While they often don’t get the same hype as some of our favorite travel rewards cards, cash-back cards can hold their own when it comes to deserving a spot in your wallet. If you’ve skipped over them in the past, here’s why you should give them a chance.
Simple redemptions
Valuable travel redemptions are great, but finding them can take a lot of research.
With cash-back cards, you simply decide whether you want to receive your cash rewards through a statement credit or bank deposit, depending on the card issuer.
Related: Best cash-back cards
Flexible rewards
There’s no beating cash, which can cover expenses points and miles don’t (i.e., bills, food or tour tickets). And beyond travel, you can use your cash-back rewards to cover Christmas presents, a bridesmaid dress or a snazzy new suitcase.
Related: How to redeem cash-back rewards
Competitive earning
A commonly cited drawback of cash-back cards is that they don’t earn as much as travel rewards cards. That’s generally true, but the disparity isn’t as great as you may think.
Consider the earning potential of the Citi® Double Cash Card (see rates and fees)and the Capital One Venture Rewards Card. The Double Cash Card earns 2% back on purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay), or 2 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Meanwhile, the Capital One Venture Rewards Card earns 2 miles per dollar on most purchases (with select bonuses via Capital One Travel). If you think travel rewards are always more valuable, you may assume it’s better to earn 2 Capital One miles than 2% cash back on your dollar.
But if you want to redeem your Capital One miles as a statement credit to cover your travel expenses, you’ll redeem them at a flat rate of 1 cent per mile. So the 2 miles you earn per dollar with your Venture are worth 2 cents, which is the same return you’ll get with the Citi Double Cash.
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Plus, the Citi® Double Cash doesn’t carry an annual fee, nor does it have restrictions around your redemption options. However, the Capital One Venture card has a $95 annual fee and a lower redemption rate (half a cent per mile) if you want to redeem your rewards for general cash back instead of travel.
It’s true that Capital One miles can be worth more when you maximize the program’s airline and hotel transfer partners. However, it takes time to find these high-value redemptions, and you may want to focus on a simpler rewards structure.
In this case, you’re much better off earning and redeeming cash back with your Double Cash and simply using it to cover anything you want.
Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards points
Bottom line
Don’t mistake cash-back cards’ simplicity for mediocrity. Your new favorite card may be the one that earns you cold hard cash.
During her recent vacation in St. Martin, TPG reader Emily Monarch’s rental car was extensively damaged by vandals. It was an unpleasant experience during what was meant to be a relaxing Caribbean getaway with her husband.
However, Monarch took comfort in knowing she wouldn’t be on the hook to pay for the repairs. Having paid for the rental with her Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, she was covered by an excellent primary car rental insurance policy (as opposed to the secondary insurance most credit cards offer).
Or so she thought.
It was only after the vehicle was vandalized that Monarch took a close look at her rental contract with Sixt. That’s when she noticed a critical error on the legally binding document: Monarch was not listed as the primary renter.
Because Chase requires the Sapphire Reserve cardholder to be the primary renter for its insurance to kick in, that little mistake meant the couple had been driving the rental car without the card’s critical protections. As could be expected, this created a significant roadblock to filing a successful claim through Chase’s eClaimsline insurance underwriter.
When Chase did not approve her insurance claim for the damage to the vandalized rental car, Monarch turned to TPG for help. She hoped we could convince eClaimsline that this clerical mistake at the rental car counter wasn’t her error and that she shouldn’t be responsible for the $5,542 repair bill.
But whose responsibility is it ultimately to review all the details on a rental car contract before driving away with the vehicle? Monarch’s case may hinge on that detail.
Renting a car in St. Martin with Sixt
In January 2023, the Monarchs flew to St. Martin to kick off the new year with a tropical break from Kentucky’s wintry weather. Landing late in the afternoon at the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of the island, they made their way to the rental car counter at Sixt.
“We handed the agent both of our driver’s licenses with my Chase Sapphire Reserve card,” Monarch recalled.
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The Sixt employee printed out the rental contract and placed it on the counter in front of the couple. Monarch knew that to be covered by the insurance provided by her credit card, she was required to decline the insurance offered by Sixt.
Confirming that the contract showed that the couple had declined both the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP), Monarch signed the rental car contract.
The agent then led them outside to inspect the rental car, a dinged-up Hyundai i10. The couple looked over the vehicle and noted all the pre-existing damage.
Satisfied that they had documented all of the nicks, bumps and scrapes on the car, Monarch’s husband signed the inspection form. He handed the paper to her, and she signed it as well. Lastly, the agent affixed his signature to the preexisting damage report and gave the Monarchs the keys.
Then the couple hopped into the little car and drove away, eager to start their romantic vacation.
What happened to this rental car?
For the next week, the Monarchs enjoyed all the island had to offer, soaking up the sun and eating great food. It had turned out to be just what they needed for a winter break.
However, things took an unpleasant turn on the morning they were set to fly home. Monarch walked out to the parked rental car and found it in worse shape than ever. The back window was broken, and it was clear someone had tried to steal the vehicle.
“The rental car was parked behind a security gate, and we didn’t leave any valuables inside. But someone had broken the window and then disassembled the ignition. We couldn’t drive the car, so Sixt sent a tow truck and took the vehicle away.”
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EMILY MONARCH FOR THE POINTS GUY
Monarch filed a police report and called Chase eClaimsline (888-675-1461) and received a case number. Confident that they had done everything they could do at that moment to ensure that eClaimsline would cover the damage, the couple flew home. It was an unfortunate end to what had been a wonderful trip.
But Monarch was relieved she had used her Chase Sapphire Reserve for the CDW protection it provided.
When the couple arrived back home, Monarch signed into the eClaimsline online portal using the claim number she received when she first reported the damage to the rental car. She reviewed the additional documentation that she would need to provide to process the claim which included:
The rental car contract showing that she had declined the CDW from Sixt.
Proof that Monarch had paid for the rental with her Chase Sapphire Reserve.
A copy of the police report.
The estimate for the repairs of the rental car.
Photos of the damage.
After providing all of the requested items, Monarch assumed that in 30 days or so, eClaimsline would pay the repair bill, and that would be the last she would hear about the damaged rental car.
However, over a month later, the repair bill still wasn’t paid. Monarch became concerned, and with good reason. Due to how the Sixt agent had prepared the rental car agreement, she could be on the hook for the over $5,000 in damages.
We need additional documentation to process your claim
Monarch received the following email from Chase eClaimsline explaining why it had not yet approved the payment and requesting additional documentation.
“Dear Emily Monarch,
Thank you for submitting your Car Rental Collision Damage Waiver claim. We have carefully reviewed the information provided to date and note that additional documents are required to promptly process your claim. Please assist us by providing the following:
Documentation that confirms the renter listed on the rental agreement was an authorized user of the covered card. (Card Benefit Services, eClaimsline)”
The message seemed strange to Monarch since she was the primary driver of the rental car and had paid with her Chase Sapphire Reserve. However, when she looked carefully at the contract, she froze. In the field on the document where the primary driver was listed, her husband’s name was written, and he isn’t an authorized user of her Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Monarch realized she couldn’t provide the documentation that eClaimsline required to process the $5,542 insurance claim.
Recalling a recent story about another TPG reader who had an eClaimsline problem related to a rental car, Monarch reached out to us for assistance.
Asking TPG for help with this damaged rental car eClaimsline
When I received Monarch’s request for assistance, it had been two months since the day she had found her rental car damaged by vandals. She hoped to put this experience to rest, but now there was a real possibility that the claim wouldn’t be paid by insurance.
“Would you be able to help me with the collision damage waiver claim coverage on my Chase Sapphire Reserve card?” she wrote. “I am the only cardholder on the card. As you will see, I signed the rental agreement.”
“However, my husband and I are both listed on the rental, but he was inadvertently listed as the renter, and I was listed as the driver. Chase is now trying to deny the claim saying that I was not the renter and I, therefore, do not have coverage.”
Monarch’s paper trail included the contract that showed that the Sixt agent had listed her spouse, Will Monarch, as the primary renter. The couple had paid an additional $5 per day for an additional driver, who turned out to be Emily. Since Will is not an authorized card user of Emily’s Chase Sapphire Reserve card, that meant the rental would not qualify for the car insurance coverage per its terms and conditions.
However, Emily Monarch had signed the car rental contract.
Because of that detail, I thought a case could be made with eClaimsline that this shared mistake between the Sixt agent (who listed the wrong primary driver) and the Monarchs (who didn’t thoroughly review the contract), shouldn’t end up costing loyal Chase customers $5,542.
It was time to see if eClaimsline agreed with me.
Asking eClaimsline and Allianz for help with this rental car claim
I sent Monarch’s case over to our executive contact at Allianz, the administrator of Chase eClaimsline. This is not a customer-facing person but rather someone I can reach out to as a consumer advocate and a member of the media.
