Editorial note: This article is updated periodically with new information and offers.

Editorial disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author’s alone and do not reflect the positions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, nor have those entities reviewed, approved, or endorsed this content.

Key facts
– Annual fee: $99
– Welcome offer: 80,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months
– Recommended credit score: ~670+ for better approval odds
– Rewards currency: Southwest Rapid Rewards points (best redeemed for Southwest flights)

Who this card is best for
– Travelers who fly Southwest a few times a year and want to offset baggage and seat selection costs.
– People who value simple, airline-specific perks rather than broad transferable points.

Main perks and protections
– Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight passengers on the same reservation (bag fees are typically $35 each way).
– Group 5 boarding for the cardholder and eligible companions.
– Free standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure.
– One annual 10% flight discount code (not valid on Basic fares).
– 25% back on inflight drink and Wi‑Fi purchases when paid with the card.
– 3,000 anniversary bonus Rapid Rewards points each year after account renewal.
– 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year toward the Companion Pass.
– Travel protections such as baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranty and purchase protection.

Earning structure
– 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases
– 2 points per $1 at gas stations and grocery stores (on the first $5,000 in combined purchases annually)
– 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
This is straightforward and rewards Southwest spending most heavily. If you want broader everyday returns or flexibility, a general travel or cash-back card could yield more value.

How to redeem
– Rapid Rewards points are most valuable when used for Southwest flights. Southwest uses dynamic award pricing, so point costs track cash fares. The trade-off is good award availability: seats for sale are generally bookable with points.
– Other redemptions (gift cards, hotels, rental cars, merchandise) usually give lower value than flights.
– Example redemption: TPG reported a round-trip Orlando–Aruba ticket booked for 38,500 points that would have cost about $800, implying ~2 cents per point — above the site’s typical valuation for Southwest points.
– If you want more transfer flexibility, consider a transferable-points card (for example, Chase Ultimate Rewards cards) that can move points to Southwest among other partners.

Pros
– Practical, easy-to-use Southwest perks that frequently offset the $99 fee (checking a bag on ~3 round trips a year covers the cost).
– Annual points and Companion Pass qualifying points add ongoing program progress.
– No foreign transaction fees and helpful purchase/travel protections.

Cons
– Fewer perks and lower earning rates than Southwest’s higher-tier cobranded cards (Priority, Premier).
– Limited value outside the Southwest ecosystem; not ideal if you fly many airlines.
– Subject to card-issuing rules: generally ineligible if you’ve opened five or more new cards in the past 24 months (Chase 5/24 rule) or if you’ve recently received a Southwest welcome bonus.

How it compares to higher-tier Southwest cards
– Southwest Priority and Premier cards have higher annual fees but stronger bonus categories, larger anniversary points, and additional long-term perks that frequent flyers will likely find worthwhile.
– Plus is a better fit for occasional Southwest users who want the key benefits without a premium fee.

When to apply
– The current welcome offer (80,000 points after $1,000 in the first three months) is a strong incentive; TPG values that offer roughly at $1,000. Check recent offer history before applying to see if it’s elevated.
– Keep in mind issuer restrictions (5/24 and recent Southwest card bonuses) when timing an application.

Alternatives to consider
– Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: higher fee, richer Southwest perks and larger anniversary bonuses for more frequent Southwest flyers.
– Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: mid-level option with a modestly higher fee and improved earning/anniversary benefits.
– Chase Sapphire Preferred: transferable Ultimate Rewards points that can move to Southwest and many other partners for greater flexibility.
– Capital One Venture X: premium, flexible travel rewards with lounges, travel credits and transfer partners if you want broader premium benefits.

Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card is a sensible, affordable option for travelers who fly Southwest occasionally and want concrete airline perks like a free first checked bag, free seat selection near departure and boarding priority. It’s easy to recoup the $99 fee if you check bags or use the other ongoing benefits, but frequent Southwest flyers will likely extract more long-term value from the airline’s higher-tier cards. If you want flexible points usable across many airlines and hotels, look at transferable-points cards instead.

