There’s a lot to go over, so here’s what you need to know.

Breeze Coming to Second Connecticut City

Breeze Airways will make New Haven its 64th city, with service to Tweed New Haven Airport starting on December 10, 2024. Here’s a list of routes coming to HVN this fall and winter:

• Fort Myers (RSW): 5x weekly starting December 10
• Orlando (MCO): 5x weekly starting December 11; daily starting February 5, 2025
• West Palm Beach (PBI): 5x weekly starting December 11
• Vero Beach (VRB): 2x weekly starting December 13
• Charleston (CHS): 4x weekly starting February 6, 2025
• Jacksonville (JAX): 2x weekly starting February 6, 2025
• Norfolk (ORF): 2x weekly starting February 6, 2025
• Richmond (RIC): 2x weekly starting February 6, 2025
• Raleigh-Durham (RDU): 2x weekly starting February 7, 2025
• Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ): 2x weekly starting February 7, 2025
• New Orleans (MSY): 2x weekly, one stop/no change of plane BreezeThru service starting February 6, 2025

“From ‘Day One,’ our playbook has included significant growth across the Northeast region of the U.S. due to the high population density and limited nonstop travel options,” said Lukas Johnson, Breeze Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer.

Johnson went on to say that Breeze has been a “game-changer” for airports such as Hartford (BDL), Providence (PVD), and New Haven. Plus, Breeze says it intends to offer international flights from BDL in the coming months.

But Breeze isn’t the only low-cost airline throwing its hat in the ring in New Haven. As we reported earlier today, Avelo Airlines announced on August 13, 2024, that it would also add more flights from New Haven. The airline will add nonstop service to New Orleans (MSY) beginning November 14 and will increase service to San Juan (SJU) from 2x weekly to 4x weekly beginning November 8, 2024.

Breeze is offering tickets on the new routes from New Haven starting at $49 each way. You can check out FlyBreeze.com for the full details (including blackout and travel dates) for more information.

Final Thoughts

This is great news for Breeze, as it makes New Haven a major hub for its flights. This news is even sweeter when you consider that Avelo is also expanding in New Haven. If you were thinking of trying out Breeze, now’s a great time — especially with tickets so cheap!

The Doha-based airline has announced that from Thursday, August 15, it will become the only airline to serve caviar in business class when passengers on 13 of its routes will get to enjoy the expensive and exclusive delicacy.

“The introduction of caviar service, commonly available only in first class cabins, further elevates Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class experience,” said Xia Cai, senior vice president of product development and design at Qatar Airways.

Here’s more on how you can enjoy caviar when flying Qatar’s business class.

Qatar’s Business Class Caviar Service

For some, eating caviar on a plane is the pinnacle of in-flight luxury. So much so, that some frequent luxury travelers would go as far as to say that first class isn’t first class without caviar.

With Qatar’s introduction of the lavish dish in business class on some routes, its soft product offering soars to the next level of luxury in the same way that its QSuite hard product is a cut above the rest.

Starting August 15, business class passengers flying between Doha (DOH) and the following global cities will get to enjoy caviar on their flights: Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Hong Kong (HKG), Houston (IAH), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), Melbourne (MEL), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), São Paulo (GRU), Singapore (SIN), Sydney (SYD), and Washington D.C. (IAD).

The news comes just weeks after the airline unveiled its next-generation QSuite cabin which is set to grace our skies at the end of 2025 when the airline takes delivery of the hotly anticipated Boeing 777X.

Final Thoughts

Qatar Airways business class passengers are in for an extra treat from August 15 when menus on select routes will feature caviar — a dish historically only associated with first class.

It will be interesting to see whether the airline decides to roll-out caviar on all business class flights, or whether it will remain exclusive to certain ‘premium’ routes.

Starting in November, Connecticut’s airline will add a nonstop service to New Orleans (MSY) and more weekly frequencies to Puerto Rico.

“Avelo is proud to be Connecticut’s Airline and continue growth in New Haven with a new route to New Orleans, plus more Puerto Rico flights this winter and increased Customer capacity,” said Andrew Levy, CEO at Avelo.

Let’s take a more detailed look at Avelo’s New Haven expansion.

Avelo Connects New Haven and New Orleans

From November 14, Avelo will connect New Haven and New Orleans with a nonstop service.

“With New Haven’s focus on cultural equity and economic opportunity, New Orleans is an exceptionally important new destination,” said Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven.

The news comes just a week after Avelo announced a new route from Wilmington (ILG) to Atlanta (ATL) starting November 8.

Avelo’s arrival in the Big Easy heralds the addition of a brand new city to the airline’s route map.

The route will operate on Thursdays and Sundays with the following schedule.

• Depart New Haven (HVN) 6:30 a.m. — Arrive New Orleans (MSY) 8:59 a.m.
• Depart New Orleans (MSY) 10:14 a.m. — Arrive New Haven (HVN) 2:21 p.m.

New Orleans brings Avelo’s total number of destinations served from New Haven to 27.

Increased Frequency to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is having a moment, and Avelo is taking advantage of the increased interest in the popular year-round sunshine destination by adding more weekly nonstop services from New Haven.

From November 8, Avelo will ramp up weekly flights to San Juan (SJU) from 2 to 4 with operations scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Final Thoughts

The addition of a new destination, combined with the increase in frequency to Puerto Rico, is a testament to Avelo’s solid growth and success at its home base of New Haven.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted on any more Avelo network updates as and when we get them.

Here are all of the details of this offer.

American Airlines Cruises Bonus Offer: Earn up to 5x Miles

There are so many websites for booking cruises, and we have found that they usually have identical or incredibly similar prices. The difference comes in the bonuses and perks offered.

If you’re a fan of American Airlines, you’ll be excited to learn about American Airlines Cruises, a website that allows you to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points when booking cruises.

Make a new booking for select cruises by August 16, 2024, to earn double miles on your booking. Normally, you’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent, but this offer turns that into 2 AA miles per dollar.

If you have an American Airlines credit card, however, you can earn up to 5x miles on your spending. Through August 31, 2024, you can earn an additional 3 miles per dollar spent, providing a total of 5 miles on each dollar spent. This offer applies to balcony staterooms and suites for sailings in 2024.

Bear in mind that you need to book through American Airlines Cruises to be eligible for bonus miles.

Win 1 Million Miles With American Airlines Cruises

How does winning part of 1 million AA miles sound? Through September 30, 2024, American Airlines Cruises is giving away huge prizes, and there’s no purchase necessary to enter.

Go to the sweepstakes page and fill out the form, including your AAdvantage number. You must be a U.S. resident age 21 or older to enter.

The grand prize winner will get 500,000 bonus miles and a 7-night cruise for 2 in a balcony stateroom, sailing with Royal Caribbean. An additional 5 winners will get 100,000 AA miles each — for a total of 1 million miles available in this giveaway.

Final Thoughts

American Airlines Cruises is offering up to 5x bonus miles by booking cruises through August 31. These deals are being offered across multiple cruise lines for cruises of varying lengths. Plus, you could win a share of 1 million AA miles by filling out a form before September 30.