After I explained all the details of the case to him, the good news came quickly for the Monarchs. eClaimsline agreed with me – this innocent mistake shouldn’t cost the couple $5,542.
Here was the reply I received:
“Hi Michelle,
Thanks for your email. We’re sorry that Ms. Monarch experienced problems with her rental car.
I asked our Claims team to look into this; as you’ve mentioned, it was a complicated situation. The fact that the rental car company listed Ms. Monarch as Renter #2 created a delay in processing this claim.
Our Claims team has reached out to Ms. Monarch and let her know that her claim in the amount of $5,542 was approved, and she should receive her payment shortly. (Allianz spokesperson)”
Monarch and her husband are extremely relieved that their oversight didn’t cost them $5,542. But it easily could have. They learned a valuable lesson: Not to walk away from the car rental counter again without inspecting every detail of that contract.
How to protect your car rental
Travelers often arrive at the car rental counter tired and distracted after a long day of flying. To avoid most car rental mistakes, it’s critical to remain vigilant, though.
Here’s what you need to do before you drive off the car rental lot.
Make sure your rental is fully insured
One thing you never want to do is to drive away without making sure you have insurance coverage. If you’re relying on credit card coverage, review your membership benefits and ensure you understand the requirements, exclusions and limitations. Remember, Chase requires you to decline the car rental company’s insurance for its coverage to kick in.
If you intend to rely on your personal car rental insurance, call your provider to confirm that you are covered for your destination and the type of vehicle you want to rent.
Review the contract carefully
Don’t worry about holding up the line at the rental counter. This is the moment that you’re agreeing to take complete responsibility for a vehicle that could cost upwards of $20,000. Look carefully at all parts of that contract and make sure you understand it.
If you want to use the insurance provided by your Chase Sapphire Reserve or other card, then make certain that you (or an authorized user on the account) are the primary driver. You must also decline the insurance offered by the car rental company.
Always carefully inspect the rental vehicle before driving away
I often receive complaints from consumers who get slammed with car rental damage charges after they return a vehicle. Many of these travelers insist the damage was already there when they took possession of the car – but they have no proof.
The best way to protect yourself against such surprise charges is by taking photos and videos of the entire vehicle before you leave the lot. And when you return the rental car, do the same. The more you document the condition of the car before and after the rental period, the less chance you’ll have of getting charged for damage someone else caused.
Bottom line
Monarch and her husband found themselves in a precarious situation that might not have been resolved in their favor if they hadn’t reached out to TPG. We’re happy to help fix these types of problems, but even happier to help you avoid them in the first place. If you follow the guidance above, you won’t likely end up in a similar situation.
If you do find yourself in a battle with a car rental company, hotel, airline, cruise line, or vacation rental agency, send your request for help to [email protected], and I’ll be happy to help you too.
With international airfare up 20% compared to last year, a business-class fare deal to Europe, with availability this summer, is absolutely amazing.
Fares from across the U.S. to Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium start as low as $2,400 round-trip.
Deal basics
Airlines: American, United, Delta, Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways and TAP. Routes: From Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Miami, Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles and others to Europe. How to book: Browse Google Flights and book directly with the airline. Travel dates: May through December 2023 and January through March 2024; exact availability depends on the route. Book by: ASAP.
Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, originally discovered this deal. Sign up for Going to get deals up to 90% off via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $49 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite membership for $199 per year and receive all the Premium deals plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
Sample routes
The following flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below round-trip flights will be available when you book.
To Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), from:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting at $2,515.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), starting at $2,809.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), starting at $2,814.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), starting at $2,916.
To Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), from:
SEA, starting at $2,650.
SFO, starting at $2,677.
To Brussels Airport (BRU), from:
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), starting at $2,028.
Miami International Airport (MIA), starting at $2,226.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), starting at $2,379.
O’Hare International Airport (ORD), starting at $2,416.
To Geneva Airport (GVA), from:
LAX, starting at $2,305.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), starting at $2,315.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Minneapolis−St. Paul International Airport (MSP), starting at $2,320.
SFO, starting at $2,381.
HOU, starting at $2,391.
IAH and Denver International Airport (DEN), starting at $2,417.
To multiple airports in Germany, from:
LAX or SEA to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), starting at $2,380.
IAH to FRA, starting at $2,437.
DEN to FRA, starting at $2,438.
HOU to Munich Airport (MUC), starting at $2,449.
DEN or LAX to MUC, starting at $2,484.
IAH to MUC, starting at $2,484.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to FRA, starting at $2,619.
SEA, starting at $2,660.
Since this deal includes round-trip flights on multiple airlines, be sure to book with each airline directly and review the terms and conditions of the fare type, as they vary by carrier.
For example, most major airlines’ business-class fares on flights from the U.S. to Europe feature lie-flat seats, but not all. Most bigger carriers do, but some older planes might not have the most up-to-date seats, so be sure to check the details for the aircraft listed for your specific flight before you book.
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
Bottom line
This is an opportunity to save up to 50% off round-trip business-class flights to Europe. Run, don’t walk to catch this deal before it flies away.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card overview
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides solid earnings at Hilton properties and automatic Hilton Gold elite status, which offers complimentary breakfast, increased earnings and space-available upgrades when you stay at Hilton properties. The status perk alone may make it easy to justify the card’s $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Hilton Honors Gold status is one of the best mid-tier hotel loyalty statuses you can obtain. As a Hilton Gold elite member, you’ll get complimentary breakfast, space-available room upgrades and improved earnings when staying at Hilton brands. Luckily, you can easily earn and maintain Hilton Gold status since it is an automatic perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
The Hilton Surpass card is an ideal choice for those who stay at Hilton properties often and want a cobranded credit card with a modest annual fee and valuable perks — but who aren’t willing to shell out for the top-tier Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
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.
With its elevated welcome bonus, you might wonder whether the Surpass card is a good addition to your wallet. Here are the details and other cards to consider as you decide.
Hilton Surpass welcome offer
New applicants can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
Having another Hilton credit card doesn’t make you ineligible for the welcome bonus, but remember that Amex has a “once per lifetime” rule on card bonuses. Amex also has these terms for the welcome offer:
Welcome Offer not available to applicants who have or have had the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card or the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card. American Express may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Luckily, Amex will inform you before submitting your application if you’re not eligible for the bonus. If you get this message, you can proceed without the welcome offer or withdraw your application before Amex performs a hard pull on your credit report.
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Related: A complete guide to Amex’s one-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions
Earning points with the Hilton Surpass
The Hilton Surpass card is a great way to earn Hilton points. You’ll earn 12 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts — a 7.2% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations. This is better than you’d get with most of the best credit cards for booking hotels, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve (6%).
You’ll also earn 6 Hilton points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, giving you a return of 3.6% on these purchases. Finally, you’ll get 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases — a return of 1.8%.
These returns on non-Hilton spending aren’t spectacular. But, if you’re looking to boost your Hilton points balance, the Surpass card provides a decent return even for purchases outside the Hilton Honors program.
Related: Booking direct: How much value does Hilton status provide?
Redeeming points with the Hilton Surpass
When it comes to the Hilton Honors program, your best bet is to redeem your Hilton points for free nights. Unfortunately, Hilton doesn’t publish an award chart, instead using dynamic pricing where the number of points needed for a redemption fluctuates based factors such as the cash cost of the hotel, holidays and peak travel periods.
One of my favorite options is to focus on properties that cost relatively few points but provide great value. For example, here are 20 of the best Hilton hotels in the U.S. bookable for 20,000 points or less per night. And here are some of the top Hilton properties overseas bookable for 10,000 points or less per night.
Hilton’s Points & Money option allows you to pay more cash (and fewer points) when making a reservation. This can be useful when you don’t have enough points for a full booking but don’t want to pay the full cost of the hotel room.
Hilton Honors also allows members to earn and redeem Hilton points with partners. However, most non-hotel redemption options provide relatively low value for your points, so avoiding these low-value options is best.
Finally, remember that Hilton allows you to pool your points with up to 10 other members. If you want to combine balances with a friend or family member to put an even more luxurious award stay within reach, you can.
Related: 5 ways Hilton Honors should improve its loyalty program
Hilton Surpass benefits
The Hilton Surpass card’s welcome offer is attractive. But the long-term value for semi-regular Hilton guests comes card’s ongoing perks and benefits.
Hilton Honors Gold status
The Hilton Surpass card gives cardholders complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors program. TPG values Hilton Gold status at $1,255 per year. Hilton Gold status includes the following perks:
If you’re a big spender and charge more than $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll earn top-tier Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Depending on how frequently you stay at Hilton properties — and how much you value the given perks of Diamond status — this can add quite a bit of value to the card. However, there’s a simpler path to Diamond status: it’s an automatic perk of the Hilton Aspire card, which has a $450 annual fee (see rates and fees).