My primary objective when I sleep outside is simple: under the stars and actually sleep well. The specifics shift with conditions, but most of my nights are in the arid Southwest, where rain and bugs are rarely the primary worry. Temperature comes first, wind second. For car camping my go-to is a cot setup: the Helinox Cot One Convertible with leg extensions that raise the bed about 8.5 inches off the ground. It packs small, weighs roughly five pounds, and I keep it in the truck almost all the time.

I’ve tried dozens of cots. The most comfortable I ever used was REI’s Wonderland Comfort Cot—adjustable, well padded, and luxurious enough that I could lounge on it all day. It slept great with no extra padding. The downside: it’s huge and heavy, the kind of thing you notice every time you pack the truck. That’s why I sold mine and stuck with the lighter Helinox.

Padding matters. You can get by on the Helinox without added cushioning, but I prefer a softer surface. For inflatable pads I like the Exped MegaMat (4 in, R-value 8.1). Lately I’ve been using the Hest Foamy, a foam pad with an R-value around 8.8 and a waterproof bottom layer. Because it’s foam it won’t spring a leak, so it’s great when I want to toss something on slickrock or sand and skip the cot entirely.

My insulation layer depends on the night. If it’s warm, a cotton blanket will do. If it’s cool, I reach for wool blankets or a sleeping bag—no strict brand loyalty, I rotate through NEMO, Marmot, and Exped bags. A pillow is non-negotiable; I used to bring an old house pillow and I’ve been testing Hest’s Camp Pillow recently. It tucks into a sleeping bag hood nicely—could be a touch softer, but I’m adapting.

When I think about sleeping in nothing but clothes or a poncho, I’m intrigued. In the 1990s, on a mule-packing trip in Durango, Mexico, I watched a mule packer sleep soundly on the ground with only a wool blanket. It was impressive—likely easier if you sleep on your back. I’m a side sleeper, so every time I’ve tried to sleep directly on the ground without a pad, I’ve concluded: no, not for me. Maybe I need to tire myself out more.

For backpacking and bikepacking I still favor inflatables like Therm‑A‑Rest NeoAir models for their weight-to-comfort ratio. For simplicity and reliability I sometimes go with closed-cell foam: on a recent overnight in a remote canyon of Grand Staircase I used an Exped Flex 1.5R. It’s fine on sand but a bit thin on hard ground. Exped’s newer Flex R3 doubles the thickness and improves comfort, but at about 18 ounces it’s heavier than many inflatables—illustrating the tradeoff: weight and bulk versus durability and simplicity.

Inflatables are light but require inflation and can leak. Foam won’t fail in the same way but takes more space and weight. Is a bivy better than a tent? A quilt better than a bag? A single waterproof bag good enough on its own? I enjoy experimenting to find answers.

There’s no perfect setup. Every biome, every body, every trip goal, and every night’s weather changes the equation. I’ve had miserable nights but also many great ones, and I try to maximize comfort where I can. I’ve set a personal goal of 100 nights of camping this year, which gives me plenty of opportunities to test gear and setups. If you want me to try a pad, bag, or combo and write about it, or if you want to share how you sleep soft while sleeping rough, let me know.

—Stephen Casimiro

Dream Nashville
Located just north of Lower Broadway and near Printers Alley, Dream Nashville sits in a restored landmark building with 1920s-inspired rooms. Standard Bronze rooms (roughly 225–300 sq ft) are bookable with points at Category 4 rates; upgraded rooms and suites are often paid-only. The hotel is pet-friendly (up to two pets per room for a per-stay fee), has a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton equipment, several on-site restaurants and multiple bars — including a speakeasy-style lounge — and charges a destination fee (which World of Hyatt Globalists can have waived on award stays).

Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
This Centric is a short walk from Rittenhouse Square and neighborhood dining and nightlife. It has roughly 310 rooms and 22 suites; standard rooms (~300 sq ft) are commonly available for Category 4 awards. On-site fitness equipment includes Peloton bikes; valet parking is available but expensive, and the hotel allows dogs for a per-stay fee. Patchwork serves breakfast and dinner on property, and public transit is close by for exploring the city.

Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport
Adjacent to Boeing’s Renton production facility, this Hyatt Regency offers lake views and frequent airplane-spotting from some rooms. Standard rooms (about 330 sq ft) and larger executive suites are available on the Category 4 award scale; corner or premium views sometimes require a paid rate. The hotel charges a nightly destination fee that bundles extras like a daily wine pour and bike rentals. Amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub and a lakeside casual dining option.

Andaz Savannah
Set in Savannah’s historic downtown, Andaz Savannah blends a central location with a rooftop pool deck and full fitness center (Peloton bikes included). Standard rooms and many suites are redeemable with points; the property charges a destination fee that covers small inclusions like bikes and s’mores. The hotel is dog-friendly on certain room types for an added fee, and 22 Square Restaurant and its bar provide convenient on-site dining.

Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue, Austin
In the heart of downtown Austin, this Centric puts you within walking distance of Sixth Street, the Paramount Theatre and South Congress. Standard rooms are Category 4 award-eligible; the hotel also occasionally makes a larger Congress Suite available for points. On-site dining and a rooftop bar make it an easy base for nightlife and music.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans
A large property well positioned for events at the Superdome and for exploring the French Quarter and riverfront. Standard rooms are commonly available for Category 4 awards; many suites are also bookable with points. The hotel offers a seasonal outdoor pool, a high-floor fitness center, multiple restaurants and a modest daily destination fee that includes dining credit and welcome drinks. Dog-friendly rooms are available for a per-stay fee.

Andaz Mexico City Condesa
Opened in 2023, the Condesa location is a popular, modern pick in a lively neighborhood near Parque México. Standard rooms (about 344 sq ft) are often bookable with Category 4 awards; rooftop pool and bar on the 17th floor are highlights. The hotel is pet friendly for an added fee; some guests note nightlife noise in the area, so light sleepers should plan accordingly.

Park Hyatt Mendoza (Argentina)
Positioned opposite Plaza Independencia, Park Hyatt Mendoza is convenient for city-center sightseeing and wine-country excursions. Standard rooms are roomy by Hyatt standards and are available via points; the hotel includes a spa, on-site dining focused on local flavors, and casino access. Pet stays are possible for dogs up to a specified weight when arranged in advance.

Grand Hyatt Athens
Perched with views toward the Acropolis and the Aegean, the Grand Hyatt Athens offers seasonal rooftop pools and expansive public spaces. Standard rooms and several suite categories can be redeemed for Category 4 awards, while premium rooms with private plunge pools or club access are usually paid rates. The hotel has a comprehensive spa, indoor heated pool and a Grand Club for eligible guests.

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice
On the quieter island of Murano, this Centric is a compact, well-situated option for exploring Venice’s lagoon. Rooms are small but functional; standard rooms fit a king or two twins and are bookable with points. Amenities are limited compared with big-city hotels, but the property offers a greenhouse-style restaurant, a canal-side café and shuttle boat options from the airport for a fee.

Grand Hyatt Istanbul
Close to Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue, Grand Hyatt Istanbul is a large, full-service hotel with outdoor pool seasonally, spa facilities and the Grand Club for Globalists. Standard rooms and several suite categories are on the Category 4 award chart. The hotel’s multiple dining venues make it a comfortable base for walking to nearby sights like Galata Tower and the Bosphorus neighborhoods.

Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Housed in a converted heritage property near Angkor Wat, Park Hyatt Siem Reap is a boutique luxury option that frequently receives strong guest reviews. Standard rooms and a range of suites are accessible with Category 4 awards. The property offers multiple pools, a spa, refined dining options and curated cultural experiences such as live Apsara performances and chef-led dining excursions.

