Tag: Travel Planner

Editor’s note: Singapore Airlines provided TPG with a complimentary round-trip flight to Singapore so that we could get an inside look at both the airline’s refreshed premium economy product and the new route. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the airline or any external entity.

Quick take: One of the world’s leading airlines delivers an impressive step up from economy, but there is still some minor room for improvement.

Pros

• Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) remains a fantastic ground experience for passengers.
• The small and intimate cabin contains just 24 seats with wide seats and generous legroom.
• Champagne is available, and hearty meals are served on beautiful ceramic plates.

Cons

• Passengers don’t get predeparture drinks, and during the flight, drinks are offered in plastic and paper cups.
• There are no dedicated crew or bathrooms for premium economy.
• Cash prices are at least twice the price of economy.

Can one of the world’s best airlines deliver a premium economy that’s up to snuff?

Singapore Airlines is renowned around the globe for its passenger experience, from its award-winning hub at SIN to its talented cabin crew in their iconic sarong kebaya uniforms (introduced some 50 years ago). The airline has a widespread route network, including the world’s longest flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to SIN, as well as various fifth-freedom routes across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Growing up in Adelaide, South Australia, Singapore Airlines was one of the only international airlines flying to my hometown of around 1 million people.

I’ve flown Singapore Airlines more times than I can count since I was a kid, and so far, I’ve never had a bad flight with the storied carrier.

The airline recently upgraded its premium economy product to include enhanced dining and new amenity kits, investing in what has become an increasingly popular class of service. So, I decided to try the product on its new route from SIN to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on its Airbus A350.

Here’s what the experience was like.

How to book premium economy on Singapore Airlines

Round-trip cash fares in Singapore Airlines’ premium economy product are usually at least twice — and sometimes as high as three times — the cost of regular economy. Business class is usually around twice the cost of premium economy.

Singapore Airlines’ new SQ312 service to LGW operates four days per week. Flights depart SIN Friday to Monday at 11:55 p.m. and arrive at LGW about 13 hours later at approximately 6:25 a.m. Flights going the other way depart LGW Saturday to Tuesday at 10:15 a.m., landing at SIN at around 6:20 a.m. the following day. (All times are local.)

The new LGW service complements the carrier’s existing four daily flights to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Here are the ranges of airfare and award redemptions I could find in all three cabins on this route over the next year.

Round-trip prices	Economy	Premium economy	Business class
Cash	$1,070 to $2,580	$2,860 to $4,140	$5,450 to $8,170
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles	84,000 miles plus $183	142,000 miles plus $338	207,000 miles plus $338
Air Canada Aeroplan points	100,000 miles plus $250	Unavailable	Unavailable

Luckily, KrisFlyer miles are easy to earn and redeem. Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a cobranded credit card in the U.S. However, the airline partners with several major transferable rewards programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, all at a 1:1 transfer ratio.

The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:

• American Express® Gold Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Checking into premium economy on Singapore Airlines

If you’re departing from SIN, don’t miss The Jewel waterfall outside of security in Terminal 3. It’s a spectacular, free-to-visit indoor rainforest so popular that other airports seem to have taken inspiration.

A premium economy ticket on Singapore Airlines (whether booked with cash or KrisFlyer miles) includes free seat selection and — for flights to and from North America — two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each. For flights to other destinations, premium economy fares include one checked bag that can weigh up to 77 pounds.

As you might expect, the airline has a huge check-in area at its home hub in Terminal 3. There are plenty of self-service kiosks and manned counters; premium economy passengers have dedicated check-in areas.

I expected the priority check-in area to be easy to find and grand like the one Emirates offers at Dubai International Airport (DXB). However, all premium economy passengers were relegated to just two check-in counters in row 9 — the same number given to cabin crew checking baggage before signing on. While there was no line to check in, I was surprised at how low-key this priority check-in area was given that the airline operates premium economy on most long-haul routes and pitches it as an elevated experience.

It’s easy to see why SIN is consistently awarded as the world’s best airport. It feels more like a luxury shopping mall than an airport terminal thanks to its noise-reducing carpeting, numerous shiny boutiques and plentiful activities to entertain children and adults. It even includes a butterfly garden and a free 24-hour movie theater.

Despite being busy with a bank of European flights all leaving around midnight, the terminal felt spacious and peaceful — not words I would usually use to describe an airport.

SIN’s Terminal 3 is unique because passengers clear security at the gate rather than just after check-in. In my case, gates A1 through A8 shared a single, large security checkpoint.

While premium economy passengers were not offered a priority security queue, the process was smooth, calm and efficient.

Only a few flights were departing from the large eight-gate space at this late hour, so hundreds of seats (complete with charging points) were available for passengers waiting to board.

Staff called boarding by group numbers and instructed passengers to remain seated until their group was called.

Premium economy passengers boarded through the same lane as economy but were called to board with Group 3 (along with KrisFlyer Gold and Star Alliance Gold members). Regular economy passengers boarded afterward in Group 4.

With a 13-hour overnight flight ahead of us, nobody seemed in a huge rush to board and start sitting, which made for an orderly process.

How comfortable was premium economy on Singapore Airlines?

	Economy	Premium economy	Business class
Layout	3-3-3	2-4-2	1-2-1
Seat pitch	32 inches	38 inches	60 inches (78 inches in bed mode)
Seat recline	6 inches	8 inches	Fully flat
Seat width	17.3 inches	19 inches	28 inches
Screen size	11.1 inches	13.3 inches	18 inches

The premium economy cabin was surprisingly small, with just 24 seats spread across three rows directly behind the second luxurious business-class cabin.

The front row seats in row 31 have a little extra legroom due to the bulkhead in front; they are an especially good choice if traveling as a couple — although you won’t be able to stow a personal item in front of you.

At 6 feet tall, I found the legroom in row 32 generous, and I had a bit more personal space than in economy.

The small size of the cabin had both positives and negatives.

While intimate and exclusive, it also felt a little cramped, with walls at the front and back. For example, there was no way to move across from one aisle to the other without going halfway back through the economy cabin behind.

The right side armrest had buttons to manually recline the seatback and pop out the legrest.

Rather than a footrest folding out from the bottom of the legrest, the footrest came down from the seat in the front. The seatback in front was also outfitted with a large and sturdy literature pocket along with a water bottle holder; this was already stocked with a bottle of water for each premium economy passenger.

There was a universal power outlet for each seat in the center armrest, a USB-A port next to the inflight entertainment screen and another next to the headphone jack between the seats.

Unfortunately, this modern A350 aircraft did not have USB-C ports, wireless charging or Bluetooth connectivity.

A tray table that popped out of the armrest was large and sturdy enough for a full-size MacBook.

I also liked the adjustable reading light next to the headrest; it was handy for reading the menu without disturbing passengers trying to rest on this overnight flight.

Amenities in Singapore Airlines premium economy

A pillow and a blanket wrapped in plastic were waiting on each seat when passengers boarded.

Both items were plush and larger than you would expect to receive in economy.

The carrier also provided decent over-ear noise-canceling headphones — another luxury perk that made this long-haul flight more comfortable.

One of the enhancements the airline has promoted in premium economy this year is a new amenity kit by the brand Out of the Woods. I didn’t care for the crumpled bag it came in (similar to Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy amenity kit), and the contents — slippers, an eye mask and an airline-branded lip balm — were fairly basic. It was better than nothing, though.

More impressive was the large, crisp seatback touchscreen.

It was filled with 43 new releases, including “Kung Fu Panda 4”, “Arthur the King” and “Dune: Part Two.” I enjoyed watching “Ricky Stanicky” — a silly but funny way to pass the time to London.

If I hadn’t wanted to lean forward to tap the screen, I could use the hand-held remote that popped out of the center armrest console to control the screen.

There was unlimited Wi-Fi at no charge for KrisFlyer members in all cabins. While this initially seemed like a luxurious perk, my various tests of the speeds throughout the flight never registered more than a poor 2 Mbps download or 1 Mbps upload. I quickly gave up on using it.

