American Airlines is growing its domestic operation with the addition of a new destination.
The carrier will add service to McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, California, beginning on Feb. 13, 2025. American’s regional affiliate Envoy Air will operate twice-daily flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), marketed as American Eagle service.
The regional affiliate will deploy a 76-seat Embraer 175 on the route, equipped with 12 first-class recliners, 20 Main Cabin Extra extra-legroom seats and 44 standard economy seats.
Carlsbad is home to the Legoland California theme park and sits about 35 miles north of the San Diego International Airport (SAN), which already sees plenty of American Airlines service. The new route will provide travelers based in the northern San Diego suburbs with new travel options without driving to SAN or the far larger Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
In a statement confirming the move, the airline said that “American looks forward to connecting Carlsbad to our comprehensive global network starting next February. This new service will provide convenient one-stop connections to destinations across the United States and Mexico while bringing travelers from around the world to see all that Carlsbad has to offer.”
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
American operates a hub in Phoenix, and from there, travelers can enjoy one-stop service to most major cities in the U.S. and Mexico.
For much of the past decade, Carlsbad hasn’t had any scheduled commercial airline service. The airport is served by regional air carrier JSX, which operates 30-seat Embraer regional jets in the public charter model. JSX flies from Carlsbad to Las Vegas and Scottsdale.
But the last time that Carlsbad had commercial service was in April 2015, when United Express’ affiliate SkyWest Airlines flew from the city to Los Angeles — a short 86-mile flight operated by the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft, Cirium schedules show.
To support the new American flights, the Palomar airport will contract with the TSA to provide security services for departing passengers.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this new service to the traveling public and look forward to working with American Airlines as one of our newest stakeholders,” said Palomar airport director Jamie Abbott, in a statement.
For its part, American’s recent network strategy has been focused on boosting domestic and short-haul connectivity. The airline dominates in many domestic markets and continues to grow across the country with new routes and destinations. Last week, American announced new service to South Caicos, Turks and Caicos, and it added two more domestic routes from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
American has long said that it wants to offer the most comprehensive schedule for domestic travelers looking to connect to a broad network via its hubs — and that’s what the airline seems to be doing here in Carlsbad with the new service to Phoenix.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
Capital One’s Travel portal, launched in 2021, has significantly improved since its beta release. It now allows Capital One cardholders, including those with cash-back cards, to directly use their rewards for travel purchases. The portal also features updated flight search capabilities and the issuer’s hotel programs: the Premier Collection and the Lifestyle Collection.
In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about the Capital One Travel portal.
Many credit card issuers offer travel portals where cardholders can book travel with points and earn bonus rewards on paid bookings. The Capital One portal is similar, offering bonus miles on hotels, rental cars and sometimes flights — though the earning rate varies depending on which card you hold. Or you can pay for travel through the portal with your Capital One miles at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
The Capital One portal differentiates itself by integrating technology from Hopper, a trusted app for predicting the lowest prices for flights and hotels. The portal offers several free customer-friendly features like price alerts, price matching and price drop protection, as well as paid add-on features like price freeze protection, flight disruption assistance and cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) coverage (more on these in a bit).
Here’s a list of some top Capital One cards that offer access to Capital One Travel:
How to book flights through the Capital One Travel portal
MESQUITAFMS/GETTY IMAGES
To book airfare using the Capital One Travel portal, log into your account and click the “Flights” tab.
If your dates are flexible, you can take advantage of Capital One’s handy calendar feature. It brings in Hopper’s familiar color-coded interface, allowing you to see which dates offer the lowest prices in economy class.
CAPITALONE.COM
Once you choose your dates, you’ll see Capital One’s booking recommendation and flight options on the next screen. You can then narrow the parameters by:
Fare class (cabin)
Number of stops
Airline
Departure or arrival time
Price
Flight duration
And you can sort your results by:
Recommended
Price (low to high)
Stops (least to most)
Duration (shortest to longest)
Arrival time (earliest to latest)
Departure time (earliest to latest)
There are a few other interesting features worth mentioning. Above all the flight options, you can see the price prediction tool come into effect with clear messaging on whether or not it’s a good time to book. You can click “View price prediction” to see when and by how much prices are predicted to fluctuate.
CAPITALONE.COM
If the site’s algorithms advise you to book, that will trigger free price drop protection. If you book now and the price drops within the next 10 days, you’ll be refunded up to $50 of the difference as a future travel credit. Or, if you find a better price elsewhere within 24 hours of booking, you can take advantage of Capital One’s price match guarantee to get the difference in the form of a travel credit.
If you’re not ready to book, you can press “Watch this trip” to be notified by email when a better price becomes available. Unfortunately, this feature applies to the route and dates you’ve selected, not a specific flight, airline or fare class — though you can choose to exclude basic economy and connecting flights.
Or, if the price is attractive but you need a little more time, you have the option to freeze it for a small fee. When you click “Freeze price,” you’ll be able to choose the specific flight you want to freeze. You can also freeze the price for anywhere from 12 hours to 14 days. If the price increases in that timeframe, CapitalOne will cover the difference up to $500. If the price decreases, you’ll get to book at the new, lower price.
CAPITALONE.COM
Pay attention to the fare class when booking flights, as amenities vary greatly between airlines. For example, United Airlines does not allow full-size carry-on bags on basic economy fares, but Delta Air Lines does. Additionally, cancellation policies vary across fare classes.
Capital One has tried to standardize fare classes across all airlines on its platform, making it easier for users. When searching through Capital One Travel, you’ll see the following labels:
Basic: The best-priced options with restrictive policies and few amenities.
Standard: Typically main and economy fares that include amenities like carry-on bags and seat selection.
Enhanced: Seats with extra legroom, priority boarding and free beverages and snacks.
Premium: Cradled or reclining seats that come with priority boarding and premium snacks and beverages.
Luxury: Typically business or first-class fares featuring reclining seats, personalized services, premium meals and priority boarding.
When you click on a particular fare class, a drop-down provides an extensive overview of what to expect during your journey. This includes detailed information on seat measurements, aircraft layout and onboard amenities like power outlets, fresh food options and whether lounge access is included. These comprehensive details surpass what you typically find on other travel portals or even when booking directly with airlines.
CAPITALONE.COM
The payment side is quick and easy, too. When entering traveler information, be sure to include your frequent flyer number (so you’ll earn miles with the airline) and, if applicable, your Known Traveler Number (for instance, your TSA PreCheck number).
As a holder of the Venture Rewards card (which is currently offering an elevated welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit in the first cardholder year), I can apply my miles at a rate of 1 cent each toward my flight. If you’d rather save your miles for later, press “Do not apply my rewards.” You can use your Capital One credit card to pay for your reservation instead.
Note that while most Capital One cards only earn bonus points on hotels and rental cars booked through the portal, the Venture X card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through the portal as well.
When you check out, you can choose to add flight disruption assistance (which includes a rapid rebooking feature) or cancel-for-any-reason protection for an additional cost. The cost of these features varies, and you’ll have the option to pay in cash or miles.
How to book hotels through the Capital One Travel portal
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES
There are fewer distinctive features when booking your hotels through the Capital One Travel portal, but the process is similar to the one for flights detailed above. To find a hotel, head to the “Hotels” tab and enter your destination, dates and number of travelers.
You can use the color-coded calendar to see which dates are cheapest. Some dates may not show a color, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t available — you can still click them.
After choosing your dates, you’ll see a list and map view of hotel options. You can filter your search by rating, certain amenities or cancellation policy, or click “All Filters” to set a maximum price per night or enter a specific property name. You can also sort the listings by recommended, price (low to high) or star rating (high to low).
CAPITALONE.COM
The listing for each hotel shows the nightly price, as well as the total for your stay (including taxes and fees) in both cash and miles. However, this price may change when you click on the hotel. For instance, the price at the Warwick went down by over $100 when I clicked it. If you’re interested in a hotel, always click it to double-check the price. You’ll also be able to see more information on the hotel and recent customer reviews.
CAPITALONE.COM
Then scroll down to the “Choose Room” section to see which room types are available. You can see a room’s dimensions and amenities by clicking “View Details and Amenities.” Often, each room will have multiple rates available with different cancellation policies.
CAPITALONE.COM
The payment process for booking hotels is the same as for flights. You can redeem your Capital One miles for the trip or pay in cash with your Capital One card. The latter may be the better option here, as multiple cards offer bonus rewards on hotels booked through Capital One Travel:
Venture X and Venture X Business: 10 miles per dollar spent
Venture, VentureOne and Spark Miles: 5 miles per dollar spent
SavorOne, Quicksilver and Spark Cash Plus: 5% cash back
However, keep in mind that if you book a hotel in a major loyalty program — like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors — through Capital One Travel, you likely won’t receive hotel points or enjoy any elite status perks. That’s because Capital One Travel is essentially an online travel agency.
Some cardholders have access to Capital One Travel’s boutique hotel collections. The Premier Collection, which is available to Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders, includes benefits like an on-property experience credit of up to $100, daily breakfast for two people and complimentary Wi-Fi. The Lifestyle Collection is available to a broader group, including members with the Venture X, Venture X Business, Venture Rewards or Spark Miles cards.
Now that Capital One has added vacation rentals to both collections, cardholders will have even more options for earning and redeeming miles.
How to book rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal
The process for booking rental cars is straightforward. Start by clicking “Rental Cars” at the top and entering your search criteria.
You’ll receive a list of options that can be filtered by car type, price per day, rental car company and other specifications. Unlike with hotels and flights, there’s no option to sort the results — but they will automatically be shown from lowest to highest price.
CAPITALONE.COM
You can then reserve the car after a few clicks using either cash or miles. Before booking, scroll down to see more information on the pickup and drop-off location, the cancellation policy and other details.
CAPITALONE.COM
With some agencies — Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar — you can add your rental car rewards number to the booking and likely enjoy the associated benefits. The option to add your loyalty number generally won’t appear for other companies.