It’s worth pointing out that other credit cards offer complimentary Hilton Gold status, though none has an annual fee lower than the Surpass card:
So if you already carry any of these cards, getting Hilton Gold status as a perk from the Hilton Surpass won’t provide any additional value.
Related: Points of View: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?
Priority Pass access
The Hilton Surpass comes with a Priority Pass Select membership offering 10 lounge visits per year after you enroll for this benefit. Bringing a guest into the lounge uses one of your 10 visits, but you can pay for additional Priority Pass lounge visits.
If you’re a semi-frequent traveler who goes through an airport with a Priority Pass lounge a handful of times a year, this is a great perk that won’t break the bank like similar benefits on premium travel rewards credit cards.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Free night reward
You can earn a free night reward by spending $15,000 on purchases with the Hilton Surpass card in a calendar year. You can use this free night at almost any Hilton property worldwide on any night of the week. Even at a conservative valuation of $300, you’re still looking at an additional 2% return on that $15,000 in spending.
Related: How to get maximum value from Hilton free night certificates
Other benefits
The Hilton Surpass offers various other benefits. For example, you will pay no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) when traveling outside the U.S.
You’ll also enjoy free two-day shipping with Shop Runner, Send & Split to divide bills with friends — such as a group dinner — Pay It Plan It to pay large purchases over time and secondary rental car insurance of up to $50,000 for theft or damage.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Related: 6 reasons to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card
Which cards compete with the Hilton Surpass?
For those looking to earn and redeem points with Hilton, natural competitors of the Surpass card will be other Hilton credit cards. It’s also worth considering cards whose points you can use at Hilton in addition to other redemption options.
If you don’t want an annual fee: The Amex Hilton Honors card also earns points you can redeem with Hilton for free hotel stays. As a card with no annual fee (see rates and fees), you’ll naturally earn at lower rates and enjoy fewer perks. With the Amex Hilton Honors card, you’ll earn 7 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts, 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 5 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations and 3 points per dollar on other purchases. For more details, see our full review of the Amex Hilton Honors card.
If you want more perks: The Amex Hilton Aspire card is Hilton’s premium card, offering top-tier Diamond status as an automatic benefit. The card’s annual fee is $450 (see rates and fees), but TPG values Diamond status at more than $3,000 annually. You’ll receive a free night reward on each account anniversary, and you can earn another by spending $60,000 on purchases with your card during a calendar year. Additionally, you can receive statement credits each year for up to $250 in airline fees per year, up to $250 in Hilton resort credits and up to $100 in Hilton on-property credits. You’ll also receive a Priority Pass membership with unlimited lounge access for you and up to two guests. For more details, see our full review of the Amex Hilton Aspire card.
If you aren’t partial to Hilton: Try the Amex EveryDay Preferred card, with which you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on up to $6,000 of annual purchases at U.S. supermarkets (then 1 point per dollar), 2 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. You’ll also earn a 50% points bonus each billing period if you have 30 or more transactions during that period. The Amex EveryDay Preferred card doesn’t earn Hilton points. Instead, it earns American Express’ own Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to Hilton for hotel redemptions but also can use with more than a dozen other airline and hotel partners. For more details, see our full review of the Amex EveryDay Preferred card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Read more: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?
The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred and Hilton Aspire cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Is the Hilton Surpass worth it?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is competitive in the crowded mid-tier category of cobranded hotel credit cards. With a lucrative welcome offer, solid earning rates, complimentary Gold elite status and an array of valuable perks, the Hilton Surpass is an excellent option for those who visit Hilton properties semi-frequently.
Bottom line
While the Surpass doesn’t offer the flexibility of a card like the Amex EveryDay Preferred card or the elite perks of the Amex Hilton Aspire card, it could still be just what you need to make your next stay with the Hilton Honors program even more rewarding. You’ll get the benefits of having Gold status as well as lounge passes to use. Just note that you do need to spend $15,000 in a calendar year to receive a free night award.
Official application link: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Business Card, click here For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Amex Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay Preferred card, click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon, Chris Dong, Robert Thorpe and Ryan Smith.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi are four of the major players in the travel credit card space. As such, these issuers offer their own travel portals, where users can earn and redeem their points and miles for flights, hotels, car rentals and more.
These issuers also incentivize their cardholders to use the bank’s own portal, done by offering bonus points on bookings.
For instance, with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rentals and 5 miles per dollar on flights — but only when booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Purchases made outside the portal earn 2 miles per dollar.
Likewise, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on all travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal. Otherwise, you earn 2 points per dollar on those travel purchases.
Given the lucrative earning potential that booking through these portals presents, it begs the question: Is it worth your time to use them rather than booking directly?
In this guide, we put these four travel portals to the test when booking flights. We compared price, ease of use, redemption value and other metrics.
Methodology
For this analysis, we limited our research to flights and didn’t include hotels, rental cars or other travel. That’s because we generally recommend that you avoid booking hotels through a third party since you likely won’t receive elite-status benefits (if you have any) or earn elite-qualifying stay credits.
If you’re not concerned with earning hotel elite status or are booking an independent hotel, then booking your stay through a travel portal could be advantageous for you.
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It’s also worth noting that you can get elite-like perks at hotels, even without elite status, by booking with these programs: Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts, Amex’s The Hotel Collection, Capital One’s Premier Collection, Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, Citi’s Hotel Collection and Citi’s Luxury Hotel Collection.
With flights, you may be able to “double-dip” your earnings: You can usually earn bonus points on bookings through your card issuer’s portal and earn airline and elite-qualifying miles just as you would by booking directly through the airline. That said, here are the features we examined in each portal:
Results: Do you get comprehensive results when searching through the portal?
Price: How do the prices compare to booking directly with an airline versus through a portal?
Ease of use: Is navigating the portal easy for a user? What unique features or benefits do users get from using this portal?
Redemption value: Is it worth redeeming your points and miles for travel through a portal?
With these four factors in mind, here’s how the individual issuers’ travel portals stack up.
American Express Travel portal
Any American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points grants access to the Amex Travel portal. Depending on your specific card, you may earn bonus points for booking through the portal.
The Platinum Card® from American Express, for instance, earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel. The American Express® Gold Card, meanwhile, earns 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
You can search for flights, hotels, flight and hotel packages, rental cars and cruises on the Amex portal.
Related: Everything you need to know about Amex Travel
Capital One travel portal
The Capital One travel portal offers a fresh interface powered by the travel tech app Hopper and is accessible with most credit cards earning Capital One miles or cash back.
Bonus earnings are available, depending on which card you have. Using the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to book flights in the portal provides 5 miles per dollar; flights booked elsewhere earn 2 miles per dollar.
Currently, you can only book flights, hotels and rental cars through the portal. The portal also houses the Premier Collection for luxury hotels. However, this is only accessible if you have the Venture X or its counterpart, the Capital One Venture X Business card.
The information for the Venture X 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.
Related: How to use the Capital One travel portal — now with more cards and new rewards
Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal
Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel portal was powered by Expedia for many years, but the issuer migrated to cxLoyalty in 2021.
You can access the portal with your Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, including popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Cardholders can book flights, hotels, cars, activities and cruises on the Chase travel portal.
Related: Why are some flights more expensive through the Chase travel portal?
Citi travel portal
The overhauled Citi travel portal launched in March 2023 after months of delays. It’s powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda, part of the Booking.com family.
You can access the portal with any credit card earning ThankYou points, and several cards earn bonus points on bookings in the portal. Unfortunately, flights aren’t included in these bonus offerings.
With Citi’s new portal, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars and attractions of numerous types. The portal also offers two hotel programs: Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection.
Related: Ultimate guide to the Citi travel portal
Booking flights
I looked at a variety of round-trip routes with the same dates (roughly six months from now) and gathered the following prices:
Itinerary
Booked directly
Amex Travel
Capital One Travel
Chase travel
Citi Travel
New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in economy with Delta Air Lines.
$533.
$541.
$540.
$523.
$540.
Tampa (TPA) to Bozeman (BZN) in economy with American Airlines.
$786.
$786.
$786.
$786.
$786.
Baltimore (BWI) to Las Vegas (LAS) in economy with Delta Air Lines.
$720.
$720.
$720.
$720.
$720.
Miami (MIA) to Boston (BOS) in economy with JetBlue.
$418.
$418.
$338.
$418.
$412.
Chicago (ORD) to Milan (MXP) in economy with United Airlines.
$902.
$902.
$902.
$772.
$732.
Nashville (BNA) to Bogotá, Colombia (BOG) in economy with American Airlines.
$535.
$535.
$535.
$535.
$415.
