Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
My foray into the world of credit cards, points and miles began when I joined TPG a few years ago. I had a couple of cards before working here, but I didn’t give much thought to which card to use or when or how to maximize the benefits.
Now that I am surrounded by credit card experts every day, my strategy has changed drastically. I’ve added about four new cards to my wallet and even made a spreadsheet to ensure I use the right card for the right purchases.
Of those new cards, my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has provided some of the most useful benefits. Here are five reasons I love this card and how I get the most out of it.
Perks when flying Delta
I actually hadn’t stepped foot into an airport lounge until I began working at TPG, but this card comes with complimentary access to Delta Sky Club loungesand American Express Centurion Lounges when traveling on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Now, I get to visit a lounge almost every time I fly.
A quiet space to work or rest between flights is a huge help during a long layover. Or, if I am being a responsible adult and get to the airport early, I can grab a bite to eat or a drink before my flight without paying the high airport prices.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I also get four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year upon account renewal, allowing me to bring family members or friends to the lounge with me when we travel together.
Delta Reserve cardmembers are limited to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, but it’s easy for me to track my visits in the Delta app. Centurion Lounge visits are still unlimited, so even if I were to use all 15 of my Sky Club visits, I could still head over there.
In addition to lounge access, I get my first checked bag free (this extends to passengers traveling with me, so it’s a huge perk when traveling with my three kids), priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases and award redemptions. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve also provides a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, so I can breeze through the airport every time I fly.
Welcome offer
Right now, the Delta Reserve Amex offers new cardmembers the ability to earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. The card does come with an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees).
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
After earning the bonus, I redeemed some miles to book positioning flights for my first big award redemption trip to Germany and Belgium with my husband. A few months later, I also used some of the points to bring my family along on a work trip to Disneyland. The cost of flights when all five of us fly together can add up quickly. The welcome bonus I earned with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a huge help in keeping our flight expenses down so we could splurge a bit at Disney.
Useful statement credits
Last year, Delta revamped the monthly and annual statement credits for several cards, including the Delta Reserve Amex. I will admit I’m not the biggest fan of tracking statement credits, but I want to maximize my card’s value, so I try my best to plug them all into a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.
RESY
The easiest to use is up to $120 in ride-hailing credits annually (up to $10 in monthly credits). There isn’t a month that goes by when I don’t use Lyft or Uber at least once. This credit is valid on select ride-hailing services in the U.S. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
My card also comes with up to $200 in Delta Stays credits each year. My husband travels almost weekly for work, so we have several opportunities to use this credit on one of his eligible hotel stays. All he has to do is book through the Delta Stays website and pay with the Delta Reserve Amex to earn this benefit.
This card also earns me up to $240 annually (up to $20 per month) in statement credits for use at U.S. Resy restaurants. There aren’t a ton of eligible restaurants in my area, so I don’t always remember to use this one. However, I have gotten creative by purchasing gift cards to eligible restaurants and checking for eligible dining locations when I travel. Most months, I find a way to use it, even if it takes a bit of virtual legwork on my end.
Flexible award redemptions
When I’ve searched for Delta SkyMiles redemptions, I’ve been impressed with my options. You can redeem SkyMiles for Delta flights, as I did, and for flights on partner airlines like Air France, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet. This opens up a ton of flight choices.
DELTA
I also like how Delta displays its award pricing. In the above example, I entered dates of Apr. 9 through Apr. 12 for a round-trip flight between my home airport and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
In addition to viewing the prices for my dates, Delta displays pricing for alternate date combinations. You can get an even better redemption value if your dates are flexible. Some airlines make finding the best award availability difficult, so I appreciate Delta’s easy-to-use calendar.
With my Delta SkyMiles Reserve, I get an annual companion certificate added to my account each year after my anniversary date. The companion certificate is valid for one round-trip ticket to select domestic, Caribbean, or Central American destinations.
When you purchase a round-trip ticket in first class, Delta Comfort+ or the Main Cabin, you can use the certificate to have a companion fly with you for free. You only have to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket.
I used my first companion certificate to get my oldest son and me to New York before flying to Paris. This year, I am using it to fly myself and my husband to Disney World for a runDisney race.
Bottom line
Choosing the Delta SkyMiles Reserve was a no-brainer for someone still relatively new to points and miles. While not the most lucrative, the earning structure is simple.
But that’s not the real reason I love this card. As someone who often flies Delta, the perks like lounge access, a free checked bag and an annual companion certificate are unmatched.
As I thought about these updates, I considered how they would affect my interactions with these programs. I already take earning rates for points and elite night credits into account when booking hotels, but it’s a bad sign that Marriott Bonvoy now has a brand that awards no elite bonus points or elite night credits on stays. And although I rarely book paid Southwest Airlines flights, I’ll now be even less likely to do so.
Loyalty programs exist to incentivize engagement and spending with a program. So, one easy way to protest negative loyalty program updates is with your wallet. Here are some ways I’ll protect myself from these negative updates and how you can, too.
Avoid affected hotel brands
For years, several major hotel loyalty programs have singled out some brands as earning at lower rates. But Marriott Bonvoy has by far the highest number of brands with lower earning rates. Marriott Bonvoy is also the only major hotel loyalty program that doesn’t give an elite night credit per night stayed at all its brands.
RESIDENCE INN BIG SKY/THE WILSON HOTEL/MARRIOTT
You’ll earn 10 Marriott base points per dollar spent on qualifying charges at most brands. However, you’ll only earn 5 base points per dollar spent at nine Marriott Bonvoy brands, 4 points per dollar spent at StudioRes and 2.5 points per dollar spent at Marriott Executive Apartments. To add insult to injury, you’ll only earn one elite night credit per two nights stayed at Protea Hotels, City Express and Four Points Flex by Sheraton, one elite night credit per three nights stayed at Marriott Executive Apartments and no elite night credit for stays of any length at StudioRes.
As a result, I avoid booking paid rates at Marriott brands that earn less than 10 base points per dollar. I also avoid staying at Protea Hotels, City Express, Four Points Flex by Sheraton and Marriott Executive Apartments — and now StudioRes — since stays at these brands earn fewer points and elite night credits. My husband and I strive to maintain hotel elite status with several programs, so every night counts. Plus, out of principle, I don’t want to frequent these brands if Marriott Bonvoy will give me fewer earnings for doing so.
