Not so with cruises.

Late arrivers for flights often can hop on another plane to their destination just a few hours later, sometimes even with change fees waived due to quasi-official “flat tire rule” policies. But travelers who are even just a few minutes late for a cruise can sometimes find their entire trip ruined.

At the very least, cruisers who miss a ship’s departure?often face huge expenses and logistical challenges trying to catch up with the vessel at its next port of call. In some cases, due to laws that restrict where ships can be boarded, they might not be able to join the vessel at all.

It’s for this reason that pretty much anyone having anything to do with the cruise business — cruise line sales professionals, cruise-selling travel agents and cruise-focused travel writers like me — will tell you to always travel to your departure port at least a day before your cruise, even if you’re traveling by car. It might seem like overkill, and it’ll add to the trip’s expense. But the consequences of missing a cruise departure can be so disastrous that it’s a sensible move.

For those whose initial impulse is to resist such advice, let’s address some of the key concerns surrounding what happens if you miss your cruise.

Can I board a cruise ship late?

Not only can you not board a cruise ship late, but the cutoff time for boarding is actually much earlier than the sail-away time.

This is a case where everything you’ve learned about airplanes is true for cruise ships, too. Just because your ship is listed as leaving at 4 p.m., it doesn’t mean you can stroll up to the pier at 3:57 p.m. and expect to make it on board.

The typical cutoff time for boarding ships is a full hour before departure. That said, it can be even longer (and, in some cases, shorter) depending on the line, port and itinerary. To be safe, read the documentation that you receive after booking (these days, it often arrives in electronic form) for specific information about boarding times for your sailing.

It’s also a risky move to aim to arrive exactly at the cutoff time. Keep in mind that some of the bigger departure ports, such as Fort Lauderdale’s?Port Everglades, can be jammed with traffic on departure days, slowing down the arrival process.?I once got stuck in a massive traffic jam around one of the guard gates at Port Everglades that added at least 15 minutes to what should have been a quick five- to 10-minute Uber ride from a nearby hotel.

Will a cruise ship leave without me?

If you do not arrive at the port before the boarding window ends, the cruise ship will most certainly leave without you — even if you are standing at the pier, waving frantically. That’s because a cruise ship’s departure time is carefully planned, and more than just your vacation is at stake.

Just like airplanes, cruise ships are on tight schedules — much tighter than you might realize. If a ship delays its departure by an hour while it waits for you to arrive, it might also arrive an hour late at its next port of call.

That’s a situation that, on bigger ships, can affect thousands of people — not just passengers who will see their experience at that port diminished, but also dock workers, tour guides and bus drivers at the destination who have planned their day around the vessel’s arrival.

At many ports, a local harbor pilot will be waiting for your ship on a boat just offshore to help guide it in, and they will be expecting your vessel at an appointed time. This service often comes with a high charge, and if the ship arrives too far behind schedule, it can result in hefty fees. Ship captains will do all they can to avoid disrupting the planned schedule.

Related: Can a cruise ship leave without you?

One common misperception among cruisers is that cruise lines will hold a ship for late-arriving passengers if they are arriving on cruise line-booked flights. This generally is not the case. Even if you are arriving on a flight booked through the cruise line, the ship will still sail without you if that flight is delayed and you are not at the pier on time.

What cruise lines will do if you miss a cruise departure due to a delay on a cruise line-booked flight is help you get to the ship at another port. That is, if they can do so legally (more on that in a moment).

The policies vary from line to line on this issue. Some lines are a bit vague about what exactly they will do to help passengers reach the ship. Others spell it out quite clearly. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, says right on its website that if you miss a cruise departure due to delays in flights booked through its Fly2Fun air program, it “will make alternate arrangements as needed for guests to meet the ship at … the first port of call,” unless doing so would violate the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

The Passenger Vessel Services Act is a U.S. law that limits where a passenger can board a ship sailing between U.S. ports (more on this in a moment).

If no viable options are available to join the ship, Carnival adds that passengers “will be given a Future Cruise Credit to apply towards a future Carnival cruise.”

Can I join the ship at the next port?

Even in cases where it is logistically easy to get to a ship’s next port of call, you may not be legally allowed to board the vessel at that port. Some countries, including the United States, have “cabotage” laws restricting the number of ports where foreign-flagged vessels such as cruise ships can pick up and drop off passengers. These laws are designed to protect domestic shipping industries from foreign competition.

In the United States, for instance, the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 says foreign vessels cannot transport passengers from one U.S. port to another U.S. port, either directly or by way of a nearby foreign port (defined as ports in most of North America including most Caribbean islands). The act does not apply to sailings that begin and end in the same U.S. port, provided the sailings include at least one stop at any foreign port. It also has an exception for trips between two different U.S. ports that include a stop at a distant foreign port.

What that means, in practice, is that a cruise line cannot let you join a ship at a U.S. port such as Florida’s Port Canaveral if you later will be disembarking at a different U.S. port — say, New York or Miami — unless a visit to a distant port such as Aruba is on the itinerary. This is a rule that can severely limit your options if you want to join a ship partway through a cruise.

Related: Ways you can ruin your cruise in an instant

To give one specific example: Under the law, it’s perfectly fine for the Bermuda-flagged ships of Princess Cruises to operate Alaska voyages that begin in Vancouver, British Columbia, and end in Whittier, Alaska — a common itinerary for the line. Since the voyages don’t begin in a U.S. port, they are exempt from the law.

But if someone misses the departure of such a voyage from Vancouver, they can’t simply board at a later stop. All the later stops on this route — the Alaskan towns of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway — are in the United States. Someone boarding in one of those ports and disembarking at the end of the cruise in Whittier would be traveling between two U.S. ports without a stop at at distant foreign port, creating a violation of the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

Cruise brands do, occasionally, violate the law. For instance, it’s standard policy in the industry to evacuate a passenger with a medical emergency to the nearest suitable port, even if it means triggering a Passenger Vessel Services Act violation. In such cases, a line would face a U.S. Customs and Border Protection penalty currently set at $941 per person, unless the line was granted a waiver by the agency.

Note that some lines will charge you the cost of this penalty if you have to leave a ship early due to a medical condition.

Some lines also will occasionally allow waylaid passengers to join a ship at a forbidden port if they agree to pay the penalty themselves. But it isn’t common, if only because the penalty is so high. A family of four would pay $3,764 for the privilege — more than the cost of many cruises.

If you are legally allowed to board a ship at a later port, you will be responsible for paying all the costs related to getting to that port. One exception, as noted above, would be a situation where you missed the original departure because of a delay with a cruise line-booked flight. Another exception would be a case where you had a certain type of travel insurance (more on that below).

Can I get a refund or credit for the missed cruise?

Cruise lines generally do not offer refunds or future cruise credits for passengers who miss a cruise due to travel delays. This includes partial refunds for missed days if you join a cruise a day or two late.

The only exception here is that some lines might offer at least a partial refund if you miss a cruise due to a documented emergency. But they do this on a case-by-case basis, and you can’t count on it.

Related: Future cruise credits: What they are, how they work and when they expire

Will travel insurance help if I miss my cruise ship?

If you miss a day or two of a cruise because of a delayed flight, you might be able to get some reimbursement through a travel insurance policy, assuming you have one. Then again, you might not. Most travel insurance plans offer “trip interruption” coverage that kicks in after missed connections. But there often is fine print that limits the circumstances where it is valid.

“Some plans offer missed-connection coverage only for weather-related delays, while other plans may also cover delays caused by … mechanical breakdown,” Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, a leading travel insurance comparison site, noted in an interview on the topic with TPG.

In addition, while the missed-connection coverage in many travel insurance plans only requires a delay of three consecutive hours to be valid, some less pricey plans might have a six- or 12-hour delay requirement, Sandberg said. Coverage maximums for missed-connection claims also vary widely. Some are as low as $250, according to Sandberg.

If it does kick in, missed-connection coverage would cover the cost of flights or other transportation needed to reach your cruise ship at a secondary port as well as “reasonable” costs for accommodations, meals and telephone expenses incurred while in transit to the ship, Sandberg said. Such insurance also would reimburse any prepaid expenses for unused land- or water-travel arrangements.

If you drive to a cruise and miss the ship due to traffic delays, travel insurance isn’t as accommodating. Traffic delays typically aren’t considered a covered reason for reimbursement under missed-connection coverage, according to Sandberg.

That said, “some travel insurance plans will provide trip cancellation coverage if the insured is involved in a documented traffic accident on the way to their departure point,” he added.

Even if you haven’t bought travel insurance specifically for your cruise, you might be able to tap trip interruption insurance that’s a benefit of some credit cards for at least partial reimbursement of expenses related to missing a cruise departure. Many premium Chase cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve?, for instance, provide trip interruption insurance with relatively high maximum coverage amounts for trips booked using the cards.

Just be warned that this benefit often comes with a lot of fine print that can make it tough to collect in many circumstances. The fine print on the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s travel insurance benefit, for instance, says its trip interruption coverage does not apply to “travel arrangements canceled or changed by a travel supplier unless the cancellation is the result of severe weather or an organized strike affecting public transportation, or unless specifically covered herein.”

To our ears, that sounds pretty limiting.

Could a travel agent help me?

Plenty of travelers these days pooh-pooh the notion of booking through a travel agent. But in the case of a missed cruise departure, a travel agent specializing in cruises?can be a big help.

Many of the big travel agency groups do many millions of dollars of business with each of the major cruise lines, giving them clout they can deploy to your advantage. They also have agents with personal relationships with problem solvers at various lines who can jump into action on your behalf.

“You have an advocate available to you to help if something doesn’t go as planned,” said Jill LaBarre, vice president of business development at Palm Coast Travel, owner of Oasis Travel Network and SmartCruiser.com. “I’m not sure the occasional cruiser would know where to begin to salvage their trip [after a missed departure].”

LaBarre recalled the case of a family that missed its flight to Miami for a Norwegian Cruise Line trip by minutes. While the family didn’t make the flight, its bags did, creating a situation with some complicated logistics to fix.

For starters, she quickly rebooked the family on a flight to St. Thomas, where the ship, Norwegian Escape, would be two days later. The family would be able to join the ship there. She also booked the family into a resort in St. Thomas for the two days until the ship arrived.

But the more complicated issue was reuniting the family with its bags. The bags now were stranded at the Miami airport. LaBarre sought help from the assistant hotel director of the ship, which had yet to leave Miami. He, in turn, arranged to have Norwegian’s transfer company pick up the bags and rush them to the vessel before it departed.

