“Inside Out 2” is now in theaters — and Airbnb is bringing the second installation of the hit Disney and Pixar film to life in the form of a once-in-a-lifetime stay in the “headquarters” of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, plus some new teenage emotions like Anxiety, Ennui, Envy and Embarrassment.
The host of this over-the-top Airbnb is Joy, the emotion in “Inside Out” played by Amy Poehler — and joy is definitely the emotion this incredible stay is sure to evoke for the people lucky enough to get the chance to check in there.
Inside the Airbnb (or Team Riley Headquarters), there’s plenty for guests to do, including an emotional scavenger hunt that “might unlock some secrets,” munching on pizza with different toppings representing different emotions, playing air hockey (since hockey is Riley’s favorite sport), making your own memory orb and taking over Riley’s control center.
RYAN LOWRY
There are two bedrooms in the Airbnb, including a bright yellow room, which is obviously Joy’s, plus two bathrooms; it can accommodate four guests in total. There’s also a blue room for Sadness, core memories floating around the walls, a red room for Anger and a purple room for Ennui, the feeling of boredom or “blah.”
Part of Airbnb’s recently announced Icons category, the “Inside Out 2” Headquarters will be open for 15 one-night stays from July 1 through July 16 at the incredible price of $0 per night, otherwise known as free. Transportation to Las Vegas, where the Airbnb is located, is not included.
DAMIEN MALONEY
For the chance to experience a literal range of emotions at this sure-to-be iconic Airbnb, visit Joy’s official Airbnb listing between June 18 and June 22 to request a stay.
But even if you don’t get the chance to stay in this unique Airbnb, there are still thousands of others to book, including the most-liked properties on Instagram from 2023.
Travelers this summer might not be experiencing any major discounts when they go to book a hotel room in the U.S., but there is a softening in some segments of the market.
However, it’s a little premature to celebrate the idea of any oncoming bargains.
Hotel data firm STR this month revised its forecast for the remainder of this year to downgrade expected average daily rate gains in light of softer-than-expected hotel performance in the U.S. so far this year. But the weakening hotel rates aren’t being felt everywhere.
“We have seen a bifurcation in hotel performance over the first four months of the year, which we don’t believe will abate soon,” Amanda Hite, STR president, said in a statement. “The increased cost of living is affecting lower-to-middle income households and their ability to travel, thus lessening demand for hotels in the lower price tier. The Upscale through Luxury tier is seeing healthy demand, but pricing power has waned given changes in mix and travel patterns and to a lesser extent, economic conditions. Travel remains a priority for most Americans, but the volume has lessened as prices on goods and services continue to rise.”
Economy-priced hotels are showing some of the biggest rate drops in the industry, with nightly rates declining 2% within the market segment over the last 28 days. Comparatively, upscale hotels (brands like Aloft and DoubleTree) and upper upscale hotels (brands like Westin and Hyatt Regency) saw rates increase by 1.9% and 2.6%, respectively, in the same time frame.
The downward revision for potential hotel rates complements this week’s inflation data, showing U.S. hotel rates declined 1.7% from a year ago — a major reversal from the coronavirus pandemic recovery when hotel rate increases were a leading driver of overall inflation.
Keep in mind that while STR isn’t as bullish on hotel rate gains this year, the company is still projecting U.S. hotel rates to rise 2.1% for the year and another 2% in 2025 — roughly in line with what economists see as ideal inflationary figures for the U.S. economy.
Further, even some softening in the luxury hotel sector doesn’t necessarily mean the average leisure traveler is going to get a bargain when checking into a Four Seasons or St. Regis. But there is a glass-half-full view here: Part of the rate softening in luxury hotels is due to business travel finally recovering from the pandemic. This means the return of special corporate rates, which are negotiated and less than the average daily rate charged to most travelers.
Of course, that doesn’t necessarily help the average traveler looking to enjoy a high-end hotel stay without breaking the bank.
“The [average daily rate] for luxury hotels looks like it’s lower, but that does not mean that you or I pay less as leisure travelers,” said Jan Freitag, national director of hospitality analytics at STR’s parent company CoStar. “Our rates are going to continue to go up. It’s just that, the way the data gets reported to us, the mix is different because we have more corporate transient in there.”
Yay for business travel finally coming back following the pandemic. Not-so-yay for our wallets … unless you’re checking into a more budget-friendly brand.
Air France-KLM has just released a slew of discounted business-class seats to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Tickets can be booked for only 100,000 miles round-trip plus $564 in taxes — potentially a great way to spend your Flying Blue miles.
This deal is available from late December 2024 through May 2025, so you have plenty of time to plan your trip to the City of Light. And if you want to explore France or Europe beyond Paris, you could book an open-jaw flight and select a departure airport other than CDG.
Even if you don’t have Flying Blue miles, Air France allows you to transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Wells Fargo Rewards to book your flights.
Travel dates: Availability from December 2024 through May 2025
Sample flights
The best availability in this deal from Newark Liberty International Airport to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is slated for travel in December, January and February. We found a flight from Newark to Paris in late December for 100,000 Flying Blue miles and around $539 in taxes.
AIR FRANCE FLYING BLUE
Here’s one late January itinerary that costs 100,000 miles and $587 in taxes.
AIR FRANCE FLYING BLUE
Even though tickets are much harder to find after January and February, you can still find some bargains. This early March flight is available for 50,000 miles and $587 in taxes.
AIR FRANCE FLYING BLUE
If you want to begin your European vacation in Paris and go elsewhere, you can book a one-way ticket to Charles de Gaulle Airport from Newark Liberty International Airport on February 18 for 50,000 miles and $226 in taxes.
AIR FRANCE FLYING BLUE
While availability is more limited, we also found some 50,000-mile redemptions from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). I found a round-trip redemption for 121,000 Flying Blue miles and about $544 in taxes and fees.
FLYING BLUE
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:
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)
This is a great deal to get to Europe for as little as 50,000 miles one-way in business class.
Tip: While it appears to be down right now, we like using the calendar view on Air France’s website to check for flights. After you log in to your Flying Blue account, select “Book with Miles.” Enter the search criteria, but leave the departure date field empty for your best chance to find good deals.
We’re hopeful this feature comes back soon, in the meantime, happy hunting.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
People turn to cash-back cards for simple rewards that can maximize — and sometimes even offset — their everyday spending. Both American Express and Chase offer an impressive lineup of cash-back credit cards loaded with perks. However, they’re very different and provide unique benefits that make choosing “the best” challenging.
Today, we’ll take a deep dive into Amex and Chase cash cards and see how they stack up against each other.