Given the small cabin — just three rows — it wasn’t surprising that there were no dedicated bathrooms for premium economy passengers. Still, it was a little disappointing. Instead, five bathrooms were shared with the economy cabin behind, and there were regular lines to use them.

They were kept clean but were tight to move around in.

How was the food in Singapore Airlines premium economy?

I was surprised that I did not receive a welcome drink during the boarding process, as this is common in premium economy on other carriers — especially ones as well regarded as Singapore Airlines.

I was offered a hot towel that I gladly accepted after the sticky tropical heat of Singapore.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew distributed printed menus and began serving dinner.

Since I was flying in premium economy, I could have used the airline’s Book The Cook service. This would have allowed me to choose from a much larger selection of entree dishes, provided I had selected it online more than 24 hours in advance.

While Book the Cook is an awesome perk available to passengers in premium economy and above, I decided to stick with the regular menu to try what most other passengers would be eating.

Given how long the flight was, I had expected the first service to be prolonged a bit; I imagined I would receive a round of drinks or perhaps a drink with some mixed nuts before dinner. However, the staff served the main meal quickly after takeoff. I guess because of the late departure hour, this method allowed guests to eat quickly and then get some rest.

I was excited to try the recently enhanced dining options, and there were some hits and misses. I was pleasantly surprised to see Charles de Cazanove Brunt NV Champagne, which retails for around $38 per bottle on the ground. Proper Champagne in premium economy, as opposed to sparkling wine, was a real treat; however, I wish they had served it in glassware rather than a plastic tumbler.

For dinner, there was a smoked salmon salad appetizer along with just two entree course options:

• Pork fricassee with lentils, lyonnaise potatoes, blanched broccolini and roast carrots
• Kuay teow neua (Thai braised beef noodles with beef meatballs and braised beef)

Dinner came with cheese, crackers and garlic bread on the side, and dessert was a chocolate orange cake with raspberry compote.

The meal was served on a single tray, and everything looked reasonably well presented. However, I wish they removed the plastic and foil covers before handing the trays to the passengers.

I was expecting a third main entree option — perhaps vegetarian or something without pork or red meat (which some customers avoid).

I chose the beef noodles, and they were excellent. The beef was juicy, and the noodles were properly cooked without sticking together.

The beautiful ceramic crockery was a real step above economy class, and metal cutlery is always welcome.

The entire dinner service was fast: It was fully cleared within 90 minutes of departure. This gave passengers plenty of time to rest on the way to London.

Snacks — including sandwiches, fresh fruit, muffins, nuts and chips — were available from the rear galley between meal services. I slept for most of the flight, so I didn’t try this out.

Due to a recent turbulence incident, Singapore Airlines is taking an extra cautious approach to meal service. Meals are not served anywhere along the flight path where pilots see a potential for turbulence, so breakfast happened a lot sooner than normal. It was served three hours before arriving in London, with some bumpier weather expected a bit closer to landing.

Breakfast included strawberry yogurt with fresh fruit, a croissant and a choice of tea, coffee or juice with two entree options:

• Vegetarian omelet with grilled mushroom, baked tomato, garlic and wilted greens
• Chai tow kueh (a savory fried carrot cake with prawns and preserved turnips)

Again, I was surprised not to see a third option on the menu. The meal was all served on one tray.

Based on the flight attendant’s recommendation, I chose the Singaporean carrot cake entree. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it was delicious. It was a hearty seafood-forward dish with a delicious spicy sauce that filled me up for the remaining three hours of the flight.

I do wish the juice and hot drink had been served in proper glassware or ceramic mugs rather than plastic and paper cups. This is an easy way to make a premium economy experience feel more elegant.

Just like on every other Singapore Airlines flight I’ve taken, the crew on my premium economy flight to London was polished, professional and welcoming. Their rigorous training was evident. No request was too much trouble, and everything was delivered graciously with a warm smile.

The hospitality is more formal; the crew members probably won’t crack many jokes or engage in much frivolous small talk. But that said, it’s unlikely you’ll find a bad crew member on your next Singapore Airlines flight.

Was Singapore Airlines premium economy worth it?

This class of service is a noticeable step up from Singapore Airlines economy class, which is already a world-class coach product.

The seats are wider, and there’s more legroom. Seats recline more than in economy, and the legrest makes the flight more comfortable. Plus, receiving Champagne in premium economy was a real treat, as was the metal cutlery.

Still, Singapore’s premium economy has some room for improvement. The lack of dedicated crew and lavatories makes this more of an “economy plus” experience rather than “business lite.” The lack of proper glassware and predeparture beverages was disappointing. The airline could add a third option to the entrees for dinner and breakfast, though next time, I would use the fantastic Book The Cook service.

Emirates and KLM remain the most impressive premium economy products I’ve flown, but Singapore Airlines would probably just scrape its way into the top five.

Since it tends to be at least twice the price of an already excellent economy product, I would probably be happy to stick with economy class on my next flight to Singapore. However, if you can find a slightly less expensive upcharge over economy — either with cash or miles — then you can be assured it’s a comfortable way to travel on one of the world’s best airlines.

The summer of 2024 is in full swing and visitors are flocking to Europe from around the globe. 

In terms of events, it’s been kind of a big year for Europe. This year, the continent has hosted several world events, including the UEFA European Football Championship, the Paris Olympics, the Tour de France and a huge music tour by Taylor Swift. We’ve also seen an upswing in travelers to various destinations, from classic popular spots such as Portugal and Italy to less-known destinations like Albania.

Factor in all of this with the frenzy of large crowds, high temperatures, increased inflation and recent reports of backlash to tourism, and there are more than a few things you should be aware of if you’re planning a European vacation.

If you’re heading to Europe this summer, here are some tips on what you can do to prepare.

Southern Europe is scorching

While we’ve seen plenty of hot weather across Europe, the mercury is peaking in Southern Europe.

While the height of Europe’s summer heat wave has passed, plenty of destinations, including the United Kingdom, Italy and France, are still seeing temperatures of 86 degrees Fahrenheit and above. 

In mid-July, temperatures in Spain rose to 111 degrees. Italy put more than 15 cities under high-heat warnings. And in Greece and Croatia, extreme heat has also caused forest fires. 

The extreme temperatures seem to have mostly spared Northern Europe, but this year, the region experienced more erratic weather and rain patterns, according to the U.K.’s Meteorological Office. In fact, a huge storm caused the washed-out weather that dampened the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. That said, weather can change quickly, and there are signs that the rainfall may soon give way to a heat wave.

If you’re planning a trip, do your research ahead of time. Have a trip planned to the Mediterranean? Have plenty of sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a portable fan and loose, breathable clothing on hand. Additionally, plan to do outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day. If you’re headed to Northern Europe, invest in a nice umbrella. 

No matter where you go, it’s a good idea to check to see if your accommodations have air conditioning — not every place in Europe has it.

COVID-19 is still here, but don’t expect too many masks

While COVID-19 has not disappeared, most people in Europe no longer wear masks. However, the virus still circulates and has surged at some destinations this summer.

According to data collected by the World Health Organization, several regions have seen noticeable increases in COVID-19 cases since May.

Compared to 2023 data, COVID-19 cases in Europe have decreased. As of July 24, the U.K. had 17,500 reported cases, almost double the figure recorded in May. Incidents in Greece, meanwhile, more than quadrupled from May (3,200 reported cases), with around 15,100 cases reported in July. Portugal reported 10,100 cases, a huge increase from 472 cases in mid-May.

The rise in COVID-19 has most likely been spurred by a number of factors, including increased summer tourism and several large global events such as the UEFA European Football Championships, the Tour de France and the ongoing Paris Olympics.

Despite the increase in COVID-19 cases, most people don’t wear masks — but that doesn’t mean you need to follow the crowd if you’re uncomfortable doing so. Travelers should ensure they’re vaccinated and take any precautions they see fit, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces. 

It’s much busier

Travel to Europe is booming this summer. According to the European Travel Commission, foreign arrivals and overnight stays for the first half of 2024 are above 2019 levels.

