tiers. Instead, a few times a year, Budget will offer enticing promotions to its members, like $25 in Budget Bucks to use toward a future rental when you rent twice through Dec. 31.

Related: Save money on your next trip: Use these tips to never pay full price for a rental car

Dollar Express Rewards

The Dollar Express Rewards program allows you to earn reward points toward free rentals. Plus, you’ll also get access to perks like priority service, expedited rental returns and a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner).

While there is no elite status with Dollar Rewards, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals within the U.S. and Canada. Free rental car redemptions start at 500 points on weekend days and 625 points on weekdays (excludes taxes and fees).

Related: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals

Enterprise Plus

Enterprise Plus has four elite status tiers, Plus (basic membership), Silver, Gold and Platinum. Enterprise’s elite status benefits include bonus points for qualifying car rentals and free upgrades. Here’s a breakdown of each tier:

Enterprise Plus

You can get Plus status just by signing up, and you’ll have it through your fifth rental. You’ll earn 1 point per dollar on qualifying rentals.

Enterprise Silver

You’ll get Enterprise Silver status after six rentals. Silver members receive 10% bonus points for qualifying rental dollars and one free car upgrade per year.

Enterprise Gold

To earn Enterprise Gold status, you’ll need either 12 qualifying rentals or 40 rental days. You’ll also receive 15% bonus points for qualifying rental dollars and two free car upgrades per year.

Enterprise Platinum

Enterprise’s top-tier Platinum status requires 24 qualifying rentals or 85 rental days. You’ll receive 20% bonus points for qualifying rental dollars and four free car upgrades per year.

You can redeem your Enterprise points for free rental days with no blackout dates. Though the amount of points needed for a free rental day will vary by the details of a specific trip, rentals start at 400 points.

If you’re trying to fast-track your way to Enterprise elite status, the car rental loyalty program offers a status match with more than 40 travel loyalty programs. If you have elite status with an airline, hotel or car rental program, be sure to check out Enterprise’s website to see if you can match your status.

Related: Everything you need to know about rental car elite status

Fox Rewards

The Fox Rewards loyalty program is relatively simple and straightforward; members earn 4 points per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees). As you collect points, you have two options for redeeming your rewards: Gift cards or FoxBucks.

Fox partners with Tango Card to let you spend your points at retail merchants like Amazon, Apple, Starbucks and more. These rewards start at 2,500 points for a $25 gift certificate and go up to 12,500 points for a $125 gift certificate.

Another option is earning FoxBucks, which lets you redeem rental car rewards points to pay for your car rental. FoxBucks redemptions start at 1,600 points for $20 in FoxBucks and go up to 8,000 points for $100 in FoxBucks.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Hertz’s loyalty program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and it’s free to join. As a member, you can skip the counter and go straight to picking up your rental car; plus, you’ll earn redeemable reward points to use toward free rentals.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards has three elite tiers: Gold (basic membership), Five Star and President’s Circle. Here’s a breakdown of how to qualify for each tier and the benefits:

Hertz Gold

You can become a Hertz Gold member by signing up. There aren’t a ton of perks, but here’s what comes with this tier:

• Earn 1 point per dollar spent
• Access to Hertz Ultimate Choice, where you choose your own car at select Hertz locations
• Free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner in the U.S.

Hertz Five Star

You can earn Five Star status after completing 10 Hertz rentals or spending $2,000 on rental cars in a year. The most notable benefits include:

• Earn 1.25 points per dollar spent
• Upgrades based on availability
• When renting from a Hertz location with an Ultimate Choice lot, Hertz Five Star members have access to a wider range of cars

Additional ways to earn this status: If you have Delta Medallion Silver or Gold status, you can match it to Five Star status.

Hertz President’s Circle

You’ll earn President’s Circle status after completing 15 Hertz rentals or spending $3,000 on rental cars in a calendar year. President’s Circle members get the same benefits as other elite members, plus the following:

• Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent
• Guaranteed car upgrades
• When renting from a Hertz location with an Ultimate Choice lot, you’ll have access to the widest range of cars (more than Gold or Five Star members)
• Access to a dedicated Hertz phone number for President’s Circle members

Additional ways to earn this status: The following cards offer Hertz President’s Circle benefits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*, The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required) and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (enrollment required). If you have Delta Platinum or Diamond Medallion status, you can enroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program and receive complimentary President’s Circle status.

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

Related: Stacking rental car perks with Hertz and the Venture X

National Emerald Club

National’s loyalty program, Emerald Club, has three levels: Emerald Club, Executive and Executive Elite. Let’s break down each tier.

