Azamara is out with another epic world cruise itinerary — and this one is currently one of the cruise industry’s longest.
The small-ship cruise line on Wednesday announced its longest-ever world cruise departing in 2027. Travelers on this 188-night voyage will visit a whopping 103 destinations within five continents and 37 countries.
Azamara’s penchant for longer days in port and more overnight stays dovetails nicely with a world cruise itinerary. During the sailing, cruisers will enjoy 50 late-night port calls and 15 overnight stays.
The world cruise will take place on the 702-passenger Azamara Quest and offer travelers a chance to visit destinations across the globe, including Japan, Tahiti, New Zealand, Thailand, Alaska and Sweden. The ship’s size provides an intimate experience and allows cruisers to access both major cruise ports and narrower waterways larger ships can’t access. For example, on the world cruise, Azamara Quest will transit Germany’s Kiel Canal and cruise right into the center of Shanghai.
Known for catering to affluent, well-heeled travelers, Azamara offers an intimate onboard atmosphere and itineraries that focus on immersive experiences. The 2027 World Cruise will feature 12 exclusive and complimentary AzAmazing Evenings, which allow cruisers to explore iconic landmarks and cultural performances in port.
AZAMARA
The world cruise kicks off in San Francisco on Jan. 5, 2027, with several sea days broken up by port calls in Hawaii and French Polynesia.
From there, Quest will spend the remainder of January visiting American Samoa and Tonga before kicking off February with stops in Fiji and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and others). Other February highlights include port calls in Australia (such as Melbourne, Sydney and Kangaroo Island).
Travelers will spend spring ticking a number of global experiences off their bucket lists. From March through April, guests will visit Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and South Korea — ideal timing for optimum cherry blossom viewing.
In May, Quest will cruise along Alaska’s Inside Passage, featuring stops in Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan, before visiting Vancouver and Victoria in Canada. The ship will continue southward to Mexico and Costa Rica before crossing the Panama Canal. It will then head up North America’s East Coast in June before crossing the Atlantic to call in Ireland and France.
The last segment of the world cruise will take guests through Northern Europe (including the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Finland and Sweden) before the trip ends in Copenhagen on July 12, 2027.
If you don’t have 188 days of vacation to spare, you can book one of 12 shorter segments.
Azamara’s World Cruise is currently open for booking. Fares for the cruise start at $85,559 per person (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin.
While Azamara fares always include room service, gratuities, select beverages, self-service laundry and the AzAmazing Evenings, guests who book the full world cruise itinerary can snag a slew of additional perks. They include $8,500 in onboard credit, unlimited Wi-Fi, a free Premium Beverage Package upgrade and precruise amenities like airfare credit, a one-night hotel stay, transfers and a $500 luggage reimbursement (all valued at over $40,000 per cabin, according to the line).
You can book directly with Azamara or through your favorite travel agent.
In a week full of airline deals, TAP Air Portugal is offering travelers a New Year’s sale, with round-trip economy flights from major U.S. cities to Europe for less than $500.
Flights are available to Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Copenhagen, London and Dublin, among other international destinations, from domestic cities like Boston, New York City, Miami and Chicago.
Deal basics
DIEGOGRANDI/GETTY IMAGES
Airline: TAP Air Portugal Routes: Across the TAP network How to book: Directly with the airline Travel dates: Jan. 15 to May 15; exact dates vary by route Book by: Jan. 19 Blackout dates: April 7 to 22
Sample routes
The following round-trip economy flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee availability when you book:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Miami International Airport (MIA) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), from $419
BOS and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and Dublin Airport (DUB), from $429
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to MAD, BCN, CPH, DUB, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), from $429
JFK and EWR to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP), from $439
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to BCN, from $439
ORD and Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to MAD, BCN, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) and Oslo Airport (OSL), from $449
JFK to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), from $489
JFK to Lisbon Airport (LIS), Faro Airport (FAO), Lajes Airport (TER), Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and Vienna Airport (VIE), from $499
The cheapest tickets available are within the sale economy fare, which allows travelers one personal item and one carry-on item.
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Everything else — including seat selection and checked baggage — is extra, and costs vary by flight.
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Business-class fares to various cities in Portugal are also available, starting at $2,300 round-trip.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel
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)
Like the British Airways sale running this month, this sale offers travelers discounted flights through Jan. 19. However, the cheapest fares will likely disappear before then, so act fast if you wish to partake.
The wildfires burning a devastating path across the greater Los Angeles area are also impacting travelers going in and out of the area. A number of flights to and from southern California have been affected by the volatile conditions, although the vast majority of those cancellations and delays involve the Hollywood Burbank Airport. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is not reporting much, if any, interference with travel operations from the wildfires.
One traveler flying to the city from Denver posted a video on X showing an overhead view of the Palisades fire burning. His flight was supposed to land at the Burbank Airport (BUR) but was instead diverted to LAX due to turbulence caused by the strong winds that have helped fan the flames.
A flight passenger traveling from Denver to Los Angeles captured footage of the Palisades Fire tearing across neighborhoods as the plane was making its descent into Los Angeles International Airport. The plane was originally going to land in Burbank, but was diverted to LAX.… pic.twitter.com/Wdtb9vhOOb
As of 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, 19% of flights taking off from Burbank Airport (BUR) had been canceled, and 13% had been delayed, according to data obtained on the website FlightAware. LA Ontario International Airport (ONT), which is about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, is reporting about 10% flight cancellations.
Several airlines have issued region-specific travel alerts designed to give some flexibility for people who had travel plans affected by the fires. Airlines such as Delta, JetBlue,Southwest and United Airlines are allowing people who had flights booked to and from LA-area airports between January 8-10 to rebook by January 15.
American Airlines posted a similar travel waiver policy to the one it did following the New Year’s terrorist attack in New Orleans.
AA.com
As for the many attractions in Los Angeles that make it one of the popular destinations in the U.S., more and more have closed as the flames keep spreading. The Getty Villa, part of the iconic J. Paul Getty Museum, has so far escaped the damage that has claimed more than a thousand homes and buildings. That location will be closed through at least next week, while the Getty Museum in Los Angeles will remain closed through January 12.
The world-renowned Griffith Observatory, which is close to the iconic Hollywood sign, is also closed. Some residents near the location in Griffith Park remain concerned that flames could reach the area and force evacuations there. Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures both closed their popular studio tours today, citing “strong winds and fire conditions.”
Universal Studios Hollywood, located in the San Fernando Valley, has also temporarily closed its doors, as has the surrounding shopping and entertainment center Universal CityWalk.
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk will be closed today as a result of the extreme winds and fire conditions. We will continue to assess the situation and expect to open for business tomorrow. The safety of our team members and our guests is our top priority.
