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Virgin Atlantic Economy Delight Review – Worth the Upgrade?

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Virgin Atlantic is known for being stylish from its aircraft to its flight attendant uniforms, but if you’re like us, you’re more concerned with the comfort (and cost) of a flight than you are the looks.

This popular British airline carrier offers three different economy flight classes and two premium ones. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the highest economy option: Economy Delight.

This review will help you decide if the perks of this flight class are worth the higher price tag compared to the next lowest and highest classes. We’ll compare different economy classes and tell you exactly what is included in an Economy Delight ticket.

Virgin Atlantic Flight Classes

Economy class options and details. Photo credit: flywith.virginatlantic.com

Virgin Atlantic offers five flight classes: Economy Light, Economy Classic, Economy Delight, Premium, and Upper Class. Premium can be thought of as Business class and Upper Class can be thought of as First class. Economy Delight seats are denoted with a “V.”

Economy Delight is available on most Virgin Atlantic flights. Virgin Atlantic flies both Boeing and Airbus planes, and the size and location of these seats depend on the type of plane (with minimal variability between planes of the same model). Here are the details of Economy Delight seats on each type of plane:

 Airbus A330-300Airbus A350-1000Boeing 787-9
Width of seatUp to 17 inches17.4 inchesUp to 17 inches
Seat recline6 inches5 inches5 inches
Seat pitchUp to 34 inchesUp to 34 inchesUp to 34 inches

Virgin Atlantic has 36 aircraft in its fleet. The majority of planes are Boeing 787’s.

Each type of plane has a different number of Economy Delight seats and organizes seats differently. The Airbus A350 has the largest Economy Delight section. These seats are located behind the Preferred seat section (which is behind Premium) and in front of all other economy seats. The Economy Delight section features two outer sections that are three seats wide and a middle section that is also three seats wide. On these planes, there will be between 36 and 45 Economy Delight seats. Note that Airbus A350 planes with The Booth (a new leisure flight cabin and social space just rolled out in September 2021) include more Economy Delight seats than planes with The Loft (an onboard lounge).

On the Boeing 787, Economy Delight seats are right behind Premium class seats. Economy Delight shares this space with preferred seating. The outer sections are Economy Delight and these are three seats wide and the middle section is Preferred seats and this section is also three seats wide. There are 36 Economy Delight seats on these planes.

Airbus A330 planes have up to 28 Economy Delight seats. These are found behind the preferred seating section in the middle of the economy part of the plane. Economy Delight seats are located in the outer two sections in groups two seats wide as well as a single row of four at the front of this section.

Perks of Economy Delight

The on-plane perks of Economy Delight include upgrades to seat type, seat selection, and seat pitch. This translates to extra legroom, the ability to select preferred seating at any time (from the time you book to the time you board), and a seat pitch of up to 34 inches. Economy Delight seats are not larger than Economy Classic seats.

In addition to increased space and comfort, an Economy Delight ticket lets you check in for your flight at the Premium desk instead of the standard desk. This usually means shorter wait times, but there are no guarantees. After checking in, you will enjoy priority boarding on all flights.

Another perk to note if you’re a Virgin Red loyalty member is that you can earn up to 100% Virgin Points on each flight. This is just the base value calculated from your flight class. You can earn even more points on top of that depending on your loyalty status. Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program has three membership levels: Red, Silver, and Gold. With elite status, you’ll earn up to 60% more on flights and get check-in and luggage benefits on every trip.

There are no baggage perks, in-flight food and drink perks, or other included extras when you fly in this class that are not included in Economy Classic. But let’s get into what makes these two classes different and how Delight compares to premium.

Economy Delight vs. Classic and Premium

Economy Delight shares things in common with Economy Classic as well as Premium class, but it has more in common with Economy Classic.

Take a look at how these three cabin types compare from seating to Virgin Flying Club benefits.

Seating

 Economy ClassicEconomy DelightPremium
Seat typeStandardExtra legroomExtra legroom, larger seat, seat to bed conversion, leather
Seat selectionSelect standard seatSelect preferred seatSelect Premium seat
Seat width17 – 17.4 inches17 – 17.4 inches18 – 21 inches
Seat recline4 – 6 inches4 – 6 inches7 – 8 inches
Seat pitchUp to 31 inchesUp to 34 inchesUp to 38 inches
Entertainment screen13.3 inches13.3 inches13.3 inches
A/C power available?NoNoYes

All three classes include headphones, an entertainment screen, and USB power in the price of a ticket. For flights long enough to offer food and drink, Classic and Delight passengers receive standard dining options and Premium passengers receive Premium options. All passengers can make special meal requests for dietary restrictions.

Baggage

In terms of baggage allowances, Economy Classic and Economy Delight are exactly the same. You’re allowed one 10-kilogram carry-on bag and one 23-kilogram checked bag and you get standard baggage delivery. Premium, on the other hand, allows for two 23-kilogram checked bags and priority baggage delivery.

Extras

The included extras are mostly the same for Classic, Delight, and Premium:

  • standard security,
  • refundable tickets, and
  • no access to airport clubhouses or lounges.

The only difference here is that Economy Delight and Premium passengers get to check in at the Premium desk and Economy Classic passengers have to use the standard desk. Economy Classic, Economy Delight, and Premium tickets qualify for refunds and changes (the only fare class that does not permit refunds is Economy Light).

Flying Club Benefits

Finally, let’s compare points benefits. Economy Classic, Economy Delight, and Premium tickets are upgradeable using Virgin Points. Economy Classic tickets qualify to earn 50% points, Economy Delight tickets qualify to earn 100% points, and Premium tickets qualify to earn 150% points. Economy Classic and Delight passengers earn 25 Flying Club tier points per flight while Premium passengers earn 50.

Price Comparison

You’re probably wondering: how much more does Delight cost than Classic? Upgrading to Economy Delight from Economy Classic costs about $100 on average for round-trip flights but may cost as little as $50 or as much as $200. As a rule, only international flights include Economy Delight seats.

We searched for a round-trip flight from New York City to London in February to compare the price of Economy Delight to Economy Classic.

For the same direct flight at the lowest fare price, an Economy Classic ticket will cost you $1,086.27 and an Economy Delight ticket will cost you $1,186.67. On the same Virgin Atlantic flight, Premium tickets start at $1,733.97.

Note that Economy Delight reward seats are not available. You can only purchase reward flights in Economy Classic, Premium, and Upper Class.

You also cannot upgrade from Classic to Delight using points or cash at this time. You need to purchase an Economy Delight ticket at the time of booking. If the option to upgrade to Delight becomes available, we’ll let you know.

You can, however, upgrade from Economy Delight to Premium or Upper Class. If you’re upgrading to premium class with points, upgrades from economy bookings cost about the same whether you’re in Economy Classic and Economy Delight. During the standard season, you’ll pay between 17,400 and 27,400 points to upgrade from economy to Premium depending on where you’re going and what airport you’re flying out of. During peak season, you can expect to pay an additional 10,000 points on top of these prices.

During the standard season, upgrading from economy to Upper Class costs between 56,200 and 101,200 points. In the peak season, these prices tend to run 15,000 points or so higher.

Is Economy Delight Worth It?

Overall, we think the benefits of Economy Delight are worth the small upcharge from the next lowest economy class. These seats feel a little more premium and a little roomier than standard economy, plus you’ll enjoy preferred check-in and preferred boarding.

Economy Delight also qualifies you to choose your seat at any time and puts you closer to the front of the plane than most economy passengers. But to us, one of the best perks is that extra 50% points-earning bonus for every flight. Even if you don’t fly Virgin Atlantic a lot, that additional earning potential and the savings that come with that make the higher price worth it.

With that said, if you’re looking for luxury, Economy Delight probably won’t cut it. You’re still flying in economy class and eating the same food as economy passengers. In this case, you’re better off using your points to upgrade to Premium or Upper Class, purchasing a reward ticket, or paying for a higher class when booking.

How to Get Free Upgrades

Even though you can’t upgrade to Economy Delight from a lower economy class using Virgin Red loyalty points, you are eligible to upgrade from this ticket to a higher one. So if you’re a loyalty member, you can use your points to get into Premium or Upper Class. Award seats are limited, especially in premium cabins, but it’s always worth it to see if they’re available.