Two days later, when the family finally boarded the ship, the bags were there in the family’s room. Speaking of the room, LaBarre’s contact on the ship had the family upgraded, too.

LaBarre said she had urged the family to fly to the port a day early and buy travel insurance. But they hadn’t heeded her advice on either count.

“It all worked out, but with a lot of unnecessary stress and expense,” she said.

Bottom line

It’s not going to be easy to salvage your trip if you are late for your cruise departure. My advice is to always travel to the port of departure at least a day in advance of a cruise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Delta Air Lines is modernizing and expanding its Sky Club network. However, the airline has taken multiple steps to significantly reduce Delta Sky Club access, including changes set to take effect on Feb. 1, 2025. So, here’s what you need to know about the various ways you can get Delta Sky Club access.

Delta Sky Club access via credit cards

One easy way to get Delta Sky Club access is to hold a card that grants access. Here’s a look at when you can get access with some of the best cards for Sky Club access:

• The Platinum Card? from American Express and The Business Platinum Card? from American Express: Must be traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight or Delta-marketed WestJet flight starting with a 006 ticket number for complimentary Delta Sky Club access (no access for basic economy fares; complimentary access will be limited to 10 visits per program year starting Feb. 1, 2025)
• Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles? Reserve Business American Express Card: Must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for complimentary Delta Sky Club access (no access for basic economy fares; complimentary access will be limited to 15 visits per program year starting Feb. 1, 2025)

Luckily, even once Delta starts limiting cardholder visits on Feb. 1, 2025, each visit will include “entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club Grab and Go feature, at one or more airports, for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage,” according to the terms and conditions. As such, one visit can include access to Delta SkyClubs at several airports within 24 hours.

Note that all the above cards only provide access to the cardmember. You can add authorized users to each of these cards to get access for friends and family members, but each card charges a set fee for authorized user cards. You can also pay $50 per person, per visit ($25 per person, per visit at grab-and-go locations) to bring up to two guests or your immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 21). However, basic cardmembers of the Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business also get four one-time guest passes to bring guests into Delta Sky Clubs.

As mentioned above, starting on Feb. 1, 2025, Delta will limit the number of visits cardholders get for Sky Clubs each program year (Feb. 1 through Jan. 31 of the following year). However,? you can remove the cap on Sky Club visits through the end of the following Medallion year (Jan. 31) if you spend $75,000 or more during a calendar year on one of the eligible credit cards.

Also, if you have the Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business card and travel on a Delta partner airline on flights not marketed or operated by Delta, you can enter a Sky Club for $50 per person, per location or a grab-and-go location for $25 per person, per location.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Delta Sky Club membership

If you have Delta Medallion status, you can purchase a Sky Club membership with cash or SkyMiles. There are two types of Delta Sky Club membership:

• Individual membership: One-year rate of $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles
• Executive membership: One-year rate of $1,495 or 149,500 SkyMiles

These memberships provide Sky Club access when flying Delta or select partners if you aren’t flying in basic economy.

With an individual membership, only the member can enter the Sky Club. However, the member can pay $50 or 5,000 miles per guest per visit ($25 or 2,500 miles per guest per visit for grab-and-go locations) for up to two guests or immediate family members.

Meanwhile, an executive membership is handy for those who anticipate frequently bringing guests with them into the club. You can bring up to two guests or your immediate family for free and up to two more guests for $50 or 5,000 miles per guest per visit ($25 or 2,500 miles per guest per visit for grab-and-go locations).

Related:?A guide to guest policies for airport lounges

Delta Sky Club access via elite status

There are several ways you might get Delta Sky Club access as a benefit of your elite status.

For example, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members get to select Choice Benefits each Medallion year. Some of the Delta Choice Benefits can provide Delta Sky Club access as follows:

• Delta Sky Club individual membership: Diamond members can obtain this benefit with two Choice Benefit selections for the 2025 Medallion year (not offered for the 2024 Medallion year)
• Delta Sky Club executive membership: Diamond members can obtain this benefit with three Choice Benefit selections for the 2024 and 2025 Medallion years

Delta Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members and up to one guest can also access Sky Club lounges when traveling in Premium Select internationally (excluding the Caribbean) or in Delta One (or an equivalent cabin on a flight operated by a Delta partner). These members may also get Delta Sky Club access with up to one guest when traveling in first class (or an equivalent cabin on a flight operated by a Delta partner) to Mexico, Canada and Central America. However, the guest must travel in a qualifying cabin in both cases.

If you are a SkyTeam Elite Plus member from another airline, you can access Delta Sky Club lounges with up to one guest before you travel on a SkyTeam international flight (excluding between the U.S. and the Caribbean) or a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to or from a SkyTeam international flight.

There are also a few airlines that give Delta Sky Club access as an elite status benefit, including:

• LATAM: Signature Black Emerald, Black Emerald and Platinum Sapphire members and up to one guest get Delta Sky Club access when traveling on or connecting to a same-day international flight operated by Delta or LATAM.
• WestJet: Gold and Platinum members and up to one guest get Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a same-day transborder flight between the U.S. and Canada operated by Delta or WestJet

Related:?Some of our favorite ways to use Delta SkyMiles

Delta Sky Club access on premium-cabin tickets

Both domestic and international Delta One (which is different from first class on Delta) passengers, as well as anyone flying on a same-day international first-class or business-class ticket on another SkyTeam-operated flight (you must be confirmed in business class or first class for every segment of your journey), get Sky Club lounge access regardless of elite status or membership. You can enter the club even if you’re on a domestic Delta flight connecting to or from a same-day international Delta One flight.

Delta defines international travel as Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, Africa, Canada and Mexico (but not the Caribbean) for lounge access.

Additionally, Delta partners with two other airlines to provide Sky Club access to their premium cabin passengers:

• LATAM: Business-class passengers can access Sky Club lounges with same-day international travel or in conjunction with a connection to or from an international flight operated by Delta or LATAM.
• WestJet: Business-class passengers can access Sky Club lounges with same-day international travel or in conjunction with a connection to or from an international flight operated by Delta or WestJet.

Related:?Premium economy vs. business class: Are the differences worth an upgrade?

Bottom line

If you regularly fly Delta or live in or travel to a hub city,?having Sky Club access can make your travel experience much more enjoyable.

While Delta has tightened Sky Club access rules, there are still some ways to gain access — especially if you avoid booking basic economy fares. For example, top-tier Diamond Medallion members can redeem Choice Benefits for a Delta Sky Club membership, while anyone with Delta elite status can still pay cash or redeem miles for a Delta Sky Club membership.

In addition, some premium credit cards still provide complimentary lounge access, although visits will be capped starting Feb. 1, 2025, unless you meet specific spending thresholds each calendar year.

If your idea of winter bliss involves sipping gluhwein, browsing endless stalls of holiday gifts and getting lost in a sea of glittering fairy lights, plan to celebrate this season at one of Europe‘s Christmas markets. These traditional markets date back hundreds of years and are still popular in many European countries, from France to Estonia.

Yes, the weather is cold (and snowy in some places). However, the smell of roasted chestnuts, the sparkle of the lights and the general feeling of holiday cheer more than make up for it. Since many markets begin in November and run through December, travelers can snag a fall or winter flight deal, or off-peak award redemption.

So, bundle up and check out our recommendations for some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, complete with tips on how to get there and where to stay.

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich’s Wienachtsdorf, which runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23, 2024, is one of the city’s largest Christmas markets. It’s located at Sechselautenplatz, the square directly in front of the Zurich Opera House and adjacent to?Lake Zurich.

The charming Christmas village is made up of around 120 stalls, mostly run by local designers showcasing distinctive jewelry and other holiday gifts. The market also offers a variety of culinary options, from international dishes to traditional Swiss cuisine at the Fondue Chalet (reservations are recommended).

Stay: Stay at the Park Hyatt Zurich, just a 15-minute walk from the Christmas market. Rates start at $708 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night this November and December.

Arrive: Zurich Airport (ZRH) is a major transportation hub with numerous nonstop flights from the United States. Swiss, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines all have nonstop options from East Coast cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Then it’s just a quick 25-minute train ride to the heart of the city.

Copenhagen, Denmark

From Nov. 8 to Dec. 21, 2024, Copenhagen’s largest Christmas market, which is usually held at Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square), will take place at Thorvaldsens Plads, just a 10-minute walk away. The square in front of the Thorvaldsens Museum will be transformed into a captivating wonderland with a labyrinth of wooden stalls, each brimming with delightful Danish delicacies, toys and more. Kids will be thrilled to snap a photo with Santa, while adults can unwind with a warming glass of spiced wine, or glogg as it’s called here.

Stay: The Nobis Hotel Copenhagen is a tranquil retreat just a 10-minute walk from Thorvaldsens Plads and only one block away from Tivoli Gardens, the historic theme park that is also a must-visit during the Christmas season. Plus, the posh property is bookable using Marriott Bonvoy points. Rates start at $411 or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this November and December.

Arrive: There are a few nonstop options to Copenhagen Airport (CPH) from the U.S., including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Scandinavian Airlines?is the main provider, but other airlines, such as Icelandair, offer layover options for cheaper airfares.

Related: SAS awards now available using Delta SkyMiles (and other partners), including on business-class flights to Europe

Edinburgh, Scotland

From Nov. 15, 2024, to Jan. 4, 2025, Edinburgh will host one of the United Kingdom’s most grandiose and beloved Christmas markets at East Princes Street Gardens, just below Edinburgh Castle. Picture more than 130 charming huts, each illuminated with festive lights and strewn with decorations, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

These stalls offer a plethora of local, handmade gifts and an array of scrumptious treats to savor. Don’t miss out on a mesmerizing ride on the big wheel, presenting panoramic views of the entire festive extravaganza. The festival has something special for everyone, with various rides suited for kids and adults and even a Santa’s grotto for a close-up encounter with Santa Claus.

Stay: For a luxurious stay, consider The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton, which is just a 10-minute walk from the Christmas market and offers views of the castle. Rates start at $290 or 76,000 Hilton Honors points per night this November and December.

Arrive: Direct flights to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) are available year-round from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on United Airlines.

Vienna, Austria

Wander past more than 100 stalls at Vienna’s largest Christmas market?in the Rathausplatz City Hall Square from Nov. 16 to Dec. 26, 2024. Kids will love the ice skating rink, Ferris wheel and carousel. This year, the market and its stalls will focus on improving sustainability, so expect more eco-friendly products and materials.

