The Hilton Honors cards from American Express offer multiple benefits for travelers seeking additional perks with Hilton. These cards also come with generous welcome bonuses that can include generous amounts of Hilton Honors points or even free nights.

Since welcome offers can vary, the timing of your application matters.

Below, we've collected a history of welcome bonuses on the Hilton American Express cards. This guide will review the best welcome offers we've seen on Hilton Amex cards and when we think it's best to apply to earn a bonus that exceeds the standard offer.

Note: We will only discuss publicly available welcome offers. However, you might receive targeted offers with more bonus points or cash back. Keep in mind that offers may change at any time, and some of those mentioned below may not be available.

Best Hilton American Express welcome offers

Below is a list of every Hilton American Express card, the best welcome offer we've seen on each and our guidance on when you should apply.

American Express only allows you to earn one bonus for each of its cards in a lifetime, so make sure to wait for the best time to apply.

Hilton Honors American Express

If you're new to points or miles, or only occasionally stay with Hilton, the basic Hilton Honors Amex is a solid starting point. This card has no annual fee (see rates and fees).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Hilton Honors Amex:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's July 2026 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The highest offer we have seen on the Hilton Honors Amex allowed new applicants to earn up to 130,000 bonus points: 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership, plus another 50,000 bonus points after spending a total of $5,000 in the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).

When you should apply

If the offer provides at least 100,000 bonus points, it could be a good time to apply.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Card

Hilton Honors Surpass

The Hilton Surpass is a solid mid-tier option for those who are loyal to Hilton or find the card's perks — such as automatic Hilton Gold status — especially beneficial. This card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Hilton Honors Surpass:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The best offer we've seen in the history of the Hilton Surpass was to earn up to 180,000 bonus points: 130,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership, plus another 50,000 bonus points after spending a total of $10,000 in the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).

When you should apply

It's a good time to apply for this mid-tier card if the offer provides one of the following:

• At least 155,000 points
• At least 130,000 points and a free night reward
• At least 130,000 points and a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150 each year thereafter)

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Surpass.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

Hilton Honors Aspire

The top-tier Hilton Aspire card is the best option for Hilton loyalists who want to earn a lot of Hilton Honors points and enjoy a host of premium perks when staying at Hilton properties. Despite its $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), its perks easily offset this high cost.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Hilton Honors Aspire:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The best offer we've seen on this premium card was 180,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).

When you should apply

If the offer provides at least 175,000 points, it's a good time to apply.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Aspire.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Honors Business

The Hilton Honors Amex Business is a great option for business owners looking to earn more Hilton Honors points with their business spending. This card comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then a $195 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Hilton Honors Business:

*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.

Highest welcome offer

The best welcome offer we've seen was for up to 180,000 bonus points: 130,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership, plus another 50,000 bonus points after spending a total of $10,000 in the first six months of card membership (offer no longer available).

When you should apply

It's a good time to apply if the offer provides at least 175,000 points.

To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Honors Business.

Learn more: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Bottom line

When you're ready to apply for a new credit card, waiting for an elevated welcome offer is one of the best ways to earn a bounty of bonus points quickly.

Most of a card's first-year value comes from its welcome bonus, which you'll earn by simply meeting a minimum spending requirement.

Use this outline of Hilton Amex welcome bonuses to help you decide whether an offer is worth taking.

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Surpass Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Business Card, click here.

Whether it's a deep-seated craving for peace and true quiet (perhaps in the face of always-shrieking kids), a desire to escape from never-ending stress, or your vagus nerve calling out for some TLC, the summer is a perfect time for a trip that doubles as a nervous system reset. You know, before you go totally insane from the noise of real life.

In recent years, hotels across the globe have significantly stepped up their wellbeing offerings, infusing incredible amounts of intention in what has traditionally been pretty surface-level pampering. As the very concept of a spa vacation shifted to something more meaningful, hospitality design has become quieter and less stimulating, with some hotels opting to skip the in-room TV or telephone, and amenities have increased in thoughtfulness (weighted blankets, sleep-enhancing teas and sound meditations at bedtime, anyone?).

If burnout or anxiety are getting the best of you, consider booking one of these 15 hotels and resorts for a quietcation, where the after-effect is a soothed nervous system, healthier parasympathetic state, digital detox and deliberate tranquility.

Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda — Lake Garda, Italy

The arresting mountainous setting alone — a bird's eye view of vast Lake Garda from some 2,000 feet above — is enough to immediately slash cortisol levels, but this destination resort with extraordinary food has dozens upon dozens of ways to further calm a person down.

There's the cavelike (faux) moonlit La Luna del Lago for warm floatation therapy in Dead Sea salts known to induce both physical and mental relaxation, abundant saunas and pools (including many adult-only options), and the Energy Therapeutic Garden designed with classical Chinese medicine principles for strolls or guided experiences, a nervous system-stimulating ice pool, and even an entire "Letting Go" program.

Rates at Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda start at $748 or 70,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Raffles Bali — Bali, Indonesia

At 57 gorgeous acres, Raffles Bali feels equally like a nature reserve and wellness retreat, thanks in part to offerings that include guided bird and butterfly watching, Tai Chi on the essentially private beach, parasympathetic nervous system–triggering Reiki, and sound healing in a sacred natural cave, all coordinated by your very own Raffles Wellbeing Butler.

Under their care, everything is handled — down to reservations and door-to-door service for meals such as Rumari Counter's memorable chef's table dinner. Plus, the amenities are as thoughtful as they come: turndown might very well include a journal and journaling prompts, noise-canceling headphones programmed with sleep soundscapes, and special teas or essential oils to ensure extra-sweet slumbers.

Rates at Raffles Bali start at $940. ALL Accor Live Limitless members can redeem 2,000 points for 40 euros (about $44) off a stay.

Carneros Resort and Spa — Napa, CA

Ample glasses of Napa vino might sound like a solid start to a tension-reducing holiday, but at this countryside escape, it's just one of many perks. Book the wellness suite and you'll get a private sauna, an al fresco cold plunge and a yard with dappled sunlight, plus a Bryte Balance smart bed, a sound machine, weighted blankets and organic sleep tea.

The bathrooms even feature vitamin-C showerheads. Add to that a stress-reducing Quiet Mind Massage at the spa, and you'll be golden.

Rates at Carneros Resort and Spa start at $709 or 170,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach — Honolulu, HI

A new signature experience at this heavenly Waikiki hotel targets busy folks who need a conscious mind-body reset. The Jetsetter's Brain Spa Retreat is a carefully sequenced three-day program pairing neuroscience-backed practices with Hawaiian traditions (think: sunrise light rituals overlooking the Pacific Ocean alongside brain-nourishing cuisine).

Purposely slow in pace, guests experience guided movement sessions and restorative treatments meant to recalibrate their innate rhythms and support clearer thinking long after checkout.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, start at $587 or 109,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort — Punta Mita, Mexico

In creating an all-inclusive, adults-only, 15-bungalow resort on 48 acres of idyllic oceanside jungle, Four Seasons went all in on intimacy and tranquility. The intimate experience has no televisions, lobby or check-in desks, and each stay includes a 90-minute treatment in a forest spa pod that taps into local healing traditions.

A dedicated guide directs guests' experiences, which could include morning nature trail hikes, nocturnal forest bathing, free-diving breathwork, and cliffside yoga, all of which pair beautifully with the guided intention-setting that's part of a Mexican temazcal ritual.

Rates at Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, start at $3,433 per night. Book using programs like The Edit by Chase Travel or Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Santarena Hotel — Las Catalinas, Costa Rica

Situated in a completely car-free beach town, Las Catalinas, this hotel is a haven from overstimulation thanks to zero traffic noise and instead quiet ocean breezes sweeping across pedestrian paths that weave through nature. The pristine beaches don't hurt either.

It's easy to find oneself grounded, especially after visits to the town's Center of Joy, a mecca for practices—from sound healing and meditation to breathwork and yoga—that focus on nervous system regulation, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing.

Rates at Santarena Hotel start at $293. This property can be booked with I Prefer points.

Alila Ventana Big Sur — Big Sur, CA

With no children around to distract or nag, the only obstacles in guests' way at this dreamy Big Sur resort are self-induced. But with Japanese hot baths, two pools, a deck facing a glorious meadow and daily yoga, it's easy to decompress.

As many ways as there are to fill days — guided hikes, for one — there are also many excuses for not doing much at all except giving your nervous system a complete rest by soaking in an outdoor tub under the stars, for example. And because dining is included, figuring out where to go eat is one less thing taking up space in your brain.

Rates at Alila Ventana Big Sur start at $1,200 or from 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Six Senses Ibiza — Ibiza, Spain

Though Ibiza's reputation is decidedly high stimulation, this sustainable, BREEAM-certified all-suite resort in Xarraca Bay definitely bucks the trend. It features RoseBar, a groundbreaking longevity club that uses biohacking tools and scientific techniques in a highly personalized way to create measurable change.

For tense, stressed individuals, the Bioharmony program, a collaboration with Dr. Tamsin Lewis, is ideal, since it focuses on nervous system regulation and emotional balance in part by using the cutting-edge The Human Regenerator, which doles out a hefty dose of nervous system– and cell-stabilizing Cold Atmospheric Plasma.

Rates at Six Senses Ibiza start at $786 or 152,00 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge — Vancouver Island, Canada

Extraordinary access to wildlife — whales, otters, black bears among them — and ancient wilderness set quite the tone at this remote, 25-tent lodge on 600 acres of Vancouver Island. There, digital detox is de rigueur, and the vibe is like an elegant, plush summer camp.

Instead of focusing on your inbox or doom-scrolling on Instagram, guests spend their days experiencing profound moments in nature: forest bathing in the midst of old-growth cedar and western hemlock forests, actual bathing in the form of plunging into a glacial river and practicing yoga. The vagus nerve is guaranteed to be activated amid all that pure, oxygenated air, deep silence, intentional movement and sensory connection.

Rates at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge start at $3,800 or 253,00 World of Hyatt points per night.

Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort — Chania, Crete, Greece

The Greek philosophy of ef zeen, meaning "the art of living well," is a guiding principle at this Crete resort where slow living and connection to nature are prized. There are designated quiet zones throughout the lush property, and no electronics are permitted in certain areas in an effort to support guests' mental clarity and meaningful rest.

The resort's Soma Spa offers all-natural body and face treatments inspired by ancient Greek rituals, including a mind-body balancing massage inspired by Hippocrates. What's more, there's an outdoor gym, further entrenching guests in the natural environment. Not enough? Try a sunrise meditation session.

Rates at Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete, start at $316 or 62,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa — Tucson, AZ

Oprah's reported fave wellness stay offers holistic, immersive retreats proven by third-party research to reduce stress perceptions even 60 days later. Customized for each guest, the Miraval experience is designed to impart lasting change, and the Arizona outpost, set on 400 acres of Sonoran Desert, offers the added benefit of abundant year-round serotonin-enhancing sunshine.

Signature experiences at the sumptuous stay include equine therapy, which, thanks to horses' naturally calm presence, helps co-regulate the nervous system and shift into a "rest and digest" state. Creative expression and outdoor activities further reduce stress while increasing mindfulness.

Rates at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa start at $1,163 or from 60,000 World of Hyatt points per night, based on double occupancy.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island — Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives

An overwater villa in and of itself is a nervous system reset — waking up with water all around you, relaxing into plump loungers and contemplating the endless lagoons and stars. This resort has all that but also an adults-only quiet zone with an infinity pool, mellow tunes and a tented lounge atop the soft sand.

Also on tap are Ayurvedic renewal protocols and sun-synchronized therapies at the retreat-like spa. The menu also includes fascinating ways to support physical, emotional and spiritual balance (think: chakra-focused color rituals and morning Hatha yoga serving to defuse anxiety).

Rates at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island start at $784 or 160,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Anthology of Athens — Athens, Greece

For those whose interests lie in the intellectual arena, this Athens boutique hotel is made for deep thinkers looking to reboot or reactivate their brains. With the Acropolis as backdrop, the Anthology Dialogues are conversations on resilience, ethics and human behavior, led by philosophers adept at connecting classical thought with our modern concept of wellbeing.

In such historical, meaningful surrounds, there's a rooftop garden and private verandas for reflection, as well a curated hotel library with a collection comprising philosophy and wellness literature curated to encourage stillness.

Rates at Anthology of Athens start at $509, or can be booked with Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club points.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa — North Malé Atoll, Maldives

This beloved resort for truly grounding barefoot luxury (literally: shoes aren't required at any of the restaurants) recently got even more compelling with the debut of ŪRJĀ Naturopathy Island. The island's spa now boasts three naturopathic doctors, along with a slew of diagnostic technologies, for travelers who wish to start down a path of lasting change.

All guests get a complimentary session with one of the doctors, resulting in highly personalized wellbeing advice, like dietary tips, movement recommendations and spiritual practices, plus treatment suggestions, all with the goal of increasing emotional health and neurological support and decreasing stress through non-invasive means. There are iris assessments (yes, the eye tells them a lot!) and healing mineral masks, magnet therapy and fantastic physiotherapy alongisde a full schedule of outdoor sessions from breathwork to sound healing.

Rates at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa start at $780 per night, or can be booked through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Edit by Chase Travel.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort — Miami, FL

Creating an environment for physiological calm is the big idea at Carillon, a beachfront resort where science-backed programming — and even medical wellness in the form of advanced biomarker testing — is robust and the vibe serene.

It's not only about relaxation and feel-good massages. Targeted therapies are offered specifically to regulate the nervous system and improve cognitive function: IV nutrient therapy, hydrotherapy circuits, breath work, AI-powered sleep optimization tech and recovery-focused movement. Even in a destination as vibrant as Miami, the residential-style accommodations and comprehensive, tailored wellbeing activities, particularly the multi-day programs, make it possible to find inward focus and mental restoration.

Rates at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort start at $376 per night. This property can be booked with I Prefer points.

• These are the 7 new hotels of 2026 I'm most excited about — and how I'm booking them with points
• The best relaxing adults-only, all-inclusive resorts for a kid-free vacation
• 10 truly special luxury hotels and resorts you can book with points

With the high-value bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) — 100,000 bonus points earned after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — you might be wondering: Am I eligible?

Keep in mind that this is your last chance for the Sapphire Preferred offer, which ends on July 30 at 3 p.m. ET.

If you currently have its premium sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you may think the answer is complicated.

But rest assured, even if you have the Sapphire Reserve, you're still likely eligible for the Sapphire Preferred bonus. Here's what you should know.

Last chance for highest-ever offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Offer ends on July 30 at 3 p.m. ET. Apply now.

Am I eligible for the Sapphire Preferred bonus if I have the Sapphire Reserve?

Here's the main idea: As long as you've never previously held or earned a bonus on your own Sapphire Preferred, you're likely eligible for the current Sapphire Preferred bonus.

This is true even if you're a current (or former) Sapphire Reserve cardholder.

What about authorized users? As long as you haven't been the primary cardholder on a Sapphire Preferred account, you're still likely eligible to receive your own Sapphire Preferred — and this stellar 100,000-point bonus, worth $2,050 in travel, according to TPG's July 2026 valuations. (Now is your last chance to apply before it ends on July 30 at 3 p.m. ET.)

Before you go to apply, let's revisit the other eligibility requirements.

Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee? I say yes

What are the Chase Sapphire eligibility rules?

Here are the additional rules you'll want to keep in mind before applying for the Sapphire Preferred bonus:

• Always factor in the Chase 5/24 rule. An applicant who has opened five or more new credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months will likely be declined for any new Chase card, including the Sapphire Preferred. However, Chase doesn't typically factor business cards into this count.
• You cannot have an open Sapphire Preferred card.
• If you've already earned a Sapphire Preferred bonus, you're unlikely to be eligible for another one (even if you don't currently hold the card).
• If you've previously been the primary cardholder on a Sapphire Preferred account, you may not be eligible for this bonus, even if you didn't earn a bonus the first time.
• If you've only been a Sapphire Preferred authorized user and have never held your own Sapphire Preferred, you're likely eligible for your own Sapphire Preferred.
• You'll need to have an adequate credit history, and we recommend a credit score of at least 670 to qualify.

We are seeing some data points suggesting that former Sapphire Preferred cardholders may qualify for this bonus under certain circumstances.

So, if you think you're ineligible for another Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus, it's worth checking. TPG's editor-in-chief, Nick Ewen, thought the same until he was approved.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: Still on top with new benefits and earning rates

The key considerations are being under 5/24, never earning the Sapphire Preferred bonus and never holding the Sapphire Preferred previously. As long as this applies to you, you should be good to go.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Which is better for you?

Bottom line

This is your last chance to secure the Sapphire Preferred bonus before it ends on July 30 at 3 p.m. ET.

You can be a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder and still qualify for the Sapphire Preferred bonus. The main considerations are whether you've previously held the Sapphire Preferred or earned its welcome bonus.

If you've never been the primary cardholder on a Sapphire Preferred account and you've never earned a Sapphire Preferred bonus, you're likely eligible for this standout offer.

As always, be sure you're under 5/24 and have a good credit history. Then, be sure to meet the spending requirement to earn the Sapphire Preferred's big 100,000-point bonus.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

For years, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has held the title of the world's busiest airport.

A big reason for its dominance: the massive Delta Air Lines operates from there.

It's why frequent Delta flyers know all too well, a Delta flight often involves a connection in Atlanta.