If you’re strapped for points but you want to upgrade, you can earn more in the following ways:

  • Taking Virgin Atlantic flights
  • Taking flights with a Virgin Atlantic partner airline
  • Traveling through a Virgin Atlantic hotel, car rental, or other travel partner (e.g. Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Enterprise, Heathrow Rewards, etc.)
  • Traveling through any brand within the Virgin Group (e.g. Virgin Holidays, Virgin Hotels, Virgin Games, etc.)
  • Using Points Booster to apply extra rewards to an upcoming or past flight
  • Shopping through Shops Away partners
  • Purchasing or exchanging points with another Virgin Red member
  • Using a Virgin Atlantic co-branded travel credit card

Virgin Atlantic’s travel partners are:

  • Delta Air Lines
  • Airfrance
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
  • SAS Scandinavian Airlines
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Air New Zealand
  • Virgin Australia
  • South African Airways
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • ANA Inspiration of Japan

Virgin Atlantic Travel Credit Card

You can earn loyalty points by using a Virgin Atlantic credit card. The Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard, available through Bank of America, allows you to earn 3 points per dollar on Virgin Atlantic bookings and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. There is a $90 annual fee for this product.

Right now, this card is offering a 60,000 point sign-up bonus when you spend $2,000 or more within 90 days of signing up. Plus, earn up to 15,000 annually and 5,000 points for every additional cardholder you add to your account. You can also earn tier points.

Final Thoughts

For members of Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, Virgin Red, we think Economy Delight is worth the price. Loyalty members will get the most benefit out of this flight class because of the higher points-earning potential, but these flights are also more comfortable and convenient than Economy Classic (the class below Delight).

From extra legroom to priority check-in and boarding, this is a good middle ground between economy and premium that gives you some of the benefits of premium at an economy price point.

Best Days of the Week to Book Flights & to Fly

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Finding the best deal on flights is more about how far in advance you book and less about what day of the week you book.

According to studies by travel shopping sites and airlines, the best time to book a flight is between three months and three weeks before you plan to leave. At three weeks before the flight, airlines are trying to reach capacity and tend to drop their prices. But after this three-week mark, you’re more likely to see tickets going up in price as people who procrastinated booking their ticket scramble for a seat.

In this article, we’ll compare prices when purchasing tickets with different popular travel sites to find the best days to book—and take—flights.

What Day of the Week Should You Book?

The myth that you can find the lowest ticket prices on Tuesdays isn’t really true anymore. So, what day of the week should you book?

The online travel agency CheapAir.com recently did a study to try to get to the bottom of this. It found that prices only fluctuate by an average of 1% from weekday to weekday, meaning no day is better than any other to book. 

In the past, you could generally find the lowest fare prices on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but these days no longer have the lowest prices on average. Pricing is automated now, so fares change with the market. Although Tuesday and Wednesday used to be the preferred days for sales and deals, there are too many factors involved in pricing these days to predict with any accuracy what days of the week have the cheapest flights.

With how much fare prices fluctuate, it doesn’t really matter what day of the week you buy a ticket. 

What CheapAir.com did find, however, is that Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to actually fly. On average, you can save $73 a ticket when flying these days. 

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were found to be the most expensive on average, but the most expensive of these depends on where you’re going and which airline you’re using. 

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at how to book cheap flights with different booking sites. For all of our examples, you’re taking a trip from JFK to LAX and booking a one-way flight. Here’s how to get the best prices.

Google Flights

Google Flights has one of the best flight search engines in the game (read our guide on the Google ITA flight Matrix to learn more about this technology) and offers the ability to customize your flight search down to every detail. But when should you book a ticket using Google Flights?

First off, you’re going to want to click on your date to see the calendar. This will show you the lowest prices for every day as far in the future as you want. You can compare prices throughout the week to help you decide when to fly (this is true of every booking site).

For three to four weeks from now, the lowest ticket price is the same for a one-way ticket. Three and a half weeks from now, this ticket happens to be for a JetBlue flight priced at $77. We found that it doesn’t really matter whether you book on a Tuesday night or Friday morning. 

Starting five weeks in advance, the price of the same ticket spikes up to $139 before dropping back down to $77 for the following Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday of the same week, the price goes up to $136 and down slightly to $123 on Saturday. 

After doing several comparisons, we found that Monday and Tuesday tend to be the cheapest days to fly and Friday and Saturday tend to take turns with the highest price, no matter how far out you’re booking. 

For the sake of comparison, we’ll generally leave holidays out of our calculations because patterns go out the window. Around Christmas, ticket prices are all over the place. On December 20th, a ticket will cost $149. On December 21st, $263. The prices top out at $263 on Thursday, December 23rd. 

Especially if you know that you’ll be flying during a travel peak, your best bet is to try to fly at the beginning of the week on Monday when booking through Google Flights. Prices may change every couple of hours, but the day you book will have little influence. Select “Track Prices” to receive updates.

Expedia

We also took a look at Expedia. The price calendar on this site is color-coded: green indicates the lowest prices, grey indicates average or typical, and red indicates the highest prices.

Looking for flights about three weeks out, the price of a flight was $77 on Monday,  Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and $78 on Wednesday. Searching for flights farther out two months in advance, we noticed a theme. Tuesday usually has a low price, but Expedia claims that its lowest average daily prices are actually on Fridays. Monday and Wednesday are usually pretty comparable at a price slightly higher than Tuesday, and Sunday flights tend to be the most expensive.

But as far as when you should book, Expedia recommends purchasing your tickets on a Sunday to save the most money. Booking on a Thursday or Friday will probably cost the most.

Orbitz

If you’re looking for a cheap ticket, you might look to Orbitz. This travel site has been around for two decades and continues to specialize in discount flights on a number of (mostly budget) carriers.

Like the others, the Orbitz flight search tool has a calendar that shows projected prices by date. Across all of our searches, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday tended to be most likely to have the lowest prices. If there was a great deal, such as $77 for a flight three weeks from now, it was probably going to be the same from Monday to Wednesday. But if these days had different prices, Monday was just a little more likely to be the most expensive. Tuesdays and Wednesdays often shared low prices. 

We found the best prices as early as two weeks in advance—earlier than that and you’re paying high last-minute prices. When you hit about the three-and-a-half-month mark, the rates start going up and becoming a little less predictable.

As far as which days are the most expensive, that turned out to be either Sunday or Friday, as a rule. We were surprised to find Saturday tied for the best deals fairly regularly. 

Kayak

Kayak is probably another site you check when you need a flight and you need it cheap. This site offers bookings for just about any type of travel you might want and you can sometimes save on flights by adding hotels and rental cars to your trip.

This site works a little differently when you’re comparing prices. Instead of showing you a calendar with estimated prices for each day, Kayak gives you an expected range such as $58+, $119+, and $241+. Unfortunately, we found these estimates to be pretty misleading. For example, a ticket four weeks from the time we’re writing this says it’ll cost $58+, but when you actually search prices, the lowest is $77. This is common, so just keep this in mind.

The cheapest days to fly are usually Monday through Thursday. If you have to pick one, bet on Monday. Friday and Sunday are almost always the most expensive days and Thursday is often the second most expensive. The best time to book through Kayak is about two or three weeks in advance when ticket prices are the same every day of the week and about as low as they’re going to get (barring a last-minute flash deal, which we don’t recommend holding out for). Try to book no farther than two-and-a-half months in advance for the best deals.

Like Google Flights, Kayak allows you to track prices so you’re the first to know if a ticket you were looking at has changed its rate.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner may be a UK-based agency, but that doesn’t mean you can’t score deals on domestic US flights.

Unfortunately, this travel site makes comparing day-to-day prices just a little more difficult than the others (no convenient calendar), so we researched the best days to book so you don’t have to. 

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have the lowest prices whether you’re booking three weeks or three months in advance. For example, we found tickets for as low as $76 on each of these days when searching for flights five weeks out. Often, Thursday is right there with these three, but it might be just a tad bit more expensive (e.g. $86). Prices shoot up on Friday, dip a little on Saturday, and go back up on Sunday. Friday and Sunday usually offer the same prices, which can be two times more expensive than the lowest price or more (e.g. $148).

