Juan's Latest Posts

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. While the Citi Rewards+^® Card isn’t as well-known as some other travel rewards cards, it’s a great choice for customers who want to rack up valuable ThankYou Points without…

As a first-time traveler to Dubai, I decided to poll all of my friends who had traveled extensively for their input on the best neighborhood in Dubai to use as a home base from which to explore the city, as…

Hyatt has announced plans to launch a new extended-stay brand called Hyatt Studios. Sitting somewhere in the middle of full-service and limited-service hotels, the Hyatt Studios brand will join the likes of existing Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, and Caption by…

I haven’t flown with British Airways in over a decade. Not a single flight on the U.K.’s flag carrier. However, this doesn’t mean that BA’s loyalty program hasn’t won my heart. This is because the British Airways Executive Club (the…

If you’ve been reading Upgraded Points for a while, you’re probably already aware of how passionate we are about travel rewards. With points and miles, you can get amazing things like first class flights and top-notch hotels. This makes luxury…

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Greek carrier Aegean Airlines is offering an attractive sale where you can save up to €100 (~$108 USD) on round-trip flights from Greece to all international destinations served by…

The ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has announced the launch of 3 new routes departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), in addition to resuming 2 routes that had been previously discontinued. In addition to these new services, Frontier Airlines plans on making…

Passengers traveling with Qatar Airways on select routes across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East will be treated to a new onboard menu featuring Qatari-inspired dishes. With the new inflight menu, the world-class airline hopes to celebrate…

Dubai is strewn with 5-star hotels, many of which adorn the city’s skyline with glitz and glamour. When planning my first trip to Dubai, I asked friends who had lived there and did a lot of my own research to…

Istanbul is a huge city with a rich history, culture, and beautiful architecture. Türkiye’s most populous city has long been on my radar as a place I’ve wanted to visit. The motivation for my journey to the megacity came from…

Wells Fargo, Choice Hotels International, Inc., and Mastercard are joining forces to roll out a new co-branded hotel credit card. Previously, Choice Hotels had partnered with Barclays for its Choice Privileges^® Visa Signature^® Card, which is no longer available to…

UPDATE: The status match opportunity between World of Hyatt and MGM Rewards ended on September 30, 2023. Holland America has introduced a status match offer that may give you an opportunity to score a free cruise if you hold elite…

Sometimes you need a carefree vacation where the most difficult choice to make is whether to have chicken or fish for dinner. This is particularly true after the holiday season, which can be a stressful and anxiety-inducing time for many…

Airline: Turkish Airlines (TK)Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 (TC-LLA)Flight #: TK186Route: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Istanbul Airport (IST)Date: January 13, 2023Duration: 10hr 15minCabin and Layout: Business class, 30-seats, 1-2-1Seat: 8ACost: 63,000 Avianca LifeMiles or from $4,151 cash I’ve long heard…

While it’s commonly understood that you can use Marriott Bonvoy points to book free hotel night awards at Marriott properties worldwide, the Marriott Bonvoy program also delivers a valuable way to use your points besides on hotel stays — by…

Update: The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. For those who often fly with American Airlines, the Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® is a desirable card due to its valuable perks and lounge access benefit. While…

In what has become a semiannual tradition for my family over the years, we spent a weekend on Florida’s Gulf Coast at our favorite hotel — the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa.  With 2 young kids and an infant…

The Miami Centurion Lounge is one of the most popular lounges in American Express’ series of premium lounges for premium cardholders. Because I live in South Florida and have access to the Miami Centurion Lounge, courtesy of , I try…