But each of the nation's "Big Three" legacy airlines have a hub-and-spoke setup that filters millions of flyers through a handful of really big airports.

Flying American Airlines? You'll often find yourself in Dallas or Charlotte. If you're a regular United Airlines customer, there's a good chance you're a regular at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

So what are the biggest airline hubs in the U.S.?

Let's run down the top 10.

The biggest airline hubs in the US by departures

Here's how the biggest airline hubs in the U.S. stacked up in 2025 when it came to the total number of departing flights last year, per data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Not surprisingly, Delta's presence in Atlanta held the top spot.

Source: Cirium; airlines ranked by total 2025 departing flights

One thing that's obvious, looking at this list, is that airports in some of the nation's busiest cities don't appear. For instance, there's no sign of New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which routinely rank among the world's busiest airports.

That's due, in part, to the scarcity of gate space and takeoff and landing rights created by the many domestic and international carriers that fly to those hubs; no one airline is dominant. (At some big-city airports, flight schedules are tightly regulated by the federal government.)

So, for instance, even though Delta is a major player at JFK, the total flights it offers there pale in comparison to what it flies in Atlanta.

O'Hare appears twice

One airport, meanwhile, makes the list twice: O'Hare in Chicago. Hometown carrier United has long been the market leader there, but American added flights at a fast pace over the past year, fueling a turf war.

US airline hubs ranked by total seats

The list looks a little different if you look at how many total seats airlines offered at their hubs in 2025.

The airlines and airports that rank higher on this list are hubs where a carrier prioritizes larger planes — rather than using a ton of regional jets.

US airline hubs ranked by scheduled seats

1. Delta at ATL
2. American at DFW
3. American at CLT
4. United at DEN
5. United at ORD
6. United at IAH
7. American at MIA
8. United at EWR
9. American at ORD
10. United at SFO

Source: Cirium 2025 data

United's SFO operation makes this top 10 list thanks to the large planes that fly in and out on transcontinental routes — including the widebody aircraft that fuel its large transpacific operation out of the Bay Area.

Honorable mentions that landed just outside the top 10 were Delta's hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Southwest Airlines' operation at DEN and Alaska Airlines' home base at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• Which US airline is best? TPG's 2026 rankings
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
• Was the 'fast, free' Wi-Fi really slow on your flight, too? Here's what's going on

One of the biggest misconceptions about hotel credit cards is that they're only worth carrying if you're fiercely loyal to that hotel chain.

That's certainly true for some premium hotel cards with hefty annual fees. But the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) doesn't require you to stay at Marriott frequently to justify its place in your wallet.

In fact, if you stay at a Marriott property just once a year, the card can easily deliver more value than its $95 annual fee. While a general travel rewards or cash-back card may make more sense for many everyday purchases, the Boundless offers a combination of perks that can be surprisingly rewarding for occasional Marriott guests.

Here's why.

An annual free night that justifies the annual fee

The biggest reason the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless makes sense for casual Marriott guests is its annual free night award.

Every year after your account anniversary, you'll receive a free night award valid for one night at a participating Marriott property, redeemable for up to 35,000 points. (Certain hotels have resort fees.)

Even better, Marriott lets members top off the certificate with up to 25,000 additional Bonvoy points, giving you access to properties that cost up to 60,000 points per night.

If you redeem that certificate for a hotel night worth more than the card's $95 annual fee, you've already come out ahead for the year — even if it's your only Marriott stay.

Considering that many Marriott hotel rooms routinely cost well over $95 per night, it's not difficult to get more value than the annual fee from a single redemption.

This separates the card from many other, more premium, hotel credit cards. You don't need to stay at Marriott every month to justify keeping it. Simply using the annual free night award strategically each year can offset the annual fee on its own.

Related: 7 of the best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night

Automatic elite status with no loyalty required

Another nice perk is that the card automatically grants Silver Elite status.

Normally, you'd need to stay 10 eligible nights in a calendar year to earn Silver Elite. With the Boundless, you receive it automatically just for being a cardholder.

Silver Elite won't transform your hotel experience the way Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite might, but it's still a nice perk considering it requires virtually no effort.

Benefits include:

• A 10% bonus on eligible Marriott Bonvoy points earned during stays, including room rates, dining and spa services
• Priority late checkout (subject to availability)

The card also gives you a head start toward even more valuable status by providing:

• 15 elite night credits every calendar year
• One additional elite night credit for every $5,000 spent on the card in a calendar year
• A path to Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 in a calendar year

Those 15 elite night credits mean you're already more than halfway to Gold Elite status, which normally requires 25 elite nights per calendar year. In other words, you'd only need to stay 10 more nights at Marriott to qualify.

Gold Elite unlocks more meaningful benefits than Silver, including a 25% points bonus on eligible Marriott purchases, and enhanced room upgrades and a 2 p.m. late checkout at participating properties (subject to availability).

If you only stay at Marriott once or twice a year, you probably wouldn't earn elite status organically. But if your travel patterns change or you find yourself staying with Marriott more often in a given year, the Boundless gives you a valuable headstart without requiring you to start from scratch.

Related: Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it

Ongoing everyday value

Another benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is that you don't have to be staying at a Marriott property to keep earning points toward your next award stay.

While its highest earning rates come from Marriott purchases, the card also rewards several everyday spending categories, allowing occasional guests to continue building their balance between trips.

Beyond Marriott purchases, the card earns:

• 3 points per dollar at grocery stores and gas stations and on dining (on the first $6,000 spent annually)
• 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

That means you're still building toward future hotel stays even when you're not traveling.

We generally recommend using a strong cash-back card or a card that earns transferable rewards for everyday spending since those currencies offer greater flexibility and can often provide a higher return on your purchases.

However, not everyone has a card that earns bonus rewards on groceries, dining or gas. And if you're saving for a Marriott redemption, earning Bonvoy points throughout the year can help you reach your next award stay faster.

For someone who wants a straightforward hotel card that also rewards everyday purchases, the Boundless strikes a nice balance.

Related: Why I'm keeping my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for the long term

Strong returns on Marriott stays

When you do book a Marriott stay, the rewards can add up much faster than you might expect.

Cardholders earn:

• 6 points per dollar with the card on eligible Marriott purchases
• Up to 10 points per dollar as a Marriott Bonvoy member, depending on the brand (most brands earn 10 points per dollar, while some extended-stay brands earn 5 points per dollar)
• A 10% points bonus on your base Marriott earnings through automatic Silver Elite status

That means you'll typically earn 17 points per dollar at most Marriott properties (or 11.5 points per dollar at brands that award 5 base points per dollar).

Based on TPG's July 2026 valuations of Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents apiece, that's an effective return of about 14% on eligible Marriott purchases at brands earning 10 base points per dollar (or about 9% at brands earning 5 base points per dollar).

Even if Marriott isn't your primary hotel brand, those earnings can help replenish your balance after every stay. Rather than treating an occasional hotel booking as a one-time expense, you're steadily earning points that can help offset the cost of a future trip.

Related: How to earn points and miles on a modest budget

A compelling welcome offer

One of the strongest features of the Boundless is that even occasional Marriott guests can get substantial value from the card.

Currently, cardholders can earn 125,000 bonus points and one free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases.

While this isn't the highest welcome offer we've seen for the card, it's still compelling. We generally recommend applying when the offer is at least 150,000 bonus points or at least four free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each). Although the current offer includes 125,000 bonus points, the additional free night award effectively puts it over the threshold.

Even if you've never stayed at a Marriott before, that welcome offer can unlock several nights at hotels around the world.

For example, 125,000 points could cover:

• One night at an aspirational property such as The St. Regis New York, where award nights can exceed 100,000 points
• Three nights at The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, where award nights start at 40,000 points per night
• Four nights at the Residence Inn Pompano Beach Oceanfront, with nights starting around 27,000 points

Award pricing varies based on your travel dates, but the point remains the same: you don't need years of Marriott loyalty to enjoy a memorable redemption. The welcome offer alone can put multiple award nights within reach.

Related: From Lake Como to the Grand Canyon: 10 Marriott Bonvoy hotels you can book with 200,000 points

A $95 annual fee that pays for itself

Some hotel credit cards ask you to pay as much as $650 each year in exchange for premium perks.

Those cards can absolutely be worthwhile, but they also expect you to stay with that hotel brand frequently enough to maximize their benefits.

The equation looks a little different with the Boundless. With a $95 annual fee, you don't need to squeeze every perk out of the card to come out ahead. Redeem the annual free night award for a stay worth more than $95, and you've already offset the annual fee. Automatic Silver Elite status, the current welcome offer and the card's rewards on Marriott stays simply add to the value.

Even if Marriott is just one of several hotel brands you book throughout the year, the Boundless can still justify a spot in your wallet.

Related: 4 reasons why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is worth the $95 annual fee

Who should (and shouldn't) get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless?

The Boundless isn't the best fit for every traveler.

It makes the most sense if you:

• Stay at Marriott properties at least once a year (even if it's not your primary hotel brand)
• Can consistently use the annual free night award
• Want automatic elite benefits without chasing status
• Want to earn Marriott points for future award stays

On the other hand, you may be better off with a flexible travel rewards or flat-rate cash-back card if you rarely stay at Marriott or prefer redeeming your rewards across multiple hotel brands and airlines.

Related: How I chose my first hotel credit card — and the 4 cards I considered

Bottom line

Many travelers assume a hotel credit card is only worthwhile if they're fiercely loyal to that brand. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless proves that it isn't always the case.

If you can redeem the annual free night award for a stay worth more than the card's $95 annual fee, you've already come out ahead. Automatic Silver Elite status, solid rewards on Marriott stays and a valuable welcome offer only add to the card's appeal.

For many travelers, one well-timed Marriott stay each year is all it takes for the Boundless to justify its place in their wallet.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.

Related: 30 best Marriott hotels in the world that you can book with points

I've watched the same thing happen for almost 20 years.

Someone tells me they wish they could travel more using points and miles as I do, but that they assume it's too complicated or put off even getting started.

Then they take the leap. They finally sign up for a rewards card, earn a welcome bonus and book that first trip to Hawaii, Europe or somewhere they never thought they could afford.

After that, they're hooked.

The hardest part isn't finding an amazing redemption. It's deciding you're finally ready to start.

That's one of the biggest reasons we've written about this limited-time Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) offer more than we normally would.

Last chance: Earn 100,000 bonus points on the Chase Sapphire Preferred after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends on July 30 at 3 p.m. ET.

It's not just because 100,000 points is a big number. It's because I've seen what happens when someone finally has enough points to stop dreaming about that trip and actually book it.

Instead of slowly earning toward a goal over several years, a welcome bonus like this can put that first award trip within reach almost immediately. And once someone experiences that first redemption, they almost never look back.

Now we're down to the final few days to decide whether this offer, worth more than $2,000 according to TPG's July 2026 valuations, is right for you.

As someone who's been doing this for nearly two decades, I don't say this lightly: I think this is one of the best values I've seen on a $95 card.

But I want you to feel good about whatever you decide, so here are the three reasons I think this can be the card — and the bonus — that really changes the game for you.

You can do a whole lot with a rare 100,000-point bonus

The easiest way to understand why points and miles are so powerful is to actually have enough of them to book something amazing. And 100,000 Chase points qualify as a very nice stash.

That's exactly what makes a 100,000-point welcome bonus so different.

Instead of slowly collecting points over several years, you suddenly have enough to book trips like these:

• Book up to $1,500 in hotels right within Chase Travel℠ using those that are eligible for 'Points Boost' (which means you get more value per point — up to 1.5 cents instead of 1 cent)
• Enjoy a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe, via transfer partner programs such as Aeroplan or Flying Blue, for 60,000 points plus taxes and fees
• Go even further and enjoy a lie-flat seat all the way to Japan
• Book multiple domestic economy flights from 5,000 to 15,000 miles each — that's a lot of flying with 100,000 points
• Relax at an all-inclusive resort for multiple nights at
• Book an economy ticket all the way to London from just 6,000 points plus taxes and fees via this Virgin Atlantic sweet spot to head to Europe

Whether you redeem through Chase Travel or transfer your points to partners like United, World of Hyatt, Air Canada Aeroplan and others, the flexibility is one of the biggest reasons I've personally recommended Ultimate Rewards points for so many years.

Related: Who are the Chase Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel transfer partners?

The card only costs $95 per year

The Chase Sapphire Preferred still has a $95 annual fee, the same price it launched with nearly 17 years ago.

Honestly, I can't think of much else that's managed to avoid inflation for nearly two decades.

Meanwhile, annual fees on many premium travel cards have climbed dramatically.

While premium travel cards charging $700 or $800 a year can absolutely make sense for some travelers, that's not where I'd recommend most people start.

That's one of the reasons I've continued recommending the Sapphire Preferred year after year. It delivers an incredible amount of value without asking you to commit to a sky-high annual fee from day one.

And in fact, you can more than offset that annual fee each year with the newly increased annual $100 Chase Travel hotel credit that comes with the card. There's no minimum spend or minimum stay requirement, making it incredibly easy to use.

Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred worth the annual fee in 2026? I say yes

The value doesn't stop after 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points

The welcome bonus may be what gets people excited about the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Between the ongoing bonus categories, strong travel protections and flexible Ultimate Rewards points, it's the kind of card that's easy to keep using long after you've redeemed those first 100,000 points.

The travel protections include:

• Primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per covered traveler
• Trip delay reimbursement of up to $500 per covered traveler, baggage delay insurance of up to $100 per day for up to five days
• Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage of up to $100,000
• Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years

These probably sound like perks that come with a card costing many times the Sapphire Preferred's annual fee. But you get all of that — and honestly a lot more — on this $95-per-year card.

Related: 8 Sapphire Preferred benefits you may not know about

You'll also earn bonus points in many of the categories people spend the most on, from travel and dining to gas and more. There's even a one-time complimentary year of Apple TV worth $99 (when activated by Dec. 31).

The 100,000 point welcome bonus is incredible, but the Sapphire Preferred is a keeper even after that, so don't feel like you'll have to deal with canceling this one anytime soon.

And if you decide you eventually want the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), you can now have both cards at the same time.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: Still on top with new benefits and earning rates

Bottom line

You don't see me personally writing about very many credit card offers these days. But this offer is different.

After almost 20 years of talking about points and miles, I still believe the hardest part isn't maximizing points or finding the perfect redemption.

It's simply getting started.

If you're eligible (and you may be even if you thought you weren't), this rare 100,000-point offer is one of the easiest ways I've ever seen to take it.

Offers like this just don't come around very often — especially on a card with a $95 annual fee. That's why this one stood out the moment it launched, and why I'm still talking about it now that it's almost gone.

Just circle July 30 on your calendar. At 3 p.m. ET, this 100,000-point offer disappears, and there's no guarantee the next offer will make taking that first step this easy.

My hope is that a year from now, you're planning your next award trip instead of wondering whether you should have gotten started.

Limited-time offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

From bonus points on your next hotel stay to sales on award tickets, we're always looking for travel deals that help you earn more points and miles and redeem them for maximum value. In other words, we want to help you book the vacation of your dreams.

This week, we found a Hilton deal for pet lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, TPG has an exclusive offer for 25% off one award search tool, and you can get four months free with another of our favorite tools. And this is your last chance to score this massive welcome offer on a fan-favorite travel card.

Each week, we help our readers by rounding up promotions so they don't have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. This includes everything from frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers and rental car deals. Here's our latest list of noteworthy new points and miles promotions for July.

Airline loyalty program promotions (July 2026)

Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on specific dates, the opportunity to earn more points or miles for future travel and exclusive deals to accumulate points or miles toward elite status. Below is one of the best offers we found for July.

Boost your TAP miles in business class

If you value TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go miles, don't miss this lucrative flash deal.

You can earn 50% bonus miles on business-class flights between the U.S. and Europe operated by TAP Air Portugal and TAP Express. Book by July 26, and fly by Aug. 31.

Earn more SkyMiles on hotels, rental cars, gift cards and more

Delta SkyMiles members, the program has a slew of summer deals for you:

• Double your miles on Delta Stays and Delta Cars when you book by Aug. 6, 2026 for travel through March 31, 2027.
• Plus, members can earn 3 miles per dollar and get 2,000 bonus miles on a qualifying Airbnb Experience or Service of at least $50.
• Earn bonus miles on Delta Cruises: 3 miles per dollar on interior and oceanview staterooms, and 4 miles per dollar on balcony and suite staterooms. Book by Aug. 6.
• SkyMiles members can earn 2 bonus miles per dollar on Delta gift card purchases of $300 or more, while Medallion elite members can earn 3 bonus miles per dollar, for a total of up to 5 miles per dollar.

Score up to 2,500 bonus miles on everyday purchases

Airline shopping portals are an easy way to earn bonus points and miles on your everyday purchases — and right now, several popular ones are running lucrative back-to-school promotions.

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Shopping: Earn 300 bonus miles when you spend $150, 1,000 bonus miles when you spend $400 or 2,000 bonus miles when you spend $750 through Aug. 10.
• American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping: Earn 400 bonus miles when you spend $200, 1,000 bonus miles when you spend $600 or 2,500 bonus miles when you spend $1,200 through Aug. 8.
• Delta SkyMiles Shopping: Earn 300 bonus miles when you spend $100, 1,200 bonus miles when you spend $400 or 2,000 bonus miles when you spend $600 through Aug. 10.
• On United MileagePlus Shopping, you can earn 500 bonus miles when you spend $150, 1,000 bonus miles when you spend $350 or 2,500 bonus miles when you spend $600 through Aug. 9.
• Southwest's Rapid Rewards Shopping portal is offering a similar deal through Aug. 10: 500 bonus miles on $100 in purchases, 1,000 bonus miles on $250, or $2,500 bonus miles on $500.