If you’ve been considering booking a cruise — and the price is comparable to booking direct — it may be worth it to book through American Airlines and earn a nice chunk of bonus miles. If nothing else, enter the drawing before the deadline for a chance at a free cruise and a big chunk of miles.

If you’re hopping over the pond on Delta, here’s what you need to know to stay connected throughout your flight — including Delta’s new timeline for offering Wi-Fi on its international flights.

How To Get Free Wi-Fi on Delta Flights

In order to get complimentary Wi-Fi on Delta Air Lines, you need to be a Delta SkyMiles member. The airline previously trialed free Wi-Fi for Medallion elite members, but now the connectivity will be open to all, so long as you’re a SkyMiles member. Once you connect to the inflight signal, you’ll be given a chance to enter your credentials; if you’re not a SkyMiles member, you’ll be given the opportunity to join at that time.

Here’s a quick guide from Delta on how to connect while in flight.

Additionally, Wi-Fi is not available around the globe. Here’s where Delta currently has connectivity, according to its website:

• United States (contiguous 48 States): Full Wi-Fi coverage
• Hawaii and Alaska: No Wi-Fi coverage over the Pacific Ocean
• Canada and Mexico: Full Wi-Fi coverage
• Europe: Full Wi-Fi coverage
• South America: Limited Wi-Fi coverage
• Asia: No Wi-Fi coverage
• Africa: No Wi-Fi coverage

“As we continue to roll out fast, free Wi-Fi and the in-flight experiences it powers, we’re able to serve customers traveling both domestically and internationally in new, in-the-moment ways. The scale at which we’re bringing free Wi-Fi to customers is unmatched in the airline industry, and it’s a testament to the incredible efforts of Delta teams across the business that have expertly navigated an extremely complex rollout.”

Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Customer Experience Design

Which Planes Are Eligible?

Delta has done a fantastic job of expanding its Wi-Fi capabilities since offering it free to all customers a few years ago. However, not all planes are built the same, and each model has different internet structures. If you have a Delta flight booked soon, check what kind of plane you’ll be flying to see what you can expect for internet.

Here’s how they stack up, according to Delta:

• Fast, Free Wi-Fi, provided by Viasat: A220-300, A319, A320, A321ceo, A321neo, 737-800, 737-900, and 757-200H/D,
• Paid Wi-Fi, provided by Viasat: A330-200*, A330-300*, A330-900*, A350*, 757-300*, 767-300*, and 767-400*
• Paid Wi-Fi, provided by Wi-Fi Onboard: A330-200*, A330-300*, A330-900*, A350*, 757-300*, 767-300*, 767-400*, CRJ700, CRJ900, and ERJ170

However, messaging (i.e., WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger) remains free on all flights.

*Not available on all aircraft of this model.

Delta International Wi-Fi Schedule

Delta rolled out free Wi-Fi on most flights to and from Paris (CDG and NCE airports). Now, the airline plans to offer this perk on more international routes. While this timeline is subject to change, but here’s when Delta plans to offer Wi-Fi on these flights:

• August 2024: United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Italy
• September 2024: Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland
• October 2024: South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) followed by Hawaii
• December 2024 or January 2025: Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal  
• Mid- to late-2025: Transpacific region (including Asia, Australia, and New Zealand) and South Africa

Delta’s regional routes will follow a similar process, offering free Wi-Fi in 2025, which includes Boeing 717 aircraft.

Delta Sync

The Delta Sync product continues to expand on its inflight digital services and experiences for SkyMiles members, including:

Free Paramount+

Customers can watch free Paramount+ entertainment on built-in inflight entertainment screens. This includes movies and TV shows, and you don’t need a previous subscription to watch.

Atlas Obscura

Customers can view guides to destinations throughout the world through Atlas Obscura. This is a free service to all customers, letting you explore the ins and outs of the place you’re flying to.

New York Times Games

Are you a puzzle geek? You can enjoy free puzzles such as Wordle and crossword puzzles thanks to a partnership with the New York Times.

Walmart+ Membership Free Trial

If you don’t already have Walmart+, you can unlock your 30-day free trial of Walmart+ and a new bonus offer when you sign up.

Final Thoughts

Delta is making solid strides to bring internet connectivity to all its customers. But like any large corporate initiative, it will be a while before it’s fully rolled out. We’re seeing progress, though, and now we have an expected timeline.

Determined to see her again, I considered heading to Vegas but was put off by the exorbitant ticket prices. Then, completely out of the blue, Jaz — a dear friend of 20 years — messaged me to say she had a spare ticket to Adele’s opening night concert in Munich on a Friday.

Without even contemplating the logistics, I said yes. Then, I saw the price of flights and hotels that would take the cost of this short trip to over $2,000. With a bit of flexibility, thinking outside the box, and good luck to boot, points and miles saved the day and made this trip financially feasible.

Redeeming Avios for Flights to Munich

Living in London, a quick 90-minute hop to Munich (MUC) should only have cost me a couple of hundred dollars max, right? Wrong.

August means it’s the peak summer travel season in Europe, so flights are already pretty full. Add in the fact this was a very last-minute trip at just 2 days before I would fly, and prices were sky high.

As the show was due to start at 7:30 p.m., I wanted to make sure I’d be in Munich around midafternoon to account for any delays and give me time to drop my bag off at the hotel. The lowest priced nonstop options were super early in the morning and already well over $400, with the cheapest departure at 6:55 a.m. coming in at £333 ($424).

As someone who needs at least 8 hours of sleep to function properly, I’m pretty steadfast when it comes to early flights and will avoid the grogginess and brain fog that comes with getting up before 6 a.m., if I can.

Things were already looking expensive, but I was sure I could find something better. My next port of call was to log in to my trusty British Airways Executive Club account. Despite the ridiculous taxes and fees that BA adds onto long haul redemptions, the airline’s Reward Flight Saver redemptions for short haul flights can prove excellent value.

When I first checked on the Tuesday that I found out about the ticket, the only Avios option available would have had me arriving after the start of the concert.

At this point, I almost gave up.

Knowing that airlines update award seat availability on a regular basis, I checked again as soon as I woke up. There was availability — only in business class — on a flight that would get me from London Heathrow (LHR) into Munich at 3:45 p.m. Perfect.

BA’s Reward Flight Saver redemptions also let you pay with a combination of Avios and cash. I went for the 9,750 Avios plus £37 ($47) option, a balanced mix of Avios and cash. (In comparison, the economy seats left on this flight were on sale for around $700 one-way.)

I wouldn’t normally choose to fly business class on short haul flights in Europe_, as there’s really nothing special about it. However, given this was my only way of not paying hundreds of pounds to fly economy, I went for it.

I tend to fly British Airways less and less these days, but that’s a story for another day.

Needless to say, I’ve never had reason to complain about business class catering on departure from Heathrow, and this salmon and avocado salad with a dreamy chocolate dessert was no exception.

I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed the meal so much had I paid the full $1,200 fare without Avios!

My flight landed on schedule, which meant I was able to make it to Adele World on time. Adele’s specially designed, 80,000-capacity venue was impressive, to say the least.

