Visitors to the largest airport in the United Kingdom should be prepared for packed crowds. London's Heathrow recently broke a 12-month record with over 81 million passengers flying through the airport. Heathrow also had its busiest May ever, with 7.2 million passengers. It's the first time May numbers have ever surpassed seven million. “Supporting 81 [million] journeys doesn’t just help families to make wonderful holiday memories, importantly it is about the vital trade and business links a hub like Heathrow creates for the UK’s economy,” Heathrow’s CEO Thomas Woldbye said in a release. Heading into the summer travel season, London has been top of the charts for international bookings. For example, Chase Travel shared their most booked destinations internationally, and London took the top spot, followed by Paris, Tokyo, Rome, and Cancun. The airport expects to break more records this summer, estimating it will see roughly 30 million pass through.
I'm 74 and just got my first new credit card (and big bonus) in years — here's why
24.05.2024 - 15:21 / thepointsguy.com / Chase Sapphire-Preferred / Kevin Costner
A pleasant but persistent voice followed me around for the last couple of weeks, saying, "You really should apply."
It was reminiscent of the scene in "Field of Dreams," where Kevin Costner's character keeps hearing a voice admonishing him to "build it and they will come." After multiple encounters with this persistent suggestion, I decided this 74-year-old had sat on the sidelines long enough — it was time to get back into the game.
I brushed off the dust, shook off the cobwebs, recalled my social security number and pulled my seat up to the computer to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. I was told this increased welcome bonus — 15,000 points higher than normal — wouldn't last much longer.
Getting back into the flow of using a new card to reinfuse my points supply with some life was easy. It was like riding a bike — you quickly remember how once you get going. The online application process was straightforward, uncomplicated, quick and easy. It ended with the outcome I was hoping for: approved (thank you, excellent credit score).
Within minutes, I received an email informing me the new card would arrive in three to five days. I'd then need to charge $4,000 on the card in the first three months. After reaching the spending threshold, I would receive 75,000 bonus points, which can be used at a value of 1.25 cents each toward booking travel via Chase Travel℠. According to TPG's valuations, they can also be worth up to 2.05 cents per point toward travel when used with Chase transfer partners like United and Hyatt.
Here's why I applied for my first new credit card in years and purposefully chose the Sapphire Preferred.
Related: Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my next credit card
I can't remember exactly the last time I sought out a new credit card or its bonuses and benefits before applying for the Sapphire Preferred. I do know for certain it was more than four years ago, pre-COVID-19. I hate even writing that phrase, COVID-19. From this point on, I will refer to it only as y.k.w. (you know what).
Before y.k.w., my wife and I had become pretty efficient at the credit card rewards game. We would separately apply for various high-value cards, often with increased bonuses, that fit our travel preferences and lifestyle. At various times, we had airline-specific cards such as those from United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. We also had a host of hotel cards for such brands as Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton.
In the mix was also a wide variety of bank cards from Chase, Barclay, Capital One and American Express.
We have had as many as 15 cards active at once between the two of us. Depending on whether you're a points and miles beginner or
What ‘Notting Hill’ Got Right About My Neighborhood, and What It Left Out of Frame
Near the beginning of the 1999 movie Notting Hill, the character of bookseller William Thacker (Hugh Grant) spins round a London street corner and collides with superstar actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), spilling orange juice over the both of them. It’s a meet-cute that sets into motion one of the better known romantic comedies of the last 25 years, and entered Portobello Road into the pop culture ranks alongside Katz's Deli where Meg Ryan faked her orgasm. The scene also, perhaps more significantly, cemented the London neighborhood as a tourist destination: Notting Hill had long drawn visitors, but almost immediately it was flooded with fans of the movie. On any given day, decades later, you’ll still find daily hordes of influencers posing in front of that blue door and tourists lining up outside The Travel Bookshop (now The Notting Hill Bookshop) where the film's Scott later uttered her now famous line: “I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
Getting a Prime Seat Assignment on Southwest Just Got More Expensive
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Quick Points: Save cash and earn bonus points on utilities and insurance
Bills, bills, bills.
New golf travel brand emerges from Old Sod Travel
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Journey Latin America Launches New North America Brand
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I've been a tour guide in Rome for 16 years. Here are 5 tourist attractions that are worth it and 5 you can skip.
Rome is pretty crowded — the city welcomed a record-breaking 35 million tourists in 2023. Any gorgeous photos you see of breathtaking and empty piazzas were likely taken long before most people have woken up.
United Airlines Just Added a New Cross-country Route to This Desert Hot Spot
United will launch an exciting new cross-country route out of Palm Springs this upcoming winter, bringing its first-ever East Coast connection to the California city.
Why I chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred as my next credit card
Choosing your next credit card can be a challenge. When I decided to open my fifth credit card, it came down to a showdown between the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees). While the rewards and benefits of the Bilt card are appealing, I chose to go with the Sapphire Preferred.
Las Vegas Just Got Flights to This Major European Destination
Las Vegas will soon get another European route this fall.
Hotel Equities selected to manage first Hampton by Hilton-branded hotel in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
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First anniversary of Air Serbia’s Chicago service: Over 40,000 passengers on flights between Belgrade and Chicago in a year
Air Serbia celebrates one year of direct flights from Belgrade to Chicago, successfully transporting over 40,000 passengers and enhancing Serbia-North America relations.