Tag: Travel Planner

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, despite its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), routinely ranks as one of the best business cards thanks to its outstanding travel benefits.

It’s also offering a welcome bonus of 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership — worth a whopping $3,000, according to TPG’s latest valuations.

But the card also offers a slate of perks that might not be as familiar to cardholders or those considering getting the card. Here’s a list of some of the card’s best benefits, including some you might not have noticed before.

The card’s well-known benefits

As a reminder, here’s the card’s current offer and some of its more notable travel benefits.

The Business Platinum Card is currently offering 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership.

The card’s well-known benefits include:

• Annual airline-fee credit of up to $200 on charges by the airline you select*
• Annual credit of up to $400 with Dell on U.S. purchases*
• Annual credit of up to $150 on Adobe purchases
• Up to $360 in statement credits per year for purchases with Indeed; Up to $90 back per quarter
• Up to $120 in statement credits per year for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card; Up to $10 back per month
• 35% Pay with Points bonus when booking airfare with points through Amex Travel (up to 1 million bonus points per calendar year)
• Up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or an $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every four years (4.5 years for PreCheck)
• Up to $189 Clear annual statement credit per calendar year
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and Delta Sky Clubs  (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025)
• Register for complimentary Gold elite status at Hilton and Marriott Hotels*
• Complimentary car rental status: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive*
• Ability to book stays through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts with value-added perks
• International Airline Program airfare purchase discounts

Terms apply.

*Enrollment required for select benefits.

Related: Are the perks worth the price? A review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express

The card’s lesser-known benefits

Now that we’ve got the top-banner travel benefits out of the way, let’s get into the nitty-gritty perks that cardholders might not be taking advantage of, or even know they have:

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

If you book a round-trip flight entirely with your eligible card* and the flight is canceled for a “covered reason” — including inclement weather, terrorist action, call to jury duty, sudden illness or injury to you or an eligible traveler or physician-led quarantine — you may receive reimbursement of nonrefundable travel expenses of up to $10,000 per trip, with a maximum of up to $20,000 per eligible account for each consecutive 12-month period.

Trip delay insurance

The card’s trip delay protection* covers round-trip flights purchased entirely with an eligible card. (This includes using the card to pay taxes and fees on award tickets or Pay With Points tickets.) If your trip is delayed by more than six hours because of a covered reason, this perk will reimburse unexpected expenses — such as meals, lodging and personal-use items — up to $500 per trip and up to two claims per card per consecutive 12-month period.

Lost or stolen baggage insurance

Like many other travel cards, this one offers insurance for lost or stolen bags**. When you use your card to purchase the entire fare on a common carrier, coverage is provided up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage per person. For New York State residents, there’s a $2,000 limit per bag/suitcase for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all people per trip.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

This is secondary rental insurance, rather than the primary insurance offered by other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, but will cover you up to $75,000 for damage or theft.

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Purchase protection**

This oft-overlooked benefit gives cardholders coverage up to 90 days from the date of purchase if an item is stolen, accidentally damaged, etc. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per account per calendar year to repair, replace or reimburse you for the item.

Extended warranty**

This benefit adds up to one extra year to the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less. Coverage is up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per account per calendar year.

Return protection

Return protection provides refunds to cardholders when a merchant won’t take back an eligible item up to 90 days from purchase. The benefit applies to eligible purchases charged entirely to your card up to $300 per item, and up to a maximum of $1,000 per account per calendar year, based on the date of purchase.

Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.

Pay Over Time feature

This is especially handy for small-business owners whose cash flow might be irregular at times. If eligible, cardholders can enroll and pay certain purchases over time, though they do accrue interest on the balance, as with a credit card.

Concierge

Cardholders have access to a special phone service that can assist with tasks such as booking restaurants and events, or delivering items on demand. You must call to activate this benefit, but you can also sign up for texting for more convenience.

Preferred Seating Program

Thanks to Amex’s connections, its high-end cardholders get access to premium seats for cultural and sporting events based on availability.

Premium Private Jet Program

Cardmembers who purchase a Delta Private Jets Card (now part of Wheels Up) are entitled to a 20% discount off published fares for select fare classes in effect when booked.

Connect to QuickBooks

Amex business cardholders get this perk, which automatically logs transactions using their associated card to their Quickbooks account daily, which makes keeping track of purchases and expenses that much easier.

InCircle

This is Neiman Marcus’s loyalty program. When you enroll your Business Platinum Card with InCircle, you receive 1 point for every dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, Horchow or Cusp. For every 10,000 points you earn, you’ll get a $100 InCircle Point Card. Points are not awarded for the costs of sales tax, shipping, alterations, gift packaging, fur services, repair and cleaning of shoes, handbags, optical, precious jewelry, monogramming, salon products and services, and valet parking.

Departures Magazine

This is a digital luxury magazine exclusively for The Platinum Card® from American Express and Business Platinum Card members.

Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Business Platinum

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

**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Bottom line

Although the Business Platinum Card comes with plenty of widely advertised perks, several lesser-known benefits can add tremendous value to the card if you maximize them.

These include travel and purchase protections, exclusive access to events, premium travel experiences and more. If you carry the card or are thinking of applying for it, be sure to read the card’s benefits guide in detail to take advantage of all it has to offer.

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Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

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For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card from American Express, click here.

United Airlines is going long from its Dulles International Airport (IAD) hub near Washington, D.C.

This week, the carrier unveiled new nonstop flights from IAD to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California. United will operate one daily flight on this new 2,188-mile route starting Dec. 19. This new seasonal winter service will run through April 30, 2025.

