The program only has four tiers, fewer than the programs offered by many of its competitors.
That said, compared to what’s required to reach the upper echelons of most other brands’ reward schemes, it’s not all that difficult to claim top-level bragging rights in the Cunard World Club loyalty program — not that the typical Cunard passenger would stoop to bragging, of course.
Here, read all about the tiers, what they offer and how to reach each one.
Ways to earn points
Cunard’s easy-to-navigate loyalty system elevates you to one of four tiers based on either the number of sailings you’ve completed with Cunard or the number of days you’ve cruised with the line.
Your status will be determined by whichever of those milestones you reach first. For example, if you mainly book shorter sailings, your status will be determined by the number of voyages you’ve taken. Conversely, you could reach a high tier by going on a smaller number of sailings if each is of considerable length.
The Cunard World Club loyalty program has four tiers:
Silver: One voyage
Gold: Two voyages or 20 nights
Platinum: Seven voyages or 70 nights
Diamond: 15 voyages or 150 nights
All status changes occur after the sailing on which they are reached. No midsailing status or benefit changes are allowed.
After just a single sailing, regardless of length, cruisers are automatically enrolled in the Cunard World Club program and receive at least Silver status.
Aside from occasional discounts — the same ones to which just about every other Cunard passenger has access — this level doesn’t offer much value, unfortunately.
Perks at the Silver level include:
Member savings and special offers
Cunard World Club desk in all international offices
An onboard loyalty representative
The Cunarder magazine
Thankfully, the longest Cunard cruisers will spend at the Silver level in the Cunard World Club program is one sailing, as they’re bumped up to Gold status after their second voyage.
Since travelers can attain Gold status after 20 nights, it is possible for them to skip right past Silver and start at Gold if their very first sailing was longer than that. (In some cases, if a passenger’s first voyage is extremely long, such as a world cruise, it’s also possible for them to skip straight to Platinum or Diamond level by their second sailing.)
In addition to all the perks awarded at the Silver level of the World Club loyalty program, reaching Gold status brings members:
A Gold membership pin
A $45 credit toward an onboard Wi-Fi plan
An invitation to the Cunard World Club cocktail party (on sailings of six nights or longer)
Cunard’s Queen Victoria. SJO/GETTY IMAGES
Next is the Platinum tier, which is reached after seven sailings or 70 total cruise nights.
In addition to the perks available to Silver- and Gold-level members, Platinum-level members of the Cunard World Club loyalty program get:
A Platinum membership pin
An increased $80 credit toward an onboard Wi-Fi package
A 20% discount on onboard laundry and dry-cleaning services
Priority check-in at the terminals in New York and Southampton, England
A complimentary wine tasting (on sailings of six nights or longer)
A 10% discount on White Star luggage service
An invitation to the senior officers’ party (on sailings of six nights or longer)
The Cunard World Club loyalty program’s fourth tier, the Diamond level, is the pinnacle of Cunard loyalty, and it’s reached after 15 cruises or 150 nights onboard. That’s impressive, as some other lines require several hundred nights and dozens more sailings to reach top-level status.
Diamond rewards include all the perks afforded to Silver, Gold and Platinum members of the World Club program, as well as:
A Diamond membership pin
An increased $135 credit toward the purchase of an onboard Wi-Fi package
One complimentary meal in an extra-fee dining venue (on sailings of six nights or more; choose from lunch at The Verandah or dinner at Kings Court or The Lido)
A dedicated Diamond member contact at the World Club desk in international offices
The elite level that makes a difference
Gold is when passengers will start to see perks that represent tangible value (a lapel pin) and monetary value (free Wi-Fi and gratis drinks at the cocktail party).
The biggest jump in overall value is from Gold to Platinum, where cruisers can take advantage of discounts on laundry and luggage services — assuming they actually use them. Of course, more value is added at the Diamond level in the form of free meals and additional complimentary Wi-Fi. However, the number of sailings needed to reach that tier and the cost associated with taking those sailings make the rewards less valuable.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is unusual in that it allows passengers to book passage for their dogs. CHRISTOPHER ISON/CUNARD LINE
The perks of the Cunard World Club program aren’t much to write home about in the grand scheme of things, but there are still a few nice incentives. The best one for you is subjective and depends on what you value, how you prefer to spend your time and how long your voyage is.
For example, if you’re on a cruise that’s more than a couple of weeks long, 20% off of laundry services could be something you’d use quite a bit. If you’re techy, you might appreciate the value provided by discounted Wi-Fi when you sail. Or, perhaps there’s nothing you enjoy more than a leisurely meal at a fancy restaurant where you can order an expensive steak and not have to pay for it. For some, less quantitative time-saving gestures — like priority embarkation and disembarkation — are the most sought after.
Compared with other cruise lines’ loyalty programs — some of which offer free cruises for reaching the highest levels — the Cunard World Club loyalty program isn’t as much of a draw. It’s easier to achieve higher status quickly with Cunard than with many other brands, but the perks aren’t as lucrative when passengers finally make it there.
That said, the Cunard demographic is generally composed of wealthy, sophisticated individuals who cruise because they enjoy it — not because they want to be recognized for doing so. That means they’re less likely to be concerned with their Cunard status level and what it brings them.
If you’re reading this article, booking a round-the-world ticket with points and miles likely sounds alluring. A round-the-world award ticket often lets you fly many segments for about the same points or miles as a few long-haul award flights. However, in most cases, you’ll need to fly around the world and return to the region, country or city you departed from at the end of your trip.
You may also experience frustrations as you book and travel on a complex round-the-world award ticket. You’ll usually have to call in to book your award; any changes may be difficult or impossible. And if you want to fly in premium cabins, booking a round-the-world ticket with points and miles usually requires skill and luck in finding award availability.
This being said, the value and experience of a round-the-world ticket can be worth the effort. So here’s a look at some of the best programs for booking a round-the-world ticket with points and miles that you can earn via transferable rewards.
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada Aeroplan doesn’t offer a true round-the-world award, but you can effectively travel around the world and visit three destinations on a round-trip Aeroplan itinerary with two stopovers. Best of all, you can search and book these awards on Air Canada’s website.
For example, I searched for a multicity itinerary from New York to Singapore with a seven-day stopover in Frankfurt on the outbound and a seven-day stopover in Seoul, South Korea, on the return.
The total cost of this four-segment economy round-the-world itinerary is 130,000 Aeroplan points and 408 Canadian dollars (about $300). You can earn Aeroplan points by spending on the Aeroplan® Credit Card. But suppose you need to acquire points quickly. In that case, you can also transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards Points, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan.
ANA Mileage Club offers a Star Alliance Round-the-World award ticket to its members. With this ticket, you can fly on Star Alliance airlines around the world as long as your itinerary meets the following requirements:
Fly across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans one time each
Fly west to east or east to west without backtracking
No more than eight stopovers (not including your origin and destination; up to three stopovers within Europe and up to four stopovers within Japan)
No more than 12 flights and four ground segments (including airport changes in the same city)
You must call ANA Mileage Club to book, but you can expect to pay the following award rates based on the total distance of your flight segments:
Itinerary mileage
Economy
Business
First
4,001 to 7,000
38,000
63,000
90,000
7,001 to 9,000
43,000
68,000
100,000
9,001 to 11,000
55,000
85,000
120,000
11,001 to 14,000
60,000
90,000
140,000
14,001 to 18,000
65,000
105,000
160,000
18,001 to 20,000
75,000
115,000
180,000
20,001 to 22,000
85,000
125,000
200,000
22,001 to 25,000
100,000
145,000
220,000
25,001 to 29,000
120,000
170,000
260,000
29,001 to 34,000
140,000
200,000
300,000
34,001 to 39,000
160,000
220,000
340,000
39,001 to 44,000
180,000
270,000
390,000
44,001 to 50,000
200,000
300,000
450,000
Many travelers believe the award rates for ANA’s Star Alliance Round-the-World tickets are the best you’ll find. If you need more miles to book your round-the-world ANA award, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points to ANA Mileage Club.