The surge in tourism to Europe is primarily driven by increased travel to Southern Europe and Mediterranean destinations. The second quarter of the year has seen noticeable tourism increases in Serbia (up 40%), Malta (up 37%), Portugal (up 26%), and previously lesser-known destinations such as Albania (up 86%) and Montenegro (up 31%). 

Despite the increase in overall tourism, the number of flights operating to Europe is still slightly below that seen in 2019. This meansit’s good to be organized and book European flights as far in advance as possible,

Related: Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel

Both airports and tourist spots are bustling, and travelers should be prepared for longer lines and increased wait times at security checkpoints and other travel-related services. Arrive early at airports and allow extra time for navigating crowded areas if you can.

Your dollar won’t stretch as far as it did a few years ago

During the height of the pandemic, the euro fell below parity with the dollar, causing economic panic. However, because the euro was at a historic low, it was not a bad time to travel to Europe if you wanted to get the most bang for your buck. 

Currently, the euro is on the road to recovery and its value is fluctuating — you won’t get the same deals that you could have a few years ago. At the time of writing, $1 is worth around 92 euro cents. For perspective, last September showed a five-year high, with $1 peaking at 1.04 euros. 

In the U.K., you’ll find a similar conversion rate, with $1 worth around 78 pence, down from 83 pence last September. 

There are still European destinations you can visit and get great prices. For example, in the Czech Republic, $1 will net you 23.48 korunas; in Turkey, $1 is worth 33.15 liras. 

Related: Places where your dollars will go further right now

However, if you’re heading to a destination where euros are the currency, expect to shell out more. Couple this with high interest rates across the continent, and you’ll also find entry fees to attractions and food prices have also increased. 

Due to increased tourism, occupation rates in European hotels are also much higher, particularly at luxury properties. 

Ensure you’ve budgeted accordingly if you’re traveling to Europe soon, and expect to pay a little more than you did a few years ago.

Some destinations are protesting overtourism

With its historical sites and beautiful landscapes, Europe has always been a bucket list destination. However, in recent years, overtourism has been an issue in certain areas. 

It’s not unusual to be charged a tourism tax when visiting many of Europe’s iconic cities. For example, this April, Venice, Italy, began charging visitors who entered the city at certain times of day to help combat crowds and fund the maintenance of canals.

Related: Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?

Other destinations, such as Amsterdam, have funded ad campaigns to discourage the “wrong” type of visitors from coming to the city. Elsewhere, there have been increased crackdowns on vacation rental property licences as Airbnb usage soars at popular destinations, affecting local hotel revenue and affordable housing availability, 

Antitourism protests have cropped up across Europe in locations including the Netherlands, Greece and perhaps most notably Spain — where protestors were seen spraying tourists with water pistols in Barcelona in July.

While we’ve not personally witnessed a backlash during our travels, it’s worth noting that tensions do exist, especially in heavily visited areas. It’s important to be conscious and aware while traveling. Be respectful, considerate and engage with local culture positively. Remember that while you may be on vacation, local people are not. As always, the best rule of thumb is to be nice, polite and respectful, no matter where you are.

Bottom line

This summer has been a vibrant and bustling season for travel to and within Europe. While travel is much easier than we’ve seen in recent years, travelers should be prepared for higher prices, larger crowds and high temperatures.

Patience and planning are essential to navigating your European trip smoothly. By staying informed and prepared, you can enjoy a memorable and hassle-free summer vacation in Europe. 

As of Aug. 1, the annual price of Clear is up $10 and will now cost $199, per a company spokesperson.

The expedited airport security program is currently available at 58 U.S. airports and can also be used at stadiums and other large venues — the service has more than 22 million members nationwide.

The secure identity platform uses members’ biometric data, including fingerprint and iris scans, to automate the identity verification step in the U.S. Transportation Security Administration screening process. Instead of waiting in line for a TSA agent to review their license or passport, Clear members can go through a separate, dedicated security lane with separate check-in kiosks.

With Thursday’s price increase, Clear now costs $199 annually, but some cards can cover the cost entirely or at a discounted rate.

American Express confirmed an increased Clear Plus statement of $199 also effective Thursday, specifically The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, the American Express® Green Card, the American Express Corporate Platinum Card® and the Centurion Card from American Express. (Enrollment is required; subject to auto renewal)

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, American Express Green Card, American Express Corporate Platinum Card and the Centurion 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.

As of April, Clear users can enroll in TSA PreCheck for a bundled rate of $199. To get that price, travelers must apply for both TSA PreCheck and a Clear Plus Membership on the Clear website. After they complete the process and are approved, Clear will issue a rebate of $77.95.

A variety of airlines offer their frequent flyer members discounted Clear rates.

In addition to the price increase, Clear launched Clear Perks. “[It’s] an array of new benefits aimed at enhancing the travel experience,” said a Clear spokesperson. “Benefits include services like luggage delivery to home or hotel and recovery of lost items at the airport through Clear Scout, assisted by our ambassadors.”

Clear did not respond to a request for more information on the Clear Perks at the time of publication.

Related reading:

• Travelers can now enroll in TSA PreCheck via Clear at 13 US airports
  
• Amex increases Clear Plus credit to $199 on 6 cards: Good for saving money on TSA PreCheck
• 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear
• Why you should get TSA PreCheck and Clear — and how you can save on both
• What is Clear airport security — and is it worth it?

If you consider layovers one of the least appealing aspects of traveling, you’re going to love this new deal featuring Oneworld alliance members. American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have cut rates on nonstop flights from the U.S. to some of the most popular destinations in Europe. We’re talking Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome, to name a few.

When we spotlight fare sales, the lowest-priced itineraries almost always include layovers. So this is a good time to book a nonstop across the Atlantic at a discount.

The departure cities are Charlotte, Dallas and New York City, and the discounted fares are available for travel between August 2024 and March 2025.

This deal is for economy fares, which include a carry-on bag. Checked luggage costs around $75 each way.

Deal basics

Airlines: American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia

Routes: From Charlotte, Dallas and New York City to various destinations in Europe

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

Travel dates: Primarily between August 2024 and March 2025 for economy fares

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

Destinations from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) include:

• Dublin Airport (DUB)
• Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
• Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
• Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)

  Destinations from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) include:

• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
• DUB
• FRA
• LHR
• Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
• CDG
• FCO

Destinations from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) include:

• London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
• MAD
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

You can fly nonstop to Dublin from Charlotte in the fall for $481 round-trip.

According to Google Flights data, this is a huge discount from what this itinerary usually costs.

American has nonstop flights from Charlotte to Frankfurt in January for $553 round-trip.

If you live in Texas, you can score excellent prices on flights to Spain. Fly nonstop from Dallas to Madrid in February for just $447 round-trip.

We also found nonstop flights from Dallas to Paris. You can fly from DFW to CDG for less than $500 round-trip in February and March. Plus, there was good availability at this price.

We found availability on nonstops from JFK to LGW on British Airways. This itinerary in February is available for only $429 round-trip.

Related: 29 of the best cheap or absolutely free things to do in London

British Airways also has good availability for nonstops from JFK to LGW in March, priced at just $432 round-trip.

You can also book nonstop flights from New York City to Milan in late January for $450 round-trip on American.

Related: How much should I tip when I travel overseas?

Maximize your purchase

When you book this deal or any flights, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

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

Bottom line

Some of the routes featured in this sale work as open-jaw flights. This means you can fly into one city and depart from another. It’s a great way to visit several countries during a single vacation. It’s ideal for European vacations because rail service can help you get from, say, Amsterdam to London in just a few hours.

Related reading:

• Here are the best current credit card welcome offers
• 7 things to understand about credit before applying for a new card
• How to apply for a credit card
• What is APR on a credit card?
• How to check your credit score for free

 

I am not a hot-weather person. As soon as the thermometer starts climbing toward 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll find me indoors with the air conditioning blasting. So it should come as little surprise that I prefer to skip typical summer vacations to warm-weather destinations in favor of milder — or perhaps even snowy — climes.