Related: How to choose an airline credit card

Hotel loyalty program promotions (July 2026)

Hotel loyalty programs regularly offer discounted award stays and new ways to earn extra points. Here are some July deals to consider when booking your next stay.

Get $20 OneKeyCash on a single stay

The One Key loyalty program is a great option for travelers who often book independent properties — and with this deal, you can earn even more if you act fast.

Book a qualifying stay by July 26, and you'll get $20 in bonus OneKeyCash on top of your usual earnings. Your bonus OneKeyCash will expire 30 days after being deposited in your account.

5k bonus Bonvoy points for elite members

If you hold Marriott Bonvoy Gold status or Emirates Skywards Silver status or higher, you're eligible for benefits through the programs' partnership. Plus, you can earn 5,000 bonus points when you complete a stay at any Bonvoy hotel by Sept. 30. Link your accounts and register for the promotion here.

Double IHG rewards on dining in Asia

Heading to Asia this summer? IHG members can be doubly rewarded through IHG One Rewards Dining Privileges.

You can earn twice the IHG points when you dine at participating outlets in Korea and Southeast Asia throughout July and August. Dine by Aug. 31.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (July 2026)

Card issuers offer deals and discounts on a wide range of products, from airfare to dining. Here are some of the offers we've rounded up this week. Note that these are targeted, so they may or may not be available on your account. You must activate these offers on your card and use the enrolled card to make the purchase in order to earn bonus rewards.

Targeted Amex Offer at Viator

Before you book tours and activities for your next trip, check your American Express cards to see if you've been targeted for this offer.

Earn a $40 statement credit after you make a qualifying purchase of $250 or more at viator.com. You can use this offer up to twice, for a total of $80 back, through Sept. 17.

Targeted Chase Offer at Viator

The Viator offers keep comings. You can earn 8% cash back on your first two payments at Viator or Trip Advisor Experiences by July 31, up to $10 cash back total.

Even better, we found this offer on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which earns 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on general travel purchases like these (up to $150,000 annual spending cap for 3x categories).

Targeted Chase Offer at Cambria Hotels

If you're planning a stay at Cambria Hotels, check your account for this offer. You can get 5% cash back, up to $12.25 maximum, on a qualifying U.S. stay by Aug. 31.

We spotted this offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), which awards an impressive 4 points per dollar on hotel stays booked directly.

Ongoing travel deals

In addition to these new offers, many others from previous weeks are still available:

• With the IHG Summer Sale, One Rewards members can save 30% at participating brands in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Book by July 30 for stays through Dec. 30.
• Accor Live Limitless members can earn 1,000 bonus points on a stay of two-plus nights or 5,000 bonus points on a stay of five or more nights. This applies to participating hotels "in Europe and beyond," with destinations such as Austria, Greece, Morocco, the U.K. and more. Activate the offer, then book by July 31 and stay by Sept. 13.
• This summer, World of Hyatt is offering up to 30,000 bonus points at Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select brands. That's 3,000 bonus points on every stay of three-plus nights at participating hotels in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. Register first, then book and stay by July 31.
• Get 20% of your World of Hyatt points back on award stays at participating Las Vegas hotels and resorts when you register, book and stay by July 31.
• Book a one-way ticket to Europe with Air France-KLM Flying Blue from 18,750 miles in economy, 30,000 miles in premium economy and 45,000 miles in business class. Book here by July 31 for travel through Dec. 31.
• Boost your Bonvoy earnings with 5,000 bonus points per stay at Marriott Design Hotels around the world, as long as you stay at least two consecutive nights. Book by Aug. 2 with code "S2449," and complete your stay by Aug. 3.
• Earn double Accor Live Limitless base points on an eligible stay of two-plus nights at a participating hotel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Panama or Brazil. Activate this offer first, then book by Aug. 8 and complete your stay by Sept. 8.
• Score 2,000 Hilton Honors bonus points per stay of up to three nights, or 4,000 points per stay of four-plus nights. This applies to any hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. Register first, and complete your stay(s) by Aug. 15.
• If you have not made and completed a reservation with Delta Stays in the last 24 months, you can earn 3 bonus SkyMiles per dollar on your next stay. Book by Aug. 23, and complete your stay by Dec. 31.
• Earn 3,000, 5,000 or 15,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per stay at participating hotels and resorts across the Caribbean & Latin America, depending on the brand. Book by Aug. 27 with promo code S2449, and complete your stay(s) by Sept. 10.
• With Wyndham's summer sale, you can save 10 to 20% at participating hotels in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, depending on how long you stay. Book by Aug. 28 for stays through Dec. 31.
• After linking your Hilton Honors and Qatar Airways Privilege Club accounts, you can score 1,000 bonus Avios on your first stay at any hotel within the Hilton portfolio of brands. Register for the promotion first, then complete your stay by Aug. 31. Be sure to add your Privilege Club number as your preferred travel partner in your Hilton Honors account prior to check-out.
• If you're heading to Europe, Africa or the Middle East, you can earn 1,000, 2,000 or 5,000 bonus Bonvoy points on a qualifying two-night stay, depending on the brand. Book by Aug. 31 with promo code S2449 for stays through Sept. 15.
• Fast-track your way to Emirates Skywards elite status with this offer. Until Aug. 31, you can earn 20% bonus tier miles on flights, regardless of your booking date, and reach status with just 80% of the usual mileage or flight requirements.
• With IHG One Rewards' "Pick Your Points" offer, you can choose to receive 2,000 bonus points for every two nights you stay this summer or 8,000 bonus points for every four nights, with no earning cap. Register, then book and stay by Aug. 31.
• Through Aug. 31, you can earn 50% more Miles & More miles and elite status qualifying points when you fly premium economy on Lufthansa or its partners. To take advantage of this promotion, simply book through the participating airline's website with your Miles & More number.
• You can get triple Wyndham Rewards points on up to three stays of two or more nights each in China. Register first, then book by Sept. 3 and stay by Sept. 30.
• Best Western Rewards members can earn 1,000 bonus points per eligible night (with no cap) for stays through Sept. 7. No registration is required.
• WorldHotels Rewards members can earn 1,000 bonus points (redeemable at both WorldHotels and Best Western properties) per night, with no maximum, at participating properties through Sept. 7. Log in here to register before booking.
• Earn 3,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points for every stay this summer at participating properties across the U.S. and Canada. Book with code "S2449" and stay by Sept. 8.
• AAdvantage members who link their World of Hyatt account can earn 1 bonus AAdvantage mile per dollar spent at Hyatt's Under Canvas collection with this deal. Register by Sept. 12, and complete your stay by Sept. 13.
• You can earn 2,000 bonus Bonvoy points per night, up to 6,000 total, at 60 participating Bonvoy properties across Thailand. Book with code "S2449" and stay by Sept. 30.
• Earn 2,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per night, up to 6,000 total, at 60 participating properties across Thailand. Book with code "S2449" and stay by Sept. 30.
• New members who join Chevron Texaco Rewards by Sept. 30 can save $1 per gallon on their first five fill-ups.
• Get a 15% points rebate on stays at World of Hyatt's Under Canvas locations. Register by Nov. 30 for stays through Dec. 1.
• New members of the Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program can save up to $50 on their next flight simply by joining the program by Dec. 31. U.S. residents outside Alaska, California and Hawaii can register here for their discount code; residents of Alaska, California and Hawaii can register here.
• Earn 5,000 bonus Hyatt points on each stay of five-plus nights at participating Hyatt House and Hyatt Studios properties. Register, book and stay by Dec. 31.
• If you're targeted for Hilton's "Stay More, Earn More" offer, you can earn up to 15,000 bonus points in total on your next five stays. Check to see if you're targeted and register here by Dec. 31, then complete your stay(s) within six months of registration.

Targeted Amex Offers

• Earn a one-time $300 statement credit after you spend a minimum of $1,500 at the Wander website or through the Wander mobile app by July 31.
• Earn a $30 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $150 in one or more purchases of pre-paid lodging ("pay now") through Priceline. Book here by Aug. 13.
• Earn 10% back on purchases of prepaid hotel bookings ("pay now") online at Expedia by Aug. 4, up to a maximum of $125 in total statement credits.
  Get $100 back after spending $500 or more with Omni Hotels & Resorts. Enroll by July 13 and make your purchase by Aug. 14.
  Earn a $40 statement credit on a Hilton purchase of at least $200 by Aug. 15. This offer applies only at participating properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories; Hilton Grand Vacations, AutoCamp and Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) are excluded, as are advance purchase rates and gift card purchases.
• Earn a $150 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $1,000 on eligible Cathay Pacific flights by Aug. 16.
• Earn a whopping 20,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after you spend $1,000 or more with Air France or KLM. To qualify, your flight must originate in the U.S. and be booked through the airline's U.S. website or U.S. mobile app. You must book and pay for your flight by Aug. 30 to take advantage of this offer, but the flight can take place later.
• Earn a $125 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $500 on room rate and room charges at select WorldHotels properties. Book on the World Hotels website and complete your purchase by Aug. 31.
• Earn 10% back on qualifying prepaid hotel purchases at Hotels.com by Aug. 31. There's a limit of $100 back in total statement credits.
• Get $50 back when you spend $200 in one or more purchases at participating Ascend Collection Hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Book here and stay by Sept. 1.
• Get $100 back when you spend at least $300 at select Cambria Hotels in the U.S. or online by Sept. 1.
• Earn a $50 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $250 in one or more qualifying purchases of flights booked with Allegiant Air online. This offer expires Sept. 30.
• Earn a $15 statement credit on a pet boarding purchase of $75 or more at meowtel.com. You can use this offer up to two times, for a total of $30 back, through Oct. 19.
• Earn a $100 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $500 on room rate and room charge purchases at select Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Luxury Destinations around the world. Book on the Wyndham website, and complete your purchase by Oct. 27.
• Earn a one-time $100 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $500 at participating Hyatt properties in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America by Nov. 15.
• Get $50 back on a single purchase of $250 or more with Italo Treno when you book online or through the Italo Treno mobile app by Dec. 27.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn $30 cash back after you spend $150 or more on a car rental with Turo by July 31.
• Earn 15% cash back on your Great Wolf Lodge purchase of $100 or more, with a $50 cash-back maximum. This offer ends Aug. 31.
• Earn $100 cash back on your Hyatt Inclusive Collection stay when you spend $1,000 or more in a single transaction. You can use this offer on up to two qualifying stays, for $200 total cash back, as long as you make a complete payment for both stays by Aug. 31.
• Get 15% cash back (up to $70 maximum) at Under Canvas, a collection of glamping properties that's part of World of Hyatt, when you spend $450 or more by Aug. 31.
• Spend $600 or more through Chase Travel℠ in a single transaction by Sept. 30, and you can get $100 cash back — essentially saving you up to 17%.

Related reading:

• The best places to visit in August
• The 'coolest' vacation spots to escape the heat this summer
• Airfares soar 27% as fuel costs spike: See our booking tips
• How to pick the right travel credit card for you
• 9 ways to save on your next family vacation

One of the most valuable ongoing perks of the American Express Platinum Card® is its annual up to $200 airline fee statement credit (enrollment required).

While the credit can't be used toward airfare, it can help offset eligible incidental charges such as checked bags, seat assignment fees and lounge passes, making it one of the easiest ways to chip away at the card's $895 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The credit resets every calendar year, so if you haven't used yours yet, there's still time to maximize it before Dec. 31. With a little planning and by knowing which purchases qualify, you can make sure this valuable benefit doesn't go to waste.

The same benefit is available on the $895 annual fee The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees), though Business Platinum cardmembers should remember that the airline they select for this credit is also the airline eligible for the card's 35% Pay with Points benefit for airfare booked through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points back per calendar year).

Amex Business Platinum Card: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

4 ways to use your airline fee credit before the end of 2026

Not sure where to start? Here are five easy ways to put the credit to work before the end of the year.

Here are some ideas for using your Amex Platinum airline incidental credits before the end of 2026:

• Allow an authorized user to use the fee credit on one of their flights.
• Pay for checked bag fees and seat assignments.
• Purchase airline lounge day passes for future use. These are often valid for one year from purchase, but be sure to check the exact terms before buying any passes. You can purchase single-use passes from Alaska Airlines for $65, from American Airlines for $79 and from United Airlines for $59. Also, note that this doesn't work across all airlines, so do some online research for recent data points.
• Splurge on food and beverages while in flight.

Related: How to get Delta Sky Club access, including via elite status and credit cards

Choose the right airline

It may seem obvious to choose the airline you fly most often, but that isn't always the best strategy.

If you have elite status or a cobranded credit card with your primary airline, many incidental fees, such as checked bags and seat assignments, may already be waived. That means you could have a harder time using the full credit.

Instead, consider selecting an airline where you're more likely to pay incidental fees throughout the year.

You can select or change your airline choice on the Amex website each January. (You'll need to log in to access your Amex account.)

You can also access the airline selection screen by scrolling to your online account's "Benefits" section from either the Amex website or the phone app. Either way, you'll see that you can choose from the following airlines:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Amex has been relatively lenient in permitting airline selection changes well beyond the usual Jan. 31 deadline for those who call or use the online chat feature. There's no guarantee that it will work for you, but it's worth trying if you want to change your airline later in the year and haven't used any of the credit yet.

What is covered by the airline fee credit?

Generally, the following incidental fees are eligible for reimbursement using the Amex Platinum credit, provided you make these purchases separately from the airline ticket (so they will appear as separate transactions).

However, anything not expressly classified as an incidental fee may not work and may change depending on how the airline codes the transactions.

For example, we've heard that United lounge passes can be coded as airfare — and, therefore, likely wouldn't trigger the credit.

Here are some other examples that may or may not trigger the credit:

• Airport lounge day passes and annual memberships
• Change fees
• Checked baggage fees
• In-flight amenity fees (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, etc.)
• In-flight entertainment fees (excluding wireless internet, since the charge comes from the service provider and not the airline)
• Overweight/oversized baggage fees
• Pet flight fees
• Phone reservation fees
• Seat assignment fees

With so many potential charges that could qualify for this airline incidental fee credit, it's not difficult for many frequent travelers to use the airline fee credit in full during a typical year.

What is not covered by the airline fee credit?

According to the terms, the Amex Platinum airline fee credit is not applicable for the following:

• Airline tickets
• Award tickets
• Charges that aren't separate from airline ticket payments (for example, you may pay to select seats when purchasing a ticket, but that may not trigger the credit)
• Duty-free purchases
• Fees charged to other card accounts (besides authorized user accounts)
• Fees not charged by the cardmember's airline of choice (for example, wireless internet and fees incurred with airline alliance partners)
• Gift cards
• Incidental air travel fees charged prior to the selection of a qualifying airline
• Mileage points purchases
• Mileage points transfer fees
• Upgrades

The airline must submit the charge under the appropriate merchant code and required service or product identifier for the charge to be recognized as an incidental air travel fee.

The terms state that the statement credit will post to your account six to eight weeks after each charge (though in our experience, it is often much faster). If the credit hasn't posted by then, you can call the number on the back of the card to request that Amex review eligible charges.

It's also worth expanding on the bullet point for "fees not charged by the cardmember's airline of choice." If you book a ticket through your preferred airline but will fly on a partner airline instead, you won't be able to take advantage of your incidental credits.

Here's an example. Say that your preferred airline is United and you book a flight through United's website, but you will actually fly a codeshare flight on Air Canada. When you check in at the airport with Air Canada, checked bag fees would be charged by Air Canada — not United — so you wouldn't be able to use your Amex Platinum incidental credits here.

You'll occasionally see reports that small airfare purchases, airline travel bank reloads and award ticket taxes and fees have triggered the credit.

However, these are considered off-label uses and could stop working at any time. I wouldn't rely on them when deciding how to use your airline fee credit. To avoid disappointment, it's best to stick to purchases that American Express explicitly identifies as eligible.

Related: How long does it take to receive statement credits from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?

Other Amex cards with airline fee credits

The Amex Platinum isn't the only Amex card that offers an annual airline fee statement credit (up to a certain amount).

The following Amex cards also offer statement credits (enrollment is required):

• The aforementioned Business Platinum Card, which offers an annual up to $200 airline statement credit for charges by the airline you select each calendar year
• The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which has an annual up to $200 airline statement credit (split into up to $50 quarterly credits) and is valid on eligible flight purchases made directly with an airline, through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™

The details of the airline fee credit on these cards are similar.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Business Platinum: Which premium Amex card is right for you?

Bottom line

The up to $200 Amex airline fee statement credit is one of the easiest ways to offset the cost of carrying an Amex Platinum or Business Platinum card, but it's also a use-it-or-lose-it benefit.

If you haven't used your credit yet, there's still time to put it toward eligible incidental airline fees before the end of the year. Choosing the right airline and understanding which purchases qualify can help you maximize one of the Amex Platinum'smost useful travel benefits.

To learn more about Amex's cards with airline fee credits, read our full reviews of the Amex Platinum, the Amex Business Platinum and the Hilton Amex Aspire Card.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.

