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

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

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

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:19 How to Spend 48 Hours in Miami

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

3:45 Delta's NYC Marathon Perks

4:30 Sign-Off

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

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

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

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

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 Amex Travel Adds Airbnb Stays

1:45 Airbnb’s New Checkout Chore Rules

2:38 What Are Fifth Freedom Flights?

4:15 Sign-Off

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

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

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

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

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:21 Planning a Second Honeymoon

2:37 Amex’s Cruise & Yacht Collection

3:04 Flying Blue’s Business Class Award Deal

4:28 Sign-Off

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

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