American Express cash-back cards
American Express Cash Magnet® Card: Best for Amex beginners
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: Best for flat-rate rewards
The information for the Amex Cash Magnet 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.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first three months
$350 cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
$750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Bonus categories
2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%
5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores, on internet, cable and phone services
2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
Which Amex or Chase cash back card is best for personal cards?
The best Amex or Chase card for personal use depends entirely on how you utilize the card’s bonus categories and benefits. You should also keep a close eye on welcome offers, as this is your best chance to rack up quite a bit of cash back from the start.
FRESHSPLASH/GETTY IMAGES
Best welcome offer for personal cards
At a quick glance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited seems to have the best welcome offer thanks to its elevated bonus-earning of 1.5% extra on all categories. Although this welcome offer can net you up to $300 in cash back, it requires you to spend up to $20,000 while utilizing bonus categories as best as possible. This can be quite challenging for those who do not have high spending habits.
THE POINTS GUY
On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. The downside? The card has a $95 annual fee after the first year (see rates and fees), while the other cash back cards have none.
If you want the highest bonus possible for a personal card, go with Amex. Chase cash back cards might be a better fit if you want a no-annual-fee card with a lower spending requirement.
Most rewarding personal cash-back card for spending
Once you’ve earned the welcome bonus, there is only one thing keeping the card in your wallet: recurring earning potential. Both Amex and Chase cash back cards offer generous category bonuses. Choosing the “most rewarding card” is highly subjective, depending solely on your spending habits and preferences.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers the most comprehensive suite of category bonuses, with 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on dining (including eligible delivery services) and 3% at drugstores. While the card doesn’t offer bonus cash back at gas stations and grocery stores, the 1.5% regular earning rate makes up for it. Plus, these rewards can be converted to transferable Ultimate Rewards points if you have another credit card that earns these points.
KLAUS VEDFELT/GETTY IMAGES)
And while the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6% cash back on the first $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (1% after that) and select U.S. streaming subscriptions, it carries a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees).
You also could argue that the Chase Freedom Flex offers superior rewards, with 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of quarterly rotating categories when you activate. Plus, you’ll earn 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel and 3% on dining, restaurant and drugstore purchases.
Again, the best option comes down to your spending habits, but Chase cash back cards take the lead when it comes to category bonuses.
Which Amex or Chase cash back card is best for business cards?
When comparing the cash-back business card lineup, Chase offers two cards with higher welcome bonuses than American Express. As a business owner, your spending can vary based on the size of your business and where your business spends money. It’s best to choose a card where you’ll be earning bonus points on your most frequent spending categories.
The welcome offer from the American Express Blue Business Cash Card, on the other hand, is lower. With it, you’ll get a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first three months.
Most rewarding business cash-back card for spending
The American Express Blue Business Cash Card offers the simplest reward structure, while the Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers higher earnings in select categories. Blue Business cardholders earn a flat 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent on eligible purchases each calendar year (then 1%). It’s ideal for those who don’t want multiple cards in their wallets and remember category bonuses for each one.
PEOPLEIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
For those looking to maximize common business spending categories, the Ink Business Cash is a better card overall. It earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent per account anniversary year at office supply stores and on cellphone, landline, internet and cable TV services (1% after that). You’ll also earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on the first $25,000 per account anniversary year, which is a nice bonus.
Amex and Chase cater to different customers with their respective cash-back cards. So, consider your spending habits and determine which option is best for you.
Best recurring card perks
Cash-back cards aren’t renowned for their travel perks — however, both Amex and Chase offer unique recurring benefits.
Statement credits
For starters, Amex cash-back cards give you access to Amex Offers, a changing list of deals from popular merchants offering statement credits and bonus points.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Many other banks now offer sync deals but don’t quite measure up to Amex Offers. For example, Chase regularly offers 10% back at popular brands, but they usually come with a maximum of $20 or less. Amex’s higher-value offers make its cash-back card even more valuable.
Shopping
Chase compensates by offering a slew of other perks. Specifically, Chase Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex cardholders get three months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership, three months of complimentary Instacart+ membership (incl. $10 quarterly statement credits), and 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025.
Depending on your shopping habits, these Chase perks may far outweigh the shopping benefits you’ll get with an Amex card.
Refer-a-friend bonuses
Amex cash-back cards also have an advantage when it comes to refer-a-friend bonuses. Both Amex and Chase banks allow cash-back cardholders to earn bonus points for successful referrals.
The following are bonuses current Chase cardholders can receive if they refer a friend and the application is approved:
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
$50 cash back per approval, up to $500 per year
40,000 bonus points per approval, up to 200,000
When it comes to business cards, I utilize refer-a-friend links as an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card cardholder. In the past 12 months, I’ve earned 80,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards from successful approvals to various Chase Ink cards from friends and family.
Amex offers referral bonuses, but they’re inconsistent and often limited to certain cards. If you’re planning to earn more rewards by referring friends and family to your card, you’ll want to opt for a Chase card.
Flexibility
One significant advantage that Chase cash-back cards have over Amex is flexibility in redeeming rewards. Cash back doesn’t have to be just cash back if you have another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. You can convert your cash back to Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. So those 5% rotating category bonuses from the Chase Freedom Flex can be equivalent to earning 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent.
THE POINTS GUY
This is significant because TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each when redeemed for premium awards. So, by taking advantage of this option, you’re essentially doubling the value of your points.
Unfortunately, you can’t convert Amex cash-back rewards to Membership Rewards points, so your Amex cash redemption options are far more limited than what you’ll earn with a Chase cash-back card.
Bottom line
When comparing Amex versus Chase cash-back cards, it’s important to weigh all the different features based on what’s important to you. If you’re after more flexible rewards and referral bonuses, Chase is easily your winner. However, Amex will take the lead if you want more valuable merchant offers. But remember — you don’t have to choose just one. You might decide that a card from each issuer will make the perfect card pairing for your wallet.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred card, click here. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Biz Cash card, click here.
Teranka in Formentera, Spain; Nobu Hotel Marbella in Marbella, Spain; and Flemings Mayfair in London are now available to book via Hilton channels. Because of the test phase, Hilton is only releasing “limited inventory” from these hotels for immediate booking and will add more throughout the test phase ahead of a broader Hilton-SLH rollout.
While Teranka and Nobu Hotel Marbella are luxe beach getaways, Flemings Mayfair offers a high-end city hotel escape for the burgeoning partnership. Near-term availability appears limited in the test phase, but available rates do appear for stays next year.
