Asked at an investor conference on Thursday about the carrier’s plans in the Windy City, Chief Financial Officer Devon May emphasized Chicago’s importance to American. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) was — and is — its third-largest hub, he said repeatedly.

Up until 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic, the carrier operated some 500 daily departures out of the Midwest airport.

“This year, we’re growing back Chicago,” May said. “We have a huge customer base there… [and] we feel really good about the growth opportunities.”

American recently unveiled seven new or returning routes from Chicago O’Hare, including to Curacao International Airport (CUR), Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) in Virginia, and St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). That’s on top of long-haul additions this summer like Naples International Airport (NAP) in Italy.

The airline will operate an average of 468 daily departures from O’Hare in June, July and August, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

A longtime hub

American has long boasted a hub at O’Hare. Since the early 1980s, it has competed fiercely with hometown United Airlines for dominance at the airport — and the city — including playing a prominent role in the iconic Chicago holiday movie, Home Alone.

But recent months have seen the airline’s executives be especially vocal about the its Chicago presence; it was a prominent topic on the carrier’s most recent earnings call.

Prior to the pandemic, American was focused on growing three hubs, none of which were O’Hare.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — remember “DFW 900” and “Charlotte 700 plus“? — and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) were, as executives said at the time, the airline’s most profitable bases. Growth in those cities would benefit the entire airline more than adding flights elsewhere, the thinking went.

Rarely did American executives mention Chicago in those pre-pandemic days.

Fighting back

Now, though, American faces a physical threat at O’Hare. It could lose up to six gates later this year under the terms of an agreement it signed with the Chicago Department of Aviation in 2018. That agreement, which United also signed, distributes gates based primarily on departures during the prior year.

That means American’s gate count at O’Hare in 2026 could be set by its schedule in 2024. Cirium schedules show it flew an average of 349 daily departures last year, and 388 departures during the peak summer months of June, July and August.

For comparison, United flew an average of 481 daily departures from O’Hare in 2024, and 496 departures during the summer months of June, July and August, Cirium data shows.

United, which stands to gain gates at O’Hare next year, has advertised around the city that it is “Chicago’s #1 Airline” and offered MileagePlus status matches to other carriers’ frequent flyers.

Read more: American Airlines punches back in Chicago, in ‘fourth inning’ of O’Hare rebuild

May on Thursday said American’s recovery at O’Hare was hindered by the pilot shortage that slowed the recovery of its regional partners after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It came later than we would have liked,” he said of rebuilding American’s O’Hare hub.

While May declined to comment specifically on the gate allocation process, he did say American plans to “fully utilize” its “assets” — or gates — at O’Hare and grow there in the future.

American has sued to stop Chicago from redistributing gates at O’Hare later this year. The case is pending.

Related reading:

• Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
• What is American Airlines elite status worth?
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines

Castaway Cay was actually a first of its kind in some ways, as it did not require a tender to reach the island, unlike the way some other cruise lines’ islands operated at the time. Instead, the ship could pull right up to the dock, and the day of fun in the sun could begin for cruisers.

For a couple of decades, Castaway Cay was the only Disney Cruise Line private island destination for those who chose to sail with Mickey and friends.

However, the line entered an expansion era in 2022 when Disney Wish joined the original fleet of four ships. This phase of growth will culminate in 2033 when the line expects to sail a total of 13 ships (more than three times the number it had in early 2022).

With the rapid growth in ships and passengers has come the addition of a second private island destination in the Bahamas, Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which opened in 2024.

Get the free planning help of a Disney vacation planner via TPG’s partner, Mouse Counselors.

Unlike Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point isn’t an entirely private island, as it sits at the southernmost tip of the populated Bahamian island of Eleuthera (about 70 miles east of Nassau). But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it means it is a cool and differentiated offering from Castaway Cay.

Some Disney cruises, like the four-night sailing I recently took on Disney Fantasy, hit the itinerary jackpot by going to both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. But many times, you may be on a ship that either goes to one island destination or the other.

If you have to choose between Disney’s Castaway Cay and Disney’s Lookout Cay, here’s how these islands compare so you can select the best match for your family.

Please note that I’ve never been on a Disney cruise without my family, so I’m not at all qualified to compare the islands’ adult spaces (yet). Instead, we are going to keep this head-to-head ranking focused on the family areas and activities on these islands rather than the adult-only ones.

Related: 12 ways to save money on a Disney cruise 

Best beach

This is where I give you the good or bad news about this comparison of Disney’s two island destinations. Much of which one is “better” is subjective, even when you break it into categories. So, I will give you my take and my reasons, but you might come to the opposite conclusion than I did, which is great, as the whole point is helping you determine which one you’ll enjoy the most.

Disney’s Castaway Cay has excellent postcard-worthy beaches, and the family beach has the added benefit of being sheltered by a rocky breakwater. This means the water is usually very calm, making it a great match for families.

There are lifeguards, free beach chairs with and without umbrellas and some shade under mature trees.

However, if you want a good seat close to the water or with some shade at Castaway, you often need to either get off the ship pretty early or wait until after lunch when more families start to head back to the ship.

Meanwhile, at Lookout Cay, that general advice is still true if you want a seat on the main strip of beach. However, at Lookout Cay, you have even more options.

First, there are additional chairs in a secondary section behind a dune, not quite as close to the beach. But perhaps more importantly to me, if you simply walk a little bit farther down toward the island’s tip, you can find plenty of space that isn’t crowded, even during the busiest time of the day.

There are chairs you can bring down to that uncrowded section of the beach, making it a pretty fantastic setup. This is also open water in the sense that you will get some waves that you don’t get when at Castaway. Whether or not you like that will likely depend on the ages of your kids and their swimming abilities, but we loved it.

Last but not least, Lookout Cay’s pink-hued sand adds an extra-special beach experience.

My personal preference is the beach at Lookout Cay. However, I’m calling it a tie because the water in the family beach section is not as calm as at Castaway Cay, thanks to the latter’s breakwater rocks. The less crowded part of the beach at Lookout Cay is also away from the lifeguards, and there aren’t shade-providing trees on the beach, so it won’t be the best match for all families.

Winner: Tie depending on preferences

Best food

Of course, food is also very subjective. However, I do have a clear favorite in this battle of the Disney islands, so this one will not end as a tie in my book.

On Castaway Cay, lunch is included at Cookies and Cookies Too, which are essentially the same except they are located at different parts of the island. On the buffet menu at both, you’ll find options such as ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, cornbread, corn on the cob, chips, cookies, pulled pork, fruit, potato salad and beans.

I do enjoy the easy lunch with crowd-pleasing favorites at Cookies and Cookies Too. The line is structured with multiple buffet stations that are all the same, so it usually moves quickly and rarely has you waiting out in the sun in line for long. Not to mention, everyone is able to find something they like well enough to fill them up.

But while I like the included food on Castaway Cay well enough for a day on the island, I enjoyed what is available and included at Lookout Cay even better.

The food on Castaway gives the vibe of a Fourth of July barbecue picnic, but at Lookout Cay, the island’s True-True BBQ and True-True BBQ Too lean into its tropical location a bit more with options such as plantains, ginger-marinated snapper and seafood jambalaya. Despite liking the American staples on Castaway as much as the next person, I know I can get a fair number of those fan favorites on board the ship pretty much every day of the cruise, so it’s fun to mix it up more while on land.

But don’t worry if island-inspired food sounds like your kid’s worst nightmare. There are still cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries and macaroni and cheese, among other kid-approved classics, on Lookout Cay.

The variety of menu options at Lookout Cay does lead to slightly longer lines, in my experience, as the sections of the buffet are different. This is great for choice, but it does mean a potentially longer wait (sometimes in the sun) to make your selections. I’ll also add that we had a bit more trouble getting a table for lunch at Lookout Cay than we did on Castaway, so be strategic about getting somewhere to sit or eating at slightly off-peak times.

But with a greater variety of more island-inspired choices and what I’d also describe as a wider selection of tried-and-true kid favorites (like the addition of fries and macaroni … don’t judge), the lunchtime trophy from me goes to Lookout Cay.

Winner: Lookout Cay

Best for ease of use

Both Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay are easy-to-access islands in that no tendering is required. (For those not familiar, tendering involves leaving your big ship on a smaller boat to reach the land.)

On Castaway, once you step off the ship at the dock, you are just a two- or three-minute walk from the tram that takes you to the different parts of the island. However, if you wanted to skip the tram, it isn’t that far of a walk to the nearest of the two family-friendly beach areas, so you could get your steps in and be at the beach within a few minutes.

On my last trip to Castaway, I got off the ship to do the at-your-own-pace 5K in the morning, went back to the ship to get my kids up for breakfast and then we all went back onto the island together later that morning. The on-and-off-and-on-again situation didn’t feel like a big deal due to the proximity of everything on Castaway.