PROTEA HOTEL LIVINGSTONE/MARRIOTT
On a recent trip to Turkey, the Four Points Flex by Sheraton Istanbul Taksim Square looked appealing because of its location and price. But then I remembered I’d earn points and elite night credits at a reduced rate, so I stayed at a similarly priced Holiday Inn instead. Even if I’d wanted to stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property in Istanbul, I could have booked the equally convenient DeCamondo Galata, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel for a similar cost and better earnings.
Likewise, although I enjoyed staying at several Protea Hotels properties in South Africa when I got full elite night credits and points earnings for these stays, I now avoid Protea Hotels. Instead, I now choose Hyatt or IHG properties in Cape Town and Johannesburg. You can’t go wrong with these cities’ great Category 1 Hyatt properties.
Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton in South Africa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
As a traveler, it’s annoying that $1,000 in qualifying charges on a six-night stay at a Four Points Flex would get me 5,000 base points and three elite nights while the same charges at a Four Points would earn me 10,000 base points and six elite nights. But it would be really frustrating for this to happen to a member who didn’t know about it — especially if they’re counting on a stay to reach the next status qualification threshold.
It’s worth noting that Marriott Bonvoy is far from the only hotel loyalty program with brands that earn points and elite nights at lower rates. For example, you’ll earn World of Hyatt points at a lower rate when staying at Hyatt Studios and IHG One Rewards points at a lower rate when staying at IHG Army Hotels, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Residences. Meanwhile, Choice Privileges has a brand — WoodSpring Suites — that doesn’t participate in its loyalty program at all.
For Southwest Rapid Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, you can avoid the lower earning rates brought about by this week’s changes by redeeming points. Unfortunately, redeeming points still won’t give you elite night credits on stays at StudioRes properties. But if your primary concern is the slashed earning rate, redeeming points is a good solution.
STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS – STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK
In the case of Southwest, I’ve already been redeeming points for flights when I decide a Southwest flight is my best option. After all, Southwest could decrease the redemption value of its points at any time — such as how it decreased the value of Southwest points at the start of 2024 — while travel funds don’t expire and should maintain their face value.
My husband and I typically alternate earning a Southwest Companion Pass every other year, and we usually accrue a sizable balance of Southwest points through credit card welcome offers while doing so. Then, we use those points to book as many of our Southwest flights as possible. We aren’t planning to earn a Companion Pass this year, but I still have a lot of Southwest points in my account from when I earned a Companion Pass in 2021, so I’ll use these as needed to book Southwest flights.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether negative loyalty program changes are enough to change your loyalty or encourage you to use a different program. Of course, even if you decide you’re done with Southwest Rapid Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy or another program, switching will take time as you finish traveling on existing reservations and use up your remaining points. Or, you may not want to completely break with the program but instead continue using it when it makes sense.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
For example, I’m not flying Southwest much this year since my husband and I don’t have a Companion Pass. But if Southwest has a modestly priced nonstop flight on a route I need to fly, I’ll likely redeem Southwest points to book the flight.
It’s easy to keep using the programs you’ve always used. You know how they work, and you might have elite status (or even lifetime status). I’ll admit that the Marriott lifetime elite status program compels me to keep earning at least Platinum Elite status. After all, I currently have lifetime Marriott Gold Elite status, and — assuming Marriott doesn’t change its program — will earn lifetime Platinum Elite status after earning Platinum Elite status (and the required elite night credits for this status) for four more years.
Loyalty should be a two-way street. So, if you aren’t happy with your loyalty programs, it may be time to become a free agent or more involved with another loyalty program. I love certain elite status benefits, such as guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, confirmed suite upgrade awards and Oneworld Emerald status, so I focus on programs that provide these benefits.
I’m still giving Marriott Bonvoy some nights each year, as I’m only four years away from earning lifetime Platinum Elite status. However, I’ve grown frustrated with the loyalty program’s many exclusions and how its benefits and earning rates often vary by brand. Plus, now that Marriott Bonvoy has started offering no elite night credits or elite bonus earnings at one brand, I expect more brands will follow.
Eurostar has canceled all its trains from London this morning following the discovery of an unexploded World War II-era bomb.
The bomb was discovered along tracks near Paris Gare du Nord at around 4 a.m. GMT/11 p.m. ET, prompting disruptions for Eurostar services, local metro, and national and international trains.
Eurostar has confirmed that all its trains to and from Paris will be canceled on Friday (March 7). So far, five services set to depart London St Pancras International for Paris Gare du Nord have been canceled this morning, and seven services departing Paris for London have also been canceled.
”Due to the discovery last night of an unexploded bomb from the Second World War during work carried out on the tracks in St Denis (North of Paris), traffic has been completely halted to and from Gare du Nord,” Eurostar said in a statement. “As a result, all Eurostar trains are canceled to and from Paris today.”
The cancellations include all services between London and Paris and also Brussels and Paris.
As of 9:45 a.m., the cancelations were not listed on the Eurostar website, and services were still shown to be running as normal from 11:30 a.m. for London departures and 1:00 p.m. from Paris Gare du Nord (local times).
Eurostar has confirmed with TPG that these services will not go ahead, and their website is in the process of being updated.
It is not currently known whether services will continue to be affected or resume in time for the weekend.
All trains scheduled between Brussels-Marne La Vallée, London-Brussels and London-Amsterdam are running as normal.
Eurostar has informed affected passengers who will be able to exchange their tickets for free to travel at a different time or date in the same travel class — subject to availability.
Bottom line
Following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near Paris Gare du Nord station, Eurostar has been forced to cancel all its scheduled services to and from Paris on March 7.
Spring is just around the corner, and with the season comes more daylight, warmth and cherry blossoms. Native to East Asia and cherished all over the world, these positively pretty but fragile flowers symbolize hope and new beginnings.
Washington, D.C., is the most popular destination to witness the pink blooms in North America. (The National Park Service just announced peak blooms will occur in the city between March 28 and 31.) Regardless of where you are in the world, though, cherry blossom season takes place during a brief window between March and April.
