Travel adventures

Delta Air Lines is returning to California's Central Coast for the first time in almost 19 years. In December, the airline will launch service from the Golden State's Monterey Regional Airport (MRY). It's a return that's certainly a long time coming. Delta last operated regular service to the airport in January 2008. Now, most of its top competitors — including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines — have flights from the airport. Delta's latest go-around in Monterey is set to begin on Dec. 19, right as the holiday season kicks off. Delta's 2 routes from MontereyThe carrier plans to offer nonstop flights to two of its western hubs: Twice-daily service to …

Air Canada Aeroplan is one of the most useful Star Alliance loyalty programs for travelers based in the U.S., thanks to fixed partner award charts, flexible stopover rules and no fuel surcharges on award tickets. The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers Aeroplan 25K elite status, along with discounts on Air Canada redemptions, annual statement credits and a $195 annual fee. (The card was recently refreshed.) If the ability to use points on more than 50 partner airlines worldwide and automatic elite status appeal to you, this card is worth considering. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ *Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenc…

I live nearly two hours away from the closest Ikea store, but my family happily makes the pilgrimage several times each year — and not just because we can catch a Cincinnati Reds game or stop at our favorite Belgian waffle restaurant to make a day trip out of it. It's because, as a member of the Ikea Family program, I earn rewards every time I shop that I can redeem in-store or online for shopping and delivery discounts, free meals, snacks and more. But I don't even have to spend any money to earn points. With Ikea Family, I earn points for logging in to my account, creating wish lists and other pre-shopping-trip activities I'd be doing anyway. Here's how Ikea Family make…

Next month, the reigning national champion Indiana University Hoosiers head to Lincoln, Nebraska, for a college football showdown against the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. United Airlines is planning to help with the fan frenzy. The carrier plans to offer a rare flight between Indianapolis and Lincoln on game weekend. Normally, it wouldn't connect those two cities with nonstop service. There are more flights like that one, too. That same week, United will also offer unusual nonstop service between Eugene, Oregon, and Columbus, Ohio, catering to a high-stakes University of Oregon-Ohio State University matchup. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines has added a full slate of f…

Quarterly benefits are among the more challenging credit card perks to keep up with. When it comes to quarterly statement credits, you have three months to use them up before they expire. With quarterly bonus categories, you have to memorize a new set in each quarter to ensure you're getting the best return for your spending. With the end of the third quarter approaching, now is a good time to check which benefits you still have left to use. Most Q3 statement credits and bonus categories reset after Sept. 30, meaning you have just a few weeks left to maximize them. Here are the perks you'll want to use before the end of September 2026. Bookmark this article, and come back…

American Airlines AAdvantage miles are some of my favorite rewards to earn and redeem. And there are plenty of ways to earn AAdvantage miles, whether you frequently fly American Airlines or earn miles through American Airlines credit cards and other partners. In fact, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is currently offering its highest-ever welcome offer following its August refresh. For a limited time, the card has a welcome offer of 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first five months from account opening. Whether you're sitting on a large balance already or considering this welcome offer, here's w…

When you don't want to deal with public transportation or the will-they-cancel-or-won't-they game you sometimes have with ride-hailing apps, booking a real, grown-up car service can absolutely be worth it. Think: when you want a car waiting for you after a long flight, when you've got multiple stops in a city within a few hours, when you're traveling with multiple people or lots of luggage, or when you just want to hit the "easy button" to get from point A to point B. A car service that I've used several times in the last year for those exact situations is Blacklane. Blacklane is available not only across many parts of the U.S. but also in cities around the globe. Whether…

If your small business is looking for an affordable way to earn cash back or boost its Ultimate Rewards balance, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) are two great choices. Currently, both cards are offering their highest-ever welcome bonuses, which could be even more valuable if you have an eligible Ultimate Rewards card that provides access to Chase's transfer partners. It's important to know whether or not you're eligible for a welcome bonus. You don't want to waste a hard pull on your credit just to find out you didn't meet Chase's requirements from the start. Current offers on the Ink Bus…