Booking A “Free” Night at a 5-Star Hotel in Munich

Before deciding where to stay after the concert, I checked both my Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt accounts to see which would offer me the best value redemption.

Bonvoy showed zero availability using points at any of its Munich properties. Meanwhile, Hyatt saved the day with availability showing at only 1 hotel — the Andaz Schwabinger Tor, where I stayed back in April for the first-ever Lufthansa Allegris flight. I really enjoyed my stay the first time around, so I was happy that it would be my only option.

The 1-night stay would have set me back just 20,000 Hyatt points, which was nothing short of a steal considering the nightly cash rate was €703 ($766)! For reference, Upgraded Points values 20,000 Hyatt points at around $300.

Unlike when redeeming miles for flights, there are no taxes and fees to be paid when booking a stay with points at a Hyatt hotel. So, for all intents and purposes, this does mean my stay at the Andaz was technically free.

Returning to London From Munich With Avios

At first glance, it didn’t look like I’d be able to get home from Munich on Saturday with no award availability. To make things even more complicated for myself, I was moving on Saturday back in London, so needed to be on a flight landing in the early afternoon, at the latest.

I did check my Air France-KLM Flying Blue account, but these flights were via Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS), so the journey times would have been unnecessarily long. Not only that, but the cheapest one-way back from Munich to London was around 44,000 Flying Blue miles that I didn’t have in my account.

This particular instance was a great example of flexibility being key to a successful miles redemption.

With nothing available from Munich, I tried other airports where BA flies to that were less than a 3-hour train ride from Munich.

After checking availability from Frankfurt (FRA) and even Salzburg (SZG) and Innsbruck (INN) in Austria (where I now realize BA only flies seasonally in the winter for skiing), Stuttgart (STR) came up trumps with award availability on the 12 p.m. departure, once again in business class.

Even though this would mean a ridiculously early start on Saturday morning to arrive in Stuttgart enough in advance of my flight, this was the only way I could make this happen.

Another 9,750 Avios and £37 ($47) left my accounts, bringing my running cash total to just £74 ($94) for return business class flights to Germany. Not bad, right?

Taking the French TGV From Munich to Stuttgart

The next item on my agenda was booking the journey from Munich to Stuttgart Airport.

I headed to the Deutsche Bahn website, which is the hub for all rail travel within Germany. There was a train departing from Munich’s Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) at 6:49 a.m., with a scheduled arrival in Stuttgart at 9:01 a.m. before it continued to Paris.

I could have booked a slightly later train (and had a little more sleep) operated by Deutsche Bahn, but taking a French train in Germany that would cross international borders is a fun quirk of continental European train travel that I find rather fun.

The 2-hour journey in regular class cost €29 ($31), which I thought was a bargain. At the payment stage, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade to first class for €9 ($9.80) which, of course, I did.

With the cost of my train journey at $42, the final cash total for the transportation for this trip came to $136. That’s less than half the cost of what a one-way from London to Munich would have cost me in economy if I didn’t have Avios!

I chose the upstairs of the double decker first class carriage. It featured large comfy seats with a table or tray for each passenger, as well as European power outlets and a small trash bin.

An announcement at the start of the journey stated that first class passengers would enjoy an at-seat service, which I took as meaning complimentary. Unlike in the U.S. and the U.K., though, first class passengers aboard this French TGV had to pay for their drinks and snacks.

Nothing on the menu really jumped out at me. As I’d only had a McDonald’s espresso at this point, I was starving. So I went for a simple ham and cheese sandwich and a sparkling water.

My “breakfast” cost me a total of €10.30 ($11.20). I’d have probably asked for a refund if I’d paid any more, as this was the driest, most flavorless ham and cheese sandwich I’d ever had in my life.

Return Flight to London

The meal on the return leg back to Heathrow looked colorful and delicious, but the chicken was very dry. The quality of the meal was nowhere near as good as on my flight from Heathrow to Munich.

Final Thoughts

Points and miles are certainly the key to flying in the world’s best first class or staying at the swankiest resorts in dreamy destinations like the Maldives.

However, saving money on last-minute trips is, without a doubt, one of my favorite ways to use my points and miles. In the end, my total spend for business class flights, a first class train ticket, and a night in a 5-star hotel came to just $136!

Was I knackered after a whirlwind 20 hours in Germany? Yes. Was it worth it to see one of the best female singers of all time? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Without a doubt.

Right now, there’s an offer for $150 cash-back on purchases with French Bee, the low-cost carrier with flights to Tahiti, Réunion, the U.S., and Paris. Here are the details.

French Bee Amex Offer — Details

When you spend at least $750 on your eligible American Express credit card between now and October 1, 2024, you can get $150 back as a statement credit. That’s thanks to the latest Amex Offer from French Bee.

Amex Offers are targeted, meaning you may not see this offer on all of your Amex credit cards — or any of them. However, it’s worth checking your accounts and those of others in your family.

Once you find the offer, you need to add it to your card and then use that same card to make your purchase with French Bee. Otherwise, you won’t receive the $150 credit.

Assuming you spend exactly $750, receiving a $150 credit amounts to a 20% savings on your upcoming trip with French Bee.

There are several important terms you need to know for this offer. First, it only applies to new bookings made at us.frenchbee.com/en or by calling 1-833-376-7158. Additionally, the offer only applies to departures from the U.S. paid for in U.S. dollars. Lastly, the offer applies to airfare as well as “sales of extra baggage, sports equipment, seat assignment, a la carte menu orders, Plus Services, and Service Packs.” However, onboard purchases and mobile app purchases are excluded from this offer.

What Is French Bee?

French Bee is a low-cost carrier operating out of Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) with service to Newark (EWR), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO). From San Francisco, the airline also offers service to Tahiti (PPT). French Bee also flies to Réunion (RUN) in the Indian Ocean.

In 2023, French Bee joined TSA PreCheck, meaning enrolled members can use this perk when flying out of U.S. airports.

Final Thoughts

If your upcoming travel plans include French Bee, look for an Amex Offer to save $150. You’ll need to add the offer to your card and complete the payment by October 1 to qualify.

Besides the world-class tennis matches, select American Express cardholders can enjoy a suite of benefits, including lounge access, exclusive activities, exclusive dining reservations, discounts, and more, from August 26 through September 8, 2024.

So, let’s take a look at the details.

Centurion Lounge

One of the biggest perks is the Centurion Lounge — reserved for those with The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Business Centurion® Card from American Express, or the Centurion® Card from American Express.

Located on the second level of Louis Armstrong Stadium, this exclusive pop-up lounge will feature curated dishes by famous chefs Michael Solomonov of Laser Wolf and Zahav & Chef Cédric Vongerichten of Wayan and  Ma•Dé, specialty cocktails, wine offerings, and gifts.

To access the U.S. Open Centurion Lounge, you need to make a reservation via Resy. However, there will also be an option for waitlist access during the event. Same-day reservations are available at 10 a.m. local time each day, starting on August 26, 2024.

Amex Platinum cardmembers can make U.S. Open Centurion Lounge reservations for up to 2 people, while Centurion members may make reservations for up to 4 people. Reservations provide lounge access for 1 hour, and you can only make 1 reservation per day.

