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

We often say the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best first credit card for those learning about the points and miles hobby. That’s not because the card is a “beginner” card — quite the opposite. Many of us at TPG still have the Sapphire Preferred because it’s integral to our travel rewards strategy.

We highlight it for a few reasons:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points are versatile and easy to use. Anyone getting started in credit card rewards will have no trouble saving a lot of money with them.
• The card has solid ongoing benefits that are not points-related.
• The card typically comes with a generous sign-up bonus.

In fact, right now, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can earn a limited-time bonus of 75,000 Ultimate Reward points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it’s relatively easy to cover it (and then some).

Let’s look at how you can maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits to ensure you’re saving the most money — and earning the most points — as organically possible. It’ll help you gauge whether the card is worth keeping year after year.

Overview of the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

Here are the notable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

• $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 10% points bonus each year based on your card spending (e.g., if you spend $10,000, you’ll receive 1,000 bonus points)
• 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025) and travel booked through the Chase travel portal
• 5 points per dollar on each Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more — with a limit of 25,000 points (through March 2025)

• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass for use with both DoorDash and Caviar (when you activate by Dec. 31)
• 3 points per dollar on dining. select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal
• 1 point per dollar on everything else
• Primary rental car insurance
• Trip delay insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• No foreign transaction fees

You don’t have to be a points and miles enthusiast to appreciate the card. These perks make the Chase Sapphire Preferred a very practical card for anyone who vacations even just once or twice per year.

With a $95 annual fee, the travel protections alone make this card worth the price tag. And because the card quickly racks up rewards, you’ll have a small fortune in Chase points by the time you’re confident enough to use them.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Strategies for maximizing the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s current limited-time bonus is 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG values that bonus at $1,538 — though you can get significantly more than that if you learn the Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots.

But once you’ve used the bonus, what’s the best way to maximize this card?

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for airfare

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on airfare booked through the Chase travel portal and 2 points per dollar when booked through an online travel agency or directly with the airline. However, amassing points is not the primary motivator for using the card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred will automatically give you two significant benefits (among others) when booking air travel:

• Trip delay insurance: You are covered for up to $500 per ticket when your flight is delayed 12 hours or more (or if your delay/cancellation results in an unexpected overnight).
• Baggage delay insurance: You and your immediate family are entitled to up to $100 per day in reimbursement (for up to five days) to cover the purchase of necessary expenses like clothes, toiletries, etc. This benefit kicks in when your bags are delayed six hours or more.

These perks alone are enough for many to keep the card year after year.

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for hotels via the Chase travel portal

Each anniversary year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $50 statement credit for a hotel stay booked via the Chase travel portal. You’ll also receive 5 points per dollar for booking travel through the Chase travel portal (though the $50 credit won’t earn points). That’s a great pair of benefits capable of wooing anyone who normally books hotels via an online travel agency like Expedia or Priceline.

Just note that this may not be the best option if you’re booking a major chain that’s part of a hotel loyalty program like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. Chase is considered a third-party platform for these reservations, which means you likely won’t earn points on the stay (and you may not be able to enjoy any elite status perks either).

You could always call the individual property after booking (or try to add your loyalty number at check-in), but it may not work. Your best bet is to use this perk for non-chain hotels or boutique properties.

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for rental cars

Here’s another stand-alone benefit that may justify the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee for many travelers: when you pay for a rental car with the card, you can waive the in-house rental agency’s pricey Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance — which can cost upward of $15 per day — and you’ll still receive primary rental car insurance, courtesy of Chase.

Note that this covers damage and theft to the card without going through your personal insurance company. You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar if you book your rental through the Chase Travel Portal. However, this doesn’t include liability insurance (damage to the car you crashed into, for example).

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay at restaurants

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants — whether you’re ordering takeout or dining in. That’s a great benefit to stack with the fact that the card offers one complimentary year (at least) of DashPass membership with DoorDash (when you activate by Dec. 31, 2024). You’ll get free deliveries on orders totaling more than $12 and earn 3 points per dollar on your purchase. That equates to 6% back on your meal.

Related: Just got the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Do these 6 things next

When not to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Sometimes, your Chase Sapphire Preferred is best left in its holster.

Don’t use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for non-bonus purchases

The card earns 1 point per dollar on all expenses that don’t fall into a bonus category. That’s not a reasonable return rate. There are plenty of cards (some with $0 annual fees) that will better serve you for these transactions. If you want to stay focused on collecting Chase Ultimate Rewards, swipe your Chase Freedom Unlimited® to earn a minimum of 1.5% cash-back (1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases.

Don’t forfeit other card benefits by using your Chase Sapphire Preferred

If you’ve got other credit cards that provide valuable benefits for specific purchases, don’t use the Chase Sapphire Preferred out of loyalty.

D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

For example, you can receive a free checked bag with United Airlines when you use your qualifying United Airlines credit card to pay for your flight. That could save you $60 round-trip and is worth using your United card.

Or if you book the same hotel brand often and elite status is important to you, use the hotel’s cobranded credit card to pay for your stays instead of the Sapphire Preferred. You’ll earn more points that way. For instance:

• The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels (6.8% return based on TPG valuations).
• The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases (7.2% return based on TPG valuations).

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is well worth the $95 annual fee each year if you know how to maximize the card. The card packs a punch between its annual $50 hotel credit, the myriad travel insurances and its generous earning rates. And considering the solid welcome bonus, applying right now is a no-brainer.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred with limited time 75,000 bonus point offer after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

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The federal government is urging worldwide caution and alertness in popular tourist spots amid what it says are potential threats of violence against LGBTQI+ travelers.

The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Friday warning of the possibility of terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against American citizens. Specifically, the State Department is warning that Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons could be at risk.

“The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events,” the State Department said in the alert shared to its social media platforms.

Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/6aXW4CAJoa

— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) May 17, 2024

The warning comes just a week before the traditional start of the summer travel season, and just before the start of widespread Pride Month celebrations in June.