This will be United’s longest flight to Palm Springs, joining existing service from five other U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In fact, the options will become the first-ever nonstop route between the D.C. metro area and Palm Springs. United says this new transcontinental route will be supported by both origin and destination demand and one-stop connections for travelers looking to explore destinations beyond Dulles.

“This service will be the first-ever connection between Washington, D.C., and Palm Springs and create unparalleled access to Palm Springs from the East Coast and Europe through one of United’s fastest-growing hubs. We pride ourselves in offering unique, world-class destinations and are excited to offer our customers more service to beautiful Greater Palm Springs,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, in a statement.

The new flight will depart Dulles at 9 a.m. EST and arrive on the West Coast at 11:40 a.m. PST. It’ll turn around at 1 p.m. PST and land back at Dulles at 8:45 p.m. EST. United will deploy a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on this new route, featuring the carrier’s new signature interior, as well as 16 first-class recliners, 54 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats and 96 standard economy seats.

United will enjoy a monopoly on this new nonstop route. It remains to be seen how this new seasonal service will fare, especially considering that there were just 16 daily passengers on average flying between IAD and PSP during 2023, Department of Transportation data analyzed by Cirium shows.

Meanwhile, there were, on average, 34 daily passengers flying from D.C.’s more convenient Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to PSP in 2023, so perhaps United thinks it can convince all the flyers headed to and from the D.C. metro area to choose this new nonstop flight. Most flights from DCA are limited in length by a perimeter rule.

(Of course, every itinerary from D.C. to Palm Springs last year involved a connection, so by pulling out all the stops, United may be able to stimulate some additional demand. Plus, some travelers may have opted for nonstop flights to Los Angeles and then drove about four hours to Palm Springs.)

From its midcentury modern architecture to its thriving cultural and dining scenes, Palm Springs has proven to be a popular destination in winter. And now, there’s a never-before-operated way to get there.

Related reading:

• United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more
  
• Best United Airlines credit cards
• United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
  
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
  
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to survive basic economy on United Airlines

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

For many, the $500-plus annual fees that come with ultra-premium travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express aren’t justifiable. If you aren’t traveling regularly and utilizing the full lineup of perks and credits, it may not be worth adding those cards to your wallet.

However, both Chase and Amex have excellent travel cards that fall under their premium versions — the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card.

While both of these cards act as sister cards to their luxury counterparts, there are many differences between them. Today, we’re walking through a side-by-side comparison of these cards to help you determine which is right for you — or whether both deserve spots in your wallet.

Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold comparison

Here’s a quick overview that compares the key perks on the two cards (note that enrollment is required for select benefits):

Card	Chase Sapphire Preferred Card	American Express Gold Card
Welcome bonus	Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee	$95	$250 (see rates and fees)
Earning rates	5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025) 3 points per dollar on dining 3 points per dollar on select streaming services 3 points per dollar on online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) 2 points per dollar on travel 1 point per dollar on everything else	4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. 4 points per dollar on U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly from the airline or amextravel.com 1 point per dollar on everything else
Point valuation	2.05 cents	2 cents
Perks	$50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel Cardmember anniversary bonus — earn 10% of your points back each year	Up to $120 annual dining statement credit (up to $10 monthly) Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly credits) $100 hotel experience credit with a two-night minimum stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
Travel protections	Trip cancellation and interruption insurance Primary car rental insurance Baggage insurance Trip delay reimbursement Travel and emergency assistance services	Baggage insurance* Trip delay reimbursement** Rental car insurance^

Point valuations are calculated by TPG, not the issuer.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

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

^Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold welcome offer

The Sapphire Preferred offers a compelling limited-time sign-up bonus for first-time applicants. You’ll earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,538.

The Amex Gold Card currently has a welcome offer of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of account opening. TPG values Membership Rewards at a flat 2 cents each, so this offer is worth a slightly lower $1,200, according to our valuation. However, you have three more months to earn the Amex Gold’s offer than with the Sapphire Preferred.

Plus, you could be targeted for a higher welcome offer on the Amex Gold through the CardMatch tool or through a referral link (offers subject to change at any time).

Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Sapphire Preferred bonus offers 15,000 more points, and Ultimate Rewards points are valued slightly higher than Membership Rewards points.

Related: The best time to apply for these popular travel cards based on offer history

Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold benefits

In exchange for a $95 annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers many travel perks, including a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings through Chase Travel and a 10% points bonus on your cardmember anniversary.

Other benefits include protections like rental car insurance, trip delay and cancellation insurance and baggage loss and delay insurance. These are a great safety net while you travel, but they don’t do much to enhance your day-to-day life when everything goes according to plan.

For more than double the Sapphire Preferred’s annual fee ($250 vs. $95), the Amex Gold offers several excellent perks (enrollment is required for select benefits):

• Up to $120 annual dining statement credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Amex Gold Card at participating dining partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: Get up to $10 in Uber Cash monthly for Uber Eats and Uber rides in the U.S. You must add the card to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit. This perk is a monthly credit similar to the Uber Cash on the Amex Platinum.
• Up to $100 in hotel credits: Cardmembers who use their card to book a stay of two nights or more through Amex’s The Hotel Collection receive up to $100 on-site experience credit for qualifying activities. Depending on the property, this could include dining, spa treatments or other activities.

Amex Gold cardmembers also receive travel and purchase protections.

Winner: Tie. The Sapphire Preferred is a good value for the price, but the Amex Gold Card costs less out of pocket if you can maximize its Uber and dining credits.