Emerald Club

Emerald Club members can skip the counter and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or above. You can choose to earn either free rental days, or points or miles from one of National’s partner programs. There are other perks, including:

• Expedited services when renting in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean
• Free rental days after seven rental credits
• No second-driver fees
• Free one-class upgrade at participating locations in the U.K., Ireland, France, Spain and Germany (subject to availability)

Emerald Club Executive

Emerald Club Executive status requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days per calendar year. You can also skip those requirements and get National Emerald Club Executive status if you hold a travel rewards card such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (enrollment required).

In addition to the base member perks, Executive members will also have access to the following:

• Free rental day after six rental credits
• Pay the midsize rate when you pick any car in the U.S. (full-size and above) in the Executive Area
• Guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a midsize or above in the U.S. and Canada
• Get exclusive pricing when you upgrade to Premier Selection at the rental lot in the U.S. and Canada

Emerald Club Executive Elite

Members can earn Emerald Club Executive Elite status after 25 rentals or 85 rental days per calendar year. Top-tier Executive Elite members get the following benefits:

• Free rental days after five rental credits (any car class except exotic vehicles and trucks)
• Guaranteed car (up to full-size) with 24 hours notice
• Private airport delivery if you arrive by private aircraft at a small airport in the U.S. or Canada (up to 50 miles from a National branch)

One last thing to note about National’s Emerald Club program — it will match your status in over 40 loyalty programs. Members of TPG’s staff have been successful in using Hilton Honors Gold status to match Emerald Club Executive and matching United Airlines Premier 1K to get Executive Elite. It’s definitely worth checking to see if you can match your status to get Emerald Club status.

Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals

Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards

Thrifty Blue Chip has no elite status tiers and did away with its points-earning structure. Thrifty Blue Chip members receive up to a 15% discount on all rentals instead of earning points.

Blue Chip members can add a free authorized additional driver (spouse or domestic partner), benefit from quicker pickups and returns and more.

Best credit cards to use for car rentals

When renting a car from any company, the key to earning the most rewards is choosing the right credit card. The following cards offer bonus points for all car rentals purchased directly:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 3 points per dollar on all travel, including car rentals
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 2 points per dollar on all travel, including car rentals
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases
• Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Earn 2 miles per dollar on rental cars

Some cards also offer primary car rental coverage, covering any loss, theft or damage to a rental without you needing to file a claim with your insurance company. All you have to do is decline primary rental insurance when you pick up your vehicle and pay with the card offering this coverage.

Bottom line

Renting a car isn’t nearly as exciting as flying, staying at a hotel or even taking the train. But sometimes it is necessary, especially if you’re traveling off the beaten path.

If your credit card (or airline loyalty program) includes automatic elite status with one or more car rental agencies, you should sign up. Even if you don’t get elite status through a credit card, it’s still worth signing up for as many programs as possible, as you can earn points to use toward free rentals, get exclusive discounts or even skip the checkout counter. There are perks and benefits to joining car rental loyalty programs.

Dis-loyalty, one of the most disruptive hotel membership programs in the industry, is here with a November offer you can’t afford to miss: You can get 50% off hotel stays at popular brands like The Hoxton, SLS, Mondrian, SO/ and Mama Shelter. 

For those uninitiated, Dis-loyalty is a paid “travel and food membership” program that offers a slew of benefits at Ennismore (the lifestyle arm of Accor and separate from ALL — Accor Live Limitless) for $18 a month. These benefits include:

• 50% off just-opened hotels for the first three months after opening
• 20% off every first-time stay in every hotel
• 10% off for return stays
• 10% off food and drink in restaurants, bars and coffee shops
• 365 barista-made free drinks, one every day of the year

But it’s not a traditional loyalty program where you have to earn elite-night credits and points and then work your way through various tiers or levels to get all the perks. With Dis-loyalty, you simply pay that monthly fee to receive all the above benefits, plus one-off “drops,” or limited-time sales.

Right now, things are even sweeter. Dis-loyalty memberships are on sale through Dec. 4 for 35% off. This means you can pay $140.40 upfront for a year’s subscription (saving you about $75) or pay $13.50 a month (saving you about $5 a month).

With November’s drop, Dis-loyalty members can save 50% at nearly 50 participating hotels and resorts across Dis-loyalty’s collection of more than 90 properties; you must book between now and Dec. 4 for stays from Nov. 26, 2024, through the end of August 2025. The best part of this drop is that these 50%-off rates are all totally flexible, and you don’t have to pay until you arrive for your stay.

Not a member yet? Don’t fret. It’s not too late to sign up. Simply visit the Dis-loyalty website to register. Just note that Dis-loyalty requires a one-year minimum commitment.

