Universal Studios Hollywood has decades of history as a working movie studio and is home to more than a dozen rides and attractions that make you the star of your favorite film franchises. But there is one thing it doesn’t have yet — a high-speed, outdoor roller coaster.
That won’t be the case for long, though.
On May 3, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that its first-ever high-speed, outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, will open in 2026.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
As you may have surmised, Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest installation draws inspiration from the blockbuster “Fast & Furious” series. There are currently 10 installments in the “Fast & Furious” saga, with an 11th action-packed movie on the way. The original film, released in 2001, pulled up the curtain on the world of illegal street racing but has since evolved to include high-stakes heists, undercover spy operations and, of course, family.
When Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opens in 2026, you’ll become a part of that lightning-fast family as you zip over and around the park on a winding aerial track. The coaster will utilize a state-of-the-art ride system with 360-degree rotating vehicles that recreate the sensation of “drifting.” Universal has not yet announced a top speed for the coaster, but we can only assume it will be both fast and furious.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s small size is likely a factor as to why the park has waited until now to add an outdoor coaster. Though the destination is now part-movie studio, part-theme park, the space was originally founded in 1915 purely to create films — a coaster of this scale wasn’t in the plans at the time. Additionally, the property sits on a relatively small lot and is beholden to local noise regulations. (Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will utilize sound reduction technology.)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD
“As a premier entertainment theme park destination with a rich history in immersing guests in incredible rides based on today’s most inspiring movie, television and gaming properties, we are excited to introduce our very first, high-speed outdoor roller coaster,” Scott Strobl, executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a press release. “As Universal Studios Hollywood continues to evolve, the arrival of ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ will be a powerful game changer that will infuse a new level of thrill into our already dynamic theme park, and we look forward to welcoming guests when it races onto the scene in 2026.”
This won’t be the park’s first roller coaster. That honor goes to Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride, though that ride’s top speed of 45 mph doesn’t have the same thrill factor that this upcoming attraction is rumored to have. The “Fast & Furious” franchise is already represented at Universal Studios Hollywood as part of the Studio Tour’s “Fast & Furious — Supercharged” experience. It’s unclear yet whether “Supercharged” will be replaced or remain as it is today.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is one of several projects in the works right now for Universal Destinations & Experiences. Other projects include the upcoming Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, DreamWorks Land opening this summer at Universal Orlando and the Epic Universe theme park coming to Universal Orlando next year.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be located on the park’s Upper Lot along with attractions like the Studio Tour, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Stay tuned to TPG for further details on this ride as the opening date draws near.
Gourmet French dinners, $5,000 cocktail experiences, serene infinity pools and penthouse suites that cost thousands of dollars a night might not be the first thing you think of when someone mentions a Disney cruise. But you’ll find it all on Disney ships.
I sailed with the line for the first time more than a decade ago, and I didn’t want to take the assignment. I’m a child-free adult, I’m not a particularly over-the-top Disney fan, and all I could imagine was a theme park at sea — characters everywhere, souvenir shops galore and, of course, tons of kids.
Simply, I was wrong.
Disney Wish docked at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
What I found was an absolutely wonderful experience on an elegant ship with superb service, phenomenal entertainment, delicious food and just enough subtle magic to instill a bit of childlike wonder without making me feel immature.
Disney Cruise Line has maintained its four older ships exceptionally well, and its newest vessel, Disney Wish — its first new-build in 10 years — is also pretty great. Across the board, my opinion still stands: Disney cruises aren’t just for kids. So, if you’re trying to find a Disney cruise for adults, don’t worry — they all fit the bill. Here are five reasons why you’ll love the experience, even as a grownup.
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You control how ‘Disney’ you want it to be
Formal ears at Enchante on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Let me allay your fears: When you sail with Disney, you won’t be overwhelmed by Mickey and friends the way you might be at the brand’s land-based amusement parks. However, that experience is available should you choose to seek it.
The subtlety with which Disney manages to incorporate branded touches on its ships is commendable and classy. You’ll find nods to various Disney animated movie classics as you move between decks — a pumpkin on the carpet here, a snowflake on the wall there — but you’re likely to find it more tasteful than obnoxious.
If you’d like to avoid a largely Disney-fied ambience, it’s easy to do. If, instead, you prefer a more immersive cruise, you’re also in luck, as the ships host scheduled character meet-and-greets, themed dining experiences and more.
The Cove adults-only sun deck on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Grownups who wish to keep strictly to an older crowd will love the adults-only venues on all Disney ships.
On Disney’s four older vessels — Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy (which is my pick for the best Disney cruise ship for adults), Disney Wonder and Disney Magic — adults-only bars and nightclubs are clustered into one area, known as The District. After 9 p.m., nobody younger than 18 is permitted inside, allowing the more mature set to let its hair down sans kids.
On Disney Wish, the age-limited spaces are more spread out, a purposeful layout designed to help alleviate crowding and improve traffic flow. Personally, I prefer The District’s setup, but the watering holes on the new ship are, frankly, the most impressive in the fleet to date.
What’s impressive about these offerings is that most other ships don’t have them. Apart from Virgin Voyages, Viking, P&O Cruises and Saga Cruises, all of which sail adults-only vessels, the most other lines offer is an adults-only sun deck or pool here and there. Even where those areas exist, age limits aren’t always strictly enforced, and sometimes you have to pay for access, none of which is the case on Disney ships.
Even the least expensive accommodations are elevated
A balcony cabin on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Disney cruises are a cut above the sailings you’ll find with most other mainstream lines. When it comes to accommodations, even the most basic feel elevated. All have two bathrooms; one has a shower with a tub (rare on cruise ships) and a sink, and the other has a toilet and a sink.
Disney provides its own brand of toiletries in cabin bathrooms. The products are so popular — they smell divine — that the line sells them in its onboard gift shops.
All rooms also offer a dividing curtain that creates two separate areas. Although these features were designed with families in mind, they’re also convenient for friends traveling together, adding to the argument that a Disney cruise could make for a perfect girlfriends getaway.
The master bedroom in the Tower Suite on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
On the high end, the line sells a variety of suite accommodations. New on Disney Wish, the Tower Suite is the most coveted and most expensive, carrying a price tag of several thousand dollars per night.
Located in the ship’s fake funnel, the suite is two decks high and includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a large living room area. Its understated nautical decor pays subtle tribute to “Moana.” Unfortunately, because of the layout, there’s no balcony, but you’ll still be spoiled beyond belief if you book a stay there.
You can also choose to book concierge-level staterooms, which offer perks like priority boarding and disembarkation, access to a dedicated lounge with free drinks in the evenings and dibs on booking the best spa appointments and shore excursions.
Delicious dining options range from basic to gourmet
Disney Cruise Line’s dining options allow you to either join the masses (where there will be children, so take heed) in the free dining rooms, head to the buffet or open-air food court, or opt for an adults-only added-fee option.
On all of the fleet’s ships, standard dining is rotational, which means you’ll move to a different main dining room each night but with the same table number, tablemates and waitstaff.
In my experience, dining across the board on Disney ships has been absolutely scrumptious and well prepared, regardless of where I chose to eat and how much extra I paid.
The 1923 main dining room on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
On Disney Wish, 1923 is a throwback to the golden age of animation. Split into two parts, it offers a more intimate setting than what you’d find at Royal Court, the more understated free dining venue on the line’s other vessels.
The “Worlds of Marvel” dining room on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
For more immersive and somewhat gimmicky meals that are fun but often loud, adult passengers on Disney Wish will want to check out Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. The former brings Ant-Man and The Wasp tableside (via prerecorded broadcast) to show off their new discovery — a Quantum Core, with which Ant-Man unwittingly shrinks the ship down to the size of a toy boat. During the latter, you’ll find much singing and dancing to celebrate the engagement of Anna and Kristoff, two of the main characters from “Frozen.” In line with the theme, the menu is largely Norwegian.
On the four original ships, immersive options include Animator’s Palate, where “Finding Nemo” characters talk with you as you eat; Enchanted Garden, which feels a bit like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland,” where you can watch as the scenery slowly turns from day to night; and Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where characters from “Tangled” make an appearance.