Related: Why you’ll want to pay the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee 

Earning points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold

The Sapphire Preferred offers useful bonus categories, but the real highlight isn’t just the categories themselves but how broadly they’re defined. With it, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on a few notable categories:

• Dining, including not just restaurants but many bars, breweries, food trucks and even meal delivery services
• Select streaming services, including Apple+, Disney+, Max, Netflix, SiriusXM, Spotify, and YouTube TV
• Online grocery stores, which include Instacart and many meal delivery services but exclude Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs

You’ll also receive 2 points per dollar on purchases Chase categorizes as travel, which includes hotels, airfare and rental cars, as well as things like Uber, parking meters and limousine rentals. This jumps to 5 points per dollar for travel when you book through Chase Travel (excluding hotel reservations that qualify for the $50 credit).

Additionally, the Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025).

These are solid rates on a wide range of purchases.

Still, the Amex Gold may shine brighter when it comes to its earning structure:

• 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in spending per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
• Terms apply.

Winner: Amex Gold. Its higher earning rates on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, as well as on flights booked directly with an airline, give it the upper hand.

Related: Why the Amex Gold is the perfect ‘in-between’ credit card

Redeeming points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold

Both of these cards are similar in that they earn some of the most valuable transferable points currencies around.

The Sapphire Preferred earns Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for travel through the Chase Travel portal or for other items such as gift cards and even as a statement credit. You’ll get a 25% bonus when redeeming points for travel through the Chase travel portal. But you’ll get the most value by transferring your points to one of  Chase’s 14 valuable hotel and airline transfer partners, including United, Southwest, Hyatt and British Airways.

The Amex Gold earns similarly valuable Membership Rewards points, which you can redeem for travel directly through AmexTravel.com or for gift cards and statement credits. Again, you’ll get the best value from your points by transferring them to one of 21 hotel and airline partners. This includes some that overlap with Chase — like Air Canada Aeroplan and British Airways. However, some are different, including Delta SkyMiles, Avianca LifeMiles and ANA Mileage Club.

Winner: Tie. Both cards earn transferable rewards and give you a wide range of valuable redemption options.

Transferring points on the Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold

TPG values Chase Ultimate Rewards at 2.05 cents and Amex Membership points at 2 cents, but your travel habits might make one currency better than the other for you.

For example, if you live in a Delta hub, you might get more value out of transferring your Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, while those who have a coveted Southwest Companion Pass can get some incredible value by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.

Managing editor for credit cards Matt Moffitt utilizes his Sapphire Preferred often by transferring points to British Airways Executive Club to take advantage of sweet spots on American Airlines flights.

Winner: Tie. Both cards transfer to various partners, all with their respective redemption options and sweet spots.

Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards

Should I get the Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold?

If you spend most of your budget on groceries or dining and can utilize its monthly credits, the Amex Gold is likely your winner. However, the Sapphire Preferred is a better fit if you prefer Ultimate Rewards points and want to earn bonus points on general travel expenses. Still, remember that it doesn’t have to be a “this or that” decision; there’s room for both of these cards in a well-developed points strategy.

Bottom line

The Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold are two of the most valuable mid-tier cards on the market. Both can provide excellent value, and the question of one card versus another largely depends on how you derive value from your credit cards. However, they’re one of our top card pairings, so it might be worth having both in your wallet.

To learn more, read our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Gold.

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Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Apply here: American Express Gold

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For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.

Southwest Airlines is celebrating five years of service in Hawaii with a special promotion: Rapid Rewards members can now earn a valuable Companion Pass by taking just one round-trip flight to Hawaii this summer.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a Rapid Rewards member (you can create an account for free).
• Register for the promotion and purchase qualifying revenue travel (one round-trip or two one-way qualifying flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii) by Friday. You can pay for your flight(s) using cash or Southwest’s new Cash + Points option, but flights booked solely with points will not qualify.
• Fly between June 1 and July 3. To qualify, flights must be flown by the same member.

You can choose from five airports in Hawaii that Southwest serves:

• Hilo International Airport (ITO), island of Hawaii
• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), island of Hawaii
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Oahu
• Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui
• Lihue Airport (LIH), Kauai

After meeting the criteria — and unwinding on a Hawaiian beach — you’ll receive a promotional Companion Pass valid from Oct. 5 to Nov. 15.

Related: How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest’s Companion Pass is popular among travelers because it lets you bring one person on every trip for next to nothing — you just have to pay taxes and fees (starting at $5.60 one-way). This applies to both paid and award tickets to anywhere Southwest services, including the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. You can bring your companion along on as many trips as you want for the life of the pass.

To take advantage of your Companion Pass, first designate a companion in your Rapid Rewards account. Then, after booking your own flight using cash, points or both, go to the My Trips section of your account and follow the steps to book your companion’s ticket.

Note that you can only change your designated Southwest companion up to three times per calendar year.

Normally, you must fly 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year to earn a Companion Pass. The pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earned it, plus the following full calendar year.

But there are ways to snag a Companion Pass faster. Southwest occasionally runs promotions like this one, allowing even the most casual Southwest flyers to earn a Companion Pass that’s valid for a shorter length of time. We’ve also seen cobranded Southwest credit cards offer limited-time Companion Passes.

With the current Hawaii promotion, now is a great time to plan a getaway to the Aloha State — and earn a Companion Pass to save on travel this fall.

Related reading:

• Southwest baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
• Airlines that offer you a credit if the price of airfare drops
• Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier and Plus credit cards
• How to snag the best seats on Southwest Airlines

As we head toward what’s expected to be another record-breaking summer travel season, the White House is intensifying its war on so-called junk fees.

