THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

Qatar Airways: When we Say $500 Off, That's Not What We Mean
This is why you must be skeptical of airline sales promising "up to" a certain amount off airfares. It never, ever seems to be the advertised number. Case in point: Qatar Airways' promotion offering "up to $500" on business class fares for flights through its excellent Doha hub. Qatar Air does offer great connections and its Q Suites business class is among the best in the world. But I couldn't find a single route where you could actually get $500 off a roundtrip. The best I found was about $400 off a New York-Johannesburg run. Nothing to sneeze at, of course, but don't go to this sale expecting a full $500 discount. The promotion is valid for purchase until November 9 for travel between November 1 and March 31. (There are blackout dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.) The promo seems valid from any of Qatar's U.S. gateways to select destinations in Africa, China, India and Southeast Asia. Gulf cities except Doha are also available. Use promo code ASQR23 to score the discount on offer.

OTHER NOTABLE NEW DEALS & DISCOUNTS

Norse: Premium Class to Europe for $296 One-Way, But Know Its Rules
Norse Atlantic Airways is the emotional successor to Norwegian Air across the pond. However, its up-front cabin takes explaining, but stay tuned for several very good premium class prices next spring and summer. The carrier is not Norwegian Air, which still exists as an intra-Europe airline. But Norse does fly Norwegian's former transatlantic Boeing 787s, which are configured 2x3x2 in premium class. With 43 inches of seat pitch, Norse's cabin is far better than the premium economy offerings of major transatlantic players, yet it isn't a business class. Norse's premium fares are bundled with meals and beverages and you can purchase cheap one-way fares rather than having to search for an inexpensive roundtrip. That means sublime flexibility. But Norse charges (a lot) for checked bags and seat assignments even in premium and there are no airport lounges. Now that you understand the product, consider Norse's eye-popping up-front fares when its "summer" schedule resumes in March. From New York/JFK, it's as low as $416 one-way to Berlin, $431 to London/Gatwick, $539 to Rome and $620 to Oslo. From Boston/Logan, it's $296 to Gatwick. From Los Angeles, it's $672 to Oslo and $812 to Paris. Meanwhile, Norse now operates year-round to Gatwick from JFK, LAX, Orlando and Miami and from JFK to Paris. Watch for regular sales on those routes during the winter.

British Airways: AARP Deal Is Back, Save Up to $200 in Business Class
British Airways has a long-standing partnership with the AARP and its discount deal is back again. BA once offered AARP members $400 off roundtrips. Now it's less compelling: $200 roundtrip off business class and $65 off standard coach or premium economy fares. Still, it's never wise to look a gift discount in the mouth. The current deal is valid for travel until January 31, 2024. You must be an AARP member, of course, which also offers great travel value for the $12 annual rate. Information: the EXCLUSIVE AARP MEMBERS page.

Aer Lingus: A Flight, a Car--and Lots of Odd Prices
A perennially popular package to Ireland includes flights to Dublin or Shannon and a car rental that allows you the freedom to visit other destinations on the island. But current Aer Lingus pricing is, um, peculiar. It's cheap ($499) from the airline's traditional Boston/Logan and New York/JFK gateways, surprisingly inexpensive from the West Coast ($799 from LAX) and then all over the metaphoric map from the airline's other gateways. That opening six-day package of $499 from JFK or Logan includes roundtrip airfare; one checked bag; applicable airline taxes; a manual-shift rental car; and unlimited miles. But that's where it gets odd: Flying from Newark is nearly twice the price ($823). As mentioned, however, it's only $799 from LAX and $834 from Seattle. The price from Chicago/ORD is exceedingly reasonable at $794, but prices from gateways such as Atlanta, Minneapolis and the new Denver hub are well over $1,300 and reach $2,000 on higher-demand flight days. So proceed with caution. Thankfully, there's a handy calendar of prices based on date of flight and your departure city. The program also allows upgrades to automatic cars and packages as long as two weeks. Advertised prices are available for travel into the spring so long as the packages are purchased by October 20. Information: the FLY-DRIVE TO DUBLIN page.