You can find Dis-loyalty’s trendy lifestyle hotels around the world. This sale applies to properties from Hollywood Hills in California to picture-perfect European capitals and even beachy resorts surrounded by turquoise waters.

Personally, I’d take advantage of this sale to book a stay in one of the more expensive destinations, like London, where you can snag big savings across three different Hoxton hotels. Or maybe I’d head to one of the trendiest new all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, SLS Playa Mujeres, for an experience that just opened to the public in November.

Sadly, some properties — like The Hoxton, Williamsburg, one of the best hotels in New York City — aren’t part of this particular sale, so you wouldn’t save 50%. However, with the Dis-loyalty membership, you would still save 20% on your first-ever stay at the hotel. So, really, the program can be a win-win if you stay in lifestyle hotels frequently. Or, if you live near a Dis-loyalty property, it can also save you a small fortune on your daily coffee run.

Here are all the participating properties:

• 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville
• 21c Museum Hotel Chicago
• 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati
• 21c Museum Hotel Durham
• 21c Museum Hotel Kansas City
• 21c Museum Hotel Lexington
• 21c Museum Hotel Louisville
• 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis
• 25hours Hotel Copenhagen Paper Island
• 25hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord
• 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino (Florence, Italy)
• The Hoxton, Brussels
• The Hoxton, Charlottenburg (Berlin)
• The Hoxton, Poblenou (Barcelona)
• The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush (London)
• The Hoxton, Shoreditch (London)
• The Hoxton, Southwark (London)
• The Hoxton, Rome
• The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
• The Hoxton, Downtown LA
• The Hoxton, Portland
• The Hoxton, Vienna
• Hyde Ibiza
• Hyde London City
• Mama Shelter Los Angeles Hollywood
• Mondrian Ibiza
• Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes
• Mondrian Hong Kong
• Mondrian Seoul Itaewon
• Mondrian Mexico City Condesa
• Mondrian Doha
• Mondrian Singapore Duxton
• SLS Baha Mar
• SLS Barcelona
• SLS Cancun
• SLS Playa Mujeres (Cancun)
• SLS South Beach (Miami)
• SO/ Auckland
• SO/ Bangkok
• SO/ Hua Hin
• SO/ Maldives
• SO/ Paris
• SO/ Vienna
• Sanderson (London)
• St Martins Lane (London)

Related reading: 

• The best Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday hotel deals
• Where to go in 2025: The 29 best places to travel
• Accor’s luxe Sofitel Legend brand expanding to the pyramids of Giza

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

One of our favorite things about the holiday season is the sales: Black Friday cruise deals, Travel Tuesday hotel bargains and, of course, plenty of discounts at various retailers. If you’re thinking about taking advantage of any holiday sales, don’t forget that you can use shopping portals to earn extra points, miles or cash back on your purchases.

For the uninitiated, shopping portals are online hubs affiliated with loyalty programs that allow you to earn rewards for shopping at various retailers. Here’s what you need to know about using online shopping portals this holiday season.

Related: Top holiday destinations for festive family fun

How to use shopping portals

Shopping portals are extremely easy to use. Just sign up for each portal using your loyalty account number, and when you’re ready to shop, click through the portal to a retailer’s site before making your purchase. This allows you to earn points and miles through the portal in addition to any rewards you’d normally earn on the credit card you use to make your purchase.

You can simplify this process by downloading each portal’s browser extension. This will automatically notify you when a site you’re shopping on is eligible for rewards without even clicking through to the portal’s website.

You may find that the hardest thing about shopping portals is choosing which one to use for a given purchase, especially since rewards vary from one portal to another and often change daily or even hourly. A shopping portal aggregator, such as Cashback Monitor, can help you search for the store you want and quickly compare the rewards being offered across all portals.

Related: The beginners guide to airline shopping portals: How to earn bonus points and miles

Popular shopping portals

Nearly every major airline has a shopping portal, along with some issuers of rewards credit cards, and there are third-party sites that let you earn rewards as well. Here are some popular ones among the TPG staff:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Shopping: Earn Alaska Mileage Plan miles
• American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping: Earn American AAdvantage miles
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Shopping: Earn Delta SkyMiles miles
• JetBlue TrueBlue Shopping: Earn JetBlue TrueBlue points
• Rakuten: Earn cash back or American Express Membership Rewards points
• Shop Through Chase: Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Shopping: Earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points
• United Airlines MileagePlus Shopping: Earn United MileagePlus miles

How to evaluate offers

When evaluating shopping portal offers, you’ll notice that payouts tend to vary widely. For example, Shop Through Chase is currently offering 6 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent at Bloomingdale’s. Based on TPG’s November 2024 valuation of Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, this would yield a roughly 12% return on top of whatever other discounts Bloomingdale’s offers, which you could stack with the regular earnings through your rewards credit card. However, Rapid Rewards Shopping is offering only 1 point per dollar spent at Bloomingdale’s, while Rakuten is offering 10% cash back.