This is particularly appealing for Venture X cardholders, as you can earn 10 miles per dollar spent on rental car bookings and still enjoy the complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status* that’s included on the card — although this perk is slated to be discontinued at the end of this year.
Note that these car rentals earn rewards at the same rate as hotels booked through Capital One Travel:
Venture X and Venture X Business: 10 miles per dollar spent
Venture, VentureOne and Spark Miles: 5 miles per dollar spent
SavorOne, Quicksilver and Spark Cash Plus: 5% cash back
*Upon enrollment eligible cardholders will maintain Hertz President’s Circle status 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.
Further things to consider about the Capital One Travel portal
CARL COURT/GETTY IMAGES
Capital One Travel packs a punch for cardholders, but there are a few additional things to remember.
First, consider checking alternative platforms like Google Flights for better prices or alternate routings before booking through Capital One. Credit card portals sometimes have higher prices and don’t always show all available flight options, so make sure you’re not paying more for the same itinerary. And if you need to change your flight, booking your ticket directly with the airline is often easier.
If you’re planning to use your Venture miles or Spark miles at a rate of 1 cent apiece, you should always book directly with the travel provider (whether it’s an airline, hotel or car rental company) and use the miles to cover that purchase. Remember, you can offset the cash price of travel purchases by redeeming your Capital One miles at a fixed value. This ensures you get all the benefits of booking directly while using your rewards at exactly the same redemption value.
Also, with over 15 transfer partners, Capital One offers a range of options for transferring your miles at a 1:1 ratio. Before booking through the portal, compare prices against the award rates of Capital One’s transfer partners. For instance, a $150 United Airlines flight will cost 15,000 Capital One miles through the portal, or you might be able to get the same flight for just 7,500 Avianca LifeMiles (plus minimal taxes and fees). In this instance, it makes more sense to transfer your Capital One miles to LifeMiles and book through Avianca.
As noted, hotel and car rental reservations through Capital One Travel likely won’t be eligible for perks in a given loyalty program. If elite status is important to you, it’s advisable to book directly with major chain hotels and most car rentals. However, if you’re booking independently owned hotels or elite status isn’t a concern, the Capital One Travel portal may be a better option.
Finally, remember that Venture X cardholders enjoy $300 in annual credits for bookings made via Capital One Travel. Unlike the $300 credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the credit only applies to purchases made through Capital One’s travel portal. As a result, even if you’d rather book flights, hotels or car rentals directly with travel providers, you should still spend at least $300 on your Venture X through Capital One Travel each year. And for a limited time, the Venture Rewards card is offering a $250 Capital One Travel credit in the first year as part of its elevated welcome bonus.
Capital One has made significant advancements in the travel space, including improved transfer partners, the introduction of a premium card and the opening of multiple airport lounges.
Capital One Travel offers a user-friendly interface for booking flights, hotels and rental cars, with helpful features like a color-coded fare calendar to help it stand out. With its detailed pricing and fare class information and additional features like price freeze and price drop protection, it’s especially useful for booking flights. You can also earn bonus rewards for many Capital One Travel purchases across most of the issuer’s card portfolio, making it a great option as you plan upcoming trips.
Quick take: TAP Air Portugal offers all the trappings of business class, such as multicourse meals on real china and lie-flat seats, but does not feel especially luxurious.
Pros
Throne seats offer extra personal space.
Multiple lounge options are available in both Lisbon and Washington, D.C.
Portuguese touches from amenity kits to wines lend the experience a regional flair.
Cons
The lie-flat seats aren’t the most comfortable.
Meals are good but not extraordinary.
Service feels perfunctory.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
I don’t fly business class for luxury. I choose it for legroom. I’m 6 feet tall and don’t sleep well on planes, even lying down, so TAP Air Portugal’s business-class seats satisfied my basic requirements of having a comfortable place to stretch out my long legs and enough entertainment to get me through a flight.
If you’re looking for course-by-course dining, closed-door suites and doting service, TAP does not offer what you seek, at least not on its Airbus A321LR on the short overnight flight between Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Lisbon Airport (LIS). But if you want a more affordable front-of-the-plane experience, with fun cultural touches like an all-Portuguese wine list and Portuguese language lessons on your seatback monitor, you might want to give TAP a try.
How much does business class cost to book on TAP Air Portugal?
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The cost to book TAP business class will depend on your origin and destination, as well as whether you’re flying one-way or round-trip, though the airline is known for posting some incredible deals from the U.S. to Europe in both economy and business class.
On the route I flew, from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Lisbon Airport (LIS), round-trip business-class tickets start at $3,550 now through the end of 2024, but are often closer to $5,500.
United is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards and will require 176,000 miles plus about $65 in taxes and fees round-trip.
Aeroplan is a 1:1 transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One, and requires 120,000 miles plus around $140 in taxes and fees.
Here’s a snapshot of how much round-trip TAP tickets from Washington, D.C., to Lisbon will cost over the next several months in terms of money and miles.
Class
Business class
Economy
Airfare
$3,550-$8,660
$611-$1,690
United MileagePlus
176,000 miles + $65
88,000 miles + $65
Air Canada Aeroplan
70,000 miles + $140
120,000 miles + $140
Business-class passengers can select seats for free and bring one full-sized carry-on bag (22 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches) plus one personal item (16 inches by 12 inches by 5 inches), as well as two checked bags of up to 70 pounds each.
Checking in to and boarding TAP Air Portugal business class
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Here are the special services TAP business-class passengers enjoy at the airport.
Priority boarding
Yes
Lounge available?
Yes, two TAP Premium Lounges and Star Alliance partner lounges.
Does the airline participate in TSA PreCheck?
Yes
Boarding group
A (first of three)
I arrived at Dulles extra early only to discover the check-in desk opened two hours before boarding time. Though I was first in the Premium line, I had to wait for the agents to arrive.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
When they did, the friendly one I checked in with pointed me toward the quickest way to a TSA PreCheck (which I can access with my Global Entry) checkpoint, explained that I would have premium boarding and told me I had a choice of the Lufthansa Lounge or the Turkish Airways Lounge, both at Dulles’ international terminal B, near the departure gate.
At the gate, a clearly marked Premium line was available for business-class flyers to board first.
At Lisbon Airport for my return flight, I followed signs for TAP Air Portugal’s Premium check-in area, which is accessible via Door 1 at Terminal 1. I started to turn toward the kiosks to my left before I saw a sign pointing out Premium gates to keep walking toward in the back of the hall. Just past the kiosks, I found the gated-off area for Premium check-in, where I was swiftly checked in and pointed in the right direction for boarding.
Premium passengers can access the Fast Track security lines in Lisbon. I found the signage a bit confusing because there were lines in multiple directions, but the same security guard who yelled at me for taking photos did helpfully point me toward the correct entrance. Only one or two passengers were ahead of me in line, and the security was quick. I had to remove my bag of liquids and take off my sweater, but I did not need to take out my laptop.
U.S.-bound passengers need to go through a passport control line between the main terminal area and the non-Schengen gate areas. Make sure you account for this extra time when deciding when to leave the lounge or shopping area to head to your gate. Four lanes at passport control had all the tourists confused, and many were sent from the digital gates into another line.
Once at the gate, Premium travelers have a priority boarding line (A) and board first. In our case, it meant boarding the first of two buses for a ride across the tarmac to our waiting plane. We business-class passengers got a bus all to ourselves, rather than cramming in with crowds of economy passengers on a packed bus. We did have to wait on the bus for a while as the flight crew readied our plane.
Airport lounge options for TAP Air Portugal business class
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
With enough time, I could have visited at least four, if not five, lounges between the two airports I flew into and out of on my trip. I managed to hit three.
If you’re flying business class on TAP Air Portugal between Washington, D.C., and Lisbon, be prepared for lounge choices.
At IAD, the friendly gate agent asked me with a sly grin what kind of food I liked, saying that was the proper criterion for deciding which of the two available Terminal B lounges I should visit. He hinted that because the Lufthansa Lounge only served cold food, I would be better off choosing the Turkish Airways Lounge. He wasn’t wrong; I enjoyed the Mediterranean fare, such as kofta, lentil soup, hummus and pita, and cinnamon rice pudding. The Lufthansa Lounge was slightly closer to my gate, but not enough to be a deciding factor.
Technically, you could also access the airport’s United Polaris Lounge with your TAP Air Portugal business-class ticket, and it’s certainly a much more upscale lounge than the Turkish or Lufthansa ones. However, it’s in a different terminal and traversing IAD via moving lounges and trains can be slow. You’ll only want to aim for the Polaris Lounge if you have a considerable wait time before your flight.
In Lisbon, TAP fields two Premium lounges, one immediately after the duty-free shops and above the main concourse (look for the escalators with “Premium Lounges” written on the side) and one after passport control for non-Schengen travel. The check-in agent recommended the first one as it’s larger, with more food and seating options, and told me how much time to leave to get through passport control to my gate.
The TAP Premium Lounge Tejo in the main concourse is large (with 320 seats) but not fancy, with plenty of food and drink options. Don’t miss the Portuguese specialty pastel de nata, a sweet egg custard tart; I was pleasantly surprised by how crispy and warm mine was, given it was sitting on a buffet.
If extensive food and drink menus aren’t your priority, I’d recommend going straight to the second, smaller TAP Premium Lounge, Atlantico, on your left as you exit passport control.
When I visited, it was much less crowded than the Tejo lounge, but still offered separate seating areas for work, dining and relaxation, as well as a pared-down buffet and self-serve bar.
How comfortable was TAP Air Portugal business class?
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
On the Airbus A321LR I flew in both directions, here’s the layout of the business-class cabin and the dimensions of the seats.
