As of Monday, The Leading Hotels of the World’s Leaders Club hotel rewards program has become Citi’s 18th transfer partner, allowing those with the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® Card to transfer their ThankYou points to Leaders Club at a 5:1 ratio. LHW has a prestigious collection of independent luxury hotels in 80 countries with properties such as the Ritz Paris, Ritz London, La Mamounia Marrakech and Le Sirenuse on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Here’s what you need to know about transferring ThankYou points to LHW.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to transfer Citi points to Leading Hotels

Even at a 5:1 transfer ratio, in our test searches, transferring Citi ThankYou points to LHW can sometimes be a great way to maximize your points. LHW uses dynamic pricing for its award stays, and you can check the number of points required for a night during the booking process on lhw.com. You must sign up for a free LHW account before running award searches. Once you’re logged in, click “View with Points.”

In most of our test searches, you’ll get between 6 and 8 cents per point for LHW redemptions. That translates into between 1.2 and 1.6 cents per ThankYou point. For reference, TPG values Citi ThankYou points at 1.8 cents apiece.

You can book hotels with lower rates for under 10,000 LHW points per night. This includes luxury hotels like Halekulani, The Setai Miami Beach, The Knickerbocker and Nobu Hotel Miami Beach.

Is it worth transferring your Citi ThankYou points to Leaders Club?

That said, we’d only recommend transferring your ThankYou points for a specific redemption with at least 9 cents per point in value. Otherwise, you’d be redeeming your points below our valuation.

Still, in our tests, transferring your ThankYou points to LHW provides a better return on your points than simply redeeming them in the Citi portal at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point.

Related: The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards

Bottom line

If you want to use your ThankYou points for a stay at a Leading Hotel, you can now transfer your points to the program at a 5:1 ratio. This will provide a better redemption than redeeming your points in the ThankYou portal at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point. For reference, Citi added Accor as a transfer partner in May.

The twin-island country of Antigua and Barbuda is known for having 365 of the most beautiful beaches in the world — one for each day of the year. Each stretch of soft white sand is kissed by clear blue waters practically made for snorkeling.

With more and more flights to Antigua from the U.S. added in recent years, according to the country’s tourism officials, it’s easier than ever to get there.

Whether you’re looking for an adults-only, romantic escape (there’s even a resort here with overwater bungalows) or the best family beach vacation, there are plenty of luxury all-inclusive outposts that deliver. Antigua has a standout selection of all-inclusive resorts where accommodations, dining and often alcoholic beverages are included, as are some water-based activities.

Here are the best all-inclusive resorts in Antigua, ranging from ultra-luxury, adults-only hotels to more laid-back, family-friendly accommodations (and a few in between).

Related: 25 best all-inclusive resorts in the world, according to frequent travelers

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If you appreciate the finer things in life, you’ll love that the house Champagne at Jumby Bay Island is Drappier Brut — and that it flows freely.

It only gets better from there. This 300-acre private island escape has 40 open-air villas and suites spread across the island, including 12 beach house-style suites that face the ocean. It feels miles away from civilization, yet it’s only a 10-minute speedboat ride from Antigua.

Once you’re on the resort’s island, expect attentive staff, white powdery sand and bright green inland pastures dotted with sheep. Spend your days lolling on the beach or by one of three pools, or try your hand at complimentary water sports like Hobie Cat sailing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Boat trips around the island with snorkeling included are also part of the all-inclusive package.

You can even send the littles to the Jumby Explorers Kids Club for some supervised fun in the sun while you splurge on a massage, facial or body wrap with an ocean view at the spa.

For meals, you’ll dine on locally sourced foods at a variety of restaurants. There is Mediterranean-inspired fine dining at The Estate House and freshly caught seafood, aged steaks and weekly barbecue parties at The Jumby Bay Veranda. You can also sign up for a rum tasting or Caribbean cooking class, both of which the all-inclusive room rates cover.

All-inclusive rates at Jumby Bay Island start around $2,350 per night for double occupancy.

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This longstanding favorite is nestled in a quiet hillside corner overlooking its namesake bay on Antigua’s west coast. Its organic gardens supply the on-site Caribbean restaurant (which accommodates vegan and vegetarian diets). Additionally, several solar energy initiatives and sustainable construction efforts are implemented to protect its beautiful surroundings.

The 30 suites at Hermitage Bay are stand-alone bungalows on the hillside, beachfront or with a view of the gardens. No matter where they are, they feature outdoor showers and decks facing the ocean. Some even have private plunge pools for an extra dose of luxury on vacation.

You may find it hard to leave your well-appointed suite, but most travelers head to the beach, the main pool or the garden spa to unwind. The resort also draws visitors with experiences like fishing charters, scuba diving and sailing; rates also include access to nonmotorized water sports, such as kayaking, windsurfing and paddleboarding. Morning pilates, yoga or meditation sessions are also included in the nightly rate.

All-inclusive rates at Hermitage Bay start around $1,350 per night for double occupancy.

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A fresh white and turquoise color palette brings the vibe of Antigua’s striking southern coast indoors at Carlisle Bay. Guests will find decor and ambiance that are ultra-modern and environmentally focused: Floor-to-ceiling windows in the 87 open-plan suites put the focus directly on the beach in front and the rainforest behind.

While relaxing on the beach is encouraged, this resort offers a full schedule of daily activities like fitness classes, guided nature walks, cooking workshops, tennis lessons, wine tastings, a sunset cruise, and evening drumming and dance performances (though some of these are not part of the all-inclusive package, so check carefully).

Nonmotorized water sports — like kayaking, windsurfing and snorkeling — are complimentary, as is the kids club, which is open daily. There’s also the Cara Organic Beauty Spa, where a full menu of massages, body treatments, facials and hairstyling using Espa products is available for a fee.

For dining and drinking, you’ll have your pick of eight food and beverage outlets, including Asian-inspired East, the oceanfront Indigo on the Beach and Italian spot Ottimo!, which serves wood-fired pizzas. Those who need a date night away from the tots won’t want to miss The Jetty Grill, an adults-only establishment with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea.

All-inclusive rates at Carlisle Bay start around $470 per night for double occupancy.

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On glittering Dickenson Bay Beach, the enormous Sandals Grande Antigua is the epitome of a couples-only, all-inclusive Caribbean resort.

It has 373 rooms spread across 27 acres with tropical gardens, six swimming pools, a tennis court, a full-service spa and no less than 11 restaurants, including Kimonos for teppanyaki and Mario’s for Italian. There’s also nightly entertainment, such as live music, karaoke, beach parties and a piano bar.