Lookout Cay is a different story.

To protect the sea floor life and not have to dredge in order for the ship to be able to pull up closer to the land, Disney constructed a lengthy pier from where the ship docks to the island. It really does look a bit worse than it is, but my Apple Watch clocked the walk from the ship to the tram stop on Lookout Cay at about 0.6 miles each way. That’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it does discourage hopping on and off the ship too much in one day. And in inclement weather, it wouldn’t necessarily be a very pleasant part of the journey.

There are little red wagons for young kids to be pulled in, and those with mobility issues can request a golf cart ride, if needed. But the majority of guests will get about 1.2 miles worth of steps in full sun just walking from the ship to the island and back.

Then, once you are at the tram stop and loaded on the tram, it’s still a five- to 10-minute ride to the main beach area that Disney uses.

All this to say, while both islands are very easy to get off the ship and enjoy compared to visiting most other islands outside the “Disney bubble,” there’s no question that getting straight to the fun at Castaway Cay is a little easier than at Lookout Cay.

Winner: Castaway Cay

Best included amenities

Do you like a waterslide into the ocean? What about a large kids splash area with waterslides that don’t drop you into the ocean? How about a “free” 5K with a medal?

Do your kids want to head to an island kids club (with a shaded splash area) just for them? Do your teens want a hideout area where little kids and adults aren’t allowed? What about a nature trail?

Well, you are in luck, depending on which of Disney’s island destinations you choose.

Here are some highlights of the included amenities on Disney’s Castaway Cay:

• Pelican Plunge: This is an in-water play structure located in the cove. It has two waterslides that shoot you into the water.
• Spring-a-leak: This is a small, covered splash area for younger cruisers to play.
• Snorkeling Lagoon: There are some Disney-themed surprises underneath the water here (snorkeling in the lagoon is free if you have your own equipment; otherwise, there is a small fee to rent snorkeling equipment).
• Castaway Cay 5K: This is a free, untimed, go-at-your-own-pace route you can do while on Castaway Cay. You’ll earn a medal after completing the course. Pro tip: Do this first thing in the morning, as it does get hot later in the day.
• In Da Shade Game Pavilion: This is a shaded area with activities such as basketball, foosball, chess and pool.
• Scuttle’s Cove: This is a drop-off kids club for children ages 3 to 10 (similar to what you’ll find on the ships).
• Teen Hideout: This hangout area on the island is just for teens ages 14 to 17.

While there are some overlapping amenities at Lookout Cay, there are also some very differentiated offerings. In addition to the previously mentioned pink-hued beach, beachside chairs and lunch, the main included amenities to enjoy on Disney’s Lookout Cay are:

• Rush Out Gush Out: This large, colorful interactive water play area has two waterslides, splash and water drums, among other features.
• Junkanoo parade: This lively parade is put on by the Bahamian people who live on the island. It usually happens twice per day.
• Sebastian’s Cove: This drop-off kids club for those ages 3 to 10 has a water play area that is inspired by “The Little Mermaid.”
• Goombay Cultural Center: The Junkanoo parade ends here, so it’s a great place to enjoy music and see the characters and headpieces.
• Play-Play Pavilion: This is also a shaded place to see Disney characters, plus play games such as ring toss.
• Nature Trail: lf you want to stretch your legs and learn about the indigenous flora and fauna of the island, you can walk the roughly 20- to 25-minute marked nature trail (and see the historic lighthouse from 1901).

Winner: Tie depending on preferences

Best cabanas

Both of Disney’s island destinations have cabanas that you can rent for your own private space to enjoy the beach.

But before we talk about which Disney island cabanas are better, I want to be sure you know that these cabanas are pretty hard to book. As you will soon see, there aren’t very many cabanas compared to the thousands of guests on board a typical Disney cruise, so you often need to be sailing in a concierge-level cabin or have the highest level of Disney’s Castaway Club status to have a shot at early booking … and even then, it’s not guaranteed you’ll get one due to supply and demand.

With that caveat out of the way, let’s dive into the cabanas on each island.

On Castaway Cay, there are 20 cabanas available on the family beach (one of which is larger than the others) and six cabanas available at Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach, though more are reportedly under construction.

Currently, the family cabanas on Castaway Cay have space for up to six people and cost $880 for the day. It costs $1,238 for the Family Grand Cabana for up to 10 people for the day. The six cabanas on Serenity Bay cost $523 for the day and can accommodate up to four guests ages 18 and over.

At Castaway, the family cabanas are located right next to one of the main family beaches and just a beach ball’s throw away from one of the main areas where you can get lunch, bikes and more.

Related: Are Disney’s Castaway Cay cabanas worth the price?

Meanwhile, over at Disney’s Lookout Cay, you’ll find 20 family cabanas over in Mabrika Cove, which is notably on the opposite side of the island from the main family beach. In fact, this is the only beach on Disney’s part of the island where you can see the cruise ship from the sand. To get straight to your day in the cabana, you won’t need to take the tram, as this area is the first stop to the right after you walk across the pier.

That’s great news for access purposes, but on the flip side, this means that the cabanas aren’t particularly close to the Junkanoo parade, Sebastian’s Cove, the waterslides and other happenings, which will require a ride to the other side of the island.

The 16 six-person family cabanas on Lookout Cay are priced at $963 for the day. Currently, for the four grand cabanas with space for up to 10 people, you can expect to pay $1,375 per day. (You can add extra guests for additional fees.)

On Lookout Cay, there are two grand cabanas on adults-only Serenity Bay that up to 10 people can enjoy for $963, while the four Lookout Serenity Bay cabanas that accommodate up to four guests are priced at $523.

Unique to the new cabanas at Lookout Cay is the presence of iPads from which you can order food, more towels, toys, cocktails and more with just the press of some buttons.

You do have your own place to make your plate for lunch in the family cabana area on Lookout Cay. It has the same food as what’s available at the main lunch stations, plus steak for cabana guests.

However, you are removed from most of the island’s main amenities (and people). That may be a pro or con, depending on the ages of your kids and what you want to do during your day at Lookout Cay.

Winner: Tie depending on preferences

Best sense of culture

OK, let’s be serious. These are both Disney private island destinations, so we are talking tastes or degrees of culture, not depths of authentic culture. That said, this category still has a clear winner.

Castaway Cay is an absolute blast with fun details, including great beach outfits donned by Mickey and his pals. You’ll also get a clever shipwrecked storyline with lots of Disney Easter eggs hidden about.

But when it comes to any true, authentic culture outside of the one created by Mickey and friends … well, this is not the island you are looking for.

While Mickey and Minnie also have some different festive outfits on Lookout Cay, they are not the only ones dressed for the occasion.

Residents of the island also get into the celebrations on Lookout Cay by putting on the twice-daily Junkanoo celebration.

Instead of creating a fictional storyline for the island, like Disney did for Castaway Cay, the cruise line made the Bahamian people and culture the stars of Lookout Cay’s story. The island leans into a (slightly Disney-fied) version of where it really sits. That means you do get a dose of culture that can be enjoyed not only through the parade and the cultural center, but even in the food and the shops.

For example, while you can get official Lookout Cay merch on the island, you can also purchase jewelry, decor, bags, toys and other items that were made by island residents.

Winner: Lookout Cay

Best for staying in the Disney bubble

Both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay are private Disney destinations (even though one isn’t technically an entire private island). Both have Disney characters, an included lunch, multiple included amenities and Disney cast members entertaining guests at almost every turn.

So, both islands are pretty solidly in the Disney Bubble in many respects. However, they aren’t exactly the same in how they approach that experience.

On Castaway Cay, you can snorkel to get a look at underwater Disney statues in a designated area and book an activity at the stingray adventure right on the beach. And, of course, we’ve already covered how easy it is to get off the ship and be almost immediately in the fun.

On Lookout Cay, you are actually on a larger, inhabited Bahamian island, so while the part of the island Disney uses is just for Disney, you are able to do excursions that get you out of the bubble.

For example, on Lookout Cay, you could book the South Eleuthera Eco and Cultural Tour, during which you will see things like the town of Rock Sound, the Boiling Hole (also known as “nature’s hot tub”) and the Cathedral Cave, with its stunning rock formations. That sounds like a lot of fun if you want a broader sense of the island, but it may not be the best match for those who want to stay all-in on Mickey and friends during their day.

Winner: Castaway Cay

Bottom line

If you asked my family if they’d rather cruise to Disney’s Castaway Cay or Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, I bet you’d get a split vote — though the true answer is really either, anytime.

For us, our favorite elements of Castaway Cay are its familiarity, ease of use, 5K running and biking course, more mature trees for shade, protected beach and teen hideout, the latter of which Lookout Cay notably lacks. However, it’s very much in the Disney bubble, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on what you are after from that port.