Fortunately, since northern summer is southern winter, there’s the entire Southern Hemisphere to explore. But there are also destinations across the Northern Hemisphere that remain delightfully cool all summer long.

To help inspire your next “coolcation,” here are nine destinations around the world for those looking to escape the heat, whether you’re looking for snow, sweater weather, or simply a lack of oppressive heat and humidity.

Grampians National Park, Australia

Australia is known for its soaring temperatures in its harsh desert interior and tropical rainforests along the northern coast. But the southern part of the country does cool down throughout the winter months of June, July and August — particularly if you get up in elevation.

That’s why Grampians National Park in Victoria, about a three-hour drive from Melbourne, is an ideal cool-weather vacation destination. The average August temperature is in the mid-50s Fahrenheit.

With hiking trails along mountain ridges dotted with waterfalls, cool-climate wines, and art ranging from ancient Aboriginal rock art to contemporary galleries, there’s plenty to do, taste and see here. Cool weather aside, winter is also the offseason, so there will be fewer crowds.

Accommodations vary from campgrounds to private rentals to hotels. For the last, we recommend the Royal Mail Hotel (rates start at $159 per night), known for its two restaurants: the fine-dining Wickens by executive chef Robin Wickens, which serves a seasonal tasting menu, and the more relaxed a la carte restaurant Parker Street Project.

Bariloche, Argentina

Are you craving a summer ski getaway? Make your way south to San Carlos de Bariloche, more typically called Bariloche, in Argentinian Patagonia. The ski season in this Andean alpine town begins in July and runs through September, with temperatures hovering just above and below freezing.

Bariloche is a great dupe for the Swiss Alps, so long as you are OK with the flip in seasons. Germans who had originally immigrated to Chile founded the town at the end of the 19th century, with immigrants from various Alpine countries following in subsequent decades. In the 1930s, the town redesigned its center to emulate Swiss Alpine architecture to boost tourism. (Bariloche is also particularly known for its chocolatiers.)

For a points-friendly city-center stay, book the Sheraton Bariloche Hotel (rates start at $170 or 18,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night), or for a more picturesque stay outside of town, try the Llao Llao Hotel (rates start at $240 per night).

Lapland, Finland and Sweden

This northern region in Finland and Sweden is often thought of as a winter wonderland — particularly the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. But Lapland is also a pretty magical place to spend the summer.

Temperatures are typically in the 60s Fahrenheit, with sunlight lasting up to 24 hours. For that reason, you shouldn’t expect to see the northern lights during a summer visit, but you can hike or bike through the Arctic wilderness here at pretty much any time of day.

Many visitors, including domestic Swedish and Finnish tourists, stay in cabins, but there are a few hotels in the region. The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (rates start at $257 per night) near Rovaniemi has a collection of stand-alone stilted “nests” with picture windows.

Newfoundland, Canada

Summer temperatures in Newfoundland, Canada, are usually in the pleasant high 60s Fahrenheit (though heat waves are not uncommon, so beware). Start this road trip by flying into St. John’s, the largest city on the island. Be sure to visit its colorful “jellybean” houses on your way to the scenic overlook at the Scenic Hill National Historic Site. Stay at the Alt Hotel St. John’s (rates start at $189 per night) for harbor views and a top-notch restaurant.

Then, drive 3 1/2 hours to Gander, home of the iconic Gander International Airport. Once a crucial refueling stop for transatlantic flights, this airport has welcomed the Beatles, Queen Elizabeth and even Fidel Castro. The airport’s lounge is now a little museum dedicated to this history and its heartwarming role in receiving passengers diverted on 9/11 (you might be familiar with this story from the Broadway musical “Come From Away”).

Finally, visit Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a hiking, camping or boating adventure. Parks Canada operates special programs throughout the summer — don’t miss the Indigenous programs, from a fireside sharing circle to a guided hike with Mikmaw interpreters.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

It might be hard to believe that a destination on the equator can be cool, but the northern summer months start the Galapagos’ cool season. Thanks to the Humboldt current that ferries frigid water from Antarctica up to the archipelago, July and August can prove quite cool in the Galapagos, usually in the 60s or 70s Fahrenheit.

That makes hiking across the islands a pleasant experience versus the hot season when temperatures are regularly in the 90s. Plus, the current brings up vital nutrients for sea life, meaning the waters are teeming with fish, sharks, turtles, rays — the list goes on.

While most visitors to the Galapagos cruise around the islands, land-based options are available. You can even use points; stay at the Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton (rates start at $251 or 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night) or Hotel Indigo Galapagos, an IHG Hotel (rates start at $413 or 85,000 IHG One Rewards points per night).

Related: Best Galapagos cruises for an epic wildlife adventure of a lifetime

Iceland

Iceland is certainly not an under-the-radar destination, with big-name hotels — looking at you, The Reykjavik Edition (rates start at $615 or 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) — and dozens of cruise itineraries. But for a cool-weather summer vacation, the island nation is a pretty ideal spot, with temperatures in the 50s Fahrenheit from June to September.

To escape the high-season crowds — and the volcano that may soon erupt again on the Reykjanes peninsula — rent a car and make for the Ring Road that circles the country. The farther you get from Reykjavik, the less crowded it’ll be. Visit small towns and villages, swim in a local pool or hot spring, and hike along volcanic hills or black-sand beaches (Reynisfjara is a favorite, but Diamond Beach by the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon sparkles with ice).

Are you looking for something even more remote? Head to Iceland’s central highlands and stay at the Highland Base Kerlingarfjoll (rates start at $430 per night), which the team behind the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon opened in 2023. This summer, the property debuted a series of geothermal baths, a welcome respite after hiking in the wilderness of Asgardur Valley.

Alaska

Interior Alaska can get fairly warm in the summer, but if you stick to the coast, it’ll likely be fairly brisk all season long: Temperatures will range from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit, depending on where you go.

If you stay in Anchorage (or just about an hour outside it at the Alyeska Resort, where rates start at $299), you can explore cultural sites, museums and state parks, like Chugach State Park. It has over 280 miles of maintained hiking trails, including dozens of shorter 2- to 5-mile treks that are ideal for day trips.

Or you can opt for a cruise in Southeast Alaska to explore small towns like Ketchikan and Skagway, see wildlife like bald eagles and brown bears, and perhaps even catch an iceberg calving off a glacier. Bring a raincoat, though, as this region is notoriously rainy, particularly in the late summer.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s capital makes a great city getaway in the summer. Edinburgh’s temperatures usually max out in the 60s Fahrenheit in July and August, which is perfect for city strolling. Wander the cobblestone streets, visit Edinburgh Castle or stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The city has no shortage of luxury hotels, but for something more unusual, consider Fingal, a converted supply ship docked in the Leith port district (rates start at $456 per night).

When you’ve had enough of city life, take day trips into the Scottish countryside or seaside. Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, is just 20 minutes from Edinburgh by train, while the oceanfront town of North Berwick is just 30 minutes away by train.

Svalbard, Norway

The icy Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is another destination most commonly visited by cruise ship, but you can book a stay at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen (rates start at $182 per night) to stay in the main town of Longyearbyen. From here, you can take day trips to see wildlife (polar bears and walruses and sea birds, oh my!), have a beer at the world’s northernmost brewery, and go glacier hiking.

Bring a hat, coat and gloves, as temperatures often sit comfortably in the 40s Fahrenheit throughout the summer. And while this is a popular northern lights destination, remember that you won’t be able to see the aurora unless there’s darkness at night — and there won’t be any in Svalbard until the autumn.

Related reading:

• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• Cheaper flights, ‘coolcations’ and ChatGPT: 8 summer travel trends for 2024
• The best destinations to book an Airbnb this summer

The recent global IT outage turned travel plans upside down worldwide, particularly for Delta Air Lines passengers.

While airlines, hotels and other travel providers scrambled to offer refunds and alternative travel, given the likelihood of a delayed or canceled travel journey, you may have considered abandoning your trip altogether.