In an interview with TPG, White House Council of Economic Advisers chair Jared Bernstein said the Biden administration has made some important progress on behalf of working families, but there is more work to be done.

That progress includes cracking down on junk fees, getting airlines to agree to more passenger protections, increasing price transparency and holding companies accountable for things like resort or destination fees.

“We’re not going to stop until every junk fee we know about is either repealed or at least elevated into the light,” Bernstein said.

The White House also took some time to discuss the progress they believe they’ve made on infrastructure projects, from new airport terminals to a rapidly expanding nationwide electric charging network.

Here are some of the highlights.

Price transparency

One of the biggest issues the White House has focused on is drip pricing. That term describes when the price you see when you go to buy something doesn’t turn out to be the final price of goods and services.

Take airline tickets, for example. I was shopping for a one-way flight from Rome to Dubrovnik this summer, and I found an attractive price on Google Flights. This led me to the booking page for Vueling, where I found a reasonable price of 99 euros (about $108) for a one-way flight.

However, when I went to book the ticket, all kinds of add-on fees brought the final ticket price to 215 euros (more than $265). That’s the kind of pricing problem the White House is eager to tackle.

“I’m an economist, and I’ll tell you one thing that we know is that price transparency matters,” Bernstein said. “If people can’t see what the real prices of things are, that screws up the whole competitive nature of economies, and it leads to higher costs, higher inflation. Everything we’re working against.”

Bernstein gave an example from his own recent experience when he and his wife went to a comedy club. Tickets cost $30, but upon receiving the bill, he saw they were charged $35 each; the price included a $5 “entrance” fee. They were able to get the additional $5 fee taken off the bill, but many Americans aren’t having such luck.

“One of the things that any economist, I don’t care what side of the aisle you on you’re on, will agree is that price signals are really important, and these junk fees jam price signals,” he said. “That is bad for the economy. It’s bad for consumers, and President Biden isn’t going to stand for it.”

In fact, the Department of Transportation recently finalized a rule requiring airlines to display the full cost of a flight upfront, including bag and seat assignment fees.

Airlines would have to display that pricing information “clearly, conspicuously, and accurately” the first time the fare and schedule information is provided.

The airlines are not happy and have teamed up (with the notable exception of Southwest) in a lawsuit against the DOT, calling the rule unfair and “arbitrary.”

The White House said it couldn’t comment on pending legislation.

“The final rule is part of the president’s broader agenda to lower costs and protect consumers. We view that as completely consistent with his elevation of these junk fee issues — something [the president has] been hitting hard on now for quite a number of months.”

Indeed, the Biden administration has also targeted big banks, finalizing a rule recently to cap credit card late fees. The administration is targeting many other fees as well, including things like title insurance.

“That may sound kind of obscure,” Bernstein said, “but that’s another area where people end up spending hundreds of dollars in ways that often have junky characteristics. We are so not done with this.”

He also pointed out how major airlines are voluntarily changing policies to provide free meals and hotels to travelers affected by preventable flight delays and cancellations. He attributed that, in part, to pressure from the White House.

Related: Here are your rights as a passenger when things go wrong

A crackdown on resort fees

It’s not just airlines and banks being held to higher standards. The administration is also targeting hotel and resort fees. These extra costs are called “destination,” “resort,” or even “urban” fees, and they can add quite a bit of mandatory cost to your hotel stay. These charges get tacked on to your bill and even get their own taxes and fees assessed.

For example, here’s the booking page for Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa in the Maldives, which shows a rate of $862 a night. However, when you get to the final booking page, you see each night will actually cost you $1,107.14 once you include the taxes and the mandatory fees.

The White House wants this kind of situation to stop.

There has been progress, though. Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott will now display resort fees in the booking window … at least for hotels and resorts in the U.S. The screenshot below shows the price with the resort fees included (though not the taxes and fees on those resort fees).

They are still not as transparent on international bookings.

The major hotel chains have gotten better at posting resort fees due to pressure from consumers, thanks to lawsuits filed against hotel groups in some states. For example, Marriott settled with the state of Pennsylvania, which had sued the hotel chain over how it was displaying (or not displaying) resort fees. Marriott agreed to show the fees in future bookings, and now the major hotel chains have all followed suit. (Again, this applies to hotels in the U.S.)

Related: Here’s how to avoid paying resort fees

But the White House says its pressure campaign against big corporations is also paying dividends when it comes to things like resort fees.

Bernstein pointed to how Biden called on hotels to stop surprise fees in his 2023 State of the Union address. Bernstein said those fees were costing Americans more than $3 billion a year. At the time, Biden himself called them “junk fees.”

“The one thing I’ll say here more broadly is that sometimes people say, ‘Oh, the bully pulpit doesn’t do that much.’ Well, in fact, when the president stands up and talks about this, we’ve gotten a lot of voluntary compliance by companies who either kind of know they’re not doing the right thing or by companies who realize they’ve been called out, and they better start doing the right thing,” Bernstein said.

He reminded me of the phrase, “Sunshine is the best antiseptic.”

Bernstein said he believes Biden is helping to shed light on these issues and put such fees in the past.

Infrastructure spending

The White House also told TPG that infrastructure dollars were flooding into America thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law in 2022; it included some $25 billion for airport improvements alone.

Bernstein points to the tens of millions of dollars already allocated for projects like the modernization of Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Bernstein said $9 billion has been allocated so far. “That’s pretty fast money out the door for this sort of thing. These are modernization projects. They include terminal expansions and baggage system upgrades,” he said.

