THE BIG TRAVEL DEAL

La Compagnie: The Rising Cost of Business Class Romance
La Compagnie is the last of the all-business-class carriers that once made transatlantic flying better and cheaper. Launched in 2014, it created a Valentine's Day tradition in 2016: A "romance" sale for flights between its Newark base, Paris and whatever other Europe cities it served. The initial sale pegged a business class seat at $1,450 roundtrip. It rose for the 2017 sale ($1,500) and again in 2018 ($1,600). When it returned in 2022 after the Coronavirus pandemic, La Compagnie returned to the $1,500 fare. Since then, however, prices have jumped dishearteningly: $1,900 roundtrip in 2023 and 2024 and $2,100 last year. The cost of business class romance in 2026? A distressing $2,500 roundtrip. That covers flights between Newark and Paris/Orly or Milan/Malpensa, La Compagnie's other year-round route. The fare is valid on select days between February 14 and the end of the year if you purchase tickets by February 16. These days, the airline is flying Airbus A321neo narrowbody planes configured with 76 lie-flat seatbeds in a 2x2 layout. Information: the La Compagnie EXCLUSIVE VALENTINE'S DAY DEAL page.

THIS WEEK'S OTHER NEW BARGAINS

DoorDash/Chase: Free Year of DashPass With Most Any Chase Card Chase's most prestigious credit cards long have been offering a free DoorDash DashPass membership. That's good for free delivery and perks like a $10 monthly grocery credit and Lyft discounts. Now Chase and DoorDash have extended the offer to most Chase cards, including its co-branded travel cards. There are some limits (the DashPass is usually only valid for a year), but the matrix is so complicated that DoorDash has created a perks chart Is it worth having? Well, better than a stick in the eye and lower delivery fees are always better, even if you only use it once in the proverbial blue moon. Information: the DoorDash CO-BRAND CARD page.

Singapore Airlines: Huge Bargains on Transpacific Premium Economy
Singapore Airlines may be a premium airline, but its premium economy cabin lags in the sales department. It constantly needs to discount--and discount heavily--to fill the cabin. And that means fabulous deals for us on long-haul flights across the Pacific. On its San Francisco-Singapore nonstops, for example, the premium economy cabin sells for as little as $1,072 roundtrip. On the LAX-Tokyo nonstops, premium economy goes for $1,903 roundtrip. Seattle-Singapore can be had for as little as $1,387 roundtrip. The biggest bargain of all? New York/JFK-Singapore/Changi for as little as $1,048 roundtrip. That's an incredibly cheap price for what is literally the longest nonstop in the world. The super-cheap fares aren't available every day, of course, but look carefully and you will find bargains. Information: the Singapore Airlines COMPARE FLIGHTS page.

Best Western: Not the Best Best Western Deal, But …
There's a funny moment in The Big Bang Theory when Amy explains to Sheldon that her Best Western isn't "best Best Western [but] the third best Best Western I've been to." I feel the same way about this iteration of the chain's latest Rewards promotion. In its very predictable way, Best Western rotates offers. Sometimes it's a free night, sometimes it's a $100 gift card. Now it is the fourth-best offer: a $50 Best Western electronic gift card after three nights at any property in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean. You can score as many as three cards during the promo period, which runs February 2 to May 10. (Cards can be used at any BW worldwide until August 2.) Advance registration is required, of course. If you're obsessive as me about this stuff, please note: Last year's winter offer required only two nights of stays--but also was limited to two gift cards. Information: the Best Western LIMITED TIME OFFER page.

Air Tahiti Nui: Secret (Cheap) Nonstops to Paris From LAX or SFO
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. An example: Air Tahiti Nui, which connects its Polynesian home to Paris/CDG via the United States. The surprisingly good island carrier can fly you nonstop from LAX to Paris for as little as $862 roundtrip. Flights to Paris from San Francisco are just a few bucks more ($876). Premium economy--38 inches of legroom at seats configured 2x3x2 on Boeing 787s--runs about $1,700 roundtrip. Information: the Air Tahiti Nui FLIGHTS TO PARIS page.