It also comes just a week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a joint public service announcement, which similarly warned of the potential for foreign terrorist organizations to target Pride events and venues in June.

Should travelers be concerned?

Though it shared serious concerns in Friday’s alert, it is important to note that the State Department did not detail specific threats or circumstances that triggered this advisory.

At the same time, the department told TPG, it’s aware of “long-standing messaging by foreign terrorist organizations encouraging attacks against LGBTQI+ persons,” including Pride celebrations.

The agency keeps an ongoing and robust assortment of travel advisories covering, essentially, the entire world. And it often issues safety alerts and reminders ahead of major travel seasons, and in the midst of situations involving emerging unrest.

For instance, before each of the past two spring travel seasons, the department reminded travelers headed to Mexico of common-sense safety measures to avoid becoming a potential victim of crime.

It also issued a global safety alert in October amid violence in Israel and Gaza.

Additionally, the department maintains travel advisories for each country around the world, rating potential risk levels based on factors like the possibility of kidnapping, crime, unlawful detention and — for some regions of the world — specific dangers to LGBTQI+ travelers.

Notably, Friday’s alert for this June seems to cover travel around the entire world.

The state department has a guide full of advice and considerations for LGBTQI+ travelers heading abroad.

Here are some additional pieces of advice for your summer 2024 travels, including trips taking place during Pride month.

Stay alert

The State Department urges travelers visiting popular tourist locations, including Pride celebrations, to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.

This is always a good practice when traveling or venturing out into busy areas for any reason.

Enroll in ‘STEP’ program

The agency also suggests travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP allows travelers to receive information and alerts from the nearest consulate, wherever they are. It’s a highly helpful tool to have if you’re experiencing an emergency overseas — it can also help travelers be easily located, if necessary. More on that in our guide, here.

Travel in groups

Just like at home, whenever possible, traveling with a buddy or a group can be safer than going alone.

Research your country

As mentioned above, the State Department issues travel advisories for individual countries and shares specific safety concerns for each destination.

In some nations, advisory notices do specify the potential for violence against LGBTQI+ travelers.

You can search for your destination at this link.

Plan ahead

If you’re headed to a busy event in a crowded metropolitan area, it’s typically a good idea to have a primary plan for how you’ll get back to your hotel or rental property — and a backup plan, too. For instance, Uber or Lyft might be your “Plan A” — but what would be your backup plan if your phone died or cell phone service was spotty?

Though smartphones have made it easy to pull up walking directions on the spot, it’s not a bad idea to study the map of your destination so you at least have a general sense of the geography.

Visit a highly vetted hotel

Do your homework when booking a hotel to ensure it’s a fit for your trip — both in terms of amenities and safety. TPG has a vast library of hotel reviews and guides from properties spanning the globe, featuring firsthand testimonials and photos of what a particular property is like — including location and safety factors.

Share your itinerary with someone back home

As always when traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to share your itinerary — and any subsequent deviations from it — with a trusted friend or family member back home. This includes hotels or rental property addresses where you’re staying, flight numbers and a scan of your passport information page.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

Most theme parks endeavor to pull you out of reality and into a world of fantasy. However, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World seeks to do exactly the opposite.

Not only were several of Animal Kingdom’s lands and attractions built to resemble real-life African and Asian destinations. The park was also designed to educate guests on their relationship to nature and inspire them to leave a lasting impact on the environment.

That’s a tall order, considering most people visit a theme park for rides and character meet-and-greets. A dedicated team of specialists works closely with the animals who call Disney World “home.” This allows guests to engage with animals in meaningful ways that will stick with them long after they return to the real world.

TPG recently spoke with Disney’s Dr. Scott Terrell and Dr. Zak Gezon, two such animal care experts, to learn how they tackle the extraordinary task of caring for animals at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Related: Tips for visiting Disney World: 19 ways to save money and have more fun

By the numbers

Open since April 22, 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Disney World’s newest and largest theme park. The park spans 500 acres, with 110 acres alone — the equivalent of 83 football fields — dedicated to one of its most popular attractions: Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Disney is currently home to more than 5,000 animals from 300 unique species. Most of those animals reside at Animal Kingdom, but some live in other parts of the resort, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot and Tri-Circle-D Ranch at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Of those, about 45 animals have lived at the park since before its opening on Earth Day in 1998.

Some — like the bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators Disney supports through its conservation efforts — are simply too numerous to count.

Care and feeding

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, but caring for several thousand animals that live in a theme park presents unique challenges.

“At Disney, we are surrounded by entertainment and attractions, but every cast member in the park understands that animal care comes first,” Terrell told TPG.

Like other accredited zoos and aquariums, Disney has scientists who specialize in animal behavior, health and nutrition. They also understand how things like light, sound and temperature affect the animals.

“We use real data to make sure the animals are happy, healthy and comfortable so they have the ability to thrive in our care,” Terrell said.

Related: More rides and fewer crowds: What to expect at Disney After Hours

Animal Kingdom’s hours of operation provide the most obvious example of how Disney prioritizes animal care. While most Disney parks remain open until 9 or 10 p.m. (and sometimes later), Animal Kingdom typically closes by 7 p.m. so cast members have time to care for the animals properly. This also means animals can have a quiet, restful evening without being disrupted by guests.

There are also no fireworks at Animal Kingdom for the animals’ sake. If you have ever been around a skittish animal during Fourth of July fireworks, you know just how important this is.

Disney utilizes the latest technology to provide the best care for its animals. Two years ago, Disney shared that some of the rhinos on Kilimanjaro Safaris wear fitness trackers around their legs, but they aren’t trying to get their 10,000 steps in. Disney’s animal care specialists use the data from the fitness trackers to study how far and fast the animals move each day, as well as their napping and sleeping schedules. The trackers are also GPS-enabled, so Disney can see exactly where they like to hang out on the savanna.