He also pointed to airport infrastructure grants for air traffic control facilities.

“We have a very broad agenda. All of this is trying to make the transportation experience for people safer, less expensive and less interrupted by cancellations and other sorts of disruptions,” he said.

The administration also wanted to draw attention to the flood of money heading to rail projects from coast to coast, including $8.2 billion in new funding for 10 major passenger rail projects and other rail infrastructure.

Bernstein was especially excited about the $6 billion from the government for high-speed rail in California and Nevada.

Related: Brightline to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas

Finally, the administration pointed to the huge push to get a nationwide electric vehicle charging network in place ahead of schedule. He compared it to building a new network of gas stations.

“The national public EV charging network is now at 175,000, and we’re ahead of schedule to meet our goal of 500,000 EV charging stations,” Bernstein said. “Since Biden took office, we have about 1,000 new charges coming online every week.”

Bernstein explained that the pace is increasing, and the program is ahead of its target, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Bottom line

If Biden wins a second term, you can bet that junk fees and infrastructure will remain key issues for the federal government.

Bernstein said that Biden’s measures will have a lasting impact even after he leaves office, which “makes a tremendous difference for the long-term health of our economy, for jobs, for the environment and for the productivity of the nation.”

He explained that Biden is passionate about fixing such price issues because the president heard his family discuss them in everyday conversation growing up.

“Tens of millions of consumers will benefit from voluntary efforts by online ticket sellers, apartment rental sites, short-term rental food sites and delivery sites to provide all-in pricing,” Bernstein said. “We’ve actively been seeking these junk fees, and we have a long list to go.”

Related reading:

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

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

Finnair has now adopted Avios as its loyalty currency per the airline’s website — replacing the Finnair Plus points system.

Avios is the same loyalty currency used by British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Qatar Airways.

Exciting news for Avios collectors: Starting May 22, you can transfer Avios between the British Airways Executive Club program and the Finnair Plus program.

To do this, log in to your Finnair Plus account on finnair.com and link your British Airways Executive Club account; you will be able to transfer Avios in either direction at a 1:1 rate. While Finnair Plus is not a transfer partner of major credit card programs, British Airways is.

If moving Avios from Finnair to BA, read our guide on moving Avios to and from the other programs that use the currency.

Finnair operates flights from a handful of Oneworld hubs in the U.S., including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), to its Nordic hub at Helsinki Airport (HEL), as well as destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Finnair Plus points are now Avios

Finnair Plus award points have been converted to Avios at a 3:2 ratio. Avios prices have also been updated with the same 3:2 ratio, and the value of current Finnair Plus points will not change.

Following the changeover, a haul of 120,000 Finnair Plus points, for example, would now be worth 80,000 Avios. TPG currently values Avios at 1.5 cents each.

Related: A review of Finnair’s business class on the A350-900 from Helsinki to Singapore

How to collect Finnair tier points

Finnair hasn’t just changed its loyalty currency. The overhaul has seen the Finnair Plus program shift to a revenue-based earning platform.

Finnair now awards Avios and elite status based on the amount spent rather than the distance flown — echoing similar moves from British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus.

You now collect tier points and Avios from travel extras for new bookings (as well as bookings made before the changeover but flown after March 9) at the following rates for Finnair-operated flights:

Ticket type	Tier points for flights within Northern Europe	Tier points for flights within the rest of Europe	Tier points for flights between Europe and Asia, North America, Doha or Dubai
Business Flex	1,670	3,340	13,340
Business Classic	1,340	2,670	10,670
Business Light	1,000	2,000	8,000
Premium Economy Flex	N/A	N/A	10,670
Premium Economy Classic	N/A	N/A	8,000
Premium Economy Light	N/A	N/A	5,340
Economy Flex	1,000	2,000	8,000
Economy Classic	670	1,340	5,340
Economy Light/Superlight	340	670	2,670

You can no longer reach tiers with flights only. Your existing Finnair Plus tier points have now switched to tier points under the new system at a 3:2 ratio.

While the status levels will remain the same, the following tier points are needed to reach each membership level under the new system:

Membership tier	Tier points needed
Finnair Plus Basic	0
Finnair Plus Silver	15,000
Finnair Plus Gold	45,000
Finnair Plus Platinum	80,000
Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo	300,000 (with 250,000 collected from Finnair)

New limits for Finnair Plus Lifetime tiers under the new system are as follows:

Finnair Plus Lifetime tier	Lifetime tier points needed
Lifetime Gold	2 million
Lifetime Platinum	3.3 million

If your membership year ended as of January or February, revised tier limits apply. This means you will maintain your current tier or move up to a higher tier with the following tier limits:

Membership tier	Tier points needed
Finnair Plus Silver	22,500
Finnair Plus Gold	67,500
Finnair Plus Platinum	120,000
Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo	450,000 (350,000 must be from Finnair flights)

If your tracking period ended in January and you met the tier requirements by Jan. 31, or if it ended in February and you reached the tier requirements before Feb. 29, you will automatically maintain your current tier.

The same applies to moving up to a higher tier.

Many Finnair frequent flyers may not welcome this spending-based shift, but overall, the Avios adoption will hopefully open up much better redemption opportunities across partner airlines.

