✈ Biden's Mask Mandate, Spirit Relaunches Loyalty Program With Cheap Awards & More News From TPG ✈

THE NEW FREE SPIRIT [The Points Guy]( WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY Jan 22, 2021 SPONSORED BY [TPG] THE NEW FREE SPIRIT While I have yet to fly Spirit myself, I've long been tempted by the carrier's low fares. The problem is, they're entirely unbundled — by the time you add in extras like seat assignments and carry-on bags, you could end up spending hundreds more, especially if you pay just before you board. For folks who know how to work the system, however, Spirit can offer some truly unbeatable values, especially with the airline's refreshed "Free Spirit" loyalty program, since points no longer expire after just three months of inactivity. Learn how to take advantage yourself, with: - [Free Spirit adds new credit cards, cheap awards]( - [Everything you should know before flying Spirit]( - [Is the Spirit Airlines Big Front Seat worth it?]( Personally, I would have loved to see elites get a free upgrade option for the carrier's spacious Big Front Seats. Still, they'll cost you far less than their equivalent on full-service airlnes, and can definitely be worth the (entirely reasonable) splurge. Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, [visit this page](#). FROM OUR PARTNER SPONSORED BY [TPG] Mortgage rates are still at historic lows, but they’re starting to trend up. Refinance through Bankrate now and you could save over $6,000* annually. That’s a first-class trip to Thailand every year — with money left over to pay the dog-sitter! *Based on comparison of 30-year national rate as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis vs. average advertised rate on Bankrate for 369k loan amount, 80% LTV, and self-selected credit score of 740+ (as of Jan. 2021). [Learn more]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES [What the COVID-19 vaccine might mean for your travel plans]( Nearly 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the United States. [Read more]( [United’s Mile Play promo is back: Earn up to 20,000 bonus miles]( Travelers have just under two-and-a-half months to take advantage of this offer. [Read more]( [Southwest reveals new routes, launch dates for 2 newest California cities]( The carrier is offering introductory fares as low as $39 on its new nonstop flights. [Read more]( [Here’s why United just dropped nearly 250,000 seats from its schedule]( While it's easy to pin this reduction on the uptick in COVID-19 cases, this isn't actually a demand-related play. [Read more]( [The Ritz-Carlton will open its first European ski resort in Zermatt]( When it opens, the 69-room luxury hotel will be The Ritz-Carlton’s first ski resort in Europe. [Read more]( [American Airlines details plans for Athens and Tel Aviv]( The airline will fly to both Athens and Tel Aviv from New York-JFK, thanks to its newly approved partnership with JetBlue. [Read more]( [Deal alert: Book a one-way Hertz car rental from $10/day]( If you do decide to take advantage, be sure to add Hertz elite status to your account — it'll be your best shot at scoring an upgrade. [Read more]( [President Biden to require quarantine for international travel, masks on planes]( The president called wearing a mask a “patriotic duty,” and said masks would be required on all trains, buses and planes. [Read more]( THE LATEST 1 [The award traveler’s guide to IHG Rewards Club]( 2 [Here’s how I plan to use my 2 Hilton free-night certificates this year]( 3 [Should you join Frontier’s Discount Den or the new Spirit Saver$ Club?]( 4 [Traveling soon? Here’s where you can quickly get a COVID-19 PCR test for travel]( 5 [9 things to do when you get the American Express Business Platinum Card]( 6 [The best rewards credit cards for 2021]( 7 [In-flight service is resuming — here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight]( 8 [Traveling fully vaccinated? Seychelles will waive your quarantine requirement]( 9 [United boosts onboard food service with new inflight offerings]( 10 [‘Good riddance to 2020’: United says recovery is coming, but not soon]( [fb]( [insta]( [yt]( [tw]( [in](#) [mail](#) You are receiving this because you opted in at [thepointsguy.com](. Where to find us: The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA0 USA Changed your mind? You can [unsubscribe]( at any time. Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which [ThePointsGuy.com]( receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our [advertising policy page](#) for more information. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. THE POINTS GUY © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2021