Tag: Travel Planner

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Many travelers say that a stay at the Park Hyatt Kyoto is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. Maybe so, but after visiting in March, I hope fate brings me back to this enchanting spot soon.

The hotel was born out of a collaboration between renowned 19th-century teahouse and kaiseki multicourse restaurant Kyoyamato, Japanese construction company Takenaka and Hyatt. This initiative proves that it’s possible to build a brand-new hotel that seamlessly blends with a heritage cityscape and hews to the time-honored traditions of the region.

It certainly earns its place on our list of the best Park Hyatts in the world thanks to its extraordinary character and unique location; it’s slotted into the hillside of the historic Higashiyama neighborhood. Known for its narrow alleyways and winding stone staircases, there are Instagram-worthy vistas everywhere you look.

The hotel, with its mukuri tile roofs and Japanese gardens, doesn’t feel out of place among the traditional Japanese shops, townhouses and storefronts. However, it also offers plenty of modern conveniences. The Jacuzzi and separate steam shower sealed into their own compartment in our suite’s master bath is something we’ll talk about forever.

Service struck the right balance of authenticity and old-fashioned excellence, and the staff seemed able to navigate nearly any situation. Here’s everything else you need to know about the Park Hyatt Kyoto and why it’s so worth a stay.

Getting there

Most travelers arrive at Kyoto Station via the Shinkansen bullet train. We took the Nozomi (fastest train) from Tokyo. The journey lasted two hours and 15 minutes; I paid 15,400 yen (about $98) per person, one-way for first-class reserved seats. (We bought tickets on the smartEX app.)

Pro tip: If you or anyone in your party suffers from motion sickness, pack some ginger chews, peppermint or meclizine/Bonine/Dramamine. The train races along the track at about 185 mph, and the curves can be tough for some people. The train was also very warm, so don’t overdress.

When you exit the train, follow signs to the taxi stand; then, take a quick 11-minute ride (about $15) to the Higashiyama Ward, home of the Park Hyatt Kyoto.

Booking details

The Park Hyatt Kyoto is an outsized value for redeeming points, but you must book early — especially if you hope to successfully apply a Hyatt upgrade certificate for a Park Suite to your stay. For my early March 2024 stay, I booked a standard king room 12 months in advance at a cost of 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. (Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to your Hyatt account instantly on a 1:1 basis.)

If you have your mind set on visiting in the spring for cherry blossom season, you really have to be on top of booking any hotel in Kyoto as soon as the reservation window opens (that’s 13 months in the case of Hyatt properties).

If paying cash, a standard king room with a garden view goes for around 365,000 yen ($2,390) per night during peak season. TPG values World of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, so laying out 35,000 points per night for a standard room is equivalent to paying $595. In this scenario, you’re actually getting closer to 6.7 cents per point, which is a fantastic redemption value.

It’s this kind of value that keeps me a loyal World of Hyatt member, and the reason why two of my favorite credit cards are the World of Hyatt Card Credit Card and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. However, if you’re not working toward World of Hyatt elite status and only care about points, your better bet is probably the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® since you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt so easily.

Our trip commemorated 30 years of marriage, so we decided to spring for a paid upgrade to a premium suite. It was 180,000 yen ($1,180) per night to upgrade to Ninenzaka House (see the Suite section below for details and photos of that suite). The going cash price for that suite was about $2,600 per night for our dates.

If you don’t book directly with Hyatt, Park Hyatt Kyoto is also part of American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts. That’s ideal for anyone holding  The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Book via the Amex travel website for complimentary perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit to use on-property during your stay for things like drinks or meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed late checkout.

If you don’t have World of Hyatt points or the Amex Platinum card, book via a Hyatt Prive travel agent. These rates offer similar benefits to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. You’ll receive all your World of Hyatt perks plus benefits, including complimentary breakfast, a one-category room upgrade when available, early check-in (when available), late checkout (when available) and a food and beverage credit.

Standout features

• Phenomenal public spaces make you feel thoroughly at home from the moment you walk past the Japanese garden at the entrance and into the dimly lit lobby with its roaring fireplaces.
• Staff members have perfected their craft and make you wish you could live full-time at the Park Hyatt Kyoto.
• It offers a not-to-be-missed gourmet teppanyaki experience from a dining room with incredible views of Yasaka Pagoda and much of Kyoto.

Drawbacks

• If you don’t book with points, a stay at Park Hyatt Kyoto can be pricey (more than $2,000 per night in high season).
• We encountered a bit of a language barrier in the casual dining room (Kyoto Bistro). It wasn’t a huge deal, but it’s something to be aware of. If you have dietary requirements, learn the words in Japanese or translate them on a card to show your waiter.
• The area of Kyoto around the hotel is not easy to navigate if you have mobility challenges. I brought a cane, which I needed to more easily manage long, steep staircases with no handrails.

The vibe

To describe the hotel’s vibe, I need to tell you about a Japanese architectural concept summed up as “inward depth and interval.” It’s executed flawlessly at the Park Hyatt Kyoto. Guests are meant to shift through a sequence of quiet spaces as they transition from the busy tourist district to the comfort of their guest room or suite.

Sheer rock walls flanked by cedar trees are the focal point of the hotel’s entrance. A dimly lit walkway leads guests past the Yasuo Kitayama-designed Pritzker Garden on the right with 31 300-million-year-old stones from Colorado (a gift from the Aspen home of Hyatt executive chairman Thomas J. Pritzker).

A covered walkway spans from the driveway entrance to reception, with the garden on the right and a shallow pond filled with river stones on the left.

Next, guests trigger an automated door, where the transition from outdoors to indoors begins. In one direction is the hotel’s casual restaurant, Kyoto Bistro, and an elevator to some guest rooms; the lobby and additional guest rooms are in the other direction.

Once inside the hotel, guests turn left to walk along an indoor/outdoor hallway that leads to the lobby, The Living Room and Wine Bar.

The Living Room across from the front desk and concierge is also dimly lit and accented by waves of light from strategically placed glass-fronted fireplaces. It’s here where your mind is coaxed into thinking you are visiting the home of a Japanese friend.

As you walk farther into this oasis, you pass the dining area where afternoon tea is served. Natural light filters in from a wall of windows. The elevator to guest rooms is hidden around the corner.

The first time I stepped off the elevator on the way to my suite, I was struck by how quiet and dark the hallway was. The area by the elevator was also cordoned off by automated doors that created a bit of an “airlock” feel. Our suite was at the very end of the hallway, and we walked past several lantern-style lights that emitted warm amber tones along the way.

By the time we arrived at our suite, I was already in love with the feel of this hotel. Beauty, simplicity and serenity typify the Park Hyatt Kyoto. If you’re looking for bold colors, bright lights and buzzy nightlife, this is absolutely not the hotel for you.

The suite

Since we were celebrating a big anniversary, we booked a specific (named) suite for this trip, of which there are nine. (See the next section for information about standard rooms.)

Suite types include Park Suite and Ninenzaka House (both 732 square feet), the 968-square-foot Higashiyama House and the 1,453-square-foot Pagoda Houses. We secured Ninenzaka House and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The suite was beautiful and offered excellent views of the city. All rooms and suites are stocked with amenities that make your stay more comfortable: bathrobes (Western and kimono-style), slippers, Aesop toiletries (bergamot rind, frankincense and cedar shampoo and conditioner; geranium leaf body cleaner and bar soap in a pleasing bergamot rind and Tahitian lime scent), bath salts, a powerful Dyson hair dryer and more.

I also loved that you could call guest services to ask for all sorts of complimentary amenities, such as baby shampoo and lotion, deodorant, eye masks, instant noodles, earplugs, lens cleaning wipes, heat packs, nail polish remover and more. If you like doing light workouts in the room, you could also request a free weight set, yoga mat and even fitness shoes.

Upon check-in, there were some nice treats in our room (some due to me being a Globalist and others to celebrate our anniversary). We enjoyed a bottle of Ruinart Champagne, a delicious strawberry cake and two types of loose-leaf tea from purveyor Kyoto Narumiya.

When it comes to guest rooms and suites, American interior designer Tony Chi worked with Takenaka to create warm interior spaces using natural materials.