Taxes, fees and carrier charges for an economy award
Up to 1,500 miles
30,000 Avios
45,000 Avios
60,000 Avios
90,000 Avios
Up to $109.79
1,501 to 4,000 miles
35,000 Avios
52,500 Avios
70,000 Avios
105,000 Avios
Up to $356.44
4,001 to 9,000 miles
60,000 Avios
90,000 Avios
120,000 Avios
180,000 Avios
Up to $1,534.64
9,001 to 10,000 miles
70,000 Avios
105,000 Avios
140,000 Avios
210,000 Avios
Up to $3,605.40
10,001 to 14,000 miles
90,000 Avios
135,000 Avios
180,000 Avios
270,000 Avios
Up to $1,910.25
14,001 to 20,000 miles
100,000 Avios
150,000 Avios
200,000 Avios
300,000 Avios
Up to $1,963.43
20,001 to 25,000 miles
120,000 Avios
180,000 Avios
240,000 Avios
360,000 Avios
Up to $940.83
The Avios cost is based on the total distance of your journey, although the taxes, fees and carrier charges will vary depending on your travel dates and the route you fly. Taxes, fees and carrier charges will be higher for premium cabin awards than for economy awards shown above.
You’ll need to call Executive Club to book multicarrier reward flights. Although Executive Club doesn’t publish any rules for these awards, you must typically return to or near your origin; make sure you avoid backtracking; and plan a logical route. You don’t need to have the Avios in your account when you initially call to price out your award, as the agent will need to send your itinerary off to another department to calculate the taxes and fees (you’ll get an email to call back and book once the other department finishes calculating your taxes and fees).
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
You have lots of options for earning Avios, including Avios-earning credit cards. However, if you need some Avios in a hurry, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Marriott Bonvoy points and Wells Fargo Rewards points to British Airways Executive Club.
Similar to British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Asia Miles doesn’t offer a round-the-world award ticket but does offer a Oneworld multicarrier award chart. You can book a Oneworld multicarrier award at the following rates if your itinerary includes flights operated by at least two Oneworld airlines that aren’t Cathay Pacific or at least three Oneworld airlines including Cathay Pacific.
Total itinerary distance
Economy
Business
First
0 to 1,000 miles
30,000 Asia Miles
60,000 Asia Miles
75,000 Asia Miles
1,001 to 1,500 miles
35,000 Asia Miles
65,000 Asia Miles
85,000 Asia Miles
1,501 to 2,000 miles
40,000 Asia Miles
70,000 Asia Miles
95,000 Asia Miles
2,001 to 4,000 miles
45,000 Asia Miles
80,000 Asia Miles
110,000 Asia Miles
4,001 to 7,500 miles
63,000 Asia Miles
100,000 Asia Miles
150,000 Asia Miles
7,501 to 9,000 miles
68,000 Asia Miles
120,000 Asia Miles
165,000 Asia Miles
9,001 to 10,000 miles
77,000 Asia Miles
135,000 Asia Miles
175,000 Asia Miles
10,001 to 14,000 miles
95,000 Asia Miles
170,000 Asia Miles
250,000 Asia Miles
14,001 to 18,000 miles
105,000 Asia Miles
210,000 Asia Miles
310,000 Asia Miles
18,001 to 20,000 miles
115,000 Asia Miles
230,000 Asia Miles
330,000 Asia Miles
20,001 to 25,000 miles
126,000 Asia Miles
250,000 Asia Miles
350,000 Asia Miles
25,001 to 35,000 miles
140,000 Asia Miles
265,000 Asia Miles
365,000 Asia Miles
35,001 to 50,000 miles
160,000 Asia Miles
280,000 Asia Miles
380,000 Asia Miles
When booking a round-trip Oneworld multicarrier award with Cathay, you can have up to five stopovers, two transfers and two open jaws. However, you must fly round-trip and can’t have an open jaw at your origin or destination. You must call Cathay customer service to book a Oneworld multicarrier award.
To earn Asia Miles quickly, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Bilt Rewards points, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou points or Marriott Bonvoy points to Cathay.
Qantas Frequent Flyer doesn’t offer a round-the-world award ticket, but you can use a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward to book a round-the-world trip on at least two Oneworld member airlines other than Qantas. All your flights must be on Oneworld airlines, which means you can’t fly on Qantas flights operated by Jetstar Airlines.
Here’s a look at the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward award chart:
Round-trip itinerary distance
Economy
Premium economy
Business
First
Up to 1,200 miles
20,000 points
31,600 points
40,000 points
58,000 points
1,201 to 2,400 miles
28,000 points
47,500 points
60,000 points
87,000 points
2,401 to 4,800 miles
40,000 points
69,000 points
87,600 points
129,000 points
4,801 to 7,200 miles
49,000 points
97,000 points
122,400 points
179,600 points
7,201 to 9,600 miles
60,400 points
118,000 points
150,000 points
215,500 points
9,601 to 11,600 miles
75,600 points
141,600 points
180,000 points
258,600 points
11,601 to 14,000 miles
90,000 points
163,600 points
209,000 points
299,600 points
14,001 to 16,800 miles
100,600 points
187,000 points
238,400 points
341,600 points
16,801 to 19,200 miles
123,000 points
218,000 points
278,400 points
398,600 points
19,201 to 35,000 miles
132,400 points
249,600 points
318,000 points
455,000 points
All the award rates in the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward table are based on round-trip distances. If you don’t return to your origin at the end of your trip, the distance to return directly to your airport of origin will be added to the distance of your itinerary. Likewise, surface segments you don’t fly during an open jaw will be included when calculating the distance of your itinerary. The total distance of your itinerary must be 35,000 miles or less.
A Oneworld Classic Flight Reward can have up to 16 segments (including surface segments) and five stopovers, although you can only have one stopover in any particular city. You can also only transfer twice in any one particular city and may not return to your origin city or country until the end of your itinerary.
To earn Qantas points, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou points or Marriott Bonvoy points to Qantas Frequent Flyer.
TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go offers a true round-the-world award redemption for travel on scheduled flights operated by Star Alliance airlines. You can redeem 300,000 miles for an economy round-the-world redemption or 400,000 miles if any of your flights are in business class. However, your round-the-world Miles&Go award itinerary must follow these rules:
Start and end in the same country
Cross both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
Have no more than 10 flights and 6 stopovers more than 24 hours
Always travel east or west without changing direction
Open jaws are allowed
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
Once you purchase your round-the-world award, you can only change your flight dates or cancel. However, you can’t cancel your ticket after the start of the journey.
The information for the TAP Miles&Go American Express credit 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.
The six programs discussed so far will be the best options for most U.S.-based travelers looking to book a round-the-world plane ticket with points and miles. However, the following three programs may be worth considering if you are able to earn enough of their rewards:
Asiana Club Star Alliance Round-the-World Ticket: You can redeem 140,000 miles in economy or 230,000 miles in business for a round-the-world itinerary with up to seven stopovers of 24 hours or more. Asiana Club allows backtracking within the same region, but you must return to your origin country at the end of your itinerary and fly over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans once. You can transfer Marriott points to Asiana Club.