Best Western: Slightly Higher Card Fee, Many More Points
FNBO, which issues Best Western's credit cards, has upped the annual fee on the premium version of the Best Western Rewards Mastercard. It's now $89 a year, up from $59. But the paybacks are much larger hauls of Best Western Rewards points. The acquisition bonus is now 80,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first three billing cycles. And the nice ongoing perk--bonus points for annual spend--has been hiked to 40,000 points when you spend $5,000 a year. Best Western Rewards isn't a sexy lodging frequency programs, of course, but Best Western represents many excellent mid- to upper-tier hotels in overseas markets. If you're bored of the other chains, now is a good time to give Best Western and the FNBO Premium MasterCard a shot. Information: the FNBO CHOOSE HOW YOU EARN page.

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WHAT WE'RE PAYING RIGHT NOW
Award Watch: Los Angeles to Honolulu on February 1, 2024
Travelers looking to score an award seat from Los Angeles to Honolulu have an embarrassment of riches: Six carriers fly nonstop between LAX and HNL. But the devil is in the details: Widebody or narrowbody. Domestic first class versus lie-flat seats. Big Three or alternate airlines. Maybe the best way to compare is alphabetically. Alaska Airlines uses a Boeing 737-900 on the route and its 7:10am departure on Wednesday, February 1, has coach seats for as little as 17,500 Mileage Plan miles. To fly the carrier's first class, which is better than standard domestic first on the Big Three, you'll spend 50,000 miles. American Airlines also goes narrowbody on the run with an Airbus A321neo. A main cabin coach seat on AA's 8:15am departure costs 20,000 AAdvantage miles. Claiming an award in first class, however, costs 102,500 miles, more than twice what its runs on Alaska Air and substantially more than Delta or United. Speaking of Delta Air Lines, its 7:30am departure uses a Boeing 767-300. A main cabin coach seat runs 23,000 SkyMiles. First class is 85,000 miles. Hometown Hawaiian Airlines flies an Airbus A330 on its 7am departure. Coach awards run 17,500 HawaiianMiles miles. Hawaiian's first class cabin is configured with lie-flat beds--the best seat available on LAX-HNL--and costs 80,000 miles. Southwest Airlines has a 7:20am departure using a Boeing 737MAX8; coach seats cost 18,900-29,700 Rapid Rewards points depending on fare category. Finally, United Airlines uses a Boeing 777-200 on its 8:30am departure. A main cabin coach award costs 25,000 MileagePlus miles. First class runs 76,300 miles. Conclusion? Hawaiian Air offers the best combination of seat and price up front. Alaska Airlines is an intriguing middle ground. In coach, well, what are you doing flying coach on a nearly 6-hour flight? (BTW, there are $5.50 in taxes on all flights.)

Price Check: Boston/Logan to Nashville on November 1, 2023
The 942-mile run between Boston/Logan and Nashville is a microcosm of the icky conditions on the road these days. Two carriers--United and American--will run you through one of their less-than-optimal East Coast hubs. Two--Delta and JetBlue--have nonstops, but use smaller Embraer jets. The only full-size nonstop is on Spirit, which is its own adventure. Prices? On Wednesday, November 1, Delta Air Lines has a 5:30pm departure using an EMB-175. Main cabin coach costs $219 one-way. Bumping up to the chintzy first class costs a shocking $479. JetBlue Airways has a 4:05pm departure and is actually a pricier option on its all-coach EMB-190. Basic economy is $269; traditional coach is $299 one-way. And then we come to Spirit Airlines, which flies an Airbus A320 on its 8:25pm departure. Its "standard" pack-'em-in coach price is $43 one-way. But that doesn't include a carry-on bag, seat assignment or checked bags. That'll cost $90 or more extra. But Spirit does offer its "big front seat" on the aircraft. That costs $188 one-way and is probably the most comfortable option on the route. You'll still pay more for a full-size carry-on bag or checked luggage--and it's still Spirit, always a dicey choice.