The Standard, Singapore
Near Orchard Road and Singapore’s botanic gardens, The Standard is the lifestyle brand’s Singapore outpost integrated into World of Hyatt. Smaller standard rooms are often covered by Category 4 awards, while larger rooms and suites tend to be paid. The hotel features a lively pool scene, a casual café and an izakaya-style restaurant; pet packages are available for those traveling with dogs.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne
A centrally located hotel within walking distance of many Melbourne attractions, Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers standard rooms, club-level options and suites on the Category 4 chart. The property’s City Club gym includes an indoor pool and a rooftop tennis court; a Grand Club lounge serves Globalists and club-level guests. On-site dining focuses on modern Australian cuisine.

How to use certificates wisely
Because Category 4 awards cover many desirable city-center and resort hotels, these properties are excellent targets for Category 1–4 free night certificates or milestone award redemptions. Before booking, always: check award availability for your exact dates, factor in destination or resort fees (and parking), confirm pet policies if traveling with animals, and compare paid rates vs. points when suites or premium rooms are important. If you have World of Hyatt Globalist status, remember some fees and perks — like destination or parking fees and club access — may be waived or enhanced on award stays.

Bottom line
Category 4 Hyatt hotels offer many high-quality stays for a relatively modest points outlay, making them ideal redemptions for free-night certificates and milestone awards. From rooftop pools with Acropolis views to lakefront regency hotels and lively downtown locations, there are plenty of ways to get strong value from Category 4 redemptions — just be mindful of ancillary fees and room-type restrictions when planning your trip.

The week included:
– A solo hike a few miles from my house where I found rock art and a potsherd.
– A walkabout to gather oak galls for ink and cottonwood to make a friction fire kit.
– Drinks and small plates with my friend Jeff, who pulled up Google Earth and showed me trails and rides I hadn’t imagined.
– A hike with my friend Kelly, followed by tacos and a long, hopeful conversation about how we might save the world.
– A forensic hike with my friend Brad to a site where he’d heard a mountain lion kill a fawn; we tried to read the scene and learn from it.

There were also chores and work—ordinary responsibilities—but threaded through them was a satisfying mix of time alone in nature, time with friends, and time with friends in nature.

That mixture is what Adventure Journal has been turning toward recently: less spectacle-for-spectacle’s-sake and more attention to connecting with the natural world, slowing down, and noticing. Performance adventure—the fast, the extreme, the improbable—will always have a place, because it’s a vital part of how many of us engage with the world. But I’ve noticed, talking to friends and readers, and listening to the culture around us, that what people increasingly need is a different rhythm. Walking, lingering, exploring close to home—these things are starting to feel like the purest expressions of curiosity and belonging.

When I wrote an intro arguing that walking might be the purest expression of human adventure, some worried it would alienate paddlers and cyclists. The opposite happened: hard-core athletes told me they were inspired to slow down, and people who rarely responded to anything reached out to say the idea resonated. It seems we’re ready, in part, to return to older, quieter ways of being outdoors.

That return matters because the bigger context is hard: climate change, sprawling data centers, mountains of discarded fast fashion, and a mental-health crisis that many of us feel as a spiritual hunger. People are pushing back—opposing development that harms places, resisting surveillance capitalism, and pushing for policy changes. France has taken steps to restrict fast-fashion promotion by influencers, and Australia tightened social-media access for under-16s. These are small, imperfect moves, but they show collective action matters.

All of this has led me to a simple conclusion: we are looking for two things—connection to the natural world and connection to community. Material goods can’t satisfy those longings. When we feel at home in nature and held by community, we rest easier and live more fully.

There’s room for both slow and fast adventure, and for speed to include deep human connection. Slow exploration isn’t flashy, and perhaps that’s why it needs more examples. If my ordinary, perfect week offers a nudge, I hope it’s toward more time outside, more time with people you care about, and more attention to how those things sustain us.

Stephen Casimiro
Founder + Editor

Photo: Brad Johnson

CEO Scott Kirby told investors at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference that he does not expect United to take part in industry consolidation “for any time I can see in the foreseeable future.” His comments came after American Airlines publicly rejected a merger approach from United, a move that ended any immediate possibility of a tie-up between the two largest U.S. carriers.