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Oneworld Award Tickets: You could use the JAL Mileage Bank Oneworld award chart to make your own round-the-world award ticket. These Mileage Bank Oneworld award tickets allow up to eight flight segments and seven stopovers of more than 24 hours (one of which can be a ground segment open jaw). You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to JAL Mileage Bank.
Lufthansa Miles & More Round-the-World Flight Award: Unlike many of the other Star Alliance programs that offer round-the-world award tickets, Miles & More lets its members fly on all its partners instead of only Star Alliance partners. You can have up to 10 flight segments, seven stopovers and must cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans once. Miles & More charges 180,00 miles in economy, 335,000 miles in business and 500,000 miles in first for its round-the-world flight award. Unfortunately, you can’t transfer any major U.S. transferable points to Miles & More.
Finally, if you’re wondering why I haven’t discussed the Singapore KrisFlyer Star Alliance Round-the-World Awards, the carrier stopped issuing these awards in May 2024. Likewise, Aeromexico Rewards seemingly no longer offers its SkyTeam Go Round-the-World Pass award ticket.
If you have the time to go on a multistop round-the-world trip and the points and miles to make it a reality, one of the above loyalty programs might have the perfect award redemption for you. Especially if you maximize your stopovers and open jaws, you could book an epic trip around the world on points and miles.
Breeze Airways is launching its first-ever service from one of the major airports in the Washington D.C. area — and planning four new routes in the process.
Meanwhile, aircraft delivery delays plaguing the global aerospace industry will see the airline push back the launch of two new routes from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) planned for 2025.
New service in the nation’s capital
Starting with the good news: Breeze on Tuesday announced it will launch service from Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington.
The carrier’s arrival at Dulles, located about 26 miles outside D.C., in Virginia, starts soon — just ten days from now. By November, though, the Utah-based carrier will operate four new Dulles routes.
Breeze’s first route will connect the D.C. area with Ogdensburg International Airport (OGS) in New York. The flight will link the nation’s capital region with the small community located just across the St. Lawrence River from Canada, about 60 miles from Ottawa.
Ogdensburg Harbor Lighthouse on the Lawrence River in New York. JONATHON POST/ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES
The route will be subsidized by the U.S. government as part of the Essential Air Service program, a federally-funded program through the U.S. Department of Transportation that guarantees minimal service levels to small communities.
But Breeze is planning a larger footprint at Dulles.
SKYHOBO/GETTY IMAGES
Breeze’s 4 new IAD routes
Here’s the full rundown of Breeze’s four new routes launching from Dulles this fall:
IAD-OGS — daily, starts Sept. 27.
IAD to Provo Airport (PVU) in Utah — operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting Oct. 1.
IAD to South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana — operates on Mondays and Fridays, starting Nov. 8
IAD to Vero Beach Airport (VRB) in Florida — operates on Thursdays and Sundays, starting Nov. 21
Dulles and Ogdensburg are both new airports for Breeze, giving the carrier a total of 66 communities served nationwide.
The French Quarter in New Orleans. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
It’s not all good news. Breeze will have to delay the start of two new routes planned to launch from New Orleans starting in 2025, the carrier said Tuesday, citing aircraft delivery constraints.
It comes amid slowed delivery timelines at Airbus, which cited supply chain disruptions among factors leading to slower delivery timelines for some aircraft.
In Breeze’s case, the delays affect delivery timelines for A220 aircraft. As a result, the carrier will push back the planned launches of its MSY flights to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) until the fall of 2025. Both were scheduled to launch in February.
Furthermore, the delivery delays will push back another Breeze goal: to shift to an all-A220 fleet. Though it had hoped to phase out its remaining Embraer jets in favor of A220s by this fall, Breeze now anticipates it will fly some Embraers through at least next summer.
Southwest Airlines’ Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks in the industry. With the pass, a friend or family member can fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) on Southwest flights an unlimited number of times until the pass expires. While this might seem like one of those “too good to be true” scenarios, it’s completely legit and just as good as it sounds. In fact, I’ve personally been a Companion Pass holder for almost 15 years.
Once the pass is earned, it’s valid through Dec. 31 of the following calendar year (as long as it’s earned through the traditional method and not during a special promotion). This gives you up to two years to use the pass, offering many opportunities for your designated companion to fly with you on your next trip.
But did you know that you don’t have to fly with the same companion on each and every flight? Southwest lets you change your companion up to three times per calendar year — and that is in addition to the initial selection of your companion. And since your pass is typically valid over the course of two calendar years, this allows up to seven people to fly with you for free.
And while changing your designated companion has always been a slight nuisance, Southwest just made it significantly easier. Up until recently, you’d have to call Southwest and request a change. But now, changing your companion can be done all on your own, right within your Southwest account.
Changing your Southwest Companion Pass
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
As of September, Southwest is making it significantly easier to change your companion. Initially, when you earn the pass, you have the opportunity to designate a companion. There’s no change to this process, and identifying your initial companion can be done online through your Southwest account or over the phone with Southwest directly.
However, you can now also make changes to your pass online. Previously, the only option was to call Southwest. While the actual process only took the agent a few minutes, it would typically require a lengthy wait on hold, depending on the time of day.
To change your Southwest Companion Pass online, you’ll first want to sign in to your Southwest account either through the app or online. From there, you’ll see your Companion Pass information, with the option to change your companion. Within your account, it’ll also tell you how many more times you can change your companion this year, which is incredibly helpful.
You can now change your designated companion online. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Once you select the option to change your companion, you’ll then have to fill out your companion’s information. Again, you’ll be notified of the number of companion changes you have left for the calendar year.
Information needed to change your designated companion. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
However, the big issue that you’ll notice is that there’s nowhere to enter your companion’s Southwest Rapid Rewards number. Reports indicate that Southwest will automatically create a new Rapid Rewards number for the traveler, and for most, this isn’t a problem — even if they already have a Rapid Rewards account. This is because when you fly as a companion, you don’t receive points for your flights anyway, so not having the flight tied to your account isn’t a huge issue. However, your companion won’t be able to see the flight details in their account, which could be bothersome to some.
And while you can always call Southwest to have it tie the correct Rapid Rewards number to the account, reports have shown that this method requires the agent to change your designated companion again, counting toward one of your three companion changes for the year.
If you want to ensure that the correct Rapid Rewards account is tied to your new companion, your best bet is to call Southwest directly at 800-435-9792 and avoid the online process. Hopefully, the option to add your companion’s Rapid Rewards number online will be added sooner rather than later.
Things to know when switching your Southwest companion
Despite being a true no-strings-attached pass, there are some things to know along the way to set you up for success. For starters, your designated companion can repeat themselves. So let’s say Joe is your initial companion and you are looking to fly with him in January and September, but you want your friend Sarah to fly with you in between the two flights in March. You are able to change your companion to Sarah and back to Joe again, but it’ll still count as a change.
Additionally, the individual listed must be your companion both at the time of booking and at the time of travel. So, with the example above, you won’t be able to change your companion to Sarah until after your flight with Joe is complete. And, if you already added Joe as a companion to your flight later in the year, you’ll need to cancel Joe’s flight before you change your companion to Sarah. Once your flight with Sarah is complete, you can then add Joe back on as your companion.
