Airline lounge access just got more expensive. United Airlines recently notified customers that it would be raising prices and restricting access to its United Club lounges, in an effort to provide more investment back into the premium experience. The new individual membership plan costs $750 or 94,000 miles and only provides United Club membership for a single member. A new All Access tier for $1,400 or 175,000 miles offers unlimited United Club membership for the member and two guests, plus access to Star Alliance and other lounges. Travelers who have a United Club or United Club Business credit card will receive a membership that permits one guest as well as dependents under the age of 18. The most significant update is that the main membership removes the guest feature, as well as access to Star Alliance and partner lounges.
How I used my Venture X to get almost $800 in value from a Caribbean winter getaway
11.03.2025 - 14:51 / thepointsguy.com
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is among my favorite travel credit cards.
I was initially attracted to the generous welcome offer and strong earning rates of at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day.
As I enter my second year of holding this card, its long-term benefits have meant it is still my go-to card for many purchases.
I recently had a free weekend after meeting with TPG's fantastic newsletter team in Savannah, Georgia. Rather than returning straight home to dreary London, I longed for some sunshine and warmth.
I decided to escape to a Caribbean island I hadn't visited before and settled on Grenada. While not as expensive as St. Kitts or the Bahamas, I was keen to keep the costs down and utilize some of the many perks of my Venture X.
Here's how I used this card to save $791 on my weekend getaway.
Related: 6 things to do when you get the Capital One Venture X
The Venture X has an annual fee of $395 (see rates and fees), which might initially seem high, especially in the second and subsequent years where cardholders have already received a welcome bonus and are not eligible for another.
However, among the card's many benefits that I used for this trip was the $300 annual credit toward bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal.
With limited nonstop flights from the U.S. to Grenada, I found an option on American Airlines from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), which was reasonably priced at around $120.
There was award availability; however, for 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles, I would have obtained less than 1 cent per AAdvantage mile, far lower than TPG's March 2025 valuation of 1.65 cents. I'm also trying to secure my British Airways Executive Club elite status for another year, so I need all the tier points from cash fares I can get right now.
For these reasons, I chose to book the same flight through Capital One Travel. I feared the cost may be higher than booking directly with American, but I was pleased to see the Capital One price was identical.
I applied my $300 travel credit to the purchase, meaning I had nothing remaining to pay.
With almost $180 of my annual travel credit still available, I moved on to securing accommodations in Grenada.
While I normally plan to redeem World of Hyatt points when I travel, as that program is my hotel loyalty program of choice, there is only one Hyatt property on the island of Grenada.
The Calabash Hotel is a Mr & Mrs Smith property that looks luxurious. However, with cash rates starting at $1,200 per night and redemptions starting at almost 100,000 Hyatt points per night, this was far more extravagant and expensive than I needed for a simple
Visitors to the UK will soon need a €12 visa waiver. Here’s how to avoid ETA scams
The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers. Starting 2 April 2025, EU (except Irish nationals), EEA, and Swiss citizens will need ETA approval to enter the UK.
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How Safe Is Flying With a Lap Child?
If you're flying with a baby for the first time, you might be wondering if you need to buy a plane ticket for your mini traveler. On most domestic flights, babies under two years old are allowed to fly for free in their parents’ arms (after the age of two, most US airlines charge the full adult fare). The practice, referred to in the airline industry as flying with a lap child, is a popular way for many young families to travel, as it can mean significant savings on airfare.
How I Travel: Poorna Jagannathan Had a Dreamy 50th Birthday in Brazil
In the new Hulu show Deli Boys, a pair of Pakistani-American brothers are shocked to learn about their late father’s involvement in the world of organized crime. The actor Poorna Jagannathan, best known in the US for the show Never Have I Ever, has a star turn as the fierce, sharp-shooting auntie who welcomes them into the real family business—doing so in a wardrobe of glam leather and polished accessories. In real life, Jagannathan is no slouch on the red carpet, either, and when it comes to pondering her favorite cities for style she has a very specific choice in mind.
3 African Countries Are Getting New Direct Flights This Year, and We’re Already Planning Our Adventures There
For years, flying from the United States to Africa has meant enduring multiple layovers and navigating complex routings through Europe or the Middle East. But that’s starting to change.
This Budget Airline Is Launching New Flights from the US to the Dominican Republic
It's about to get easier—and cheaper—for American travelers to fly to the Caribbean from New York City and Miami thanks to new flight routes rolling out this spring and summer.
There's a New Direct Flight From NYC to This Caribbean Destination—and Round-trip Fares Start at $262
It just got easier to explore the Dominican Republic and Central America.Arajet, the flagship carrier airline of the Dominican Republic, recently announced new service from the New York area to the Las Américas Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ). The flights will operate from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, which serves the tri-state area and is connected to New York City by the New Jersey Transit train. The new route begins on June 16, 2025, and Arajet is celebrating with introduction fares as low as $262 round-trip.
How to use the new Daily Drop Pro subscription service to find flight and hotel deals with cash or points
We're big fans of Daily Drop, the newsletter full of travel tips and deals on airline flights and hotel bookings. That's why we wanted to give you the heads-up on its newly launched subscription service, which is an excellent resource for finding and securing bargains on economy, business-class and even first-class flights.
Budget startup carrier Arajet unveils nonstop flights from New York to Dominican Republic
Dominican airline Arajet announced that it will launch flights to the New York area in June, revealing new details of the startup carrier's plans to expand its nascent presence in the United States.
How to Throw a Perfect Bachelorette Party in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, seems like a photoshoot waiting to happen: pastel-colored buildings, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and plenty of sunset views where the golden hour light is just that good. However, this South Carolina city is more than just a pretty face—Charleston is one of the top-booked places for bachelorette parties in the US.
Ex-Olympic snowboarder accused of running deadly drug ring added to FBI's most wanted list
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder accused of running a global drug trafficking ring and orchestrating multiple murders has been added to the FBI's most wanted list.
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