From Washington, D.C., to South Korea’s Jeju Island, the hotels below ensure a memorable stay and a front-row seat to one of the most beloved spring phenomena.
Few properties celebrate cherry blossom season more lavishly than Georgetown’s Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC. From the moment you enter, you’ll be enchanted by celebrity floral designer Jeff Leatham’s floor-to-ceiling installations channeling the magic of the spring blooms.
If your idea of a dreamy afternoon is lunching outdoors under a canopy of pink, request a picnic package and a curated walking map from the concierge; they’ve put together some of the best places in town to bask in the ethereal blooms. When it’s time to decompress after hitting the town, the spa has you covered with a Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Treatment. End the day with the innovative Augmented Reality Cocktail at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Bourbon Steak; the drink is presented with various cherry blossom animations to enhance the drinking experience.
The hotel is a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, and rates start at $985 per night in March.
The Tidal Basin is a hot spot for cherry blossoms, so it’s no wonder that the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 to April 13) takes place there. If you want to be in the heart of it all, consider booking Salamander Washington DC. The stately property in Southwest D.C. offers 373 posh guest rooms and suites, a newly renovated spa (where you can get the Cherry Blossom Body Ritual), an elevated club lounge called The Monument Club and several restaurants, including chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Afro-Caribbean hot spot Dogon.
To make the most of your spring visit, Salamander Washington DC has a special package available between March 20 and April 13 that includes two nights in accommodations with views of the Tidal Basin and an in-room, cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea. The package rate starts from $790 per night based on a two-night stay; regular room rates start from $476 per night.
The grand, 263-key hotel occupying the historic Old Post Office Building just announced its Cherry Blossom Suite: a 1,500-square-foot retreat kitted out with petal-pink decor, a floral canopy bed and a private massage area. When you reserve the Full Bloom Suite Retreat package — valued at $12,750 and available between March 1 and May 4 — you’ll get a two-night stay in these dazzling accommodations. You’ll also receive a 45-minute in-suite massage, exclusive after-hours access to the Clock Tower, a personal chauffeur, a chef-made picnic lunch and a curated list of lesser-known cherry blossom spots.
The festivities extend to the hotel’s soaring atrium restaurant and bar, Peacock Alley, where you can enjoy the Cherry Cotton Candy Kiss cocktail and Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea with cherry-infused treats like Chocolate Cherry Financiers. Nightly rates start at $856 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points.
Though it’s mere miles from Washington, D.C., and right across the Potomac River, Alexandria feels worlds away. It’s a charming city where you’ll be welcomed by old cobblestone streets, historic 18th- and 19th-century architecture and independently owned restaurants and shops. Alexandria is also home to less-crowded places for viewing the iconic spring blooms, such as Old Town, Founders Park and River Farm.
Opened in 2023 and designed by famed Italian architect Piero Lissoni, Hotel AKA Alexandria is the most stylish place to stay in town. It’s also where you can book the over-the-top Cherry Blossom Bliss package. Starting at $2,500, this one-of-a-kind collaboration between the hotel and private yacht charter company Nautiste guides you and a guest along the Potomac River on a stylish 1985 vintage yacht. They’ll set you up with a captain, crew and a picnic lunch; upon your return to the hotel, two cherry blossom-themed cocktails will await you. Regular room rates are available from $185.
BALLANTYNE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL CHARLOTTE/FACEBOOK
Marrying gracious Southern hospitality with contemporary comforts, The Ballantyne feels more like a sophisticated urban resort than a traditional hotel. The 208 guest rooms and suites skew classic, with their neutral palette and spacious marble bathrooms. Meanwhile, the 10,000-square-foot spa is a tranquil oasis popular for locally inspired treatments like the Lavender Haven Massage Ritual. Foodwise, Ballantyne’s signature Gallery Restaurant serves locally sourced, all-day American fare such as shrimp and grits and roasted Joyce Farms chicken.
It’s easy to access everything Charlotte has to offer from The Ballantyne. Though there are cherry trees sprinkled throughout town, you’ll find the most photogenic displays at Romare Bearden Park and Freedom Park. Rates start at $258 or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
The city’s cherry blossom season also overlaps with Savor, a two-week event (March 12 to 25) filled with hands-on classes, exclusive dinners and discounts. It’s a unique opportunity to dig into Charlotte’s thriving culinary scene.
Hilton Columbus Downtown is tough to miss: It’s a gleaming 28-story tower with a prime location in the lively Short North Arts District. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for a comfortable stay, from spotless accommodations to a spacious fitness center. Stories on High, the city’s tallest rooftop bar, serves up original cocktails and Japanese small plates. Nightly room rates start from $166 or 50,000 Hilton Honors points.
With over 5,000 cherry trees spread across Columbus’ neighborhoods and parks, there are plenty of places to admire the spring flowers. Check out Franklin Park, which is home to 20 cherry trees gifted from Japan for the 2012 Columbus Bicentennial Celebration. The season’s marquee event, the Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival, takes place from March 24 to April 15 with the theme of “Love, Peace and Harmony.”
Taking up residence in the historic Willie C. Hill Annex building, this 95-room boutique hotel bridges the old and new. It features carefully preserved original details, like terrazzo tiling, but modern touches — such as in-room mini Smeg refrigerators — ensure complete comfort. Fuel up for a day out with Loom’s hearty Southern fare, and end the evening with a well-crafted drink and city views from Hightales Rooftop Bar. Room rates start at $199 or 23,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night during cherry blossom season.
Despite its small size, Macon celebrates cherry blossom season in spectacular style. With over 350,000 cherry trees — that’s more than 90 times the amount in Washington, D.C. — the city buzzes with events all month long, including the 10-day International Cherry Blossom Festival (March 21 to 30).
One of the city’s most exciting new openings, the LEED Platinum-certified Cascada champions health for people and for the planet. Every detail, even those invisible to the naked eye, has been considered. The accommodations feature toxin-free mattresses crafted with organic wool and cotton, while a cutting-edge filtration system ensures pristine air. Staff at Cascada’s cafe and restaurant prepare food with whole, mostly organic ingredients and no seed oils. Plus, the underground thermal springs help reset your body and mind in total peace. Rooms start at $318 per night.