This site shows you the best, cheapest, and fastest flights for whatever day you’ve selected so you can compare not just the best prices but the most convenient flights.

CheapOAir

We felt we had to include the less popular CheapOAir, the agency responsible for the study mentioned earlier, because it lives up to its name.

This site actually offers the lowest deals we’ve seen for the one-way JFK to LAX example flight we set up. Three weeks out, you can get a ticket for as low as $68.68. This price was found for a Wednesday and the Tuesday before was just $69.73. On that Thursday, $69.73. In general, we found Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday to be the best days to fly. Prices fluctuate very little across these days. You want to book about three weeks in advance when using this site to get the best deals.

The most expensive day is generally Sunday, but not by a whole lot. For example, six weeks out, you can get a Sunday flight ticket for as little as $78.79. If you don’t mind flying Spirit or Frontier or taking a longer flight, CheapOAir can probably save you the most money.

Momondo

For our final comparison, we’re looking at Momondo. This booking site has been a subsidiary of Kayak for several years, but many people choose it over its parent company.

This flight search engine stands out from the others because it displays a bar graph at the top of the search page that shows you the price for the date you’ve chosen compared to prices for the dates around it. The graph displays day-by-day prices for three weeks at a time, and you can click on your selected date to see a calendar that gives price ranges (just like Kayak). Deal-hunting was easier with this tool than any of the others.

We found that Tuesday and Wednesday usually have the lowest prices, with Wednesday having a slight edge. Sunday and Friday have the highest prices, and Monday and Thursday fall somewhere in the middle. Start searching for flights at least three weeks in advance.

Final Thoughts

Finding low prices on tickets is not really about what day of the week you book the flight. What matters most is how far out you book and when you fly. We found that many travel sites offered the same prices and tended to follow the same patterns as far as which days of the week had the lowest price, so just use your favorite agency. If you have loyalty points with an airline, you should always use those to save money on tickets and fees.

So if you came here for an answer to which days you should fly: Monday through Wednesday are the best days to fly and Friday and Sunday are the worst.

If you are able to be flexible about exactly when you depart and which airlines you use, you’ll have the best chance of saving money. Try comparing prices across different travel booking sites as well as booking directly with your airline of choice.

15 Best Marriott Luxury Hotels to Book with Points in 2021

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image credit: marriott.com

Marriott is the largest hotel chain in the world with over 7,600 properties, and the list just keeps growing. In 2021, the chain added almost 25,000 rooms and expects to continue growing at a rate of at least 6%. 

Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel’s loyalty program, just hit 153 million members this year. Members can use their loyalty points to purchase award nights at 30 well-known hotel brands. These include affordable and family-friendly options such as Springhill Suites and Fairfield and high-end options such as Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis.

This hotel chain features hundreds of luxury hotels and resorts in top travel destinations around the world. Whether you’re traveling on business or leisure, you will have no problem finding a first-rate Marriott property to give you the comfort, convenience, and amenities you look for in a high-end hotel. 

We’ve rounded up 15 of the top luxury hotels you can book with points. These are the best of the best Marriott properties in 2021 and how much you can expect to pay to stay.

About Marriott Bonvoy

Anyone can join the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program to start earning points. Plus, you get extra benefits when booking as a Marriott Bonvoy loyalty member. Everyone gets mobile check-in and free WiFi just for being a member, but elite members qualify for enhanced room upgrades, a 48-hour guarantee, lounge access, and more.

There are six membership tiers in this loyalty program. Here’s how many nights you need to book to qualify for each.

  • Member Status: 0 – 9 nights a year
  • Silver Elite: 10 – 24 nights a year
  • Gold Elite: 25 – 49 nights a year
  • Platinum Elite: 50 – 74 nights a year
  • Titanium Elite: 75 – 99 nights a year
  • Ambassador Elite: 100+ nights a year and a least $14K in annual qualifying spend

You can qualify for lifetime elite status with enough qualifying lifetime nights and years of being a member. For example, you will get Lifetime Platinum Elite status when you have been a member with Platinum Elite status for at least 10 years and stayed 600 lifetime nights.

You earn a higher points bonus for your bookings when you reach a higher status, with Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members earning a bonus of 75%. 

Hotel Categories

Marriott Bonvoy divides hotels into eight categories with 1 being the least premium and 8 being the most. Award pricing is determined by hotel category and the season. During peak travel season, you’ll use more points for a booking just as you would pay a higher price.

Take a look at the seasonal redemption rates for every category when you use just points to book.

CategoryOff PeakStandardPeak
15,0007,50010,000
210,00012,50015,000
315,00017,50020,000
420,00025,00030,000
530,00035,00040,000
640,00050,00060,000
750,00060,00070,000
870,00085,000100,000

These rates are reduced by up to 20% when you use PointSavers to book. PointSavers promotions are applied only to select hotels, dates, and room categories, so you won’t be able to find these discounted rates on every stay. But you can search for these promotional rates when booking travel and choose from what’s available. There is no added cost for using PointSavers and anyone can use it regardless of their membership tier.

You may also choose to use a combination of points and cash to book. Here is the redemption chart for cash and point combinations.

CategoryOff PeakStandardPeak
155 USD + 1,500 points55 USD + 3,500 points55 USD + 4,500 points
265 USD + 4,000 points65 USD + 6,000 points65 USD + 7,000 points
380 USD + 6,000 points80 USD + 8,500 points80 USD + 9,500 points
4105 USD + 8,000 points105 USD + 12,000 points105 USD + 15,000 points
5140 USD + 13,500 points140 USD + 17,000 points140 USD + 21,000 points
6190 USD + 19,000 points190 USD + 25,000 points190 USD + 30,000 points
7250 USD + 25,000 points250 USD + 30,000 points250 USD + 40,000 points
8440 USD + 27,500 points440 USD + 42,500 points440 USD + 57,500 points

How to Earn Points

You can earn points for your Marriott Bonvoy account by:

  • Booking a Marriott stay
  • Renting a car through Hertz
  • Cruising With Points (take a cruise with a partner line)
  • Eating Around Town (eat at more than 11,000 restaurants
  • Booking an event through Marriott (e.g. a party, conference, or meeting at a hotel)
  • Using a co-branded Marriott credit card

We recommend using a co-branded Marriott credit card to easily rack up points on travel and non-travel purchases. Here’s a summary of the two Marriott credit cards available.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

This travel credit card lets you earn up to 17x points on every $1 you spend on Marriott hotel bookings. You’ll get 10x points for being a member, 6x points when you use this card, and an additional 1x points if you have Silver Elite status. You’ll also get 2x points on all other travel purchases. This card has an annual fee of $95.


Earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night (redemption value up to 50,000 points) when you sign up and spend at least $5,000 within 3 months of opening your account.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold

This is the less elite version of the previous card, but it still offers serious points-earning value. You can earn up to 14x points total on every dollar used to pay for Marriott stays, and 2x points on all other travel, and 1x points on everything else. There is no annual fee for this card.

Earn 60,000 bonus points when you sign up and spend at least $2,000 within 3 months of opening your account.

You can use your points to book a stay at any participating Marriott hotel, but to get the most out of them, it makes a lot of sense to go with luxury to make your points count. The following hotels and resorts are some of our favorites. 

Ritz-Carlton – Los Angeles

This 5-star Los Angeles hotel is one of the most popular Ritz-Carlton hotels in the world. It is located right in downtown LA within walking distance of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Staples Center, and Los Angeles Convention Center. This is a category 8 hotel, the highest level of luxury Marriott Bonvoy offers. 

You can get a room here for between $400 and $1,400 depending on what type of room you get and when you’re traveling. Prices spike during the peak travel season, or around the holidays and during the summer. On average, you can expect to pay around $700 a night and generally not more than $1,000. 

To book this room using points, you will spend between 70,000 and 100,000 per night, but likely about 85,000.

💸 Price: ~$630 – $1,400

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000

Ritz-Carlton – New York Central Park

image credit: www.ritzcarlton.com

Another iconic Ritz-Carlton destination, this category 8 hotel in the heart of New York offers spectacular views, luxurious suites, and a number of upscale amenities. This hotel is a short walk away from the Museum of Modern Art, the Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue.