Throughout the hotel, you’ll see wooden beams tied together via traditional methods using no nails. Beige walls accent the bright grain of the Japanese cypress and tamo ash woods used throughout. Bathrooms are outfitted with rich marbled granite, and there are gold accents in the suites and rooms.

In Ninenzaka House was a half-bath to the right as you entered the suite and walked toward the living area.

Both the living room (with a daybed, three chairs, table, TV and bar) and bedroom (with a king bed, chair, ottoman and side table) featured floor-to-ceiling windows.

We felt as if we were in the center of the historic district — even when we were just kicking back in our room. Don’t worry, though: The blackout curtains don’t let any light into the suite when you want to rest.

In the living room, there was a flat-screen TV as well as a minibar and coffee/tea setup.

The king bed was very comfortable, and I liked having a little table and chair in the room as well.

A second flat-screen TV faced the bed with the master bath through a door on the right.

The master bath was stunning. The sliding doors on both ends of the closet area, which connects the entry hallway to the bathroom, were convenient. You could also enter the master bath from a sliding door in the bedroom. The master bath featured a separate steam shower and bathtub, a dual-sink vanity and a separate room with a Toto toilet.

rooms

There are 70 guest rooms at Park Hyatt Kyoto. Standard rooms with hillside views start at about 484 square feet and accommodate up to two adults plus a baby in a crib. Rooms are outfitted with either a king bed or two twins, a work area, a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a coffee maker and a daybed. In the bathroom, the bathtub and shower are separate, and the vanity has dual sinks.

The rooms in the next category up are the same size as the standards but have garden views.

For a very serene and atmospheric view, go for the terrace rooms with views of a Japanese-style garden. If you have your heart set on a possible pagoda view, opt for King or Twin Bed View rooms.

Finally, there are two categories of roomier deluxe rooms that clock in at 732 square feet. Deluxe rooms have hillside views, while Deluxe View rooms look out over the 1,350-year-old Yasaka Pagoda.

Food and drink

Although there are phenomenal restaurants all around Kyoto, you’ll want to spend a meal or two enjoying the Park Hyatt Kyoto’s restaurants.

Yasaka

Yasaka offers a teppanyaki experience that fuses Japanese culinary sensibilities with French cooking techniques. It’s the hotel’s signature restaurant, and I wish I had made reservations here for more than one dinner. It was exquisite.

There are two identical dining rooms that each feature one U-shaped table. Both have gorgeous views of Yasaka Pagoda. Book the early seating if watching the sunset is important to you.

The tasting menu cost 32,000 yen ($209) per person and included:

• Amuse bouche
• Scamorza with canola flower, brussels sprouts, tsubomina and fava beans
• Scallop with poached tomato and Bourgogne butter
• Wakayama flounder with white asparagus and morel mushroom
• Wagyu beef tenderloin with granny smith apple and wasabi
• Kyotango rice with sakura shrimp, green beans and bamboo shoot
• Strawberry with rose and fromage blanc

Wine pairings will set you back an additional 20,000 yen ($131) per person, while nonalcoholic pairings are 8,000 yen ($52).

This was an expensive meal but we felt it was worth the splurge given the gorgeous presentation and wonderful profusion of flavors.

Kyoyamato

The hotel highly encouraged us to dine at Kyoyamato because of its ryotei-style setting, its long history dating to 1877 and its authentic Japanese cuisine. This Michelin-starred kaiseki experience is a sought-after reservation for locals and visitors alike.

However, my palate is not very adventurous when it comes to Japanese meals. I don’t eat raw fish, and while the food depicted on the website looks beautiful, I knew I would not enjoy it. So, we skipped.

There are two set meals offered at both lunch and dinner; it costs 16,500 and 22,000 yen ($108 and $144) for the early meal of the day and 38,500 and 49,500 yen ($252 and $324) at dinner.

Note that Kyoyamato prepares the Hyatt’s daily Japanese-style breakfast, which is served at Kyoto Bistro or in your room.

Kyoto Bistro

Kyoto Bistro is Park Hyatt Kyoto’s casual restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As a Globalist, breakfast was comped for us each morning. You may order a la carte or enjoy the continental buffet (3,850 yen or $24) or the full buffet (6,050 yen or $38) with a choice of main dish plus juice, coffee and tea.

For a main dish, I tried the French toast with caramelized banana and maple syrup. Diners around us enjoyed the fried noodles with shrimp, chili and bonito flakes as well as the homemade yogurt, granola, fresh berries and dried fruit. Breakfast was the best meal we had here.

For those who enjoy local cuisine, go for the Japanese breakfast (7,150 yen or $45) prepared by Kyoyamato. Globalists can upgrade to the Japanese option for about $30 per person.

Lunch and dinner items include salads (garden, Caesar or grilled octopus salad), grilled wagyu sirloin with red wine sauce, and grilled Hiyoshi pork with chimichurri sauce. While the menu items appeal to a Western palate, the execution tends to be more of a Japanese spin on dishes. (For instance, the Caesar salad dressing tasted novel and delicious, but perhaps not the same as in the U.S.) So, don’t take the menu literally.

At lunchtime, you can order a la carte or opt for a 4,400 yen ($29) three-course meal. It includes an appetizer; choice of main, including linguine with shrimp and flying fish in a tomato cream sauce, fusilli with vegetables in a Genovese sauce, a cheeseburger, Wagyu beef curry rice or butter chicken curry rice; dessert; and coffee or tea.

My favorite aspect of the bistro, though, was the bakery counter where you could pick up a dessert and drinks — such as bottles of wine, Champagne and sake — to enjoy in your room. The wines included bottles from Craggy Range, Au Bon Climat, Girard, Clos Floridene, Ruinart and others.

I especially enjoyed the Earl Grey tea and whiskey pound cake. My husband appreciated the a Kyoto Brewing beer in the refrigerated case.

You can enter the bistro from the hotel’s main entry hallway or from an exterior door leading to Ninenzaka (street).

The Living Room

If you love afternoon tea, head to The Living Room from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

A five-course menu changes with the season but offers inventive items such as spring pea and caviar tart, matcha and strawberry Opera, foie gras macaron with strawberry and rhubarb jam, Alps salmon potato waffle, strawberry mousse and strawberry eclair. This experience costs 6,600 yen ($42) per person.

In the same venue, you can order light meals from noon until 5 p.m. (and desserts until 7 p.m.) When we visited, some of the standout items included white asparagus soup, Caesar salad with Kyoto Tamba chicken, a club sandwich and gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce.

Globalists and those who book suites receive complimentary Champagne in The Living Room each night from 5 to 6 p.m.

Tea Lounge

There is a second tea lounge on the fifth floor. This was a more casual spot to hang out, with a pared-down menu.

Bars

The Living Room fluidly transitions to the Wine Bar (open from 5 to 9 p.m.).

Enjoy wines by the glass or bottle, or book a cheese and wine pairing experience, where the cheese is curated from purveyor Herve Mons. The event includes three kinds of wine and local cheese for 4,950 yen (about $31) per person.

Kohaku is the hotel’s second bar, and it’s tiny. It’s mainly a spot where Yasaka diners can grab a drink before or after their teppanyaki meal.

Amenities and service

Like most Park Hyatt hotels, this one offers several free and for-fee experiences.

Concierge

If you don’t have time to plan your Kyoto visit, it’s not a terrible idea to contact the concierge for advice. The concierge team can book all sorts of things on your behalf, including a rickshaw tour (16,000 yen or $101 per person) or a private driver and tour guide.

If you have time, book the exclusive 90-minute tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

“This special experience includes a sermon by the head priest, a tour of areas not typically open to the public and time of tranquility in front of a garden that has been off-limits. Please enjoy deep learning and new discoveries about Kiyomizu-dera Temple while exploring the main hall and temple grounds with the head priest,” according to the hotel. You’ll pay 18,150 yen ($115) per person.

Would you prefer a kaiseki lunch and tea ceremony? For 132,000 yen ($863) for two people, you’ll enjoy an appetizer, soup, sashimi, grilled dish, side dish, simmered or steamed dish, rice and fruit at Michelin-starred Soyotei followed by a traditional tea ceremony at Koro-an.