When you’re ready for a beach day, head to the property’s gorgeous stretch of sand. While most all-inclusive beach resorts include nonmotorized water sports, Sandals Grande Antigua also lets PADI-certified guests go scuba diving as part of the inclusive package; it also offers loaner paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear and more.

As for accommodations, there are two different options: the all-suite Mediterranean Oceanview Village and the Caribbean Beachfront Village. Both complexes have a colonial-inspired aesthetic, with carved mahogany furniture. Some upgraded spaces have private pools and include butler service, while others overlook the ocean or the resort’s lush vegetation.

All-inclusive rates at Sandals Grande Antigua start around $249 per night for double occupancy.

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This 30-acre all-inclusive resort sits on a secluded peninsula jutting out of Antigua’s east coast. While many of the 186 suites and villas have ocean views, the two beaches here are relatively small.

Still, water lovers can enjoy the four pools: the largest on the island, an adults-only pool, a beachfront pool and a shallow pool adjacent to the kids club. To keep busy, there are also nonmotorized water sports available, as well as a fitness center with classes and two tennis courts.

Parents and large groups will appreciate the spacious two-bedroom villas with full kitchens, living rooms and large verandahs (even the smaller suites all have verandahs, hence the property’s name). Some also have private plunge pools.

Guests won’t go hungry during their stay, as there are nine drinking and dining outlets, including a coffee shop, a buffet-style restaurant, a Caribbean-influenced dinner spot, and multiple pool and beach bars. A fine-dining option called Nicole’s Restaurant is available as well, but it has a $40 surcharge per person.

All-inclusive rates at The Verandah Resort & Spa start around $399 per night for double occupancy.

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Nestled in a cove on Antigua’s southern coast, Curtain Bluff’s 72 guest rooms and suites are either beachfront or perched on a bluff; they embody an old-school, barefoot Caribbean luxury.

If you book a suite that’s part of the elite Hulford Collection (named for the late founder), you’ll have a large terrace with a private plunge pool facing the ocean, a marble bathroom and a separate living area. Accommodations do not have TVs to encourage you to focus on the beautiful turquoise sea and stunning white sand just a few feet away.

When you’re ready to get out and explore, you’ll find an abundance of activities, including pickleball, squash, waterskiing, snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking. Additionally, you can take a yoga or gardening class, relax at the 5,000-square-foot spa or catch some rays on one of two beaches — a calm lagoon on one side and a white sand shore with crashing waves on the other.

There’s also an active kids club that entertains little ones outside as much as possible so that parents can enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Besides various activities, all room rates cover meals and select drinks at the resort’s three restaurants. Dining options include the locally influenced Tamarind Restaurant, the alfresco Seagrape Restaurant and the legendary Wine Cellar, which has more than 4,000 bottles, including numerous complimentary house wines.

All-inclusive rates at Curtain Bluff start around $1,050 per night for double occupancy.

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With 294 suites and bungalows, eight restaurants, five bars, a casino and three swimming pools, Royalton Antigua is one of the larger resorts on the island.

It’s the only island hotel where you can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points. It’s also the only place in Antigua where you can spend the night in an overwater bungalow. This experience typically requires traveling to locales like the Maldives or French Polynesia.

Royalton Antigua’s overwater bungalows (which are only for adults) hang over the cerulean waters of Deep Bay and include an overwater hammock, an infinity plunge pool, a glass floor in the living room and an in-suite Jacuzzi, among other perks. Other rooms and suites come with plenty of their own amenities, such as balconies or terraces and rainfall showers.

Upgrade to a Diamond Club Luxury Suite for a preferred room location, butler service, use of an exclusive pool and beach area and one bottle of in-suite liquor per week. You’ll also get access to the Diamond Lounge, featuring premium drinks, daily breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres.

Outside your room, enjoy activities such as tennis, cooking classes, beach volleyball, water sports (including an introductory scuba lesson) and dance lessons. For younger guests, there are offerings like face painting and movie nights as well.

Don’t miss The Royal Spa and the Royalton Fit gym, which offer hydrotherapy circuits; indoor and outdoor fitness classes for everything from yoga to CrossFit; and a full massage, facial and beauty treatment menu.

All-inclusive rates at Royalton Antigua start around $362 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for double occupancy.

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Galley Bay Resort & Spa’s ultra-romantic setting on Antigua’s west coast makes it an ideal place to reconnect with your partner.

Here, you’ll find a white sand beach and four oceanfront restaurants; the intimate venue Gauguin even features private dining cabanas on the sand. Most of the 98 spacious rooms and suites also offer direct access to the sand — and those that don’t have private plunge pools. It’s easy to maximize your time outdoors.

The all-inclusive package covers the usual inclusions (nonmotorized water sports, land sports like tennis and volleyball, a fitness center with yoga classes, and all meals and drinks). You’ll also have access to cooking demonstrations, guided hikes to nearby Fort Barrington and tours of the on-site herb garden.

However, most guests prefer to spend their time soaking in the free-form pool with a waterfall or unwinding on the secluded shore. Should you seek even more relaxation, splurge on a treatment at the property’s spa, where options include facials, massages and body wraps featuring tropical ingredients such as coconut milk or lemongrass.

All-inclusive rates at Galley Bay Resort & Spa start around $947 per night for double occupancy.

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With only 29 rooms and cottages, this couples-only boutique resort appeals to guests who desire privacy by a gorgeous stretch of sand. Adjacent to Turners Beach on the southwestern side of the island, Keyonna Beach Resort is made for water-loving duos, as every room has its own dedicated loungers and beach bed.

Also, all accommodations come outfitted with romantic elements such as four-poster beds draped in mosquito netting, outdoor showers and large decks with garden or ocean views; some offer direct beach access and private plunge pools as well.

Since this property is designed for couples, the atmosphere is low-key, with few on-site activities. Guests do have some options, though: You can borrow loaner kayaks and snorkeling gear, participate in weekly yoga classes, learn how to play the steel drum or enjoy a wine tasting. For an additional fee, lovebirds can also treat themselves to a couples massage at the spa.

Because room rates here are all-inclusive, meals and drinks from the open-air restaurant and beach bars do not cost extra. However, couples can book a private beachfront dinner or dine from the comfort of their room or cottage’s balcony for an additional fee.

All-inclusive rates at Keyonna Beach Resort start around $440 per night for double occupancy.