Cherry trees abound in Portland, but prime viewing spots for the blooms (which typically peak from mid-March through early April) include the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Portland Japanese Garden, which is famed for its stunning Yoshino and weeping cherry trees.
This 130-room hotel is in the heart of San Francisco’s iconic Japantown neighborhood — the largest and oldest surviving Japantown of its kind in the U.S. It thoughtfully infuses Japanese style and culture into its crisp, minimalist design, and a stay includes complimentary perks like a daily sake social hour.
It’s also an ideal place to call your home away from home if you’re in town for the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (April 12 to 13 and April 19 to 20). Other memorable places to surround yourself with the pink blooms include Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden and San Francisco Botanical Garden. Rates start at $197 or 39,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is perched in a quiet pocket of glitzy Ginza. The posh newcomer (opened last year) embraces a minimalist yet warm aesthetic throughout its 86 guest rooms and suites, as well as in its 14th-floor brasserie, Sophie, where guests can get a proper Japanese breakfast.
To herald one of the most cherished times of the year, the property is offering a special sakura (cherry blossom) package from March 15 through April 6. Good for up to two guests, it includes breakfast at Sophie, a sakura-themed cocktail, a sakura-themed in-room amenity and a special map illustrating the best places around Tokyo for hanami (flower viewing). Nightly rates start at $830 or 97,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Nestled in the hills of northern Kyoto along the Tenjin River, Roku Kyoto is a tranquil retreat that makes you feel as though you’re deep in the rolling countryside. Even better? It places you in the heart of the transient blooms, far removed from the clamor of Kyoto’s tourists.
The resort invites you to slow down. You can embark on a meditation walk through the Japanese garden, participate in a traditional tea ceremony, unwind with the spa’s signature Tenjingawa stone massage and nourish yourself with a Japanese breakfast of fish, miso soup and rice. During sakura season, room prices start at $536 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Hugging a scenic cliff on the southern end of Jeju Island, JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa is a serene luxury resort envisioned by Bill Bensley (who designed places like Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle and Rosewood Luang Prabang). The hotel pays homage to local culture with its striking design — you’ll notice the prominent use of yellow, which symbolizes vitality and wealth — and its dinner-only restaurant, The Flying Hog — which cooks prized Jeju black pigs in a wood-fired grill. Nightly rates start at $717 or 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
The resort provides an elegant home base for scoping the island’s native king cherry blossoms. These flowers are fluffier and have a deeper hue than Japanese varietals, and you can spot them all over the island. Popular viewing spots include Halla Arboretum and Jeonnong-ro, a road that weaves through Jeju City.
If you want to see cherry blossoms in East Asia but want to steer clear of Tokyo’s and Kyoto’s tourists, Seoul is a smart alternative. There are plenty of places to view the delicate flowers around South Korea’s capital city, but Gyeongbokgung Palace — which is already a popular destination — becomes even more captivating when it transforms into a spectacular sea of pink.
For a luxurious stay in the neighborhood, look no further than the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. In addition to its convenient location in Gwanghwamun, the sophisticated property has every perk imaginable: a sleek design incorporating original pieces by Korean artists, a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant, Yu Yuan, a contemporary Korean sauna and globe-trotting cocktails at the award-winning bar Charles H.
If you book your stay with American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, you’ll receive daily breakfast for two, late checkout and more. Room rates in March start at $424 per night.
Immerse yourself in warm Japanese hospitality at this 82-room boutique property in posh Marylebone. The minimalist rooms feature fusuma panels and yukata (lightweight cotton kimonos), while Tokii and The Malt Lounge and Bar specialize in refined Japanese cuisine and spirits. (You can even book a sushi masterclass.) The hotel’s central address makes getting around a breeze; some of London’s most famed attractions, such as Hyde Park and Marble Arch, are just a stroll away.
Since The Prince Akatoki London is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you can book a stay here with Hilton Honors points. Regular room rates are available from $325 per night.
Marking the hospitality brand’s first foray into France, Kimpton St Honore combines convenience (it’s just steps from the Opera Garnier) with a bold look by Parisian designer Charles Zana in a historic art deco building and chic yet understated guest rooms. At the on-site Sequoia rooftop bar, you can pair a glass of rose with breathtaking sights of the petal-pink flowers cascading across the City of Light.
During cherry blossom season, room prices start at $472 or 88,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
To talk about Spirit Airlines is to tell a tale of two airlines. On the one hand, Spirit has one of the newest fleets in the skies, commendable on-time performance and low prices that can be very attractive — especially for large groups and families.
But then there’s the Spirit Airlines that recently placed ninth out of 10 on TPG’s 2024 best U.S. airlines list. The airline is notorious for long bag drop lines and poor communication during delays. Plus, you’ll face more fees when flying Spirit than with most other U.S. airlines. Additionally, Spirit Airlines recently emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and has rejected multiple merger proposals from Frontier Airlines, including the most recent bid this January.
So, what do you need to know if you’re flying Spirit Airlines? We’ve got all the details about how Spirit might be different from trips you’ve taken with other airlines. With this information, you can decide whether to book with Spirit. If you’ve already booked a Spirit flight, this guide will answer common questions about flying with the airline so you can have the best trip possible.
What fares does Spirit Airlines offer?
Boarding a Spirit flight with a personal item and carry-on bag. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
As we reported last year, Spirit now has four fare options, which you’ll see as soon as you start booking a flight.
SPIRIT
The options are:
Go
Think basic economy. This is the lowest-priced ticket and comes without frills. This means you’ll pay extra for everything from a beverage to seat selection to a checked bag. Notably, this ticket type does not allow for the purchase of a carry-on bag.
Go Savvy
This is Spirit’s version of a full-fare main cabin ticket. You’ll be able to select a standard seat for free at booking and bring aboard a full-size carry-on. Snacks and drinks are not included, and checked luggage is an additional charge.
Go Comfy
This ticket allows you to select one of Spirit’s “Comfy” seats, which feature an empty middle seat for a bit of extra space. Plus, you’ll get a full-size carry-on bag, though you must still pay for checked baggage. You will, however, be entitled to snacks, nonalcoholic beverages and Group 2 priority boarding.