A nod to “Beauty and the Beast” at the entrance to The Rose bar and Palo restaurant on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Also on the original vessels, Palo is an adults-only Italian eatery. On Disney Wish, it has been transformed into an elegantly styled steakhouse that exudes “Beauty and the Beast” vibes. This is the perfect option for anyone who wants something less casual than the buffet but also wants to avoid crowds and noise in the main dining rooms without paying a fortune.
Before you go in, stop at The Rose bar, which is perfect for tasty pre-dinner cocktails.
Gourmet French restaurant Enchante on Disney Wish. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Enchante and Remy are two of the most expensive alternative dining options at sea for any cruise line. Both feature French cuisine and are reserved exclusively for adult diners. The latter appears on older DCL ships and was inspired by (and named after the main character in) “Ratatouille.”
Enchante is new as of the debut of Disney Wish. It offers a completely revamped menu by chef Arnaud Lallement, who’s also the mastermind behind the menu at Remy. Enchante allows for a la carte dining, or you can choose from one of two experiences: Passion, a seven-course meal for $125, or Collection, a selection of surprise courses curated by the chef for $195. (Wine and Champagne pairings cost extra.)
The kids clubs are fantastic
Mickey & Minnie Captain’s Deck on Disney Wish. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
“But, wait,” you’re thinking. “I thought this was an article about why Disney Cruises are great for adults.” You’re exactly right, and that’s why this one is so important.
The Oceaneer Club offerings on Disney ships are so fun, engaging and technologically advanced that kids often don’t want to leave. So, whether you’re a parent looking for some downtime or a child-free adult who doesn’t appreciate little ones pushing all the elevator buttons or teens clogging up stairwells, you won’t have to worry about a barrage of younger passengers.
From babysitting for infants, kids and tweens to phenomenal play areas (think: themes like princesses, Marvel superheroes and “Star Wars”), the line’s childcare services are a cut above those provided by all other cruise brands. In fact, they’re so cool you’ll wish you could spend time there yourself — and you can during designated hours on each voyage.
Bottom line
Although you won’t be able to completely avoid children on Disney ships, you can still enjoy the magic of The Mouse in several adults-only spaces found on all of the line’s ships. The onboard experience will make you feel like a kid again but in luxurious surroundings and with the excellent service and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of the Disney brand.
With ever-growing cruise ship capacity, car traffic, hotel development, jet fuel, food waste and suitcases full of fast fashion, it’s safe to say that travel and tourism take a significant toll on the environment. And the numbers don’t lie: 8% to 10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions were a direct result of the travel industry in 2021, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Some studies put it closer to 12%, now.
Given that the positive effects travel has on society are well demonstrated, too — and given that we, here at TPG, love travel — we’re not suggesting skipping out on well-earned vacations. Rather, we’re advocating traveling smarter, starting with booking more sustainable hotels. These days, accommodations of all types, from off-grid glamping spots to luxury resorts with spas, pickleball courts and infinity pools, are making it easy to make your getaway a bit more earth-friendly.
Here are 14 hotels that go so much further than in-room recycling bins. Think on-site composting, solar energy, turtle releases, apiaries, monthly beach clean-ups, zero-waste menus, invasive species removal, biophilic design, coral nurseries and shower timers.
Coulibri Ridge: Soufriere, Dominica
COULIBRI RIDGE
A masterclass in maximizing surroundings to minimize the impact on the environment — without sacrificing luxury — seemingly every inch of the 285-acre Coulibri Ridge, the brainchild of late founders Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand, has a sustainable origin or purpose, down to the stone quarried from within the compound and hand-chiseled by only local laborers, the recycled wood and aluminum, the slants of the rooftops and the angle at which the buildings were placed on a lush hillside of the Caribbean isle. The latter was chosen to soak up the most hours of sunlight with solar panels as well as optimize rainfall capture to power the Beyond Green member’s 14 suites, two restaurants, a spa, conference rooms, an office and heated pools. And speaking of pools, minimal chlorine is used because the water is purified using copper ionization.
Two wind turbines, in a shape believed to reduce the impact on birds and bats, also power this off-grid nirvana. The walkways, terraces and stairs collect rainwater, which is used for landscaping and Coulibri’s farm, which provides 20% of the produce used on the property for nice touches, including daily fresh-squeezed juice, in-room fruit baskets and regional treats like guava cheese. Another 60% is sourced on the island. The dining rooms refrain from serving red meat or non-locally caught fish, and everything is composted. Guests are even invited to get in on that action with countertop collection bins in the ensuite kitchen and reusable Keurig K-cups.
Rates at Coulibri Ridge start at $700 and include breakfast. I Prefer Hotel Rewards members receive a discounted rate and other benefits, including free Wi-Fi and complimentary room upgrades.
1 Hotel San Francisco: San Francisco
1 HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO/FACEBOOK
Even city hotels are leveling up their pro-planet game. Take this newish 200-room San Francisco treat on the Embarcadero waterfront. Driftwood sculptures, handwoven rugs, a lobby floor made from 7,000 square feet of reclaimed barn wood, elevator landings built out of salvaged Bay Bridge redwood, “do not disturb” stones and a ceiling composed of preserved plants are easy on both the eyes and the environment.
Rooms are full of sustainable details, from the wooden keycards and drinkware made from recycled wine bottles to five-minute shower timers to keep bathers mindful of the Golden State’s recurrent drought. Low-flow plumbing and infrared HVAC systems that shut off when occupants aren’t present don’t add to the aesthetic but are still important. The 1 Less Thing initiative motivates guests to leave behind gently used clothing for donation to a regional charity.
The same goes for the farm-to-table restaurant Terrene, where the chef prioritizes organic and seasonal goods from purveyors within 100 miles of Highway 1. He even grows his own greens in a rooftop garden with beehives. Not to be outdone, the beverage director narrows the ingredient field to within 50 miles and uses citrus scraps and spent coffee grounds to infuse spirits and garnish glasses.
Margaritas, mariachis, Mexican food, massages, Mayan ruins, mysterious cenotes! You can have all the usual (and beloved) trappings of a Riviera Maya vacation while simultaneously making a difference by staying at the sprawling Fairmont Mayakoba, a 594-acre, 401-key community plopped in the middle of a mangrove jungle and on the sandy shores of the aquamarine Caribbean.
At the corporate level, both Fairmont and parent company Accor were early adopters of sustainable building and operations and have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The success of sustainability initiatives, such as installing air conditioning that cuts off when doors aren’t closed properly or providing reusable water bottles and filtered water, is vouched for by the numerous certifications they’ve earned from organizations like Preferred by Nature, PROFEPA (Mexico’s version of the Environmental Protection Agency) and Spain’s Green Building Council.
More interesting are the moves being made at the local level. The resort, which features multiple pools, crystal-themed cocktails at a rooftop bar, outdoor yoga classes and boat tours along its meandering wildlife-filled waterways, began collaborating with Oceanus in 2015 on a coral reef restoration. Snorkeling excursions take guests to see the three nurseries. The annual Reef Week kicks the education element up a notch with daily talks with biologists working on resuscitating reefs. Following the ideals of the Slow Food and KM 0 movements, the restaurants source as much as they can from ecological producers within a 100-mile radius.
Keeping bees is also a Fairmont brand standard, and Mayakoba has three hives in its care, including one at the recently revamped spa. But they aren’t just any ol’ bees. Melipona bees are minuscule, stingless and endangered vital pollinators believed to be sacred by the Mayans. Visit them between munching on vegan bites, a copal cleanse and a sweat session in the temazcal.
Rates at the Fairmont Mayakoba, which belongs to the ALL — Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, start at $499 per night.