Stay: Just a 12-minute walk from Rathausplatz, the Park Hyatt Vienna is the ultimate Viennese luxury: high arching ceilings, an indoor swimming pool, and suites decked out with chandeliers and marble bathrooms. Rates in November and December start at $558 or 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night, but are significantly higher around Christmas.

Arrive: Austrian Airlines, the flagship carrier of Vienna Airport (VIE), is part of the Star Alliance. If you have miles on any partner airline, you should be able to get a seat at a good valuation. Austrian flies directly from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Germany

As one of the most famous countries in Europe for Christmas markets, Germany has a market in practically every city. We couldn’t pick just one, so here are some of the best:

• Cologne: This city, famous for its towering Gothic cathedral, features nearly a dozen different Christmas markets, including the hopeful return of the LGBTQ+-friendly Christmas market after a two-year absence (most run from Nov. 18 to Dec. 23, 2024).
• Munich: Bavaria’s most famous market is in Munich’s Marienplatz, which is decorated with thousands of candles and has over 100 stalls (Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, 2024).
• Munich Airport: Jump right into the holiday spirit (and even go ice skating) during a long layover at Munich Airport (MUC), which transforms into a Christmas market (Nov. 15 to Dec. 29, 2024).
• Frankfurt: Enjoy shopping and a 100-foot-tall Christmas scene at Frankfurt’s main Christmas Market (Nov. 25 to Dec. 22, 2024).
• Nuremberg: In addition to its world-renowned lebkuchen (gingerbread), keep a look out for this market’s Christkind, a young lady with curly blond hair dressed like a golden angel who makes frequent appearances at the festivities (Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, 2024).
• Berlin: Germany’s capital has a number of Christmas markets, but one of the best is the WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt (Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, 2024), which is relocated in 2024 to the historic Bebelplatz near the State Opera and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. Expect the typical food and shopping but also holiday-inspired performances from fire eaters, acrobats, jugglers and choirs.
• Dresden: One of the country’s oldest and largest markets, the Striezelmarkt in Dresden’s Altmarkt features puppet theaters, storytelling time and gingerbread-decorating workshops (Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, 2024).

Stay: The JW Marriott Frankfurt features 219 rooms and more than 200 hand-painted art pieces by German artist Hartwig Ebersbach. Rates start as low as $192 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night from late November through December.

Arrive: Star Alliance partner Lufthansa operates direct flights to Germany out of several U.S. airports, including hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and Denver.

If you want to visit in comfort and style, you can splash out for one of the most iconic fifth-freedom routes out of the U.S., offered by Singapore Airlines between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Germany’s Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Super-luxurious business-class awards on this route cost 81,000 miles each way through Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program. You can transfer points to KrisFlyer from all of the transferable points programs — American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

France

You can’t go wrong with markets in French cities like Lyon and Lille. But since Strasbourg is known as the Capital of Christmas, it’s no surprise that Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmarkt, near the city’s cathedral, is one of France’s most popular holiday haunts for sipping mulled wine, tasting French wintery treats like tarte flambee or sugary bredele biscuits, and shopping for wares among the wooden stalls (Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2024). Strasbourg’s towering Christmas tree, millions of twinkling lights and festive ice rink can convince any Grinch to love the festive season.

Stay: Consider a stay at one of the city’s newer hotels, the Aloft Strasbourg Etoile. The hotel is welcoming and modern, just a 15-minute walk to the main Christmas market. Rates start at $154 or 31,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night while the market is open.

Arrive: Strasbourg is a smaller city, and you can’t fly nonstop there from the U.S. Instead, fly to Strasbourg Airport (SXB) from hubs such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Or, plan a layover to check out Munich Airport’s Christmas market (see above), then continue on to Strasbourg. You can also take a train from Frankfurt or Paris to the French city.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

Tallinn, Estonia

Sample Baltic holiday cuisine like black pudding and gingerbread paired with spiced wine at the Christmas market in Tallinn’s medieval Town Hall Square (Nov. 22 to Dec. 27, 2024).

The setting is simply stunning. Historic buildings surround stalls selling Christmas goods and decorations (many of which are heart-shaped, as Estonians firmly believe Christmas is a time of love), with the enormous tree as a centerpiece. Look forward to two different carousels for the little ones and a double-decker holiday bus to ride around town.

Stay: The Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallin is a 15-minute walk away from the town square, which you can view from the hotel’s outdoor terrace. Rates start at $102 or 44,000 Radisson Rewards points per night.

Arrive: Although you can’t fly nonstop from the U.S. to Tallinn Airport (TLL), you can connect easily to hubs such as Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), Istanbul Airport (IST), Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Brussels Airport (BRU) and then fly on over. If you fly Finnair between the U.S. and Helsinki Airport (HEL), a ferry to Tallinn takes about 3 1/2 hours. From various London airports, you can fly to Tallinn on low-cost airlines like airBaltic, Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Brussels, Belgium

While the markets in Antwerp, Ghent and Brugge have a more charming and cozy vibe, Brussels’ Winter Wonders Market (Nov. 29, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025) is the largest and most impressive in Belgium, with more than 200 stands weaving through the city center.

Take a spin around the ice rink, fly high in the Ferris wheel or enjoy a visit from Santa. The market also offers an immersive audio and visual Christmas show, an innovative way to experience all the holiday fun.

Stay: Budget travelers can stay amid the action at the Holiday Inn Express Brussels — Grand-Place for as low as $140 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards points per night this holiday season.

Arrive: Fly to Brussels on Star Alliance carriers from hubs like New York and Washington, D.C. Some of the best redemption options include United MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer. Consider combining a trip to Brussels with other European cities (or Christmas markets) using the Brussels Airlines pit-stop service. This stopover program allows passengers to stay from one to five nights at no extra charge in Belgium.

If you fly from the U.S. to London, you can fly to Brussels on British Airways and Brussels Airlines. Taking the Eurostar train between London and Brussels is an alternative option — the ride takes just over two hours. Rates start as low as $66 each way this holiday season.

Prague, Czech Republic

It’s hard to decide whether to visit Prague’s Old Town Square Christmas Market or Wenceslas Square Christmas Market (both Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025). Considering they’re a 10-minute walk apart, it’s easy to visit both. The markets sell similar items, like medovina honey wine and Czech crafts like puppets and dolls, but Old Town Square has live animals like sheep and donkeys for children to pet.

Stay: The Andaz Prague, which opened in 2022 inside a historic 1916 building, is a 10-minute walk from Old Town Square. Rates start at $320 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night in November and December.

Arrive: Unfortunately, Delta’s nonstop flight to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) from New York’s JFK airport doesn’t operate in the winter months. However, many airlines fly to Prague from numerous European hubs, including London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

Zagreb, Croatia

Christmas in Zagreb is special, with the entire city decked out with lights, Nativity scenes and decorations. While there are dozens of Christmas markets to visit, start at the Zrinjevac Park Christmas Market (Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 7, 2025), where you can sample hot strukli, a pastry with melted cheese, or medenjaci cookies paired with soul-warming wine as you browse handmade ornaments and toys.

Then visit Zagreb Cathedral with its famous Nativity scene out front. Finish the evening up with a few laps around King Tomislav Square ice rink or a ride on the carousel in Strossmayer Square.

Stay: A short walk away from the Christmas action, the Westin Zagreb is ideal for those wanting a quiet, contemporary space to relax while still staying close to all the holiday cheer. Rates start at $122 or 16,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night during the holiday season.

Arrive: Getting to Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) will take you more than one flight since there are no nonstop flights available from the U.S. to the Croatian capital. On various European carriers, you’ll need to stop first in destinations like London, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Frankfurt en route to Zagreb. Both British Airways and Croatia Airlines fly between London and Zagreb.

Basel, Switzerland

Wander among more than 160 snow-covered wooden stalls at Basel’s Christmas Market, stretching from Barfusserplatz to Munsterplatz (Nov. 28 to Dec. 23, 2024). A steaming mug of gluhwein perfectly complements traditional delights like waffles, gingerbread and melted Swiss raclette.

Stay: The Basel Marriott offers the best of Swiss culture without sacrificing modernity. Rates start around $167 or 21,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this holiday season.

Arrive: Getting to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL) from the U.S. requires a stop somewhere in Europe. The airport is actually in France, though it’s a short drive from both Basel and the border of Germany — perfect for visiting three countries in one trip. You can also fly Swiss to Zurich, stopping there quickly before hopping on a Swiss Federal Railways train to Basel, bookable as one complete ticket on the Swiss website.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki’s Christmas Market (from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22, 2024) in Senate Square, with Helsinki Cathedral as its backdrop, is the city’s oldest and most popular. It’s not just about the holiday stalls, though there are plenty of those offering everything from handmade gifts to local treats. On Dec. 13, don’t miss the St. Lucia procession, a tradition honoring a 4th-century martyr. And yes, Santa visits daily, while the free merry-go-round adds a nostalgic touch.

Stay: If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay in the heart of Helsinki, The Hotel Maria is a fantastic option. Opened in June 2024, this 117-room hotel is one of the newest members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection and is just a 10-minute walk from Senate Square. Rates start at $330 per night during the holidays.

Arrive: Getting to Helsinki Airport (HEL) is a breeze, especially with Finnair offering nonstop flights from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. For travelers from other cities, you’ll likely need a connection, but most major carriers make it easy with quick stopovers.

Malaga, Spain

From Nov. 25, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025,? the Malaga Christmas market on the Paseo del Parque will bring festive magic to Spain’s sunny south with roasted chestnuts and traditional sweets like turron. Don’t miss the dazzling Christmas lights on nearby Larios Street. The Three Wise Men parade on Jan. 5 is a sugary, gift-filled spectacle.

Stay: You’ll love the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio. It’s got killer views of the port, and you’re just a short walk from the Malaga Cathedral and Museo Picasso. Plus, it’s a great deal, with rates starting at $177 or 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this holiday season.?

Arrive: If you’re flying to Malaga from the U.S., Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is easy to reach, though you’ll need a stopover. For example, TAP Air Portugal stops in Lisbon from New York City. Once you arrive, you’re just about a five-hour drive from Madrid and two hours from Seville, making it a great base for exploring southern Spain.

Stockholm, Sweden

The Christmas market at the Skansen open-air museum is a must if you visit Stockholm during the holidays. Running from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22, 2024, it’s been a holiday staple since 1903 and is full of festive charm. Picture 70 stalls with Christmas goodies and handmade crafts, plus waffles and mulled wine to warm you up. You can even try your hand at old-fashioned Christmas crafts or stroll through the magical Winter Lights. It’s cozy and fun — the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit in Stockholm.