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This contemporary adults-only resort sits in a secluded section of the larger Nonsuch Bay Resort complex on the east coast of Antigua.

Here, there are just 40 pool suites, each of which measures 600 square feet and features a clean, minimalist design with teak and white furnishings; each has a bathroom with a deep soaking tub that opens onto a large outdoor deck with a plunge pool. Guests have a choice of bay or garden views.

Dining options include gourmet Caribbean or international fare at Drift Restaurant & Bar. The hotel can also arrange private dinners inside suites, by the main pool, on the resort’s dock or elsewhere on the property for a fee. The resort even offers the option to enjoy a meal from your suite’s pool via a floating tray or sushi boat (but extra charges apply).

As for activities, The Escape offers kayaking excursions on the bay, nature walks with a local guide and outdoor yoga classes; in-room spa treatments — including a flower-filled soak in the bath — are available for an additional fee.

All-inclusive rates at The Escape at Nonsuch Bay start around $620 per night for double occupancy.

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On a 100-acre ribbon of land straddling two gorgeous bodies of water — Mamora Bay and St. James Bay — on Antigua’s southeastern coast, St. James’s Club Antigua offers all the conveniences of a megaresort without the cookie-cutter appearance of a chain hotel.

The resort comprises 242 accommodations — rooms, suites and villas. All come with private balconies or terraces and traditional decor like wicker furnishings, vibrant textiles and tile floors.

After a restful night’s sleep, guests can spend their days on the property’s two beaches, where they can kayak, windsurf, snorkel, paddleboard and sail. Or, visitors can swim and sunbathe at the six pools, including one for adults and another for kids.

There are also four tennis courts, three pickleball courts, a fitness center, a kids club for guests ages 4 to 12 and a spa with an outdoor treatment pavilion overlooking Mamora Bay. (Spa treatments are not part of the all-inclusive package.)

For meals, choose from seven on-site restaurants, six of which don’t cost extra. The Rainbow Garden Restaurant features international and Caribbean dishes served a la carte and buffet-style. The casual Beach Grill serves burgers, grilled bites and more. The menu at The Docksider includes Caribbean-inspired cuisine and weekly theme nights. Piccolo Mondo, the resort’s upscale Italian restaurant, charges a $40 fee per person.

All-inclusive rates at St. James’s Club Antigua start around $499 per night for double occupancy.

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Only 35 wooden cottages are available on this lush property on Antigua’s west coast, allowing for privacy and seclusion amid nature.

There are no TVs in the rooms so you can concentrate on your partner. The views and locations of the cottages vary. However, they all feature open-air designs, private balconies with hammocks and Adirondack chairs, outdoor showers and king-size, four-poster beds. Some also feature plunge pools.

The resort’s all-inclusive rates cover three meals a day at the open-air restaurant with ocean views, plus drinks, taxes and gratuities. The eatery’s rotating menu leans heavily Caribbean and serves as much locally sourced produce and freshly caught fish as possible. Dinner is often set to live local music. Private beach dinners, room service and floating canapes in your private plunge pool are also available for an extra fee.

Beyond food, drinks and accommodations, you’ll enjoy the sun-splashed beach (with loaner kayaks and snorkeling gear), the intimate pool and weekly outdoor yoga classes with the resort’s all-inclusive package.

There’s also an on-site spa with two treatment rooms (one is specifically for couples), though services cost extra. The property does offer some classes like steel-pan drumming, cooking and water aerobics, too. However, things are generally rather low-key here, allowing couples to reconnect in a tranquil setting.

All-inclusive rates at Cocos Hotel start at around $547 per night for double occupancy.

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In a cove on the island’s north shore along Soldier’s Bay and away from other hotels, Blue Waters appeals to those who may not want the full-blown, all-inclusive resort experience. Instead of only offering all-inclusive rates, the property has an optional all-inclusive meal plan, giving guests the best of both worlds.

The sprawling 17-acre property is well-manicured, with accommodations occupying several low-rise buildings and villas, so guests can feel secluded if they prefer.

All 85 rooms, suites and stand-alone homes are modern, featuring neutral tones with pops of blue in the art and accent linens. They range in size and layout, though all have furnished balconies or patios, stocked minifridges, flat-screen TVs and coffee makers. Select upgraded spaces also offer semi-private or fully private pools, airport transfers and concierge service.

When it’s time to eat, you can visit any of the three Caribbean- and French-focused restaurants (though certain items from a special “Connoisseur’s Chocie” menu at the Cove Restaurant come with a surcharge). The meal plan also covers most drinks, including those served at the two bars.

An array of activities and facilities are complimentary for meal plan guests. You can enjoy nonmotorized water sports like windsurfing and kayaking, play tennis, use the kids club, and enjoy various wellness and culinary activities available daily. There are three small white sand beach areas and three swimming pools open to all guests, plus a spa with a range of fee-based treatments using Elemis products.

All-inclusive rates at Blue Waters Resort & Spa start around $543 per night for double occupancy.

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This small 28-room inn is set on 19 beautiful beachfront acres on Antigua’s south coast. It boasts all kinds of facilities, including an infinity pool, spa, two restaurants, a gym and two well-kept tennis courts — not to mention a stunning stretch of white sand dotted with swaying hammocks.

Accommodations are either suites or beachfront cabanas. They feature traditional decor accented with various objects and artworks that the property’s owners brought from China, Bali, the Middle East and Africa. Each room measures at least 430 square feet, providing ample space for guests to stretch out during their stays. (Guests must be at least 10 years old to stay here.)

While the inn is not a true all-inclusive resort, it offers an all-inclusive meal package that comes with daily breakfast and either lunch or dinner. This is ideal for those looking for a little more flexibility to perhaps leave the property to try a few local restaurants.

The rate also covers the use of clear-bottomed kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, laser sailboats and snorkeling gear; it also covers a weekly tour of the on-site organic garden that supplies the restaurants and a water shuttle to Nelson’s Dockyard.

All-inclusive rates at The Inn at English Harbour start around $800 per night for double occupancy.

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Opened in 2019 next to Devil’s Bridge National Park on Antigua’s northeast coast, Hammock Cove Antigua offers a dose of sophistication. Its adults-only, all-inclusive aspect only adds to its allure.

Each of the 41 modern, 1,080-square-foot villas features sweeping ocean views, a vaulted ceiling, a spacious bathroom with a double shower, and an expansive furnished deck with a plunge pool and an outdoor bar. Additionally, every room is assigned an “ambassador” who guests can call at any time of day to fulfill practically any need or request.