Nobu Hotel Marbella CHARLY SIMON/SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Nobu Marbella rates next January start at 343 euros ($369) or 78,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Next May appears to be the earliest availability for Hilton Honors members at Teranka, where rates start at 1,470 euros ($1,582) or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Flemings Mayfair has availability in January, when rates start at 294 British pounds ($375) or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Hilton Honors members can expect the following benefits during an SLH stay:
Member: Guaranteed member discount, complimentary standard Wi-Fi, complimentary late checkout, bottled water and no resort fees on award stays
Silver: 20% Elite Tier bonus, fifth standard reward night free and all “member” benefits
Gold: 80% Elite Tier bonus, complimentary breakfast (for two guests), space-available upgrades, fifth standard reward night free and all “member” benefits
Diamond: 100% Elite Tier bonus, complimentary breakfast (for two guests), space-available upgrades, fifth standard reward night free and all “member” benefits
Hilton hasn’t officially provided numbers, but there are reports that roughly 100 SLH properties will eventually partake in the partnership this year before later expanding. As you might recall, there’s an ongoing game of partnership musical chairs underway: SLH previously partnered with Hyatt up until earlier this year. Now, Hyatt is rolling out its new Mr & Mrs Smith tie-in since acquiring that booking platform last year.
The SLH partnership rollout comes amid Hilton’s broader push to double its lifestyle hotel count in four years with a mix of established brands like Canopy and newer offerings like Graduate and NoMad.
While the partnerships may have changed, respective Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt members have plenty of new options when it comes to earning and using points at smaller, bespoke luxury hotels around the world.
Editor’s note: Shangri-La The Shard, London provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Unbeatable views of London’s skyline
It’s on the doorstep of some prime London attractions and transit options
Service is full of forethought and care
It’s rare that you can get two tweens and their parents to gasp in unison, but that’s exactly what happened when the elevator doors opened onto the lobby of the Shangri-La The Shard in London.
Occupying 18 floors of the iconic, 1,016-foot-tall Shard tower in London, I expected the views from the 34th-floor lobby to be good, but the first glimpse of the city of London framed by tastefully ornate flower arrangements surpassed all expectations. Surpassing expectations became the theme of my family’s late-spring stay at the Shangri-La The Shard, London, though.
Aside from the views, which are jaw-dropping no matter what angle you’re looking from, the Shangri-La The Shard provides luxurious accommodations, delicious food to suit nearly any taste, incredible amenities and discreet, thoughtful service.
What is the Shangri-La The Shard?
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Opened in 2014, the Shangri-La The Shard has 202 rooms and suites and has Asian influences throughout the decor and food offerings as well as plenty of Western touches.
The hotel offers five different types of rooms and six different categories of suites. The ambience is upscale without being too opulent or fussy. The interior design throughout the hotel pays homage to the brand’s Asian roots with Chinese screen motifs and other elements, but also plays up London’s sense of fun with whimsical photos of people, animals and London landmarks in the elevators and hallways.
Where is the Shangri-La The Shard?
The Shangri-La The Shard is literally around the corner from London’s Borough Market, and practically next door to the London Bridge Tube station. The Queen’s Walk and all of its sights, including the HMS Belfast and Tate Modern, are a two-minute stroll away. Tower Bridge is a five-minute walk, and you can walk to the Tower of London in less than 10 minutes.
How to book the Shangri-La The Shard
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The hotel hosted my family in two rooms in late March of 2024. Had we paid cash, room rates would have run us $1,892 per room per night before taxes and fees. Altogether, our stay would have cost $7,566 with a nonrefundable prepurchased rate.
Members of the Shangri-La Circle loyalty program can take advantage of slightly lower rates on flexible bookings that allow for cancellations and changes. Circle members can also book packages that include breakfast. Children under 7 who are traveling with Shangri-La Circle members get free breakfast without a package.
The hotel is also part of Capital One’s Premier Collection, however. So if you have either the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Business, you can book your stay through Capital One Travel for value-added benefits like free daily breakfast for two, up to $100 in on-property experience credits and room upgrades (if available).
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Finally, the Shangri-La The Shard is affiliated with Chase’s The Edit, which is a recent rebranding of its Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection. If you have an eligible card and make your booking through Chase Travel, you can enjoy perks including daily breakfast for two, availability-based room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout based on availability, a $100 property credit to be used during your stay, and a welcome gift. Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® can redeem Ultimate Rewards points for stays booked at The Edit properties.
Other cards you can use for The Edit bookings include:
Since 2013, the Shard has been an iconic, sometimes controversial, part of the London skyline, evoking Sauron’s tower in Mordor or Darth Vader’s castle on Mustafar, depending on what flavor of nerdiness you prefer. With 72 public floors and the Shangri-La occupying floors 34 to 52, the views are a major reason to stay here.
Even on a dreary day, watching boats move up and down the Thames, or using the provided binoculars (with a pamphlet that points out key sights) to check crowds at the Tower of London was a treat. In a bustling city, having unfettered access to those views, instead of having to book the Sky Garden or London Eye, invites you to slow down and savor the feast before your eyes.
To be honest, they could probably put a Motel 6 in the same spot and the views would make staying there worth it. Luckily, there’s nothing Motel 6-esque at all about the Shangri-La.
Shangri-La The Shard is family-friendly
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The Shangri-La The Shard is a very family-friendly hotel. I realize that when a two-day stay (during the Easter holiday) costs north of $7,000, saying a hotel is family-friendly may seem like a stretch, but hear me out.
Each staff member who interacted with my kids seemed genuinely happy to have them there. While there wasn’t a kids club, staff members made an effort to speak directly to the children and make their stay more pleasant.
Ting, the main restaurant, has kids menus for all meals and teas. The hotel asked for my children’s names and ages and left personal messages in wipeable markers welcoming them on the window of their room. Each of my children also had a stuffed fox waiting for them on their beds. Why a fox? During the Shard’s construction, a fox climbed the building’s frame and had to be rescued, becoming a mascot of sorts for the building. Amenities like the hotel’s pool are also enough to impress even the most jaded little traveler.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The touches perhaps don’t go far enough to justify spending roughly half of a year’s college tuition at the University of Virginia on a two-night stay, but if you’ve got the scratch and are traveling with young ones, Shangri-La The Shard is very welcoming.
The service is impeccable
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The welcoming atmosphere wasn’t just for the kids, however. Every staff member we interacted with during our stay provided friendly, thoughtful and unobtrusive service. They each went the extra mile without calling attention to the fact that they were doing so.