Just be mindful that there has to be at least one seat available for purchase when it comes to booking a companion ticket. If you’re booking during peak travel times, you’ll want to add your companion as soon as possible. To ensure your companion has a seat at a later time, while you have another designated companion, you can always book the passenger a seat with points to “save” their seat and then change it to a companion booking once that passenger is designated as a companion. And in the rare situation when the flight is sold out before a companion is added to the flight, keep on checking as there’s a very high probability that a seat will ultimately become available.
Bottom line
I’m glad to see that Southwest now allows travelers to change their passes online and avoid a potentially lengthy hold time on the phone. Being able to see how many changes you are still allowed is also huge and can allow you to prepare for the year. However, there are still some kinks in the process when it comes to not being able to add your companion’s Rapid Rewards number. Hopefully, this will be fixed in the near future, but for now, there’s still the option to call if you need the correct account tied to the ticket.
If you planned and budgeted for a cruise but suddenly found out it would cost you double what you expected, would you still go? That’s what most solo cruisers experience nearly every time they try to book a cruise. Cruise lines levy a fee called a single supplement on travelers looking to sail solo in a cabin intended for a couple.
It’s not fair, but there is a reason for the extra charge. Here, I’ll cover what a single supplement is, why cruise lines levy the hefty charges and what you can do to try to avoid them the next time you sail by yourself.
What is a single supplement on a cruise?
Nearly all cruise cabins are designed to accommodate at least two people. Unlike hotel rooms, pricing is per person, not per room, and fares are based on double occupancy. A single supplement is an added fee that cruise lines charge solo passengers when they book cabins meant for two or more people.
Because cruise lines generate much of their revenue from onboard purchases, they charge single supplements to compensate for the fact that only one person will be sailing in your cabin instead of two. With only one person in that room, the cruise line misses out on the potential revenue a second person would generate with onboard spending for things like shore excursions, alcohol, spa treatments and casino play. The supplement is an effort by the line to offset the financial loss anticipated when fewer people sail.
How much is a single supplement on a cruise?
BRAUNS/GETTY IMAGES
Generally, single supplements are 100% of the per-person fare. If you’re cruising alone in a cabin meant for more than one person, you can expect to pay double the price you see listed for any given cabin — your fare and the fare for the missing person who isn’t sharing a cabin with you on your voyage.
The only silver lining is that you won’t have to pay double the taxes and fees. You’ll pay those for yourself only, even if you’re cruising solo.
Do you have to pay a single supplement on a cruise ship?
That’s up to your cruise line, but you should expect to pay a single supplement any time you cruise by yourself in a room meant for more than one person.
Some cruise lines will offer limited-time sales with a reduced single supplement, only 25% or 50% of the second cruise fare, rather than the full amount. You’d still have to pay, but the cost would be less.
How can you avoid single supplements on a cruise?
As solo cruising gains popularity, many mainstream cruise lines have added cabins for one to their newest vessels. Solo cabins are priced higher than per-person double-occupancy rates, but they are still almost always less expensive than paying a single supplement.
Other ways to save include shopping for deals. During key times of the year, such as Black Friday and wave season, some cruise lines might waive the single supplement completely for bookings made within a certain window. You can also ask your travel agent to keep you posted on any single-specific promotions that pop up.
You might also want to consider booking through a charter company that runs voyages geared toward solo travelers. Sometimes, they can match you with a roommate so you can split costs and avoid single supplements.
If you like to use your points to stay at Disney World, there’s a new player in town: the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa, located at Disney Springs.
Thanks to a recent $25 million rebrand and renovation that involved the lobby, guest rooms and more, what was formerly known as the B Resort & Spa now has a fresh look and feel and is returning as the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa. This means there is now another option for using your Marriott points while staying on Disney property and enjoying some Disney-related perks, as this property is an official Disney hotel.
As an Orlando area local who is always looking for some well-located and value-oriented places to stay when I want to crash at the parks, I decided to take a peek at this property a few weeks ago. Here’s what it’s like.
Your hotel is either on Disney property or it isn’t, and given Orlando’s traffic, it’s ideal to be within the park. So it’s especially nice that the Renaissance Orlando sits on the aptly named Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Disney Springs resort area. This area features six other hotels from major chains, including Hilton, Drury Hotels, Holiday Inn and Wyndham, so you really have your pick of some budget-friendly and points-friendly options here.
If you plan to visit Disney Springs on your trip, the hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Disney Springs shopping and dining area. While this is convenient, I’m unsure if I would want to take this walk on the same day that I had a long stretch of walking in the parks; you can always take the resort’s complimentary bus transportation instead.
Disney Springs. MADISON BLANCAFLOR/THE POINTS GUY
What it’s like inside Renaissance Orlando
During my stay a few weeks ago, it was clear that Renaissance Orlando had indeed had a makeover since its former life as the B Resort.
Like most of the other Disney Springs hotels, this one doesn’t have all-immersive Disney theming, but it does have a notably Floridian vibe with palm leaves, wood accents and subtle tropical character.
There was a cute little cafe in the lobby where I was able to grab a quick breakfast consisting of an iced latte and pastry, and it was also stocked with other grab-and-go options like fruit, cereal and granola bars — ideal for some quick energy during longer park days. While I didn’t have time to dine here on this trip, I’ll note that there is also the American Kitchen Bar & Grill that’s open for sit-down breakfast, lunch and dinner.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
When it comes to the rooms, I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness and some of the bright, modern design elements of my 11th-floor room, which overlooked the resort’s pool.
LAUREN WASSUM/THE POINTS GUY
The room’s features would likely suit the needs of anyone going on a Disney vacation. It had a good air-conditioning system that kept it quite cool, deep drawers for ample storage, plenty of standard power outlets for charging electronics, portable fans and a decent-sized closet.
There were also a mini fridge and a coffeemaker, both of which were basic but functional. The bathroom was also an impressive size for a budget-friendly hotel, with a large shower and refillable tubes of Aveda shampoo, conditioner and bodywash that smelled absolutely delightful.
The room did feel like it was recently outfitted with some new decor and furnishings — rather than being a whole new build — and they were perfectly serviceable and comfortable.
Disney-related perks of staying at the Renaissance Orlando
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to proximity to Disney Springs and included shuttle service to the parks, staying at a Disney Springs hotel such as Renaissance Orlando means that you get access to Early Entry into the four Disney World theme parks 30 minutes early every day. This can be a great way to get a quick start on your day and knock out a few rides while the wait times are lower.
Best way to book Renaissance Orlando
Since this is a Marriott hotel, you can easily earn or redeem points for your stay.
The standard base room rates often range from $149 to $189 per night, with suites for larger parties in the $400 to $450 range. I was able to snag my August one-night stay on the lower end of the spectrum at $159. It is important to note that there was a daily $45 resort fee on top of the room rate. This included Disney perks like the shuttle service to Disney Springs and Disney theme parks.
In addition, there was an overnight self-parking fee of $25. These extra costs increased the true cost of my one-night stay from $159 to $256.14, with taxes included.
If you want to book using Marriott points, you can often expect to use 30,000 to 40,000 points, which is a pretty solid deal for a Walt Disney World vacation, if you ask me.
My quick one-night stay at the Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa at Disney Springs actually impressed me.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
If your idea of a Disney vacation includes waking up directly in the heart of a themed resort, you may find the Renaissance’s more subdued contemporary theme less immersive. It’s also not the best choice if you want superdeluxe accommodations or an expansive pool area for you or your kids to enjoy during your downtime (the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is a top nearby points-friendly pick for a fab pool).
However, if you want to balance booking a points-friendly hotel and location and get early entry each day into the Disney parks, the Renaissance Orlando at Disney Springs will provide you with the best of those worlds.