Meanwhile, our standout memories from Lookout Cay involve the cool on-land waterslides, the gorgeous beach with pink sand, the fun Junkanoo parade and the delectable island-inspired lunch. On the flip side, Lookout Cay was really hot (even in March) because it didn’t have much natural shade, and, of course, that trek from the ship to get to the fun was unquestionably longer than on Castaway Cay.

But truly, both are top-notch cruise island destinations, and I’d pack my bags in a hot hurry if you told me we had a chance to return to either and take comfort in knowing that there is no bad choice.

More stories to help you plan your next cruise:

• Best Disney cruise ships for everyone — even Disney adults
• Everything we know about Disney Destiny, coming to Disney Cruise Line in late 2025
• The best credit cards for booking cruises
• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?

Starting May 28, the Dallas-based carrier will officially bring its much-maligned bag fees online. But here’s the catch that could prove helpful for summer travelers: The new fees will apply to trips booked from May 28 onward.

That means travelers who already booked a summer flight on Southwest won’t owe any bag fees on that trip. It also means customers who lock in their fares between now and the end of the night on Tuesday, May 27 wouldn’t owe fees on those trips, either — regardless of when their flight departs.

Yes, that means if you booked end-of-year holiday flights now, your bags would fly free then, too. In fact, Southwest’s booking channels currently offer flights all the way into mid-January, 2026.

Read more: Cheaper flights and award pricing: Why summer 2025 could bring air travel bargains

Southwest Airlines bag fees

Southwest announced its dramatic shift away from its longstanding policy that offered customers two free checked bags on every fare type back in March, citing a need to boost its sagging profits.

The move ended one of the most customer-friendly policies still offered by a major U.S. airline — and one that executives last year insisted they’d keep in place even as the airline underwent wholesale changes.

Beginning May 28, Southwest passengers will have to pay for all checked bags when flying on the following fare classes:

• Basic, which will replace the longstanding Wanna Get Away fare as of May 28
• Wanna Get Away Plus
• Anytime

Read more: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards

How much will checked bags cost on Southwest Airlines?

As I write this story, Southwest has not yet said how much it’ll charge passengers for their first (or second) checked bag — though it’s worth noting the largest U.S. carriers each charge around $35 for the first bag, subject to certain terms on some airlines.

Southwest did say its fees “will align with industry standards,” and we expect to hear more in the coming days.

How to get free bags on Southwest

There are a couple of ways passengers will be able to score a free bag even after the fees launch.

• Business Select fares will still come with two free bags
• A-List Preferred elite status members will get two free bags
• A-List members will get one free bag
• All cobranded Southwest credit cardholders will get one free bag, too

Notably, Southwest is not charging passengers to bring a full-size carry-on bag on board, something United Airlines does on its basic economy fares.

Related: What you’ll get with each Southwest Airlines fare starting May 28

More changes coming

This isn’t the last wave of changes at the airline. As I reported last month, Southwest later this year will rename all of its fare products and update the benefits of each once it starts selling assigned seats for 2026.

In the meantime, though, if I were thinking of flying Southwest at some point this year, I’d consider booking a flight between now and the end of Tuesday. It could effectively delay the start of paid bags — for you, at least — until much later in 2025.

Remember: You can book with cash or Rapid Rewards points to lock in those bookings. And if you don’t have a stash of Rapid Rewards points, you can transfer them from both Chase Ultimate Rewards and, as of this month, Bilt.

Just make sure your plans are set in stone: Southwest does note that fares changed after May 27 will be subject to bag fees.

What if you have to cancel?

If you have to cancel a booking made before May 28, you’ll still be able to claim full fare credit with no expiration date. However, expiring flight credits are coming, ending another lenient policy.

If you make a booking on or after May 28 and then have to cancel, the flight credit you’ll get will come with a one-year expiration date, or six months for basic fares.

Related reading:

• How to quickly earn the Southwest Companion Pass
• Southwest A-List status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight

Recently, however, rumors started circulating that Lufthansa was no longer opening first-class award space from the U.S. to Europe for partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus. While it’s true that booking these awards has become more difficult over the past few months, rest assured that you can still do so.

Points Path — a browser extension that runs on top of Google Flights to show award pricing — tracks Lufthansa award space from the U.S. to Europe and vice versa for its Lufthansa first-class dashboard. Available to Pro subscribers, this gives you a one-stop shop for finding available Lufthansa first-class seats.

Points Path shared 30 days’ worth of Lufthansa first-class award space with us, going back to late April 2025. The data shows us that while it’s indeed easier to book Lufthansa first-class awards from Europe to the U.S. with partner miles, it’s still possible to book U.S.-to-Europe awards.

In fact, at the time of writing, we’re seeing available award seats from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Munich Airport (MUC) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) bookable with partner miles.

Historical data from Points Path shows that over the past month, most routes from the U.S. to FRA and MUC have had open award space at one point. This includes farther-flung West Coast airports like San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to FRA and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to MUC. However, flights with the new Allegris first-class product are still not bookable with partner miles.

Points Path’s data also shows that there was a five-day period during which there was no Lufthansa first-class award space from the U.S. to Europe — this may be when the rumor about Lufthansa blocking first-class award space from the U.S. to Europe started. During this time, Europe-to-U.S. awards were still available.

If you’re looking to book a Lufthansa first-class ticket for yourself, you’ll typically find the best deals with Aeroplan and MileagePlus.

Related: Lufthansa’s new Allegris cabin — with its swanky 2-person, first-class suite — is headed to the US this spring

Bottom line

While there were rumors that Lufthansa began blocking first-class award space to partner loyalty programs, these are largely unfounded. Our friends at Points Path shared a month’s worth of Lufthansa first-class space, and — while there are more Europe-to-U.S. awards — the opposite still appears consistently. That said, you will still only be able to book three days out from departure.

Related reading:

• When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
• The best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Points, miles and credit card bonuses are what lit the travel flame for me once I entered my mid-30s and decided to prioritize travel in my life.

I have more than two dozen credit card accounts on my credit report, which have fed my travel addiction and enabled me to fly in the front of the plane all over the world. Since I started at TPG more than five years ago, my credit card habit has only grown.

But the biggest transformation for me has been in seeing how credit card bonuses can unlock the world of travel for everyone.

No matter if you want to fly business class to Asia or are eager to see grandma for Christmas for free, there is a credit card that can empower you, too.

These are my picks for the best credit cards that unlock amazing travel experiences thanks to points and miles.

The best credit cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• American Express® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire 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.

Comparing the best credit cards

Here are my top recommendations for the best credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Sapphire Preferred offers lucrative earning rates and valuable perks like 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases. It’s one of the best beginner credit cards, and I tell newbies to go with this card first when they’re ready to get into the world of credit card rewards.

That being said, the Sapphire Preferred isn’t just for beginners. I consider myself an expert, and it’s a card I use again and again because of its lucrative earnings and — the best part — its roster of more than a dozen stellar Chase transfer partners.

By transferring directly to World of Hyatt and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, you can book hotel rooms and flights that provide maximum value. Over the years, I’ve used Chase points to book stays at some of the nicest hotels in the world, including the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.

I’ve also used my Chase points to transfer to Air France for some amazing redemptions in business class. This allows me to get even higher value when redeeming my points.

Of course, leveraging transfer partners may not be for everyone. If this is you, the easiest way to use your stash of points may very well be through Chase Travel. The 60,000-point welcome bonus you’d earn with this card is worth $750 when you redeem your points this way.

I love the points-earning power of my Chase Sapphire Preferred. I also manage to use the $50 Chase Travel hotel credit every year, which helps offset more than half of the $95 annual fee. If you are looking for a great card with a low annual fee and lots of perks, the Sapphire Preferred is an excellent place to start.

For more information, check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395.

Standout benefits: If your goal, like mine, is to earn more than 1 point or mile per dollar on everyday purchases, the Capital One Venture X can be a solid addition to your wallet. This card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on nonbonus items like toys, clothes and utilities.

Most cards only offer bonus rewards in special categories like dining, groceries and gas. The base earning rate on the Capital One Venture X is like having a guaranteed bonus. Plus, cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, which equates to a pretty sweet deal.

The Venture X has a $395 annual fee, but that’s easily offset by a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and an extra 10,000 bonus miles received each account anniversary.

Remember that Capital One also has 15-plus transfer partners, so you can send your miles to airlines and hotel partners to really maximize your redemptions. This card also gets you access to Capital One Lounges and lounges in Capital One’s partner network.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

American Express Gold Card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $325.

The plethora of statement credits almost entirely offsets the card’s annual fee. This includes up to $120 in Uber Cash (up to $10 per month, valid for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. after using any Amex card when adding the Amex Gold to your Uber account) and up to $120 in dining statement credits with eligible dining partners (up to $10 per month). Enrollment is required.