Six years ago, I dreamed about getting an EU passport. Today, I'm a Portuguese resident, well on my way to becoming an EU citizen. My Portuguese citizenship is currently being processed, and although paperwork can take a very long time, I hope to have my Portuguese passport in the next year or two.

But let me back up and explain.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I missed Europe and was itching to travel, so I started researching how I could get an EU passport. Dual citizenship can be beneficial for many reasons, but since birthright citizenship wasn't an option for me (even though I'm Irish, my grandparents and parents were born in the United States), I discovered the Golden Visa programs offered by many European countries.

As it stands, many of the Golden Visa programs that EU countries once offered are no longer available or have changed significantly. At the time, I felt Portugal was the most feasible, so I decided to give it a try.

Here's the story of how my Portuguese residency and citizenship process began, and the point where my family and I are right now.

Portugal's Golden Visa program: My experience

When I began searching, Portugal's program was the most intriguing: I could invest as little as €280,000 (about $318,000 U.S.) in real estate or real estate projects, spend limited, specific amounts of time in Portugal each year for five years and then obtain Portuguese residency with a pathway to Portuguese citizenship.

Although I could have completed the process on my own, I chose to work with a group called Mercan, investing €350,000 into the Renaissance Hotel Porto (I'm one of 180 "owners"). Based on my €350,000 investment, the developer, RA Group, will provide an annual return of 3%. I also spent about €20,000 in legal fees.

It's not mandatory to work with a company, but there's a tremendous amount of bureaucracy involved. If you want to complete it on your own, be prepared to put in hours of research and paperwork.

About six months after the initial investment, I obtained Portuguese residency in 2021. Then, I spent the required time to be eligible for citizenship (one week per year) and to keep my residency active.

My citizenship paperwork was submitted and accepted in 2025, but due to a large backlog and program changes, it may take a while to be processed. Before I get it, I'll have to take and pass a Portuguese language exam (wish me luck).

Mercan has been extremely helpful throughout the process, helping me obtain my Portuguese tax number, set up my bank account, prepare investment documents, complete SEF/AIMA filings, and complete biometrics. Part of the investment deal with Mercan is the mandatory buy-back. They buy back the original share of my investment at the original price once my full citizenship is approved. And, I won't have to pay taxes in Portugal on my U.S. income since I already pay U.S. taxes.

My children are also eligible for residency and citizenship

I'm doing this not for tax purposes or financial gain (you should seek out tax advice and investment advice with licensed professionals, as I'm not an expert in these fields), but rather to have the flexibility and opportunity to live and work in the EU, and to give my children that same versatility. In fact, thanks to my application, my children, parents and spouse (should I have one), and my spouse's parents are eligible for the program. Plus, a Portuguese passport is highly ranked among the world's most powerful.

Presently, my two children are going through the process as well. My older son, Dean, has completed most of the steps needed to get his residency — he just had his biometrics appointment in March. My younger son, Cooper, has just had his application approved and is on the path as well.

Changes to Portugal's Golden Visa program 

It's true that there have been many changes to Portugal's Golden Visa program (and to Golden Visa programs in other EU countries), but since I applied for citizenship right before the new rules were enacted into law, I qualified for the five years of residency. But now, my kids and any new applicants will need 10 years of residency (spending one week in Portugal each year).

Investment levels have also changed

Unfortunately, citizenship via Portugal's Golden Visa program is no longer as simple as it once was.

But getting the residency itself is also more expensive — you'll now need a minimum capital investment of €500,000 (about $568,000 in U.S. dollars) in a Portuguese company, combined with specific employment requirements, to gain residency. Or you can contribute €250,000 to eligible cultural institutions or heritage projects (the amount is reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas, excluding Lisbon and Porto).

It's always good to discuss applying for these programs with a tax professional, lawyer and/or financial adviser to see how EU and U.S. tax laws would apply to your particular situation.

If you're considering EU residency — don't wait

As you can see, requirements can change at any time, but if you've already submitted an application, in most cases, the former rules apply to you.

It's true that the rules in Portugal are more complicated now, but there are other paths to EU residency, such as Golden Visa programs through countries like Greece. However, there's no guarantee these programs will stick around. For example, Spain ended its Golden Visa program in 2025. If this is something you want, don't waste any more time if this is your dream.

Related reading:

• Have dual citizenship? How to use 2 passports when traveling internationally
• World's 10 most powerful passports
• UK raises price for new travel authorization: Here's a step-by-step guide to applying for an ETA
• 8 passport mistakes to avoid

Wyndham Rewards Earner Card overview

The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card is a no-annual-fee card from an underrated hotel brand with some properties that really provide outsize value. You don't have to stay frequently at Wyndham properties to consider adding this card to your wallet. It offers automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold status, solid everyday earning categories and valuable discounts on award stays. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Wyndham recently refreshed its entire credit card portfolio, and the no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card picked up several meaningful improvements.

While it still doesn't come with premium travel perks, it now offers stronger everyday earning categories, a 10% discount on award stays, automatic Gold elite status in the Wyndham Rewards program and no foreign transaction fees, making it one of the more compelling no-annual-fee hotel credit cards.

The recommended credit score for this card is at least 670. However, it is possible to get approved with a lower score.

Let's look at whether the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card should be in your wallet.

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Card pros and cons

Wyndham Rewards Earner Card welcome offer

New applicants can earn up to 75,000 bonus points: 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, plus 45,000 additional bonus points after spending $500 at Wyndham properties in the first 180 days from account opening.

According to TPG's July 2026 valuations, Wyndham Rewards points are worth 0.7 cents each, making 75,000 bonus points worth $525.

It's important to note that Barclays can be very inquiry-sensitive, so I recommend being under 6/24 before applying for this card. In other words, you shouldn't have more than five hard inquiries on your credit report in the past 24 months before applying for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card.

Additionally, I recommend being at 0/6 before applying, as some reports from Reddit users indicate that Barclays is sensitive to very recent inquiries. That means that, ideally, you shouldn't have any hard inquiries on your credit report within the past six months.

It may not make the difference between approval and rejection, but being at 0/6 and under 6/24 can raise your odds for approval.

Related: The current best credit card welcome bonuses

Wyndham Rewards Earner Card benefits

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card offers a handful of valuable perks despite charging no annual fee.

The card's biggest ongoing benefit is automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold status, which includes:

• Preferred room selection
• Late checkout (where available)
• Bonus points on paid stays
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Cardholders also receive:

• 10% off Wyndham Go Free award stays
• A 15% discount when purchasing Wyndham Rewards points
• Cardmember booking discounts on eligible paid stays
• 7,500 anniversary bonus points after spending $15,000 annually
• No foreign transaction fees
• $0 fraud liability protection

While these benefits don't rival those offered by premium hotel cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, they're impressive for a card with no annual fee.

Earning points on the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card earns:

• 5 points per dollar spent on Wyndham hotel purchases
• 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Wyndham vacation club, gas and EV, dining and grocery store purchases (excludes Walmart and Target)
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham vacation club down payments)

The expanded bonus categories make this card more rewarding for everyday spending, particularly if you regularly spend on dining, groceries or gas.

Remember that you'll earn an extra 10% bonus points on every Wyndham purchase you make with this card thanks to having Gold status.

Related: How to choose a hotel credit card

Redeeming points on the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card gives you plenty of ways to redeem your points, including for hotel stays, airline transfers, gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, tours and experiences, charitable donations and even an AARP membership.

However, I generally recommend redeeming Wyndham points for hotel stays, as that's where you'll typically get the best value.

Unlike many hotel loyalty programs that have adopted dynamic award pricing, Wyndham continues to use a fixed award chart.

Beginning Sept. 15, award nights will be priced at one of four levels: 5,000, 15,000, 30,000 or 45,000 points per room, depending on the property. While the addition of a new 45,000-point tier represents a modest devaluation for a small number of Wyndham's most premium hotels, fixed pricing still makes it easy to know exactly how many points you'll need before you book.

Wyndham offers two types of award bookings:

• Go Free awards let you redeem points for the full cost of your stay.
• Go Fast awards combine points and cash for a discounted redemption.

Cardholders receive a 10% discount on Go Free awards, reducing award costs to as few as 4,500 points per bedroom at the lowest tier.

Most Wyndham properties fall into the three lowest award tiers, while only a small number of luxury hotels now cost 45,000 points per night. There are no blackout dates on standard award stays, provided award availability exists.

TPG lead points and loyalty writer Katie Genter secured award stays for just 7,500 points per night in Jeju, South Korea, and 15,000 points per night in Hawaii. She has also gotten excellent value redeeming points for Vacasa stays.

Beyond Wyndham hotels, you can also redeem points for stays at Wyndham vacation club resorts, Caesars Rewards properties, Vacasa vacation rentals, Landal GreenParks properties and cottages.com listings.

Caesars Rewards hotels generally cost between 15,000 and 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points per room, per night, though blackout dates apply. Most Caesars properties on the Las Vegas Strip cost 30,000 points per room.

For Vacasa vacation rentals, properties with an average nightly rate (including taxes and fees) of up to $250 cost 15,000 points per room, per night, while rentals averaging $250.01 to $500 per night cost 30,000 points per room.

Finally, Wyndham vacation club owners can also convert Wyndham Rewards points into Maintenance Dollars to help offset annual maintenance fees.

Related: Wyndham Rewards will move to 4 award tiers, with top hotels costing 45,000 points

Transferring points on the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card

Wyndham has a small but mighty list of airline transfer partners. Although it has an impressive list of transfer partners, you generally will receive better value when you redeem your points for Wyndham stays instead of transferring them.

Partners include notable airlines like Air Canada, Avianca, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

Points are transferred at a 5:1 ratio, and you must transfer at least 6,000 points. This equates to 6,000 Wyndham points, equaling 1,200 partner points or miles.

Given this transfer ratio, I strongly advise against using this as a redemption method unless you need to top off your existing points or miles balance for an award ticket.

Related: Should you transfer hotel points to airline partners?

Which card competes with the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card?

• If you prefer more Wyndham benefits: The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is the older sibling of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card with a $95 annual fee. It offers perks like automatic Wyndham Diamond status for the first year (Platinum thereafter) and earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining, groceries (excluding Target and Walmart) and travel purchases. You'll still receive discounts on awards and cash stays, as well as other perks. To learn more, read our full review of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card.
• If you prefer a business card: The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Business Card has a $149 annual fee and comes with complimentary Wyndham Diamond status. Additionally, cardholders receive 15,000 bonus points after each cardmember anniversary (after paying the annual fee). The card also comes with discounts for award and cash stays. To learn more, read our full review of the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card.
• If you prefer to earn a flexible currency: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Capital One has an extensive roster of 15-plus transfer partners, including Wyndham Rewards, and miles can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards.

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card and the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

For additional options, check out our full lists of the best hotel credit cards and the best travel rewards credit cards.

Is the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card worth it?

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Card is much easier to recommend after Wyndham's portfolio refresh.

Although it lacks premium travel benefits, it offers meaningful value without charging an annual fee. Automatic Gold status, discounted award stays, solid everyday earning categories and no foreign transaction fees make it attractive even for travelers who only stay with Wyndham occasionally.

Travelers who stay with Wyndham frequently may still be better served by a more premium Wyndham option, but casual Wyndham guests should find plenty of value here.

Bottom line

Wyndham significantly improved its no-annual-fee Wyndham Rewards Earner Card with expanded bonus categories and enhanced redemption benefits.

Automatic Gold status, a 10% discount on award stays, anniversary bonus points and no foreign transaction fees make it an easy card to keep long term, particularly for travelers who occasionally stay at Wyndham properties but don't want to pay an annual fee.

If you're looking for a no-annual-fee hotel credit card, the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card deserves a closer look — especially if you expect to stay with Wyndham at least occasionally.

Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?

Royal Caribbean drink packages let you drink what you want, when you want, without feeling nickel-and-dimed. Isn't that a cruiser's dream? The all-inclusive, extra-fee beverage plans aren't necessarily for everyone, but they offer a nice way to enhance a cruise experience and take some of the stress out of in-the-moment vacation decisions.

Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of packages, from a simple Water Package that keeps you and your crew hydrated during your cruise to a comprehensive plan that includes most alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Other than the Water Package, which is priced based on the quantity you order, drink packages on Royal Caribbean are priced per person, per day.

I've tried all of Royal Caribbean's drink packages. I've also cruised without one. Here's what you need to know to decide if a beverage plan is right for you.

What's already free with your cruise fare?

Before deciding whether a drink package is worth it, it helps to know what you're already receiving at no extra cost. Every guest can enjoy ice water, flavored waters, brewed coffee, assorted teas, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, lemonade and fruit juices at no charge — served in the Main Dining Room and other restaurants and at self-serve stations in the Windjammer Cafe and other casual venues.

What's included in Royal Caribbean's drink packages?

Royal Caribbean offers a few different drink packages, and what's included depends on the package you choose. All beverage packages include gratuities, but none cover room service or minibar purchases. On certain sailings, the unlimited alcoholic beverage package may not be available, so package benefits can vary by itinerary.

Related: Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Regardless of which package you choose, a few things are always excluded:

• Room service and minibar items.
• Starbucks cafes on board.
• Drinks served in souvenir glassware (unless you're using a Classic Soda Package souvenir cup or have purchased a Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup).
• Drinks above the package price cap (currently $14 per serving). Expect to pay the difference plus gratuity on the difference.
• Wine by the bottle. The Deluxe Beverage package covers wine by the glass, not the bottle, and gives holders a 40% discount on wines up to $100 and a 20% discount on those above that.

Royal Caribbean drink packages at a glance:

The above packages are accepted at every onboard restaurant and bar.

Water Package

Royal Caribbean's Water Package is available in 12- and 24-packs of 1-liter Evian bottles. The bottles are delivered to your cabin on embarkation day.

If you don't want to pay for a Water Package, you can find drinking water at complimentary drink stations in the buffet area and often in other locations on Royal Caribbean ships. Bring your own reusable bottle and fill it from these stations or straight from the faucet in your cabin. The water throughout the ships is not only drinkable but also better than what's available in many cities. You can also purchase bottles of water a la carte.

So why would you consider a Water Package? If you drink bottled water at home, you may prefer the taste of Evian. The package also allows you to keep plenty of water bottles on hand in your cabin or take it on excursions.

The downside is that 1-liter bottles are not ideal for lugging off the ship. You should either bring a reusable bottle or purchase single-serving bottles for port days. You can get these at bars or the gangway as you disembark in each port.

Classic Soda Package

Royal Caribbean's Soda Package is for the serious soda drinker. On select ships, the package includes a souvenir Coca-Cola cup with a chip on the bottom, allowing the person to use the Freestyle soda dispensing machines throughout the ship. The "magic cup" gives you unlimited refills 24 hours a day, with your pick of sodas with add-in flavorings. (Orange Coke is a personal favorite.) Coca-Cola Freestyle machines are currently available on the following ships:

• Adventure of the Seas®
• Allure of the Seas®
• Anthem of the Seas®
• Enchantment of the Seas®
• Explorer of the Seas®
• Freedom of the Seas®
• Grandeur of the Seas®
• Harmony of the Seas®
• Legend of the Seas℠
• Icon of the Seas®
• Independence of the Seas®
• Jewel of the Seas®
• Liberty of the Seas®
• Mariner of the Seas®
• Navigator of the Seas®
• Oasis of the Seas®
• Odyssey of the Seas®
• Ovation of the Seas®
• Quantum of the Seas®
• Rhapsody of the Seas®
• Star of the Seas℠
• Symphony of the Seas®
• Utopia of the Seas®
• Voyager of the Seas®
• Wonder of the Seas®

You can also order a glass of soda at any restaurant or bar on board. Some venues only serve fountain sodas, but others have cans. One big bonus of the package is that sodas on Royal Caribbean's private island destinations (Perfect Day at Coco Cay and Labadee) are included. The only time you can't get a free soda with this package is from your cabin minibar or through room service (because, other than continental breakfast, room service comes with a $7.95 service fee, no matter what you order).

Related: 8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)

You can bring up to 12 cans of soda (or bottles up to 17 ounces) per person on board with you in your carry-on luggage when you board the ship. So, why would you want a Classic Soda Package?

It's a question of convenience. I've been known to take a couple of 16-ounce bottles of soda on board with me, but carrying on much more than that is a big hassle. With a Classic Soda Package, you can easily access your beverage of choice anywhere you are on board — including from roaming bar servers at the pool, in the casino or at events and shows — or on Royal Caribbean's private islands. You don't have to return to your room to grab a soda. It's also great for older kids and teens who might be roaming the ship with friends.

Refreshment Package

This is my favorite Royal Caribbean drink package. It includes still and sparkling water, sodas, nonalcoholic spirits and mocktails, nonalcoholic wine and beer, premium coffees and teas (but not those from Starbucks stand-alone stores or kiosks) and freshly squeezed juices. Note that the Freestyle "magic cup" is exclusive to the Classic Soda Package and isn't included here — if you want Freestyle access, you can purchase the cup onboard for $4.99.

With the Refreshment Package, you can order almost anything nonalcoholic at bars and most restaurants on board. Even the smoothies and protein shakes at Vitality Cafe and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets are included in this package, as is the sweet tea at Portside BBQ on Oasis of the Seas. Want a strawberry slushy? Order a virgin strawberry daiquiri. Want hot cocoa? Covered. How about a virgin mudslide? A bartender will happily blend up vanilla ice cream, coffee, hazelnut syrup and chocolate syrup into a perfect mocha shake.