Number of seats
16
Cabin layout
2-2 and 1-1 in alternating rows
Seat recline
Fully flat
Seat width
27 1/2 inches (the chair itself is around 22 inches)
Screen size
16 inches
The A321LR is unusual because it’s a one-aisle long-haul airplane. All passengers must walk through business class on their way back to economy, so settle in quickly.
Business class has five rows of seats, alternating between rows with two seats on each of the aisle and rows with only one seat on each side. The individual seats in rows 2 and 4 are dubbed the “thrones,” and they are the prime places to snag if you’re flying solo, as you won’t have a seatmate. Couples might prefer to be seated together.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
I was able to select my seat online for free when I was ticketed, so I chose the throne seat for my overnight flight on the outbound. It wasn’t available on the day flight back, so I chose an aisle seat in the center Row 3. I lucked out and didn’t have anyone sitting next to me.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Business class doesn’t really have a bad row, though Row 1 by the galley and bathroom might be more trafficked and noisy, depending on your flight crew and fellow passengers. However, after trying out both seat types, I understand why those throne seats get snapped up quickly. It’s not just the privacy — they offer much more space for stowing your things.
Best seats for solo travelers
2B, 2E, 4B, 4E
Best seats for couples
The best are pairs in Row 3, but 1 and 5 also work
Seats to avoid
None, but rows 1 and 5 are near the galley/lavatory
The primary part of each seat is the same, with a recliner that turns into a lie-flat bed facing a seatback monitor with a mesh pull-down pocket below and a pop-out coat hook.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The tray table pulls out from a console that also contains a reading light, TV remote, USB-A port, headphone jack, water bottle holster and a pair of noise-canceling headphones attached by a strap.
Power outlets are in the seat divider/armrest facing the seat in front of you, so you have to contort your body to see where they are to insert your power cord. (My cellphone flashlight came in handy here.)
It’s the sides where the two seat types differ. True to its name, the throne seat has wide armrests with drink pads on either side. On the aisle side, you even have a cubby with a door where you could stow a water bottle, tablet or other items you wish to have accessible. In the double-seat rows, the aisle-side armrests are narrow and not that comfortable; the center has a small drink pad you’ll have to share with your seatmate.
In the throne seat, I could tuck my backpack in front of the armrest on the window side rather than stowing it on the ledge under the seat in front of me as I had to in the twin configuration. This was a perfect situation when the chair was reclined into a fully flat position because I could still have my bag nearby; I’m not sure how I could have kept my pack with me while sleeping in the two-seater row.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Both seat types have pockets with safety cards and air sickness bags (cleverly labeled “hope you won’t need this bag”), but they’re located between the two TVs in the row of two and above the window-side armrest in the single row.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The two-person rows are so different from the one-person thrones that I almost feel TAP should sell them at different prices.
It worked out that I had the throne seat on the overnight flight and the two-seater on the day flight. I was mostly happy with the TAP business-class seats in the upright position. I had elbow room on each side (though much more in the throne) and tons of space for my feet and legs. The slight recline position with my feet a bit elevated was comfy for watching TV. The tray table was wide enough to support a full meal tray or my laptop with space to spare.
On the day flight, I did start getting uncomfortable after a few hours and kept experimenting with a slight recline versus sitting straight up. I couldn’t find a comfortable way to use the pillow as back support, so I ditched that idea.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
With a seat pitch of 44 inches, I found I had to lean forward to use the touchscreen options on the TV. Presumably, the remote was supposed to help you with that, but it was tricky to release and return it to its rest, and I found the controls finicky. The touchscreen was easier but impossible to use with the tray table deployed.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
However, once I was ready to sleep, the seat was less ideal. As I said, I’m 6 feet tall and the seat, when fully reclined, was just as long as I was. When the seat started reclining, my knees got scrunched into my body, and I had to unbuckle and slide back in order to make space for my limbs. The bed was not comfortable when lying on my back, so I curled up, but the narrow seat did not leave much space on either side. If I were as tall as The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly or had the broad shoulders of a linebacker, I would be uncomfortable trying to sleep.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The seat itself could use more padding or some kind of soft covering; the duvet was sufficient, but the pillow was too flat. I needed to prop my head up more; in hindsight, I wonder if there were a way to slightly elevate the head portion of the seat, but not reclining 100%. It was still way more comfortable than coach.
Business class has one bathroom by the galley behind the cockpit. It was a standard airplane bathroom with a changing table, but did not offer extra space or nicer amenities.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
One thing that struck me as odd on the day flight was that, despite it being midafternoon in Portugal and midmorning in the U.S., the crew asked us to close our window shades and then turned off all the lights after the main meal service. I couldn’t imagine how that would help me adjust back to U.S. time and it left me as the only passenger with my light on, working. Most of the other passengers seemed to nap, and the flight attendant asked me if I wanted her to wake me for the end-of-flight snack.
Amenities in TAP Air Portugal business class
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
TAP provides an amenity kit by Portuguese brand Benamor in a bag made from recycled plastics. The kit has the basics with no frills: an eye mask with a cute floral design, one-size-fits-all socks, a wooden toothbrush, a tiny tube of toothpaste, earplugs and Benamor hand cream. There was no lip balm or moisturizer.
The entertainment options were quite extensive with 133 movies (such as “Aquaman,” “Wish” and “Barbie”), 83 television shows and 172 music channels, including podcasts in multiple languages. I even watched a couple of short videos on how to speak Portuguese.
The provided noise-canceling headphones were so effective that I had to remove them to speak with the flight attendants when they came by.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
TAP has four levels of onboard Wi-Fi. You can access messaging apps for free, or choose full internet for one hour for 9.99 euros ($10.90), three hours for 19.99 euros ($21.80) or a full-flight pass for 29.99 euros ($32.70). I was hoping to work on my flight back to Washington, so I tried to purchase the full flight plan but after taking my credit card number, the system got stuck on “verifying” mode for a half-hour before I simply gave up. I was able to access the free messaging on my phone for a while, but that, too, dropped. At one point, neither my phone nor my laptop could see the TAP Air Portugal network at all.
The flight crew members just shrugged their shoulders when I asked and said it was likely a satellite issue.
Two hours before landing, I finally was able to purchase the one-hour plan on my laptop. My first speed test on fast.com timed out and gave no results. I tried again on Google’s speed test and got speeds of 3.69 Mbps download, 1.10 Mbps upload, latency of 116 ms and was told my connection was slow. Minutes later, the system was down once again and I couldn’t reconnect. (I’m currently working to get TAP to refund my payment.)
How was the food in TAP Air Portugal business class?
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The food was perfectly fine on both my flights, but nothing remarkable.
No one offered a welcome drink, though a flight attendant did come through to hand out printed menus, with the wine list on the back. The menu listed an appetizer of mixed nuts and a beverage and said, “Please make your request to the crew.” I didn’t understand what this meant at the time, but in hindsight, it sounds like if you wanted a drink and nuts before the meal service you could ask for them.
Once airborne, it wasn’t long before the flight attendants came through to ask our entree choices. In both cases, I asked the flight attendants for recommendations. On the outbound flight, the attendant recommended the salmon as a dish the airline is known for. On the return, the crew member told me she was a vegetarian and couldn’t help me.
Before each meal service, the flight crew came around with hot towels that were thin and not that hot. Both lunch and dinner included a starter, choice of bread from a basket, three entrees (meat, fish, vegetarian) and a trio of desserts (ice cream, fresh fruit, cheese). Meals were served in two courses, with the starter, bread and entree served together, and dessert served separately.
TAP has a “Local Stars” program, which invites Portuguese chefs to choose local ingredients from their home area to incorporate into TAP’s onboard menus. The chef and ingredients change every two months. On my flight, the chef was Andre Cruz from the Setubal Peninsula, and his featured lunch ingredients included pickled onions and Moscatel sauce from Setubal.
On the outbound flight, dinner started with a veal and radish salad. Entree choices included:
Roasted beef with green beans, carrots and potatoes
Salmon with dill sauce, cauliflower, rice, green beans and artichoke
Ricotta and mascarpone ravioli with pumpkin marinara
I would have preferred more vegetables in my starter salad, but it was tasty enough. I found the salmon a bit dry, but it must truly be famous because it was sold out before the attendants got to the last row.
I gobbled down the dessert trio of strawberry ice cream, mixed berries and three cheese wedges with Ritz crackers. The flight crew also came through the cabin offering a choice of chocolate (milk, dark with sea salt and chocolate with cocoa nibs), which made this chocoholic happy.
The complimentary wine and alcohol list features exclusively Portuguese brands, so I sampled a white wine from the Douro Valley with dinner and a port with dessert and enjoyed them both. Coffee and tea were also served with dessert.
On the return flight, the lunch starter was a salad with slices of seared tuna. Entree choices included:
Veal osso bucco with a carrot puree
Confit codfish with chickpea puree
Chard and ricotta tortelli pasta with cheese and cauliflower sauce
The salad was delicious with silky tuna slices doused in a lot of dressing. The pasta looked and tasted more like an economy meal than anything premium. The bread choice was presented nicely in a basket. I skipped the wines on this daytime flight, but the selections were the same as on my overnight flight.
I enjoyed the dessert course with its tiny bowls of chocolate-raspberry ice cream, kiwi and pineapple fruit salad and goat cheese with crackers. Once again, the flight attendants came around with the chocolate selection.
I didn’t time the service, but I started watching a two-hour movie as we took off, and I had around a half-hour left after the meal ended.
A light snack was served on both flights before landing. On the overnight flight, it was breakfast, served about three hours after dinner. I was more groggy and confused than hungry, so I nibbled on the soggy croissant, cheese wedges and honeydew slices and ignored the deli meat and watermelon.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
On the day flight, I found that between meal services I was very thirsty and also hungry, but the attendants didn’t come through with drinks or snacks. I hadn’t thought to fill up my water bottle, thinking I’d be taken care of, so I had to get up several times to ask for water and ate some of the snacks I had in my bag.
