Citi's Giant Exclusive Deal, Waldorf NYC Opening, Hyatt Tech Improves & ThankYou to AA Transfers?
Dec 11, 2024
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Citi has landed a major deal with American Airlines, raising questions for current Barclays cardholders. The reopening of the iconic Waldorf Astoria NYC is generating buzz with its luxury upgrades. Virgin Voyages brings enticing cruise deals, yet travelers face quirky booking challenges. Exciting innovations from Hyatt include new tech for suite upgrades. Plus, learn about valuable point transfer bonuses to enhance your travel game, while also exploring why Hilton is excelling in the luxury space.
Citi's partnership with American Airlines in 2026 might enhance credit card offerings and introduce potential point transfers between programs.
The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria NYC promises an upgraded luxury experience, boosting interest in high-end travel accommodations in the city.
Deep dives
Traveler's Middle Seat Hack
A viral travel hack aims to help passengers avoid the middle seat on low-cost flights by manipulating the booking system. By making a dummy booking where all middle seats are selected, travelers can increase their chances of being assigned a more desirable seat during check-in. Although considered clever, this tactic raises ethical concerns and highlights the often frustrating nuances of airline seat assignments. It's recommended for solo travelers to check in late to secure better seat placements, while families should check in early to sit together.
Reopening of the Waldorf Astoria
The historic Waldorf Astoria in New York City, closed for eight years due to renovations, is set to reopen in spring with significant upgrades. Each room will be expanded to a minimum of 570 square feet, enhancing the luxury experience that the Waldorf brand is known for. The property will be part of the Hilton Honors Program, making it an exciting option for travelers looking for high-end accommodations. This reopening could potentially revive interest in New York City, attracting guests eager to experience the newly renovated property.
Credit Card Partnerships and Points News
American Airlines is transitioning its co-branded credit card from Barclays to Citi, potentially paving the way for point transfers between Citi's ThankYou Points and American Airlines miles. Although the exact benefits of this shift remain unclear, there is speculation about the possibility of more attractive credit card offers. Additionally, a series of transfer bonuses from major credit card programs present favorable opportunities for accumulating points. For example, American Express is currently offering a 40% bonus for transferring points to Virgin, encouraging savvy travelers to maximize their point value.
This week the news broke that Citi has secured the exclusive rights to market AA co-branded credit cards beginning in 2026. What will this mean for Barclays cardholders and will anything change under this new partnership? We also discuss whether ThankYou to AAdvantage points transfers might be coming. In other news Virgin has brought back their popular cruise deals but with a catch and some quirks. We also discuss: avoiding the low cost carrier middle seat, Hyatt's cool new tech for using suite upgrades, all of the available transfer bonuses, the opening of Waldorf NYC and how Hilton has done a great job lately with their luxury properties. Episode Guide
0:00 Travelers viral hack for avoiding a middle seat on low cost carriers
1:22 Waldorf Astoria NYC is reopening and bookable - Insane prices?
3:50 How Hilton is doing a great job with their luxury properties
5:50 Virgin Voyages releases more points specials with a catch
8:24 Virgin’s quirky booking process & tips for booking
10:15 Citi’s huge score - Exclusive AA partner in 2026
11:52 Will Citi add AA as a ThankYou transfer partner?
14:10 Why Citi’s ThankYou lineup is worth looking at
15:27 All of the currently available transfer bonuses - Up to 70% more
16:50 Why you shouldn’t speculatively transfer points with a bonus
17:52 Hyatt adds suite upgrades & more for to online booking
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