Toronto (YYZ) to Seoul (ICN) in economy with Air Canada.
$1,079.
$1,952.
$1,880.
$ 2,581.
$1,952.
New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in Delta One.
$2,798.
$2,600.
$2,798.
$2,798.
Not available.
Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) in business with British Airways.
$3,272.
$3,272.
$3,300.
$3,300.
$3,300.
San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN) in business with Singapore Airlines.
$8,351.
$7,285.
$8,521.
$9,386.
$8,521.
Price
All of the travel portals generally fared well when it came to searching economy flights versus booking directly. However, there were a few major caveats worth noting.
Southwest Airlines is not bookable on any of the portals, and tickets for low-cost airlines like Spirit Airlines and Frontier are typically more expensive on the Chase and Capital One travel portals than booking directly. Amex Travel didn’t display any Spirit Airways or Frontier Airlines flights.
When it came to international flights, all of the bank portals struggled at times to match prices or give comparable results versus booking directly. For a deeper dive on some of these routes and flight prices, we did a broader comparison across 20 flights in this guide.
As a general word of advice, domestic flights should yield the same results and price, but it gets tricky when searching for international fares. Your best bet would be to compare the prices and only use a portal when the prices are identical.
Ease of use
The Amex portal is my favorite for a comprehensible search experience, fast load times for results and the simplicity of parsing through the various options.
On the other hand, the Capital One portal offers one of the most visually appealing interfaces, with color-coded dates to indicate the lowest prices in a calendar view — plus price drop protection. However, the Capital One portal did not provide as many options as its competitors on some searches. It also yielded higher prices for international routes, but I’m hopeful that the issuer will continue to make improvements in the future.
Based on millions of data points from Hopper, Capital One is supposed to let you know if this is the best time to book via its price watch prediction feature.
To standardize the offerings across various airlines, Capital One also provides detailed insights into what flyers can expect from their chosen fare class. With the rise of “basic economy” fares, it’s not always clear what amenities are included in your ticket and what you’ll have to pay for as extras.
Capital One does an excellent job of explaining in-depth features such as seat pitch, aircraft type, and food and beverage options on board.
Speaking of basic economy, it’s worth noting Amex Travel rarely (if ever) displays these fares. If you’re looking for basic economy, you should use another portal.
Citi’s new portal does a good job of offering a broad range of results in economy and offering upgrades on the payment page. And being able to book flights plus other travel elements in one transaction is great. However, searching directly for business-class fares is tricky on this portal.
Finally, the Chase portal has seen vast improvements since fully migrating toward its cxLoyalty interface. Previously, when Chase was powered by Expedia, users complained about slow load times and much higher prices than those offered directly by the airlines. Some of those issues seem to have been resolved.
While the Ultimate Rewards portal could use some work in cleaning up the interface, the overall user experience is much better than before. That said, it’s also the portal with the highest frequency of price divergence from booking directly — sometimes higher and sometimes lower.
Redemption value
This is not a criterion we used for evaluating these bank travel portals for this particular article. The value of your points or miles can depend on which particular rewards card you carry. Still, it is worth remembering if you intend to use your credit card’s travel portal to earn or redeem points and miles.
Your credit card points or miles are typically worth 1 cent each for flights in your respective travel portal. That’s the case with Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards points and Capital One credit cards. Even with the Capital One’s premium card (the Venture X), your points are only worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel through the Capital One portal. The same applies to credit cards earning Citi ThankYou points.
On the other hand, Chase’s credit cardholders are incentivized to use the Ultimate Rewards portal via a higher redemption value. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each toward travel bookings, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card fetch 1.25 cents per point in value.
While not as consistent of a program, American Express offers “Insider Fares,” allowing cardholders to redeem their points for a better value than 1 cent apiece on select domestic and international itineraries. However, these can be quite specific.
Select Amex business credit cardholders can also leverage the Pay with Points benefit to get a 25% to 50% points rebate when booking select airfare through Amex Travel — yet another incentive to book through the portal.
Due to all these card-specific circumstances, we didn’t make redemption values a main criterion for judging these portals for booking flights. Rather, we focused on each portal’s user interface and the availability of competitive fares — as those two factors will probably be the determinants as to whether travelers end up using them.
Related: Why I love the Amex Business Platinum’s Pay With Points perk
Bottom line
Credit card issuers have improved their travel portals over the years, but they’re still far from perfect. While there isn’t a clear winner for the best travel portal, each has unique features and incentives for its cardholders.
If you decide to book a flight through your issuer’s travel portal, be sure to compare that price against booking directly with the airline to get the best deal possible. And don’t forget that you may want to book directly anyway to avoid any headaches down the road. If you need to change or cancel your airfare, booking with a third party can complicate matters when plans change.
If you haven’t had a chance to book a stay, know that Monday is the final day to book World of Hyatt properties before the award rates for many popular spots increase.
Starting Tuesday, 214 hotels in the World of Hyatt portfolio will require more points.
Across the properties going up, there will be an average price increase of more than 5,000 World of Hyatt points … per night. That’s not great news, but there is still time to lock in redemptions at some of our favorite hotels before prices increase.
Related: Suddenly, my Hyatt free night certificates feel worthless
At most properties, you can lock in stays for 13 months out (through April 2024) at the current award rates. Also, the vast majority allow free cancellations if your plans ultimately change.
However, there are a few exceptions to that general rule, especially around the winter holiday week, when some stays are nonrefundable. Some all-inclusive properties, such as some Secrets properties, charge a $50 cancellation fee at any point that you change your mind.
Read the fine print carefully before making a booking you are unsure about keeping, but know that most bookings are penalty-free until a few days before check-in.
If you want to make bookings but don’t currently have Hyatt points in your account, there are a few ways to do that.
First, if you have Hyatt Globalist status, you can have Hyatt make you some bookings without points needed until you get closer to check-in. Beyond that option, a few credit card transferable points programs, including Chase and Bilt, can typically transfer points instantly to Hyatt.
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Here’s a guide on how to book Hyatt stays without enough points in your account.
Here are some properties to prioritize if you want to lock in some stays today before they cost more starting Tuesday.
Hotels going from Category 4 to 5
Unfortunately, there are many popular properties that will soon be out of reach via the most common Hyatt free night certificates.
These awards are given out in several ways, including via the World of Hyatt Credit Card or by reaching certain qualifying night thresholds during the year.
Here’s a partial list of those properties that will no longer be eligible.
Andaz San Diego.
Chicago Athletic Association.
The Eliza Jane.
Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico.
Grand Hyatt Jeju.
Grand Hyatt Seoul.
Park Hyatt Saigon.
Hyatt Regency Amsterdam.
Thompson Madrid.
Hyatt Place Moab.
Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue.
Lahaina Shores Beach Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence.
Let’s take a closer look at three of these properties that represent particularly great value.
Related: The 23 best Hyatt hotels in the world
Andaz San Diego
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Andaz San Diego. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Why you should stay there
Andaz San Diego is a nice property in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, close to popular restaurants and a ton of nightlife. The rooms are contemporary and the service is friendly and efficient, from the front desk to the restaurant staff. There is a hopping rooftop bar with great views of the city.
What it will cost
The Andaz San Diego will go from Category 4 to Category 5. When this change takes effect, it will go out of range of a Category 4 award certificate.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 12,000-18,000 points per night to 17,000-23,000 points per night.
Chicago Athletic Association
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Chicago Athletic Association. HYATT
Why you should stay there
Chicago Athletic Association is housed in a classic building — formerly an 1890s-era private athletic club. The building may date to the late 19th century, but the rooms are refreshed and midcentury modern.
The central Chicago location is also a selling point, as the property sits near Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago. It even has an on-site Shake Shack and a bocce ball court.
What it will cost
Chicago Athletic Association is going from Category 4 to Category 5. When this change takes effect, it will go out of range of a Category 4 award certificate.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 12,000-18,000 points per night to 17,000-23,000 points per night.
Related: Book this, not that in Chicago
The Eliza Jane
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The Eliza Jane. HYATT
Why you should stay there
The Eliza Jane was a sweet spot for many looking to visit New Orleans as it was new, trendy, well located and still eligible for the Hyatt Category 1-4 award nights.
What it will cost
Eliza Jane is going from Category 4 to Category 5. When this change takes effect, it will go out of range of a Category 4 award certificate.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 12,000-18,000 points per night to 17,000-23,000 points per night.
Related: Here’s how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation
Hotels going from Category 7 to 8
Unfortunately, Hyatt is also making some properties out of reach for even its more exclusive free night certificates. Category 1-7 free night certificates are provided when you pass 60 elite nights and qualify for World of Hyatt Globalist status.
These properties are moving out of range of that valuable certificate:
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas.
Carmel Valley Ranch.
Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast & Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Residence Club.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa.
Wentworth Mansion.
