Tag: Travel Planner

Target is one of the most popular retailers in the U.S. If you’re a frequent Target shopper, you might want to consider a credit card that earns bonus rewards at Target. Thankfully, there are many options to choose from.

Let’s look at some of our favorite cards for shopping and earning rewards at Target.

The best credit cards for Target shopping

These five rewards cards are currently the best options for Target purchases thanks to their attractive bonuses or statement credits:

• Target Circle Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees)
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card 
• U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees)

The information for the Target Circle Card, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite card and U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

The Target Circle credit card

Rewards at Target: This is perhaps the best option for loyal Target shoppers. The Target Circle credit card offers a 5% discount on all purchases at Target and Target.com. You also get free two-day shipping on select items on Target.com.

Annual fee: $0

Current welcome bonus: Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase over $50 when approved for a Target Circle™ Credit or Debit Card.

Standout perks: In addition to exclusive Target offers, cardholders earn 2% cash back on dining and gas purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases outside of Target. However, cash back can only be redeemed toward a Target gift card.

To learn more, read our full review of the Target Circle™️ Card.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Rewards at Target: The Capital One Venture Rewards offers unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, including at Target — a great option if you prefer a low-annual-fee card without many bells and whistles.

Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)

Current welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Standout perks: Earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases and unlimited 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; you’ll also enjoy no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and an up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, among other benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

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Apply: Capital One Venture Rewards

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Citi Double Cash Card

Rewards at Target: Earn unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% as you buy and 1% when you pay.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees)

Current welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Standout perks: There are not many additional perks here, but this card offers a simple no-annual-fee way to earn 2% cash back on all purchases.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.

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Apply: Citi Double Cash

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U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Rewards at Target: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on all purchases made through mobile wallets. Target accepts mobile wallet pay, so you will earn this reward.

Annual fee: $400

Current welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 on travel) when you spend $4,500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Standout perks: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is a premium card with premium benefits like Priority Pass lounge access, an up to $325 travel credit and various travel insurances and protections.

To learn more, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card.

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

Rewards at Target: Earn 6% cash back at two retailers of your choice on up to $1,500. Target is an included retailer.

Annual fee: $0 first year, then $95

Current welcome bonus: Get a $250 bonus after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening

Standout perks: You can choose two retailers to earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500. Besides Target, the list of eligible stores includes Amazon, Walmart, Lululemon and Apple. Additionally, you can earn 3% cash back on up to $1,500 in an everyday category of your choosing and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Rewards at Target: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases.

Annual fee: $0

Current welcome bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months.

Standout perks: Besides the 2% cash-back earning rate, the card’s standout perks are limited; however, it does include cellular telephone protection and Visa Signature benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash card.

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Apply here: Wells Fargo Active Cash card

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How does a Target credit card work?

A Target credit card allows you to earn bonus rewards at Target, either online or in-store, in the form of cash back or rewards points. These cards also earn cash back or rewards everywhere you shop.

How to choose a credit card for shopping at Target

Before you select a credit card for your Target purchases, it’s important to note that Target locations can be coded as grocery or discount stores. The difference can impact your rewards earning rate depending on the location.

For example, I have seen a Target store in Oregon coded as a grocery store and one in Washington coded as a discount store.

If you’d rather not have to do the research, consider a flat cash-back card like the Citi Double Cash. This way, you can avoid having your purchase coded as a discount store or supercenter and be guaranteed bonus rewards, regardless of which Target you shop at.

How to apply for a Target credit card

You apply for a Target credit card the same way you would for any other credit card. Before applying, you should check your credit score to ensure it is within the necessary range and gather any income information required for the application.

Maximizing credit cards for Target

Shopping portals are an effective tool for saving money on planned purchases. When you begin shopping through an online portal, you will see the offers available for specific merchants.

You will be redirected to the merchant’s website when you click on one. The portal will track your spending and reward you when it identifies that you’ve made a purchase.

Shopping portals are beneficial because they allow you to stack your rewards. You’ll earn bonus points or cash back from the portal and the rewards your credit card offers.

Rakuten, a TPG favorite, usually offers around 1% cash back per dollar spent in certain categories with Target, though offers can increase or decrease at any time. You can combine these rewards with your credit card bonuses for massive savings.

You can also use a shopping portal aggregator like Cashback Monitor to find high returns on your spending.

Related: Quick Points: Supercharge your Rakuten earnings with Amex points

Pros and cons of the Target Circle Card

The Target Circle card has some pros and cons you should consider before applying.

Pros

• 5% off discount every day at Target and Target.com
• Free two-day shopping on select items at Target.com
• No annual fee

Cons

• Low earnings rate on non-Target and dining spending
• Cash back earned on non-Target purchases can only be redeemed for Target gift cards

Frequently asked questions

Does Target have a credit card?

