Nerea Vera is renovating a house. In the republican-era neighborhood of Vedado, where salty air and hurricane rain and tree roots have gnawed at the façades, it's good to see neoclassical bones and Art Nouveau floors being buffed up. Open to visitors by appointment, Vera's house is a sort of accidental museum. It tells, in microcosm, the story of the Cuban Republic—that stretch from 1902, when Cuba grew as an independent country following the end of wars with Spain and the US military occupation, until the rise of Castro in 1959. Utilizing her skills as an engraver, sculptor, illustrator, and painter, Vera restored the house's moldings and murals. There are objects left by the house's previous owners, including a Baccarat lamp, a 1930 Victrola gramophone, and a 19th-century chess table, alongside Vera's own work (an intricate drawing of Che Guevara's corpse as a martyr and a series of relic-like blown-glass hearts kept in a suitcase), and items she has brought into the house, like a Steinway & Sons grand piano that used to belong to the Havana Cathedral.
Citi to become exclusive AA card issuer, Barclays cards to be discontinued
05.12.2024 - 17:25 / thepointsguy.com / Robert Isom
American Airlines and Citi have announced the extension of their longstanding cobranded partnership for the next decade. The partnership, which has lasted over 37 years, will see Citi become the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage cobranded card portfolio starting in 2026.
In announcing the 10-year extension, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said, "American is proud to have launched the first airline loyalty program, and with Citi, the travel industry's first co-branded credit card."
The American Airlines-Citi relationship has spanned almost 40 years, but there has been a weird quirk in the airline's cobranded card portfolio for the past decade.
While American's competitors have exclusive relationships with card issuers — Delta Air Lines with American Express, and United Airlines and Southwest Airlines with Chase — American has partnered with two issuers. That's because American took on Barclays as its second card issuer due to the airline's merger with US Airways in 2013.
Since then, the arrangement has been that Citi can market its American Airlines cobranded cards online, at airport lounges and through direct mail, while Barclays can market its American Airlines cobranded cards in flight and in airport terminals. From 2026, however, Citi will take over the Barclays AAdvantage card portfolio, transitioning current cardholders into its ecosystem.
Barclays used to issue one business card and four personal cards under its AAdvantage Aviator portfolio. However, only one is currently available to new applicants: the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.
The information for the Red World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Savvy collectors of points and miles might consider applying for this card sooner rather than later, given that it will close to new applicants, potentially before the end of 2025. They'll earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making just a single purchase within 90 days and paying the $99 annual fee.
However, if you have an upcoming flight on American Airlines, you might want to grab an application from a cabin crew member. TPG Credit Cards Editor Emily Thompson received an extra 10,000 miles by applying through the QR code on an inflight application. I have a flight with American next week, so I will also be looking out for an application.
I've had the Aviator Red card before, but Barclays has quite lenient application restrictions. While not concrete or confirmed, the recommendation is that you close a card and then wait at least six months before applying for it again to be eligible for the welcome bonus.
With Citi holding exclusive rights over the
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I went to a Chase Sapphire airport lounge and couldn't believe I could get in for free without the travel credit card
A Chase Sapphire airport lounge opened in January at New York City's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. There are also Chase Sapphire lounges in Boston and Hong Kong.
United Airlines Becomes Latest Carrier To Back Out Of Tulum
After a year of much promotion and fanfare, United Airlines and several other airlines are now backing out of the new airport in Tulum in Mexico.
This Winter's Most Exciting Hotel Openings, From Park City to Palm Beach
The colder months are upon us, which typically means one of two things for travelers: it’s time to ski—or it’s time to seek warmer weather. Which one are you? In family-friendly Sarasota, a new beachfront hotel pays homage to the region’s performing arts past; and on the other side of Florida in Palm Beach, the island’s first new hotel in years is giving all the Palm Royale vibes your heart desires. In the ski world, Deer Valley embarks on an exciting new era with a new hotel in its new base village. And these are just the beginning. Here are some of this winter’s most exciting openings to have on your radar.
Costco's most expensive cruise sale this year was a $293K trip around the world. It came with a $25K store gift card.
A Costco member shelled out nearly $300,000 on an around-the-world cruise package purchased through the warehouse club.
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United becomes the latest US airline to cut back Tulum service
It seemingly wasn't as hot in Tulum, Mexico, as United Airlines originally expected it would be.
11 of the best free activities in Mexico City
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Refurbish or replace? American Airlines ponders fate of top international workhorse jet
When mulling over a big-ticket purchase, many of us come to the same age-old question: Should I fix up what I have or buy a new one?
New premium card coming from Alaska next year: Get free miles for joining the waitlist now
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In Kentucky, Small Cities Leave a Big Impression. Here Are 5 to Visit.
As my father’s birthplace, Kentucky has always had a special place in my heart. I’ve traveled many of the Bluegrass state’s highways, byways, and waterways. But for this trip, I embarked on a five-day Appalachian journey to five small but mighty cities in Kentucky: Berea, Stearns, Corbin, Pikeville, and Winchester.