You’ll find exceptional service outside the rooms, too. Staff on the sugary-white, sandy beach are at the ready with umbrellas, cold drinks and a full food menu; they’ll even wade into the water to bring you a cocktail as you relax on a floating ring in the ocean. Kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats are also on hand, and snorkeling is a popular activity, thanks to the thriving reef just offshore.

If you tire of the beach, cool off in the three-tiered infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, pamper yourself at the full-service spa (extra charges apply) or grab a drink from one of four bars — which range from a beach shack to a rum hideout to a cushy library lounge.

The resort’s gastronomy is particularly impressive. In addition to weekly cooking classes with the executive chef, guests can dine in the two on-site restaurants, which make everything to order. Irina’s Bistro is more casual with bistro-style bites, while the Lighthouse Restaurant is a fine dining spot serving three-course dinners with mains such as lobster, steak, rack of lamb and fresh fish.

On Fridays, guests can enjoy a beach barbecue with live steel-drum music.

All-inclusive rates at Hammock Cove Antigua start around $1,141 per night for double occupancy.

Related reading:

• The 17 best all-inclusive resorts in the US for a spectacular vacation
• 21 best all-inclusive resorts for families
• The most luxurious all-inclusive resorts around the world
• 8 lessons I learned from my 1st all-inclusive vacation

Currently, there are some lucrative Amex Offers that allow you to earn cash back on flights with Frontier Airlines, JetBlue and Delta Air Lines.

Most Amex Offers are targeted, so you’ll need to sign in to your Amex account and navigate to “Amex Offers” on your online account page or click on the “Offers” tab on the Amex app to see if you’ve been targeted for these discounts. There are a lot of offers to scan through, but filtering for the travel category can make the search process a bit easier.

Once you find an offer you are interested in, you must enroll in the offer by clicking “Add to Card” before you make your purchase. Read the fine print before you make a purchase because the stipulations vary by offer. For example, the airline offers mentioned below are only eligible for flights originating in the U.S.

Related: Frontier offers 1st month free for $149 all-you-can-fly monthly pass — is it worth it?

If you are one of the lucky American Express cardholders eligible for these flight offers, here is everything you need to know to redeem cash back on your next flight.

$40 off Frontier Airlines flights

With fares starting as low as $15, Frontier Airlines is already one of the leading choices for ultra-low-cost flights. With this money-saving Amex Offer, you can earn $40 cash back in the form of a statement credit when you spend $200 or more with Frontier Airlines.

Airline: Frontier.
How to book: You must first add the offer to your card via these instructions and then use the same card to purchase a Frontier Airlines flight of $200 or more directly on Frontier’s website or app.
Book by: Dec. 31.
Eligible purchases: This offer is eligible for U.S.-originating flights, baggage, pets, cancellation and change fees, and business or group travel.
Restrictions: You may only use this offer once per American Express account, and flights must originate in the U.S. After earning the statement credit, it will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after the offer expires (Dec. 31).

$40 off JetBlue flights

JetBlue is a favorite among TPG staffers. We love the free snacks, the TrueBlue rewards program and the carrier’s generous family seating policy.

If you love JetBlue as much as we do, you can save $40 via a statement credit when you spend $200 or more on your next flight. This could be the perfect opportunity for disaffected Delta Medallion members who initiated a Mosaic status match to test the waters with JetBlue.

Airline: JetBlue.
How to book: You must first add the offer to your card via these instructions and then use the same card to purchase a JetBlue flight or JetBlue Vacations package that costs $200 or more directly on JetBlue’s website or app. 
Book by: Nov. 30.
Eligible purchases: This offer is eligible for U.S.-originating flights on valid JetBlue and JetBlue Vacations purchases. Inflight purchases, baggage, pets, cancellation and change fees, and business and group travel are also included.
Restrictions: You may only use this offer once per American Express account, and flights must originate in the U.S. After earning the statement credit, it will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after the offer expires (Nov. 30).

$100 off Delta flights

Delta has been in the news a lot lately, but most of the news has not been good. The airline recently announced major changes to its SkyMiles program (starting in 2024) and who can access Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide (starting Feb. 1, 2025). In addition to Delta admitting it may have gone a bit too far with these changes, all hope is not lost for Delta’s frequent flyers.

Here’s how you can save $100 on your next Delta Air Lines flight of $400 or more.

Airline: Delta.
How to book: You must first add the offer to your card via these instructions and then use the same card to make a $400 minimum Delta Air Lines purchase on Delta’s website or mobile app.
Book by: Dec. 31.
Eligible purchases: This offer is eligible for U.S.-originating flights, as well as add-on purchases such as fare upgrades, seat selection fees, baggage fees, standby fees and Delta Sky Club memberships.
Restrictions: You may only use this offer once per American Express account, and flights must originate in the U.S. This offer is valid only for purchases where Delta Air Lines is the merchant of record. After earning the statement credit, it will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after the offer expires (Dec. 31).

Maximize these offers

You can already save up to $100 with these valuable cash-back offers, but you can save even more by using the right Amex card to make your purchase. If you have multiple Amex cards, you may see these offers available on each card; you’ll want to use the one that provides the highest rewards or travel-related perks, like trip delay reimbursement.

For example, you can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel when you use The Platinum Card® from American Express (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year). If you use this card to make your eligible flight purchase, you can get a combination of bonus points and statement credits.

Before making your purchase, you’ll also want to ensure you are enrolled in the airline’s rewards program. These programs are free to join, and because these Amex Offers require you to purchase directly with the airline, you can essentially “double dip” by earning Amex points and airline miles.

Bottom line

Here at TPG, we are already deep into holiday travel planning. There are still ways to save on holiday travel, including these exciting cash-back offers from Amex.

Related reading:

• How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
• The 5 best no-annual-fee airline credit cards
• Save up to 50% on Amazon purchases using just 1 Amex point
• Which is the best American Express credit card for you?

This sale goes through 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Oct. 17, or while supplies last.

Deal basics

Airline: Norse Airways.
Routes: From Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Orlando and other cities to London, Oslo, Berlin, Paris, Rome and other cities.
How to book: Browse directly with the airline.
Travel dates: Oct. 29, 2023, through March 15, 2024; exact availability depends on the route.
Book by: 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Blackout dates: Vary by route.

