On Board Southwest's Harvey-Evacuation Flight, Airport Swimming Pool, Non-Flyer Access at PIT and More
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Each Saturday, we round up news stories that you may have missed from the week before, including several that already appeared on The Points Guy, and some more that we haven't covered yet. If you're an avid TPG reader, scroll down for the new stuff. Here's the top miles, points and travel news you may have missed this week.
What It Was Like to Be on Southwest's Airlift From Closed Houston Airport
Read a firsthand account of what it was like to be on a Southwest flight that airlifted more than 100 people from Houston's Hobby Airport (HOU) to Dallas (DAL) once floodwaters receded enough on one of the runways to evacuate people who had been stranded at the airport.
The World's Coolest Airport Swimming Pool Opens Later This Year
This week, it was reported that Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is in the process of adding a new lounge with an outdoor swimming pool that's adjacent to the aircraft on the tarmac. When — and if — the pool opens, it could very well be the coolest airport pool in the world.
Pittsburgh Airport Becomes First to Open Terminal to Non-Travelers Post-9/11
Starting September 5, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will be the first to participate in a new TSA pilot program that opens its airside terminal to non-flyers from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday thru Friday. Note that those not flying will still have to go through a security screening and wear a special pass while hanging out in the terminal.
New 60,000-Mile Sign-Up Bonus on the AAdvantage Aviator Red Card
The Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard is currently offering an elevated sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after you pay the card's annual fee of $95 and make one purchase within three months of opening your account.
Chase Is Now Limiting Sapphire Credit Card Signups
As of this week, it's no longer possible to sign up for both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card to claim both sign-up bonuses. If you want both cards, you'll have to wait a full 24 months after you're approved for one.
Reader Contest: Come Fly With Us at the Star Alliance MegaDo!
One of aviation's biggest annual fan events kicks off in less than three weeks, and you can come along for the ride — we've been holding one ticket for a very lucky TPG reader, and are gearing up to give it away! Find out how you can win your way into this incredible experience.
Bid to Fly on Norwegian's Inaugural 787 Humanitarian Flight to Djibouti
Over the last few years, Norwegian Air has run three humanitarian aid flights on its 737, bringing aid to the Central African Republic, Jordan and Mali. Now, the budget carrier is offering a rare opportunity for travelers to fly on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — which is also decked out in UNICEF colors — and help out with a great cause. The airline will take delivery of the aircraft next month and as a celebration, its inaugural flight will be a humanitarian mission to Djibouti (JIB) to help Yemeni refugees. Find out how you can bid for a seat on this flight.
In other news...
WestJet and Air France-KLM Cement Frequent Flyer Partnership
As of this week, Canada-based WestJet and Air France-KLM have formed a new partnership that allows passengers to choose to earn either FlyingBlue miles or WestJet dollars on Air France, KLM and WestJet flights.
Amex Offer: 10,000 Membership Rewards Points for Spending More Than $500 With Virgin Atlantic
Check your American Express account(s) to see if you were targeted for a great offer with Virgin Atlantic. If you use an eligible card to spend at least $500 by October 31, 2017, with the airline, you'll earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.