Disneyland, which is in Orange County about 45 minutes from Pacific Palisades, where the worst of the wildfires is located, remains open, as does Knott’s Berry Farm. That may change depending on fire conditions so if you have plans to attend either attraction, make sure to check before going.
We’ll keep this story updated as we get more information.
Delta Air Lines is jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon. Starting in 2026, the Atlanta-based carrier will begin rolling out Bluetooth connectivity to more planes and cabins, allowing passengers on its newest aircraft to pair their Apple AirPods or other wireless listening devices to its inflight entertainment system.
Delta announced its new Bluetooth plans Tuesday in a keynote presentation at the Las Vegas Sphere, held as part of CES, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows – and among the largest conventions each year in Las Vegas.
Delta Air Lines takes over the Sphere in Las Vegas for a keynote at CES 2025. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
As part of the presentation, Delta executives revealed these stepped-up Bluetooth capabilities will be part of a larger inflight entertainment system boost on its new planes — which will include new, higher-quality seatback screens and a just-announced, ad-free streaming partnership with YouTube.
Plus, the airline announced a new partnership with ride-hailing service Uber which will launch later this spring, allowing customers to earn SkyMiles on rides.
Delta expands seatback Bluetooth connectivity
Today, Delta passengers can only pair their wireless Bluetooth devices to a small fraction of the carrier’s inflight seatback screens. Specifically, only in the first-class cabin of its Airbus A321neo jets.
That limited Bluetooth rollout, as TPG reported in 2022, was part of a trial as Delta considered expanding the technology to more aircraft — and more cabins. Since then, airlines — Delta among them — have doubled down on seatback screens. And Bluetooth-enabled headphones, of course, have only grown in popularity.
Bluetooth connectivity in first class on a Delta Airbus A321neo, as shown in May 2022. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Which Delta planes will get Bluetooth?
Now, one caveat: So far, Delta has not announced any plans to deploy Bluetooth across its entire fleet. The carrier on Tuesday said the technology will start appearing on select new aircraft deliveries next year.
Specifically, Delta plans to install the new technology on future Airbus A350-1000 jets, along with A321neos beginning in mid-2026, an executive said Tuesday. It’s also planned for eventual deliveries of the still-yet-to-be-certified Boeing 737 MAX 10.
Rendering of a Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-1000. DELTA AIR LINES
That said, Bluetooth will be available in every cabin of those jets, so you’ll be able to pair your AirPods whether you’re flying on a Delta One ticket or a basic economy fare.
In some ways, the carrier is following in the footsteps of United Airlines, which has already announced plans to equip more than 800 of its jets with Bluetooth capabilities by 2032.
A United Airlines Airbus A321neo with Bluetooth-enabled seatback screens. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Larger tech improvements announced in Vegas
For Delta’s part, its Bluetooth announcement came as part of a larger inflight entertainment overhaul the carrier unveiled Tuesday at the Sphere in a major spectacle that saw the company’s branding adorning the world-famous Las Vegas venue.
Past years have seen Delta use CES to announce other major technological innovations. Back in 2020, CEO Ed Bastian used his keynote speech to first signal the airline’s plans to make inflight Wi-Fi free — complimentary service is now available on more than 700 Delta jets for passengers with a SkyMiles membership.
Delta Air Lines logo on a Delta Connection regional jet. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The expanded Bluetooth connectivity that Delta flyers will start seeing in 2026 is made possible by all-new seatback entertainment systems the carrier will debut on certain new aircraft scheduled to join the fleet.
The 4K HDR QLED screens will offer what Delta’s calling a “theater-like viewing experience.”
And it’s not just hardware changes.
The carrier on Tuesday announced a new partnership with streaming giant YouTube, which will allow passengers ad-free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music access while in flight — accessible via the seatback screens or personal devices through the free Wi-Fi.
A Delta Air Lines aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Delta’s new screens will also come with a “Do Not Disturb” function, which will allow passengers to alert flight attendants when they’d rather not be woken for inflight service. The system will also offer translation services, allowing passengers to hear inflight announcements in their preferred language.
“Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seatback screens or any of the other personalized channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles Members,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement ahead of the event Tuesday.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian speaks at the Sphere on Jan. 7, 2025. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
This “next-generation Delta Sync seatback experience” comes as part of a partnership Delta announced with aerospace firm Thales Avionics.
New Uber partnership
Delta also had good news Tuesday for SkyMiles members who regularly ride Uber.
Later this spring, the airline and ride-hailing service will launch a new partnership allowing SkyMiles members to link their account with Uber and earn Delta miles for eligible rides and deliveries.
Once live, SkyMiles earnings on Uber will include:
1 mile per dollar spent on UberX rides to and from airports
2 miles per dollar spent on premium rides
3 miles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve rides
1 mile per dollar spent on eligible restaurant and grocery orders
The companies plan to release additional details about the partnership in the coming weeks.
Mobile app gets AI ‘concierge’
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a major product announcement in 2025 without an innovation related to artificial intelligence.
Delta says it will infuse its Fly Delta mobile app this year with Delta Concierge, an AI tool that will offer passengers additional instructions and suggestions while traveling — or, as the company puts it, “contextualized guidance and tailored recommendations” throughout the travel journey.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
That could mean the AI “concierge” chimes in with information about passport or visa requirements, or offers packing tips based on weather forecasts at a destination.
The move comes as airlines across the U.S. have, across the board, invested significant resources in improving their mobile apps, allowing customers more ways to track bags, rebook themselves, file lost luggage claims and get notified about key announcements through features like “live activities.”
DELTA AIR LINES
For Delta specifically, these hardware and software improvements will accompany an updated interior look for its cabins expected to debut on some new jets later this year — with retrofits to existing aircraft planned for the coming years, as well.
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The company used its CES appearance as a way to simultaneously celebrate its 100-year anniversary — helped by an exhibit inside the Sphere — and tout its vision for the future.
It’s always hard seeing most of my elite status levels reset to zero come Jan. 1. It’s a tough reminder that if you want to keep your status in the coming year, you’ll need to get back on the hamster wheel.
But for those of us who are truly addicted to top-tier status (like me), we need to start the games again.
Plus, there are some bright spots: Rollover credits, miles or free nights from credit cards courtesy of some of our favorite programs like World of Hyatt are already here. Also, several programs have new perks or new choices when it comes to benefits.
We’ve already seen rollovers and credits — including Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt stay credits — hitting our accounts.
Consider this your annual reminder to check your accounts and make a plan for status goals for 2025.
Delta SkyMiles
It’s a whole new world for Delta Air Lines’ elite members. The airline made headlines back in 2023 when it made a ton of changes to its program. While Delta has since rolled back some of the most draconian steps, what hasn’t changed is the end of Medallion Qualification Miles as a metric for elite status.