Fitness center

The hotel also houses a small fitness center on the third floor with TechnoGym equipment (treadmills, weights and more). There’s also a spa on the third floor that offers appealing treatments using traditional Japanese rituals and therapies.

Spa

The spa on the hotel’s third floor offers a mix of traditional spa treatments as well as Japanese rituals. The hotel’s signature spa experiences include a Kotoshina essential oil facial, though treatments can change seasonally. An 80-minute treatment facial was 35,000 yen ($230). An 80-minute facial using Kotoshina products is 30,000 yen ($196).

The Spiritual Bamboo treatment looked most interesting since it includes organic green tea oil combined with gliding bamboo to improve circulation and release tension (80 minutes for 30,000 yen or $196). But, many travelers probably opt for the hourlong jet lag remedy that also improves circulation and promotes a deep sleep (23,000 yen or $150).

The locker rooms contained changing areas and ofuro-style stone hot tubs for soaking, a cold plunge, a sauna and a steam room.

Out and about

Kyoto is a city that’s on nearly every “greatest hits” tour of Japan. We stayed five nights and didn’t see everything we wanted to. Don’t miss it, even if you can stay for only two or three nights.

Opt for the following if you only have time to see a few things near the hotel.

Higashiyama is the historic district that comprises the immediate area around Park Hyatt Kyoto. Ryozen Kannon Temple, with its 24-meter-high Buddha statue, is just a few minutes walk away, so don’t miss it.

The Zen Buddhist temple Kodai-ji is 0.3 miles from the hotel; Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a bit farther, at half a mile.

The Yasaka Shinto shrine in the Gion district is a nine-minute walk from the hotel. It’s the pagoda you can see from many guest rooms and the hotel’s signature restaurant, Yasaka.

Finally, visit the following streets to get a true taste of Kyoto while snapping some Insta-worthy photos:

• Ichinen-zaka (townhouses line this picturesque cobblestone alley)
• Ninen-zaka (for cafes, restaurants and gift shops)
• Sannen-zaka (for ceramics, other souvenirs and restaurants)
• The pedestrian-only Nene-no-Michi (the perfect place to see cherry trees in bloom each spring)
• Ishibe-koji Alley (one of Kyoto’s most recognizable streets, which is lined with restaurants, bars and inns)
• Hanami Koji Street (in Gion where you may see a maiko or geiko in the evenings)

If you have more time to explore Kyoto, add these places to your itinerary:

• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine (home to thousands of orange torii gates)
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Gion District (where to see geisha in the evenings)
• Kinkaku-ji Zen Buddhist temple (Golden Pavilion)

• Kyoto Imperial Palace
• Nijo Castle (palace of the shogun Tokugawa)
• Nishiki Market

Accessibility

The hotel’s lobby, guest rooms, restaurants and spa area are accessible for people who use a wheelchair, scooter, walker or other assistive device. There are no stairs from the hotel driveway to the entrance, and you can easily access elevators, which have Braille blocks in front of them for reference.

Hallways are wide, and there is an accessible room on the third floor that includes grab bars in the bathroom (shower/bath and toilet areas). Note that the bathroom does accommodate a wheelchair but does not have a roll-under sink.

An SOS button in the bathroom and toilet room will light lamps inside and outside the room to alert others of an issue.

You can book an accessible room via Hyatt’s website or call Park Hyatt Kyoto directly at +81 3 6364 1348.

While the hotel may be accessible for individuals using a wheelchair, walker or cane, many parts of Kyoto are not. I don’t normally use an assistive device, but I did in Kyoto due to a knee issue. There are a lot of stairs, narrow alleyways and uneven walking surfaces (plenty with chiseled stone or gravel).

Checking out

I honestly felt a bit misty as we made our way through Park Hyatt Kyoto’s lobby to check out. Our stay at this luxury hotel ranks as one of our top travel experiences. I wasn’t very motivated to leave and slowed my pace to take in the gorgeous lobby one last time.

As we stepped outside and walked through the rock garden toward the hotel’s portico, it started to snow. Living in Florida, I don’t see snow and was downright giddy due to this unexpected treat from Mother Nature. The snow against the cherry blossom buds was striking. As I laughed, bellhops dressed in voluminous robes raced toward us — umbrellas in hand — to escort us to our waiting taxi. It was a fairytale ending to an incredible few days at this very special hotel.

Related reading:

• The best hotels in Tokyo
• The best hotel credit cards
• Get free breakfast, upgrades and more with the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

In its more than 180-year history, Cunard Line has evolved from offering essential transatlantic transportation to leisure travel. Its current fleet offers several classes of cabins with plush furnishings and modern comforts that still evoke nautical ocean-liner style. Although the options might seem confusing at first, they’re fairly easy to understand once broken down.

Across inside, outside, balcony and suite categories, Cunard offers four accommodation classes, each with its own dining room. Regardless of cabin type, passengers have access to the same public areas — including pools and sun decks, gyms, theaters and spas. Although, some categories do have their own lounges and outdoor spaces.

Here, we’ll go through the types of cabins available and what they include in the way of amenities, square footage and dining experiences.

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Cabin square footage varies by ship and location on the ship. Cabin configurations also vary by vessel. Multiple configurations can exist within the same cabin type, which accounts for differences in square footage. Accessible cabins are larger than standard cabins, and those measurements are included in the ranges given. Contact your travel agent or cruise line representative for specific details before booking.

Cunard cabin primer

Cunard ships feature four main categories of cabins: inside (no window or balcony), outside (a window or porthole), balcony (with a small, semi-private outdoor space) and suites. They fall into four experience tiers — Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill — each with different perks, inclusions and dining assignments. (See below for more details, or check out Cunard’s amenity comparison chart.)

Britannia cabins come only in inside, outside and basic balcony categories, while Britannia Club rooms are available only in the balcony category. The latter rooms are a step up from basic Britannia balcony accommodations. Cruisers booked in these categories will be assigned to either the Britannia Dining Room or Britannia Club Restaurant, respectively.

Passengers wanting an elevated experience — complete with more space, lots of added perks and more expensively outfitted accommodations — will want to look to the Princess Grill Suites and Queens Grill Suites. Standard rooms feel more like any cabin on a mass-market vessel, while Grill accommodations are outfitted with more elegant furnishings, richer colors (think regal hues like purples and reds), and more plush linens and furniture.

Depending on the suite booked, you’ll find walk-in closets, separate living and sleeping areas, and bathrooms with higher-quality amenities (such as marble countertops and mirrors with built-in makeup lights). These rooms provide access to either the Princess Grill Restaurant or Queens Grill Restaurant, as well as the Grills Lounge, which is exclusive to travelers staying in suites.

Cunard offers a variety of accessible rooms in all cabin categories, from inside cabins to suites. They are designed for passengers who use wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other mobility devices or who otherwise require features like wider doorways, flush zero-entry thresholds, extra square footage for maneuvering, and wet bath-style bathrooms with grab bars and pull-down shower seats. (You can find more accessibility specifics on Cunard’s website.)

Cunard was one of the first cruise lines to offer accommodations for one — something that has become standard on many cruise lines’ newest vessels. You’ll find a selection of solo cabins in inside and ocean-view categories under the Britannia experience if you’re traveling alone and don’t want to pay a single supplement. The former range from 152 to 243 square feet; the latter come in between 133 and 201 square feet.

All rooms, no matter the category or type, feature rich furnishings in nautical colors like bright blue, sunny yellow and deep red. Each room provides passengers with a queen-size bed that can be converted into two singles on request; bedside tables with lamps; a vanity area with a desk, chair, mirror and both 220-volt U.K.-style outlets and 110-volt North American-style ones (Queen Anne also has USB ports); a closet and drawers for storing personal items; a TV, safe, hair dryer, phone, refrigerator, minibar and tea- and coffee-making facilities; bathrobes and slippers; and an in-cabin bathroom with a shower and Penhaligon toiletries.

Each cabin also includes 24-hour room service options and the daily services of a room steward who will clean up and provide you with any items — like ice, extra towels and the daily activity schedule — you might need. More expensive cabins come with additional or upgraded amenities, extra space and more furniture. Details about inclusions, square footage and more can be found below.

