✈ How To Maximize New Amex Credits and Perks, Look Inside JetBlue's Newest Plane & More From TPG ✈

Also: New startup airline Avelo is already dropping 2 cities, trimming flights [The Points Guy]( WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY Jul 9, 2021 MAXIMIZING AMEX UPGRADES Last week, [The Platinum Card® from American Express]( made waves with the news that cardmembers would begin to receive a handful of new benefits — in exchange for a higher annual fee. From a new hotel booking allowance to credits for Clear memberships, fitness subscriptions and digital entertainment purchases, there are a lot of new offerings to take advantage of. Get the full scoop, with: - [16 things to do when you get Amex Platinum]( - [How to use the digital entertainment credit]( - [Maximizing Amex's new Clear benefit]( Amex is also offering new cardmembers up to 100,000 bonus points after meeting minimum-spend requirements. You can also earn 10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first six months of card membership. 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](. TODAY'S TOP STORIES [Report: US borders will remain closed to most international travelers]( Despite growing international pressure, there's an ongoing lack of reciprocity between the U.S. and other parts of the world. [Read more]( [New startup airline Avelo is already dropping 2 cities, trimming flights]( Trouble could be brewing for Avelo Airlines — the carrier will cut hundreds of flights beginning in the fall. [Read more]( [First look: How JetBlue’s first A321LR stacks up against the Mint-equipped neo]( The narrow-body plane features a whopping 24 Mint business suites, and some enhancements in economy as well. [Read more]( [The world’s largest cruise line is finally restarting operations in Europe]( Royal Caribbean hasn't operated a cruise in Europe in more than a year. [Read more]( [Hyatt’s Carmel Valley Ranch is a bucolic paradise with one major caveat]( While I was impressed with the gorgeous grounds and fresh, farm-to-table food, the resort didn't quite hit the mark. [Read more]( THE LATEST 1 [Delta boosts 10 routes to 5 outdoor-friendly destinations for the winter]( 2 [Why you should carry a backup credit card while traveling]( 3 [Get two round-trip tickets to Europe with one card’s elevated bonus: Here’s how]( 4 [You can now book JetBlue Mint with Emirates miles — and it’s a good deal]( 5 [Airline hold times: Who’s doing best right now?]( 6 [The American LGBTQ+ museum is set to open in NYC by 2024]( 7 [All of the elite qualification changes you need to know about for 2021]( 8 [US passports drop in the rankings, but you still need to renew; Here’s how]( 9 [New dining experiences revealed for Disney Wish cruise ship]( 10 [Deal alert: Fly from New York to Paris for $139]( [fb]( [insta]( [yt]( [tw]( [in](#) [mail](mailto:tpg@thepointsguy.com) 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 [update your preferences]( or [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