Target has an official credit card, the Target Circle Credit card. It also has a debit card version of the credit card with similar perks.

When is the best time to sign up for a Target credit card?

The best time to sign up for a Target credit card depends on your situation. A good time could be when you know you have a large purchase to make and want to earn bonus rewards.

What credit score do you need for a Target card?

We recommend a credit score of at least 690 to qualify for a Target-branded credit card. However, your credit score is one of several approval factors, so there is no guarantee, regardless of your score.

Also, you may be approved with a lower score depending on your overall financial picture.

Can you use Target credit cards anywhere?

Yes, you can use a Target credit card anywhere credit cards are accepted. This includes Target’s cobranded card and any others mentioned above.

Can you buy gift cards with a Target credit card?

Yes, you can buy gift cards with a Target credit card. Generally, gift card purchases don’t earn bonus rewards. However, you might earn bonus points by buying a gift card with other items. I bought a gift card along with my groceries and earned rewards on the full purchase. Keep in mind that the Target Circle card does not offer a 5% discount on gift card purchases.

Is a Target credit card worth it?

A Target credit card can be worth it if you frequent Target stores. The official Target credit card is a great option. A flat-rate cash-back card is another option worth considering, as it can help you maximize your rewards, no matter where you shop.

Bottom line

Frequent Target shoppers should consider adding one of the aforementioned cards to their wallets. The Target Circle card will be the best option for many, but depending on your spending habits, you might find other cards on our list more suitable. If you shop online, consider using a shopping portal such as Rakuten to maximize your rewards.

Related: Target Circle: Everything you need to know about Target’s revamped cards and loyalty program

We have a new batch of discounted fares to Europe to share with you.

Flights to dozens of overseas destinations are marked down, from Alicante, Spain, to Zurich, Switzerland. Departure cities include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York City and Washington, D.C. Some of the prices we found were incredibly low, with several routes going for just under $400 for round-trip fares. You could even build an open-jaw itinerary that lets you visit several countries during your vacation, including some off-the-beaten-path places that are well worth your time.

The travel window is from August through April of next year, so you have a lot of flexibility to make your travel plans. Nearly all flights in this sale involve layovers. A slew of airlines have slashed fares in this deal.

These sale fares are for economy-class tickets but include a free carry-on. Depending on the carrier, checked bags will cost between $55 and $100 each way. If you book a ticket with Icelandair or Aer Lingus and plan to check luggage, you may be able to upgrade to a baggage-inclusive tier (such as something like “standard economy”) and save on checked-bag fees.

Related: The ultimate vacation guide to Tenerife in the Canary Islands

Deal basics

Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines and others

Routes: From Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York City and other U.S. cities to various destinations across Europe

How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline

Travel dates: Availability mostly from August through April 2025; some routes include Thanksgiving

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

European destinations in this sale include:

• Bergen Airport (BGO) in Norway
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
• Brussels Airport (BRU)
• Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) in Romania
• Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
• A Coruna Airport (LCG) in Spain
• Geneva Airport (GVA)
• Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT) in Sweden
• Helsinki Airport (HEL)
• Ibiza Airport (IBZ) in Spain
• Luxembourg Airport (LUX)
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• Krakow John Paul II International Airport (KRK) in Poland
• Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE) in France
• Tenerife North Airport (TFN) in Spain
• Prague Airport (PRG)
• Vigo Airport (VGO) in Spain

U.S. departure airports are:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW)
• Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
• Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.

Let’s start with a great deal we found out of Atlanta. You can fly from the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, to Sweden’s Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport in November on British Airways for only $446 round-trip.

Take a look at how much money you can save by jumping on these fare sales. According to Google Flights, the price for this Atlanta-to-Sweden ticket is almost $600 less than typical prices.

We found a good number of sub-$500 ticket prices to Berlin from the Northeast. United Airlines is offering round-trip economy seats from Boston Logan Airport to Berlin Brandenburg Airport in February for the solid price of $487 round-trip.

There is good availability for flights to Berlin from Chicago in early 2025, too. You can book United out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Berlin for $487 round-trip.

There are also nice deals out of Chicago to the Canary Islands in Spain. You can fly Iberia from O’Hare International Airport to Tenerife North Airport in January for less than $500 round-trip.

We found a great deal from Miami to the Spanish port city of A Coruna, home of the famed Tower of Hercules lighthouse. You can fly Air Europa out of Miami International Airport to A Coruna Airport in February for just $359 round-trip.

We saw good deals to Italy from Miami, as well. This Delta itinerary from the Sunshine State to Milan in January is available for $418 round-trip.

Want to spend the holidays exploring Dracula’s castle in Romania? You can book an American Airlines ticket in early December from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport in Romania’s capital city for only $413 round-trip — an excellent price. Note that checking a bag is expensive if you book the basic economy seat. If you need to check luggage, it will be less expensive to upgrade to Main Cabin.

