United Airlines and Welsh soccer team Wrexham AFC are bringing the action directly to Polaris and Premium Plus seats this summer.
The Chicago-based carrier and the global phenomenon, fan-favorite soccer club — which is currently working its way up the tiers of the English football league system — are teaming up to offer flyers new limited-edition amenity kits and pajamas in a unique Wrexham design.
The new amenity kits debut on June 1, and they’ll be available across the airline’s long-haul network.
Travelers seated in Polaris business class will take home a new Wrexham AFC amenity case that’s sure to be a hit with the team’s fans. The reusable toiletry case features the Wrexham crest and is available in red, black or white.
Inside, flyers will find all the usual amenities, such as Therabody hand cream, lip balm, eye serum, face spray and cleansing towelettes, as well as travel essentials, like a bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs, tissues, a pen and socks. (United isn’t removing any amenities from the pouch as part of this reveal).
For those traveling in Premium Plus, the airline will offer a new so-called amenity pouch, which also features the Wrexham crest and is available in red, black or white.
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The Premium Plus kits will contain all the standard amenities that United has historically offered in this cabin.
In addition to new amenity kits, the airline will debut limited-edition unisex pajamas on flights scheduled for longer than 14 hours. (Until this year, pajamas used to be available on United flights longer than 12 hours.) These pajamas resemble the team’s jerseys, with a red, long-sleeve shirt bearing both the Wrexham AFC and United logos on the front and gray pants with a United logo near the hip.
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These new premium products come just seven months after United unveiled an overhauled new Polaris experience that includes revamped Saks Fifth Avenue bedding (in reusable bags), Therabody amenity kits and more.
The partnership with Saks and Therabody remains intact – it’s just the exterior of the amenity kits that’s changing. (Separately, United said it will replace the limited-edition Claude Kameni day blanket with a standard-issue Saks day blanket in the coming weeks.)
The Wrexham tie-in may seem a bit out of left field if you haven’t been following the team’s story. But if you have, chances are you’ll be clamoring to score one of these kits.
United first partnered with Wrexham in 2023 as the club’s shirt sponsor, meaning that the airline’s logo appears on the front of Wrexham’s jerseys.
The team has surged in popularity, not to mention name recognition, across both sides of the pond after it was purchased by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as a passion project in 2020. The club, which was recently promoted to League One — the third of four tiers of the English Football League, but the third-highest tier in the overall English league system (yes, this is confusing) — is the subject of the Emmy award-winning FX documentary “Welcome to Wrexham,” which has chronicled the team’s transformation from a small-time club to a major player.
In fact, when Wrexham AFC launched new jerseys at the beginning of the season last June, they sold out in minutes, prompting a lucrative second-hand market for those who initially bought a jersey.
“We always want to keep things fresh, especially for our summer travelers who may not have flown United in the past,” said Peter Wolkowski, United’s director of onboard product design, in an interview with TPG.
“This is one of the better ideas that we had, especially since Wrexham has become a hot TV show, a hot property, and they themselves can’t keep merchandise on their shelves,” Wolkowski added.
United is the latest U.S. airline to unveil enhancements to its “soft product,” the part of the travel experience that’s not physically bolted onto the plane.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Dining rewards programs are among the easiest ways to earn miles, and one popular program is Alaska Mileage Plan Dining. You can earn Alaska miles when you dine with a linked card at participating restaurants.
All you have to do is join and register at least one debit or credit card to watch the miles stack up as you dine at participating restaurants. You’ll even qualify for bonus miles on your first purchase and increase your earning rate when you dine out frequently. Here’s everything you need to know about the Alaska Mileage Plan Dining program.
It’s easy to join Mileage Plan Dining. To sign up, you’ll need to provide your name, ZIP code, email address and Mileage Plan number.
While promotional emails are often pesky, we recommend agreeing to email communications. Doing so means you’ll earn 3 miles for every $1 spent instead of the standard 1 mile for every $2 spent.
Earning miles with Alaska’s dining program is as simple as signing up, registering a credit or debit card to your account and paying for meals at participating restaurants with an enrolled card.
Once you enroll a card in a dining rewards program, the program tracks your purchases with that card at participating restaurants. So, if you enroll multiple cards in Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, you’ll earn Alaska miles when you make a qualifying purchase using any of your enrolled cards. You can search for participating restaurants by name, cuisine type or location.
After you dine at a Mileage Plan Dining restaurant and pay with a linked card, you’ll usually get an email notification from Mileage Plan Dining. This email lets you know your purchase has earned miles and includes an invitation to submit a review.
Alaska Mileage Plan Dining has three membership tiers, earning between 0.5 and 5 Alaska miles per dollar spent:
Basic member: 1 mile per $2 spent
Select member: 3 miles per $1 spent
VIP member: 5 miles per $1 spent
As mentioned, you can upgrade from the Basic membership to the Select membership by opting in to email notifications. You can do this during the sign-up process or at any other time. As a Select member, you’ll not only earn more Alaska miles but also receive opportunities to earn bonus miles and get advance notice of promotions.
Becoming a VIP member requires opting in to receive email notifications and completing 11 qualified dines in a calendar year. On your 12th dine, you’ll begin earning 5 miles per dollar spent and qualify for bonus opportunities until the end of the next calendar year.
It’s also worth noting that you can join every airline- and hotel-affiliated dining reward program. However, they’re all part of the same network, so you cannot register the same card with more than one program.