THE DISCOUNTS UP THERE

Airlines: Italy Cheap in Premium, But Only From JFK
If wintry weather has you jonesing some Italy, I have some good news. Winter Premium Class fares are fabulous. The bad news? Your only choice is flying from New York/Kennedy, where Norse Atlantic and Neos Air operate. In the case of Norse Atlantic, its shriveled transatlantic winter schedule still includes nonstops between JFK and Rome/FCO. I've seen outbound Premium Class prices in January and February as low as $389 with returns from Rome as low as $481. Of course that $870 roundtrip is a little deceiving since you'll have to pay for seat assignments and, if needed, checked baggage. On the other hand, Neos, based at Milan/Malpensa, includes seat assignments and two checked bags in its basic Premium Class fare. I've seen JFK-MXP rates as low as $1,167 roundtrip, especially great since even the lowest Neos Air fares allow almost unlimited changes. Both carriers operate nearly identical Premium cabins on their respective Boeing 787 Dreamliners. You'll get about 43 inches of legroom on the recliner seats, which are around 20 inches wide. The seat configuration is 2x3x2.

Finnair: Europe Business Class Sale Via Our Helsinki Hub
Want to fly business class to Rome for as little as $2,566 roundtrip? You can do it if you fly Finnair and change aircraft at Vantaa, Finnair's stylish, compact Helsinki hub. But I suggest a better use of Finnair's business class sale fares is to reach European cities where nonstops are scarce or nonexistent. Examples: Budapest for $2,843 roundtrip; Prague for $3,081; or Berlin for $3,125. Second-tier destinations such as Gdansk, Gotenberg and Krakow are around $3,000 roundtrip. Quoted prices are from New York/Kennedy, but Finnair offers similar bargains from all its U.S. gateways, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Seattle and Miami. Finnair also has a unique business class, as Meena Thiruvengadam has explained. Information: the Finnair BUSINESS CLASS OFFERS page.

India: Peck Around for Business Class Bargains
The quest for business class deals to India is endless, especially since Air India remains in serious disarray as it attempts to right itself and its operations. There seem to be discounts now, however, if you're willing to peck around and be flexible on time and the carrier. Some roundtrip bargains I found this week: Finnair from Los Angeles to Delhi for $3,852; Etihad from New York/JFK to Bengaluru ($3,127) and Delhi ($3,208); and from Washington/Dulles to Kolkata ($3,572); and Turkish Airlines to Mumbai from Atlanta ($2,750), New York ($3,193) and Dallas/Fort Worth ($3,520).

Africa: Great Flight Deals--If You Can Handle Coach Travel
Air service between North America and Africa stinks and that means genuine business class deals are nearly impossible to find. And, sadly, I have no good news on that front. But if you're willing to brave coach on the long flights, there are fabulous deals just now. KLM, for example, is offering flights to Nairobi as low as $906 roundtrip. Dakar is even lower at $895 roundtrip while flights to Accra are available for as little as $895. (Service is over KLM's Amsterdam hub, of course.) Ethiopian Air is selling coach nonstops between its Addis Ababa hub and Atlanta for as little as $913 roundtrip. Over its Dubai hub, Emirates is showing flights to Dar es Salaam for as little as $1,044. Flights to Cairo are as low as $1,068 roundtrip. At Kenya Airways, nonstops to its Nairobi hub start as low as $1,053. If you hub in Nairobi, fares around Africa are even lower, starting at $857 to Accra, $878 to Entebbe and $905 roundtrip to Kigali. Best way to score a deal to an Africa destination? Use a fare-search service like Google Flights or its predecessor, ITA Software.

STAY ON THE WAY/STAYOVER OFFERS

Iberia: Free Stopover in Madrid for As Long as Nine Days
Once a niche carrier, Iberia has made substantial inroads in the U.S. market by offering extremely attractive fares over its Madrid hub. Now another incentive to change planes in the Spanish capital: a free stayover that can last as long as nine days. As with most of the industry stopover schemes, the idea is simple: Find a route and book a stop either on the departure or return via Madrid. Information: Iberia's STOPOVER HOLA MADRID page.