Sample flights

The following flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below one-way flights will be available when you book:

• Miami International Airport (MIA) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), starting at $129
• MIA to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), starting at $132
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to CDG, starting at $137
• MIA to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), starting at $139
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to LGW, starting at $162
• JFK to LGW, starting at $216

To search the rest of the included routes, use Norse’s calendar feature to identify the cheapest one-way flight, which is subject to availability. The sale advertises one-way fares, but you can stack two discounted one-way flights to make a round-trip. Note that it’s unlikely that you’ll find a round-trip at the lowest advertised price. For example, you could book a flight from JFK to LGW in late November for $137 and pay $234 to return a week later.

The sale flights are for Norse’s Economy Light class, which restricts passengers to one small carry-on item that can fit underneath the seat in front of them, not exceeding 17 by 14 by 8 inches. The fare type does not include any extras, such as baggage or seating, so consider upgrading to Economy Classic or Economy Flextra.

Baggage fees start at $45 for carry-on items and $60 for smaller checked bags.

Maximize your purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

• American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year
• Citi Premier® Card: (see rates and fees) 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel

Bottom line

A variety of flights are available this winter from U.S. hubs to major European cities, including London and Paris, starting at less than $200 one-way. If you have flexibility with your travel dates, play around with Norse’s low-fare calendar to see if you can finagle a discounted round-trip for under $400.

Related reading:

• Excellent value in Europe: Why my family loved the Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere
• 28 best European routes where you should take a train instead of a plane
• Is Air France premium economy worth it to Europe?
• The best travel credit cards of October 2023
• Best credit cards of October 2023

American Express has recently introduced a new set of Amex Offers for targeted cardholders on eligible Amazon purchases. In this latest round of offers, some cardholders can earn an enticing bonus of 5 extra Membership Rewards points per eligible dollar spent on Amazon — just in time for your holiday shopping needs.

If you have one of these offers, you can earn bonus points by making Amazon purchases with an enrolled card between now and Dec. 31, 2023.

TPG director of content Nick Ewen found the offer on his The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express:

Note that the offer is capped at 2,500 bonus points, which means it applies on up to $500 in spending. If you max it out, you’ll enjoy $50 in additional value through this offer based on TPG’s valuations of Amex Membership Rewards points (in addition to the standard earning rate on your card).

For example, the Blue Business Plus card earns 2 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar), so with an additional 5 points per dollar, you’d earn up to 7 points per dollar. That’s a 14% return on Amazon purchases at our valuations.

TPG senior points and miles writer Katie Genter found a similar offer on her Amex Everyday Card:

The information for the Amex EveryDay has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Note that this offer has a lower cap of 2,000 bonus points. Still, this bonus offer is worth up to $40 according to our valuations.

While you should read the full terms of the offer in your account, they’re generally only valid for purchases made at Amazon.com and via the U.S. Amazon mobile app. Additionally, you may not receive any bonus points on the following purchases:

Excludes corporate gift card and custom-designed gift card purchases. Not valid at international sites owned and/or operated by Amazon or websites affiliated with/linked to/from Amazon.com. Excludes Prime memberships and auto-renew subscription services. Offer not valid for Amazon Go, Amazon Local, Amazon Mechanical Turk, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Home & Business Services, Amazon Currency Converter, Home Services, Prime Photos, Amazon Inspire, Amazon Video Direct, Amazon business, Amazon Global, or Amazon Drive.

Related: Best credit cards for Amazon purchases

As always, with targeted offers, eligibility can vary from card to card and member to member. It’s worth checking all of your Amex accounts to see if this Amazon offer is available to you.

At the same time, you should also check if you’re eligible for up to 50% off your next Amazon purchase when you redeem 1 Membership Reward point.

If you have one of these offers, taking advantage of it is a great way to maximize your earnings on a platform where many of us make everyday purchases.

And if you don’t currently have an American Express card and want to get in on future discounts, check out our list of the best Amex cards.

MGM Resorts rattled the hotel loyalty orbit over the summer by announcing it was ending a partnership with Hyatt in favor of launching a broader deal with Marriott International. While Marriott and MGM were expected to launch their extensive partnership spanning loyalty, online betting and even hotel branding this month, the specific start date wasn’t clear.

That was thrown even further into jeopardy while MGM faced an unprecedented cyberattack last month. The companies issued a joint statement Monday morning indicating the partnership will now launch sometime in early 2024.

“Marriott International and MGM Resorts International are creating an extraordinary experience for our loyalty members with the introduction of MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy,” the statement from Marriott and MGM said. “Our two companies are excited to deliver world-class offerings and benefits for our guests. We look forward to debuting MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy by early 2024.”

A not-so-surprising delay

While neither company commented on a specific reason for the delay, the need to push the tethering back by a few months isn’t exactly a shock. MGM’s cybersecurity threat is only part of the equation.

MGM’s cybersecurity issues entailed entire IT systems shutting down for days at the company’s megaresorts while investigations looking into the scope of the attack took place. Some customer personal data was accessed, and those customers were notified. MGM Resorts estimated the entire ordeal cost the company $100 million, per a regulatory filing earlier this month.

However, the cybersecurity attack also ate into valuable time that would be necessary to close the partnership between MGM and Marriott. While MGM and Hyatt were more of a loyalty tie-up, the Marriott link-up is expected to be a significantly deeper relationship with connections to the BetMGM online gaming and betting platform, as well as what essentially amounts to the creation of a new brand — the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy — along with select MGM Resorts properties going into other Marriott brands like the Luxury Collection, the Autograph Collection and the Tribute Portfolio.

It’s not exactly the creation of an entirely new brand since the MGM Collection is going to be an umbrella for existing properties like New York-New York Hotel & Casino, the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Luxor Hotel & Casino and Maryland’s MGM National Harbor. But it takes time to integrate properties onto any kind of new platform, even a soft brand like the MGM Collection.

Bellagio Las Vegas will belong to Marriott’s Luxury Collection under the new partnership, while Aria Resort & Casino and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will be included in the Autograph Collection. Park MGM Las Vegas will join the Tribute Portfolio.

Recent brand launches from Hilton and Hyatt had executives touting the wonders of creating something new in less than a year, so it’s not a surprise Marriott and MGM need a little more time.

What to expect from MGM and Marriott’s delayed partnership

Once the partnership does kick off, we anticipate the partnership between Marriott and MGM will drive higher room rates in Las Vegas since the idea is Marriott Bonvoy brings in customers who will likely pay more at a resort.

“This agreement will enhance our profitability by driving lower customer acquisition costs and with a better mix of higher [average daily room rates] and on-property spend,” MGM Resorts CEO William Hornbuckle said on an investor call earlier this year.

