From bonus points on your next hotel stay to generous sales of airline miles, we’re always looking for travel deals that help you earn more points and miles and redeem them for maximum value. In other words, we want to help you book the vacation of your dreams.

Recently, JetBlue started allowing members to redeem TrueBlue points for basic economy tickets, starting as low as 700 points. If Delta Air Lines elite status is in your 2025 resolutions, you can earn Medallion Qualification Dollars on hotel stays and rental cars for a limited time. And, if you need to boost your points or miles balance for an upcoming redemption, our roundup of the latest buying points and miles promos can save you some money. But that’s not all.

We help our readers each week by rounding up ongoing promotions so they don’t have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. This includes everything from frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers and rental car deals. Here’s our latest list of noteworthy new points and miles promotions for February.

Airline loyalty program promotions (February 2025)

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

Earn bonus Lufthansa miles on car rentals

Planning a road trip? For a limited time, you can earn bonus Lufthansa Miles & More miles when you rent a car with Avis.

• Earn 4,000 bonus miles for rentals of three to five days, 6,500 bonus miles for rentals of six to 10 days, 7,000 bonus miles for rentals of 11 to 14 days and 8,000 bonus miles for rentals of 15 to 28 days. This is in addition to the standard miles you would earn for your rental based on your status tier.
• This offer is valid at all participating Avis locations worldwide for rentals from the category “medium size — car category C” for the respective Avis rental country.
• You must book your Avis rental through this page by March 31 and complete your rental by June 30.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Hotel loyalty program promotions (February 2025)

Hotel loyalty programs occasionally offer discounted stays, ways to earn extra points and deals at various properties. Here are some February deals to consider when booking your next stay.

Earn double Choice points on stays this spring

Choice Privileges points can be useful for booking free hotel nights — especially now that the program plans to make some exciting award-booking changes in 2025. With this promotion, you can earn double points on up to four stays this spring.

• Earn double the base points you’d normally earn on qualifying stays at participating properties. WoodSpring Suites, Mainstay Suites, Everhome Suites, Suburban Studios and all-inclusive Ascend Hotel Collection properties, among others, are not participating in this offer.
• To qualify, stays must be booked via choicehotels.com or the Choice app or by calling 800.4CHOICE. Stays booked through Book by Google are also eligible if you add your Choice Privileges number to the reservation prior to check-in.
• You can take advantage of this offer a maximum of four times during the promotion period.
• Register for this promotion here, then book and stay by April 7.

Earn unlimited bonus Marriott points and elite night credits

This offer from Marriott Bonvoy not only lets you earn extra points that you can redeem for free nights; it also lets you fast-track your way to Marriott elite status. And since there’s no limit to how many bonus points and elite nights you can earn during this promotion, you could potentially rack up some serious rewards if you book a long stay or multiple stays.

• Earn 1,000 bonus points and one bonus elite night credit for each eligible paid night you stay at a participating Marriott Bonvoy property. Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Marriott Executive Apartments and owner-occupied weeks at Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, Marriott Grand Residence Club, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club, The St. Regis Residence Club, and the Luxury Collection Residence Club are not eligible for this promotion.
• Valid for stays booked through qualifying channels, which include but are not limited to: Marriott websites, Marriott mobile apps, participating properties and customer engagement centers.
• Register through April 14 for stays through April 28.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (February 2025)

Card issuers sometimes offer deals and discounts for certain cardholders on everything from airfare to dining. Here are some of the offers we’ve rounded up this week. Remember that you must activate these offers on your card and use your enrolled card to make the purchase to earn bonus rewards.

Targeted Chase Offer at Southwest Airlines

This offer that we spotted on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® could save you up to 10% on your next Southwest Airlines flight.

• Earn 5% or 10% cash back (up to $40 maximum) when you spend $50 or more directly at Southwest. You’ll get 10% cash back on flights flown in March or 5% cash back on other qualifying purchases.
• This offer ends March 1.

Targeted Chase Offers at IHG brands

We’ve also seen a handful of offers to get money back on your next stay at select IHG brand hotels. These popped up on the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• Earn 10% cash back on your Hotel Indigo stay (up to $62 maximum) when you spend $100 or more in a single purchase.
• Earn 10% cash back at Staybridge Suites (up to $62 maximum) when you spend $100 or more in a single purchase.
• Earn 10% cash back on your Holiday Inn stay (up to $62 maximum) when you spend $100 or more in a single purchase.
• Payment must be made directly with the merchant.
• These offers end April 1.

Targeted Amex Offers at Hilton

We’ve seen multiple offers on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card that could save you money on your next stay. Plus, this card earns 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent at hotels in the Hilton portfolio.

• Earn $60 as a statement credit when you spend at least $300 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Hilton properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
• Earn $50 as a statement credit when you spend at least $250 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Hilton properties.
• These offers expire April 30.

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

Related: The ultimate guide to saving money with Amex Offers

Ongoing travel deals

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

• Earn 25 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles per dollar spent at 1-800-Flowers and Harry & David when you use promo code “AKA4.” There is no published end date for this offer.
• Earn 2,000 bonus SkyMiles after you link your Turo and SkyMiles accounts here and take your first trip with Turo. Then, you’ll earn 500 SkyMiles for every Turo rental thereafter. This offer has no published end date.
• Get 50% of your miles back on award flights across all of Turkish Airlines’ network when you purchase two tickets, including one for yourself, with Turkish Miles&Smiles‘ Valentine’s Day sale. Book by Feb. 16 for travel between now and Feb. 23.
• Earn 20 Avios per pound (or equivalent) spent on hotels and 15 Avios per pound (or equivalent) spent on car rentals booked through the British Airways platform. Book by Feb. 24, then complete your car rental by May 20 or your hotel stay by Dec. 31.
• Earn one free Avis Preferred rental day for every two two-day rentals you complete in an intermediate-class car or above. You can use this promotion multiple times, up to a maximum of five free days earned each month. Register here, and complete your rentals by Feb. 28.
• Save 30% on flights operated by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air to any destination in Aegean’s network. Book through aegeanair.com, olympicair.com or the Aegean app using offer code “THANKYOU30” by Feb. 28 for travel between now and Dec. 31.
• Earn double Accor Live Limitless points when staying in North and Central America (including Rio de Janeiro) at Fairmont, Sofitel, Swissotel, Novotel, Raffles and more. Register by Feb. 28, and complete your stay by March 31.
• Get 20% bonus points back when you redeem World of Hyatt points for free nights at participating Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt properties and complete your stay by March 9. See the full terms and conditions here.
• Earn triple base points for qualifying stays at Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotels or double base points at most other Hyatt brands. Register by March 10, and complete your qualifying stay(s) by March 28.
• Targeted ANA Mileage Club members can earn double base miles on select routes to or from North America. Check your email to see if you’re targeted, then register, book and fly by March 12.
• Earn 3,000 bonus World of Hyatt points per night (up to 30,000 bonus points total) at participating Hyatt Vacation Club properties. Register here by March 24; complete your stay by March 30.
• Enjoy up to 25% off and complimentary breakfast at participating Fairmont properties around the world. Book by March 30 for stays through May 31.
• Earn double IHG One Rewards base points starting on your second paid stay, then keep earning double on unlimited stays through March 31. Register here before booking.
• Earn 2,000 bonus miles (valid for one year) when you join Emirates Skywards. Register at this link using code “CONDOR” by March 31.
• Earn 5,000 bonus IHG One Rewards points for joining the program and completing your first stay. You must register for your account through this page and complete your first stay within 21 days of joining. You have until April 30 to register and stay.
• Receive a $50 Best Western gift card when you stay two nights between now and May 11 at any Best Western hotel in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean. You can use this promotion up to two times, for a maximum of two $50 gift cards per member. Gift cards will expire Aug. 3.
• Earn 20% bonus ALL points on qualifying bookings you make through the app by June 30. Download the app here.

