Your passport to luxury travel on a budget.

Welcome to this week’s issue! We’ve uncovered top travel hacks, incredible flight deals, and unbeatable hotel discounts to help you experience luxury travel on a budget.

1. Travel Hack

How I’m Using My Points to Book a $4,000 Europe Trip for Two—Almost Free

I’ve been planning a fall trip to Europe, and here’s exactly how I’m using my points and credits to turn it into a business-class getaway worth over $4,000—while paying next to nothing out of pocket.

Goal: Round-trip Business Class flights to Europe + 7-night hotel stay
For: 2 people
Travel Window: Mid-September to mid-November

Flights:

• I’m using around 144,000 Delta SkyMiles to book one round-trip business class ticket to Europe (likely on Air France or Virgin Atlantic).
• Then I’ll use approximately 55,000 Capital One Miles, transferred to Flying Blue, to book the second business class ticket.
• These redemptions would normally cost $3,000+ in cash.

Hotels:

• I have 83,000+ Marriott Bonvoy points, and I’ll use them to book a 6–7 night stay at a Marriott property in Spain or France (possibly with a 5th-night-free bonus).
• I accrue about 10–12k Marriott points per month, so I’ll top up if needed.

Travel Credits:

• My wife and I will use our $600 in Capital One Venture X travel credits to cover taxes, fees, or local transportation.
• I also have a $250 Delta Stays credit that I’ll apply toward a hotel night booked through Delta.
  

Total Cash Out-of-Pocket: $250–$400
Total Value Extracted: $4,000+

Real-world tip: Use your points where you get the highest cent-per-point value. This trip is worth 2.5–3¢/point, compared to just 1¢ if redeemed through a travel portal.

2. Handpicked Flight Deals

​Here are seven flight deals under $250 — updated weekly. These prices are real, current, and available at time of publishing. Tap to book:

• Los Angeles, CA – Book for $67 (Tue, May 13, 2025)
• Las Vegas, NV – Book for $58 (Tue, May 13, 2025)
• Cancun – Book for $103 (Sat, May 10, 2025)
• Miami, FL – Book for $27 (Tue, May 13, 2025)
• Honolulu, HI – Book for $250 (Sun, May 4, 2025)
• Orlando, FL – Book for $33 (Tue, May 13, 2025)
• New York, NY – Book for $40 (Wed, Apr 30, 2025)

Please note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Deals were verified within the past 24 hours.

3. Featured Hotel Deals (Over 54% Off)

Discover unbeatable member-exclusive discounts on top-rated hotels. Here are our top picks

3. Featured Hotel Deals (Over 30% Off)

Discover unbeatable member-exclusive discounts on top-rated hotels. Here are our top picks, sorted by highest percentage savings:

Please note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Deals were verified within the past 24 hours.

4. Flash Deals – Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – 100,000-Point Welcome Bonus

One of the top travel cards just dropped an eye-catching offer — earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

Here’s what you get:

• Spend $5,000 within 3 months
• Earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points
• Redeem for travel, hotel stays, or transfer to airline and hotel partners

What can you do with 100k points?

• Fly business class to Europe
• Enjoy multiple nights at a high-end Hyatt resort
• Get $1,250 in travel value when booking through Chase Travel (1.25¢ per point)

I just took this offer myself — was instantly approved. If you’re planning big travel this year, this one’s worth a serious look.

5. Points & Miles Maximizer

Turn your points into amazing value!
Did you know savvy travelers often redeem flights for fewer miles by exploring multiple options? Each week, we do the legwork and find hidden deals so you can stretch your points and miles even further.

Check out these exceptional redemption opportunities we discovered this week:

• New York (LGA) → Montreal, Canada (YUL)
  • 8:20 AM – 9:50 AM
  • Economy: Just 9,500 miles + $5.60 taxes
  • Business Class: 15,000 miles + $5.60 taxes
  • Quick, nonstop morning flight with American Eagle.
• New York (LGA) → Miami, FL (MIA)
  • 7:29 AM – 10:36 AM
  • Economy: Just 9,000 miles + $5.60 taxes
  • Business Class: 27,500 miles + $5.60 taxes
  • Multiple nonstop options throughout the day on American Airlines.
• New York (JFK) → Cancun, Mexico (CUN)
  • 12:40 PM – 3:40 PM
  • Economy: Just 12,000 miles + $48.13 taxes
  • Business Class: Not available on this route
  • Nonstop 4-hour flight on American Airlines — a great redemption value!

