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JetBlue raised its bag fees for the second time this year, and a first checked bag now starts at $50 each way if you pay at least a day ahead and avoid peak travel dates. Otherwise, it can run up to $70. If history repeats itself, other airlines could follow within a couple of weeks. The best way to avoid the fee is an airline credit card like the JetBlue Plus Card, which can get you and up to three companions a free first checked bag. If you check bags on JetBlue even once or twice a year, the card can pay for itself.

Before you rent a car abroad, check whether you need an international driving permit. Countries including Italy, Spain, Austria, and Japan require one, even if the rental counter never asks for it. It’s $20 through AAA, no membership needed, and often same-day at a branch.

And if the grandparents are visiting for the holidays (or you’re visiting the grandkids), Six Flags is offering guests 65 and older free, unlimited admission to their home park through the end of its 2026 season.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:26 JetBlue Raises Checked Bag Fees Again

2:38 When You Need an International Driving Permit

4:01 Free Six Flags Admission for Guests 65+

4:37 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

I let a $300 flight credit expire, even with reminders set the whole time. I had every intention of using it, but it was on an airline I rarely fly, and none of its routes fit my plans. Most travel credits last about a year, often counted from when you first booked. Delta and JetBlue typically let you book by the deadline and fly later, United and American need your trip to start before it, and with Southwest, the whole trip has to be finished by the expiration date.

That $300 looks small next to a tent that starts at $3,500 a night. Beginning in late December, you can book one of two tented suites at Robert De Niro’s Nobu resort in Barbuda, about a year before its hotel opens. If that’s out of budget, you could stop by the resort’s Nobu restaurant for lunch on a day trip from Antigua.

Also, check your credit card’s app for card-linked offers, which can get you a statement credit or bonus points when you spend with specific brands. November’s batch has plenty of travel deals, so add them to your card before you book.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:20 How to Keep Flight Credits From Expiring

2:19 Robert De Niro’s $3,500-a-Night Barbuda Tent

4:05 New Card-Linked Travel Offers

4:36 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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United now sells a basic version of domestic first class, called Base. Think basic economy, but with a bigger seat. Picking a seat costs extra, you get one checked bag instead of two, changes cost about $200, and you earn zero redeemable miles. Standard brings those perks back for a bit more, and for most trips, we’d pay up. Award tickets booked with United miles aren’t affected, at least for now.

On the brighter side, one of our favorite no-annual-fee cards has a limited-time welcome offer that’s ending soon. Through December, it also earns bonus rewards at restaurants and grocery stores, and it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Also, Monkey Bar, from the team behind 4 Charles and Au Cheval, is now serving breakfast. Dinner there is one of the hardest reservations in New York, so this might be the easiest way to finally get in. And yes, the famous $35 truffle monkey bread is on the menu.

👉 Explore limited-time welcome offers

Offers valid at time of posting & may have expired.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:25 United’s New Basic First Class

2:28 A No-Annual-Fee Card Offer Ending Soon

4:06 Monkey Bar Now Serves Breakfast

4:42 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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Texting Delta no longer gets you a real person. Those messages now trigger an auto-reply sending you to Delta Concierge, the AI assistant in Delta’s app. It can track a bag or find a travel credit just fine, but when a canceled connection leaves you stranded, you want an agent who can find options the app won’t show you. The humans haven’t gone anywhere. They’re just harder to reach, so here’s how to get through to one faster. Fittingly, a top-tier Delta elite who recently complained about the airline’s chat support got an email reply that still opened with the AI prompt asking for a warm, empathetic tone. Someone forgot to hit delete.

Then there’s travel insurance, which most of us decline at checkout without a second thought. For a cheap weekend with refundable plans, your travel credit card’s coverage may be plenty. A separate policy can matter more if you get sick or hurt abroad, or for a honeymoon or group villa you put on your card while you’re still chasing everyone on Venmo.

And if you’re driving to the airport for Thanksgiving, consider reserving parking now. Busy airport garages can fill up, even on a normal travel day.

👉 Read our full travel insurance guide

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:21 How to Reach a Real Person at Delta

2:14 Why You Should Book Airport Parking Early

2:59 When Travel Insurance Makes Sense

4:15 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

As the days get shorter and colder, Miami makes a tempting escape, with warm weather, beach time, rooftop cocktails, and plenty to fit into a quick getaway. Our ideal 48 hours starts at the pool and moves on to a sushi happy hour, a beach day, the murals at Wynwood Walls, and a dressed-up night at Kiki on the River. We also share points-friendly hotel options, including a look at the former W South Beach, which is reopening as a Waldorf Astoria in 2027.