This year, Disney revealed how the Animal Kingdom staff monitors the breeding and feeding behavior of the park’s more than 100 Northern carmine bee-eater birds. Scientists use small radio frequency identification tracking devices to keep tabs on how often the birds enter their feeding area in search of tasty insects so they can properly supplement their diets.

Of course, the park’s sheer size is also a factor. Millions of guests visit Disney World every year — far more than any other zoo or aquarium.

“Providing world-class care for these animals is our number one priority, but we also have the opportunity to inspire millions of people, which is pretty awesome,” Terrell said.

Of the 300-plus cast members who care for Disney’s animals daily, about 40 of them are responsible for creating, preparing and monitoring meals for both the zoo and aquarium animals at Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center. In fact, Disney’s is one of the few aquariums with a dedicated aquarium nutritionist on staff.

“We prepare about 1,200 individual meals daily,” Terrell said. “That’s more than 10,000 pounds of food every single day.”

If you are picturing the boring bowls of food you see in pet food commercials, think again.

“What many people might be surprised about is that we feed our animals the same ingredients we feed our guests,” Terrell added.

Feeding Disney’s animals the right food in the right amounts is very important. The Animal Nutrition team monitors their intake so closely that they know within 2 grams what the animals eat on a daily basis.

Related: The 21 most underrated things at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss

The team also feeds the animals a varied diet. The staffers introduce different spices or scents regularly, but they also love celebrating the animals on special occasions. When an animal celebrates a birthday, for example, the Animal Nutrition team might prepare a special meal like a cake made of fruit and vegetables.

“We know that nutrition is important to be healthy, happy and comfortable, and celebrating our animals helps them and their caretakers thrive,” Terrell said.

Next time you visit Animal Kingdom, you can see Disney’s Animal Nutrition team in action at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Look for the Nutrition Center window inside the Conservation Station; you can watch handlers prepare healthy meals for Disney’s animals right before your eyes and see examples of the types of meals they feast on.

At Epcot, you can watch the animal care experts feed fish, sea turtles and other aquatic animals at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.

The doctor is in

You can’t exactly put an elephant in the car when it’s time for a checkup. Luckily, Disney’s doctors make house calls and can do everything from X-rays to ultrasounds. Disney employs almost a dozen veterinarians, including Terrell, who have training in a variety of zoological specialties.

“Here at Disney, we’re able to do just about anything that any medical professional or veterinarian could do,” Terrell said. “We have the ability to do things like PET scans, X-rays, surgery and lab work on-site.”

In December 2023, Disney welcomed a 218-pound baby African elephant named Corra into the world. Guests can now see Corra roaming the savanna when they ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. African elephants are an endangered species, and it took careful planning and monitoring to ensure Corra and her mom, Nadirah, had a healthy birth and bonding experience.

Disney’s veterinary team provided Nadirah with prenatal care that included regular ultrasounds and a few extra treats like sweet potatoes, carrots and hay to keep her happy during her checkups. They also measured the calf’s weight and checked the mom’s weight and hormones daily as the big day approached.

More recently, in March, Disney welcomed a baby addax named Julien to the herd. You may catch a glimpse of Julien roaming the grounds at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The addax is a species of antelope that is critically endangered in the wild but has the opportunity to thrive thanks to Disney’s expert care.

Disney collaborates with the AZA’s Species Survival Plan program, which helps to promote safe and healthy breeding of certain endangered and threatened species to increase populations and ensure their survival. In addition to Corra and Julien, Disney has overseen the births of other species in their care — such as Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, cotton-top tamarinds and okapi — through the SSP.

Disney also performs routine veterinary services for its residents, many of which you can observe when you visit the park.

“The really unique thing about our veterinary program is that we perform most of our medical procedures right in front of our guests,” Terrell said. “We are extremely transparent with our guests about the level of care that the animals receive. To date, we’ve performed more than 26,000 medical procedures in front of our guests.”

Next time you visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you can peek into the window of the veterinary treatment room inside the Conservation Station building. You’ll see a screen with that day’s schedule, which could include anything from a CT scan to an injury treatment to a dental exam and cleaning.

Disney’s global impact

Disney’s commitment to conservation extends far beyond welcoming little bundles of joy into the world. It even extends beyond Walt Disney World’s gates.

“We want to be good stewards of the environment for the animals that are outside of our care, as well,” Gezon told TPG.

Over the past 20 years, Disney has documented more than 1 million sea turtle hatchlings emerging from their eggs and making the trek to the ocean.

“Endangered sea turtles are nesting right now on the beach in front of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and we have a dedicated team that is there every single day during the breeding season,” Gezon said.

Some of the animals Disney is trying to protect, like the purple martins, visit the parks but are free to come and go as they please. These migratory birds make the 6,000-mile journey to the Brazilian rainforest and back every year. During their time in Central Florida, Disney installs purple martin birdhouses all over the property; each has several nesting compartments where the birds can find mates, lay eggs and care for their chicks until they can fly on their own.

“We are doing all sorts of cutting-edge research, like putting solar-powered GPS tracking units on some of the birds so we can learn about their migration patterns,” Gezon said.

Disney can use this information to monitor and care for these animals better when they visit Disney and when they return to South America. Last year, more than 1,000 chicks hatched at Disney World — an all-time record for the purple martin program.

Several pollinator populations worldwide are declining due to habitat loss, and Disney is doing everything possible to protect pollinators.

“We were a founding member of the Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network in 2004. We’ve documented over a hundred pollinating insect species across our property. We really want to do the absolute best job we can to take care of the environment, whether that’s animals in our care or outside of our care,” Gezon said.

In fact, Gezon likes to think of Disney as one giant pollinator garden.

“It’s a whole thriving metropolis of nature, and it’s because we’ve gone in there intentionally and tried to make this space,” Gezon said.

Next time you visit Disney World, take a moment to stop and look around. The bees, butterflies, birds and other insects you see are not there by accident. Your best bets for spotting pollinators are at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and around the specially designed flower gardens at Disney parks and resort hotels.