Guest room rates at this hotel start at about $800 or 85,000 points per night at standard pricing and go up to about $1,800 a night during peak travel season or the summer months. You can get a room for between 85,000 and 100,000 points per night.

💸 Price: ~$800 – $5,800

💳 Points: 85,000 – 100,000

Ritz-Carlton – Cancun, Quintana Roo

This Ritz-Carlton hotel in sunny Quintana Roo is a category 6 beachfront property. Guests can dine and swim without leaving the resort, or venture out for entertainment, shopping, and immersive cultural experiences.

Prices for guest rooms here start at about $520 per night or 40,000 points during the off-season or when there is a promotion available. In the summer (who doesn’t want to go to Cancun in the summer?), you could be paying $1,500 a night or more for the lowest rate room, or up to 60,000 in points. Deluxe suites with oceanfront views can cost more than $2,600 a night.

💸 Price: ~$520 – $2,600

💳 Points: 40,000 – 60,000

Ritz-Carlton – Montreal, Quebec

If you’re Montreal-bound and you want a luxe travel experience, consider staying at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. This is a category 7 Marriott destination at the city’s center that has been named the best hotel in Montreal several years in a row, well-known for its on-site French restaurant and large suites.

Staying in a guest room here costs anywhere from about 500 CAD to 750 CAD a night and prices don’t fluctuate as much as some other hotels. In points, you’re looking at either 50,000 or 60,000 a night, but probably 60,000. 

💸 Price: ~$500 CAD – $750 CAD

💳 Points: 50,000 – 60,000 points

Ritz-Carlton – Bali, Indonesia

image credit: www.ritzcarlton.com

A category 6 property in Indonesia, the Ritz-Carlton Bali is a luxury resort with an unbeatable spot on the coast of Nusa Dua. It’s a five-star private paradise that offers best-in-class amenities (like a hydra-vital pool, spa, and more) and hospitality for a memorable Bali getaway. 

Prices for standard rooms at this location start at about 1,950,000 IDR or about $140 a night and max out at around $4,988,000 IDR or about $350 a night. Using rewards, you will pay between 45,000 and 60,000 points for every night of your booking. 

This location regularly offers PointSavers promotions, so keep an eye out for these if your dates are flexible. For example, you can get a night for as little as 35,000 points using this feature.

💸 Price: ~$140 – $350

💳 Points: 45,000 – 60,000 points

St. Regis – Washington D.C.

St. Regis in Washington, D.C., is a city staple that towers over the downtown district. It is a historic building with original fixtures and old-school elegance that offers guests prime access to the city’s epicenter and a short two-block walk to the White House. This is a category 7 Marriott property.

To stay here will cost you anywhere from about $270 to $615 if you choose a standard guest room. If you book with points, you will need to use between 50,000 and 70,000 points per night. The peak travel season starts in mid-March at this location.

Most rooms at this hotel let you choose between non-refundable, prepay, and member rates that vary slightly in price. You can save the most money if you are willing to prepay and book a non-refundable room.

💸 Price: ~$270 – $615

💳 Points: 50,000 – 70,000 points

St. Regis –  Punta Mita, Mexico

St. Regis Punta Mita is a category 8 resort with 22 gorgeous acres of property in the scenic Mexican peninsula of Punta Mita. There are many luxury hotels in this destination, so the competition is stiff, but this property is a favorite with many tourists. Butler services and private villas await you.

Prices here for standard guest rooms range a lot with travel peaks, starting at about $780 and going all the way up to $1,500 a night. Most likely, you’re looking at around $1,000 per night. You’ll pay between 70,000 and 140,000 points per night, per room

💸 Price: ~$780 – $1,500

💳 Points: 70,000 – 140,000 points

St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort – Puerto Rico

St. Regis is a luxury Marriott retreat located in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This category 8 property on Bahia Beach is wedged between the sea and the El Yunque rainforest, with spacious suites offering extravagant accommodations and views.

To stay here in a guest room, you could be paying anywhere from $650 to $2,000 per night. Avoid visiting in the summer if you don’t want to pay $2,000. Using points to book, the rate is between 70,000 and 100,000 a night. These rooms tend to fill up well in advance, so try to plan as far ahead as possible.

💸 Price: ~$650 – $2,000

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000 points

The Gritti Palace – Venice, Italy

image credit: www.ritzcarlton.com

Stay at one of the most elegant and prestigious hotels in Venice, Italy, when you book a room at the Gritti Palace. Built in 1475 and beautifully preserved, this five-star, category 8 hotel is located right in the heart of the city on the canal.

A standard room here starts at about 780 EUR and tops out at around 1,470 a night. From May through September, you’ll pay about 1,200 EUR per night. In points, a room will cost you anywhere from 70,000 to 100,000 points a night. This is another hotel that you definitely want to book in advance if you can.

💸 Price: 780 EUR – 1,470 EUR

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000 points

The Miami Beach EDITION – Miami, Florida

Check out the EDITION hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida, the next time you’re in the area. This is an ultra-modern, boutique category 8 hotel right on the ocean with a spa and bowling alley on the property and world-class dining.

You will pay at least $450 a night for a guest room here and as much as $2,640. This range is extreme because Miami Beach is a popular travel destination around the holidays, so avoid going during Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you book with points, you will pay between 70,000 and 100,000 a night.

💸 Price: ~$450 – $2,640

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000 points

Vedema, the Luxury Collection – Megalohori Santorini, Greece

The Luxury Collection is a division of Starwood Hotels and Resorts that features unique hotels in culturally rich and breathtaking destinations. The Vedema Resort, for example, is a Luxury Collection property in Megalohori Santorini, Greece, iconic to the already-scenic region with regional architecture and one-of-a-kind views. This is a category 8 Marriott property.

The price of a room here begins at around 300 EUR and can reach up to 5,000 EUR a night. There is a limited number of rooms here, so getting in might be difficult. The rate in points is between 70,000 and 100,000 a night.

💸 Price: ~300 EUR – 5,000 EUR

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000 points

JW Marriott Maldives – Maldives

Stay at one of the most opulent hotels in the Maldives when you book at the JW Marriott Maldives Resort and Spa. This is a category 8 resort on the tiny island nation of the Maldives offering watersports, spa packages, a variety of dining options, and more.

You can expect to be paying at least $780 a night here, but you’ll likely pay much more. This property has one of the craziest price ranges we’ve seen with rates up to $9,300 a night for guest rooms. Point rates are a little more steady at 70,000 to 100,000 per night.

💸 Price: $780 – $9,300

💳 Points: 70,000 – 100,000 points

JW Marriott Mauritius Resort – Mauritius

This JW Marriott property, rebranded in 2021 from a St. Regis, had to be on our list. It is a category 7 property on the Le Morne Peninsula of Mauritius off the coast of Africa that puts guests right on the beach of the Indian Ocean.

You can get a guest room here for as little as about $560 and as much as $1,570 a night. You are pretty much guaranteed the lowest prices when you travel in February or March, and you can expect to pay the highest prices in the summer months. When you use points to pay, you’ll spend between 50,000 and 70,000 per night with rates starting to top out in March.

💸 Price: ~$560 – $1,570

💳 Points: 50,000 – 70,000 points

W Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur

The W Kuala Lumpur is a five-star hotel located in the center of Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a category 5 Marriott property within walking distance of the Kuala Lumpur City Center and the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Though not as extravagant as other hotels on this list, we still recommend this property for a lush Malaysian trip.

To stay here, you’ll pay 590 MYR on the lowest end and 1,800 MYR on the highest end. You’ll need to use at least 30,000 points every night and at most 40,000. To avoid heavy rain, the best time to visit Malaysia are the months from February to September.

💸 Price: ~$140 – $430

💳 Points: 30,000 – 40,000 points

Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porta de Monaco – Cap d/Ail, France

image credit: marriott.com

Finally, we want to put a Marriott property in Port de Cap d’Ail, France, on your radar. The Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco is situated between the sea, the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, and Monte Carlo. Though only a category 5 property, this hotel is perfect for a French getaway that feels luxurious but won’t break the bank.

Rooms here cost anywhere from 170 EUR to 1,100 EUR a night. If you’re using points, you will need between 30,000 and 40,000 a night (sometimes up to 50,000).

