Happy Memorial Day Weekend! I’m doing a whole lot of nothing this weekend, as in a few days I’m leaving on a trip to Italy and Greece, which I’m excited about. I’ll be going to Milan, Santorini, and Athens. The whole reason Milan is part of the itinerary is because of the awesome Emirates first class fares that were available from North America to Milan a while back. It has probably been over a decade since I’ve been to Greece, so I’m very much looking forward to returning, as I have great memories.
On the points & travel front, this week we saw the introduction of a new Chase business card, Alaska introduced a bonus on purchased miles, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts had a lucrative promotion for stays through December, Qatar added a surcharge to Qsuites tickets, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
Recapping All The New Credit Cards & Increased Bonuses
In the past few months we’ve seen a disproportionate number of new credit cards introduced, as well as increased bonuses on existing cards. While I write a monthly post with what I consider to be the best credit card offers (regardless of when they were introduced), I wanted to write a consolidated post that summarized two things:
- The all new credit cards that we’ve seen introduced within the past couple of months
- Existing credit cards that are currently offering increased welcome bonuses
I’ll share the details of the bonuses, the basic things to know, and my general thoughts on the cards. Again, I’m only including new cards and those cards that presently have increased bonuses, so I’m not suggesting that these are necessarily the best card bonuses out there
Fly Economy Around The World For Less Than 125,000 Membership Rewards Points
A few days ago, I shared some fun ways to use the 125,000 Membership Rewards from the increased bonus on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Just in case you missed the details of the current bonus, here they are:
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $10,000 in spend within 3 months
- 50,000 Membership Rewards points after $15,000 in spend within the same 3 months
In that post, the 6 options I shared were premium cabin redemptions. Reader Max commented:
I get the enjoyment of flying first class, but with so many countries I want to see, I’d rather fly in economy and visit more! Working on getting the signup bonus for my business platinum. I should have about 270k MR to go with 100k Avios in the next few months.
I can absolutely appreciate that. Even if the first class flights look like fun experiences, some people would rather stretch their miles across multiple trips, or more destinations.
Wow: The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Promotion Gets Even Better
Last week I wrote about the incredible deals available at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts for stays this summer.
The hotel is offering a fourth night free plus a $300 per person resort credit for bookings made by June 30, 2018, and for stays through July 26, 2018. We’re seeing rates of $255 per night after factoring in the fourth night free.
But it gets much better than that! Like, this deal is so good that it’s confusing.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
Is The New Ink Business Unlimited Card Worth It?
Results From My One & Only Credit Card Application For A While
Staying At A Kimpton This Summer? Don’t Forget The Secret Social Password
Silvercar Expands To Washington Dulles
Creative Ways To Buy Alaska & American Miles For Cheap
10 Best Credit Card Offers For May
Can You Product Change Between Chase Ink Cards?
Big Savings On Mixed Cabin Itineraries From Australia to Europe
Promo: Alaska Mileage Plan 40% Bonus On Purchased Miles
Wow: The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Promotion Gets Even Better
New Ink Business Unlimited Card With 50K Welcome Bonus!
Best Western Is Offering A $20 Gift Card For One Stay This Summer
Score $50 Off A Hotel Stay With Amex & TripFuel
The Clock Is Ticking On Starwood’s 35% Off Points Sale
How To Book Mixed Cabin Itineraries To Score A Deal On Premium Seats
Getting Approved For The Chase Sapphire Reserve With Limited Credit History
Review: Chase Ink Business Cash Card
Recapping All The New Credit Cards & Increased Bonuses
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
Fly Economy Around The World For Less Than 125,000 Membership Rewards Points
Booking A Round-The-World Award With Qantas Points
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Award Chart Sweet Spots
Not Seeing American Award Availability On BA.com?
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
New OMAAT Email System: Please Check Your Subscriptions
Is Anyone Else Fascinated By Air North?
How My Family Dealt With The Amex Centurion Lounge Guest Limits
Deciding On A 5/24 Credit Card Strategy
I’m So Tempted To Fly Azores Airlines To Cape Verde!!!