Mileage Plan first-dine and reservation bonuses
New members can earn up to 500 bonus miles after spending $30 at any participating restaurant and submitting an online review within 30 days of joining Mileage Plan Dining.
You can also take advantage of the program’s reservation bonus by booking a dining reservation through Mileage Plan Dining. Not all participating restaurants offer reservations, but for those that do, you can earn an extra 50 miles every time you make a reservation, dine and pay with a linked card.
Note that this bonus is limited to one completed reservation per day, with a maximum of eight completed reservations per calendar month.
Although Alaska miles can be hard to earn compared to other loyalty programs, we value Alaska miles at 1.6 cents each — one of the highest frequent flyer program valuations. So, signing up for Alaska’s dining rewards program is worth it if you like redeeming Alaska miles. Otherwise, another dining rewards program might serve you better.
Remember, points and miles from dining rewards programs like Mileage Plan Dining come in addition to the rewards you’ll earn from your credit card.
To maximize your earnings when you dine out, we recommend linking your Mileage Plan Dining account to a card that earns bonus points on dining. Some great credit cards to use at restaurants include:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus on takeout and delivery in the U.S.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Alaska Airlines’ dining rewards program is a great way to earn Alaska miles. With Alaska Mileage Plan Dining, you can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants. Remember to pay the restaurant directly, as ordering through a delivery service like DoorDash won’t count toward Mileage Plan Dining.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
I often rent a car when I visit a destination that isn’t walkable and doesn’t offer public transit options that fit my needs. Unfortunately, rental car rates can be high, and sifting through all the potential discounts to find the lowest rate can be overwhelming. Luckily, this is where AutoSlash comes in.
In this guide, I’ll discuss how I use AutoSlash and share everything you need to know about it to help you save money on your next car rental.
What is AutoSlash?
A rental car in South Africa that I found through AutoSlash. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
AutoSlash is a website that provides three primary services free of charge:
AutoSlash distinguishes itself from other car rental websites by finding lower rates through features such as coupons, discount codes and membership-related discounts. You can also use AutoSlash to track rates if you already have a car rental reservation.
Rental cars at Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) in South Africa. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
When aggregating car rental options, AutoSlash factors in coupons and discounts many major car rental companies offer. You can find some discounts on AutoSlash’s coupon page, which I discuss below. AutoSlash also finds other discounts, including those related to the following memberships, affiliations, loyalty programs and credit cards:
Memberships and affiliations: AAA, Canadian Automobile Association, AARP, military members, military veterans, Union Plus and United Services Automobile Association
Frequent flyer programs: Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Frontier Miles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United Airlines MileagePlus
When you request a new quote or track a current reservation through AutoSlash, you provide information about your memberships, affiliations, loyalty programs and credit cards. Based on this information, AutoSlash shows you the cheapest rental car rates.
You may need to show your credit card at the rental car counter to take advantage of a discount related to a particular credit card. However, there is usually no requirement to pay with that card, so you may still be able to use one of the best credit cards for rental car insurance.
How to use AutoSlash to get a discounted car rental quote
Using AutoSlash is quick and easy. ANDREW KUNESH/THE POINTS GUY
If you’re looking to rent a car, AutoSlash is an excellent place to start. Start by going to the AutoSlash website and filling out the form to get a quote for a car rental. The first time I used AutoSlash, it took me less than two minutes to submit my request.
How to get a new AutoSlash quote
The first step is to choose whether you want to pick up your rental at an airport or near an address.
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Then, input whether you’d like to return the car to the same location. If not, state the return airport or address near which you’d like to return your rental.
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Next, input the pick-up and drop-off dates and times.
Then, select the vehicle type needed from a drop-down list. The options will vary depending on your pick-up location. If you don’t have a preference, you can choose the “least expensive option.”
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For international markets, AutoSlash also includes a drop-down for choosing the transmission type: automatic only or manual OK.
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Next, you must check the box next to your credit cards.
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Then, you should check the box next to any memberships you currently have, loyalty programs you belong to and warehouse club memberships you carry.
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Finally, AutoSlash asks for your name, the country where your driver’s license is issued and the email address to which you’d like a quote.
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After submitting the form, you can edit any information you entered incorrectly.
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Due to the depth of AutoSlash’s search, the quote isn’t available instantly, but you’ll usually receive it in just a few minutes.
How to book a deal using AutoSlash
After submitting a request, I always get a quote by email in under 15 minutes. The subject line for the above request was “Discounted Rates for Your 3/13 Car Rental in Denver.”
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Clicking on the link in the email takes you to a page displaying all your options.
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You’ll usually see options that let you pay later with Priceline or AutoSlash or pay now with AutoSlash. Your credit card will be charged for the pay-now option, but you can usually cancel until 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up. Meanwhile, you won’t need to enter a credit card for the pay later option.
In my experience, you’ll usually get loyalty perks and earnings with your rental company if you choose to pay later and enter your loyalty information when booking. But don’t expect loyalty benefits and earnings when opting to pay now with AutoSlash.
Rental rates change frequently, so you’ll need to book quickly after getting the emailed quote if you want the price to be accurate. If you wait too long, AutoSlash will offer to generate a new quote when you click through the email.
How to use AutoSlash to track a rental for price drops
After you’ve made a reservation with free cancellation, go to AutoSlash and fill out the form to track your rental for price drops. If you have your current reservation in front of you, filling out the form should take less than a minute.
The form for tracking price drops requires information about the booking, including the rental company, your confirmation number, the pick-up date and the price you reserved. You will also need to provide information about which memberships you hold and which credit cards you carry.