The end-of-flight meal was not overly filling: a slice of bread, three strawberries and a slice of mango, a bit of deli meat and cheese and a portion of tortilla with egg salad inside.
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
I appreciated eating a two-course meal served on real plates with metal cutlery and actual glasses. The spread was certainly nicer than I’d expect in economy, with upscale ingredients like veal and fresh berries, but the bread wasn’t warm or the fish especially tender. I don’t know what magic other airlines work to present restaurant-quality meals to their premium travelers, but TAP Air Portugal’s meals suffered from the time spent waiting in trays to be served.
Would you recommend TAP Air Portugal business class?
ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
For the right price, TAP Air Portugal’s business class on the A321LR is definitely a step up from an economy or premium economy experience. The throne seats, in particular, have a ton of personal space, and the lie-flat seats are decent, even if they are narrow and not especially plush. For a shorter long-haul flight, the experience and service were perfectly adequate.
However, if you could spend a similar amount of cash or miles for a more luxurious business-class experience with a nicer lounge, I would take that route.
The airline could improve its sleeping comfort with a better pillow or mattress pad, and offer more proactive service on the daytime flights when more passengers are likely to be awake. But I was happy to have a place to put my legs, and I got that in spades with TAP Air Portugal’s business-class seats.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured overview
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid option out there for those with poor or limited credit. While most secured card options are intended to build credit and not earn rewards, the Quicksilver Secured is a unique blend of both — offering a 1.5% rewards rate on all purchases. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), this card opens many doors for those who want access to credit. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Just because your credit score isn’t outstanding doesn’t mean you’re banned from applying for credit cards altogether. Secured credit cards are a great alternative that helps you build or repair your credit through a slightly different approach.
Rather than a traditional credit line, you’ll have to put down a fully refundable cash deposit that determines your credit limit. From there, a secured credit card will act just like a traditional credit card — but with a much easier approval process.
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured is one of the best — if not the best — secured card options on the market. There’s no annual fee and a minimum of a $200 cash security deposit required (see rates and fees). But perhaps the best part of this card is the ability to earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a fantastic earning rate even when considering traditional credit cards.
Let’s take a look at all of the details.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Ability to rebuild credit score
1.5% back on all purchases
Limited earnings rates and redemption options
Capital One Quicksilver Secured welcome offer
Unfortunately, this card doesn’t come with a welcome offer.
Capital One Quicksilver Secured benefits
While secured cards are generally light on benefits, the Quicksilver Secured comes with a decent number of perks worth mentioning:
No foreign transaction fees: When traveling abroad and paying with your Quicksilver Secured, you won’t incur any foreign transaction fees.
Automatic credit line reviews: Based on your payment history and creditworthiness, you may automatically receive a credit line bump — without putting more down as a security deposit.
Monitor credit score: Using Capital One’s CreditWise feature, you can check your credit score for free and without hurting your score.
Access to digital features: You can implement a flexible payment date and AutoPay to ensure that you pay your statement on time.
No annual fee: All of these great benefits for no annual fee.
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
Remember that you’ll have to put down a minimum of $200 as your security deposit (which also determines your credit line), so the more you put down, the more credit you’ll have access to.
If you need a larger credit line, you can put down an additional deposit within 35 days of being approved and activating your card. You can raise your initial credit line up to your maximum limit — which is assigned upon card approval — and may range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on your creditworthiness.
Finally, you may be able to “graduate” to the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card — the unsecured version — by using the card responsibly. That means you’ll get your security deposit back, but all other card terms and features will stay the same.
Earning rewards with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured
With this card, you’ll earn a straightforward 1.5% back on all purchases, with no limit on how much you can earn.
That’s a decent earning rate, although you won’t enjoy any bonus categories.
Redeeming rewards with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured
You can redeem your rewards via a statement credit, buy gift cards or reimburse yourself for purchases.
MIXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
You won’t be earning Capital One miles, so you won’t be able to utilize Capital One’s travel transfer partners, but you will have a bit of flexibility with your cash-back rewards.
Which cards compete with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured?
If you’re looking to build your credit, you have several options; one of these might be a better fit than the Capital One Quicksilver Secured.
If you want to earn bonus rewards while building credit: The Discover It Secured Credit Card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
If you already have a good credit score: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% as you pay). Its simplicity makes it one of our favorite starter reward cards. For more details, see our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
The information for the Discover It Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Although there’s no welcome bonus (uncommon for secured cards in the first place), the 1.5% rewards rate, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee are what make this card a viable option for those who need a clean break or someplace to start.
It’s a great secured credit card that can put you back on the road to creditworthiness.
There are some cruise destinations — Barcelona, for instance, or Venice — where you really don’t need to sign up for shore excursions. You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own.
For the most part, the ports of Alaska aren’t like that.
To get the most out of an Alaska cruise, you’ll want to sign up for a tour in most, if not all, of the ports you visit. And not just any old tour. You’ll want the best Alaska shore excursions that get you out into the Alaska backcountry.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
In Alaska, many of the biggest “attractions” — breathtaking mountain landscapes, glaciers, fjords, breaching whales and feeding bears, for instance — are related to the Great Outdoors. As a result, many of the best Alaska shore excursions for cruisers are found outside of the towns where ships stop. If you just stay in the towns and explore on your own, you’ll miss a big part of what Alaska is all about.
People who know me know that I love talking about Alaska port towns. This isn’t just because I spent more than two decades writing about Alaska and other cruise destinations for major newspapers. For many years, I was the co-author of Frommer’s “Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call” guide. In researching nearly half a dozen editions of that book, I spent many days exploring each of the major cruise ports in the state. I’ve tried a large number of the shore excursions in places such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. I’ve also poked around these towns a lot on my own.
As noted above, my biggest message to anyone planning an Alaska cruise is to get out of the towns. Sign up for something — a hike, a rafting trip, a train ride, a fishing outing — that gets you out into Alaska’s spectacular outdoor settings.
But I also have a few specific, top-line pro tips when you’re thinking about the best Alaska shore excursions:
Get up in the air. It’ll be expensive. We’re talking $250 or more per person. But there’s nothing like seeing the grandeur of Alaska from a helicopter or floatplane. The Juneau Icefield, in particular, is a sight to behold. It covers around 1,500 square miles. You can see it on a flightseeing tour from Juneau, with some tours including landings on the ice.
Don’t miss the whales. Even if you’re not a big wildlife person, you’ll be mesmerized by the humpback whales of Alaska. They are huge (at up to 52 feet, longer than a Greyhound bus), and there are boat tours that will get you up close to them. The best places to do this are out of Juneau and also Icy Strait Point if your ship stops there.
Splurge for a trip to Misty Fjords National Monument. This glacier-carved wilderness area, not far from Ketchikan, is another don’t-miss sight. It’s everything you think of when you think of Alaska: icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snowcapped peaks and glacial valleys. The only way to get there is on a boat or floatplane tour, and they typically start at over $200 a person.
Unfortunately, as you can see from the above, many of the most spectacular excursions in Alaskan ports are expensive. But Alaska is not a place to skimp. Alaska is a destination where you may want to budget almost as much per person for your shore excursions as you do for your cabin.
That said, you don’t have to splurge for a big outing at every call. In Juneau, for instance, you can get an outdoor experience with a relatively inexpensive trip to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. It’s just 12 miles from the cruise ship docks and reachable by bus or taxi. The bus will set you back an astounding $45 per person round-trip, which I find an intolerable gouge (but … it is what it is). If you have a few people, you’re probably better off with a taxi, which runs around $35 each way. For two or three people traveling together, it’s not all that pricey a trip.
Either way you do it, you’ll find some nice hiking trails around Mendenhall Glacier and a visitor center. There’s a creek there, too, where I’ve sometimes seen salmon running. One time, I even saw a bear. Speaking of which: A bear is something you think you want to see in Alaska until you actually see one. Then you’re just hoping you don’t get eaten.
The historic gold rush town of Skagway, Alaska. REINHARD PANTKE/TRAVEL ALASKA
I should also be clear that the towns themselves aren’t devoid of attractions. While I highly encourage Alaska-bound cruisers to get out into the wilderness, there are plenty of worthwhile things to do in each of the main port towns.
In Juneau, food tours have become popular; think King crab bisque and Alaska salmon. The Alaska State Museum is beautiful and worth a visit. Skagway is like a Gold Rush-themed movie set. You should at least walk its main street (Broadway), with its wooden-board sidewalks. If you’re a craft beer fan like me, you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company. It’s made with Sitka spruce tips picked locally in the spring.
In Ketchikan, you should save a few minutes to stroll up Creek Street along Ketchikan Creek, where you might spot salmon running. It’s the ultimate Alaska selfie spot.
The simplest way to book an Alaska shore excursion is through your cruise line. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and — poof! — it’s all arranged. They send a ticket to your room, and a tour guide will be waiting for you when you walk off the ship.
Another way to go is to book directly with a tour operator in one of the ports. That said, many of the tour operators you’ll find in Alaskan ports are the same tour operators that operate the ship-sponsored excursions. Often, the tours that the local tour operators will sell you are the same tours that the cruise lines are selling you at the same price. Shopping around isn’t necessarily going to get you anywhere.
Indeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. For instance, the parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America is a part-owner of Skagway’s big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.
Note that you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. I’ve had some luck with that over the years, but it’s hit or miss.
Below, I’ve listed six of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. These all are tours that you’ll find in the tour lineups at every major cruise line that operates in Alaska. Different lines sometimes have different names for these tours — and sometimes different pricing.
For the listings below, I’ve used the tour names and pricing listed in the current tour sheets at Princess, which along with sister line Holland America, is the biggest cruise operator in Alaska.