A call to action

Guests can learn about animals and environments from across the globe at Disney, especially by participating in free activities like the Wilderness Explorers program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or the Finding Dory’s Friends scavenger hunt at Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends. However, Gezon and Terrell hope your vacation is just the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for protecting the environment.

“I really want people to be inspired by nature and feel empowered that they can make an impact when they leave here. If people go home inspired and tell their friends about it, even small actions can add up and create a lasting impact on our entire planet,” Gezon said.

“We are a company that believes in hope and magic. If we can inspire that same belief in our guests, the collective impact can, without a doubt, change the world,” Terrell added.

That change can start in your own backyard. Gezon and Terrell gave several examples that most of us can easily integrate into our daily lives. Actions such as turning off the water when you brush your teeth, planting a pollinator garden in your yard or recycling your old cellphones are more significant than they seem; this is especially true when you spread the word to your friends and family so they can pitch in, too.

“There are so many ways to be inspired by nature and have an amazing time while you are doing it,” Gezon said.

At Disney, education feels like you are just having fun with your friends and family. However, you can take what you learn and make the world a better place for all its inhabitants, no matter how big or small. After all, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.

Related reading:

• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• Save big bucks on Disney World tickets, hotel stays and dining with these discounts
• The 17 best Disney World hotels for your stay
• 12 reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property

The deals for European travel keep coming.

We’ve just been tipped off to a big sale on flights to a number of popular destinations in Spain, including Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Departure cities include Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C.

This sale’s travel window involves flights between September and March of next year — potentially one of the best times to visit Spain, depending on your destination. For example, fall in the Canary Islands is generally a pleasant affair, thanks to mild temperatures and a low chance of rain. But take note: The flights in this sale all involve layovers.

A carry-on is included in this sale for most airlines. Checking a bag will cost between $75 and $85 each way. However, if you book a fare on TAP Air Portugal and need to bring a large suitcase, consider upgrading to the “Classic” tier for an extra $65 each way. That will cost less than paying for the checked bag fee separately.

Deal basics

Airline: Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Europa, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines

Routes: From Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C. to Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, La Palma de Canaria, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia, Spain

How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline

Travel dates: Availability from September 2024 through March 2025 (holidays are excluded)

This deal was originally sent out by the deal alert company Going. Sign up for Going to get up to 90% off select flights via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $69 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year for access to all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.

You can also sign up for a free trial through this link.

Sample flights

Let’s start by showing you a great deal out of Chicago to Madrid. You can book flights in September from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on TAP Air Portugal for just $379 round-trip.

According to Google Flights, that’s is an incredible deal for this route.

If you have your sights set on partaking in the legendary party vibes of Ibiza, you can fly from Chicago to Ibiza Airport (IBZ) in late October for less than $500 round-trip on Iberia.

We found flights from Miami to Bilbao at steeply-discounted prices. Here’s one itinerary we found in November from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Bilbao Airport (BIO) available on Iberia for only $464 round-trip.

The same route in the spring of 2025 is available at $470 round-trip.

There are some good deals from the tri-state area to the Canary Islands in this deal as well. TAP Air Portugal has round-trip flights to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in October available for $450, an excellent price. It’s also an ideal time to visit the Canaries.

I love knowing when I get a good deal, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Google Flights data shows this price is about as low as it gets for this route.

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, consider taking a trip to Spain’s capital city. TAP Air Portugal has good availability for flights from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Madrid in the fall for under $400 round-trip. November had lots of options to consider.

Maximize your purchase

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

Bottom line

This is one of those sales where travelers who can get by with a well-packed carry-on bag can really save big on an overseas ticket. Oh, and if you decide to book a trip to Ibiza but aren’t interested in party-hopping on the island, read TPG’s guide on how to explore the party-free side of the popular Canary Island.

Related reading:

• Valuable travel discounts and deals for college students and young adults
• Everything you need to know about State Department travel advisories
• When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department
• Everyone is going to Sicily — try these 7 underrated places in Italy instead

Every once in a while, I see something travel-related that makes me cringe — people barefoot on planes, tourists with selfie sticks and, most recently, an influx of nonsensical and unnecessary words to describe different types of trips.

Enter: “sleepcation.” Seriously, it’s a thing. You’ll probably sigh as deeply as I did when I found out what it was.

Why do marketers insist on creating cutesy terms for things that already have names?

In fairness, a term like “glamping” (camping but with certain amenities that make it more glamorous) makes sense because it sounds like the original word: “camping.”

“Staycation” (when you take time off to stay home and do nothing or visit places nearby) also works because it rhymes with “vacation” — a word that, for decades, has sufficed to describe types of leisure travel that may or may not take you far away from home.

Now, it seems we have new jargon born from slapping “-cation” or “-moon” on the ends of words and calling them trends. Speaking of being born, don’t even get me started on “babymoon.” The whole thing is out of hand. In the infamous words of Regina George from “Mean Girls”: “Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.”

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the made-up travel terms that give me, as the kids say, “the ick.”

What is a ‘babymoon’?

A babymoon is the trip an expecting couple takes to spend time together before their baby arrives (or, possibly, to mourn the loss of their free time, disposable income and privacy).

What is ‘bleisure’ travel?

The word itself comes from a combination of “business” and “leisure.” It indicates that you’re either tacking on a few days of paid time off onto a business trip or bringing non-colleagues — like friends or family members — with you for the ride. This has become increasingly prevalent as remote work has enabled longer trips than used to be standard.

What is a ‘buddymoon’?

A buddymoon is a honeymoon where friends tag along. To me, this just sounds like a weird way to say “honeymoon where you have no alone time whatsoever.”

What is a ‘digital nomad’?

A digital nomad is someone who can work from anywhere, including remote destinations, and changes locations frequently to do so. As long as they have a Wi-Fi connection and a host of electronics, they’re set to be on a constant workcation. (See below.)

What is a ‘sleepcation’?

A sleepcation is a vacation a person takes for the purpose of finding a good night’s sleep. Imagine paying money to accomplish what you should, in theory, be able to do at home in your bed. The concept is almost as ridiculous as the word itself.

