Is this the creepiest — or best — hotel welcome amenity ever?

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If you Google “hotel welcome amenity,” odds are that you’ll find a picture of a bottle of wine, along with some chocolates and a fruit plate.

Would your wedding photo come up in that search? Probably not.

Well, can you imagine my surprise when I walked into my room during a recent hotel stay at The Norman in Tel Aviv, Israel, only to find a wooden picture frame on a small table with my wedding photo inside?

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At first, I was speechless. Maybe my wife asked the hotel to print it out, as far-fetched as that seemed.

Nope, she told me, when I called immediately after seeing the photo.

While the hotel never explicitly confirmed that they printed the wedding photo, the check-in agent who escorted me to my room told me that the hotel likes to keep tabs on who’s staying there.

(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Clearly, someone on the team had put all the pieces together, maybe saying to themselves, ‘Zach Griff happens to be a travel reporter with an active social media presence — and he also recently got married.’

‘What better way to personalize his stay than by printing out a picture of his wedding?’ someone must have thought.

Though I was initially creeped out, the surprise quickly wore off, and it didn’t bother me much for the rest of the stay. Perhaps the hotel thought my wife was coming along for the trip — not a bad assumption given that I inadvertently booked the room for two guests.

But it was clear that the hotel “knew” who I was — I was greeted by name during most interactions with the staff, and everyone was eager to lend a hand and ask how I was doing.

Either way, this welcome amenity has proven to be divisive.

In fact, I posted an Instagram story about the wedding photo and 72% of viewers thought that the welcome amenity was creepy.

Responses to my Instagram poll. (Screenshot courtesy of Instagram)

After the stay, I took the photo home with me — I didn’t want it left inadvertently for the next guest — and asked my family around the Thanksgiving table their thoughts on the amenity.

Nearly everyone thought it was strange. After all, if the hotel is Googling me and printing my wedding photo, what else is the hotel doing when someone actually famous is staying there?

The few who considered it to be one of the best and cutest welcome gifts appreciated this level of personalization more than anything.

And regardless of how you feel, I now have another wedding photo on my desk — without going through the hoops to print or frame it myself.

Featured photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy.

By: Zach Griff
Title: Is this the creepiest — or best — hotel welcome amenity ever?
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/weird-hotel-welcome-amenity/
Published Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2021 13:30:32 +0000

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How to choose a credit card

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Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

The promise of earning valuable perks from a credit card can be exciting. But, choosing the best card to add to your wallet isn’t always as easy as it seems. There are many factors to weigh before you fill out an actual application. At the very least, you need to consider your spending habits, the types of rewards you value the most and the kind of credit card you’re likely to qualify for at this time.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to choose a credit card.

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In This Post

Review your credit

(Photo by cnythzl/Getty Images)

Step one to choosing the right credit card is checking your credit report from Equifax, TransUnion or Experian. When you apply for a credit card, the condition of your credit will have a considerable influence over whether you get approved or not. You can check all three of your credit reports for free once every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Be sure to go through each report in detail. Get a sense of how your credit shapes up — good, bad or otherwise. It’s also wise to check for errors and report them. Credit errors do happen and they could unfairly lower your credit scores. If you discover errors, you can dispute them with the credit bureaus. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides sample dispute letters that may help.

You can check your credit scores as well, even though the scores you find online will likely be different from the score your lender sees. Credit card issuers have different minimum credit score requirements for different cards. So, if you find that your credit score currently falls in the “fair” range, it’s probably not wise to apply for a premium rewards card that requires excellent or good credit to qualify.

Related: 6 ways to improve your credit score in 2021

Understanding your spending habits

Since the pandemic, most households have increased their grocery and restaurant spend. (Photo by FG-Trade/Getty Images)

Next, you should look back and examine your spending habits. Do you spend a lot of money each month on groceries to feed a large family? Do you order takeout or dine out often? With the right credit card strategy, you may be able to boost your reward-earning potential in different spending categories. For example, there are credit cards that offer extra rewards when you spend on certain categories:

TravelDiningGroceriesGasEntertainment

When you choose a credit card that offers higher rewards for purchases you make frequently, you can earn more points, miles, or cash back (depending on the type of card).

Let’s look at dining as an example and imagine you spend an average of $1,000 per month on dining purchases. You could earn up to $20 per month ($240 per year) with a 2% cash back card (1% when you buy, plus 1% as you pay) like the Citi® Double Cash Card.

Now, assume you place the same $1,000 in monthly dining purchases on the Chase Sapphire Reserve. You would earn 3x for a total of 3,000 Ultimate Rewards points each month (or 36,000 per year). Based on our valuation of 2 cents per point, those 36,000 Ultimate Rewards points could be worth up to $720 in rewards — that’s a lot more bang for your buck.

Related: These are the best credit cards for everyday spending

Understanding the different card types out there

Once you know the condition of your credit and identify your heavy spending categories, you’re ready to start sifting through credit card offers. At this point, you should try to figure out which credit card features are the most appealing and how you plan on redeeming your points. For example, if you’ve got a trip to Paris in mind, then a Southwest credit card is clearly not the best way to go. If you mostly redeem points for cheap domestic flights, then you’ll want to get a cobranded airline card or opt for a card that provides flexibility in transfer partners, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.

Here are some common types of credit cards to consider:

Cobranded airline and hotel credit cards

Cobranded airline and hotel credit cards are ideal for people who are loyal to a specific program but not enough to earn elite status. These cards offer benefits that can make your travels a little more comfortable. With airline cards, you can expect free checked bags, discounts on inflight purchases, and possibly even progress towards elite status. On the other hand, hotel credit cards usually offer mid-tier status, resulting in perks like room upgrades, free breakfast, and bonus points on paid stays.

Bank rewards cards

Bank rewards cards offer the ultimate flexibility in terms of redemptions. These cards often offer generous bonuses in everyday spending categories. When it comes to redeeming points, you have the option to choose cash back or transfer points to airline and hotel transfers — making these rewards extremely versatile. If you opt for a premium bank rewards card, you can even take advantage of valuable perks like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and more.

Our favorite bank rewards cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Premier® Card, and the American Express® Gold Card.

Cash back credit cards

Cash back credit cards may be a good fit for people who prefer to keep things simple regarding credit card rewards. There are no rewards programs to track, and you never have to worry about a card issuer devaluing your rewards. Cash rewards give you the ability to spend your earnings on anything you like.

Cash back cards like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express are great if you want to maximize everyday spending categories like U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and select U.S. streaming services. The Citi® Double Cash Card is a unique option if you want to earn cash back rewards that can be converted to Citi ThankYou points for high-value redemptions.

