November 29, 2022 | View Online | Sign Up
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I found out in Rotterdam last week that Dutch credit card use is almost non-existent. Credit cards are heavily frowned upon, and even Visa is rarely accepted, making cash or local bank cards the only guaranteed way to pay. They’re so anti-credit cards that the Dutch word for “debt” is the same word as “guilt.”
The outcome? Some of the lowest levels of credit card debt in the developed world.
While frustrating, it’s a solid reminder that while the travel-hacking game can be fantastic, it’s never worth plunging into debt. Keep your financial limits in mind as you're eyeing up a bonus this Christmas shopping season.
In this week’s cheatsheet:
Last chance to grab the Sapphire Reserve’s solid bonus
Use Aeroplan’s stopover rule to see a new city for cheap
How travel lounges are fighting overcrowding
The weirdest ways I’ve worked the system
Cheers,
Steven
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| TRAVEL CARDS
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Image: Zach's hand/DFC
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Last chance to grab the Chase Sapphire Reserve's 80,000-point intro bonus
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You might want to act fast if you’ve been eyeing the Chase Sapphire Reserve but haven’t yet pulled the trigger.
The Sapphire Reserve is one of the best travel cards out there, combining luxury perks, top-tier earning categories, and an extremely fair annual fee. For the last few months, the card has come with an excellent 80,000-point intro bonus worth up to $1200. But Chase has announced the limited-time offer will finish by day's end Wednesday, dropping back to the standard 60,000 point offer.
While the card is still more than worth having in your wallet with a 60,000-point bonus, you're leaving a lot of valuable points on the table by applying after the drop.
To put it in context, those 20,000 extra points could get you:
A one-way flight from the US to northern South America with United
One-way transatlantic flights on British Airways
Almost two one-way domestic US flights with United
Remember, to earn the bonus, you’ll need to spend $4000 in the first three months of opening the card – perfect if you’re already anticipating a pricey holiday season.
On top of the bonus, which comes with a $500 annual fee, you’ll also enjoy a complimentary Priority Pass, a $300 travel credit, a complimentary DoorDash pass, and even a LyftPink All Access membership. It’s also among the best daily earners, especially for frequent travelers.
So, if those extra flights have tempted you and you haven’t opened five cards in the last two years (See: Chase 5/24 rule), apply before midnight on Wednesday!
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| WEEKLY SWEET SPOT
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Aeroplan's 5,000 point stopover can transform your trip
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Air Canada may be a tiny blip on your radar, but it certainly deserves a bit more attention. Not only are its points some of the most valuable out there, but the Aeroplan system also comes with a sneaky powerful benefit that can maximize your travel plans – 5,000 point stopovers.
Simply put, you can add a stopover in another city to your previously planned trip for only a few thousand extra points, saving you what could be hundreds of dollars in added travel expenses.
Example: Flying from Los Angeles to Bangkok with a week-long stay in Tokyo
Check the Aeroplan award chart for a rough estimate of award costs
Calculate the points required using the mileage; in this case, the distance between LAX and BKK is 8,269 miles which should cost between 50-90,000 points
Make sure you have enough to cover 90,000 points plus the 5,000 for the stopover
On the Aeroplan search portal, click multi-city/stop-over
Search for flights to Bangkok and add the stopover in Tokyo
Set the length of the stopover up to 45 days
Book the flight and save hundreds or even thousands compared to booking separately
There are restrictions, so make sure you scan through the T+Cs – the most important being that you can’t choose stopovers in the US or Canada. Still, this small perk offers the opportunity for an epic, continent-spanning trip at a fraction of the cost.
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| POINTS NEWS
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Image: American Express
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Airport lounges fight overcrowding
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Once upon a time, travel lounges were reserved for an elite group: frequent business travelers, big-spending first-class fliers, and the occasionally upgraded everyman. Now, with credit cards and loyalty plans all vying for our attention (and annual fees), lounge access has become commonplace, upsetting a lot of frequent flyers and big spenders – womp womp.
Many lounges are seeing overcrowding, and different carriers have taken steps to reduce the congestion and, in turn, make them a little more peaceful. Here are some of the recent changes you can expect to see on your next lounge visit.