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

Targeted Amex Offers

• Get $150 back as a statement credit when you spend at least $750 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Omni Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Enroll by Feb. 20, and complete your stay by March 20.
• Earn a one-time $100 statement credit after spending $500 or more on room rate and room charge purchases at the Hard Rock Hotel New York in New York City. This offer is valid until Feb. 28.
• Earn $200 back as a statement credit when you spend $1,200 or more on Virgin Atlantic-marketed flights booked through Amex Travel by Feb. 28. Flight and hotel packages are not eligible.
• Earn $60 back as a statement credit when you spend at least $300 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at select Sonesta brands and destinations in the U.S. You must add this offer to your eligible card by Feb. 28 and redeem by March 31.
• Get $100 back as a statement credit when you spend at least $500 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Hilton properties in Nevada. This offer expires March 17.
• Earn $150 back as a statement credit when you spend $750 or more at participating Hilton properties in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America by March 31.
• Earn an additional 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on qualifying Regent Seven Seas Cruises bookings, up to a maximum of 50,000 bonus points. Book through rssc.com, by calling 1-844-473-4368, through a Regent Seven Seas travel adviser or through Amex Travel by March 31.
• Earn 10% back (up to $125 back) on prepaid hotel purchases at Expedia by using this link. This offer expires April 6.
• Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $1,000 or more on room rate and room charge purchases incurred at the time of reservation for Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy properties. This offer expires April 13.
• Earn a one-time $60 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $300 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Viceroy Hotels and Resorts in U.S. cities. Book at viceroyhotelsandresorts.com by May 5.
• Earn a one-time $300 statement credit when you spend a minimum of $1,500 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at participating Viceroy Hotels and Resorts in the U.S. and Mexico. Book at viceroyhotelsandresorts.com by May 5.
• Earn an extra 5 Membership Rewards points per eligible dollar spent (up to 50,000 bonus points) on your AmaWaterways purchase. This offer ends May 6.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after spending a minimum of $900 on one or more room rate and room charge purchases at Four Seasons properties in the U.S. and select international destinations. This offer expires May 29.
• Earn an additional 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on qualifying Oceania Cruises bookings, up to a maximum of 50,000 bonus points. Book through oceaniacruises.com, by calling 1-855-623-2642 or through an Oceania Cruise travel adviser by June 1.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn 5% or 10% cash back (up to $40 cash back) on your Southwest Airlines purchase when you spend $50 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15. Earn 10% cash back on purchases of flights that occur in February or 5% cash back for other qualifying purchases.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $32 cash back) on your Best Western stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15. This offer is valid at domestic Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, Vib, GLo, Aiden and Executive Residency properties; SureStay Hotels and WorldHotels are excluded.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $80 cash back) on your Marriott Bonvoy stay when you spend $100 or more by Feb. 15.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $62 cash back) on your Autograph Collection stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $75 cash back) on your Renaissance Hotels stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $68 cash back) on your Westin Hotels & Resorts stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $43 cash back) on your SpringHill Suites stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15.
• Earn 10% cash back (up to $57 cash back) on your Sheraton stay when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant by Feb. 15.
• Earn $75 cash back on your Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy stay when you spend $250 or more in a single purchase by Feb. 15.

Targeted Wells Fargo Offer

• Earn 10% cash back (up to $32 cash back) on your stay at participating Best Western brands when you spend $100 or more directly with the merchant. This offer ends Feb. 15.

Related reading:

• 10 big changes coming to travel for 2025
• 11 surprising winter vacation ideas for a warm-weather getaway
• Best travel credit cards
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

Singapore Airlines has a reputation for offering an exceptional product, but booking long-haul, premium-cabin awards with the airline can be tricky. You can sometimes find award availability using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or Air Canada Aeroplan, but you’ll usually find more availability through Singapore KrisFlyer.

KrisFlyer generally charges more miles than other loyalty programs, even on dates when saver awards are available. However, the program offers discounts on select award flights each month through its KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion.

Right now, you can book select promo award flights with a 30% discount if you reserve by Feb. 28 and travel between March 1 and 31. You’ll find discounted award tickets to select destinations in the Singapore Airlines network.

Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.

Deal basics

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Routes: Between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and SIN, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and SIN, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and SIN.

Cost: Starts at 17,500 miles in economy, 36,400 miles in premium economy and 56,700 miles in business class

Travel dates: Between March 1 and 31 (with some blackout dates)

Book by: Feb. 28

Related: Is Singapore Airlines premium economy worth it on the Airbus A350?

Sample KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes itineraries

Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes offers discounted award flights on select routes Singapore Airlines operates. However, only select flight numbers are discounted each month.

Here’s a look at the Spontaneous Escapes pricing this month on U.S. routes:

Remember, you must find award availability on the KrisFlyer website. Promo awards may not be available on select dates — even ones not listed as blackout dates. When you search, you’ll see the discounted awards listed as “promo” if available.

Additionally, all the flights on your itinerary must qualify for the promotion to access the discounted pricing. So, if there’s a promo reward available for just one direction of your flight, it might be best to book two one-way flights.

Be aware that flights departing Europe are subject to higher taxes and fees than flights leaving the U.S. Plan to spend approximately 125 euros (about $131) per person in one-way taxes and fees on westbound transatlantic flights.

Check the Spontaneous Escapes homepage for more details.

Earning miles to book this award

Earning Singapore KrisFlyer miles is easy. The program is a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. KrisFlyer is also a 3:1 transfer partner with Marriott Bonvoy, with 5,000 bonus miles offered for every 60,000 points you transfer.

Note that the transferred rewards may take up to 24 hours (or longer for Marriott transfers) to hit your KrisFlyer account. If they don’t immediately appear, consider calling KrisFlyer to hold award seats until the miles post. Doing so will lock in your award seats, so you won’t have to worry about the availability disappearing. KrisFlyer generally charges a service fee of $25 or 2,500 miles to hold award seats.

Related: How to book Singapore Airlines first-class Suites with points and miles

How to pay taxes and fees

Use The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually), the American Express® Gold Card to earn 3 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or on the American Express travel portal, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel.

Bottom line

Singapore Airlines is offering flights to Europe starting at just 17,500 miles in economy, 36,400 miles in premium economy and 56,700 miles in business class. Discounts are also available in economy and premium economy on various nonstop routes from the U.S. to Singapore.

These flights can be a great use of transferable credit card points.

Uber is rolling out Preferred Currency Pricing in select locations, including the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, news that came to our attention after one member of the TPG team received an account update email from Uber.

Beginning Feb. 27, Uber will charge residents in these areas a 1.5% currency conversion fee if they choose to pay in their preferred currency instead of the local currency when they request a ride abroad.