It’s now all about the Medallion Qualification Dollars, as you can see in the tracker in my SkyMiles account:
DELTA AIR LINES
Your ability to choose your Delta Choice Benefits is not available right now (at least not in my account). I have it on good authority that people (like me) who had enough MQMs last year to roll over their 2024 status won’t see choices until after Feb. 1.
However, there will be a bunch of new choices in addition to previous options like upgrade certificates and bonus SkyMiles.
Delta Choice Benefits landing page. DELTA AIR LINES
If you qualified for Platinum or Diamond Medallion status in the 2025 Medallion year (based on qualifying activity during the 2024 calendar year), you have until Jan. 31, 2026, to select your annual Delta Choice Benefits. Note that you must choose your 2024 benefits by the end of January.
According to Delta, you will soon be able to make your choices in the app instead of having to log in on a desktop computer: “Beginning February 1, 2025, enjoy a more seamless experience by selecting your Choice Benefits through the Fly Delta app.”
We expect the MQD boost from holding one of the following Delta credit cards will hit sometime in February:
For each of these cards you hold, you get 2,500 MQDs at the start of each year just for being a cardmember. These stack for travelers with multiple eligible cards. That means if you have two of those cards, for example, you’d get a head start of 5,000 MQDs for the year.
World of Hyatt 2025 qualifying nights tracker. WORLD OF HYATT
Qualifying nights courtesy of World of Hyatt have already posted in my account. In fact, I got an email about the free nights, so look for that in your email account if you haven’t yet seen those nights reflected in your tracker.
Several TPG employees, however, still haven’t received them for 2025.
Qualifying nights tracker from TPG Director of Content Operations Andrea Rotondo. WORLD OF HYATT
Don’t worry if yours haven’t yet shown up. Traditionally, they all arrive in the same week.
You get five nights every year toward World of Hyatt status just for holding the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Plus, you can earn another two nights for every $5,000 you spend on the card.
Hyatt also has the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card; sadly, you do not get any elite qualifying nights just for holding this card. But you can earn five tier qualifying night credits for every $10,000 you spend each calendar year on the card.
By leveraging one (or both) of these cards, you could conceivably spend your way to status — or combine your spending with regular stay activity to elevate your tier in 2025.
Hyatt has also rolled out several new features. You’ll now have more choices at more stops in your elite status journey. Hyatt Milestone Rewards start at 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points earned within a calendar year. You’ll earn Milestone Rewards on up to 150 qualifying nights per year.
World of Hyatt also ended the unlimited Guest of Honor benefit available to Globalist elite members. Instead, you can now earn Guest of Honor awards through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program.
Among the choices you get are 2,000 World of Hyatt points for a stay at select brands, club access awards and credits for Hyatt Find experiences. There are new benefits for 2025, too. Beginning at 20 nights, you can now choose two coupons for preferred seats on American Airlines.
The World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards tracker. WORLD OF HYATTFor the first time in 2024, Hyatt deposited five Guest of Honor awards into the accounts of all Globalist members (including those with lifetime Globalist status).
Hyatt Guest of Honor Awards sitting in an account in early 2024. WORLD OF HYATT
There are another five in my account for 2025, with an expiration of Feb. 28, 2026. My new suite upgrade awards have also already hit my account with the same expiration date.World of Hyatt award options. WORLD OF HYATT
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott 2025 elite night rollovers. MARRIOTT BONVOY
Marriott Bonvoy fans are already seeing elite night credits hit their accounts. These bonus nights are courtesy of holding a Marriott credit card that automatically awards you anywhere from 15 to 25 elite night credits per year. In my case, I hold the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which comes with automatic Platinum status and a 25-night head start for the year.
You can only get elite nights from one personal card, even if you have more than one. However, if you open a business card and a personal card, you can get up to 40 elite nights, which is nearly enough for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (50 nights).
As of Tuesday, we’re also seeing status notifications and status rollover nights posted to Hilton Honors accounts.
If you have Hilton Honors Silver status or above, any qualifying nights beyond the number required to qualify for a given status level are counted toward your elite status qualification for the following calendar year. Those nights should now be posted or will be posted shortly.
The information for the Hilton Honors American Express 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.
While the card has a steep annual fee of $550, there are other valuable inclusions: an up-to-$400 biannual Hilton resort credit, up to $200 in airfare credits (up to $50 each quarter), and a free night certificate when you open the account and each year on your card anniversary.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
When you think of the most opulent and iconic of Walt Disney World resorts, there’s a good chance that images of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dance through your head.
This resort exudes a Disneyized version of turn-of-the-century Victorian charm that leans into the use of light colors, high ceilings, stained glass, chandeliers and marble. There’s even a cage elevator and occasional live piano music in the towering lobby to help further set the scene.
Yet, despite the fancy setting, the vibe is actually neither stuffy nor intimidating. You’ll see bathing suit-clad kids squealing through the sweeping lobby more frequently than you’ll see suits and jackets walking by — though you’ll likely catch a glimpse of those, too, mainly in the evenings as some lucky diners head to the award-winning Victoria & Albert’s restaurant that calls this resort home.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
What is Disney’s Grand Floridian?
Disney’s Grand Floridian is not an original opening-day Disney World resort, but it is located on the famous monorail loop and played a major role in transitioning Disney into an era of rapid resort expansion when it opened in 1988. A new resort hadn’t been added to Walt Disney World since its opening in 1971, but since Grand Floridian joined the roster, Disney World has welcomed well over a dozen additional hotel resorts, many coming in the 1990s, right on the heels of the Grand Floridian.
In terms of theme, whereas Disney’s Contemporary Resort draws inspiration from the sleek, white lines of Tomorrowland and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort enjoys exotic and international influences from Adventureland, the Grand Floridian is inspired by the upbeat theme of the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
There’s no denying that its spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon, just a stroll or short monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom, is one of the best spots of real estate in all of Walt Disney World.
But before you drop $700 or more per night to book a room at this deluxe Disney resort, there are a few things you need to know so you can decide if the Grand Floridian is the right Disney resort for you.
It’s common for relatively standard rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian to cost $700-$1,000 per night. You can book a stay directly with Disney World or via a Disney vacation planner (at no extra charge) who may be able to help you make the most of your Disney vacation and keep an eye out for discounts.
FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG’S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.
If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on a stay at the Grand Floridian, I highly recommend earning a bunch of travel rewards in return by using one of the most rewarding credit cards for travel, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel. You could also use that card’s $300 annual travel credit toward the stay, too.