New Finnair award pricing

Following the changeover to Avios, award pricing for Finnair flights will be as follows:

Zone	Economy class	Premium economy	Business class
Finland and Northern Europe	6,500 Avios (+10 euros or $10.96)	—	10,000 Avios (+10 euros or $10.96)
Central Europe	12,000 Avios (+15 euros or $16.45)	—	18,000 Avios (+15 euros or $16.45)
Western and Southern Europe	13,000 Avios (+15 euros or $16.45)	—	20,000 Avios (+15 euros or $16.45)
Canary Islands, Madeira, Eilat and Tel Aviv	15,000 Avios (+30 euros or $32.89)	—	25,000 Avios (+30 euros or $32.89)
Doha, Dubai and India	28,000 Avios (+30 euros or $32.89)	42,000 Avios (+35 euros or $38.38)	55,000 Avios (+60 euros or $65.79)
Most of Asia and North America	30,000 Avios (+45 euros or $49.34)	43,500 Avios (+65 euros or $71.27)	62,500 Avios (+100 euros or $109.65)
Japan, Singapore and Los Angeles	30,000 Avios (+45 euros or $49.34)	43,500 Avios (+65 euros or $71.27)	62,500 Avios (+120 euros or $131.58)

Other Finnair Plus changes

With the overhaul, Finnair has also increased the number of award seats available on flights, guaranteeing at least four award seats on flights within Europe. Finnair’s long-haul flights now see at least eight award seats loaded at the start of the schedule — good news for those looking for more redemption opportunities.

Additionally, Finnair Plus members can now receive extra rewards, such as upgrade benefits, upon reaching specific point limits, depending on their elite status.

Finally, Finnair Plus members now receive complimentary internet access for messaging on short-haul European flights operated by the airline’s narrow-body Airbus fleet. This perk will be available regardless of elite status.

In 2024, the airline will create a new Finnair lounge with a dedicated space for top-tier members on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport. The current Schengen lounge will remain in operation until the new lounge opens.

Related reading:

• British Airways Executive Club: Guide to Avios, elite status and transfer partners
  
• 5 reasons why you should care about British Airways Avios
• 8 cool design elements in Finnair’s AirLounge business class (and 3 things I didn’t like)
• Comparing the Finnair premium economy flight experience on the A330 vs. the A350
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

United Airlines and Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC are bringing the action directly to Polaris and Premium Plus seats this summer.

The Chicago-based carrier and the global phenomenon, fan-favorite soccer club — which is currently working its way up the tiers of the English football league system — are teaming up to offer flyers new limited-edition amenity kits and pajamas in a unique Wrexham design.

The new amenity kits debut on June 1, and they’ll be available across the airline’s long-haul network.

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

Travelers seated in Polaris business class will take home a new Wrexham AFC amenity case that’s sure to be a hit with the team’s fans. The reusable toiletry case features the Wrexham crest and is available in red, black or white.

Inside, flyers will find all the usual amenities, such as Therabody hand cream, lip balm, eye serum, face spray and cleansing towelettes, as well as travel essentials, like a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs, tissues, a pen and socks. (United isn’t removing any amenities from the pouch as part of this reveal).

SkyTeam alliance guide: Member airlines, lounges and elite status 

For those traveling in Premium Plus, the airline will offer a new so-called amenity pouch, which also features the Wrexham crest and is available in red, black or white.

The Premium Plus kits will contain all the standard amenities that United has historically offered in this cabin.

In addition to new amenity kits, the airline will debut limited-edition unisex pajamas on flights scheduled for longer than 14 hours. (Until this year, pajamas used to be available on United flights longer than 12 hours.) These pajamas resemble the team’s jerseys, with a red, long-sleeve shirt bearing both the Wrexham AFC and United logos on the front and gray pants with a United logo near the hip.

These new premium products come just seven months after United unveiled an overhauled new Polaris experience that includes revamped Saks Fifth Avenue bedding (in reusable bags), Therabody amenity kits and more.

The partnership with Saks and Therabody remains intact – it’s just the exterior of the amenity kits that’s changing. (Separately, United said it will replace the limited-edition Claude Kameni day blanket with a standard-issue Saks day blanket in the coming weeks.)

The Wrexham tie-in may seem a bit out of left field if you haven’t been following the team’s story. But if you have, chances are you’ll be clamoring to score one of these kits.

United first partnered with Wrexham in 2023 as the club’s shirt sponsor, meaning that the airline’s logo appears on the front of Wrexham’s jerseys.

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

The team has surged in popularity, not to mention name recognition, across both sides of the pond after it was purchased by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as a passion project in 2020. The club, which was recently promoted to League One — the third of four tiers of the English Football League, but the third-highest tier in the overall English league system (yes, this is confusing) — is the subject of the Emmy award-winning FX documentary “Welcome to Wrexham,” which has chronicled the team’s transformation from a small-time club to a major player.

In fact, when Wrexham AFC launched new jerseys at the beginning of the season last June, they sold out in minutes, prompting a lucrative second-hand market for those who initially bought a jersey.

“We always want to keep things fresh, especially for our summer travelers who may not have flown United in the past,” said Peter Wolkowski, United’s director of onboard product design, in an interview with TPG.

“This is one of the better ideas that we had, especially since Wrexham has become a hot TV show, a hot property, and they themselves can’t keep merchandise on their shelves,” Wolkowski added.

United is the latest U.S. airline to unveil enhancements to its “soft product,” the part of the travel experience that’s not physically bolted onto the plane.

Earlier this year, American Airlines announced brand-new amenity kits and pajamas in partnership with Los Angeles-based beauty retailer Thirteen Lune, and so did JetBlue Airways.

With premium travel demand soaring, airlines are doing whatever they can to convince flyers to travel with them.