Editor’s note: This is a reccurring post, regularly updated with new information.
No place in the United States puts on a more breathtaking display of changing fall foliage than New England — particularly the region’s densely forested, ruggedly mountainous interior. Here, you’ll find vast forests of the trees best known for their eye-popping color: Maple trees lead the charge, but beech, birch, oak, elm, ash and willow trees also stand out for their dazzling plumage.
This New England road trip lazily meanders along country roads, crossing New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Vermont’s Green Mountains, the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts and the Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut.
Although this trip abounds with brilliant shades of crimson, rust, mustard and chestnut in autumn, it still offers unparalleled beauty, sophisticated dining and lodging, and a bounty of cultural diversions the rest of the year.
Planning advice
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
Best start and end points
This trip is lovely no matter which direction you decide to follow.
Begin in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on Lake Winnipesaukee and loop up through Vermont; then, zigzag your way south into western Massachusetts and end in Litchfield, Connecticut. Or, do this drive in reverse. Either way, flying into one of the several airports in southern New England allows you to drive a loop, thereby avoiding one-way car rental fees.
Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, is a relatively compact, user-friendly facility that’s served by most major domestic airlines. It’s less than an hour from Litchfield and 3 1/2 hours from Wolfeboro.
Another easy option is the even smaller Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT). It’s just over an hour from Wolfeboro and about three hours from Litchfield. It’s served by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, JetBlue and Sun Country Airlines.
The region’s largest facility, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), is about two hours from Wolfeboro. It offers countless direct flights, but it also tends to have higher car rental rates and requires contending with Boston’s notorious traffic.
Something of a sleeper choice, northern Vermont’s Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) also sits directly along the route. It’s easy to navigate and is served by most major airlines (minus Southwest and JetBlue). However, it has fewer flights per day and, generally, slightly higher fares.
When to go for peak foliage viewing
The region’s foliage begins changing color earliest in northern New Hampshire and Vermont in mid-September, with the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills typically peaking closer to early October.
If you’re short on time and want the biggest bang for your buck, a good strategy is to spend the bulk of your trip in Vermont and New Hampshire during the last week of September or the first week of October.
If you have a week or more, start in New Hampshire the first week of October and gradually make your way south. You’ll encounter plenty of color up north, and you’ll continue to experience amazing color in the Berkshires and Litchfield Hills if you pass through these areas the second week of October.
Keep in mind that you will encounter steep airfare, as well as higher car-rental rates and hotel prices, during the fall foliage season.
When to visit for outdoor adventure
Thinking about making this trip during another time of year? The whole region is absolutely stunning in summer and even in late spring, a period hugely popular for hiking, boating and other outdoorsy activities. So, these periods are also considered high season price-wise.
Much of interior New England is popular for skiing and snowboarding from December through March, as well. Outside of ski areas, though, businesses sometimes shut down or reduce hours during this period, and winter driving can be treacherous. The post-foliage shoulder season (roughly mid-October through November) is a great time for scoring bargains and can still be quite beautiful — and snowy at high elevations.
Times to avoid
Whatever you do, avoid the wet, muddy early spring months of April and May (especially in Vermont and New Hampshire), which are prone to unpredictable weather and biting black flies.
Time needed to drive the route
Give yourself no fewer than five days and as many as 10 to complete this full itinerary. If you only have time for a long weekend, focus on a portion of the trip — Litchfield County and the Berkshires are easy to explore from the New York City area and Philadelphia corridor. New Hampshire and even parts of the Berkshires and Vermont are pretty accessible for weekend trips from Boston and Montreal.
Wolfeboro to Mount Washington
Mount Washington in New Hampshire is the highest peak in the northeastern U.S. at 6,288 feet. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
Wolfeboro, Alton Bay and Mount Major
Begin your trip on the southeastern shore of the largest lake in New Hampshire — Lake Winnipesaukee — in the tidy, upscale village of Wolfeboro, which has been drawing vacationers since the 1770s.
Fully leaning into its claim as the nation’s oldest resort community, the postcard-perfect town curves around a quiet bay and offers an endearing mix of neatly kept shops, galleries and eateries. The Yum Yum Shop bakery, the Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar, Black’s Paper Shop and the Country Bookseller are some highlights.
As you circle counterclockwise around the southern tip of the lake, it’s fun to watch seaplanes take off from narrow Alton Bay. For a relatively easy hike with spectacular lake and forest views, you can make the 3-mile round-trip trek up a series of granite ledges to the top of 1,786-foot-tall Mount Major.
Weirs Beach and Meredith
As you continue up and around Winnipesaukee’s jagged western shore, you’ll encounter the nostalgic, family-friendly amusements of Weirs Beach and the neighboring town of Meredith. Think video arcades, candy and ice cream counters, and hot dog and burger shops. The scene can be fun or grating, depending on your tolerance for hokey diversions. Still, one worthwhile activity this time of year is taking a scenic cruise around the shoreline on the historic M/S Washington.
In Meredith, you’ll encounter a campus of popular hotels and restaurants along the lake’s edge, plus a marina where you can rent kayaks and canoes.
Holderness to Tamworth
Follow U.S. Route 3 to Holderness for a look at the smaller but arguably even more beautiful Squam Lake, which is surrounded by several inviting country inns. The lake is well-known as the filming location of the sentimental Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn movie “On Golden Pond.” Be sure to stroll the nature trails and admire the gardens and animal enclosures of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.
Follow Route 113 east to Tamworth, where you can sample artisan spirits at Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile, explore the offbeat Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm, and watch a performance at the 1931 Barnstormers Theatre (which presents first-rate plays through September).
Route 16 leads north through the eastern side of New Hampshire’s fabled White Mountains, a gorgeous tract of craggy, pristine wilderness that covers about a quarter of the state. It’s home to 48 peaks with elevations greater than 4,000 feet.
If it’s the first week of October, consider making a short detour just a few miles over the Maine border to attend the bustling Fryeburg Fair, a legendary agricultural expo that dates back to 1851.
After creeping through the inevitable traffic of lively (but touristy) North Conway, continue to the utterly charming village of Jackson. Here, you’ll find an Instagram-worthy covered bridge, several excellent country inns and cozy taverns.
Mount Washington
A bit farther north, you’ll come to the tiny town of Glen, the main jumping-off point for exploring lofty Mount Washington. At 6,288 feet, the mountain is the highest peak in the Northeast. Hiking this mammoth promontory is a difficult and extremely vertical undertaking — it’s a little more than 8 miles round-trip via the shortest routes.
Through early November, weather permitting, you can drive to the top via the Mount Washington Auto Road. This 7.6-mile route twists and turns some 4,000 feet up a very narrow road and can be a test of nerves if you’re uneasy about heights. At the top, you can visit the justly named Extreme Mount Washington museum, where the strongest gust of wind ever was recorded by a weather station (231 mph in 1934).
Guided tours up the mountain in custom vans are also available, but be sure to pack extra layers, as snow is a distinct possibility even as early as September.
Where to stay
Steps from Wolfeboro’s lakefront and colorful shops and eateries, the posh Pickering House Inn (rates start at $770 per night) offers the most sophisticated accommodations on Lake Winnipesaukee. Its on-site restaurant, Pavillion Food & Spirits, turns out superb farm-to-table cuisine.
On Winnipesauke’s western shore, the town of Meredith is home to Mill Falls at the Lake (rates start at $194 per night). The resort comprises several distinct lodgings and restaurants, along with an expansive spa.
