THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

Qatar Airways: Rare Business Class Bargains to South Africa
As Will Allen often says, South Africa is the hardest "get" in travel. Whether you try for a mileage award or want to pay cash, flying up front to Johannesburg or Cape Town is almost always prohibitively expensive. Which makes this foot-in-the-door sale from Qatar Airways all the more notable. If you can buy quickly (by September 30) and can travel over the holidays (December 10-27 outbound, January 1-10 return), there are several interesting business class bargains. New York/Kennedy to Jo'burg is as low as $3,695 roundtrip and JFK-Cape Town is gettable for $3,820. The price from Washington/Dulles to Jo'burg is around $4,000 roundtrip. There also are sale fares from other Qatar Airways U.S. gateways, but prices are somewhat less appealing. Flights are via Qatar's Doha hub, of course, which is a bit out of the way, but quite doable. And Qatar Air has what is arguably the best business class product in the skies. Information: the Qatar Airways DISCOVER QSUITES page.

OTHER NEW DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

Costco: $500 Worth of Southwest Travel for $450. Again.
It's one of the best-kept travel secrets: Costco sometimes sells $500 Southwest Airlines E-gift cards for only $449.99. I say "sometimes" because this deal comes and goes frequently--and erratically--on the Costco.com site. At the moment, it's back again. There is a limit of five "cards" per Costco membership and, by Southwest rule, only three may be applied per passenger on a reservation. Otherwise, it is a straight-up 10% discount on Southwest flying. "Cards" are delivered by E-mail almost immediately after purchase. Information: the Costco SOUTHWEST E-GIFT CARD page.

HOTELS: Weak Promotions From Two Low-Value Programs
Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards have among the least-valuable points in the hotel loyalty game. Which is why they must constantly promote special offers to stay competitive. That said, both chains' autumn promotions are notably weak considering the low value of their points. The Hilton Honors Power Up offer is just 2,500 points per stay until December 31. That is especially weak considering Hilton promos usually start at double points! The IHG One Rewards offer is 3,000 bonus points on each two-night stay until December 31. Neither is an inducement to switch upcoming stays to Hilton or IHG, but if you were already planning to stay with the chains, well, it's better than the proverbial stick in the eye. Advance registration is required for each promo, of course.

Air Tahiti Nui: Secret Nonstops to Paris, Surprisingly Cheap
Before ultra-long-haul flights were common, the 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 between Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle and Paris/CDG for notably inexpensive fares in coach or premium economy. Roundtrip coach fare starts at $929, a great West Coast bargain. Premium economy on Air Tahiti Nui's Boeing 787s--38 inches of legroom at seats configured 2x3x2 with 13-inch monitors and amenity kits--runs about $1,800 roundtrip. Information: the Air Tahiti Nui FLIGHTS TO PARIS page.

ENTERPRISE/NATIONAL: Not the Great Car Rental Promos of Old
Once upon a time, when things weren't rotten, Enterprise would rent cars on the weekend for as little as $10 a day during the fall and winter. And its sister company, National Car Rental, would mount the stunning OneTwoFree promotion that would give you a free rental day after every two-day rental. Now Enterprise's best offer is 10% off weekend rentals until December 29. Meanwhile, National long ago abandoned OneTwoFree and its current replacement is rather less compelling: earn double Emerald Club credits when you rent a midsize or larger vehicle on weekends. The promotion is valid until December 16 when you pick up your car on Thursday, Friday or Saturday and return it the following Sunday or Monday. Advance registration required. Information: the National EMERALD CLUB DOUBLE CREDITS page.

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THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

Turkish Airlines: Business Class Deals to Istanbul and India
Turkish Airlines serves more international destinations than any carrier in the world. Its business class is well-regarded. And its hub at the new Istanbul Airport wins raves for design and amenities (although the walks are often daunting). On the other hand, many flyers prefer not fly to or through a country controlled by an unpredictable autocrat (Is there any other kind?) who's tried to remake once-secular Turkey into an Islamic theocracy. Which is my long-winded way of saying these otherwise notable deals are your call. The airline is selling business class between Los Angeles and Istanbul for as little as $3,083 roundtrip in October. San Francisco is pricing out as low as $3,475 roundtrip. Seattle roundtrips can be as low as $2,226 in the next six weeks. And flights from Houston can be as low as $2,975 roundtrip in September, October and November. Looking to travel to India? Dallas to Mumbai via Istanbul is as low as $2,482 in November and December. Seattle-Delhi is as low as $2,312 in December and January. Atlanta-Mumbai is as low as $3,082 roundtrip from October to mid-January. Information: the Turkish Airlines DISCOVER OUR FLIGHT OFFERS page.