Once our rooms were ready, we got to them only to discover our keys didn’t work. Not only did the front desk clerk apologize, but he also went back to the rooms with us to make sure the new ones he programmed were functioning properly.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The personalized service didn’t stop there, however. When the housekeeper working turndown service noticed my (apparently feral) kids had left their suitcases on the floor, luggage racks appeared magically while we were out of the room.
Another instance? When you enter the hotel from the ground level, you need to go through a security screening that involves having your bags checked. What could have been an annoying experience actually ended up being pleasant. Each time we returned, the security staff did their job unobtrusively and professionally, chatting with us as they checked our bags and wished us a pleasant stay.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The best example of the service came one morning at breakfast, however. We were seated at an east-facing table and (somewhat surprisingly for London) the sun came out. I pulled out my sunglasses and was perfectly happy to pretend that I was an incognito celebrity for the morning when, not 30 seconds later, the motorized shades started to lower and stopped once they had blocked the sun from my face. No one had to be asked to do that, and no fuss was made. The staff was just paying attention, saw a way to make a guest more comfortable and took care of it. That’s the essence of hospitality.
Surprisingly, privacy may be an issue
When you’re sleeping 40-some floors above the ground, you might be surprised that privacy could be an issue. However, the building has missing corners — that is, where a corner room would be, there’s open space (this is veiled by glass, so it isn’t apparent from the outside). Because of the missing corner, rooms at the ends of each floor are in an L formation and you can quite easily see into the rooms you’re sharing that configuration with.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
This wasn’t a big deal for my family, since we were the only people on our L. However, the setup meant we could see into the rooms below us, and I assume the rooms above us could see into our rooms. We didn’t see anything more salacious than a Nintendo Switch left out on a desk, but it’s worth keeping in mind that your room may not be as private as you think. You can solve this by closing the motorized shades in your room, but take in the views in your birthday suit at your own risk.
Rooms at Shangri-La The Shard
Beyond the slight issue of privacy, our rooms were exceptional. We had a Deluxe City View room that adjoined a Premier Shard room. The rooms were connected not by a door in a wall, but through a small vestibule off the hall.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
That vestibule had a locking door (hence our keys not working initially) that made our stay feel more like we were in a suite than connecting rooms. We had plenty of space, but didn’t need to worry about the kids leaving their room door open to a public hallway.
The kids actually had a larger room than we did. Their Premier Shard room had two single beds as well as a small sitting area looking out the window. My husband and I had a king room that had a table and chairs, but they weren’t situated to take full advantage of the views.
Each room was outfitted with a Nespresso machine and pods, an electric kettle, and a minibar. Robes and slippers were provided in various sizes, including kids sizes. A full line of high-end vegan toiletries and amenities, from bath salts to dental kits by Jo Loves, were also provided.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Sturdy umbrellas that stood up to some pretty terrible London weather were in each closet, as were a shoehorn, lint brush and laundry bag. The bedside table even had a leather catch-all for watches and jewelry.
The beds were exceedingly comfortable, which became a little problematic when we needed to get up for a packed day of sightseeing. The Frette linens were smooth, soft and spotless. Turndown service was provided nightly, and the rooms were also well insulated in terms of sound. I didn’t hear a single noise from other guests while in our rooms.
We were awakened one morning by a bird that had chosen to perch on the side of the building and sing its head off, but we were not awakened by the sun, even with floor-to-ceiling windows. Excellent electronic blackout shades kept light pollution out at night and the sun out in the morning. There were controls for the shades, both by the room’s door and by the bed.
The hotel’s age only became apparent in the lack of power outlets and USB ports, especially by the beds. There was only one outlet on my side of the bed, and none on my husband’s side. The desk had enough outlets for the few devices we brought with us (a phone and an iPad each), but if we had both needed to bring work along, charging would have been an issue.
You’ll be sending pictures of the bathrooms to the group chat
I mentioned our kids’ room being bigger than ours, but where they really beat us was in the bathroom department. I want to be very clear that our bathroom was better than fine — it had a heated towel rack, a toilet with a bidet and heated seat, a huge shower with a rainfall showerhead, and a large tub. It also had plenty of storage and counter space. It was on par with most bathrooms at luxury hotels, but it wasn’t a standout.
The bathroom in the kids’ room, however, blew every other hotel bathroom I have ever seen out of the water. They had all the things we had, but their toilet was in a separate water closet and they had a freestanding tub. In front of a floor-to-ceiling window. Overlooking the Tower Bridge.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
There were no arguments about bathing during our entire stay. In fact, my 10-year-old son, who is at an age where bathing isn’t exactly a top priority, ended up taking two baths a day during our stay.
I got to use their tub one night by pulling the “This is for work!” card. Relaxing in the warm water with a glass of Champagne, watching the lights of London fade in and out of the fog is something I will never forget. If you can get a Premier Shard room, you absolutely should.
Dining and drinking at Shangri-La The Shard
The Shard has one restaurant, Ting, and three lounges: Bar 31, Gong and the Sky Lounge. We experienced meals at Ting and drinks at Gong.
Ting
Ting is the main restaurant at the Shangri-La, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and an incredible afternoon tea.
Each morning of our stay we were greeted enthusiastically at the host stand and led to our table past a display with a dozen different newspapers to choose from. Other guests included families like ours, some who looked like couples on getaways, and a few business travelers — or at least people who like to put on a suit and read the Financial Times first thing in the morning. For breakfast, you can order a la carte or go through an extensive buffet. The buffet includes Asian, Middle Eastern, Continental and American dishes, so offerings run the gamut from wonton soup to pancakes and waffles.
Breakfast was included in our stay, and on our first morning I opted for eggs Benedict. I’ll be honest here: Eggs Benedict isn’t my favorite, but I tend to order it while traveling as a handy breakfast comparison tool. Ting’s eggs Benedict was so good, it changed my opinion of the dish. The English muffins were fluffy and toasted to perfection. The Canadian bacon was tender with just the right amount of salt. The hollandaise was rich without being heavy, and the eggs themselves boasted bright orange yolks that oozed appealingly across the entire dish. With a delicious cappuccino on the side, this ended up being my platonic ideal of a breakfast.
My family hit the buffet, with my son and husband carb-loading up on croissants, muffins and hash browns. My daughter had pancakes. The pastries were tantalizing, and the croissants balanced the crisp, flaky outer layers with a chewy inside. The pancakes were fluffy and very rich, and the hash browns were crisped to a golden brown.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
For our second breakfast, I took our server’s recommendation and had the wonton soup. It was both light and filling, with an umami-packed broth. The wonton wrappers were just the right consistency: firm without being overly chewy. The stuffing was a delightful mix of pork and green onions. It was a simple dish, but very well prepared; I can see why it’s a popular breakfast choice.