Related reading:

• 6 things you need to know about United Airlines MileagePlus
• The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
• What is United Airlines elite status worth?
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to survive basic economy on United Airlines

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

Dining rewards programs are among the easiest ways to earn miles, and one popular program is Alaska Mileage Plan Dining. You can earn Alaska miles when you dine with a linked card at participating restaurants.

All you have to do is join and register at least one debit or credit card to watch the miles stack up as you dine at participating restaurants. You’ll even qualify for bonus miles on your first purchase and increase your earning rate when you dine out frequently. Here’s everything you need to know about the Alaska Mileage Plan Dining program.

Related: Best dining credit cards

How to join Alaska Mileage Plan Dining

It’s easy to join Mileage Plan Dining. To sign up, you’ll need to provide your name, ZIP code, email address and Mileage Plan number.

While promotional emails are often pesky, we recommend agreeing to email communications. Doing so means you’ll earn 3 miles for every $1 spent instead of the standard 1 mile for every $2 spent.

Related: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: How to earn and redeem miles

How to earn miles with Alaska’s dining program

Earning miles with Alaska’s dining program is as simple as signing up, registering a credit or debit card to your account and paying for meals at participating restaurants with an enrolled card.

Once you enroll a card in a dining rewards program, the program tracks your purchases with that card at participating restaurants. So, if you enroll multiple cards in Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, you’ll earn Alaska miles when you make a qualifying purchase using any of your enrolled cards. You can search for participating restaurants by name, cuisine type or location.

After you dine at a Mileage Plan Dining restaurant and pay with a linked card, you’ll usually get an email notification from Mileage Plan Dining. This email lets you know your purchase has earned miles and includes an invitation to submit a review.

Related: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Shopping portal: Earn miles on your online purchases

Mileage Plan Dining tiers

Alaska Mileage Plan Dining has three membership tiers, earning between 0.5 and 5 Alaska miles per dollar spent:

• Basic member: 1 mile per $2 spent
• Select member: 3 miles per $1 spent
• VIP member: 5 miles per $1 spent

As mentioned, you can upgrade from the Basic membership to the Select membership by opting in to email notifications. You can do this during the sign-up process or at any other time. As a Select member, you’ll not only earn more Alaska miles but also receive opportunities to earn bonus miles and get advance notice of promotions.

Becoming a VIP member requires opting in to receive email notifications and completing 11 qualified dines in a calendar year. On your 12th dine, you’ll begin earning 5 miles per dollar spent and qualify for bonus opportunities until the end of the next calendar year.

It’s also worth noting that you can join every airline- and hotel-affiliated dining reward program. However, they’re all part of the same network, so you cannot register the same card with more than one program.

Mileage Plan first-dine and reservation bonuses

New members can earn up to 500 bonus miles after spending $30 at any participating restaurant and submitting an online review within 30 days of joining Mileage Plan Dining.

You can also take advantage of the program’s reservation bonus by booking a dining reservation through Mileage Plan Dining. Not all participating restaurants offer reservations, but for those that do, you can earn an extra 50 miles every time you make a reservation, dine and pay with a linked card.

Note that this bonus is limited to one completed reservation per day, with a maximum of eight completed reservations per calendar month.

Related: Can you earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card at the same time?

Is Alaska Mileage Plan dining worth it?

Although Alaska miles can be hard to earn compared to other loyalty programs, we value Alaska miles at 1.6 cents each — one of the highest frequent flyer program valuations. So, signing up for Alaska’s dining rewards program is worth it if you like redeeming Alaska miles. Otherwise, another dining rewards program might serve you better.

Remember, points and miles from dining rewards programs like Mileage Plan Dining come in addition to the rewards you’ll earn from your credit card.

Related: Maximizing redemptions with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

The best credit cards for dining

To maximize your earnings when you dine out, we recommend linking your Mileage Plan Dining account to a card that earns bonus points on dining. Some great credit cards to use at restaurants include:

• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus on takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Expert stacking: How I earned $80 in cash back and rewards from 1 dinner

Bottom line

Alaska Airlines’ dining rewards program is a great way to earn Alaska miles. With Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, you can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants. Remember to pay the restaurant directly, as ordering through a delivery service like DoorDash won’t count toward Mileage Plan Dining.

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

I often rent a car when I visit a destination that isn’t walkable and doesn’t offer public transit options that fit my needs. Unfortunately, rental car rates can be high, and sifting through all the potential discounts to find the lowest rate can be overwhelming. Luckily, this is where AutoSlash comes in.

In this guide, I’ll discuss how I use AutoSlash and share everything you need to know about it to help you save money on your next car rental.

What is AutoSlash?

AutoSlash is a website that provides three primary services free of charge:

• Quotes for car rentals
• Tracking to find less expensive car rentals
• Coupons you can use

AutoSlash distinguishes itself from other car rental websites by finding lower rates through features such as coupons, discount codes and membership-related discounts. You can also use AutoSlash to track rates if you already have a car rental reservation.

Related: The 1-minute video you should take every time you rent a car

How does AutoSlash find lower rates?

When aggregating car rental options, AutoSlash factors in coupons and discounts many major car rental companies offer. You can find some discounts on AutoSlash’s coupon page, which I discuss below. AutoSlash also finds other discounts, including those related to the following memberships, affiliations, loyalty programs and credit cards:

• Memberships and affiliations: AAA, Canadian Automobile Association, AARP, military members, military veterans, Union Plus and United Services Automobile Association
• Frequent flyer programs: Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Frontier Miles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United Airlines MileagePlus
• Warehouse clubs: BJ’s, Costco and Sam’s Club
• Credit cards: American Express, American Express Platinum, Discover, Mastercard, Mastercard World Elite, Visa, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite

When you request a new quote or track a current reservation through AutoSlash, you provide information about your memberships, affiliations, loyalty programs and credit cards. Based on this information, AutoSlash shows you the cheapest rental car rates.