💸 Price: ~170 EUR – 1,100 EUR

💳 Points: 30,000 – 40,000 points

Final Thoughts

There’s no reason not to book luxury Marriott stays with your Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points. Marriott continues to add properties to its lineup, so we definitely recommend checking the list of hotels and resorts when traveling. If you’ve got loyalty points burning a hole in your Marriott account, use them to save money on high-end hotel and resort bookings.

Chase Private Client Review – Are The Benefits Worth It?

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The Chase Private Client Welcome Kit was designed by AlyssaStrand. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

[Update October 2021: The $2,000 welcome bonus has been discontinued.]

In 2021, banking is more sophisticated and nuanced than just putting money into an account for safe-keeping. And with so much at stake, you want to make sure that you’re partnering with the right bank to meet all of your financial goals and needs.

If you’re a Chase customer with considerable assets under your belt, you may be considering the Chase Private Client Program. This personalized membership offers countless member-exclusive benefits, including one-on-one time with various financial advisors, banking and lending perks, and discounts on loans and transactions.

Here is a detailed look at everything this elite club has to offer.

What Is the Chase Private Client Program?

The Chase Private Client Program (CPCP) is an invite-only program that offers countless exclusive benefits and services to its members. According to the bank, Private Clients enjoy a “personalized relationship” with Chase through which they receive access to only the best banking features and services offered.

From customized ​J.P. Morgan investing guidance​ to exclusive lending programs, there’s almost no end to the special treatment you’ll get as a Private Client. Other benefits include but are not limited to:

☎️ Priority banking service (24/7 on-call access)
💳 Member-only credit cards
🏠 Loan discounts
👵🏻 Extensive retirement and financial planning resources
💰 Lower fees on most transactions (including those made abroad) and higher withdrawal and credit limits
🤵 Access to dedicated lending advisors

Who Is Eligible for the Private Client Program?

Not just anyone can become a Private Client (PC) with Chase. This invitation is given only to Chase’s “best customers,” and you’ll either need to request a meeting with a Private Client banker to discuss your qualifications or wait around for a letter just to be invited. There are two ways to qualify for an upgrade to top-tier status with Chase:

Have a combined total of $250,000 or more between all of your Chase personal and business checking, savings, and investment accounts. This does not include online self-directed investment accounts with ​You Invest​ or retirement accounts.

Have a family member extend their Private Client membership to you. Though being a Private Client does not technically cost anything in membership fees, members not invited by a family member must maintain a daily average of $250,000 for continued status. Within 45 days of upgrading, Private Clients must disperse this sum across whichever qualifying accounts they choose.

For most, that’s quite a chunk of cash and not a lot of time. You’ll want to consider any opportunity loss you may incur from moving money out of another investment or savings vehicle to meet this $250,000 requirement. If you don’t have that kind of money lying around, you might find yourself selling shares of stock, pulling from a savings account that was accruing interest, and even missing out on countless investment opportunities you were considering pulling the trigger on – just to meet this target. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the program is worth the sacrifice.

The second way to hack your way into the CPCP is to become a joint account owner with another Chase Private Client that is an immediate family member. All adult members of a shared Private Client deposit account are awarded the privileges of a membership, whether each of them has $250,000 or not. This loophole is utilized by many Chase customers that would otherwise never qualify for elite status.

Benefits of the Chase Private Client Program

Several aspects of modern banking are changed for Chase members elevated to Private Client status—overall, the program has many strengths, but it also has many caveats. Chase works hard to keep its Private Clients, but be sure to read the fine print before you make any decisions.

A $2,000 Sign-Up Bonus – Temporarily Discontinued

This has been discontinued. We will update this page when/if it gets reinstated.

Chase customers opting to upgrade to Private Client status are periodically provided a hefty reward, although not currently.

Be sure to opt in for special offers from Chase to be notified once this bonus is available again.

Typically Chase will offer existing clients upgrading to Chase Private Client a lucrative welcome bonus of 💰$2,000 💰 after completing a few qualifying transactions.

Typical qualifying actions include:

  1. Meet with a Private Client Banker to upgrade to Chase Private Client CheckingSM account and
  2. Within 45 calendar days, transfer a total of $250,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible accounts.

Eligible VS Ineligible Accounts:

–  Eligible Accounts: qualifying Chase personal checking accounts and savings accounts, as well as J.P. Morgan investment accounts. These must be opened in a Chase branch and serviced by a J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor or Financial Advisor. 

–  Ineligible Accounts: Chase business checking and savings accounts, any You InvestSM accounts, any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts (such as Traditional and Roth IRAs, Keoghs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans); CDs; insurance products; fixed and variable annuities; J.P.Morgan Fund Accounts; 529 College Savings Plans; attorney trust accounts; client fund trust accounts; as well as Government or Non-Profit accounts.

Credit Cards and Rewards

Behold! These are Chase Bank’s most illustrious credit cards. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

The Private Client Program does not have any unique cards except for the debit card given to members; even the highest-rated Chase cards are available to all. Any Chase member can apply for the ​Chase Sapphire Reserve​ card, an elusive travel card that un​officially requires a credit score of 750 or higher​, and the ​Chase Sapphire Preferred​ card, which requires a 700 or higher.

Private Clients are more likely to have these cards, but their approval odds are only higher because they have more money and better credit to begin with. If a person is likely to qualify as a Private Client, they are also likely to qualify for the top cards. The CPCP does not guarantee credit card approval and card rewards and points are the same for everyone.

Unless you’re a long-time personal finance junkie, you’re probably not familiar with the Chase 5/24 rule. This quietly enforced “no more than 5 credit card accounts opened in the course of 24 months” rule includes ​all​ cards that contribute to a person’s credit (not just Chase), and it’s firm for everyone. That means that PC’s aren’t likely to get around this stipulation even though they are Chase’s “favorites.”

Convenient Banking

Members of the Chase Private Client Program never have to go long without getting help. Private Clients have access to a 24/7 exclusive Banking Services line ​(Domestic: 1-888-994-5626, International: 1-405-235-4847) to answer questions the moment they have them, no in-person appointment or hours on the hold required.

Members of this program also have a dedicated banker ready to help them navigate and make the most of their membership. There’s a lot to the private program, but clients don’t have to figure it out alone. ​In addition to these helplines, Private Clients are offered a number of banking benefits, including:

●  Higher daily ATM withdrawal limits (up to $2,000)

●  Higher daily purchase limits (up to $7,500 with Chase Private Client debit card)

●  Higher QuickDeposit and QuickPay limits ​($25,000 per day and $100,000 every 30 days and $5,000 per day and $40,000 every 30 days, respectively)

●  Rushed (free) card replacement

●  No Chase fees at non-Chase ATMs or on wire transfers

●  No monthly service fees on checking or savings accounts

Business Account Bonuses

Chase members with Private Client status that also use ​Chase for their business banking​ can count on a few special accommodations. Specialized business banking advisors are assigned to every Private Client business owner. These advisors can answer any of your questions and help you strategize your business spending so that you’re using your money as effectively as possible.

Private Clients do not pay any fees on electronic deposits to Platinum or Total Business Checking Accounts or service fees on these accounts. Even better, minimum balance requirements are lower for Private Client Platinum Business Checking accounts. If you’re wondering whether your business account funds can be used to qualify you to become a Private Client, the answer is yes.

Investment and Retirement Counseling

Rest easy with a dedicated investment advisor.

Members of the Chase Private Client Program get to partner up with dedicated J.P. Morgan investment advisors. Because J.P. Morgan is one of the biggest investment banking companies in the business, that means access to global expertise and vast market research. Clients meet with their advisors regularly to discuss immediate financial needs and market and economic trends as well as smart next moves.

Chase Private Client members also get help preparing for retirement​ in the form of a comprehensive 4-step plan. Through this plan, clients identify what they want to get out of retirement, evaluate their current financial situation, develop strategies for success, and assess their goal progression, all with the help of an investment professional.

However, there is a catch. Giving J.P. Morgan the reins to manage your investment portfolio and offer advice isn’t free, even for Private Clients. An annual fee of 1.25%, billed quarterly, is charged for portfolio management services from J.P. Morgan. Many professional portfolio advisors, through firms like Vanguard and Personal Capital, charge less than this (the average is more in the 1% range). If users choose to use You Invest, a self-directed free trading platform, instead, their investment opportunities will be severely limited and their returns much lower.