Alternatively, if you have the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), you could get the fourth night of your free stay when booked via cititravel.com (up to two free night awards per year). The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
But I’d argue that the very best way to book a trip to the Grand Floridian, as you can save up to 50% on the stay, is with rented Disney Vacation Club points. Here’s a real-world example of how this can save you a bunch of money when staying at Grand Floridian:
For June 8-10, a studio at Grand Floridian is available for a total of 38 Disney Vacation Club points. If you rent those points from David’s Vacation Club — a very reputable company I’ve recommended and personally used for years — you’d pay $23-$25 per rented point, depending on how far in advance you book. That’s an all-in total of $828-$900 for the two-night stay.
Conversely, if you book that same exact stay with cash directly with Disney, the price is currently $1,800, which is at least double what you’d pay with rented DVC points.
It’s one of the closest resorts to the Magic Kingdom
While the Grand Floridian isn’t technically the closest resort to the gates of the Magic Kingdom, it’s still within walking distance.
Only the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which are both about a half-mile away from the park, are closer — whereas the Grand Floridian is roughly 0.7 miles away via the walkway that you can enter from the same area as the resort boat launches.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Depending on your strolling speed, expect this walk to take 10 to 15 minutes. You won’t have the benefit of a ton of shade and coverings when it’s hot, humid and/or rainy, but you won’t have to wait for any transportation to show up, and you’ll get an up-close view of the monorail zooming by overhead as you make your way between the resort and the park.
If you’d rather stay cool and dry, you’re in luck, as you can also opt to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Simply clear security and board it from the second level of the lobby in the Grand Floridian to reach the Magic Kingdom. Since the park is the next stop on the monorail loop after the Grand Floridian departure point, you’ll be in the park in no time.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
You can also travel to and from the Magic Kingdom via a boat.
Pro tip: If you take the monorail from Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom, you’ll get off at the first stop. Then, if you take the boat from the Magic Kingdom back to Grand Floridian, that is also going to allow you to get off at the first stop.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
The resort is large and spread out
Although the Grand Floridian isn’t the biggest resort at Disney World, as some properties occupy more than 200 acres and have 2,000-plus rooms, it’s still quite large by most typical standards.
On the Grand Floridian’s 40 acres, you’ll find more than 800 rooms spread throughout the five-story lobby, plus the Sago Cay, Sugarloaf, Conch Key, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key buildings. Additionally, there are several Disney Vacation Club villas housed within a separate building on the opposite side of the main Beach Pool.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Needless to say, if you are staying here with a group, you could end up being quite spread apart if you aren’t careful with room requests and selections. I recommend opting for rooms in either the main lobby building or the Sago Cay and Sugarloaf buildings since they’re relatively close to the main lobby, restaurants and dock. These accommodations are also on the end closest to the Magic Kingdom, so you’ll have a shorter walk to the park.
The main Beach Pool, which holds more than 100,000 gallons of water, has a 181-foot waterslide, waterfalls and a zero-entry area. Plus, you can grab food and drinks from the poolside Beaches Pool Bar & Grill to enjoy from a chaise lounge or a rented cabana. Poolside activities like games and arts and crafts are available, too, should your family prefer some variety when having a pool day.
Additionally, there’s the large Courtyard Pool behind the main building. It doesn’t have a waterslide, lifeguards or activities, which results in a quieter atmosphere than what you’ll find at the Beach Pool. However, it does typically offer longer operating hours, so you can get in an early-morning or late-night swim.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Little kids can also check out the Mad Hatter-themed splash pad play area, which has a small waterslide, water sprays and a big water dump bucket that looks like a hat.
The Grand Floridian’s standard rooms and studios, measuring around 440 square feet, feature a light “Mary Poppins” theme that emerged in the 2022 renovation. These are the largest standard hotel rooms available at Walt Disney World. However, this extra space (and close-to-Magic Kingdom location) comes at a cost, as the rooms are consistently among the most expensive options at Disney World.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Outside of a big sale (or booking via rented DVC points, as previously mentioned), it’s quite common to find standard outer-building rooms at the Grand Floridian hovering between $700 and $800 per night. For an upgraded theme park view, expect to pay anywhere from $800 to over $1,000 per night.
If you’d like club-level access, prepare for sticker shock, as club-level rooms in the Grand Floridian’s main building are often more than $1,200 per night.
But if you do splurge on booking a club-level room at the Grand Floridian, you’re in for a treat. Be sure and make the most of the club as it does have excellent food and beverage offerings, especially in the mornings and evenings. Pro tip: Don’t miss the all-you-want Mickey bar ice cream freezer.
Larger suites, including one, two or three bedrooms, are also available, both when booked directly with Disney or via rented DVC points. We rented points to sleep up to five people in a one-bedroom DVC suite recently, and it worked out very well with a full kitchen, washer, dryer and both a pull-down Murphy bed and single bed under the TV available in the living room.
Personally, I find the styling of these larger DVC rooms to be a little more old-fashioned than the Grand Floridian resort rooms and DVC studios, but that’s a matter of personal preference.
Those who stay at the Grand Floridian have easy access to some of the most upscale restaurants and amenities at Disney World.
Victoria & Albert’s
Here, you can dine at one of Disney’s most exclusive dining venues: Victoria & Albert’s. The Michelin-starred, AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant serves gourmet fare via multiple courses (the prix fixe menu begins at $295 per person) dished out for hours in an elegant space that perfectly matches the Victorian-era design of the property.
Eating at Victoria & Albert’s is an experience well worth having — if your budget permits it and you’re able to snag a coveted reservation. Just be sure to dress appropriately (dinner jackets are required) and leave the little ones behind, as kids 9 and younger are not permitted.
Narcoossee’s
If you want a good meal that doesn’t take three to four hours or require a suit jacket, Narcoosee’s is still a very nice dining option at Grand Floridian. This restaurant is open for dinner, located on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon (which means some tables have views of fireworks) and serves a variety of largely seafood-focused items such as shrimp and grits ($19), gulf shrimp bucatini ($44), buttermilk-fried calamari ($18) and much more.
1900 Park Fare
After a four-year closure, 1900 Park Fare reopened as one of Walt Disney World’s newest character meals. Inside, you’ll get a chance to enjoy some fan favorites such as strawberry soup, cinnamon pull-apart bread and cheesy potato casserole. Food is served buffet-style (breakfast is $58 per adult and $37 per child; dinner is $69 per adult and $44 per child).
But while the food is good, it’s the characters that are the starring attraction. Since the reopening of this restaurant, the characters consist of Cinderella, Mirabel, Tiana and Aladdin, who are there to help your kiddos learn to be “wish makers” like they are.
Citricos
Yet another worthwhile restaurant at Grand Floridian open for dinner is Citricos, which has decor inspired by the garden animated scene in “Mary Poppins.” This restaurant offers a mix of Floridian and Mediterranean cuisine, with menu items such as sweet corn bisque ($15), guava-barbecued short ribs ($54) and smoked cauliflower ($12).