Cruisers arriving in Juneau can sign up for helicopter rides to a dog-sledding camp on a glacier. BRIAN ADAMS
For those with a hefty bankroll, this might be the ultimate Alaska shore excursion. Combining helicopter flightseeing over the seemingly endless Juneau Icefield with a landing on a glacier for dog sledding, it hits two of Alaska’s most iconic experiences.
It’s also insanely expensive, as I know from firsthand experience. I once took my entire family of five on this excursion, dropping more than $2,000 in the process (this was back when the pricing was half what it is today). That’s a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts three hours.
But I’ll tell you this: I don’t regret doing it. Not one bit. For starters, the views of the Juneau Icefield as you fly to and from the dog-sledding camp are incredible (assuming the weather cooperates). But the real joy was seeing my three young girls interacting with the teams of Alaskan huskies that live at the camp.
Once you arrive at the camp, you’ll meet the dogs and their mushers, see where they live, get a quick tutorial in mushing, and then head out for a spin around the camp on a dog-pulled sled.
Seeing humpback whales is the highlight of a whale-watching tour out of Juneau. REINHARD PANTKE
If it’s Alaska’s famous humpback whales that you want to see, you’ll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales — so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee.
Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you’ll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. You might even spot a killer whale or porpoise.
The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat.
Note that if you have a big enough group, it sometimes pays to arrange a private boat out of Juneau to take you to see humpback whales. Many lines offer a private boat charter for whale watching as a tour option, or you can arrange one through a local company.
Klondike rock climbing and rappelling
Cost: $119.95
Port where available: Skagway
Rock climbing in Skagway is a family adventure. STEPHANIE HAGER/HAGER PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
If you’re like me, you may be a little terrified at the idea of climbing the sheer face of a rock cliff. But don’t let that scare you away from this 3 1/4-hour tour. It’s a hoot.
Experienced climbing guides will meet you at your ship and drive you up the Klondike Highway to an area of granite cliffs that’s the perfect playground for beginner and more seasoned climbers alike. Upon arrival, the guides provide you with all the gear you need — climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses — for a safe scramble up a 70-foot-high wall. They’ll also offer plenty of instruction (and encouragement), plus a snack of trail mix and hot chocolate.
If it all sounds a bit daunting, know that you don’t need any experience at climbing to do it; I sure didn’t have any when I tried it, nor did my young daughters, who absolutely loved it. There are multiple routes up the cliffs, some perfect for beginners. After making it to the top, you’ll rappel back down — an entirely different kind of thrill.
The White Pass & Yukon Route Railway travels through the mountains around Skagway, Alaska. TRAVEL ALASKA
Call it the iconic attraction of Skagway, Alaska. A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the tour everybody takes when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist hub. And for good reason. It offers an easy way to get deep into the Great Alaskan Outdoors.
Truth be told, I’m a fan of more active excursions. But for someone who isn’t going to hike, bike, horseback ride or raft their way through the wilderness around Skagway (there are tours for all of those things, too), a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is one of the best ways to get a glimpse of the area’s classic Alaskan scenery.
From the comfort of a vintage rail car, you’ll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass — the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right, with improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves.
Heli-hike and rail adventure
Cost: $399.95
Port where available: Skagway
A heli-hiking tour out of the port of Skagway takes passengers to a mountain trail along a river in the Tongass National Forest. PACKER EXPEDITIONS
This is another tour with a sky-high cost. But, in my opinion, it’s well worth the money. Indeed, it’s one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions.
The five-hour, Skagway-based outing begins with a transfer from your ship to a nearby helicopter pad, where you’ll find a helicopter waiting to whisk you high into the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range.
On a quick flight to your destination — a mountain trail in the Tongass National Forest — you’ll get spectacular views of the mountains and Goat Lake. You’ll land at Glacier Station, a remote mountain helicopter pad alongside the White Pass & Yukon Railway tracks. From there, you’ll set off on a two- to six-mile guided wilderness hike on a trail along the Skagway River. The highlight of the hike is a magnificent view of Laughton Glacier.
Returning to Glacier Station, you’ll end the day with a ride back to Skagway on the White Pass & Yukon Railway, which makes a special stop to pick you up.
Misty Fjords National Monument by seaplane
Cost: $329.95
Port where available: Ketchikan
A fjord in Misty Fjord National Monument. KETCHIKAN TOURIST BUREAU
There’s nothing that says Alaska quite like a trip in a floatplane. And, if you’re going to do a floatplane ride, there’s nowhere better than in Ketchikan. You’ll find a small armada of floatplanes waiting to take you to the nearby Misty Fjords National Monument.
Misty Fjords is one of those quintessential Alaska destinations that’s so beautiful you just want to cry. That is, if it’s not too “misty” to see it. It got its name for a reason. The area is often shrouded in clouds and drizzly rain. Ketchikan is known as one of the rainiest places in North America, with over 13 feet of rain each year. So, yeah, bring a rain jacket.
But, also get ready for lovely views of glacier-carved fjords, cliffs and rock walls jutting thousands of feet out of the ocean. The whole thing is covered with temperate rainforests and features huge waterfalls (thanks to all that rain). It’s definitely a sight to see.
Note that there often are two versions of this tour available: One that is about two hours long and only includes flightseeing and a slightly longer version that includes a water landing within Misty Fjord National Monument.
Summer is a popular season for cruising, with kids out of school and warm weather making long days in the office unbearable. But summer cruises have two significant downsides: It’s the hottest time of year in popular cruise destinations like the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, and ships can be crowded with greater than 100% occupancy, given the multitude of families booked three or four to a cabin.
If you’re a fan of summer sailings to sunny destinations but aren’t too fond of the heat and crowds, take heart. Here are our top tips for beating the heat and avoiding the crowds so you can survive and better enjoy your summer cruise.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Pay for priority boarding
Check-in line for MSC Cruises at Miami cruise port. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINT GUY
Getting on the ship can be hectic, so plan ahead for embarkation day. Consider booking a cabin or suite that comes with privileged access and perks (like priority boarding). For example, guests staying in a cabin in Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven enjoy a personal escort who brings them on board the ship during embarkation. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite class guests also get priority boarding.
You don’t have to splurge on a suite to get on board faster. Carnival Cruise Line’s Faster to the Fun package gives you access to priority check-in and security lines at embarkation, as well as early room access and priority luggage delivery.
If your booking doesn’t include early embarkation, arrive at the port either early or later to avoid the rush.
Pack ‘cooling’ items
Islands in the Caribbean enjoy a hot, tropical climate year-round, with summer temperatures reaching the high 80s Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures in the Mediterranean can reach 90 degrees or higher, especially in July and August.
The key to beating the heat is in the planning. If your packing list doesn’t include products to cool you down, add them post haste. Cooling towels won’t take up much luggage space and can be a real lifesaver on hot days. These types of towels are water-activated and use evaporation to draw water away from your body. You just soak the towel in water for a couple of minutes, wring it out and place it where you need to cool off.
A water bottle fan is another hot weather essential. These handheld misting fans provide a refreshing spritz when you need it. Up the chill level by dropping a few ice cubes into the bottle to keep your water cold.
Book a balcony cabin
BAONA/GETTY IMAGES
It might be a small patch of cruise ship real estate, but a balcony can be worth its weight in gold for some quiet time. Instead of fighting for a lounge chair among the pool deck crowds, you can enjoy the ocean breeze all by yourself on your private veranda.
Bring activities to keep boredom at bay when waiting in lines
Sometimes lines are unavoidable. While it might be easy to deal with them as adults, waiting is often harder for kids. Games on your smartphone or tablet can be a good distraction, or have your kids bring books or a Kindle if they’re readers.
You can also play simple games, such as “I Spy” or “20 Questions.” When our kids were younger, the alphabet game was one of our favorite games. You start off by saying, “I went to the store, and I bought an apple” (or something that starts with the letter A). The next person repeats your phrase and adds another item that starts with the letter B. You continue until you get to the letter Z or someone messes up.
Do the buffet differently
The buffet on Disney Wonder. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Cruise ship buffet areas are often buzzing during traditional meal times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Consider shifting your meal times earlier or later to avoid the swarm of people. Also, skip the buffet for lunch on embarkation day, as it tends to be overcrowded.
One of the fantastic things about cruise ships is the bounty of dining options available. Avoid the buffet and enjoy a meal in the main dining room or one of the ship’s fast-casual dining venues. Added-fee specialty restaurants can provide a more upscale dining experience in a tranquil environment.
Go outside early or late
Plan your outdoor time for the morning or later in the day to avoid heat and crowds. Hit the pool early to secure a lounger before more people show up, and get your sunbathing on while the temperature is manageable. Likewise, take a dip around 5 or 6 p.m. when the summer sun is still shining but your shipmates are all getting ready for dinner.
If you’re going to the beach, aim to be one of the first off the ship to take full advantage of the morning hours and come back to the ship early to avoid the hottest part of the day. You might find that lines to get off and back on the ship are shorter if you debark early and come back before the all-aboard rush. Alternatively, if you don’t mind the heat or have indoor activities planned, wait for the initial disembarkation rush to pass and leave the ship later to avoid lines at the gangway and crowded tenders.
During peak heat hours (from around noon to 4 p.m.), enjoy indoor activities like onboard trivia games, karaoke or even ice skating (on select Royal Caribbean ships).
Cool off on shore
STEPHEN FRINK/GETTY IMAGES
When it’s time to leave the ship for a few hours, seek out water-based shore excursions or activities with shade. Spend the day at a beach resort or water park, or take a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion. If your itinerary includes a stop in either Belize or Bonaire, you can cool down with a cave tubing or cave snorkeling excursion.
Want to stay out of the sun for the day? Head to local art galleries and museums for a cooler day in port. Indoor diversions like these can also be a way to avoid droves of beach-loving crowds.
Hydrate often
When you’re spending lots of time in the sun and heat, drinking extra water is important. This is especially true if you’re drinking alcohol on your cruise. Increasing your water intake can help prevent dehydration, which is a common side effect of alcohol consumption.