No-annual-fee credit cards

No-annual-fee credit cards can be a good fit for people who prefer to minimize their out of pocket expenses when earning rewards. The Chase Freedom Flexis a great example of a high-value card with no annual fee. The card offers rotating 5% cash back categories where you can maximize your earnings. You can earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories on the first $1,500 in purchases each quarter you activate. The best part is that if you have another card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can convert your cash back earnings into Ultimate Rewards points. Since TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, you can get a bigger return on your spending by using your rewards this way.

Related: How to maximize your Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Understanding basic credit card terms

As you shop around for the credit card that ticks off all of your boxes, it helps to understand the basic credit card terms you’ll come across during your search. Knowing these terms will better enable you to compare offers from multiple card issuers and choose your favorite.

APR: APR stands for annual percentage rate — the interest a card issuer charges you stated as a yearly rate. A card’s APR may be less important than you think if you don’t carry an outstanding balance. With most credit cards, you won’t owe any interest if you pay your full statement balance by the due date.Fees: Credit card fees are additional costs that may be associated with certain credit cards. Common fees to watch out for are annual fees, late payment fees, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees — to name a few. A credit card fee isn’t necessarily a deal killer, but you should understand what you’re agreeing to before applying for a new account.Minimum payments: A minimum payment is the lowest amount of money you can pay to your card issuer each month. If you don’t pay the minimum payment, you may incur late fees and could damage your credit rating.Perks: Aside from rewards, some credit cards offer other perks that can be extremely valuable. Airline fee credits, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits, airport lounge access and rental car coverage, are just a few examples. Enrollment required for select benefits.Rewards: Credit card rewards are usually tied to how much you spend on the account. Rewards may come in the form of points, miles, or cash back you can earn and redeem.Welcome bonus: A credit card welcome or sign-up bonus is an offer some card issuers make to attract new clients. Typically, you must spend a minimum amount to qualify (e.g., $5,000) within a few months of opening your new account. If you meet the spending requirement, you’ll receive a certain number of points, miles or cash back in return.

Related: TPG’s beginner’s guide to credit cards: Everything you need to know

Understand credit application requirements

We’ve already discussed how good credit is vital if you hope to qualify for a new credit card. Suppose you want to maximize your chances of being approved for a credit card. In that case, you should be familiar with other factors card issuers may consider too, like household income and outstanding debt.

It may also help to review credit card application restrictions from different card issuers to see if any of them might hold you back. For example, American Express limits welcome bonuses to once per lifetime, while Chase will generally not approve you for a new card if you’ve applied for five or more cards in the last 24 months. Because of rules like this, you’ll want to apply for the highest Amex card bonus possible and keep track of your credit inquiries before applying for a Chase card.

Related: Want to open a new Chase card? Here’s how to calculate your 5/24 standing

Bottom line

Ultimately, choosing a credit card comes down to making a decision based on your personal needs. You should consider a card that offers the most rewards on your biggest spending categories and helps you meet your future travel goals. Before you apply for the credit card, it’s essential to be aware of your credit score and any card issuer limitations that could impact your ability to get approved or earn a welcome bonus. If you qualify and use your new credit card responsibly, it has the potential to be a great tool that can help you build credit while earning attractive rewards as a bonus.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon and Ariana Arghandewal.

Featured photo by RgStudio for Getty Images.

By: Michelle Lambright Black
Title: How to choose a credit card
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/how-to-choose-a-credit-card/
Published Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2021 18:00:02 +0000

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Extreme couponing: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

The extreme couponing fad may be over, but cash-back deals via credit card offers are thriving.

While we once only had Amex Offers, we’re now seeing similar programs from other major issuers, giving their customers even more ways to save.

Every program works similarly: Log into your card account online or through your banking app, review the offers available to you, add the ones you want and make a qualifying purchase using the card the offer is registered to. There are no promo codes to enter at online checkout and no coupons to print to take to the register. It’s the simple type of couponing everyone loves.

Offers are typically targeted, but someone with multiple cards will have access to dozens of offers from various retailers at any given time. Though every little bit helps, some programs are more valuable than others. Here’s how the programs stack up.

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In This Post

mex offers

(Photo by Isabelle Raphael for The Points Guy)

Nearly everyone with an Amex card is familiar with Amex Offers, where you’ll often find 100 or more potential discounts for each card you have. Not all of them will be relevant to your purchasing needs, but the law of large numbers says a few will probably make sense.

From a traveler’s perspective, Amex Offers are frequently a good fit. Hotel offers are relatively common and often span multiple brands. For instance, here’s one where, when you spend $300 or more with Intercontinental or Kimpton Hotels, you get $60 back.

(Screenshot courtesy of americanexpress.com)

Sometimes, you’ll find a good airline offer, too, like this one for a $100 statement credit on a Delta purchase of $300 or more

(Screenshot from americanexpress.com)

In addition to sheer quantity of offers available, Amex also tends to field some of the highest cash-back deals. Rebates of $100 or more are relatively common, and you can sometimes stack Amex Offers with other discounts and promotions as long as your final purchase price is high enough to trigger the deal.

Another great advantage to these offers is that Membership Rewards-earning cards sometimes proffer bonus points on eligible purchases rather than cash back. For example, you may find an offer for 10,000 bonus points instead of $100 or 5 extra bonus points per dollar instead of 5% cash back on certain types of purchases or from specific retailers.

Since TPG values Membership Rewards at 2 cents each, earning your rebate in points can make it an even sweeter deal.

(Screenshot from americanexpress.com)

One major downside is that Amex usually structures deals to require a minimum spending amount (as you might imagine, the higher rebates require higher spending to qualify), and taxes and fees are generally not included in that amount. So if you spend even just one penny short of the amount stated in your Amex Offer, you could miss out on the deal entirely.

Further, note that some Amex Offers have restrictions around what purchases are eligible, so read through the terms and conditions before you make a purchase. Also note that you can only add a particular Amex Offer to one Amex card, so try adding it to the card that earns the most points on your purchase.

Interested in using Amex Offers? Consider applying for one of these Amex cards:

American Express® Green Card Earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Earn 3x points on dining at restaurants, travel and transit (including flights, hotels, cruises, taxis, tours and more) and 1x points on other purchases ($150 annual fee; see rates and fees).American Express® Gold Card Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Earn 4x points on dining at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x), 3x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel and 1x points on other eligible purchases ($250 annual fee; see rates and fees).The Platinum Card® from American Express Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly from airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and 1x points on other purchases ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).

The information for the Amex Green 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: These Amex Offers will help you save money and make life easier right now

Chase offers

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Since so many of our favorite travel cards are issued by Chase, there’s a good chance you have access to Chase Offers in your wallet.

