✈ My Recent EU Border Mistake (and How You Can Avoid It), Use These Credits to Support Food Banks & More From TPG ✈

Also: American Airlines award flights as low as 7,500 miles

November 5, 2025 View in browser         TOGETHER WITH     TOGETHER WITH

New border tech is live — plan for delays by Katie Genter, Lead writer Editor’s note: We’re positively delighted to see such a massive response to our Lonely Planet eBook offer Monday. Thank you to everyone who has participated! If you encountered any issues trying to claim your free eBook, please reply to this email and one of our editors will be happy to assist you. After years of delays, the European Union's long-awaited new entry/exit system has finally begun rolling out — and travelers are already feeling its impact. In fact, it almost caused me to miss my flight a couple of weeks ago. The new biometric system, which will ultimately replace passport stamping, officially launched Oct. 12. It's designed to speed up immigration by recording fingerprints and facial scans of non-EU travelers entering and leaving the bloc. However, as I experienced flying out of Brussels, even partial use of the new system is causing significantly longer immigration lines than usual. While the new system should eventually lead to quicker immigration checks — as similar biometric immigration processes have in other countries, such as Australia, Canada and Singapore — for now, you should allow yourself extra time when entering or leaving the European Union. So, when I depart Amsterdam on another transatlantic flight tomorrow, I'll be arriving at the airport more than three hours ahead of my flight to ensure I have plenty of time. Allocating that much time to spend at the airport is never fun, but these are the moments when having lounge access is especially helpful. (Personally, I'm looking forward to using my Priority Pass membership from my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to check out Aspire Lounge No. 41 at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.) Planning a Europe trip? These articles can help you prepare: Europe's new entry/exit system nearly cost me a flight — here’s what I learned How the EU is replacing passport stamps with biometric scans Travel to Europe using points and miles: How to redeem your rewards for flights Everything you need to know about the EU’s ETIAS ‘visa’ requirements The ultimate guide to river cruises in Europe Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Photo Credit: KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY.

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Deal alert! Fly to French Polynesia from just 25K points Dreaming of a warm, tropical getaway? You can score an easy, nonstop flight from the West Coast to Tahiti for as few as 25,000 credit card points when you take advantage of a current transfer bonus. You can even find business-class seats starting at 60,000 points! Check it out

Today's top stories How to stock food banks for almost $0 with your (probably) unused monthly credit card benefits Many Chase cardholders can use their Instacart credits to donate to local food banks and help people in need for no out-of-pocket cost. Read more American Airlines launches major award sale for AAdvantage members American Airlines launched a million-seat sale with award tickets starting at just 7,500 miles one-way for domestic trips and 17,500 for international fares. Read more Say it ain't so: Air Canada Aeroplan points will now expire (again) Aeroplan had paused points expiration during the coronavirus pandemic, but says it will again be allowing points to expire.  Read more United launches mileage-earning debit card with unique savings tie-in The new card offers all the traditional benefits of a debit card with unique MileagePlus benefits. Read more Delta unveils stylish new uniforms with Missoni accessories, a nod to classic looks and a return of the 'wrap dress' Delta invited TPG to an unveiling of its new uniforms in Atlanta. Here's the story behind the chic changes. Read more

The latest 1. How to save points and miles after you've redeemed them 2. Which Princess Alaska cruisetour is right for you? A complete guide to all your options 3. United MileagePlus members can now earn miles on Lyft rides 4. Choice Privileges announces positive changes to its loyalty program 5. Southwest adds Philippine Airlines as 4th international partner 6. The 15 best Christmas markets in Europe for 2025 7. The easy route: How to redeem Capital One miles at a fixed value 8. Deal alert: Fly to Asia and Australia for as few as 25,000 points with this Atmos Rewards sale 9. What are points and miles worth? TPG's November 2025 monthly valuations 10. Deal of the day: Fly to beautiful French Polynesia from just 25,000 credit card points

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