After submitting the form, you’ll receive an AutoSlash tracking confirmation email. You can click on a link in the email to set your preferences for the tracking service; for example, you can opt to only receive notifications if select car rental companies offer less expensive rates.
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If you receive an email saying AutoSlash has found a lower rate, the booking process is similar to what is described above for a new quote. Once you book a lower-priced option, be sure to do all of the following:
Cancel the higher-priced reservation
Cancel your current tracker (otherwise, AutoSlash will continue to send quotes when it finds lower prices)
Go to AutoSlash and fill out the form to track your new booking for price drops
There’s no downside to using the tracking functionality. If your originally booked reservation remains the cheapest, you can rest easy knowing you got a great deal. And if AutoSlash finds you a lower rate, the few minutes of your time will be well worth it.
If you need or prefer to book directly with car rental companies, AutoSlash may still be useful for you due to its coupons page. These coupons are specific to particular car rental companies and can be applied when booking directly.
You can select a specific company from the drop-down menu at the top of the page to only see the coupons related to that particular car rental company.
A rental car in South Africa that I found through AutoSlash. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
I’ve used AutoSlash for dozens of rentals over more than seven years. The site is legit and has saved me hundreds of dollars on domestic and international rental cars.
Whenever I need to rent a car, I open four sites: AutoSlash, Avis, Budget and Enterprise. For years, I used AutoSlash as a one-stop shop. But my current employer has corporate codes with Avis, Budget and Enterprise that employees can use for personal rentals.
I’ve found these corporate codes are competitive in many U.S. cities. I’ve also found the discount codes for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to be good (and not currently supported by AutoSlash). So, although I search on all four sites when renting a car, AutoSlash usually doesn’t provide the best quote for rentals in the U.S.
AutoSlash is still useful for tracking my rentals, though. It has also remained the most competitive when renting abroad. For example, AutoSlash provided the best rates I could find for several rentals in South Africa.
There are many ways to save when booking rental cars. The best method will depend on your memberships and travel style, but I recommend adding AutoSlash to your search process if you don’t already use the site. AutoSlash has helped me find competitive car rental rates worldwide, so I suspect it may also help you save money.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
We often say the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best first credit card for those learning about the points and miles hobby. That’s not because the card is a “beginner” card — quite the opposite. Many of us at TPG still have the Sapphire Preferred because it’s integral to our travel rewards strategy.
The card has solid ongoing benefits that are not points-related.
The card typically comes with a generous sign-up bonus.
In fact, right now, new applicants for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can earn a limited-time bonus of 75,000 Ultimate Reward points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it’s relatively easy to cover it (and then some).
Let’s look at how you can maximize the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits to ensure you’re saving the most money — and earning the most points — as organically possible. It’ll help you gauge whether the card is worth keeping year after year.
Overview of the Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits
Here are the notable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred:
You don’t have to be a points and miles enthusiast to appreciate the card. These perks make the Chase Sapphire Preferred a very practical card for anyone who vacations even just once or twice per year.
With a $95 annual fee, the travel protections alone make this card worth the price tag. And because the card quickly racks up rewards, you’ll have a small fortune in Chase points by the time you’re confident enough to use them.
Strategies for maximizing the Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s current limited-time bonus is 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG values that bonus at $1,538 — though you can get significantly more than that if you learn the Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred’s primary rental car insurance could save you hundreds on your rental, depending on how long your reservation is. CINDY ORD/GETTY IMAGES
But once you’ve used the bonus, what’s the best way to maximize this card?
Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for airfare
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on airfare booked through the Chase travel portal and 2 points per dollar when booked through an online travel agency or directly with the airline. However, amassing points is not the primary motivator for using the card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred will automatically give you two significant benefits (among others) when booking air travel:
Trip delay insurance: You are covered for up to $500 per ticket when your flight is delayed 12 hours or more (or if your delay/cancellation results in an unexpected overnight).
Baggage delay insurance: You and your immediate family are entitled to up to $100 per day in reimbursement (for up to five days) to cover the purchase of necessary expenses like clothes, toiletries, etc. This benefit kicks in when your bags are delayed six hours or more.
These perks alone are enough for many to keep the card year after year.
Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for hotels via the Chase travel portal
Each anniversary year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $50 statement credit for a hotel stay booked via the Chase travel portal. You’ll also receive 5 points per dollar for booking travel through the Chase travel portal (though the $50 credit won’t earn points). That’s a great pair of benefits capable of wooing anyone who normally books hotels via an online travel agency like Expedia or Priceline.
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Just note that this may not be the best option if you’re booking a major chain that’s part of a hotel loyalty program like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. Chase is considered a third-party platform for these reservations, which means you likely won’t earn points on the stay (and you may not be able to enjoy any elite status perks either).
You could always call the individual property after booking (or try to add your loyalty number at check-in), but it may not work. Your best bet is to use this perk for non-chain hotels or boutique properties.
Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for rental cars
Here’s another stand-alone benefit that may justify the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee for many travelers: when you pay for a rental car with the card, you can waive the in-house rental agency’s pricey Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance — which can cost upward of $15 per day — and you’ll still receive primary rental car insurance, courtesy of Chase.
Note that this covers damage and theft to the card without going through your personal insurance company. You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar if you book your rental through the Chase Travel Portal. However, this doesn’t include liability insurance (damage to the car you crashed into, for example).
Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay at restaurants
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 points per dollar at restaurants — whether you’re ordering takeout or dining in. That’s a great benefit to stack with the fact that the card offers one complimentary year (at least) of DashPass membership with DoorDash (when you activate by Dec. 31, 2024). You’ll get free deliveries on orders totaling more than $12 and earn 3 points per dollar on your purchase. That equates to 6% back on your meal.
Sometimes, your Chase Sapphire Preferred is best left in its holster.
Don’t use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to pay for non-bonus purchases
The card earns 1 point per dollar on all expenses that don’t fall into a bonus category. That’s not a reasonable return rate. There are plenty of cards (some with $0 annual fees) that will better serve you for these transactions. If you want to stay focused on collecting Chase Ultimate Rewards, swipe your Chase Freedom Unlimited® to earn a minimum of 1.5% cash-back (1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases.
Don’t forfeit other card benefits by using your Chase Sapphire Preferred
If you’ve got other credit cards that provide valuable benefits for specific purchases, don’t use the Chase Sapphire Preferred out of loyalty.
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For example, you can receive a free checked bag with United Airlines when you use your qualifying United Airlines credit card to pay for your flight. That could save you $60 round-trip and is worth using your United card.
Or if you book the same hotel brand often and elite status is important to you, use the hotel’s cobranded credit card to pay for your stays instead of the Sapphire Preferred. You’ll earn more points that way. For instance:
The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns 4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels (6.8% return based on TPG valuations).
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is well worth the $95 annual fee each year if you know how to maximize the card. The card packs a punch between its annual $50 hotel credit, the myriad travel insurances and its generous earning rates. And considering the solid welcome bonus, applying right now is a no-brainer.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred with limited time 75,000 bonus point offer after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The federal government is urging worldwide caution and alertness in popular tourist spots amid what it says are potential threats of violence against LGBTQI+ travelers.
The U.S. State Department issued a security alert Friday warning of the possibility of terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against American citizens. Specifically, the State Department is warning that Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons could be at risk.
“The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events,” the State Department said in the alert shared to its social media platforms.
Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. We are aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/6aXW4CAJoa
The warning comes just a week before the traditional start of the summer travel season, and just before the start of widespread Pride Month celebrations in June.
It also comes just a week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a joint public service announcement, which similarly warned of the potential for foreign terrorist organizations to target Pride events and venues in June.
Should travelers be concerned?
Though it shared serious concerns in Friday’s alert, it is important to note that the State Department did not detail specific threats or circumstances that triggered this advisory.
At the same time, the department told TPG, it’s aware of “long-standing messaging by foreign terrorist organizations encouraging attacks against LGBTQI+ persons,” including Pride celebrations.
The agency keeps an ongoing and robust assortment of travel advisories covering, essentially, the entire world. And it often issues safety alerts and reminders ahead of major travel seasons, and in the midst of situations involving emerging unrest.
For instance, before each of the past two spring travel seasons, the department reminded travelers headed to Mexico of common-sense safety measures to avoid becoming a potential victim of crime.
Additionally, the department maintains travel advisories for each country around the world, rating potential risk levels based on factors like the possibility of kidnapping, crime, unlawful detention and — for some regions of the world — specific dangers to LGBTQI+ travelers.
Notably, Friday’s alert for this June seems to cover travel around the entire world.
The state department has a guide full of advice and considerations for LGBTQI+ travelers heading abroad.
Here are some additional pieces of advice for your summer 2024 travels, including trips taking place during Pride month.
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Stay alert
The State Department urges travelers visiting popular tourist locations, including Pride celebrations, to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
This is always a good practice when traveling or venturing out into busy areas for any reason.
Enroll in ‘STEP’ program
The agency also suggests travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP allows travelers to receive information and alerts from the nearest consulate, wherever they are. It’s a highly helpful tool to have if you’re experiencing an emergency overseas — it can also help travelers be easily located, if necessary. More on that in our guide, here.
Travel in groups
Just like at home, whenever possible, traveling with a buddy or a group can be safer than going alone.
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Research your country
As mentioned above, the State Department issues travel advisories for individual countries and shares specific safety concerns for each destination.
In some nations, advisory notices do specify the potential for violence against LGBTQI+ travelers.
If you’re headed to a busy event in a crowded metropolitan area, it’s typically a good idea to have a primary plan for how you’ll get back to your hotel or rental property — and a backup plan, too. For instance, Uber or Lyft might be your “Plan A” — but what would be your backup plan if your phone died or cell phone service was spotty?
Though smartphones have made it easy to pull up walking directions on the spot, it’s not a bad idea to study the map of your destination so you at least have a general sense of the geography.
Visit a highly vetted hotel
Do your homework when booking a hotel to ensure it’s a fit for your trip — both in terms of amenities and safety. TPG has a vast library of hotel reviews and guides from properties spanning the globe, featuring firsthand testimonials and photos of what a particular property is like — including location and safety factors.
Share your itinerary with someone back home
As always when traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to share your itinerary — and any subsequent deviations from it — with a trusted friend or family member back home. This includes hotels or rental property addresses where you’re staying, flight numbers and a scan of your passport information page.
Most theme parks endeavor to pull you out of reality and into a world of fantasy. However, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World seeks to do exactly the opposite.
Not only were several of Animal Kingdom’s lands and attractions built to resemble real-life African and Asian destinations. The park was also designed to educate guests on their relationship to nature and inspire them to leave a lasting impact on the environment.
That’s a tall order, considering most people visit a theme park for rides and character meet-and-greets. A dedicated team of specialists works closely with the animals who call Disney World “home.” This allows guests to engage with animals in meaningful ways that will stick with them long after they return to the real world.