Card Member Lounge

All American Express cardmembers will have free access to the American Express Card Member Lounge on the second level of the American Express U.S. Open Fan Experience.

This air-conditioned space will feature a long list of goodies, including, cocktails, massages, phone chargers, and more.

Each cardholder can bring 2 guests into the lounge with them.

Front Row Table With Don Angie and San Sabino

Another premium experience you can book through Resy provides a dining experience from chefs Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, bringing together their two Resy restaurants, Don Angie & San Sabino. This experience will take place on September 28, 2024, at 6:15 p.m.

You’ll enter via Lot A and follow the signs to the Players Entrance for this unique experience. Centurion card and Amex Platinum card members will have first dibs on bookings. If any tickets remain after September 5 at noon ET, these will be available to guests with any other American Express card (excluding prepaid cards).

Cardholders can make only 1 reservation, up to a maximum of 4 people. Tickets cost $195 each and include behind-the-scenes tours, a cocktail hour, family-style dinner, and more.

Amex Offer

Enroll your American Express card in an Amex Offer to get $10 back after spending $100 or more at on-site merchants at the U.S. Open. This offer is valid through September 9, 2024.

You can look for this offer and enroll your card here.

Bag Check Discount

Due to strict security and bag limitations, guests are only allowed 1 bag no larger than 12 x 12 x 16 inches.

Guests with extra bags will be directed to the bag storage facility located outside the South and East gates. There will be a “nominal charge” for checked bags; however, Amex cardholders can save $5 per card.

American Express Radios

With matches playing at the same time, you may want to watch one and listen to another.

Cardholders will have access to American Express Radios that will have the ESPN live broadcast, so no you won’t miss out on the action.

These earpiece radios are limited to 1 per card and only while supplies last.

Fan Experience

Everyone loves a souvenir or something to remember a fun experience, and there will be no shortage of either at the 2024 U.S. Open.

Fans can also rally against legends at the TopSpin 2K25 gaming station inside the American Express Fan Experience. Of course, there will be plenty of concessions to purchase at the checkout-free American Express Shop in the South Plaza.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. Open is one of the most popular sporting events of the year — and the most prestigious tennis tournament in the U.S. — so getting special perks and discounts is always welcome.

For Amex cardholders, those are plentiful this year. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance if you want to guarantee access to the Centurion Lounge.

Besides that, grab a cocktail and enjoy some world-class tennis matches!

Plus, for a limited time, you’ll earn 3x points along the way. What is Paisly, you ask, and how does this new promotion work? We’ve got all the details.

What Is JetBlue Paisly?

Paisly is JetBlue‘s travel booking portal, which offers rental cars, hotels, activities, and vacation home rentals. Normally, you’ll earn 1 JetBlue TrueBlue point per dollar spent here.

Bookings through Paisly also help you earn tiles for JetBlue Mosaic status and Perks You Pick benefits.

New Paisly Promotion With Vrbo

Paisly now offers bookings on over 850,000 Vrbo properties, letting you earn TrueBlue points and tiles on your reservations. You’ll also save 10% on 1-week rentals and 15% when renting for a month.

Plus, to celebrate this new partnership, you can earn triple JetBlue points on Vrbo bookings made through Paisly. This offer runs through August 25, 2024, providing 3x points, rather than the typical 1x earnings.

Note that this promotion only applies to new bookings made through paisly.com or by calling 855-860-2583. You need to add your JetBlue TrueBlue account number during booking to get credit. Also, note that the 3x earnings only apply to the base price of your reservation, not to taxes and fees.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking to book a vacation home for your next trip, this can be a great chance to earn extra points. Moreover, it will help you toward JetBlue elite status, if that’s one of your travel goals.

But should you book a Vrbo rental through Paisly simply to earn extra points? Probably not. You’ll want to compare your travel plans against your options to choose the right property for you — whether that’s a hotel or a vacation rental property — and compare costs through different booking platforms.

After looking at your options, if Vrbo is the right one for you, then booking through Paisly to earn JetBlue points and tiles provides a solid option. And that’s especially true with the current promotion for extra points.

Final Thoughts

JetBlue’s travel platform, Paisly, now offers over 850,000 Vrbo rentals. To celebrate, you can earn 3x points on bookings made through August 25, 2024.

Beyond that, you’ll continue to earn 1 point per dollar spent through Paisly and earn 1 tile toward elite status for every $100 spent.

But wait, there’s more. Rakuten offers the option to earn rewards through American Express Membership Rewards points, which can often represent a much better value.

This offer is normally just 20%, so this is a big boost in rewards. Let’s dig into the details, as this deal never sticks around for long.

Rakuten 100% Cash-Back Deal

Rakuten is currently offering 100% cash-back (or 100x Amex points per $1) at NordVPN. This promotion won’t last long, so you’ll want to move quickly if you want to score some bonus cash or points.

Once you log into your Rakuten account, you can find the NordVPN offer here.

Normally, Rakuten offers 20% back with NordVPN, so this is a great opportunity to score some cash-back or some valuable American Express Membership Rewards points. Plus, having a good VPN is one of our most essential travel tools.

Cash-Back vs. Amex Membership Rewards Points

As mentioned above, Rakuten users can choose between earning cash-back or Amex Membership Rewards points on purchases.

Which is the right choice for you? That’s a personal decision, of course, but many of us in the points-and-miles community love the opportunity to earn extra Amex points at a relatively low “cost.”

With the current promotion offering 100% cash-back, an $84 subscription would net $84 in cash-back or 8,400 Membership Rewards points. That’s the price for the Basic plan — the cheapest option for 2 years.

The fine print states that “Cash Back is earned only on the NordVPN Basic plan portion of a bundled subscription of Plus or Ultimate plans.” So, your mileage may vary if you buy one of the more expensive packages.

For context, we value 8,400 Amex points at $184.80 for travel. That’s more than double the value of choosing to earn cash-back from Rakuten.

Final Thoughts

If you were thinking about signing up for a VPN, now could be a great time. That’s especially true with NordVPN, as you could get it for free, or get a hefty chunk of American Express Membership Rewards points — which are some of our favorite points to earn.

Remember that these deals never stick around long, so you if your interested, we recommend picking a plan today.

Here’s everything you need to know about saving on your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Reduced Rates at Disney Springs

Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are located within the Walt Disney World Resort area in Orlando Florida, making them very attractive accommodation options for a Disney vacation — without the price tag of some of the on-property hotels.

The following hotels are participating in the sale — and each is has its own promotional rate available on select dates.

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando — $95
• Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando — $127.49
• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace — $182
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista — $165
• Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs — $79
• Renaissance Orlando Resort and Spa — $127
• Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista — $84

To score your discount, you must book a room via the promotional website for stays between August 15 and November 23, 2024. As always, special rates are subject to availability, and note that there may be blackout dates to consider. The special rate does not include resort service fees, daily parking, taxes, or gratuities.

While these properties aren’t part of the Disney portfolio, they’re all classified as Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels. This means guests at these hotels receive Disney-specific benefits like complimentary transportation to and from the parks each day, early park access, and more.