The Lodge at Spruce Creek.
Ksar Char-Bagh.
Viceroy Bali.
Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.
Keemala.
Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik.
Hotel Martinez.
Le Narcisse Blanc Hotel & Spa.
Boheme Hotel.
Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa.
7Pines Resort Sardinia.
Ca’Sagredo Hotel.
Grand Hotel Cocumella.
La Villa del Re.
Margutta 19.
Villa Spalletti Trivelli.
Villa Geba.
El Lodge Ski and Spa.
Nobu Hotel Marbella.
Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola.
Park Hyatt Zurich.
Villa Orselina.
Park Hyatt Zurich
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Park Hyatt Zurich. CAPE PEMBROKE/HYATT
Why you should stay there
The Park Hyatt Zurich is a sleek and modern midrise in the heart of the financial capital of Zurich. The modern artwork hanging on nearly every hotel wall is worth a visit alone.
What it will cost
The Park Hyatt Zurich is going from Category 7 to Category 8. When this change takes effect, it will go out of range of Category 1-7 award certificates.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 25,000-35,000 points per night to 35,000-45,000 points per night.
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
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Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Why you should stay there
Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is a five-star option in essentially every way if you want a ski-out Colorado mountain vacation.
Standard rooms routinely cost over $1,000 per night during the peak ski season. Staying with points is a way to have a ski vacation that’s as easy as stepping out onto the snow and being right next to the gondola without spending thousands of dollars on lodging.
Booking with points also means you get to skip the nightly resort fee. Those with Hyatt Globalist status luck out, too, with saving on mountain prices for breakfast each day.
What it will cost
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is going from Category 7 to Category 8. When this change takes effect, it will go out of range of a Category 7 award certificate.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 25,000-35,000 points per night to 35,000-45,000 points per night.
Expect ski season nights to be at the high end of that range.
Related: Review of the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
Popular leisure and big-city destinations increasing
In addition to the painful number of properties climbing from Category 4 to 5 and Category 7 to 8, plenty of hotels are moving up other levels on the award chart.
Many popular leisure resorts and busy city destinations will inch up from Category 6 to 7, meaning extra points for stays booked as of March 28.
Here’s a breakdown of some popular spots that you should strongly consider booking now before prices increase.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
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Grand Hyatt Kauai. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Why you should stay there
Grand Hyatt Kauai is a large, lush Hawaiian resort in sunny Poipu. It has one of the best pool complexes you’ll find anywhere, with a 1 1/2-acre saltwater lagoon, 150-foot waterslide and multiple layers of pools for playing, sunning and swimming.
This hotel also has an above-average club lounge, so those who have or purchase access can save on food costs by indulging there.
Standard rooms can cost close to $1,000 per night during peak times, making this a popular award redemption location.
What it will cost
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is going from Category 6 to Category 7.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 21,000-29,000 points per night to 25,000-35,000 points per night.
Related: Review of the Grand Hyatt Kauai
Andaz 5th Avenue
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Andaz 5th Avenue. BENJI STAWSKI/THE POINTS GUY
Why you should stay there
It’s hard to beat the location of the Andaz 5th Avenue, given its proximity not only to Fifth Avenue but the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, Broadway and more. It’s close to almost everything without being in too frantic of a location.
What it will cost
Andaz 5th Avenue is going from Category 6 to Category 7.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 21,000-29,000 points per night to 25,000-35,000 points per night.
Related: Review of the Andaz 5th Avenue
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Why you should stay there
The Hyatt Regency Maui offers an excellent location near Lahaina on Maui. It’s set on 40 acres on Kaanapali Beach and has a giant feature-filled swimming pool with a grotto bar, waterslide and bridge right next to the beach.
There are a total of 806 guest rooms and 31 suites, many with dramatic views of the ocean. This has traditionally been a great way to redeem World of Hyatt points (when available). However, cash prices have soared since the pandemic.
What it will cost
The Hyatt Regency Maui goes from Category 6 to Category 7.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 21,000-29,000 points per night to 25,000-35,000 points per night.
Related: A review of the Hyatt Regency Maui
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
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Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. HYATT
Why you should stay there
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino has many amenities in a central location on the beach. On top of that, it has a large pool complex with a waterslide, activity pool and adults pool. Rooms were recently renovated, and as the name implies, there’s an on-site casino.
What it will cost
The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino goes from Category 6 to Category 7.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 21,000-29,000 points per night to 25,000-35,000 points per night.
Grand Hyatt Vail
Why you should stay there
Grand Hyatt Vail is a full-service ski hotel without quite as high a price tag as the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. That will still be true, but both are going up in award cost.
Right now, the maximum you’ll pay for mountain-adjacent lodging at the Grand Hyatt is just 29,000 Hyatt points per night, which is a great deal while you can lock it in.
This is not as ski-out as the Park Hyatt. However, during the heart of the season, an on-site ski lift will take you up the mountain, though you need to be an advanced beginner to an intermediate skier to traverse that terrain. In other words, new skiers will still need to take the shuttle to ski school.
What it will cost
The Grand Hyatt Vail is going from Category 6 to Category 7.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 21,000-29,000 points per night to 25,000-35,000 points per night.
Expect standard rooms to fall at the top end of those ranges during much of the ski season.
Related: Guide to visiting Vail
All-inclusive resorts are going up
The all-inclusive resorts in the World of Hyatt program will also take a hit. Some will go from costing 25,000 points per night for double occupancy to 40,000 points per night. Hyatt uses a letter system for all-inclusives instead of numbered categories.
Lots of properties are increasing one category (for example, from C to D), and some are going up two categories (C to E). Some of the popular all-inclusive resorts changing categories are:
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana.
Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos.
Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana.
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall.
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Hyatt Zilara Cancun.
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta.
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica.
Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay.
Secrets St. James Montego Bay.
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa.
However, before locking in your stays, carefully review the cancellation policy. Many of these properties impose a $50 fee if you need to cancel — and most require this at least four days prior to arrival.
Related: These are the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana
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ZOETRY AGUA PUNA CANA/FACEBOOK
Why you should stay there
The Zoetry brand has multiple properties going up in award cost, including the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana. It’s next to the water with multiple on-site restaurants and standard rooms that start at over 700 square feet.
What will cost
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana is going from Category C to Category E (moving up two categories).
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 25,000 to 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana
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Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana. HYATT
Why you should stay there
The Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic are side-by-side resorts, one dedicated to adults and the other for family travelers. There’s an on-site beach, pool and even a water park, making for a fun one-stop-shop resort.
What it will cost
The Hyatt Ziva and Zilara in Cap Cana are going from Category C to Category E (increasing two categories).
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 25,000 to 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Rose Hall
Why you should stay there
The Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall are two of the best all-inclusives in Jamaica. They have been favorite redemptions for folks at TPG over the years, offering good value in a setting where food and drinks are included.
Between the two neighboring resorts (one is adults-only, one family-friendly), you’ll find multiple pools, beaches and lounge areas.
What it will cost
The Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica, are going from Category C to Category D.
Award nights for standard rooms increase from 25,000 per night to 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Bottom line
If you want to maximize your free night awards and World of Hyatt points at any of the 214 properties going up in price (view the full list), you need to do it Monday.
As mentioned, you can book future stays as far out as the calendar allows, typically 13 months. These changes go into effect for bookings made or modified on or after Tuesday.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Whether you have two or 22 travel rewards credit cards in your wallet, chances are you enjoy hitting the road. Unfortunately, it can be extremely frustrating when your card gets flagged while traveling, and you’re suddenly unable to use it. While it’s great when an issuer correctly flags unauthorized account activity as fraudulent, the opposite is true when the issuer inadvertently prevents you from swiping a card.
Thankfully, most major issuers no longer require users to set travel alerts ahead of time.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the details for different cards so you know what to expect before your trip.
What is a travel alert?
Before diving into issuer-specific guidelines, let’s start with a quick overview of what a travel alert is and why this is important.
Most of today’s credit cards have mechanisms to prevent fraud and abuse. When an issuer notices unusual account activity, it may flag it as potentially fraudulent. This happened to me when an unauthorized individual called Chase and inputted the full 16-digit account number of my Chase Freedom Unlimited. I immediately requested a new card, preventing the thief from actually using the compromised card number — a minor inconvenience but not a significant hassle.
However, this protection can also kick in if you try to use a card abroad or in an area of the U.S. that’s far from your primary residence. Suppose you’ve spent months (or even years) swiping a card solely within a specific area and then you suddenly try to use it in another state or country. In that case, this activity might get flagged — and it could be a substantial roadblock to continuing your trip. If you haven’t set up your cellphone to work abroad — or if you’re in an area with limited service — there may be no quick way to let the issuer know that the purchase is (in fact) valid and authorized.