Pro tip: Remember to look for transfer bonuses that Amex runs with travel partners so you can turn your points into miles and book airfare.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Gold Card.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: This is another great card, whether you are new to points and miles or use it as part of a bigger strategy. Just like the Venture X, you earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. This makes the Venture Rewards a solid earner on purchases that don’t otherwise fall into a bonus category.

I like that you can redeem these miles at 1 cent each against any travel charges you put on the card, which makes for a decent baseline redemption. You can also book flights, rental cars and hotels through Capital One Travel with your miles — also at a value of 1 cent apiece.

However, to get the maximum value out of your miles, you should transfer them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus hotel and airline programs.

Just one example? Transfer the miles to Air France-KLM Flying Blue and book fancy business-class seats from the U.S. to Europe starting at 60,000 miles plus taxes and fees each way.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695.

I also put all my airfare purchases on my Amex Platinum because I earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) when I book directly with an airline or via Amex Travel.

I love getting access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, too. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)

Additionally, I’ve had amazing success using my American Express Membership Rewards points several times in the past few years to transfer Amex points to Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue program. This allowed me to fly business class from New York to Paris and back for as few as 60,000 miles.

This remains my favorite card, even if I don’t typically use it for everyday spending.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Platinum Card.

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel within the first three months of card membership. You can earn one or both of these offers, which end June 30.

Annual fee: $695.

Standout benefits: While I don’t have this card (yet), the best benefit by far is Pay with Points. Cardholders receive a 35% bonus when they Pay with Points on first- or business-class tickets through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per calendar year). That means you essentially get to fly in the front of the plane on a steep discount when you pay with points.

The Amex Business Platinum comes with premium travel perks and business statement credits similar to the consumer Platinum Card, including Centurion Lounge access, a Priority Pass membership, an airline credit fee of up to $200 annually and Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (as outlined above for the consumer Platinum Card; enrollment may be required).

Several perks are also unique to the Business Platinum Card (enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply):

• Dell: An up to $400 statement credit per calendar year (broken down as up to $200 semiannually)†
• Indeed: An up to $360 statement credit per calendar year (up to $90 per quarter)
• Adobe: An up to $150 statement credit per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal)†
• Up to $200 in Hilton credits per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter; Hilton for Business membership required)
• Up to $120 in statement credits per calendar year for U.S. wireless telephone providers (up to $10 per month)

†The Dell and Adobe credits are set to change July 1.

While I haven’t gotten the Business Platinum Card myself, it’s high on my wish list. I’ll try my luck at applying when I know I have some big purchases in the pipeline and can earn its massive welcome bonus.

For more information, check out our review of the Amex Business Platinum.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 90,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: I love my Ink Business Preferred card and its bonus categories — especially the online internet advertising category, which earns 3 points per dollar spent on up to $150,000 a year (then 1 point after that).

If you max out this annual bonus, those 450,000 points you earn can be used for travel bookings via Chase Travel for 1.25 cents each — but possibly more if you leverage Chase’s network of airline and hotel transfer partners and transfer bonuses (when available).

Chase points are very versatile, and I use mine as quickly as I earn them. If you own a small business or even have a business idea, you can apply using your Social Security number. If you’re looking for a solid business card, the Ink Business Preferred is a heavyweight, especially for the low annual fee of $95.

For more information, check out our review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Bilt Mastercard

Welcome offer: None.

Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).

Standout benefits: The best benefit of the Bilt card is the ability to earn points on paying rent without a transaction fee (see rates and fees).

As long as you make at least five purchases with the card each statement period, you can earn reward points on your rent payments — an incredible proposition for renters (since rent is typically a person’s largest monthly bill).

As a renter in New York City, the Bilt card is a must-have in my wallet. What’s even better is that this card offers the ability to make transaction fee-free rent payments without charging cardholders an annual fee (see rates and fees). Even if your landlord only takes checks, Bilt can send checks and automated clearing house direct deposits so you can earn points on the transactions (up to 100,000 points per year).

But that’s not the card’s only selling point. I also earn a large number of points on dining and pharmacy purchases every month. I use my Bilt card at Walgreens, where Bilt Rewards members can earn extra Bilt Points on purchases, no matter what credit card they use.

I earn 1 point per dollar spent on all Walgreens purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on Walgreens-branded items and 100 points per prescription refill (subject to certain exclusions). This specific perk alone has netted me thousands of points.

Dining is another solid Bilt reward-earning category. I earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining and 2 points per dollar spent on travel purchases. But on the first day of every month (aka “Rent Day”), these earnings double (excluding rent, up to 1,000 points).

Here’s an example of how those earnings can add up. On May 1, I spent $7.65 at the Chicago Athletic Association, $24.31 at Shake Shack and $20 at Starbucks. Because it was a Bilt Rent Day, I earned 22 points for dining on that $7 purchase, plus another 22 points for Rent Day. Shake Shack earned me 144 points, and Starbucks got me 60 points. That’s 248 points on just $51 in purchases.

With Bilt Rewards, the points really add up. The best feature, I think, is that Bilt often runs transfer bonuses to one or more of its 19 transfer partners. For example, back in January 2024, Bilt ran a 100% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM Flying Blue. I transferred 32,000 Bilt points to Air France, and, thanks to that transfer bonus, 32,000 points became 64,000 miles in my Flying Blue account — a truly stellar deal.

For more information, check out our review of the Bilt Mastercard.

Apply here: Bilt Mastercard

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

Annual fee: $650.

Standout benefits: I’ve written extensively about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve over the years, and while the benefits have changed, it continues to hold a place in my wallet despite a high $650 annual fee.

The card gives some valuable statement credits (several of which require enrollment), including an up to $20 monthly Resy credit (up to $240 each calendar year) to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants. I’ve been able to use this credit at local Upper West Side neighborhood restaurants.

I’ve also been able to maximize the up to $10 per month credit for ride-hailing services (up to $120 each calendar year) with eligible providers within the U.S. I usually use it to get a Revel car service ride at least once a month.

The card also comes with an up to $200 annual Delta Stays statement credit. Last year, I was able to use it to save some cash on an Atlanta hotel reservation.

I like the annual companion certificate benefit as well. It lets you bring a companion with you on a round-trip ticket within the continental U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America for the cost of taxes and fees. This can even be used for domestic first-class tickets.

Then there’s the TakeOff 15 benefit, which I think is one of the Delta Reserve’s standout features, as it gives you a 15% discount on all Delta award tickets.

For more information, check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

Annual fee: $550.

Standout benefits: The Hilton Aspire is another of my favorite credit cards. It comes with automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, which has come in handy during multiple stays over the years of holding the card.

That status means you’re eligible for suite upgrades and get automatic executive lounge access (where there’s a lounge). You’ll also sometimes be granted early check-in or late checkout. No other hotel chain offers top-tier status just for keeping its branded card.

I recently got access to the swanky lounge at the Conrad Seoul in South Korea just for having Diamond status, saving me hundreds of dollars on food.

The card also has valuable bonus categories where you can really rack up the Hilton Honors points. Among the bonus categories are 14 points per dollar spent at hotels within the Hilton portfolio, 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com, 7 points per dollar spent on select dining at U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

As a Hilton Diamond, you also get a 100% points bonus at most Hilton properties.

You’ll get a bunch of statement credits to boot as well. These include up to $200 a year in airline incidental credits (broken up as up to $50 per quarter statement credits for eligible flights made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com) and another up to $400 in Hilton resort credits (broken up as up to $200 semiannually).

Finally, and potentially most lucratively, the card gets you a free night award that can be used at almost any Hilton property in the world. I’ve used mine over the years at the Niepce Paris Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton; the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; and the incredible Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

What to consider when choosing the best card

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for picking the best credit cards. There are several factors you should analyze before selecting which ones deserve a spot in your wallet.

Preferred rewards

First, consider the type of rewards you want to earn for your purchases. If you want simplicity, a cash-back card may be a great option since you generally have few limitations on how those rewards can be used. On the other hand, if you’re after free travel or want to really maximize your spending, you may be better off with a transferable rewards currency like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Welcome bonus

Earning a big haul of points or miles as a welcome bonus is typically the best way to quickly boost your rewards balance. This is particularly lucrative if one of the cards you’re considering has a limited-time offer. Just be sure to review each issuer’s eligibility requirements, and consider checking your credit score in advance of your application so you have an idea of whether you’ll be approved.

Spending habits

Before opening any credit card (or opening a new one), take some time to analyze your spending habits over the last year, along with how you’re earning rewards on any cards currently in your wallet.

If you spend a ton at restaurants, be sure you have a card that rewards you when making dining purchases. If you have a significant commute, pick up a card that rewards you for gas or transit expenses. It’s easy to double or even triple your earning rates for many purchases with the right combination of cards.