The preferred currency setting is intended to help riders know how much they pay when they travel internationally by displaying prices in their home currency, rather than the local currency. This can also help alleviate conversion fees charged by some banks and credit card issuers, which can exceed the 1.5% rate charged by Uber.

Related: Tips to save on overseas ATM withdrawals

Of course, if you pay with a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, you’re essentially giving Uber an extra 1.5% when you request a ride outside of your home country.

When the feature rolls out, Uber will automatically assign your home currency as your preferred currency — but you can opt out to avoid this surcharge.

To opt out, open your Uber app and click “Account.” From there, go to your “Wallet” and click on “Preferred Currency.” It should default to your home currency — but you can change the setting to “No preferred currency” if you prefer to pay in the local currency when you travel. By making “No preferred currency” your default, you can avoid the 1.5% surcharge.

Even if you don’t change this setting before you travel, you will also see the option to opt out of paying in your preferred currency at checkout when you book a ride abroad. It’s best to change this setting before your next international trip, though, so you don’t forget.

While you are at it, make sure the card(s) in your Uber wallet are ones that don’t charge currency conversion fees and that you keep up to date on ways to maximize perks when riding with Uber.

• Get $75 in Uber credits when you sign up for Clear
• Amex Platinum and Gold cardmembers: Changes coming to your Uber Cash benefit
• Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you
• Quick Points: Earn more points and miles with Uber, Lyft and Starbucks apps
• Marriott announces Uber partnership changes: The good, the bad and the totally worthless

Repositioning cruises are the name for one-way sailings that bring the ship to a new home port or a different part of the world to kick-start a new cruise season. Because these sailings often cross oceans, you’ll likely experience ports in more than one cruise region — and have ample sea days to take advantage of the spa, dining and entertainment options on board.

All the major cruise lines offer the occasional repositioning cruises, typically on ships that usually sail in destinations with shorter seasons, such as Alaska or the Mediterranean. Here, we answer all your questions about repositioning cruises.

Note: Listed fares were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

What is a repositioning cruise?

Cruise ships chase warm, sunny climates, so they often move — or “reposition” — from one part of the world to another when chilly weather sets in. Cruise lines don’t want to sail ghost ships — vessels carrying only crew and no paying passengers — across the ocean because it’s wasting an opportunity to earn money. They have figured out that, by discounting rates, they can fill the cabins on these oddball itineraries.

Repositioning cruises are never round-trip sailings. Your origin and destination cities — or, in cruise-speak, embarkation and disembarkation ports — will not be the same. You might sail out of Florida and arrive in Barcelona or Southampton, England, allowing you to explore two continents on one vacation. Or, you might sail from Boston to Florida or from San Diego to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Repositioning cruises are known for having a greater-than-average number of days spent at sea, but it’s not as if you never get off the ship. On a transatlantic sailing, port stops could be in Spain’s Canary Islands or Portugal’s Azores islands. A repositioning cruise from Southern California to Vancouver before the Alaska cruise season might sail up the Pacific Coast and visit cities like San Francisco and Astoria, Oregon.

Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise

Another aspect that makes a repositioning cruise different from a typical sailing is that many of these itineraries are longer than a week. (This is by design. It takes longer to sail from Florida to Europe than it does to sail to and from the Caribbean.) Still, there is a lot of flexibility, just as with booking any cruise. The shortest you’ll find is four or five days (for example, Southern California to Vancouver) and the longest is around 28 nights (yes, almost an entire month, usually between continents).

Are repositioning cruises one-way?

Yes, repositioning cruises are one-way voyages that start in one region and end in another. Because they happen when a cruise ship switches destinations based on seasonality, these sailings often involve travel to a different part of the world, which can result in many consecutive days at sea.

Where and what time of year do cruise ships reposition?

The good news is you can book a repositioning cruise nearly six months out of the year, spanning mid-spring and mid-fall months, which are the cruise lines’ shoulder seasons.

Because repositioning cruises are not all tied to the same destination, this only widens your options in terms of geography. To envision where these will sail and when, you need to know a destination’s cruise season.

Take Europe as an example. The majority of Mediterranean and Baltic sailings take place in the spring through the early fall. Europe-based ships flee the region during the winter, spending November through March in the warm Caribbean. Therefore, a ship will need to travel from the Caribbean to Europe in spring and return to the Caribbean by fall. Look for transatlantic repositioning cruises during those changeover months.

Related: The best places to cruise in the fall, whether you want to wear a sweater or a swimsuit

Some ships stay in the Caribbean year-round and only reposition when the cruise line chooses to move them to a different home port. However, ships sailing short seasons in Alaska, South America, Canada/New England and Europe will always be repositioned at least twice a year.

And the Atlantic isn’t the only ocean that sees repositioning voyages. Some cruise lines offer transpacific crossings when they send ships to or from Asia and Australia.

What happens on a repositioning cruise?

On many repositioning cruises, you will not get off the ship as often as you might on a typical sailing because there are no ports in the middle of the ocean you’re crossing. These itineraries often feature a string of sea days, so be prepared to spend more time and money on board.

Some people love port-intensive cruises so they can quickly check off a list of countries and only unpack once. But if you prefer leisurely, lazy days, then a transoceanic repositioning cruise might be your ticket to utopia. This huge stretch of time is a great opportunity to crack open books you’ve been meaning to read, launch into a knitting project or finally have time for daily workouts.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Programming — such as comedy nights, fitness classes, boutique shopping, art auctions, wine tastings and evening shows — are as much a part of a repositioning cruise as any other sailing, only you might be able to take in a whole lot more than you normally would. Some cruise lines organize themed sailings or invite guest lecturers on board for extra sea-day activities.

You also might want to consider springing for a cruise line’s all-inclusive beverage package on a repositioning cruise. You’ll get better value than usual from the price because you’ll be ordering most of your drinks on board due to fewer port stops.

Another worthwhile splurge is a balcony cabin. You’ll have easy access to fresh air without the top-deck crowds and can enjoy the romance of gazing out at the seemingly endless ocean. Just be sure to pack a sweater or sweatshirt because shoulder seasons in these climates are not necessarily sunbathing weather.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a repositioning cruise?

When you book a repositioning cruise, you’ll likely be on board for at least two weeks, allowing enough time for the ship to sail between where it’s currently based and its new home port. Sometimes the voyage can be even longer, and it’s likely you won’t have more than five or six port stops during that time.

That means lots of days on board, many of them consecutive. It’s an advantage for anyone who enjoys relaxing at sea and doesn’t mind exploring the ship for days at a time without touching land; it’s a disadvantage for anyone who sees cruises as merely transportation to explore new places.

An advantage of repositionings is the price, which is often cheaper than what you’d pay for a round-trip sailing of the same length or which has more port days built into the schedule. However, the cost of the potentially expensive one-way or open-jaw flights needed before and after a repositioning cruise could eat up most of the money you’d save by booking that type of voyage.

Do you need a passport for a repositioning cruise?

Yes. The only time you don’t need a passport to cruise is if you’re booked on a closed-loop sailing — a voyage that departs from and returns to the same port within the U.S. Since repositioning cruises don’t leave from and return to the same port, the exception won’t apply, and you’ll need a passport in order to board the ship.