Just because you can put that poolside bar tab on points doesn't mean you should. Hilton is starting to let elite members use points for room service and other charges at checkout, and American Airlines is rolling out its own miles-and-cash bookings. Both are convenient, but you'll usually get more for your points by saving them for a regular award night or flight.

And for all the NYC Marathon runners, Delta is handing out free treats near baggage claim at JFK and LaGuardia on Oct. 29 and 30, then offering early boarding and a shout-out at the gate on Nov. 1 and 2.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:19 How to Spend 48 Hours in Miami

2:28 When Paying With Points Isn't Worth It

3:45 Delta's NYC Marathon Perks

4:30 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

Thanks to a new Amex Airbnb partnership, you can now book Airbnbs through Amex Travel and earn bonus points on those stays. And if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, your up-to-$600 annual hotel credit is now called the lodging credit and now covers eligible Airbnb Luxe homes, too. Those stays can also come with up to $250 for Airbnb Experiences. The bad news is that starting in 2027, you’ll need to book at least two nights to use the credit, so say goodbye to the one-night fancy hotel splurge.

In other Airbnb news, the company is cracking down on checkout chores. For bookings made on or after Nov. 20, hosts can’t make you strip the beds or take out the trash, which seems fair when you’re already paying a cleaning fee.

Meanwhile, Air China just launched a Copenhagen-to-Reykjavik flight. It sounds like a typo, but it’s a great example of a fifth freedom route. These flights can get you a much nicer seat on a shorter trip, and they can be cheaper, too. We explain what they are and how to book them.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 Amex Travel Adds Airbnb Stays

1:45 Airbnb’s New Checkout Chore Rules

2:38 What Are Fifth Freedom Flights?

4:15 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

Think of a second honeymoon as a do-over, your chance to book the trip you couldn’t afford after the wedding. If an overwater villa has been living on your Pinterest board, now could be the time. Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG have resorts with overwater rooms you can book with points. The Caribbean even has a few overwater bungalows of its own. Familymoons are catching on, too, with resorts that once catered to couples adding perks for kids and grandparents.

Celebrating at sea instead? Amex’s Cruise & Yacht Collection is now live. Eligible Amex Platinum cardholders can get $100 to $300 in onboard credit on sailings of five nights or more booked through Amex Travel.

If you’d rather do Europe, Paris might not be on your list right now, but it could be next year. Air France-KLM Flying Blue released cheap business class award seats there from cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, starting at 60,000 miles one way with dates through August 2027. Through Oct. 31, transfer bonuses from Amex and Rove make it even cheaper, at 48,000 Amex points or about 43,000 Rove Miles.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:21 Planning a Second Honeymoon

2:37 Amex’s Cruise & Yacht Collection

3:04 Flying Blue’s Business Class Award Deal

4:28 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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Business class comes with plenty of goodies, but not everything at your seat is yours to keep. The noise-canceling headphones and bedding stay on the plane, while amenity kits, toiletry gift sets, pajamas, and slippers can go home with you. A few airlines almost expect you to take something, from a decorative Qatar Airways pillow and Virgin Atlantic's cheeky airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers to KLM's gin-filled ceramic Dutch houses.

For a souvenir with mouse ears, some Costco locations are selling a two-day Disneyland Park Hopper ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass and a $60 dining card for about $330. That could save roughly $170 compared with Disneyland's regular price. Sam's Club members can also get 10% off $300 Disney gift cards from Nov. 6 through 8.

And in case you missed it, the Plaza Hotel in New York closes in January 2027 for at least four years to restore its facade. That makes this holiday season the last one for Palm Court tea or Kevin McCallister's 16-scoop sundae until at least 2031.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:21 What You Can Keep From Business Class

2:16 Costco and Sam's Club Disney Deals

3:54 The Plaza Hotel's Four-Year Closure

4:45 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

Southwest is overhauling Rapid Rewards in January 2027, and the Companion Pass takes the biggest hit. Credit card welcome bonuses will no longer count toward it, and the full pass will only come with Southwest's new top status. Occasional flyers can pick up smaller rewards, like bonus points or preferred seats, on the way there. The airline also shared an early look at its upcoming Southwest Icon Lounges, which start opening in late 2027.