Grand Floridian Cafe
A more casual table-service restaurant at the Grand Floridian is the Grand Floridian Cafe, open for three meals a day. Here you will find an heirloom apple salad ($13), a signature burger with memorable toppings such as brie, bacon-pepper jam, roasted garlic aioli and arugula ($26), and Cajun pasta with chicken ($33).
Enchanted Rose
One of my favorite bars in all of Disney World has to be the Grand Floridian’s Enchanted Rose.
This “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired lounge is located in the resort’s main building and is open from late afternoon to the evening. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can get appetizers such as seasonal flatbread ($18) and charcuterie ($22) to go along with the extensive list of cocktails, wine, beer and more.
There is also a decently sized lounge type of area immediately adjacent to the Enchanted Rose where you can also order food and beverages if you don’t wish to sit directly at the bar.
The Grand Floridian also has food and beverage service by the main pool and a quick-service option, Gasparilla Island Grill, that’s typically open from 6 a.m. until late in the evening and offers items such as pastries, burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches and kid-meal staples such as chicken fingers and fries that you can order in person or in advance for pick-up in your My Disney Experience app.
Grand Floridian Spa and gym
You’ll find the only full-service spa at any Walt Disney World-owned and operated hotel at the Grand Floridian. Here, you can book massages, facials, nail and hair services, and more. In terms of pricing, you can currently expect a 50-minute massage to start at $190 before fees and gratuity.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
In the same area as the spa, there is also a gym that’s open 24/7 to Grand Floridian guests complete with cardio machines, free weights and resistance machines.
The property is extra magical (and popular) around the holidays
For me, the best time to stay at the Grand Floridian is, without question, in late November and December. This time of year is when the resort shines the brightest thanks to its massive tree, life-size gingerbread house, poinsettias, garland and other festive decorations.
MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY
Not only can you admire the holiday view, but you can also purchase a gingerbread shingle from the life-size house to enjoy as a snack. In fact, this time of year is so magical that some guests plan annual vacations to stay up all night watching the Christmas tree in the atrium go up.
As an added bonus, the property’s proximity to the Magic Kingdom means it’s one of the easiest to stay at when going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Disney World is generally a great destination for those with accessibility needs. Disney’s website indicates that all Disney Resort hotels include an accessible path of travel from arrival to the lobby area, as well as to accessible guest rooms, restaurants, shops, meeting rooms, business centers, pools, exercise facilities and laundry facilities.
There is close-in parking for those with a disability parking permit, a pool lift at the pools, and you can book both hearing- and wheelchair-accessible rooms online or over the phone.
Checking out
The Grand Floridian is where Disney World feels quite magical in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
This isn’t just a cookie-cutter hotel that happens to be located on Disney property but otherwise could be plopped down anywhere and fit in. It’s themed from top to bottom, with live piano music in the lobby and Victorian inspiration as far as the eye can see.
The resort offers settings for many elegant moments, be it grand staircases or opulent promenades where you can feel like a Disney prince or princess.
Being just a short walk or monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom certainly adds to the resort’s appeal and popularity. However, that, of course, comes at a steep cost, so make sure you do your homework before you book to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck by opting to stay here.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
If you can’t quite swing a stay at the Grand Floridian, you can always pop by for a few hours to walk around or grab a bite to eat or a beverage at the property and listen to music fill the atrium in the evenings.
The card is a step up from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the tried-and-true Capital One product that charges an annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees) but still offers a taste of what its more expensive sibling provides.
Of course, the Venture X isn’t for everyone. Let’s dig deeper to see who should — and shouldn’t — apply for this card.
The Capital One Venture X is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Those 75,000 miles are worth at least $750 when redeemed for travel directly through Capital One Travel or as statement credits toward other travel purchases. But their value is boosted to $1,388, according to TPG’s January 2025 valuations, thanks to a robust set of airline and hotel transfer partners.
WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
While that might be alluring enough on its own, the card extends plenty of other valuable, everyday benefits:
Earning: The Venture X earns 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on everything else
Credit: A $300 credit annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel
Anniversary bonus: 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth at least $100 toward travel)
Lounge access: Complimentary access for cardholders, authorized users and up to two guests per visit to Capital One Lounges and up to two guests traveling with the cardholder or authorized user to more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide
Authorized users: Up to four authorized users (see rates and fees) can be added at no charge, and they also get the same guest access as the cardholder for the Capital One Lounge and Priority Pass
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Up to $120 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
If you’re considering the Venture X, let’s narrow down why the card might best fit you.
You want simplicity in a premium card
The Venture X credit card is a premium card that is simple to understand. Unlike some other products with a dizzying array of statement credits and third-party partners, the Venture X keeps its perks relatively straightforward.
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In fact, the Venture X offers benefits that even beginner travelers can maximize, including a $300 annual credit through the travel portal (hotels, airfare and rental cars qualify). The Venture X also adopts a simple earning structure, accruing 2 miles per dollar on most charges, complemented by elevated earning rates for bookings made via Capital One Travel.
In addition, Venture X cardholders receive 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary. Those miles are worth $100 when redeemed via the travel portal or potentially even more if you transfer miles to an airline or hotel partner.
Simple math will show that between the annual travel credit and bonus miles on each account anniversary, you’re already breaking even on the $395 annual fee (see rates and fees). And that doesn’t include a variety of other perks.
While more and more travel credit cards seem to offer airport lounge access these days, the Venture X still has a few features that set it apart in this respect.
In addition, Venture X cardholders get access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
You want free authorized users
Venture X cardholders can add up to four authorized users at no cost.
WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
That’s an excellent value proposition, considering authorized users get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges with the same guest policies as the cardholder.
In addition, authorized users get Hertz President’s Circle elite status. By registering through your Capital One account, your authorized user can enjoy top-tier status with Hertz car rentals.
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
You want some of the best travel protection benefits
This Visa Infinite card offers some of the industry’s most comprehensive travel and trip protection benefits.
While the Venture X is an impressive, high-end card, it isn’t for everyone. Let’s take a closer look.
You want a robust network of premium lounges right now
The Venture X offers extensive travel perks, but thus far, it has just three proprietary airport lounges open and one dining concept.
Indeed, while Capital One has grand ambitions with its own lounge network, Amex has a significant head start with Centurion Lounges at more than 20 airports, as well as the Global Lounge Collection, which includes Priority Pass and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on the same day with Delta).
You don’t travel much or plan to leverage transfer partners
To truly maximize the Venture X card, you should consider leveraging Capital One’s transfer program.