Vermejo: Colfax County, New Mexico
Ted’s Suite. JEN JUDGE/VERMEJO, A TED TURNER RESERVE
Vermejo — a 550,000-acre collection of pinon pine forests, snowcapped mountains, streams, picturesque meadows (inhabited by 1,200 of the most genetically pure bison in the world) and 19 fishable lakes — is one of three Ted Turner Reserves with lodging in the Land of Enchantment on a mission to “save everything,” as the ubiquitous branded merchandise in the gift shop will remind you. In almost three decades under the former media mogul’s stewardship and that of his charitable foundations, the rugged retreat (which is 45 minutes away from the closest town) is off to a good start with too many pro-environment programs to name here (including ecological preservation, habitat restoration, native species reintroduction and wildlife protection). Many pertain to returning the former cattle ranch to its natural bucolic splendor via sustainable methods like designing water-smart roadways, removing fencing to promote animal migration, stopping river bank erosion, building riparian enclosures to aid vegetation recovery, and managing the number of large ungulates and grazers to align with the landscape carrying capacity.
To achieve its biggest goal — encouraging guests to care deeply about nature by immersing them in it — Vermejo offers wildlife safaris, horseback riding, bike and UTV adventures, fishing, and hunting. There’s a scenic conservation-themed tour that gives you a closer look at the scientific studies and restorations and the opportunity to build the aforementioned enclosures. Once back at the main hub of hospitality, kids make crafts with found objects or ice cream using only hand power. Foodies tour the greenhouse to learn about growing techniques like using old beer and potatoes as pest control and get a sneak peek at what might appear on that night’s menu alongside the freshly caught Rio Grande cutthroat trout or bison fillet. To go farther into the wild, bunk at the more remote LEED Silver certified Costilla Fishing Lodge or the new hike-in Bernal Lake cabin with a gas fireplace and outdoor cedar soaking tub.
Rates at Vermejo start at $1,650 per night with a two-night minimum and include accommodations, meals and all activities.
Hotel Marcel: New Haven, Connecticut
HOTEL MARCEL/FACEBOOK
The former Armstrong Rubber Company headquarters, a 1970s masterpiece by Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer, has been reimagined as a climate-crusading member of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Creatively reusing an existing office building means less need for new materials and less construction impact on the land and air. The 165-room concrete giant has racked up a number of accreditations in its first two years of operation, including being the nation’s first Passive House-approved hotel (PH rates air tightness and energy consumption) and one of only 10 U.S. hotels to score LEED Platinum certification. The all-electric, fossil fuel-free spot is awaiting a net zero recognition as well.
Hotel Marcel’s solar panel array and microgrid power the efficient electric internal systems (i.e., heat and air conditioning, water heating, and laundry) as well as 24 electric vehicle-charging stations and the all-electric induction kitchen for its all-day eatery, BLDG, and event catering. No single-use plastics are used in either food-and-beverage output (or the caramel-and-sky-blue midcentury modern rooms, for that matter). To make her Latin, Italian and steakhouse specialties, the chef sources ingredients from within 250 miles, changes the menu seasonally and composts the leftovers. When it’s time for goodbyes, an electric shuttle will zip you back to the airport.
Hotel Marcel‘s starting rate is $135 a night. Hilton Honors members can book with 44,000 points per night.
Vida Cayman: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
VIDA CAYMAN/FACEBOOK
Just opened in March, this property in West Bay has already proven that getting some R&R in paradise can be both planet-positive and exceptional. Eco-friendliness was built into the blueprints of the 12-suite beachside boutique, which resulted in only acquiring materials from ethical vendors and making architectural and design choices to minimize pollutants and reduce energy expenditures. Even interior temperatures are controlled with sustainable methods including shaded balconies, breezy walkways and sun-shunning insulation. To encourage biodiversity and preserve habitats for area critters, the landscaping team saved existing endemic flora and installed turtle-friendly lighting.
The local products and green choices continue when it comes to room details, bathroom amenities and the reusable water bottles handed out at check-in. Dishes at the in-house restaurant Nourish — several of which are vegetarian, vegan or dairy-free — are spiced from the living herb wall and filled with produce grown on the island. Food waste, including that collected in room garbage cans, is sent back to the farmers to compost.
In between sunrise kiteboarding, reading in the hot tub, cooking classes and sound bowl meditations, guests can help release turtles with the Cayman Turtle Centre or tour the mangroves. (To offset its carbon footprint, Vida donates to a national fund that protects the critical ecosystem.)
Room rates at Vida Cayman, which include breakfast, start at $550 per night.
Saffire Freycinet: Coles Bay, Australia
SAFFIRE FREYCINET
You wouldn’t know by looking at this peaceful plot of east coast peninsula on Tasmania’s Great Oyster Bay, but it was in dire straits in the fairly recent past. The previous tenant, a caravan park and backpackers’ accommodation, caused erosion, degradation and a whole lotta plant murder. Today, however, it’s home to a 20-suite seaside sanctuary and pampering spa where yoga on the beach, courtyard hammocks and hyperlocal cuisine are commonplace.
Before building this undulating outpost that brings the outside in through the extensive use of stone and timber and floor-to-ceiling windows that gaze out on the pink granite Hazards mountains, they rehabbed the grounds with 30,000 native plants. Then came a green design plan with double glazing, energy-efficient lighting and insulation, and water collection.
The hotel, a Luxury Lodges of Australia member, has an on-site apiary, partners with the Raptor Refuge bird rescue and maintains a 2 1/2-acre free-range Tasmanian devil enclosure and breeding program in an attempt to keep the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial from going extinct. Stuffed devils made in a nearby knitting mill that employs people with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disorders are sold to raise money for Wildcare Tasmania’s Nature and World Heritage fund.
All-inclusive (lodging, meals, select beverages, daily experiences and complimentary minibar) stays for two people at Saffire Freycinet start at $1,735 a night with a two-night minimum.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua: Maui, Hawaii
THE RITZ-CARLTON MAUI, KAPALUA/FACEBOOK
If you’ve spent even a single hour in Hawaii, you’ve become very familiar with the term “aloha.” If you’ve paid attention, you’ve probably picked up “mahalo,” too. The Ritz-Carlton on Maui’s northwest coast wants you to add another important Indigenous word — “malama,” which means “to care for” — to your vocabulary to honor the long legacy of land and sea stewardship among Native Hawaiians.
As showing is better than telling, the posh 468-room playground has instituted several sustainable initiatives, ranging from a solar canopy that generates 60% of the resort’s needed power to complimentary reef-safe sunscreen at the pool and beach. The seven on-site dining outposts cull ingredients from the organic garden. (Don’t sleep on the Sissy, Sassy and Richie salsa trio in the club lounge.) And water-filling stations can be used in conjunction with sleek aluminum Path bottles guests are invited to use while swinging through the two golf courses, walking the clifftop labyrinth, attending the luau, playing tennis or listening to the shockingly talented employee band while sipping a mai tai in the lobby bar.
For those who prefer to learn by doing, edutainment experiences abound. The property is one of only six Ritz-Carlton hotels with a chapter of Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment. Well-educated guides take groups on snorkeling trips, bicycle tours and coast trail walks, and chat about everything from invasive species to how ancient Hawaiians used various flora and fauna while you explore the local area. They also host weekly volunteer efforts (beach cleanups, invasive plant removal and native seed planting). During the annual Celebration of the Arts, groups can join the effort to reforest the Puu Kukui Watershed, which was severely damaged under Dole’s ownership.
The starting rate at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is $900 a night. Marriott Bonvoy members can book from 65,000 points per night.
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel: Rome
ROME CAVALIERI, A WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL/FACEBOOK
Perched in a park high above the Eternal City, the 345-room, 25-suite Rome Cavalieri walks the sustainable walk (probably in a leather Gucci loafer, given its well-heeled style) and has five coveted Green Key certifications to prove it.
In conjunction with the usual suspects — like eliminating single-use items, planting 74,000 trees, recycling half-used soap, and installing systems and fixtures that save water and reduce fossil fuel consumption — the elegant property has set its sights on reducing food waste, which is responsible for 8% of all global carbon emissions. Considering the hotel has multiple restaurants, including Rome’s first and only three-Michelin-star restaurant, La Pergola, and the farm-to-table concept Uliveto, it’s a serious undertaking. Through a partnership with Equoevento, wedding and banquet leftovers have been repurposed as more than 18,000 hot meals for those in need. Surplus bread is donated to Birrificio Vale la Pena, a brewery that uses the carbs for beer fermentation. And cooking classes start with a foraging adventure in the Umbrian countryside.