Annual fee

Finally, you should consider the out-of-pocket cost of any new card on your radar. While some have no annual fee (or skip the annual fee for the first year), others have hefty ones, as you saw in the list above.

In the first year, almost every card with a solid welcome offer will pay for itself (and then some), but you should take some time before you apply to make sure you can truly take advantage of that card’s benefits, both now and in the future.

How we chose the best credit cards

Many factors go into our selection of the best credit cards, including earning rates, welcome offers, benefits and perks. The cards I list above have personally allowed me to earn tens of thousands of dollars worth of rewards over the years.

You can learn more about how we analyze cards here at TPG on our methodology page.

Redemption options for the best credit cards

Most of the cards I list above have something in common: Several of them earn transferable points or miles … and that’s no coincidence. These rewards are incredibly valuable because of the flexibility they offer.

In most cases, you’re not locked into one airline and its partners or one hotel program and its participating brands. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes time to redeem.

For example, I want to fly business class on Virgin Atlantic from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) home to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the carrier’s Upper Class on July 28.

The one-way flight I need is $10,185. I could use more than a million American Express Membership Rewards points to book it through American Express Travel. However, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has prices as low as 66,000 points (plus $898 in taxes and fees), and it, too, partners with Amex.

That means I can transfer 66,000 points from Amex to Virgin to book a seat that would have cost more than $10,000 in cash. That’s the power of points and miles.

Bottom line

My journey through the world of travel has been fueled by credit card bonuses and rewards. I always tell people that since they are going to be spending money anyway, they might as well earn points and miles on every charge and get something back.

Sometimes, the things we get back can be a whole lot better than just getting 1% to 2% cash back.

While there isn’t one perfect card, the ones I’ve discussed here are some of the best that work for my earn-and-redeem reward strategy. I hold several of the cards on this list and use them frequently, even paying exorbitant annual fees year after year after year, simply because of all the benefits these cards provide.

Weigh the pros and cons of each card before deciding which ones might work best for your unique spending patterns. And remember, if you’re unable to pay off your card balances every month, then opening a new card with a higher spending requirement to earn a welcome bonus may not be the best call. Instead, consider starting with a product that features a manageable spending threshold — and that you’ll use responsibly. The value of your credit card rewards significantly decreases if you accrue high-interest debt to earn them.

Apply the right strategy so you come out ahead. Happy shopping!

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
For the rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Dealt SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

I found some incredible long-haul award redemptions on Japan Airlines and Starlux Airlines, and I was able to make my redemptions using a widely available mileage currency: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

I flew Japan Airlines in business class to Tokyo from San Francisco for just 60,000 Mileage Plan miles. While this particular award availability can be scarce, if you are flexible, you can often duplicate this redemption to fly business class or even first class on Japan Airlines using either Alaska miles or, as I recently did again, American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

For my ride home, I used just 75,000 Mileage Plan miles to book a business-class seat on one of Alaska’s newer Asian airline partners, Starlux. It was my third time flying the Taiwanese airline, and I highly recommend you add it to your AvGeek bucket list.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Clint Page Henderson (@clintpage1)

Here’s how I found these business-class airline awards and booked the flights … and how you can, too.

Booking Japan Airlines business-class awards

Although not as widespread as in the past, Japan Airlines business-class awards are still lurking around, if you know where to look and how to book quickly.

While you could exhaustively search for awards on the Alaska Airlines and American Airlines websites, checking the various U.S. airports to which Japan Airlines flies, I recommend using an award search tool like PointsYeah or Seats.aero to see if you can find space at the lowest award levels. Simply put in your city pairs, and then you can set some filters to search specific airlines, including Japan Airlines, to generate results that show which miles you can use to book the route.

I booked my business-class ticket for September for just 60,000 Mileage Plan miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees, though I also could have redeemed 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

I recently found first-class award space on a Japan Airlines flight from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) departing in September for just 80,000 AAdvantage miles. For that same trip, I booked business class for 60,000 AAdvantage miles on the return from NRT to ORD, also on Japan Airlines.

These redemptions are out there and accessible, but, as I mentioned, you have to be flexible when it comes to your dates and departure airports. If you find availability, be sure to jump on it quickly because it disappears fast.

Related: Travel to Japan with points and miles: Best ways to redeem your rewards for flights and hotels

What it was like flying Japan Airlines business class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

I’ve flown Japan Airlines before, but I was again blown away by the incredible service and the fine food on the long journey I recently took. I was booked on Japan Airlines Flight 57 on a 9-year-old Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, ship (or registration) No. JA863J.

This 787 had 44 business-class seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, with the cabin split into two sections of business class. Bathrooms and a small galley were available between the two sections.

Unlike some of the other 787-9s in Japan Airlines’ fleet, this one featured the carrier’s Sky Suite seats. While they aren’t the most modern seats in the sky, they can feel ultraprivate thanks to their staggered configuration.

There were a blanket, a large pillow, headphones, slippers and a small amenity kit waiting at my seat.

Japan Airlines is collaborating with the company Heralbony for its amenity kits. While I support its mission of helping those with intellectual disabilities, I haven’t been impressed with the kits recently. They have all the basics, including a simple eye mask and pocket tissues, but they just don’t have the allure of previous Japan Airlines kits from Porsche Design. The Heralbony kit did have a USB charging cable and a cellphone cable, two fairly unusual amenity kit items.

The seats are wide and plush, turning into lie-flat beds with the push of a button. A flight attendant helped me put down a mattress pad before sleeping.

The food is where Japan Airlines really shines, though, as the carrier offers the option for a Japanese-influenced or Western-style meal served over multiple courses.

I chose the international menu for this flight. A first course of nuts and olives was followed by a plate of hors d’oeuvres that included tuna tataki, poached shrimp and a salad with a green goddess dressing.

For my main, I had USDA Prime beef tenderloin, pumpkin conchiglioni pasta and seasonal vegetables. For dessert, there was a pumpkin mouse with granola accompanied by green tea.

The best part was a prelanding snack of ramen … something I’ve grown to look forward to whenever I fly Japan Airlines.

As usual on Japan Airlines, service was flawless on my long transpacific flight.

Flight attendants came by with frequent drink refills and provided prompt service whenever I asked for anything, including copious amounts of coffee before landing.

I always love flying Japan Airlines and look forward to my next flights this summer.

Related: Japan Airlines’ A350-100 inaugural from New York to Tokyo: Same great service, fabulous new seats

Booking Starlux business-class awards

Starlux is a relatively new Taiwan-based airline that just started service in 2020. It flies from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with flights to California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT) starting June 2.

Although it is not in an airline alliance, it partners with Alaska Airlines, and redemptions in business class start at just 75,000 miles each way.

I reviewed business class on the airline last year, and it quickly became one of my favorite airlines. I was eager to try it out again.

I got very lucky and found a date that worked with my Japan trip in February on the airline’s route from Taipei to Seattle. I was able to book it at the lowest rate Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers, plus a very reasonable $19 in fees, taxes and surcharges. 

There is not a ton of availability, but you can occasionally snag it if you stay flexible and search frequently. I find that awards tend to be available either very close in (within a few days of travel) or very far out.

A quick search I conducted as research for this article found lots of availability for 175,000 miles each way, but the 75,000 miles for business class and 50,000 miles for premium economy were more elusive. I did find a few dates from LAX in premium economy for 50,000 miles.

Again, I recommend looking via an award search tool.

What it was like flying Starlux business class on the Airbus A350-900

Starlux has actually supplanted Japan Airlines as my new favorite Asian carrier. The 75,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles I spent for this redemption made it one of my best of the year.

My ticket got me into the incredible Starlux Galactic Lounge in Taipei, which is designed to look like a starship.

The lounge is filled with references to outer space and comes stocked with an array of fun food and drinks, as well as multiple hot and cold buffets and refrigerators filled with beverages and even ice cream.

You can also order food brought to your table via a QR code menu.

Starlux flies a fleet of Airbus A350-900s decked out in a starship-inspired design on its long-haul routes.

I was on a new A350 with the ship No. B-58507 and had seat 7A toward the back of the chic cabin.

There was a single row of first class on this plane at the front of the business-class cabin, but it would have cost $5,000 to upgrade from business class, so I couldn’t take one for the team this time.

Starlux A350s have 26 business-class seats arranged in a reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 configuration. There are six rows of four seats each, with only two center seats in the final row.

Starlux was the first airline with Collins Aerospace’s new Elements suite, which I find very comfortable and stylish. As an added bonus, each has a closing door for privacy.

At my seat, I found a cornucopia of goodies, including a well-stocked amenity kit, a big pillow, a blanket and slippers. In the seat’s cubby were a pair of Starlux-branded headphones, Acqua Panna water and a face mask.