That outreach to American had prompted wider conjecture that United might be positioning itself to acquire another carrier, with some observers suggesting the approach could have been a prelude to a potential move on JetBlue. Kirby was blunt in dismissing that idea, calling it “just idiotic.” He added, “I wish them luck,” but made clear United will not buy what he characterized as a money-losing route network: “The last thing I’m going to do is buy a route network that loses money.”

JetBlue has struggled financially in recent years, recording losses each year since 2019 and reporting a loss of more than $300 million in the first quarter of this year. Those results help explain United’s reluctance to consider an acquisition.

Despite ruling out a purchase, Kirby reiterated support for United’s Blue Sky commercial partnership with JetBlue, launched last fall. The arrangement includes reciprocal loyalty benefits for MileagePlus and TrueBlue members and will bring United back to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) next year. For now, United appears content to limit the relationship to that partnership rather than pursuing deeper consolidation.

Kirby also reflected on the aborted talks with American, saying he had “approached American” about exploring a merger because he believed the combined company could offer significant customer benefits. American publicly shot down the idea before discussions advanced. Experts had warned such a merger would raise major antitrust concerns.

Industry observers continue to debate whether more airline consolidation lies ahead as carriers face pressures like high fuel costs. There has already been at least one deal this year: Allegiant Air closed its acquisition of Sun Country Airlines.

Bottom line: even if merger chatter persists across the airline sector, United’s leadership says the carrier is unlikely to pursue additional deals. Kirby noted that only a very large transaction would make economic sense for United—and that any such deal would require a willing partner, which he acknowledged the company does not have right now.

Quick picks
– Best overall lounge network: American Express Platinum Card®
– Best for families and guest access: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
– Best for American Airlines flyers: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
– Best value for premium perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

At a glance
– American Express Platinum: Welcome offers vary (up to ~175,000 points for some targeted offers). Lounge access includes the American Express Global Lounge Collection—Centurion Lounges, select Delta Sky Clubs (limited to 10 visits per year unless you spend $75,000+), Plaza Premium, Priority Pass (enrollment required) and other partners. Annual fee: $895.
– Chase Sapphire Reserve: Current welcome offer around 150,000 points after required spending. Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, Priority Pass Select and select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges. Generous guest policy for many locations. Annual fee: $795.
– Citi / AAdvantage Executive: Welcome offer around 70,000 AAdvantage miles after required spending. Includes complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and access for authorized users when flying eligible itineraries. Annual fee: $595.
– Capital One Venture X: Welcome offer around 75,000 miles after required spending. Access to Capital One Lounges and Landings plus Priority Pass (enrollment required). Annual fee: $395.

How to choose a lounge-access card
Consider these factors before you apply:
– Home airport: Cards are much more valuable if their lounges are near where you live or often connect.
– Domestic vs. international travel: Broader international networks matter for frequent overseas travelers.
– Guest policies: If you travel with family or friends, complimentary guest access can be the decisive benefit.
– Lounge quality vs. quantity: Some cards grant access to hundreds of lounges; others focus on fewer, higher-end spaces.
– Frequency of travel: Occasional travelers might prefer limited lounge passes on a lower-fee card rather than paying a high annual fee.
– Annual fee vs. benefits: Make sure the card’s credits and perks offset the fee based on your habits.

American Express Platinum
Standout benefit: Massive global lounge network and premium Centurion Lounges.
Details: The Amex Platinum delivers access to more than 1,500 lounges across dozens of countries through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Notable inclusions are Centurion Lounges (known for elevated dining, cocktails, family rooms and showers), Plaza Premium, Escape Lounges and Priority Pass (enrollment required). It also provides Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta, with a cap of 10 visits per year unless you spend $75,000 or more on the card to unlock unlimited visits. Guest access to Centurion Lounges is limited: unless you reach the $75,000 annual spend threshold, guests cost extra (typical guest fees around $50 per adult and $30 per child). Annual fee: $895. Targeted welcome offers have appeared as high as about 175,000 points for substantial initial spending.

