✈ New CDC Travel Warnings, Why I Dropped Marriott After 35 Years of Loyalty & More News From TPG ✈

Also: Desperate warnings from Hawaii as restrictions return [The Points Guy]( WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY Aug 25, 2021 SPONSORED BY [TPG] MOVING ON FROM MARRIOTT Marriott's Bonvoy program has over 100 million members around the world. Some, like me, joined during the Starwood acquisition in 2015, while others have been Marriott fans for decades, as is the case for TPG's Benet Wilson. While Benet had been a self-described "Marriott fangirl" for years, her love affair for the brand is now a thing of the past. Benet's opted to shift her loyalty to a competitor with better elite recognition and more comprehensive perks. Learn more about her decision, with: - [Why I dropped Marriott after 35 years of loyalty]( - [Why the "old" Marriott might not be coming back]( - [What to know about Benet's new program of choice]( I've similarly shifted my focus to Hyatt, and I'm on track to earn Globalist by the end of the year. I'm not moving away from Marriott for good, but I'm definitely planning to give Hyatt as much business as I can. 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] How to Get a Business Credit Card A business credit card can help you manage cash flow for your business, earn rewards, build business credit history, and keep business and personal finances separate, among other advantages. [Learn more]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES [State Department and CDC issue 6 new COVID-19 travel warnings]( Two of the six destinations have seen huge upticks in COVID-19 cases, including St. Maarten. [Read more]( [Virgin Voyages replaces cruise calls on Key West following community outcry]( In late 2020, island residents voted to prevent large vessels from docking. [Read more]( [Are new benefits – but a big fee hike – coming to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?]( The card is currently offering new applicants 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. [Read more]( [Desperate warnings from Hawaii as restrictions return]( While the governor said a lockdown was not on the table right now, it could be considered if the situation continues to deteriorate. [Read more]( [Hardly fit for a knight: Review of Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas]( The price is always right, but the whole complex feels lost in time and worse for wear. [Read more]( THE LATEST 1 [Consult with Cards: TPG’s recommendations for a scuba diver and frequent leisure traveler]( 2 [Today’s your last chance to earn a 130,000-point welcome bonus with no annual fee on the Hilton Honors Surpass card]( 3 [The good, the bad and the impossible: Booking first-class flight awards to Europe]( 4 [2 more major cruise lines will require proof of vaccination for Florida sailings]( 5 [Czech Republic bans unvaccinated American tourists]( 6 [Deal alert: Fly to Spain for less than $400]( 7 [Alitalia stops selling tickets, prepares to shut down and be replaced]( 8 [Not just for airports: Clear now helps you get seated faster at restaurants]( 9 [Biggest AA bonus in the business (and effortless to achieve): AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard]( 10 [Phuket Sandbox update: Island expected to miss 100,000-tourist figure]( [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