Inside cabins on Cunard ships

Britannia insides range from 152 to 243 square feet and include all of the amenities listed above, plus a half-bottle of sparkling wine at embarkation. Passengers booked in these cabins are assigned to eat in the Britannia Dining Room, which is basically a standard cruise ship main dining room but with ornate art deco touches.

On Queen Mary 2 — known for its iconic transatlantic voyages between New York City and Southampton in the U.K. — cruisers can also choose from special inside cabins that overlook the ship’s atrium.

Outside cabins on Cunard ships

Britannia ocean-view rooms provide between 133 and 201 square feet of space. Passengers in these cabins also take meals in the Britannia Dining Room.

Outside cabins include the same amenities as inside ones. The most obvious difference is that you’ll have a window to look at the ocean as you sail.

Balcony cabins on Cunard ships

Britannia balconies

Ranging from 228 to 472 square feet, these cabins feature the same general furnishing style as insides and outsides but with semi-private balconies. These balconies offer passengers their own outdoor space, where they can enjoy fresh air from the comfort of their room, complete with chairs and a table.

These accommodations include the standard amenities listed above and dinner in the Britannia Dining Room. On Queen Mary 2, passengers can select cove-style balconies; they offer a bit of shelter from the wind since they’re more akin to an enclosed pod with an open window than a balcony open on all sides.

Britannia Club balconies

Britannia Club rooms, a step up from Cunard’s Britannia balcony accommodations, come in the balcony category only. In addition to slightly more square footage (248-470 feet), they include additional amenities.

All previously mentioned features come with these cabins. They also include upgraded tea and coffee makers, a pillow menu, velour bathrobes, a full bottle of sparkling wine at embarkation, daily fresh fruit on request, and priority embarkation and disembarkation. Cruisers booked there can dine in the Britannia Club Restaurant, which is a bit more understated and refined than the Britannia Restaurant but offers similar food.

Suites on Cunard ships

Princess Grill Suites

Princess Grill Suites are the first-tier of suites on Cunard ships; they offer access to an exclusive restaurant, Princess Grill, featuring elevated food options. Guests can also order menu items from the Grill via room service and order off-menu in the restaurant with advance notice. Passengers in Princess Grill Suites share a dedicated Grills Lounge or Concierge Lounge (found on Queen Mary 2) and sun deck with passengers booked in Queens Grill suites (see below).

The 335- to 513-square-foot Princess Grill Suites feature separate living and sleeping areas and private balconies. Passengers can enjoy all above-mentioned inclusions, plus elevated perks like an in-cabin atlas, dedicated concierge service, sparkling wine and chocolates at embarkation, complimentary spring water, afternoon tea in the Grills Lounge, and a bathroom with a bathtub and a shower. (Note that bathtubs aren’t available at the Princess Grill level on Queen Anne.)

Queens Grill Suites

The most lavish rooms on board Cunard’s vessels are the Queens Grill Suites, featuring 484 to 2,249 square feet of space. They come with all of the above perks, plus additional in-cabin books, binoculars for use on board, fresh flowers, complimentary minibar items, a bottle of Champagne and chocolates at embarkation, and priority tendering where applicable. (Note that Queen Anne offers bathrooms with tubs and showers at the Queens Grill level.)

Passengers booked in these accommodations have access to the Queens Grill Restaurant in addition to the shared spaces — Grills Lounge, Concierge Lounge (where available) and sun deck — that cruisers booked in Princess Grill Suites also can use. Each suite’s butler will deliver in-cabin canapes daily prior to dinner.

Queens Grill Suites are impressive, especially the duplex-style suites found only on Queen Mary 2. Three 1,566-square-foot Duplex Apartments (Windsor, Buckingham and Holyrood) and two 2,249-square-foot Grand Duplex Apartments (Balmoral and Sandringham) are all the way aft on decks 9 and 10. These accommodations — some of which are larger than land-based apartments — offer stunning wake views via two-story windows.

Bottom line

Although Cunard’s cabin experience types might seem confusing at first, they’re fairly straightforward. The relatively small number of cabin types and categories makes the booking process easier to navigate while still offering enough variety to cater to many tastes and budgets.

Whether you choose to sail in a basic Britannia inside cabin or the most swanky Queens Grill Suite, you’re sure to enjoy Cunard’s upscale nautical vibe.

Curious about Cunard? The Points Guy has you covered:

• A guide to the Cunard World Club loyalty program
• The best destinations you can visit on a Cunard Line ship
• Why Cunard is excellent for solo cruisers
• Inside Queen Anne: A peek at Cunard’s first new ship in a decade
• Cunard proved me wrong about transatlantic cruises
• Cunard’s steakhouse is one of the best at sea; here’s why

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2019 but has been updated since many people around the world may have a unique opportunity to see and capture images of the northern lights tonight.

I was lucky enough to catch the elusive northern lights on a special delivery flight, Singapore Airlines’ first 787-10 Dreamliner delivery flight from Charleston, South Carolina, to Osaka, Japan, and finally on to Changi Airport.

As our flight approached the state of Alaska, flyers on the starboard side were treated to a magnificent display, which — with much effort — I was finally able to clearly capture with my point-and-shoot camera.

At that moment, I pledged to see the northern lights from the ground — not far from our Dreamliner’s flight path — in interior Alaska. That adventure became a reality in 2019 when I traveled up to the incredibly remote camp of Coldfoot, Alaska, along the state’s famed Dalton Highway.

Capturing photos of the northern lights

Many of the best images you’ve likely ever seen on the northern lights have been taken with an extended exposure.

Since the lights are often quite dim, at least when compared with objects and effects captured in daylight, photographers often use shutter speeds of one second or longer. That means the lights don’t look quite as vibrant in person, but, on a clear night, they look absolutely spectacular in photographs.

Generally, if you’re using a “real” camera, you’ll need a tripod — unless you have exceptionally still hands, which is especially challenging. In many cases, if you’re joining an aurora tour, your guide will provide one, but you’ll certainly want to confirm that in advance; you might not be able to capture sharp photos if you arrive unprepared. I also recommend bringing along a flashlight, to aid with focusing (more on that below).

In my opinion, there’s a much better option, though.

The newer generations of smartphones can capture outstanding photographs in low light. In 2019, I was able to snap some incredible shots using only a handheld iPhone 11 Pro Max, and of course, there are even more advanced models and technology out since then.

I’ll focus on Apple’s night mode here since that’s what I used, but other recent models offer similar functionality. Note that the process with some models that have come out even more recently than this may differ a bit, though the concepts likely remain similar:

• Select the content for your frame — consider mixing in mountains, trees, cabins and other structures, to make your pictures more interesting and add perspective.
• Open the native camera app and ensure focus — briefly light a tree or structure using a powerful flashlight, if your phone is struggling to focus on its own.
• Confirm that night mode is active — when using the 1x lens in “photo” mode on the iPhone 11 that was used at this time, an indicator will appear at the top left corner, while other smartphones may offer a dedicated “night” shooting option.
• Capture plenty of frames — the aurora effect changes quickly, so don’t be afraid to snap away!
• Review your work every few shots to ensure that you’re happy with focus, exposure and other details.

If all goes well, you should walk away with images that look something like this:

Related: Why the iPhone 15 is a game changer for travelers

Editing photos of the northern lights

You may notice that the image above looks a bit dull compared to the finished product I included at the top. While you can certainly share an image directly from the phone, you can really make your shot pop by making some tweaks directly on your smartphone, as I did here:

For northern lights photography specifically, I recommend the following adjustments.

• Correct exposure as necessary — I didn’t make any adjustments here.
• Reduce the highlights to bring out more detail in the northern lights — I adjusted to the full range (-100).
• Increase shadow levels to boost detail elsewhere in your image — I adjusted +18 here.
• Boost vibrance — I added 51 to this image.
• Reduce warmth — this is my preference, but I felt the image really popped with a warmth of -13.
• Adjust the tint — I added 94 to this image.
• Increase sharpness and definition, if necessary — here, I went up 20 and 91, respectively.
• Correct vertical or horizontal perspective, to ensure trees are aligned (this one’s a bit complicated, so if you’re not sure how to achieve this with your smartphone, feel free to skip this step).