Breakfast was included as part of our stay; it usually costs 45 British pounds ($57) per person unless you book a room with a breakfast package.
Tea at Ting was an experience I will remember for quite a while. Done in partnership with Alex Monroe, a jewelry brand, the tea had a “Bees in Bloom” theme.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The pastries at the top of the tea trays included a bee, an orange and a ladybug, while the showstopper was a chocolate model of the Shard with honeycomb. Our server placed it in the middle of the table and poured water into a lower section of the dish which had dry ice in it, enveloping the sweet little Shard in smoke, like a foggy London day. The servers paused at each table to allow diners time to get their phones ready.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The tea menu included 35 options (an overwhelming number for this Yank) as well as Champagne. I opted for Earl Grey, while my daughter went for a light berry herbal tea. My son had hot chocolate and my husband stuck with the bubbly.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
In addition to being a feast for the eyes, this tea was a literal feast. The bottom of the tea tray was dotted with dainty sandwiches including egg and cress, coronation chicken, smoked salmon and roast beef sandwiches. The second tier featured pate as well as sandwiches with a carrot filling. The top layer of sweets included a white chocolate and orange blossom cake (shaped like an orange, naturally), a lemon and lavender cake shaped like a bee, and a chocolate and jasmine tea cake shaped like a ladybug. After we’d made a dent in the tea tray, our server brought our scones, jam and cream, as well as an almond pound cake. Everything was delicious, and I’m glad we didn’t have a dinner reservation that evening because we simply would have been too full.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Tea costs 78 pounds ($99) per person, or anywhere from 88 pounds ($112) to 149 pounds ($190) if you want to add Champagne (which ranges from Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label at the low end to Dom Perignon Brut 2012 at the high end).
One detail I absolutely loved at Ting was the small stools at each table for diners’ handbags. This was an unexpected touch, and one that was thrilling for me because I collect bags and am quite superstitious (“bag on the floor, money out the door”). Having these stools is indicative of the thought and care that infused every part of our stay.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Gong
Gong is a lounge on the 52nd floor of the Shangri-La. It serves an impressive list of cocktails and wine, but the true standout is, once again, the view. You should reserve a slot ahead of time, and on busy nights you are asked to limit your stay to an hour. My husband and I went on a Tuesday night, however, and the staff had no problem with us staying longer.
I ordered the Alter Ego, one of Gong’s signature cocktails, which was a heady mix of rum and plum flavors. My husband had an old-fashioned. Both were delicious. Service at Gong was attentive, with our dishes of little nibbles (mixed nuts, plus some olives) never getting empty, and our server jovially suggesting another round.
Gong is on the side of the building that overlooks the Tower Bridge. We were there on an evening that was perfectly London: a little damp, a little chilly, but overall quiet and calm. Watching the lights of Tower Bridge fade in and out through the fog was an excellent cocktail companion.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
The only misstep at Gong was the seating. Our two-person table had one chair and one small ottoman. It was nice not to have an extra chair back potentially blocking the view, but perching on an ottoman isn’t particularly comfortable and doesn’t encourage lingering. Not all tables had this setup, so you might want to request a different type of seat when making your reservation.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Bucket-list amenities
One of the coolest things the Shangri-La The Shard offers is the highest hotel pool in Western Europe, sitting 52 stories above the ground. Making time for a dip is a worthy carveout for your trip, even if you’re only there a short while. The pool itself is not huge, and while you could swim laps, the best use is to simply float and enjoy the view of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
One note on the pool: It is on the same floor as the Gong lounge, and the elevators to the 52nd floor open into the Gong waiting area. There’s a changing area near the pool, which I suggest you use instead of changing in your room. We changed in our rooms and stepped out of the elevators in robes and bathing suits into a group of well-dressed men waiting to be seated at Gong. If you want to avoid a moment like that, bring your suit up and change at the pool.
The pool area has many loungers, tables and chairs, as well as fresh fruit, water and tea available. There’s also a large sauna in the pool area as well as a shower. The only thing missing is a hot tub.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
You do need to book in advance for the pool, which ensures it’s not crowded. Kids can’t swim after 6 p.m.
My family had the pool to ourselves during our twilight swim and had an amazing time. I was able to relax in the sauna, which had views of the Thames stretching to Westminster and beyond. Reserving a time for the pool felt awkward and unnecessary at first, but being able to experience the pool privately was worth the preplanning.
Reasons the Shangri-La The Shard might not be for you
The Shangri-La The Shard delivers thoughtful luxury, but the price is as high as the hotel’s pool. If you don’t need the views, you should stay elsewhere.
The vibe of the hotel is Zen-like and quiet, even in the bars. This isn’t the place to stay if you want to party.
If you suffer from acrophobia, do not stay here. The building’s height is apparent almost everywhere you look.
JAMIE PAGE/THE POINTS GUY
Accessibility
The Shangri-La The Shard London is generally accessible, but it does fall short in a few areas. Hallways are narrower than you might expect, given the building’s relatively recent construction. If you use a large mobility device, you may find the areas outside elevator banks tight, especially if you have bags or other people with you. We also didn’t see a lift in the pool, and a ladder was the only entry point. It’s possible there’s a mobile lift for the pool and the attendant can help guests who need it enter the water. Elevators are large and bright, however, with buttons at an accessible height.
There are accessible accommodations with features including bathrooms with roll-in showers and toilets with grab bars. However, to ensure your room has features you require, you should call the hotel directly to reserve.
Checking out
Shangri-La The Shard London is a top-flight hotel that gives guests a luxury experience that’s thoughtful and demure. Staff members quietly and proactively work to make guests as comfortable as possible. The views are the standout feature, but the understated interiors, incredible amenities and soothing quiet make looking inside well worth it.
Luxury lifestyle brand Virgin Hotels is on track to make its London debut later this year.
Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch is slated to open in August in the city’s trendy Shoreditch neighborhood. The 120-room hotel will be the eighth for the brand. Some might see the move as a long time coming: London is the birthplace of Sir Richard Branson’s broader Virgin Group, which includes subsidiaries like Virgin Hotels and Virgin Atlantic.
“We’re all absolutely delighted that Virgin Hotels Collection will be opening a Virgin hotel in London,” Branson said in a statement. “Since the inception of Virgin Hotels, we’ve had our sights set on London; a place that so many of our customers either call home, or name as one of their favourite destinations — and of course where Virgin’s story started.”
