📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

You can find the perfect award seat, have the points ready, and still run into a problem because your loyalty account is too new. Some airline programs make new members wait before they can book awards, which is why it’s worth opening the loyalty accounts your credit card points transfer to before you actually need them.

American Airlines is also making seat selection easier. A new app feature can automatically move solo travelers into a window or aisle seat when one opens up in the same cabin, at no extra charge. It could save you from constantly checking the seat map yourself.

Plus, Atmos Rewards now lets members choose whether to earn based on distance, money spent, or flight segments on flights departing next year. Think of it as picking the earning method that makes the most sense for how you fly.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:20 Why Your Account Age Matters

1:52 American’s Automatic Seat Swaps

2:59 Atmos Rewards Lets You Pick How You Earn

4:31 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

Alaska Airlines is getting serious about premium travel. Starting in 2028, it’s bringing lie-flat Aurora suites to its Boeing 787s and select cross-country flights on its new 737-10 MAXs. It’s also adding Premium Reserve, a new premium economy cabin with more space, deeper recline, and upgraded food and amenities. For an airline once known for quirky carpeted bulkheads, that’s quite the 180.

Then we’re asking a very important question: Is glamping actually worth it? Hotel programs like World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy are getting in on it, but some glamping stays can cost around $300 a night. Nature and beautiful views sound great, but at that price, the tent has some explaining to do. Same goes for farm stays. The countryside sounds lovely, but a vacation doesn’t need to involve milking a cow.

We’ll also look at how using hotel points can change the math on glamping, including stays with Under Canvas and AutoCamp. And if sleeping outdoors still isn’t for you, places like Soho Farmhouse and Miraval offer the hiking and nature, with a proper hotel room waiting at the end of the day.

Register for World of Hyatt’s Under Canvas promo: https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/offers/under-canvas-points-back.html

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:16 Alaska’s Premium Makeover

2:22 Is Glamping Worth It?

3:17 Using Points for Glamping

4:10 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

A popular premium travel card you probably have in your wallet is getting a major DoorDash upgrade as of Oct. 1, with up to $35 a month in credits. The new $15 credit works on any qualifying DoorDash order, while two $10 credits still cover non-restaurant purchases like groceries and drugstore runs (pro tip: this includes many bodegas in NYC).

Speaking of premium travel card benefits, did you know Priority Pass isn’t just about airport lounges? Depending on your membership, you may have access to airport spas, private rooms to rest between flights, or even video game lounges.

Meanwhile, Bilt Rent Day is bringing transfer bonuses to Amtrak and Hilton, with up to 100% more Amtrak points and up to 200% more Hilton points, depending on your Bilt status. We also cover targeted Amex Offers that could help you save on JetBlue and Frontier flights.

👉 Explore our go-to cards for ordering takeout: https://go.departuredigest.com/takeout

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 A Bigger DoorDash Credit

1:30 Bilt Rent Day Transfer Bonuses

2:17 Priority Pass Beyond the Lounge

3:16 JetBlue and Frontier Amex Offers

4:05 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

A late checked bag could earn you some extra miles. Delta, Alaska, and Hawaiian all offer 2,500 miles or points when your bag misses their 20-minute baggage guarantee. We explain how each one works, how quickly you need to file, and what to know before you leave the airport. If your bag is late on both legs of a round trip, you could walk away with 5,000 miles, which could be enough for a short domestic award flight.

Also, did you know AARP isn’t just for retirees? Anyone 18 or older can join for $15, and members can get up to 35% off Avis and Budget car rentals, plus discounts on hotels, Zipcar, and more.

And just in time for National Coffee Day, Delta is offering Starbucks gift cards when you buy Delta gift cards. We cover how the promotion works, how much you’d have to spend to get the full $100 in Starbucks cards, and whether it’s worth it.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:17 How to Get Free Miles When Your Bag Is Late

1:59 Why You Might Want an AARP Membership

3:03 Delta’s Starbucks Gift Card Promotion

4:21 Free Dunkin’ Coffee

4:33 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

Some of the biggest names in luxury hospitality are betting big on cruising. Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman have brought their brands to the water, with smaller yachts designed to feel more like boutique hotels at sea. Think spacious suites with private terraces, posh beach clubs and, in Aman’s case, even two helipads.