The extent of your processing will depend on the image and your own preferences, of course — darker auroras may need a bit more work than brighter ones. If you’re planning to share on your Instagram Story, you’ll also want to crop the image to 9:16 within your photo app, to ensure maximum sharpness.

Related: Guide to taking a cruise to find the northern lights 

How to find the northern lights

Typically, your best shot at capturing the northern lights is to head somewhere above the Arctic Circle, including in Alaska and Scandinavia, though there also are opportunities to see the aurora farther south, including in Iceland and sometimes — such as this weekend — even in the contiguous United States.

On my aurora-hunting trip, I decided to venture deep into the state of Alaska, a few miles past Coldfoot, a small truck stop, to the tiny village of Wiseman. Roughly 10 people live in Wiseman, and the village consists of little more than a few log cabins, but given its position directly below the auroral oval, you can see incredible activity throughout much of the sky on a clear night.

In fact, my visit happened to coincide with forecasted periods of low activity, but that simply affects the distance from which you can see the northern lights — the display was quite vibrant directly underneath. The full moon also had little impact — in fact, I found it helpful, since the moon lit up the nearby mountains and cabins.

The ideal viewing period varies depending on when and where you go — for my October visit to Wiseman, I was told we’d have the best show between midnight and 3 a.m., so plan for a very long day, perhaps broken up with a post-dinner nap.

Though my 5-degree-Fahrenheit night in October was considerably warmer than what you’ll find in winter, when temperatures can drop to 40 below, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing the lights later in the season. That includes the spring, when temperatures begin to warm again.

Just note that there’s never any guarantee that you’ll see activity, even on a clear night — I missed out on the second night, as clouds and snow came in after sunset, despite a clear forecast. The one variable you can control is your camera, however, and if you’re going to spend the money to travel for the aurora, I highly recommend investing in the latest smartphone, too.

There are also apps such as My Aurora Forecast & Alerts that can give you alerts to help tell you when it’s a good time to step outside and take a look up at the sky.

Bottom line

It’s extraordinarily rare that the northern lights dip all the way south into Texas, Florida and even Mexico, but that gives so many of us a special chance to enjoy them without having to travel north in search of this magnificent natural phenomenon. And luckily, your smartphone can do a pretty good job of capturing the moment if you follow some of these tips.

Don’t worry if you miss this round, as we are forecast to be in an extended period of higher-than-normal northern lights activity in case you feel inspired to start planning a trip for later this year with that main purpose in mind.

A massive transformation is underway at Hyatt, and it’s boosting the company — which is behind brands like Alila and Park Hyatt — into major profitability.

The company reported this week a hefty $522 million profit, riding high on recent real estate sales and strength across leisure, group and business travel. It’s more than just Wall Street success keeping things busy at the Chicago-based hotel giant, though.

Hyatt leaders this week touted various successes like growth of the newly integrated partial — and growing — portfolio of Mr & Mrs Smith luxury and boutique hotels. Further, the brand is riding high on swelling travel demand, in part due to the world’s most famous singer; it also could even take on another brand acquisition.

“While we expect year-over-year growth rates to moderate, we are significantly above pre-pandemic levels and are not seeing signs of consumers reducing their leisure travel,” Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said on a Thursday earnings call. “We remain focused on enhancing our network effect by expanding our offerings in new markets and across more price points for our guests and customers,” he later added.

One of the ways Hyatt is looking to expand its offerings is via Mr & Mrs Smith — the booking platform of luxury and boutique hotels Hyatt acquired last year. The first batch of more than 700 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels appeared on World of Hyatt earlier this month, just as Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World entered its last days.

Hoplamazian emphasized that Mr & Mrs Smith will deliver more options for Hyatt customers and that many more hotels will enter the World of Hyatt ecosystem by year’s end.

“We now have more than twice the number of properties previously available through our alliance with Small Luxury Hotels with offerings in 25 additional countries and hundreds of new markets,” Hoplamazian said. “We expect to have approximately 1,000 Mr & Mrs Smith properties available through Hyatt channels and World of Hyatt by the end of this year.”

It appears Hyatt leaders think there are opportunities to bring these hotels into the brand fold even further.

Later in the call, Hoplamazian noted thousands of room nights have already been booked since the first batch of Mr & Mrs Smith hotels entered into the Hyatt orbit. There is significant traveler interest in Europe, where Mr & Mrs Smith has a major presence.

Hoplamazian said:

The vast majority are in Europe because that’s where the critical mass is for Mr & Mrs Smith, but I was surprised to see a number of U.S. markets in which there were very, very unique hotels in markets in which we are underrepresented or not represented. I think it’s very clear based on the hotel owner feedback in the Mr & Mrs Smith network that they are likewise very happy and maybe a bit surprised at the traction that we’ve gained already.

He later noted that some hotel owners in the Mr & Mrs Smith network might even decide to take on a deeper relationship with Hyatt — presumably indicating an opportunity to convert some of these independent hotels into established Hyatt brands.

Taylor Swift (and other factors) boost Hyatt

Hyatt kicked off the year with increasing demand across all three major travel types: leisure, business and group meetings/events.

Leisure travel revenue was up 7% for the first three months of this year, and all-inclusive demand in the Americas region is pacing for a 4% increase for the current quarter ending June 30. Group business was up 6% for the first three months of the year, while business travel demand was up 6%.

The wild figure out of all this is how worldwide business travel demand kicked off the current quarter at Hyatt: Global business travel demand was up 21% compared to a year ago. This is a sign even more travel demand is coming back to life, which will certainly push up hotel rates.

Hoplamazian also addressed the Taylor Swift of it all, too.

“Of course, we have to mention Taylor Swift, who continues to grow GDP for the world now,” he said. “So, she is having an effect on every market in which she shows up. I see a lot of data and a lot of data points, and I can’t remember when we’ve seen all three segments [leisure, business and group] going so well.”

What’s next for Hyatt

If you thought Hyatt was done adding brands to its network — after acquiring Apple Leisure Group’s all-inclusive resort network, Dream Hotel Group and Mr & Mrs Smith — you’re wrong.

Hyatt is in the middle of a transformation process where it behaves more like Hilton and Marriott; in other words, it doesn’t own many of its hotels and instead licenses to hotel owners the rights to use its brands. This “asset-light” strategy is why Hilton and Marriott tend to see significantly larger profits than competitors that own a lot of their own buildings.

Hyatt shed billions of dollars in real estate in recent years, including recent sales of a Hyatt Regency in Aruba, the Park Hyatt Zurich and the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk. While the properties may no longer be under Hyatt ownership, they do remain under Hyatt’s oversight; each of the new owners continued the relationship with Hyatt by entering into management agreements with the company.

Moves like this enable Hyatt to focus less on day-to-day real estate ownership and instead pursue growth. This growth comes from beefing up its network with new brands and offerings that attract more customers to the loyalty system.

For example, Hoplamazian noted that while the average Dream Hotel Group customer fit the typical spending power profile of a Hyatt guest, they tended to be 20 years younger on average. Lindner Hotels also had a similar guest profile as Hyatt but brought significantly more reach into Germany than World of Hyatt previously had.

Expect more strategic, selective plays like this going forward — as long as it doesn’t mean getting back into the business of actually owning a lot of hotel real estate.

“With respect to what’s out there, yes, there are some brand opportunities,” Hoplamazian said. “They tend to be narrower, and so we are seeing some activity in that regard, but they’re going to be fewer and further between. It’s just not a very large universe of things that would make sense for us.”

Related reading:

• Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards

With lush rainforests, beautiful beaches and, of course, world-class surfing and fishing, Costa Rica is a dream destination for adventure travelers. We even included it on our list of the best places to visit in 2024.

Luckily, United Airlines has an excellent sale on flights to Costa Rica this summer. Some routes are more than 50% off the usual prices. It’s a great time to book an inexpensive getaway and enjoy the environmentally diverse Central American nation.

Departure cities for this sale include Fort Lauderdale, New York City and Washington, D.C. The best deal may be out of Newark, where nonstop flights to San Jose are available for just $202. It’s mainly for travel in June, but you can also find some discounted fares in early 2025. If you’re interested in this deal, jump on it before the best prices are gone.