Make sure to look at hotel details before booking to ensure you choose the right one for your family. On-site amenities and breakfast inclusions vary.

Final Thoughts

A Walt Disney World vacation can often be a very expensive endeavor, and discounts are hard to come by. This promotion stacks nicely with the current Walt Disney World Summer Ticket Offer, so if you were planning a trip to visit Mickey soon, we are about to save you some serious cash on both your hotel stay and your park tickets.

Right now, however, you can use 2 great promotions to save on both your park ticket and hotel. For a family of 4, that could save hundreds or more over the course of a week. And don’t forget that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open!

Disney understood the assignment this year and delivered information about new lands at Walt Disney World in Florida and rides at Disneyland in California. Yes, that means we are finally getting a Villians Land!

Plus, we’ll see new rides for Cars, Coco, Encanto, Indiana Jones, Monsters, Inc., and more!

Let’s take a look at what’s coming to Disney parks and experiences!

D23 2024 Recap

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event ran from August 9 to 11, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It was packed with Disney stars, Disney Legends, celebrities, and fans.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro walked everyone through the upcoming plans for the parks, experiences, and more.

“Disney Experiences is embarking on an accelerated path of ambitious growth and innovation. With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future, whether it be in our theme parks, on our cruise ships or through our partnership with Epic Games in the digital space.”

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman

New attractions will be added to parks around the world; here is what guests in the U.S. can look forward to.

Walt Disney World

Out of all the announced news, fans of Walt Disney World have the most to look forward to.

With 7 new attractions coming to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, park hopping will be a popular choice.

Villains Land

Fans have been asking for this, and Disney will deliver as part of Magic Kingdom’s largest expansion in history.

Work is “already underway” on a new land — in a space that’s been known as Beyond Big Thunder — for Disney Villains at Magic Kingdom. But beyond that, no timeline has been announced.

This new land will feature 2 new attractions plus dining and shopping options.

Monsters, Inc. Land

Monsters, Inc. Land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will feature the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park.

Guests will be able to zoom through the door vault in the factory, just like Mike and Sulley, and walk the streets alongside their favorite monsters!

Cars

Ka-Chow! Magic Kingdom is getting 2 new “Cars” attractions in Frontierland!

To make room for Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and friends, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will be transformed into a “Cars” -themed area that will take guests beyond Radiator Springs.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025.

Tropical Americas

We’ve been hearing rumors about Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom for years; we finally have some solid answers.

The 11-acre area will feature 2 new signature attractions, dining, shopping, and more.

Indiana Jones will take over what is currently Dinosaur, and guests will follow Indy deep into an ancient Maya temple.

Tropical Americas will also feature the first-ever “Encanto” -themed ride where guests will travel alongside the Madrigal family inside the beloved Casita!

Construction is scheduled to start later this year and be complete by 2027.

Nighttime Parade

Magic Kingdom is getting a brand-new nighttime parade!

Disney Starlight will carry on the legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade using the latest technology and will feature films including “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.

Guests can experience this new parade in the summer of 2025!

Disneyland

Disneyland is getting some big improvements as well, with new rides and even a Walt Disney audio-animatronic!

Avatar

Avatar is heading to Disney California Adventure!

This new land and ride will be based on the film “Avatar: The Way of Water” and upcoming Avatar films, so it will feel much different than the Animal Kingdom version.

Unfortunately, no timeline has been provided for this new area.

Coco

Seize your moment! Coco is coming to Disney California Adventure!

The first-ever “Coco” ride at a Disney park will take inspiration from Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean and will feature your favorite characters and music as you make your way to the land of the dead.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Avengers

The presence of superheroes is expanding with 2 new attractions at Disneyland.

Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will double the size of the Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Disney Cruise Line

The magical news doesn’t stop on land; Disney Cruise Line had lots to share, as well.

New Ships

Disney Cruise Line will add 4 new ships to its fleet, bringing its future count up to 13 — though only 5 are currently sailing.

These new ships still don’t have names, designs, or itineraries available to the public but are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.

Final Thoughts

D23 is always a big event for Disney fans, but this year’s made headlines for all the right reasons.

Disney “understood the assignment” and delivered what fans were asking for: more lands, more rides, and — finally — a land for villains!

Only time will tell when we’ll actually see all of these promises come to life, but based on recent construction permits, it could be sooner than later!

Singapore Airlines is adjusting its schedule, ending service between Houston and Manchester in early 2025. Here’s what you need to know.

End of Singapore Airlines Route Between Houston and Manchester

Singapore Airlines currently operates a fifth-freedom flight between Houston (IAH) and Manchester (MAN) 5 times weekly in each direction. Those flights will continue through March 30, 2025. Starting April 1, 2025, you’ll need to explore other flight options between these cities.

Interestingly, Singapore Airlines increased the frequency of these flights in early 2024, jumping from 3 times to 5 times weekly. Apparently, this route isn’t working out for the airline. Rather than reducing frequency, the route is going away completely as part of the airline’s realignment plans.

“Singapore Airlines regularly reviews our network and routes to align our capacity with demand. These adjustments, ahead of next summer, cater to the higher demand to several destinations, particularly during the traditional mid-year peak travel season, enabling our customers to confidently make their 2025 travel plans. We look forward to connecting our customers to the world with SIA’s extensive network, and delivering an unparalleled travel experience.”

Mr. Dai Haoyu, Acting Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines

Until the Manchester-Houston service ends on March 30, 2025, it will continue to be operated by Singapore Airlines’ A350 aircraft.

Other Routing Options Going Forward

Singapore Airlines is the only airline offering nonstop service between Houston and Manchester. Starting April 1, 2025, you’ll need to take a connecting flight when traveling between these cities.

In terms of connecting airports, more than a dozen options exist for a 1-stop itinerary between these cities. While it’s bad news that you won’t have nonstop options going forward, the silver lining is that 1-stop options are plentiful.

Final Thoughts

Singapore Airlines will continue operating its Airbus A350 aircraft 5 times per week between Houston and Manchester through March 30. As of April 1, 2025, service will end, meaning travelers between these cities will need to explore other options, adding a connection somewhere along the way.

You can earn 70,000 Membership Rewards points with a new account — let’s take a look at the details.

New Account Offer Details

In order to earn the increased bonus of 70,000 Amex Membership Rewards points, customers will need to meet specific criteria when applying for the American Express® Business Checking account:

• Offer valid through September 30, 2024
• Deposit $15,000 within 30 days of opening your first account
• Maintain the $15,000 balance for 60 days
• Complete 5 qualifying transactions within 60 days

American Express Business Checking Benefits

This accounts offers a 1.3% APY on up to $500,000 per year. Other benefits of the account include:

• Fee-free withdrawals at MoneyPass ATMs
• Earn 1 Amex Membership Rewards point for every $2 spent
• No monthly maintenance fees

We value Amex points at 2.2 cents each, meaning this 70,000-point bonus is worth ~$1,540. Once earned, you can either choose to redeem points for cash or for travel, gift cards, and transfers to partners.