Are repositioning cruises cheaper than other cruises?

It depends on the sailings to which you’re comparing them, but repositioning cruises are often relatively affordable. Even though repositioning sailings can often be two to three weeks in length, you might find that they’re less expensive than a regular weeklong voyage that begins and ends in the same port of call. That’s because repositioning cruises offer mostly sea days, during which you’ll be enjoying the ship instead of lounging on the beach or exploring museums.

How to score repositioning cruise deals

More often than not, a repositioning cruise is a good deal because it costs much less per night than a typical sailing. This is because the one-way, sea day-heavy itineraries are less desirable to the majority of cruisers, and they take place during slower travel seasons.

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

Travelers who live near the embarkation or debarkation ports can save even more by only having to buy a one-way plane ticket, rather than a full round trip.

Repositioning cruises can be tricky to find on booking sites. They often are referred to as repositioning cruises or transatlantic or transpacific cruises. When ships reposition between ports in the U.S. and Canada, the one-off one-way itineraries might not be labeled anything special beyond Caribbean or Pacific Coast cruises.

Not all of the cruise line or online travel agency booking pages have an option to check a box and search for repositioning cruises. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, do an online search for the term and the cruise line you wish to sail. Even better, call a travel agent or the cruise line’s booking staff directly, and they can help you find the repositioning cruise that’s best for you.

What are the best 2025 repositioning cruises?

14-night transatlantic on Wind Spirit

Windstar Cruises‘ Wind Spirit, a masted sailing ship, is repositioning from Lisbon to Barbados on Nov. 4. However, you’ll only want to book this voyage if you’re interested in sailing vessels or you’re not easily bored. The ship is small, and there are no port calls on the schedule.

Prices start from $2,599 per person for a room with a window.

23-night Panama Canal on Coral Princess

For a lengthy voyage that will allow you to sail from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to Mexico and then up the California coast before arriving in Canada, check out Princess Cruises‘ Coral Princess. Beginning April 10, the ship is featuring a cruise that’s longer than three weeks as it repositions to Vancouver for a season of Alaska sailings.

Fares begin at $2,846 per person for an inside cabin. If you’re short on time, you can opt instead for a shorter voyage of 16 nights that also begins in Fort Lauderdale on April 10 and ends in Los Angeles before the ship moves on to Canada. Fares for the shorter cruise start from $2,134 per person for ocean-view accommodations. (Inside rooms are sold out.)

17-night French Polynesia and Hawaii on Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Cruises‘ Celebrity Edge will relocate from its base in Sydney on April 20. Its ultimate destination is Vancouver, where it will be stationed for a series of Alaska voyages. On its way, it will take passengers on a 17-night trip to experience the beauty of French Polynesia before concluding the sailing in Honolulu. Port calls include Paihia and Auckland in New Zealand and Raiatea, Papeete and Moorea in French Polynesia.

Rates start at $3,069 per person for an inside cabin.

What are the best 2026 repositioning cruises?

13-night transatlantic on Carnival Glory

This two-week repositioning voyage on Carnival Cruise Line‘s Carnival Glory departs Barcelona on April 11, 2026, and offers just four port calls. The sailing will visit Alicante and Malaga in Spain, as well as the British territory of Gibraltar and Celebration Key, Carnival’s new beach destination in the Bahamas. The voyage concludes in Port Canaveral, near Orlando, which is the ship’s seasonal home base in Florida.

Prices start from $739 per person for an inside cabin.

13-night transatlantic on Rotterdam

On Oct. 18, 2026, Holland America‘s newest ship, Rotterdam, sets sail on a transatlantic repositioning from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Florida’s Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Those ports bookend calls on Bruges, Belgium; England’s Isle of Portland and Cornwall (Falmouth); and Bermuda.

Prices begin at $1,229 per person for an inside cabin.

14-night transatlantic on Norwegian Star

Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Star will relocate from the Mediterranean to Miami on Nov. 20, 2026, offering a repositioning cruise that begins in Barcelona. It calls on Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Motril and Cadiz (Seville) in Spain, as well as Madeira (Funchal) along the way.

Fares start at $1,233 per person for an inside cabin.

16-night Panama Canal transit on Seven Seas Grandeur

For a repositioning sailing that transits one of the world’s most impressive modern engineering marvels and offers lots of port stops, check out Regent Seven Seas‘ 16-night Panama Canal crossing on Seven Seas Grandeur. Departing from Miami on Dec. 29, 2026, passengers can check out Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and San Diego before reaching Los Angeles.

Prices for this voyage on Seven Seas Grandeur, an all-inclusive, all-suite vessel, start at $10,099 per person.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

If you qualified for United Premier status last year, this one is for you.

When United Airlines announced it would be harder to qualify for Premier status in 2023, it softened the blow by promising its Premier members a one-time deposit of Premier qualifying points for those who qualified in 2022. The offer then returned in February 2024 for status earned in 2023. Now, the offer is back for another year.

United has begun depositing these one-time PQPs for 2024 Premier members in their MileagePlus accounts for 2025.

How do the United PQP deposits work?

United is making one-time PQP deposits. Here’s what you can expect, based on the status you qualified for in 2024:

• Premier Silver: 300 PQPs
• Premier Gold: 600 PQPs
• Premier Platinum: 900 PQPs
• Premier 1K: 1,400 PQPs

If you held full Premier status as of Feb. 1, 2025, you’re eligible for a PQP deposit according to your status level.

It’s worth noting that these PQP deposits are slightly higher in 2025 than they were in 2024 across all four status levels — but the requirements to earn Premier status have also changed this year.

The above status qualifications also require flying a minimum of four segments during the calendar year.

Earn PQPs through eligible credit cards

You can also earn PQPs on spending with an eligible cobranded United credit card. United has changed the earning frequency, with 1 PQP earned per $20 spent on all eligible cards (this was previously $25) except the United Club℠ Infinite Card and United Club℠ Business Card (those two earn 1 PQP per $15 spent).

The information for the United Club Business 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.

Related: United’s best-kept elite status secret: How to earn PQPs faster with partner flights

What if I buy up for United elite status?

While we generally don’t recommend buying up to the next United status tier, how many PQPs will United deposit in your account if you do?

According to United’s website, you’ll earn the PQP deposit based on your Feb. 1, 2025, status. So, if you purchased the status buy-up before then, you’ll receive the PQP deposit from your new status. Otherwise, expect a PQP deposit from the status you qualified for in 2024.

If you participated in a status match or challenge, you should receive a PQP deposit if you successfully qualified for Premier status before Feb. 1, 2025, per United’s website. However, members who hold a trial status or those who have a challenge in progress are not eligible.

Related: The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards

What does this mean for Million Milers?

If you’re a United lifetime Premier member, you’ll receive a PQP deposit based on your corresponding status, even if you didn’t fly in 2024.

Related: Is it worth pursuing lifetime elite status?

Bottom line

If you qualified for any level of United status last year, the airline has given you a “boost” toward status this year with some bonus Premier qualifying points. To find out what you’ve earned, check your United MileagePlus account for an entry labeled “Starter PQP.”

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status

BILL Divvy Corporate Card overview

Here’s a type of card you’ve probably never seen before: The BILL Divvy Corporate Card is a business credit card that transforms the way you earn — offering additional points awarded on purchases if you pay your bill weekly or semi-monthly. This return is even more impressive because the BILL Divvy Corporate Card is a no-annual-fee credit card.

