✈ How TPG Experts Are Using Our Points, 8 Great Off-Season Spots to Visit in Europe & More From TPG ✈

Also: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship

December 22, 2025 View in browser         TOGETHER WITH     TOGETHER WITH

Points and miles for the win by Sean Cudahy, Senior Aviation Reporter Good morning from New York, where tomorrow I will depart on my 107th — and final — flight of 2025. I'm opting to stay mostly on the ground for the holidays after spending much of the year at 35,000 feet. But (as you might expect) some of my TPG colleagues who grace your inbox each morning are fanning out around the country and the world with the help of their points and miles. Our fearless newsletter editor, Colin Hogan, is Europe-bound, with plans to redeem 75,000 World of Hyatt points (and two valuable Category 1-7 free night awards) at Park Hyatt properties in Vienna and Zurich. He even applied a suite upgrade award to grab some extra space in Switzerland. Digital nomad and road warrior Katie Genter is using 55,000 points from Atmos Rewards (the new Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines loyalty program) to fly Condor's lie-flat business class from Frankfurt to Toronto. This time of year, you'll also see TPG staffers shopping online and using their points and credits to skirt the long lines at the stores. Our credit cards writer, Augusta Stone, gifted her parents a getaway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with the help of a semiannual credit (be sure to use yours by the end of the year!). As for me? I cashed in 21,000 Hyatt points for a hotel night in New York City during a week when hotel rates were soaring  — and so were points prices in other hotel loyalty programs that have shifted to dynamic pricing. This is where Hyatt points can go such a long way (hint: you can transfer to Hyatt from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards). Want to travel like we do? Here are a few stories that can help: Why American Airlines flyers should pay attention to Alaska Airlines' Atmos Rewards I didn't expect to love World of Hyatt, but here's why I do Don't let credits go to waste: Your 2025 end-of-year credit card checklist The best credit card welcome bonuses available this month Where are you all headed for the holidays? Let us know if you snagged any great redemptions with your points and miles. 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: ALEXANDER SPATARI/GETTY IMAGES.

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Today's top stories 8 off-season European destinations where you won't be too cold this winter These European destinations offer romantic mists, moody fog and a dusting of snow in their winter off-season. Read more The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship Wondering which cabin you should choose for a cruise? These are the most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship. Read more I asked TPG staffers how they manage credit card statement credits — here are 4 tips If you carry premium credit cards with high annual fees, you know how important it is to maximize statement credits. Read more Credit card transfer bonuses (December): 40% bonus to Virgin Atlantic and more Here's a look at all the current transfer bonuses involving major credit cards and airline and hotel loyalty programs. Read more Redeem your points and miles: How to search flight award availability for the major airlines Get the most out of your points and miles: Here's how to search flight award availability for the major airlines. Read more

Handpicked for you Dive into your daily list of stories, curated based on your interests and past reads. Don't let credits go to waste: Your 2025 end-of-year credit card checklist Read more SeatGuru is dead: Here are the best alternatives Read more It's officially flu season: How to avoid getting sick on a plane Read more Why flexibility and maximizing travel tools is the key to a successful 2026 award travel strategy Read more American Express Membership Rewards: How to earn, redeem and transfer points Read more

The latest 1. I turned my Amex Hilton Aspire (up to) $50 airline credit into almost $100 worth of travel — here's how 2. This all-inclusive island resort in Mexico has butler service, tequila tastings and a hammam — and you can book it with points 3. How to use ExpertFlyer to find the real reason your flight was delayed or canceled 4. Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for December 2025 5. Germany's best Christmas markets — and how to get there on points and miles 6. United escalates Chicago turf war against American with 2 new routes 7. New Hawaii route: Southwest gives the Big Island's Hilo its first mainland nonstop in 3 years 8. Can authorized users get their own Sapphire Preferred card — and earn the welcome offer? 9. TPG staff holiday wish list: More points, expanded lounges and better elite perks 10. Using your Amex hotel credit before the end of the year? Here are 3 things to know

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