The amenity kit was by a brand called “Three” and contained a plastic comb-brush combo, earplugs, socks, a toothbrush, Ora2 toothpaste and toilette wipes, as well as Three-branded lip balm, oil serum and moisturizer. Flight attendants also brought out pajamas for the long flight from Taipei to Seattle.

When I was ready to sleep, a flight attendant helped me make up the bed with a mattress pad for extra padding. Fully flat, the seat was about 77 inches long.

Service was top-notch, from boarding to deplaning, with flight attendants doing regular sweeps through the cabin to see if passengers needed anything.

The food on Starlux is great, too, with plentiful menu options that include something for everyone. Like on Japan Airlines, you can preorder meals in business and first class.

Food on this particular flight was superb, with a starter of a lemon-scented scallop served with Japanese ikura (salmon roe), a tomato salsa and crunchy seaweed. This was followed by a roasted red pepper tomato soup course and a choice of fresh bread. Next up was a main course of grilled iberico (Spanish) pork ribs and potatoes.

For dessert, I had a light passion fruit sorbet with a sea salt milk gelato sprinkled with some kind of sweet Taiwanese cracker. There was also a section of seasonal fresh fruit.

And that’s not all. As a prelanding snack, there was more bread, a Caesar salad and a “pizza” that was a bit like an open-faced tartine with cheese and beef ragu.

I didn’t get to try the midflight snack menu, but I could have also requested braised beef noodle soup or a chicken kebab. As it was, I practically rolled off the plane.

It was another fabulous flight with an early arrival into Seattle. Starlux really should be on your list. I can’t wait to fly the carrier again (when I can find that saver award space again).

The value of Alaska Airlines miles

Both of these redemptions point to the value of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles, as the program is still one of the best ways to book premium-class airline awards between the U.S. and Asia, thanks to its many Asian airline partners.

Right now, there are several ways to earn more Alaska miles. Alaska currently has two cobranded cards with Bank of America. The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles, plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Plus, after account receive a 30% discount code for a future qualifying flight. The Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card is also offering 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23), though that offer requires making $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

Because Alaska is in the process of merging with Hawaiian Airlines, you can also sign up for two Hawaiian Airlines credit cards with the ability to transfer those HawaiianMiles to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at a 1:1 ratio.

Additionally, you can transfer points from Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy to Alaska Airlines and indirectly send American Express Membership Rewards points to Alaska Airlines via the HawaiianMiles program, though the latter is only available through June 30.

Related: You may want to transfer your Amex points to HawaiianMiles (and then to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan) soon

One final way to earn Alaska miles is on the horizon. Alaska will soon have a premium card in its credit card portfolio. While we don’t yet know how high the welcome bonus will be, we do know the card will come with a $395 annual fee.

Alaska has confirmed that it will also earn 3 miles per dollar spent on all eligible foreign purchases, allow customers to waive a $12.50 award booking fee on partner award bookings and include a shortcut to elite status.

Bottom line

All in all, I had two incredible flights on two of the world’s best airlines that were (almost) all paid for with miles. It just goes to show there remains real value in collecting points and miles, even if ongoing changes to loyalty programs are making it harder to find exceptional awards.

It also speaks to just how valuable the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program can be. I’m excited to apply for the new premium Alaska credit card when it becomes available. Hopefully, I can use the sign-up bonus to fund my next flight on Japan Airlines or Starlux.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Points Guy (@thepointsguy)

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

American Airlines is the world’s largest airline, serving over 300 destinations worldwide.

The airline offers several cobranded credit cards, including its most premium offering, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees). If you fly American frequently, you may have considered applying for this card — and now is the perfect time to do so.

For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months from account opening. This bonus has only been offered twice in the past four years and is 30,000 miles higher than the standard welcome offer.

It’s worth $1,650 as TPG’s May 2025 valuations peg AAdvantage miles at 1.65 cents each. They’re incredibly useful and the most valuable currency of any U.S. airline loyalty program.

However, before you apply, you should make sure you’re eligible for this limited-time welcome bonus on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card. Here’s a brief rundown of the eligibility requirements and restrictions for the welcome bonus.

Am I eligible for the Citi / AAdvantage Executive bonus?

While you may be eager to apply, it’s important you know the eligibility rules to receive the welcome bonus.

To ensure you have the best chance of getting approved and earning the welcome bonus, you must:

• Meet Citi-specific application rules, including the 48-month rule
• Reside in the U.S. or its territories (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Have a credit score of 670 or higher (recommended)

Citi-specific application rules

Generally, Citi has less strict application rules than other issuers. However, it does have a hard-and-fast rule that you can only apply for one card (personal or business) every eight days and no more than two cards in a 65-day window.

A credit score of 670 or higher is recommended for approval, though some applicants have reported being approved with a lower score.

Citi states this regarding welcome bonus eligibility on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive:

American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive account. The card offer referenced in this communication is only available to individuals who reside in the United States and its territories, excluding Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

You’re eligible to receive the welcome bonus if you:

• Haven’t earned a welcome bonus on this card in the past 48 months
• Haven’t earned a welcome bonus on another AAdvantage card in the past 48 months and then upgraded to the Executive card

It’s important to note that the 48-month eligibility window starts when your last welcome bonus was posted to your account, not when you opened the card. The quickest way to find out this date is to call Citi at 888-766-2484. Alternatively, you can also call AAdvantage at 800-882-8880. (Your AAdvantage online account only shows account activity for the past two years.)

If you have or have held another Citi AAdvantage cobranded card, like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) — and haven’t upgraded it to the Executive — you’ll be eligible to apply for this welcome bonus.

Related: What you need to know about earning another American Airlines card welcome bonus

What if I am denied?

While you never want to be denied for a credit card, there are steps you can take to get approved.

You can call Citi’s reconsideration line at 800-695-5171 to ask why the application was denied and provide any extra information to get it approved.

If you already have several Citi cards, your application may have been denied due to reaching your total credit limit. Call the reconsideration line and ask them to reallocate some of your existing credit limit to the new card.

Related: 6 reasons to get the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Bottom line

For American Airlines loyalists, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive is one of the most rewarding cards on the market and a great option to consider adding to your wallet.

Plus, now is a great time to take advantage (pun intended) of the limited-time 100,000-mile welcome bonus. With plenty of great redemption options, you’ll have no trouble putting your miles to use.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard with 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months from account opening.

From bonus points on your next hotel stay to generous sales on airline miles, 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 30% off flights to Berlin, Dublin, Iceland, London and Paris with Play Airlines’ Memorial Day sale. Between Virgin Atlantic’s award sale and Chase’s transfer bonus, you can score flights to Europe for as little as 4,000 Chase points. We also spotted nonstop business-class flights to Portugal for only 60,000 credit card points.

We help our readers each week by rounding up ongoing 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 May.

Airline loyalty program promotions (May 2025)

Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on certain dates, as well as the chance to earn more miles for future travel and deals to rack up points toward elite status. Below are some of the best offers we found for May.

Boost your Delta Air Lines status with car rentals and lodging

If you’re working toward Delta Medallion status this year, the airline’s latest promotion could help you get there.

Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar per dollar spent (excluding taxes and fees) on car rentals, hotels and vacation rentals booked through Delta, in addition to the miles you would normally earn. However, you will not earn MQDs if you redeem SkyMiles for your booking.

Book by July 14, and complete travel by Sept. 7.

Earn 500 Japan Airlines miles at Asia Pacific Hyatts

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles have long been valuable but tough to earn.

With this promotion, you can earn 500 bonus miles for your first qualifying stay at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific, on top of the World of Hyatt points earned for your stay. Eligible stays include those booked with cash and free night awards.

Register by July 31; complete your stay between July 1 and Aug. 31.

Earn bonus Qatar Airways Avios on Avis rentals

Road trip season is just around the corner, and this promotion could help you earn more Qatar Airways Avios on your next car rental. Avios are an exceptionally versatile currency as you can transfer them between five airline partners.

You’ll earn double the usual Avios on Avis rentals of three to six days, or triple Avios on rentals of seven-plus days. Book by June 2 for rentals through Sept. 30.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Hotel loyalty program promotions (May 2025)

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

Earn 8,000 Choice points when you stay twice

This summer, you can earn 5,000-8,000 Choice Privileges bonus points after two qualifying stays, depending on the hotel. You can take advantage of this promotion up to four times for a maximum of 32,000 bonus points.

Within 60 days after the promotion ends, you’ll have the option to redeem your points for gift cards at a reduced rate of 8,000 points for a $50 gift card. That’s not a bad deal, since 8,000 Choice points are worth $48 according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations. However, you may be able to get more value for your points by redeeming them toward Choice hotel stays.

Register online, then complete two separate qualifying stays by Sept. 2.

