Since we launched this newsletter a few months ago, we’ve seen thousands of business owners from all sorts of industries join our little community here — and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Thank you for helping us grow, and we hope we can do the same for your smart-travel game.
And while we have no shortage of great tips, insights and stories to share with you, we’re going to take a little break for the rest of the year.
This will be our last edition of the Business Brief for 2025, but we’ll be back in your inbox on January 13, 2026.
Here’s wishing you clear skies, full reward balances and open seats in the lounge, wherever and whenever you travel in the coming year!
Today we’re talking about:
✈️ The best airport lounge networks, ranked
💳 Why now is the best time of year to get a premium card
💰 The unique bonus categories built for businesses (and the cards that offer them)
AIRPORT LOUNGES
The best airport lounge network is ...
For many travelers, the airport lounge has gone from a nice-to-have perk to an essential part of the journey. A quiet place to sit, reliable Wi-Fi, decent food and a break from the terminal crowds can make the difference between a stressful travel day and a smooth one. But not all lounge networks are created equal — and travelers are noticing.
J.D. Power last week released its first-ever U.S. airport lounge benchmark study, ranking which lounge networks customers see as the best. The report measures everything from cleanliness and comfort to staff, amenities and overall atmosphere.
Lounges hosted by credit card companies for premium cardholders make up three of the top four networks in this year’s ranking.
Here are some other interesting tidbits:
82% of those surveyed choose a specific airline based on lounge access.
About half (47%) plan their routes based on their lounge access.
More than a third of customers visit the lounge to escape the high cost of food and beverage in the terminal.
Guests who spent more than two hours in a lounge reported higher satisfaction levels than those with shorter stays. (I guess they were lucky enough to get a seat, am I right?)
While they don’t reveal any insights on the pesky issue of overcrowding, these rankings do offer a useful snapshot of where the lounge experience is heading.
Want to know more? Check out these articles and guides.
But another big reason is there are lots of opportunities to double-dip on benefits. Many benefits reset with the calendar year, making it possible to use statement credits twice in a relatively short window.
Plus, many cards are loaded with promotional offers on holiday purchases or travel, which can stack with your statement credits and earning benefits.
The unique bonus categories built for businesses (and the cards that offer them)
If you think earning rewards is just about flights, hotels and dining out, you may be leaving serious value on the table — especially if you run a business.
While personal rewards cards tend to focus on everyday consumer spending, business-focused cards are built for an entirely different reality: large, recurring expenses in niche spending categories.
From software subscriptions and shipping costs to advertising spend, utilities, and even construction materials, many of your business’s biggest line items can now earn elevated rewards. In some cases, these categories are so specific and generous that they turn routine operating costs into a powerful long-term points strategy.
Delta came through after I reported my work computer lost. I had it back in my possession within hours. Here's what to do when you lose an item on a plane.
American Airlines next week will become the first U.S. airline to offer service on Airbus' new long-range aircraft: the Airbus A321XLR, featuring the carrier's Flagship Suites.
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The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