Chase Offers are targeted and may vary by card. You’ll need to check each card in your account to see which ones you have access to. In my experience, the best deals are usually on the cards I rarely use, which might give you an incentive to pull them out of the sock drawer again.

Currently, I have 13 offers on my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, but there are 75 with the Southwest cobranded card I rarely use. If you see the same offer on multiple cards, be careful which one you add it to because you can’t add identical offers to multiple cards.

Chase Offers are nearly always a percentage back instead of a flat rate dollar amount, with a few exceptions for subscription-based products. That makes these offers easier to use since you can spend normally without worrying about hitting a minimum threshold in your shopping cart. Everyday brands (rather than stores you’ve never heard of) are often featured, with recent offers from places like Starbucks, McDonald’s and Best Buy.

On the flip side, Chase Offers are generally not as valuable as Amex Offers. Instead of getting triple-digit rebates, you’ll find quite a few that are barely worth getting excited about. For example, this Starbucks offer has a $3 maximum savings.

This Chase Offer for Starbucks tops out at $3. (Screenshot from chase.com)

Here are a handful of our favorite Chase cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Its earning rates include 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining and 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel purchases.Chase Sapphire Reserve Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Its earning rates include 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining purchases.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Chase Offers

BankAmeriDeals

Bank of America also has a cash-back program with a great extra twist: Bank of America debit cards can also activate offers on their account (though we at TPG think credit cards are usually the smarter choice for most). Either way, it can take up to 30 days to see offers on your account after enrolling your account, so you’ll need to be patient before you can start saving.

The offers you see on your Bank of America cards may overlap with your Chase Offers, since the same backend system seemingly powers both programs. Bank of America does have an extra way to save through their BankAmeriDeals. In addition to the cash credits you get for completing offers, you’ll also earn a “coin” each time you utilize a deal. After earning four coins within a set amount of time, you’ll receive an extra cash bonus.

(Screenshot from bankofamerica.com)

Note that these bonuses post to your account later than the initial earnings – but they can be a nice bonus if you regularly use your Bank of America credit card.

Related: How to maximize your earning with the Bank of America Premium Rewards card

Citi merchant offers

(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)

Citibank launched its Citi Merchant Offers program less than a year ago to compete with other issuers, but not all Citi cards are eligible. You can check your specific cards by logging in to your Citi account and navigating to this link.

Like Amex, Citi fields offers from a huge volume of merchants. At the time of writing, I have more than 156 offers available on my Citi® Double Cash Card alone. Offers are conveniently sorted by category, and I’m always thrilled to see the travel offers sitting right on top.

(Screenshot from citi.com)

More often than not, the promos on my account line up well with brands I use anyway. Enrolling is tedious since you have to click the “See Details” button and then enroll, but it’s worth it to me since the deals are often relevant and lucrative enough to be interesting.

(Screenshot from citi.com)

With Citi, the devil is in the details. The fine print of each offer is often very specific, so make sure your purchase is in line with the terms and conditions. For example, chain restaurants may only be valid at specific locations rather than nationwide and sometimes travel discounts only apply to prepaid bookings. Still, if you see deals like $250 off $1,000, which I currently have for a Carnival Cruise purchase, it’s significant enough to be worth your time.

If you’re looking for a new Citi card, consider applying for the Citi Premier® Card. It currently offers 80,000 ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, which you can use for many great redemptions.

Related: 4 reasons the Citi Premier Card should be on your short list

U.S. Bank cash-back deals

U.S. Bank’s version of a rewards program was introduced without fanfare in 2021 and uses the same backend system as you see on Chase and BankAmeriDeals.

(Screenshot from usbank.com)

Though that means you might not see something new or noteworthy, it does mean you have another opportunity to load an offer to your account, especially since so many discounts are capped at low dollar amounts.

Unlike Chase, U.S. Bank doesn’t require you to load an offer to a specific U.S. Bank-issued card. Once you activate an offer, it’s valid for any of the cards on your account, but you can only use it once.

Related: How to choose the right credit card for you

Stack with a shopping portal

(Photo by JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images)

Barring some specific Amex Offers, the bulk of these merchant-specific offers trigger when you make an eligible purchase with your credit card. You do not always need to click through a special link to use your offers, meaning you can stack with a popular airline, hotel or cash-back shopping portal to earn even more points.

Shopping portals reward you with bonus points when you click through the portal before making a purchase with a specific merchant. For example, the United shopping portal currently offers 1 mile per dollar at Walmart. So if you have a Walmart Amex Offer, you can click through the United portal first, pay with your Amex and earn bonus United miles and Membership Rewards points on your purchase.

(Screenshot from shopping.mileageplus.com)

Most of the major airlines, many major hotels and even some transferable points currencies have shopping portals of their own. One of my favorites is Rakuten — it’s technically a cash-back portal, but you can opt to earn Amex Membership Rewards points instead. The portal is currently offering new members a $40 (or 4,000 Membership Rewards point) bonus after you spend $40 within 90 days of opening your account.

Consider using a shopping portal aggregator to earn the most rewards on your purchases. These will show you earning rates for all the major portals side-by-side, so you always get the highest possible return on your purchases.

Related: Don’t want to miss out on earning bonus points? There’s an extension for that

Bottom line

Since more issuers have jumped on the merchant offers bandwagon, you might have access to a plethora of different discounts or bonuses to enjoy across your credit card portfolio. Amex tends to have the most headline-worthy rebates, but realistically, the best offers will be those at retailers you shop with anyway.

Try and make it a habit to look through all of your available offers and add the ones you might use. There’s no harm in not using a linked offer and you might as well save money where you can. Just make sure to use the card with the linked offer when you pay for your purchase.

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

Feature photo by Maskot/Getty Images.

By: Becky Pokora
Title: Extreme couponing: How credit card merchant offers can save you hundreds of dollars every year
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/credit-card-merchant-offers/
Published Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:30:21 +0000

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Fly SAS to dozens of European destinations for $375 round-trip — and even from the West Coast

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Bring on the cheap Europe deals. In the new year, you can fly SAS to tons of European cities for roughly $350 round-trip, and even on nonstop routes to Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL) and Stockholm (ARN).

SAS Airlines Airbus A350. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

The deal was originally sent out by Thrifty Traveler to its Premium members, who are notified about cheap flights, award flight sales and business-class deals by email for $7.99 monthly or $49.99 annually.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Deal basics

Airlines: SAS. Routes: ORD/LAX/MIA/EWR/SFO/IAD to BGO/CPH/DUB/HEL/ARN and beyond. Cost: About $350 round-trip. Dates: January to March 2022. Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (3x on air travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel), the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige 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.

