United Polaris Review Covid Edition: Newark to Tel Aviv Polaris

Anna’s note: Israel is still closed to tourists and only Israeli citizens are allowed to enter. Please check updated travel restrictions before making any plans.

Know the Entry Requirements for Each Country

As travel resumes, it’s paramount to know each country’s requirements, even if you are just transiting through and are there for a short layover. I like IATA’s Travel Regulations Map and Kayak also maintains a comprehensive list of travel restrictions by country. 

United has its own resource where you can check international travel requirements.

Best Ways To Use United Miles

When it comes to domestic airline frequent flyer programs, it’s hard to argue with the value presented by United’s MileagePlus program.

Elevate your Top-Tier Elite Status with Marriott and United’s Preferred Partnership

Many people, myself included, are finding themselves with a number of top-tier status with different hotel loyalty programs. Given the pandemic, most major hotels groups reduced the requirements for earning status.

Best Ways to Earn United Miles

Most people gravitate towards domestic airline loyalty programs. After all, it is easier to stick with programs that you’re familiar with rather than learn the ins and outs of another program. That’s why it is so important to know the best ways to earn United Miles.

Although United doesn’t have the most competitive award rates, one big benefit of booking with United is that it doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges on award tickets.

Team Piece: How We’d Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Bonus

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gets a lot of love in the world of points and miles, as it should: it’s the best card for beginners to get 99.95% of the time.

With its valuable sign-up bonus, combined with a very reasonable annual fee of $95, whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned professional who’s had it before and want to get it again, the Sapphire Preferred continues to be a terrific card for practically every cardholder.

So hat can you do with all of these points?

Well, the options are literally endless.

Why The Chase Sapphire Preferred Is My Next Card

When I’m trying to decide what my next credit card is going to be, I consider a lot of factors. What trips do I want to take in the next one to two years? What points do I currently have? What points do I want? What’s my 5/24 status? 

These questions always help guide me towards a card that will help me meet my goals. I don’t open cards just for the sake of opening them.

Anatomy of an Award: 45k Virgin Atlantic Miles for Delta One to Argentina

In May I flew from Atlanta to Buenos Aires in Delta One, and only had to spend 45,000 Ultimate Rewards--transferred to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club-- to do so.

How & Why to Combine Points Between Ultimate Reward Accounts

Chase issues seven credit cards that earn a travel reward currency called Ultimate Rewards. Not all Ultimate Rewards, however, are created equal.

This post will teach you:

the logistics behind moving Ultimate Reward points between accounts (your own, or between two people's living at the same address)

how to turn water to wine, doubling the value of more than half of these Chase cards' Ultimate Rewards via strategic point transfers

Step-by-Step

Step 1) Login to your Chase online account.

Step 2) Choose an account.

Book BA Avios Awards Before Devaluation Tomorrow

May 30 (tomorrow), the price of British Airways Avios awards flying all of the following partner airlines will increase in price:

Alaska AirlinesAir ItalyAmerican AirlinesCathay PacificFinnairJapan AirlinesLATAMMalaysia AirlinesQantasQatar AirwaysS7Sri LankanRoyal Jordanian Airlines

Award prices flying British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling will not change price as of now.

Confessions of Delinquent Miles & Points Collectors: Part II

Welcome to Part II of a three part series about why and how Amy M. Gardner and Keith R. Sbiral planned a heavily subsidized 10 week round-the-world trip to 15 countries, thanks to the power of miles and points. We hope you take this story as inspiration to travel more! Check out Amy and Keith's content and beautiful photography featured on their blog Red Dot Blue Dot, which you'll learn was of central importance on this journey.

This post focuses on the planning and execution of flights.