Chase Sapphire Reserve
Standout benefit: High-quality Sapphire Lounges plus a strong guest policy.
Details: Chase has built a small but high-quality lounge network (Sapphire Lounges) and pairs that with Priority Pass Select membership. There are also select partnerships with Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for eligible itineraries. A major appeal is the guest policy: cardholders can typically bring up to two guests into Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges at no extra charge (additional guests usually cost around $27). Authorized users can be added for a fee (commonly $195) and receive their own lounge access and guest privileges, which may be valuable for families or travel partners. Annual fee: $795. Current welcome offers have been around 150,000 points after qualifying spend.

Citi / AAdvantage Executive
Standout benefit: Complimentary Admirals Club membership for American Airlines loyalists.
Details: This card provides an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder, granting access to nearly 50 Admirals Club locations and a broader set of partner lounges when flying American or eligible oneworld partners. The guest policy is family-friendly: the cardholder can bring immediate family members or up to two guests with a same-day boarding pass. Authorized users can receive Admirals Club access; there is an annual fee for authorized users (card offers have grouped authorized-user pricing around $175 for up to a set number). Annual fee: $595. Current targeted welcome offers have been in the ballpark of 70,000 AAdvantage miles after qualifying spending.

Capital One Venture X
Standout benefit: Premium lounge experience with a lower annual fee than many competitors.
Details: Venture X includes access to Capital One Lounges and Landings and Priority Pass (enrollment required). Capital One Lounges emphasize grab-and-go dining, premium food and wellness-oriented spaces; locations are concentrated in major airports with more planned. The card pairs these perks with a comparatively moderate $395 annual fee. Guest access is more limited: typical guest fees at Capital One Lounges are about $45 per adult and $25 per child, and Priority Pass guests often cost around $35. Cardholders who spend $75,000+ in a year may unlock complimentary guest benefits in certain cases. Welcome offers have been around 75,000 bonus miles after required spending.

Lower-fee options with some lounge access
Not every traveler needs unlimited lounge use. Two examples of lower-fee cards that still provide occasional lounge benefits:
– United℠ Explorer Card: Lower annual fee (often $0 the first year, then about $150). Includes two one-time United Club passes each year after account opening and on each anniversary—good for infrequent travelers who want occasional club access.
– Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard®: Higher than the Explorer card but lower than many premium cards (around $350). Includes four Admirals Club day passes annually, which can be used on eligible American or oneworld itineraries and cover one adult plus up to three children under 18 per pass.

Bottom line
The best lounge access card depends on where and how you travel. Frequent international flyers may prefer the broad network and premium amenities of Amex Platinum; families and companion travelers may favor the guest-friendly Chase Sapphire Reserve; American Airlines loyalists will find the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card compelling; and travelers seeking a premium feel for a lower fee should consider Venture X. If you only travel occasionally, lower-fee cards with limited lounge passes can still add meaningful comfort without a big annual commitment. Choose the card whose lounge footprint, guest rules and overall benefits best match your travel patterns.

Which Amex cards include the credit
Several American Express cards offer an annual statement credit of up to $209 for Clear+ when you enroll the card and use it to pay for a membership. Cards that commonly carry this benefit include:
– American Express Platinum Card (personal)
– The Business Platinum Card from American Express
– Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
– American Express Green Card
(Enrollment is required and memberships are subject to auto-renewal.)

How the credit works
– Enroll the eligible Amex card for the Clear+ benefit in your American Express online account (see Rewards & Benefits and activate the Clear+ tile).
– Use that enrolled Amex to pay for your Clear+ membership. The statement credit will reimburse up to $209 per calendar year toward Clear+ charges.
– Amex states the credit posts in two to four weeks, although many cardholders report seeing it within a day or two.

Signing up for Clear+
– After you’ve enrolled the card with Amex, register for Clear+ online and pay with the enrolled Amex card.
– Complete the biometric enrollment at a Clear+ location (bring a government ID such as a driver’s license or passport). The in-person scan of eyes and fingerprints finalizes the membership.