However, both the lucrative bonus categories and the options for redeeming points are limited. Let’s take a look at whether this card will fit into your business strategy. Card Rating*: ⭐

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

The BILL Divvy Corporate Card is a business credit card with no annual fee that’s a good option for rapidly growing organizations and sole proprietors who want to take more control over their business spending.

It’s very handy no matter the size of your business, as it automates much of the clerical minutiae of owning a small business (we’ll get into that later). However, if you have a small payroll with limited needs to extend lines of credit to employees, some of the card’s most notable features won’t be of use to you.

This card also may appeal to you if you’ve already opened most other popular small-business cards and are looking for something outside the realm of Chase, Amex, Citi and other major issuers. It shouldn’t count against your Chase 5/24 status, as most small-business cards don’t appear on your personal credit report.

BILL stipulates that this credit card is for those with “good to excellent” credit, so we recommend a 670 credit score or higher before applying.

BILL Divvy Corporate Card pros and cons

BILL Divvy Corporate Card welcome offer

The good news is that the BILL Divvy Corporate Card has a welcome offer, but the bad news is that it’s much lower than what you’ll find on some of our other favorite business credit cards. It currently offers a welcome offer of $500 after you spend $500.

Still, if you want an easy welcome offer to earn, this one is hard to beat. While many other business credit cards offer more lucrative bonuses, they also often come with spending requirements that are difficult for some businesses to meet.

Related: The best cards for freelancers

BILL Divvy Corporate Card benefits

While you examine these card benefits, keep in mind two things:

• You’re potentially saving money by accounting for every dollar.
• You’re running (nearly) every penny of business expenses through BILL to earn maximum rewards.

These are the things BILL wants to achieve for your small business that other cards may fail to do. I attended a demo of the credit card, and the card does offer an edge over all other small-business cards in the above capacities.

The BILL Divvy Corporate Card is also easy on the bottom line with no annual fee, plus no extra fees for requesting employee cards and no maximum limit on employee cards.

The main feature of the card, though, is the way you can divvy up your corporate card’s line of credit.

One of the most worrisome aspects of adding an authorized user or employee to your primary credit card is the fact that they have carte blanche access to your credit line. The budget feature solves that problem as you can dole out a unique amount of credit for specific situations, only as much as you’re willing to spend.

As the budget owner, you can view an extremely digestible dashboard of all your assigned budgets. It contains graphics reflecting the size of each budget, how much has been spent and how much remains. You can also create unlimited budgets.

For example, you can create budgets for each employee to ensure they don’t blow out your credit limit or rack up too many unexpected expenses. If an employee travels to a conference, you can assign a dollar amount to their card. Once they hit the card’s limit, the card will decline.

On the same note, each employee can request a bump in credit from the budget owner. The budget owner can release more credit in real time if there are unforeseen expenses.

You can also establish a “grace period” of sorts, where the card won’t decline if the cardholder nominally breaches their credit line.

With BILL Divvy, you can give different permissions to different cardholders. If, for some reason, you want to give another cardholder access to account information, you can do this without handing over your personal login credentials.

Even if you can’t use your BILL Divvy Corporate Card for all purchases, you can still input any expense into BILL Divvy and reimburse yourself for purchases you make without the BILL Divvy Corporate Card through ACH deposits for free.

Earning points on the BILL Divvy Corporate Card

The section you’ve been waiting for. The BILL Divvy Corporate Card earns rewards on all spending (quite generously, in some categories).

In short, the BILL Rewards strategy is to make more expenses rewardable than other small-business credit cards. What you earn depends on two things:

• Which bonus categories you spend in
• How often you pay your bill

The more often you pay your bill the higher the rate of rewards you’ll earn.

Here’s what you’ll earn:

However, there are also some purchases that are excluded from earning points. These exceptions include:

• Any transactions from a given month if your total monthly spend is less than 30% below your credit line
• Foreign transactions and foreign transaction fees
• Plastiq transactions

Earn up to 7 points per dollar at restaurants — on a no-annual-fee card? That certainly sounds above average. But let’s look at how to use those points and how much they are worth.

Related: What’s the best business credit card for dining purchases?

Redeeming points on the BILL Divvy Corporate Card

You must redeem the points you earn with your BILL Divvy Corporate Card points through the BILL Rewards online platform.

Specify how many points you want to redeem and choose a redemption method:

• Travel
• Gift cards
• Cash back
• Statement credit

BILL Divvy Rewards are worth, at most, 1 cent each. To redeem points, you’ll need to accrue at least 5,000 points in your first cardmember year, and your account must be at least one year old. Here are the various ways to spend your points and the value you’ll receive for each option.

As you can see, points are worth about half a cent for most redemptions. If you’re using this card to earn cash back and pay your bill weekly, that’s like earning:

• 3.6% back at restaurants (7 points per dollar)
• 2.6% back at hotels (5 points per dollar)

For a no-annual-fee card, that’s pretty good. However, all other earning scenarios with this card aren’t as great.

If you prefer to use your rewards for travel, your return will be much greater — but you’re now competing with an elite catalog of travel credit cards that can sometimes net you far more value for your spending if you know the best ways to maximize those rewards.

If you want to use your BILL Divvy Rewards points for travel, here’s the process:

• Pay for travel with the BILL Divvy Corporate Card
• Click “Redeem Rewards” on your BILL dashboard
• Fill out the rewards form with the number of points you want to redeem
• Submit the form

BILL Divvy Rewards says that your redemption will be processed within 10 business days.

The process is a two-edged sword. You can book directly with the travel provider instead of going through a third-party portal, which is great news for those wanting to use points for hotels, as you typically only earn elite night credits, elite benefits and hotel points if you book directly.

However, you must use the BILL Divvy Corporate Card to reserve your travel, meaning those with airline or hotel credit cards won’t be able to earn extra rewards or kick in built-in travel protections on these purchases.

Which cards compete with the BILL Divvy Corporate Card?

There are plenty of other business cards that might be a better fit for your company:

• If you want customizable bonus categories: The American Express® Business Gold Card carries a much higher annual fee of $375 (see rates and fees), but you’ll earn four points per dollar spent in your highest two spending categories each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after). To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Gold.
• If you want simpler rewards: The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card offers 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases; new cardholders will not be charged an annual fee in the first year, but the card carries an annual fee of $95 each year thereafter (see rates and fees). You still have access to transfer partners through Capital One, though you’ll sacrifice additional perks. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Spark Miles card.
• If you still don’t want an annual fee: The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card earns 1.5% back on every purchase at no annual fee; plus, it includes basic perks like purchase protection and the option to add employee cards at no additional cost. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited.

For additional options, check out our guide to the best business credit cards.

Related: Is the Amex Business Gold worth the annual fee?

Is the BILL Divvy Corporate Card worth it?

If you’re searching for a business card with no annual fee that has a good earnings structure and offers a lot of control over employee spending, the BILL Divvy Corporate Card is a worthwhile choice. However, you have to pay your bill weekly to maximize your rewards earnings, which may not be ideal for all businesses. If you want greater flexibility with your rewards, there are better options on the market for your business.