Mortgage and Loan Advice

The stressful process of taking out a home mortgage or auto loan is made less stressful for Private Clients because these Chase members receive discounted rates on lending and top-notch personal loan advice. Through the Chase Private Client Mortgage Rate Program, members work with home lending advisors and other team members such as underwriters and processors to plan their home loans with big picture financial goals in mind.

When it’s time to take out a loan, Private Clients can expect up to 1.25% off the standard variable rate for a home equity line of credit and a 0.25% rate discount off standard auto loan rates with an additional 0.25% off of that when refinancing.

Privileges for the Whole Family

Benefits the whole family can enjoy!

While Chase Private Clients can extend their benefits to other members of their immediate family with whom they share accounts, the family privileges of this membership don’t stop there.

Parents might like the fact that they can set withdrawal and spending limits on authorized debit cards for use by their kids through the Private Client Program, but young adults can learn more about responsible banking themselves through ​Chase’s Student Banking Program​. However, these features are not exclusive to the CPCP.

Additional Benefits

There are a few final hidden perks to the Chase Private Client Program that shouldn’t be overlooked for those that enjoy skipping lines and being treated like a VIP. Chase Private Clients have access to annual member-exclusive events, early ticket purchase on select entertainment, and can even utilize their membership to gain special entry into certain institutions through the Chase Private Client Arts & Culture Program​ (though use of this perk is limited).

Does It Pay to Be a Chase Private Client?

The CPCP likely isn’t for anyone still improving their credit, new to investing, paying off large loans (other than perhaps home loans and mortgages), or just beginning to plan for retirement.

The Chase Private Client Program is best-suited for larger asset-holding Chase customers that favor convenience and may want a little help with big financial decisions but have already made some progress towards long-term financial goals. It’s also worth noting that not all Chase banks participate in this program, so this is very much a case by case offer.

As with anything, there are pros and cons. There are discounted loan rates, waived service fees, and member-exclusive events, but there’s also that massive $250,000 ​minimum ​account balance requirement.

Do you have experience being a Chase Private Client? Please share in the comments.

Best Ways to Earn Citi ThankYou Points [2021 Edition]

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image credit: thankyou.com

Citi ThankYou Points are a flexible currency rewards program like American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. You earn ThankYou points by using your Citi debit or credit cards, and points can be redeemed for travel in the bank’s online booking portal or they can be transferred to airline programs if you have one of its premium cards.

Citi partners with 17 airlines programs including American Airlines AAdvantage and JetBlue TrueBlue here in the US. The others are foreign carrier programs including the popular Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. 

Transfer rates are usually 1:1 for most programs, but that can vary according to the card you have. You must have either the Citi Prestige or Premier card to convert ThankYou points to miles in an airline program.

There are only a handful of Citi cards that earn ThankYou points, though the Citi Prestige premium travel credit card is not being offered for the foreseeable future and may be discontinued. It’s also possible it may get an overhaul to make it more competitive in the crowded premium travel credit card market.

Which Citi Cards Earn ThankYou Points?

The Citi Prestige is not currently available to new applicants, but if you have it in your wallet you can still use it to earn and redeem points. Because this was the top-of-the-line card that has a $495 annual fee, it has the best earning and redemption options.

The two major credit cards that earn ThankYou points and are available for new applicants are the Citi Premier Card, which is a mid-tier card with a $95 annual fee, and the Citi Rewards+ card, which rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase and has no annual fee.

Citi also lets you earn ThankYou points for using your debit card, it has a new cashback card that earns 5x ThankYou points per dollar spent, and also a co-branded telecom card that offers these rewards. 

In this article, we’ll go over all the ways that you can boost your ThankYou points balance through bonus earning categories and other strategies. All cards noted earn at least one point per dollar spent, though we are focusing on options to maximize your points earned through bonus opportunities.

Sign-Up and Welcome Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are one of the best ways to get a lot of points after meeting minimum spend requirements. For a limited time, both the Citi Premier card and the Citi Rewards+ card are offering elevated sign-up bonuses.

Now is a good time to get the Citi Premier card because it has its best ever sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of having the card. 

You also need to have either this card or the Prestige to transfer points to airlines, and since the Prestige card is not currently available this is your best bet if you want to convert these points to miles. This card has a $95 annual fee.

The Citi Rewards+ credit card is offering 20,000 points after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first three months. 

This card has no annual fee and is offering a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Open a Newly Launched Product – Like Citi Custom Cash

Citi has also introduced a new card called the Citi Custom Cash card which gives you 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle up to $500, then it earns 1%. 

There is no need to enroll in rotating bonus categories to get the 5x points. Eligible categories are drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and select travel, transit and streaming services.

What’s important to know on this one is that cash back is earned as ThankYou points which can be redeemed for travel or you can choose to get a statement credit or a check or explore other redemption options.

This new card comes with $200 cash back after you spend $750 in purchases in the first three months of having the card. It also has a 0% introductory APR for 15 months that is good for purchases and balance transfers. 

There is no annual fee.

Or the Citi AT&T Access Card

The AT&T Access Credit Card from Citi earns 2x ThankYou points per dollar spent online at retail and travel websites and on products and services from AT&T including phone accessories and tablets. It earns one ThankYou point per dollar on everything else. 

This card comes with a 10,000 point sign-up bonus after you make $1,000 in purchases in the first three months after opening the card. There is no annual fee.

Or the Citi Double Cash Card

The Citi Double Cash card is another way to earn double ThankYou points. You don’t earn them directly, but you can convert rewards earned to the flexible currency. This card gives you one point when you make a purchase and another point when you pay it off.

This is a fairly new option on this card and it turns the already popular cashback card into a ThankYou point earning powerhouse. There is no annual fee for this card.

Spend with your Citi Debit Card

Citi is unique in that it lets you earn ThankYou points by using your debit card. To start earning this way, you enroll your eligible checking account in the ThankYour Rewards program and set up one qualifying direct deposit and one qualifying bill payment each statement cycle.

If you don’t have a Citi checking account, you can open one to start earning ThankYou points this way if you use your debit card more than a credit card. This is not new. It was actually a big component of the ThankYou program which was designed to reward banking customers.

Go Travel Somewhere

image credit: pexels.com

Travel is an obvious bonus earning category for travel rewards programs, and Citi is very generous in how it defines travel. It includes airlines as well as travel agencies including travel aggregators and tour operators.

If you currently hold the Citi Prestige card you can earn 5x ThankYou points on travel purchases in those categories, though hotel and cruise line bookings will only earn 3x points with this card. One way around this is to book your hotel or cruise through a travel agent to get the 5x points.

The next best option if you don’t have the Prestige, is the Citi Premier card which earns 3x on travel.

Go Grocery Shopping

Another popular bonus points earning category is supermarkets. To get extra points in this category, use your CitiRewards+ card, which earns 2x ThankYou points on up to $6,000 per year in combined supermarket and gas station purchases for a maximum bonus of 12,000 points per year in this category and one point after that.

After you max out that bonus category or if you don’t have this card, there are still a few ways to earn bonus points for grocery shopping. You can use the new Custom Cash card and get 5x points if supermarkets are your top spending category in any month, or you can use the Double Cash card as noted in the dining section above.

Fill Up the Tank

Gas station purchases are also a popular category for consumers seeking rewards for their everyday spending. The Citi Premier card offers 3x points in this category, and the Citi Rewards+ earns 2x points on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year on groceries and gas. Citi includes all gas station purchases in this category, not just fuel.

Dine Out

image credit: pexels.com

Prior to pandemic and Covid-19, Dining has always been a popular category for travel rewards cards, and Citi recognizes that by having it as a top earning category for people collecting ThankYou points. The Citi Prestige card earns 5x points per dollar on dining, takeout and deliveries, and the Premier card earns 3x points.

In addition to establishments serving food, Citi also includes fast food restaurants as well as bars, cafes, taverns, lounges and nightclubs in this category. Some other card issuers do not allow bonus point earning in the dining category for these kinds of places. But some places that serve food but are in a larger establishment like an airport or amusement park will not code as dining. 