What is a ‘travel curator’?

A travel curator is someone who travelers pay for customized travel planning services. Essentially, it’s a travel agent with a fancy name. Other aliases include “travel advisers” and “travel designers.”

What is ‘voluntourism’?

Voluntourism is traveling for the combination of both pleasure (tourism) and volunteer opportunities. It can include everything from medical and conservation work to teaching abroad. The term is silly, but the premise behind it is noble — as long as participants are actually helping, that is.

Related: How to earn a free night in Hawaii by giving back to the community

What is a ‘workcation’?

Although similar to bleisure travel, a workcation is different in that the travel isn’t for business purposes. It’s for pleasure, but you work while you’re there. A workcation can be something you take as a one-off or, if you’re a digital nomad (see above), something almost constant or indefinite.

Bottom line

Some of these terms have been adopted more widely into the travel vernacular; others struggle to take hold. What they all have in common, though, is that they were coined by marketers trying to generate buzz around certain types of trips or to make things sound fancier than they are.

But remember: These trips aren’t necessarily what everyone makes them out to be simply because they have their own made-up words. Moving forward, just call them vacations.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

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

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers frequent travelers several ways to add elements of luxury to their travel plans. From flight discounts to hotel elite status and a comprehensive airport lounge access benefit, the Amex Business Platinum Card delivers unparalleled travel perks that you can only find with a premium travel rewards card.

The card does come with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). However, the plethora of travel perks and a generous welcome bonus for new applicants can offset this fee.

Let’s dig into one of my favorite benefits of the card — the Pay with Points perk — which gives me a discount on business- and first-class flights.

Related: Is the Amex Business Platinum worth the annual fee?

An overview of the card

Here are just a few of the valuable features that accompany the Amex Business Platinum: up to $400 in statement credits each calendar year for U.S. Dell technology purchases (ends Dec. 31), up to $189 statement credit for Clear Plus annual membership fee and up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits on one selected airline.

Combined, these three benefits alone can more than offset the card’s annual fee. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits. But the perks don’t stop there.

In total, the Business Platinum has well over $1,500 in available statement credits each year, which vastly outweigh the annual fee if maximized. There are additional travel benefits such as access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on same-day Delta flights)*, hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and cellphone protection**. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Right now, the card is offering 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.

But the one Amex Business Platinum perk I hold near and dear to my heart is the Pay with Points rebate. Let’s take a closer look at my favorite benefit to see why it’s so incredibly valuable to cardmembers.

*Effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. 

**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Everything you need to know about Amex Pay with Points

What is the Amex Pay with Points rebate?

Most travel-focused premium cards offer flight-related benefits or credits, such as reimbursing you for fees incurred when traveling throughout the year. But the Amex Business Platinum has a unique airfare rebate for anyone who redeems their Membership Rewards points to pay for qualifying flights through Amex Travel.

By utilizing the Pay with Points function to pay for airfare through Amex Travel, Membership Rewards points are worth 1 cent apiece. On the face of it, that isn’t too exciting; TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece.

However, the Amex Business Platinum card offers a unique perk: you can get 35% of your points back on first- or business-class tickets on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice.

When using this benefit, you can get up to 1 million points back each calendar year, meaning you would need to use 2,857,143 points to pay for flights with Amex Travel before exhausting this benefit in a year. With points worth 1 cent each on these redemptions, you would need to buy $2.8 million in airplane tickets during a year to reach this cap, which means most people won’t need to worry about the annual limit on this benefit.

You can also use the Pay with Points feature toward purchases on your card, gift card purchases and car rental and hotel bookings through Amex Travel, but you will be redeeming points at less than 1 cent each, well below the 2 cents apiece that TPG values Membership Rewards points, so using it toward airfare is a better proposition.

These Amex cards for small businesses that offer a Pay with Points rebate, offering from 35% to 50% of your Membership Rewards points back when you pay with points (terms apply):

• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: 35% Pay with Points rebate on eligible flights (up to 1 million points back per calendar year).
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express: 50% Pay with Points rebate on eligible flights; applications by invitation only.

The information for the Centurion Business 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.

Related: Points of View: Can I cash out my points, and is it worth it?

How does the Pay with Points rebate work?

For the Pay with Points rebate, cardmembers will receive a 35% rebate of the total points used when paying for any flight on that selected carrier, or any business- or first-class flights booked through the Amex Travel portal — regardless of airline — up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

Factoring in that 35% rebate means you can use your Amex Membership Rewards points at a value of 1.54 cents apiece, rather than the usual 1 cent apiece when redeeming through Pay with Points for flights using other Amex cards that don’t offer a rebate. That’s a 54% bonus.

Assuming you have the Amex Business Platinum and redeem your points for eligible flights, you should receive the points rebate automatically. However, it can take up to a month.

As you can see from my screenshots, it took about a month to receive my 35% points rebate from a business-class flight I booked with Delta Air Lines using the Pay with Points option, flying from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

With my original redemption, I spent 59,391 points for a $594 airfare, but that got slashed down to 38,604 points thanks to the 35% Pay with Points rebate on my Business Platinum Card.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

How to maximize the Pay with Points rebate

Amex Travel offers several ways to save on bookings, including “Insider Fares” and discounted “Recommended Fares.” For international travel on certain airlines, you may be able to knock the price down even more when booking through the American Express International Airline Program (IAP).

When comparing your options for booking directly with the airline or booking through Amex Travel, you’ll notice fares are sometimes equal. However, thanks to American Express Insider Fares and the International Airline Program, travelers can get even greater discounts when booking their flights with Membership Rewards points.

Here’s how to stack those discounts along with the Pay with Points rebate to get even more value from carrying the Amex Business Platinum.

Related: How to maximize the Amex Business Platinum’s 35% Pay With Points rebate on flights and when you might want to do so

Stacking discounts and rebates

This round-trip Iberia flight in business class costs $3,791 via Google Flights, which is the price you’d pay if you booked directly with Iberia.