This is where refundable travel becomes valuable. You don’t need to wait on hold for hours for your airline to tell you there are no alternative flights available or scour the cancellation policy of a hotel booking you made last year to determine if you will receive your money back.

You can change or cancel your travel at your leisure by booking refundable travel.

If you want to avoid being caught up in the next travel meltdown, here is everything you need to know about booking refundable flights, hotels and rental cars, as well as travel insurance policies.

Related: Chaos at Amsterdam mars an otherwise fantastic business-class flight on KLM’s Dreamliner

Should you buy travel insurance?

A lot can go awry on a trip, so carrying one of the best credit cards with travel insurance can offer peace of mind. This protection can save money by covering unexpected trip delays or lost baggage.

Many credit cards offer travel insurance when you use them to book travel. Here are some of the best options available right now:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
• United Club℠ Infinite Card: Offers trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, purchase protection, extended warranty protection and return protection
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Offers an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption/accident insurance, emergency medical and dental, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance*, trip delay reimbursement* and primary car rental insurance when traveling on business*
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Offers trip delay*, cancellation or interruption coverage*
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Offers trip delay reimbursement, cellphone protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.*

Consider purchasing independent travel insurance

Your premium credit card benefits usually offer robust protection for a simple weekend getaway. However, some may only cover transportation-related cancellation or interruption costs for illness, injury or death.

Furthermore, most credit card-based benefits cover expenses and activities paid with that particular credit card. Finally, credit card terms and conditions may limit you to a certain number of claims or maximum reimbursement amount within 12 months. There are also many exclusions and exceptions to be aware of, and you likely won’t be able to customize your credit card’s travel insurance policy to have all the perks you want and need.

So, you might want to consider purchasing an independent travel insurance policy instead.

You can purchase a third-party plan that covers many aspects of your travel, from the flights and hotel stays to the prepaid, nonrefundable tours and excursions, for any trip. Various policies are available, including comprehensive coverage and plans that offer coverage for specific travel-related concerns, such as emergency medical evacuation and travel medical protection.

If you’re looking for broad coverage, look for a comprehensive travel insurance plan that can cover your costs in the event of canceled, delayed or interrupted transportation, medical expenses and emergency evacuations, and any costs associated with lost or delayed luggage.

“Cancel for any reason” coverage means exactly that: Cancel because your flight was likely to be delayed by a global IT outage. Cancel because your significant other dumped you at the airport. Cancel because you feel like it. Whatever the reason, this level of coverage allows you the peace of mind of knowing that you can get your money back when plans go awry.

There are a few key points to note about this level of coverage:

• Cancel for any reason plans usually must be purchased within 14 and 21 days from your initial trip payment. You can’t purchase it at the last minute.
• You can expect the plan to cost at least 10% to 12% of your trip expenses.
• You may have to insure 100% of your nonrefundable trip costs.
• Though policies vary, most claim you must cancel your trip at least 48 hours before departure time to receive a refund. (Refunds vary per policy but typically amount to up to 75% of the trip cost.)

Book refundable flights

Frequent travelers know that they can cancel flights operating within or to the U.S. within 24 hours of booking; however, each airline has specific policies regarding last-minute bookings. For example, Alaska Airlines flights must be booked at least 24 hours before departure, while American Airlines flights must be booked at least two days before departure. Be sure to check each specific airline’s policies if you’re booking a last-minute trip.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is the governing entity behind this policy, meaning foreign carriers must adhere to this rule when they purchase a fare that arrives in the U.S.

If you don’t cancel within 24 hours of booking your flight, here are some other tips to ensure you can get your money back if you decide not to travel.

Book full-price flights

Nobody wants to pay full price, especially if discount options are available. But sometimes, that full-price flight is what you need when things go wrong because those are the only fully refundable tickets without cancellation or change fees. Basic economy tickets are cheap for a reason — the lower price reflects the increased restrictions.

Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees

Book award flights for greater flexibility

Here at TPG, we often tout the value of points and miles for getting outsize value on travel. For first-class travel, an out-of-pocket cash cost of a few dollars toward taxes and fees or last-minute flights to see a family member in an emergency, points and miles are your biggest money savers.

This principle also holds true regarding canceling award bookings. Most airlines and hotels offer more lenient rules regarding award reservations because they’re refunding you in the company’s loyalty currency. If you cancel in advance, you can usually request to redeposit your miles for a fee, depending on whether or not you hold elite status with the airline. For instance, United MileagePlus members are eligible for full refunds on award mile redeposits up to travel time, meaning there is no charge to cancel your award booking, and you’ll receive all the miles.

Just be sure to cancel award tickets before your flight is scheduled to depart. For some airlines, those miles are forfeited the moment the flight takes off without you. For others, you’ll have to pay a higher fee to reinstate those miles.

Book budget airlines you don’t mind abandoning, if necessary

Most frequent flyers don’t celebrate low-cost carriers for either comfort or convenience. Instead, budget airlines usually win on one front alone — cost. The reason is simple: If you need to get from point A to point B, a good fare on a low-cost carrier can cost less than a tank of gas. Similarly, if you’re planning a trip but don’t want to drop cash on a travel insurance plan, purchasing a budget fare may make more sense than paying for a full-fare ticket you may have to abandon.

Book refundable hotels

Each chain, brand and property has its own rules and guidelines, and sometimes, different room rates will even have varying cancellation times and dates.

It’s important to read through specific hotel policies as some cost-saving or discounted rates often include a nonrefundable clause. Additionally, some properties will request greater advance-notice windows despite its parent company policies. Ensure you read the fine print carefully, ideally more than once, before hitting “confirm” for peace of mind.

And if unique circumstances are working against you so that last-minute cancellation is inevitable, keep in mind a cardinal rule of travel: It never hurts to ask for what you want (in this case, a refund). If you are in a bind, try asking for what you hope to accomplish in a nice, courteous manner without a sense of entitlement.

Related: Want to get into your hotel room early? Try this

Regarding online travel agencies like Hotels.com, Expedia and Priceline, which purchase travel in bulk, know that these companies have little to no negotiating power with the hotels that offer room inventory. Moreover, OTAs aren’t as incentivized to help you because if you cancel, they lose out as well, unlike hotels under a chain seeking to earn your long-term business. Moreover, most of the best rates through Hotels.com or Expedia will include a nonrefundable clause because you’re trading your flexibility to guarantee they’ll earn your money.

It’s important to note that credit card travel portals like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Travel and Citi ThankYou Rewards all count as third-party agencies in the eyes of the hotel. You aren’t the hotel’s direct customer if you didn’t purchase your room in person or through a hotel representative or website.

So, if you need to be able to get out of your travel plans quickly, book directly through the hotel.

Related: 6 reasons to avoid booking through an online travel agency

Use hotel points to book award redemptions with more flexibility

Generally, you can get your hotel points redeposited to your account when you cancel hotel award bookings as long as you do so before your stay. Better yet, most hotels don’t charge redeposit fees on award bookings, unlike airlines.

Some properties require at least 48 hours of advance notice; therefore, you’ll also want to read the fine print carefully before booking.

Try booking an Airbnb instead of a hotel

Hotels generally tend to be more strict about refunds and no-shows. However, individual Airbnb hosts have control over their own cancellation policies.

You are neither guaranteed nor entitled to a refund if you must cancel, particularly when it’s at the last minute, but it never hurts to ask very nicely and offer some explanation, especially if the reason you can’t make it is out of your control. For instance, if your flight is canceled and you cannot get to your destination, it makes logical sense that you won’t be able to make it to your Airbnb.

Each Airbnb property includes that host’s cancellation policy at the bottom of the listing page.

Book refundable rental cars

Many companies want your business when it comes to booking rental cars. However, the industry can include many hidden fees throughout the booking process, and it isn’t always clear what is and isn’t mandatory.

Related: How to use AutoSlash to save on rental cars

Fortunately, you can shop around for prices and generally cancel rental car reservations without penalty since you don’t pay at the time of booking but instead at pickup. (This is a great time to read the fine print on your particular booking, just in case.) However, it’s still courteous to call and notify the rental car company if you know you won’t be picking up the car you reserved. This frees up your designated vehicle for another customer needing it to get home.