Insider Tip: Point prices can change quickly based on demand and availability. Always check your frequent flyer account and book directly through the airline for the best deal.

6. Destination Spotlight

Tokyo, Japan – Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Tokyo is having a moment — and if you’ve seen our latest viral reel on Instagram, you know why. From futuristic cityscapes and Michelin-starred street food to peaceful shrines and cherry blossoms in full bloom, Tokyo is a city of contrasts that leaves every traveler in awe.

Spring is one of the best times to visit. You’ll catch sakura season at its peak, with petals drifting along the Sumida River and in parks like Ueno and Shinjuku Gyoen. Whether you’re exploring quirky neighborhoods like Harajuku, shopping in Shibuya, or unwinding in a traditional onsen, Tokyo is rich with experiences for every kind of traveler.

If you’re planning a trip soon, don’t miss this luxury hotel deal in one of the best locations:

👉 The Prince Park Tower Tokyo – Preferred Hotels & Resorts, LVX Collection
• $359 nightly (was $1,981 total)
• Member Price: 31% off
• VIP Access, stunning views of Tokyo Tower, and a 9.4 guest rating with over 1,200 reviews.
• Total stay: $1,367 (all taxes & fees included)

📸 Still thinking about it? Watch our Tokyo travel reel on Instagram and see why this city should be on your 2025 bucket list.

7. Travel Gear Spotlight

Smaller carry-ons for 2025? We’re ready.
With airlines tightening carry-on size restrictions this year, we upgraded our luggage to stay compliant. After thorough research, we chose a pair of ultra-durable, airline-compliant bags that have already proven themselves on three trips this year.

🧳 Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Carry-On – Metallic Silver (20″)
🧳 Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Carry-On – Black (20″)

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7 out of 5 stars) based on 224 reviews
• Lightweight yet strong polycarbonate shell
• Compact and sized for 2025 airline restrictions
• Smooth 8-wheel spinners, stylish finish, expandable design

Pro Tip: Don’t rely on hotel TV
Most hotel channels don’t cut it when it comes to keeping up with your favorite shows. We always pack a Fire TV Stick — just plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re streaming your own content in minutes.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7 out of 5 stars) based on over 491,000 reviews
• 4K Ultra HD, Alexa Voice Remote
• Compatible with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more

Peace of mind with a trusted lock
Especially when traveling to Europe or Asia, I like to lock up all of my bags with this TSA-approved luggage lock to keep my mind at ease.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.6 out of 5 stars) based on 31,000+ reviews
• Durable, easy-to-set combo lock
• TSA-compliant and perfect for all types of bags

Voltage matters abroad
When traveling internationally, I always carry this voltage converter to safely use U.S. electronics with 110V while abroad.

Ideal for charging laptops, hair tools, cameras, and more

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5 stars) based on 3,400+ reviews

Converts 220V to 110V for U.S. devices

Includes multiple plug adapters for Europe, Asia & more

Check it out here

8. Travel Planning Tools

Looking to get the most value from your travel rewards? Our new Miles & Points vs. Cash Calculator helps you instantly compare the cash value of your airline miles, hotel points, and credit card rewards. Whether you’re booking a flight, a hotel stay, or redeeming points for perks, this tool ensures you’re making the smartest choice every time.

Not sure if you should book with points or cash?
Try our Miles vs Cash Calculator before you check out.

9. Success Story

When it comes to travel hacking, I always believe in walking the talk. Last week, I put one of our top strategies to work and earned 100,000 points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — one of the most valuable signup bonuses available right now.

I’m also referring family members to the card, earning 20,000 bonus points per referral while helping them unlock free flights and hotel stays of their own. It’s a win-win and a perfect example of how stacking bonuses and referrals can fast-track your next getaway.

💡 Pro Tip: Transfer your Chase points to partners like Hyatt or United to stretch their value even further.

10. Upcoming Developments

We’re building something exciting behind the scenes: a new AI-powered tool called AirConxt — designed to make planning your perfect trip faster, smarter, and more personalized than ever. Without revealing too much, this next-gen assistant will intelligently match you with the best flights, hotels, and rewards strategies — all based on your unique travel style and goals.

Want to shape the future of this tool? Take our quick travel quiz below — your feedback will help us tailor AirConxt to what real travelers want most.

Quick Travel Survey

Just one quick question — it’ll help us shape AirConxt around what *you* actually need.