Up in the eastern White Mountains, the busy town of North Conway has plenty of hotel rooms, from budget chains to rambling Victorian inns. The village of Jackson feels more relaxed and has several upscale lodgings, including The Inn at Thorn Hill (rates start at $130 per night). The 18-room property is a short walk from one of the best dining experiences in New Hampshire: the Thompson House Eatery.
For proximity to Mount Washington, you can’t beat The Glen House (rates start at $334 per night) — a modern, eco-conscious boutique hotel at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road.
Mount Washington to Stowe
Panoramic aerial view of the town of Stowe, Vermont, in the fall. BACKYARDPRODUCTION/GETTY IMAGES
Kancamagus Highway
Return south along Route 16 to the town of Conway, where you’ll cross over into the western side of the White Mountains via the famous Kancamagus Highway (aka Route 112, though most locals simply call it “The Kanc.”).
This tree-lined National Scenic Byway ascends through an alluring stretch of alpine scenery that’s been thankfully protected from any kind of commercial development or road signage. Try to drive this road early on a weekday to avoid heavy leaf-peeping traffic; you can break up the drive with an easy half-mile hike to refreshing Sabbaday Falls.
Lincoln, North Woodstock and Franconia Notch State Park
Route 112 continues west into a couple of family-friendly ski and recreation towns, Lincoln and North Woodstock. Their unabashedly goofy attractions — like the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves — have been delighting kids for generations.
Turn north onto Interstate Highway 93, which soon narrows from a typical freeway into a single scenic lane in each direction as it pierces a deep, lush valley for 8 miles within Franconia Notch State Park. There, you can hike through the dramatic Flume Gorge and view a massive granite cliff. (Until it collapsed in 2003, the cliff had a distinctive rock formation named Old Man of the Mountain. Its facelike profile still appears on New Hampshire license plates.)
Franconia, Bethlehem and Littleton
In the idyllic town of Franconia, the verdant grounds of The Frost Place museum, which honors the one-time home of American poet Robert Frost, are a fine place to take in the fall colors. The area is also home to a nearly century-old breakfast tradition, Polly’s Pancake Parlor, which doles out hefty platters of flapjacks with enticing toppings.
As you approach the Vermont border, consider stopping in two more charming villages that abound with galleries, funky shops, brewpubs and cafes. In Bethlehem, you can treat yourself to a luscious dessert at Super Secret Ice Cream. In Littleton, you can visit the stylish Schilling Beer Co. taproom for great pizza and German-style ales on a terrace overlooking the crystalline Ammonoosuc River.
Vermont’s ‘Northeast Kingdom’
As you cross the Connecticut River and enter Vermont’s sparsely populated “Northeast Kingdom,” sweeping panoramas of the state’s stunning Green Mountains range — which forms an angular 250-mile spine from north to south — lie ahead.
These forested peaks are generally lower in elevation than those in New Hampshire, but they stand out for their exceptional beauty and for the many endearing hamlets surrounding them. They are filled with quaint general stores, maple syrup-producing sugar houses, and peaceful farms and meadows.
Follow U.S. Route 2 west through a series of cute villages to Montpelier, the nation’s least populous state capital (with a little more than 8,000 residents). Then, turn northwest and parallel the Winooski River to Waterbury, home to Ben & Jerry’s very first factory. This famously socially conscious ice cream maker offers amusing factory tours that include a visit to its Flavor Graveyard (where you can lament the discontinuation of beloved concoctions like Bovinity Divinity and Holy Cannoli).
Stowe
The vibrant fall colors really burst to life as you follow Route 100 north to the classic country hamlet of Stowe, with its handsome inns, bistros and shops. Famous for skiing and snowboarding in winter and mountain biking and hiking in summer, it’s also a beautiful spot to spend an autumn day — or weekend.
In early October, it also hosts the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. Continue north up one of the prettiest roads in the Green Mountains, Route 108, which becomes extremely narrow along a several-mile-long stretch of boulders and rocky outcroppings that lead through Smugglers’ Notch.
In the western White Mountains, the Lincoln-Woodstock corridor has the largest selection of hotels and ski lodges. But look to the area’s smaller towns for distinctive accommodations. Sunset Hill House (rates starting at $146 per night) is a grand 1880s hotel set high on a ridge in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, overlooking miles of mountains. The gracious Adair Country Inn and Restaurant (rates starting at $319 per night) in Bethlehem has an outstanding restaurant, clubby public spaces and fragrant country gardens.
In Stowe, Vermont, you’ll find an appealing mix of accommodations, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to quite snazzy spa resorts. The storied Trapp Family Lodge (rates starting at $283 per night) is set on a 2,000-acre property with astounding views; it was founded more than 70 years ago by the family that inspired “The Sound of Music.” The historic Green Mountain Inn (rates starting at $160) comprises eight early 19th-century buildings in the very center of Stowe village.
Stowe to Woodstock
Farm with an old wooden barn and cows grazing in a field in a colorful autumnal rolling landscape at sunset in Woodstock, Vermont. ALBERTPEGO/GETTY IMAGES
Burlington
Just north of Stowe, in quaint Jeffersonville, head west and then southwest through some glorious mountain passes to the state’s largest city, Burlington. The city has a population of about 45,000 people and hugs the eastern shore of Lake Champlain.
From downtown’s dapper Waterfront Park, the panoramas of New York’s soaring Adirondack Mountains are a sight to behold, especially in autumn. Burlington is a spirited, upbeat college town (home to the University of Vermont) with an exceptional restaurant scene and plenty of appealing indie boutiques, friendly bars and hip cafes.
Shelburne
U.S. Route 7 leads south through a fertile green valley to Shelburne Farms, a 1,400-acre Victorian estate with gorgeous grounds and gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It features a beloved dairy, a stately seasonal inn (rates start at $220 per night) and a restaurant. Be sure to visit the excellent Shelburne Museum, which has nearly 40 buildings transplanted here from around the state as well as a vast collection of pre-automobile-age carriages.
Clemmons Family Farm
Farther south, explore the historic buildings, art galleries, storytelling programs and agricultural operations of 148-acre Clemmons Family Farm, a highlight among the 22 sites on the state’s African American Heritage Trail and one of Vermont’s largest African American-owned farms.
Middlebury and the Green Mountains
Follow picturesque U.S. Route 7 south to the stately college town of Middlebury, with its handsome village and handful of excellent art galleries. From here, Route 125 zigzags east over the Green Mountains; there are several photogenic spots — including at Texas Falls Recreation Area and Riley Bostwick Wildlife Management Center — where you can hop out, stretch your legs and snap a photo.
Woodstock
Head south to Woodstock, one of Vermont’s most enchanting small towns. Late conservationist and philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller and his family made it a mission to preserve the town’s colonial heritage. The Rockefellers established the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, where 550 acres of gardens and carriage paths are anchored by the opulent mansion in which the Rockefellers once resided. Across the street, you can explore one of the state’s oldest working farms, the Billings Farm and Museum.
Lake Sunapee region
If you have an extra day or (ideally) two, consider detouring back across the New Hampshire border to explore the glorious Lake Sunapee region.
You can make a loop from Woodstock by driving across the dramatic Quechee Gorge and then crossing the Connecticut River into Hanover. The tree-shaded campus of Dartmouth College anchors the town with its acclaimed Hood Museum and the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
Continue southeast to the town of New London for a drive around rippling Lake Sunapee, where you can stroll through the gardens at John Hay Estate at the Fells. Head back toward Woodstock via the scenic Connecticut River village of Cornish, setting aside an hour or two to explore the stunning gardens, lawns and buildings of Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. The famed sculptor created many of his most memorable works here.