Stay: The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is just a four-minute walk from the nearest transit station, making it super convenient for exploring the city. Rates start at $111 or 29,000 Hilton Honors points per night while the market is open.

Arrive: Getting to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) from the U.S. is simple, with Scandinavian Airlines offering direct flights from Newark (EWR) year-round. If you’re coming from other cities, expect a stopover in a European hub like Oslo or London.

Oslo, Norway

Oslo’s Winter Wonderland at the Spikersuppa square is back from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31, 2024. This festive spot on Karl Johans Gate — the city’s main street — has all the classics, like charming stalls selling gifts, an ice-skating rink and a Ferris wheel. But the real star? The food. Think coconut cupcakes, caramel apples, glogg, currywurst and smoked salmon from the Lofoten Islands. Feeling lucky? Spin the chocolate wheel!?

Stay: Sommerro is in the heart of the city, within a 15-minute walk of the Christmas market. The 231-room hotel is known for its luxurious design and cozy vibes, plus it has a year-round rooftop pool. Rates start at $272 per night during the holidays.

Arrive: SAS offers nonstop flights to Oslo Airport (OSL) from Newark (EWR), and Norse Atlantic Airways flies directly from Miami in the winter. If you’re flying from anywhere else in the U.S., you’ll likely have a layover in another major European city.

Bottom line

The best Christmas markets in Europe offer a festive way to celebrate the holidays, complete with local gastronomy, mulled wine, ice skating and twinkling holiday decorations. If you want to visit other European destinations, it’s likely they also have a Christmas market. Many cities have versions of these seasonal markets, including Gothenburg, Sweden; Madrid; Budapest; and Krakow, Poland.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

You obviously don’t want to leave value on the table if you can help it, so here’s a quick look at popular loyalty programs and their rewards expiration policies.

Related: How to keep your points and miles from expiring

Do points and miles expire?

If you’re an avid collector of travel rewards, you can bet that most of the currencies you’ve amassed have an expiration date. This may seem alarming at first — or, at the very least, inconvenient to monitor — but it’s really not that bad. In just about every case, you can push the expiration date by simply earning or redeeming a single point. If you’re a frequent traveler, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

To boot, some points and miles will never expire as long as you have a credit card that earns those rewards. For example, World of Hyatt points will never expire if you have an active Hyatt credit card account, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points won’t expire if you hold an Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card.

But here’s the more important point: Even if the rewards you have never expire, you shouldn’t drag your feet in redeeming them. We routinely see loyalty program devaluations that weaken the value of rewards. All this to say, it’s likely that the points you have will never be worth more than they are right now.

Related: Why points and miles are a bad long-term investment

Do airline credits expire?

Airline credits often expire — but not always. Each airline publishes unique terms, so you’ll need to read the fine print. Here’s a quick rundown of the rules for the most popular airline credits.

Alaska Airlines

If you cancel your nonrefundable Alaska Airlines flight or change it to a flight that costs less than your original ticket, you’ll get a credit certificate for the remaining value of your ticket. This expires either 12 months from the issue date of your original ticket or 30 days from the date of exchange or cancellation, whichever is greater. Credit certificates must be used to purchase a new ticket before the expiration date passes, but the new flight can take place up to 11 months later.

Similarly, those who hold the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature? credit card or the Alaska Airlines Visa? Business card will receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare each cardmember year after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. This allows you to book your travel buddy a round-trip economy flight from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). These fare codes generally must be redeemed within 12 months of the issue date, though you can book travel within 12 months beyond the issue date.

Related: How to save hundreds on flights with the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare

American Airlines

Travelers with unused or canceled tickets will receive a flight credit for future travel with American Airlines. To use them, you must book your new flight and travel within one year of the original ticket date.

You may also receive a trip credit for a number of reasons, including as a refund, as compensation or when you don’t fully use a flight credit. Trip credits expire one year from the date they are issued unless otherwise specified.

Finally, if you receive a paper travel voucher, you’ll have one year from the date it’s issued to use it.

Holders of select American Airlines credit cards have the opportunity to earn a companion certificate each year after meeting annual spending requirements. These are generally valid for one year. You can earn this certificate with cards such as the Citi? / AAdvantage Business? World Elite Mastercard? (see rates and fees)?and the AAdvantage? Aviator? World Elite Business Mastercard?.

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best uses of American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Delta Air Lines

As a result of an unused ticket or a paid service that was only partially used (such as a flight, seat upgrade or travel voucher), you may receive a Delta eCredit. These expire one year from the date of issue.

Travelers who hold an eligible Delta credit card will receive an annual companion certificate, allowing you to bring a travel partner along with you on a round-trip flight for just the cost of taxes and fees. These certificates typically expire 12 months after they are issued, and you must both book and complete your travel by the expiration date listed on the certificate. You can earn these certificates each cardmember year if you hold the Delta SkyMiles? Platinum American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles? Platinum Business American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles? Reserve Business American Express Card.

Related: Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status

Frontier Airlines

Frontier issues flight credits and vouchers (or electronic travel certificates) with a 12-month shelf life. However, you can book travel beyond that window.

Southwest Airlines

When you cancel a nonrefundable Southwest flight, you’ll receive a flight credit to use toward future Southwest flights. This credit does not expire. Southwest LUV Vouchers, on the other hand, are doled out as compensation for things like flight delays. These expire one year after the issue date, and they must be redeemed and all travel completed by the expiration date.

It’s worth noting that those with LUV Vouchers approaching expiration should be able to redeem them for a flight and then cancel — thus turning it into a flight credit with no expiration.

You may also earn the Southwest Companion Pass after taking 100 qualifying one-way flights or earning 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year. This pass allows you to bring a travel companion every time you fly Southwest for just the cost of the taxes and fees. The Companion Pass is valid for the remainder of the year in which you earn it, as well as the following calendar year. In other words, if you earn it anytime in 2024, it’ll expire Dec. 31, 2025.

Related: How to redeem your points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program

United Airlines

If you cancel your United Airlines flight or change it to a less expensive option, you’ll receive a future flight credit. To use it, your future trip must begin before the expiration date, which is typically one year from the date of issuance.

You may also receive a travel certificate, which is a gesture of goodwill by United for doing things like giving up your seat on a full flight. This also expires after one year, but your trip doesn’t have to begin by that date. Instead, you need only book the trip before it expires; travel can occur well beyond the expiration date.

Do hotel credits expire?

Hotel credits may also have varying expiration rules, but you’ll largely find that certificates will expire a year after they are issued. Let’s look at the terms published by the most popular hotel chains.

Related: Maximize hotel free night certificates by planning your credit card applications

Choice Hotels

Unlike many hotel loyalty programs, Choice doesn’t offer annual free night certificates. However, it’s worth noting that Choice Privileges points expire after 18 months of inactivity. You can reset the clock by simply earning or redeeming points.

Hilton

Hilton free night certificates are valid for nearly any Hilton hotel on the planet (minus a few exceptions). If you can find standard rooms for up to 150,000 Hilton Honors points, you can likely use your free night certificate there.

These certificates normally expire within one year of the issue date. Hilton issues annual free night certificates to travelers who hold select Hilton cards, some of which require that you achieve a yearly spending threshold. For instance, with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass? Card you can earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card within a calendar year.

Hilton points expire after 24 months of account inactivity; you can extend their validity by earning or redeeming points at least once during that time.

Related: Hilton free night reward redemptions: 10 best hotels in the world to use your award certificate

Hyatt

Hyatt issues free nights in more ways than one. You can earn them by holding (and spending on) the World of Hyatt Credit Card, which provides a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property every year after your cardmember anniversary and another free night after you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. Additionally, Hyatt enthusiasts can earn a Category 1-4 award night when they reach 30 qualifying nights or 50,000 base points in a year thanks to World of Hyatt’s Milestone Rewards?and for every five unique Hyatt brands they stay at over the lifetime of their membership via Hyatt’s Brand Explorer.

Free night certificates earned from the Hyatt credit card and through Brand Explorer are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Free night certificates earned as a Milestone Reward are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. When using one of these, you must check out prior to the expiration date.

World of Hyatt points will expire after 24 months of account inactivity, but you can easily extend them with activity. Even holding an active Hyatt credit card associated with your account will keep your points active.

Related: How to earn, use and make the most of your Hyatt free night certificates

IHG Hotels & Resorts

If you hold the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card or the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, you’ll receive a free night certificate worth up to 40,000 points after each account anniversary. You’ll have 12 months to complete your stay from the issue date. Additionally, InterContinental Ambassador members receive an annual free night certificate that expires 12 months from the issue date.

IHG One Rewards points expire after 12 months of inactivity for basic members. If you have elite status (which you can achieve by simply holding any IHG credit card), your points will never expire.

Marriott

Marriott offers free night awards of varying values. You can earn them by holding a Marriott credit card, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless? Credit Card, which offers one free award night worth up to 35,000 points each year after your card account anniversary. (Certain hotels have resort fees.) You can also choose a free night award worth up to 40,000 points as one of your Annual Choice Benefits after earning 75 elite night credits in one calendar year.

Either way, Marriott free night certificates are valid for one year after they are issued. You must check in for your stay on or before the expiration date.

Marriott Bonvoy points will expire if your account is inactive for 24 months. But again, you can prevent expiration by simply earning or redeeming points.

Related: Great uses of Marriott 35,000-point free night certificates

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

You can’t earn a free night certificate with Wyndham Rewards. The only way to stay for free is by using points, which expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Additionally, points you earn from a hotel stay will expire four years after your checkout date — even if your account is active.

Credit card statement credits

Some travel credits aren’t directly tied to an airline or hotel loyalty program. Many travel credit cards offer perks like airline fee credits and hotel credits to help you save money, so it’s important to know when these become available to you and when they’ll expire.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card offers up to $50 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotels booked through the Chase Travel? portal.?This expires and resets each account anniversary.

The Platinum Card? from American Express offers up to $200 in statement credits each year on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection when you pay with your Amex Platinum. (Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum; enrollment is required for select benefits.) The card also provides up to $200 per year toward airline incidental fees (enrollment is required). If not used, both of these perks expire Dec. 31.

Some cards offer annual credits that cover just about anything travel-related. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve? will give you up to $300 in statement credits to offset travel; they reset every year on your cardmember anniversary.

These perks allow (or, in some cases, require) that you prepay for your travel, so you should be able to use them for travel beyond their expiration dates.

Related: Crunching the numbers: Is it more expensive to book flights through a credit card travel portal?