Discounts through airline partners and stacking options
Clear+ offers discounted or complimentary memberships for certain airline loyalty members and cardholders when you enroll through that airline’s Clear partnership page. Examples of typical pricing tiers include:
– General Delta, United and Alaska members: around $199/year.
– Eligible Delta or United co-branded credit cardholders: reduced price (around $169/year).
– Mid-tier elite status in Delta or United: reduced price (typically $169/year).
– Top-tier elites: complimentary membership for some Delta Diamond, Delta 360º, or United Global Services members.
Alaska Atmos Rewards members may also earn bonus points for signing up. If you qualify for a partner discount, you can still charge the membership to your enrolled Amex to trigger the Amex statement credit—just be sure you paid with the enrolled Amex card. Stacking Amex’s credit with airline discounts and promotions can reduce your out-of-pocket cost significantly.

Using the benefit for others
– You can use the Amex Clear+ statement credit to pay for someone else’s Clear+ membership. If you pay for a family member (or friend), the credit should still apply to your account.
– Children under 18 can accompany a registered adult for free at Clear+ locations. Adding adult family members (18+) to your Clear+ account typically costs around $125 per person (up to three additional people), and the Amex credit may be used toward those charges if you pay with the enrolled card.

What won’t trigger the credit
– Purchasing Clear+ gift cards through third-party sellers (e.g., eGifter) usually will not count as a Clear+ membership purchase eligible for the Amex statement credit, because the transaction isn’t processed as a Clear membership charge.

Where Clear+ is available
Clear+ is not at every airport, but it’s available at many major U.S. airports (more than 50) and at select entertainment venues. If you rarely travel through participating airports or attend those venues, the benefit may have less value for you.

Common questions and tips
– Can you use Clear+ and TSA PreCheck together? Yes—Clear+ and TSA PreCheck address different parts of the screening process and can be used together for faster overall throughput.
– Do you have to use the full $209 at once? No—the statement credit applies to Clear+ charges up to $209 per calendar year, so you can spread charges across the year if needed (for example, a membership plus family additions) as long as payments are made with the enrolled card.
– How long until the credit posts? Amex says two to four weeks; cardholders often see it sooner.
– What if I have an airline discount? Use the airline-specific Clear sign-up path to claim any discounted pricing, then pay with your enrolled Amex to get the Amex statement credit.

Bottom line
If you hold one of the eligible Amex cards, enrolling the card for the Clear+ statement credit is an easy way to eliminate or greatly reduce the cost of a Clear+ membership. Because Clear+ can significantly shorten time at security and can be stacked with airline discounts and family add-ons, this benefit is valuable for frequent travelers. Remember to enroll your Amex card, pay for the Clear+ membership with that card, and complete your biometric enrollment at a Clear location to activate the service.

AvGeeks have long sought out the hotel’s corner king rooms for direct sightlines to the hangars and the line of freshly built jets parked outside waiting for final systems checks and test flights at nearby Renton Municipal Airport. Instead of hiding that fact, the Hyatt is now leaning into it with a new Hangar Hideaway package.

What the Hangar Hideaway includes:
– Guaranteed lake-view room that looks toward the Boeing factory
– Aviation-themed welcome amenities (tote bag, rubber 3D airplane puzzle, balsa wood stunt planes)
– Four passes to Seattle’s Museum of Flight, which houses the first Boeing 737
– A welcome letter with Renton plant history and guidance on identifying aircraft in various stages of completion

A few useful details and tips
– The hotel opened in 2017 and offers resort-style amenities: a dock where seaplanes tie up, and seasonal activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding and floating pickleball.
– New aircraft are often painted in a distinctive green primer before final paint, so guests can spot planes still awaiting finishing work.
– During overnight shifts, aircraft are sometimes moved out of the hangars after 10 p.m. — a rare behind-the-scenes moment visible from some rooms and the hotel dock.
– Unlike Boeing’s Everett campus, the Renton plant does not offer public tours, so the hotel view is one of the more accessible ways to watch production activity.

Local color and extras
The Renton plant’s history stretches back to the early 1940s. A quirky historical footnote: for a few years in the late 1940s the facility temporarily housed a circus, complete with elephants and other animals. The hotel’s welcome letter includes these anecdotes and explains what guests are seeing outside their windows.