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

Chase/Hyatt: Back to the Future for an Acquisition Bonus
Hyatt junked the free-night deals almost two decades ago when it retired the beloved Faster Free Night promotions. But Chase has, at least for the moment, revived the idea with its latest acquisition pitch for its Hyatt credit card. Take the card and you'll earn three free nights when you spend $5,000 in the first three months. You'll earn two free nights more if you spend $15,000 in the first six months. That's not bad for a $95 annual fee. But there is a caveat: The free nights are only valid for Category 1-4 hotels, which means they are not valid for Hyatt's best properties. Still, this may appeal if you're mostly interested in free nights in secondary cities and in limited-service hotels such as Hyatt House and Hyatt Place. The acquisition bonus is available until February 26. Information: the Chase LIMITED TIME OFFER page.

Southwest/Chase: Five Cards, But Now Just Three Acquisition Bonuses
In its quest to be just like any other airline, Southwest and Chase have conspired to unleash a phalanx of personal and business credit cards. Specifics of day-to-day spend and benefits are not particularly new, but the structure of the acquisition bonuses has changed. All three personal cards now offer 50,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. The Premier Business Card ($149 annual fee) now offers 60,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. And the Performance Business card ($299 annual fee) tops out at 80,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Your move. Information: The Chase SOUTHWEST credit card page.

Wells Fargo: The $95 Sleeper Visa Finally Gets a Bit Better
When Wells Fargo introduced the Autograph Journey Visa 19 months ago, it hoped the card would be a category killer. And it was compelling with a strong earnings proposition: five points for hotel spend; four 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 even created a points-transfer operation--and that's where the weakness has been. Points accrued on Autograph Journey could be transferred 1:1 to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and programs operated by British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. Wells Fargo promised more partners to come, but they have been slow to arrive. The good news: Points now also transfer to JetBlue on a 1:1 basis, which is better than many other cards. There's still a hefty acquisition bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Autograph Journey still has issues (car-rental collision-damage waiver is secondary, ride shares don't earn extra points and there's no trip-delay coverage), but it's an impressive package for a functional $45 annual fee. Information: the Wells Fargo AUTOGRAPH JOURNEY CARD page.

Chase: The 'Cheap' Sapphire Preferred Should Be in Your Wallet
With all the focus on super-premium cards, too many travelers miss the overall best card that should be in their wallet. The $95-a-year Chase Sapphire Preferred is cheap--and terrific for travel and daily spend. You'll receive two points per dollar spent on travel (it even includes parking), three points per dollar on dining worldwide and three points on many online grocery purchases and streaming services. And if you book via Chase Travel, you'll receive five points per dollar spent. Even better, the acquisition bonus is a hefty 75,000 points for $5,000 in spend in the first three months. Information: the Chase NEW OFFER page.

LODGING BARGAINS TO CONSIDER

Hilton Honors: Really, We Offer Almost Nothing for Your Loyalty
Hilton Honors has the least valuable currency among major frequency plans. For years, Hilton compensated by offering lavish promotions that made it worth considering for the chain's frequent stayers. But in the last year or two, even those promotions have waned. The latest is the most insulting offer of all: 2,000 bonus point per stay. That's worth a whopping $7 or so given the current redemption value of Honors points. The promotion runs until April 30 when you register in advance. Information: the Hilton POINTS UNLIMITED page.

Accor: Up to 30% Off North American Hotels Until Summer
The French lodging giant Accor is a global powerhouse with nearly 6,000 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries. In the Americas, not so much. In fact, its Winter Sale covers just 11 properties in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Still, the offer is fairly good: up to 20% off for all comers and an extra 10% for members of the chain's ALL frequency plan. You can book until March 30 for stays until May 31. But this being the French, nothing is quite straightforward. Accor also controls Fairmont, which flies its luxury flag over dozens more North American properties. It, too, offers the 20%/30% off deal, although Fairmont requires a two-day stay for the bargain. Information: the Accor WINTER SALE page and the Fairmont SPECIAL STARTS HERE page.