British Airways has some nice discounts from the West Coast in this sale. You can fly from Seattle to Luxembourg in December for $414 round-trip.

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

There are a ton of European countries to consider in this sale, so be patient as you search. There are several great bargains, and the more flexible you can be with your travel plans, the better your chances of getting the best price.

Related reading:

• Valuable travel discounts and deals for college students and young adults
• Everything you need to know about State Department travel advisories
• When and how to renew your passport, according to the State Department
• Everyone is going to Sicily — try these 7 underrated places in Italy instead

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

If you’re like me and think nothing screams “vacation” more than a stay at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World, then I have some great news.

The new Island Tower being built at Disney’s Polynesian on the side of the resort nearest Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is now projected to open to guests in December 2024, and you can make your reservations now.

Disney Vacation Club members can book by calling member services at 1-800-800-9800. Annual passholders and all other guests can call 1-407-934-7639 for reservations.

Along with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the new cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort coming this summer, the new Island Tower is one of the biggest additions to Walt Disney World this year.

As with all DVC resorts, you don’t have to book a stay with DVC points that you own (or rent); you can also book stays with cash just like you would for Disney’s other resort hotels. In fact, in a somewhat unusual order of events, at least at first, only cash stays will be bookable to DVC members and nonmembers alike.

This new 10-story tower will not only open up more rooms for guests at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but it’ll also introduce, for the first time, some additional room sizes and types. Similar to many of the other recent DVC developments, including The Villas at Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Riviera Resort, the new tower will offer small duo studios for just two guests, deluxe studios (most similar in size to the existing rooms), one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas and two-bedroom penthouse villas that sleep up to nine guests.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will continue to offer two-bedroom overwater bungalows that are also bookable with (a lot) of cash or DVC points.

Related: How to rent Disney Vacation Club points and save hundreds of dollars on your vacation

When it comes to styling, the new development appears to have a somewhat distinct look and feel from the existing Polynesian structures. For starters, it is one large hotel building rather than the multiple smaller longhouses that the Polynesian has traditionally used.

Beyond that, Disney shared that the architecture draws inspiration from the property’s early concept art; in regard to the design and feel of the resort, it references the thrill of exploration and the beauty of the natural world.

More specifically, the tower’s lobby features a ceiling art installation inspired by South Pacific islands that highlights a variety of native wildlife. Each animal symbolizes a connection to the islands as well as the values important to the people of the region.

Additionally, Disney shared that it leaned into Polynesian wayfinding and the natural elements of water, earth, wind and fire when styling the new tower. It will feature artwork from contemporary Polynesian artists, along with some art that gives subtle nods to both “Moana” (which is also true of the existing Polynesian rooms) and Disney’s iconic artist, Mary Blair, whose work is also prominent in the lobby mural of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort purists may have some feelings about the departure from the traditional architecture and styling at the resort. However, others are likely excited about the diverse accommodation size options and the ability to book modern, all-new rooms at one of the most popular monorail resorts at Walt Disney World.

Related reading:

• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• Tips for visiting Disney World: 19 ways to save money and have more fun
• 12 reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property
• Save big bucks on Disney World tickets, hotel stays and dining with these discounts

There could be a “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” on the horizon for the roughly 50 million guests who visit Walt Disney World annually.

Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which oversees land use and public services within the area Disney World owns and operates, unanimously approved an initial reading of a 15-year development plan that could bring major changes to Disney World in the coming decades, including a possible fifth theme park.

Disney published a legal notice detailing the development plan in the May 29 edition of the Orlando Sentinel. It outlined Disney’s planned investment of up to $17 billion over the next 10 to 20 years, with a commitment of $8 billion in the next 10 years.

As outlined in the plan, those funds could be used to develop new office space, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces and theme parks. The proposed agreement encompasses approximately 17,370 acres of land under the CFTOD’s jurisdiction, the majority of the land they oversee.

Under the plan’s terms, Disney World would be approved to raise its total number of hotel rooms from the more than 36,000 it currently has to 53,467 and increase retail and restaurant space. Most exciting for Disney fans, the agreement also calls for a maximum of five “major theme parks” and five “minor theme parks.”

Disney already has four theme parks and two water parks, but if the plan is approved, Disney could potentially build a fifth theme park and additional water parks or similar smaller, more minor parks.

The agreement also calls for Disney to “donate land for public infrastructure improvements necessary to support the new development,” commit at least $10 million to attainable housing projects and award at least 50% of the goods and services related to design, development and construction under the plan to Florida businesses.

Today’s news reconfirms The Walt Disney Company’s $60 billion commitment to “accelerate and expand investment” in its global theme parks, cruise line and other vacation experiences announced last September by CEO Bob Iger.

“You can pretty much conclude that they’ll be all over — meaning every single one of our locations will be the beneficiary of increased investment and thus increased capacity, including on the high seas, where we’re currently building three more ships,” Iger said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call in February.

