THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

Small Luxury Hotels: 30% Off, But You Must Hurry
Small Luxury Hotels (SLH), the boutique lodging edge of Leading Hotels of the World, is something of a mixed bag: There are fabulous gems, quirky independents and a few that make you wonder how they rate the moniker "luxury." Still, if you are looking for non-branded independent lodging with style, SLH is the place. And for a brief period, more than 160 participating hotels and resorts are offering 30% off their standard rates. Only three are located in the United States, so that widens the opportunities if you're searching for global options at a substantial discount. The good news: You can reserve rooms at the discount through 2024. Bad news: You must book by January 3. (The sale has been extended to January 7.) A two-night minimum stay is required. Information: the SLH BOOKING page.

OTHER NOTABLE NEW DEALS & DISCOUNTS

Copa Airlines: Up to 7-Day Free Stopover in Panama
Panama's Copa Airlines is one of the few stable and reliable carriers in Latin America. The Star Alliance airline also has developed an efficient hub at its hometown of Panama City that connects destinations in the United States to both Central and South America. And now an added perk: A free stopover of as long as seven days in Panama City. The stay-on-the-way offer can be used on the departing or returning itinerary. The airline also works with Panamanian tourist authorities to offer up a bundle of tours, hotel stays and other add-ons. Information: the PANAMA STOPOVER page.

Ireland: 8 Days, 7 Nights, 3 Cities, $500 Discount
Airlines are largely out of the guided package tour business, but the Aer Lingus Vacation Store isn't actually Aer Lingus. It's a travel packager that uses the Aer Lingus brand name and promotes Aer Lingus flights. To that end, the company has organized an interesting small-group, 8-day Ireland package that covers Dublin (3 nights), Limerick (2 nights) and Killarney (2 nights). The bundle includes roundtrip coach airfare from the United States to Dublin; airport transfers; accommodations in 4-star hotels; daily breakfast, one dinner and a banquet at Bunratty Castle; and extensive sightseeing via a WiFi-equipped motorcoach. The tour is limited to 21 participants. The price is usually $3,999, but is just $3,499 when you use promo code STRESSFREE. The $500 discount must be claimed by January 5 for travel departing on March 2. Information: the Vacation Store ESCORTED IRELAND page.

Air Canada Aeroplan: Fourth Night Free on Hotel Redemptions
Airline frequency programs stopped offering good deals on hotel redemptions decades ago, but Air Canada Aeroplan (and its related credit card) is a unique frequent-flyer plan. So maybe this isn't as much of a surprise as you might assume: If you are an Aeroplan credit card holder, you'll receive a free fourth night when you book participating hotels using Aeroplan points. Book six nights with points and receive two free nights. The promotion is available for stays through December 31, 2024. Information: the Air Canada EXTEND YOUR REST FOR LESS page.

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THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

La Compagnie: Europe in Business for $2,400RT--and That's Bad News
Once upon a time--say before the pandemic--La Compagnie would post a winter sale offering roundtrip business class fares as low as $1,200. Prices to Milan and Paris crept up to $1,600 and then $2,000, but the all-business-class carrier was a reliable bellwether of spring and summer rates to come. This year is no exception and the tidings are not good. The price is higher, of course--$2,400 roundtrip from Newark--but that is to be expected. The bad news is the timing: La Compagnie is only offering the sale price to Paris/Orly on select dates in January, February and March. There are some dates available to Milan/Malpensa in April, too. In years past, the deal would extend well into April, May and even June. But it's clear that La Compagnie--and other carriers--are expecting booming traffic next spring and summer. So maybe you'd be wise to jump on this deal when the airline is offering it and buckle up for much higher prices in prime-time 2024. Information: the La Compagnie SMART BUSINESS CLASS page.

Costco: $500 Worth of Southwest Travel for $450
One of the best-kept secrets in travel is that Costco sells $500 Southwest Airlines gift cards for only $449.99. 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 straight-up 10% discount on Southwest flying. Information: the Costco SOUTHWEST AIRLINES GIFT CARD page.

Hainan Airlines: Humbled Carrier Still Offers (Some Coach) Deals
Before the pandemic, privately owned Hainan Airlines was losing billions of dollars annually, expanding vigorously in the United States and China and discounting lustily to fill its aircraft. Business class U.S.-China roundtrips would often sell for as little as $2,500. But how times have changed. Hainan's parent, the gluttonous HNA Group, collapsed into bankruptcy, was propped up by the Chinese government and eventually broken up into pieces. The Hainan Airlines division is still seeking new private investors and the post-pandemic flight regimen between the United States and China remains heavily restricted. That means a lot fewer flights--just dozens weekly now compared to around 300 in 2019--and rapacious prices for the few business class seats still in the skies. But you can find a few coach discounts if you're looking to go to China right now. Humbled Hainan, for example, is selling Boston-Beijing roundtrips in coach for as little as $1,412. (The flight makes a technical/refueling stop in Seattle, by the way.) Boston-Shanghai roundtrips in coach are available for as little as $1,163, but require a Beijing connection as well as the Seattle stop. Information: the Hainan OFFERS page.

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.

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.