Bottom line

As you can see, expiration policies vary widely. Some travel certificates expire at the end of each year or on your cardmember anniversary, while others expire a specific number of months after they are issued. To add to the confusion, some require you to simply book a flight or stay by the expiration date, while others require travel to be booked and completed before expiration.

The end of the year is a great time to comb?through your stash of certificates, awards and vouchers to ensure that you don’t let anything go to waste.

American Express Membership Rewards points are one of the most useful flexible loyalty currencies out there. Not to mention, they’re fairly easy to earn if you have cards like The Platinum Card? from American Express and the American Express? Gold Card in your wallet.

While this isn’t your only redemption option, you’ll generally get the most value from your points by transferring them to a travel partner. The program offers 17 airline and three hotel transfer partners, including at least one useful option in each of the major alliances — SkyTeam,?Star Alliance?and?Oneworld. All but three of Amex’s partners have a 1:1 transfer ratio.

Transfer times vary by partner, so the TPG team routinely performs tests for each one. Not leaving yourself enough time to transfer points from your Membership Rewards account to your desired program could leave you high and dry. Your experiences may vary, but here’s what we found.

Related: American Express Membership Rewards transfer partners: Maximize your points

American Express Membership Rewards transfer times

Note that the times listed above represent our personal experiences and shouldn’t be taken as hard-and-fast rules. However, other users have reported a similar timeline when transferring points from Membership Rewards. Your transfers may be faster or slower, but you can use these times as guidelines when planning your trips. Instant transfers are obviously always preferred, and Amex does a good job of making that happen compared with competitors like Citi ThankYou Rewards.

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points

Things to consider before transferring Membership Rewards points

The greatest risk when transferring points is that award availability can change while you’re waiting for points to show up in your account. Transfers are irreversible, so in the worst-case scenario, you’ll be stuck with thousands of points in a program you have little use for beyond your originally intended award ticket or hotel stay. Here are a few tips to help you avoid that situation:

• Make sure the name on your Amex credit card matches the name on your loyalty program account exactly.
• Link all your transfer partner accounts to your Membership Rewards account now to prevent delays when you need to make a quick transfer.
• Put your award reservation on hold before transferring (if possible). Very few programs allow you to do this, but those that do make things much easier.
• Choose flights that have more than one available award seat?in case someone else books before your miles show up. Use tools like ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures) to find out how many award seats are available on a flight. You can also do a single search for three or four passengers — that way, you can determine precisely how many seats are available.
• Improve your chances of finding award space by choosing less popular routes or those that originate from non-hub airports, as these often have better award availability. One example is a transatlantic flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) on American Airlines. For a transpacific flight, check out All Nippon Airways’ flights from San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in California to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT).

If your original flights have disappeared, don’t panic. Remember that award availability changes frequently and can increase dramatically as you approach your departure date. Check regularly, and be ready to act quickly when seats do open up.

Related: Current credit card transfer bonuses

Can you transfer Membership Rewards points to someone else’s account?

Unlike Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, American Express doesn’t allow transferring Membership Rewards points to other accounts, even for family members living under the same roof. However, there is a workaround for this: Add them as authorized users.

Although you won’t be able to transfer points to another Amex account, you can transfer points to someone else’s travel loyalty account by adding them as an authorized user. American Express allows authorized users to be added to all of its Membership Rewards-earning cards. You can add practically anyone as an authorized user on your account — even if you don’t share the same address — but you will be responsible for their spending.

The Platinum Card? from American Express charges $195 per year to add authorized users to an account (see rates and fees). In addition to being able to transfer points to their loyalty accounts, authorized users receive all of the card’s benefits, such as lounge access and hotel elite status. However, if the benefits don’t matter and all you want is the ability to transfer points, you can add Gold Card authorized users to your Platinum account for no fee (see rates and fees).

On the American Express? Gold Card, the first five authorized users are free to add, and additional ones cost $35 each (see rates and fees). The American Express? Green Card charges $40 per year for each authorized user (see rates and fees).

The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

Is there a fee for transferring Membership Rewards points?

American Express charges an excise fee of 0.06 cents per point (capped at $99) when you transfer points to a U.S. airline. For example, if you transfer 30,000 Membership Rewards points to Delta Air Lines, you’ll need to pay an $18 fee. This is in addition to any taxes and fees you may be charged by the airline when redeeming your miles.

To minimize these fees and?maximize your Amex points,?transfer your points to foreign frequent flyer programs like Avianca LifeMiles or British Airways Executive Club.

How to earn Membership Rewards points

You have a few strong options for earning Membership Rewards points on a variety of common spending categories like groceries, dining and travel. These cards are also offering sizable welcome bonuses that could give your Membership Rewards account a major boost:

• American Express Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits (up to $100 back) on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership.
• American Express Green Card: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
• American Express Platinum Card: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

Bottom line

American Express Membership Rewards points transfer instantly for the vast majority of partners. Even the laggards only take 48 hours at most to transfer, which is significantly better than some other programs. Just keep in mind that the transfer times listed above are based on what we saw and may vary from one person to another.

With the large variety of Membership Rewards transfer partners, it’s tough to pick out just a few of the best options. Some sweet spots include transferring 50,000 Membership Rewards points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue to fly to Europe in business class on off-peak dates. Transferring to Choice Privileges for award stays starting at 8,000 points will also get you terrific value. Check out our guide on redeeming Amex points for maximum value for all of the best-value transfers.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, click here.

The striking, craggy coastline of Maine’s Acadia National Park has been an enticing destination for travelers since it was first declared a national park in the summer of 1916. On Mount Desert Island, three hours up the coast from Portland, deep cobalt waters crash in foamy waves against granite cliffs and mist-shrouded beaches. The great northern woods roll down hillsides to meet the Atlantic Ocean at the easternmost reach of the United States.

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All of the beauty of Maine’s wilderness comes together in Acadia National Park: Ancient coniferous forests, rugged mountains, wildlife and the untamed Atlantic marry in a way that makes the area feel untouched and unexplored, despite its unsurprising popularity.

Getting to Acadia National Park

The best airports near Acadia National Park

To reach Acadia National Park, you can fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) via American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, Southwest and United, and then catch a direct flight to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), served by Cape Air, Silver Airways, JetBlue and United Airlines. BHB is just a short 10-minute drive from the park.

Of course, if you fly right into Bar Harbor Airport, you’ll miss the meandering drive up Maine’s coastal Route 1, which can be about a six-hour road trip from Boston through many of Maine’s most picturesque coastal towns, depending on how many stops you make.

Additionally, Bangor International Airport (BGR) is about an hour inland from Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. There are a limited number of airlines serving BGR, but the current list includes American Airlines, United, Allegiant Air, Delta and Breeze.

Portland International Jetport (PWM) is yet another possibility, especially if you want to also explore Maine’s largest city. This airport is roughly three hours by car south of Acadia National Park. Airlines serving this airport include American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, Breeze and United.

Renting a car near Acadia National Park

Whether you fly into Boston, Bar Harbor, Bangor or Portland, you’ll definitely want to rent a car for your trip to Acadia National Park.

For car rentals from any of these airports, expect to pay anywhere between $120-$250 per day. The roads in Acadia are well-paved and easily accessible, with a modest total elevation gain of 1,530 feet. While Acadia is not as demanding on your vehicle as other national parks, having 4-wheel drive as an option can provide added peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling in rainy or snowy weather conditions. A midsize SUV is ideal.

Acadia National Park entrance fees

The current standard entrance pass into Acadia National Park is $35 per private vehicle and $30 for motorcycles. For individuals without a vehicle, the standard pass is $20. These passes are valid for seven days from the purchase date. There’s an annual Acadia National Park pass ($70) valid for one year from purchase date, and if you’re traveling to at least one other national park this year, you might want to consider the annual America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80 and grants you and everyone in your vehicle free access to all the national parks, as well as national wildlife refuges, national forests and grasslands and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The best time to visit Acadia National Park

My favorite time of year to visit Acadia is late September into October: The swarms of tourists have dramatically decreased, the mosquitoes are gone and daytime temperatures are typically still pleasant enough for hiking and beachcombing.

In truth, I’ve been to this area in all seasons and there is something to be said for each. Winter offers raw, icy landscapes and a desolate, abandoned atmosphere. In spring, a joyful mood takes over in the form of tree buds and wildflowers. Summer brings warmth, vacationing families and favorite pastimes in Bar Harbor’s historic downtown. Fall has its smattering of vibrant foliage, sunny days and cozier temperatures in the evenings.

Where to stay

If you’ve noticed that Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island and Bar Harbor are used somewhat interchangeably here, it’s because Mount Desert Island is home to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. A visit to any one of those places means you’ll likely explore all three. The island is just big enough to accommodate a (small) array of hotels, bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs, campgrounds and other lodgings. But it’s small enough that, no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to explore the whole area.

Best points hotels near Acadia National Park

If you’re using points for your hotel stay, there aren’t a lot of options, but the incredible setting is compensation, regardless of where you’re staying. Hampton Inn Bar Harbor is within walking distance of downtown Bar Harbor and a three-minute drive from the hotel to the entrance of the national park. It has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, free hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Rates start at 67,000 Hilton Honors points.

About a mile from downtown Bar Harbor and a couple more beyond that to the entrance of Acadia, Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor overlooks Frenchman’s Bay, complete with a pool, bay views and 1,000 feet of ocean frontage. Rates start at 23,000 IHG points per night.

Camping in Acadia National Park

If you want to rough it and embrace the outdoors, there are multiple options for camping within Acadia National Park as well. The forested Blackwoods Campground, situated in the heart of Mount Desert Island, is one of the most popular campsites in the park for good reason. It provides almost every essential amenity for a comfortable stay in the woods, including flush toilets, running water and a dump station, along with picnic tables and fire rings. It’s a perfect location for travelers who want to hike and climb in the park, and you can easily walk out of your tent and pick up the popular South Ridge trail up Cadillac Mountain.

Seawall Campground also offers quality facilities, but like Blackwoods, it tends to book up quickly. Keep in mind that this site is a 45 minute drive into the park.

There are also quite a few independently owned campgrounds near Acadia, like Mount Desert Campground. Bar Harbor Campground is also an excellent under-the-radar choice, especially for last-minute trips. Located just a 25-minute drive from the park, it provides convenience and accessibility despite its limited bathroom facilities compared to the other sites.