TPG recently spoke with Disney’s Dr. Scott Terrell and Dr. Zak Gezon, two such animal care experts, to learn how they tackle the extraordinary task of caring for animals at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Open since April 22, 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Disney World’s newest and largest theme park. The park spans 500 acres, with 110 acres alone — the equivalent of 83 football fields — dedicated to one of its most popular attractions: Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Flamingos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Disney is currently home to more than 5,000 animals from 300 unique species. Most of those animals reside at Animal Kingdom, but some live in other parts of the resort, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot and Tri-Circle-D Ranch at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Of those, about 45 animals have lived at the park since before its opening on Earth Day in 1998.
Some — like the bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators Disney supports through its conservation efforts — are simply too numerous to count.
Care and feeding
Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. DAVID ROARK/DISNEY
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, but caring for several thousand animals that live in a theme park presents unique challenges.
“At Disney, we are surrounded by entertainment and attractions, but every cast member in the park understands that animal care comes first,” Terrell told TPG.
Like other accredited zoos and aquariums, Disney has scientists who specialize in animal behavior, health and nutrition. They also understand how things like light, sound and temperature affect the animals.
“We use real data to make sure the animals are happy, healthy and comfortable so they have the ability to thrive in our care,” Terrell said.
Animal Kingdom’s hours of operation provide the most obvious example of how Disney prioritizes animal care. While most Disney parks remain open until 9 or 10 p.m. (and sometimes later), Animal Kingdom typically closes by 7 p.m. so cast members have time to care for the animals properly. This also means animals can have a quiet, restful evening without being disrupted by guests.
There are also no fireworks at Animal Kingdom for the animals’ sake. If you have ever been around a skittish animal during Fourth of July fireworks, you know just how important this is.
Rhino at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. DISNEY
Disney utilizes the latest technology to provide the best care for its animals. Two years ago, Disney shared that some of the rhinos on Kilimanjaro Safaris wear fitness trackers around their legs, but they aren’t trying to get their 10,000 steps in. Disney’s animal care specialists use the data from the fitness trackers to study how far and fast the animals move each day, as well as their napping and sleeping schedules. The trackers are also GPS-enabled, so Disney can see exactly where they like to hang out on the savanna.
This year, Disney revealed how the Animal Kingdom staff monitors the breeding and feeding behavior of the park’s more than 100 Northern carmine bee-eater birds. Scientists use small radio frequency identification tracking devices to keep tabs on how often the birds enter their feeding area in search of tasty insects so they can properly supplement their diets.
Of course, the park’s sheer size is also a factor. Millions of guests visit Disney World every year — far more than any other zoo or aquarium.
“Providing world-class care for these animals is our number one priority, but we also have the opportunity to inspire millions of people, which is pretty awesome,” Terrell said.
Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Of the 300-plus cast members who care for Disney’s animals daily, about 40 of them are responsible for creating, preparing and monitoring meals for both the zoo and aquarium animals at Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center. In fact, Disney’s is one of the few aquariums with a dedicated aquarium nutritionist on staff.
“We prepare about 1,200 individual meals daily,” Terrell said. “That’s more than 10,000 pounds of food every single day.”
If you are picturing the boring bowls of food you see in pet food commercials, think again.
“What many people might be surprised about is that we feed our animals the same ingredients we feed our guests,” Terrell added.
Feeding Disney’s animals the right food in the right amounts is very important. The Animal Nutrition team monitors their intake so closely that they know within 2 grams what the animals eat on a daily basis.
The team also feeds the animals a varied diet. The staffers introduce different spices or scents regularly, but they also love celebrating the animals on special occasions. When an animal celebrates a birthday, for example, the Animal Nutrition team might prepare a special meal like a cake made of fruit and vegetables.
“We know that nutrition is important to be healthy, happy and comfortable, and celebrating our animals helps them and their caretakers thrive,” Terrell said.
Next time you visit Animal Kingdom, you can see Disney’s Animal Nutrition team in action at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Look for the Nutrition Center window inside the Conservation Station; you can watch handlers prepare healthy meals for Disney’s animals right before your eyes and see examples of the types of meals they feast on.
At Epcot, you can watch the animal care experts feed fish, sea turtles and other aquatic animals at The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.
The doctor is in
Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, a veterinarian at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, performs an ultrasound on Sept. 21, 2020, on Kendi, a pregnant rhinoceros. DISNEY
You can’t exactly put an elephant in the car when it’s time for a checkup. Luckily, Disney’s doctors make house calls and can do everything from X-rays to ultrasounds. Disney employs almost a dozen veterinarians, including Terrell, who have training in a variety of zoological specialties.
“Here at Disney, we’re able to do just about anything that any medical professional or veterinarian could do,” Terrell said. “We have the ability to do things like PET scans, X-rays, surgery and lab work on-site.”
Veterinary facilities at Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
In December 2023, Disney welcomed a 218-pound baby African elephant named Corra into the world. Guests can now see Corra roaming the savanna when they ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. African elephants are an endangered species, and it took careful planning and monitoring to ensure Corra and her mom, Nadirah, had a healthy birth and bonding experience.
Disney’s veterinary team provided Nadirah with prenatal care that included regular ultrasounds and a few extra treats like sweet potatoes, carrots and hay to keep her happy during her checkups. They also measured the calf’s weight and checked the mom’s weight and hormones daily as the big day approached.