Since the announcement, the company opened the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and a Zootopia-themed land at Shanghai Disney Resort. It will also open Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Resort on June 6. Additionally, Disney recently received approval to build new lands and attractions at Disneyland and shared early concept “blue sky” ideas for Disney World expansion plans.

This development agreement, which has so far been supported by both Disney and the CFTOD, solidifies both organizations’ continued commitment to investing in Central Florida. Disney’s investment would bring growth and development to the area through new jobs, more tourists and additional state and local revenue.

Negotiations between Disney and the CFTOD have not historically been amicable. The contentious relationship began in 2022 when Disney spoke out against Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill that prohibited discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms, a bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis championed.

Disney’s criticism drew DeSantis’ ire, leading him to remove Disney’s self-governing status and special taxation benefits by taking control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District), renaming it and appointing five hand-picked representatives to the board that was previously wholly controlled by Disney.

Before they were ousted, Disney’s board members attempted to push through a development deal, which has kept the two in legal battles ever since. On March 27, Disney and the CFTOD reached a settlement that nullified any previous development agreements, with both parties agreeing to negotiate a new development plan.

A second and final public hearing for consideration of Disney’s development agreement is scheduled for June 12, though it seems likely the plan will move forward based on Wednesday’s unanimous vote. If it does, Disney World could get an even better makeover in the coming years than Cinderella did before the royal ball.

Related reading:

• Tips for visiting Disney World: 19 ways to save money and have more fun
• Save big bucks on Disney World tickets, hotel stays and dining with these discounts
• The 17 best Disney World hotels for your stay
• The 21 most underrated things to do at Disney World: What to see, do and eat that many guests miss

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

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are set to return to Israel this week.

Both airlines pulled out of Tel Aviv in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. United returned to the market briefly earlier this year, but it stopped flights again after an escalation between Israel and Iran in April.

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

Following these suspensions, Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, remained the only airline serving the U.S.-to-Tel Aviv market.

However, that’s all about to change this weekend, with both Delta and United confirming that they are returning to Israel.

Here’s the latest on when airlines are returning to Israel.

Delta Air Lines Israel flights

Delta’s daily route from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is set to resume June 7.

The airline will deploy an Airbus A330-900neo, which features 29 Delta One suites, 28 Premium Select recliners, 56 Comfort+ economy seats and 168 standard economy seats, on its daily New York-to-Tel Aviv service.

Delta originally planned to resume Israel flights May 1 but moved the date to about five weeks later, at the start of the peak summer season.

The airline said that it conducted an “extensive security risk assessment” to support its decision to return to Tel Aviv and will work with “government and private-sector partners” to monitor the developing situation in the country.

In recent years, Delta has been busy building its Israel network with new flights from Atlanta and Boston, joining the airline’s existing service from New York.

Flights to Israel from Atlanta and Boston currently aren’t available on Delta’s website, and there’s no published resumption date.

In addition to Delta’s flights, the airline also recently strengthened its presence in Israel through a codeshare agreement with El Al. The carrier currently flies to several U.S. markets, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

United Airlines Israel flights

United will make its second return to Israel since the war broke out in October; its flights will resume June 6.

The airline’s Flight 84 and Flight 85 — the early afternoon departure from Newark and the day flight from Tel Aviv — are the first to resume on Thursday. The carrier is then scheduled to add Flight 90 and Flight 91 — the evening departure from Newark and the red-eye flight from Tel Aviv — on Thursday, June 20.

United first resumed flights 84 and 85 in early March but suspended them once again in April following the Iranian strike. Now, the airline is seemingly ready to match Delta’s resumption date.

United plans to restart service from Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., to Israel in late October.

These flights are already available for booking on United’s website, but the carrier will “continue to monitor the situation in Tel Aviv and adjust the schedule as warranted.”

American Airlines Israel flights

American Airlines has just one Israel route left from New York to Tel Aviv. (The carrier scrapped its service from Miami entirely early last year.)

American closed its Tel Aviv outstation after the outbreak of the war, and it doesn’t plan to resume flights until the fall.

The airline’s Tel Aviv flights are currently scheduled to resume Oct. 27. American shared in a statement that “the safety and security of our customers and team members remain our highest priorities.”

Related reading:

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

Father’s Day may be alarmingly soon if you haven’t recently glanced at a calendar. Father’s Day is June 16 this year, so there’s not much time left to order gifts and secure restaurant reservations.

If you’ve already made all the necessary arrangements, kudos for being better-organized offspring than most of us. But if you’re still at square one, there are some great ways to earn points and miles while purchasing gifts or meals for your dad.

Here are a few strategies to help you get the biggest bang for your bighearted buck.