The upcoming hotel is actually a conversion of the existing Mondrian London Shoreditch that is part of Accor’s Ennismore lifestyle arm. The Mondrian’s Spanish restaurant, BiBo Shoreditch, will continue to operate in the new Virgin Hotels-affiliated property. Further, guests will have access to a rooftop bar, a pool, a private members club, a gym and treatment rooms. The company release notes the August rebrand will mark the start of a “gradual transformation” into a full Virgin Hotels ambience.
The London expansion also gives members of the Virgin Hotels’ The Know loyalty program as well as Virgin Red a hotel to earn and redeem points. Further details on the loyalty tie-in are expected later this year.
While the company may have found a coveted London location for Virgin Hotels, the brand already has a presence in the United Kingdom with a hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland. The brand also has a significant presence in the U.S. in cities like Chicago, New York City and New Orleans.
While it might be Virgin Hotels’ eighth location, Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch will be the 17th property in the wider Virgin Hotels Collection, which encompasses Virgin Hotels and Virgin Limited Edition — a collection of one-of-a-kind retreats like Necker Island in the Caribbean and Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco.
“This year will mark 10 years of Virgin Hotels and what a way to start the early celebrations as we announce our newest hotel in one of the world’s most famous cities,” James Bermingham, CEO of Virgin Hotels Collection, said in a statement.
The world’s largest hotel company plans to add 10 hotels and more than 1,000 rooms across France by the end of 2025. The planned expansion includes brands like 2023 TPG Award-winner Moxy, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Aloft and The Luxury Collection. The new hotels will boost Marriott’s existing French footprint of 69 hotels across 29 cities.
“We remain focused on strengthening our presence in primary and secondary markets in France in line with the strong demand we are seeing for leisure and resort experiences, as well as for business travel,” Alexandra Goguet, Marriott International’s vice president of development for France and the Benelux region, said in a statement.
It’s not a shock that Marriott wants to beef up its presence in France. It was one of the first countries in Europe to return to pre-pandemic visitor and visitor spending levels, and it’s also the most-visited country in the world, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
The move comes amid a broader push by companies like Hilton and Hyatt to beef up their presence across Europe, too. For Marriott, hotel performance in Europe was up nearly 22% last year, and rates increased by more than 7%, according to the company’s most recent annual filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Moxy has the largest presence in the ongoing expansion, with Moxy Annecy and Moxy Paris Clamart slated to open this year and Moxy Nice expected to open by the end of 2025. There are already nine other Moxy hotels operating in France. Residence Inn by Marriott Lille, Courtyard by Marriott Lyon East and Aloft Dijon are some other upcoming openings planned across France.
The marquee project for Marriott is Hotel du Couvent, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nice. This project entails a renovation of a convent that dates back to 1604; it will result in 88 luxury guest rooms and suites slated to open this summer. Additionally, Marriott plans to open a Tribute Portfolio hotel in Mougins, a hillside town 15 minutes north of Cannes.
“Conversion and adaptive reuse projects represent nearly half our properties expected to join the Marriott portfolio in France by the end of 2025,” Goguet said. “These projects allow us to add hotels in key locations in city centres and demonstrate our expertise and flexibility in finding innovative solutions to adapt existing buildings whilst creating fantastic guest experiences.”
Summer travel is kicking off in full force, and that can mean only one thing (aside from school ending, barbecues and packed flights to Europe): It’s time to name TPG’s Best Airline for 2024.
This year’s rankings come as summer travel is expected to reach its highest level since 2019, if not its highest level ever.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans will be looking for airline tickets while considering details like price, service, reliability and, yes, frequent flyer points and miles.
Each traveler has their own set of preferences, but we still receive one type of question above nearly all others: Is any one airline in the U.S. the best? Does any one carrier succeed at all the things travelers really care about?
Every year, we compile thousands of objective data points to determine which of the 10 biggest U.S. airlines strikes the best balance of reliability, cost, experience and value. Our goal is to use a fair and unbiased approach to see how the airlines stack up for the average consumer.
This year’s analysis is complete, and we’re here with the results. Read on to see where your airline landed in this year’s ratings
Best US airlines of 2024
1. Delta Air Lines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Southwest Airlines
6. JetBlue
7. Hawaiian Airlines
8. Allegiant Air
9. Spirit Airlines
10. Frontier Airlines
Keep reading for our full analysis and methodology — and to see what helped Delta top our rankings for the sixth year in a row.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the overall scores this year, including the highest- and lowest-performing categories for each airline. We’ll include last year’s rank for each airline (in parentheses).
Rank and airline (2022 rank)
Total score (out of 100)*
Top-performing areas
Lowest-performing areas
1. Delta (1)
65.74
Timeliness, involuntary bumps
Affordability
2. Alaska (3)
64.38
Timeliness, cancellations, lounges, family travel, customer satisfaction
* All data was based on the 12-month period from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, aside from customer satisfaction. Due to a reporting delay as the U.S. Department of Transportation changes its methodology for tracking complaints, this information is only available for the five-month period between Jan. 1 and May 31, 2023.
Key takeaways from this year’s analysis include:
Delta wins for the sixth year in a row. Once again, the Atlanta-based carrier took home the top ranking. Interestingly, Delta was the top-performing airline in only one single category: timeliness. (It also tied with Allegiant for the top-performing airline in the involuntary bumps category.) However, Delta’s consistent performance across all categories — aside from affordability — made it the top pick overall.
There were no big surprises compared to last year. Alaska and United swapped positions, as did JetBlue and Hawaiian, and Allegiant and Spirit. However, no airlines jumped or fell multiple spots, meaning there were no big gains or losses compared to last year. Overall, 2023 was a year of relative stability and continued recovery from the last of the post-coronavirus-lockdown hiccups.
Some airlines performed better than in 2022, while others fell. Several airlines fell a point or two (or more) compared to last year: Delta (-0.57), United (-1.57), Hawaiian (-5.80), Spirit (-4.44) and Frontier (-5.39). The carriers with improved overall scores are Alaska (+3.84), American (+1.01), Southwest (+2.25), JetBlue (+1.70) and Allegiant (+6.32). Still, none of the changes were big enough to swing an airline more than one spot in the rankings.
Consumer complaint data doesn’t tell the whole story. The U.S. Department of Transportation typically reports data covering a variety of metrics on a three-month delay. However, the agency delayed reporting of customer complaints in the middle of the year because the volume of complaints has increased compared to pre-pandemic times. As such, the agency wants to rework how it processes that information. Data were only available through May 2023, so the customer satisfaction score does not reflect passengers’ experiences during the latter part of the year, including the busy summer and holiday travel seasons.