Also, keep in mind that shopping portals occasionally offer bonuses to let you stretch your rewards further — especially around the holidays. These typically award a chunk of bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount. The minimum spending is usually cumulative at any of the portal’s participating retailers, so you could use multiple purchases within the promotion window to earn the bonus. Even if a portal isn’t offering many points or miles per dollar spent, a bonus could make it the most lucrative option.

Although most shopping portals only offer rewards for online purchases, a few programs allow you to earn bonus points and miles for in-store shopping. For example, Mileage Plan Shopping currently offers 2 miles per dollar spent in store and 0.5 miles per dollar spent online at CVS. To earn rewards for in-store shopping, link your credit card to the portal and activate in-store offers individually.

To further maximize your purchases, check your Amex Offers and Chase Offers. These programs give cardholders discounts and other bonuses for making purchases with specific merchants. Amex Offers are available on virtually any American Express card, including personal cards and business cards; Chase Offers are currently only available for select consumer credit and debit card holders. Since offers vary by cardholder and credit card, log in to your online account to see which offers you are eligible for.

For example, here are some current Chase Offers that might come in handy during Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping (note that offers may be targeted):

• Dell: Earn 5% cash back on all Dell purchases until a $100 cash-back maximum is reached.
• Adidas: Earn 10% cash back on your Adidas purchase when you spend $100 or more, including taxes and after any discounts.
• Ulta Beauty: Earn 10% cash back on all online purchases until an $11 cash-back maximum is reached.

Picking the best credit card for your purchases

In addition to scoring the best deals and earning bonus points through shopping portals, using the right credit card is crucial to maximizing your savings and rewards. Not only will it help you gain the most points and miles for your purchases, but some cards will even cover you in case of price drops, theft or damage.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to choose credit cards based on where you’ll be doing the most spending and what type of protections you value most. Here are some of TPG’s top recommendations for Black Friday and holiday deals:

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: You can earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1% cash back), making this a great card for your holiday gift purchases.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases, so it’s great to use on in-store and online purchases that won’t earn bonuses in specific categories on your other rewards credit cards.
• Prime Visa: This card is most useful for Prime members to earn 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
• Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card: This card could be a great option if your shopping venture includes Amazon or Target. It earns 5% cash back when you activate it on up to $1,500 spent on purchases in quarterly rotating categories, which are currently amazon.com and Target (through December 2024).
• Chase Freedom Flex®: Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in rotating categories each quarter. The fourth-quarter bonus categories for 2024 include PayPal, which could help you rack up extra rewards on many online purchases.
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees): This card earns 2% cash back on purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill. Even better, if you hold the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) or the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer accepting new applicants), you can transfer your cash-back rewards to Citi’s transfer partners and often get better value out of them.

The information for the Discover it Cash Back and Citi Prestige cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

There are several ways to double- or even triple-dip your rewards earnings during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and using a shopping portal is one of the easiest. The extra points and miles can add up in the long run, especially if a portal is offering extra points or miles per dollar spent at your preferred retailer or a chunk of bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount. Besides increasing your rewards balances, using a shopping portal is also an easy way to keep your points and miles from expiring.

Related reading:

• Why you should use points and miles to book holiday travel
• Holiday airfare is rising: What to know if you haven’t booked your flights yet
• Mistakes to avoid when booking holiday travel
• From Alaska to New York City, here are our 10 favorite Christmas markets in the US
• Best Christmas cruises for 2024, 2025 and beyond
• Things you really need to do now in advance of holiday travel

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

Although it’s easy to earn Hilton elite status, Hilton Honors members often face an upsell for paid upgrades, insufficient food-and-beverage credits, and high award prices.

That said, there’s no question that Hilton Diamond benefits can make your stay more comfortable. So, let’s explore how to qualify for Hilton Diamond status and enjoy its top benefits.

Related: The best Hilton hotels in the world

How to get Hilton Diamond status

Hilton Diamond status is possibly the easiest top-tier hotel elite status to get.

To qualify, you must complete 30 stays, stay 60 nights or earn 120,000 base points in a calendar year. However, primary cardholders of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates and fees) enjoy complimentary Diamond status as a perk of their card.

This card offers several other great perks to offset its $550 annual fee, including an annual free night award, up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits (provided as up to $200 semiannually) and up to $200 in flight credits (provided as up to $50 quarterly).