STAY ON THE WAY/STAYOVER OFFERS

TAP AIR PORTUGAL: Free Portugal Stopover Can Now Be Ten Days
In the early days of transatlantic jet travel, free "stopovers" in the country of arrival were a standard perk. The deal was eventually abandoned as longer-haul nonstops came to dominate flying. But "stay along the way" offers are making a comeback among airlines that depend on connecting traffic to compete with longer nonstops. TAP Air Portugal is probably the best current practitioner of the stopover. The airline originally revived the deal with a free, three-day stopover in Portugal as part of roundtrip, transatlantic nonstops to Lisbon or Porto. It was then upped to five days. Now the offer is 10 days in Portugal before continuing to your next destination. There are other perks attached to the stopover, including a 25% discount on domestic Portuguese flights, hotel discounts, museum and attraction admissions and freebies with meals. Information: the VISIT PORTUGAL 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.

CREDIT CARD ACQUISITION BONUSES

Citibank: Premier Card Offers 60,000 Points--and Plenty of Perks
Once a powerhouse in retail banking, Citibank is only a marginal player in the frequency game with just a fraction of the American Airlines business. But it has its own plan called ThankYou and that plan has its moments. The Citi Premier Mastercard now offers a 60,000-point acquisition bonus when you spend $4,000 in 90 days. Plus Citi has jacked up the earnings possibilities: 10 ThankYou points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals until June 30 when you book through the Citi Travel portal. Otherwise, you earn three points per dollar on air travel, hotels, restaurants, gasoline stations and supermarkets. Once a year, you also get $100 off a hotel purchase of $500 booked through thankyou.com. What can you do with the points? You can convert them to cashback rewards, claim gift cards or transfer them to Air France/KLM Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue and a slew of other major international frequency plans. Not bad for the $95 annual fee. Information: the Citi PREMIER CARD page.

Chase: 100,000-Point Bonus to Take an Ink Business Card
As airline frequent flyer programs get less generous, smart travelers are banking miles with banks. Chase Ultimate Rewards points, for example, offer a 1:1 transfer to United, Southwest, several international airlines and some hotel chains, too. There seems to be less risk by banking points with Chase and moving them to your programs as the good deals--or award availability--warrant. One of the current stars in the wide Chase portfolio? The Visa Ink Business Preferred Card. For the $95 annual fee, you'll receive an acquisition bonus of 100,000 points when you spend $8,000 during the first three months. You'll also earn three points per dollar spent on travel; shipping charges; payments for cable, Internet and phone services; and some advertising purchases. Is $8,000 in spend too much to ask for 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points? Chase points out that its previous threshold was $15,000 . I point out that a few years ago it offered 80,000 points for $5,000 in spend. So your call, I guess. Information: the Chase EARN 100,000 BONUS page.

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.

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.

LODGING BARGAINS TO CONSIDER

Best Western: $100 Gift 'Card' After Three Nights in Two Months
When last we saw the Best Western Rewards Rush promotion it was a star-step affair that offered a $10 Best Western virtual gift card after one stay, a $20 gift card after the second stay and a $30 gift card after the third stay. This activity was required during a two-month period bridging late fall and early winter. Best Western now has simplified and upgraded the offer: Stay three nights between December 4 and February 4 and you'll receive a $100 virtual Best Western gift card to use on a future stay. Even better, once you reach the three-night plateau you can register to earn double or triple points on additional nights until February 4. The only major caveat: While you can use the $100 gift at any Best Western property in the world, only stays in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean count toward the three-night stay requirement. Advance registration is required. Information: the Best Western LIMITED TIME OFFER page.

Hotels: Maybe You'll Find Rate Savings With a Credit Card
Domestic fares have been flat or falling recently, but hotel and resort prices continue to rise, precipitously in many destinations. Possible solution: hotel discounts and perks offered by your credit card. Of course, the specials below come with caveats. Most hotels in the programs are in the luxury category. You must book directly at the card's special Web site, which would eliminate most or all of the perks you get with elite status at your preferred chain. And you should always check that the rate you're paying is competitive with other offers.
      American Express Platinum Cards feature two plans--Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and The Hotel Collection--that cover more than 2,200 properties around the world. Bundled with the FHR rates are space-available room upgrades; check-in as early as noon based on availability and guaranteed 4pm checkout; breakfast for two; free WiFi; and property-specific food and beverage credit or other amenity. The Hotel Collection locations offer space-available upgrades and some on-property perks. You'll also receive an annual statement credit of $200 when you book any of the hotels.
      Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection from Chase says it offers daily breakfast for two, free WiFi, as-available upgrades and check-in/check-out privileges. The program covers about 1,000 lodgings worldwide and guests receive an additional on-property amenity--free meals, golf or spa treatments, airport transfers--from each hotel or resort.
      Visa Signature cards claim to offer special rates at more than 900 properties. Perks include space-available upgrade; free WiFi; free breakfast for two; a $25 food and beverage credit; VIP status; and late checkout.
      Mastercard Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, available to World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard holders, covers 4,000 properties. It offers free daily breakfast for two; as-available room upgrade; "if available" early check-in and late checkout; and on-property amenities.

BACK HERE ON EARTH

Oxford University: A Summer of Learning, A Week at a Time
It's silly to say I have a "favorite" deal, but nothing gives me more pleasure each year than writing this: 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.

Uber/Marriott: Link Accounts for 1,000 Bonvoy Points
Uber and Marriott have been cooperating for several years. If you didn't know you can and should link your accounts, Marriott has an offer: 1,000 bonus points on your first qualifying Uber ride or Uber Eats order. Once linked, you'll receive three Bonvoy points with every dollar spent on Uber Premium rides; six points per dollar when you use Uber Eats at a Marriott property; and two points per dollar whenever you use Uber Eats. The bonus 1,000 points is only available until December 31, however. Information: the GO FURTHER page. The bonus must be claimed by December 31.

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.