Go Big
This ticket type offers access to Spirit’s Big Front Seat (featuring 11 inches of extra legroom and wider, prereclined 2×2 seats with extra-thick cushioning), free Wi-Fi and priority airport security, where available. This fare class comes with both free checked and carry-on baggage.
Spirit also offers special Saver$ Club fares. However, you can only get Saver$ Club fares if you purchase a 12-month membership, which costs $69.95.
Spirit’s Saver$ Club doesn’t just get you lower fares on flights. Members also get:
Up to 50% off on checked and carry-on bags for you and up to eight guests
Savings on seat selection costs for everyone in your party
Discounts on Shortcut Security (access to the quickest possible lane to get through the security screening experience)
Savings with select partners
If you fly on Spirit frequently or travel as a group — and often pay for add-ons such as baggage and seats — membership may quickly pay for itself. Spirit says if you’re flying with a group, you can recoup your membership fee in one flight. However, before you buy a membership, consider how much you’ll likely save and whether the savings justify the fee.
Can I check a bag?
Bag drop lines can get lengthy. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Yes, you can pay to check one or more bags when flying Spirit — and with the Go Big seat option, you’ll also get a free checked bag. Each checked bag should be no larger than 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and should weigh 50 pounds or less.
Checked bag fees vary based on the route you’re flying and when you purchase your checked bag with Spirit. You can use a tool on Spirit’s website to calculate baggage fees. Typically, paying for bags during booking is the cheapest, while paying at the airport is the most expensive and will add about $20 to the initial bag fee cost.
You’ll need to pay additional fees if your checked bag is overweight ($125 for up to 100 pounds) or oversized ($150).
Can I bring a carry-on bag?
Bag sizer at a Spirit gate in Louisville. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
All Spirit passengers can bring one personal item, like a purse or laptop bag, that is no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches without any additional charge. Importantly, the item must fit under the seat in front of you. (Before a recent flight, I found that my relatively empty daypack would easily fit into the personal item sizer.)
Go Savvy, Go Big and Go Comfy all include a carry-on bag in the ticket price. (This is a relatively new and welcomed change to the Spirit experience.) However, if you’ve purchased a Go ticket, the lowest-priced option, you are not allowed to purchase a carry-on bag, and you will need to pay for a checked bag if you want to bring anything beyond your personal item.
Carry-on luggage must be no larger than 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.
Can I select a seat?
While the upper tiers come with complimentary seat selection, if you are flying with a Go ticket, you must pay to select your seat. The cost depends on the route, seat type, when you purchase the seat and seat location. Regular seats cost $5 to $50, while Big Front Seats cost $12 to $250 when purchased in advance and $25 to $175 when purchased onboard.
For a recent Spirit flight from Orlando to Louisville, seat costs were as follows about two weeks before departure:
Big Front Seats: $52
Exit row: $28
Near the front of the aircraft: $25
In the middle of the plane: $19
At the rear of the plane: $13
If you don’t select a seat, Spirit’s website says they will “assign random seats at check-in for free, but we can’t guarantee that you will get to sit with your friends or family.” If you choose this option, you may luck out with a window seat at the front of the aircraft — but Spirit can also assign you a less desirable seat. You should pay to select a seat if you absolutely must sit with traveling companions or have a strong preference for a window or aisle.
Should I splurge for a Big Front Seat?
Big Front Seat on Spirit Airlines A321. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Big Front Seats are wider and have more legroom than standard Spirit seats. In short, these seats are similar to non-lie-flat business-class products that other carriers fly domestically. TPG editorial director Summer Hull said she’s never regretted paying extra for Big Front Seats. TPG contributor Zach Griff also enjoyed his flight in a Spirit Big Front Seat.
However, you won’t get any extra service when flying in Spirit’s Big Front Seats. Plus, no Spirit seats recline. You’ll need to decide whether the cost to reserve a Big Front Seat is worth getting a larger, more comfortable seat at the front of the aircraft, even without other notable perks.
Can I check in and get my boarding pass at the airport?
You may need to pay a fee to check in at the airport. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Spirit encourages online check-in through its website or app when possible. You can use a self-service kiosk at the airport to check in and get a boarding pass for a $2 fee; or you can ask a customer service agent at the check-in counter to check you in and print your boarding pass for a $10 fee. Of course, Spirit will waive the fees if your trip doesn’t allow online check-in — for example, if you’re flying to/from a country that doesn’t allow online check-in.
You can get a drink or snack in flight, but you’ll need to pay for it. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase, but you’ll need to pay for them with a credit card or debit card — so you might want to bring snacks and fill up your water bottle after clearing security if you don’t want to spend money on board. You can check out the snack and drink options on Spirit’s website before boarding.
There are also several ways to get free food and drinks on board. Both Go Comfy and Go Big booking options come with complimentary drinks and snacks. Free Spirit Gold members (more on that below) receive a free snack and drink, too.
For all four classes of Spirit tickets, there is no fee to cancel a flight within 24 hours of ticketing if the reservation has been made at least seven days before departure. There are also no change or cancellation fees for Go Big, Go Comfy and Go Savvy tickets. However, for the Go travel option, a fee applies for cancellations or modifications if the booking was purchased on or after February 5, 2025.
If you change to a flight with a higher fare, you’ll need to pay the difference. If you cancel or switch to a flight with a lower fee, Spirit will issue any remaining balance as a travel credit.
You can earn points on Spirit flights. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Free Spirit is the airline’s free-to-join loyalty program. Members earn 6 points per dollar on fares and 12 points per dollar on optional add-on items like baggage and seat selection. Free Spirit Silver and Gold elite members earn even more points on these purchases: For example, Gold members earn 10 points per dollar on fares and 20 points per dollar on optional add-on items.
Spirit has two cobranded credit cards available to U.S. residents: the Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard® (no annual fee) and the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard® ($0 introductory annual fee, then $79). It only makes sense to have these cards if one or more of the following is compelling to you:
Gain $100 companion flight voucher for the Travel More card when you make $5,000 in purchases within the prior anniversary year. This voucher can be used as a discount on companion airfare (excluding taxes and fees).