The International Airline Program through Amex Travel shows the same base fare, but it’s discounted by $200. And instead of 379,068 Membership Rewards points, you’d need 359,068 at the standard 1-cent-per-point rate when making your payment.

However, when you stack the Amex Business Platinum’s 35% points rebate on top of that, you’ll get 125,674 points back. Your out-of-pocket cost is 233,395 points, which you redeemed at a value of 1.54 cents per point.

Earning miles and elite status

Aside from the tremendous points savings that are possible by stacking the benefits mentioned above, the other significant benefit to booking flights this way is that airlines treat these tickets like cash bookings. Instead of needing to search for award availability and avoid blackout or peak dates, you can simply book any available ticket.

Moreover, since the flights are considered paid tickets, you should earn award miles and elite-qualifying metrics just like you would if you’d paid cash directly to the airline.

Related: Why the Amex International Airline Program discount is worth it

Bottom line

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers several great benefits, but the Pay with Points 35% rebate can be one of the most significant if you frequently fly in premium cabins. Not only can it save you hundreds of thousands of points per year, depending on how you book, but you can stack it with other discounts offered through Amex Travel.

This is a win-win in my book. It’s my favorite card perk and is one of the many reasons I keep my Business Platinum Card year after year.

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Apply here: The Business Platinum Card

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For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.

Etihad Airways wants you to spend a day or two in its hometown during your travel journey.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline just announced that it will allow flyers to add a complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi on eligible tickets. That means that travelers who are trying to fly from New York to Bali, for example, can now enjoy one or two nights in Abu Dhabi along the way.

Etihad’s new stopover program is operated in conjunction with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

Eligible travelers can spend one or two nights in a “premier” hotel as part of the new Abu Dhabi stopover program. The airline didn’t publish the list of eligible hotels, and they aren’t available yet on the carrier’s website.

The airline does highlight some suggested activities in Abu Dhabi, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.

Note that even if you don’t take advantage of the stopover program, you can use your Etihad boarding pass to unlock discounts and other privileges across many of the city’s top attractions. This is part of the Abu Dhabi Pass, which you can learn more about by visiting this site.

To book a complimentary stopover, you’ll need to buy your ticket directly on Etihad’s website and select the Abu Dhabi stopover option.

Etihad’s program largely resembles that of other major Gulf and flag carriers, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, that also offer free or heavily discounted stopovers on itineraries that include connections in their hubs.

Map watching: The award for ‘sexiest new route’ of the year goes to … 

As a state-controlled airline, Etihad acts in some ways as a tourism driver for the local economy. As such, it’s likely no surprise that this stopover program is being debuted to promote visits to Abu Dhabi.

It wasn’t immediately clear if you could take advantage of an Abu Dhabi stopover on an award ticket. We will update this post if we hear back from Etihad.

Etihad used to offer a two-tiered version of a stopover program, with free one- and two-night stays at “basic” hotels and up to 40% off discounted rates at nicer hotels. Presumably, this new program will offer travelers a choice of hotels somewhere between the basic and luxury options that were previously on offer with the airline’s stopover program.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most useful and valuable currencies you can collect.

You can choose from a wide range of redemption options, including some of the best airline and hotel transfer partners, the easy-to-use Chase Travel℠ portal, cash back and payment for everyday expenses.

With two of the most popular Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards offering elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 points each, there has never been a better time to consider a Chase credit card.

If you’re looking to get the most value out of your Chase points, keep reading to discover how much each redemption option is worth.

What are Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

Ultimate Rewards points are the currency of most Chase-branded credit cards. You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for everyday spending and redeem them for various rewards.

Here are some of the best options for earning Chase points:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Note that these three cards are the only ones that allow transfers to partner programs. However, if you pair one of them with a cash-back Chase card — like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card — you can combine your points into a single account, thus converting your cash-back rewards into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

If you’re just getting started in the world of rewards credit cards, it’s typically best to start with Chase products thanks to the issuer’s well-documented 5/24 rule. In short, you generally can’t get approved for any Chase cards — including those that earn Ultimate Rewards points — if you’ve applied for five or more new credit cards across all banks in the past 24 months.

Remember this restriction as you build a strategy to maximize your credit card rewards.

How much are Chase Ultimate Rewards points worth?

TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, which you should ideally aim for when redeeming them. However, the exact value will depend on your choice of redemption.

When redeeming Ultimate Rewards points, you have three basic options:

Redemption option	Examples	Point value
Transfer points to travel partners	14 airline or hotel loyalty programs	Possibly 2.05 cents each
Fixed-value redemptions through Chase Travel	Flights, hotels, cruises, tours and rental cars	Between 1 and 1.5 cents each, depending on which Chase card you have
Fixed-value, non-travel redemptions	Cash back, gift cards and Apple products	Between 0.8 and 1.5 cents each, depending on the redemption option

The main reason we value Chase points at 2.05 cents apiece is the slate of transfer partners. Each individual loyalty program has a number of sweet spots, and you have incredible flexibility by holding on to your Chase points until you’re ready to book a specific award.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these redemption options.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value when transferring to travel partners

Transferring Ultimate Rewards to travel partners is often the most valuable way to redeem them.

You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to 11 airline programs:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Chase also partners with three hotel loyalty programs:

• IHG One Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• World of Hyatt

All transfer ratios are 1:1 (though there are occasional transfer bonuses), and you must transfer points in 1,000-point increments. As noted previously, you can only transfer points from Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred accounts, though you can move your cash-back rewards into those accounts using the “Combine points” functionality in the portal.

The best hotel transfer partner

A particular standout transfer partner is World of Hyatt. Hyatt points are among the most valuable hotel points given the program’s low award redemption rates and excellent range of budget and luxury properties.

You can easily obtain at least 2 cents per Hyatt point/Chase point by redeeming in a pricey hotel market like London.