Bottom line

The BILL Divvy Corporate Card has some perks that make it unique in the business credit card world.

You can give employees varying degrees of account access, set strict budgets for each employee card and reimburse yourself for expenses from your personal payment method to keep within budget. And interestingly, you’re rewarded based on the frequency with which you pay off your balance. You can earn potentially 3.5 times more points by paying your bill weekly instead of monthly.

Even if the BILL Divvy Rewards system isn’t the best, that may be enough to spur many business owners to give it a try.

Related: How to get a business credit card

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.

Hilton Honors has brought back its status match, and it’s one of the most generous of any hotel loyalty program.

If you hold elite status in a major hotel program, you may wonder how other loyalty programs reward their elite members. There’s also a chance you might be unhappy with your current program. Or, maybe a change of circumstances means you’re now traveling to different destinations than usual and want to seek out alternative ways to be rewarded for your stay.

Enter the world of status matches, where competing programs offer a “try before you buy” initiative to entice your business.

Here’s what you need to know about Hilton’s current status match offer.

Hilton Honors status match program

Like many hotel brands, Hilton offers status match opportunities for elite members in other hotel loyalty programs. If you have elite status with another program, you can receive complimentary Hilton Honors elite status.

Anyone eligible for a status match will be matched to Hilton Honors Gold status for 90 days. While you can’t get an instant match to top-tier Diamond, you can still fast-track it.

Here are the challenges you can complete during your 90-day trial period to either extend your Gold status or upgrade to Diamond:

• Gold: Stay eight (paid) nights to keep Gold through March 31, 2027
• Diamond: Stay 14 (paid) nights to be upgraded to Diamond through March 31, 2027

You can submit a status match through this link. You’ll need to provide the following information:

• Name
• Email
• Hilton Honors account number (you can join for free online if you are not already a member)
• Hotel loyalty program status you want Hilton Honors to match
• Current status level with the hotel loyalty program you want to match
• Proof of status with the hotel loyalty program you want to match (meaning a screenshot of your current account status or your current and active membership card)
• Proof of stay in the last 12 months with the hotel loyalty program you want to match (meaning a screenshot of your previous reservations or hotel receipt, redacting any personal information other than your name and membership number)

You can match elite status from the following programs:

• Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite and above)
• IHG One Rewards (Gold Elite and above)
• World of Hyatt (Explorist and above)
• Best Western Rewards (Diamond and above)
• Choice Privileges (Diamond)

There is also an option to select “Other” as the status you are matching from. If you have elite status in another program, you can always try your luck submitting it this way; note that the terms and conditions technically say only the listed programs are eligible to be matched with.

If you’re looking to status match and begin a challenge shortly before a trip or set of stays, don’t wait until the last minute. Hilton’s website allows seven to 12 business days for a response.

Some TPG readers have noted that previous versions of this status match and challenge required multiple submissions of additional information or different file formats before their new status took effect.

Remember that you can only apply for one Hilton status match per lifetime, so ensure you choose the most advantageous time to apply.

Related: No suite upgrade but charm aplenty: What it’s like staying at one of Hilton’s SLH London properties as a top-tier elite

You can usually earn Hilton Honors status through the following activity within a calendar year:

• Silver: 10 nights, four separate stays or 25,000 base points
• Gold: 40 nights, 20 separate stays or 75,000 base points
• Diamond: 60 nights, 30 separate stays or 120,000 base points

Gold status includes perks like bonus points, room upgrades and complimentary breakfast outside the U.S. or a food-and-beverage credit within the U.S.

Meanwhile, Diamond includes more perks like complimentary upgrades to suites and guaranteed executive lounge access.

If you don’t have an existing elite status to match (or you can’t meet the 90-day stay requirements to extend the status), Hilton Honors status is easy to earn with the following credit cards (enrollment required):

• Silver status is a benefit of the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees).
• Gold status is a benefit of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required for the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cards).
• Diamond status is a benefit of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, or you will be upgraded to Diamond status when you spend $40,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Amex Surpass or the Hilton Amex Business.

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

Bottom line

Hilton allows members from competing loyalty programs to try out elite status in the Hilton Honors programs for 90 days. If you meet the stay requirements in those 90 days, you can enjoy Gold or top-tier Diamond status through March 2027.

It is great to see this generous offer return to allow elite members of other programs to “try before they buy.” Ensure you meet the match requirements, and choose the most advantageous time to apply.

The Montreal-based Star Alliance carrier plans to serve 60 to 65 U.S. “stations” — or airports, such as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), both of which are considered separate stations — by 2028, Alexandre Lefèvre, Air Canada’s vice president of planning and scheduling, said at the Routes Americas conference in Nassau, Bahamas, on Tuesday.

Schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that Air Canada will serve 50 U.S. destinations in the second quarter. The airline has unveiled one new U.S. destination to date this year: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).

Bargain hunting: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare

“We need to offer more connectivity,” Lefèvre said. “We need to offer more dots on the map, [and] basically create more value.”

Air Canada’s planned U.S. expansion follows an established playbook. The airline focuses primarily on midsize American cities where connections over one of its three hubs — Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia — make sense for trips to Asia or Europe. These are known as “sixth-freedom” itineraries where travelers originate in one country, change planes in another country and arrive in a third country.

The growth of Air Canada’s sixth-freedom business from the U.S. enables it to grow in Europe and Asia as well. It will add Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in the Philippines, Naples International Airport (NAP) in Italy, Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) and Porto Airport (OPO) in Portugal to its map in 2025.

Fueling this growth is a robust airplane order book. Air Canada’s latest fleet plan from the end of October 2024 shows that the carrier has at least 83 aircraft, including 27 Airbus A220-300s, 30 Airbus A321XLRs and 18 Boeing 787-10s, on firm order, with deliveries scheduled through 2029.

The airline will use those new planes to grow its schedule by 5% to 6% annually over the next three to four years, Lefèvre said. Continuing delivery delays at both Airbus and Boeing could slow that growth.

Where Air Canada could deploy those planes in the U.S. is the question. Asked what type of destinations the airline is looking at, Lefèvre said, “Our big focus, and our big success over the past few years, have been in those unaligned markets where we’ve got a right to win.”

“Look at Hartford for example,” he continued. “Hartford is a market market where you can make a difference but not as much as if you want to serve Oklahoma City, for example. If you look at Oklahoma City and you look at the routing to go from [there] to Europe … and we’re exactly on the right path. Those are the markets we’re looking at.”

Air Canada has no immediate plans to serve Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport (OKC), Lefèvre added.

Salt Lake City, San Antonio and Louisville, Kentucky, are other types of destinations that fit Lefèvre’s description of potential future Air Canada markets.

Air Canada ended service to Hartford in October after more than two decades of serving the market, Cirium schedules show.

The airline’s growth in the U.S. will be part of its joint venture with United Airlines. The two carriers coordinate schedules and fares on transborder routes, and United helps sell Air Canada flights in the American market.

Air Canada and United also have a separate joint venture with the Lufthansa Group that covers transatlantic routes.

Even as Air Canada plans to add more breadth to its U.S. map, it’s the largest markets that still generate the most traffic for the airline.

“Most of our international connections are still big markets — San Francisco, LAX, Chicago and New York — all those cities, none of them have enough nonstops to serve the demand,” Lefèvre said.