Southwest: Desperate Times Call for Many A-List Promotions
Southwest Airlines is financially challenged, deep into a rethink of its business model--and dogged by an investment group intent on turning it into a clone of the Big 3 carriers. So Southwest management needs help and it is turning to Rapid Rewards members for assistance. That pretty much explains why the airline is offering not one, but four, ways to speed up your chance to earn A-List or A-List Preferred status. Through November 30, you can earn double tier credits for flights--or triple credits if you book through a so-called Southwest business channel. Award travel counts as a tier-qualifying flight if you book it after you register for the promotion. Finally, you'll also earn 2,000 bonus tier points for every $5,000 spent on a Southwest credit card. And you can earn up to 5,000 points by spending with Southwest partner hotels, car rentals and Southwest-aligned retail operations. Complete details and registration procedures are here.

Neos: Premium to Palermo as Low as $699 One-Way, But Hurry
Neos is a small Italian carrier that regularly flies between New York/Kennedy and Milan/Malpensa. But during the summer months, it also operates a nonstop between JFK and Palermo, Sicily. That's notable because there are almost no nonstops between the United States and the super-popular Mediterranean destination. The twice-weekly Neos service ends on October 7 and the airline is discounting heavily to fill the remaining flights. You'll pay as little as $699 one-way to fly in Premium class, which offers 2x3x2 seating with 43 inches of seat pitch on Boeing 787s. Bottom line: an unbeatable end-of-summer deal if the dates work for you. Information: the Neos PALERMO page.

Singapore Airlines: Longest Flights, Cheapest Premium Economy Fares
Singapore Airlines may be positioned as a premium airline, but it was late with a dedicated premium economy class. And its premium economy cabin has lagged in sales since its 2015 introduction. A recent refresh probably won't move the needle, either. So it is constantly discounting--and discounting heavily--to fill the cabin. That means superb bargains on long-haul flights across the Pacific. On its Los Angeles-Singapore nonstops, for example, the premium economy cabin sells for as little as $1,703 roundtrip. San Francisco-Singapore is selling for even less: $1,623 roundtrip. The biggest bargain of all: New York/JFK or Newark-Singapore/Changi for $1,323 roundtrip. Those are literally the world's longest nonstops. There are similar bargains around Asia via Singapore/Changi Airport from all SIA gateways in the United States. Information: the COMPARE FLIGHTS page.

British Airways: AARP Deal Is Back--Again. Save $200 in Business
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 fare discount in the mouth. The current deal is valid for BA flights booked by January 31. You must be an AARP member, of course, which offers great value for the $12 annual rate. Information: the EXCLUSIVE AARP MEMBERS page.

STAY ON THE WAY/STAYOVER OFFERS

Etihad Airways: Two Free Hotel Nights With Abu Dhabi Stops
After a nasty financial patch and misbegotten attempt to buy into weak airlines to create a fourth alliance, Etihad has rebounded and is again serving five North American cities: New York, Washington, Chicago, Boston and Toronto. Since all connecting flights require a change in Abu Dhabi, a stayover in the United Arab Emirates makes sense. Etihad now offers two free nights in a three-star hotel or 40% off stays at 4- and 5-star properties. There are also discounts and packages on dining, attractions, sporting events and other activities in Abu Dhabi, which fancies itself as more sedate and sophisticated than Dubai, its historic rival. YMMV on which city is better--and whether you prefer a layover with Emirates via Dubai--but at least Etihad is again making the effort to attract your long-haul business. Information: the Etihad ABU DHABI STOPOVER page.

Emirates Airline: Dubai in a Day (or More)
As many as 88 million people passed through Dubai Airport last year and the Emirates Airline superhub hosts lots of North Americans headed to the UAE and other destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. With so many connecting flights to so many places--and with the time zones completely askew--Emirates offers a spread of stopover and stay-on-the-way deals and packages. A 12-hour bundle, for example, includes a Dubai city tour, one-hour excursion around the harbor on a traditional wooden dhow, a desert ramble that includes a stop at a camel farm and a buffet dinner. That costs about US$100. For about the same price, a three-day itinerary includes a city tour, a safari run, a kayak adventure, dinner cruise and other attractions. There are also special rates available at the city's wide array of hotels and resorts, many of them among the most luxurious in the world. Information: the Emirates DUBAI EXPERIENCE page.