You know the drill by now: Unless otherwise specified, this deal is for basic economy tickets. With United, that means you get a free personal item, but a carry-on bag will cost you around $40 each way. It may make more sense to just pay $5 to $10 more to check a bag.

Related: The 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for beach visits or hiking trips

Deal basics

Airline: United Airlines
Routes: From Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York City, Newark and Washington to San Jose
How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline
Travel dates: Limited dates in June, also January and February 2025

This deal was originally sent out by the deal alert company Going. Sign up for Going to get up to 90% off select flights via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $69 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite tier for $199 per year for access to all the Premium deals, plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.

You can also sign up for a free trial through this link.

Sample flights

Departure airports in this sale include:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Let’s start with the sole nonstop route in this offering, which also happens to be the best deal. There is good availability in June for flights from Newark to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica’s capital city for only $202 round-trip.

According to data from Google Flights, this flight typically costs more than $500. If you’re able to travel light, this is a true steal.

We also found many options for flights departing from Washington, D.C. You can fly from DCA to SJO in mid-June for just $206 round-trip. Please be aware that the return flight in this example has a rather long layover.

You can book a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Costa Rica for $256 round-trip.

In case you’re looking to lock in a good price for a flight further down the road, we found flights from New York City to Costa Rica in January for $257 round-trip. There was good availability at that discounted price from LaGuardia.

Once again, the best prices we found in early 2025 were out of the Garden State. We found round-trip flights from Newark to San Jose on United for $222, with a nonstop return flight. That’s a solid price.

Maximize your purchase

Be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

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

Bottom line

Related reading:

• Valuable travel discounts and deals for college students and young adults
• Dulles becomes first airport to offer Global Entry interviews upon departure
• Everything you need to know about State Department travel advisories
• When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department

Guest rooms and suites at one of the most anticipated hotels in the U.S. are now available for bookings starting later this year.

Regent Santa Monica Beach opened for bookings for stays beginning Sept. 3, TPG can exclusively reveal. The hotel marks a return of the Regent brand to the U.S., and it’s the first time it will operate a hotel stateside following IHG’s takeover of the brand in 2018. The ultra-luxury brand has wowed Regent fans and newcomers alike under IHG’s tutelage with openings of hotels in Vietnam, the French Riviera and Hong Kong.

Travelers planning a trip to Regent Santa Monica Beach can book their future stay at the hotel’s booking page here. Guests can also book a stay via the IHG One Rewards app and use IHG One Rewards points to book a stay.

Starting cash rates or points redemption values were not provided before the reservations system went live. Younes Atallah, general manager of Regent Santa Monica Beach, said in a statement:

“The opening of reservations marks an exciting milestone for Regent Santa Monica Beach, our community, and future guests. This moment represents a new chapter in ultra-luxury hospitality along the Santa Monica coast and the long-awaited opportunity for guests to book their stay and soon experience the exceptional service and exquisite amenities that await them. We eagerly anticipate celebrating the return of the Regent brand to the Americas and warmly welcoming our guests to their beachside personal haven that is Regent Santa Monica Beach.”

Regent Santa Monica Beach is offering future guests a 24% discount on reservations booked through the end of this year. Guests will also receive a $240 credit to use at any of the resort’s restaurants and bars, at Guerlain Spa or toward resort fees and parking.

The package requires a nonrefundable deposit of one night’s stay. While the reservation must be made by the end of this year, the booking can be for stays through May 31, 2025.

Regent Santa Monica Beach will wow

The Santa Monica property is slated to feature a restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Mina, a 10,000-square-foot Guerlain Spa, an oceanfront pool deck and beach butler service. Following a more than $150 million gut renovation to what was formerly a Loews hotel, Regent Santa Monica Beach is expected to be Regent’s flagship in the Americas region.

The vibe is California chic: A palm-lined lobby with white furnishings and marble floors practically begs to be the backdrop of a Nancy Meyers movie (should the director ever decide to come out of retirement and get back into the business of filming fabulous aspirational architectural backdrops).

Spacious is an understatement regarding Regent Santa Monica’s 143 guest rooms and 24 suites. Entry-level guest rooms start at 720 square feet — larger than many city apartments.

The entry-level room category, dubbed 720 for its spacious starter square footage, comes in seven different configurations and can range from 720 to 895 square feet. Options include pool, city and ocean views, as well as rooms with private patios and fire pits or balconies.

Regent Santa Monica one-bedroom suites come in five different configurations and range from 950 to 1,400 square feet. Options include pool, city or ocean views, plus corner suite options like the Malibu Oceanfront Corner One-Bedroom Suite King.

The ultimate splurge will be Regent’s Signature Suites, which come in six configurations ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 square feet. These include the Poolside Townhouse, the Oceanfront Corner Terrace Suite, the Pacifica Oceanfront Suite, the Oceanfront Two-Story Atrium Suite, the Malibu Sunset Suite and the Santa Monica Presidential Suite — which includes four Juliet balconies and a game room.

IHG’s hidden ultra-luxury gem

The upcoming opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach is a major milestone for IHG — and there’s a lot riding on the brand getting it right.

IHG acquired Six Senses and Regent to fill a void in the ultra-luxury space above InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, which had been IHG’s most luxurious brand prior to the dual acquisitions.

Six Senses still doesn’t have a hotel open in the U.S., so Regent Santa Monica Beach will be the debut of one of the new ultra-luxury tools in IHG’s toolkit to woo American travelers. Regent Phu Quoc, Regent Hong Kong and Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, have wowed guests with their respective openings in the past couple of years.

Regent’s standards — like “personal havens” (luxurious rooms and suites that are as much attractions as the hotel’s surroundings) and “with compliments” (giveaways like complimentary minibar offerings or free laundry and pressing services) — have made the brand IHG’s viable competitor to bigger ultra-luxury hotel offerings like Four Seasons and St. Regis.

Regent’s interactive Taste Studio has a following of travelers booking stays just to enjoy the one-of-a-kind dining experience at Regent hotels worldwide. Think of it like the Regent culinary version of Aman’s legion of followers, known in the travel orbit as “Aman junkies.”

Regent will face a hefty mix of ultra-luxury competition in Southern California, but it arrives on the shores of Santa Monica Beach with unique offerings and a prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

That combination should make the brand’s U.S. homecoming one that will elevate the hospitality game in Greater Los Angeles.

Related reading:

• The award travelers guide to IHG Rewards
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What is IHG One Rewards elite status worth?
• Current offers on IHG One Rewards credit cards
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards

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

It’s the 40th anniversary of The Platinum Card® from American Express, so Amex is offering savings to its cardmembers.

Amex Offers can add extra points or savings to your upcoming purchases.

We’re seeing savings with popular brands like Lululemon, Delta, Best Buy and Hertz. The bonuses and savings range from earning up to 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent to up to $50 back.

Here are some offers TPG director of content Summer Hull found on her Amex Platinum:

• Lululemon and Sephora: Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent. (TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point, so this equates to a 10% return on spending.)
• Hilton: Spend $180 or more and get $40 back.
• Delta: Spend $180 or more via Amex Travel and get $40 back. (You have to book through Amex Travel for this offer, where prices may be higher than booking directly with the airline, so make sure to do your research.)
• JetBlue: Spend $200 or more and get $50 back.
• Hertz: Spend $150 or more and get $40 back.

Cardmembers can go to the Amex Offers section in their account and activate these offers. The purchases must be made on your Platinum card to receive these bonuses and savings.

Although there are targeted offers on your Amex cards all year, we’re seeing great offers specifically for Platinum cardmembers to celebrate the 40th anniversary. Whether you’re buying clothes, beauty products or taking a family vacation, these offers should help you save money or earn extra points on your purchases right in time for summer.

Check your Amex Offers regularly to see if any are relevant for you and pocket those savings for travel in the future.

To learn more about the card, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Apply here: Amex Platinum card. Check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for an up to 175,000-point welcome offer (after meeting minimum spending requirements). These offers are subject to change at any time.

Bilt Rewards members can now transfer points to Hilton Honors at a 1:1 ratio. With this news, Bilt members can transfer points to four of the most popular hotel loyalty programs in the U.S. After all, Bilt members could already transfer points to World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio.

