After more than a decade of planning and years of tests, Amtrak's high-speed, next-generation Acela trains are finally set to enter service early next year.The new Acela trains should enter revenue service at some point during the spring of 2025, the rail operator confirmed this week.It's a milestone that should bring far greater comfort — and capacity — to Amtrak's key Northeast Corridor service … [Read more...]
Why you should skip hosting for the holidays and go to a hotel
Here are a few things you should know about me. I love spending time with my friends and family. I love to cook. But I do not love hosting for the holidays.I know that some people absolutely do love preparing a big turkey dinner with all the fixings and inviting loved ones into their homes for the holidays. I am just not one of them. I don't like the amount of cooking, cleaning and hovering about … [Read more...]
Save on airport rides with this DashPass and Lyft promo
ADVERTISEMENTDec. 10, 2024•2 min readSave on airport rides with this DashPass and Lyft promoThe cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers … [Read more...]
SAS EuroBonus challenge: How I’m flying around the world in 3 weeks to earn 1 million points
As a points and miles enthusiast, I am always looking for ways to earn valuable rewards. I have signed up for new credit cards, booked mattress runs and even booked flights with the sole purpose of earning additional points and miles. But my next quest to earn loyalty program rewards is a balancing act of my sanity, my love for flying and the chance to earn a ton of bonus miles.After transitioning … [Read more...]
JetBlue adds 2 new European routes, including first-ever flights to Spain
In recent months, JetBlue has been pulling back a bit in Europe, trimming its footprint at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in the off-peak months, and scaling back a bit in Paris and Amsterdam.Now, after a couple of steps back, it's taking a big step forward.Next summer, JetBlue will launch its first-ever nonstop service to Spain, with daily summer flights from Boston Logan International Airport … [Read more...]
United’s aging Washington Dulles digs poised for an upgrade — complete with a huge United Club
If you fly out of Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD) these days, you'll see your fair share of cranes and heavy construction equipment.Beyond the airport's farthest-flung terminal, crews are hard at work on a half-billion-dollar terminal that's expected to house 14 brand-new United Airlines gates by late 2026.SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUYRenderings TPG first shared last winter … [Read more...]
Why your next dream vacation should be an AmaWaterways river cruise in France
Our AmaWaterways guide, Andrea, is leading us through the narrow streets of Arles, France, to a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheater — a relic of the ancient world as magnificent as anything you'll find in Rome. But as we soon learn, the 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site isn't just an icon of the Roman era.As the longtime local explains to our small group of passengers from the … [Read more...]
Alaska Airlines makeover: Asia flights coming to Seattle hub, premium credit card and more
The integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines has officially commenced, and with it comes some serious changes to how the two carriers have historically operated.It starts with combining and expanding the two networks, which will soon see Seattle turned into an international gateway, among other changes. The merger will also bring about some big upgrades to the premium experience … [Read more...]
Mandarin Oriental expands presence in Paris and Amsterdam
Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is about to strengthen its European presence.The luxury hotel brand plans to add Hotel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam to its network of ultraluxury hotels worldwide. Following the planned completion of the deal, the Hotel Lutetia will be rebranded as the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris. The Conservatorium Hotel, following … [Read more...]
Delta to open Boston Delta One Lounge with unique dining flair
Delta Air Lines is doubling down on its premium digs at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), where the carrier is set to open its third Delta One business-class lounge Wednesday.The airline offered a sneak peek Monday, and — of course — TPG was there for a look.Delta positions itself as America's most premium airline, but it fell well behind the competition when it came to lounges for … [Read more...]
New Hertz Gold Plus Rewards promotion lets elite members gift status to friends and family
'Tis the season for status — at least, at Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. Thanks to the program's new promotion, Hertz elite members can choose up to two friends or family members to gift elite status to before the end of the year.All you have to do is fill out a form on Hertz's website (here if you hold Five Star status or here if you're in President's Circle) by Dec. 31, 2024. You'll need to enter your … [Read more...]
Avelo will fly to 4 new US cities, launch a new international route in 2025
Avelo Airlines has no plans to slow its fast growth in Connecticut after the calendar flips to 2025.The Houston-based ultra-low-cost carrier plans to add four new U.S. airports to its route map early next year, the airline announced Monday.Between February and May 2025, Avelo will launch service from two large hub airports, a prime Florida city and a popular New England destination. Each of those … [Read more...]
JetBlue cuts 8 routes, exits 1 market in big network shift
JetBlue Airways is working to return to profitability.The New York-based carrier's latest move slashes eight high-profile routes amid a broader network shake-up, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.The affected routes that will be cut are:Boston-San Jose, CaliforniaFort Lauderdale-Jacksonville, FloridaNew York-AustinNew York-HoustonNew York-LondonNew … [Read more...]
Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort: An impressive first for the Marriott brand
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.With more than 30 hotel brands and 10,000 properties under its global purview, Marriott has long offered guests the ability to redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at all-inclusive properties like North Island, … [Read more...]
Why the Amex Platinum still reigns supreme in the luxury travel space (and how other cards are catching up)
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.Despite newcomers to the premium credit card space vying for your business, American Express' top-tier consumer card continues to shine.The Platinum Card® from American Express has swept all three of the … [Read more...]
5 reasons to choose Silversea Cruises for your next luxury vacation at sea
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.When all-inclusive fares, gourmet dining, spacious suites with private balconies and attentive service are the hallmarks of every luxury cruise line, it's tricky to decide just which brand and ship is … [Read more...]
TPG Awards 2024: Etihad wins ‘dream airline redemption,’ but rivals are coming
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.The Etihad Apartment — spacious, self-contained first-class suites found only aboard the airline's Airbus A380s — won this year's TPG Award for Dream Airline Award Redemption.It's hard to beat nearly 40 … [Read more...]
How we chose the best airline loyalty program
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.The TPG Awards have honored the top travel brands, credit cards and loyalty programs since 2018. But this year, we've taken a new approach to several of the honors, leveraging data to select the winners … [Read more...]
Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the top travel rewards credit card year after year
Every year, the TPG Awards honor excellence in credit cards, loyalty programs and travel. Please click here to read more about our winner selection process and methodology for the 2024 TPG Awards.It's time for the 2024 TPG Awards, and to the surprise of no one, Chase has snagged the award for Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for the seventh year in a row.A consensus favorite among TPG staffers, the … [Read more...]
These are the winners of the 2024 TPG Awards
Now in its seventh year, the annual TPG Awards celebrate the best in loyalty and travel, highlighting the airlines, hotels, credit cards and rewards programs changing the way we explore the world.Today, we're thrilled to release the list of the 2024 TPG Awards winners, with standouts ranging from the best in international first-class travel to the credit cards in our wallets that make dream trips … [Read more...]