Already booked a flight? The price you paid might not be final. If your fare drops after you book, you can often claim the difference as an airline credit, as long as it isn't basic economy. The hard part is noticing. That's where Junova comes in. It tracks eligible flights booked directly with major U.S. airlines and handles getting the savings back for a 20% fee.

For a bigger splurge, Delta is giving Delta One, its long-haul business class, a makeover this fall, starting on flights from Los Angeles. Expect a wagyu burger, sorbet paired with Champagne Taittinger, Blanton's bourbon, and new Missoni amenity kits.

👉 Get $25 in Junova credits with code DD: https://www.junova.ai/?ref=DD

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 Getting Money Back When Your Fare Drops

2:15 Delta One's Onboard Makeover

3:07 Southwest's Rapid Rewards Overhaul

4:43 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

An airline may no longer owe you a hotel if a last-minute mechanical problem leaves you stuck overnight. Starting Oct. 19, the Department of Transportation won’t count certain repairs, onboard medical emergencies, and a few other disruptions as the airline’s fault, which is what triggers meal vouchers and hotel stays. Refund rights aren’t changing, and trip delay coverage on many travel cards can reimburse meals and a hotel, whatever reason the airline gives.

If a foldable phone is on your wish list, the iPhone Duo opened for preorders on Oct. 16. It starts at about $2,000 and folds down to roughly the size of a passport. It’s eSIM-only, and at that price, card phone protection is only a partial safety net.

Marriott is leaning into marathon season with race packages at a handful of hotels. At the JW Marriott Essex House New York, that means pasta specials before the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1, a free drink when you show your medal, and some rooms overlooking the finish line. Plus, JetBlue’s new first class is now on sale for flights starting in December, with fares from $249 one-way between LaGuardia and Fort Lauderdale if you book by Oct. 16.

👉 Top cards for trip delay protection: https://go.departuredigest.com/delayperks

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:20 The DOT’s New Flight Delay Rules

1:56 Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo

3:33 Marriott’s Marathon Perks

4:30 JetBlue’s New First Class Now on Sale

4:48 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

Flying business class for the first time? Before you head to the airport, check your baggage allowance and whether your ticket gets you into a lounge. Once you're onboard, there are a few things worth knowing, too. That pre-departure glass of champagne isn't a given, and the rules around the call button can depend on which airline you're flying. If you're offered pajamas, go ahead and change. Just leave your bare feet out of the lavatory.

On the hotel side, Marriott Bonvoy is testing a new upgrade list in its app, giving some members a look at their spot in line and how many upgraded rooms might be available. It’s only at a small number of hotels for now, but Marriott says it’ll expand to more than 250 hotels in the U.S. and Canada by November. We like the transparency, but the app won’t tell you what room you’re actually in line for.

Plus, Margaritaville at Sea is selling an all-you-can-cruise pass for two adults starting at around $2,500, good for unlimited sailings through Dec. 31, 2027. It could be a great deal if you plan to cruise often, but there are some restrictions, and taxes, fees, and gratuities still apply.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:21 How to Fly Business Class for the First Time

2:03 Marriott's Airline-Style Upgrade List

3:14 Margaritaville at Sea's Unlimited Cruise Pass

4:44 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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Flights from New York to Madrid for $300 round trip, with a checked bag included? Deals like this have become rare, but Thrifty Traveler Premium's cash and points alerts can help you find them. Premium costs about $130 a year, and one or two good deals could cover it if you're flexible about where you go.

Meanwhile, Amex dropped big news for its Centurion Lounge network. Newark's lounge opening has been pushed to 2027, but the delay comes with an upgrade. It'll now be more than 30,000 square feet, making it the largest Centurion Lounge yet, complete with a gelato terrace that might even make flying out of Newark worth it. London Heathrow is also getting a second location, and Houston's lounge is nearly tripling in size. Before any of that opens, though, Philadelphia's lounge closes this week for renovations and isn't expected to reopen until the end of 2027.

Even more surprising, Southwest could be eyeing Dreamliners, wide-body jets built for long-haul routes. It'd be another big shift for an airline that only recently added assigned seats and stopped letting bags fly free. We'll believe a Southwest flight to Rome when we're boarding it. And if you'd rather spend New Year's Eve in flip-flops than snow boots, Andrea Bocelli and Ludacris are both headlining in the Bahamas.