Sample flights

There are many ways to mix-and-match this deal. With most European cities, you’ll likely have a layover in Copenhagen, Oslo or Stockholm.

Los Angeles (LAX) to Oslo (OSL) for $366 round-trip

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Miami (MIA) to Bergen (BGO) for $372 round-trip

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Newark (EWR) to Stockholm (ARN) for $381 round-trip

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Chicago (ORD) to Zurich (ZRH) for $382 round-trip

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

San Francisco (SFO) to Helsinki (HEL) for $383 round-trip

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Maximize your purchase

Pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (3x on air travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel), the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel.

Bottom line

There’s been no shortage of Europe deals recently, and here’s another one to add to your list. You’ll find particularly good value if you’re flying all the way from the West Coast or are flying nonstop on SAS’ routes.

Featured photo by Tatsiana Volskaya for Getty Images.

By: Stella Shon
Title: Fly SAS to dozens of European destinations for $375 round-trip — and even from the West Coast
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/deals/sas-europe/
Published Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2021 12:00:43 +0000

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SIX SENSES IBIZA | Stunning 5-star resort on Ibiza Island (full tour)

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TODAY'S VIDEO

Join me on a full tour (in 4K) of Six Senses Ibiza, a stunning new 5-star resort on the Spanish island of Ibiza.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel if you like my videos (900,000+ followers so far). Each Saturday, I upload a new video about my travels around the world.

These 3 simple strategies can help you get through customs faster

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We’ve all been there: Waiting for what seems like an endless amount of time for your customs and immigration documents to be examined, whether you’re abroad or arriving back to the United States.

At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), one of the nation’s busiest, wait times for customs screening on a recent Friday afternoon shortly before Thanksgiving was as long as an hour. As travel into and out of the U.S. is expected to pick up during the holiday season, you likely don’t want to spend a large part of it waiting in lines.

Here are three simple but effective ways to get through customs and immigration quicker this holiday season.

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Global Entry is your friend

(Photo by Arne Beruldsen/Shutterstock)

Whether or not you’re a frequent flier, you should look into getting a Global Entry membership. It’s a Trusted Traveler program that allows low-risk, pre-cleared travelers to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) much faster than those without.

Global Entry members don’t need to fill out cumbersome paperwork or wait in processing lines. Instead, Global Entry members can use a kiosk where they present their passport (or, in some cases, just their face). The kiosk prints a receipt that travelers show an officer before exiting the baggage claim area. (Note that Global Entry members can still face further questioning or examination upon arrival into the U.S., just like non-Global Entry members.)

To begin, you’ll have to submit your application online through the CBP website, along with a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Once you’ve been conditionally approved, you’ll need to schedule and complete an in-person interview.

Did you know you can get your Global Entry fee reimbursed? That’s right — many credit cards will reimburse you for the Global Entry application fee. Typically, this credit is available once every four years.

Here are our top picks for low-fee cards to use that offer a Global Entry credit (up to $100):

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee)United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year)Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card ($95 annual fee)

And here are some of the best premium cards that offer the benefit (up to $100):

Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee)Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®  ($450 annual fee)The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees)The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($595 — $695 if the application is received on or after 1/13/2022) annual fee, see rates and fees)

If you already have a membership, most of the credit cards that offer an application-fee waiver allow you to buy Global Entry for someone else. So you can gift your credit for the cost of membership to a friend or relative.

However, while Global Entry is a fantastic travel perk, you may have to wait a while to get approved — or even get an interview. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Global Entry program, says processing times can vary by applicant. However, especially due to the coronavirus, it can take an average of six months to be conditionally approved.

Some airports in the U.S., as well as a handful abroad, have what’s known as “Enrollment on Arrival.” This allows travelers who have already been conditionally approved for Global Entry to complete their applications upon arrival into the U.S. Travelers finishing their Global Entry applications this way must have their passport on hand, as well as documents, such as a driver’s license or residential lease, that prove residency.

Get the free Mobile Passport app

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

If you don’t want to pay for Global Entry or if you’re waiting for your application to be processed, you can download the free Mobile Passport Control app. Before getting Global Entry, I used Mobile Passport fairly often as a college student.

It’s a lot less-known than the highly-popular Global Entry, but it can potentially save you hours in time.

Travelers can download the Mobile Passport app the Google or Apple app stores to generate a digital version of the required customs form instead of filling it out by hand. Then, a CBP officer scans the QR code on your Mobile Passport digital receipt. Note that Mobile Passport requires users to submit the passport form every time they enter the country. Mobile Passport is available to U.S. citizens and Canadian B1/B2 citizens visitors at 30 U.S. airports and four seaports.

However — and this is important — once your Global Entry membership is valid, you can’t use it and Mobile Passport. As we’ve previously written, using Mobile Passport effectively “cancels” your Global Entry if you try to use both programs during a single trip.

Bring a pen

(Photo via Getty Images)

This is something I always forget — and I regret it every single time. Unfortunately, the most critical documentation for travel purposes is still filled out by hand in many parts of the world.

When you fly to many countries, flight attendants generally distribute customs forms in the air for you to fill out. Of course, you don’t have to fill them out during the flight. But it’ll make things quicker and a lot smoother if you do, so you should pack a pen in your carry-on luggage to fill out the forms on the plane. It also means you don’t have to ask a seatmate for theirs, especially during COVID-19.

When I’ve forgotten to bring my own pen, it’s cost me hours while waiting in line to go through customs abroad. When I remember to do this, I’ve often gotten to skip ahead of the travelers sharing pens and struggling to fill out forms on the ground. This recently happened on my flight to Mauritius, where I had to fill out my customs forms on the ground. Dozens of travelers were able to jump ahead of me in line and what could have been a 20-minute wait turned into more than an hour.

In Thailand, where I visited last summer, authorities won’t even let you get into line until all of your documents are completed. You then have to wait for someone to check your documents before you’re cleared to wait in the customs line — and this added two extra hours to what was already a long travel day. All that to say, remember to bring a pen in your purse or backpack.

Featured photo by Getty Images

By: Victoria M. Walker
Title: These 3 simple strategies can help you get through customs faster
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/news/strategy-for-getting-through-customs-faster/
Published Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2021 21:00:59 +0000

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Hawaii vs. the Caribbean: Which islands should you visit?

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Are you debating between a trip to Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean?

That’s not a bad problem to have, but it’s just the type of problem TPG likes to help you solve. Both destinations have fantastic, balmy weather year-round, palm trees and fragrant tropical flowers, white- or black-sand beaches, forests filled with hiking trails, plenty of offshore activities and a ton of ways to get there and stay with miles and points.