To return to Vermont, cross the 445-foot Cornish-Windsor Bridge — the longest historic covered bridge in the country. It’s about a 20-minute drive northwest back to Woodstock.
Where to stay
Burlington has the area’s greatest concentration of lodgings, including the contemporary Hotel Vermont (rates starting at $197 per night). Many of its well-equipped rooms offer impressive vistas of Lake Champlain. Next door, have dinner at the James Beard Award-nominated Hen of the Wood.
With its fairy-tale setting on Woodstock’s classic village green and a spectacular spa, the grand Woodstock Inn & Resort (rates starting at $298 per night) offers luxe accommodations, four restaurants and a slew of activities. Across the border in New Hampshire, the Hanover Inn Dartmouth (rates starting at $229 per night) overlooks the gracious campus of Dartmouth College.
Head west on U.S. Route 4 and Route 100A to Plymouth, then take Route 100 on a scenic journey past picturesque villages (such as Ludlow and Londonderry) and popular ski areas (Okemo and Bromley). You’ll then reach historic Manchester, one of the largest towns in southwestern Vermont. It’s home to several notable attractions, including the American Museum of Fly Fishing and Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, which was the early-20th-century estate home of Robert Todd Lincoln — the son of Abraham Lincoln and a future statesman and railroad executive in his own right.
On your way south, make the 5.2-mile drive up stunning Skyline Drive to the peak of 3,855-foot Mount Equinox, one of the best spots in the region to admire the autumn foliage.
Arlington, Bennington and Williamstown
Continue south via slower and more scenic Route 7A rather than U.S. Route 7. You’ll enter Arlington, a relaxing village that illustrator Norman Rockwell called home for more than a decade. Rockwell depicted the community on several occasions on the covers of The Saturday Evening Post magazine.
As you approach Bennington, you’ll spy the 306-foot-tall Bennington Battle Monument high above the treetops. Take the elevator to the top for a fantastic view of the countryside and the striking campus of Bennington College. You’ll soon cross the Massachusetts border and enter the Berkshires range, an extension of the Green Mountains.
Stop in another stately collegiate community, Williamstown. It’s home to a pair of outstanding museums: the Williams College Museum of Art and the Clark Art Institute, with its sleek contemporary addition by Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Where to stay
In Manchester, you’ll find a number of romantic accommodations, including the Kimpton Taconic Hotel (rates starting at $175 or 32,000 IHG points per night). Although it has a classic Colonial design, this three-story boutique property with a wraparound veranda and a popular gastropub offers many modern perks, including a heated plunge pool and tech-savvy rooms.
Just up the road, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa (rates starting at $197 per night) offers a wide range of amenities, including a plush spa, a Walter Travis-designed 1920s golf course and several restaurants.
There are a few other accommodation options in town and several more — including the upscale Williams Inn (rates starting at $271 per night) — in neighboring Williamstown.
Williamstown to Litchfield
Williamstown, Massachusetts, with Mount Greylock in the background. DENISTANGNEYJR/GETTY IMAGES
North Adams, Mount Greylock and Pittsfield
A few miles east of Williamstown, the once bustling mill town of North Adams fell on hard times in the 1980s with the closure of a major electric plant. Fifteen years later, the plant’s handsome vintage red brick buildings were reimagined as the outstanding — and enormous — Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, aka Mass MoCA.
Head south on Route 8 and either drive or hike to the 3,489-foot summit of the highest point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock. The striking Mount Greylock Veterans War Memorial Tower sits at the top.
Continue down through the region’s largest city, Pittsfield, which has a population of about 43,600. There, you can tour Arrowhead, the former home of “Moby Dick” author Herman Melville, and Hancock Shaker Village, a living museum dedicated to telling the story of this almost-extinct religious sect.
Lenox
Farther south on U.S. 7, the tony vacation town of Lenox has drawn generations of well-to-do families, many of whom built lavish summer estates during America’s Gilded Age. Some of these are now museums, including The Mount (where American novelist Edith Wharton once resided) and the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
Lenox is best known for two famous performing arts venues: Shakespeare and Company presents year-round plays, and Tanglewood is a 500-acre outdoor performance space and summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Stockbridge and Great Barrington
U.S. 7 continues south through Stockbridge, home to Chesterwood — the turn-of-the-20th-century estate of sculptor Daniel Chester French. It’s also home to the Norman Rockwell Museum (the artist resided in this town for the last 25 years of his life), which contains his relocated former studio.
This colorful village is anchored by the Red Lion Inn (rates start at $125 per night); the rambling, if idiosyncratic, hotel dates back to 1773. It also inspired Arlo Guthrie’s beloved folk song “Alice’s Restaurant.”
The last major stop in the Berkshires is Great Barrington, a fashionable weekend retreat among New Yorkers and Bostonians with see-and-be-seen restaurants and trendy galleries.
Litchfield Hills
Follow Route 41 south to Salisbury, in the northwestern corner of Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. It’s a warren of dapper villages, dense forests and small family farms that — like the neighboring Hudson River Valley — is quite popular with celebrities. (Meryl Streep, Michael J. Fox, Patti Lupone, Kevin Bacon and Dustin Hoffman currently own or have previously owned homes in the area.)
Cornwall to Litchfield
Rejoin U.S. 7, following it down through Cornwall, with its scenic covered bridge, which dates back to 1841 and crosses the serene Housatonic River. Continue to the quaint, affluent town of Kent, then along the rippling shores of Lake Waramaug. The lake’s alpine setting recalls Switzerland.
Continue into New Preston and Washington, neatly kept towns filled with fine antique shops, stylish boutiques and renowned art galleries.
Turn northeast up through the region’s cultural and spiritual heart, Litchfield, stopping for a hike amid the lush wetlands, boardwalks and bird-watching platforms of the 4,000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center.
Where to stay
An easy walk from local restaurants and shops in lovely downtown Lenox, the Hampton Terrace Inn (rates starting at $340 per night) has 14 smartly appointed rooms, many with fireplaces. You’ll find several other hotels in Lenox and along U.S. 7 as you head north into Pittsfield. Farther south, Stockbridge and Great Barrington have a good range of mostly upscale options.
In Connecticut’s Litchfield County, the White Hart Inn (rates starting at $285 per night) has a handsome setting overlooking Salisbury’s pretty town green and dates back to 1806. It contains 16 rooms plus an excellent restaurant and casual cafe.
Just south of Litchfield in Morris, Winvian Farm (rates starting at $875 per night) is definitely a splurge. However, its 18 one-of-a-kind cottages are among the most memorable accommodations in the state. There’s even one suite that’s been created from a 1968 Sikorsky helicopter.
In North Adams, the stylish The Porches Inn at Mass MoCA (rates starting at $196 per night) has been created out of a row of restored Victorian mill workers’ houses. It’s also charmingly filled with well-curated contemporary artwork, reflecting its location just across the river from Mass MoCA.
You’ll find several other high-end inns throughout the area’s towns, especially Washington and Kent. There’s a sizable selection of mostly chain hotels and motels farther south and east in a handful of small cities outside Litchfield County, including Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford.
Air Canada and its pilots union reached an eleventh-hour deal on Saturday night that averted a strike at Canada’s largest airline.
Pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), were expected to issue a 72-hour strike notice on Sunday that could have grounded the airline as soon as Sept. 18. Air Canada was prepared to begin canceling flights on Sunday as it wound down its mainline and Air Canada Rouge operation.