Keep in mind that if dining is your top spending category, the Citi Custom Cash card will give you 5x for that category. And you can earn 2x points on dining if you use the Citi Double Cash card and convert those points once the bill is paid. This holds true for any of the bonus categories below as well.

Go to a Ball Game

When it comes to entertainment, the best Citi card to earn bonus points is the Citi Premier card, which earns 2 x points. Entertainment includes amusement parks, movie theaters, sports, theatrical productions and tourist attractions.

With all of the recent changes in its lineup of cards, it’s clear that Citi is trying to bolster its ThankYou Points rewards program by giving people new ways to earn those points. They also may be revamping their premium rewards card behind the scenes.

It looks like they may be taking a page from Chase’s playbook on how they built their Ultimate Rewards program. Before Chase introduced the Sapphire line of cards, the Chase Freedom was a flexible cash back card that let you choose the option of earning cash back or Ultimate Rewards. By allowing customers to convert their Citi Double Cash rewards to ThankYou points, they will increase the branding of the ThankYou Rewards program.

Chase also introduced 5% rotating bonus categories similar to what Discover offers, and we are now seeing that with the new Custom Cash card that is offering 5x on your top category and rewards you with ThankYou points that can be used for travel or converted.

My prediction is that Citi will reintroduce its premium Prestige card, perhaps with a new name. Watch for a big splash if/when that comes out. If they follow Chase’s lead there will be a huge sign-up bonus like we saw when the Chase Sapphire Reserve launched.

Citi may try to lure customers with a smaller annual fee than the Chase SapphireReserve or the Platinum card from American Express, both of which have increased their annual fees this past year or so.

Final Thoughts

If you are currently holding the Citi Prestige card and are considering downgrading it, think twice about that especially if you spend a lot on travel and dining as this is the only Citi card that lets you earn 5x in those categories and Citi has halted applications for it.

If you are planning to transfer your ThankYou points to an airline program, you need to have either the Citi Prestige or the Premier card. If you don’t currently hold the Premier card, then it might be a good time to apply.

If you make a lot of small purchases, the Citi Rewards+ is a good idea to boost your points balance. For example, every $2 cup of coffee will automatically round up to reward you with 10 ThankYou points.

With the elevated bonuses in place, this is a great time to add either the Premier or Rewards+ card to your wallet. If you don’t already have either one, think about applying for both cards while the limited time bonus offers are in place. Together they will reward you with 100,000 bonus points and minimum spend for both is $5,500 and only one annual fee is involved for a cost of $95. That’s a nice stash of ThankYou points for a small outlay of cash.

If you’re not a big fan of cashback cards because you like to use your points for travel, it’s time to give the Citi Double Cash card a second look. The ability to earn 2x points on all purchases is very valuable, especially now that you can convert those points to miles.

And finally, the new Custom Cash card is also worth considering because of its ability to earn 5x ThankYou points in your top spending category every month.

American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts: 2021 Guide

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image credit: americanexpress.com

Does your travel credit card qualify you for rate discounts, complimentary amenities, and booking flexibility at luxury hotels and resorts? For many travel cardholders, the answer is yes, but certain American Express cardholders are treated to even more. This bank is known for having prestigious credit cards and being particularly travel-friendly, and it continues to set itself apart with its elite travel program.

The American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program is an exclusive platform that allows members to book discounted travel and earn more rewards per stay than they would if they purchased travel elsewhere. Find out what this program is all about and who is eligible to join in this article.

What is The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program by American Express

The Fine Hotels and Resorts program is a Platinum Travel Service available to elite cardmembers through American Express.

The platform includes more than 1,200 luxury properties with discounted room rates and complimentary amenities available exclusively to Fine Hotels and Resorts guests. The benefits of this program are estimated to be worth $550 in total for every member based on average rates for properties.

To become a part of this program, you have to have a premium American Express card. We’ll cover which travel cards qualify later on. And if you do have one of these cards, you’re automatically enrolled in the Fine Hotels and Resorts program and all you have to do is create a free account. This program does not cost anything to join and you’ll stay enrolled as long as your qualifying card remains in good standing.

You can book travel through the platform for yourself and members of your family as long as you are one of the guests traveling. 

Program Benefits

To start off, every booking made through the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program is backed by a Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee. This means that if you find the same room at the same property available at a lower rate through a different booking site, American Express will refund you the difference in price when you book through the Fine Hotels platform.

Please Note: You must submit the lower rate you found with another site here.

Besides rate discounts, the Fine Hotels and Resorts Program includes six different travel benefits that are available for most bookings.

These include:

  • Noon check-in, when available
  • Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
  • Daily complimentary breakfast for two people
  • Guaranteed 4pm late check-out
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Experience credit

These benefits show up on your bookings when you go to check out. A property’s experience credit must be valued at a minimum of $100 but could be as high as $300. This could be for anything from spa treatments to dining experiences to private tours, but often, it’s a general food and beverage voucher. You will need to check with each hotel or resort about what their experience credit includes.

Some benefits such as early check-in and room upgrades are subject to availability and others such as late check-out and breakfast are guaranteed. 

This program also features special offers for select properties. These hotels and resorts may include complimentary nights or increased points-earning potential—it just depends on the property. 

The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club in Dana Point, California, for example, is offering members a complimentary third night on bookings made and completed between now and the end of January 2022. 

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida, is including a complimentary $250 property credit on every member booking of four consecutive nights or more made and completed between now and December 2021.

Terms and Conditions

Some hotels or resorts may not offer early check-in on certain room types or cannot guarantee the type of room you prefer. If you have any questions about what benefits will be available for a particular destination, you can call Platinum Travel services at +44 (0) 1273 576 454 for help with a booking.

Note that you can’t may not be able to combine these offers with other offers or promotions and you can’t redeem these benefits for cash. Some locations may have their own rules about how to redeem these benefits, so it’s always a good idea to check before staying.

Only one benefits package can be applied to a single booking and cardmembers are limited to booking only three rooms at a time with these perks. The cardmember who makes and pays for a booking must stay at the hotel or resort to be eligible to receive these exclusive benefits. Also, the stay must be paid for in full with the qualifying American Express credit card. Back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period are considered one stay.

You might not be eligible for the Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee if you are comparing American Express prices to promotional prices elsewhere, trying to use coupons or loyalty points to reduce the price of the comparable offer, or trying to access an offer not available to the general public.

Fine Hotels & Resorts VS The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection is a separate travel program offered by American Express that offers similar but different benefits and its own set of hotels to choose from. You may be eligible to become a member of both programs, though.

Earn Amex Points booking with Fine Hotels & Resorts

Yes, you can absolutely earn Amex points when booking through Fine Hotels and Resorts. In fact, you might be eligible to earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points on 5-star hotel bookings, depending on your card. You can use points to pay for bookings as well.

Participating Hotels and Resorts

93 hotel and resort brands to choose from!

There are 68 luxury hotel brands featured in the Fine Hotels and Resorts platform. These include:

  • Alila
  • Autograph Collection Hotels
  • Baglioni Hotels and Resorts
  • Conrad Hotels and Resorts
  • Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
  • Gran Melia Hotels and Resorts
  • Grand Hyatt
  • Hilton Hotels and Resorts
  • Hyatt Regency
  • Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts
  • JW Marriott
  • The Leading Hotels of the World
  • The Luxury Collection
  • MGM Resorts International
  • Montage
  • Omni Hotels and Resorts
  • Park Hyatt
  • Regent Hotels and Resorts
  • Ritz-Carlton Reserve
  • The Ritz-Carlton 
  • Rosewood
  • Six Senses
  • Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts
  • The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
  • W Hotels Worldwide
  • Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts

This is not a comprehensive list, but you should see some of your favorite luxury brands here. To see all hotel brands, go here.

When you click on a property, you will be taken to a page that describes unique features of that property. You’ll see a description of the hotel, Insider Tips, dining suggestions, relaxation suggestions, and leisure suggestions.

For example, the famous La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa features a view of the Eiffel Tower and is home to the Michelin-starred Le Gabriel French restaurant. You will also find La Reserve Spa here, which includes three treatment rooms, hammam, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Guests are encouraged to visit the nearby Passages of Paris or take a private river ride on the Seine River.