Capital One has made several significant advancements to its mileage program over the past few years, including shifting from just fixed-rate redemptions to adding airline and hotel transfer partners and improving mileage transfer rates. If you don’t use transfer partners, the best you can do is a redemption rate of 1 cent per mile.
However, by utilizing transfer partners, there are several sweet spot redemption opportunities, allowing you to further maximize value with your Venture X.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for those in the market for a premium credit card with easy-to-digest benefits. However, for those looking for a card with better lounge access or who don’t need the flexibility of airline and hotel transfer partners, there may be better options out there.
That said, we think the card is nearly a no-brainer for travelers ranging from luxury seekers to the more budget-minded.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The season’s most potent winter storm to date is wreaking havoc on air travel across a large swath of the country.
Snow, ice and bitter cold air are beared down on much of the Midwest Sunday, fueling thousands of flight disruptions. And the tally of delays and cancellations figures to worsen as the system heads toward the East Coast.
As of 7:15 p.m EST Sunday, airlines had canceled more than 1,500 flights across the U.S., according to data from FlightAware. Another 6,700 have been delayed.
So far, Missouri’s Kansas City International Airport (MCI) has seen the worst of the flight troubles, with close to 95% of its scheduled departures canceled Sunday amid blizzardlike conditions.
CHASE CASTOR/GETTY IMAGES
Those widespread cancellations come a day after the airport, at one point, had to close down its runways amid rapid ice accumulation — something that briefly threatened the Kansas City Chiefs’ planned departure for a game in Denver Sunday.
The runways at the Kansas City Airport will reopen and resume normal operations in about 30 minutes. https://t.co/xhQv5X4RWo
For days, forecasters had warned of significant travel disruptions as the winter storm took shape last week, with the National Weather Service warning of potentially significant snowfall totals from the Midwest to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
“The accumulating snow, which could approach or exceed a half of a foot is expected to bring travel to a standstill in places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said Friday, while also noting that conditions across the mid-Atlantic states would pose “a major risk to travel between Sunday night and Monday evening.”
As early as Friday, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) said its airport snow team would be monitoring conditions with plans to deploy snow removal equipment as needed.
❄️ ❄️With snow in the weekend forecast, remember to closely monitor flight schedules with your airline for possible changes. Our airfield snow team will be standing by: https://t.co/EL0dY3tyTO
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) similarly warned of the potentially treacherous conditions headed into Monday morning.
Weather in the Philadelphia region and across the US this weekend and into Monday morning could impact air travel. Passengers are reminded to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. pic.twitter.com/vdCtBYobc4
Most major U.S. airlines have issued travel alerts, which allow passengers extra flexibility to make itinerary changes amid the bad weather. That includes waiving change fees even for travelers flying on even their most restrictive fare types.
Southwest Airlines was one of the hardest-hit airlines on Sunday, leading all U.S. airlines with more than 380 cancellations — about 8% of its schedule. The Dallas-based carrier has a sizable presence in both hard-hit Kansas City and St. Louis — not to mention in the D.C. area, which is expected to feel the brunt of the storm in the coming hours.
American Airlines has scrapped more than 175 flights so far Sunday, hurt both by the winter storm and by multiple ground stops fueled by high winds at its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
This winter weather system has made for a tumultuous end to the holiday travel season, which had its share of hurdles — from a tech glitch at American Airlines on Christmas Eve to severe thunderstorms in Texas throughout Christmas week.
As for this latest round of winter weather, here’s what to know if you’ll be traveling over the next couple of days:
Watch for a travel advisory
Check your airline’s website. Your flight may be covered by one of the many travel advisories issued by major U.S. carriers.
This could allow you to more easily make complimentary itinerary changes right from your airline’s app— even if you’re flying on an ordinarily restrictive ticket like basic economy.
American Airlines, for instance, has an advisory covering close to three-dozen airports across a large portion of the country, including its Philly and DCA hubs.
United Airlines has done the same for nearly a dozen airports, including its Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) hub. Southwest’s travel alert covers a handful of cities where it has a major footprint, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Here are links to travel advisories for the four largest U.S. carriers:
It’s worth noting, several carriers also issued travel advisories this past week in the wake of the Jan. 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans.
See a good rebooking option? Don’t delay
If you’re battling flight delays and see a halfway-decent rebooking option pop up in your airline’s app, don’t waste a second: lock it in!
With thousands of flights knocked off their normal schedule by bad weather, a huge number of passengers are simultaneously vying for open seats on the flights that are getting out on time. And those open seats can fill up quickly.
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you choose to simply stay home instead of flying and weathering the winter storm, you should be eligible for a refund.
U.S. Department of Transportation rules require airlines to refund passengers for the unflown portion of their ticket when their flight is canceled or significantly delayed — but only if the passenger opts not to travel, instead of accepting rebooking.
Easy cancellation and miles back on award bookings
Meanwhile, if Mother Nature has you wanting to stay home and forgo that trip you booked with frequent flyer miles, you’re in luck.
Generally, most U.S. airlines will allow you to cancel award bookings and get all of your miles back with no fee. You’ll typically get a refund for any associated taxes and fees, too.
Make use of airline lounge customer service
Stranded in an airport? If you’re a member of an airline lounge, don’t forget: there are typically customer service agents there who can help you work with an itinerary — and there’s often a shorter wait than you’ll find on the airport concourse, amid the masses.
Keep in mind, though, this applies to airline-branded lounges for the carrier you’re flying — not credit card-branded lounges.
Airlines have made a wide range of promises to the DOT for meals, hotel accommodations and other guarantees in the event of flight cancellations and major delays. However, these typically apply to “controllable” disruptions (like maintenance or staffing issues) — and generally do not apply when bad weather affects travel.
This is where a travel credit card that offers travel insurance protections can come in handy, helping you recoup unexpected costs when flight trouble leaves you stranded. The one catch: in most cases, you’ll typically need to book your trip with that card in order to make a successful claim.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Earn points or cash back while working up a sweat? Yup, it’s doable.
If one of your 2025 resolutions is to try a new at-home workout program or hit your favorite fitness studio more regularly, we can help you maximize your credit card rewards while doing so.
You may already know how to earn points on travel, dining and purchases in numerous other categories. But you can also turn your sweat equity into valuable rewards while working out, too.
From CrossFit and calisthenics to bodyweight exercises and Bollywood dance routines, the options are endless — and with the right credit card in hand, you’ll be able to reap financial benefits, too.
The best cards for gyms, fitness classes and equipment
Whether you already belong to a gym, want to try a new spot or are considering changing your usual workout, these cards can help you earn rewards while hitting your fitness goals.
The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Beyond gym memberships and workout classes, we also expanded the criteria for this list to include cards that earn when you purchase fitness gear and athletic apparel, which can generate at least 2 points per dollar spent (and in some cases, up to 5 points per dollar spent).