Related: The best travel gifts to buy for Father’s Day

Earn rewards shopping for gifts

Related: Beginners guide to airline shopping portals

Here are a handful of good shopping portal deals for potential Father’s Day gifts that are available at the time of publishing.

Bass Pro Shops

• 6 JetBlue points per dollar
• 6% cash back with Active Junky
• 5% cash back with Mr. Rebates

Cabela’s

• 2 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 Southwest Airlines points per dollar
• 2.5 JetBlue points per dollar
• 8% cash back with Active Junky
• 5% cash back with Mr. Rebates
• 4% cash back with TopCashback

Uncommon Goods

• 2 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 Southwest Airlines points per dollar
• 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase

Macy’s

• 8 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 6 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 JetBlue points per dollar
• Up to 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase

Saks Fifth Avenue

• 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) per dollar via Rakuten
• 2% cash back with TopCashback
• Remember to use the up-to-$50 bi-annual statement credit from your The Platinum Card® from American Express. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Hugo Boss

• 10 Membership Rewards points (or 10% cash back) with Rakuten
• 7% back with Capital One Shopping
• 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• 3 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 4 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 5 JetBlue points per dollar
• 10.5% cash back at FatCoupon
• 8% cash back with TopCashback

Ace Hardware

• 3.5% cash back with Capital One Shopping
• 9% cash back with BeFrugal
• 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten
• 1 Ultimate Rewards point per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• 2 JetBlue points per dollar

Since shopping portal offers change frequently, I recommend using a shopping portal aggregator site like Cashback Monitor to compare returns and help determine which portal to use once you decide to purchase your gift from a particular retailer.

Related: Earn bonus miles with these airline shopping portal promotions

Earn rewards for sporting events and concerts

You can purchase tickets to sporting events and concerts from various sites, and they all provide dramatically different return rates. The returns listed below were available at the time of publication.

Vivid Seats

• 3% cash back with Active Junky
• Up to 4% cash back with TopCashback
• Up to 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten

StubHub

• 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• Up to 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten
• 3% back with Capital One Shopping
• 8% back with TopCashback
• 8% cash back with Active Junky

Ticketmaster

• Up to 5% cash back with TopCashback
• Up to 3 Membership Rewards points (or 3% cash back) with Rakuten

Again, I recommend using a shopping portal aggregator to compare current offers for your desired merchant.

Related: Book and redeem rewards for exclusive events with Capital One’s entertainment platform

Earn rewards for eating out

Whether you intend to brave the crowds for a Father’s Day meal or stay home and order takeout or delivery, make sure you’re using the right credit card to make your purchase. Many rewards cards offer bonus points on dining purchases, such as:

• American Express® Gold Card: 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards when you make prepaid restaurant reservations, order takeout or join virtual cooking events; 3 points per dollar spent on other dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: 6 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

If you have the Chase Freedom Flex℠, don’t forget that restaurants are one of the bonus categories this quarter. Instead of the usual 3% cash back earned on dining, you’ll earn 7% cash back (or 7 points per dollar) through the end of June on up to $1,500 in combined purchases (activation required).

And if your chosen restaurant participates in one of the many airline and hotel dining rewards programs, you can earn even more points or miles by paying with a card linked to your account.

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

Save with promo codes and credit card offers

Some rewards cards offer targeted statement credits and bonus rewards on everything from retail stores and restaurants to travel and tickets. It’s worth checking them out to see if there are any helpful offers for your upcoming Father’s Day purchases.

You can often use these offers in tandem with a shopping portal, which is a great way to receive an extra layer of savings or bonus rewards.

For example, here are some of my current Chase offers that could come in handy for Father’s Day.

I also have a string of Amex Offers that could help me save money or earn extra points on Father’s Day gifts.

Eligibility for these offers is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.

You can also check other apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which now deliver many nonfood items. For example, the Office Depot page on DoorDash has items ranging from office chairs to desk lights. Click on the “Deals” page to see what’s on sale.

Bottom line

There are lots of ways to turn your Father’s Day gift-giving into a springboard for your next vacation. Thanks to online shopping portals, targeted deals like Amex Offers and credit card bonus categories, shopping for gifts and experiences can be more rewarding than you might expect.

Alternatively, if money is tight this year, check out our guide to using points and miles to give gifts with zero out-of-pocket cost.

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

Nordstrom Visa Signature Card Overview

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card offers a way to earn rewards on Nordstrom and a few popular spending categories. However, its unimpressive sign-up bonus and inflexible redemption options make it a lackluster card overall. Card Rating: ⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

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The information for the Nordstrom Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Are you a frequent shopper at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack? The retail brand offers a store credit card that can help you rack up rewards on eligible purchases. In general, department store cards like this aren’t worth your while, but there are some instances where this one may appeal to specific audiences.

The card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 740.

Today, we’ll review the card details to help you decide whether this card is a good option for you.