How Prices Compare

After doing some comparisons, we can say that American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts doesn’t actually have the best prices. You can often save a bit of money booking directly through a property or with another travel site. The Special Offers category, however, often has some of the best deals when you factor in the complimentary nights and credits.

The benefits you get booking with American Express, including an experience credit worth at least $100 and late check-out, often surpass price differences in value as well. Plus, you’ll earn Amex Membership Rewards points on your bookings. So really, Fine Hotels bookings aren’t always cheaper up front, but they could save you money. 

Let’s take a look at an example to give you an idea of what you’ll spend.

You’re booking a stay at the Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a five-star property. You choose a Garden View room at Founders Cove.

Through the Fine Hotels and Resorts platform, prices start at $442 a night. Booking direct with the Half Moon, prices start at $431 a night. Neither price includes tax or fees, but the Amex booking comes with complimentary benefits and the Half Moon booking comes with only standard amenities (e.g. no experience credit, standard check-in and check-out, etc.). 

Pros and Cons

There is a lot to love about this exclusive program, but there are also a lot of stipulations that come with it. Here are the top advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Obviously one of the top benefits is that you can save money. If you can manage to get a complimentary night with a Special Offer, you can instantly save hundreds. And on top of that, you’ll get an experience credit worth at least $100. It’s a good idea, though, to search for better credits if you can. The average total value of this program is estimated to be around $550, but some members save considerably more. 

Another advantage is the $200 Hotel Credit. American Express Platinum card members also earn a $200 annual statement credit when they prepay for Fine Hotels and Resorts bookings with their qualifying card or American Express points. A booking paid in full at the time of reservation is considered to be prepaid and may qualify you for this credit (you will be able to see for sure when checking out). There is no minimum required payment to qualify. You’ll receive this credit automatically and it renews each year, so make sure you spend it while you have it because it won’t roll over to the next year.

The platform is also just generally easy to use and navigate. It’s possible to find and book a hotel in just a few minutes (unless you like to shop around and compare your options), and you can always call the dedicated Platinum Travel services line for help.

Cons

One of the biggest disadvantages is that you can’t use hotel loyalty points to book travel through this platform. Say you’re a devoted member of World of Hyatt, for example, and you’ve managed to stash away enough points for a booking. If you want to get the benefits of the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, you must use your American Express card or your American Express points to book. You can’t use your hotel loyalty points and there’s a chance you won’t receive points on your stay either (every hotel is different—some let you earn loyalty points on Fine Hotels bookings and others do not).

This program is also fairly limited. With less than 1,200 locations, you’ll run into problems finding hotels from time to time and may need to choose a type of room you normally wouldn’t. On top of this, some benefits are not guaranteed, and you may not want to have to call every hotel or resort beforehand to see exactly which benefits you qualify for.

You can’t book travel for other people either unless you’re on the itinerary. 

Overall, we definitely recommend using this program if you have access to it. Amex Platinum cards aren’t cheap, so you can try to make some of your annual fees back this way. However, always do your research before booking a stay to make sure you’re getting the absolute best prices and perks available. Also, always filter results on the Fine Hotels platform for the best credits and discounts when you have the traveling flexibility to do so, and remember to browse the Special Offers section for promotions.

How to Find a Hotel

There are a few ways you can start your search when preparing to book a stay.

image credit: americanexpress.com

One option is to explore by location using the Hotel Finder tool, which shows you hotels that check all of your boxes. Using this tool, you can select a region—United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, or Asia Pacific—and then select for the following factors: Ambiance, Environment, Guest Experience, and Features and Activities. Here are the choices for each of those categories.

Ambiance

  • Romantic
  • Historic
  • Artistic
  • Environmental Certifications
  • Boutique

Environment

  • Metropolitan
  • Tropical
  • Beachfront
  • Secluded
  • Private Stays

Guest Experience

  • All-inclusive
  • Family-friendly
  • Pet-friendly
  • Business-friendly
  • Adults-only

Features and Activities

  • Spa On-Site
  • Fitness Center On-Site
  • Restaurant and/or Bar
  • Ski Destination
  • Safari Excursions
  • Pool On-Site
  • Casino On-Site
  • Golf Course
  • Culinary Classes
  • Guided Adventures

You can select for as many of these interests as you want then click to see how many hotels match your search.

You can also search Platinum Card Member Favorites or browse within the Get Inspired category. The Get Inspired category includes articles and travel guides to help you plan the perfect getaway.

If you prefer to keep things simple, you can just use the hotel search tool on the Fine Hotels and Resorts platform. This asks for the name of a hotel or destination, the dates you’ll be traveling, and the number of travelers. You can search by hotel brand if you’re partial to one, but this will limit your location options.

Many people choose to filter their search by which properties offer the best, highest-value experience credits; which properties offer free nights for longer stays; or which properties are the most highly-rated.

How to Book

Log in to your American Express account and navigate to the Travel section.

Then, choose a hotel.

Once you’ve decided on a property by following the guidance in the section above, enter your travel dates and number of travelers if you haven’t already.

Then click View Rates or scroll down to see your room options.

The featured room, the one shown at the top of the list, is often the least expensive option, with larger and more inclusive rooms shown at the bottom. Note the prices, shown in dollars and points, and view the cancellation policy before selecting “Book.” On the next page, you will see all of the benefits included with your chosen room and be able to make special requests. Pay in full when booking to qualify for the $200 Hotel Credit or opt to pay a portion of the price now and the rest when you check in.

You can pay using your American Express premium credit card or you can actually use Amex Membership Rewards to book as well. Every booking will show the price in both dollars and points, and members are often able to save money by using points to pay some or all of the price. Generally, 50,000 points are equal to roughly $500.

Amex Credit Cards That Qualify

An American Express premium card is your ticket to the Fine Hotels and Resorts program. There are four that qualify you for Fine Hotels: the Amex Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum card, the Amex Corporate Platinum card, and the Amex Centurion Card.

All of the following credit cards also qualify you for a $200 Hotel Credit on Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings.

  • Amex Platinum

American Express Platinum credit card offers a $300 Equinox Credit, good for any type of club membership or Equinox+ purchases; a $200 Airline Fee Credit for incidental fees you incur flying any airline; and access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Plus, earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels when you book directly with an airline or through American Express Travel. The annual fee for this card is $695.

New members can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points and 10x points on dining when they use their card to spend $6,000 in the first 6 months of opening. Restaurant and small business purchases qualify for the 10x points.

See credit score requirements here.

  • Amex Business Platinum

The American Express Business Platinum credit card offers a $200 statement credit for purchases made from Dell Technologies, 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, 1.5x points on eligible purchases worth $5,000 or more, and $200 Airline Fee Credit. The annual fee for this card is $595.

New members can earn up to 120,000 Membership Rewards points when they use their card to spend $15,000 in the first 3 months of opening. Qualifying purchases include those made by the card holders or an employee for goods and services.

  • Amex Corporate Platinum

The American Express Corporate Platinum credit card offers a variety of travel benefits including Uber Perks (2x points on rides and 3x points on Uber Eats orders), Trip Delay Insurance (reimbursement up to $500 for covered trips delayed more than 6 hours), up to $179 per year in CLEAR statement credits, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, a $200 Airline Fee Credit, and a $100 statement credit for Global Entry fees or $85 credit for TSA Pre-check fees. The annual fee for this card is $550.

  • Amex Centurion Card

The American Express Centurion credit card, often referred to as the black card, can only be obtained by invitation (your chances are higher if you’re already an Amex member and you have a high net-worth). Complimentary Platinum Medallion status with the Delta Air Lines loyalty program, private lounge access, and hefty travel fee credits are just a few of the benefits offered to members. There is a $10,000 initiation fee for this card and a $5,000 annual fee.

Delta SkyMiles Amex Platinum cardholders: sorry, but this card doesn’t make you eligible for the Fine Hotels and Resorts program. 

Every Platinum card holder is offered the same travel benefits through the Fine Hotels and Resorts program.

Final Thoughts

Considering that the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program is completely free to use (unless you count the annual fee of having a Platinum credit card) and full of opportunities for members to save on luxury travel bookings, we’d say it’s well worth using. This platform gives you access to premium hotels and resorts across the world with exclusive complimentary benefits and amenities, and lucky Platinum Amex cardholders that qualify to use it are saving hundreds every year.