More recently, in March, Disney welcomed a baby addax named Julien to the herd. You may catch a glimpse of Julien roaming the grounds at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The addax is a species of antelope that is critically endangered in the wild but has the opportunity to thrive thanks to Disney’s expert care.
The 2-month-old African elephant Corra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. BENNETT STOOPS/DISNEY
Disney collaborates with the AZA’s Species Survival Plan program, which helps to promote safe and healthy breeding of certain endangered and threatened species to increase populations and ensure their survival. In addition to Corra and Julien, Disney has overseen the births of other species in their care — such as Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, cotton-top tamarinds and okapi — through the SSP.
Disney also performs routine veterinary services for its residents, many of which you can observe when you visit the park.
“The really unique thing about our veterinary program is that we perform most of our medical procedures right in front of our guests,” Terrell said. “We are extremely transparent with our guests about the level of care that the animals receive. To date, we’ve performed more than 26,000 medical procedures in front of our guests.”
Next time you visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you can peek into the window of the veterinary treatment room inside the Conservation Station building. You’ll see a screen with that day’s schedule, which could include anything from a CT scan to an injury treatment to a dental exam and cleaning.
Disney’s global impact
Disney’s commitment to conservation extends far beyond welcoming little bundles of joy into the world. It even extends beyond Walt Disney World’s gates.
“We want to be good stewards of the environment for the animals that are outside of our care, as well,” Gezon told TPG.
Teams from Disney Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy released two sea turtles on July 29, 2023, as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles event at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. DISNEY
Over the past 20 years, Disney has documented more than 1 million sea turtle hatchlings emerging from their eggs and making the trek to the ocean.
“Endangered sea turtles are nesting right now on the beach in front of Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and we have a dedicated team that is there every single day during the breeding season,” Gezon said.
Some of the animals Disney is trying to protect, like the purple martins, visit the parks but are free to come and go as they please. These migratory birds make the 6,000-mile journey to the Brazilian rainforest and back every year. During their time in Central Florida, Disney installs purple martin birdhouses all over the property; each has several nesting compartments where the birds can find mates, lay eggs and care for their chicks until they can fly on their own.
“We are doing all sorts of cutting-edge research, like putting solar-powered GPS tracking units on some of the birds so we can learn about their migration patterns,” Gezon said.
Disney can use this information to monitor and care for these animals better when they visit Disney and when they return to South America. Last year, more than 1,000 chicks hatched at Disney World — an all-time record for the purple martin program.
Butterfly Landing at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. OLGA THOMPSON/DISNEY
Several pollinator populations worldwide are declining due to habitat loss, and Disney is doing everything possible to protect pollinators.
“We were a founding member of the Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network in 2004. We’ve documented over a hundred pollinating insect species across our property. We really want to do the absolute best job we can to take care of the environment, whether that’s animals in our care or outside of our care,” Gezon said.
In fact, Gezon likes to think of Disney as one giant pollinator garden.
“It’s a whole thriving metropolis of nature, and it’s because we’ve gone in there intentionally and tried to make this space,” Gezon said.
Next time you visit Disney World, take a moment to stop and look around. The bees, butterflies, birds and other insects you see are not there by accident. Your best bets for spotting pollinators are at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and around the specially designed flower gardens at Disney parks and resort hotels.
A call to action
Guests can learn about animals and environments from across the globe at Disney, especially by participating in free activities like the Wilderness Explorers program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or the Finding Dory’s Friends scavenger hunt at Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends. However, Gezon and Terrell hope your vacation is just the spark that ignites a lifelong passion for protecting the environment.
“I really want people to be inspired by nature and feel empowered that they can make an impact when they leave here. If people go home inspired and tell their friends about it, even small actions can add up and create a lasting impact on our entire planet,” Gezon said.
“We are a company that believes in hope and magic. If we can inspire that same belief in our guests, the collective impact can, without a doubt, change the world,” Terrell added.
Petting zoo at Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
That change can start in your own backyard. Gezon and Terrell gave several examples that most of us can easily integrate into our daily lives. Actions such as turning off the water when you brush your teeth, planting a pollinator garden in your yard or recycling your old cellphones are more significant than they seem; this is especially true when you spread the word to your friends and family so they can pitch in, too.
“There are so many ways to be inspired by nature and have an amazing time while you are doing it,” Gezon said.
At Disney, education feels like you are just having fun with your friends and family. However, you can take what you learn and make the world a better place for all its inhabitants, no matter how big or small. After all, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
We’ve just been tipped off to a big sale on flights to a number of popular destinations in Spain, including Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Departure cities include Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C.
This sale’s travel window involves flights between September and March of next year — potentially one of the best times to visit Spain, depending on your destination. For example, fall in the Canary Islands is generally a pleasant affair, thanks to mild temperatures and a low chance of rain. But take note: The flights in this sale all involve layovers.
A carry-on is included in this sale for most airlines. Checking a bag will cost between $75 and $85 each way. However, if you book a fare on TAP Air Portugal and need to bring a large suitcase, consider upgrading to the “Classic” tier for an extra $65 each way. That will cost less than paying for the checked bag fee separately.
Tibidabo mountain and Sagrat Cor church at sunset in Barcelona. ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES
Deal basics
Airline: Air Canada, American Airlines, Air Europa, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Iberia, Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and United Airlines
Routes: From Chicago, Houston, Miami, Newark and Washington, D.C. to Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, La Palma de Canaria, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia, Spain
How to book: Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline
Travel dates: Availability from September 2024 through March 2025 (holidays are excluded)
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.