Nordstrom Visa Signature pros and cons

Pros	Cons
No annual fee Valuable rewards for Nordstrom loyalists	Unimpressive welcome offer Limited rewards and redemption options outside of Nordstrom

Nordstrom Visa Signature welcome offer

New cardholders can currently earn a $40 bonus to spend on Nordstrom purchases later if they make a Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom online purchase on their new card on the same day they’re approved.

A $40 sign-up bonus isn’t great, regardless of the card. To make it worse, the bonus can only be redeemed for eligible Nordstrom purchases. If you’re going to apply for the card anyway, you might as well apply on a day you plan to shop with the brand to get the $40 bonus, but it’s certainly not a strong pull to get the card.

Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea

Nordstrom Visa Signature benefits

As a Nordstrom Visa Signature Card holder, you’ll receive instant Influencer status with Nordstrom’s loyalty program, The Nordy Club. Influencer status typically requires $500 in annual spending.

You’ll have access to beauty and style workshops, free basic alterations, a $100 alterations benefit for more complicated changes, early access to anniversary sales, curbside pickup, special access to Clear the Rack sales and a personal double points day.

If you spend enough to hit the higher status levels of The Nordy Club, you can get additional alterations credits alongside the other benefits of the individual status levels.

This card is a Visa Signature card, so you will also receive the benefits associated with that, including purchase protection, zero liability for fraud losses, auto rental collision damage protection, roadside assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, $500,000 in travel accident insurance, preferred access to events and access to the Visa Signature Hotels collection and the Visa concierge.

Earning and redeeming points on the Nordstrom Visa Signature

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. You’ll also get 2 points per dollar spent on dining, entertainment and travel purchases.

Even though 2 points per dollar may sound enticing, you probably won’t want to use this card for dining, entertainment or travel purchases. We recommend using a card that earns more valuable rewards for these purchases.

If you apply for this card to get the Nordstrom benefits and bonus points, you should only use it at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. Nordstrom isn’t included in many typical bonus categories, so 3 points per dollar isn’t a horrible return on those purchases specifically.

Like many department store cards, your reward points can only be used on store purchases. You can redeem your Nordstrom points for a Bonus Note, which is essentially like a gift certificate to the store. You can manually redeem 500, 1,000 or 1,500 points for $5, $10 or $15 notes, respectively, through the Nordstrom app. Or, you can wait until you earn 2,000 points for a $20 note to be added to your account automatically.

These rewards are incredibly inflexible. In general, you’d be better off with a standard cash-back card that you could redeem for any purchase (including Nordstrom) at the same redemption rate.

Which cards compete with the Nordstrom Visa Signature?

Department stores aren’t a super common bonus category across cards, but there are still plenty of options out there that will reward you on Nordstrom purchases.

• If you want customized rewards: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers 5% back on the category of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined bonus category spending), and one of the potential categories is department stores. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are listed as popular merchants within the category, so you know you’ll earn rewards on those purchases with this card. For more details, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.
• If you want more general rewards: Go for the Discover it Cash Back. Both offer 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate each quarter (up to $1,500 in combined bonus spending each quarter). Department stores are a common bonus category for both, especially for the Freedom during Q4 for holiday shopping. For more details, read our full review of the Discover it.
• If you want a flat-rate cash-back card: Try the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees). It earns a straightforward 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay). For more details, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.

For additional options, check out our list of the best cash-back cards.

The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® and Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card

Is the Nordstrom Visa Signature worth it?

Generally speaking, store cards are rarely a great deal. Unfortunately, that applies to the Nordstrom Visa Signature Card. While there are a few benefits (such as instant Influencer status), most people will be better off with another card option.

Bottom line

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card might make sense if you’re a rare Nordstrom loyalist.

If not, however, you’ll be better off with any general cash-back card that offers you plenty of value at Nordstrom and beyond.

Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases

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

College students are at a big disadvantage when it comes to racking up points and miles since most have limited income and little to no credit history. This makes some of the best points and miles cards just out of their reach.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® resolves this dilemma while still providing outsized benefits to those with limited credit history. Read on to see why it should be the first card on every college student’s list.

Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel

No annual fee to worry about

Since most college students don’t earn a lot, cards with annual fees are often out of reach. The Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee. That means more cash in your pocket to spend on food and activities while traveling. But there’s a long-term benefit to this as well: You can keep this card open forever without worrying about an annual fee, and boost your credit score at the same time.

As the length of your credit history determines 15% of your credit score, you can keep your no-annual-fee card open for a long time and see a boost in your credit score.

 

Before you apply for your first credit card, it’s important to know what your credit score is and to fully understand the factors that influence it. If you miss payments or spend money you don’t have just to earn points, it will end up costing you in both the short term and long term — and you’ll end up paying way more than any value you get in rewards.