For aviation fans interested in other perspectives, local creatives have documented the factory in different ways. For example, a Boeing mechanic has recreated the Renton site using digital Lego-building software, combining inside knowledge of the plant with a playful, detailed model.

How to book
– Use the booking code TAKEOFF on the Hyatt site to reserve the Hangar Hideaway package. This package is an exclusive paid offer and cannot be booked with World of Hyatt points or certificates.
– If you prefer to use points or a free night certificate, you can still book a King Lake View corner room (World of Hyatt category change noted below) and request a room with a factory view, though the package amenities won’t apply.

World of Hyatt notes
The hotel moved from Category 3 to Category 4 in the World of Hyatt program as of May 20. Category 4 redemption rates range from about 12,000 to 25,000 points per night.

Bottom line
If watching Boeing jets roll out of the hangar appeals to you, request a corner king lake-view room or book the Hangar Hideaway package for guaranteed factory-facing accommodations and aviation-themed extras. Late-night hangar moves, green-primed airframes and dockside seaplane activity combine for a distinctly Pacific Northwest aviation stay.

How valuable is the bonus?
Point value depends on how you redeem, but recent valuations put Ultimate Rewards around 2.05 cents each, making 150,000 points roughly worth $3,075 on paper. If you redeem through the Chase Travel portal with Points Boost, you can get up to about 2.0 cents per point (≈$3,000). Transfers to Chase’s airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio often unlock even higher value, so the real-world worth can exceed those portal numbers.

What 150,000 points can actually buy (examples)
– High-value international premium cabin redemptions: using transfers to partner programs, round-trip premium tickets that sell for thousands of dollars can be booked for 140,000–150,000 points, producing values well above 5–9 cents per point in those instances.
– Luxury hotel stays: transfers to Hyatt or booking curated high-end hotels via the portal can yield 2–2.5 cents per point for top properties.
– More attainable redemptions: premium economy or business-class itineraries and multi-night luxury hotel stays commonly deliver 3–4+ cents per point when you plan carefully.
(These are illustrative ranges; exact availability and taxes/fees vary by route and hotel.)

Why this offer is compelling
– Size: It’s the best public Sapphire Reserve bonus seen recently and adds 25,000 points over the prior 125k public offer for the same $6,000 spend threshold.
– Flexibility: Ultimate Rewards points are versatile — you can use the Chase Travel portal or transfer 1:1 to 14 airline and hotel partners for outsized value.
– Premium benefits: The card includes a $300 annual travel credit, access to Chase Sapphire lounges and Priority Pass lounges, strong travel/purchase protections, and various statement credits that help offset the high annual fee.

Costs and considerations
– Annual fee: The card carries a high annual fee (recently $795). You should be confident you’ll use enough of the card’s benefits to justify this cost.
– Spending requirement: You must spend $6,000 in three months to earn the full bonus. Make sure that level of spending is realistic without straining your finances.

Who’s eligible
– Chase’s 5/24 rule still applies: applicants who opened five or more personal credit cards in the past 24 months are unlikely to be approved.
– Previous Sapphire Reserve bonus: If you’ve already received a Sapphire Reserve welcome bonus in the past, you are typically not eligible for a new one.

Should you apply now?
This is the best widely available Sapphire Reserve offer seen recently, and public offers at this level don’t appear frequently. Instead of chasing an uncertain higher future offer, decide based on whether the card fits your travel and spending habits:
– Can you meet the $6,000 spend in three months without overspending?
– Will you use the card’s credits, lounge access, and protections enough to offset the $795 fee?
– Do you know how to redeem Ultimate Rewards effectively (transfer partners or the Chase portal)?
If you can answer yes to these, applying now makes sense. If not, wait until the card’s perks or your situation change.

Bottom line
The 150,000-point public bonus for the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a rare, high-value opportunity. Depending on your redemptions, it can be worth roughly $3,000 or substantially more when transferred to partners for premium travel or luxury hotels. Apply if you can meet the minimum spend and intend to use the card’s premium benefits; otherwise, hold off until the card better matches your needs.