Happy weekend and welcome back to another Weekend Round-Up!
As the only member of the writing team who currently travels with a little one, my travel style looks a little different these days.
It also means I get excited about family travel news.
Which is why I’m putting a family-friendly spin on this weekend round-up. 😏
So, let’s get into the family travel news that made me perk up this week!
🏨 Earn 2x elite nights with Marriott Homes & Villas bookings this fall.
🏝️ Book a luxury Caribbean getaway using this 25% transfer bonus to Leaders Club.
💻 Stream your favorite shows and save $$ with these handy merchant offers.
🛳️ Cruise News: Carnival unveiled a new loyalty program for earning and redeeming points.
🤔 The one underrated credit card perk that no one remembers until they really need it.
💳 Last chance to earn 100K points (after meeting the minimum spend) on two no annual fee biz cards - that’s this one and this one.
🏆 Our Favorite Pick: 3 big wins for family travel
#1.👋 Greet family at the gate again
If there’s one thing I did NOT have on my travel BINGO card, it’s the return of 90s airport reunions.
I have hazy memories of waiting at the gate for grandma to land or being greeted by dad at the gate when landing, but those childhood memories are from an era that seem long gone post 9/11.
But 25 years later, those welcomes and send-offs, last-minute hugs, and excited hellos are back – at least for those with TSA PreCheck.
Trusted travelers with TSA PreCheck (or a Known Traveler Number) can now go through security and access the terminal beyond airport security without a ticket thanks to the new Gateside by TSA PreCheck – currently trialing at 13 airports across the country.
How does this benefit families?
If you’ve got an unaccompanied minor, it now means you can apply (1-3 days before) to go through TSA PreCheck and wait with them before they board their flight — or pick them up at the gate on their return.
And if a parent is traveling solo with the kiddos, a Trusted Traveler parent or friend could tagalong through security to help them wrangle the kids (and stroller + bags) through the airport for 2+ hours before they board the plane.
As someone who has been there, done that solo – having the extra set of hands or someone to watch the baby while you run to the bathroom is huge!
The new program works for anyone with PreCheck, whether you’re meeting a friend for lunch during a layover, assisting an elderly family member to the gate, or just an aviation nerd who wants to plane-watching spot.
It’s currently trialing at 13 airports – you can read more about the program here.
I, for one, hope it sticks around and expands to more locations!
FYI: Many cards come with up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which has a new limited-time offer: a one-time $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within 3 months. 🚨
And the TSA PreCheck credit can be used for anyone – you, family member, friend, etc. — whoever you want to join you at the airport.
#2 👶 Lap Infant Policy Leap Frog
Atmos Rewards, the loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, made a big change to their lap infant award policy: they’re now charging just taxes and fees for lap infants on long-haul international award flights.
Lap infants typically fly free on domestic flights – or for just the cost of taxes and fees.
But international flights are a whole different animal, charging anywhere from a flat 2,500 points to 25% of the adult cash fare (!!!), depending on the loyalty program with which you book.
And when you’re booking a business class award ticket that normally runs several thousand dollars, you can be looking at paying hundreds for your infant (under 24 months) to sit in your lap. 🙅♀️
Atmos Rewards just did away with all of it, charging only the mandated government taxes and fees, and leap frogging over every other award program’s lap infant policy in the process to snag the top spot.
They already have some of the best award space and sweet spot redemptions, so with this development Atmos Rewards just became one of the best programs around in my book — at least until my daughter turns two. 😉
The only downside is Atmos Rewards points are difficult to get, as the only program that transfers to them is Bilt Rewards.
This change has me looking at Bilt cards in a whole new light now — it might just be the best card for new parents and anyone looking to travel with littles. 🤔
#3 The Most Family-Friendly Place on Earth
What’s more family-friendly than Disney?
Well… the cost. Which is feeling more and more un-family-friendly these days. 😅
The Daily Drop YouTube team did families a solid this week and showcased how to save big time on your next Disney trip.
Watch this week’s video for all the in-depth details of how to use points and miles at Disney — including the best programs to use and where to stay – here in the U.S. and at parks abroad.
👀 This Week’s Must-Reads
 | Best Fall Foliage Drives in the U.S. This week’s Roadtripper covered the top destinations for peak fall views across the country. Plus, a new unique rental car promo for earning hotel points. |
 | The 5/24 Rule Explained What is the often mentioned 5/24 rule, what counts and what doesn’t. Plus, why you should care and how it effects the order you should open credit cards. |
🌍 Week in Review
Monday: 🍔 A short one, because it’s a long weekend
Tuesday: 🚼 Atmos deleted lap infant fees
Wednesday: 💅 Book luxury hotels in the Caribbean
Thursday: 🛳️ A new program to earn points on cruises
Friday: 🤨 The perk no one brags about
I just feel like Saturday has got to be the favorite child of the week.
Sunday is a 50/50 toss-up on whether it’s the overachieving firstborn or chill “easy child.”
Either way, love them equally and go enjoy them to the max.
See y’all next weekend! 👋
With contributions by Sam Anthony and April Wilson.
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