Receive 5,000 bonus points each anniversary with the basic Travel card after making at least $10,000 in purchases within the prior anniversary year.
Points pooling: As the primary cardholder, Spirit lets you combine Free Spirit points with up to eight friends and family members.
25% rebate on inflight purchases
Group 2 boarding
No foreign transaction fees
The information for the Free Spirit Travel More and Free Spirit Travel 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.
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier, so adjust your expectations accordingly. You may need to wait in long bag drop lines. Plus, there won’t be any amenities on board, and Spirit doesn’t serve complimentary food or drinks with its two lower fare classes.
The airline also operates fewer flights on many routes than full-service competitors, resulting in fewer rerouting options if your flight is delayed or canceled. On the plus side, the fares are often very low, and the planes are relatively new.
If the cost is reasonable, consider booking a Big Front Seat for extra space. I recommend booking your flight with a credit card that offers trip delay benefits so you’ll be protected if Spirit delays or cancels your flight.
Avelo Airlines is taking an axe to one of its core promises. Effective Friday, the nearly four-year-old ultra-low-cost carrier will institute change and cancellation fees for its flights.
The move will end a “hassle-free travel” promise that’s been a central tenet of the airline’s branding. Until this week, it was common to find a banner reading “No change or cancellation fees” right at the top of the homepage for Avelo’s website.
AVELO
The move is part of an effort to boost finances for the young airline and deter what it says are costly last-minute cancellations on the part of travelers.
There’s also a key — and inexpensive — caveat that can allow travelers to maintain plenty of flexibility in their Avelo travels: a $5 flex pass that buys customers “free” ticket changes and cancellations.
Avelo’s changes come as the carrier, for the first time, revealed to TPG that it is deep into plotting its first loyalty program, along with a cobranded credit card. Both are expected to launch over the coming months.
Here’s what to know about the changes you’ll see at Avelo this week, throughout the spring and later in 2025.
In a move travelers will likely bemoan, Avelo plans to implement change or cancellation fees beginning on Friday, March 7.
Itinerary changes or cancellations will be free two months or farther ahead of departure, but then will climb closer to travel day.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
While some airlines have historically employed flat fees for changes, and others a more dynamic pricing model, Avelo is taking a slightly different approach. A customer’s change or cancellation fee will be charged as a percentage of what they paid — both for their base fare and for add-on purchases like bags and seats.
Avelo change fees
Here’s how the pricing will work for Avelo cancellations and changes, effective March 7:
Timeframe
Fee
60 days or more prior to departure
No change fee
8 to 60 days prior to departure
25% of itinerary value
1 to 7 days prior to departure
50% of itinerary value
Less than one day prior to departure
75% of itinerary value
So, let’s say you paid $45 for a one-way flight from New Haven to Orlando, plus $90 in bag and seat fees, for a total of $135.
If you decided, three days before your trip, that you needed to cancel or make an itinerary change, you’d get a trip credit from Avelo for 50% of what you paid — or $67.50, in this case.
Had you made the change three hours before your flight, you’d only receive $33.75, a quarter of what you paid.
However, there’s a way you can skirt the risk of a change or cancellation fee.
Avelo on Friday will also launch a new add-on option it’s calling “AveloFlex.”
For $5, you can essentially buy yourself the ability to make “free” ticket changes or cancellations if a problem arises.
It’ll cost you $5 per person, per segment, so if you had two travelers making a trip that included a connecting flight (however uncommon on Avelo), you’d pay $10 per traveler, for a total of $20.
While it’s just one more add-on to the budget airline experience that already includes plenty, it’s a fairly nominal cost to avoid the risk of a much larger fee if a problem comes up — and less than you’d likely pay for a full travel insurance policy.
Cutting down on spoiling inventory
Still, adding change and cancellation fees is likely to be a disappointing move for customers, the carrier’s chief commercial officer, Brian Davis, noted in a memo to staff viewed by TPG.
The move was simple economics, Davis said, since Avelo operates many of its routes just a few times per week — meaning that it sees empty seats as a financial liability.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
“When we offer changeability to all customers all the time, there’s a meaningful cost to that, because there’s some number of people who wait until the very last minute and then cancel, and we’re left with a seat we can’t resell,” Davis told TPG in an interview this week. “To the customers who really value flexibility, we want to continue to make that available to them, as well, with a clear choice and a nominal price point.”
Avelo’s move toward change fees comes just weeks after Spirit Airlines did the same on its most basic fares — a move that came after it and Frontier Airlines took their biggest strides away from such fees in sweeping moves last year.
And while the largest U.S. airlines have long-since ditched change fees on full-fare economy tickets, plenty of restrictions remain for most of the large carriers’ basic economy fares.
“There was a movement immediately post-COVID away from change fees,” Davis noted. “But that has significantly moved back, particularly across the lowest price point kind of fare that we would view as our competition across the different carriers.”
Avelo loyalty program is coming soon
While customers aren’t likely to celebrate Avelo’s move this week, they may be more keen on other big changes in the works at the carrier, which launched operations during the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
Avelo’s inaugural flight in April 2021. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The airline is weeks away from announcing its first loyalty program, Davis confirmed. And Avelo recently reached a tentative agreement with an issuer to launch a cobranded credit card program later this year.
“It’s certainly not a frequent flyer program,” Davis said, leaving little more than breadcrumbs.
“We think about this as the low-frequency traveler who — value is really important to them,” he explained. “This is an opportunity [to be] a part of our club, a cardholder, and all year long when you’re buying your gas and your groceries and you’re engaging in your day-to-day activities, you’re earning a bank of value that is super powerful and exciting for you then to daydream with your family about the next vacation that you can take.”
About those change fees …
Don’t be surprised if Avelo uses its new change fees to create something of a market for its loyalty program (and perhaps its credit card), either.
“We would certainly imagine flexibility would be one of the benefits,” Davis said.
We should note, Avelo already has a limited partnership with Capital One that offers a few benefits to travelers — but the upcoming loyalty and card programs should go well beyond that.
Budget airlines aim for piece of pie
How different might an Avelo loyalty and card program look from its competitors? We’ll be eagerly awaiting the rollout.