Re(F)use is another outing that gives discarded items a second lease on life. Guests hop in an electric Fiat Spiaggina and visit Carmina Campus, a design workshop that creates pieces from materials that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill, including the pouch each guest takes home as a souvenir.
Sustainability has been a Six Senses brand standard since this premium provider of wellness-forward hospitality was founded in the mid-1990s. So some green measures — organic bedding on handmade mattresses, bottling its own water in glass, biodegradable cleaning products, composting to make natural fertilizer for gardens and passive cooling — are found across all of its 23 properties in 18 countries. But individual properties, like this high-altitude hideaway, put their own spin on saving the planet as well.
Crans-Montana’s first line of eco-defense is the one-two punch of mindful architecture and efficient engineering. Heating is powered by recovered carbon-neutral wood pellets. Things such as double-glazed windows, waste heat recapture and LEDs probably go unnoticed but definitely enhance the experience when you’re taking a dip at the indoor and outdoor UV-filtered pools, biohacking at the spa, or checking out the apres-ski DJ set.
The Earth Lab hosts zero-waste workshops where participants learn actionable skills to take home, such as upcycling used kitchen oil into candles or making flying seed bombs. The hotel partnered with a horticulturist to create a fruit tree seed bank that identifies and stores heritage varieties from the fertile Alps valley it calls home. Through OPPAL (Organization Pour la Protection des Alpages), the hotel also helps train volunteers who tend the sheep flocks being shepherded on the mountainsides at night to prevent wolf attacks.
The Six Senses Crans-Montana‘s starting double rate, which includes breakfast, is $745; IHG One Rewards members can stay for 180,000 to 361,000 points per night.
Tides Inn: Irvington, Virginia
KATE THOMPSON/TIDES INN
“Sustainability, but make it preppy,” could be this 70-room refuge’s motto, given its propensity to decorate with nautical blues, brass and wood buoys, and dedication to shoreline restoration to the tune of $3.6 million. The boat-shoe crews can even sail the Chesapeake Bay, park at the 27-slip marina and sign up for a day of volunteerism planting trees or wetland grasses with Friends of the Rappahannock to stop erosion and increase wildlife and aquatic habitat.
Guests can also help out on-site, planting oysters on the inn’s reef while learning about the keystone species and their water-filtering skills from the resident ecologist. He also runs similar excursions about area birds and the world-famous blue crabs. The staff horticulturalist, who oversees the pollinator gardens, vegetable garden and bee meadow, gives tours of those areas and leads a foraging journey on the mushroom trails while the beekeeper lets guests in on the secret life of bees at the apiary — kooky costume and tasting included.
CHRISTOS DRAZOS/BLUE PALACE/SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD
Quiet luxury meets conscious hospitality at the female-led, family-owned boutique on the jagged shores of sunny Crete. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, bijou private beach (which is Blue Flag certified), alfresco dining, calm azure waters, and 47 airy bungalows and villas fresh off a refresh and stacked across three floors like a Cubist masterpiece, the whole resort has a romantic honeymoon vibe.
The Small Luxury Hotels of the World member derives 91% of its power from renewable solar and geothermal energy, using green-as-can-be detergents and disinfectants concocted from sugar beets and bran, practicing worm- and micro-composting, and installing four-seasons glass, LEDs, sustainable flooring and even a minilodge for cats whose neutering they fund.
The hotel is particularly proud of its agricultural and dining measures. Phaea funds a progressive program to supply resources and training to resort staff members to encourage them to stay on the island and work the offseason as environment-friendly farmers. Then, it buys the bounty to serve at the hotel along with the honey harvested from Blue Palace hives and the house-made and -bottled olive oil. All that is combined with items from the property’s edible landscaping and organic gardens to create a mostly vegetarian menu — seafood is procured from the fishing village down the road — to lessen tourist impact. Guests can book an opportunity to harvest veggies from the garden with the farmers, cook them with the chef, feast alfresco at a communal table and wash it down with organic Greek wines.
Off-grid and eco-conscious resorts are par for the course in Costa Rica. One of the newer adults-only options that cares for the earth almost as much as it cares for the guests is this 12-villa property set atop a 58-acre rainforest reserve. It’s bursting with biophilic design elements like living walls, open architecture to better see the surrounding emerald canopy and, the piece de resistance, the lobby’s rain-fed water feature made of local stones.
The living areas take up less than 8% of the acreage, and guests are encouraged to wander the jungle trails to commune with nature and see some of the types of trees planted through a partnership with One Tree Planted. If you’re truly lucky, you might even see some of the creatures that benefit from the reforestation, including white-faced Capuchin monkeys, yellow-throated toucans, glass frogs and giant anteaters. For every night of your stay, the hotel will plant one tree somewhere in the country’s highlands, lowlands or mangroves.
Also in practice here: grey water reuse, irrigating with collected rain, green cleaning products, biodegradable bath products by Costa Rican company Raw Botanicals, a no-pesticide policy, and a food-and-beverage program that is locally sourced, organic and sustainable.
Turns out you can teach an old lodge new tricks. The 5,000-acre, 784-key grande dame of the Rockies opened in 1918, obviously long before anyone built hotels to combat carbon footprints, deforestation or melting polar ice caps. Or even worried about them, for that matter.
The Broadmoor, to its credit, has built a fairly robust sustainability plan to see it through its second century despite retaining its stained-glass ceilings and towering stone fireplaces. It started by upgrading existing details, including its 30,000 light fixtures. Now, it features natural gas boilers, low-flow commodes, minifridges that use nearly 80% less energy, full-size bathroom toiletry dispensers, and shopping bags and boxes made from recycled materials in the shops.
With 20 restaurants, cafes and lounges, dining is a giant part of the Broadmoor business, and many of its sustainable practices involve growing produce in the property’s gardens and greenhouses, harvesting honey from its hives, and raising wagyu beef at the owner’s ranch. It also leads Food Rescue, which sends untouched, uneaten food from buffets and banquets to Springs Rescue Mission.
Another big draw is the tennis and pickleball center, and The Broadmoor has come up with a clever way to extend the life of tennis balls — donating them to senior living facilities for walkers and chairs, and local humane societies and dog parks for pet play. Not only that, but the two golf courses are certified Audubon sanctuaries. How’s that for green?
The starting rate at The Broadmoor is $336 or 75,000 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points per night.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Some of the below offers may be targeted.
From lucrative deals for bonus points on hotel stays to generous sales of airline miles, we’re finding plenty of travel deals to help you earn and redeem your points and miles so you can book the vacation of your dreams.
We’re helping our readers each week by rounding up ongoing monthly promotions so you don’t have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. From frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers to help maximize your spending, make the most of your points and miles redemptions with these lucrative offers.
Here’s our list of some noteworthy new points and miles promotions for May.
Airline loyalty program promotions (May 2024)
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Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on certain dates, the chance to earn more miles for future travel and deals to rack up points toward elite status. Below are some of the offers we’ve found for this week.
Delta SkyMiles Mother’s Day bonus
Looking for that perfect gift for mom? With Mother’s Day approaching, Delta Air Lines is offering bonus Delta SkyMiles if you make a purchase through the airline’s shopping portal through Friday.
Earn 500 bonus miles when you spend at least $100 through SkyMiles Shopping, Delta’s shopping portal.
This is a one-time bonus applied on top of your regular miles earned through SkyMiles Shopping.
Hotel loyalty programs occasionally offer discounted stays, ways to earn extra points and deals at various properties. We collected some of this month’s active deals below.
Bonus points on Best Western stays
If you’re a Best Western Rewards member who plans on staying with the chain this summer, you’ll want to book soon to get the most out of this promo before it expires May 5.
