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This post was originally published on this site American Express Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are two of the most highly sought-after transferable currencies among travel enthusiasts. These points can unlock high-value redemptions at aspirational destinations. Both programs offer a range of valuable travel rewards credit cards and redemption options, including transferring points to airline and hotel partners and booking travel through the respective card issuer’s travel portal. According to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, Amex Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valued at 2 cents and 2.05 cents per point, respectively. So, how do they measure up — and which is the best currency for you? Which currency has the best transfer partners? American Express Membership Rewards American Express partners with an impressive 17 different airline programs and three hotel chains. Unless indicated, points transfer at a 1:1 rate in 1,000-point increments. Here’s the current list of Amex airline partners: Aer Lingus AerClub Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6) Air Canada Aeroplan Air France-KLM Flying Blue ANA Mileage Club Avianca LifeMiles British Airways Club Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Delta SkyMiles Emirates Skywards Etihad Guest Iberia Club JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200) Qantas Frequent Flyer Qatar Airways Privilege Club Singapore

This post was originally published on this site As a value-minded traveler, I love finding and staying at Category 1 Hyatt properties. These hotels often aren’t on our list of the best Hyatt hotels, but you can book them for a fraction of the points you’d need at higher-category properties. Based on the Hyatt award chart, travelers can book a standard room at a Category 1 Hyatt hotel for 3,500 points on off-peak nights, 5,000 points on standard nights and 6,500 points on peak nights. Plus, you may be able to book a room with Club lounge access for 5,500 to 8,500 points per night and a standard suite for 6,500 to 9,500 points per night; a premium suite may go for 7,000 to 13,000 points per night if the property offers this room type. Some Hyatt Category 1 properties also offer inexpensive paid rates, so it’s worth considering whether you should redeem Hyatt points or book a paid rate. This article only includes two U.S. hotels, as most of the best Category 1 Hyatt properties are abroad. However, it’s still worth looking for Category 1 Hyatt hotels in the U.S. when you’re on a road trip or need to

This post was originally published on this site Southwest Airlines is gearing up for assigned seating. Starting early next year, all Southwest passengers will get an assigned seat — and they’ll have the option to fly in the airline’s all-new extra legroom rows. Flights with the new seating setup go on sale July 29 for flights departing on or after Jan. 27, 2026. As part of that shift, Southwest will also make a major change to its boarding process, ending the unique, single-file setup it’s used for years. That announcement came after TPG reported earlier this year that Southwest had decided to go with new boarding procedures that look a lot more like the ones used by its top competitors. Bargain hunting: When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare? Yes, that will mean an end to the days of setting a check-in alarm to secure a boarding position — and it’ll also end the Southwest preflight ritual of lining up along silver posts at the gate. A Southwest Airlines boarding area at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The carrier will have new ways to hand out preferential boarding access to customers who pay

This post was originally published on this site This fall, Frontier Airlines will fly to two new cities, and make its return to a third. Starting in October, the budget carrier will launch nonstop service from Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Virginia and Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) in Texas. Plus, the Denver-based airline will return to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the first time in three years. It’s part of a larger 15-route expansion the ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled Tuesday, which spans a large swath of the country. Frontier’s new routes will see the carrier do more flying out of Texas, New York, Chicago, Missouri and its Denver International Airport (DEN) home base. Best airlines report 2025: Delta tops TPG’s rankings for seventh straight year “With new destinations in Texas and Virginia, our return to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and new routes between several of our top cities, now is a better time than ever for consumers to give Frontier a try,” Josh Flyr, the airline’s vice president of network and operations design, said in a statement announcing the news. Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Virginia. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY Frontier’s 15 new routes Each of Frontier’s new routes will launch in mid-October. In