Related: How to check your credit score for free

It’s relatively easy to get approved

Because the Freedom Unlimited has a moderate sign-up bonus- earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back) – and fewer perks than some of Chase’s more premium alternatives, it’s generally one of the easier entry-level cards to get approved for.

Building credit is like chutes and ladders; a few approvals can boost your score quickly, but a rejection early on can set you back in the short term. It helps to be conservative in the early stages and apply for cards you’re more likely to get approved for. Remember to allow at least a few months to pass between credit card applications; applying for too many cards too quickly can raise a red flag for issuers.

Related: What credit score do you need to get the Chase Freedom cards?

Build credit and establish a good relationship with the issuer

It takes years of consistent payments and responsible spending to build up your credit score, but it helps to make some friends along the way. If you’re new to credit and you show Chase (or any credit issuer) that you can be responsible with the first card it gives you — make all your payments on time, keep a low balance-to-limit ratio, etc. — it will be much more likely to approve you for other valuable cards down the line.

Having good credit and a good relationship with an issuer isn’t just good for getting approved for new cards. It can also help boost your credit limit. Your first credit card will likely have a low credit limit, with the exact limit depending on factors such as income and credit score. If you’re responsible with the card and use it frequently, the issuer will notice this and be more inclined to raise your credit limit.

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

Useful bonus categories

Freedom Unlimited cardholders will earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining — including takeout — and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Many college students spend a lot of money on dining every month, so having a card that earns 3% back on dining is a huge plus.

If you need to buy everyday supplies for your dorm room, like dish soap or toiletries, try to make those purchases at a drugstore to earn extra rewards. There is usually at least one drugstore near a college campus, so doing this should be fairly easy. Even if you have to use this card at a regular grocery store, you’ll still earn 1.5% back.

Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card

A valuable welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card

Many of the best credit cards on the market have minimum spending requirements of $3,000 to $5,000 in the first three months, but how are you supposed to do that if you don’t even have that much money in the bank? Fortunately, the Freedom Unlimited is much more manageable, as it comes with an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back) for new applicants.

If your income situation improves and you’ve demonstrated responsible credit card habits over a period of time, you can consider adding a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With a more premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can convert the cash back on your Freedom Unlimited into Ultimate Rewards points. You can then transfer the points to 14 airline and hotel travel partners or redeem them through Chase Travel.

Related: Ways to meet minimum spending requirements

Amazing long-term earning potential

After you open your Freedom Unlimited, you’ll be one step closer to possessing the “Chase Trifecta” of credit cards. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited: 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Reserve earns 5 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases and Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3 points on dining, and 2 points on all other travel. The Reserve has a high annual fee of $550 but has plenty of premium travel benefits. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:  This card offers 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (up to $150,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year). It might not make sense when you’re a college student, but it could become a useful card down the line if you decide to start your own business. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Remember: While the Freedom Unlimited has strong earning potential on its own, it’s technically just a cash-back card. To unlock Ultimate Rewards sweet spot redemptions, you need to pair it with a premium UR-earning card like the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. Get ahead of your post-graduation travel plans by beginning your rewards earning now with the Freedom Unlimited, so that you already have a pool of rewards ready when you open a higher-tier Chase card.

Related: The best Chase credit cards

Chase Application restrictions

When you first start collecting points and miles, you’re bound to be overwhelmed by a bunch of jargon. Abbreviations such as URs and MRs (Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards points, respectively) are commonly used among points and miles enthusiasts and can be quite confusing for those starting off.

You can and should learn as you go, but it helps to be aware of one thing from the start when applying for Chase cards: the issuer’s infamous 5/24 rule. Simply put, Chase will automatically reject you for most of its credit cards if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months (across all issuers). This means that you generally want to start by filling up your five “slots” with Chase before moving on, and the Freedom Unlimited is a great way to start.

Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots

Bottom line

College (if not sooner) is the perfect time to start establishing a credit history, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited is an excellent beginner credit card for students. If you’re a college student or entering the points hobby with a limited credit history, there’s no shame in starting small and applying for cards that you can actually get approved for as you go. When you’re ready to upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll already have built up a meaningful stash of rewards and be well on your way to a free vacation.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

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Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

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Related: Chase Freedom Flex card review

If you’re longing to explore Seoul’s rich history and famous food scene, now could be the perfect time to plan a trip. Delta Air Lines has excellent award availability to the South Korean capital this summer — and you can travel in comfort in its Delta One business-class suites for only 130,000 SkyMiles.

First flagged by @FindFlightsforMe, these spacious lie-flat cabins typically cost more than 400,000 SkyMiles. Keep reading to find out how you can snag this one-way flight deal

Book Delta One award availability to Seoul this summer

Delta is currently showing plentiful award availability in Delta One, its business-class suites, from the East Coast to Seoul in July and August. We found flights from New York, Boston, Miami and Washington, D.C., for just 135,000 SkyMiles and $6 one-way. Atlanta to Seoul is even cheaper at 130,000 miles and $6 one-way.