If you’ve got The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll be able to cash out those points at a rate of 1.0 cents per point. If not, the redemption rate is 0.8 cents each. Either way, this is a pretty poor redemption value and reflects less than half of what you should be getting for your points.

However, not everyone will see the 70,000-point offer. These offers are targeted, and your offer may be lower — maybe much lower. Some offers provide just 30,000 points after making $5,000 in deposits. You can check your offer here.

Redeeming Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards points can be used in a variety of ways, but you’ll find the best value to be had is by transferring them over to the Amex airline partners. Check out our guide to the best ways to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a small business owner looking for a new business checking account, Amex wants to speak to you. With minimal qualifying activities, you’ll be able to score a 70,000-point welcome bonus, though be aware that the account is subject to approval.

The information regarding the American Express® Business Checking was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Let’s take a look.

Award Deal — Details

Depending on when you’re going, you’ll be flying nonstop on United or Lufthansa in business class, which means you’ll soon be sipping your way across the skies.

• Class: Business
• Routes: Boston (BOS), New York City (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington, D.C. (IAD), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), and Denver (DEN) to Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC)
• Dates: November 2024 to June 2025
• Rates: As few as 60,000 points one-way

We’ve found as many as 9 seats available on these flights, and when we say wide-open, we mean it.

Here’s a look at United’s fare calendar for March and April of next year. The 88,000-mile rates will be operated by a partner airline, while the 80,000 rates are from United.

As you can see, you can fly business class to Germany every single day at the saver-level rate. This continues on through the end of the calendar for many rates, including dates during spring break. Another option for searching numerous dates (and numerous airports) at once is using a tool like Seats.Aero.

Don’t book with United, however. Instead, save your miles and opt to book with Air Canada Aeroplan, which is less expensive.

This is true even for the nonstop flights operated by United!

Aeroplan prices awards by distance, so you’ll pay 60,000 points per person on the shorter flights but 70,000 per passenger on longer flights in this deal.

Best Ways To Book

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to book, you can redeem 70,000 Aeroplan points for this flight. Aeroplan partners with American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards, making Aeroplan points exceptionally easy to accrue. Each of these programs transfers at a 1:1 ratio.

Final Thoughts

We’ve found oodles of award space for flights from central and eastern U.S. airports to Germany next year. Even if you aren’t planning on spending time in Frankfurt or Munich, this is a great way to get across the Atlantic. With dates available nearly every day from November through June, now is the time to book!

Sandals Resorts are couples-only, all-inclusive resorts that have been a staple in the industry for decades, while Beaches Resorts are family-friendly all-inclusive properties.

Let’s take a closer look at this new Chase Offer.

New Chase Offer: Sandals and Beaches Resorts

A new Chase Offer is available for $40 cashback after spending $400 by September 19, 2024. This offer is good for bookings directly through Sandals Resorts. This includes bookings at Beaches Resorts, a family-friendly brand that’s owned by Sandals.

You must add the offer to your card before making a purchase.

The terms state that a purchase of $400 or more must be made directly with the merchant by September 19, 2024, but you don’t have to travel by that date. If you have a trip to a Sandals or Beaches booked, it’s worth calling (1-800-SANDALS or 1-800-BEACHES) to make a $400 payment now so you can qualify for the $40 cashback.

How To Use Chase Offers

Chase Offers are card-linked offers that are available on Chase credit cards. They are targeted, so you won’t see the same offers on every card you have.

Out of 16 Chase cards, my husband and I only saw this offer on a couple of cards — my old Chase Freedom® card (no longer available) and our Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. However, other Upgraded Points staffers saw this offer on different cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Is It Worth It?

It’s great to save money when you can, and if you have a vacation at Sandals or Beaches coming up, it’s totally worth making a $400 payment by September 19, 2024. However, saving $40 on a vacation that costs thousands of dollars isn’t too exciting, so it’s not a reason to go out and make a booking unless you were already planning to.

Final Thoughts

There’s a new Chase Offer for $40 back after spending $400 or more at Sandals or Beaches Resorts by September 19, 2024. While this isn’t a reason to go out and book a new vacation, if you already have a trip planned to a Sandals Resort, it’s worth making a payment to take advantage of this new Chase Offer.

When we first heard about the fee increase, we wondered how this would affect credit cards providing a Global Entry application fee credit — would they adjust or would they keep the benefit the same, leaving you to cover the additional cost yourself?

Luckily, there’s good news here, as major credit card issuers have all adjusted their benefits, letting you enjoy Global Entry with no out-of-pocket cost. Here’s the latest on how each issuer is treating the increased fee and credit cards providing Global Entry benefits.

Increased Global Entry Fee

Presently, a 5-year Global Entry membership costs $100. As we learned back in April, that number is going up to $120, starting on October 1, 2024.

Another element to this change involves minors: Those with a parent or guardian who has Global Entry can access these arrival lanes at no charge when traveling together.

Citi Adjusting Global Entry Benefit

Citi was first to report that it would adjust its Global Entry benefit to match the increased fee. There are 2 Citi credit cards offering a Global Entry fee statement credit: the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and Citi Prestige® Card, though the Citi Prestige card is closed to new applicants. This benefit, starting October 1, 2024, will offer up to $120 in statement credits every 4 years.

Chase Adjusting Global Entry Benefit

Just 5 days after Citi’s announcement, Chase announced it would also adjust the Global Entry benefit, providing up to $120 in statement credits when the fee increases on October 1, 2024. This benefit will continue to be available every 4 years.

Many Chase credit cards offer this benefit, including Chase Sapphire Reserve®, United℠ Explorer Card, Aeroplan® Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card.

Barclays Adjusting Benefit on 1 Card

While several Barclays-issued credit cards offer a statement credit for your Global Entry application fee, most of them aren’t increasing this benefit. The only card seeing an increase to $120 in this benefit is the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®, which isn’t open to new applicants. However, you can find this adjusted benefit mentioned among the card’s perks.

American Express Adjusting Global Entry Benefit

On October 1, 2024, American Express will also increase the maximum statement credit to up to $120, available once every 4 years for Global Entry application fees. Additional terms apply, which you can read here.

Numerous Amex cards offer this benefit, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion® Card from American Express, and Business Centurion® Card from American Express. However, there also exist co-branded cards offering this expanded perk, including Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, for example.

Capital One Adjusting Global Entry Benefit

When the fee goes up from $100 to $120 on October 1, 2024, the maximum coverage amount will also go up on the Capital One cards offering this benefit. Those include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Business Card, and Capital One Spark Miles for Business.

Final Thoughts

The cost of Global Entry is going up, from $100 to $120, on October 1. Luckily, many of the credit cards providing reimbursement for your application fee will cover this increased cost. A Global Entry membership is good for 5 years and can help you avoid lines when returning to the U.S. Even better, you can enjoy these benefits at no cost by paying with the right credit card.

And as someone who travels a ton, it’s quickly earning its way toward a spot in my wallet — here’s why.

Why I’m Considering the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card

My portfolio of credit cards is already overflowing. Since I’m trying to stay in good graces with issuers and stay under the Chase 5/24 guideline, I’m trying not to apply for as many credit cards as I have in the past.