Summer is winding down and before you know it, we will be strapping into our ski gear and hitting the mountains. But before that happens, you'll want to ensure you have your Epic Pass in hand for the 2026-2027 season. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the best way to get your lift tickets for less is usually to pay for a ski pass instead of individual mountain lift tickets. Purchasing an Epic Pass now means you can avoid overpaying for your days on the mountain. And, new this year, Vail is offering a 20% discount for teens and young adults on many pass options. An Epic Pass can save you money on skiing even if you are only planning a single trip — or perhaps sk…

The perks and rewards you can earn on rental cars vary drastically between programs. And not every rental car loyalty program is a traditional rewards program. But joining the right program can help you earn free rental days, get upgrades, skip the counter or unlock elite status through a credit card or another loyalty program. So, here's a look at the best rental car loyalty programs for U.S. consumers. Comparison of the best rental car loyalty programsBefore we dive into each program, here's a quick comparison of the best rental car loyalty programs. I chose programs to include in this guide based on three factors: would I recommend that other travelers use them, are th…

There's no place like New York City, and as many of us New Yorkers like to say, "It's New York or nowhere." It's a microcosm of the whole world, but also something so singularly its own. You can hear any language or find any food. You can see the world's next big star play a show in a grimy basement club or see the world's current biggest star play the world's most famous arena. New York City has it all, and then some. But on Sept. 11, 2001, New York City lost a lot: friends, family, colleagues and strangers. What it didn't lose that day 25 years ago was its spirit. If there's ever a place with tenacity, it's New York. So whether you've been dreaming of a trip to "The Big…

It was a day that changed America. The fallout from "9/11" reverberated across the nation, affecting everything from politics and foreign affairs to the economy. But few things changed more for Americans that the way we fly. Even 25 years since 9/11, the day's impact on aviation has been a lasting one. As the attacks unfolded, air traffic controllers and airline personnel scrambled to figure out what was happening, which ultimately culminated in the first (and to this date, only) complete closure of U.S. airspace. But once planes took the air again, the passenger experience on the ground rapidly evolved. Major security overhaulIn the weeks and months that followed 9/11, n…

It's hard to fathom that it's been 25 years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The events of that day had a lasting impact on the aviation industry, but the months and years since also showed the resilience of New York City — and of the entire country. Many of us here at TPG still vividly recall witnessing the attacks, though many others weren't born or were too young to remember them. In fact, millions of Americans fall into this latter category, an entire generation that didn't have the lived experience of that day. That's why it's so important to preserve the stories from 9/11 — and, thankfully, there are a number of ways you can do just that. Here are some…

With more than 9,000 properties across more than 35 brands worldwide, Marriott Bonvoy offers plenty of ways to earn free hotel stays. Whether you're looking for a premium travel card, a no-annual-fee option or a business card, Marriott's cobranded credit card lineup has something to offer. While some current welcome offers are stronger than others, several are worth considering if you've been thinking about adding a Marriott card to your wallet. Below, we break down the current offers and help you decide which Marriott card might be worth it. Comparison of Marriott credit card welcome offersMarriott Bonvoy loyalists can choose from card options issued by American Express …

The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) recently underwent a major refresh, adding several valuable travel perks while increasing its annual fee from $95 to $195. New and existing cardmembers now receive automatic Aeroplan 25K status with no spending requirement, 15% savings on eligible Air Canada award flights and up to $100 in annual Air Canada statement credits. For a limited time, new cardmembers can also earn up to 115,000 bonus Aeroplan points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 40,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months …

The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) recently underwent a major refresh, adding several valuable travel perks while increasing its annual fee from $95 to $195. New and existing cardmembers now receive automatic Aeroplan 25K status with no spending requirement, 15% savings on eligible Air Canada award flights and up to $100 in annual Air Canada statement credits. For a limited time, new cardmembers can also earn up to 115,000 bonus Aeroplan points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 40,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months …

If you've been considering a Hilton credit card, you're in the right place. That's because there are great welcome offers on Hilton's American Express cards right now, for new cardmembers to earn a swath of Hilton Honors points. This includes a highest-ever offer on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 13, 2027. Depending on how you redeem them, these bonuses could cover anything from several nights at budget-friendly Hilton properties to a luxury award stay at aspirational resorts. Let's take a look at the current Hilton card offers and whic…

