Carissa's Latest Posts - Page 2

Booking flights is practically a full-time job for me, whether that’s for myself, my family, or folks I’ve met through writing. Along with the process of finding flights is the nerve-wracking decision of deciding to book — especially flights that…

Well, that didn’t last long. When Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) moved from Hyatt over to Hilton, we feared the worst. After all, the cost of award rooms at Hilton properties is massively higher than that of Hyatt….

Etihad Airways is a Middle Eastern airline based in Abu Dhabi that has become popular for its opulent first class. While it’s regarded as a member of the “Middle East 3” (along with Emirates and Qatar Airways), Etihad is not…

Well, that’s interesting. Bookings made via The Edit, Chase’s luxury hotel program, now earn elite status benefits and stay credits. Let’s take a look at what this means and whether it’s worth booking this way. What is The Edit? Formerly…

You’ve heard us talk about Travelzoo plenty of times, especially since it can provide great deals on bucket-list travel items. And today we’re back with another set of deals from Travelzoo in its to Cyber Monday sale. Some of these…

Avianca Airlines is offering Black Friday promo fares to many exciting destinations — but you’ll need to book fast. Here’s what you need to know about the sale! Deal Alert — Details Avianca is running a sale from the U.S….

Purchasing points and miles strategically can help unlock some great redemptions. Whether you’re topping off your account to book that bucket-list trip or buying enough miles to book a seat because it’s cheaper than paying cash, there are situations when…

Hilton Honors has long been my go-to hotel loyalty program, and for good reason. With generous status match promotions, an extensive selection of properties, and co-branded credit cards that make earning free nights a breeze, it’s hard to beat the…

Aer Lingus and American Airlines are expanding their connectivity with more elite benefits being offered reciprocally. This comes despite the fact that Aer Lingus still isn’t wearing the Oneworld badge. Team Oneworld or not, we plan on making the most…

There’s no denying that elite status is valuable, whether you’re looking for free breakfast or upgrades to business class. That’s why so many of us here at Upgraded Points chase elite status year after year, even if that means we’re…

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card is Marriott’s most premium — and for good reason. With benefits such as automatic elite status, annual dining credits, and an annual free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points, there’s a lot to love…

Do you love Costco as much as we do? If you didn’t before, you will after learning that you can score 10% off Alaska Airlines gift cards purchased through Costco! Let’s see how to make the most out of this…

Want to try out All Nippon Airways’ lauded business class for yourself? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve found a huge amount of last-minute award space from airports all over the U.S. Here’s a look at everything you need to…

Want to build up your stash of Delta SkyMiles? You’re in luck because Delta is offering 2 different promotions this week that’ll allow you to earn up to 5x miles per $1 spent on your purchases. Let’s take a look….

Traveling to Antarctica is a bucket-list item for many travelers, whether you’re super adventurous or simply want to check the seventh continent off your list. I’m no different, which is why I spent December 2022 on my first trip to…

I don’t love to spend money on flights, which is a major reason why I got into points and miles. But there are definitely times when redeeming miles doesn’t make sense: when there aren’t saver-level awards, when the cash price…

We all know one of history’s most infamous and clever marketing strategies: the misnomer of Greenland. Over the past 1,000 years or so, word’s gotten out — green and lush landscapes won’t be waiting for you upon arrival. Nevertheless, this…

Great Card If Don’t Get If What Benefits Do You Get With the USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card? The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card is only available to USAA members. If you’re eligible for the card, it may be worth looking into….

Chase, like many other credit card issuers, has been hard at work opening new airport lounges. Along with its locations in Boston, Hong Kong, New York, and Washington, D.C., a new location in Phoenix is now open. Let’s take a…

We all remember what it was like to start building a credit history. At first, qualifying for credit cards was tough — options often came with high interest rates or required a cosigner. Even with these hurdles, we were usually…

Earlier this year, United announced that it would be launching several new routes, including flights to Mongolia and Greenland. So far, only Greenland has gone on sale, but it hasn’t been bookable with United miles, only cash or partner awards….