Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Andrew, who took a creative approach to maximizing a hotel bonus promotion:I don’t travel for work frequently, so when I do get the opportunity, I try to maximize my points for use later during family vacations. I recently arrived at work to find that I would be flying out the following morning for nine days, and my travel itinerary included eight nights at a Hyatt Place....
Today I want to share a story from TPG reader Bill, who took advantage of cancellation policies when the cost of airfare dropped:After reading the recent mistake story about a 24-hour cancellation, I thought it was fitting to share my success with the same policy.My wife and I decided to take our children to London for Thanksgiving. I booked our family of four from New York-JFK to London-Gatwick (LGW) on Norwegian departing Tuesday and returning Saturday for $1,766....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.For our final post on our time at the all-inclusive Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Jamaica I want to cover some of the activities that are available at the resort. For some the only activities they are after in Jamaica are the obvious ones of eating, drinking, and enjoying the pool and/or beach. However, for those who want to be a tad more active than lifting one Red Stripe or Rum Punch after the next while working on their tan, the resort does actually offer an array of included activities to keep you as busy as you want to be - without you racking up additional charges!...
Each Saturday, we round up news stories that you might have missed from the week before. Here’s the top miles, points and travel news you might have missed on TPG this week.Best Ways to Use 75,000 Capital One Miles With Asia MilesNow that Capital One has introduced transfer partners, here are the best ways to get your miles’ worth.Yes, Oil Prices Are Down. But Don’t Expect Your Plane Ticket to Get CheaperThere’s good news and there’s bad news....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Each Saturday, we round up news stories that you may have missed from the week before, including several that already appeared on The Points Guy, and some more that we haven’t covered yet. If you’re an avid TPG reader, scroll down for the new stuff. Here’s the top miles, points and travel news you may have missed this week:Which new routes are you most excited for?...
You don’t need a comprehensive understanding of aviation mechanics to know that wind and airplanes aren’t always best friends. “High winds” are one of the most frequently cited reasons for flight delays and cancellations, and headwinds in particular can cause major headaches when it comes time to landing an aircraft. But thanks to a new technology, that problem may soon become a thing of the past.For the past 12 months, NATS — the U....
Today, I want to share a story from TPG reader Tony, who made a common mistake while changing a rental car reservation:Our family made a rental car reservation for a trip to Yosemite National Park. We were flying into San Jose, CA to save on flights, knowing it would be a three-hour drive to the park. Our original reservation was at a downtown location instead of the airport, since the rental was $100 cheaper and only required an $8 Uber ride from the airport....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Over the past few months, I’ve heard so much about Norwegian Air. The buzz started in 2013 when the carrier announced it would begin its push into the US market with low fares on twice weekly flights to London, as well as flights to Oslo and Copenhagen from various cities in North America. Then, in 2015, after a successful stretch in the US market, the airline announced it would begin nonstop flights from the US to the Caribbean — I mean, who saw that coming — as well as accepting the delivery of 11 new aircraft and launching more routes from the US to Europe, and even domestic service within Spain....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Having recently returned from the holy grail of guys’ weekends, TPG Contributor Muhammad Lila shares his experience with the West Coast Fishing Club, a Vancouver-based charter fishing outfitter that specializes in high-end outdoor adventures. As he explains, you’ll trade tents and mud for high-thread-count sheets and delicious, chef-prepared meals.A view from the waters off the coast of British Columbia....
We’ve seen hotels with fingerprinting technology in lieu of key cards and robots that deliver room service, but now two boutique hotels in Copenhagen have become the world’s first with self-cleaning rooms.Hotel Ottilia, in Copenhagen’s old Carlsberg brewery, and the industrial-chic Hotel Herman K are the latest properties from Brøchner Hotels, the brand that brought the boutique hotel trend to Denmark’s capital when it debuted Hotel SP34. And while Brøchner has become known for its sleek Scandinavian design and trendy restaurants and bars, it’s innovating even more with its eco-friendly cleaning technology....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.For Wednesday only, United is offering the ability to buy MileagePlus miles with up to a 95% discount. But, in order to get the highest discount, you’ll have to act fast.Throughout the day and until 11:59pm CT on Wednesday, Nov. 28, you can buy packages in the following order. Only when Package 1 is sold out will Package 2 become available, and so on....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.While many airlines are reducing the number of first-class seats in their fleets or even doing away with them altogether, there are still several truly fabulous options to fly to Europe in first class. TPG Special Contributor Eric Rosen discusses the top five, and how you can book each with points or miles.TPG recently flew back from a trip to Europe aboard Singapore Airlines’ flagship First Class Suites on an A380 from Frankfurt to New York — one of the most exclusive, coveted experiences in the skies — which just goes to show that there are still plenty of great ways to get to Europe in first class using your miles....
In Thailand, being offensive or disrespectful is a serious mistake. And for two tourists, the punishment could be up to 10 years in a provincial prison, in addition to fines of one million baht (roughly $30,450).According to Reuters, Brittney Schneider of Canada and Furlong Lee of the UK were arrested last Friday for defacing an ancient wall in Chiang Mai.The tourists, both 23, were caught spray-painting remains of a 13th-century fortress near the Tha Phae Gate....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.The disastrous 2017 hurricane season is over, but a massive storm is building in the Atlantic that’s going to act like a winter version of a hurricane. The massive low will have similar pressure as Superstorm Sandy and pack hurricane-force winds. Airlines are bracing for major impacts and releasing travel waivers to allow passengers with flexible plans the chance to change their flights for free....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Amex seems to be rolling through its lineup of personal and business cards and making updates, first with the new American Express® Gold Card with dining-focused perks and more recently with the American Express® Business Gold Card and its revamped earning structure. Next up on the list: the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which is adding some potentially useful benefits but also raising its annual fee by $145....
As the government shutdown passes the 30-day mark — the longest and still counting in US history — the impacts of the shutdown are being felt throughout the aviation sector. Everything from carriers not being able to launch new aircraft, passengers not being able to apply or renew for Global Entry, impacts to opening entire airports and the overall safety of the entire system.One of the most visible and most widely reported aspects of the shutdown deals with the TSA and its employees who are working without being paid....
Back in March, Argentina announced it was temporarily waiving visa fees for US passport holders. In the past, Argentina has charged a reciprocal visa fee, meaning US passport holders previously had to pay the $160 visa fee the US charges Argentina passport holders. This “reciprocal” strategy is utilized by other countries, such as Brazil — which is still waiving its visa fee through for the next three weeks.Thankfully for US travelers, Argentina’s temporary waiver is now permanent!...
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Now through the end of the year, you can buy Starpoints at a discount of up to 50% off. Note that this promotion through Starwood Preferred Guest is a targeted offer, so the discount you’ll get will vary. Three TPG team members were targeted with a 35% discount; one got a 30% offer; and others got the full 50% discount....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Update: Uber and Capital One announced that starting November 2, you’ll get $15 in Uber credits instead of a free ride every time you pay for nine rides with your eligible Capital One Card through March 31, 2017. This is a great change, because instead of the free ride only being used on a singular trip, the $15 in credits can be used on multiples rides at any time through April 30, 2017....
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.If you’re looking to complete the Chase Trifecta with the Chase Freedom Unlimited, now is a great time to do so. You can currently receive a $200 sign-up bonus — a step up from its usual $150 bonus — when you spend $500 in the first three months of card membership. This offer is available directly through the Chase website, and it may be targeted, though it’s showing up for most people in at least one browser....