Budget airlines have leaned more heavily into loyalty programs and cobranded credit cards in recent months, aiming to claim even a small piece of a lucrative pie that’s propelled profits for many of the larger carriers.
Frontier Airlines recently announced its cobranded credit card applications had spiked by 25% after the carrier announced plans for first-class seats and a companion pass for high-level Frontier Miles elite status members, launching later this year.
First-class flights and hearty cheeseburgers: It’s getting easier to enjoy both at once through Delta Air Lines’ collaboration with Shake Shack.
This week, the Atlanta-based carrier is growing its partnership with the popular burger chain to more of its aircraft by expanding the new first-class-cabin menu offering beyond flights departing from Boston.
Starting Tuesday, passengers in the Delta domestic first-class cabin will be able to preselect a Shake Shack cheeseburger on flights over 900 miles in distance when departing from four additional Delta hubs:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
As part of the Shake Shack collaboration, Delta flyers in the first-class cabin have to preselect the burger ahead of the flight. The meal comes with potato chips, a Caesar salad and a dark chocolate brownie.
“This is part of our work to partner with brands our customers already know and love while continuing to raise the bar for the in-flight experience — whether that’s making your favorite cheeseburger available at 35,000 feet, or ensuring you have a variety of fresh meals to choose from that fuel you on your adventure,” Delta managing director of onboard service Stephanie Laster said in a statement Tuesday.
DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY
Uber Eats BOGO offer
Delta is also marking the expansion of its Shack Shack tie-up with a way for passengers to score a free burger while on the ground.
If you remember, in January the airline announced an additional partnership with ride-hailing company Uber, which is set to launch later this spring, offering SkyMiles earnings on eligible rides and Uber Eats deliveries.
Delta and Uber logos adorning the Sphere in Las Vegas on Jan. 7, 2025. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
In the meantime, SkyMiles members who join the waitlist for the Delta-Uber partnership can take advantage of “buy one, get one” Shackburgers via Uber Eats.
The promotion runs from March 4 to March 14 for SkyMiles members who have already joined the Delta-Uber waitlist, or who join by March 6.
Pro tip: On top of the free second burger, you can offset the cost of your first burger through a credit card statement credit. Customers who carry The Platinum Card® from American Express get $15 per month in Uber Cash; American Express® Gold Card members get $10 per month in Uber Cash. An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Delta’s onboard menu refresh
Delta’s Shack Shack expansion came as part of a larger refresh of its onboard menus.
Jon & Vinny’s meatballs
The airline also announced an expansion of its popular Jon & Vinny’s braised meatballs with Bianco DiNapoli marinara on a wider range of flights in the domestic first-class cabin.
A collaboration with Los Angeles-based chefs for nearly eight years, the meatballs with garlic bread and ricotta have been a first-class staple on flights out of LAX.
Now, the carrier will offer the menu option on additional select first-class routes departing from west and southwest airports, and in Delta One-branded cabins departing from Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Tampa (along with LAX).
Champagne Taittinger in Delta One
Last week, the carrier also announced a big new addition to its international Delta One service: pours of Champagne Taittinger, which they’re calling a “historic milestone for both brands.” The bubbly will be available before meal service and throughout the flight.
Meanwhile, main cabin passengers will also see a few changes.
Delta is going to trial a handful of new zero-proof beverages on routes starting Tuesday. Q Hibiscus Ginger Beer, Lyre’s Amalfi Italian Spritz and Filthy Margarita Mix — not to mention Red Bull — will be available for purchase on select transcontinental flights.
Those routes include: New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), JFK-LAX and BOS-LAX.
DELTA AIR LINES
And, as the carrier celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025, you’ll see some Delta centennial branding on its signature Biscoff sandwich cookie wrappers, as well as on cans of Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale.
As of March 4, Austin is now the latest city to offer riders the option to book an autonomous Uber powered by Waymo, the ride-hailing giant shared with TPG on Tuesday. Atlanta, the next city to roll out the service, will follow shortly after.
Here’s what you need to know about booking a Waymo ride with Uber.
How to request a Waymo ride
Uber riders in eligible cities (Austin, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco) can request a fully autonomous, all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicle via Waymo at no additional cost through the Uber app. Now customers in Austin can adjust their ride preference settings to increase their chances of receiving a Waymo.
Waymo rates mirror those of UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric rides. While you may also just receive a Waymo without requesting it when ordering one of those car types, riders can decline Waymo rides in favor of a nonautonomous vehicle at any time.
Riders use the Uber app to unlock the Waymo vehicle upon arrival, open the trunk and start the trip.
Waymo locations
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Users in Austin and Atlanta will be able to request Waymo rides directly through the Uber app, while customers in Los Angeles and San Francisco must use the Waymo app to book their rides. Uber customers in Phoenix have the luxury of booking either way.
Users can reserve a Waymo for local deliveries via Uber Eats in eligible locations.
Bottom line
There have been safety concerns in response to accidents related to autonomous vehicles — after all, this is what led to the demise of Cruise.
However, Uber assures riders have logged “tens of millions of miles of real-world driving experience navigating complex road conditions.” To that end, they offer access to a human support team 24 hours a day, both in the app and inside Waymo vehicles.
As stated, in addition to Austin, the company will launch driverless rides in Atlanta soon — though it did not provide an exact date.
Travelers ran into confusion and disruptions in Florida in recent days. Over the weekend, regional airline Silver Airways abruptly canceled flights out of Orlando, citing issues retaining its leased planes months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The Florida-based carrier, which flies throughout Florida and the Caribbean, suddenly canceled all flights out of Orlando International Airport (MCO) beginning on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority confirmed to TPG.
“We received notification Saturday afternoon that, effective immediately, all departing and arriving flights with Silver Airways are canceled,” Angela Starke, MCO’s senior vice president of public affairs, said in a statement.
By Monday, data from flight tracker FlightAware showed nearly two dozen previously scheduled Silver Airways flights had been canceled out of the Orlando airport.
Across Silver’s network, Monday’s cancellations amounted to around 9% of all scheduled departures, per FlightAware.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Why are Silver Airways flights being canceled?