Of course, right now, coronavirus safety precautions have temporarily changed travel to Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Americans can currently visit Hawaii, and fully-vaccinated travelers no longer need to get pre-tested or quarantine upon arrival. (Though if you aren’t vaccinated, you will need a pre-arrival test or be subjected to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival.)

Entry stipulations in the Caribbean vary by island nation. For example, the Bahamas requires all tourists over the age of two to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days. Meanwhile, Turks and Caicos requires all visitors 16 and older to submit proof of full vaccination before arrival.

Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Rules are still changing regularly, so if you’re planning to visit the Caribbean or Hawaii, look into current entry mandates before booking travel.

But, the real question is, should you go to the Caribbean or Hawaii? Let’s break it down.

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In This Post

Best times to visit

We say there’s no universally bad time to visit either destination. But here are the best times to visit Hawaii and best times to visit the Caribbean.

If you’re worried about crowds in either location, avoid peak dates when lots of families travel near holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break.

Tropical cyclones can hit the Hawaiian Islands, and many islands in the Caribbean are subject to hurricanes. In both cases, storm season starts in early June and ends at the end of November. In the Caribbean, peak hurricane months are August to October. If you’re traveling to the Caribbean from June to August and worried about a hurricane, pick an island — such as Barbados or Trinidad — that’s outside of the traditional hurricane-prone zone.

If you’re interested in whale watching, visiting Hawaii between the months of November and May is your best chance for catching a glimpse of the humpbacks. In the Caribbean, you’ll have a better chance of seeing humpbacks (and dolphins) from mid-January to mid-March.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. (Photo courtesy of the hotel)

Getting to the islands

Depending on what part of the U.S. you call home, it could be easier to get to either the Caribbean or Hawaii. And when we say “easier,” we mean a combination of factors, including the distance and duration of the flight; if you have to connect somewhere before arriving at your final destination; and the cost of the flight in either cash, points or miles.

Flying from the East Coast and Midwest

If you live on the East Coast, the Caribbean is much closer than Hawaii. Flights from hubs such as the New York City area, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami and others are plentiful — especially to major islands.

Prices can vary from reasonable to expensive, depending on when and where you travel. (Just try booking a flight to say, Aruba, during spring break. The fares can be brutal.)

If you keep up with airline deals, you can luck out and find cheap fares to the Caribbean. For example, we found flights to St. Croix from a number of East Coast cities for under $100 round-trip in August.

Want to see the latest flight deals as soon as they’re published? Follow The Points Guy on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to text message alerts from our deals feed, @tpg_alerts.

If you want to go to Hawaii from the East Coast, you may need need to book connecting flights. There are some nonstop flights, such as Hawaiian Airlines from Boston (BOS) and New York-JFK, and United from Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (DUL), but connecting on the West Coast or similar is pretty common.

Related: Why you should fly Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii

Do you have an address in the middle of the country? If so, there are also some excellent routes that can get you to the Caribbean islands fairly quickly, again through airline hubs such as Dallas, Houston, Chicago and others. There are also nonstop flights to Hawaii from many of those same hub cities. This means travelers in the middle may have flight possibilities in both directions.

But things still aren’t equal. From Houston, Honolulu is about eight hours away by air, while a flight to Jamaica lasts about half as long, assuming you’re booking nonstop flights.

Just a few of the nonstop flights from Chicago O’Hare to Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Image courtesy of Kayak.com)

Flying from the West Coast

If you live on the West Coast, Hawaii can be an easier and even more cost-effective destination than the Caribbean. The nonstop flight time from San Francisco to Honolulu is just about five hours. Add around 30 minutes if you leave from Los Angeles instead.

If you were to take Hawaiian Airlines’ nonstop flight from Boston to Honolulu, you’re looking at spending nine hours and 40 minutes inflight. A Bostonian could watch two additional full-length movies to kill the extra time it takes to get to Hawaii.

There are great fare sales to the Hawaiian Islands from the West Coast from a number of airlines, including a recent deal alert for round-trip flights to the islands for under $200. Alaskan Airlines had another deal back in September that could get you to Hawaii for less than $100, and Southwest was offering 40% off Hawaii fares for early 2022 travel during the first week of October.

Southwest’s route map to Hawaii. (Image courtesy of Southwest)

Southwest and Alaska Airlines routes to Hawaii are a boon to West Coast travelers. It’s important to monitor fares from both airlines since they offer great deals from their West Coast gateways. And both airlines offer buy-one-get-one fares.

If you’re a Southwest traveler, you’re probably already aware of its Companion Pass that lets a companion travel with you for just the cost of the ticket’s taxes. You can get a free companion fare (other than the cost of taxes) whether you paid cash or points for your ticket. That’s an incredible value — especially if you’re flying to Hawaii.

Should you want to use Southwest points to get to Hawaii (or the Caribbean) those points count toward earning a Companion Pass. The following Southwest credit cards are offering up to 100,000 bonus points (50,000 points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus an additional 50,000 after you spend $12,000 in the first 12 months from account opening):

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

Alaska Airlines offers a once-a-year companion certificate to anyone who holds the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. You get the certificate on your card’s anniversary. It’s valid on all Alaska Airlines flights with no blackout dates. You pay $99 for the fare (plus as little as $22 for the taxes and fees). Again, a truly cost-effective way to secure round-trip flights to Alaska’s Hawaiian gateways, including Honolulu (HNL), Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA) and Lihue (LIH).

Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles

Island-hopping

If you want to visit more than one island on your tropical vacation, it’s generally easier to do that in Hawaii. There’s a network of interisland flights that are affordable on cash or points. In the Caribbean, unless there’s ferry service from one island to another — as is the case between St. Thomas and St. John — it can be expensive and inconvenient to fly between them. If you’re looking for an itinerary like that, research British Airways’ fifth-freedom island-hopping routes in the Caribbean that do go between certain islands on certain days, starting at just 4,500 points in each direction.

Related: Island-hopping on Southwest Airlines in Hawaii

Southwest makes it easy to island-hop in Hawaii. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

Island culture

When it comes to the “feel” of the islands and the distinct culture you’ll find on each, there are some significant differences that are perhaps more important than the geographical distances.

The Hawaiian experience

Hawaii was the holy grail of vacation destinations for most U.S. residents even before it became a state in 1959. It’s miles and miles from the mainland — 2,556 miles from Los Angeles, to be exact. Magazines featured photos of fire eaters and beautiful hula dancers.

Maui’s Feast at Lele luau closes with an incredible fire dancer. (Photo by Leonard Hospidor)

Military personnel stationed at Pearl Harbor wrote home about the islands’ secluded beaches, waterfalls, lava flows and tunnels and so much more. They weren’t lying — and the tourists followed.