I was initially skeptical when Wells Fargo announced it was launching its own travel credit card. When the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card came earlier this year, I didn’t think about it beyond learning that the addition of transfer partners was delayed — not a good start.

But then I took a second look — and then a third. This time, I really went into investigating Wells Fargo’s transfer partners.

While I haven’t applied for the card yet, it’s the next on my list thanks to its favorable earnings for hotels and 1 very special transfer partner.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card Beats Out Other Hotel Cards

Every hotel chain has its own co-branded credit cards, whether you’re looking at World of Hyatt or Marriott Bonvoy. And while these credit cards will offer strong earnings on purchases within their respective chains, they fall flat when it comes to charges with competitors.

In contrast, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card rewards you for spend on all hotel purchases:

• 5x points per $1 spent on hotels
• 4x points per $1 spent on airlines
• 3x points per $1 spent on other travel and dining
• 1x point per $1 on other purchases

Getting 5x points for all your hotel stays is extraordinary. It beats out premium travel credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which earns 3x Ultimate Rewards on all travel but comes with a steep annual fee of .

Of course, this isn’t even touching on the 4x points you get for airline purchases or the 3x for other travel and at restaurants, both of which match or beat other competitors despite the fact that the card charges just a annual fee (rates & fees).

Wells Fargo’s Transfer Partners Are Excellent

As a relatively new currency, the Wells Fargo Rewards program only has a few transfer partners. Officially, there are 6 airline and hotel programs:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Choice Privileges
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Iberia Plus

But because Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia all use Avios as their loyalty currency and those Avios are all transferable with one another, they really just count as a single partner.

That leaves Wells Fargo with just 3 other options. Luckily, they’re all highly useful ones.

However, probably my favorite transfer partner is the one that just about everyone else is going to ignore: Choice Privileges. If you’ve ever encountered me in real life (or on Facebook, or probably somewhere on this site), you know that I have an obsession with Choice Privileges and its reward program.

That’s because it’s so insanely generous. Sure, it’s missing flagship properties like you’d find with other chains — there aren’t any St. Regis or Waldorf Astoria equivalents, for example, but it still offers incredible value.

There are a few reasons for this. The first is that Choice allows you to book multiple room types, even suites, without charging you additional points. The same goes for additional guests within your room; there is no extra cost.

What’s more, Choice hotels offer incredibly cheap redemptions in notoriously expensive locations, such as Scandinavia. Here’s an example at the Comfort Hotel Grand Central in Oslo: You’d either pay 16,000 points or $228 for a one-night stay.

Now, unlike American Express and Capital One, both of which transfer to Choice at a 1:1 ratio, Wells Fargo points transfer to Choice at a 1:2 ratio. This matches the rate that those with eligible Citi cards receive and means you can score extraordinary deals when redeeming Choice points.

In the above example, you’d pay just 8,000 Wells Fargo points for your stay in Oslo, giving you a value of 2.85 cents per point. We value Wells Fargo points at 1.5 cents each, which means you’d be redeeming for nearly double their value!

Aside from this, the ability to use so few points for a stay is incredibly refreshing in an age when Marriott and IHG’s dynamic pricing often see rates of over 100,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

I haven’t applied for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card just yet, but it’s next on my list.

Despite its limited set of transfer partners, the card offers excellent earnings on hotel stays and other travel purchases. I love that the points transfer over to Choice at a 1:2 ratio, which means I’ll always get amazing value for the points I redeem.

To shed some light on where travelers are having the most issues, we’ve analyzed TSA Contact Center Complaint data from 2015 through 2023. Our study digs into the number and types of complaints filed at U.S. airports, revealing which airports are more prone to passengers unhappy enough to file a complaint.

From problems with expedited screening programs to mishandling of property, our analysis covers it all. Whether you’re curious about how your local airport fares or are planning your next trip, this data can help you navigate the often turbulent world of airport security. So, buckle up and read on to find out which airports top the list for the most — and least — complaints.

U.S. Airports With the Most and Least TSA Complaints

Navigating airport security is what many would call a high-stress situation. Hundreds of people funneling through checkpoints in a rush to get where they need to go will inevitably cause a few issues that often lead to formal complaints.

We analyzed TSA complaint data from 2015 to 2023, normalizing the data by passenger volume to allow for more accurate comparisons across airports of varying sizes. The average across airports in our study was 3.92 complaints per 100K passengers. 

Let’s take a look at where the complaints are levied most and least often across the U.S. 

Airports With the Most Complaints (2015 to 2023)

With 1 more complaint per 100K passengers than the airport with the second-most, Newark Liberty International Airport is the airport with the most complaints in the U.S. by a pretty wide margin. It fields nearly twice as many complaints as the average airport, with many of them being about TSA PreCheck (44.8% of all complaints), customer service (14.6%), and mishandled baggage (14%).

1. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
   • 6.83 complaints per 100,000 passengers
2. Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
   • 5.78 complaints per 100,000 passengers
3. Orlando International Airport (MCO)
   • 5.6 complaints per 100,000 passengers
4. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
   • 5.5 complaints per 100,000 passengers
5. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
   • 5.38 complaints per 100,000 passengers

If we zoom in on the timeline a bit closer, we’ll see that some of these airports stood out for having the most complaints in 2023, as well. Newark Liberty International Airport once again topped the list with 12.84 complaints per 100K passengers, followed by Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (10.35), Palm Beach International Airport (8.98), and Southwest Florida International Airport (8.92). One airport that breaks into the top 5 in 2023, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), rounds out the airports with the most complaints last year with 8.91 complaints per 100K passengers.

Airports With the Fewest Complaints (2015 to 2023)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has the fewest TSA complaints of any airport we studied, experiencing less than 2 complaints per 100K passengers over the past 8 years. It only fields about half the complaints of the average U.S. airport.

1. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
   • 1.97 complaints per 100,000 passengers
2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
   • 2.63 complaints per 100,000 passengers
3. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
   • 2.74 complaints per 100,000 passengers
4. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
   • 2.75 complaints per 100,000 passengers
5. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) (tie)
   • 2.8 complaints per 100,000 passengers

Similar to the airports with the most complaints, several of these airports also stood out as having the fewest complaints in 2023, consistent with their performance over time. Charlotte Douglas International Airport experienced the fewest complaints, with 3.47 per 100K passengers. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (4.22), Dallas Love Field (DAL) (4.3), and Chicago Midway International Airport (4.52) all followed. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) experienced the fifth fewest complaints in the airports we studied, with 4.8 complaints per 100K passengers.

Months That See the Most Complaints at U.S. Airports

Now that we’ve examined the airports that field the most TSA complaints, we’ll look at how seasonality can impact their volume and highlight when passengers are most likely to file complaints. 

We normalized the data to show TSA complaints per day across all airports in our study to ensure a more fair comparison across months. Let’s learn more about these complaint trends.

Months With the Most TSA Complaints:

• December: 1,457 complaints per day
• October: 1,450 complaints per day
• November: 1,398 complaints per day

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the highest complaint rates occur in December, October, and November, likely driven by increased travel during the holiday season. These months stand out as some of the most challenging for travelers, reflecting heightened stress levels and potential disruptions.