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

Bottom line

Canceling a trip you were eagerly looking forward to can be incredibly disappointing, no matter the reason for the cancellation. Nonetheless, following certain guidelines can help minimize the financial impact of canceling your trip. This way, while you may feel a sense of loss emotionally, at least your finances may not take as much of a hit.

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

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

 

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

From savings to upgrades, the benefits of elite status are popular with savvy travelers. But rental car elite status doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Rental car status can pay off — it helped one TPG staffer rent a $100,000 BMW 7 Series for $3 per day. Whether you’re planning a road trip or looking for a vehicle to explore your destination, rental car status can help you skip lines, take the keys and be on your way in record time.

Many rental car elite status tiers are obtainable by holding the right credit cards or airline or hotel status, making them more accessible than you might think.

We’ll explore the different elite tiers offered by major rental car companies and how you can earn and make the most of your rental car status. Don’t forget to check out our post on how to save money on rental cars, particularly by using AutoSlash.

Related: How to skip long rental car pick-up lines for free

Avis rental car elite status

The baseline membership with Avis is called Avis Preferred. Anyone can join, and it’s completely free — and right now, Avis is offering 100 bonus points to new members who rent a car within three months of joining. Redemptions start at 700 points per day.

Basic membership allows you to go straight to your car, which has saved me lots of time over the years. You can also earn Avis Preferred points on paid rentals, though you’ll forgo earning airline miles or hotel points if you select this option. The higher status tiers allow you to earn points faster and provide additional benefits like free vehicle upgrades. Here’s an overview:

	Avis Preferred	Avis Preferred Plus	Avis President’s Club
Qualifications	Free to join	10 rentals or spending $4,000 per calendar year	20 rentals or spending $6,000 per calendar year
Point accrual rate	1 point per dollar spent on rentals 2 points per dollar spent on accessories	1.25 points per dollar spent on rentals 2.5 points per dollar spent on accessories	1.5 points per dollar spent on rentals 3 points per dollar spent on accessories
Expedited service	✓	✓	✓
Dedicated support phone number			✓
Upgrades		Free one-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above	Free two-car-class upgrade when reserving a midsize or above
Guaranteed vehicle			Up to full size with 24-hour notice

You can also reach Avis Preferred Plus status after earning 60,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points, by having United Airlines Premier Silver or Gold status, by holding a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card (enrollment required) or by holding The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required for select benefits).

Avis President’s Club is available to those who earn 100,000 American Airlines Loyalty Points or hold United Premier Platinum, Premier 1K or United Global Services status.

Primary cardmembers of the United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Presidential Plus℠  Card, the United Club Business℠ Card and the United Presidential Plus Business Card (no longer available to new applicants) are eligible for instant President’s Club status.

Avis also has an unpublished Chairman’s Club status tier that is invite-only.

The information for the United Presidential Plus Card, United Club Business Card and United Presidential Plus 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.

Enterprise rental car elite status

The Enterprise Plus program works similarly to Avis Preferred. Anyone can join as a base member and begin earning points for qualifying rentals (you earn 1 point per dollar spent as a basic member). You can then redeem these points for free rental days. The program also has three elite status levels with additional benefits. Here are the details:

	Plus	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Qualifications	Free to join	Six qualifying rentals	12 qualifying rentals or 40 days	24 qualifying rentals or 85 days
Point accrual bonus		10%	15%	20%
Free car upgrades		One per year	Two per year	Four per year

While the benefits are limited, elite status with Enterprise can help you get free rentals faster.

Related: Credit card rental car insurance: Best cards and how it works

Hertz rental car elite status

The Hertz loyalty program is called Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Like Enterprise’s and Avis’ programs, it’s free to join. Basic members enjoy designated aisles where they can choose any car at some Hertz locations. You can earn 1 Gold Plus Rewards point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals and optional charges like satellite radio and car seats, and you can redeem your points for free rentals. Members can also transfer points to their spouses or domestic partners.

If you reach the elite status tiers, you’ll earn more points per dollar and have access to more vehicle choices and free upgrades. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to qualify and the benefits you’ll receive:

	Gold	Five Star	President’s Circle
Qualifications	Free to join	10 rentals or $2,000	15 rentals or $3,000
Point accrual bonus		25%	50%
Upgrades		As available	Guaranteed
Ultimate Choice aisle	Gold aisle	Five Star aisle	President’s Circle aisle
No second driver fees	✓	✓	✓
Tier benefit experience	Five Star for a day	President’s Circle for a day
Dedicated customer service line			✓

As with Avis, Hertz provides elite status for some frequent flyers. Delta Air Lines Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can enjoy complimentary President’s Circle status, while Silver and Gold Medallion members receive complimentary Five Star status. All Medallion members are also eligible to earn bonus SkyMiles when renting with Hertz — with details provided on Delta’s website. Link your accounts to begin enjoying complimentary elite status with Hertz.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offers Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status (enrollment required).*

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

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

National rental car elite status

National’s loyalty program is known as National Emerald Club and offers two elite status tiers.

As with the other programs, the basic membership tier is free to join and allows you to skip the counter and select any car in the Emerald Aisle when you rent a midsize or above. The Emerald Aisle is one of the best ways to get on the road faster. You’ll also earn rental credits that you can redeem toward free rental days, airline miles or hotel rewards. Renters who reach the elite status tiers can enjoy additional perks:

	Emerald Club	Executive	Executive Elite
Qualifications	Free to join	12 paid rentals or 40 rental days in a calendar year	25 paid rentals or 85 rental days in a calendar year
Free day accrual rate	One free day every seven credits	One free day every six credits	One free day every five credits
Car selection	Choose any car (midsize and above) in the Emerald Aisle and pay only the midsize rate	Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate	Choose any car (full-size and above) in the Executive Area and pay only the midsize rate
No second driver fees	✓	✓	✓
Guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through a luxury car		✓	✓
Guaranteed vehicle			Up to full-size with 24-hour notice

National also has an invite-only tier called VIP, though the criteria for reaching it are somewhat mysterious.

As an Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum cardholder, you can receive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® also offers complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).

Related: VIP treatment: Your guide to invitation-only airline and hotel elite status

Sixt rental car elite status

The German rental car company Sixt has grown significantly in the U.S. since entering the market in 2011. The Sixt loyalty program offers many of the same benefits listed above, including the ability to skip the lines and collect points or miles for your rental. The Sixt Status program also has three elite status tiers (one by invitation only). Here are the details of each:

	Express	Gold	Platinum	Diamond
Qualifications	Free to join	Three rentals	10 rentals	By invitation only
Upgrades			Upon availability	Guaranteed
Discount		Up to 10%	Up to 15%	Up to 20%
No second driver fees in the U.S.		✓	✓	✓
VIP counter, parking and lounge access				✓

Related: Which car rental company is right for you?

Earning elite status with credit cards

In addition to the partnerships and methods for earning elite status listed above, it’s possible to score rental car elite status just by holding a card. Here are some of the best options for travelers:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) offer complimentary elite status with Avis, National and Hertz (enrollment required).
• The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers elite status with National and Avis.
• The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers Hertz President’s Circle status*, though this perk is slated to end at the end of 2024.

Additionally, FoundersCard members receive free Avis Preferred Plus status.

Remember, many credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the United℠ Explorer Card, offer primary rental car insurance coverage. Many credit cards offer bonus points for rental car purchases, and you can also use online shopping portals like Rakuten to earn even more points at rental car companies.

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through Dec. 31, 2024. Please note that enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g., at hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program, and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

Related: Best gas credit cards

Using a status match

Another way to snag rental car elite status is by matching your status from another program. You may have heard of airline and hotel status matches, which let you bypass elite qualification requirements if you hold status with a competitor. The idea is simple: If you earn status in one program (or get it automatically through a credit card), a status match allows you to get a similar elite tier with other programs. (Generally, you’ll only be able to keep the “free” status for the first year; beyond that, you’ll have to meet the usual qualification requirements.)