Just one of the waterfalls you’ll encounter along Maui’s Road to Hana. (Photo by ejs9/The Points Guy)

Those who traveled to the main islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island or Kauai returned home to regale their friends with tales of soaring cliffs, snorkeling adventures, whale watching, tropical flowers and volcanoes. Hawaii still holds that mystique.

Kauai’s majestic Na Pali Coast. (Photo by Paul Mounce/Corbis via Getty Images)

The islands have changed and become more commercialized in some areas, but their beauty and ethos have remained. The Spirit of Aloha and Polynesian influences remain strong and are a major reason why people continue to want to visit the Hawaiian Islands. It is, in a word, special.

The Caribbean experience

The island chains that make up the West Indies are located in the Caribbean Sea. They’re wedged between the southernmost tip of Florida to the north, South America to the south and Central America to the west. There are a lot of Caribbean islands, broken up in the following way:

Greater Antilles: Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Jamaica and Puerto RicoLesser Antilles: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Virgin Islands (U.S. and British)Lucayan Archipelago: Bahamas and Turks and CaicosSouth American Continental Shelf: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago

In Hawaii, the culture derives mainly from ancestral Hawaiian and Polynesian traditions (though Chinese, Japanese and other cultures have made a significant impression). The Caribbean has even more influences, from the area’s original inhabitants to those brought from Africa against their will in the slave trade. Europeans — from the English to the French to the Dutch to the Spanish — all staked claim to certain islands, and their influence is also still felt in many places.

In the Caribbean, you’ll find historic forts, former sugar cane plantations, rum distilleries and plenty of coffee beans in the mountains of Jamaica.

Fort Louis in Marigot on the French side of St. Martin. (Photo by Sean Pavone/Getty Images)

There are volcanoes there, too, as well as secluded beaches and historic old towns with an unmistakable European flair.

Willemstad, Curacao, shows its Dutch heritage. (Photo by Tim Drivas Photography/Getty Images)

Rooted in its own history, each island has a distinct feel, so lumping them together isn’t fair in many ways.

Related: Little-known Caribbean islands to visit before everyone else

Beaches

The beach is likely a major draw whether you plan to vacation in Hawaii or the Caribbean. You’ll find a range of beach types in both destinations. If you’re a fan of powder-soft white sand and crystal-clear blue water, the Caribbean may have more options.

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos. (Photo by minimum/Getty Images)

If you’re interested in less conventional beaches, Hawaii has them in pink, green, red and even black sands. Of course, there are also beaches with a more traditional look — for example, the basically perfect Mauna Kea beach on the Big Island.

On Maui’s Road to Hana, you’ll find the black-sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park. (Photo by Matt Anderson Photography/Getty Images)

Watching the sunset along Hanalei Bay on Kauai is also something special that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Things to do

You can hike, sail, dive or snorkel in either destination, though whale watching is definitely better in Hawaii. You can see humpback whales from November through May, with the peak months from January through March. If you’re into wildlife, you can see dolphins, sea turtles and stingrays in both Hawaii and the Caribbean. Surfing is big in Hawaii, but it’s possible to surf in some parts of the Caribbean, too.

Hawaii has its popular cultural show, the luau, that showcases hula dancing, fire twirling and traditional dishes like kalua pig and poi. One of our favorite luaus in Hawaii is the Smith Family Luau on Kauai, which has been a family-run business for decades. After closing during the pandemic, it’s reopened to guests as of May 2021.

Smith Family Luau. (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

On the other hand, the Caribbean has a network of rum distilleries that offer tours and tastings.

Island cruises

If you’ve got your heart set on a tropical cruise, your options are much more plentiful — and therefore more affordable — in the Caribbean. In March 2022, for example, there are nearly 90 ships sailing the Caribbean from embarkation ports like San Juan (Puerto Rico); Barbados; Fort-de-France (Martinique); Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral, Florida; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; and Mobile, Alabama.

During the same period, only six ships call on Hawaiian ports. Your best bet for a seven-night voyage around the Hawaiian Islands is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America or Uncruise Adventures’ Safari Explorer. So you can technically cruise around either island chain, but it is much easier and more affordable to do in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is also where cruise lines have their private islands, such as Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay, Disney’s Castaway Cay and the brand-new Ocean Cay from MSC Cruises.

Related: Review of cruising the Caribbean on the Disney Dream

Silversea Silver Spirit in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy of Silversea)

Ease of the visit

Travelers often ask if it’s easier to visit Hawaii or the Caribbean. Since Hawaii is a U.S. state, no passport, foreign currency or international cellphone plan is necessary. You can rent a car using your state-issued driver’s license and the rules of the road are the same as they are at home in the Lower 48.

Most of the Caribbean, with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are foreign destinations. You’ll need your passport and may have to exchange currency, though many island vendors will accept U.S. dollars, and some islands do officially use the U.S. dollar. Then, of course, you’ll have to allow time for clearing customs on both the front and back ends of the trip.

Related: Key things to know about Global Entry

A note about safety: Petty crime can happen anywhere, so you should pack your street smarts wherever you go. Car break-ins are common in the Hawaiian Islands and some Caribbean islands have had problems with pushy vendors on public beaches. For those reasons, on some Caribbean islands, such as Jamaica, visitors often stay sequestered at their resort instead of renting a car to explore the island as you likely would in Hawaii. There are a number of Caribbean islands that are on the U.S. Level 2 and 3 travel advisory lists.

Research your Caribbean island choice to get a feel for whether you’d feel comfortable exploring beyond your resort or not. For example, getting around places like Barbados, Aruba, Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos is the norm and you’re unlikely to encounter safety issues. But that isn’t as true on every island.

ll-inclusive resorts

If you like the idea of an all-inclusive resort where your accommodations, meals and beverages and entertainment are bundled into one price, look to the Caribbean. The islands offer a variety of all-inclusive options; there aren’t any true all-inclusive properties in Hawaii.

Here’s an in-depth look at the all-inclusive beach resorts you can book on points in the Caribbean.

Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive in Cancun. (Photo by Zach Griff)

Points hotels

If you’ve got hotel points from the major players like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and IHG, you’ll be able to spend them in either Hawaii or the Caribbean. Here are some recent reviews of points hotels in those destinations:

Hawaii points hotel reviews: Westin Moana Surfrider | The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas | Hilton Waikoloa Village | Grand Hyatt Kauai

Caribbean points hotel reviews: Park Hyatt St. Kitts | Westin St. John Resort Villas | Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman | Scrub Island, Autograph Collection

You’ll find hotels in both the Caribbean and Hawaii on various ends of the award spectrum. Neither group of islands is likely to have many hotels at the lowest award rates, but there are resorts that cross the middle and upper ranges of the award spectrum. You could use a Marriott up to 35,000-point certificate from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, for example, in both destinations. Think: A free night at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort in Hawaii or the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino in the Caribbean.