Related reading:

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

April is one of the smartest months to book leisure travel. In many parts of the world, the climate is blissfully mild during this time of year. And since kids are in school for most of the month, you can expect fewer crowds — which translates into more affordable flights and accommodations, and easier access to a destination’s key attractions. 

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the best reason to travel in April is to enjoy the outdoors after winter’s cold and darkness. From budding branches to longer stretches of daylight to trilling birds, signs of nature springing back to life are everywhere. 

Ahead are 10 of the best places to visit in April. 

Jeju Island, South Korea

If you want to be surrounded by stunning cherry blossoms while avoiding the crushing crowds of Yoshino, Japan, and Washington, D.C., Jeju Island is the answer. This cherished South Korean leisure destination with a subtropical climate is famed for an abundance of native king cherry trees whose fluffy and vibrant blooms cascade across the island. 

Though the fleeting flowers are weather-dependent, they typically peak in early April. Take advantage of the spectacular natural backdrop by hiking the iconic volcanic mountain Hallasan (don’t worry, it’s dormant), and fuel up afterward with local delicacies like black pork, galchi (hairtail fish) and abalone.

TPG tip: Set on the coastline overlooking Beomseom Island, JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa is a 197-room luxury resort featuring a sleek design by Bill Bensley, a restorative spa and several enticing restaurants, including The Flying Hog. Rooms are available from $715 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.  

San Antonio

Once overshadowed by Houston and Austin, San Antonio has emerged as a vibrant Texas travel destination — and April is one of the best months to visit. Fiesta San Antonio (April 24 to May 4) is an annual 11-day festival with more than 100 events, including Cornyation 2025: The Court of Marmalade Morass Madness (April 29-May 1), an adults-only satire whose proceeds benefit HIV and AIDS research and other LGBTQ+ causes. 

With daytime highs from the mid-60s to the low 80s, April is also a wonderful time to be outdoors. Experience peak wildflower season (bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, primroses) at Phil Hardberger Park or cycle down the San Antonio River Walk to the San Antonio Missions, Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage site. 

For some of the best eats in town, check out the James Beard Award-nominated restaurants Best Quality Daughter and Cullum’s Attagirl.

TPG tip: Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk is a 195-room lifestyle hotel on the River Walk. In April, rates start at $195 or 58,000 Hilton Honors points per night.  

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an appealing destination year-round, but April is an especially underrated time to visit. The month may signal the end of the country’s dry season, but the weather, particularly in the western and central regions, remains comfortably hot and sunny for outdoor pursuits such as surfing on the Pacific Coast, hiking Rincon de la Vieja National Park and spotting wildlife like nesting sea turtles and humpback whales.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, occurs April 13-19. It is one of Costa Rica’s most cherished occasions, with ceremonies and special food. Be sure to try dulce de chiverre, a marmalade featuring the native sweet squash, served in traditional desserts during the weeklong festivities.  

TPG tip: Book your stay at the luxurious Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which opens in February on the Papagayo Peninsula. In April, rates start at $1,665 or 143,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Northern Territory, Australia 

Australia’s vast and remote Northern Territory is the heart of Aboriginal culture. One of the best ways to learn more about how Aborigines shaped the region is at Parrtjima in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The free 10-day art and light festival (April 4-13) is unlike any other in the world. Ancient traditions converge with modern technology, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage through dazzling light installations, captivating artworks and lively performances. Explore the iconic Uluru and the Kata Tjuta (Olgas) rock formations to round out a trip here. Dropping by Alice Springs’ Kangaroo Sanctuary is a necessity for animal lovers. 

TPG tip: Check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs for a convenient stay. April rates start at $95 or 24,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Sao Paulo 

Though Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo — included in our “Where to go in 2025“ list — has always pulsed with energy, April brings even more reasons to plan a trip there. The Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo will finally unveil its sweeping $43 million renovation and expansion, nearly doubling its space. 

Every April, Sao Paulo Fashion Week presents the designs of industry heavyweights alongside up-and-coming talent and is widely considered Latin America’s most influential fashion event. Many shows are invitation-only, but the city is humming with parties and other social events offering unique opportunities to people-watch and soak up the city’s cosmopolitan style.

While you’re in town, don’t forget to make dinner reservations at some of Sao Paulo’s mainstays, like Mocoto, Tuju and Shin-Zushi.   

TPG tip: Unveiled in January, W Sao Paulo marks the brand’s first location in Brazil while ushering fresh energy into the city’s business district. Rooms are available from $409 or 34,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.

Hoi An, Vietnam 

Often bypassed by tourists heading to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An is the gateway to Central Vietnam. The historic port town brimming with cultural treasures is also near several uncrowded beaches — try An Bang for its sugary sands and crystal-clear waters. 

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Hoi An’s Old Town is a portal to the past, when trading merchants from Asia and Europe shaped the city into a cultural melting pot from the 15th to the 19th century. The neighborhood comes alive at night when paper lanterns illuminate the Hoai River and the Night Market’s stalls clamor for your attention. 

Dive into the region’s rich food culture on a guided tour with Vespa Adventures; you’ll see lesser-known parts of the city and sample local foods like White Rose Restaurant’s pretty flower-shaped dumplings. 

TPG tip: Situated on a tranquil strip of Hoi An Beach, the legendary Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam — a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts — stretches across 86 lush acres and features dreamy villas with outdoor showers. Rates start at $966 per night in April.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Located in Peru between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a 62-mile expanse of fertile land irrigated by the Urubamba River and surrounded by the Andes Mountains. The region has plenty to experience, from Pisac, a stunning pre-Hispanic archaeological site, to the Maras Salt Mines, where salt has been harvested since pre-Inca times. 

It’s also a smart jumping-off point for Machu Picchu. With five departure stations from the Sacred Valley (Wanchaq, San Pedro, Poroy, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba), PeruRail’s glass-domed Vistadome train whisks you to the mystical UNESCO World Heritage site and back in comfort and style. April is an ideal time to go because it’s the beginning of the dry season, but well before the peak crowds arrive from June to August. 

 TPG tip: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado in Urubamba offers a locally inspired stay with garden-fresh Peruvian cuisine, a restorative spa and a serene design. Accommodations are available from $493 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.

Botswana

Botswana should be on your radar if your dream vacation involves immersing yourself in nature. An astonishing 40% of the country’s land is protected, which ensures its diverse ecosystems, including savannas and wetlands like the iconic Okavango Delta, can flourish. 

As April shifts from the wet to the dry season, you can look forward to warm days followed by brisk nights and ample opportunities to spot breeding herds of elephants and antelopes. Fewer crowds and more affordable rates than you’d find during the peak travel months between June and October make visiting this time of year even more memorable.

TPG tip: Comprising 12 intimate cottages, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is famed for its understated luxury, personalized service and unbeatable location within the Okavango Delta. In April, the all-inclusive overnight rates start at $2,680. 

Amsterdam 

Though April is one of the busiest travel months for the Dutch capital, its singular springtime landscape warrants a visit when the Amsterdam Tulip Festival (March 20 to May 11) transforms the already postcard-perfect city into a wonderland of kaleidoscopic blooms. 