Some car rental agencies offer this, too. Some will match the status only at competitors, while others match the status at airlines and hotels as well. Here are some examples, with links to their status match request forms:

• Enterprise Plus
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
• National Emerald Club
• Sixt Status

You can also check StatusMatcher’s rental car status match page to get an idea of how you might be able to earn rental car status more easily.

Related: The complete guide to car rental elite status matches

Bottom line

Renting a car isn’t nearly as glamorous as flying around the world or staying in a luxury hotel, but it can nevertheless be rewarding — especially when you hold elite status. With continued long lines at many rental counters, elite status can not only help ensure your reservation is honored but also allow you to head straight to your assigned vehicle at many airports. If your credit card or airline loyalty program includes automatic elite status with one or more rental car agencies, be sure to sign up.

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

Holland America is out with another epic itinerary from North America to Europe and back — this time with an unusual twist.

On Monday the Seattle-based cruise line said the 35-night round-trip voyage from Boston to some of Northern Europe’s most alluring destinations will include a viewing of the solar eclipse that will take place above Northern Europe in August 2026.

Dubbed the Voyage of the Vikings, the sailing will take place on Holland America’s 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam and offer North American travelers a chance to visit such hot spots of Viking history as Greenland, Iceland and Norway without getting on a transatlantic flight.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

The voyage will kick off in Boston July 18, 2026, with a sailing up the coast of North America that initially resembles a New England and Canada cruise. The first port calls will be Portland, Maine, and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

But the call at Sydney will mark just the start of an unusually in-depth look at the coast of Eastern Canada, which will include four stops in Newfoundland and Labrador — Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony and St. John’s — as well as Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Some of the Canada stops will take place as the ship heads toward Europe, while others will be on the return voyage.

After its initial visit to the Canadian coast, Zuiderdam will turn east across the North Atlantic for a multiweek visit to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Calls in Greenland will include Paamiut (Frederikshab), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehab).

Iceland calls will include Reykjavik (where the ship will stay overnight), Seydisfjordur, Husavík and Grundarfjordur.

Other stops during the trip will be Eidfjord in Norway; Rotterdam in the Netherlands (for an overnight stay); Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland; and Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The solar eclipse will occur when the ship is sailing off the western coast of Iceland near Grundarfjordur.

The trip will end back in Boston on Aug. 22, 2026.

The new Voyage of the Vikings cruise is just one of three sailings Holland America announced on Monday that will include the chance to see the solar eclipse occurring in 2026. The others:

• A 28-night Scandinavian Solar Eclipse sailing on the 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam out of Dover, England. It begins July 26, 2026.
•  A 13-night Mediterranean Solar Eclipse sailing on the 1,964-passenger Oosterdam out of Lisbon. It begins Aug. 9, 2026.

The longer Voyage of the Vikings sailing is just the latest at Holland America to offer vacationers the opportunity to sail from North America to Europe and back without ever getting on a transatlantic flight — something of a specialty for the brand.

Earlier this year, the line announced plans for a 45-night sailing from North America to the Mediterranean and back that mimics an ambitious voyage the line offered in 1925. That sailing kicks off Oct. 7, 2025.

The lengthy Mediterranean voyage was the second such sailing the line has added to its schedule in the past two years. The line is also planning a 42-night sailing from the U.S. to the Mediterranean in November.

The two Mediterranean sailings are out of New York and Fort Lauderdale, respectively.

The new Northern Europe itinerary announced Monday is the latest addition to a new series of Legendary Voyages that Holland America began unveiling in 2023. The extra-long sailings, scheduled to take place over the next three years, focus on a single region and range from 25 to 59 nights in length. They also feature special programming.

The initial lineup of Legendary Voyages included both previously offered routings and some all-new ones — the latter including an epic itinerary focused on Japan scheduled for later this year that will last more than 50 days.

In general, the voyages focus on far-off destinations — including Australia and New Zealand, the Amazon and South America, the South Pacific and Hawaii, Greenland and Iceland, Asia, and Alaska and the Arctic Circle. But in a twist, most sailings are designed to begin and end in a North American port, meaning that North American passengers can reach distant places without ever getting on an international flight.

Related: The 4 types of Holland America ships, explained

The new lineup of long trips is designed to augment Holland America’s celebrated collection of even longer Grand Voyages — far-ranging, often world-circling sailings that are typically 70 nights or longer.

Holland America has long been known for longer sailings from U.S. ports that bring people to far-flung places around the globe. The new Legendary Voyages and an expanded lineup of other long cruises mark a doubling down by the line on such trips.

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

Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership known as RewardsPlus. This partnership allows members of both loyalty programs to convert rewards, enroll in complimentary elite status and earn extra miles on select hotel stays.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about the RewardsPlus partnership to maximize stays with Marriott Bonvoy and flights with United MileagePlus.

How United elite members can get Marriott status

If you hold Premier status with United Airlines at the Gold tier or higher, you can register here for complimentary Marriott Gold Elite status.

Marriott Gold Elite status provides 25% bonus points on stays, 2 p.m. late checkout at participating brands based on availability, enhanced room upgrades at participating brands based on availability, complimentary enhanced internet access and a welcome gift of points upon check-in at participating properties.

You can’t register for Marriott Bonvoy status if you’re a United Premier member who obtained status via an airline status match or challenge. You also won’t be eligible if you already have Marriott Gold Elite or higher status.

If you can’t snag Marriott Gold Elite status through the RewardsPlus program, remember it is also a cardmember benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required for this benefit).

Alternatively, you can snag Marriott Platinum Elite status as a cardmember perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Related: How to get Marriott Bonvoy elite status for life

How Marriott elite members can get United status

If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite status, you can register here for complimentary United Premier Silver status.

This United Premier status tier provides 7 miles per dollar spent on United flights, a 40% mileage bonus, a complimentary checked bag up to 70 pounds when flying in economy class, boarding in the second group, preferred seating at booking for you and up to eight companions, and Economy Plus seating at check-in for you and one companion. You’re also eligible for complimentary upgrades on some United flights, though you’ll typically fall very low on the upgrade list as a Premier Silver member.

Members who hold Marriott Bonvoy status from a hotel status match or challenge can’t register. Likewise, you won’t be eligible for the status match if you already have United Premier Silver or higher status.

Related: The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards

Transfer rewards between the programs

Beyond reciprocal elite status, the RewardsPlus partnership unlocks the ability to convert Marriott points to United miles and United miles to Marriott points.

Converting Marriott points to United miles

You can convert between 3,000 and 240,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus miles daily here.

For every 3 Marriott points you transfer, you’ll get 1 United mile. Additionally, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer. So, if you transfer 60,000 Marriott points to MileagePlus, you’ll get 30,000 United miles.

TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg the value of 60,000 Marriott points at $510 and 30,000 United miles at $405. So, you’ll likely lose value on this transfer unless you make a high-value United MileagePlus redemption.

Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program

Converting United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points

If you have United Premier elite status, you can convert up to 100,000 United miles to Marriott Bonvoy points at a 1:1 ratio every calendar year here. Each transfer must be for at least 500 miles.

We don’t suggest converting United miles to Marriott points unless you have a specific high-value redemption. After all, our July 2024 valuations peg the value of United miles at 1.35 cents each and Marriott points at 0.85 cents each.

Related: Ways to maximize Marriott Bonvoy award night redemptions

Earn United miles on Marriott stays

Finally, if you plan to stay with Marriott Bonvoy at the destination of a United flight, consider starting your hotel search on United’s Marriott Bonus promotion page to earn bonus miles. These miles are in addition to your standard Marriott Bonvoy earnings.

When you visit the Marriott Bonus promotion page and sign in, you’ll see upcoming flights associated with your United MileagePlus account. Select “Book hotel” from your flight details and book a member rate to earn bonus points (the bonus points will appear in your account about 90 days after you check out from your stay). Since you’re booking directly with Marriott, you’ll still get on-site elite member perks and earnings.