1 point per dollar spent; however, you can redeem your points for some of the most popular fitness classes in the world, including SoulCycle, starting at 3,000 points a class (members must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points; see Rewards & Benefits)
Up to $300 in annual statement credits each calendar year (enrollment required)
Details of each card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Peloton fans who don’t mind paying an elevated annual fee will find a lot of value out of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
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Rewards: Earn 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through March 2025) — up to a maximum of 50,000 points. You’ll also earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠, 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining, 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked with Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
Note that you won’t receive elevated earning rates on travel purchases until you spend the first $300 (the travel credit that comes with the Sapphire Reserve) on travel annually.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.
As of December 2024, TPG values this bonus at $1,230.
Annual fee: $550
Keep in mind: The Sapphire Reserve is one of our favorite travel credit cards, providing benefits like lounge access and insurance protections. While it won’t provide free access to gyms or monitor your health goals, it can help you earn heaps of points when buying Peloton equipment. From our valuations, you can get approximately a 20% return on spending.
If you’re a fan of Peloton but don’t want to pay the Sapphire Reserve’s exorbitant annual fee, try the Chase Sapphire Preferred instead.
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Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel, 5 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points), 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excludes Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar spent on all travel not booked through Chase Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. As of December 2024, TPG values this bonus at $1,230.
Annual fee: $95
Keep in mind: Like the Sapphire Reserve, the Sapphire Preferred is great for travel and for earning points on Peloton purchases. On top of a $50 annual hotel credit and moderate annual fee, you also can receive a roughly 10% return on spending for Peloton purchases, based on our valuations.
If you’re a Hyatt loyalist, it’s a no-brainer to get the World of Hyatt card.
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Rewards: Earn 4 points per dollar spent on purchases at Hyatt hotels, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants, select travel and commuting, fitness clubs and gym memberships and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Since TPG values Hyatt points at 1.7 cents apiece as of December 2024, this bonus is worth up to $1,020.
Annual fee: $95
Keep in mind: The World of Hyatt card earns 2 points per dollar spent on fitness clubs and gym memberships — a nice return that can be used toward a Hyatt redemption.
You can also earn up to two free nights per year on Hyatt properties by using this card. You’ll receive a free night certificate usable at a Category 1-4 property after your card anniversary and can earn a second free night at a Category 1-4 property by spending $15,000 on the card in a cardmember year.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded card to add to your wallet, look no further than the Chase Freedom Flex.
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Rewards: Earn 5% back on up to the first $1,500 spent on rotating categories each quarter (activation required). Earn 3% back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and on drugstore purchases, and earn 1% back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Keep in mind: The Freedom Flex could be a great option when its quarterly bonus categories include gym memberships. However, you’ll only earn bonus rewards on gym memberships for that quarter. After that, your earning rate will drop to 1% back.
These bonus rewards can be even more lucrative if you also have a higher-end Chase card in your wallet — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve. That’s because you can combine your rewards from both cards into a single account, allowing you to convert the cash-back rewards on the Freedom Flex into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
If you rent, you’ll want to apply for the Bilt Mastercard so you can earn points on rent (up to 100,000 points per year).
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Editor’s note: TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining and 2 points per dollar spent on travel. Additionally, earn up to one point per dollar spent on rent with no transaction fees on the first $100,000 spent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year). Use your card at least five times each statement period to earn points on all purchases. See Rewards & Benefits for more.
Beyond that, there’s a key reason why this card is included as a great option for fitness purchases: You can redeem your points for some of the most popular exercise classes in the world, including SoulCycle, starting at 3,000 points a class.
Bilt Rewards points are quite valuable, as they can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs. Some of our favorite transfer partners include Aeroplan and World of Hyatt. Other redemption options include future mortgage or rent payments, merchandise and more. See the full rewards and benefits here.
If you’d prefer to earn cash back, the U.S. Bank Cash+ card may just be the right choice for you.
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Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose; 2% cash back on your choice of one everyday category, such as gas stations or grocery stores; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Gyms/fitness centers and sporting goods stores are two of the categories available for 5% earning, allowing you to earn bonus cash-back on your fitness purchases.
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Keep in mind: While you must enroll each quarter in the categories of your choice to earn 5% cash back, it’s nice to be able to periodically change your selection. Not able to make use of 5% back on gyms this quarter? Pick something else — including TV, internet and streaming services — and save gyms for later this year.
It’s worth noting that U.S. Bank says the category options are subject to change quarterly and that your 5% bonus earnings are capped at $100 per quarter.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, consider applying for the Prime Visa to get the most out of your Amazon purchases.
THE POINTS GUY
Rewards: Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market; 5% back on Chase Travel purchases; 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and local transit and commuting; and 1% back on all other purchases. Additionally, earn 10% or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com.
Welcome bonus: Receive a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval for Prime members.
Annual fee: None — but you must be an Amazon Prime member to qualify. Prime subscriptions now cost $139 annually.
Keep in mind: This card offers best-in-class earnings on purchases at Amazon. With such a large selection of workout equipment, gear and exercise apparel available, we consider it a card that is worthy of mention. You can purchase weights, yoga mats, running gear, stationary bikes and much more to build your own home gym.
This card doesn’t technically come with a bonus rewards category for athletic gear, but any clothing, gear or equipment you purchase on Amazon.com should receive 5% cash back.
Despite its incredibly high annual fee, the Amex Platinum has a lot to offer the right person.
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Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after that), 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels through American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. You may be targeted for a higher welcome offer through the CardMatch tool; offers are subject to change at any time, and not everyone will be targeted for the same welcome offer.
Keep in mind: While you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar spent on gym memberships and fitness clubs, Amex Platinum cardmembers can get up to $300 back each calendar year in statement credits for eligible U.S. Equinox memberships or the Equinox+ app. Enrollment is required in advance, and terms apply; memberships are subject to auto-renewal.
Whether you choose to work out at home or in person, Equinox members can enjoy a discount on their membership costs thanks to the Amex Platinum.
The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees), which earns 2 points per dollar on all eligible purchases (1 point when you buy plus 1 point when you pay your bill)
These are normal earning rates on these cards — but it doesn’t make them any less lucrative.
Note that you should also check for discounts on your cards through programs like Amex Offers and Chase Offers. These are limited and almost always one-time discounts, but can still provide value.
Finally, if you plan on purchasing exercise equipment and want extra time to pay it off, you may want to look at a card with 0% introductory APR. Just be sure to pay off the entire amount before the end of that promotional period. Otherwise, you could be hit with massive interest charges.