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THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

JetBlue Airlines: We'll Status Match Delta "On The DL"
Even with some recent upgrades, the elite part of the JetBlue Airways TrueBlue frequency program isn't much to write home about. Still, JetBlue is making a play for Delta Air Lines elites, who are justifiably disgruntled by the draconian new changes in SkyMiles Medallion levels. And JetBlue is doing it with a sense of humor. If you're "blue" about SkyMiles changes, the airline suggests, JetBlue offers a match to Mosaic level "on the DL." (DL doing punny double duty here as it represents both "down-low" and Delta's two-letter code.) The specifics of status matches to Mosaic Levels 1-4 from Delta SkyMiles Silver to Diamond are detailed here and come with an added fillip: Add a JetBlue credit card from Barclays and you'll make your path to status match smoother. This one is your call--Delta and JetBlue compete primarily in New York (JFK and LaGuardia) and Boston, JetBlue has no first class and a limited international footprint--but even if you're happy with Delta, why not status match, too? The offer is valid until October 31--or will end sooner if 30,000 flyers apply first.

Southwest Airlines: Four Ways to Goose Companion Pass Earnings
Domestic air travel and advance bookings have fallen recently and Southwest Airlines has a promotion to combat the decline: Four options to quickly goose your Companion Pass earnings. Until November 30, you'll earn double Companion Pass points on all flights. It'll be triple points if you book your flights through SWABiz.com, a GDS or SPS. You'll also earn double points for every dollar spent on a Southwest/Chase credit card. You will even earn Companion Pass credit for flights flown using Rapid Rewards points. There are several requirements, of course: You must register in advance and flights already booked through November 30 do not count. If you want credit for those, you have to cancel and rebook after registering.

Air Tahiti Nui: Secret Nonstops to Paris, Surprisingly Cheap
Once upon a time, before ultra-long-haul flights were a thing, airlines overcame the daunting distances by flying between third countries en route to their destination. They were often permitted to carry passengers between those nations in order to fill their aircraft. A few of these "secret flights" still exist today. One example: Air Tahiti Nui, which connects its Polynesian home to Paris via the United States. The surprisingly good island carrier can fly you nonstop from Los Angeles or Seattle and Paris/CDG for notably inexpensive fares in coach or premium economy. The roundtrip coach fares start at $775 from Seattle and $875 from Los Angeles. Premium economy class--38 inches of legroom at seats configured 2x3x2 on Boeing 787s, 13-inch at-seat monitors and amenity kits--runs about $1,700 roundtrip. Information: the Air Tahiti Nui FLIGHTS TO PARIS page.

La Compagnie: $2,400 Roundtrip to Milan in Business Class
Paris-based La Compagnie is justifiably best-known for its Newark-Paris/Orly flights on all-business-class narrowbody aircraft. But it also flies Newark-Milan/Malpensa nonstop in the same configuration. The lesser-known route is always on promotion. La Compagnie's current offer: $2,400 roundtrip on a few days in November and December and on most days in the low season of January, February and March. Information: the La Compagnie 100% SMART page.

LODGING DEALS & PROMOS

4Q Promotions: Hotel Chains Aren't That Interested
Quarterly promotions by the major hotel groups have been the lifeblood of the chains' frequency programs. The promos--extra miles, extra elite status, cash rewards--were usually aimed at swaying your loyalty and moving your bookings. But the major hotel chains just don't seem to be interested in competing anymore and their wan 4Q promotions show that pretty clearly. (Actually, the terms and conditions this quarter seem particularly opaque.) Do sign up for them if you think you might stay along the way. But there's little here to sway business from your current preferred lodgings.
        Best Western Rewards usually rotates promotions between free nights and cashback gift cards. This quarter it offers bonus points--5,000 for every two stays--and that payback is notably weak. You must register for the so-called Rewards Rush offer, of course. You can earn up to four 5,000-point awards during the promo's run, which extends to November 20. Only Best Western-aligned in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean are part of the equation.
        Choice Privileges usually offers the cheesiest promotions and this quarter is no exception. It claims the offer is a free night after two stays before November 6, but the fine print tells another tale. The actual payoff is only 5,000-8,000 points and, as Choice itself notes, a "free night at most Choice locations requires more than 8,000 points." So there's that lie. Plus there are exceptions: You don't get credit for stays at WoodSpring Suites, Ascend Collection hotels and all-inclusive resorts. There also are a dizzying number of nightly rates that don't qualify, either. Advance registration is required, but why bother when Choice is making such a disingenuous offer?
        Hilton Honors is offering double points on each stay and triple points on stays in select major cities, including Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and Shanghai. Advance registration for the so-called Multiply Your Points promotion is required, of course. The earning period extends to December 31.
        World of Hyatt players are being wooed with a complicated Bonus Journeys promotion. First, register by November 10 and stay between October 6 and November 30. For that, you'll earn 3,000 bonus points for every three stays. Hyatt/Chase cardholders receive an addition 1,000 points for every three nights. Both bonuses can be earned up to seven times during the promo period. The first offer is valid at Hyatt and participating Small Luxury Hotels. The credit card bonus, however, is only valid at around 550 properties in about a dozen countries.
        Marriott Bonvoy is offering 1,500 bonus points per stay and another 3,000 points for every three of its brands you use during the promotional period. Advance registration for the so-called Go Your Way promotion is required and the earning period extends to December 6.