Sheraton Kona Lobby. (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

If service is important to you, remember that some Caribbean countries are newer to the tourism industry than others. Generally speaking, areas that have been hosting tourists for decades — or even generations — may have a higher service level of service delivery than the “island time” you may experience in other regions newer to the industry.

Here are some resources for using points and free-night certificates in both destinations:

The best points hotels in the CaribbeanThe best ways to use credit card award-night certificates in Hawaii

Family travel

If you are considering traveling to the Caribbean or Hawaii with a family, you may have unique questions about the destinations and their level of kid-friendliness. The answer on which is best will depend on what you are looking for.

The Caribbean has kid-focused resorts such as the Nickelodeon Resort in Punta Cana and family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and beyond. For those in the middle and eastern parts of the U.S., the Caribbean is also much easier on kids when it comes to jet lag. From somewhere like New York or Texas, you could reasonably take the kids to the Caribbean for a long weekend, whereas that would probably not be enough time for kids to adjust and enjoy Hawaii.

Related: Best way to fly with kids to Hawaii

Fun in the sun in Punta Cana. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

You can have memorable, relaxing family vacations in either the Caribbean or Hawaii. The Caribbean may have more specifically kid-focused lodging options, but there are plenty of full-service resorts in Hawaii that also cater to kids.

Disney’s Aulani resort on Oahu is one option if you want kid-focused and Hawaii all in one. (You’ll even find an included kid’s club at Aulani.)

Related: How to rent DVC points to stay at Aulani for less

Disney Aulani. (Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

Even if you pass on Disney’s Aulani, points-friendly resorts in Hawaii such as the Grand Hyatt Kauai offer kids clubs and have water slides, kid-focused activities and more than enough to do. But there’s so much more to Hawaii (and the Caribbean) than the resorts.

Take your kids to explore waterfalls, hike, volcanoes and explore the natural beauty of the islands. If all you want to do is go have a family resort vacation (and there’s nothing at all wrong with that), the Caribbean might have the edge as a family-friendly destination. If you want to get out there to explore and experience a wide range of natural wonders — Hawaii probably takes the pineapple-flavored cake.

To show you what’s possible, here are some fun things to experience with a family on Kauai and the Big Island.

Exploring Volcanos National Park in Hawaii. (Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a getaway to a gorgeous tropical locale, you can’t go wrong with either Hawaii or the Caribbean. Sometimes, the best choice comes down to personal preferences, where you’re flying from, how much time you have and flight and hotel availability for your dates.

Featured photo by bjonesmedia/Getty Images. 

By: Summer Hull and Andrea M. Rotondo
Title: Hawaii vs. the Caribbean: Which islands should you visit?
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/hawaii-versus-caribbean-vacation/
Published Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2021 19:00:03 +0000

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From Branson, Missouri, to Newport Beach, California, here’s our guide to 13 of the best holiday light shows in the US

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

There are Christmas lights and there are Christmas lights and I’ll admit I am a sucker for the latter.

You know, the ones you can’t drive by without saying “whoa” and slowing down your car to take in the scene. Like me, you may have purposely gone out of your way to drive and see them in the first place.

Well, these Christmas lights put those to shame, which is why we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Christmas installations from around the country to get you into the holiday spirit.

No matter what part of the country you’re in, there’s likely something for you here — and if not, can we interest you in a holiday lights-themed road trip? Meet you there.

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Glow Holiday in Minnesota

Glow Holiday is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit, and it’s back this year with COVID-19 protocols as part of the Great Minnesota Holiday Get-Together at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Located between St. Paul and Minneapolis, you’ll experience a 1-mile drive-thru with a dozen stops featuring more than 1 million holiday lights, illuminated trees, icicles and art installations — plus a festive gingerbread house.

Plan on spending about 60-90 minutes at Glow, followed by a visit to the State Fair Food Court. Tickets cost $20.75 per adult and $12.75 for children ages 5-12. Each night of Glow benefits a community charity working to better our world during the season of giving.

Make sure to catch it Nov. 18-Jan. 2.

 

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Magic Christmas in Lights in Theodore, Alabama

For its 26th year, Magic Christmas in Lights is back at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Mobile County. On the 65-acre estate, you’ll be able to stroll through dazzling light displays featuring more than 1,100 set pieces, 3 million lights and 15 scenes, all on the former home of Coca-Cola’s Walter Bellingrath and his wife and philanthropist Bessie.

The lights will turn on Nov. 26 and will run through Jan. 5 (closed Christmas and New Year’s Day). Timed tickets are available until 9 p.m. and cost anywhere from $8 to $25.

If you are on the Gulf Coast, this display is guaranteed to get everyone into the holiday spirit!

 

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Night of Lights in St. Augustine, Florida

It may not snow in Florida, but the Night of Lights will sure make it feel like Christmastime for the 28th year. Every evening from Nov. 20 through Jan. 31, visit the Plaza de la Constitucion and the Bridge of Lions to see one of National Geographic’s top 10 holiday light displays. There are even live music performances in the plaza during weekends and holidays.

It’s free to everyone and sure to please children and adults of all ages. Better yet, you don’t even need tickets to see it. You can tour by trolley, train, boat — or even do a wine-and-carriage tour to see this exhibit featuring millions of tiny white lights in the Nation’s Oldest City.

Related: 5 things you need to do early this year for holiday travel

 

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Lights of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York

While it is hard to rival New York City’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, some of the best Christmas lights you’ll find near the city are actually in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn — specifically from 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and between 83rd and 86th streets. About an hour from midtown Manhattan, these massive, professionally done light displays shine brighter than the top of the Chrysler Building.

The lights start the weekend after Thanksgiving, but the best displays are usually on the weekends starting in mid-December. It is recommended to go during the evening as well, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you are without a car, consider an escorted bus tour to see the lights; tickets start at $55 for adults.

(Photo by OlegAlbinsky via Getty Images)

Hersheypark’s Christmas Candyland in Hershey, Pennsylvania

What’s sweeter than chocolate? Not much, but if we had to guess, we’d say something that has to do with chocolate and the holiday season — and at Hersheypark‘s Christmas Candylane, you’ll get just that. Starting Nov. 12 and running through Jan. 2, you can see more than 5 million lights while enjoying your favorite rides, the holiday show “Noel” and the park’s “Kissmas Tree” display. You can also take photos with your favorite Hershey characters.