Amex drops its free guest for Centurion lounges
Amex Platinum cardholders can currently bring two guests, free of charge, to any Centurion Lounge. The range is one of the most expansive selections and one of my favorite places to relax before a flight.
Unfortunately, in the New Year, cardholders will have to pay for any guests to enter the lounge with them unless they spend more than $75,000 a year on the card. Paying for lounge access isn’t always worth it, especially if you’re already on a budget.
Delta brings in VIP lines to skip the wait at Sky Clubs
Sky Clubs are another excellent range that is now seeing restrictions. The airline spent the summer testing ways to appease frustrated high-spending customers who found themselves waiting as long as half an hour to enter the lounge.
To counter the problem, Delta has created designated VIP lines for Delta Diamond Medallion members, Delta 360 members, and any Delta One or First-Class ticket holders. The groups mentioned will now be able to skip any lines while everyone else waits for space.
United unveils new lounge format
United has already unveiled its new grab-and-go lounge format, dubbed United Club Fly. The micro-lounges only have enough seats for around 16 people, but they’re not designed to keep people there. Those eligible for entry can simply pass through, grab a bite, and head back to the departure area.
It’s hoped the quick option with food availability will draw some travelers away from the larger lounges, but time will tell. United's Club Fly at Denver Airport is the only one open so far but, if successful, could pave the way for more.
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| FLIGHT DEALS
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Up to $100 off flights to Europe with Aer Lingus, book by 12/1
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Go Green with Aer Lingus' extended Black Friday deals and save big on travel to Europe now through May 31, 2023.
Browse flights from Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Hartford, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington D.C. to your dream European destination.
But don’t wait! Check out the sale today to save on roundtrip
fares like New York to Paris for $400 and Chicago to Dublin for only $375.
This holiday season treat yourself or someone you love to the gift of travel.
Book by 6:59 PM ET on December 1, 2022 to lock in these sweet deals.
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| CREDIT CARD OF THE WEEK
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Image: Air Canada
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Air Canada's Aeroplan Credit Card
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As I’ve already told you how helpful Aeroplan’s 5,000-point stopover can be, I figured it would make sense to show you the simplest way to earn points with Air Canada – the Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase.
The card currently comes with a 70,000-point intro bonus worth up to $1000 when you spend $3000 in the first three months of opening the card. Beyond that, you’ll grab a free checked bag, a 25k elite status bonus, and some strong spending categories.
Pros:
70,000 point intro bonus worth up to $1000
25,000 point bonus towards elite status with the airline
Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight travelers on the same booking if flying with Air Canada
3X points per dollar on groceries
3X points per dollar on dining, including takeout and delivery
500 bonus points for every $2000 spent each month
Cons:
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| STEVEN'S TIPS
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Image: Hilton Doubletree Tower of London – where my Diamond Status scored me a free upgrade and breakfast
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Travel smarter, not harder: The weird way I earned Hilton status
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Long before I took a deep dive into the world of points, I was a road runner, staying in hotels for a few days each week for four months of the year for work. Hilton was the first hotel brand I stumbled into, and I stuck with it, realizing that the more I stayed, the more perks I received.
But as I’d walk from my car to the lobby with each stay, I’d glance at the Diamond member parking spot, angered that I was limited to every other space besides that one. My nights tally fell short for two years, never quite getting past Gold.
Traveling Hard
Eventually, I realized that stays are easier to attain than nights. Back then, it took 60 nights or 30 stays to achieve Diamond. I regularly came in at around 48 nights and about 20 stays. So, in the last few weeks of travel, I would find two Hilton properties nearby – maybe a Garden Inn and Hampton Inn. Instead of staying in one for five days, I would book each hotel on alternate days from Monday through Friday. Each counted as an individual stay, so I could rack up eight or nine stays in two weeks, taking me over the threshold.
Sure, I couldn’t unpack, and I looked super stupid walking into the same hotel three times a week. But I’ve managed to cling onto Diamond for the last five years, saving me hundreds, gifting me upgrades, and, of course, the pretentious joy of parking terribly in that reserved spot.
Traveling Smart
Of course, now I know I could just open the Hilton Aspire Amex Card, keep diamond status, and balance out the high yearly fee after just three stays.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING
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