Chase just announced its record 100,000-point Sapphire Preferred bonus is ending soon. There’s no official end date yet, just a warning that its days are numbered. Also: Aer Lingus pulls the plug on three U.S. routes, and we’re seeing peak-season flights to St. Thomas dip under $400.
⏳ Time’s Almost Up on Chase’s Record Sapphire Preferred Bonus
Last month, Chase brought back its best-ever welcome offer on the *chase sapphire preferred*. Now the bank says it’s ending soon.
The 100,000-point bonus on the card is one of the best credit card offers ever, period. We’ve seen that sum just twice before on this card – but with a handful of new benefits and its annual fee sticking at $95, it’s better than ever.
We don’t have an exact end date just yet, but let this serve as a heads-up that the clock is ticking. Don’t wait around to grab it.
Here’s why it’s worth the hassle. Spend $5,000 in the first three months, and you’ll earn 100,000 points worth at least $1,000 toward travel booked through Chase Travel℠ – or considerably more if you transfer to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, or many others.
Add in a $100 annual hotel credit, up to $120 back for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, and a modest $95 annual fee, and this is a card that pays for itself many times over.
Don’t be the reader who waits a week too long.
Read our full story on this offer – including who’s eligible and how to squeeze the most value out of it.
– Nick Serati, Thrifty Traveler co-founder
🎙️ New Pod: Where You Can Still Find Summer Deals
☀️ Is Airfare Dropping & Where to Find Late Summer Deals
🛬 Forget what you’ve heard about flight prices: There’s still time to get a great summer flight deal … if you know where to look. Plus, the guys deep dive into where things stand with airfare, they hate Delta’s new “Basic Business” fares, and they love Flighty’s latest update.
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
🤝 Deal of the Day: Peak Season Flights to St. Thomas Under $398 RT
Heat scale (out of 3): 🔥🔥
Why we love it: Book your flight to paradise during peak season next winter!
Flying to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (STT), under $398 roundtrip from dozens of U.S. cities. Flying this January through March from all cities.
Sign up now to get all the details on this deal & don’t miss the next flight deal alert.
Already a member? Log in to see all your deals. (Not seeing it? Remove your airport filters to see every deal.)
– Gunnar Olson, Thrifty Traveler Premium deal analyst
🍀 A Not-So Irish Goodbye: Aer Lingus Cuts 3 U.S. Routes
It’s been just two years and change since Aer Lingus added nonstop flights to Dublin (DUB) from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Denver (DEN), and Las Vegas (LAS).
All three won’t live to see 2027.
The Irish flag carrier confirmed those cutbacks Thursday as part of a massive cost- and job-cutting move. Get this: Aer Lingus is very profitable. They just want to be even more profitable. Cue the cuts, passengers be damned.
Losing each of these routes stings for the good folks out in Colorado and Sin City, but it’s especially painful here in Minnesota – and no, not just because I’m selfish and greedy … though that is absolutely part of it.
It hurts worse in Minneapolis because, for the last two years, Aer Lingus has challenged Delta’s dominance.
Dirt-cheap fares under $400 roundtrip to Dublin or connecting onward throughout western Europe were fairly common. The same goes for Aer Lingus business class award space, bookable for as little as 45,000 miles each way. We needed this.
That competition from Aer Lingus forced Delta to compete, too, resulting in SkyMiles flash sales as low as 34,000 SkyMiles roundtrip.
Now, Aer Lingus is out of the picture in Minneapolis come late October. It was good while it lasted.
Read our full story on Aer Lingus’ exit – and what’s next…?
– Kyle Potter, executive editor
✈️ Other Travel Tidbits
- 🕐 The House just passed a bill making Daylight Savings Time permanent. Airlines aren’t thrilled – the industry’s trade group warns it would have considerable implications for aviation, including passenger disruption and flight connection issues. (Airlines for America)
- 🤝 Aeroplan and World of Hyatt are linking loyalty programs, letting members redeem Aeroplan points for Hyatt free nights, or convert Hyatt points into Aeroplan flight certificates – plus new elite status challenges across both programs. (Hyatt)
- 💳 Chase is offering a 100% transfer bonus to IHG One Rewards through July 30, the best bonus we’ve seen between these two programs. (One Mile at a Time)
- 🏨 Amex is offering select cardholders $100 back at Hyatt. Spend $500+ at participating Hyatt Resorts in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America through Nov. 15, and get a $100 statement credit. Check your account and add it before booking.