Earn 2,000 bonus points for each night you stay with Best Western on all nights stayed through Sept. 2.
You can stay up to 50 nights with this promotion, which means you can earn up to 100,000 bonus points.
You must book all travel through Best Western’s website by May 5 to earn bonus points on your nights with this deal.
Credit card issuers sometimes offer deals and discounts for certain cardholders on everything from airfare to restaurant dining. We rounded up some credit card promotions that are active now. (Some offers may be targeted.)
Get a one-time $200 statement credit when you use your enrolled eligible card to spend at least $1,000 in one or more purchases at The Global Ambassador Hotel.
If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada this summer, log in to see if your Amex was targeted for this offer at a participating Hilton.
Get a one-time $90 statement credit by using your enrolled card to spend a minimum of $400 on the room rate and room charges at participating Hilton properties in Nevada (including Las Vegas).
Targeted Amex Offer at select Opal Collection properties in Florida
Taking a summer vacation to Florida? If you’re targeted for this Amex Offer, you could get cash back as a statement credit on select stays at Opal Collection properties in Florida.
Get a one-time $100 statement credit when you use your enrolled eligible card to spend $500 or more on the room rate and room charges at participating Opal Collection properties.
Targeted Amex Offer on a stay at PGA National Resort
Golf fans, this one is for you. Check your Amex Offers to see if you’ve been targeted for this deal on a stay at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Get a one-time $100 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible card to spend at least $500 on the room rate and room charges when you pay for your stay at PGA National Resort.
Targeted Amex Offer with Margaritaville Beach House Key West
If you’re looking to get away to Margaritaville, see if your American Express card (we found this on The Platinum Card® from American Express) has been targeted to earn cash back for staying at Margaritaville Beach House Key West.
Get a one-time $100 statement credit when you use your card to spend at least $500 in purchases on the room rate and room charges.
Considering a trip to the heart of Seattle? American Express has targeted some cardholders to earn cash back on a stay with Lotte Hotel Seattle through the end of October.
Get a one-time $100 statement credit by using your enrolled card to spend at least $500 on the room rate and room charges at Lotte Hotel Seattle.
In addition to these new offers, there are many others from previous weeks that are still available. These include:
Enroll in a Sixt rental car status match with multiple airline and hotel program partners.
Earn double Amtrak Guest Rewards points on qualifying Amtrak travel this spring. You must register for the promotion and be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member to earn bonus points. The offer ends May 21.
Enroll in an Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match opportunity if you are a United Kingdom resident. Successful enrollment in the status match is contingent upon submitting an application, proving equivalent elite status in one of 13 eligible airline loyalty programs and paying a fee determined by your status match level. There is no publicly available end date for this promotion.
Earn bonus World of Hyatt points for attending a virtual timeshare presentation. You must reside in an eligible U.S. state and meet an annual income requirement, among other requirements. You must request information here to learn more about this promotion. There is no publicly available end date for this offer.
Earn cash back on spending with The Motley Fool or American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points from the American Airlines shopping portal when purchasing a Motley Fool subscription as an American Express cardmember. The offer expires May 5.
Get an exclusive rate on tickets to the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte between May 8 and 12 with a Wells Fargo card. The offer is available to select Wells Fargo customers while supplies last.
Additionally, there are many stand-alone Amex Offers and Chase Offers still available across a variety of credit cards.
Targeted Amex Offers
Earn bonus Membership Rewards points when spending with Oceania Cruises. The offer expires May 7.
Earn cash back on purchases at Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley. The offer expires May 11.
Earn cash back as a statement credit when you stay at The Ned NoMad Hotel in New York. The offer expires May 12.
Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases at participating Viceroy Hotels and Resorts (U.S. city stays). The offer expires May 14.
Earn cash back as a statement credit on an eligible stay at select Hilton resorts and destinations. The offer expires May 15.
Earn additional Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases with Seabourn. The offer expires May 31.
Earn cash back as a statement credit on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex’s direct Expedia link. The offer expires May 31.
Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Caesars Rewards Las Vegas destinations. The offer expires May 31.
Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Mandarin Oriental properties in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The offer expires May 31.
Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases with Go Rentals, a rental car company. The offer expires June 1.
Earn a one-time statement credit on purchases with IHG Hotels & Resorts’ mainstream brands. The offer expires June 15.
Earn cash back as a statement credit on a stay at The Saguaro Palm Springs. The offer expires June 18.
Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on stays at The Line Hotels. The offer expires June 18.
Earn a one-time statement credit on a single purchase at Hard Rock Hotel New York. The offer expires June 18.
Earn a one-time statement credit on charges at participating Secrets Resorts & Spas and Impression by Secrets resorts. Book at the Hyatt Inclusive Collection website by July 14.
Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at Grand Hyatt properties in the U.S. and internationally. The offer expires June 30.
Earn cash back on stays with Minor Hotels Group. The offer expires July 31.
Earn cash back in the form of a statement credit on transactions with Carnival Cruise Line. The offer expires Aug. 1.
Earn bonus Membership Rewards points on a stay at a Canyon Ranch resort. The offer expires Aug. 12.
Earn a one-time statement credit when you spend at Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards. The offer expires Aug. 16.
Get a one-time statement credit on purchases across multiple Boyne Golf resorts in Michigan. The offer expires Sept. 1.
Earn cash back on online purchases with ResortPass. The offer expires Sept. 30.
Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on stays at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The offer expires Oct. 4.
Targeted Chase Offers
Earn cash back on a stay at Element hotels. The offer expires May 22.
Earn cash back when you stay at AC Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, Sheraton and/or TownePlace Suites. The offer expires May 23.
Earn cash back when you stay at select brands in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio (Autograph Collection Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Renaissance Hotels and SpringHill Suites). The offers expire May 29.
Earn cash back on a stay with Best Western. The offer expires May 31.
Earn bonus IHG One Rewards points after activating the offer and meeting a spending threshold. You qualify for this offer if you hold an eligible IHG One Rewards cobranded card and are targeted for the offer. You must activate the offer by June 30.
Remember that these are targeted, and you must activate the offers before making eligible purchases to enjoy the cash back or bonus points.
It’s a big, big day for Cunard, the storied cruise brand that once operated such legendary ocean liners as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 2.
The 184-year-old shipping company is finally beginning sailings with Queen Anne, its first new ship in 14 years.
Under development since 2017 and delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-awaited 2,996-passenger vessel will depart late Friday from Southampton, England, on a seven-night voyage to La Coruna, Spain, and Lisbon.
For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
The ship will then return to Southampton May 10 for a months-long series of sailings out of the port to such destinations as the Canary Islands, Scotland and Norway.
Queen Anne’s arrival marks a major expansion for Cunard. Long a three-ship line, the brand will now have four ships for the first time in years. It’s an expansion that will bring a 42% increase in cabin capacity and allow for a greater mix of itineraries.
It also signals an evolution of the brand, which has long traded on its history and nostalgia for the Golden Age of ocean liners.
Built to an all-new design, Queen Anne embraces the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven’t done before; it’s including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.
“With Queen Anne, what we sought to do is to preserve that quintessential Cunard essence but also to introduce an innovative modernity, which we believe truly heralds a new era in luxury travel,” Katie MacAlister, Cunard president, said Wednesday during a preview event for the ship in Southampton.
Queen Anne offers an impressive 15 places to grab a bite — more than double the number of dining options on the line’s other ships. The venues include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that serves Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new is Aranya, an Indian eatery; Sir Samuel’s, a high-end steakhouse; and Tramonto, which serves Mediterranean dishes.
Wellness-focused areas include a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio at the top of the ship that offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day as well as ballroom dancing classes at sunset.
A new juice bar and a cafe near the main pool serve healthy dishes, and the ship’s spa was built as a temple to wellness.
The spa offers a sprawling thermal pool complex that features eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. A relaxation room and a wellness suite will round out the offerings.
On the celebrations front, Queen Anne has a lounge specifically designed for weddings that spills into an indoor reception room. Just beyond the reception room is a new-for-the-line private rooftop terrace space for wedding and vow renewal receptions.
