THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

Singapore Airlines: Hunting and Pecking for Premium Economy Deals
When it needed to compete robustly with Cathay Pacific Airways for dominance in Southeast Asia, Singapore Airlines was more active in the Black Friday/Cyber Monday discount arena. But with Cathay still recovering from China's pandemic lockdowns, the Singapore deals are much harder to find. But there are some premium economy discounts to consider, Singapore itself is $1,399 roundtrip (via San Francisco), $1,699 (via LAX or Seattle/Tacoma) or $1,799 (via Houston). But the star is the $1,299 roundtrip offer from New York to Singapore. Also worth noting: $1,299 roundtrip in premium economy to Saigon from LAX or New York. New York to Asia for $1,299 roundtrip in premium economy is also available to Bangkok, Manila, Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Phuket. If you're headed to India, you can find $1,999 roundtrip premium economy deals to Mumbai and New Delhi from New York and Houston. It's 1,899 from Los Angeles and $2,099 roundtrip from San Francisco or Sea-Tac. The fares are available from February 1 to June 1 and August 1 to October 31. Tickets at these fares must be purchased by November 28. Information: the Singapore Air BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS page.

OTHER NOTABLE NEW DEALS & DISCOUNTS

TAP Air Portugal: Business Class to Lisbon Starts Around $1,200RT
If you can deal with Lisbon's overcrowded airport and the too-close-for-total-comfort placement of TAP Air Portugal's business class seatbed pods, the carrier is offering some eye-popping Black Friday discounts. Most exciting: Just $1,215 roundtrip from New York/JFK or Newark. Chicago flights are also a bargain at $1,599 roundtrip. The carrier's Boston gateway, traditionally its busiest, is priced at $1,649. Also worth considering: $1,999 roundtrip from New York or Newark to Porto, Portugal's number-two destination. The lowest fares are available for travel until December 14 and again from January 11 to March 20 and April 9 to May 31. There's a three-day minimum stay or overnight on a Friday. Availability is spotty although it's excellent in January and February. The big drawback? Tickets must by purchased by November 28. Information: TAP's BLACK FRIDAY page.

Costco: $500 Worth of Southwest Travel for $430
One of the best-kept secrets in business travel is that the Costco chain sells $500 Southwest Airlines Gift cards for only $449.99. But Costco's Black Friday deal is even better: $500 Southwest gift cards for just $429.99. There is a limit of five cards per Costco membership and, by Southwest rule, only three cards can be applied per passenger on a reservation. Otherwise, it is a 14% discount on your Southwest flying. But hurry: The $430 price is only valid until November 27. Information: the Costco SOUTHWEST AIRLINES GIFT CARD page.

Chase: 175,000 IHG One Rewards Points, But Proceed With Caution
The last best refuge of those of us hoping to win the frequency game is to score the best credit card acquisition bonuses. Chase is providing a big number--175,000 points--for taking the WorldElite Mastercard tied to the IHG One Rewards program from InterContinental Hotels. But the deal isn't for everyone. IHG points are of relatively low value and the program has very limited avenues for upgrades at the chain's best properties. Moreover, the acquisition bonus is a pricey affair. The first bit--100,000 points--is easy enough on the wallet since you only have to spend $3,000 on the card in the first 90 days. The remaining 75,000 points requires $8,000 in spend over six months. That's a more questionable move given the value of IHG points. Worth knowing: the Premier Card's annual fee is $99 and includes mid-level Platinum Elite status in the IHG One Rewards program. The bonus is available until December 4. Information: the Chase IHG ONE REWARDS page.

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THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

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 fare starts at $766, a great West Coast bargain. Premium economy--38 inches of legroom at seats configured 2x3x2 on Boeing 787s, 13-inch monitors and amenity kits--runs about $1,700 roundtrip. Information: the Air Tahiti Nui FLIGHTS TO PARIS page.

SATA Azores Airlines: Free Stopovers To/From Europe
It's a huge understatement to suggest that SATA Azores Airlines flies under the metaphoric radar. It's one of the least publicized carriers in Europe. But the islands-based carrier serves a number of gateways in the United States (New York, Boston and Oakland) and Canada (Toronto and Montreal). So when it offers free stayovers of as long as seven days en route to and/or returning from Europe, it's worth considering. Among its European destinations are London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and, of course, Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. The stayover allows you to add in visits to the Azorean islands of São Miguel or Terceira. If your geography fails you, the Azores lie about midway between the United States and the Portuguese mainland. And if your meteorology fails you, the winter months in the Azores are mild (daytime temps in the low 60s, evenings in the mid 50s). Information; the SATA STOPOVER page.

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.

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.

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.
        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.
        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.

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.

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.

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.

BACK HERE ON EARTH

Oxford University: A Summer of Learning, A Week at a Time
It's silly to say that I have a "favorite" deal, but nothing gives me more pleasure each year than writing up the news that Oxford University's Summer Schools have opened for registration. If you're not familiar with the program, the iconic English University uses its campus in the summer months and sponsors dozens of one-week courses that span the gamut from pop culture to deep historical dives and from hands-on experiences to high-art reflections. The courses include meals on campus and, if you wish, accommodations, too. In 2024, courses are held from June 30 to August 17 and include some distinctly non-academic extras: welcome drinks, pub visits, croquet, Morris dancing and a gala dinner to finish the week. Some of this year's classes: "From Edward to Elizabeth," which covers the five British monarchs crowned in the 20th century; "Genre and Modes of Comedy;" macroeconomics through the lens of John Maynard Keynes; play-writing, travel writing and creative writing courses; the operas of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini and Verdi; British pop music from 1965 to 2000; the British Raj in India; a survey of the three Bronte sisters; plus dozens more. Prices for the week start at 1,500 pounds and include the course, lunch and dinner. Accommodations for the week start at 500 pounds. Information: the THE OXFORD EXPERIENCE page.

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.