For a truly unforgettable viewing experience, plan a day trip to the world’s largest flower park, Keukenhof (your best bet to avoid crowds is arriving right at opening). Alternatively, you can check out the lesser-visited Poldertuin, a flower garden in Anna Paulowna, or Flevoland’s tulip fields. Both are a little farther away but still accessible via public transport.

 The spring blossoms coincide with King’s Day on April 27, a national holiday jam-packed with rambunctious outdoor parties and street markets. (Be sure to wear something orange, as the locals do in honor of the Dutch royal family.) 

The city will also be celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025. As part of the yearlong festivities, the culinary history exhibit “Amsterdam Eats” opens April 11 at the Allard Pierson Museum.

TPG tip: Continue the spring theme even while you sleep at Pulitzer Amsterdam’s ornate Flower Collector’s Suite, where April rates begin at $1,478 per night. Receive daily breakfast for two, late checkout and more when you book via the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

Tucson

April is a smart time to visit Arizona’s second-largest city because there are fewer crowds than during winter’s high season, and it’s not too hot yet. Located in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who want to take advantage of the area’s hiking, stargazing and wildlife viewing.

Food lovers should also consider planning a trip. In 2015, Tucson became America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy for its unique culinary scene that blends Mexican and Native American traditions. Some of the best old-school spots to savor local cuisine (and history) include El Charro Cafe, which opened in 1922, and El Minuto Cafe, which opened in 1936. 

TPG tip: Centered around a boomerang-shaped pool and recently reflagged as an IHG property, Voco The Tuxon has rates starting at $92 or 17,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in April.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases

Long lines at the rental car counter can be agonizingly slow, especially at busy tourist destinations or at night when fewer staff are present at the rental counter.

While regular customers have to wait their turn, those with elite status can go to the front of the line or skip the counter altogether and go straight to their vehicles. Fortunately, you may already hold a credit card that offers you elite status with a rental car company to get you to the front of the line.

Let’s discuss which credit cards give you elite status with rental car agencies, how to claim that status and the benefits they provide.

Amex Platinum rental car benefits

Both The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer complimentary car rental elite status with Avis, Hertz and National. Each elite status isn’t created equal — let’s explore each of the benefits. Enrollment required for select benefits.

Avis Preferred Plus membership perks

Amex Platinum cardholders can enjoy complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status, typically requiring 10 rentals completed or spending $4,000 in a calendar year for eligibility. Avis Preferred Plus members are eligible to receive the following benefits:

• Skip the counter and go straight to your car.
• Complimentary one-class upgrade (when available).
• Code to receive a discount on rental rates.
• Bonus Avis Preferred points with every rental.

You’ll need to enroll in the Avis Preferred program first to take advantage of these perks. To do so, visit this page and click the Enroll Now link. If you already have an Avis Wizard number and want your status to be upgraded, you can follow the link on that page to send an email.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership perks

Amex Platinum cardholders can enjoy complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status, which typically requires 20 rentals completed or spending at least $4,000 in a calendar year for eligibility.

President’s Circle members are eligible to receive the following benefits:

• Complimentary one-class upgrade (when available).
• 50% bonus points with every rental.
• Widest choice availability
• Dedicated Hertz rewards phone line

You’ll need to enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards first to take advantage of these perks. To do so, visit this page and click the Enroll link.

National Emerald Club Executive status perks

Amex Platinum cardholders will get automatically upgraded to Executive status upon signing up for National’s free loyalty program, Emerald Club.

Executive status normally requires 12 paid rentals or 40 paid rental days. As an Executive member, you’ll have access to these perks:

• Guaranteed choice of full-size or better cars from the Executive area at the reserved mid-size rate
• Bypass the counter and head straight to the Emerald Aisle for your pick of cars
• No additional fee for a second driver
• Reward choices and one free rental day with six rental credits
• Exclusive rental discounts

To enroll, click on this link and follow the prompts to enroll with Emerald Club.

Booking through National gets you some of the best perks (compared to Avis or Hertz), so we recommend checking these rental options first.

Related: The Platinum Card from American Express review

Chase Sapphire Reserve rental car benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers special privileges with National and Avis. As a Visa Infinite card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers complimentary National Emerald Club Executive membership, which includes the perks listed above. When booking with National, you can also enjoy complimentary upgrades, the ability to skip the counter and more.

Activating all of these benefits is one of the first things you should do when you get your card. You’ll need to log into your Ultimate Rewards account and select Card Benefits under “Use Points” to register for these benefits. From there, you’ll be able to see the offers that are available to you in real time.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review

Capital One Venture X rental car benefits

A great benefit of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is that it offers top-tier Hertz President’s Circle status**. Cardholders must enroll through their account’s benefits tab on the Capital One website or mobile app. Cardholders can also enroll their authorized users using this same process.

You get all of the member benefits of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program, plus the following perks with President’s Circle status:

• Guaranteed upgrades to the next car class
• Access to the widest selection of vehicles
• Earn 50% bonus points on all Hertz rentals
• Dedicated customer service texting line to reach an agent for rental-related questions

**Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply

Related: Capital One Venture X credit card review

United Club Infinite Card rental car benefits

United Club℠ Infinite Card offers complimentary Avis President’s Club membership, which typically requires an invitation to join. To join, cardmembers (and those with United Premier Platinum status or higher) can use this link. This is a change from United’s previous partnership with Hertz, where cardmembers received President’s Circle status.

Avis President’s Club status includes:

• Complimentary upgrades of two-car classes when available
• Guaranteed car availability when you book at least 24 hours in advance
• Expedited rental service
• 50% more points for every dollar you spend if you opt into Avis Preferred points
• Dedicated phone line for reservations and customer support

Related: United Club Infinite Card review

Which rental car status to utilize

National Emerald Club stands out as a favorite car rental program because of the ability to choose your own car from the Emerald Aisle Executive selection. This is ideal when renting a car for families because the Emerald Aisle is where they tend to park the minivans. This status is easy to get if you have an Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The next best is Hertz Gold Plus Rewards paired with the Amex Platinum. While this isn’t technically elite status, booking with the Platinum’s CDP will unlock a four-hour grace period. This amounts to a free day on rentals between 24 and 28 hours long, and it’s perfect whenever your departure time is more than a couple of hours beyond your arrival time.

Note that you must have a qualifying card to enroll in these elite status programs. Once you do, you often can use any card to pay for the rental car. Choose the right card to maximize points and miles earned and obtain primary rental car insurance — and be sure to review our guide to saving money on rental cars.

Status matching

Another way to earn value from these programs is to let them match your status. For example, Hertz offers a status match that should grant Hertz Five Star status to those with National Executive status. Similarly, National’s status match program provides Executive status to those with Avis President’s Club status. If you hold elite status with one program and are thinking of switching, it can’t hurt to ask for a status match even if it isn’t explicitly offered.

Related: The complete guide to car rental elite status matches

Bottom line

It’s far easier to enjoy rental car elite status solely through your credit card than it is to earn hotel or airline status. And while you might not find rental car status to be that exciting, it can definitely save you money and speed up your travel experience — especially in a time when rental cars may be hard to find. By learning which credit cards offer rental car status, you can enjoy all of these perks sooner than you might have thought.

Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: United Club Infinite
Learn more: Capital One Venture X

Related: Hitting the road on your vacation? Everything you need to know about rental car elite status

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.