Air Canada Aeroplan: Free Nights 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, 2026. Information: the Air Canada EXTEND YOUR REST FOR LESS page.

Vancouver: Up to $250 Gift Card for Two-Night Stays
Vancouver on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia offers surprisingly mild winters, but it still must promote heavily in the off-season to keep its hotel rooms full. And it always delivers thanks to a unique annual deal promoted by the city's hotel association. For a minimum two-night stay, you can score a prepaid Mastercard gift card worth as much as $250. Dozens of the city's properties participate in the promotion and you can even book with a Visa or American Express card as well as MasterCard. The only real caveat? You must book through a special Web site and stay before March. Information: the STAYVANCOUVER site.

Omni Hotels: Golfing the Hotel Blues Away
Omni Hotels is the official lodging partner of the PGA Golf Tour, so the chain is capitalizing on the link with golf swag and course discounts. Book a golf package at an Omni resort 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. Information: The Omni PGA TOUR GOLF PACKAGE page.

Loews Hotels: Sweet (or Savory) Suite Deals
Loews is a small chain, 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 and the chain will throw in up to $200 a day in food and beverage credits that can be used at the hotel restaurant or for room service. You'll also receive what the chain calls "premium" WiFi. Information: the Loews A SUITE DEAL page.

IHG One Rewards: 3,000-Point Bonus for an App Booking
I waffle on the value proposition offered IHG One Rewards, the loyalty program of InterContinental Hotel and its many other brands. But if you're an IHG player, there's no reason not to pounce on this: 3,000 bonus points for booking a stay through the IHG app. The offer seems fairly straightforward: be an IHG One Rewards member, register for the promotion, then book via the app and complete a stay within 30 days.

Omni Mount Washington: Third Night Free and an F&B Credit
The enormous, enormously popular and enormously expensive Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, offers thrilling views, excellent restaurants and a cornucopia of activities: a spa; golf and tennis; stables; ice skating, snowshoeing; and several types of skiing. But like many resorts, it has trouble filling off-season days. The solution: a buy-two-get-one sale. When you book two nights at the Flexible Rate, you will get a third night free. Also included: a $50 food-and-beverage credit. What isn't included: the tax and resort fee on the third night. As always with offers of this type, don't assume this rate is the cheapest. Check it against the price of paying the lowest available rate for three nights. Information: Omni's BUY 2 NIGHTS, GET 3RD NIGHT FREE page.

BACK HERE ON EARTH

Cambridge: Summer Learning Because, You Know, Cambridge
There is a certain appeal to going to the seats of British learning and spending a week or two in the summer months pretending our brains are still flexible enough to absorb new knowledge. (Kidding, I'm kidding.) Oxford's summer programs are the best-known (see below), but Cambridge offers even more intensive one-, two- or multi-week sessions. Cambridge courses, more than 140 in all, are lighter on pop-culture stuff than Oxford, but much stronger in deep-dive topics such as philosophy, modern art, British law, literature, astronomy, physics, creative writing and Medieval history. You can also double up, taking a morning and an afternoon course during your school week. Tuition fees start at 1,200 pounds a week and about 2,300 pounds for two-week versions. You can stay in lodgings located in Cambridge's historic colleges--fees start at 725 pounds a person--or you can arrange your own lodging elsewhere. (All these fees are notably higher, by about 10%, than last year.) Courses are available from July 12 to August 8. Information and details: University of Cambridge INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAMME page.