As with the Classic Soda Package, you can order your nonalcoholic beverages — like sparkling water, zero-alcohol beer and fancy mocktails — from your pool lounger or blackjack table.

Plus, the Refreshment Package solves the problem of finding water to take off the ship with you and choosing what to drink while on the private islands. It's all included in this package.

Deluxe Beverage Package

This package takes all that's available in the Refreshment Package (sodas, water, nonalcoholic spirits and mocktails, nonalcoholic wine and beer, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice) and adds cocktails, spirits and liquors, as well as beer by the bottle or can and wine by the glass. Plus, you can add Freestyle access by purchasing the Coca-Cola "magic cup" at any bar onboard for $4.99.

There are some limits on brands available with the package, but the list includes imported, domestic and craft beer, an extensive wine list and commonly ordered spirit brands on drinks up to $14. Any bar server can tell you what's available on your cruise.

You also receive a hefty 40% discount on bottles of wine up to $100 and a 20% discount on bottles over $100. It's handy for sharing a bottle with your travel partner at dinner.

As with the Classic Soda and Refreshment packages, you can use the Deluxe Beverage Package anywhere on board (except stand-alone Starbucks locations). Use it in restaurants, bars and any other venue where a bar server is present, as well as at either of Royal Caribbean's private island destinations. The Deluxe Beverage Package also includes milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.

This package comes with a few caveats. If one person in a cabin buys this package, everyone of legal drinking age in the cabin must buy the same package, according to cruise line policy. In the past, you could call customer service to downgrade non-drinking adults to a Refreshment Package, but as of 2026, that work-around is gone.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

The package also does not include drinks that come with souvenir glasses, but you can order the same drink in a regular glass.

If your vacation plans include alcoholic beverages, buying this package is a nice way to pay your cruise bar tab in advance rather than deal with the shock of a high bill at the end of the cruise.

Cafe Select Coffee Card

This option is ideal for cruisers who prefer a fancier caffeine fix than what a simple cup of coffee provides. This card entitles you to any 15 specialty espresso-based coffees throughout your cruise. (This package excludes beverages from Starbucks stores or cafes.) One shot of espresso equals one card punch. If you order a specialty coffee that includes two shots of espresso, you will pay for that one drink with two punches.

Unlike Royal Caribbean's other drink packages, the Cafe Select Coffee Card is not restricted to one person, and anyone in your cabin can use it.

What do Royal Caribbean drink packages cost?

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing on beverage packages much the same way it does on cruise fares. That means you won't know the exact price for each package before you book a cruise. Demand, destination and promotions play a big part in the pricing, especially for the Deluxe Beverage Package, which tends to fluctuate the most.

Here's what you can expect a Royal Caribbean drink package to cost:

• Water Package: 12 bottles for $39; 24 bottles for $69
• Classic Soda Package: $12.99 to $18 per person, per day
• Refreshment Package: $29 to $42 per person, per day
• Deluxe Beverage Package: $56 to $115 per person, per day (depending on your ship and trip)
• Cafe Select Coffee Card: $31 per card

The prices listed above do not include an automatic 18% gratuity. You'll want to factor that amount into your travel budget if you decide to purchase a package.

The best time to buy Royal Caribbean drink packages

You can purchase a beverage package as soon as you book your cruise, but should you? A lot depends on how soon your ship will depart. If you're sailing within a few months, go ahead and get any packages you plan to buy — unless Black Friday falls before you sail. Black Friday deals on drink packages are generally the lowest you'll find all year.

The package that varies most in price is the Deluxe Beverage Package. It's priced higher during peak travel times and on cruises with stops at private islands. Buying this package in advance is always cheaper than buying it once you're on board.

Royal Caribbean does advertise price drops and deals for precruise purchases. If you're waiting and hoping for a better deal, frequent cruisers say you should look at the actual price per person, per day, rather than the percentage off or BOGO deals, to determine whether the package price is where you want it. Regardless, it's worth booking your package online once you've secured a cabin, then monitoring the price. If it drops later, you can always cancel and re-buy at the lower rate.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth it?

Now that you know your choices and why you might want each package, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of whether these packages are worth purchasing. Before doing the math, consider your itinerary.

On a Caribbean cruise with one or more sea days and a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you'll likely spend more time relaxing onboard — and the warm weather can mean more bottled water, cocktails, mocktails and poolside drinks.

A port-intensive itinerary, such as a European cruise with long days ashore, can be different. If you're spending most of your vacation exploring ports and sampling local food and drinks, you may not use the package enough to make it worthwhile.

Water Package

The 1-liter bottles in the Water Package cost about the same as a 12-ounce bar bottle. That makes this package a deal, but only if you prefer bottled water over taps or dispensers. It's also convenient to have the water delivered to your cabin, eliminating the need to bring a case of bottles on board or search for a bottle when you want water on the ship.

Classic Soda Package

When ordering an individual soda on the ship, the charge will be what you'd expect to pay at a land-based restaurant, plus an 18% gratuity added automatically. When you ask a bar server for a soda on the ship, you'll be charged just over $4 per soda, including tip, whether it comes in a can or from a fountain.

As the starting point for the Classic Soda Package is just over $15 per person, per day, including gratuity, you'll need to count on drinking at least four sodas a day for it to be a good value.

Refreshment Package

If you prefer nonalcoholic beverages, you can expect to pay around $7 for mocktails and protein shakes, $5 for lattes at non-Starbucks locations and close to $9 for smoothies. These prices are before the automatic 18% gratuity.

Here's what your daily consumption might look like on the Refreshment Package: You could start with a morning latte ($6 after you add gratuity), grab water for your excursion ($3.84), enjoy a soda at lunch ($4), sip a couple of mocktails during the afternoon ($8.25 each), have another soda with dinner ($4) and enjoy another mocktail for the show or in the casino ($8.25).

That puts you at over $40 for the day, making the Refreshment Package a deal at $34 (with tip) per person, per day. Drink much less than that, and this Royal Caribbean drink package won't be worth it. The Refreshment Package price varies slightly between sailings.

Deluxe Beverage Package

For alcoholic drinks, prices vary widely depending on your order. Beer and hard cider average $7 to $9. Wine by the glass is $9 to $25. Cocktails are $10 to $14, except for the drink of the day, which is $8. These prices do not include the 18% gratuity.

When deciding if Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is worth it, be sure to factor in the nonalcoholic drinks you are likely to have, not just those with alcohol. How many premium coffees do you drink each day, including one with your dessert at dinner? How many bottles of water and sodas?

The value of those drinks often adds up to $25 or more per day. That leaves you with somewhere between $30 and $80 per day to spend on alcoholic drinks to break even.

If you're lucky enough to purchase your package at the lowest possible price, almost anyone who drinks a combination of nonalcoholic drinks and a couple of cocktails daily would break even. But if your purchase price is somewhere in the middle of the range (where most people land), you would need to consume a minimum of $55 per day, beyond the average nonalcoholic beverages, to break even. That's about six beers, or four or five glasses of wine or cocktails.

One thing to consider is that unlimited drinks can change how you order. Some cruisers find themselves ordering a cocktail they wouldn't normally try simply because it's included — or adding another drink to get their money's worth.

Related: Are cruise drink packages worth the price? What to know before you buy

Cafe Select Coffee Card

For fans of specialty coffees, this card could save you money. Based on the price of a single espresso shot latte (about $6 after gratuity), you would only get five coffees for roughly the same cost as the coffee card. Since you get 15 single espresso shot beverages with the coffee card, you get more than double the number of coffees for the same price.

How to save money on a drink package

If you mainly drink specialty coffees and sodas, another way to save is to combine the Cafe Select Coffee Card with the Classic Soda Package.

The Refreshment Package costs around $34 per person, per day (with tip), for soda, premium coffee and tea. If you buy a Cafe Select Coffee Card for a one-time cost of $37 as well as the Classic Soda Package at around $15 a day, then the price is lower. On a five-night cruise, for example, the Refreshment Package would cost around $170, while the combined option is roughly $113.

You could spend even less if you're traveling with a partner and want to share one coffee card and each get your own soda package.

Should I buy a drinks package if I have loyalty status?

Before you decide if a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it, there are two more things to consider: your Crown & Anchor loyalty status and your Casino Royale player status.

If you're a Diamond C&A member, your SeaPass card will be loaded with four free drinks per day. Diamond Plus members get five drinks, and Pinnacle members get six. Those can be water, specialty coffee or tea (other than from Starbucks and Desserted), sodas from bar servers, beer, wine or cocktails up to $14 (except at Bionic Bar).

As for casino perks, if your status is Prime or higher, you can drink free at the casino bar anytime it's open.

Those free perks could make the difference in which package you choose, if any. For example, a Diamond member might use the free drink allotment on cocktails and wine and save money with a Refreshment or Soda Package for other daily drinks. Or, perhaps, the free drinks are enough that it's cheaper to buy a few nonalcoholic beverages a la carte.

Diamond Plus members also receive a 30% discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages when purchased on board. That's rarely a good deal, though, unless you simply forget to buy in advance, as buying ahead in the cruise planner or app is almost always at least 30% lower than the onboard price.

How to save money without buying a drink package

If you're planning to pay as you go, a few things can help lower your drinks tab:

• Bring your own wine. Each guest can bring one 750 ml bottle of wine or Champagne in their carry-on luggage on embarkation day. You can drink it in your cabin for free, or bring it to a dining venue for a $15 corkage fee per bottle.
• Bring your own soda. Each guest can bring up to 12 cans of soda (or bottles up to 17 ounces) in their carry-on luggage.
• Order the "Drink of the Day." The daily featured cocktail is heavily discounted, often 15 to 20% less than a signature cocktail
• Look for happy hour and drink specials. Royal Caribbean has been testing limited-time deals (margarita specials, beer discounts) on select sailings
• Watch out for the drink card promomotion. Royal Caribbean occasionally offers a shareable drink card partway through the cruise, which is good for 10 drinks for around $100 plus gratuity.

How do I buy or cancel a Royal Caribbean drink package?

You can buy a drink package online up to 72 hours before setting sail. Simply log into My Royal Cruise online or the app, head to the Cruise Planner, and add your drink package. You can also purchase one on board on the first day of your sailing. Ask at any bar or look out for a table promoting drink packages once you board.

You can cancel a drink package anytime up to two days before you sail and receive a full refund. To do this, log into My Royal Cruise and request the cancellation. If you wait to cancel onboard, you'll get onboard credit instead of a cash refund — and any drinks already consumed will be charged at full price.

Is the Deluxe Beverage Package really unlimited?

Yes — there's no daily cap on drinks with the Deluxe Beverage Package, unlike some of the packages with other cruise lines.

Can I order more than one drink at a time?

With a drink package, you can only order one beverage per person at a time. Without a package, you're free to order multiples.

Does everyone in my cabin have to buy the same drink package?

Only if you get the Deluxe Beverage Package — Royal Caribbean requires all guests of legal drinking age in the same cabin to purchase it. Nonalcoholic packages, such as the Refreshment or Classic Soda Package, don't have this requirement.

Can I share a package?

No. Packages are tied to your SeaPass card and are for personal use only. You can't share them with anyone else.

Can I cancel my drink package if I find a cheaper price?

Yes, as long as you cancel through My Royal Cruise at least two days before your sail date, you'll get a full refund and can rebook at the lower price.

Bottom line: Is a drink package on Royal Caribbean right for you?

Now that you have all the facts, there are several ways to look at Royal Caribbean's drink packages to determine whether you should buy one.

First, consider every kind of drink you will likely pay for on board. Are you happy with the beverages that are included in the cruise fare? Those include tap water, drip coffee, tea, milk, lemonade and juice from a dispenser at breakfast. Or, will your vacation only be complete with morning lattes, smoothies, fruity drinks by the pool and wine with dinner?

For some people, it's easy. If you're likely to drink four or five cocktails most days, plus specialty coffee, waters for excursions, soda and a glass of wine at dinner, your total, if purchased individually, would easily exceed $80 per day. Unless the package has a higher-than-average price on your sailing, go for it.

However, if you typically only drink a couple of glasses of wine at dinner, you aren't likely to break even — at least, not on the Deluxe Beverage Package. In that case, skip the package that includes alcohol and do the math on the Refreshment Package.

If you drink soda, the difference in price between the Classic Soda Package and the Refreshment Package is $16. Almost any combination of two other drinks — lattes, mocktails, smoothies or bottled water — makes the Refreshment Package a deal for you. If you can live without the extras, stick with the soda-only package.

If none of those looks like a bargain, pay as you go. Some people set a daily drink budget and check themselves (or their kids) against their folio in the Royal Caribbean app or on the interactive TV in their cabin. I've even met people who bring cash along to pay their drink balance daily at guest services to stay on track.

The other side of the equation is to factor the price of the drink package into the total vacation cost to make the cruise feel more like an all-inclusive vacation. Think about it like you would an all-inclusive land-based resort. When you vacation at one of those, you not only wouldn't know the price of the drinks you consume, but you also would not care.

If you're more interested in a stress-free vacation where you don't have to agonize about the cost of every drink you consume than you are in paying the least amount of money possible for your vacation, a Royal Caribbean drink package is totally worth it.

The bottom line is that drink packages on Royal Caribbean expand your choices. You can use packages to make your cruise as all-inclusive as you'd like (and maybe save some money in the process), or you can opt to cruise and drink in pay-as-you-go mode. Either way, you'll find plenty of fun cocktails and mocktails, as well as your favorite wine and beer, to enhance your vacation at sea.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Even if you only stay with a specific hotel loyalty program several times each year, a cobranded hotel credit card can be helpful. After all, most hotel credit cards offer bonus earnings on stays, elite status benefits and other program-specific perks.

I originally signed up for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees) in 2020 for its welcome offer and 15 elite night credits each year. However, I plan to keep the card long-term for its annual free night and elite night credits.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless currently has a welcome offer of 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels charge resort fees), earned after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Additionally, you can earn up to $100 in statement credits after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases. (Spend $250 between June 4 and Dec. 31, 2026, to earn a $50 statement credit; earn another $50 statement credit after spending $250 or more between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2027.)

This welcome offer will provide significant value in your first year with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, but here's a look at the ongoing benefits of keeping the card.

Annual free night

The most valuable ongoing perk of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is the free night award cardholders get each year after their account anniversary.

This free night award is valid for a one-night stay at a Marriott Bonvoy property that costs up to 35,000 points. If you want to redeem the free night award at a property with a higher award rate, you can top off the award with up to 25,000 points to cover the difference. You can use points from your account for the top-off, or you can purchase the required points.

Some properties for which you could historically redeem free night awards are no longer bookable on many dates for 35,000 points per night or less. But I still find the free night award offers me more than enough value to offset the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card's $95 annual fee.

My husband and I each have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, so each year, we earn a total of four free night awards (worth up to 35,000 points each) from our four cards.

I prefer to save our Marriott free night certificates for short stays at appealing properties, such as the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel, which has rooms overlooking Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL); Marriott Mena House, Cairo, which is adjacent to the Pyramids of Giza; and Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong, where I booked into a harborview room.

But I'll also use certificates to cover nights when rates are high, such as in Edinburgh during a popular rugby match and Barcelona during peak tourism season. And I'll sometimes use a free night certificate to stay a sixth night when redeeming points for five nights, as I did in 2024 at Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa.

In short, you should easily recoup at least the value of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card's $95 annual fee when redeeming a 35,000-point Marriott free night certificate. Even if you usually stay at Marriott properties with higher award rates, you may be able to use the certificate for a one-night stay on a road trip or at an airport hotel before or during a trip.

Related: 4 reasons you need a credit card with your favorite hotel loyalty program

Elite status boost

I initially signed up for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless primarily because it offers 15 elite night credits each year toward Marriott elite status, and these elite night credits have continued to be useful each year.

I strive to earn at least Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status each year, which requires me to accrue 50 nights per year. Platinum Elite status unlocks benefits like lounge access, 4 p.m. late checkout and the option to choose breakfast as an elite welcome gift at many Marriott Bonvoy brands.

You can earn elite night credits each year from a maximum of one consumer and one business Marriott Bonvoy credit card. So, each year I earn 15 elite night credits from my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and 15 from my Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex. Since I earn 30 elite night credits from my cards each year, I only need to stay at Marriott Bonvoy properties 20 nights per year to reach Platinum Elite status or 45 nights per year to achieve Titanium Elite status.

Related: Are you eligible for a new Marriott Bonvoy card? This chart tells you yes or no

Other useful benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

In addition to the annual free night award and elite night credits I've discussed so far, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless provides the following perks:

• An additional elite night credit for each $5,000 in purchases made with your card
• Complimentary Marriott Silver Elite status
• Marriott Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year
• Visa Signature concierge service
• No points expiration as long as you make at least one purchase on your credit card every 24 months
• No foreign transaction fees

You'll also earn Marriott points as follows when you make purchases with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card:

• 6 points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 3 points per dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores and on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services (on the first $6,000 spent each calendar year on combined purchases, then 2 points per dollar spent)
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

These benefits can be useful, especially if you want to earn more Marriott points through card purchases. However, the annual free night award and elite night credits are the perks that will keep the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless in my wallet for the long term.

Related: 4 reasons why the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is worth the $95 annual fee

Bottom line

I plan to keep all of my hotel credit cards that offer an annual free night for the long term, and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless isn't an exception. After all, it's easy to get more than $95 of value each year from the card's free night award and 15 elite night credits.