The 14 Business & First Class Experiences I’d Like To Review Next
The Seven (Paper) Items I Don’t Leave The U.S. Without
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Why I’ve Started Using Blacklane For Airport Pick-Ups
Review: Four Seasons Seychelles
Flying To Desroches Island
NEWS & Updates
A Look At Biman Bangladesh’s New 787 Business Class
Qatar Airways Adds New Surcharge For Qsuites Tickets
Qatar Airways CEO Says To Expect More Fuel Surcharges
Is Qantas Considering Introducing ‘Buy-On-Board’ On Some Routes?
Qantas CEO Likens Canberra Airport Operators To ‘Somali Pirates’
Best Way For Families To Deal With New Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass Limits
All Hyatt Place Hotels Have Free Breakfast Again (For Now)
Edelweiss Air Crews Express Safety & Passenger Experience Concerns
Air Serbia’s Longhaul Future — Could They Start Flying To Toronto?
What Happened To Zimbabwe Airways’ New 777?
Entire South African Express Fleet Grounded Over Safety Concerns
MH17 Was Shot Down Directly By Russian Armed Forces
Delta To Fly Nonstop To Mumbai Starting In 2019
What You Need To Know About Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Program Changes
American Brings Free Booze To Main Cabin Extra, Sends Self-Upgraders To Back Of Plane
United CEO Says Decision To End NRA Discount Was Personal, Not Political
Whoa: TACV Operates A Leased 767 With Flat Beds Between Praia & Boston (I Think)
Sun Country To Refresh Cabins While Eliminating First Class
Interesting: United & The Private Suite LAX Launch Partnership
Royal Brunei Modifies Longhaul Route Network, Cuts Dubai To London Flight
Qatar Airways’ 777-200LRs Will Soon Have Qsuites
Lufthansa Introducing “Economy Light” Fares To The US
Thai Airways Hires Former Entertainment Industry Exec As CEO
Qatar Airways Adds Annoying New “Redemption Booking Fee”
IAG Is Considering Another Takeover Bid For Norwegian
Delta’s Middle Seat Pop-Up Lounge At Boston Logan Airport
I hope everyone has a great rest of the (hopefully long) weekend!
Why are the author's names removed from their articles on the front page? Please put them back.
@ vc -- All author bylines are still listed with the dates on the front page, and are also displayed at the top of every article...
I like your site very much and my Visa Sapphire care is a result of your information. How about a report on hotels actually within the airports such as the one in Schipol in Amsterdam and the one in the Miami airport. I fly a lot and like, on occasion, to break my flight with a stay in a hotel that is actually inside the airport. You are doing a great job and thanks a...
I like your site very much and my Visa Sapphire care is a result of your information. How about a report on hotels actually within the airports such as the one in Schipol in Amsterdam and the one in the Miami airport. I fly a lot and like, on occasion, to break my flight with a stay in a hotel that is actually inside the airport. You are doing a great job and thanks a lot for all this great information. I have found every little info on hotels inside airports. I fly business class and would also like more information on business lounges that provide lie-down type relax areas.
There's no explanation in the article as to what "Memorial Day" actually is. If the intention is for this blog to be read outside of the US it would be helpful to explain local terminology or customs.
Ben - what are some of the best airline redemptions to use for a trip to Greece from California? Santorini and Athens are on my list of places to visit soon. Thanks!
Where was this palm tree photo taken? I always see it on your site and it reminds me of the crooked one at the le meridian fisherman’s cove in the Seychelles.
Hi Lucky! I'm going to Santorini from 6th to 9th of June, will you be there that days?
Ben, I just listened to this news brief about an accident that occurred on a Sichuan Airlines flight. You may find it interesting. http://www.abc.net.au/radio/brisbane/programs/correspondentsreport/calling-out-for-a-hero-%E2%80%93-sichuan-airlines-pilot-finds-fame/9803408
Do you have time to perhaps fly Air Italy's new 737 MAX while in Italy? Maybe a day trip to somewhere to see their new product.
@Lucky, consider not making a common mistake. Memorial Day is one of the few legal holidays where it is inappropriate to say "Happy ___ Day". It is a solemn holiday to honor those that served and died. Happy Fourth! Happy New Year! Happy or Merry Christmas! Happy Thanksgiving! All nice. Even Veterans Day is mostly ok or completely ok because it commemorates the veterans who served and made it back.
Will you be reviewing any hotels in Milan? I'm curious about the Armani hotel and the Park Hyatt