The best airline transfer partners

If you prefer flights over hotels, we have found numerous sweet spots for both short- and long-haul flights in economy and premium cabins, whether you fancy flying within North America or as far as Europe or Asia.

Our favorite Ultimate Rewards sweet spots include the following:

• Iberia flights to Madrid: Round-trip flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on off-peak dates will only set you back 34,000 Avios in economy, 51,000 Avios in premium economy and 68,000 Avios in business class when you transfer your Chase points to Iberia Plus or British Airways Executive Club.
• Flights to Hawaii with Alaska Airlines and American Airlines: By transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways, you can book awards with Oneworld partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. As long as your nonstop flight distance is under 3,000 miles each way (and there’s partner award availability), you can leverage British Airways’ distance-based award chart to fly from any West Coast gateway to Hawaii for only 26,000 Avios round-trip.
• All Nippon Airways flights booked through Virgin Atlantic: For just 145,000 points, you can fly round trip in first class between the West Coast and Tokyo (again, as long as there’s award availability). Flights from the East Coast only cost an extra 25,000 points (170,000 points round-trip). Business-class redemptions are an even better deal, costing just 90,000 to 95,000 points round-trip, depending on your U.S. departure airport.
• Short-haul flights to Canada: Flights from JFK to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) on United can be booked for under 6,000 miles one-way on many dates when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to the Air Canada Aeroplan program.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value via the Chase portal

You can also book travel through Chase Travel and redeem points for your plane tickets, hotel stays, rental cars or experiences at a fixed cash value per point.

As a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred cardholder, each point is worth 1.25 cents. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each toward travel redemptions in the portal. If you have a Chase Freedom Flex℠, an Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, an Ink Business Cash Credit Card or a Chase Freedom Unlimited, points are worth 1 cent each.

This is another example of when it makes sense to combine your points in the card account that offers the most value for bookings.

For example, all the points you earn with the Freedom Flex can be moved to your Sapphire Reserve account, thus increasing their value from 1 cent to 1.5 cents each when used for travel.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points value for non-travel redemptions

You can also redeem Chase points for a statement credit or bank deposit at a flat rate of 1 cent each. This rate also applies to gift cards and Apple products (outside of a limited-time special).

However, with Chase Pay Yourself Back, you can redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1.25 to 1.5 cents each, depending on your card. This redemption rate is valid on statement credits toward rotating purchase categories, such as select charities.

Finally, you can link your eligible Chase cards to your Amazon account and pay for purchases with the Shop With Points program. However, you will only receive around 0.8 cents per point, which is lower than virtually all other redemption options.

How do I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

There are many ways to earn Chase points at rates of 1 to 10 points per dollar spent, depending on the specific Chase credit card you carry.

Remember that only the first three cards below earn fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points, while the remaining four are technically billed as cash-back credit cards. However, you can combine your Chase cash-back rewards in a single account to maximize your earning and redeeming potential.

Here are the seven cards that allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is an excellent all-around travel credit card. It earns points at the following rates:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through March 2025)
• 5 points per dollar spent on all travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
• 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services
• 3 points per dollar spent on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The Sapphire Preferred has no foreign transaction fees and comes with many travel perks, including delayed baggage insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and primary car rental insurance.

Annual fee: $95

Application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is the card to get if earning power is most important to you. Its travel perks can easily cover the annual fee. It accrues the following earnings:

• 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through March 2025)
• 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards
• 10 points per dollar spent on hotel and car rental purchases through Chase Travel
• 5 points per dollar spent on airline travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3 points per dollar spent on travel not booked through Chase
• 3 points per dollar spent on other dining purchases
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

Other perks include an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100 once every four years) and access to Priority Pass Select lounges and a growing list of new Sapphire airport lounges. This is one of the few cards that allow you to use your Priority Pass membership for discounted meals in airport restaurants; however, this perk will no longer be available from July 1 on. Cardholders also get primary car rental coverage, trip interruption/cancellation insurance and other protections.

Annual fee: $550

Application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: This is an excellent option for small-business owners, earning 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases, and points don’t expire as long as your account is open.

Annual fee: $95

Application link: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn up to $750: $350 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This can be converted to 75,000 points if you have another Ultimate Rewards points-earning credit card.

Why you want it: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year (then 1%). You can also earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year (then 1%). If you have one of the three cards above, you can convert these earnings to Ultimate Rewards points.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn $750 cash back (which can become 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why you want it: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash-back rewards on every purchase. These cash-back earnings can be converted to Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above, which means your small business can essentially earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all charges made with this card.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Welcome bonus: Earn $200 (which can become 20,000 Ultimate Rewards points) after you spend $500 in the first three months of account opening.

Why you want it: The card earns 5% back on select bonus categories, which rotate every quarter and apply on up to $1,500 in combined spending (activation required). Past bonus categories include gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, warehouse stores and department stores. You can convert these rewards to valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back.

Why you want it: These earnings can be converted to valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you have one of the top three cards listed above. Plus, earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 3% on drugstore purchases. Earn 1.5% on all other purchases. The card also offers 120-day purchase protection and extended warranty protection.

Annual fee: $0

Application link: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Bottom line

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely valuable because they are both easy to earn and offer so much flexibility when using them.

Chase points usually cost around 1 cent each for cash back or gift card redemptions. When redeeming them through the Chase Travel portal, the value increases up to 1.5 cents, depending on the type of Chase card you hold.

However, you can obtain up to and above 2.05 cents in value per Ultimate Rewards point by transferring your points to a wide range of airline and hotel partners.

Don’t miss out on elevated welcome bonuses of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points currently available on the Chase Sapphire cards.

Another day, another wave of all-inclusive resorts taking on major hotel loyalty affiliation.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continued its all-inclusive resort expansion Tuesday through a new partnership with Decameron All Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, a Latin American all-inclusive resort operator. The partnership kicks off with nine resorts across Mexico, Panama and Jamaica, and it brings Wyndham’s overall all-inclusive resort footprint to more than 50 properties around the world.