Turkish Airlines: Stay Up to Two Days Free in Istanbul
You'd be surprised to learn the identity of the carrier that flies to more nations than any other. It's Turkish Airlines, hubbed at sprawling and elaborate Istanbul Airport. The airline flies to 274 destinations and offers connections from more than a dozen gateways in the United States and Canada. Another perk: the Stopover in Istanbul scheme. It allows travelers connecting in Istanbul to spend a night or two in Turkey's largest city while Turkish picks up the hotel tab. Connecting coach flyers are eligible for a one-night stay at a 4-star hotel and business class travelers can get two nights in one of Istanbul's five-star properties. Some folks will not fly on Turkish because Turkey is ruled by an increasingly autocratic strongman who has been intent on turning the once proudly secular nation into an Islamic redoubt. But if you're flying Turkish--which is part of the Star Alliance and often offers great business class deals--why wouldn't you avail yourself of a free stop in one of the world's most intriguing cities? Information: The Turkish Airlines STOPOVER IN ISTANBUL page.

Qatar Airways: Stay on the Way With Doha Discounts
Qatar Airways has grown its Doha home into a global megahub and it carries many American travelers onward to Africa and Asia. But if you're interested in spending some time in the ultra-modern Qatari capital along the way, Qatar Air offers a raft of on-the-ground discounts. For stayovers as long as four nights, hotel rates start as low as $28 a day per couple for four-star properties. Beachfront hotels start as low as $60 a couple a night. There are also substantial discounts on city tours and attractions. One caveat: You'll need a visa to overnight in Qatar, but the airline can help handle that, too. Information: the Qatar Airways EXPERIENCE MORE page.

Icelandair: Add a 7-night Free Stay in Iceland to Your Trip
Icelandair, and before that Icelandic, has survived for decades in the cutthroat transatlantic market by leveraging its position between North America and mainland Europe. It has used Reykjavík as its continent-to-continent connecting hub and regularly promoted stay-along-the-way packages. It's the latter that is of interest now: The airline is permitting stays in Iceland for as long as seven days when you fly between North America and Europe. The so-called Stopover in Iceland program is available at no extra charge on your outbound itinerary. The airline's Web site also does an excellent job helping you book the stop. Information: Icelandair's STOPOVER IN ICELAND page.

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.

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 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

American Airlines/Citi: Fewer Miles, But a Big Statement Credit
There aren't too many wrinkles left in the travel credit card game, so give Citi and American Airlines, um, credit for this one: a card that offers both miles and a big statement credit. Although the "standard" acquisition bonus for the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is 50,000 miles (and occasionally 60,000 miles during private promotions), the new offer is an intriguing hybrid. You'll receive a dollar-for-dollar statement credit up to $200 for American Airlines spend in the first six months and 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 on purchases during the first three months. Depending on your travel patterns and how you value AAdvantage miles, the $200/40,000-mile bonus may substantially outweigh the 50,000-mile standard offer. Your call, of course. The card has a zero-dollar annual fee in the first year, then it's $99 annually. Information: the American Airlines NEW CARDMEMBER OFFER page.

Chase/Marriott: 60K Bonvoy Points and a Free Night for 'Free'
The desperation of hotel chains and their card-issuing partners to get you to take more credit cards is reaching a fever pitch. Example: a new offer from Chase to open a Marriott Bonvoy Bold card account. For very minimal spend ($2,000 within the first three months you open the account), you'll earn 60,000 Bonvoy points and a free night at properties that cost 50,000 points or less. The best part of the deal? The card has no annual fee. So, essentially, you can score 60,000 points and a hotel night for "free." Of course, there are some limits: If you have another Chase/Marriott Bonvoy card, you probably won't be able to get the card. Information: the Chase OUR BEST OFFER EVER page.

American Express: Ready to Play Even Richer Platinum Card Roulette?
For all the tough competition, the American Express Platinum Card remains the, um, gold standard against which all other premium cards are judged. Whether you find its $695 annual fee too pricey (Will Allen's conclusion), fair (Bob McGarvey's conclusion) or a hard-boiled calculation (my conclusion) is another matter. YMMV, as they say. If you can justify the card based on club access or statement credits or hotel deals or its excellent earning for airline charges (five points per dollar), now is the time to apply. The public acquisition proposition lately has been 80,000 points, but you can find offers as high as 175,000 points. The problem is finding them because Amex plays roulette with its links and varies the offer based on the browser you use, your browser history or even cookies on your device. Best solution? Google "Amex Platinum 175K points" and you're likely to find the biggest offer with the same purchase requirement ($8,000 in six months).