If you notify the issuer ahead of time, a sudden charge in another part of the country or the world (one that you specifically said you’d be visiting during the given time period) won’t be flagged. This allows you to continue swiping your card and — most importantly — keep enjoying your trip.
So, how exactly do you do this? As noted above, many major credit card issuers no longer require proactive travel alerts ahead of time — but let’s go through some of the largest ones.
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Related: Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
How to set American Express travel alerts
Amex doesn’t require you to set up travel alerts. In fact, if you log in to your account at AmericanExpress.com, you won’t even see this as an option. Here’s the rationale, per the issuer’s FAQ page on the topic:
We use industry-leading fraud detection capabilities that help us recognize when our card members are traveling, so you don’t need to notify us before you travel.
It does suggest that you keep updated contact information on your account and download the Amex app before your trip. However, you shouldn’t have any trouble using your cards when traveling.
Applicable cards include: American Express® Gold Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The Business Platinum® Card from American Express.
How to set Bank of America travel alerts
Like Amex, Bank of America no longer requires travel alerts ahead of time. If you search in the Help & Support center, you’ll see the following message:
You no longer need to let us know when you travel. We monitor your accounts and will send automatic alerts if we detect suspicious activity. Should you need us while traveling, call the number on the back of your card anytime.
TIP: It’s important that your email address and mobile phone number are up to date on your account profile, so we can notify you quickly about unusual activity.
Note that this applies to both credit and debit cards associated with your Bank of America login, which can be nice if you’re planning to withdraw money from an ATM using your debit card.
Applicable cards include: Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
How to set Capital One travel alerts
Capital One uses the same approach as American Express — you don’t need to set these up in advance. When you log in to your Capital One account and click on the “I Want To…” button, you’ll see what appears to be an option to set a travel notification. However, when you click on it, you’ll receive the following message:
With the added security of your Capital One chip card, travel notifications are no longer needed on your credit card. That’s right! You don’t have to tell us when and where you’re traveling, inside or outside the United States. Your credit card is 100% covered for fraud while you’re traveling and we will alert you if we see anything suspicious.
Remember that none of Capital One’s credit cards impose foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad.
Applicable cards:Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
How to set Chase travel alerts
Chase offers a wide variety of valuable credit cards, including many that you may want to use when traveling. Like previous issuers on the list, you no longer need to proactively set up travel notifications ahead of your trip. When you log in to your Chase account, you’ll still see the “Travel notification” option under account services, but here’s the message you’ll find there:
We’ve got you covered! With our enhanced security measures:
You don’t need to set up travel notifications anymore.
We’ll send you fraud alerts if we see any possible identity theft.
We’ll alert you if we notice any suspicious behavior on your account.
Applicable cards include: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, World of Hyatt Credit Card, United Explorer Card, Aeroplan Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
How to set Citi travel alerts
Unlike previous issuers, Citi still allows you to set up travel notifications on your credit cards. Here’s how to do so:
Log in to your account at citi.com.
Hover over “Services” at the top, then click on “Travel Services.”
Click on “Add a Travel Notice.”
Select the applicable cardholders, enter your dates, then click “Next.”
Review the details, then click “Confirm.”
Note that you don’t even need to select the individual destination (or destinations) you’re visiting. The only required pieces of information are the cardholders who’ll be on the trip (including authorized users) and the dates of the trip.
Applicable cards include:Citi Premier® Card, Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
What if a travel alert doesn’t work?
Unfortunately, even the advanced technology credit card issuers use nowadays isn’t guaranteed. There may be certain instances where a legitimate transaction is flagged as potentially fraudulent, especially when traveling. Alternatively, an issuer may require an extra verification step before approving a purchase instead of being declined immediately. This especially applies to many online transactions thanks to 3D card security measures.
This is one reason why it’s critical to have updated contact information on file with your card issuers and a working mobile phone when you’re outside the country. This ensures that you can complete any verification requests in a timely fashion.
It’s also critical to always have at least one backup credit card in your wallet when traveling (or load alternate options into your mobile wallet). Ideally, this card would be from a different card issuer and work with a different payment network, which minimizes the chance that neither card will work.
Bottom line
From full flights to weather delays to traffic, travel can be stressful — and that’s without any financial issues. Fortunately, most major credit card issuers no longer require advance travel notices on your accounts. However, you should still carry at least one backup payment method in case your primary card is declined. It’s also critical to have a working phone number to receive email or text notifications when things go wrong.
If you want to maintain your ability to swipe your favorite travel rewards credit cards on your next trip, follow these instructions before you depart.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Madison Blancaflor.
If you frequently fly United Airlines, want to upgrade your United flight or have elite status with United, you may benefit from the expert mode option on United’s website.
United Airlines’ expert mode lets you see available fare classes, including award and upgrade availability. This extra information can give you a whole new level of insight into your travel options and let you tailor your flights to your preferences — both of which can be helpful for a frequent traveler.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about United’s expert mode, how to turn on expert mode and how to maximize this valuable tool.
Related: The best airline credit cards
Fare class basics
United offers at least 35 fare classes you can see through expert mode if you’re on a three-cabin aircraft. Each fare class, which often correlates to the price of your ticket, has its own rules.
Before you dive into expert mode, you’ll want to understand the different fare classes and what they can provide you. Otherwise, turning on United’s expert mode won’t be helpful. Here are a few key fare classes you’ll want to keep in mind:
Upgrades
PZ: Confirmed upgrades to business or first class using PlusPoints or miles.
PN: Premier members are eligible for instant first-class upgrades on most domestic full-fare economy Y-class and B-class fares. Premier 1K members are also eligible for instant upgrades on most domestic routes when booking the M-class fare. Global Services customers are eligible for upgrades in nearly any fare class when PN space is available.
RN: Confirmed upgrades to Premium Plus using PlusPoints or miles.
Saver award tickets
IN: Saver business or first-class awards for some elites and some cardholders.
I: Saver business or first-class awards for all other customers and partner redemptions.
XN: Saver economy awards for all elites and most credit cardholders.
X: Saver economy awards for all other customers and partner redemptions.
Everyday award tickets
JN: Everyday business or first-class awards for some elites and some credit cardholders.
ZN: Everyday business or first-class awards for all other customers.
YN: Everyday economy awards for all elites and most credit cardholders.
HN: Everyday economy awards for all other customers.
Revenue tickets
Economy class: N, G, K, L, T, S, W, V, Q, H, U, E, M, B and Y.
Premium Plus: R, N and O.
Business class: P, Z, D, C and J.
United’s expert mode is the best way to see these available fare classes. Now, let’s discuss how and why to use United’s expert mode.
Related: Why Premium Plus and higher fare classes are the secret to United upgrades
Turning on United expert mode
To enable United expert mode, go to United.com and log in to your MileagePlus account. Navigate to your account homepage, select “settings,” and then “special preferences & accommodations.”
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Scroll down to “date and time format preference.” Tick the box next to “enable expert mode.”
Then, select “Save.”
To access expert mode during a flight search, you must be logged in to your account. However, note that United has long had a pesky glitch that occasionally turns expert mode off. If this happens, you can usually turn it back on by repeating the above steps.
Related: TPG’s Premier 1K staffers share their tips for getting United upgrades
Using United expert mode
Typically, you’ll search for PZ upgrade availability if you want to use PlusPoints or miles to get upgraded on United Airlines. If you want a same-day change, you might also use expert mode to show available fare classes on an earlier or later flight.
However, United’s expert mode will only show available award classes if you search for paid tickets (as opposed to award tickets).
For example, here’s a flight search from Boston to London. When the results appear, click the “Details” tab for a particular flight. Doing so will display all the fare classes if you’ve turned on expert mode.
Let’s start from the top: J7 means seven seats are currently for sale in business class. Since the J-fare is full-fare business class, United will release the most availability into that fare bucket. Of those seven seats, all seven are available in the C and D fare classes, while six are available in the Z and P fare classes. PZ5 means five business-class seats are available for upgrades using PlusPoints or miles. IN4 (for some elites and some cardholders) and I4 (for all other customers and partner redemptions) indicate that four business class seats can be booked using miles at saver rates.
O9 suggests there are nine or more available seats in full-fare Premium Plus. Of those nine Premium Plus seats, you can book nine or more in the ON (dynamically priced award ticket), A and R fare classes. RN7 means United has released seven seats for confirmed upgrades to Premium Plus using PlusPoints or miles.
As you may have guessed, Y9 through K9 means nine or more economy seats are available in these fare classes. G0 means there aren’t any deeply discounted G-fare seats on this flight. XN9 (for all elites and most credit cardholders) and X9 (for all other customers and partner redemptions) denote that nine or more economy seats can be booked using miles at saver rates.