Burj Al Arab: Would You Pay for a Tour of a Glitzy Fantasy?
Burj Al Arab in Dubai was designed to be a glitzy, over-the-top fantasy as well as an outrageously expensive lodging and dining venue. It's built on its own island, is designed to look like the sail of an Arabic dhow and makes the ludicrous claim that it is a 7-star hotel. (They never quite say who awarded the seven stars, of course.) But the place is something to behold. And now they'll sell you a 90-minute tour--ahem, "exclusive" tour--that covers some regional history, the design and creation of the gigantic property, a visit to the wacky atrium and a peek into the hotel's huge Royal Suite. Whether you think such a thing is worth AED299--that's about US$82--may depend on how much free time you have in Dubai and whether you're interested in how the 2% of the 2% live on the road. Information: the Burj Al Arab TOUR OF AN ICON page.

CREDIT CARD ACQUISITION BONUSES

Barclays: 100,000-Mile Bonus For a Lufthansa Miles & More Card
I'm always skeptical about playing the frequent flyer programs of international airlines--Do you really fly enough on them to win the game?--but there are exceptions. Here's one: a 100,000-mile acquisition bonus from Barclays to take the credit card aligned with Lufthansa's Miles & More plan. The bonus applies if you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days after you receive the World Elite Mastercard. The annual fee is minimal ($89), but so are ongoing earnings: two miles per dollar spent on certain airline purchases (AirDolomiti, Austrian, Brussels, Croatia, Eurowings, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair and Swiss), one mile on everything else. The card includes a pair of Lufthansa Business Lounge vouchers annually. Information: the Barclays MILES & MORE page.
Capital One: Savor Cashback With a $300 Statement Credit
Capital One has come roaring back in the wallet wars with a fine points-transfer option and generous acquisition bonuses on its flagship Venture X card. But I'm convinced the best card offered by Capital One is Savor. It offers 4% cashback on all dining and entertainment spending and 3% on grocery spending. It is a compelling offer for a card with a $95 annual fee. Now there's an additional perk: a $300 statement credit when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. Information: the Capital One SAVOR REWARDS page.

Barclays/Hawaiian Airlines: 70,000 Bonus Points Plus More
Hawaiian Airlines is a niche carrier to Hawaii, of course, but its niche is growing larger. Besides coverage around the West Coast, Hawaiian also flies nonstop to Honolulu from Boston and New York/Kennedy. (The Boston flight is actually the nation's longest domestic nonstop.) Which explains why you may be interested in the Hawaiian Airlines credit cards from Barclays. The consumer version has an acquisition bonus of 70,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days. The card also offers a one-time 50% off coupon for a companion coach roundtrip ticket between Hawaii and the mainland and an annual $100 companion discount. The annual fee is $99.

Bank of America: 50,000 Points in the Worthy Flying Blue Program
The Air France/KLM World Elite Mastercard from Bank of America is worth getting just for its acquisition bonus: 50,000 Flying Blue points for $2,000 in spend within 90 days. The Air France KLM Flying Blue program is useful for a raft of reasons: While it charges co-pays of as much as $300 one-way on business class tickets, you can often find forward-cabin seats to Europe for as little as 55,000 points one-way. That is substantially cheaper than dealing with Delta's rapacious SkyMiles program. Moreover, you can move American Express, Chase, Capital One and Citibank points into Flying Blue. The annual fee is $89. Information: the Bank of America ONLINE OFFER page.