Bottled water is readily available on cruise ships (though not included unless you purchased a drink package or are sailing with an all-inclusive cruise line). We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle that you can fill up at water stations throughout the ship. To balance your fluid retention, you can add electrolyte drink mixes to your water.
Rent a cabana
One of Loft 19’s cabana areas on Carnival Jubilee. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Cruise ship cabanas and cabanas at cruise line private islands and ports of call provide extra shade and privacy and can level up your cruise experience. Cabanas are typically partially enclosed and often feature lounge furniture and special amenities like chilled fruit skewers, bottled water and designated bar service. Prices vary by cruise line and can range in price on the ship depending on the type of cabana you rent.
Beyond providing respite from the sun, cabanas can solve the problem of securing a lounger on a crowded beach or pool deck. Some cabanas, like the family cabanas on Disney’s Castaway Cay or the overwater bungalows at Royal Caribbean’s Coco Beach Club, give access to a private beach away from the hordes of other cruisers. Some cabanas come with attendants who will bring you food and drinks, so you can skip the long lines at bars and restaurants.
Take sun breaks
Whether you’re on the ship or off, make sure to get out of the sun every one or two hours. Cool off in an air-conditioned indoor space, grab an ice cream cone or find a shady spot outside. (Sun breaks are also a good time to reapply your sunscreen.)
Schedule small-group excursions
DAVID SACKS/GETTY IMAGES
While many cruise lines offer tours limited to 25 people or less, your “small group” excursion will likely be one of many visiting popular (and crowded) attractions. Consider booking small-group or private tours that take you to less-visited attractions. Seek out tours that provide VIP-type access that lets you skip the lines or provide a more private experience away from tourist crowds.
Another option is to book an independent shore excursion. You’ll enjoy a smaller group (typically 20 people or fewer) and more personalized service. You might even save money booking directly with the vendor. One downside is that cruise ship excursions guarantee your return to the ship before departure — independent tour companies might not.
Stay on the ship on a port day
If you’re tired of fighting the crowds on board, stay on the ship during the next port of call. You can enjoy your own personal “sea day” on a practically empty ship. Lounge chairs will be plentiful by the pool, and the lunch line at the buffet won’t be as long. If you want to spend an hour or two in port, plan to disembark midafternoon when your shipmates start returning from tours. Just remember to be back before the all-aboard time.
Make reservations
MSC CRUISES/FACEBOOK
Booking your cruise activities in advance is smart for two reasons. First, it means you can avoid waiting in lines for shows and dining. Also, booking excursions, activities and meals before you board ensures that you eat, do and see what you want during your cruise. Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can select and book your preferred dining and activities either online or through the cruise line’s mobile app.
Suite guests often get first dibs on reservations, so if you don’t have priority, you might want to book excursions and specialty restaurants the instant they go on sale — even if that means staying up until midnight.
Arrive early
If you didn’t secure reservations for some or all of the activities you hoped to do during your cruise, arrive early to get a good seat. We recommend getting there 15 to 30 minutes before the show.
Use the cruise ship app
Additionally, if you didn’t confirm reservations for dining, many cruise ship apps will come in handy, as they often include an easy dinner reservation option. For example, the Carnival Hub app provides dining room wait times and lets you check in when you’re ready to eat. It also lets you reserve mainstage shows and book activities like a ride on the Bolt roller coaster (on select ships).
Similarly, Holland America’s Navigator app lets you skip food lines altogether and order coffee, food or room service from anywhere on the ship through the app. You can even use the app to order pizza from New York Deli & Pizza and simply pick it up when it’s ready.
Find ‘hidden’ quiet spots
Norwegian Bliss in the Caribbean. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
On your first day, seek out the ship’s secret decks or hideaways. You can find one on most cruise lines. If you’re sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder or Disney Magic, head to the back of Deck 7 for a little solitude and aft views. At the end of the hallway, go through the door, and you’ll see a somewhat hidden perch with lounge chairs.
If you’re on certain Norwegian Cruise Line ships, look for the “public sun deck,” which might look surprisingly private with few crowds. On Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, you’ll find the sun deck on Deck 17. On Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, it’s on Deck 19.
Passengers on a Carnival Cruise Line sailing aboard Carnival Freedom, Carnival Panorama or Carnival Sunrise will find a tranquil spot on the forwardmost end of Deck 5, 6, 7 or 10. Go through the doors (with porthole windows) to find hidden forward balconies. Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic are home to a lesser-known lower deck area called the Lanai (Deck 5). It features lounge seating and hot tubs that are cantilevered off the ship.
Additionally, seek out lounges and other spaces without activities if you need a quiet place to kick back. Card rooms and bars in the aft area of the cruise ship are typically less crowded than centrally located venues.
Get access to a private sun deck
Enjoy fewer crowds by splurging for a suite that gives access to exclusive suites-only restaurants and sun decks. You can find these areas within Celebrity’s Retreat, Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven or the MSC Cruises‘ Yacht Club.
Additionally, nonsuite passengers can pay for access to less crowded adults-only spaces on many ships. For example, Norwegian’s Vibe Beach Club will get you amenities like padded clamshell-style daybeds, chilled towels, a dedicated bar, food and beverage service, and other perks. You won’t have an exclusive pool in the Vibe area, but some ships feature infinity-style hot tubs.
Passengers on an Oceania Cruises sailing can purchase a pass to the ship’s Spa Terrace, an open-air deck that features plunge pools and hot tubs. Spa Terrace passes also come with access to the thermal suite, which includes a sauna, scented showers and a steam room.
Bottom line
Summer cruising should be relaxing rather than stressful. If you plan ahead and use these tips, you can have a cooler and calmer cruise.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
If you’re wondering whether a travel rewards credit card is right for you, consider your travel goals and determine which card fits your lifestyle the best and whether it’s worth paying the annual fee.
If your goal is to save on travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card might be a great fit since you can redeem your rewards for travel or transfer them to Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners. This card comes with a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Here’s what makes the Capital One Venture Rewards card worth it.
Capital One Venture Welcome offer
For starters, this card is currently offering new applicants 75,000 bonus miles after making $4,000 in purchases during the first three months, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit in the first cardholder year.
THE POINTS GUY
Those bonus miles alone are worth $750 when redeemed toward travel, but potentially much more if you’re able to leverage Capital One’s various airline and hotel partners, easily offsetting the annual fee.
As such, TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg this sign-up bonus at $1,638 after you factor in the $250 travel credit.
Earning miles with the Capital One Venture
One of the top reasons many people love the Capital One Venture Rewards is its straightforward earning structure of 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on virtually anything you buy. You also don’t have to worry about miles expiring as long as you keep your account open, and there’s no limit to how many miles you can earn.
MIXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
One factor that makes this card so appealing is that there are no categories to memorize or quarterly bonus categories to activate — it’s an ideal card for busy people who want to simplify their earning strategy and redemption options. It’s also a great card to fill in any gaps that may exist in your reward-earning strategy.
You can redeem miles at 1 cent apiece with the fixed-value option toward eligible travel expenses charged to the card. For example, say you reserved an Airbnb for $750 for an upcoming vacation. You could redeem the 75,000 miles earned from the welcome bonus to offset the Airbnb purchase and cover the entire stay from the miles earned on your Capital One Venture.
AIRBNB
This particular redemption option comes in handy when you don’t want to jump through hoops to find award availability, or if you like to stay at non-chain hotels. This is also a popular redemption approach when you find cheap airfare and prefer to save your other valuable transferable points for more aspirational redemptions.
*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
The benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards card can help provide peace of mind while you travel.
Bottom line
The Capital One Venture is a favorite among travelers for a few reasons. Its simple earning structure of 2 miles per dollar makes it easy to maximize on almost every purchase. The ability to redeem miles both directly for travel at a fixed rate and to transfer to various airline and hotel partners makes it extra versatile. Then there are the value-added benefits like relatively robust travel and purchase protections, making this card a great one to carry in your wallet.
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
Unless you’re a true road warrior and travel every week, the spending requirements for elite status with airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are likely out of reach. Plus, status is just less valuable than it used to be. Gone are the days of complimentary upgrades for elite members, along with a number of other snazzy benefits.
If you purchase an economy-class ticket after you’ve stepped off the airline status merry-go-round, you may think you’re stuck in coach — but there might still be hope for an upgrade.
What’s changed? Airlines have gotten more aggressive about selling upgrades, even on international flights. And, in some instances, you can also use your airline miles for those upgrades.
Here’s how to check for affordable upgrades using miles or cash on your next flight with some of the world’s largest airlines.
Upgrades on American Airlines
AA business-class cabin on a flight from Paris to New York City. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
American Airlines has long offered upgrades that can be purchased with miles, and they frequently come with a cash copay.
American maintains a chart that lists the fees you can expect to pay for an upgrade using miles (as well as the cash portion). Unless you’re buying a pretty expensive economy-class ticket, you can expect a copay to apply on virtually all flights. Even with that copay, using your miles to upgrade on certain routes can be a really good use of AAdvantage miles.
Unfortunately, unless you have a systemwide upgrade in your account, you won’t be able to see upgrade inventory on American Airlines’ website. The best way to search for one is by using ExpertFlyer (a product owned by Red Ventures, TPG’s parent company).
AMERICAN AIRLINES
Recently, American has also started to offer greatly discounted cash upgrades, even on international and award flights. However, scoring one of these upgrades isn’t as easy as we might want. The most reliable way to find an upgrade is to check your reservation after ticketing on the AA website or in their app. You will often see cash upgrade offers listed under your flight details.
American Airlines upgrade offer. AMERICAN AIRLINES
The pricing for these upgrades is subject to change and can fluctuate on a daily basis. So if you don’t like the first upgrade offer you see, be sure to check back again.