 

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Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights in Wheeling, West Virginia

The Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights dates back to 1985 and currently stands as one of the nation’s largest holiday light shows. In fact, it’s so popular it attracts more than 1 million visitors a year. The festival features 300 acres of twinkling lights over a 6-mile drive, plus 90 lighted attractions made up of more than 1 million energy-efficient LED lights. New this year are a 60-foot-tall Welcome Tree and 14 new audio experiences to complement your lights viewing, along with a life-sized nativity scene. The festival runs Nov. 4 through Jan. 9, and is free to the public.

Related: What to do now if you want your kids vaccinated ASAP for holiday travel

Christmas Town USA in McAdenville, North Carolina

A town called “Christmas Town“? Say no more. McAdenville is marking its 66th year of celebrations, and is frequently nominated as one of the best holiday light displays in the nation. The route goes on for more than a mile and features more than 250 evergreen trees covered with half a million red and green lights, 160 decorated homes and seasonal music at its historic McAden Mills Bell Tower. The tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1 marks the official start of Christmas Town USA, along with the yule log ceremony on Dec. 16, a tradition since 1950, followed by a parade.

Christmas Town USA. (Photo by Steve Rankin/mcadenville-Christmas Town)

The display is free and open to the public, and you can walk or drive through as many times as you’d like. You can visit each night from Dec. 1 through Dec. 26, between 5:30 and 10 p.m.

Glittering Lights in Las Vegas

Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a wholly American Christmas tradition — and it’s not just because of the millions of twinkling lights. This drive-thru light show also hosts different initiatives to support local charities, churches and schools, including Speedway Children’s Charities. We love a holiday tradition that  gives back to the community.

Running Nov. 12 to Jan. 9, you can also enjoy the Glittering Lights via a ride in an open-air Santa Tram; tram tickets range from $20-$25 and regular tickets cost $25-$35.

 

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n Old Time Christmas in Branson, Missouri

An Old Time Christmas at the Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson is a tried-and-true fan favorite. Here, you’ll find an eight-story Christmas tree display, 6 1/2 million twinkling lights and 30-plus live holiday shows daily on outdoor stages. This year features the debut of “Home For Christmas,” a Broadway-style show at Red Gold Heritage Hall, along with the return of “A Dickens’ Christmas Carol.” Pricing is not cheap; tickets start at $74 plus tax, but do include ride access. Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas runs Nov. 6 through Dec. 30.

(Photo courtesy of Silver Dollar City)

Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston, South Carolina

The Holiday Festival of Lights is open nightly from Nov. 12 through Dec. 31. You can visit Santa at his village, take a train ride to check out the lights and indulge in all sorts of holiday treats at the Winter Wonderland. And unique to this festival, there are holiday sand sculptures, too. Advance tickets start at $15 or tickets can be purchased at the gate for $20 per vehicle, for use from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Read more: BBQ legend Rodney Scott on what to see, do and eat in Charleston

 

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Christmas Village in Baltimore

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to one of Germany’s famous Christmas markets, as the aptly named Christmas Village in Baltimore is the next best thing, and is modeled after the famous Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. After postponing the market in 2020, it’s back this year in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, with vendors selling authentic European food, ornaments and arts and crafts from all over the world. It runs daily Nov. 20-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

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Garden Lights, Holiday Nights in Atlanta

At Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, you’ll find thousands of lights spread out across 30 acres of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which is even more magical than you’re imagining. It’s all part of the Nature’s Wonders exhibit, the largest curtain of synchronized light and sound in the world. You can also visit the Skylights Lounge where you’ll find several larger-than-life plants from imaginary worlds like Alice’s WonderlandWith a restaurant on-site, this is truly a great way to spend a date night or family outing.

The exhibition runs nightly Nov. 13 through Jan. 15, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Non-member tickets start at $24.95 for adults and $21.95 for children.

 

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Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California

While Southern California may not exactly be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about a white Christmas, that doesn’t mean it’s not getting in the holiday spirit. From Dec. 15-19, catch a glimpse of the 113th Christmas Boat Parade, which will start at the top of Lido Isle at approximately 6:30 p.m. each night. Watch as the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade moves its way through the Newport Harbor, for free, from almost any place on the shore. Over a million people come out to watch as many as 100 decorated boats, yachts, kayaks and canoes. Do plan for extra time to find parking and note that all city parking lots will be open throughout the parade to accommodate viewers.

 

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Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner. 

Featured photo by Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Images. 

By: Samantha Rosen
Title: From Branson, Missouri, to Newport Beach, California, here’s our guide to 13 of the best holiday light shows in the US
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/guide/best-holiday-christmas-lights-us/
Published Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2021 20:00:02 +0000

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More details about BA’s new low-cost London Gatwick operation emerge

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

With a deal now done with pilot union BALPA to cut pay and conditions, British Airways is pushing on with its plans to launch a new low-cost operation at London Gatwick next year.

This operation is ‘low cost’ only in terms of its operating structure. It will not be ‘low cost’ from the point of view of the passenger, and the flights will be fully BA branded as they were pre-covid.

Flyertalk published an email which had been sent to ex-BA cabin crew members to ask if they wanted to apply to work at the new operation.

It is described as ‘a new start-up airline’ albeit under British Airways ownership. The airline will be:

“a full-service premium airline competing on leisure routes from Gatwick, operating a range of European point-to-point flying.”

What salary is on offer?

The basic pay on offer is £15,848. This will be topped up by ‘duty pay’ (an extra payment based on hours flown), commission on in-flight sales and allowances.

The maximumsalary achievable, with meal and duty allowances added, is £24,000. Crew have claimed in the past that there is always a disparity between BA’s claims of ‘maximum earnings’ and the reality so you should assume that £24,000 will be difficult to achieve.

One way that BA is keeping costs down is by ending night stops. All aircraft will return to Gatwick in the evening so there will be no hotel bills for crew. This will impact the ability to run early morning departures from, for example, Jersey as an aircraft would first need to arrive from London.

The cabin crew hired for these contracts will not work the Caribbean long-haul flights departing from Gatwick. The jobs are exclusively short haul, although many crew with family or other commitments will appreciate being in their own beds every night.

Flights are scheduled to launch in March 2022 according to the email. This would presumably be 27th March, which is the first day of the IATA Summer season and is when the ‘Summer’ slot allocation comes into play.

Routes have not yet been announced. The first year is expected to use no more than 17 aircraft, only half of what Gatwick used in the Summer peak in 2019, so it will not be a return the historic normal Summer flying pattern. We will let you know when flights are bookable.

By: Rob Burgess
Title: More details about BA’s new low-cost London Gatwick operation emerge
Sourced From: www.headforpoints.com/2021/11/06/british-airways-new-low-cost-london-gatwick-airline/
Published Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2021 05:17:00 +0000

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