On this flight, you’ll notice that although the K, R and P fare classes are available, the flight is priced in the L, A and Z fare classes for economy, Premium Plus and business class, respectively. That’s because United has restrictions on some of its lower fare classes (i.e., you can’t book them as one-way tickets or within a certain number of days before departure).
Related: United’s best kept elite status secret: How to earn PQP faster with partner flights
Bottom line
As its name suggests, United expert mode is a powerful tool for advanced users to view specific fare classes and availability. It can help you find award and upgradable tickets and help you determine if enough seats are available for your entire party.
Remember, you can only use expert mode when logged in to your MileagePlus account and searching for paid tickets (not award tickets).
Transiting the Panama Canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many travelers, especially for history and engineering buffs. If you’re considering this bucket-list sailing, you’ll want to find the best time to cruise the Panama Canal, whether that be to find better weather, lower pricing or fewer crowds.
The Panama Canal cruise season peaks between October and April, outside of the rainy season that can start as early as mid-March and extend into the fall. With a tropical climate, this region is home to rainforests, incredible biodiversity, lush landscapes, abundant wildlife and beautiful beaches, but the weather can be wet at certain times of the year.
Panama Canal itineraries come in several flavors. One-way cruises sail between Florida and California, Washington or Canada; these complete a full transit of the canal. Partial-transit itineraries sail round-trip from Florida ports and only go through the locks on the Caribbean side. Some ships depart from or end in Panama or Costa Rica and feature itineraries that focus on the Pacific Coast of Central America or the Caribbean.
In addition to visiting Panama, many itineraries include ports of call in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia or Mexico, which can be the highlight of the trip, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.
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It used to be that only smaller Panamax ships could squeeze through the locks of the Panama Canal. However, with the opening of a new set of locks in 2016, larger New-Panamax-sized ships can transit, as well. That means you take a Panama Canal cruise on a small-masted Windstar ship or luxury Silversea cruise or can sail on a megaship as large as the 1,094-foot-long and 136-foot-wide Norwegian Bliss.
Here, we look at Panama’s peak cruise season month by month, so you can consider the weather, pricing and crowds to determine the best time to cruise through the Panama Canal.
October
Pros: October is one of the best months for cooler temperatures, lower fares and fewer crowds.
Cons: October is still the rainy season, and it’s humid. It’s also hurricane season in the Caribbean.
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Ships: Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania, Hurtigruten Expeditions, Lindblad and luxury lines Scenic and Silversea offer sailings during the month.
October is a rainy month, but it’s also one of the coolest months of the year, with high temperatures in the low to mid-80s. The average year-round temperature in Panama is about 86 degrees, so it doesn’t vary much during the year, but it’s more humid in October with the wet weather. It’s also possible to have hurricanes this time of year if you’re cruising in the Caribbean.
For outdoor adventure seekers, it’s too wet for hiking in the rainforests, but other activities benefit from the rainy season, including whitewater rafting. In Quepos, Costa Rica, Windstar Cruises offers rafting trips to the town of Santo Domingo, where you can take a float trip on the Savegre River. Experienced surfers can also check out the big swells on both coasts of the country.
If you have an extended stay in Panama City, consider a trip to the Archipelago de las Perlas (Pearl Islands) in southeastern Panama to view the humpback whales. It’s a short flight to the islands, or you can travel by ferry to see the whales that are still in the waters around the archipelago after coming to breed in August and September. If traveling earlier in the month, you may also see nesting loggerheads and green turtles southeast of Panama City in Isla Canas (Cane Island) or Bocas del Toro.
Related: Best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip
November
Pros: November is one of the best months for lower cruise fares.
Cons: November is still the rainy season and the end of hurricane season. You can also expect some crowds in port with the national holidays.
Ships: Windstar, Star Clippers and Seabourn will also have vessels transiting the Panama Canal in November.
November can be rainy — and even the rainiest month of the wet season — with temperatures starting to warm closer to December. The month brings a mix of low-priced early-season fares but also several public holidays that bring crowds of both tourists and residents to attractions in places like Panama City and Boquete.
For a rainy-day excursion, ride the Panama Canal Railway, one of the world’s great train rides. If you’re in Panama City, plan an indoor excursion with a visit to the world’s first museum dedicated to biodiversity, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo.
You can celebrate Panama’s Separation Day on Nov. 3 or Flag Day on Nov. 4. These holidays, along with a few others in November, feature parades, parties and other displays of national pride, so you can expect it to be busy in towns across the country.
Related: The best time to go on a cruise
December
Pros: December is the beginning of the dry season, so the weather will be drier and less humid.
Cons: The month is one of the busiest times for tourism, so you can expect to pay higher fares and have more crowds in port.
Ships: A few additional cruise lines offer Panama Canal crossings during December, including Celebrity, Carnival, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
With drier weather and high temperatures hovering around 88 degrees, it’s less humid in the region in December. However, it’s the holiday season, so cruise fares and other costs, like hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays, will be more expensive if you travel this month. December is one of the peak tourism months in Panama, with Panamanians traveling for the holidays and visitors from North America and Europe escaping the cold weather at home.
December is the best month to plan excursions to places like Panama’s rainforest and Chagres National Park to meet the indigenous Embrera people. You can also take an eco-cruise on Gatun Lake, which concludes with a visit to the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center, where you’ll learn about this engineering feat that connects two oceans. If you’re comfortable exploring on your own, rent a car or hire a local guide to visit places like Soberania National Park.
Related: Tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money
January
Pros: January is regarded as one of the best months to visit Panama with the drier weather and high temperatures around the mid-80s. It’s also less bustling with tourists than it is in December.
Cons: It’s peak season on land and at sea, so hotel and cruise prices are high. Panama City will also be busy with the jazz festival mid-month.
Ships: Cunard, Azamara, Emerald Cruises and Tauck Tours (with a chartered Ponant yacht) enter the market in January.
January’s dry weather makes the month the perfect time to explore Central America’s national parks, jungles and tropical rainforests, including Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park and Curú Wildlife Refuge and Panama’s Darien National Park. During your visit, be sure to look for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, blue-footed boobies, capybaras, crocodiles and even manatees on a jungle boat tour along the canal and into Gatun Lake.
If you’re a jazz buff, the Panama Jazz Festival is held in Panama City in mid-January, January 16-21. The six-day event features hundreds of renowned jazz musicians from around the world with live performances, a gala evening and concerts. If you’re embarking in Colon, Panama, you can fly into Panama City a few days early for the festivities. The distance between the two cities is less than 50 miles. Alternatively, linger in Panama after your cruise to attend the festival, or look for sailings with full-day stops in Panama City during the jazz festival.
Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?
February
Pros: February is the second-best month to cruise the Panama Canal, with optimal weather during the dry season.
Cons: It’s still peak season with higher cruise fares and prices ashore — but there are fewer cruise lines in the region. Snowbirds are still avoiding the cold weather and snowstorms at home, so you can expect many tourists, especially in Panama City. Carnival typically occurs across the country in February, depending on when Easter falls that year, bringing crowds.
Ships: Ponant is the only new addition in the region, offering one sailing early in the month. The other cruise lines sailing the Panama Canal in February are Holland America, Oceania, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Lindblad, Tauck, Emerald and Windstar.
Take advantage of the final weeks of the dry season to book active outdoor adventure excursions like hiking, kayaking and zip lining. Another option is the Rainforest and Aerial Tram tour to the Gamboa Rainforest Resort in the 55,000-acre Soberania National Park. The tram climbs 280 feet through the dense jungle vegetation to reach the tree canopy above. During the ride to the top, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys, sloths, butterflies, iguanas, toucans and frogs.
Carnival is a festival in mid-January in Panama City and other towns around the country. It’s one of the biggest celebrations in Central America — even bigger than the Christmas holidays for most families, so you can expect crowds during that time.
March
Pros: March is the last month of the dry season, although the rains can start by midmonth during some years. You can expect pleasant weather, although it’s quite warm, with temperatures reaching as high as the low 90s. You can also find late-season low fares on some of the larger ships.
Cons: It’s still one of the busiest months for travel with the moderate weather.
Ships: New luxury line Explora Journeys joins the vessels in the region in March with an extended sailing that includes transiting the Panama Canal.
With the warmer temperatures, March is an ideal month to head to the beaches on one of the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of about 365 islands and cays off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama. Some cruise lines that visit the archipelago are Windstar, Star Clippers, Hapag-Lloyd and Ponant.
You can also look for excursions through the cruise line — or make independent arrangements — to go on an adventurous hike under the canopy of the rainforest, take a boat tour to explore the diverse flora and fauna along the canal or go windsurfing or sailboarding on Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal with the Arenal Volcano as the backdrop. March is also the last month for surfing enthusiasts to hit the big waves on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
Should Semana Santa (Holy Week, from Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday) fall in March, there will be more crowds nationwide in Panama with religious processions and reenactments, parades and other special events. Many venues and attractions may be closed on some days during the festivities.