The Decameron resorts will maintain their existing likeness but take on an affiliation with two of Wyndham’s brands. Five resorts will take on Trademark Collection by Wyndham branding, while the remaining four will join Ramada.

Wyndham Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points at the resorts, which will have award night redemptions starting as low as 15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night.

“The all-inclusive segment is the fastest growing segment in the hospitality industry since the pandemic,” Gustavo Viescas, Wyndham’s president of Latin America and the Caribbean, said in an interview with TPG ahead of the partnership launch. “It’s not easy to be an independent hotel nowadays and be up to date with all the technology. There is strong competition, so the easy way to be at the top is connecting with a big brand.”

By partnering with Wyndham, the nine Decameron resorts will join Wyndham Rewards; members can earn 10 points per dollar spent on qualified stays. Free night redemptions will start at 15,000 or 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night, depending on the property.

It’s a competitive landscape out there, with hotel giants like Marriott, Hilton and Wyndham pushing into all-inclusive resorts. So why did Decameron go with Wyndham above the rest? Brand synergy.

“We had some conversation with other brands, but we decided to move forward with [Wyndham] because we saw a perfect match between our brands and their brands,” Ximena Gomez, vice president of sales at Decameron, said.

Decameron leaders also liked how extensive Wyndham’s customer base and brand awareness are in the U.S. and Canada; the Latin American company would like to boost its own awareness in those markets with travelers looking to book an all-inclusive getaway.

“The access to the U.S. market through a loyalty program like Wyndham Rewards, with more than 110 million members globally, is something extremely, extremely positive,” Viescas added.

In turn, Wyndham gains a foothold in the Panama resort market and boosts its existing footprint in Mexico and Jamaica.

Where to stay

While the partnership officially begins May 14, bookings are in a presale offering for the next two weeks for stays beginning June 1 onward. The nine Decameron resorts joining Wyndham Rewards are as follows:

• Grand Decameron Complex Bucerías, A Trademark All-Inclusive: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Mexico.
• Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 30,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Panama.
• Grand Decameron Los Cabos, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 30,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Mexico.
• Grand Decameron Montego Beach, A Trademark All-Inclusive: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Jamaica.
• Grand Decameron Cornwall Beach, A Trademark All-Inclusive: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Jamaica.
• Decameron Los Cocos Guayabitos, Ramada All-Inclusive Resort: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Mexico.
• Decameron La Marina Guayabitos, Ramada All-Inclusive Resort: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Mexico.
• Decameron Isla Coral Guayabitos, Ramada All-Inclusive Resort: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Mexico.
• Decameron Club Caribbean Runaway Bay, Ramada All-Inclusive: Award nights with Wyndham Rewards start at 15,000 points per night for two guests at this resort in Jamaica.

With so many properties starting at just 15,000 points per night, paradise can be yours for a bargain.

Related reading:

• Best hotel credit cards
• When is the best time to book a hotel? Experts weigh in — and debunk a few myths
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world

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

If you’re looking to make some purchases before your summer travel plans, there’s a big online shopping event this week to maximize your spending. Plus, you can use these promotions to score some big deals and stack up the savings.

Rakuten is one of the most popular online shopping sites that awards cash back for shopping online, and it has some very increased earning rates at popular retailers running from May 6-13. It’s the online shopping platform’s “Big Give Week” event.

This is how you take a good deal to a great one: Layering a hefty side of cash back on already discounted prices.

Remember, with Rakuten, you can choose to earn American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. So, instead of getting up to 15% cash back in the examples below, you could earn 15 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent; this can yield a significantly higher value overall if you maximize the points with travel partners.

Here’s what you need to know about increased cash-back opportunities with Rakuten.

Increased cash back with Rakuten

To earn cash-back rewards or Membership Rewards when shopping online, begin your shopping trip on the Rakuten website. Once there, search for your desired store and click to be redirected to the retailer’s website. After you make a qualifying purchase, Rakuten will track your transaction and add bonus rewards to your account — generally within a day or two.

Here are some of the stores we see with increased cash back right now. Each of these retailers is offering 15% cash back or 15 points per dollar from May 6-13 through Rakuten. However, some are offering 20% off.

• Adidas
• Dyson
• E.l.f. Cosmetics
• Ulta Beauty
• Expedia
• Groupon
• Hertz
• Sunglass Hut
• DSW
• Staples
• Office Depot
• Hotels.com
• Viator (20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)
• Neiman Marcus (up to 20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)
• Bergdorf Goodman (up to 20% cash back or 20 points per dollar)

You’ll earn the cash back in addition to any earnings on the credit card you swipe. At most merchants participating in these promotions, you’ll want to pay with a credit card that earns bonus points and miles on everyday purchases. Or, use one where you’ve added a Chase or Amex Offer for that retailer to stack your savings.

Related: How to earn more points and maximize elite status benefits by double dipping

Bottom line

The summer holiday shopping season is upon us. Even if you only use this time of year to get better deals on the things you would buy anyway, note that the increased cash-back deals are in full effect. To ensure you choose the right option with the best rewards for your planned purchase, compare all the different cash-back sites before you buy.

Note, too, that if you are a new Rakuten shopper, you can earn a $40 cash bonus when you spend at least $40 on a qualifying purchase within the first 90 days. If you join Rakuten by May 13, you can also earn an extra 10% cash back boost (up to $50) to shop on the platform.

Many eligible merchants for these promotions also participate in credit card merchant offers. So, it’s smart to check whether a merchant has an offer through Amex Offers, Chase Offers, Citi Merchant Offers and American Airlines AAdvantage’s SimplyMiles program before making your purchase.

The best credit cards for Online Purchases in 2024

• Chase Freedom Flex℠: Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly rotating categories (that you must activate to benefit from), including Amazon this quarter.
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Earn 3% back on online purchases from U.S. retailers (on the first $6,000 spent in each category during a calendar year, then 1% until the following year).
• Citi Double Cash® Card: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases (see rates and fees).