Those who still want to be one with nature but might want a more luxurious experience should consider glamping options. In fact, glamping brand Under Canvas recently joined World of Hyatt, following Hyatt’s partnership with Mr and Mrs Smith, and has a stunning outpost near Acadia located on 100 acres of waterfront property. Features include spacious tents (that can sleep up to seven) with elegant furnishings and organic toiletries; amenities like s’mores and fire pits; complimentary activities like live music and yoga classes; and on-site experience coordinators. Rates start at 26,000 World of Hyatt points.

Related: The best US glamping resorts for an outdoorsy summer getaway

While black bears are present in the area, campers can feel safe as long as they maintain distance and follow proper food storage guidelines.

Things to do in Acadia National Park

Aside from exploring Bar Harbor and the rest of Mount Desert Island, Acadia itself is full of outdoor adventures.

Best hiking in Acadia National Park

For a truly unforgettable experience, make a reservation in advance to drive up to the top of 1,529-foot Cadillac Mountain — the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard — and witness the first sunrise in the U.S. Avid hikers may opt to summit the mountain on foot, although an early wake-up call at 3 a.m. is required. Another fantastic spot to catch the sunrise is Otter Point, where you can stroll along the coastline and enjoy an unobstructed view of the ocean.

Beehive Loop Trail is one of Acadia’s most popular rung and ladder climbs. While not for the faint of heart, this 1.9-mile trail promises a gratifying view at the top. Many hikers choose to combine this trail with the Precipice Loop, as the only way to go on the Beehive Loop is up. Easy parking is available along the street near Sand Beach for quick access to both trails.

For something closer to the coastline, try Ocean Path Trail. With its stunning landscapes and views of the water, this trail offers some of the finest natural scenery in the region.

Ideal for families, the Jordan Pond Path provides a delightful 3-mile loop that is suitable for all ages. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance at the Jordan Pond House, a charming spot for brunch in the midst of the wilderness. For those seeking more adventure, consider exploring the North Bubble Loop off this trail to ascend Acadia’s iconic mountain range.

Other activities in Acadia National Park

Sea kayaking, rock climbing, wandering around Sand Beach and stopping at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse are all popular Acadia activities.

You can’t travel to Bar Harbor without stopping to hear the thunderous clap of waves crashing into the rocky inlet known as Thunder Hole. Don’t forget to grab a cheeky souvenir magnet or hilarious postcard from the nearby gift shop.

And it wouldn’t be a visit to a national park without seeing wildlife. Watch for harbor seals, peregrine falcons and other raptors and a variety of seabirds, herons, dolphins, whales and other marine mammals. There are also smaller, easy-to-miss wildlife, such as salamanders and other amphibians.

During low tide, you can even walk out across a sand bar from downtown Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Be sure to watch for barnacles, scurrying hermit crabs and starfish in the tide pools.

You’ll also have the chance to see otters, foxes and, if you’re lucky, even a moose during your trip to Acadia National Park.

Bottom line

Visiting Acadia National Park offers the perfect blend of a rugged outdoor adventure with the comforts and amenities of a bustling seaside town.

A trip to Acadia National Park is a great way to use those hard-earned points you’ve been saving for a vacation. It’s a rugged wilderness destination and a stunning stretch of the East Coast.

Here are some more outdoorsy vacations you may enjoy:?

• Visiting the Grand Canyon with a family: Where to camp, stay and play
• Family camping adventures in Yellowstone National Park
• Guide to visiting Redwood National and State Parks
• How to visit America’s national parks for less
• How to travel by RV with kids — and actually enjoy it

Additional reporting by Melanie Lieberman, Tate Gillie and Ellie Nan Storck.?

We’re still a month or so away from turkeys appearing on supermarket shelves en masse and familiar holiday tunes playing on the loudspeakers in stores. However, now is the best time to get serious about booking holiday travel — particularly when it comes to flights.

To avoid paying a premium for holiday travel, it’s a good idea to lock in your holiday airfare sooner rather than later. According to a seasonal forecast from Google Flights, you should aim to book Thanksgiving flights by early October and Christmas and New Year’s flights by late October.

But how soon you make your reservations isn’t the only factor to consider as you solidify your end-of-year travel plans, whether you’re headed home for Thanksgiving or to the mountains for some late-December skiing. The type of ticket you book, the dates of your trip and even the credit card you use to lock in your travel plans can also be critical pieces of your experience.

One of the most common mistakes is waiting too long to make flight reservations. Here are seven other mistakes to avoid when booking 2024 holiday travel.

Mistake 1: Being inflexible with travel plans

Being inflexible with travel plans keeps you from being able to take advantage of the lowest possible airfare.

For those of us with full-time, in-person jobs or family members with work or school requirements, flexibility is often easier said than done — particularly when it comes to the short Thanksgiving holiday period.

Anything you can do to open up your airfare search can help, though.

Let’s say I’m a college student or young professional in Washington, D.C., who needs to return home to Austin for Thanksgiving.

Based on my schedule, I may feel like I have to fly out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — the closest airport to Washington — no earlier than 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before the holiday and fly back on the Sunday after.

With all those parameters for my search, the cheapest nonstop itinerary currently available goes for a whopping $858 on Southwest Airlines, according to a quick search on Google Flights.

Watch what happens, though, if I rearrange my schedule and timing and search all of the Washington region’s airports.

Here’s a $564 round-trip flight — again, on Southwest — departing from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). It still departs on the Wednesday before, just earlier in the day; it also still returns on Sunday, albeit with a connection to save you a couple hundred dollars.

That’s a 34% savings just by removing a bit of rigidity from my plans, though you should always proceed with caution when deciding to introduce a connection during a busy travel week.

Any other flexibility you can find in your plans can help, whether it’s departing on a different day or — for the ultraflexible travelers — flying from a different location where the fares are cheaper.

Mistake 2: Flying on the busiest days

In both 2019 and 2023, the Transportation Security Administration set all-time records for passenger volume at checkpoints.

This summer, those records were toppled several times over, and nine of the 10 busiest days ever at TSA checkpoints came between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

Expect the same this Thanksgiving, particularly on the Sunday after the holiday, when millions of travelers will be heading home.

Since airfare is dictated by supply and demand, you’ll frequently see the worst prices on the busiest days surrounding major holidays. So, the more you can do to avoid those peak days, the better.

At Thanksgiving, the booking app Hopper?suggests flying on the Monday before the holiday or earlier. To beat the biggest crowds and highest prices on the return trip, the company suggests one of two options: fly home on Black Friday immediately after the holiday or on the Monday after Turkey Day.

Similarly, you can save money by avoiding peak travel days at Christmas. New Year’s Eve is among the best days to fly this year, Hopper notes.

Another way to save beyond extending your trip? Fly into your destination on the major holiday (like Thanksgiving or Christmas) itself. Often, with so many travelers already at their destinations, the crowds are smaller — and that frequently translates to lower prices.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to set an airfare alert

Booking or putting a hold on holiday flights soon is ideal. However, if your plans aren’t set in stone or you’re otherwise not ready to take the leap just yet, the worst thing you can do is forget about booking and just “check back in a few weeks.”

Several sites have services that will alert you to price fluctuations in airfare.

Suppose I’m planning to book a Christmas flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Denver International Airport (DEN) and I’m not prepared to pay for this $379 round-trip journey on United Airlines just yet. In that case, I will use Google Flights’ “Track prices” function.

As soon as I do that, Google Flights will monitor any fluctuations in my itinerary and email me alerts about any changes.

Mistake 4: Using the wrong credit card

Another common mistake travelers can make is using the wrong credit card to book a flight, hotel or other trip element.

There are a couple of factors to consider when deciding which card to use. You might want to use a card that earns the most rewards for airline or hotel purchases or a card that might help put you over the top with elite status as the year winds down.

Perhaps most important, though, is using a card in your wallet with travel insurance benefits. Numerous cards will reimburse you for covered trip cancellations, trip interruptions or other issues. Using the right card can save you hundreds of dollars if you get stranded somewhere and face an unexpected night in a hotel.

Often, cards with trip insurance benefits will pay for expenses even when a flight is canceled, for instance, due to weather — which airlines typically won’t cover.

However, there’s a key stipulation: You generally have to book all aspects of the trip with that card to be eligible for an insurance claim.

On many occasions, we’ve heard stories from TPG readers who have made a trip insurance claim with their card issuer after a cancellation and unexpected hotel night. It was not until later that they realized they had booked their flight with a different card and were, therefore, not eligible for any reimbursement.

Mistake 5: Using too many miles or points

Here at TPG, we’ll be the first to say it: Using points and miles is a great way to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of travel.

However, treating your hard-earned points and miles like the currency they are is critical to avoid handing over too many at once.

With many airline and hotel loyalty programs now using less predictable dynamic award pricing models, you could end up paying way too much in points or miles for a flight during the pricey holiday season if you’re not careful.

As enticing as it may be to avoid paying for that Thanksgiving flight, using all your points for holiday travel will mean there’s nothing left for a vacation the following year. This would be especially unfortunate if you had been saving up for a long-haul business-class seat or other redemption that could give you more value for your points.

When in doubt, consult TPG’s awards-versus-cash calculator, which will help you compare prices in dollars and points to decide how to book.

Mistake 6: Packing more than you need

Overpacking for any trip can cost you, but during the frantic and already-expensive holiday season, it can tip flight costs well beyond your budget.

Proceed with caution when booking a basic economy ticket or a flight on an ultra-low-cost carrier. It can be an appealing way to save some money on the base fare, but it can cost you money for a small suitcase even if you didn’t plan to check a bag.

On budget airlines, luggage costs for both carry-on and checked bags can rise at the airport compared with online.

If you’re checking a bag, be mindful of your bag’s weight, particularly at Christmas, when you may be returning home with gifts in your luggage. Checking multiple bags or bringing a bag of more than 50 pounds can incur significant fees.

That said, this is where the right travel or airline credit card can pay for itself: The right card can often provide multiple family members traveling on the same reservation with free checked bags.

Mistake 7: Making reservations you can’t cancel or change

If recent years have taught us anything, it’s the value of having an “out” with your travel plans.

That’s especially true around the holidays. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic upended the travel industry, and the subsequent omicron variant surge threw a wrench in many people’s plans three years ago. Then, there was the Southwest Airlines meltdown in 2022.

One of the best ways to be prepared for any wrench thrown into your travel plans — before or during your trip — is to book reservations you can cancel for a full refund?or full trip credit.

Flights

For airlines, the three “legacy” carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) will generally give you full trip credit if you cancel even a nonrefundable main cabin ticket. They also don’t charge change fees on regular economy fares.