Oxford University: Summer-School Seminars Are Open for Registration
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Not Christmas, but the annual arrival of registration for Summer School at Oxford. One-week, adult-learning courses span the gamut of classic and modern topics--all with a very British twist, of course. Between July 11 and August 22, there are six weekly tranches of courses. Among the dozens of options: deep dives into Dickens, Orwell, Aristotle, the Bronte sisters, Wagner's Ring Cycle and Dante's Divine Comedy; fiction writing; both nuclear and particle physics; artificial intelligence and data science; cathedral architecture and ancient religions; Impressionist painters, prehistoric and African art; nearly a dozen language studies; histories of wars; and the evolution of cities. You get the idea: lots of stuff you always wanted to know more about, but didn't have the time or the option to pursue. Because didn't you always want to study Hollywood's greatest directors and cinematographers or Victorian detective fiction? Studies take place at Oxford's Rewley House. Course prices start around US$1,800 and include seminars, meals, welcome reception and formal dinner gala. Optional accommodations at Rewley House are available or you can book your own lodging. Information: the Oxford University SUMMER SCHOOL FOR ADULTS page.

Las Vegas: Deals as the Town Is Desperate for Guests
Some travelers would consider it karma: After years of jacking up room rates, inflating "resort" fees, eliminating perks and pricing shows into the stratosphere--the metaphoric sky, not the hotel--Las Vegas has hit the skids. Canadians have stopped coming because they are offended by Trump tariffs and rhetoric. Americans are gambling closer to home. And Europeans have basically been avoiding the entire country, not just Vegas. The result. Vegas is getting desperate and has begun to deal as room occupancy slumps and gaming revenue falls. I do not suggest the hotel and show deals being offered on the official Vegas.com site level the playing field, but it's clear that Las Vegas bosses have gotten the message. Shows are selling for as little as $25 a person. Discounted hotel rates start as low as $68 at Luxor, $76 at The Strat and $78 a night at the Sahara. There are even deals on attractions admissions and rides. So now all you have to do is answer one question: Do you really want to go to Las Vegas? That one is your call, of course. And never kid yourself: Vegas thrives on ups and extras, so pay attention to everything.

Chase/Instacart: No Delivery Fees and a $10 Monthly Credit
Instacart is a well-known grocery delivery service and it has teamed up with Chase for a promotion targeting travel credit card holders. What you'll get: $0 delivery fees and a $10 monthly credit. How do you get them? Use an enrolled Marriott, Hyatt or InterContinental hotel card or airline cards issued for Southwest, British Airways, Air Canada, Aer Lingus or Iberia. The benefits are valid through December 31, 2027. Information: the Instacart CHASE page.

T-Mobile: Magenta Status Has Intriguing Travel Discounts
For years, T-Mobile marketed itself as "the un-carrier" and specialized in better service and cheaper prices. Now that it has caught Verizon and AT&T, it is less customer friendly and not notably cheaper. And folks have noticed, some going so far to call T-Mobile's marketing arc a long con. Still, its year-old Magenta Status, an unsubtle nod to the travel industry practice of stratifying customers, has some travel value. (Magenta is T-Mobile's corporate color, by the way.) It offers 15% off nightly rates and Silver Honors status at Hilton Hotels; a free year of AAA membership; free in-flight Internet; and an intriguing rental-car perk: the ability to return vehicles to Dollar and Hertz without paying to refuel a gas-powered car or recharge an EV. Also included: $5 movie tickets; 25% off concert tickets; and dining discounts. Another interesting perk: free streaming from Apple TV+, Netflix. Hulu, SiriusXM, Pandora and Major League baseball. If you are already a T-Mobile customer, Magenta Status is free. It's also a perk for new customers. Information: the T-Mobile MAGENTA STATUS page.

Burj Al Arab: The Glitz and the Glamour and the Tour
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 AED249--that's about US$68--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 INSIDE BURJ TOUR page.

GigSky: Free International Data With Elite Visa Cards
GigSky is an eSIM operator offering international mobile-data service at prices below larger U.S. phone operators. Now GigSky is offering holders of Visa Signature and Visa Infinite a deal. If you hold a Visa Signature card, GigSky is offering you 1GB of international data over 15 days and 20% off other service plans. If you have a super-elite Visa Infinite card, the offer is 3GB over 15 days and 30% off other plans. The catch: Your mobile device must be able to handle an eSIM, a virtual card that replaces a standard SIM. Full details of the Visa promotion can be found here.