Bottom line
You will almost certainly not spend enough money in a year to base your choice of a credit card on whether you can earn bonus points with the money you spend on gym memberships or gear. But if other bonus categories on a particular credit card align with your spending habits, receiving additional points for your workouts is a great perk.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
What’s sneaky, super contagious and bound to cause diarrhea and vomiting? If you answered “norovirus,” you’d be correct. But what is it, and why is it often associated with cruises?
Norovirus cases are on the rise this winter, both on land and at sea. “The total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024–2025 seasonal year is above the range reported during the same period during the 2012–2020 and 2021-2024 seasonal years,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase in news reports about norovirus cases might make you think that cruise vessels are dirty or you’re likely to get sick if you sail. I’m here to set the record straight.
Find out why norovirus is unfairly labeled a cruise ship illness, what cruise lines do to minimize onboard spread and whether you should be worried about it on your next voyage.
What is cruise ship norovirus?
Cruise lines ask passengers with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness to remain in their cabins to avoid infecting others. MARIA KORNEEVA/GETTY IMAGES
Norovirus is the most common of several viruses that cause severe gastrointestinal illness or acute gastroenteritis. Symptoms might include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as abdominal cramping, headaches, muscle aches and fever — an unpleasant experience anytime but especially when you’re on vacation.
Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads when you touch a contaminated surface and then put your fingers in or near your mouth, such as when eating without washing your hands. It’s also frequently spread through contaminated food, sometimes earning it the nickname “food poisoning,” even though there are many pathogens that can cause food-borne illnesses. You might also hear it generically called a stomach bug or the stomach flu, despite the fact that noroviruses are not the same as flu viruses.
How does norovirus spread on cruise ships?
What causes norovirus on cruise ships, anyway? Norovirus spreads easily in close quarters, such as those found on cruise ships. Although it can spread from person-to-person contact, on vessels, it’s most commonly passed when passengers fail to wash their hands after coming in contact with high-touch areas, such as handrails, elevator buttons and serving utensils in the onboard buffets.
Infected passengers who don’t wash their hands after coughing, sneezing or using the restroom are the reason those surfaces become contaminated in the first place. To avoid both spreading your own germs and picking up the germs of others, wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, making sure to scrub around your fingernails and between your fingers.
Contaminated food is also a cause, but it’s not as common on ships, where the staff is meticulously trained to follow health and safety guidelines for sanitation. Standards are enforced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (See the next section for more.)
What do cruise ships do to prevent norovirus outbreaks on board?
Cruise ships do all they can to keep high-touch areas sanitized and to deep clean between sailings where norovirus cases are present. GUIDO MIETH/GETTY IMAGES
Cruise lines employ crews dedicated to keeping public areas and high-touch surfaces clean. Galley crews and waiters receive extensive training on food safety and handling.
Lines also screen passengers for signs of illness at embarkation. They ask passengers who feel ill during their cruises to report symptoms to the medical center and keep themselves isolated in their cabins.
On ships where outbreaks occur, the crew conducts a deep cleaning of the ship after passengers have disembarked and before the next sailing begins. In cases where outbreaks are particularly severe, subsequent sailings could be canceled to allow for more thorough sanitization.
Additionally, the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, implemented in the 1970s, subjects all passenger ships carrying 13 or more people to random, unannounced inspections if they wish to call on ports in the U.S.
As part of the program, ships are required to adhere to stringent health and safety protocols that dictate everything from the cleaning of high-touch areas to how food is stored in freezers, refrigerators and galleys.
VSP inspectors board ships and conduct thorough checks to ensure compliance — and the standards are high. A score of less than 86 out of 100 is considered failing. You can find a list of the most recent inspection scores and lists of violations for each ship on the VSP website.
Should you worry about getting norovirus on a cruise?
If you do come down with acute gastroenteritis on a cruise, you could be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. RAPEEPONG PUTTAKUMWONG/GETTY IMAGES
The short answer is no. Cruise ships are responsible for some of the smallest numbers of norovirus cases annually in the U.S. Most cases develop in restaurants, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. If you’re not worried about norovirus on land, you don’t need to worry more at sea.
However, you’re more likely to hear about outbreaks on ships because ships are required to report cases while other entities are not.
“Health officials track illness on cruise ships,” the CDC says on its VSP norovirus FAQ page. “So outbreaks are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land.”
In a study of acute gastroenteritis cases from 2006 to 2019 (before the cruise industry’s COVID-19 shutdown), the CDC found that the number of cases on ships decreased over those 14 years. It also noted that the number of cases tends to be higher on larger ships and on voyages of a week or longer.
“The rate of … illness on cruise ships decreased during 2006-2019 for passengers and crew,” the report says. That’s good news for cruisers.
During that time frame, approximately 127 million passengers sailed on the 252 cruise ships under VSP jurisdiction. Of those 127 million cruisers, 26,450 reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness while on board. It sounds like a large number, but it amounts to just 0.02% (two one-hundredths of 1%) of cruisers throughout those 14 years, with the total number of cases decreasing from 4,507 in 2006 to 1,201 in 2019.
However, if 2025 is seeing higher reported cases of norovirus on land, you can expect cruise ship cases to rise accordingly. You should take the same precautions on vacation as you would at home to keep yourself healthy.
If you’d like to check out the outbreak information, you can find a detailed list of ships that have had acute gastroenteritis outbreaks (many of which were caused by norovirus), listed by year, about halfway down the CDC’s outbreak page.
Why are there so many cruise norovirus reports on the news?
Norovirus can leave you feeling exhausted and achy. PETER DAZELEY/GETTY IMAGES
The simple answer is that cruise ships are required to report cases of acute gastroenteritis to the CDC, even when the numbers are low. In contrast, other entities are not.
Specifically, the medical staff from each cruise ship must submit a report with the number of ill passengers within 24 to 36 hours of the ship’s arrival at a U.S. port from a foreign port, even when no cases of gastrointestinal illness are present. They must also submit reports if 2% or more of the passengers and crew become ill and the ship is scheduled to visit a U.S. port within 15 days. If the number hits 3% or more, cases must be reported to the CDC even if the ship is not scheduled to call on a U.S. port within the next 15 days.
That means data for norovirus on cruise ships is more readily available than for other entities. It’s easy to make norovirus case numbers sound alarming, but context matters. For example, 100 cases on a single ship might seem like a lot, but on a vessel like Oasis of the Seas, which carries more than 5,400 passengers, 100 cases are only about 2% of the onboard population.
Bottom line
Should you be worried about catching norovirus or another gastrointestinal illness when you cruise? The CDC says cruises account for some of the lowest case numbers in the U.S. annually.
Your chances of finding yourself confined to your room and hunched over a toilet for a week are slim when you sail, especially if you take common-sense precautions like washing your hands and not sharing drinks, utensils and other items that easily spread germs.