However, on many airlines, basic economy tickets tend to be a lot more restrictive in terms of ticket changes (which typically aren’t allowed unless you pay) and getting money back (even trip credit).

Southwest Airlines will give you, at a minimum, full trip credit on all tickets as long as you cancel at least 10 minutes before departure.

Hotels and car rentals

Changing your plans is much more difficult when you’ve already invested prepaid, nonrefundable money in hotel reservations and car rentals.

Even though choosing to “pay now” for hotels and cars can be an enticing way to save some money, proceed with caution when prepaying.

Generally, most standard hotel reservations and car rentals will allow you to cancel, penalty-free, up until a day or two before your trip. This allows you to adapt to any unexpected twists and turns — it also also allows you to cancel and rebook your stay if you later find a better price.

By the way, award flights or stays booked with points generally do not have the trappings of prepaid, nonrefundable reservations. If something comes up, you can typically cancel and get your points or miles back.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
  
• The best travel credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

Numerous opportunities, ranging from paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, are available when booking discounted travel. However, one of the most reliable deals is the monthly Promo Rewards offered by Air France-KLM Flying Blue.

These monthly exclusive discounts are on the Flying Blue website; they apply to flights to and from specific cities or regions for booking until the end of each month. They also apply to a specified travel window.

This month, there are enticing offers for one-way economy flights to various European cities starting at just 15,000 miles. This represents a significant discount compared to the amounts other loyalty programs typically charge for similar award tickets. If you are planning a trip to or from one of those cities, this could be an exceptional deal worth considering.

What is Flying Blue’s October award promotion?

Airlines: Air France and KLM
Routes: Economy awards for short-haul and medium-haul flights between various European cities, plus economy awards for long-haul flights between Europe and North American cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Austin, Los Angeles, Houston and Miami
Cost: Short- and medium-haul economy awards start at 5,625 miles; long-haul economy awards start at 15,000 miles
Travel dates: Through March 31, 2025
Book by: Oct. 31, 2024

Promo Rewards between North America and Europe

Right now, you can snag a one-way economy ticket from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) for just 15,000 miles. Remember our tip to easily search prices month by month.

Keep in mind that Flying Blue lets you add a free stopover on your connection(s). For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Paris, spend a few days in Amsterdam and then travel to your final destination for no additional miles. To book a ticket with a stopover, you’ll need to call Flying Blue at 800-375-8723.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

How to book Flying Blue Promo Rewards flights

Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the “Book with Miles” button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the “Search flights” button.

Now, select the flight you’d like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your reservation.

If you plan to transfer points to book this award, you should find award space first. Then, place your ticket on hold and transfer your points. You never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.

How to earn Flying Blue miles

Boosting?your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs.

You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Wells Fargo Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.

Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, though Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.

Maximize your purchase

Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.

Some of the best cards include:

• The Platinum Card? from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• Chase Sapphire Reserve?: 5 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel? and 3 points per dollar spent on other travel
• American Express? Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card (see rates and fees): 4 points per dollar spent on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar spent on other travel

Bottom line

Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points programs. Since you can reserve these tickets on the Air France or KLM website, they’re simple for anyone to book.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
• Best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

During most years, at least a few fall cruises are affected by storms. In some years, dozens of voyages are affected.

Still, even during peak hurricane season weeks (more on that below), most sailings in the Caribbean and the Bahamas are completed without a hitch. Here’s what you need to know before committing to cruising during hurricane season in these regions.

When is hurricane season for cruises?

In theory, a hurricane or tropical storm can develop in the Atlantic at any time. Still, the vast majority of such storms — about 97%, according to the National Hurricane Center — occur between June 1 and Nov. 30 of any given year. This is the period known as hurricane season in the Atlantic, and it typically brings about 14 named tropical storms, half of which become hurricanes.

Within this time frame, the peak period for tropical storms in the Atlantic?is by far the weeks between mid-August and mid-October. This is the key “iffy zone,” as I like to call it, for?cruises to the Caribbean?and the?Bahamas and?sailings out of eastern U.S. ports to Bermuda and New England.

Still, even during peak weeks for hurricane formation, the odds of your cruise being affected by a hurricane are relatively small. A glance at any cruise booking site will show hundreds of sailings departing for the Caribbean and the Bahamas each year during cruise hurricane season. In most years, though, only a small portion of these are affected by tropical storms.

Even during the busiest of hurricane seasons, there will be many weeks without a single tropical storm in the Caribbean or Bahamas. When a large storm does swirl through the Caribbean or Bahamas, it’ll likely only affect a small portion of the region and, thus, only a small number of cruise ships.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Caribbean is enormous in comparison to the size of a typical hurricane. The distance between Belize, on the western end of the Caribbean Sea, and the easternmost Leeward Islands is nearly 2,000 miles. The hurricane-force winds of a typical small hurricane, by contrast, extend just 25 miles out from its center. The hurricane-force winds from a large hurricane might extend as far as 150 miles from its center.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Even a giant hurricane that is bearing down on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands (a common port on Eastern Caribbean sailings), for instance, is likely to have little or no impact on a Western Caribbean or Southern Caribbean sailing happening at that time.

Your hurricane season cruise itinerary could change

When a tropical storm does appear in one part of the Caribbean or Bahamas, the standard response from cruise lines is to reroute ships in that area to other parts of the Caribbean or Bahamas that are well clear of the storm. This might mean a last-minute change to your cruise itinerary.

Depending on the forecasted track of the storm, the change could be relatively minor — a port stop being pushed back by a day, for instance, or one port being swapped for another port. It could also be far more significant.

Cruise lines sometimes completely rework an itinerary to avoid storms. For example, a ship on an Eastern Caribbean sailing to stops such as St. Thomas and St. Kitts might reroute to Western Caribbean ports such as Cozumel, Mexico, and Falmouth, Jamaica.

In some cases, a storm will cause a port to be dropped from an itinerary with no new port added as a replacement. Occasionally, you’ll see cruises shortened or extended by a day or two or even three.

The latter situation can occur when a storm is forecast to pass between a ship and its home port around the time the vessel is scheduled to be heading home. The ship either will return to the home port early to arrive before the storm or stay out at sea for extra days to wait for the storm to pass.

Related: 26 cruise secrets from a cruising expert that will blow your mind

In rare cases when a home port closes due to a storm, ships have been known to sail to an alternative port to drop off passengers. In such situations, the vessels sometimes will depart on their next cruise from the alternative port. Cruises are canceled occasionally when a home port experiences extended disruptions related to storms, but this is relatively rare.

You aren’t entitled to compensation for itinerary changes

Cruise lines aren’t obligated to offer you compensation if they change an itinerary due to weather. The fine print in cruise contracts allows them to make such changes when they see fit. However, that doesn’t mean they never offer compensation.

In the case of a port swap — when one port is substituted for another — there typically isn’t any compensation offered. When a port is missed without a substitute, though, there’s a chance you might be offered an onboard credit as compensation. Just don’t count on it. Lines will also refund the cost of any prepaid shore excursions scheduled for the missed port and the portion of port taxes and fees you paid in advance that are associated with that port.

In the case of a shortened voyage, lines will typically offer a prorated refund for the lost days. On the flip side, when cruises are extended, lines generally won’t charge passengers anything more for the extra days — at least for room, board and entertainment. Passengers typically will still have to pay for onboard extras such as drinks and spa treatments.

When cruises are shortened or extended due to weather, cruise lines will often aid passengers who need to change postcruise travel plans. They might offer free phone calls from the ship or free internet access to make it easier for passengers to contact airlines and hotels to make changes.

You won’t get a refund if you cancel a cruise to avoid a storm

As a rule, cruise lines don’t offer refunds to passengers who cancel a voyage on short notice, even if there’s a big storm brewing in the area where the cruise is scheduled to take place.

If you see there’s a hurricane churning toward the Caribbean a few days before your departure, you can’t call your cruise line, cancel the trip and expect to get your money back.

From the cruise line’s point of view, the cruise will go on — it just might be adjusted a bit. (Or not, depending on how the storm tracks over the coming days.) As far as the line sees it, you’re still about to get what you paid for: a wonderful cruise vacation.

That said, there are exceptions to the rule. When a line knows in advance that a storm will cause a significant alteration to a voyage (for instance, lost days due to a delayed departure), it sometimes will allow passengers to cancel for a refund or credit toward a future cruise.

This happened in 2017 when some lines delayed departures out of Florida as Hurricane Irma approached. The lines that delayed departures allowed passengers to cancel for a refund in the form of a cruise credit. Alternatively, passengers could proceed with the shortened trips and receive a prorated refund for the missed days.

Related: The best time to cruise to the Bahamas

When a line cancels a departure outright, it’s sometimes the case that it will offer passengers both a refund for the trip and a future cruise credit they can apply to their next sailing. This sort of response was on display in 2017 as Irma’s approach prompted some lines to cancel itineraries altogether.

One problem that cruisers encounter in these (relatively rare) situations where a cruise line cancels a sailing due to a storm is that the cancellation usually comes at the last minute. That could leave you in limbo in the days leading up to your cruise, wondering whether your cruise is on or not. If a hurricane is headed for your departure port, you might have to decide whether to travel to the departure port (and possibly into a dangerous storm) or stay home and risk losing all the money you paid for the sailing.

Each line approaches compensation issues differently, and some are historically more generous than others in offering compensation when storm-related disruptions occur. The responses from lines can also vary depending on the circumstances surrounding any given storm.

To avoid remorse, my advice is to go into any hurricane-season booking assuming you will not be compensated for storm-caused itinerary changes and not be able to get a refund if you cancel the trip at the last minute.

The risk of the above is one reason you will generally get a cruise during hurricane season at a lower price than you would during other seasons.

Build wiggle room into your hurricane season travel schedule

If you’re booking a cruise during hurricane season, keep in mind that tropical weather can affect not only cruise ships but airplanes, too.

If you’re flying to your cruise departure point, build in plenty of wiggle room in case air travel is affected by a big storm and flights are delayed. Your flight could be delayed by a storm that is far away from the destination where you are flying. During hurricane season, tropical storms moving through the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico and up the East Coast of the U.S. can sometimes snarl air traffic across a wide swath of North America.

At TPG, we always suggest that cruisers head to their departure ports at least a full day in advance of their sailings just to be safe, and this is doubly important during hurricane season. You don’t want a delayed flight to be the reason you miss your cruise.

Travel insurance is key for fall cruises

It’s always a good idea to book flights and cruises with a card that provides travel protections — and this is especially important during hurricane season.