The four-year tentative agreement between Air Canada and ALPA includes roughly C$1.9 billion ($1.4 billion) in wage increases, work rule improvements, and retirement benefits for pilots over its term, the union said.
“After several consecutive weeks of intense round-the-clock negotiations, progress was made on several key issues including compensation, retirement, and work rules,” said Charlene Hudy, chair of the master executive council at the Air Canada chapter of ALPA, in a statement. “This agreement, if ratified by the pilot group, would officially put an end to our outdated and stale decade-old, ten-year framework.”
Air Canada said in a statement that the pact “recognizes the contributions and professionalism” of the carrier’s pilots, and provides “a framework for the future growth of the airline.”
The deal is subject to a ratification vote by Air Canada’s more than 5,400 pilots, and the airline’s board of directors.
On Friday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would not block a strike by pilots at Air Canada.
“Every time there’s a strike, people say ‘Oh, you’ll get the government to come in and fix it’ — we’re not going to do that,” Reuters reported he said. “We believe in collective bargaining, and we’re going to keep pushing people to do it.”
A strike at Air Canada would have affected travelers well beyond Canada’s borders. The carrier and its partner United Airlines are scheduled to fly nearly 57% of all seats between the U.S. and Canada in September, Cirium Diio schedules show. And many American travelers connect over Air Canada’s Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver hubs on longer trips to Asia or Europe.
Air Canada will allow travelers who changed their travel plans to avoid the potential strike can change back to their original itinerary at no cost if space is available, the airline said.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
One major misconception is that the only ways to earn miles are to fly an airline regularly or carry a travel rewards credit card. But one of the easiest ways to earn airline miles is to leverage online shopping portals. In this article, we’ll focus on how to use the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal.
What is Delta SkyMiles Shopping?
Delta SkyMiles Shopping is an online portal where you can earn bonus miles on purchases with hundreds of merchants.
If you don’t already have an account, sign up using your Delta SkyMiles number.
SKYMILESSHOPPING.COM
Then use the search box to find your favorite stores or a specific product. Remember to look out for stores offering bonus miles, featured deals and special offers.
SKYMILESSHOPPING.COM
After you’ve selected a specific merchant, click “Shop now” to go to the merchant’s website, where you can shop and check out as normal.
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If you make an eligible purchase, the merchant will alert Delta SkyMiles Shopping, and bonus miles will be added to your account. You’ll receive an email when your miles post, which usually takes three to five days (but can take up to 15 days).
If you frequently forget to check the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal before making an online purchase — or don’t want to worry about remembering — you can download the Delta SkyMiles Shopping Chrome extension to remind you anytime you visit a website where you can earn bonus miles.
When you use Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you’ll earn bonus miles in one of two ways: as a set amount of miles per eligible purchase or as a multiplier of the cost of your eligible purchase. The earning rates you’ll see for a specific merchant through Delta SkyMiles Shopping change frequently and may vary depending on what you purchase.
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If you’re looking for merchants currently offering elevated earning rates, check the extra rewards page and sort by the earn rate.
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When you visit some merchant pages on Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you may see special offers and discounts. For example, here’s an offer for up to 50% off bedding sets at The Home Depot, valid through Oct. 2.
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In addition to bonus miles, the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal has free shipping offers for some merchants.
Best credit cards to use with Delta SkyMiles Shopping
You’ll shop with the merchant after you click through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal. So, you’ll usually want to use one of the best credit cards for online shopping. Unless your purchase is likely to post in a category where your card will earn bonus points or miles, you’ll likely want to use a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited® that earns more than one point or mile per dollar on all purchases.
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Depending on your purchase, you may want to use a card that offers extended warranty protection or purchase protection, even if it earns just one point or mile per dollar. Likewise, to earn even more Delta miles, consider using a cobranded Delta credit card for your purchase.
Whatever card you choose, check whether any credit card merchant offers may let you earn more rewards or enjoy a statement credit on your purchase. Some popular programs include Amex Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers, although occasionally offers through these programs may require you to purchase through a specific link (which means you won’t also be able to click through Delta SkyMiles Shopping).
Aspects to keep in mind when using Delta SkyMiles Shopping
Using the Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal is an easy way to earn bonus miles when shopping online. But remember, you must click through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping site link and then make a purchase from the page that pops up. If you navigate away from this page and come back later to make a purchase, you may not earn bonus miles on your purchase.
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You’ll also need to enable cookies in your web browser for the retailer’s site. Cookies are how your shopping activity is tracked, so you’ll need to keep them enabled if you want your purchases tracked through the Delta SkyMiles Shopping program.
Using discount codes you find via other methods, including the merchant’s site, may be tempting. But, if you want to earn bonus miles through Delta SkyMiles Shopping, you’ll need to only use promotions and discount codes that you find via the portal.
It’s also important to read the terms and conditions for each merchant, as these often say what types of purchases won’t earn bonus miles. For example, CVS won’t give bonus miles on prescriptions, gift cards, orders with five or more of the same item and orders over $500.
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Finally, using a different online shopping portal may show different earning rates for the same merchant. We recommend using an online shopping portal aggregator to compare earning rates if you aren’t set on only earning Delta miles.
The Delta SkyMiles Shopping portal is a fantastic way to earn bonus miles for online purchases at various merchants. You can rack up Delta miles on your everyday spending, from clothes to shoes to electronics. Even if you only earn an extra mile or two for every dollar you spend, these earnings can quickly add up.
The ultraluxury expansion from IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Western Hemisphere continues in the Bahamas, and you can catch an early preview here.
Six Senses Grand Bahama isn’t expected to open until 2026, but there are new details out to keep future guests excited ahead of the official debut of this luxe getaway. The more than $250 million project will feature 70 resort villas and 28 branded residences, as well as a wellness center, a signature Six Senses Spa and a variety of restaurants. Six Senses Grand Bahama is being developed by Weller Development Partners and Pegasus Capital Advisors.
“The Six Senses Grand Bahama masterplan demonstrates our commitment to creating a vibrant, year-round community, with the canals and waterway providing a unique version of the front porch,” said Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs in a statement. “Integrating intentionally designed and efficiently built structures within the majestic natural landscape establishes a framework for guests to connect or disconnect, explore or escape, allow a sun-soaked lunch to tumble into dinner, and access a whole range of crafted experiences and wellness programming. Sustainability and resiliency measures reinforce the plan, ensuring its viability for years to come.”
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Six Senses properties are renowned for their health and wellness offerings and locally sourced ingredients, so we’re eager to see what seafood masterpieces emerge from the future kitchens at Six Senses Grand Bahama. Beyond delectable dining and indulgent spa treatments, future Six Senses guests can also expect event spaces, a beach club and an oceanfront pool to luxuriate in and soak up stunning ocean and canal views.
The Gensler-designed, 50-acre resort is meant to blend in with the surrounding landscape, so don’t expect any hulking hotel towers here. Instead, villas blend in with the palm trees and sandy shoreline, while the overall property is meant to honor Grand Bahamian culture and the island’s Lucayan heritage.
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“We have assembled a world-class design team, with Olson Kundig working on the residences and Gensler on the resort,” said Marc Weller, founding partner and president of Weller Development Partners, in a statement. “The architectural design and the overall masterplan reflect the core values of our partnership with Six Senses and shared focus on wellness, sustainable design and a connection with nature and the community. We believe Six Senses Grand Bahama has the potential to set a new benchmark for sustainable living and ecotourism models in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, not only through its design, but also through its operations and programming.”
While Six Senses has plenty of brand awareness in the U.S., it doesn’t have much in the way of a physical presence in the Americas — for now.