If you don't yet have the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, its current welcome offer makes now an especially compelling time to apply. You can earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points; certain hotels have resort fees) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, you can earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases through June 30, 2027.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The moment the audience saw Diane Keaton's dreamy house in the iconic film "Something's Gotta Give," a timeless aesthetic was born. The neutral tones, that light-and-airy kitchen and, of course, the enviable beachfront location made this space practically the third star of the film after Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

Flash-forward 20-plus years, and the coastal design dream — led by the film's director Nancy Meyers, who amassed a following for the luxe-meets-comfortable home vibes in her other movies like "The Parent Trap" and "The Holiday" — inspires the masses.

These days, millennials and Gen Zers are vying for the coastal life without paying for a full home remodel. There are dozens of hotels around the country where abundant crisp linens, clean lines and midcentury modern furniture come standard, and, most importantly, the sound of the ocean lulls you to sleep every night.

We dug deep and found the best coastal hotels that give those Meyers-esque vibes. At these properties, you can live out your bougie seaside dreams — and maybe even gather design inspiration for your next home renovation.

Related: 10 points hotels to book near major cities for an easy, last-minute summer getaway

West Coast

Regent Santa Monica — Santa Monica, California

Regent Santa Monica marks the luxury brand's return to the U.S. — and trust us, it doesn't disappoint. The property is located just steps from the iconic Santa Monica Pier, so you have near-instant access to the beach and all that Santa Monica has to offer. There are 167 rooms on-site, and they're large — especially by Los Angeles standards. Even the most basic rooms clock in at 720 square feet, and are well-designed and outfitted with Nespresso machines, separate dining areas and beautiful views of Santa Monica Beach or the Malibu coastline.

The property has some great amenities, too. You'll find four food-and-drink concepts, two of which are run by James Beard award-winning chef Michael Mina. The flagship restaurant, Orla, serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine with ocean views and seasonal menus. There's also a 10,000-square-foot spa with 12 treatment rooms, saunas, and steam rooms.

Rates at Regent Santa Monica Beach start at around $790 per night, or 86,000 IHG One Rewards points.

Post Ranch Inn — Big Sur, California

Big Sur is known as one of the most beautiful places in the country, with its dramatic cliffs plunging into the Pacific, winding coastal highway and towering redwoods. Post Ranch Inn puts you at the center of this natural beauty, with 39 rooms spread across the property to feel secluded. Take in the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows and private decks, and disconnect from the world thanks to the property's no-in-room-TV policy.

Relaxation is key at the Post Ranch Inn. Your rate includes a cooked-to-order breakfast and half-bottles of wine. The on-site spa features products made from flowers picked on the property, and there's a lap pool and two cliff-top "basking pools" kept at 104 degrees. Complimentary guided nature hikes, yoga and stargazing are also on offer.

Those seeking a waterfront experience won't be disappointed. The property sits on cliffs 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean — so while there's no beach access, the sound of waves crashing below will lull you to sleep every night.

Rates at Post Ranch Inn start at around $2,175 per night.

Related: How I spent $0 using points and miles on an epic Highway 1 road trip

Mission Pacific Beach Resort — Oceanside, California

There are few places more beautiful than Oceanside, California. The beach is picture-perfect, and the city has excellent restaurants, a classic wooden pier, and an easygoing surf-town energy that feels a world away from the busier stretches of San Diego County. Mission Pacific Beach Resort puts you at the center of it all — steps from the beach and the amenities of downtown Oceanside, but with plenty to do on-site as well.

Rooms match the city's laid-back vibe, with sandy tones and original artwork on display. Most rooms have private balconies with ocean views, so you can take in the sights over your morning coffee and fall asleep to the sound of waves at night. The property also features a rooftop bar and Valle, a contemporary Mexican restaurant by Chef Roberto Alcocer that has a well-earned Michelin star.

Rates at Mission Pacific Beach Resort start at around $263 per night, or 20,000 World of Hyatt points as a Category 6 hotel.

The Edgewater Hotel — Seattle, Washington

The Edgewater Hotel is Seattle's only over-water hotel, built out on Pier 67 above Elliott Bay. Many famous musicians have stayed at the property over the years, including members of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam. And it's easy to see why they chose to stay there. It's a city hotel with the vibe of a mountain lodge, featuring in-room gas fireplaces, private balconies in over-water rooms and exposed wood, leather and plaid accents.

On-site amenities include Six Seven — named after the pier, not the meme — a restaurant serving locally sourced seafood and other Pacific Northwest favorites. You can explore the city with the hotel's complimentary bikes, where you're just a short ride away from Pike Place Market and Olympic Sculpture Park.

Rates at The Edgewater Hotel start at around $198 per night.

The Heritage House Resort & Spa — Little River, California

Check in to the Heritage House in Northern California for a coastal hotel that's not directly on the beach but offers cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean and quick access to hiking trails.

Located near several state parks and Mendocino National Forest, this 37-acre property perfectly blends rustic luxury with a midcentury modern vibe.

Sitting with your morning coffee in an Adirondack chair overlooking the rugged Pacific Coast cliffs is the best way to start your day. It also helps that there are at least 10 award-winning wineries no more than a 45-minute drive from the property.

Rates at The Heritage House Resort & Spa start at $234 per night.

Hotel Theodore — Seattle

If open-concept coastal living with a dash of 1920s art deco design is your vibe, you'll find it at Hotel Theodore.

Soft distressed leather couches and black iron fixtures become even more welcoming when the natural light pours in from the lobby skylight. Rooms feature vintage touches with dark natural colors and bright white accents.

Rates at Hotel Theodore start at $276 per night.

The Lodge at St. Edward Park — Kenmore, Washington

Head to this Pacific Northwest property in Kenmore, Washington, if the coastal hotel of your dreams is one that's tucked among the trees, just beyond the water — in this case, it's in the lush 326-acre St. Edward State Park.

The Lodge at St. Edward Park features 84 rooms and suites that epitomize high-end coastal design but with a darker ambience compared to the bright whites and blues of traditional beachfront properties.

Rates at The Lodge at St. Edward Park start at $299 per night.

East Coast

Under Canvas Acadia — Surry, Maine

Under Canvas is a glamping company that has a deep partnership with Hyatt, which is great news for outdoor enthusiasts who also happen to be World of Hyatt loyalists. You'll be sleeping in a tent, but that's where the camping similarities end. At the Acadia property — open May through early October — you'll find king beds in each tent, a wood-burning stove to keep you warm and private bathrooms that take away any worries about sleeping outside. Families can book the Suite with Kids tent, which is a standard suite plus a connected private tent with two double beds for the kids.

The real draw to this property, however, is that you're just 35 minutes away from Acadia National Park. That puts the best of the park within easy reach: sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, miles of hiking through pink-granite peaks and spruce forest and a picturesque rugged coastline. And if you're there for the coastline, the camp sits on 100 acres with 1,200 feet of its own shoreline.

Rates at Under Canvas Acadia start at around $358 per night. It's bookable through World of Hyatt, but uses dynamic award pricing so rates will vary depending on season.

Related: First look: Under Canvas Yosemite delivers a luxury camping experience you can book with points

Aragosta at Goose Cove — Deer Isle, Maine

Attention foodies: Aragosta at Goose Cove is the dreamy coastal hotel for you.

The property is owned by James Beard semifinalist Devin Finigan and is set on a 21-acre waterfront property in Deer Isle, Maine. The kitchen is why people make the trek out (and do they ever — reservations fill up quickly), with a seasonal tasting menu that leans on the local catch and ingredients grown and foraged on the property. The menu is pricey at $150 to $200 per person, but well worth it for the experience. A la carte options are also available, including everything from lobster agnolotti to smoked mussel toast.

It's a great place to stay, too. The property comprises nine cottages tucked into the spruce woods, plus three suites right off the main lodge. Each is well-designed with a rustic Maine vibe, and hone in on the property's coastal Maine location. All of the suites have open to the main lodge's deck, and share an incredible waterfront view of Goose Cove.

Rates at Aragosta at Goose Cove start at $360 per night.

The Inn at Perry Cabin — St. Michaels, Maryland

The Inn at Perry Cabin is a waterfront property that trades the ocean surf for the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay. This colonial manor dates back to 1816 and blends early-American history with nautical charm. You'll find an on-site golf course, full-service spa and even a fleet of sailboats that you can rent for the day. There are three on-site restaurants, including Stars, which serves a quaint afternoon tea with views of the Miles River.

Most of the 78 guest rooms have private terraces overlooking the property's gardens or the Miles River, and are outfitted with classic American furnishings and dark accents. If you're bringing your pup, note that the property is dog-friendly but charges a $200 fee per stay.

Rates at The Inn at Perry Cabin start at $408 per night.

Andaz Miami — Miami Beach, Florida

Formerly the Confidante Miami Beach, Andaz Miami Beach is a newly renovated property just steps from the iconic South Beach. Rooms feel premium thanks to Andaz's signature modern-yet-classic design, featuring large beds, couches and balconies in most beach-facing rooms. Plus, you'll have your pick of restaurants, including the renowned Bazaar Meat by José Andrés and Bar Centro, which serves coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening.

The main draw? The beach. You're just steps away from the sand, and the hotel has a beach club where guests can reserve chairs and umbrellas, and indulge in food-and-beverage service right to their seat. Plus, you're just a short walk from Lummus Park, which anchors the Ocean Drive Art Deco district.

Rates at Andaz Miami Beach start at around $350 per night, or 20,000 World of Hyatt points as a Category 6 hotel.

Chatham Bars Inn — Chatham, Massachusetts

Sometimes, one simply wants to feel glamorous, and there's no better place to achieve that than at Chatham Bars Inn, a luxury property tucked along Cape Cod's Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

The rooms are pricey — usually in the high three digits to around $1,000 per night during peak season (with potential spikes to around $2,000) — but the service and ambience are legendary.

The spa features an adults-only pool, a Japanese Zen garden for outdoor treatments in cabanas, and other amenities like a sauna and steam room. For a more wellness-minded stay, guests can even book spa suites with private saunas and steam showers.

Other accommodations include ocean-view suites, guest rooms and cottages facing the Atlantic or lush gardens. Even in the offseason, a personal favorite is grabbing New England fare at the Veranda restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean — the lobster roll just tastes all the better with a view.

Rates at Chatham Bars Inn start at $480 per night.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

I highly recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) to a wide range of travelers. With solid earning rates, excellent travel protections and a lucrative welcome offer, there's plenty to like about this mid-tier card.

Speaking of that welcome offer: New Sapphire Preferred Card holders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Using TPG's July 2026 valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, this bonus is worth $2,050 — stellar value relative to the card's $95 annual fee. However, this highest-ever offer is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. EDT on July 30, so if you've been considering applying, now is the time to make sure you're eligible.

With such a high-value bonus on the line, you'll want to be sure that you're eligible to earn it.

Here's what you need to know about Chase's application rules and eligibility requirements for the Sapphire Preferred.

Who is eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred's welcome bonus?

Being approved for and earning the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred requires keeping a few key details in mind:

• You won't be approved if you currently have a Sapphire Preferred Card open.
• If you previously earned a bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, it's unlikely you'll be eligible to earn another.
• Chase may also consider factors such as your overall card history and the number of cards you've opened or closed recently.

Highest-ever offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points with the Sapphire Preferred Card. Apply now!

Being an authorized user on someone else's Sapphire Preferred account does not prevent you from applying for your own card and earning the welcome bonus, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.

As with any Chase credit card, a top consideration should be the issuer's 5/24 rule, which states that applicants who have opened five or more new credit cards in the past 24 months are likely to have their applications denied. An important note here is that Chase doesn't typically include business cards in its 5/24 calculation.

Holding another Sapphire card, such as the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), does not disqualify you from being approved for and earning the bonus on the Sapphire Preferred.

As long as you're under 5/24 and haven't previously earned the welcome bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, you're in a good position to qualify for the offer.

But remember, there are general eligibility requirements to consider. If you have a poor credit score or flaws in your credit profile, you may still be denied for the card.

Related: I thought I wasn't eligible for a second Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus — I got approved anyway

Can I hold both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve at the same time?

Yes. If you already have (or have had) the Sapphire Reserve, you're still eligible to add the Sapphire Preferred to your wallet — assuming you meet all the other application requirements.

Holding the Sapphire Reserve and having earned its welcome bonus does not prevent you from earning the Sapphire Preferred's welcome bonus, even though they're in the same card family.

Related: After more than 16 years, why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should still be your first rewards card

Bottom line

The Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point offer can unlock a trove of aspirational trips, whether you're seeking out a luxury all-inclusive vacation or multiple domestic flights across the U.S.

With the card's highest-ever 100,000-point welcome offer scheduled to end at 3 p.m. EDT on July 30, now is the time to make sure you're eligible. As long as you're under 5/24 and haven't previously earned the welcome bonus on the Sapphire Preferred, you should be in a good position to qualify — even if you hold its sibling, the Sapphire Reserve.

And remember, if you're an authorized user on another person's Sapphire Preferred account, you're generally still eligible to apply, assuming you satisfy Chase's other approval and bonus requirements.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

A trio of U.S. airports is getting set to outsource security screening to private contractors in the coming months.

Three airports — in Tampa, Des Moines, and Charleston, South Carolina — will be the first in the country to opt in to TSA Gold Plus, a program launched earlier this year by the Trump administration.

Under the setup, third-party companies would partner with the Transportation Security Administration at participating hubs to manage airport security checkpoints and the officers that work them.

Supporters say the move would help modernize and speed up airport security, as well as reduce the risk of long backups during government shutdowns.

But critics argue that expanding privatized security to more airports presents security risks.

Here's what to know about the changes and what they mean for air travel in the U.S.

What is TSA Gold+?

TSA Gold Plus is a new partnership program launched earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

It allows airports to voluntarily opt in to using private, third-party companies to manage security checkpoints instead of TSA officers employed by the federal government.

Those companies would also manage the technology that screens travelers and their bags.

The TSA says it would still be responsible for ensuring that all security checkpoints meet federal standards.

Which airports are participating?

The initial three airports joining the TSA's new program are:

• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Charleston International Airport (CHS) in South Carolina
• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa

Additional hubs may opt in. The TSA has received "a lot of interest from airports" considering the program, according to an administration official familiar with the matter.

Will the airport security experience change?

In theory, travelers shouldn't notice much difference in the security experience at those airports. TSA policies like the 3-1-1 liquids rules would likely still be in place, and the general setup would likely look a lot like what customers see today at checkpoints.

Is this good for travelers?

It depends on who you ask.

The TSA has touted the Gold Plus program as a way for airports to get their hands on the latest and best screening technology and to set up their security checkpoints to run more efficiently.

Plus, there's this: Because the officers working those checkpoints wouldn't technically be employed by the federal government, airports wouldn't be at risk for massive security backups during a government shutdown.

As federal workers, TSA officers go without pay when Congress can't reach a funding deal. This spring, the monthslong shutdown led to multi-hour delays at some hubs.

Tampa airport leaders pointed to both factors as reasons it joined the new TSA Gold Plus program.

"The change to privatization not only reduces disruption risk, but also allows greater flexibility in exploring new screening checkpoint infrastructure and technology to enhance the customer experience," the airport told TPG.

Don't some airports already use private security?

Yes.

At least 20 U.S. airports already have security screeners that technically work for third parties — not the TSA — through what the agency calls its Screening Partnership Program

The largest: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI).

Those airports were largely immune to long lines during the recent government shutdown.

The TSA's Gold Plus program would be an expansion of this setup. However, participating airports would not have only security personnel managed by private companies, but also the screening equipment.

What are the concerns with TSA Gold+?

The union representing TSA workers is raising alarm bells about the new program.

Relying on private security contractors "ignores lessons learned from the 9/11 attacks and other airline tragedies," the American Federation of Government Employees said this week.

The TSA was created nearly 25 years ago in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The government-run agency standardized airport security nationwide and replaced the patchwork of pre-9/11 security systems.

Some leaders also argue that private companies running airport security checkpoints could be motivated to cut costs — and corners — to boost profits.

"Private contractors answer to the bottom line," Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat from New Jersey, said last week at a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Private screeners at more US airports?

Critics also argue that this new program is part of a broader White House effort to expand the use of private airport security screeners. The Trump administration has proposed expanding the TSA's Screening Partnership Program to many of the nation's smaller airports.

Speaking at his confirmation hearing this month, David Cummins, the Trump administration's nominee for TSA administrator, said expanding that program to more U.S. airports "will leverage the resources of the private sector to make our nation's security more resilient to political theater."

TSA: We're still in charge

The TSA says it will maintain strict oversight at airports that opt in to private screening and that all current security standards will remain in place.

The agency would have to certify all technology used by screening partners, and would continue to have some TSA personnel on hand at those airports, a DHS official told TPG.

Should private screeners not meet security standards, the official said, the company could lose its contract with the federal government.

Bottom line

A growing number of airports are planning to partner with private companies for airport security screening.

How many airports will ultimately go in that direction? That remains to be seen — as does the impact on travelers.

But as the TSA nears its 25th anniversary, it's safe to say big changes are in the works for airport security.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• Which US airline is best? TPG's 2026 rankings
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
• Was the 'fast, free' Wi-Fi really slow on your flight, too? Here's what's going on

With more than 9,000 properties across 35-plus brands worldwide, Marriott Bonvoy offers plenty of ways to earn free hotel stays.