Other notable features of the ship include an expanded Commodore Club observation lounge. The main pool area of the ship, called The Pavilion, is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure.
Not everything about Queen Anne is different from previous Cunard ships. As is always the case for Cunard vessels, Queen Anne has a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase where you can take selfies in your formal night splendor.
You’ll also find the Queens Room, a ballroom that is a staple of Cunard ships.
Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail for Cunard since the line was incorporated in 1840. Cunard famously began as a transatlantic steamship company carrying mail and travelers between Liverpool, England, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Boston. It was originally called the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company.
Queen Anne will initially sail in Europe before departing on an around-the-world cruise in January 2025. Fares start at $201 per person, not including taxes and fees, for a quick two-night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany. Seven-night European sailings start at $618 per person, not including taxes and fees.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
When booking discounted travel, numerous opportunities are available, ranging from paid ticket sales to redemption promotions. However, one of the most reliable deals is the monthly Promo Rewards offered by Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
These monthly exclusive discounts are on the Flying Blue website; they apply to flights to and from specific cities or regions for booking until the end of each month. They also apply to a specified travel window.
This month, there are enticing offers for one-way economy flights to various European cities from just 15,000 miles. This represents a significant discount compared to the amounts other loyalty programs typically charge for similar award tickets. If you’re planning a trip to or from one of those cities, this could be an exceptional deal worth considering.
What is Flying Blue’s May award promotion?
Airlines: Air France and KLM Routes: Economy awards for short-haul and medium-haul flights between various European cities; economy long-haul flights between Europe and North America, including Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis and Quebec City; premium economy long-haul flights between Europe and Mexico Cost: Short- and medium-haul economy awards start at 5,625 miles; long-haul economy awards start at 15,000 miles; long-haul premium economy awards start at 26,250 miles
Travel dates: Travel from May 1 through Oct. 31 Book by: May 31
NICK ELLIS/THE POINTS GUY
Promo Rewards between North America and Europe
Right now, you can snag a one-way economy ticket for just 15,000 miles to Europe from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). Remember our tip to easily search prices month by month.
For example, LA to Amsterdam has some promo availability sprinkled throughout the summer months, but you’ll find the majority in October. It’s best to be flexible when searching for promo award availability.
FLYINGBLUE.COM/THE POINTS GUY
If you’re looking to be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics this summer, you can snag an economy ticket in July for just 15,000 miles, with open award availability.
FLYINGBLUE.COM/THE POINTS GUY
Remember, Flying Blue also lets you add a free stopover on your connection(s). For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Paris, spend a few days in Paris or Amsterdam and then travel to your final destination for no additional miles. To book a ticket with a stopover, you’ll need to call Flying Blue at 800-375-8723.
Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the “Book with Miles” button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the “Search flights” button.
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Now, select the flight you’d like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your reservation.
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If you plan to transfer points to book this award, you should find award space first. Then, place your ticket on hold and transfer your points. You never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.
Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, though Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.
Maximize your purchase
Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.
Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs. Since you can reserve these tickets on the Air France or KLM website, they’re simple for anyone to book.
In the never-ending quest to make boarding as efficient as possible, Delta Air Lines has rolled out an updated boarding process.
The Atlanta-based carrier transitioned to boarding by numbered zones as of Wednesday. Delta calls this a “simple change” — the airline isn’t making changes to who is in each group; rather, the updates are just to how the groups are communicated.
The new group numbers have already started rolling out to airports worldwide, and newly issued boarding passes should reflect the updated numbering scheme.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Before this change, Delta boarded its planes with “branded zones,” such as Delta One and Main Cabin 2. Under the new scheme, the airline uses zones 1 through 8 that reflect each of the previous groups.
You can find the full breakdown of who is in each group below.
DELTA AIR LINES
The airline explained this move as a way to streamline the boarding experience.
“Delta believes the move to numbered zones will simplify the boarding process for both our customers and our employees, adding clarity of sequence and improving the overall gate experience,” the carrier shared in a statement with TPG.
Delta’s move might make it easier for infrequent travelers and those who might face a language barrier to understand the airline’s boarding process. Additionally, many of the carrier’s joint venture and international partners use numbered groups for boarding, so this change makes for a consistent experience when flying on mixed-airline itineraries.
Interestingly, Delta introduced zone-based boarding back in 2018 as a way to better market onboard products across the entire travel experience. Perhaps the carrier wasn’t happy with how long it’s been taking to board its jets.
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It remains to be seen if Delta’s change will make the boarding process any faster, which would help shorten the turn time needed between flights. After all, as any airline executive will tell you, planes don’t make money when they’re sitting on the ground.
That’s why airlines are typically laser-focused on doing whatever they can to trim boarding times. For carriers like Southwest Airlines, an open-seating policy incentivizes customers to board faster and quickly find their preferred seat.
Late last year, United Airlines added a new seventh boarding group to help it save up to two minutes of boarding time for each flight. (American Airlines already has a whopping 10 boarding groups.)
Over the years, we’ve even seen scientists try to “prove” which processes are the fastest and most efficient.
Despite the research, the jury is still out among the U.S. carriers about how to get passengers on the plane as quickly as possible.
April was another busy month for airline network planners — both at home and abroad.
Perhaps most excitingly, two international airlines added new pins to their U.S. route maps. Philippine Airlines is adding service to Seattle, and Turkish Airlines is expanding to Denver, its 14th U.S. destination.
U.S. airlines also kept themselves busy this month.
You’ll find all the latest route news from April below.
Alaska Airlines continues to grow in Southern California. This time, the airline is adding three routes beginning in October.
This includes nonstop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Harry Reed International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, as well as flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington.
Alaska will also add two daily round trips from LAX to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) — a route that was previously operated last summer but will now return for year-round service.
American Airlines had a busy April with changes to both its domestic and international networks.
Closer to home, the carrier is adding its 228th domestic destination: Provo, Utah. This airport used to be mainly served by budget rivals, namely Allegiant Air, but American will now offer hundreds of one-stop options via its Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, hubs.
The airline also made some major changes to its long-haul network this month. It officially delayed the introduction of its new Flagship Business Suite product, which was supposed to debut later this year on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Due to delivery delays, the introduction of this new product has been postponed, along with over 10 long-haul routes.
Finally, American is adding a special never-before-operated flight from Philadelphia to Sao Paulo for the Philadelphia Eagles’ season opener in Brazil.
Avelo unveiled just one new route in April: Burbank, California, to Las Vegas. This new service begins May 2 with two weekly flights. It’ll compete with Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JSX.
Breeze Airways
Breeze made some big moves in April.
The airline startup added five new routes to its summer schedule beginning in June, three of which are from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The other two routes are from Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina, to West Palm Beach, Florida, and from Westchester County, New York, to Portland, Maine.
Despite giving flyers just a few weeks’ notice to book these flights, the airline seemingly sees an opportunity to boost service in these markets for the peak summer season.
The airline is also growing in Fort Myers, Florida, by establishing an operating base there. The carrier hasn’t announced new routes there (yet), but it already flies to 19 destinations from the Florida city.
It was a pretty quiet month for Delta. The airline just made one big network announcement — boosting Africa service — but it stopped short of adding any new routes.
After a two-year hiatus, Delta will resume flights from New York to Lagos, Nigeria, in December, and it’ll upgauge the route from New York to Accra, Ghana, with an Airbus A330-900neo. This represents a big boost in the premium passenger experience, as the A330neo features Delta One Suites.
Meanwhile, the airline’s flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg will become the first to be operated by the new premium-heavy Airbus A350-900 configuration, which offers two extra rows of Delta One Suites.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier continues to push into major U.S. markets already served by network airlines. This month, the airline expanded its presence with eight new flights touching big hubs like Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia.
Interestingly, the airline is also adding service from Charlotte to Miami, a hub-to-hub route already served nearly 10 times a day by American.
Frontier is also growing in the Caribbean with new intra-island routes from Puerto Rico.
Beginning June 27, JSX will relaunch service to Monterrey, California, with flights from Burbank and Orange County, California.