Wells Fargo: One Travel Card Won't Rule Them All, But Still ...
Wells Fargo hasn't been a big player in the travel card segment. But now comes the Autograph Journey Visa that Wells Fargo hopes will be a category killer. It's compelling, but not a category killer. The Autograph Journey Card offers a strong earnings proposition: 5 points for hotel spend; 4 points on airline purchases and three points on dining and most other travel charges. The annual fee is low ($95) and offset by a $50 annual statement credit against airline charges. There's generous trip-cancellation and lost-luggage coverage, cell-phone protection and no foreign transaction fees. Wells Fargo is even creating a points-transfer operation. Points accrued on Autograph Journey can be transferred 1:1 to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and programs operated by British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. Wells Fargo promises more partners to come. And there's a hefty acquisition bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. So where does the Autograph Journey card fail? The car-rental collision-damage waiver is secondary, ride shares don't earn extra points, there's no trip-delay coverage and probably a shallow pool of future points-transfer partners. Still, it's an impressive package for a functional $45 annual fee. Information: the Wells Fargo AUTOGRAPH JOURNEY CARD page.

LODGING BARGAINS TO CONSIDER

HOTELS: Big Points Bonanzas If You Book Carefully
Lodging occupancy rates fall after Labor Day as leisure travelers wrap up their summer holidays and business travelers haven't firmed up all of their autumn plans. The result? Big chains react with (mostly) points promotions in an attempt to goose occupancy and/or steal business from the other chains. That means sizable bonanzas for us if we book tactically. Here's a look at what some of the big chains have already posted. Expect more deals to develop in the days ahead.
        Best Western is reviving its annual Rewards Rush promotion, but this year's twist is that it is available at all of its global properties. That's more than 4,000 hotels around the world. The offer is double Best Western Rewards points on all stays at any Best Western-branded hotel until November 18. Check out the details here.
        Hilton isn't yet out with an autumn promotion--and Hilton is usually first out of the box--but it is offering 1,000 bonus points per night at new or newly renovated properties in its global portfolio. Some properties are offering 5,000 bonus points for a three-night stay. The details are here.
        Hyatt has two offers to promote specific brands. If you're a World of Hyatt credit cardholder, you can earn 1,000 bonus points a night at Unbound Collection hotels until November 30. Advance registration is required and you can earn a total of 20,000 bonus points. Meanwhile, all World of Hyatt members can earn triple points (that's 15 per dollar spent) at Hyatt's Homes and Hideaways collection of properties until November 3. The details are here.
        Marriott is out with a double-barreled promotion. You'll earn 2,000 bonus points for every two-night stay at any Marriott-branded property between September 10 and November 26. You'll earn an additional 2,000 points (for a total of 4,000) for each two-night stay at any property aligned with the MGM Collection, Marriott's newish gaming-hotel partner. The details are here

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.

Loews Hotels: Some Sweet Stuff With Suite Rentals
Loews Hotels is a tiny hotel group with a tiny footprint (just 15 cities), but many travelers swear by the chain's properties and services. If you're one of them, then consider this special offer. Reserve a suite at most Loews outposts around the country and the chain will throw in some goodies: up to $125 a day in food and beverage for up to seven nights and the property's fastest WiFi service. Information: the Loews A SUITE DEAL page.

Omni Hotels: Golf Swag From a PGA Partner
Omni Hotels is the official lodging partner of the PGA Tour, so the chain is trying to capitalize on the link with golf swag and course discounts. Book a golf package at one of 11 Omni resorts and you'll receive: one round of golf per registered guest each day of your stay; unlimited use of the driving range; a pack of Callaway golf balls; a PGA Tour hat for each adult; and a $100 resort credit. The participating Omni properties include resorts in Arizona, California, Texas, Virginia, New Hampshire, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Information: The Omni PGA TOUR GOLF PACKAGE page.

BACK HERE ON EARTH

Travel Tech: When Phil Baker Says Buy, We Buy …
Our tech guru, Phil Baker, is raving about a foldable, 3-in-1 travel charger for iPhones, Apple watches and AirPods. The JARGOU also gets a 4.8 positive rating from Amazon.com buyers. The charger, which weighs less than a pound, normally sells for $40, but Amazon.com now is offering a 45% discount via a check box on its sales page. Phil loves it, Amazon users love it, Amazon is selling it at nearly half off. What's not to love, right? Information: the Amazon.com 3-IN-1 CHARGING STATION 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.