Right now, there are some high-value offers across the card portfolio. This includes two limited-time bonuses on the Marriott Chase cards — but these offers are ending soon. If you're considering adding a Marriott card to your wallet, now might be a good time to apply.

Below, we break down the current offers and help you decide which Marriott card might be worth it.

Comparison of Marriott credit card welcome offers

Marriott Bonvoy loyalists can choose from card options issued by American Express and Chase.

There are multiple personal options and one business card available, so be sure you're eligible for a business card if you decide to apply for it.

We've ordered the bonuses below from most bonus value to least:

*The bonus value is based on TPG's July 2026 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.

The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Marriott stays?

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is one of Chase's two mid-tier Bonvoy cards.

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: Offer ending soon: Earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027). (Certain hotels have resort fees.)

If you max out the free night award and earn the statement credits for airline purchases, this bonus is worth up to $1,500.

While this isn't the best offer we've seen in the card's history, it's still a solid bonus (if you can maximize it). So, now is a decent time to apply.

Earning rates: Cardholders earn:

• 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 17 points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 6 points from this card and 10% bonus points from the Silver elite status the card provides, which equates to a total 13.6% return on spending based on TPG's valuations)
• 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on dining and at gas stations and grocery stores
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: The Boundless gives you great Marriott perks without paying a high annual fee. With this card, you'll get automatic Bonvoy Silver Elite status and 15 elite qualifying nights every year. You'll also earn one elite night credit toward the next level of elite status for every $5,000 spent, and you can reach Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Perhaps the most valuable perk is the annual free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) at each account anniversary, though Marriott's lack of award charts could hinder your ability to use this benefit.

Fortunately, this free night award can be topped up with up to 25,000 points from your Bonvoy account for a total of 60,000 points per night. Certain hotels have resort fees.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is Marriott's only business card currently available to new applicants.

Annual fee: $125

Welcome offer: Earn up to 125,000 bonus points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 50,000 bonus points after spending an additional $3,000 ($9,000 total) on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

According to TPG's valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,000.

Earning rates: Cardmembers earn:

• 6 points per dollar spent on Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 18.5 total points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 6 points from this card and 25% bonus points from the Gold elite status the card provides, which equates to about a 14.8% return on spending based on TPG's valuations)
• 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and U.S. gas stations and on wireless telephone services from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: With this card, you'll get automatic Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and a 7% discount on eligible bookings made directly with Marriott through an eligible channel at participating properties with this card's rate.

The card also comes with 15 elite night credits annually (which can be stacked with a Marriott Bonvoy consumer card) and a free night award annually after your card renewal month (worth up to 35,000 points and can be topped up with up to 25,000 points from your Bonvoy account for a total of 60,000 points per night). In addition, you can earn a second free night (also worth up to 35,000 points) after $60,000 of purchases on your card in a calendar year. Certain hotels have resort fees.

Marriott's use of dynamic pricing may make it hard to use these awards. Still, you should be able to find a participating property that can cover your annual fee (and then some), as our data indicates that there's still a lot of value in the program.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is Marriott's top-tier card.

Annual fee: $650

Welcome offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 more on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership.

Based on TPG's valuations, this offer is worth up to $1,200.

This is better than the standard offer we typically see in the card's history, but we'd recommend waiting for a higher offer of at least 185,000 points.

Earning rates: Cardmembers earn:

• 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 21 total points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 6 points from this card and 50% bonus points from the Platinum elite status the card provides, which equates to a 16.8% return on spending based on TPG's valuations).
• 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

Why we like it: The card also has valuable perks, such as automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual free night award (worth up to 85,000 points; certain hotels have resort fees) after card renewal month, up to $300 per year (up to $25 in monthly statement credits) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, Priority Pass™ lounge access and 25 elite qualifying night credits per year. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Remember that Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so you may need to work harder to find a property where you can use your free nights. But you can top up free night awards with up to 25,000 points now, which allows you to book a night worth up to 110,000 points.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card is Bonvoy's mid-tier card from American Express. It has earnings, benefits and an annual fee that mirror the Bountiful.

Annual fee: $250

Welcome offer: Earn up to 135,000 bonus points: 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 more on purchases (for a total of $7,000) in the first six months of card membership.

This bonus is worth up to $1,080, per TPG's valuations.

This is better than the standard offer we see in the card's history, but we'd recommend waiting for a higher offer of at least 155,000 points.

Earning rates: Cardmembers earn:

• 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 18.5 points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 6 points from this card and 25% bonus points from the Gold elite status the card provides, which equates to a 14.8% return on spending based on TPG's valuations).
• 4 points per dollar spent on the first $15,000 per calendar year in combined purchases at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (then 2 points per dollar spent thereafter)
• 2 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

Why we like it: This card also offers mid-tier perks, including complimentary Gold Elite status, a solid earning rate at Marriott properties and elite night credits. However, it lacks several benefits that you might expect from a mid-tier card.

For example, you must spend $15,000 in a calendar year to earn a free night (worth up to 50,000 points; certain hotels have resort fees). Other Marriott cards with lower annual fees include a similar perk with no spending requirement, making this card tough to justify holding beyond earning the welcome offer in the first year.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Bevy.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful is the other mid-tier Bonvoy card from Chase.

Annual fee: $250

Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Based on TPG's valuations, this offer is worth $680.

This is typically the standard welcome offer we see in the card's history. Unless you absolutely need this card now, you're better off applying when the offer is higher.

Earning rates: Cardholders earn:

• 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 18.5 points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 6 points from this card and 25% bonus points from the Gold elite status the card provides, which equates to a 14.8% return on spending based on TPG's valuations)
• 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and grocery stores (on the first $15,000 per calendar year in combined purchases, then 2 points per dollar spent thereafter)
• 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: While American Express issues the Bevy, this card comes from Chase. The two cards have mostly the same benefits, meaning the perks that come with this card struggle to justify its $250 annual fee. However, the welcome bonus may be of interest to you.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card is Chase's entry-level card for Bonvoy enthusiasts.

Annual fee: $0

Welcome offer: Offer ending soon: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The bonus points are worth $480, according to TPG's valuations.

This is higher than the standard bonus we've seen in the card's history, so now is a solid time to apply if you've been considering the card.

Earning rates: Cardholders earn:

• 3 points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels (You'll earn up to 14 points per dollar spent on eligible Marriott stays: 10 points from being a Bonvoy member, 3 points from this card and 10% bonus points from the Silver elite status the card provides, which equates to an 11.2% return on spending based on TPG's valuations)
• 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and on ride-hailing services, select food delivery, select streaming, internet, cable and phone services
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: The card offers automatic Bonvoy Silver Elite status and five annual elite night credits. It also has no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, the Bold features Chase's Pay Yourself Back benefit in eligible quarters (up to $750 total in redemptions per year).

This is a solid set of perks for a card with no annual fee. However, frequent Marriott guests may do better with a card that offers more perks during each stay.

To learn more, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card

Can you apply for more than one Marriott card offer?

If multiple Marriott card offers intrigue you, you can indeed have more than one open Marriott card. Some TPG staffers have two or three.

It can make sense to leverage the annual anniversary award nights and to stack the 5 to 25 elite nights awarded by carrying both a personal and a small-business Marriott card.

However, with six total Marriott cards available for new applicants, there are several restrictions on who can earn the welcome offers across the available cards, especially since Marriott cards are issued by both Amex and Chase.

Note that these restrictions are all in addition to Chase's 5/24 rule (which applies to new applicants for the Bold, Boundless and Bountiful cards) and Amex's one-bonus-per-lifetime rule (which applies to the Bevy, Brilliant and Business cards).

Make sure you're eligible for these offers before applying.

Related: Here's how to calculate your Chase 5/24 standing

Bottom line

Marriott credit cards regularly rank among the best hotel credit cards thanks to the long-term value they can provide through perks like elite status and annual free night awards.

Right now, multiple Marriott Bonvoy cards are offering standout bonuses (and they are ending soon), so now is a great time to apply if you've been eyeing one.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy
Learn more: Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful review
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Bold

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, click here.

It's your last chance to score a deal on one of our favorite flight-tracking tools before the price goes up.

Roame.travel is a great tool for finding points and miles awards across dozens of loyalty programs. Roame.travel launched in March 2023 and quickly became a go-to for folks at TPG. It can not only track hard-to-find redemptions, but also makes recommendations on which bank or airline programs to use to book those awards. It even takes current transfer bonuses into account in its search results.

After trying it out for the past few months, I've put together this guide on how to use this compelling new tool in my award booking arsenal.

Until Aug. 16, Roame.travel is offering TPG readers 25% off the Friends of Roame Pro membership (with code "THEPOINTSGUY"). This brings the regular price down to $9.74 per month (from $12.99) or $82.49 per year (from $109.99).

Sign up for Roame.travel through this special offer here.

Roame.travel tells TPG that prices will be going up this fall, too, but "All active subscribers will be grandfathered in at the current full price for either monthly or annual plans, as long as the subscription stays active."

As a result, now might be a good time to jump on this deal.

How Roame.travel works

Like a typical search engine, the home screen will be familiar. You simply put the airport and the date you want to find an award for, and then hit the magnifying glass.

That pulls up a search of available redemptions. In my case, I searched for flights from New York to Paris this summer.

As you can see, Roame.travel returned a bunch of British Airways flights bookable via Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards.

In this case, Roame.travel is showing me the actual "live" inventory available to book.

While 45,000 points is a great deal, $1,018 in taxes and fees is way too much.

Fortunately, you can also toggle various buttons to hone in on exactly what you want. In this case, I would set the search bar to eliminate high taxes and fees.

By setting the maximum to $200 in taxes and fees, more reasonable redemptions appear.

These results were more interesting, but I didn't want to spend more than 100,000 points, so I used the "Points Max" button and set it to find results under 100,000. That's when I found a nice redemption using American Airlines AAdvantage miles for 97,500 in business class, with taxes and fees of only $5.

As you can see, there's also a big pink "Book" button. When you click that, it takes you directly to American Airlines to book. As you can see, the inventory was indeed available on American's website.

Roame.travel also shows you what programs transfer to American Airlines in case you don't have enough miles.

Here's another real-world example of a flight coming back to New York from Japan that Roame.travel found for me.

While 195,000 miles sounds like quite a lot, for Delta SkyMiles, that's not a terrible deal for Delta One from Tokyo's Haneda International Airport (HND) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and on to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in first class. Delta Air Lines currently wants $4,427 to book that same itinerary with cash. That's 2.27 cents per mile, well above TPG's July 2026 valuation of Delta SkyMiles of 1.2 cents per mile.

Roame.travel's 'SkyView'

There are lots of other things you can do with a Roame.travel Pro account, including setting alerts and using the "SkyView" tool, which lets you search up to 60 days and multiple airports at once.

I did the same Paris search, including the whole month of July and the first three weeks of August. Roame.travel found some really great values, including direct business-class fares to Paris for as few as 55,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points during the peak July summer travel season.

SkyView also lets you search wider zones, like the United States to Europe, if you want to find some real gems, so long as you're flexible with dates and destinations.

As you can see, widening my SkyView search allowed me to find Lufthansa business class from Boston to Munich for as few as 50,000 points or just 66,000 miles for a Delta flight from Boston to Barcelona in Delta One.

I also love the ability to set award alerts, which has allowed me to make some incredible bookings. As you can see here, I had an alert set up for award space from Cairo to New York.

Roame.travel emailed me dozens of times as it found awards for me.

Eventually, after it alerted me that space opened up on Swiss, I used Air Canada Aeroplan points. I was able to book Swiss business class from Cairo to Zurich, then on to New York, for just 85,000 Aeroplan points and $184 in taxes and fees.

I also have my phone number linked to Roame.travel, so I see award alerts directly via text if I'm not near my computer or checking email.

Related: The complete guide to searching award space on Roame.travel

Bottom line

Roame.travel is a user-friendly tool for finding award space that I find both easy to navigate and among the fastest search tools out there. For all those reasons, it's definitely worth considering the 25% off Roame.travel is currently offering to TPG readers with the code "THEPOINTSGUY" for a Pro membership. You'll need to act fast, though, since this special offer ends soon.

Roame has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2023, and it's getting better by the day, with more programs being integrated into its library.

It's also beta-testing a hotel award search tool, so stay tuned for once it's ready for primetime.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 6 of the best credit cards for travel purchases — beyond flights and hotels
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

The best-ever welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is ending July 30 at 9 a.m. EDT.

Our favorite beginner card currently offers 100,000 bonus Chase Ultimate Rewards points, earned after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is only the third time ever that the card has offered this bonus in its 17-year history.

With just a $95 annual fee, this is an incredibly rewarding offer.

Based on TPG's July 2026 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at 2.05 cents each, meaning 100,000 points are worth $2,050. It's the highest valuation of any credit card points and miles we cover in our valuations. This is because there are so many valuable ways to use them through transfer partners.

Just how confident are we of the value of Ultimate Rewards points and this welcome offer? TPG's points and miles experts have shared tips on how easy it is to redeem them for maximum value.

Last chance: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

If you've been on the fence about whether this truly is the welcome offer of the year, here are 10 ways you can get at least $2,050 in value from 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points.

Related: The 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Preferred offer is ending soon — 8 mistakes to avoid before you apply

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review: Still on top with new benefits and earning rates

Enjoy up to 7 nights of hotel accommodations

Despite the recent news that some Chase Sapphire Preferred holders now get a less favorable 4:3 Chase-to-Hyatt transfer ratio (instead of 1:1), World of Hyatt remains one of the best and easiest ways to get great value from Chase points.

Even with a 4:3 transfer ratio, you'll still get 75,000 Hyatt points from 100,000 Chase points.

Lead writer Katie Genter recommends doing just this, especially at some Category 1 Hyatt hotels, because this can get you a lot of nights. For example, you could redeem 22,500 points for a five-night stay next April at the Grand Hyatt Amman in Jordan that would otherwise cost $848.

You could use 24,000 more Hyatt points for a seven-night stay next February at the Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. If you booked a paid rate for this stay, it would cost $933.

Finally, you could use the remaining 28,500 points for a six-night stay next June at the Hyatt Place North Charleston in South Carolina. This stay is priced at $856.

So, across these three stays, your 100,000 Chase points would be worth $2,637, or 2.6 cents each.

Related: How to transfer Chase points to Hyatt: A step-by-step guide

Book round-trip flights to Hawaii for 2, plus accommodations

Credit cards writer Stephanie Stevens recommends transferring Chase points to both United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt for a getaway to Hawaii. Because she lives in Northern California, Hawaii is one of her favorite vacation destinations, as it's just a nonstop flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

She'd transfer 60,000 points to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio to book two round-trip economy award flights to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu when saver award space is available, then use the remaining 40,000 points for a two-night stay at a Hyatt property like the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach, where award nights can start at just 15,000 points.

During peak travel periods, when airfare and hotel rates are elevated, this redemption easily exceeds TPG's 2.05-cents-per-point valuation.

Related: What is the best island to visit in Hawaii?

Fly lie-flat business class to Japan

Dreaming of Japan? Clint Henderson, TPG's principal spokesperson, recommends transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to United Airlines' MileagePlus program at a 1:1 ratio and flying business class to Japan.

He found one-way awards from 85,000 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees, compared with cash fares of around $2,160, for an impressive 2.53 cents per Chase point. You get Polaris Lounge access with a shower suite before you board the flight, and then on board, you'll enjoy a lie-flat bed with direct aisle access and a la carte dining.

Then there is Japan itself. Cherry blossoms in Kyoto, street food after dark in Osaka, waist-deep powder snow in Hokkaido, hot spring towns an easy train ride from Tokyo ... you really can't go wrong, no matter where you choose to spend your time.

Related: United's new Polaris Studios are finally here: First look at the airline's swankiest plane yet

Treat yourself to a cherry blossom getaway

Whether you want to see Japan's world-renowned blooms or ones closer to home, the Chase Sapphire Preferred's elevated welcome bonus can make that dream a reality.

If Japan's cherry blossoms are calling, consider staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, where you'll find new "Top" Category 8 redemption rates of 75,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

That's a lot of points for one night. Thankfully, New York is also an iconic place to take in spring blooms.

Lyndsey Matthews, TPG's managing editor of points and loyalty programs, recommends the Park Hyatt New York, which is just a short walk from Central Park and has quite a few "Low" redemption rates during the same time.

For a two-night weekend stay in mid-April 2027, you'd have to pay $3,620, including taxes, for an entry-level king room. In points, it's just 45,000 per night for a total of 90,000 points for the same two-night stay.

At a 4:3 transfer ratio from Chase to World of Hyatt, you'll need 120,000 Chase points to make this redemption, giving you a 3-cents-per-point value on this redemption, comfortably above TPG's 2.05 cents valuation.

While 120,000 Chase points is higher than the 100,000-point welcome bonus, remember that you'll earn at least 5,000 additional Chase points by spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, because so many of the card's spending categories award more than 1 point per dollar spent, it's easy to grow your Ultimate Rewards points balance quickly.

Related: The 11 best places to see cherry blossoms across the US this spring

Pamper yourself with a relaxing all-inclusive getaway

Lyndsey has also had Miraval Berkshires on her list of dream redemptions. The all-inclusive resort is part of World of Hyatt, so you can transfer Chase points to World of Hyatt and have everything covered, including all meals and nonalcoholic beverages, a nightly resort credit per person and a vast lineup of complimentary wellness classes and resort amenities.