A spokesperson for Silver, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, told TPG that despite its restructuring “going exceedingly well,” it ran into issues with its aircraft leased by a third-party company overseas.
The company, Silver said, “abruptly reversed its previously stated position and immediately required Silver to pay millions of dollars to retain the airplanes we have been flying for years,” the spokesperson told TPG — and ordered the immediate grounding of the leased aircraft.
“We are working with our customers to rebook itineraries and minimize inconvenience for travelers,” Silver said in a statement, noting it “regrets and apologizes for the last-minute cancelations of flights from Orlando International Airport.”
The carrier was “diligently working to resolve traveler interruptions and issuing immediate refunds requested by the customer” through its call center.
Bankruptcy filing in December
When the airline filed for bankruptcy in December, it said it hoped to secure new capital and restructure its debt and promised all tickets would “remain valid, and we will continue operating as usual.”
Additionally, Silver pledged existing bookings made through partners JetBlue and United Airlines would “experience no disruptions to their bookings or services.”
Oftentimes, airlines can continue with normal operations amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization; such was the case for Spirit Airlines following its own filing in November (the company hopes to emerge from bankruptcy later this month).
But it appears Silver has now run into a snag in its plans.
What to do if your Silver Airways flight is canceled
U.S. Department of Transportation rules require airlines to refund passengers for canceled flights, regardless of the reason for the cancellation, if a passenger then cannot or chooses to not travel. That includes flights purchased through a ticket agent or online travel agency.
However, bankruptcy filings create “sort of a travel gray area” that may make getting a refund more complicated, Katy Nastro, a travel expert at flight subscription service Going, told TPG.
What is the first step after a canceled flight?
First things first: Travelers need to figure out how to get to their destination.
To do this, passengers can call the airline — in this case, Silver Airways — and try requesting either a refund or an alternative flight if one is available. Silver told TPG it was working to rebook passengers and issue “immediate refunds requested” through its call center.
Nastro said if customers can’t get rebooked through Silver, they can try to find “rescue fares” on other airlines, which are discounts other carriers may offer to help.
“We saw this happen when WOW Air went out of business … other airlines might come in and save the day,” she said, adding, “It’s not super common, but it has happened before.”
And time is of the essence.
“You just want to make sure you can get where you need to go,” Nastro said. “The quicker you are, the higher likelihood you’re going to get a seat.”
How to get a refund
The next step is getting your money back if you choose not to travel.
But if Silver is unable to provide a refund for some reason, Nastro said your next stop should be your credit card company.
You’ll want to request a chargeback (or a reversal of payment for services not received). While there’s no guarantee your issuer will reverse the charge, it’s an option worth exploring.
“Your credit card is going to be the best bet at the end of the day, because there’s no disputing this service was not rendered,” Nastro said.
Don’t delay, though: The Truth in Lending Act requires banks to remove a charge when a supplier fails to deliver a product or service — but it only covers the credit card holder for 60 days after the original charge was made.
What about travel insurance?
Trip insurance can be tricky because policies vary. However, trip insurance is probably your best option for getting refunds for ancillary costs like extra hotel nights or unforeseen nonrefundable expenses.
“We always say, ‘Ask, but expect the worst,’” Nastro said.
Filing a complaint with the DOT
If all else fails, Nastro said your final option is to file a complaint with the DOT, which can be done via an online form.
“The very last step in this headache of a navigation process would be filing a complaint with the DOT, and maybe down the road you would see some money from that,” she said.
Apple released an excellent iOS 18.2 update for travelers in November through its Share Item Location feature, and it’s now being adopted by major airlines worldwide.
This new enhanced functionality allows multiple people or third parties (including airlines) to track the location of an AirTag or other Apple accessory. This feature unlocks an array of benefits for travelers, especially those with checked luggage.
For instance, if you’re traveling with a partner and sharing your checked luggage item and using AirTags, both of you can monitor where the bag is, even if you’re on separate flights.
Up to five people can share an AirTag’s location at any time. This means that by sharing your AirTag location with the group you’re traveling with, you could use the feature to coordinate your location for meeting spots or when navigating large crowds or confusing areas.
Finally, being able to share your AirTags location with a third party — such as an airline — could also help customer services locate lost luggage faster.
If you’re not already using Apple AirTags when you travel, perhaps this new feature could convince you to take the plunge. It’s also worth adding that you can currently snap up a set of four Apple AirTags for just $67.99 on Amazon — one of the lowest prices we’ve seen for a while. The retailer also lists individual Apple AirTag for $22.99 if you only need one.
Which airlines use Apple’s AirTag’s Share My Location feature?
Since Apple launched its new Share My Location feature it has slowly been rolled out as part of customer services at several major airlines. At present, the following airlines should all now accept location links from the Find My app:
Aer Lingus
Austrian Airlines
Air Canada
Air New Zealand
American Airlines
Austrian Airlines
British Airways
Brussels Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Eurowings
Iberia Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Lufthansa
Qantas
Singapore Airlines
SAS
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Vueling
How to share an AirTag’s location
First, ensure that your iPhone is running iOS 18.2 or higher and open the “Find My” app or iCloud Find My website.
Once there you should be able to open the “Items” tab, and locate the AirTag that you wish to share. By tapping on the AirTag you should be given the option to “Share Item Location,” by following the onscreen instructions you’ll be presented with a shareable link.
You’ll be able to share the link with one of your contacts, or in the case of an airline — you should be able to paste the link into the customer service app where you’re dealing with your baggage or with on-the-ground customer service personnel who are helping you locate your baggage.
The person or airline you’ve shared the link with will then be able to begin tracking the AirTag’s location.
Is my location data safe?
Each shared link can only be accessed by a small number of people and recipients will be required to authenticate to view the link through either their Apple account or email address.
The location of the AirTag or other accessory will stop being shared once you have been reunited with your item. However, the item owner can also decide to stop sharing the location at any time. If you don’t stop sharing the item’s location, the link will automatically expire after seven days.
Bottom line
Apple AirTags are consistently one of TPG’s most recommended travel accessories, and for good reason. We never check a bag without them. The new Share Item Location feature is an excellent upgrade that makes locating lost luggage much more efficient and surefire.