Given the tighter relationship expected from MGM and Marriott compared to MGM and Hyatt, we’re hoping for more seamless loyalty earning compared to the prior partnership where it could take weeks for points and elite night credits to appear in an account. Others think this presents an opportunity for MGM to expand beyond resorts with casinos attached.

We’ll wait until early next year to find out just what it all means.

Related reading:

• Marriott Bonvoy: The ultimate guide for travelers
• The best Marriott credit cards
• What is Marriott Bonvoy elite status worth?
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards

Owning a small business can present lucrative opportunities for maximizing credit card rewards. It can also present unique challenges because much of the information surrounding travel credit cards is focused on personal options rather than those geared toward businesses.

Today, let’s closely examine credit card strategies for small-business owners looking to maximize rewards.

Here are 10 things to consider as you build a strategy to maximize rewards from your business spending.

Look at where your business spends the most

Before any other tip, you need a good understanding of your business’ spending — not just how much you spend but where you spend it.

Start by looking at your business’ spending and the relevant Merchant Category Codes to see where to maximize spending to earn more points on every dollar. Then, check the earnings from the credit card you’re currently using for business expenses; can another card do better?

If your business spends a lot on shipping products, you want a card that earns extra points here. If you own a restaurant and consistently make grocery purchases, chances are that the best card for your business will be different.

After analyzing where you spend the most, look for cards that earn bonus points or miles in these categories. You could even consider applying for the best card for each of your regular spending categories, as that will allow you to maximize all of your transactions.

Luckily, some cards adapt to your business’ spending habits, as well.

For example, the American Express® Business Gold Card offers 4 points per dollar in the two categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle — up to $150,000 in combined spending per year, 3 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com (then 1 point per dollar).

Meanwhile, the Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card offers 3% cash back on the category of your choice. You can also boost your earnings if you’re a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.

Consider whether elite status matters to you

Spending your way toward elite status is possible in multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs. Depending on the program, you can boost your progress or spend your way toward status outright without ever leaving home. If you have a small business through which you can spend significantly on a cobranded credit card, this could be a great opportunity to gain elite status in a program you enjoy.

If you’re interested in airline elite status, consider American Airlines. With American’s shift to Loyalty Points, you can swipe your way to elite status by earning 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on a range of American Airlines credit cards.

For hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.

If you’re more of a Hilton fan, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers complimentary Gold status, but if you spend $40,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you’ll unlock top-tier Diamond status.

As you evaluate this decision, consider what this status is worth to you, and compare it to the sections above to ensure you’re earning the most rewards on each purchase. Everyone’s situation is different, so you must decide which is the most valuable option for your business’ spending habits.

Build an arsenal of cards that complement each other

If your business spends broadly across numerous categories, then you should consider a card with bonus earnings in multiple categories that apply to your situation — or you could apply for multiple cards that complement one another.

If you spend across social media advertising, shipping, wireless services and other categories not all found on the same credit card, look for cards that earn well in those categories. Choose the card that earns the most rewards in that spending category and set it as your preferred payment method with the relevant vendor(s).

Setting a preferred credit card for payment with different vendors can help you earn the maximum rewards on each purchase. It also avoids the situation where you or an employee can’t remember which card to use and choose the wrong one — possibly missing out on thousands of points.

Be careful with business spending on personal cards

Personal credit cards can have some excellent features: big sign-up bonuses, elite status with your preferred hotel or even extra rewards in a category where your business spends regularly. There’s nothing inherently wrong with using a personal credit card on these purchases. However, you should be wary of what a large balance on your card’s monthly statement can mean for your credit score.

A full 30% of your credit score is based on your credit utilization — which reflects how much you owe compared to your total available line of credit. For example, if you have a single credit card with a limit of $10,000 and a balance of $1,000 on that card, then your utilization is 10%.

If you regularly put large business purchases on personal credit cards, those balances will reflect on your credit report and potentially drive your score down. However, most business credit cards won’t appear on your personal credit report, so large purchases on these cards shouldn’t affect your credit score.

Related: Do business credit cards impact my credit score?

Crunch the numbers to justify an annual fee

Seeing cards with elevated earning rates is enticing. However, they usually come with a higher fee. Doing some math can help you find the best card for your business.

Two small-business credit cards from Capital One provide a great example here. The Capital One Spark Miles for Business has an introductory annual fee of $0, then $95 thereafter (see rates and fees). This card earns unlimited 2 Capital One miles per dollar. The Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has no annual fee each year and earns an unlimited 1.5 miles on every dollar.

The information for the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

On paper, you may think it’s obvious to go for the card that earns 2 miles per dollar, but it depends on how much you spend on the card each year.

In short, you want to find the “break-even point” where you’re earning enough extra miles to offset the annual fee.

The calculation works like this:

Annual fee ÷ Value of additional rewards per dollar spent (expressed as a decimal) = Total spending to break even

You should follow this example when choosing between two credit cards and want to apply for just one. If there is a higher annual fee on one of the cards, evaluate just how much you need to spend to earn rewards that offset that annual fee. If you don’t think you will meet that spending threshold, then a card with a lower earning rate and a lower annual fee will be best for you.

Understand the rules and restrictions

With personal credit cards, we are accustomed to seeing explicit rules like this:

“You cannot earn a new cardmember bonus on this card if you have applied for or earned a bonus on this card in the past 24 months.”

I can’t count how often people cite this rule for the Chase Ink family of business credit cards. However, there’s no such rule.

For business owners with multiple ventures, you may want to keep your spending separate, so having a different credit card for each one may make sense.

There are obviously other application rules at play, but don’t be fooled by the common repetition of this nonexistent 24-month rule on Ink credit cards.

Go for big bonuses as a big spender

Different businesses spend different amounts of money. Not every business owner can meet the requirements for huge bonuses, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, try to grab them when they roll around if you can.

For example, the Capital One Venture X Business is currently offering 150,000 bonus miles when you spend $30,000 in the first three months of account opening.

However, not every small business can spend $30,000 in three months, leading some business owners to pass on these offers. If you’re fortunate enough to have a business with large spending power, keep your eyes out for bonuses with big payouts after high spending.

This also applies to banks with cash bonuses for new business checking accounts after completing certain activities. The more lucrative bonuses typically require more spending or larger deposits into the new account. Leverage the high spending power of your business if this applies to you.