So, just how did these airlines fall where they did in the rankings? Read on for a closer look at each category we used to build these rankings, along with the weight we assigned to each. The full methodology is provided at the end of the report.
Best US airlines for reliability
AARONP/BAUER-GRIFFIN/GC IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
A lot goes into the overall air travel experience, from the moment you start searching for flights until you pick up your luggage from baggage claim and head out the airport door. But at the end of the day, an airline has one main job: to get you where you pay to go roughly on the schedule it promised.
Because of that, operational reliability is the largest single category in our rankings, weighted at 30% of our total analysis. We use five factors under the umbrella of reliability:
Timeliness: How frequently a flight on the airline was delayed
Cancellations: How frequently a flight on the airline was canceled
Bumps/involuntary denied boardings: How frequently an airline bumped a traveler against their will on an oversold flight
Baggage: How frequently an airline mishandled a piece of checked luggage
Wheelchairs/scooters: How frequently an airline mishandled a mobility device
The results here produced a winner that may come as a surprise to some: Allegiant. It scored the highest across the category’s five metrics. The full reliability rankings are as follows:
1. Allegiant
2. Delta
3. Alaska
4. Southwest
5. Hawaiian
6. United
7. American
8. JetBlue
9. Spirit
10. Frontier
The ultra-low-cost carriers — Allegiant, Spirit and Frontier — may have a generally poor reputation for reliability, along with onboard experience. However, Allegiant offers a reason to reconsider that notion after its cumulative 2023 score for reliability was the best in the industry. While Allegiant’s on-time performance was weak (ranking seventh out of 10 on our timeliness scale), it scored at the top of the other four categories under the overall reliability umbrella.
Of the 10 airlines we tracked, Allegiant had the lowest rate of flight cancellations; it cut just 782 of its 115,539 flights in 2023 (or 0.68% of its operations). Alaska wasn’t far behind, canceling 2,849 out of its 385,945 flights (or 0.74% of its scheduled flights). At the other end of the spectrum, Frontier canceled 3,774 of its 177,542 scheduled flights (or 2.13% of its operations).
Allegiant also snagged the top score for the number of passengers it bumped involuntarily — zero. It tied with Delta.
Conversely, Frontier was far and away the worst performer, denying boarding at a whopping rate of 35.06 per 100,000 passengers, a total of 10,123 out of 28,872,300 travelers. For context, the next-worst performer was American, with 5.57 involuntary denied boardings per 100,000 passengers.
Allegiant is clearly doing something right in its baggage-handling operation as well. You won’t find free checked bags here — and if you book the base fare class, you’ll be charged for a carry-on, too. However, Allegiant led the other rankings by having the fewest lost or damaged bags at a rate of just 1.89 per 1,000 checked bags. American was the worst performer here, with 7.61 mishandled bags per 1,000.
Allegiant’s strong performance carried over to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, too. The Las Vegas-based carrier mishandled checked wheelchairs at a rate of 0.37 per 100; Spirit brought up the rear with a rate of 5.35 wheelchairs mishandled out of every 100 wheelchairs checked by passengers.
Best US airlines for the travel experience
ALASKA AIRLINES
Reliability is important, but the onboard experience is the first thing that many people think of when it comes to the “best airline.” For many, onboard snacks, meals or entertainment can make or break a journey.
Travel experience is important to us at TPG, too, so we weighted it as 25% of our overall score, just behind reliability. The travel experience score looks at four factors:
Cabin features: What you’ll experience on board, including Wi-Fi, seat pitch/width and inflight entertainment
Lounges: How widespread (and numerous) an airline’s lounges are and how affordable they are to access
Family: How well an airline caters to families traveling with children
Customer satisfaction: The rate at which passengers complain to the DOT about the carrier
Alaska took the top prize overall, with the full category rankings coming in as follows:
1. Alaska
2. Delta
3. American
4. United
5. JetBlue
6. Hawaiian
7. Southwest
8. Spirit
9. Allegiant
10. Frontier
Breaking them down by subcategory, JetBlue was the top airline for cabin features — just like it was last year and the year before. The New York-based carrier’s strong performance here is boosted since it provides free Wi-Fi across its entire fleet; it also offers seatback entertainment screens and the largest average economy seat size among all U.S. airlines.
Alaska, meanwhile, scored best for its domestic lounges — something crucial for many frequent flyers. Although the airline only has nine lounges of its own, its Alaska Lounge+ members can access dozens more across the U.S., including more than 40 American Airlines Admirals Clubs, several United Club locations and a few third-party lounges.
Alaska also ranked first for customer satisfaction, with the caveat we mentioned before: Customer complaint data was only available for the first five months of last year. The airline snagged the top spot for its family travel experience as well; that’s based on a variety of factors, such as early boarding, bag fees, onboard snacks and inflight entertainment.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ultra-low-cost airlines finished last for overall experience. They were dragged down by seating configurations with limited legroom, extra fees — which also dent these carriers’ family experience scores — and the lack of lounges.
Best US airlines for cost and reach
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Of course, before you can even think about reliability or the travel experience, you need to see which airlines actually go where you’re trying to go — and how much a ticket on those carriers will set you back.
We try to see which airlines have the right mix here with our cost and reach category; it looks at the prices you can expect to pay for airfare and common add-on fees. Our formula is also meant to evaluate how widespread each airline’s domestic route network is. This category is weighted at 20% of the total score and includes these three factors:
Route network: How many domestic airports an airline serves
Affordability: How far (in distance) you can fly for the money you’re paying, based on financial data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Ancillary fees: How much a typical passenger pays in bag and change/cancellation fees
The cost and reach category is where things can get interesting. The ultra-low-cost airlines are clearly the most affordable, but they also have high ancillary fees — and many of them. Plus, they tend to have smaller route networks than the legacy carriers.
Who strikes the balance best? Here are our results:
1. Southwest
2. United
3. American
4. Delta
5. Alaska
6. Allegiant
7. Spirit
8. Hawaiian
9. JetBlue
10. Frontier
It’s not surprising that Southwest is the overall winner here. Southwest serves about half as many domestic cities as the three biggest legacy airlines — American, Delta and United — but it nevertheless has a sizable route map. This is especially true when compared to other low-cost airlines like Spirit and Frontier, as well as East Coast-oriented JetBlue and West Coast-focused Alaska.
But where Southwest has a clear advantage is fees. Southwest doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees. Even though the other big airlines have drastically cut those fees from their pre-pandemic prices, the airlines still charged more on average for “extra” costs than Southwest did in 2023.