Head to the Travel tab in the Bilt Rewards app to link your Hilton Honors account with your Bilt account and transfer points in increments of 1,000. Bilt elite members can transfer as few as 1,000 Bilt Points per transfer, but Bilt Blue tier members must transfer at least 2,000 Bilt Points per transfer.

Related: The 19 best Hilton hotels in the world

A Bilt spokesperson told TPG via email that members should watch for “additional benefits and promotions between Hilton Honors and Bilt Rewards as this week is just the start of our partnership.” To celebrate the kickoff of this partnership, Bilt members who transfer points to Hilton Honors by June 8 will get 1,000 bonus Hilton points on their first transfer.

Of course, just because you can transfer Bilt points to Hilton Honors doesn’t mean you should. TPG’s valuations peg the value of Hilton points at 0.6 cents each and Bilt points at 2.05 cents each. This means that for every Bilt point you transfer to Hilton, you’re losing about 1.45 cents in value.

As such, most Bilt members will get more value from transferring their points to higher-value transfer partners such as World of Hyatt when they want to book a hotel. That said, transferring Bilt points to Hilton could make sense if you need a few more points for a Hilton redemption or you’re booking a high-value Hilton award stay. Remember, though, that there are many other ways to earn Hilton points.

Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards

Bottom line

It’s always good when a transferable points currency adds more transfer partners. Bilt has added to its transfer partner roster several times within the last year. However, most Bilt members will get more value when transfering their points to other Bilt transfer partners.

Two of the best travel rewards cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, both currently have sign-up bonuses of 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. There are many ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points, but you’ll usually get the most value when you transfer your rewards to one or more Chase transfer partners.

To illustrate the types of trips you could book with these new sign-up bonuses, two TPG staffers and I each went on trips using 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. I opted to book flights and an all-inclusive resort for a last-minute weekend escape to Mexico with my husband. Here’s how I did it and what our trip was like.

How I planned this trip

When the opportunity to redeem 75,000 Chase points for a last-minute trip dropped into my lap, my schedule was already pretty full. But we could fit in a long-weekend trip in mid-April. So I started looking at what type of getaway I could book that would cost 75,000 Chase points or less for both of us.

World of Hyatt, which is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, has drastically expanded its Inclusive Collection of all-inclusive resorts over the last few years. But I’d yet to find an opportunity to visit any. So, I checked whether I could stretch the 75,000 points into a weekend trip to a Hyatt all-inclusive resort for my husband and me. I was willing to go anywhere in North America as long as I could fit round-trip flights for two and a few nights at a resort into my points allotment.

As it turns out, I was able to put together the perfect last-minute Cancun trip.

Related: 11 reasons to choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred over the fancier Chase Sapphire Reserve

4,565 points for flights to Cancun

I was amazed when I found a nonstop flight from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Cancun International Airport (CUN) on my desired Friday departure date bookable for just 2,905 Southwest points plus $48.23. The negative: This flight departed Houston at 6:45 p.m. and arrived in Cancun at 9 p.m. That’s a particularly late arrival if we were going to only spend a few nights in Mexico.

The slightly more expensive Wanna Get Away Plus fare allows for free same-day flight changes starting at midnight on the day of travel if space is available. So, after having been on many Southwest flights recently that either went out with empty seats or cleared many standby passengers at the gate, I decided to book a Wanna Get Away Plus fare for my husband at 4,565 points plus $48.23 in taxes and fees with the hope we’d be able to use a same-day change to take one of the two earlier nonstop flights.

You might be wondering, “That’s just one ticket. What about your flight, Katie?” The reason I only needed points for a single ticket was that my husband earned a Southwest Companion Pass in early 2023 that’s valid through the end of 2024. So, I could add myself to his flight for no additional points, instead only paying $48.23 in taxes and fees for the second ticket.

No space was available on either earlier flight when the same-day change window opened at midnight on the day of our flight. But I woke up at 7 a.m. to check availability again and snagged two of three available seats on the 9:25 a.m. departure. This same-day flight change meant we arrived in Cancun nine hours earlier than we would have on our original flight, albeit with a little less sleep than is optimal!

The downside of our same-day flight change: We got C17 and C18 boarding positions. We expected this and planned to buy Upgraded Boarding, as our Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card reimburses up to four Upgraded Boarding purchases each anniversary year. However, no Upgraded Boarding positions were left for our flight when we checked in.

We assumed these mid-C boarding positions would put us in middle seats near the back of the aircraft. But although we were some of the last passengers to board, we were surprised to find empty window and aisle seats near the front of the plane. We each sat next to couples and found the approximately two-hour flight comfortable.

Related: 15 lessons from 15 years of having the Southwest Companion Pass

46,000 points for 2 nights at a Hyatt all-inclusive resort

Hyatt award availability in Cancun was limited when I booked my stay about two weeks before departure. But, out of the options available, Dreams Jade Resort & Spa stood out for its Preferred Club — which I could access as a Hyatt Globalist member — and its beachfront setting just 30 minutes from CUN.

Dreams Jade Resort & Spa is a Hyatt Category B property that costs 17,000 points on off-peak nights, 20,000 points on standard nights and 23,000 points on peak nights. Unfortunately, both nights of my weekend stay were peak nights, so I had to redeem 46,000 points for my two-night stay. If I’d paid cash, I would have needed to pay $1,088 for the same room — giving me a solid redemption value of 2.37 cents per point.

Besides its beautiful beachfront location, the highlights of Dreams Jade Resort & Spa are its friendly staff, excitable guests and good-quality food. I was impressed with most dishes I tried, including the ceviche at Castaways Cafe, the Preferred Club Pool Cafe fish tacos, and the Spice salmon.

I also absolutely loved the swings and hammock chairs at the beachfront bar — this was my favorite place to chill.

I was impressed by the good attitudes of my fellow guests, many of whom could be found cheering for others in pool activities, chatting to strangers at the bar and learning new dances.

Hyatt elite perks on-site, outside of Preferred Club access and a higher-floor room with an appealing view, were limited. But the only timeshare sales pitch I got was at the airport while waiting for my hotel shuttle.

Related: When and how to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt

23,074 points for flights back to Austin

Finding a modestly priced award flight from Cancun to Austin on April 14 proved difficult — especially since we booked within two weeks of departure and wanted to leave later in the day to maximize our time in Mexico.

I booked what is likely the most expensive Southwest award flight I’ve ever reserved for my husband: a nonstop Cancun-to-Austin flight for 23,074 points plus $77.58 in taxes and fees. This nonstop flight was perfect, though, as it let us enjoy the morning and even have lunch and a few final drinks at the resort before leaving for the airport.

As with our other Southwest flights, I could add myself as a companion after booking my husband’s flight. My cost with his Companion Pass was just the taxes and fees.

We checked in for our flight exactly 24 hours before departure and got B15 and B16 boarding positions. We snagged a window and aisle seat in the same row near the back of the aircraft. The flight departed with no empty seats, but a woman seemed happy to sleep most of the flight in the middle seat between us.

Related: 7 Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits you might not know about

Was my weekend escape worth it?

I wasn’t sure whether traveling to Mexico for only two nights would be enjoyable. But we had a nice long weekend, especially since we had nonstop flights and could spend over 48 hours enjoying the all-inclusive resort. We loved the energy of the guests and staff at Dreams Jade Resort & Spa and spent the weekend relaxing. Knowing what I know now, I’m happy we took this trip.

My Hyatt Globalist status gave us a nicer experience at Dreams Jade, including a high-floor room with sweeping views across the resort and access to better-quality drinks in the Preferred Club lounge.

Having the Companion Pass made Southwest a compelling option for booking round-trip flights for my husband and me, especially since Southwest operated nonstop flights on the routes we needed. Taking advantage of a same-day flight change for our Houston-to-Cancun flight was also extremely valuable.

That being said, I normally wouldn’t transfer Chase points to Southwest. After all, I like to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for at least 2 cents per point. For reference, we got 1.79 cents per point on our outbound flight, 2.37 cents per point on our Hyatt all-inclusive stay and 1.35 cents per point on our return flight (assuming you put the points cost of my Companion Pass flights at zero).

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Should you go mid-tier or premium?