Let’s start by showing you a great deal out of Chicago to Madrid. You can book flights in September from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) on TAP Air Portugal for just $379 round-trip.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
According to Google Flights, that’s is an incredible deal for this route.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
If you have your sights set on partaking in the legendary party vibes of Ibiza, you can fly from Chicago to Ibiza Airport (IBZ) in late October for less than $500 round-trip on Iberia.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
We found flights from Miami to Bilbao at steeply-discounted prices. Here’s one itinerary we found in November from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Bilbao Airport (BIO) available on Iberia for only $464 round-trip.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
The same route in the spring of 2025 is available at $470 round-trip.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
There are some good deals from the tri-state area to the Canary Islands in this deal as well. TAP Air Portugal has round-trip flights to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in October available for $450, an excellent price. It’s also an ideal time to visit the Canaries.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
I love knowing when I get a good deal, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Google Flights data shows this price is about as low as it gets for this route.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, consider taking a trip to Spain’s capital city. TAP Air Portugal has good availability for flights from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Madrid in the fall for under $400 round-trip. November had lots of options to consider.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
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)
This is one of those sales where travelers who can get by with a well-packed carry-on bag can really save big on an overseas ticket. Oh, and if you decide to book a trip to Ibiza but aren’t interested in party-hopping on the island, read TPG’s guide on how to explore the party-free side of the popular Canary Island.
Every once in a while, I see something travel-related that makes me cringe — people barefoot on planes, tourists with selfie sticks and, most recently, an influx of nonsensical and unnecessary words to describe different types of trips.
Enter: “sleepcation.” Seriously, it’s a thing. You’ll probably sigh as deeply as I did when I found out what it was.
Why do marketers insist on creating cutesy terms for things that already have names?
In fairness, a term like “glamping” (camping but with certain amenities that make it more glamorous) makes sense because it sounds like the original word: “camping.”
“Staycation” (when you take time off to stay home and do nothing or visit places nearby) also works because it rhymes with “vacation” — a word that, for decades, has sufficed to describe types of leisure travel that may or may not take you far away from home.
Now, it seems we have new jargon born from slapping “-cation” or “-moon” on the ends of words and calling them trends. Speaking of being born, don’t even get me started on “babymoon.” The whole thing is out of hand. In the infamous words of Regina George from “Mean Girls”: “Stop trying to make ‘fetch’ happen.”
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the made-up travel terms that give me, as the kids say, “the ick.”
What is a ‘babymoon’?
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A babymoon is the trip an expecting couple takes to spend time together before their baby arrives (or, possibly, to mourn the loss of their free time, disposable income and privacy).
What is ‘bleisure’ travel?
The word itself comes from a combination of “business” and “leisure.” It indicates that you’re either tacking on a few days of paid time off onto a business trip or bringing non-colleagues — like friends or family members — with you for the ride. This has become increasingly prevalent as remote work has enabled longer trips than used to be standard.
What is a ‘buddymoon’?
A buddymoon is a honeymoon where friends tag along. To me, this just sounds like a weird way to say “honeymoon where you have no alone time whatsoever.”
What is a ‘digital nomad’?
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A digital nomad is someone who can work from anywhere, including remote destinations, and changes locations frequently to do so. As long as they have a Wi-Fi connection and a host of electronics, they’re set to be on a constant workcation. (See below.)
What is a ‘sleepcation’?
A sleepcation is a vacation a person takes for the purpose of finding a good night’s sleep. Imagine paying money to accomplish what you should, in theory, be able to do at home in your bed. The concept is almost as ridiculous as the word itself.
What is a ‘travel curator’?
A travel curator is someone who travelers pay for customized travel planning services. Essentially, it’s a travel agent with a fancy name. Other aliases include “travel advisers” and “travel designers.”
What is ‘voluntourism’?
TREVOR WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES
Voluntourism is traveling for the combination of both pleasure (tourism) and volunteer opportunities. It can include everything from medical and conservation work to teaching abroad. The term is silly, but the premise behind it is noble — as long as participants are actually helping, that is.
Although similar to bleisure travel, a workcation is different in that the travel isn’t for business purposes. It’s for pleasure, but you work while you’re there. A workcation can be something you take as a one-off or, if you’re a digital nomad (see above), something almost constant or indefinite.
Bottom line
Some of these terms have been adopted more widely into the travel vernacular; others struggle to take hold. What they all have in common, though, is that they were coined by marketers trying to generate buzz around certain types of trips or to make things sound fancier than they are.
But remember: These trips aren’t necessarily what everyone makes them out to be simply because they have their own made-up words. Moving forward, just call them vacations.
The card does come with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). However, the plethora of travel perks and a generous welcome bonus for new applicants can offset this fee.
Let’s dig into one of my favorite benefits of the card — the Pay with Points perk — which gives me a discount on business- and first-class flights.
Combined, these three benefits alone can more than offset the card’s annual fee. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits. But the perks don’t stop there.
Right now, the card is offering 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
But the one Amex Business Platinum perk I hold near and dear to my heart is the Pay with Points rebate. Let’s take a closer look at my favorite benefit to see why it’s so incredibly valuable to cardmembers.
*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.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Most travel-focused premium cards offer flight-related benefits or credits, such as reimbursing you for fees incurred when traveling throughout the year. But the Amex Business Platinum has a unique airfare rebate for anyone who redeems their Membership Rewards points to pay for qualifying flights through Amex Travel.