April
Pros: April is one of the best months to look for lower late-season fares on the larger ships.
Cons: The weather may not be ideal. The high temperatures in Panama hit just below 90 degrees on most days of the month. Mid-April is also when the wet season typically begins, so you can expect high humidity and rain. It’s also still a busy time with tourists, so the prices are high ashore. If Easter falls in April, you may have to contend with the crowds celebrating Holy Week during the festivities.
Ships: If you’re interested in a sailing on a luxury cruise ship, Silversea is the only luxury line still in the region in April. For a cruise on a large ship, choose among itineraries on Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess.
With the high temperatures and humidity — and the threat of rain — you might want to take tours where you can easily escape from the heat and the showers. If you’re in Panama City, visit the vibrant neighborhood of Casco Antiguo in the city’s historic district.
Dating back to 1673, the UNESCO World Heritage Site features landmarks like the Panama National Theater and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary. You’ll also find some of the city’s best restaurants, beautiful squares and plazas and top-rated museums. If you’ve booked a pre- or post-cruise hotel in town, be sure to catch a sunset from one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
Bottom line: The best time to cruise the Panama Canal
When to cruise the Panama Canal will depend on what’s most important to you.
If having the best weather is your top priority, January, February and early March offer the best weather during the dry season with low humidity — but it’s also the most expensive time to travel to the region. You can expect crowds, especially with the festivals during that time.
If you want the best pricing and fewer crowds, October and November are the rainy season, so the pricing will be lower — and you’ll avoid the holiday crowds and high fares in December.
Late March and April also offer lower fares as it’s the beginning of the rainy season, but you can expect crowds during the Holy Week festivities in the country.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available.
In 2020 and 2021, many major hotel companies offered some of their most generous promotions. That’s how some TPG staffers achieved top-tier Hyatt Globalist with just 10 nights. But those days are far behind us.
Overall, hotel promotions aren’t quite as generous as they once were. But from helping you accrue additional points to earning elite status faster, they certainly should be on your radar.
However, keeping track of the latest hotel bonuses can be difficult — especially if you’re juggling points and elite status with multiple programs. With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to track current promotions across the major hotel chains.
Most of these promotions require you to book directly with the hotel chain. Bookmark this page for regularly updated offers, links and other information about your favorite hotel programs. We’ll also discuss which offers will get you the most bang for your buck.
This article focuses on limited-time promotions, excluding ongoing offers like AAA and AARP member discounts. Further, the list doesn’t include ongoing offers on cobranded hotel credit cards, but you can check out the following links for details on these cards:
Related: 6+ unexpected travel discounts that can save you money
Limited-time credit card hotel discounts
Amex Offers, Chase Offers and Citi Merchant Offers can offer significant hotel discounts. While we didn’t find any current Citi hotel offers, here are a few targeted offers that TPG staff found on their credit cards — check your cards and see if you have them too.
Amex Offers
American Express is currently offering several hotel promotions for select cardholders via its Amex Offers program, including:
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7,500 bonus points after spending $2,000 or more on your card (expires March 31). TPG values 7,500 Marriott points at $63.
Caesars Rewards Las Vegas: $40 back after you spend $200 or more (expires May 31).
Hilton properties in Mexico: $150 back after spending $750 or more (expires April 30).
Hilton’s in the US, Mexico, Caribbean, Colombia, Honduras and French Polynesia (select properties only): $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Canada: $100 back after spending $500 or more (expires May 15).
IHG Hotels and Resorts: $40 back after you spend $200 or more (expires June 16).
Lotte Hotel: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires Aug. 1).
Lotte New York Palace: $150 back after you spend $750 or more (expires July 23).
Mandarin Oriental: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires March 31).
Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Canada: 20% back, up to a total of $50 back (expires March 31).
Marriott Bonvoy properties in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Canada: $60 back after spending $300 or more (expires March 31).
Marriott Homes & Villas: $200 back after spending $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Riggs Washington, D.C.: $120 back after spending $600 or more (expires April 30).
Sonesta: $60 back after spending $300 or more at properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories (expires April 30).
Staypineapple: $50 back after you spend $250 or more (expires April 3).
The Line Hotels: $60 back after you spend $300 or more (expires April 30).
The Ned NoMad Hotel: $100 back after you spend $500 or more (expires Sept. 4).
Viceroy Hotels & Resorts US & Mexico: $200 back after you spend $1,000 or more (expires May 31).
Remember that Amex Offers are targeted. So, you should check your offers and enroll in any that interest you.
Related: Which is the best American Express credit card for you?
Chase Offers
Chase Offers are targeted. Several of our staffers have this Chase Offer:
Thompson Hotels: Earn 15% back when you spend $100 or more, up to $37.95 (Expires April 21).
Related: Check your Chase Offers to save money with Marriott, Lyft and Carnival
Accor Live Limitless
Accor Live Limitless has a couple of promotions that might help you earn extra points and qualify for status. These promotions require you to register.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
4x points at new hotels
Earn 4 times the points at new Accor Hotels.
Deadline passed.
Through May 5, 2023.
Earn bonus status nights with fast track
This targeted promotion isn’t open to members with a U.S. primary address.
Classic members will earn f5 status nights toward Silver.
Silver members will earn 7 status nights toward Gold.
Gold members will earn 10 status nights toward Platinum.
Deadline passed.
By May 2, 2023.
Related: The award travelers guide to Accor Live Limitless
Best Western Rewards
Best Western’s promotion allows you to earn up to 16,000 bonus points, which requires registration. Here are the details:
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Stay two nights and get 8,000 bonus points (up to two times).
Complete two separate or consecutive eligible nights to earn 8,000 bonus points following completion of the eligible nights.
Valid only on Best Western-branded U.S., Canada and Caribbean stays.
N/A.
Stay by May 7, 2023.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Best Western Rewards
Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges is back with a promotion advertising a gift card, but cashing out your points for the gift card isn’t required. You can read more about their ongoing deals here.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Bonus points after two paid stays
Earn between 5,000 and 8,000 bonus points on the second paid stay. Choice advertises this promotion as being enough points for a $50 gift card, but you can keep the points instead.
N/A.
Stay by June 30, 2023.
Related: The best hotel credit cards
Hilton Honors
Hilton has been generous with its recent promotions. Note that the Double Up + Explore promotion requires you to register. For more details, visit this page.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Double Up + Explore
Earn double points and 1,000 bonus points (worth $6 at TPG’s valuations) for each of Hilton’s 18 brands you stay at during the promotional period.
N/A.
Stay by April 30, 2023.
Free bonus points at Hilton’s newest properties.
Earn 1,000 Hilton Honors points per night at select properties.
Earn 5,000 Hilton Honors points per three-night stay or longer at select properties.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
Related: How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
IHG One Rewards
You can earn bonus IHG One Rewards points with the loyalty program’s latest promotion, but you must register
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
2,000 bonus points every 2 nights
Earn 2,000 points for every two nights of eligible paid stays.
N/A
Feb. 9 to April 14, 2023.
Related: 7 ways to earn more IHG One Rewards points for your next redemption
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott is offering an appealing promotion for points and elite status seekers. Check your “promotion central” to see if you have any targeted promotions.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Delight in the unexpected: Earn twice each night
Earn 1,000 bonus points (worth $8.40 based on TPG’s valuations) and one elite bonus night for each night you spend at a Marriott Bonvoy-branded property at a qualifying rate (award stays are excluded.).
April 9, 2023.
Feb. 7 to April 23, 2023.
Related: The award travelers guide to Marriott Bonvoy
Radisson Rewards Americas
Here’s one noteworthy promotion from Radisson Rewards Americas. Make sure to register.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
First time’s a charm
Earn 3,000 bonus points for your first booking in the app.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
Related: Here’s why Radisson Rewards is the best loyalty program for earning free nights
World of Hyatt
World of Hyatt recently launched its latest Bonus Journeys promotion. Here’s a high-level overview of Hyatt’s promotions.
Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham Rewards has two generous promotions now — both require you to register. Here’s an overview.
Promotion
Details
Register-by date
Dates of stay
Stay 3 nights, earn 2 free
Book three qualifying nights at participating hotels in Europe, Africa, Eurasia or the Middle East and you’ll earn 15,000 Wyndham Rewards bonus points (enough for two nights at some Wyndham properties).
April 30, 2023 (also the book-by date).
By Sept. 30, 2023.
Earn 1,500 bonus points
Targeted promotion.
N/A.
Ongoing promotion.
In addition, there are limited-time offers through Wyndham’s member month promotions — including property credits and a broader free-night offer.
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Ariana Arghandewal, Katie Genter, Ryan Smith, Caroline Tanner and Benji Stawski.