Earn up to 15,000 Marriott points on summer stays

Dreaming of a beach retreat? Marriott’s latest promo is giving away bonus points at over 250 participating hotels and resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Depending on the brand, you’ll earn 1,000-15,000 bonus Bonvoy points per stay. Book by Aug. 14 with promo code “S2449”; stay between June 29 and Sept. 30.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (May 2025)

Card issuers offer deals and discounts on everything from airfare to dining. Here are some of the offers we’ve rounded up this week. Remember that you must activate these offers on your card and use your enrolled card to make the purchase to earn bonus rewards. Not all offers may be available on your account.

Targeted Chase Offer at Brightline

If you’re based in Florida — or planning to visit the Sunshine State — this Chase Offer could help you save on your next train ticket. We found it on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).

Earn 10% cash back on your Brightline purchase, with a $15 cash-back maximum, when you spend $75 or more by June 18. Brightline serves popular Florida destinations like Orlando, Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, as well as major airports.

Targeted Amex Offer at Italo

The train offers keep, well, rolling in. This offer on the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express applies to Italo’s high-speed trains in Italy.

Earn a one-time $35 statement credit after making a single purchase of $150 or more online at italotreno.com/en or through the Italo Treno mobile app by Oct. 31.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Chase Offers

Ongoing travel deals

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

• Earn 40,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per eligible stay at Homes & Villas by Marriott. To qualify, a stay must last two or more nights and have a minimum spending of $1,500. Register and book by May 26; stay between June 1, 2025, and Jan. 4, 2026.
• Earn triple Aeroplan points on an Air Canada-operated flight between select U.K. airports and any destination in the U.S. or Canada. Register online, then book by May 30 and travel by Dec. 15.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Sky Hub Lounge at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea, with the purchase of eligible Korean Air flights to Southeast Asia on koreanair.com. Book by May 31, and travel by Aug. 31; you must claim your lounge access by May 31.
• Earn triple IHG One Rewards points on every eligible paid stay in Germany. Register and book directly by May 31, then complete your stay(s) by July 6.
• Earn 777 bonus World of Hyatt points per eligible night (on up to 10 nights total) at 20 participating casino hotels and resorts worldwide. Register first, then stay by June 9.
• Earn up to 15,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per stay of five or more nights at participating Domes Resorts in Greece and Portugal. Book with promo code “S2449” by June 20 for stays until June 25.
• Earn 20% bonus Accor Live Limitless points on qualifying bookings you make through the app by June 30. Download the app.
• Earn 1,000 Etihad Guest bonus miles per eligible Hyatt stay, in addition to the World of Hyatt points you’d normally earn, at participating properties in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Register by July 1 and complete your stay by July 14.
• Earn 3,000 bonus Marriott points per night at participating properties in Japan when using promo code “S2449” during booking. You must book and stay by July 18.
• Earn up to 1,500 bonus HawaiianMiles on car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations in the U.S. when you add your HawaiianMiles number to your reservation at booking and complete your rental by July 31. For Avis, book with Avis Worldwide Discount code “A368908” and coupon code “MUAA023.” For Budget, use Budget Customer Discount code “R901009” and coupon code “MUAZ036.”
• Earn double Accor Live Limitless points on stays at participating properties in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Panama and Brazil. Activate this offer and book by July 31, and you’ll earn bonus points on stays through Sept. 12.
• Earn 2,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points for every two nights you stay, or earn 8,000 bonus points for every four nights you stay, with no cap on the number of bonus points you can earn. To qualify, stays must have a total spending of $30 (or local currency equivalent) per night; stays booked with points or a combination of points and cash are ineligible. You can register for only one of these promotions, then you must complete your stay(s) between May 20 and Aug. 31.
• Stay three nights by Sept. 1 at any Best Western hotel in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean islands, and you’ll receive 10,000 bonus Best Western points. You can use this promotion up to two times for a maximum of 20,000 bonus points. Log in at this page, and you’ll be automatically registered for this promotion.

Additionally, many stand-alone Amex and Chase offers are still available across a variety of credit cards. Keep in mind that these offers are targeted; you also need to activate them prior to making an eligible purchase to receive cash back or bonus points or miles.

Targeted Amex Offers

• Earn a $200 statement credit after spending at least $900 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at Four Seasons properties in the U.S. and select international destinations. This offer expires May 29.
• Earn an additional 5 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar spent (up to 50,000 bonus points) on qualifying Oceania Cruises bookings. Book through Oceania’s website, by calling 855-623-2642 or through an Oceania Cruise travel adviser by June 1.
• Earn up to 10% cash back (up to $40) on your Southwest Airlines ticket purchase when you spend at least $25. You’ll earn 10% cash back on flights flown in May or June and 5% cash back for other qualifying flights. This offer is not valid on inflight or upgrade purchases; payment must be made directly with Southwest by June 1.
• Earn one promotional free day with National Emerald Club (covers base rate, time and mileage only) for every two eligible midsize or larger vehicle rentals of at least two consecutive days. Register and complete your qualifying rentals by June 22.
• Earn a one-time $100 statement credit when you spend at least $500 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Preferred Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. and globally. Book by June 23.
• Earn a one-time $200 statement credit when you spend $1,000 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Hilton properties in Mexico and the Caribbean by June 30. See participating properties (PDF link).
• Earn a one-time $200 statement credit when you spend at least $1,000 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at select Hilton resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. This offer ends June 30.
• Earn 8% back (up to $100 in total statement credits) after you make one or more purchases of prepaid hotel bookings (i.e., “pay now” rates) online at hotels.com/amex. This offer ends July 7.
• Earn 12% back (up to $350 in total statement credits) on Luxury Escapes bookings made through the Luxury Escapes website, app or phone line. This offer ends July 15.
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend a minimum of $750 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Auberge Resorts through July 17. Book through aubergeresorts.com.
• Earn a one-time $50 statement credit when you spend at least $200 on one or more purchases directly with JetBlue. This offer ends July 28.
• Earn 7,500 additional Amex Membership Rewards points after you spend a minimum of $300 on one or more purchases in-person at Aspen Snowmass or online at aspensnowmass.com by Aug. 31. This offer is valid only on purchases of lift tickets, mountain bike passes, bike rentals, mountain activities, Four Mountain Sports retail locations, Camp Aspen Snowmass, and at on-mountain restaurants (Sundeck and Elk Camp).
• Get a one-time $400 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $2,000 on one or more safari reservation purchases at Micato Safaris. Book by phone at 800-642-2861 by Oct. 14.
• Earn a $25 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $125 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Staypineapple properties. Complete your stay by Oct. 14.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn 5% cash back on your British Airways purchase, with a $75 cash-back maximum, when you spend $200 or more by May 28. This offer is valid in-store at participating locations in the U.S. and online at U.S. website britishairways.com only.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $62) on your Candlewood Suites stay when you spend $100 or more. You must make the payment directly with the merchant by May 31.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $62) on your Crowne Plaza stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the hotel by May 31.
• Earn 7% cash back (up to $28) on your Hyatt Place stay when you spend $100 or more by May 31. This offer is only valid in-store at participating locations in the U.S. and online at the U.S. Hyatt website.
• Earn a one-time statement credit of $100 when you spend a minimum of $600 on purchases made through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Purchases must be made in a single transaction by July 29.

Related reading:

• How to find the best summer flight deals
• Best travel credit cards
• How to pick the right travel credit card for you
• ‘Coolest’ spots to escape the heat this summer
• Is a cruise right for you? Start by asking yourself these 7 questions
• 9 ways to save on your next family vacation
• The 12 best road trips to take with your family this summer

Some speculated that JetBlue would pull back on its transatlantic ambitions after longtime CEO Robin Hayes retired in 2024, but the carrier’s leadership is adamant that the opposite is actually the case.

“The Transatlantic part of our business is actually one of our best strengths at the moment,” JetBlue’s chief financial officer Ursula Hurley told TPG in Boston, just before the carrier launched its first-ever service to Spain and its first Scotland service from Boston.

“The European franchise is important,” Hurley added. “And we’re here to stay.”

Doubling down on transatlantic

Under CEO Joanna Geraghty, who assumed her post in early 2024, JetBlue began a concerted effort to improve its operational performance and rein in costs through several tactics.

That included realigning its network to focus on its core Northeast and East Coast markets, cutting destinations that were underperforming and pulling back on some previous expansions — including numerous short-haul routes from Los Angeles.

In tightening up its network, JetBlue also cut some of its winter flying to Europe and redeployed the premium aircraft it uses on those routes, while pledging to be more “opportunistic” when it comes to the European market.

But even those moves didn’t mean abandoning transatlantic.

In fact, Hurley said, the new Boston flights are examples of how that opportunistic expansion aligns with the airline’s current goals: focusing on leisure travel out of the East Coast.

“The European strategy is really about expanding customer options out of New York and Boston,” Hurley said. “So Madrid, for example, is a place that customers want to go to from a leisure perspective, and so we’re just connecting the dots.”