The information for the Hilton Aspire 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.

If you’re looking for a card with a lower annual fee, you can also earn Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year on qualifying purchases using the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (see rates and fees). Once you reach the spending requirement, your Hilton Diamond status may take 10 to 12 weeks to become effective. Once it becomes effective, you’ll enjoy Hilton Diamond status for the remainder of the calendar year, in which you reached the spending requirements and the subsequent calendar year.

Related: The best Hilton credit cards

Room upgrades

Elite status and upgrades often go hand in hand. As a Hilton Diamond member, you’re eligible for space-available upgrades up to a junior, standard, or one-bedroom suite at most brands.

In fairness, with the surplus of Diamond members, suite upgrades tend to be limited. In my experience, suite upgrades are far less common with Hilton Diamond status than with top-tier Marriott and Hyatt status. Hilton also sells paid upgrades to elite members even when their status should entitle them to a complimentary upgrade.

That said, Hilton Diamond status can be extremely valuable overseas. With Diamond status, I’ve enjoyed generous suite upgrades at Hilton-branded hotels in Indonesia, Morocco and French Polynesia.

Just be aware that upgrades are up to the hotel’s discretion and based on availability when you arrive. Note that Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Spark by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hilton Grand Vacations, Motto by Hilton, Napua Tower at Grand Wailea, Imperial Floor at Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa don’t offer complimentary upgrades.

Related: How to redeem Hilton points for upgraded rooms

Food and beverage benefits

You and up to one additional registered guest can select a $10-$25 food-and-beverage credit per night as a MyWay benefit at most brands in the U.S. This often isn’t enough for an entire meal, but it can help offset the price of breakfast, drinks or dinner.

Unfortunately, most Hilton properties do not allow you to use the food-and-beverage credit cumulatively. So, for a four-night stay, you must use the credit daily rather than redeeming four nights’ worth of food-and-beverage credits on one charge.

Outside the U.S., Diamond members and up to one additional registered guest can select daily continental breakfast as a MyWay benefit at most brands.

Related: Your complete guide to breakfast benefits at Hilton Honors hotels

Executive lounge access

In addition to the previously discussed food-and-beverage or continental breakfast perk, Hilton Diamond members receive access to the executive lounge at some properties. Within the U.S., executive lounges at Hilton properties are notoriously rare.

Still, this benefit can be nice to have. At some international properties, guests with Diamond status enjoy access to handsomely decorated club lounges with complimentary afternoon snacks, evening hors d’oeuvres, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

Related: Best Hilton hotels and resorts on the beach, from the US to the Maldives

Bonus points

Hilton Diamond members enjoy a 100% bonus on the base points they earn from stays. This bonus means Hilton Diamond members get 10 extra points per dollar spent at most Hilton brands. However, Hilton Diamond members only get 5 additional points at Home2 Suites properties outside of China and Tru properties worldwide, as these brands earn at a lower rate.

If you stay at an Embassy Suites for $200 per night, you will earn an extra 2,000 Hilton points per night as a Hilton Diamond member. Based on TPG’s November 2024 valuations, those extra points are worth about $12.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?

Fifth night free on award stays

Members with Hilton Honors elite status receive every fifth night free (up to four free nights per stay) when they book a standard-room award stay entirely with points.

Whether traveling to an expensive resort like the Conrad Bora Bora Nui in French Polynesia or a more modestly priced property (such as the one above), the fifth-night-free benefit can help you get more value from your Hilton points.

Related: Ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

Diamond status extension

Select Hilton Diamond members who won’t meet the standard requirements to qualify for Diamond status can request to extend their status for one year with Diamond status extension. Here’s a look at the requirements for the Diamond status extension:

• The guest must be a current Hilton Diamond member with status that will expire March 31 of the following year.
• The guest must have held Diamond status for at least three years. (The years do not have to be consecutive, but years in which you used a status match to achieve Diamond status don’t count.)
• The guest must have stayed at least 250 nights with Hilton (paid and reward nights are both eligible) or earned at least 500,000 base points since joining Hilton Honors (points earned via bonuses, promotions, and cobranded credit cards don’t count).

You can request a Diamond status extension reminder here.

Related: How to get Hilton Honors lifetime Diamond status

Bottom line

Hilton Diamond benefits can save you money and make your travels more enjoyable.

Some properties in Hilton’s portfolio recognize members with Diamond elite status far more than others. Nonetheless, when you consider that Diamond status can instantly be yours as a primary cardholder of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (or after spending $40,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card), there’s no wonder so many travelers have and enjoy Hilton Diamond status.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.