Weekends are already sold out during the fall foliage season, but if you book a midweek stay for two the first week of October, you can redeem 70,000 Hyatt points per night for a Dreamcatcher King room instead of paying $4,279.

If you transfer at the 4:3 ratio from Chase to Hyatt, you'd need to transfer 94,000 Chase points, which gives you an incredible 4.5 cents per Chase point redemption value.

Related: The 14 best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world

Book round-trip flights in business class to Spain

If you want the cheapest lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, I recommend transferring your Chase points to Iberia Club at a 1:1 ratio and flying to Spain.

Off-peak business-class awards between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) or Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) cost 81,000 Avios round-trip, plus around $330 in taxes, fees and surcharges.

Most airline programs charge at least 60,000 miles for a one-way business-class award to Europe (many charge twice that), making Iberia's rate excellent. It means the welcome bonus from the Chase Sapphire Preferred alone could cover a round-trip lie-flat seat with points to spare.

Given Iberia's typical round-trip business-class fare starts at $2,500, that works out to about 2.7 cents per Chase point after accounting for taxes, fees and surcharges.

Related: How to transfer Chase points to Iberia Club

Fly business class to Europe

If Spain isn't on your radar, you don't fly from a U.S. gateway that Iberia operates from or perhaps you can't find the cheapest Iberia availability, I've also transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Air Canada's Aeroplan program at a 1:1 ratio many times to book business class across the Atlantic and consider it a terrific way to arrive rested.

I've found plenty of one-way business-class awards from 60,000 points plus 39 Canadian dollars (about $27) for the partner booking fee and minimal taxes from the Northeast to most of Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Germany. Such a redemption has a cash value of more than 2.05 cents per point, given that cash rates are many thousands of dollars each way.

This Air Canada Aeroplan redemption covers a wide network of Star Alliance carriers — Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Brussels Airlines and LOT Polish Airlines, among others — so you'll settle into a lie-flat seat for the overnight journey and land refreshed rather than red-eye bleary.

Related: Decisions, decisions: Choosing the best Lufthansa Allegris business-class seat

Make your way Down Under in premium economy

Flying to Australia is a bucket-list vacation for many points and miles collectors. It's a long journey across the Pacific, so why not treat yourself to some extra comfort?

I found plenty of one-way United Premium Plus (premium economy) seats from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and SFO to Sydney Airport (SYD) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Australia for 70,000 United MileagePlus miles, transferred at a 1:1 ratio from Chase Ultimate Rewards, plus about $35 in taxes and fees.

Cash fares on those routes start at around $2,100 one-way. After taxes, that works out to enjoying almost 3 cents per Chase point in value, an amazing way to use the welcome bonus from the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Premium Plus gets you a wider seat with far more recline than a standard economy seat, plus a footrest and better food and bedding on a flight that runs close to 15 hours.

Related: Is United Airlines premium economy worth it to Europe?

Fly round-trip to Bali on one of the world's best airlines

Singapore Airlines is one of the world's most awarded carriers, known for its incredible onboard service and for operating a hub at one of the world's best airports, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), which is more like a luxury shopping mall than a place to catch a flight.

Principal contributor Eric Rosen found plenty of economy awards on United Airlines and Singapore Airlines between the U.S. and both Singapore and Bali, Indonesia, for those looking for a rainforest yoga retreat or relaxing beach trip. And, even better, you have a choice of two great transfer partners.

There are round-trip economy awards on United that require just 88,000 MileagePlus miles. Or, you can redeem 88,000 to 97,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles (another 1:1 Chase transfer partner) plus minimal taxes and fees for a round-trip booking in economy; the exact rate depends on whether you're departing the East or West Coast and heading to Singapore or onward to Bali.

Tickets like this can cost upward of $2,500 in the coming months, depending on the dates and carrier, making them an excellent way to get increased value from your Chase points.

Related: How to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Singapore KrisFlyer

Enjoy Qatar Airways' Qsuite to paradise

Prefer lie-flat comfort for a long-haul flight? How about Qatar Airways' Qsuite business class, which has won numerous TPG awards as the world's best business-class product?

Eric recommends booking a one-way ticket between the U.S. and the Maldives on Qatar Airways' much-lauded Qsuite business class via British Airways Club, a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards, for 85,000 Avios and $320.70 in taxes and fees.

That's nearly 20 hours of luxuriating in these fancy suites with closing doors, on-demand dining and high-end amenities. You'd save around $5,300 by redeeming your Chase points for this flight, giving them a value of more than 6 cents each.

Related: Where is the Maldives, and is the long journey worth it?

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point welcome offer has appeared just three times in the card's 17-year history, and Chase has confirmed this one is ending very soon.

From award-winning business-class flights to the Maldives and round-trip comfort to Spain to luxury all-inclusive resort stays, there are so many ways to get at least $2,050 in value from one low-annual-fee card's welcome bonus.

This incredible offer ends July 30 at 9 a.m. EDT, so if you've ever wanted to maximize your travel, don't miss out.

Limited-time offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The main requirement of a great beach town is, obviously, proximity to a great beach. But even though there are thousands of beautiful seaside towns across the country, not all of them make for an ideal weekend escape — whether due to inconvenience, lack of charm or some other factor.

So we've taken the guesswork out of the planning equation for you, and rounded up a list of U.S. towns that are relatively close to cities and airports, have plenty of activities and, of course, offer easy access to a beautiful beach (or two or three).

Related: 7 great family beach vacations to kick off summer

Ogunquit, Maine

Lighthouses, lobster shacks, rocky coves, quaint houses — everything that comes to mind when you imagine Maine, you can find in Ogunquit. Main Beach and Footbridge Beach are the most convenient beach options from town, but you can also head a bit farther out to Wells Beach or Drakes Island Beach for a day in the sun. Don't leave Ogunquit without strolling scenic Marginal Way, eating dinner in Perkins Cove and checking out the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

The town is a popular summer destination, so expect crowds or plan to visit during the calmer shoulder season. It's just over an hourlong drive from Boston, and there are plenty of train and bus options. It's also about 45 mins from Portland International Jetport (PWM), which offers flights from many destinations across the U.S.

Related: How to save thousands on a luxe weekend getaway to Maine's coastal towns using points

Encinitas, California

No U.S. beach town list would be complete without a California destination. In a state famous for its picturesque Pacific coastline, it's impossible to choose the best beach town. But for an easy weekend getaway with plenty of things to do, you can't go wrong with Encinitas. About 30 minutes from downtown San Diego and about two hours from Los Angeles (you can even take the Amtrak there), this town is home to the San Diego Botanic Garden and stellar hiking spots like San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Annie's Canyon Trail, as well as a smattering of art galleries, clothing stores, breweries and farmers markets.

The best beaches for lounging include Moonlight and Swami's, while the best for surfing are Grandview and Beacon's. And of course, you'll find all the taco stands, surf shops and palm tree-lined streets that you'd expect from Southern California.

Related: The best hotels in San Diego

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

While the Outer Banks beaches are well-known for their beauty, they sit more than three hours from most of North Carolina's major cities (and that's not even factoring in summer traffic). Wrightsville Beach, on the other hand, is just about a two-hour drive from Raleigh and Durham and near a small regional airport. In addition to its clean and expansive beaches, the town boasts great surf conditions, seafood restaurants, bars, cafes, watersports equipment rental shops and a vibrant college-town energy.

You can top off your weekend getaway with a scenic bike ride along The Loop or a sunset boat ride. The beauty and convenience of Wrightsville (and nearby Wilmington) have even attracted Hollywood producers, so fans of shows like "One Tree Hill" and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" might recognize some of the filming locations.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

As you drive through Cape Cod, you'll pass historic Sandwich, commercialized Hyannis, upscale Chatham and plenty of other seaside towns. But for the perfect combination of stunning natural coastline and fun activities, drive all the way to the end of the cape: Provincetown.

This beach town is colorful, lively, easy to reach and famous as an LGBTQ+ vacation destination. In less than a two-hour ferry ride or a three-hour drive from Boston, you can shop along Provincetown's Commercial Street, pop into art galleries, sample fresh seafood, attend a comedy or drag show, head out on a whale watch, or admire the dramatic sand dunes of Race Point Beach at the very tip of the cape.

Related: Hyatt expands to Provincetown on Cape Cod (kind of)

Destin, Florida

Florida is basically synonymous with beaches, and there are seemingly endless weekend getaway options. But the panhandle beach towns along Scenic Highway 30A are definitely worth a quick trip. Specifically, Destin offers white sand, turquoise water, beachfront bars and restaurants, shops, watersports, deep sea fishing tours, sunset cruises and more.

The beach town is drivable from parts of Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana, and there's also nearby Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). JetBlue recently launched direct service to VPS from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), making Destin convenient even from the greater New York City area.

Related: JetBlue TrueBlue program: Earn and redeem points, transfer partners and more

Cannon Beach, Oregon

One of the most photographed destinations on the Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks, upscale accommodations and miles of scenic shoreline. While you're in town, head just north to explore the forested trails and sweeping ocean viewpoints in Ecola State Park, book a whale-watching excursion or end the day with a bonfire on the beach. Beyond its natural beauty, Cannon Beach is also home to a thriving arts community, with dozens of galleries, studios and annual festivals showcasing local artists.

Less than two hours from Portland International Airport (PDX), Cannon Beach is an easy weekend getaway. If you're looking to escape some of the crowds, though, drive about 20 minutes south to Manzanita, a quieter beach town with charming cafes, independent shops, art galleries and wide stretches of sandy shoreline.

Saugatuck, Michigan

A town doesn't have to be beside the ocean to be a beach town, and no place proves that point more than Saugatuck. Walkable, charming, artistic and family-friendly, Saugatuck sits on the shores of Lake Michigan, about two hours from Chicago and three hours from Detroit. Visitors can satisfy virtually any craving at the ice cream shops, breweries, diners and cafes of downtown. There's also a plethora of resorts and boutique hotels to choose from (including some points-friendly options).

Once you've spent enough time sunbathing and swimming at renowned Oval Beach, you can hike the sand dunes, go for a dune buggy ride, taste wine at a nearby vineyard or check out the art exhibitions downtown.

Related: 10 points hotels to book near major cities for an easy, last-minute summer getaway

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Delaware is small but mighty when it comes to beach options, and Rehoboth Beach is probably its best. This beach town attracts sun-seekers from Philadelphia (about two hours away), as well as Baltimore and Washington, D.C. (each about 2 1/2 hours away). Family-friendly, LGBTQ+-friendly, nature-centric and food-forward, you will find something to enjoy in Rehoboth no matter who you are.

Some of the best things to do in Rehoboth include strolling the boardwalk, visiting Funland amusement park, relaxing at Cape Henlopen State Park and browsing the shops at Penny Lane Mall.

Related: The best coastal hotels to visit during your next seaside getaway

I'm a huge Hyatt fan, so I'm always advocating for points and miles fans to take a close look at its loyalty program if they haven't already. Within the World of Hyatt program, Chase currently offers two credit cards to help Hyatt enthusiasts boost their rewards balance and add a little flair to their stays.

One of these cards, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees), targets small businesses and sole proprietors. It sits in the mid-tier level of credit card annual fees at $199 per year.

While I'm a big fan of Hyatt's personal card, the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees), the World of Hyatt Business can be a good option if you're a high-spending business owner or find appeal in its bonus categories. Card rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

World of Hyatt Business card: The basics

One of the World of Hyatt Business' main appeals is its wide variety of earning categories. I'll cover those in more detail later, but some highlights are earning up to 9 points per dollar spent with Hyatt and 2 points per dollar spent in your top three categories each quarter (including shipping, airline tickets purchased directly with the airline, and social media and search engine advertising).

I don't recommend making purchases with this card (unless it's with Hyatt) if you have a transferable rewards card that earns the same or more in one of this card's categories. That's because transferable rewards are, generally, more valuable than Hyatt points.

That said, if you prefer to use a single card for most business spending or need to earn a lot of Hyatt points for a specific redemption, the World of Hyatt Business may appeal to you because of the breadth of its categories.

Additionally, you'll get perks like automatic Discoverist status, up to $50 in statement credits for Hyatt purchases twice each year and five tier qualifying nights toward status for every $10,000 you spend on your card. You can also gift Discoverist status to up to five of your employees.

The final thing to note about this card is that you'll receive 10% of your redeemed points back for the remainder of the year if you spend $50,000 (on up to 200,000 points redeemed). This threshold will likely be out of reach for many sole proprietors, but high-earning small businesses with frequent travel can maximize this benefit.

World of Hyatt Business credit card pros and cons

World of Hyatt Business benefits

If your business can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars in a year, the World of Hyatt Business offers a strong set of perks. The five elite qualifying nights you can earn per $10,000 in spending will do a lot to boost your status.

Reaching Explorist status — the next tier beyond Hyatt Discoverist — requires 30 qualifying nights. While reaching 30 elite nights through spending alone would require making at least $60,000 in purchases with this card, each night you stay with Hyatt in a year counts toward elite status, reducing the amount of spending you'd need to do.

All that said, if you aren't a business owner who can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars in a year on a card, you may struggle to get tangible value out of the World of Hyatt Business.

This card doesn't offer any award night certificates, which is one of the main issues some cardholders will face when trying to determine how they'll get outsize value for the card's annual fee.

You can also get Discoverist status with the more affordable World of Hyatt Credit Card, which is worth keeping in mind if you aren't committed exclusively to business cards.

How to earn and use your rewards

The World of Hyatt Business earns Hyatt points. Its earning rates are as follows:

Since transferable rewards can usually provide the most value, I recommend putting most of your non-Hyatt expenses on another card if you have one. This card earns well on Hyatt purchases, but I'd like to see the earning rate a few points higher per dollar spent elsewhere.

The best way to use your Hyatt points is for hotel stays. According to TPG's July 2026 valuations, Hyatt points are one of the most valuable hotel rewards currencies at 1.6 cents per point.

TPG content strategist Gabby Bernardini redeemed 12,000 points for a one-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay for a Chris Stapleton concert. The night would've cost $463 if she'd paid in cash, meaning she received nearly 4 cents per point in value.

For a more luxurious experience, TPG engineering manager Mary Kate Carragher redeemed 180,000 points for a four-night stay at the top-tier Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol in Mexico. Cash rates at this property often exceed $1,000 per night, so this is a great example of using points to fund a trip you may not otherwise have been able to afford with cash.

Where the World of Hyatt Business falls short

The World of Hyatt Business card can be a strong card for high-spending businesses, but outside of that demographic, it's hard to get a lot of value from its $199 annual fee.

I'd like to see a free night award each account anniversary, with the possibility to earn another after a certain amount of spending. That would go a long way toward recouping what you spend on this card's annual fee.

World of Hyatt Business card vs. World of Hyatt card

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, Chase currently issues two Hyatt cards. The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a higher value proposition for a lower $95 annual fee.

To start, you'll still get the same automatic Discoverist status and earning rate on Hyatt purchases as you would with the World of Hyatt Business card.

And the personal card one-ups the business card by offering a free night certificate every account anniversary, making it very easy to get outsize value.

Unless your business can take advantage of the spending-related benefits on the World of Hyatt Business or you're only interested in opening business cards, I strongly recommend the personal card instead.

Of course, if you're a committed Hyatt loyalist, it may make sense to hold both the personal and business Hyatt cards to maximize the number of tier qualifying nights you can earn.

Related: World of Hyatt card vs. World of Hyatt Business card: 2 valuable hotel earners

When to apply for the World of Hyatt Business

New World of Hyatt Business cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $7,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG's valuations, this bonus is worth $1,120.

Keep Chase's 5/24 rule in mind before sending in your application, as well as the issuer's other application restrictions.

Other cards to consider instead of the World of Hyatt Business

The World of Hyatt Business may not be the right card for a lot of businesses, so here are some alternatives to consider:

• If you want to earn flexible rewards that can be transferred to Hyatt: The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) earns highly on hotel bookings (either 8 points per dollar spent on hotels booked through Chase Travel℠ or 4 points per dollar spent on hotels booked directly). These points can be transferred to one of Chase's 14 partners, including Hyatt. To learn more, check out our full review of the Sapphire Reserve for Business.
• If you want an affordable business card that earns points you can transfer to Hyatt: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) earns bonus points in key business categories for a reasonable $95 annual fee. These points can be transferred to Chase's loyalty partners, including Hyatt. To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.
• If you aren't loyal to Hyatt: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $195 (see rates and fees), but it offers a solid value proposition for most small businesses. As long as you stay with Hilton at least once per quarter, it's very easy to get outsize value from this card. To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Business Amex.

For additional options, check out our picks for the best business cards and the best hotel cards.

Bottom line

The World of Hyatt Business might not have the right value proposition for many small-business owners, but it can be a powerful tool for high-spending businesses.

If you're able to spend $50,000 in a year on this card, you'll receive 10% of your redeemed points back for the rest of the year (on up to 200,000 points redeemed). If your business stays with Hyatt frequently and expects to use a lot of points on those stays, this card can certainly boost your points and miles strategy.

You'll also receive 25 tier qualifying nights with that amount of spending, putting you just five elite nights short of mid-tier Hyatt Explorist status. Of course, I always recommend keeping the consumer World of Hyatt Credit Card on your radar, too.

Apply here: World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Amex, click here.