You can fly into one of Seoul’s two international airports: Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP). It’s easiest to search all Seoul-area airports by typing “SEL” into the destination box.

Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles

To check availability across an entire month, tick the “My dates are flexible” box when you begin your search, then click “Price calendar.” Be sure to also check the “Shop with miles” box and select Delta One in the fare drop-down menu.

If you’re not located on the East Coast, don’t feel left out. We found Delta One award availability to Seoul from Dallas, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles for the same price. Or, if you’re not near one of these hubs, you might consider booking a positioning flight.

Plus, if you hold a Delta cobranded credit card, you’ll get a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights (not including taxes and fees); this means you could pay fewer than 115,000 miles one-way.

Delta One is a fully enclosed suite in the sky with sliding doors and do-not-disturb indicators. These seats provide extra privacy along with the usual business-class perks, including lie-flat seats, gourmet food, lounge access and more. Delta One seats on long-haul flights can often go for hundreds of thousands of miles each way. So, 130,000 is a great deal.

While getting to Seoul in Delta One is a steal, coming home is a different story. Award availability from Seoul to the East Coast is currently hovering around 400,000 miles for Delta One (or 135,000 if you downgrade to economy class).

In this case, it’s worth searching for your return flight on other airlines and credit card travel portals to find the best rate, in either points or cash.

Related: Should you book flights on a travel portal?

How to earn SkyMiles

Delta has several cobranded credit cards that earn SkyMiles on every purchase:

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Delta is also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, allowing you to turn your Membership Rewards points into Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Note that the transfer process requires a fee of $0.0006 per point, up to a maximum of $99, which will be charged to your card account. If you don’t have enough SkyMiles for redemption, this is a quick way to replenish them.

Here are some of our favorite cards for earning Amex Membership Rewards:

• American Express® Gold Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express

Related: The best business-class seats to book using Amex Membership Rewards points

Bottom line

It’s rare to find Delta One award availability on a flight like this for just 130,000 miles one-way — and there’s no better time to spring for business-class seats than on a long-haul flight. If Seoul is on your bucket list, consider snagging this deal before it disappears.

Southwest Airlines has just become the latest carrier to increase its ancillary fees.

The Dallas-based airline recently jacked prices for two popular optional services: EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding. This news was first reported by Danny Deal Guru and later confirmed to TPG by an airline spokesperson.

Southwest’s updated fee structure for these products now ranges from:

• EarlyBird check-in: $15 to $99 one-way, per traveler
• Upgraded Boarding: $30 to $149 per segment, per traveler

While Southwest didn’t change the minimum amount it charges for these services, it stealthily boosted the maximum amounts. Previously, the airline charged up to $25 and $80 for EarlyBird check-in and Upgraded Boarding, respectively.

The roughly 300% increase for EarlyBird check-in and nearly 100% increase for Upgraded Boarding mark a steep price hike. The airline previously upped these fees a year ago, so some loyal Southwest flyers might feel particularly rankled by these changes.

It follows a larger, industry-wide move to increase ancillary fees that began earlier this year, as airlines look to boost revenues from the entire travel experience. Every major U.S. airline raised its checked bag fees (at least once) earlier this year. Southwest famously doesn’t charge for checked bags, and combined with its lackluster first-quarter financial performance, the airline is likely feeling the pressure to boost profits.

“This price range increase is a result of our regular evaluation of pricing for ancillary products based on market trends and customer demand and will generate incremental revenue in support of the company,” airline spokesperson Tiffany Valdez told TPG.

Southwest is also unique among U.S. airlines in that it doesn’t offer assigned seating on its planes. Rather, seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis to travelers based on when they check in for their flight. This incentivizes flyers to check in exactly at the 24-hour window.

Travelers who don’t want to deal with this can purchase EarlyBird Check-In, which automatically reserves their place in line 36 hours before departure; this way, they won’t need to manually check in when the 24-hour window opens. Southwest doesn’t cap the number of EarlyBird upcharges it sells on each flight, so it’s not uncommon to still get a mediocre seat when using this product.

That’s why Southwest also offers Upgraded Boarding. This is available for purchase anytime during the check-in window and allows travelers to snag one of the first 15 boarding positions. This add-on is even more expensive than EarlyBird check-in and is only available when there are unsold Business Select fares (which guarantee access to this special boarding priority).

These increased fees will particularly sting for groups traveling together. The airline doesn’t offer any volume discounts on these products, and upgrades add up quickly. If you’re looking to avoid paying these fees, it might be time to consider opening a cobranded Southwest credit card.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offer two complimentary EarlyBird check-ins per year. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offer four Upgraded Boarding passes per year.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Alternatively, Southwest Rapid Rewards elite A-List and A-List Preferred members receive priority boarding across all flights.