Elite Status for Life, Join TPG and United in San Francisco, TSA Woes 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.
How to Earn Airline Elite Status for Life With Million Miler Status
Yes, there is a way to earn airline elite status for life. All you have to do is fly at least a million miles with either American Airlines, Delta or United. Find out what lifetime perks you'll receive on each airline if you're a very, very frequent flyer.
Giveaway: Join TPG for a Very Special United 747 Event in San Francisco!
At the end of next month, United's 747s will fly for the last time on a long-haul route. It's bittersweet for us, as the airline has much newer aircraft that offer a superior experience, but, of course, there may never be another bird that matches the majesty and ardent following of the Queen of the Skies. United is partnering with TPG to invite 50 readers (and a guest) to the airline's exclusive Family Day event in San Francisco. Here's how to enter.
My SSSSpecial Day With the TSA at Newark Airport
If you've ever been "randomly selected" for enhanced screening at a US airport, the thought of seeing "SSSS" appear at the top of a boarding pass likely sends shivers down your spine. Join TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig as he takes you through a very... interesting... day with the TSA at Newark (EWR).
Should You Renew Your Chase Sapphire Reserve?
If you signed up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card last year when it was first released, your renewal date is coming up. Read on to see whether or not it's worth it to pay the $450 annual fee again this year.
The Closest Thing You'll Get to Premium Economy on United
United's newly retrofitted 767-300ER feels like a totally new aircraft, and even comes with a few surprises. On certain flights, select seats in the back of the cabin that would otherwise be reserved for the crew rest are available to be purchased as Economy Plus seats — and they offer a lot more legroom than "normal" Economy Plus.
5 Things You Need to Know About United Airlines MileagePlus
Read up on the top five things you need to know about United's MileagePlus program, which still offers solid redemptions on both United and partner metal.
10 Hot Hotels Opening in September 2017
Here's a look at the coolest new hotels opening around the world this month.
The 11 Most Anticipated Restaurants Opening in the US This Fall
This fall is an exciting season in the restaurant world. Here's a look at 11 restaurants opening around the country this fall that we can't wait to check out.
In other news...
Buy British Airways Avios for 2.059 Cents Apiece
London-based carrier British Airways is offering a buy miles promotion that lets you receive up to a 35% bonus in purchased miles when you buy up to 100,000 Avios. Note that it's only available through September 29, 2017.
Check Your Inbox for a Targeted Offer From United
United's offering select MileagePlus members the opportunity to earn a significant amount of miles after spending a certain amount of money with the airline. One TPG staffer was targeted to receive a whopping 94,500 miles after spending a total of $4,900.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month