Delta Air Lines is much more straightforward about using your miles to upgrade a flight. Whether you want to do so during the booking process or after making your reservation, Delta will display the cash and miles prices to upgrade your flight. In contrast to American Airlines, they won’t charge you a cash copay when using your miles to upgrade.
Unfortunately, you generally won’t find a better deal with miles versus cash. Generally speaking, Delta will offer upgrades at a price of 1 cent per point, as in the example below.
Delta upgrade offer. DELTA
You can typically find these offers both on Delta’s website and in their app. NOTE: While you may see an upgrade offer after selecting a TakeOff 15% discounted award flight, that’s really just Delta trying to get you to spend more miles. The total price of that premium seat is the same whether you book it outright or choose the “buy-up” offer after selecting a more affordable cabin.
Much like American Airlines, Delta frequently offers some pretty incredible cash upgrade offers. These are typically listed much closer to booking, meaning you may need to gamble a bit of time to find the best deal.
United Airlines Polaris business class on the Boeing 777-300ER. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Of the three big domestic airlines with premium cabins, United Airlines is the stingiest when it comes to landing a cheap upgrade right now — there are fewer recent reports of affordable upgrades on United Airlines than on American and Delta. It’s a stark reversal from years past when United would frequently sell upgrades to members without elite status at rock-bottom prices, oftentimes at a lower price than they gave elite members.
Unlike American and Delta, United Airlines will sometimes offer a decent cash upgrade deal right after you finish booking a flight. United sometimes serves a pop-up with ridiculous cash upgrade offers on the final confirmation screen. We say “ridiculous” because every so often, the upgrade will be more expensive than the cash price of purchasing the cabin upgrade outright. Other times, it’ll be roughly the difference between the ticket you purchased and the price for the seat in an upgraded cabin. But, occasionally, you can get a pretty good deal.
Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch, isn’t there?): This offer will disappear when you navigate away from the page and typically never reappears.
United is also more complicated than its competitors when it comes to using your miles to upgrade to a better seat. It’s also worth noting that if you’re using United’s mileage pool feature, you can’t use pooled miles toward upgrade purchases.
Many routes require a cash copay along with miles, and the copay will vary based on the fare class of your ticket. United has a page on its website that allows you to determine the fee.
United Premier members are exempt from copays — except when they’re not. It’s a bit complicated, so United has a chart to walk you through it:
UNITED AIRLINES
United makes it easy to browse the upgrade options on a specific flight you have already booked. Select the flight in question from “My Trips” on their website or app (this functionality works much better on the website). You should see an option labeled “Upgrade Cabin” in the top left. Click on that, and United will display all existing upgrade options in one place.
United Airlines reservation. UNITEDUnited Airlines upgrade offer. UNITED
However, if United MileagePlus or PlusPoint upgrades aren’t available, you’ll need to regularly check this page to see if availability has changed.
One last thing. If you’re a Premier member of United Airlines, there are a few routes on which you can score a free upgrade to a Premium Plus seat.
JetBlue has a fantastic premium cabin on select flights called Mint. Mint cabins feature lie-flat seats, upgraded meals and snacks, on-demand movies and other amenities. You’ll typically find Mint cabins on flights to Europe and a handful of transcontinental routes.
Unfortunately, JetBlue doesn’t offer a true way to upgrade to Mint using your points. You can use your TrueBlue points to buy a Mint seat outright, but there’s no way to score a Mint upgrade.
However, there’s one way to perhaps get a cheap cash upgrade to Mint. On your day of departure, find an agent at check-in and/or at your gate to ask about a cash upgrade to Mint. Typical cash prices for last-minute upgrades to Mint are in the $500 range, which can be a screaming deal!
Air France business class. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
There are a handful of other airlines (some more aspirational than others) where you can find a good deal using miles or cash to upgrade your next flight. One of the best examples is Air France. Air France already provides incredible bargains on premium flights. Plus, the airline recently decided to lower the minimum number of miles needed to book business-class award flights. Air France will allow you to upgrade flights with miles, though you must call their customer service department to do so.
Lufthansa, a member of the Star Alliance, allows upgrades with miles from other Star Alliance partners. The system is a bit convoluted but still achievable. There’s no waitlist option, so your best bet is to frequently check their website if you want to snag an upgrade.
Lufthansa is also one of a number of airlines that allows you to place a cash bid for an upgrade. This is part of a growing trend that allows airlines to earn extra money off a seat that otherwise might go empty while allowing customers to score an upgrade for a lot less than the full price of a premium cabin ticket. The trick to a successful bid for an upgrade is finding that sweet spot just above what everyone else is willing to spend, which can be challenging.
Virgin Atlantic and Etihad Airways will also allow you to bid for an upgrade, but one airline (that’s admittedly less aspirational than some others) that famously offers affordable upgrade options through a bid process is … Spirit Airlines. Nobody will ever accuse the airline of dishonesty in their marketing regarding the Big Front Seat. Spirit unabashedly offers a big seat in … wait for it … the front of the plane. The offering excludes free drinks, checked bags, or bells and whistles. You simply get a big seat at the front of the plane. And, like some larger international airlines, you can bid for a cheap upgrade to one of these seats.
Bottom line
Airlines are working hard to monetize every empty seat on every flight. While that’s bad news for elite travelers hoping to score a free upgrade, investing some hard-earned cash (or miles) can be a great way to score a better seat. Savvy travelers can still find some good deals using miles or cash to upgrade flights.
However, some upgrades are just bad deals, whether it’s due to antiquated technology or algorithms that may not work in your favor. If you have some flexibility in your travel plans, a little know-how and digital legwork may help you get a better deal. Since American, Delta and United have essentially eliminated cancellation and change fees, you may be able to try a different departure date for your next flight if the price of an upgrade seems sky-high.
Lastly, bidding for upgrades has quietly gained in popularity among airlines. Don’t sleep on the opportunity to gamble for a better seat on a plane, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Premium demand is surging, and Alaska Airlines is betting that travelers will want to splurge for premium seats for the long haul.
The Seattle-based carrier announced on Wednesday that it would add new first class and extra-legroom seats to its aircraft as part of a retrofit program covering its Boeing 737 fleet, which will add 1.3 million premium seats to its schedule each year.
The retrofit program will span over 200 Boeing 737-800, 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The first plane to undergo a cabin revamp will be pulled from service for retrofitting in September, with the entire retrofit process expected to be completed by summer 2026.
ALASKA AIRLINES
You’ll find an aircraft-by-aircraft breakdown of the cabin retrofits at the bottom of this story, but highlights include adding four first-class seats to the Boeing 737-800 fleet, bringing the total to 16 new recliners in the pointy end of the jet. (This news was already announced earlier this year.)
Going forward, the only mainline jets to feature 12 first-class recliners will be some Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 737-700 aircraft. (It’s interesting that Alaska didn’t announce plans to harmonize the number of first-class seats across its 737 MAX 8 fleet, an aircraft that will presumably be in the carrier’s fleet for many more years to come. That could change as the seats on the airline’s existing MAX 8 aircraft come due for replacement.)
ALASKA AIRLINES
The retrofitted Boeing 737-800s will offer updated Recaro first-class recliners with additional legroom, a foot rest (a rare and excellent touch for domestic first-class), a seatback device holder, a winged headrest, universal power outlets and USB-C charging ports. These seats will also feature built-in cup holders, along with additional recline and larger tray tables.
ALASKA AIRLINES
No other first-class cabins are being updated with new products as part of this announcement, but Alaska is expanding its so-called Premium Class footprint. Alaska is adding six Premium Class seats on its Boeing 737-900ER and Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, increasing this cabin from 24 to 30 seats on both jets.
These extra-legroom economy seats include four additional inches of pitch compared to standard economy seats, free alcoholic drinks on flights longer than 350 miles and priority boarding.
ALASKA AIRLINES
Alaska says that Premium Class and economy travelers on all the retrofitted fleets will enjoy device holders, cup holders, USB-C charging ports and winged headrests. The airline also said it will continue offering four lavatories across its Boeing fleet.
The carrier said in a statement that it decided to invest in this project “in response to growing demand from our valued guests… Our Premium Cabin performance continues to support what we believe to be a structural shift in higher demand for premium products.”
Alaska isn’t the only airline to notice an upmarket shift in its traveler profile. For years, Delta Air Lines has leaned into a premium-focused strategy that has landed it at the top of the pack among U.S. airlines across multiple dimensions. United Airlines new “Next” brand campaign launched in 2021 and is highlighted by a nose-to-tail refresh of almost the entire domestic fleet, elevating the premium experience for travelers.
In the second quarter of 2024, Alaska announced that its first-class and Premium Class revenues finished up 8% and 6%, respectively, with a first-class load factor hitting 71%.
While these new premium seats may pad Alaska’s bottom line, they should also be good news for elite travelers looking for more award and upgrade space. With a higher proportion of premium seats, Alaska Mileage Plan members might begin noticing that upgrades clear just a little more frequently than before.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 retrofit
ALASKA AIRLINES
First class: increases from 12 to 16 seats
Premium Class: retains 30 seats
Number of aircraft being retrofitted: 59
Timeline: Starts early 2025, completed by summer 2026
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER retrofit
ALASKA AIRLINES
First class: retains 16 seats
Premium Class: increases from 24 to 30 seats
Number of aircraft being retrofitted: 79
Timeline: Starts fall 2024, completed by summer 2025
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 retrofit
ALASKA AIRLINES
First class: retains 16 seats
Premium Class: increases from 24 to 30 seats
Number of aircraft being retrofitted: 80
Timeline: Starts spring 2025, completed by summer 2026
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
Compensation can be difficult when airlines cancel flights due to weather, crew scheduling, maintenance or other reasons. However, you’ll often face steep fees when making changes or canceling your reservations. Fortunately, many airlines have permanently waived these fees for paid and award tickets.