👉 Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium with code DEPARTUREDIGEST: https://thriftytraveler.com/a/departuredigest

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 A $300 Round Trip to Madrid

0:51 How Thrifty Traveler Premium Works

2:14 Amex's Biggest Centurion Lounge Expansion

3:16 Southwest Eyes Long-Haul Routes

4:00 New Year's Eve in the Bahamas

4:33 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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Caviar, champagne, a Caesar salad prepared at your seat, and an $800 Dopp kit all come standard on Blade's semi-private jets to Florida this winter. The service, called BLADEone and run with Aero, starts flying between Westchester and Miami or Palm Beach in November, with only 16 seats and dining from Major Food Group, the team behind Carbone and Sadelle's. The catch is a fare of close to $3,000 each way.

We've flown Blade's Miami shuttle before, and it's as nice as it sounds. But JSX flies the same Westchester-to-South Florida route out of private terminals, with fares that can come in under $1,000, and you can earn United MileagePlus miles or JSX credit along the way. BLADEone is clearly nicer. We're just not sure it's three times nicer.

Heading to wine country instead? Delta will check a case of wine for free on flights from five Northern California airports, following similar programs from Alaska and Southwest. And Southwest's Enter Airplane Mode campaign is handing out Rapid Rewards points for your unread notifications and a quick burnout quiz, while supplies last.

Get $100 off your first JSX flight: https://go.departuredigest.com/jsx

Airplane Mode by Southwest: https://airplanemode.southwest.com/

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:19 BLADEone's Semi-Private Flights to Florida

3:07 Delta's Free Wine Case Perk

4:22 Southwest's Airplane Mode Points

4:56 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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If you're still paying for in-flight Wi-Fi, there's a decent chance you don't have to. JetBlue offers it free to everyone. Delta, Southwest, and American offer it to loyalty members, and United and Alaska do on Starlink-equipped planes. Your frequent flyer number is the new Wi-Fi password, so set up the account and add it to your reservation before you're trying to log in on your flight.

Free Wi-Fi is quickly becoming standard, so airlines are competing on speed. United is installing Starlink and isn't being subtle about it, courting Delta and American elites with a special status match. If you keep ending up on United anyway, it's a pretty easy trial run.

The connectivity conversation doesn't stop when you land. If you're heading abroad, a VPN can help with streaming and hotel Wi-Fi. And if logging into seven different apps on a hotel TV sounds annoying, we share why you might want to pack a Roku on your next trip.

Explore our VPN guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/vpn-for-travel

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:15 In-Flight Wi-Fi Is Having a Moment

2:37 Using a VPN Abroad

3:59 Bring Your Roku on Your Next Trip

4:51 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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You can find the perfect award seat, have the points ready, and still run into a problem because your loyalty account is too new. Some airline programs make new members wait before they can book awards, which is why it’s worth opening the loyalty accounts your credit card points transfer to before you actually need them.

American Airlines is also making seat selection easier. A new app feature can automatically move solo travelers into a window or aisle seat when one opens up in the same cabin, at no extra charge. It could save you from constantly checking the seat map yourself.

Plus, Atmos Rewards now lets members choose whether to earn based on distance, money spent, or flight segments on flights departing next year. Think of it as picking the earning method that makes the most sense for how you fly.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:20 Why Your Account Age Matters

1:52 American’s Automatic Seat Swaps

2:59 Atmos Rewards Lets You Pick How You Earn

4:31 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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Alaska Airlines is getting serious about premium travel. Starting in 2028, it’s bringing lie-flat Aurora suites to its Boeing 787s and select cross-country flights on its new 737-10 MAXs. It’s also adding Premium Reserve, a new premium economy cabin with more space, deeper recline, and upgraded food and amenities. For an airline once known for quirky carpeted bulkheads, that’s quite the 180.

Then we’re asking a very important question: Is glamping actually worth it? Hotel programs like World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy are getting in on it, but some glamping stays can cost around $300 a night. Nature and beautiful views sound great, but at that price, the tent has some explaining to do. Same goes for farm stays. The countryside sounds lovely, but a vacation doesn’t need to involve milking a cow.

We’ll also look at how using hotel points can change the math on glamping, including stays with Under Canvas and AutoCamp. And if sleeping outdoors still isn’t for you, places like Soho Farmhouse and Miraval offer the hiking and nature, with a proper hotel room waiting at the end of the day.