Adding Madrid to its list of destinations and launching service from Boston to Edinburgh — which follow’s last year’s start of flights to Scotland from New York City — are the latest examples of how JetBlue intends to pick and choose long, thin and lucrative routes that appeal to leisure travelers in the airline’s home markets.

Edinburgh, in particular, is a good case. Travel demand to Scotland has grown notably in recent years. In 2023, Edinburgh surpassed pre-pandemic levels of visitors.

U.S. airlines have steadily added nonstop service to match the demand, saving travelers a stop in a European airline hub like London or Amsterdam. In 2025, passenger airlines will operate a total of 2,113 round-trip flights between the U.S. and Edinburgh, according to data from Cirium — up from 431 round-trips in 2012, when United launched service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

In fact, JetBlue is not the only airline with an inaugural flight to the Scottish capital this week; American Airlines will launch its own service from Philadelphia International Airport on Friday, using a wide-body aircraft — a Boeing 787-8.

JetBlue, meanwhile, operates the route with its long-range Airbus A321LR. It’s a narrow-body that offers relatively low operating costs with a premium-heavy configuration that allows the airline to earn a solid profit margin.

The jets are equipped with 24 Mint business class suites, 24 “EvenMore” extra-legroom seats and 90 “Core” economy seats.

It’s a relatively small plane compared to what the legacy airlines offer on transatlantic service, but that’s exactly why it works for JetBlue. The airline can sell leisure destinations in Europe without having to fill a larger wide-body jet, allowing it to take advantage of existing demand where it finds a strategic opportunity.

2 inaugural flights on 1 night

With inaugural flights to Madrid and Edinburgh leaving Boston within an hour of each other on Thursday, the airport’s Terminal C was a cacophony of castanets and bagpipes. Themed snacks at both gates offered travelers a preflight treat, and some passengers noted with surprise that they booked the flights for vacation with no idea that there was anything special about them.

On board the flight to Edinburgh, JetBlue offered its standard transatlantic product, which continues to shine as a strong competitor with a unique flair.

On board

Notable on the flight is the way JetBlue balances its top-tier soft product, Mint, with the reality of what people on board probably want: sleep. Both of the new flights from Boston leave late in the evening, with the flight to Edinburgh scheduled for 10:29 p.m.

The airline still offers full transatlantic Mint meal service, a top-tier meal catered in partnership with restaurants from New York’s Delicious Hospitality Group.

But in acknowledgement of the late departure time, the airline offers a limited selection with its “Savor and Sleep” concept — a single menu choice with a few dishes, served all at once, cutting down on the time it would normally take flight attendants to mix and match various meal options, plate everything, and serve courses.

While some may see it as a cop-out to not offer a full menu, the reality is that many people choose to eat before the flight on these short transatlantic hops between the Northeast and Europe — see Delta’s argument for building a sit-down restaurant in its business class lounges.

Everything was delicious, regardless of the selection or the plating — or the fact that, owing to a Nor’easter and a fair bit of turbulence that kept the flight attendants seated for the first hour, dinner was served after midnight on the inaugural.

After an abbreviated night’s sleep, there was a breakfast offering of chia seed pudding, a biscuit, and a wide range of coffees and teas. Not even six hours after departure, we were on the ground in Edinburgh, where this reporter planned to log off and enjoy a long vacation with his family (who tagged along on this inaugural thanks to a stash of TrueBlue points in our family pool).

Some 24 minutes earlier, JetBlue flight 2261 had made its landing in Madrid, marking the airline’s first foray into Spain. It also marked the airline’s first transatlantic route to debut out of BOS rather than John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), where its five previous European destinations launched from.

Hurley suggested that there’s no subtext to read into with that move:

“Where we see the most immediate opportunity is out of Boston, just compared to the competition [to Madrid] that exists today,” she explained. “We’re pointing airplanes to the places where we think we can drive the most profitability.”

Looking ahead

Are these new routes here to stay?

Certainly, JetBlue’s recent network cuts show it’s willing to make changes if they don’t perform, as evidenced by the recent elimination of Boston service to Halifax, Nova Scotia, that would have launched next month.

“With this leadership team, if things aren’t working, they’re going to get cut,” Hurley said, noting it “speaks to the actioning that this leadership team is willing to do to get to profitability.”

But Hurley argued that the company’s far-reaching “JetForward” plan to return JetBlue to profitability has the airline on the right track.

That plan includes new airport lounges at JFK and BOS, which will be accessible to transatlantic passengers flying in the carrier’s Mint cabin.

“All these changes are still maturing,” Hurley acknowledged. “But the headline is, we believe it’s the right strategy. We have the proof points to show that it’s working.”

How to book JetBlue with points and miles

Travelers hoping to book JetBlue’s new flights to Europe with points and miles have a few options.

Beyond flying with JetBlue and earning points by spending on a cobranded credit card, you can transfer rewards from several major issuers to the TrueBlue program. Some good TrueBlue transfer partners include:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards — points transfer to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio for some cardholders, including those with the Citi Prestige® Card(no longer available) and Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), and at a 5:4 ratio for some other cardholders.
• American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles transfer at a 5:3 ratio.

The information for the Citi Prestige 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. 

Bottom line

JetBlue’s European venture was a long time in the making when it finally launched in 2021, but it’s one that the airline insists has been successful and is here to stay. And if this completely full Thursday night flight to Edinburgh was any indication, JetBlue knows what it’s doing on this front.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations

Once upon a time, you knew with some certainty that you could book most domestic economy flights for 12,500 miles each way — or perhaps 25,000 miles each way if it were during a peak travel period like Christmas or Thanksgiving. But those were predictable fixed prices, thanks to the use of published award charts.

Now, fixed airline award prices and award charts are — at least within the U.S. — mostly part of the frequent flyer history books. In reality, award costs are variable and dramatically different from program to program, even if you’re looking at the same flight. Because of this, having multiple ways to book award flights is essential to finding the best deal.

For example, I recently had to book a last-minute flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) back home to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). I faced various choices, ranging from painfully pricey to an absolute steal.

When I started my flight search on Google Flights, Points Path (a free browser extension that runs on top of Google Flights to show you the points price alongside the cash price and whether it’s a good deal) quickly clued me in to what would be the best deal.

The last-minute cash fares were predictably painful, at about $504 one-way for nonstop United Airlines- or American Airlines-operated flights.

Related: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare

However, Points Path pointed out that I could book the same flight for just 7,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles, plus $18 in taxes and fees.

By comparison, if I used American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book this American Airlines-operated flight, it would have cost 11,000 miles for a one-way economy ticket or 21,000 miles in first class. Those are both pretty solid options compared to the cash fare, but using American miles wasn’t the best option, even though American was the airline operating the flight.

As is common these days, Alaska won the “best way to book” contest for this domestic flight. For the very same American Airlines-operated flight that would cost 11,000 American miles, I could spend 7,500 Alaska Mileage Plan miles in economy — or 15,000 miles in first class if I wanted to say “YOLO” and get home more comfortably.

Pro tip: Through June 30, you can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Hawaiian Airlines, and from there, you can transfer from Hawaiian Airlines to Alaska.

Spoiler alert: Booking a first-class seat for 15,000 Amex points transferred to Hawaiian and then on to Alaska Airlines was precisely what I did to get home affordably, comfortably and on the exact flight I wanted.

Related: How to decide when to use cash or miles for buying airline tickets

While what I did was the best option in this case, I also want to highlight a booking option that wouldn’t have been so great. This way, you can avoid it if you’re in a similar situation with your next award flight search.

If I had used miles that have a fixed value for this flight, as is really common to do, it would have been a relatively poor value given the cash rate was so high. For example, the first-class seat I ultimately booked for 15,000 Alaska miles would have cost 65,384 Capital One miles if I redeemed them at a fixed rate of 1 cent per mile. Even the economy seat selling for $504 would have been over 50,000 Capital One miles, which would make no sense with better options available.

This is why we try and shout from the rooftops that you can stretch the value of your transferable credit card points by redeeming them via transfer partners instead of redeeming them at a fixed rate through credit card travel booking portals.

Bottom line

While it is good to know that Alaska Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage are above-average loyalty programs with favorable award pricing for domestic flights, you no longer have to memorize much of this information.

What clued me in to this opportunity to spend just 7,500 miles in economy or 15,000 in first class on a ticket that was selling for over $500 was a simple Google Flights search that had Points Path enabled. I not only saw a list of the flights that would get me home, but that one step also showed me there was a well-priced award ticket to get me there.

All that’s to say, it’s clear to me that the future of award travel booking is having miles in the right programs, knowing where to look for flights and letting the best tools do the work for you.

Related reading:

• The best tools for finding points and miles availability
• How to search for award availability with the major airlines
• The best credit card offers for building up your point balance