Another notable trend is the general increase in complaints as the year progresses, peaking during the final quarter of the year. In contrast, January and February see the fewest complaints across all airports in the study, suggesting a calmer travel period at the start of the year.

All this is to say that higher passenger volumes can make an already stressful situation even more tense, almost certainly leading to a worse experience and more complaints being filed.

The TSA Complaints That Are Filed Most Often

TSA complaints can vary widely in subject matter, from issues with expedited screening programs (TSA PreCheck) to the mishandling of baggage. To provide a clearer picture of what these complaints look like, we analyzed the data to find the most common complaint passengers file. Here’s a breakdown of the top categories and the airports with the highest percentage of each.

Top Complaint Categories:

• Expedited Passenger Screening Program (TSA PreCheck)
  • 37.98% of all complaints
  • Airport With the Highest Percentage: San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 59.7%
• Mishandling of Passenger Property
  • 19.45% of all complaints
  • Airport With the Highest Percentage: Miami International Airport (MIA): 31.36%
• Customer Service
  • 13.06% of all complaints
  • Airport With the Highest Percentage: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): 20.42%
• Screening
  • 9.36% of all complaints
  • Airport With the Highest Percentage: Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC): 16.40%
• Property — Special Handling
  • 7.52% of all complaints
  • Airport With the Highest Percentage: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL): 11.37%

While TSA PreCheck is by far the category that sees the most complaints across airports, other issues like baggage handling and customer service also arise regularly. With some airports being (even slightly) more prone to certain types of complaints, travelers should be aware of the potential issues they’ll face on their trips so they can try to prevent specific problems before they arise.

Methodology

To determine the airports with the most and least complaints, we analyzed TSA complaint data by category at 44 large U.S. airports from 2015 to 2023. We positioned the total number of complaints at each airport against its annual passengers to allow for more accurate comparisons across airports.

In addition to finding total complaints, we also found the most common complaints overall, which airport has the highest percentage of common complaints, and which airports have seen the most complaints recently (2023).

We also totaled the number of complaints reported each month from 2015 to 2023 to see how seasonal shifts affect complaints.

All data for this study came from the TSA FOIA Electronic Reading Room.

Final Thoughts

From issues with TSA PreCheck to mishandled baggage, the data shows that travelers’ experiences with TSA can vary widely depending on the airport. Whether you’re flying out of complaint-prone Newark Liberty or the more subdued Charlotte Douglas, be aware that problems may arise as you make your way through security. 

Being informed about potential pain points can make a big difference in planning a smoother trip. Understanding these trends can help you better prepare for your trips and make informed choices about where and when to travel.

It was that late-night arrival in an unfamiliar city. I would be exiting the airport or train station, attempting to navigate the sea of transportation options, and aiming to make a prudent decision, all while tired from a long journey.

Traveling internationally presents several unique navigational challenges, but with the help of technology, getting from Point A to Point B has become routine, even enjoyable.

Because I’m not a tech expert, I often look for simple tools I can use to solve my travel-related navigational issues. Here are 3 basic, easy-to-use, navigation tools that make it easy to get where I need or want to be.

Rome2Rio

To help resolve the most dreaded part of my journey, the late-night airport arrival, I searched for an app showing all the transportation available between 2 points. Knowing the estimated associated costs of the journey was a plus.

Then I found Rome2Rio. Here’s why I love the site and the app.

How It Works

Rome2Rio (iOS, Android) works worldwide. The app accesses over 6,000 train operators, nearly a million bus routes, over 13,000 ferries, and over 1,100 airlines to find the transportation options available between 2 points.

Once downloaded, you can type in your desired departure and destination and receive all the transportation options between those 2, or more, points. The Rome2Rio website can also be used online without downloading the app.

Best of all, Rome2Rio will let you know the estimated cost of each method of travel so you can compare. Booking links for most transportation options are also provided, as well as hotel suggestions.

How I Use Rome2Rio

Getting from the airport to my hotel was my primary use of Rome2Rio. For example, I wanted to travel from the Christchurch, New Zealand, airport to my hotel. Knowing that a taxi would cost me $21 to $25 helped me tremendously. I could then compare it to Uber, or if that price range isn’t acceptable, I could select another less expensive option.

This knowledge can also help me confidently secure transportation without being overcharged.

Once I click a transportation option, Rome2Rio gives me all the details. For example, the bus option shows me the ticket cost, route numbers, connecting bus information, walking distance (if applicable), and arrival and departure times.

I also use Rome2Rio to find transportation between cities and even countries.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the No. 1 navigation tool available with approximately 1.8 billion people using it monthly.

How It Works

Google Maps (iOS, Android) uses an internet connection to access a GPS satellite system to calculate and provide directions. It’s much more technical than that, but, as a user, that’s all I need to know.

You can get Google Maps directions to an address, business, or other destination. When you select directions, Google Maps will display different ways to get there.

The key requirement is that Google Maps needs the internet to access its data. Once you’ve downloaded directions, though, you can use them offline.

How I Use Google Maps

My most common use of Google Maps is for walking directions. I want to know if I can walk to my new hotel from my current hotel, find a supermarket nearby, or perhaps a restaurant within walking distance that serves fish.

A simple Google search for any of these brings up a map of the area around me. I then select and download walking directions to my destination and am on my way.

The directions function, even offline, until I reach my destination. I then need Wi-Fi to use Google Maps again. With SIM card Wi-Fi access, this isn’t an issue.

I’ve found that downloading Google Maps directions to use offline later works somewhat in an urban area and not so much in remote areas.

Maps.me

Maps.me (iOS, Android) allows me to download area maps while connected to the internet and use them offline later. This function can be useful, especially in a remote area.

How It Works

The app is free to use and has downloadable city and country maps. You can also subscribe for a fee to receive enhanced maps or download more than 10 maps.

The app works well for obtaining driving directions, navigating a city on foot without Wi-Fi access, following your trip when in a taxi, or using public transport. If you enjoy hiking, downloading Maps.me offline maps can be useful.

How I Use Maps.me

Maps.me is my backup tool when Google Maps isn’t the best option . While in Christchurch, New Zealand, for example, I downloaded a map and accessed it to walk around the city.

Maps.me maps also worked well in Torshavn, Faroe Islands. Though Google Maps would have easily guided me to my destination, I wanted a new route back to my hotel. Even without the internet, Maps.me displayed an alternative route.

One downside to Google Maps is that the map can’t be accessed without the internet once I’ve reached my destination using the provided directions. Even when I’ve downloaded Google Maps to use offline, Maps.me maps worked substantially better offline in my experiences over about a dozen uses.

Final Thoughts

For many of you, these simple navigational tools may be old news. For me, these are essential tools that offer an ongoing lifeline.

They allow me to navigate a new city I’m visiting for only a day without purchasing a $20 SIM card or accessing my international phone plan. The information gives me the confidence to negotiate solo transportation with an unknown taxi driver late at night, find that communist-era dive bar, or discover a shortcut back to my hotel in the dark.

Rome2Rio, Google Maps, and Maps.me have helped me navigate simply in a complicated world.