By utilizing the Pay with Points function to pay for airfare through Amex Travel, Membership Rewards points are worth 1 cent apiece. On the face of it, that isn’t too exciting; TPG values Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece.
However, the Amex Business Platinum card offers a unique perk: you can get 35% of your points back on first- or business-class tickets on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
When using this benefit, you can get up to 1 million points back each calendar year, meaning you would need to use 2,857,143 points to pay for flights with Amex Travel before exhausting this benefit in a year. With points worth 1 cent each on these redemptions, you would need to buy $2.8 million in airplane tickets during a year to reach this cap, which means most people won’t need to worry about the annual limit on this benefit.
You can also use the Pay with Points feature toward purchases on your card, gift card purchases and car rental and hotel bookings through Amex Travel, but you will be redeeming points at less than 1 cent each, well below the 2 cents apiece that TPG values Membership Rewards points, so using it toward airfare is a better proposition.
These Amex cards for small businesses that offer a Pay with Points rebate, offering from 35% to 50% of your Membership Rewards points back when you pay with points (terms apply):
The information for the Centurion Business 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.
For the Pay with Points rebate, cardmembers will receive a 35% rebate of the total points used when paying for any flight on that selected carrier, or any business- or first-class flights booked through the Amex Travel portal — regardless of airline — up to 1 million points back per calendar year.
Factoring in that 35% rebate means you can use your Amex Membership Rewards points at a value of 1.54 cents apiece, rather than the usual 1 cent apiece when redeeming through Pay with Points for flights using other Amex cards that don’t offer a rebate. That’s a 54% bonus.
AMERICANEXPRESS.COM
Assuming you have the Amex Business Platinum and redeem your points for eligible flights, you should receive the points rebate automatically. However, it can take up to a month.
With my original redemption, I spent 59,391 points for a $594 airfare, but that got slashed down to 38,604 points thanks to the 35% Pay with Points rebate on my Business Platinum Card.
Amex Travel offers several ways to save on bookings, including “Insider Fares” and discounted “Recommended Fares.” For international travel on certain airlines, you may be able to knock the price down even more when booking through the American Express International Airline Program (IAP).
When comparing your options for booking directly with the airline or booking through Amex Travel, you’ll notice fares are sometimes equal. However, thanks to American Express Insider Fares and the International Airline Program, travelers can get even greater discounts when booking their flights with Membership Rewards points.
Here’s how to stack those discounts along with the Pay with Points rebate to get even more value from carrying the Amex Business Platinum.
This round-trip Iberia flight in business class costs $3,791 via Google Flights, which is the price you’d pay if you booked directly with Iberia.
GOOGLE FLIGHTS
The International Airline Program through Amex Travel shows the same base fare, but it’s discounted by $200. And instead of 379,068 Membership Rewards points, you’d need 359,068 at the standard 1-cent-per-point rate when making your payment.
AMEX
However, when you stack the Amex Business Platinum’s 35% points rebate on top of that, you’ll get 125,674 points back. Your out-of-pocket cost is 233,395 points, which you redeemed at a value of 1.54 cents per point.
Earning miles and elite status
Aside from the tremendous points savings that are possible by stacking the benefits mentioned above, the other significant benefit to booking flights this way is that airlines treat these tickets like cash bookings. Instead of needing to search for award availability and avoid blackout or peak dates, you can simply book any available ticket.
Moreover, since the flights are considered paid tickets, you should earn award miles and elite-qualifying metrics just like you would if you’d paid cash directly to the airline.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers several great benefits, but the Pay with Points 35% rebate can be one of the most significant if you frequently fly in premium cabins. Not only can it save you hundreds of thousands of points per year, depending on how you book, but you can stack it with other discounts offered through Amex Travel.
This is a win-win in my book. It’s my favorite card perk and is one of the many reasons I keep my Business Platinum Card year after year.
Etihad Airways wants you to spend a day or two in its hometown during your travel journey.
The Abu Dhabi-based airline just announced that it will allow flyers to add a complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi on eligible tickets. That means that travelers who are trying to fly from New York to Bali, for example, can now enjoy one or two nights in Abu Dhabi along the way.
Etihad’s new stopover program is operated in conjunction with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism.
Eligible travelers can spend one or two nights in a “premier” hotel as part of the new Abu Dhabi stopover program. The airline didn’t publish the list of eligible hotels, and they aren’t available yet on the carrier’s website.
The airline does highlight some suggested activities in Abu Dhabi, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Note that even if you don’t take advantage of the stopover program, you can use your Etihad boarding pass to unlock discounts and other privileges across many of the city’s top attractions. This is part of the Abu Dhabi Pass, which you can learn more about by visiting this site.
To book a complimentary stopover, you’ll need to buy your ticket directly on Etihad’s website and select the Abu Dhabi stopover option.
Etihad’s program largely resembles that of other major Gulf and flag carriers, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, that also offer free or heavily discounted stopovers on itineraries that include connections in their hubs.
As a state-controlled airline, Etihad acts in some ways as a tourism driver for the local economy. As such, it’s likely no surprise that this stopover program is being debuted to promote visits to Abu Dhabi.
It wasn’t immediately clear if you could take advantage of an Abu Dhabi stopover on an award ticket. We will update this post if we hear back from Etihad.
Etihad used to offer a two-tiered version of a stopover program, with free one- and two-night stays at “basic” hotels and up to 40% off discounted rates at nicer hotels. Presumably, this new program will offer travelers a choice of hotels somewhere between the basic and luxury options that were previously on offer with the airline’s stopover program.
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