JSX operates from private terminals with spacious 30-seat regional jet configurations, giving travelers a more premium gate-to-gate experience than flying on a major carrier.
Silver Airlines
Silver Airlines cut two routes this month from future schedules. This includes service from Orlando to Huntsville, Alabama, as well as from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
Spirit Airlines
Like Frontier, Spirit has also been busy tweaking its network with new service to major U.S. cities that are already blanketed with flights by major network airlines. (This comes as traditional ultra-low-cost destinations like Orlando have seen plummeting fares due to overcapacity.)
This month, the airline added 10 new routes, including several in hotly contested markets like Chicago to Newark and Los Angeles to Seattle. The airline followed up on April 30 with another network expansion; this time, from Delta’s Detriot hub and from American’s Dallas-Fort Worth hub.
Separately, Spirit is dropping service from Houston to San Jose, Costa Rica.
Southwest hasn’t exited a city since 2019, but things are getting heated down in Dallas as the airline makes some major adjustments to its network.
On the carrier’s first-quarter earnings call, Dallas-based Southwest said it would drop four cities from its route map: Bellingham, Washington; Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; and Houston (at IAH). The airline will also shrink at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Additionally, Southwest is scrapping two existing routes: Atlanta to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Chicago (at ORD) to Tampa.
It wasn’t all bad news, though. Southwest will add four new routes, including a new contender for the shortest route in its network: Richmond, Virginia, to Baltimore.
United’s big international growth hit a roadblock this month after the Federal Aviation Administration’s increased scrutiny over the carrier’s recent high-profile safety-related incidents.
While the review is ongoing, United is barred from adding new destinations, which means cutting the carrier’s hotly anticipated new service from Newark to Faro, Portugal, before it even begins. The airline is also delaying its new service from Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines.
United is allowed to continue growing to existing destinations, and it’s doing just that with four new North American routes launching in the coming months:
San Francisco to Detroit
San Francisco to Montreal
San Francisco to St. Louis
Chicago to Joplin, Missouri
Aeromexico
Aeromexico added one new U.S. route this month from Atlanta to Queretaro, Mexico. This new daily flight will take off Aug. 5 on board an Embraer E190.
Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines will become the first airline to connect the U.S. with Chongqing, China. Hainan filed this new flight from Chongqing to Seattle beginning in May.
Furthermore, Hainan is set to bring back its Boston-to-Beijing flight in May. It was last served in March 2020.
Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse is adding a new route from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to LAS beginning Sept. 12.
It’s not all good news for the airline, as the carrier will suspend three routes at the end of the summer. This includes New York to Athens, Greece; New York to Rome; and Los Angeles to Paris.
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines is adding a new U.S. gateway: Seattle. The airline will fly a new 6,651-mile route to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines beginning Oct. 2 on a three-times-weekly basis.
Flights will operate in both directions on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a 370-seat Boeing 777-300ER. This jet features 42 lie-flat business-class seats and 328 economy seats.
Seattle becomes PAL’s sixth destination in the U.S., joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu and Guam.
This route has been in the works for years, as it was originally supposed to launch just before the coronavirus pandemic.
Turkish Airlines is also adding a new U.S. gateway: Denver.
Turkish’s new Denver-to-Istanbul route launches June 11 with three-times-weekly service. This route will give Denver-based travelers hundreds of one-stop itineraries to cities across the airline’s impressive global network.
It also comes as Denver has seen a major increase in air service, particularly with expanded options from fellow Star Alliance carrier United Airlines.
Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus is launching new once-weekly flights between Charlotte and Cancun, Mexico, on May 25.
Viva will go head-to-head against American Airlines, which offers up to three daily flights in this market.
WestJet
WestJet is adding new twice-weekly seasonal service from Nashville to Winnipeg, Manitoba. This limited-time service will only operate from Sept. 16 to Nov. 15.
Nashville will become WestJet’s seventh direct link between Winnipeg and a U.S. destination and its 23rd nonstop U.S. flight overall.
Xiamen Airlines
Xiamen Airlines filed twice-weekly service from New York to Fuzhou, China, starting in June. The market was last served in April 2020.
Air India Flying Returns is the loyalty program for Air India. You can earn and redeem reward points within the Flying Returns program and earn tier points toward elite status.
Air India is a Star Alliance airline, so you may be interested in its loyalty program even if you don’t frequently visit India or fly on Air India.
Within the Air India Flying Returns program, there are two types of points: reward points and tier points. You can redeem reward points for award flights and upgrades, while tier points are what you need to earn Flying Returns elite status.
Reward points expire 24 months after you earn them, but you can extend the expiration date of all your reward points each time you fly on a paid flight operated by Air India.
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Earn reward and tier points on Air India flights
You can earn reward and tier points on Air India flights. You’ll earn reward points as follows on Air India flights:
Red elite members: 6 reward points per 100 Indian rupees (about $1.20)
Silver elite members: 8 reward points per 100 Indian rupees
Gold elite members: 9 reward points per 100 Indian rupees
Platinum elite members: 10 reward points per 100 Indian rupees
Plus, you’ll earn 2 bonus reward points per 100 Indian rupees when you book using the Air India website or mobile app. You also earn 6 tier points per 100 Indian rupees spent on Air India flights regardless of your Flying Returns elite status tier.
Earn reward and tier points on Star Alliance flights
You can earn reward and tier points when you fly in eligible fare classes on Star Alliance airline partners. You’ll earn reward points based on your flight distance and fare class, as shown on the partner airlines page. You’ll also earn 1 tier point per 2 reward points when flying on Star Alliance partner airlines.
Other ways to earn reward points
You can also earn reward points (but not tier points) with select partners. Here’s a quick overview:
Air India credit cards: Residents of India can apply for an Air India credit card that earns reward points. There aren’t currently any cobranded Air India credit cards available to U.S. residents.
Convert transferable points: Some banks within India allow cardmembers to transfer rewards to Air India. However, Air India isn’t a transfer partner for major U.S. transferable reward currencies.
Stays: Several regional hotel brands and properties in India let Flying Returns members earn 5 to 20 reward points per 100 Indian rupees spent on stays.
Car rentals: Three lesser-known car rental companies — Bookairportcab.com, Discover Cars and Zoomcar — let Flying Returns members earn 5 to 10 reward points per 100 Indian rupees spent.
Experience and lifestyle purchases: Several merchants, including Antara River Cruises and Sherpa, let Flying Returns members earn 5 to 25 reward points per 100 Indian rupees spent. Meanwhile, one merchant offers a much lower 5 reward points per 4 euros (about $4.27) spent.
Unfortunately, most of these other ways to earn reward points won’t help travelers who don’t spend extensive time in India. Some are inaccessible if you aren’t eligible for credit cards issued by Indian banks.
The Air India Flying Returns program has four tiers, including an entry-level Red tier with no requirements. To reach the other tiers, you must meet specific requirements for tier points or flights with Air India and its Star Alliance partner airlines over the last 365 days.
Once you meet the requirements for a new elite status tier, you’ll enjoy its benefits for one year. After that point, you’ll be downgraded based on your activity within the last 365 days.
Qualification requirements for each Flying Returns elite status tier are as follows:
Red: No qualification requirements
Silver: 15,000 tier points (with at least 4,500 tier points on Air India) or 30 flights (with at least four flights on Air India)
Gold: 30,000 tier points (with at least 9,000 tier points on Air India) or 60 flights (with at least eight flights on Air India)
Platinum: 45,000 tier points (with at least 13,500 tier points on Air India) or 90 flights (with at least 12 flights on Air India)
The primary benefit of Flying Returns Red status is the ability to earn and redeem points. Here’s a look at the primary benefits you can expect at each Flying Returns elite status tier above what you’d get at the previous tier:
Silver: Star Alliance Silver status, 50% off on standard seats on domestic Air India flights, one upgrade voucher for a domestic Air India flight, priority check-in and boarding, less expensive change fees on domestic Air India flights, the ability to check 10 kilograms (about 22 pounds) more on Air India flights where the free baggage allowance uses a weight-based system and priority waitlist clearance
Gold: Star Alliance Gold status, lounge access with one guest, free standard seat selection on Air India flights, two upgrade vouchers for domestic flights, Fly Early benefit on domestic Air India flights, the ability to check 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) extra or one piece more on Air India flights and Star Alliance partner flights, one free change per ticket on domestic Air India flights up to 24 hours before departure (and on international Air India flights up to 72 hours before departure) and less expensive cancellation fees for domestic Air India flights
Platinum: free seat selection on Air India flights, three upgrade vouchers for domestic flights, two free changes per ticket on Air India flights up to 24 hours before departure and waived cancellation fees on domestic Air India flights
If you don’t frequently fly on Air India, the primary benefit of status will be the Star Alliance status you can get. However, you must reach Gold for Star Alliance Gold status before seeing any significant benefits.