Bottom line

It was fun to show how one sign-up bonus — and some cash to cover the taxes, fees, tips and airport transfers — could get us a last-minute getaway to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico.

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve offering 75,000-point sign-up bonuses, now is a good time to apply. This story focused on how I redeemed 75,000 points for a getaway, but you could use the 75,000 points in many other ways. For example, you could transfer 75,000 Chase points to Hyatt and redeem for up to 21 off-peak Category 1 Hyatt hotel nights.

I will come right out and say it: Ultra-low-cost airlines have gotten a bad rap.

Yes, you have to pay for a cup of water and overhead bin space for your carry-on bag, but if you know what to expect with a budget airline and plan accordingly, you can travel all over the U.S. — and even to a few international destinations — without busting your vacation budget.

Flying with a low-cost carrier can be as enjoyable as it is affordable … as long as you know these seven important tips.

Know what to expect at booking and on board

If you book a base ticket with an ultra-low-cost airline, you are booking a seat on the aircraft (including space under the seat in front of you for your personal item) and nothing else. Add-ons like water or soda, snacks, Wi-Fi, printed boarding passes and seat selection are not included in the cost of your ticket.

Related: I canceled my first-class ticket home for a Spirit Airlines flight with $3 Wi-Fi — and loved it

You can pay an additional fee for drinks and snacks, inflight Wi-Fi, checked and carry-on baggage and the option to choose your own seat. However, those fees can add up quickly. For example, bringing a checked or carry-on bag can add nearly $80 to your ticket’s cost each way, negating the point of purchasing a low-cost ticket.

Related: Hoping for a federal crackdown on airline seat size? Don’t hold your breath

You will have roughly one or two fewer inches of legroom than the industry average of 30 inches. Depending on the carrier and aircraft, you may be surprised that your seat doesn’t have a seatback pocket or full-size tray table. Economy seats aren’t exactly known for being as comfortable as your favorite recliner at home, and truthfully, seats on low-cost airlines don’t feel much different from a seat on any other airline.

None of these details should discourage you from booking with a budget airline; you just want to be prepared with everything you need for a comfortable flight before you step on board.

Pack everything in a personal item

There is only one way to avoid baggage fees on ultra-low-cost airlines: Pack everything into an appropriately sized personal item bag. A personal item is a small bag — like a purse, briefcase, duffel bag, small backpack or small hard-sided suitcase — that can slide all the way under the seat in front of you.

Most budget airlines require that your personal item not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches (including handles and wheels). If you bring a bag larger than that, you may be required to pay for your bag at the gate, and the fee will be higher than if you had prepaid.

Related: Travel gear and packing tips to help you avoid rising checked bag fees

Whether the gate agents actually check the size of your bag depends on the airport and the day. Some agents are better about checking bag dimensions than others, but they can verify the size of your bag at any time, so it’s not worth risking it.

Some hacks, such as putting some of your items in a stuffable neck pillow like the DreamShore Stuffable Travel Pillow for $19.99 (normally $35.99), can help you save space. However, the gate agent may count it as a second item, in which case you would need to be able to stuff it inside your bag. So, make sure you don’t stuff it too full.

Regarding which bags are best, the Take Off Luggage Personal Item Suitcase for $99.99 (normally $119.99) is a space-saving, hard-sided suitcase with removable wheels designed to fit under your seat. For a soft-sided option, you can search for “Spirit Airlines personal item bag” on Amazon to find several options in different shapes and sizes that meet the size requirements.

You can do a few things to ensure everything fits in such a small bag:

• Only bring the shoes you wear on the plane, if possible. Shoes can take up a lot of room in your bag.
• Wear your bulkiest clothing items (like a hat, sweater or jacket) on the plane.
• Do laundry at your destination so you can pack less.
• Don’t bring a hair dryer if there will be one at your hotel.

Bring a water bottle and snacks

Depending on the length of your flight, you may be able to get by without a drink or snack. Air travel can be dehydrating, though, and sometimes a little snack can cure an upset stomach caused by turbulence, so we think it is best to always have food and a drink on hand.

Related: Airline ‘snackdown:’ Who has the best free snacks in the sky?

To save money on drinks, bring a water bottle from home and fill it at one of the bottle-filling stations after you pass through airport security. You can pack a few snacks like protein bars, chips or crackers in your personal item bag. You can even pack an entire meal if it’ll fit in your bag.

Bring your own entertainment

Not all ultra-low-cost carriers offer inflight Wi-Fi. For example, Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines and Frontier Airlines do not offer inflight Wi-Fi or entertainment. Spirit Airlines does offer Wi-Fi, though it’ll cost $3.99 for basic Wi-Fi and $6.99 for streaming-quality Wi-Fi.

If you are stuck on a flight without Wi-Fi or want to opt out of add-on fees for inflight internet, download entertainment options before your flight. You can download books, games, movies, podcasts or music to your smartphone or bring a good old-fashioned book or magazine.

Charge your devices and pack an external battery

If you want to use your phone as an entertainment source during your flight, ensure it is fully charged before you board. Budget carriers do not offer USB or standard outlets at your seat, and books and movies can drain your battery quickly.

In addition to bringing a fully charged device on board, it’s also smart to bring a portable charger that can help keep your device at 100% when you land. Whether or not you use your phone on board, you will probably need it after your flight to pick up your rental car or call a ride-hailing service.

Join the airline’s loyalty program

If you want to check bags or select seats, you can do so by joining an airline’s loyalty program. Each one works a bit differently, but once you spend enough with a given airline, you will reach an elite status level that comes with certain perks.

For example, Spirit’s Free Spirit program is free to join and allows you to earn points for every dollar spent with the airline. Once you earn 2,000 status qualifying points, you will earn Free Spirit Silver status; it comes with free add-ons like complimentary exit row seat assignments and shortcut boarding. You can reach Free Spirit Gold status after earning 5,000 SQPs; it comes with additional perks, including one free checked and carry-on bag, free seat selection at booking and a free inflight snack and beverage.

The Frontier Miles program works similarly to Spirit’s. The four status levels are Elite Silver, Elite Gold, Elite Platinum and Elite Diamond. Each comes with its own set of perks like free seat selection, priority boarding and free bags, based on how much you spend with the airline.

Allegiant’s Allways Rewards program is even simpler to use. Once you join, you earn points for every dollar spent and can redeem them at a rate of 100 points per dollar for flights and add-ons.

Have the right credit cards

If you fly ultra-low-cost airlines like Spirit or Frontier often, you may benefit from signing up for one of their cobranded credit cards to earn annual flight vouchers and elite qualifying miles.

But that isn’t the only way to make your budget flight experience feel more luxurious. If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can use the card’s  up to $200 airline fee credit toward add-ons with several airlines, including Spirit. You have until Jan. 31 each year to enroll and choose your airline for the year. After enrolling, you will automatically receive up to $200 in statement credits for add-ons like seat assignments, upgraded seats, checked and carry-on bags, and inflight food and beverage purchases throughout the year.

Credit cards can also help you fast-track your way through airport security with statement credits that will cover the TSA PreCheck application fee. Once enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, these cards will reimburse the fee you pay for new applications and renewals.

Related: 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear

Among the popular cards that feature this benefit are:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

A handful of credit cards also cover a $189 annual Clear membership, which can further shorten your time in the security screening lane. Clear is an expedited security program that utilizes biometric data to verify your identity. Clear members go through a separate security lane with dedicated kiosks rather than waiting for a Transportation Security Administration agent to review their license or passport.

You may not be able to get free snacks and drinks on your flight, but you can get them in an airport lounge if you have the right credit card. Several credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access so you have somewhere to eat, relax, charge your devices and freshen up while you wait for a flight.

Related: Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Bottom line

For budget-conscious vacationers, low-cost airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant and Avelo have opened up a world of travel that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Other travelers prefer how cheaper flights leave more money in their travel budget for a hotel stay, meals and activities once they reach their destination.

Regardless of the reason, I’m a big fan of budget airlines because they get me where I need to go without breaking the bank.

Related reading:

• Try it, you’ll like it: A flight review of the startup airline Avelo
• 6 key tools and tips to find the cheapest airfare
• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best travel credit cards