And it’s not just the ultra-luxury yacht lines shaking things up. Virgin Voyages skips the traditional buffet, with dining that feels more like choosing a restaurant than filling a tray. It also includes Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and specialty restaurants for all guests. If you’ve never thought of yourself as a cruise person, maybe it’s time to reconsider.

And if you’re a train person, Bilt just added Amtrak as a transfer partner at a 2:1 ratio, so 2,000 Bilt points gets you 1,000 Amtrak points. Amtrak awards start at 400 points, but the number of points you’ll need varies based on the cash price of the trip rather than a traditional award chart.

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:22 Bilt Adds Amtrak as a Transfer Partner

1:10 Luxury Hotel Brands Are Betting on Cruising

4:11 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

You can stretch your hotel points further than you might think. Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors can both give you a free fifth night when you book five consecutive nights with points. The one caveat is that Hilton requires elite status to unlock the perk, but that’s pretty easy to get. IHG takes a slightly different approach, giving eligible cardholders a free fourth night.

If you’re under 25, there’s another easy way to save. Rental car companies often charge young-driver fees, but AAA members ages 20 to 24 can have that fee waived on qualifying Hertz rentals. We’ll explain how to get the benefit and a couple of other ways to save on your next rental.

And to round things out, a popular cash-back card just got some useful new travel benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, elevated value on select hotel bookings and a limited-time welcome offer.

Learn more about our favorite cash-back cards: https://go.departuredigest.com/cashback

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:19 Free Fifth Hotel Nights With Points

1:56 How to Avoid Young-Driver Rental Fees

3:41 A Popular Cash-Back Card Gets Travel Benefits

4:10 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

Getting a free hotel upgrade doesn’t always require elite status. We’re sharing a few simple ways to improve your odds, from asking nicely and mentioning a special occasion to messaging the hotel before you arrive. Timing can help, too, especially if you have some flexibility around when you check in. And then there’s our favorite strategy: “suite talking.”

Plus, Hilton Honors and IHG both have new promotions worth registering for. Hilton is offering up to 3,000 bonus points on eligible stays, while IHG is offering up to 3x points depending on how you book. Register now, even if you don’t have a stay booked yet, so you don’t forget when you do.

And if you’re someone who needs their hotel room at approximately 60 degrees to sleep, we have a thermostat trick that could help. We’re also sharing why you should put an AirTag in every checked bag.

Register for the Hilton Honors bonus points promo: https://www.hilton.com/en/offers/promotions/more-points-to-play/

Register for the IHG bonus points promo: https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/deals/member-offers/3xpts?offerCode=72539

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:15 Hilton and IHG Hotel Promotions

1:07 How to Get a Free Hotel Upgrade

3:22 The Hotel Thermostat Trick

3:50 Why You Should AirTag Your Checked Bags

4:21 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest

📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

🧭 Free points & miles beginner's guide: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/points-miles-beginners-guide

🛍️ Shop Departure Digest merch: https://shop.departuredigest.com

🤑 Get a $50 bonus at Rakuten: https://go.departuredigest.com/rakuten

👑 Our favorite credit cards: https://www.departuredigest.com/p/best-credit-cards

———

One of our favorite travel credit cards is celebrating its birthday with hundreds of dollars in limited-time travel offers, including up to $200 back on a JSX flight and up to $125 back on an eligible hotel stay after qualifying spend. Just be sure to activate the offer before you book. The JSX offer alone could cover a big chunk of a one-way semi-private flight.

Then we head to Amsterdam Schiphol, where Amex just opened its first Centurion Lounge in Europe. The nearly 6,000-square-foot lounge has local art, floor-to-ceiling windows, a full bar, food and a barista-made coffee bar. We cover where to find it, who can access it and why its relatively small size could mean waits at one of Europe’s busiest airports.

And to round things out, the new AirPods 5 are now available with Active Noise Cancellation and Live Translation, which could be especially useful when traveling.

Learn more about one of our favorite travel credit cards: https://go.departuredigest.com/travelcard

Get $100 off your first JSX flight: https://go.departuredigest.com/jsx

Timeline

0:00 Start Here

0:20 Travel Offers for Flights and Hotels

1:55 First European Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam

2:54 AirPods 5 for Travelers

3:48 Sign-Off

———

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.

———

Stay up to date:

→ Newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe

→ YouTube Subscribe: https://yt.departuredigest.com

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/departuredigest

→ X: https://x.com/departuredgst

→ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/departuredigest

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@departuredigest