Some cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve?, will reimburse you for at least some of the costs of trip delays, cancellations and interruptions related to severe weather if you have booked the trip on the card. The travel protection benefits provided by such cards may also reimburse you for expenses when your baggage is lost or delayed.

Just be warned that these benefits often come with a lot of fine print that can make it tough to collect in some circumstances.

You can also buy separate travel insurance just for the single trip that will provide reimbursement if you experience trip delays, cancellations or interruptions. These plans include a lot of fine print that limits the circumstances where they are valid, and they vary widely in what they offer.

While travel insurance policies often will cover the cost of changing a flight or precruise hotel reservations if a storm delays your cruise departure, they generally don’t offer compensation in the case that a cruise line changes the ports on your cruise due to a storm. Travel insurance policies also won’t help if you cancel a cruise to avoid a storm — unless you’ve bought a pricey “cancel for any reason” policy.

Also note that to make any claim under a travel insurance policy related to a cruise marred by a hurricane or tropical storm, you have to have bought the policy before the storm formed and was officially named.

Related: The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

You may experience rough seas

Cruise lines will reroute ships by hundreds of miles to avoid tropical storms and hurricanes. That doesn’t mean you can always expect smooth sailing during hurricane season.

If a big storm is present in the Caribbean or Bahamas, there’s a chance you’ll feel some motion on your vessel, even if it’s far from the center of the storm. Swells from big storms can travel thousands of miles.

If you’re particularly prone to seasickness, hurricane season might not be the best time for you to cruise. But don’t panic. Cruise ships are built with sophisticated stabilizers that tamp down the effects of waves. As ships have gotten bigger, on average, they’ve also become more stable. It takes a lot to move a giant vessel like Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas — at 236,857 tons, it’s one of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Any rough seas you may experience due to a nearby storm are likely to be temporary. Many cruise ships operating in the Caribbean can sail at speeds of up to 22 knots, or about 25 mph. That means they can move as much as 300 miles in one day. You can be somewhere stormy and rough one day only to find yourself in sunny and clear conditions a day later.

Just as airline pilots maneuver to avoid turbulence, cruise ship captains and their headquarters-based overseers are keenly aware of passenger safety and comfort. They aren’t shy about making a call to reposition a vessel to calmer seas.

Be careful booking shore excursions during hurricane season

Not all cruisers book shore tours through their cruise line. Some book excursions through alternative tour companies such as Viator or PortSide Tours. If you go this route for a hurricane-season cruise, be sure to check cancellation policies before prepaying for excursions.

While cruise lines will automatically refund you for prepaid shore excursions you’ve booked directly with them in the case of a canceled port call, it isn’t a given that an outside tour company will do the same. Some will, for sure, but others require a nonrefundable deposit that may be hard to get back, even in the case of a storm-caused itinerary change. (Note: Travel insurance policies sometimes cover the cost of lost nonrefundable deposits.)

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Bottom line

Cruises that take place in the Caribbean and the Bahamas during the height of hurricane season can be an incredible deal, and many are completed with nary a problem. However, before booking one, you want to be sure you’re OK with the idea that your itinerary could change on short notice or be disrupted in some other way. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.

If you’re booking a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas to see a specific destination — St. Kitts, for instance, or the British Virgin Islands — a hurricane-season cruise may not be for you. However, if you’re flexible and want a fun and inexpensive getaway at sea, there’s no reason to fear a fall sailing.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

November can feel like the forgotten middle child of the holiday season. Halloween’s sugar rush is fading, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season hasn’t quite started (at least not until Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 28 in the U.S. this year).

But here’s the secret: It’s the perfect time to pack your bags and travel somewhere new. It’s that quiet window when the world seems to take a collective sigh, the crowds have thinned and travel deals beckon from across the internet.

Whether you are chasing the last traces of fall foliage before the holiday madness or craving some sunshine before summer starts in the Southern Hemisphere, traveling in November before the holidays can be great fun. Here are the 10 best places to visit in November.

Vienna

Autumn in Vienna is the best time to experience its art scene. By November, the city’s cultural calendar is in full swing. Vienna Art Week (Nov. 8-15) features more than 100 events, from gallery tours to artist talks. This year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary, and the celebration is bigger than ever. You can wander through iconic museums like the Belvedere or the Kunsthistorisches Museum during shoulder season without the summer crowds. Pair your artistic explorations with cozy evenings at Vienna’s famous coffeehouses, where a warm cup of Melange (similar to a cappuccino) awaits. Plus, most of Vienna’s famous Christmas markets open in mid-November if you’d like to start your holidays as early as possible.

TPG tip: Stay at the Imperial Riding School, The Autograph Collection, which opened earlier this year in a former 19th-century military equestrian school. Rates start at $165 or 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night this November.

Las Vegas?

Watch the world’s fastest cars zoom down the Strip when the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix comes to Las Vegas Nov. 21-23. Wynn Las Vegas offers an F1 package starting at $9,100 for three nights’ accommodation and VIP access to race week, including two grandstand tickets. Earlier in the month, car enthusiasts can also enjoy the Concours at Wynn (Nov. 1-3), featuring an elegant motorcade and vehicle exhibition of vintage and sports cars.

TPG tip: To retreat from the action, stay at the Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World, where rates start at $149 or 52,000 Hilton Honors points per night in November.

Dublin

In the first week of November, Dublin welcomes bookworms for the Dublin Book Festival (Nov. 6-10). For five days, the city comes alive with readings, workshops and panel discussions celebrating established and emerging authors. Held in various locations across the city, the festival gives you an excuse to duck into a historic pub for a pint between events. The cooler weather brings a cozy charm to the city, making it a great month to explore Trinity College, stroll through Phoenix Park or enjoy the city’s literary history without the high-season crowds.

TPG tip: Stay at The Shelbourne, where you can indulge in afternoon tea at The Lord Mayor’s Lounge and cozy up with a book or Irish coffee while overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. Rates start at $421 or 61,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Greater Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs serves up sunny days with a side of celebration in November. Greater Palm Springs Pride (Oct. 31-Nov. 3) fills the desert with rainbow-hued parades and festivities, while the Magic of Lights, a drive-through light show at Empire Polo Club that begins Nov. 17, adds a twinkling holiday glow to the region.?

With temperatures in the high 70s, the weather is prime for lounging poolside or hiking in nearby parks like Joshua Tree National Park. The combination of cool evenings and warm days creates the perfect setting for desert adventures or leisurely escape in this laid-back, stylish oasis.

TPG tip: Book a room at the highly anticipated Thompson Palm Springs, which is taking reservations for Sept. 30 and beyond. Rates start at $387 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night this November.

St. Martin

November in St. Martin is about indulging in the Caribbean island’s rich culinary culture. The Festival de la Gastronomie (Nov. 11-22) invites food lovers to savor French-Caribbean flavors through cooking competitions, tastings and mixology workshops. It’s a mouthwatering lead-up to the holiday season and an excellent way to taste local cuisine at its best. The weather is comfortably warm, with pleasant temperatures in the low 80s. When you’re not eating, dip in the turquoise waters or explore the island’s charming streets before the holiday crowds descend.

TPG tip: Opening for the season on Nov. 15, La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel has rates starting at $1,095 per night in November. It’s part of Fine Hotels + Resorts through American Express Travel. If you have an eligible card, such as The Platinum Card? from American Express, and book a stay through Amex Travel, you’ll get perks such as daily breakfast for two and $100 credit toward eligible charges, which vary by property.

Queensland, Australia

Down Under, November brings summerlike temperatures to Queensland without the peak-season heat. American Airlines is launching its longest nonstop flight from Dallas to Brisbane in late October, making it easier than ever to explore the region. Families will also love Bluey’s World in Brisbane, a fully immersive experience based on the beloved children’s show that opens Nov. 7. Additionally, 80-degree beach weather along the Gold Coast and milder temperatures in the rainforest or Great Barrier Reef make Queensland one of the best places to visit in November.

TPG tip: Book a room at Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection by IHG. Rates start at around $156 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards points per night this November.

New York City

November in New York City kicks off with the New York City Marathon on Nov. 3, when the streets of all five boroughs come alive with runners and spectators alike. But if you’re not lacing up your sneakers, don’t worry — the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28 will bring just as much excitement. Plus, the city transforms for the holiday season in late November, well before the December crowd descends. Crisp autumn air and the start of festive decorations make strolling through Central Park or along Fifth Avenue even more magical.

TPG tip: For a luxurious stay with Thanksgiving parade views, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park (rates start at $1,193 or 102,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in November) has a prime location at Sixth Avenue and Central Park South. To save money, opt for Dream Midtown on 55th Street and Broadway (rates start at $244 or 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night in November).

Mendoza, Argentina

In Mendoza, November is springtime, and the region’s vineyards are lush and green, providing a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor adventures. Whether hiking in the Andes, horseback riding through the vineyards or rafting on the Mendoza River, the weather is mild, making for comfortable exploration. This is also the best time to visit wineries months before the busy harvest season begins in February.

TPG tip: Stay at Hualta Hotel Mendoza, Curio Collection by Hilton. Rates start at $170 or 51,000 Hilton Honors points per night in November.

Kenya

November in Kenya offers a quieter safari as the crowds have thinned with the departure of the Great Migration. Yet, the Maasai Mara’s resident wildlife — lions, elephants and giraffes — remain, making it an excellent time for game viewing without the peak-season hustle. The short rainy season begins, but these sporadic showers only add to the lushness of the landscape, creating dramatic backdrops for photography. Samburu National Reserve is another fantastic option, where you’ll have the chance to see rare species like Grevy’s zebra in a more intimate setting.

TPG tip: Stay at the Fairmont Mara Safari Club in the northwestern corner of the Maasai Mara in the Olchoro Oirowua Conservancy. Rates start at $405 per night in November. Join the ALL — Accor Live Limitless loyalty program to get 10% off.

Thailand

By November, Thailand has fully recovered from the monsoon season, revealing lush landscapes and cooler temperatures, making it one of the best months to visit. The waterfalls are full, the rivers are navigable and the skies are clear. Explore the mountains of Chiang Mai or relax on the beaches of the southern islands. No matter your activity of choice, Thailand is the place to do it. It’s an ideal time to visit before the holiday season starts, offering a quieter, more relaxed trip. Thailand’s festivals are gearing up, allowing travelers to participate in the rich culture and traditions in a more peaceful setting.

TPG: It’s worth spending at least a night or two in Bangkok before venturing off to other parts of the country. Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 is a great home base in the bustling city, with rates starting at $104 or 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in November.

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