You can redeem Flying Returns points for Air India flights, Star Alliance partner flights and upgrades on Air India flights.
Redeem points on Air India
You can redeem points for flights or upgrades on flights Air India operates. I haven’t found an award chart for flights or upgrades, but you can check the rates for specific routes using the Flying Returns points calculator.
Here’s the award flight and upgrade rates I found using the calculator for a few one-way routes (the calculator wouldn’t give me the award cost for premium economy or business awards on these routes):
Mumbai to Jaipur, India: 6,000 points for a Value economy award flight, 8,000 points for a Prime economy award flight and 12,000 points to upgrade from economy to business
Mumbai to Delhi, India: 5,000 to 7,500 points for a Value economy award flight, 9,500 points for a Prime economy award flight and 15,500 points to upgrade from economy to business
Bengaluru to Delhi, India: 7,800 to 8,000 points for a Value economy award flight, 12,000 points for a Prime economy award flight and 23,000 points to upgrade from economy to business
Delhi to Chicago: 65,000 points for a Value economy award flight, 84,000 points for a Prime economy award flight, 42,000 points to upgrade from economy to premium economy and 110,000 points to upgrade from economy to business
Delhi to San Francisco: 77,000 points for a Value economy award flight, 103,000 points for a Prime economy award flight, 47,000 points to upgrade from economy to premium economy and 108,000 points to upgrade from economy to business
WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES
Redeem Flying Returns points on Star Alliance partners
Air India claimed all Star Alliance partners would be bookable online when the revamped program launched in early April. However, the Air India website still notes that you can only book award flights operated by United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Austrian Airlines online. You must call to book award flights operated by other Star Alliance airlines.
You can only book one-segment awards on Star Alliance airlines, and there’s no published award chart for Star Alliance partners. Instead, Flying Returns members are instructed to enter their flight details into the points calculator to see award rates. However, each Star Alliance partner route I entered into the calculator gave me a “No routes found” error.
Undeterred, I headed to the award booking tool and found I could book an economy award flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on at least one date for 5,500 points. I don’t have 5,500 points in my account, so the website wouldn’t let me see the taxes and fees on this award.
AIRINDIA.COM
I also found a date on which I could book an economy award flight from EWR to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for 7,500 points.
AIRINDIA.COM
You can also redeem Flying Returns points for upgrades on Star Alliance flights. However, with the points calculator not working for Star Alliance partner routes and without a potential flight to update, I couldn’t see the upgrade rates.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 5 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar spent on other travel
These cards are great regardless of whether you’re booking a paid flight or an award flight. Remember that it may be worth using a card with a lower earning rate if it offers better travel insurance benefits, especially in cases when you’re only paying the taxes and fees for an award flight.
Air India didn’t have the best reputation historically, as covered by TPG contributors in past stories about a honeymoon disaster and a horrendous transatlantic flight. Thankfully, it seems the airline and its loyalty program are improving, even though its points calculator and award search aren’t as functional as I’d like.
Air India says it may add transfer partners and credit cards for U.S. residents in the future. But until then, there’s little reason for most travelers based in the U.S. to utilize Air India Flying Returns.
A welcome bonus worth more than three times the card’s annual fee? Check. Exceptional rewards on common business expenses, airfare and prepaid hotel bookings? Check. Massive travel perks, including an annual airline fee credit and exclusive airport lounge access? Check again.
It’s no wonder this is a must-have card among business travelers. Still, that doesn’t mean every small-business owner can justify carrying this card. It’s a great card, but it’s not the right one for everyone. So, let’s look at who should — and shouldn’t — hold the Amex Business Platinum.
Amex Business Platinum benefits
The Business Platinum card is offering 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. Based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is worth $3,000.
The spending minimum may be a tall order for many small-business owners. Still, if you have high inventory turnover or are growing your business, this card may help make your normal business activity much more rewarding.
The welcome offer is far from the only reason to consider this card. Here are some perks that you can get, including some benefits not available on The Platinum Card® from American Express (the personal version of this card):
Earn 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more and eligible U.S. purchases for electronic goods retailers, software, cloud service providers, construction materials and hardware supplies and shipping providers (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
35% rebate when you Pay With Points for a first-class or business-class ticket on a selected qualifying airline booked through amextravel.com (up to 1 million points per calendar year)
Annual statement credits — worth over $1,000 combined — with Dell, Indeed, Adobe, Clear and wireless telephone services. Enrollment required
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Just like the personal version of this card, you’ll enjoy these benefits, too:
5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels (through Amex Travel without the annual spend cap that the personal Platinum Card has)
Access to Amex’s lounge network, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges; effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight
A $100 Global Entry statement credit every 4 years or up to $85 TSA PreCheck statement credit every 4 1/2 years
For all of these benefits, you’ll pay a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).
Who should get the Amex Business Platinum?
Frequent travelers
This is a no-brainer, especially with all this card offers to the global traveler. One perk not mentioned above is no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees), meaning you won’t get dinged for purchases made outside the U.S.
Businesses with large expenses
Most cards offer 1 point per dollar on non-bonus spending. But if your business routinely makes large purchases of $5,000 or more, the 1.5 points per dollar bonus on big purchases is better than you’ll find elsewhere. And if your business makes thousands of dollars in card purchases monthly, that spending requirement on the welcome bonus won’t seem daunting.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Owners who value flexible points
The most lucrative way to redeem Membership Rewards points is to transfer them to one of Amex’s many partner airline or hotel programs. If you’re willing to put in the time and research, going the transfer route can increase the value of your points even above our valuations.
Someone who already has the American Express® Business Gold Card
If you already have the American Express® Business Gold Card, this could provide a one-two punch when it comes to earning Membership Rewards. Use the Business Gold Amex to fill in the blanks left by the Business Platinum card. With the Business Gold, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar on the two categories in which you spend the most each month from the following list (terms and limitations apply):
U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
U.S. purchases at gas stations
U.S. purchases at restaurants
U.S. purchases made from select technology providers
Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service in the U.S.
Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, ridesharing services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways
While you’re capped at $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year for this 4 points per dollar earning (you only earn 1 point per dollar after hitting that ceiling), that 8% return (based on TPG valuations) is pretty sweet.
Plus, Amex will even recalculate your top spending categories each month to make sure you earn the maximum number of points possible.
If you can’t meet the spending requirement for the welcome bonus or justify paying the $695 annual fee, there are better options for you, including the no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase.
THE POINTS GUY
Someone who already has the personal version of the card
Although you can get up to 99 Platinum employee cards, Amex says it will charge you $350 annually for each additional Business Platinum card you request (see rates and fees) and $50 annually if you request Amex Business Gold cards for your employees to use (see rates and fees).
TPG considers the Amex Business Platinum to be one of the best business cards with good reason: It has fantastic value for the frequent business traveler, and it’s currently offering one of the most valuable welcome offers on the market. If you’re able to meet the hefty spending requirement, you probably don’t need much more convincing to get this card.
On the other hand, it’s a much more dicey proposition (all right, probably a bad idea) for a business owner who sticks to the ground — particularly when there are so many great options out there to earn points, miles and cash back on expenses that matter most to you.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