Related: Cards currently offering sign-up bonuses of 100,000 points or more

Use the right card for large purchases

While we spend a lot of time talking about using the best credit card in various categories, in order to maximize spending categories, we don’t spend as much time talking about the fact some credit cards offer bonus points and miles on large purchases.

For instance, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers 1.5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million in purchases each calendar year). Similarly, the Chase Ink Business Premier Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on everyday spending, but that rate goes up to 2.5% on purchases of $5,000 or more.

Aside from elevated earning rates on cards you already have, consider applying for a new credit card if your business has big spending on the horizon. That could be a great opportunity to meet the spending requirements for a new card welcome bonus, yielding more than 2%-3% back on your spending.

Related: The top 6 credit cards to maximize large purchases

Watch for bonuses to add employee cards

American Express routinely has offers to add authorized users on personal cards and employee cards on business accounts. Taking advantage of these offers can net hundreds of thousands of bonus points.

Just note that there are limits to how many employee cards you can add to an account; not everyone is targeted for these offers. In addition, there are usually spending requirements attached to these offers, and these are usually ‘per card’, meaning you must meet the spending requirement on each individual employee card to earn the relevant bonus.

Recently, we have also seen a big increase in welcome offers with bonuses for adding and using employee cards. You may see a welcome offer like “Earn X points after spending $5,000 in your first three months of card membership. Earn another X points when you add an employee card and spend at least $1,000 on it in the first three months.” Note that these types of offers are targeted, so not everyone will see the same offers.

If other employees make purchases for your business, adding them strategically can greatly add to your points and miles balances. Just remember that you’re still responsible for all spending on the account.

Be sure to use your cards’ benefits

This tip applies to all credit cards — business and personal. If your card has an annual fee and you aren’t using the perks and benefits, then you probably shouldn’t be paying that annual fee.

Be sure to use benefits like the cellphone protection on the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and the $10 in monthly wireless credits from the American Express Business Platinum Card. The Business Platinum also has hundreds of dollars in annual credits with Dell, Indeed and Adobe that you can use each year.*

Meanwhile, the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite™ Mastercard®  has up to $100 in annual statement credits toward monthly software service purchases like FreshBooks or QuickBooks. The information for the U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

Look at your card’s benefits and ways to maximize them. If you can’t do that, look at the value you are getting out of these benefits to determine whether they offset the card’s annual fee (if there is one). If you aren’t getting more value than the annual fee, and if the rewards you’re earning from that card could be replicated with another card, you could probably close this credit card to save money each year.

*Enrollment required for select benefits.

Bottom line

Small-business owners are uniquely positioned to maximize points and miles earnings. Not every business spends the same amount of money, but these are the main elements you should consider as you build a credit card strategy to maximize your rewards.

A solid strategy for your business credit cards should also complement your personal credit card strategy. A good example is how holding a business and personal Marriott credit card can help you earn status each year. If you pair your business and personal credit card strategies well, it can increase your earnings.

If nothing else, you should understand your business’ spending amounts and categories to know what bonuses are within your reach and to use the right credit cards to maximize each purchase as much as possible.

Related: How to choose the right credit card for your business expenses

With just a few months left until Feb. 29, 2024, when all American Airlines Loyalty Points balances reset, the race to earn AAdvantage elite status in creative ways is alive and well.

Loyalty Points are the sole metric used in qualifying for American status. From credit card spending to buying flowers through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal, numerous creative ways exist to earn Loyalty Points. People might say: “A mile earned, a Loyalty Point earned.” But there are plenty of exceptions to that rule.

Just as important as knowing what earns Loyalty Points, you should familiarize yourself with what won’t earn Loyalty Points. After all, we don’t want you miscalculating your award balance and subsequently not achieving status.

Here are nine AAdvantage earnings that won’t accrue Loyalty Points.

Transferring, gifting or buying miles

You won’t earn Loyalty Points when you buy, gift or transfer miles. For example, you can buy 150,000 AAdvantage miles at a 35% discount for $3,668.44. But you’ll earn 0 Loyalty Points on that transaction.

Similarly, if you transfer or gift AAdvantage miles to someone else, neither you nor they will earn Loyalty Points.

Related: 7 current promotions for buying points and miles

Redeeming AAdvantage miles

You also won’t earn Loyalty Points when you redeem AAdvantage miles.

For example, I booked the above flight from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for 40,000 AAdvantage miles in World Traveller Plus with British Airways. As you can see, I accrued no Loyalty Points.

Related: How to redeem miles with the American Airlines AAdvantage program

Welcome, spending bonuses and special promotions

“Sign up and earn 50,000 bonus miles; book now and enjoy 5,000 bonus miles.”

We’ve all heard these offers on flights, in airports and when calling American. Unfortunately, you won’t earn Loyalty Points for welcome offers, spending bonuses and special promotions, even if it’s a sign-up bonus on an AAdvantage cobranded credit card. This exclusion also applies to bonuses on the AAdvantage Shopping Portal, AAdvantage Dining, AAdvantage Cruises, AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Vacations.

Of course, you’ll continue to earn Loyalty Points based on the standard earning rate.

For instance, at the time of writing, Viator purchases earn 7 miles per dollar when made through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal (the standard earning rate is 2 miles per dollar). In this case, you’ll earn 7 Loyalty Points per dollar you spend on upcoming tours.

However, if a promotion through AA Shopping lets you earn 2,000 bonus miles for spending $500, you won’t accrue Loyalty Points on the bonus.

Related: Why I’m focusing on the American Airlines shopping portal this year

Credit card bonus categories

You’ll earn a flat 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on your cobranded AAdvantage card, even if your card earns 2 miles per dollar. Take the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® (see rates and fees), which earns 2 miles per dollar at gas stations, for example. Even though the card earns 2 miles per dollar in certain categories, you’ll earn a flat 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent regardless of where you spend.

Still, if you’re a business owner with high credit card spending, charging $200,000 to the card would give you 200,000 Loyalty Points, enough for top-tier Executive Platinum status without ever setting foot on an American plane.

In addition, there are two ways to earn bonus Loyalty Points with credit cards. Travelers with an AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® earn 5,000 Loyalty Points when they spend $20,000 in a single status year. Plus, they earn an additional 5,000 Loyalty Points when spending $40,000 and $50,000 on the card.

The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Card and the AAdvantage Aviator Silver 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.

On the other hand, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) awards 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Cardmembers will receive another bonus of 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year.

Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers

Bask Bank savings account

You’re probably familiar with CD (certificate of deposit) bank accounts: deposit a certain amount of money for a set period, don’t withdraw it and earn interest.

AAdvantage has applied this model to an arrangement with Bask Bank where AAdvantage members can deposit money into a Bask Bank Mileage Savings Account for 12 months and earn AAdvantage miles instead of cash interest. For every $1 that you deposit for 12 months, you earn 2.5 AAdvantage miles. You can deposit up to $200,000 and earn 500,000 miles; mileage interest is paid monthly.

In addition, Bask Bank occasionally offers promotions for extra miles. For example, you can currently earn 5,000 bonus miles if you open a new account by Nov. 30, 2023, fund the account within 15 days and maintain a minimum daily account balance of $25,000 for 90 consecutive days out of the first 120 days following account opening.

Unfortunately, none of these AAdvantage miles count as Loyalty Points — unless there’s a limited-time promotion that explicitly awards Loyalty Points (like we saw last fall).

Related: Introducing Bask Bank, a new way to earn miles

Donations to fight cancer

American awards you 10 miles per dollar when donating more than $25 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). Earlier this year, American offered up to 50 AAdvantage miles per dollar for a limited time when donating to SU2C. That’s a fantastic promotion for supporting a great cause.

While you earn miles from these donations, you won’t earn Loyalty Points.

Related: Donate now: Earn 50 AAdvantage miles per dollar on your donation to Stand Up To Cancer

Transferring points or miles from another currency to AAdvantage

You can’t transfer American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou points or Chase Ultimate Rewards to AAdvantage. Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to AAdvantage miles, but you won’t earn Loyalty Points on these transfers.

The cost of your ticket outside the base fare and carrier-imposed fee(s)

When you’re flying American, you earn miles and Loyalty Points depending on your status:

• General member: 5 miles and LPs per dollar
• Gold: 7 miles and LPs per dollar
• Platinum: 8 miles and LPs per dollar
• Platinum Pro: 9 miles and LPs per dollar
• Executive Platinum: 11 miles and LPs per dollar

You only earn miles and Loyalty Points on the base fare and carrier-imposed fee(s). For example, every ticket in the United States includes a mandatory $5.60 security fee, which is ineligible for mileage and Loyalty Point credit.

You can call American and confirm how many miles and Loyalty Points your reservation will earn. Alternatively, you can pull up your itinerary on ITA Matrix and refer to the fare breakdown. Subtract out all government-imposed taxes and fees, and you’ll see how much spending earns AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points.

For example, this flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) costs $140.63. However, only $79 of this is eligible for earning AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points. As you can see in the fare breakdown, the rest of the cost comprises taxes and fees imposed by the U.S. and Mexico.

This means an AAdvantage member without elite status would earn 395 AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points, while a top-tier Executive Platinum elite would earn 869 miles and Loyalty Points.

Certain partner fare classes

Certain partner fares are ineligible for earning miles and Loyalty Points. As you can see from the above AAdvantage Cathay Pacific earning chart, many economy class fares are ineligible for credit. This means you won’t earn miles or Loyalty Points on these sorts of fares.

In the case of Fiji Airways, all fares marketed by Fiji Airways (indicated by a Fiji Airways flight number) don’t earn Loyalty Points.

You can check the full earnings list of American’s partners here. If your fare class isn’t eligible for mileage credit on AAdvantage, you’ll want to credit the flight to another Oneworld frequent flyer program.

Related: Quick Points: Earn American AAdvantage status quickly with partner flights

Bottom line

Not all AAdvantage activities earn Loyalty Points, so it’s important to be aware of which ones do not. Ensure you know which activities won’t earn you Loyalty Points to avoid missing out on earning status this year.

BermudAir described the move as a “strategic shift” that would better allow it to respond to consumer demand and “evolving market dynamics.”

“After nearly 170 successful flights, it’s clear that there is strong demand for direct, short-haul and premium flights between Bermuda and the East Coast,” Adam Scott, BermudAir’s CEO and founder, said in a statement. “We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our guests about their experience onboard BermudAir, but guests also desire more options and flexibility. BermudAir is uniquely positioned to fill that need with our dual-class cabin.”

BermudAir made its debut on Aug. 31, marketing itself as a business-class-only carrier with flights operating from New York’s Westchester County Airport (HPN), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA).

The startup carrier leased a fleet of 88-seat Embraer E175s with a 2-2 configuration, initially only selling half of the cabin. This allowed passengers to have both the aisle and window seats.

BermudAir originally intended to reconfigure the cabins of the fleet to full business-class ones by Nov. 1. Now, BermudAir said passengers can expect to see the newly announced changes within the fleet at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Scott founded the startup with the intention of boosting business and leisure travel between the U.S. and the British island territory.

“Bermuda has the best parts of Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.,” Scott said to TPG in August. “It’s just a happy place for me.”

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or an expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• The 18 best places to travel in 2023
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the best travel credit cards out there. It hits on all cylinders: lucrative earning rates, valuable perks and versatile rewards — all with an affordable annual fee.

You can earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG estimates the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points to be 2.05 cents each when you maximize the program’s transfer partners, making the 60,000-point bonus worth $1,230. Along with Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the most valuable points of any credit card issuer.

Let’s dive into why you should consider adding the card to your wallet.

Why you should apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred is well worth opening, partly because it is easy to rack up points after you’ve spent the sign-up bonus.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has several generous bonus-earning categories:

• 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal
• 3 points per dollar on dining
• 3 points per dollar on select streaming services
• 3 points per dollar on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases

Cardmembers also receive a 10% annual point bonus based on their total spend during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $1 spent. So, if you spend $20,000 on the card in a year, you’ll get 2,000 extra points at the end of it.

In addition, Chase Ultimate Rewards can transfer to 14 airline or hotel partners, including valuable partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and World of Hyatt. You can maximize your rewards by booking aspirational business-class tickets or picturesque stays at island resorts for far less than their cash equivalent.

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the top travel rewards credit cards on the market, with travel protections and up to $50 in annual hotel statement credits for hotel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards after each member’s anniversary. That covers more than half the card’s already reasonable $95 annual fee.

No wonder many TPG staffers continue to carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred year after year. Given its easy-to-understand perks, strong earning rates and the usefulness of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, it probably deserves a place in any traveler’s wallet.

Learn more in our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred with 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months

Related Chase Sapphire Preferred stories:

• Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
• Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your first rewards card
• Why you should choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred over the Reserve
• What credit score do you need to be approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card?