Southwest also famously allows two free checked bags per passenger. Passengers checking more than two bags have to pay extra, so Southwest did earn some revenue from baggage fees in 2023. However, that total was a fraction of what the other airlines collected.
In 2023, Southwest earned an average of just 43 cents in fees per passenger carried. That’s significantly less than what American, Delta and United earned for bag fees; the carriers received $6 to $9 in fees per passenger last year. Southwest held up even better compared to the ultra-low-cost airlines that make up for lower ticket prices by tacking on add-on fees. Spirit and Allegiant made an average of just under $27 in fees per passenger, while Frontier brought in a whopping $40 for every passenger it flew.
Of course, if you can travel light and avoid the fees, those budget airlines are far and away the most affordable. Frontier took in $118 in fare revenue for every domestic 1,000 miles flown per passenger, while Spirit fell just behind at $118.13. Allegiant was a distant third at $159.38.
Unsurprisingly, the legacy airlines were the most expensive. Delta landed at the bottom of our affordability rankings, with an average of $302.50 in fare revenue per 1,000 passenger miles flown. American was next at $279.03. United was the most affordable of the “Big Three” carriers at $261.76. Southwest, which is somewhere between a legacy airline and a low-cost carrier, came in at $191.74.
Best US airlines for loyalty
UNITED AIRLINES
The final category for our rankings is loyalty — a key topic for TPG staff members and readers alike. We weighted this at 25% and included two specific factors:
Frequent flyer program: How rewarding an airline’s loyalty program is based on TPG’s valuations, elite status, cobranded credit cards, partner airlines and expiration policies
Award availability: How easy and valuable it is to redeem your rewards across popular travel times
Like last year, United came out on top. Here are the full results:
1. United
2. American
3. Alaska
4. Delta
5. JetBlue
6. Southwest
7. Hawaiian
8. Spirit
9. Frontier
10. Allegiant
The competition at the top was close, but United won out with the best rating for rewarding frequent flyers. The carrier has the greatest number of redemption and earning partners and offers four consumer credit cards. American was close behind, followed by Alaska.
Delta, which was last year’s runner-up, fell to fourth place. This is partly due to charging high mileage prices for award flights and recently making changes to its elite status program that have been viewed negatively by many of the company’s frequent flyers.
The low-cost carriers generally fell short in this area; they were hindered by their relatively few partners, limited or fixed value for miles, poor award availability and/or expiration policies for miles.
Methodology
THE POINTS GUY
TPG’s Best Airline rankings are based on scores from four broad sections, each of which consists of multiple criteria. All data points for the 2024 report were based on flights operated during the 12-month period that ran from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023.
A full breakdown of the methodology and the data used for each is as follows:
Reliability (30%)
Timeliness (using data on delayed flights from the DOT)
Cancellations (using data on canceled flights from the DOT)
Involuntary bumps (using data on involuntary denied boardings from the DOT)
Baggage (using data on mishandled baggage from the DOT)
Wheelchairs/scooters (using data on mishandled baggage from the DOT)
Experience (25%)
Cabin features (using data from SeatGuru and inflight amenity offerings from each carrier’s website)
Lounges (using data on the number of lounges, the number of cities and the price of membership for each applicable lounge network)
Family travel (using a 0-to-5 score based on boarding, perks and food/entertainment available on board)
Customer satisfaction (using data on customer complaints from the DOT)
Cost and reach (20%)
Route network (using the monthly average of domestic cities served by each airline from the DOT)
Affordability (using financial data from the BTS)
Bag/change fees (using financial data from the BTS)
Loyalty (25%)
Frequent flyer program (using data from our monthly valuations, elite status reports and each carrier’s website)
Award availability (using real-time award inventory for popular domestic routes across three distinct time periods)
For all criteria, the raw scores from the data were converted into scaled scores from zero to 10. In most cases, a score of zero was assigned to the lowest-performing carrier, and where possible, a score of 10 was assigned to a “perfect” airline. For example, Allegiant and Delta both scored a 10 on involuntary bumps since they had zero (or effectively zero) last year.
However, when there was no clear way to determine perfection, the highest-performing airline received a 10.
By using scaled scores (rather than a simple ranking system), we essentially “graded” each airline relative to the others. The score for each airline on each individual element was thus a numerical reflection of how much better said airline did compared to the lowest-scoring carrier.
For instance, Alaska had the fewest number of DOT complaints in the first five months of the year, with Delta not far behind (2.94 per 100,000 passengers versus 3.70).
We normalized these numbers by comparing them to the lowest-performing airline (Frontier, with 38.76 per 100,000 passengers) and the highest possible score (0 per 100,000 passengers). The resulting scaled score conversion gave Alaska a “grade” of 9.24 out of 10 and Delta an 8.09 out of 10.
Then, each individual score was weighted using the above percentages to arrive at the final, cumulative score included in the table.
Final thoughts
A lot goes into choosing a flight and an airline for your next trip. Price matters, but so do reliability, rewards you can earn and the actual passenger experience on the flight. Of course, no one airline will meet the needs of every passenger, so each of those considerations has a different level of importance for each individual traveler.
However, our report uses objective data and a fair weighting that we think best sums up a fair, broad picture for a wide range of travelers.
For the sixth year in a row, Delta has earned the title of TPG’s Best Airline for 2024.
Delta’s reign shows that sometimes, it pays not to be the best at every single thing. Instead, it’s important to focus on performing well across every area and standing out by offering a consistent and reliable product across the board.
Delta alienated some of its frequent flyers with the changes it made to its rewards program, and its fares are the highest in the U.S. by our measure. However, its reliability, performance, features and overall experience work together to keep it at the top of the pack.
Right now, the card is offering its highest sign-up bonus in almost a year, making it a great time to apply. However, this offer is ending soon, on June 13, so this is your last chance to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
You can earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. We value those points at $1,538.
The regular bonus on this card is 60,000 points. The last time we saw an elevated bonus was almost a year ago. It’s worth noting that the same bonus is available on the premium version of this card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Cardmembers also receive a 10% annual point bonus based on their total spend during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $1 spent. So, if you spend $20,000 on the card in a year, you’ll get 2,000 extra points at the end of it.
CHRIS DONG/THE POINTS GUY
Additionally, Chase Ultimate Rewards can transfer to 14 airline or hotel partners, including valuable programs such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and World of Hyatt. You can maximize your rewards by booking aspirational business-class tickets or picturesque stays at island resorts for far less than their cash equivalent.
No wonder many TPG staffers continue to carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred year after year. Given its easy-to-maximize perks, strong earning rates and the usefulness of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it probably deserves a place in any traveler’s wallet.