Frontier Airlines is getting ready to fly to South America for the first time. The Denver-based budget airline on Thursday announced nonstop service to three cities in Colombia. The trio of routes from Orlando International Airport (MCO) will mark the first time Frontier has sent its planes to the continent. It will also be a clear move to pick up routes abandoned by former rival Spirit Airlines, which had a significant presence in Colombia prior to its collapse earlier this year. Among the routes: nonstop service to the Colombian capital city of Bogota, along with new flights to Medellin and Cartagena. Read more: Spirit is gone. Can other budget airlines survive? "We bel…

If you hold the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card in your wallet — or have been thinking about adding it — there is big news. The card has undergone a major refresh, including a new name, new benefits and updated earning rates. The biggest change is arguably automatic Aeroplan 25K Status every year with no spending requirement. Cardmembers can now also save 15% when redeeming Aeroplan points for eligible Air Canada flights and receive up to $100 in annual statement credits for Air Canada purchases. Those benefits come with a significantly higher annual fee, however, as well as changes to some of the card's existing earning rates and benefits. Here's what you need to …

All-inclusive vacations can simplify trip planning, and IHG Hotels & Resorts makes it easy to discover, compare and book a growing range of participating all-inclusive resorts across destinations worldwide. Booking through IHG can add even more value to the experience. With IHG One Rewards, members can earn and redeem points at participating all-inclusive properties. That means a beach vacation can help fund a future trip or reduce your out-of-pocket cost if you redeem IHG points for your stay. After all, one of the biggest appeals of an all-inclusive vacation is knowing that many of your meals, drinks and activities are included in your stay. But by booking a partici…

New York City has some of the best independent restaurants and coffee shops in the world. It's one of the reasons why I love living here, but it also means dining is easily my largest expense outside of rent each month — and most dining loyalty programs that help you save money at the places you eat at regularly are centered around national chains. Enter Blackbird. Blackbird is a loyalty program and payment app designed for independent restaurants and cafes. A friend introduced me to it earlier this year, and I've since fallen in love with it. You can earn and redeem rewards, access special perks, split and pay your bill and more via the app. The program even has elite st…

Quick take: United's new "Elevated" Polaris business class represents a sophisticated step forward for the airline. Hopefully the closing privacy doors will be certified soon. ProsThere's decent award availability for United cardholders.Seats are spacious and have closing doors.Upscale food and beverage service with pre-order is available.ConsPrivacy doors need to be certified before they can be used.Wi-Fi isn't free and is slower than Starlink.The sound systems in the seats seem to have a few bugs.TPG got the first peek at United's swanky new "Elevated" Polaris business class in March when the airline showed off the fancy new suite-style pods at an event in Los Angeles s…

It looks like American Airlines' loss may be Delta Air Lines' gain when it comes to one of America's top hotel loyalty programs. Delta and Hyatt just announced they're teaming up in a new loyalty partnership that's set to launch in the coming months. That word comes just hours after American and Hyatt revealed that they're ending their yearslong relationship. Delta-Hyatt partnership: What to expectThis new "exclusive collaboration" will closely link Delta SkyMiles and World of Hyatt, the companies said Wednesday. It will allow members of both programs to simultaneously earn points and miles in both programs when flying Delta or staying at a property in the Hyatt portfolio…

American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt launched a partnership in 2019. My favorite part of this partnership was reciprocal earnings: Hyatt elite members could earn 1 bonus point per $1 spent on qualifying American Airlines flights, and American elite members could earn 1 bonus mile per $1 spent on qualifying Hyatt stays. Unfortunately, the programs ended reciprocal earnings on Dec. 31, 2024. And now, they've announced plans to end their enhanced loyalty partnership. American and Hyatt are ending their enhanced partnershipPress releases from both American AAdvantage and World of Hyatt on Sept. 9 state the programs "have mutually decided to not continue our enhanced relatio…

For many travelers, airport lounge access is crucial. It not only provides a space to relax before a journey but can also serve as an ideal place to be productive and get work done. This is where American Admirals Club lounges come in. There are nearly 50 of them worldwide, and you can get access by purchasing a day pass, redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage miles, having elite status, flying in a premium cabin or holding the right credit card. In my opinion, the best-value way to access Admirals Clubs is through one specific credit card: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (see rates and fees). While it does come with a $695 annual fee, here's wh…