This promotional offer isn’t available at the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, Design Hotels and Bulgari brands, nor at the following properties:

• Atlantis, Autograph Collection
• Bulgari Hotel, London
• Joshua G.E. Medical Corp. Conference Center
• Jesse Jones Rotary Conference Center
• Marriott Ranch
• Protea Hotel Amani Beach
• The Ritz-Carlton London
• U.S. Postal Service Conference Center
• Four Points by Sheraton Havana
• The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Autograph Collection

If you redeem Marriott points or book a rate different from the standard Marriott member rate, you may not earn the bonus miles even if you book through the Marriott Bonus link.

Related: How to earn miles with the United MileagePlus Dining program

Bottom line

Despite its lackluster transfer ratios, the RewardsPlus partnership is a great way for select travelers to receive an extra elite status. It’s also great for United Premier elite members to double dip on Marriott stays after United flights.

While Marriott Gold Elite and United Premier Silver are useful statuses, it would be great if travelers benefiting from this partnership also got a head start toward earning higher elite tiers in these programs. Still, with just a few clicks, you could unlock a new elite status level and earn bonus United miles on some Marriott stays.

Hyatt Globalist status is among the best hotel elite statuses you can earn. Many travelers — myself included — would argue it is the absolute best. Although my husband and I maintain high-tier elite status with multiple hotel loyalty programs, we prioritize requalifying for Hyatt Globalist status each year.

Qualifying for World of Hyatt Globalist status isn’t easy, as you need 60 tier-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points per calendar year. There aren’t many shortcuts for Hyatt Globalist status, although you’ll have lifetime Globalist status once you’ve accrued 1,000,000 lifetime base points. However, 1,000,000 lifetime base points require about $200,000 of spending with Hyatt.

Check out our guide to Hyatt Globalist status to learn why many travelers love having top-tier World of Hyatt elite status. In this guide, I’ll discuss three primary ways to get Hyatt Globalist status.

Tier-qualifying nights

As mentioned above, you can earn Hyatt Globalist status by staying 60 tier-qualifying nights with Hyatt during a calendar year. Specifically, you’ll have Globalist status through February of the second calendar year following qualification.

Hyatt defines “tier-qualifying nights” as when you stay overnight at a Hyatt hotel or resort, pay an eligible rate or redeem a free night award and associate your membership number with the reservation. However, if you book a promotional rate that gives a free night — such as a “stay four nights and get a fifth night free” rate — the free night won’t count toward your tier-qualifying nights. Likewise, stays placed on or settled to a group master account won’t give you tier-qualifying nights.

You could stay with Hyatt for 60 tier-qualifying nights within a calendar year to obtain Hyatt Globalist status. If these nights were each at off-peak Hyatt Category 1 hotels, you could snag Globalist status for just 210,000 Hyatt points each calendar year. Likewise, paying an average of $150 per night could get you Hyatt Globalist status for $9,000 each calendar year.

But, as I’ll discuss in the following subsections, there are ways to decrease the number of nights you must stay with Hyatt each year if you want to qualify for Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights.

Related: How much value does World of Hyatt status provide when you book directly?

Double elite night promotions

Hyatt occasionally offers promotions that let you earn twice as many tier-qualifying nights. For example, Hyatt members could earn twice as many tier-qualifying night credits at Thompson and Dream hotels in early to mid-2024.

If you think you’ll otherwise fall short of the 60-night requirement for Hyatt Globalist status, it can be worth rearranging your travel schedule to maximize a double elite night promotion.

Spend on Hyatt credit cards

If you want to get Hyatt Globalist status, you should seriously consider adding the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card to your wallet. Both cards let you earn Hyatt points on purchases and provide various benefits to Hyatt loyalists. But these cards also let you earn tier-qualifying nights.

With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll get five tier-qualifying night credits every calendar year, and you’ll earn two additional tier-qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card (you’ll get these nights credited to the calendar year in which the spend occurred). As such, you could spend $140,000 on your World of Hyatt card each calendar year to get Hyatt Globalist status.

And with the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you’ll earn five tier-qualifying night credits for every $10,000 in purchases each calendar year. As such, you could spend $120,000 on your World of Hyatt Business card each calendar year and maintain Hyatt Globalist status without any stays.

However, as I’ll discuss later in this guide, very few Hyatt loyalists will get Globalist status solely from credit card spending. Instead, most loyalists earn tier-qualifying nights through various other means.

Gift Guest of Honor awards

In late 2023, World of Hyatt announced changes to how its popular Guest of Honor benefit works. Now, Hyatt members can earn Guest of Honor awards through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program, and lifetime Globalist members get five Guest of Honor awards annually.

Hyatt members who gift a Guest of Honor award to another member now earn one tier-qualifying night credit when the member to which they gifted their Guest of Honor award completes their stay. So, gifting Guest of Honor awards is now a way to earn a few tier-qualifying nights each calendar year.

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

Spend with Hyatt

You’ll also qualify for Hyatt Globalist status any calendar year in which you accrue 100,000 base points. And you’ll earn lifetime Globalist status once you accrue 1,000,000 base points over your lifetime.

Base points are different from bonus points. In particular, you’ll only earn base points on eligible rates, eligible incidental charges and eligible nonstay charges at Hyatt properties. Specifically, on these eligible expenses, you’ll earn 2.5 base points per dollar at Hyatt Studios hotels and 5 base points per dollar at other Hyatt properties.

You can earn base points on up to three rooms per night. However, the member must pay an eligible rate for all the rooms and occupy at least one of them, and the rooms must all be within the same hotel or resort.

To get Hyatt Globalist status, you’ll need to spend $20,000 on eligible expenses at Hyatt properties (that aren’t Hyatt Studios hotels, which earn at a lower rate) each calendar year. This spending could occur on one short but ultra-luxurious stay or across many practical stays throughout the year.

Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world

Status match

World of Hyatt doesn’t usually offer public status match offers. However, in 2023 we saw a 90-day World of Hyatt trial and challenge for Bilt Rewards members that made it possible to get Globalist status after just 20 nights. In late 2023, some AAdvantage members got a Hyatt status challenge offer through the American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt partnership. Finally, Concierge Key members get Globalist status once they link their AAdvantage and Hyatt accounts.

If you’re looking for a shortcut to World of Hyatt status, it may be worth linking your AAdvantage and Hyatt accounts and participating in the Bilt Rewards program, since we’ve seen previous opportunities via these programs.

Related: What are hotel and airline status matches, and how do you get one?

Decide how you will get Hyatt Globalist status

Unfortunately, there’s no way to earn Hyatt Globalist status via a mixture of base points and tier-qualifying nights. So you’ll want to consider early each year whether you plan to get Hyatt Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights or base points.

If you plan to qualify via base points, you’ll want to focus on paid Hyatt stays at eligible rates. You’ll also want to ensure you charge all eligible expenses to your room to maximize the number of base points you earn.

But if you plan to get Hyatt Globalist status via tier-qualifying nights, you’ll likely want to earn these nights through a combination of methods. For example, this year I expect to get the following:

• 49 tier-qualifying nights from stays at Hyatt hotels and resorts
• Five tier-qualifying nights as a World of Hyatt Credit Card holder
• Six tier-qualifying nights by spending $15,000 on my World of Hyatt Credit Card
• Two tier-qualifying nights from gifting Guest of Honor awards

Out of my 49 tier-qualifying nights, I’ve booked paid rates for 15 nights, used free night certificates for five nights and redeemed 382,000 points for the other 29 nights. I’ve earned most of my Hyatt points through spending on my Hyatt credit card, utilizing Hyatt promotions and transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt.

Related: Why I aim to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each year

Bottom line

Hyatt Globalist status is valuable due to the perks it provides on stays. However, the status’ required 60 tier-qualifying nights or 100,000 base points can be difficult for loyalists to earn each calendar year — especially since the shortcuts for these requirements are minimal. But, with some planning and the World of Hyatt Credit Card or the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card in your wallet, it’s possible to get Hyatt Globalist status without spending 60 nights or $20,000 with Hyatt each year.