You may need to show your credit card at the rental car counter to take advantage of a discount related to a particular credit card. However, there is usually no requirement to pay with that card, so you may still be able to use one of the best credit cards for rental car insurance.

Related: 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them

How to use AutoSlash to get a discounted car rental quote

If you’re looking to rent a car, AutoSlash is an excellent place to start. Start by going to the AutoSlash website and filling out the form to get a quote for a car rental. The first time I used AutoSlash, it took me less than two minutes to submit my request.

How to get a new AutoSlash quote

The first step is to choose whether you want to pick up your rental at an airport or near an address.

Then, input whether you’d like to return the car to the same location. If not, state the return airport or address near which you’d like to return your rental.

Next, input the pick-up and drop-off dates and times.

Then, select the vehicle type needed from a drop-down list. The options will vary depending on your pick-up location. If you don’t have a preference, you can choose the “least expensive option.”

For international markets, AutoSlash also includes a drop-down for choosing the transmission type: automatic only or manual OK.

Next, you must check the box next to your credit cards.

Then, you should check the box next to any memberships you currently have, loyalty programs you belong to and warehouse club memberships you carry.

Finally, AutoSlash asks for your name, the country where your driver’s license is issued and the email address to which you’d like a quote.

After submitting the form, you can edit any information you entered incorrectly.

Due to the depth of AutoSlash’s search, the quote isn’t available instantly, but you’ll usually receive it in just a few minutes.

How to book a deal using AutoSlash

After submitting a request, I always get a quote by email in under 15 minutes. The subject line for the above request was “Discounted Rates for Your 3/13 Car Rental in Denver.”

Clicking on the link in the email takes you to a page displaying all your options.

You’ll usually see options that let you pay later with Priceline or AutoSlash or pay now with AutoSlash. Your credit card will be charged for the pay-now option, but you can usually cancel until 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up. Meanwhile, you won’t need to enter a credit card for the pay later option.

In my experience, you’ll usually get loyalty perks and earnings with your rental company if you choose to pay later and enter your loyalty information when booking. But don’t expect loyalty benefits and earnings when opting to pay now with AutoSlash.

Rental rates change frequently, so you’ll need to book quickly after getting the emailed quote if you want the price to be accurate. If you wait too long, AutoSlash will offer to generate a new quote when you click through the email.

Related: Check your receipt — 5 hidden rental car fees to look out for

How to use AutoSlash to track a rental for price drops

After you’ve made a reservation with free cancellation, go to AutoSlash and fill out the form to track your rental for price drops. If you have your current reservation in front of you, filling out the form should take less than a minute.

The form for tracking price drops requires information about the booking, including the rental company, your confirmation number, the pick-up date and the price you reserved. You will also need to provide information about which memberships you hold and which credit cards you carry.

After submitting the form, you’ll receive an AutoSlash tracking confirmation email. You can click on a link in the email to set your preferences for the tracking service; for example, you can opt to only receive notifications if select car rental companies offer less expensive rates.

If you receive an email saying AutoSlash has found a lower rate, the booking process is similar to what is described above for a new quote. Once you book a lower-priced option, be sure to do all of the following:

• Cancel the higher-priced reservation
• Cancel your current tracker (otherwise, AutoSlash will continue to send quotes when it finds lower prices)
• Go to AutoSlash and fill out the form to track your new booking for price drops

There’s no downside to using the tracking functionality. If your originally booked reservation remains the cheapest, you can rest easy knowing you got a great deal. And if AutoSlash finds you a lower rate, the few minutes of your time will be well worth it.

Related: Credit cards that offer elite status for car rentals

Car rental coupons

If you need or prefer to book directly with car rental companies, AutoSlash may still be useful for you due to its coupons page. These coupons are specific to particular car rental companies and can be applied when booking directly.

You can select a specific company from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to only see the coupons related to that particular car rental company.

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

Is AutoSlash legit?

I’ve used AutoSlash for dozens of rentals over more than seven years. The site is legit and has saved me hundreds of dollars on domestic and international rental cars.

Whenever I need to rent a car, I open four sites: AutoSlash, Avis, Budget and Enterprise. For years, I used AutoSlash as a one-stop shop. But my current employer has corporate codes with Avis, Budget and Enterprise that employees can use for personal rentals.

I’ve found these corporate codes are competitive in many U.S. cities. I’ve also found the discount codes for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to be good (and not currently supported by AutoSlash). So, although I search on all four sites when renting a car, AutoSlash usually doesn’t provide the best quote for rentals in the U.S.

AutoSlash is still useful for tracking my rentals, though. It has also remained the most competitive when renting abroad. For example, AutoSlash provided the best rates I could find for several rentals in South Africa.

Related: Best car rental sites to book your next road trip

Bottom line

There are many ways to save when booking rental cars. The best method will depend on your memberships and travel style, but I recommend adding AutoSlash to your search process if you don’t already use the site. AutoSlash has helped me find competitive car rental rates worldwide, so I suspect it may also help you save money.

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

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

We highlight it for a few reasons:

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

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

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

Overview of the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

Here are the notable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

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

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

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

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

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred review

Strategies for maximizing the Chase Sapphire Preferred

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

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

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for airfare

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for rental cars

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

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

Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay at restaurants

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

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

When not to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred

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

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

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

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

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

D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

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

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