Register for World of Hyatt’s Under Canvas promo: https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/offers/under-canvas-points-back.html

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:16 Alaska’s Premium Makeover

2:22 Is Glamping Worth It?

3:17 Using Points for Glamping

4:10 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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A popular premium travel card you probably have in your wallet is getting a major DoorDash upgrade as of Oct. 1, with up to $35 a month in credits. The new $15 credit works on any qualifying DoorDash order, while two $10 credits still cover non-restaurant purchases like groceries and drugstore runs (pro tip: this includes many bodegas in NYC).

Speaking of premium travel card benefits, did you know Priority Pass isn’t just about airport lounges? Depending on your membership, you may have access to airport spas, private rooms to rest between flights, or even video game lounges.

Meanwhile, Bilt Rent Day is bringing transfer bonuses to Amtrak and Hilton, with up to 100% more Amtrak points and up to 200% more Hilton points, depending on your Bilt status. We also cover targeted Amex Offers that could help you save on JetBlue and Frontier flights.

👉 Explore our go-to cards for ordering takeout: https://go.departuredigest.com/takeout

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 A Bigger DoorDash Credit

1:30 Bilt Rent Day Transfer Bonuses

2:17 Priority Pass Beyond the Lounge

3:16 JetBlue and Frontier Amex Offers

4:05 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

A late checked bag could earn you some extra miles. Delta, Alaska, and Hawaiian all offer 2,500 miles or points when your bag misses their 20-minute baggage guarantee. We explain how each one works, how quickly you need to file, and what to know before you leave the airport. If your bag is late on both legs of a round trip, you could walk away with 5,000 miles, which could be enough for a short domestic award flight.

Also, did you know AARP isn’t just for retirees? Anyone 18 or older can join for $15, and members can get up to 35% off Avis and Budget car rentals, plus discounts on hotels, Zipcar, and more.

And just in time for National Coffee Day, Delta is offering Starbucks gift cards when you buy Delta gift cards. We cover how the promotion works, how much you’d have to spend to get the full $100 in Starbucks cards, and whether it’s worth it.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 How to Get Free Miles When Your Bag Is Late

1:59 Why You Might Want an AARP Membership

3:03 Delta’s Starbucks Gift Card Promotion

4:21 Free Dunkin’ Coffee

4:33 Sign-Off

———

Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

Some of the biggest names in luxury hospitality are betting big on cruising. Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman have brought their brands to the water, with smaller yachts designed to feel more like boutique hotels at sea. Think spacious suites with private terraces, posh beach clubs and, in Aman’s case, even two helipads.

And it’s not just the ultra-luxury yacht lines shaking things up. Virgin Voyages skips the traditional buffet, with dining that feels more like choosing a restaurant than filling a tray. It also includes Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and specialty restaurants for all guests. If you’ve never thought of yourself as a cruise person, maybe it’s time to reconsider.

And if you’re a train person, Bilt just added Amtrak as a transfer partner at a 2:1 ratio, so 2,000 Bilt points gets you 1,000 Amtrak points. Amtrak awards start at 400 points, but the number of points you’ll need varies based on the cash price of the trip rather than a traditional award chart.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:22 Bilt Adds Amtrak as a Transfer Partner

1:10 Luxury Hotel Brands Are Betting on Cruising

4:11 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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———

You can stretch your hotel points further than you might think. Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors can both give you a free fifth night when you book five consecutive nights with points. The one caveat is that Hilton requires elite status to unlock the perk, but that’s pretty easy to get. IHG takes a slightly different approach, giving eligible cardholders a free fourth night.

If you’re under 25, there’s another easy way to save. Rental car companies often charge young-driver fees, but AAA members ages 20 to 24 can have that fee waived on qualifying Hertz rentals. We’ll explain how to get the benefit and a couple of other ways to save on your next rental.

And to round things out, a popular cash-back card just got some useful new travel benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, elevated value on select hotel bookings and a limited-time welcome offer.

Learn more about our favorite cash-back cards: https://go.departuredigest.com/cashback

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:19 Free Fifth Hotel Nights With Points

1:56 How to Avoid Young-Driver Rental Fees

3:41 A Popular Cash-Back Card Gets Travel Benefits

4:10 Sign-Off

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Advertiser Disclosure: Departure Digest may receive compensation through our partnership with advertisers when you click on links to offers on this page. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. Terms apply. The information is valid at the time of posting.

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