For airlines that still impose fees, there are strategies to minimize or avoid them, such as taking advantage of schedule changes or travel waivers. Here are some tips on how you can dodge fees when changing and canceling award tickets.
Overview of change and cancellation fees
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Although legacy U.S. carriers no longer charge change fees on most tickets, some other airlines do. You must pay a fixed fee and any fare difference to switch to a different flight. These fees can vary based on the airline, fare class, destination and how far in advance you make the change.
Many airlines offer same-day changes on the same route for a fixed fee. However, same-day change fees are often waived for elite members. The advantage of same-day changes is that you likely won’t have to pay any fare difference if you switch to a more expensive flight.
As with change fees, the legacy U.S. carriers no longer charge cancellation fees on most tickets. However, if you are subject to a cancellation fee, you’ll generally receive a travel credit minus the cancellation fee.
Most major U.S. airlines do not provide refunds to your original payment method unless there are specific circumstances, like a significant schedule change. That said, on award tickets, many will refund the mileage plus any taxes and fees if you need to cancel.
Change and cancellation policies by airline
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Each airline has its own cancellation and change policies — some are more restrictive than others. Here’s a look at some major carriers and their respective policies.
Air Canada
Air Canada’s change policy for award flights is more straightforward than for paid flights, as it doesn’t vary by route.
You’ll always get free changes when booking Economy Flex, Economy Latitude, premium economy (flexible), business-class (flexible) and first-class (flexible) awards. Meanwhile, Economy Standard, premium economy (lowest), business-class (lowest) and first-class (lowest) awards have a flat change fee of 100 Canadian dollars, which is about $73 (per direction, per ticket). Change and cancellation fees are waived for Aeroplan Super Elite members.
When canceling award tickets, you’ll get your miles and taxes refunded, but the $12.50 partner award booking fee and $15 call center booking fee (for awards booked over the phone) are nonrefundable.
Same-day confirmed changes cost either $25 or $50 and are waived for MVP Gold, MVP 75K, MVP 100K, American AAdvantage Platinum Pro, American AAdvantage Executive Platinum and American AAdvantage ConciergeKey members. When available, you do not have to pay a fare difference for same-day changes. The fee is also waived for those traveling on the same reservation.
Allegiant Air
Although a low-cost carrier, Allegiant imposes a relatively reasonable $25 fee per person, per segment when you change or cancel your ticket. However, any changes or cancellations must be made within seven days of departure unless you’ve purchased Trip Flex. This add-on allows a one-time change or cancellation until one hour before departure, though you can’t add it after the fact. You must add this surcharge when you book your flight.
Miles will not be redeposited back into your account; instead, you will receive a voucher for the ticket’s value.
Check out this guide for more details on changing or canceling your American Airlines flight.
Delta Air Lines
Like American, Delta Air Lines no longer charges change or cancellation fees on flights within the U.S. or international itineraries starting in the U.S. This policy includes award tickets, though you will need to change or cancel the ticket before the scheduled departure time. You’re only responsible for the fare difference if you change to a more expensive flight. Basic economy tickets cannot be changed or canceled, as you might expect.
Check this link for more details on Delta’s change and cancellation fees.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier imposes no change fees on flights more than 60 days from departure. However, there’s a $49 change fee from 59 to seven days before departure. That climbs to a $99 fee within seven days of departure. All of these change fees are in addition to any fare difference.
Check this link for more details on Frontier’s change and cancellation fees.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees on Main Cabin fares or higher. However, you are responsible for paying the mileage difference if switching to a more expensive flight.
Blue Basic tickets can be changed or canceled for $100 per person for North American flights, or $200 per person on other routes, such as to Europe. You are only responsible for paying the fare difference if you move to a more expensive ticket. You will be charged a $25 fee if you process your change or cancellation over the phone. Further, same-day changes cost $75, and the fee is waived for Mosaic elite members.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest is famous for not charging change or cancellation fees, though you’ll have to pay any difference in the fare. You can also receive a credit if the fare goes down. The credit can only be used by the person whose name originally appeared on the ticket.
However, if you change an award ticket that has dropped in price, any additional points are redeposited in the member’s account and can later be used for travel by anyone. Just note that you must cancel paid Wanna Get Away reservations at least 10 minutes before your departure time. Otherwise, you’ll forfeit the entire value of your ticket.
If you want to move to an earlier or later Southwest flight, you’ll have to pay the fare difference on a Wanna Get Away ticket. These fees don’t apply to customers booked in Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime or Business Select tickets. A-List and A-List Preferred members can take advantage of free same-day change and same-day standby benefits even on Wanna Get Away fares.
Check this link for more details on Southwest’s fare options.
Spirit Airlines
Like Frontier, Spirit has a tiered system for flight changes and cancellation fees. Modifications are free if you change your flight more than 60 days before departure. Between 59 and 31 days, you’ll pay $69; between 30 and seven days, you’ll pay $99; and within six days of departure, you’ll pay $119. Passengers who have purchased Flight Flex can change or cancel an award up to 24 hours before departure.
If you have Spirit elite status, you’re eligible for free same-day standby to an earlier flight up to one hour before a flight departs.
United Airlines
United waives change and cancellation fees for all flights within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, between the U.S. and Mexico and the Caribbean, and all international flights departing the U.S. As usual, this doesn’t apply to basic economy tickets, and you’re responsible for any fare difference. United also doesn’t charge redeposit fees when you cancel award tickets.
You must cancel your award ticket before departure or be subject to a $125 redeposit fee to receive your miles back.
The airline might be open to waiving your change or cancellation fees in certain cases.
Look for a travel waiver
Travel waivers are typically given by airlines when they expect a large number of delays or cancellations. This could be due to bad weather or natural disasters. Airlines prefer to offer flexibility to travelers ahead of time instead of dealing with last-minute changes at the airport. The details of travel waivers differ depending on the airline and the reason for the waiver, but they generally allow you to change or cancel your flights without any fees.
AA.COM
You can find travel waivers on the airline’s website. Generally, these will show at the top of the website and on the screen when you check in for your flight. The airline may even contact you if you’re eligible for a travel waiver, so keep your eyes on your inbox before you travel.
Keep an eye out for schedule changes
You may be able to avoid change and cancellation fees if your flight schedule changes after you’ve booked your ticket. For instance, if your original departure time was 1 p.m. but changes to 2:30 p.m., you might qualify for free flight changes or cancellations. Airlines often notify you of these schedule changes through email, but it’s also important to regularly check your trip details to catch any changes.
In general, many U.S. airlines offer a full refund if there is a significant schedule change to your flight’s departure or arrival time. However, each airline has its own policy regarding schedule changes.
Remember the 24-hour rule
U.S. airlines are required by law to offer refunds within 24 hours of booking if the flight is more than seven days in the future. This can come in handy if the price drops or you are still nailing down some travel details. This also applies to tickets booked through credit card sites like Amex Travel and the Chase Travel℠ portal.
Have a good reason
Travelers can often get change fees waived in the event of illness, a death in the family or other extraordinary circumstances like a natural disaster. Just be prepared to offer supporting documentation.
Consider your credit card coverage
If you used a travel rewards or airline credit card to pay for your booking, it may include trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This insurance can potentially cover your change or cancellation fees and other eligible nonrefundable expenses. For instance, if you have a valid reason to cancel or modify your trip (like jury duty or a serious illness) and you booked with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can receive up to $10,000 in reimbursement per person (up to $20,000 per trip).
In case of an emergency that qualifies for your credit card’s trip delay or cancellation coverage, you might have more concerns than just airline fees. However, knowing these protections are available if needed is reassuring.
Remember that to benefit from this coverage, you usually must pay for part of the covered trip with your credit card. This can include paying for award taxes and fees or using points to purchase a ticket through a platform like the Chase Travel portal.
Earn elite status
One of the greatest advantages of having airline elite status is that certain tiers with select carriers will waive change fees on same-day changes. This added flexibility is great if you want to move to an earlier or later flight at the last minute.
Use a credit card travel credit or redemption to cover your fees
If you go this route, you’ll still be subject to paying these fees, but you may be able to cover them with a statement credit or your miles. This mostly applies to award tickets since the change or cancellation fees are often an additional out-of-pocket expense. With paid flights, the fees are deducted from the value of your ticket.
In the case of the Amex Platinum, you can only cover the change or cancellation fee for the airline that you’ve selected to use for your up to $200 annual airline fee statement credit (enrollment is required). You can choose this airline when you first get your Platinum Card and then annually by Jan. 31 for that calendar year. It’s also worth noting that Amex’s system will determine which purchases are (and are not) eligible for the credit. Read our full guide to the Platinum Card’s airline credit for more information on what qualifies.
The Sapphire Reserve card has a more relaxed travel credit that automatically applies to the first $300 in various travel purchases each year. This credit resets once per calendar year, so if you’ve yet to use your credit, charge the change or cancellation fee to your Sapphire Reserve, and you’ll be reimbursed for the fee.
Don’t pay cancellation or change fees until you have to
When you book a flight and later need to cancel, it’s best to avoid paying the cancellation fee until necessary. Airlines can sometimes announce schedule changes, delays or cancellations, allowing you to change or cancel your trip without paying any fees. Remember that if the airline cancels the service, you should receive a refund to your original payment method, not just a travel voucher. This can be a valuable tool if the airline cannot provide the service you booked.
However, it’s important to understand your specific airline’s policies. Unused tickets can sometimes be rebooked after the flight by paying the same change fee that you would have paid in advance. Certain carriers may require you to cancel or change your flight before the scheduled departure. Familiarize yourself with your airline’s rules to make the best decision.
Bottom line
Changing or canceling a flight can be a hassle, especially if it means paying a hefty fee. Keep this page handy for future reference when changing a flight.
Depending on your flight type, it could save you a significant amount of money, potentially hundreds of dollars. So the next time you change a ticket, you’ll know how to mitigate your out-of-pocket expenses.
