✈️ This fall, several new international routes from the U.S. are making it easier to reach destinations like Marrakech, Brisbane, and Bonaire. With fewer crowds and lower prices, fall is an ideal time to explore these newly accessible spots. Here’s a look at some of the key routes launching soon.
Good morning from Singapore Changi Airport (again). 🇸🇬
I’m on a long layover here as I get ready to head out on a trip with some of the best points and miles redemptions I’ve ever made in my life.
But for the rest of you, here are some good old-fashioned travel tips:
🏨 Fast-track to top-tier IHG status (targeted)
IHG is not a program I’ve ever chased elite status with… but I’ve stayed at more IHG properties this year than any other year before (I’m literally in an IHG hotel right now).
And every time I stay with IHG, I wish I had the same perks that I do with Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton.
That’s why I was excited to hear that IHG is offering a way to fast-track to top-tier Diamond status.
This is the only IHG elite tier that offers premium benefits like free breakfast, 4:00 p.m. late checkout, and more.
Earning IHG Diamond normally requires a whopping 70 nights per year, higher than any other program that offers similar perks.
With this fast-track option, however, you’ll achieve Diamond status for a full year by staying… wait for it… TEN NIGHTS. 😮
Here are some details:
You must enroll for this offer, and only certain members are targeted
Only paid stays count toward this promo
You must complete your ten nights between October 1st and December 31st, 2024
You’ll have status through the end of 2025
As you can see, there is a huge window of three months, which makes this offer super achievable.
Personally, I have 12 more nights booked at IHG before the end of the year, but was not targeted for the offer and am not eligible. 😭
Of course, the fact that this offer is targeted is the main caveat.
Still, I encourage you all to try registering - It seems like this is available to a large number of people.
If you are lucky enough to be targeted, this is one of the best fast-track status challenges we’ve ever seen!
🍪 Tasty Travel Tidbits
🇯🇵 Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering a way to get a free domestic flight after booking an international flight to Japan. Simply add the domestic flight when going through the booking process, and voila, it’s free! Read more here.
✈️ Oof… Qatar Airways has added new “Redemption Fees” to all awards bookings. In other words, it's another junk fee for absolutely no reason. Some routes aren’t affected too badly, while others will cost you many hundreds of dollars more. RIP. 🪦
🇧🇯 Niche, but cool: Accor has just opened a super luxury, 5-star hotel in Cotonou, the capital of Benin, a tiny country in West Africa. If you’re a travel nerd like me and want to get off the beaten path in a super comfortable way, this will be appealing to you!
💳 Hilton just upped their card game again
If you haven’t been paying attention, Hilton has been going through some changes lately.
They revamped their card portfolio earlier this year and recently rolled out hundreds of new hotels thanks to their acquisition of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, or SLH.
If you haven’t heard of this before, SLH is a luxury hotel group with tons of properties around the world.
And, much to my surprise, Hilton offers excellent benefits at these hotels and even allows you to redeem points and Free Night Certificates, which is VERY good news.
For example, you may have heard of Calala Island, a world-famous luxury island getaway in Central America.
Thanks to this collaboration, this hotel is now bookable through Hilton. 👇
150,000 points per night is extreme, but it creates a new, super valuable way to use Hilton Free Night Certificates, which have no cap.
Of course, you need to have a Hilton credit card to earn those awards in the first place.
Thankfully, Hilton ALSO just launched some new elevated offers on these cards.
For example, their top-tier premium card comes with a Free Night Award every year, which arrives shortly after applying for the card (rather than having to wait until the 1-year mark).
The same card and this lower-tier card also offer Free Night Certificates after meeting various spending thresholds.
The fact that all cards come with a boatload of points makes this combination of factors and benefits all the more exciting.
So here’s the bottom line:
In a world of devaluations and inflated hotel prices, Hilton has made some changes and launched some new card offers that create a ton of value and allow us the chance to stay at hotels that we otherwise could only dream of.
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That’s all for today, my friends!
I hope you are all having a great start to your week, and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow morning.
Ciao.
