✈ JetBlue Unveils Big Elite Changes, Hard Rock to Buy the Mirage & More Daily News From TPG ✈

Also: Things to know about traveling during omicron [The Points Guy]( WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY Dec 18, 2021 THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES Hi TPG readers! It's [Benji Stawski]( from the points and miles team here, and I'm taking over the daily newsletter for the next few days. The holidays might be here, but it was another busy week with a slew of aviation, hotel and loyalty program news. Chase also shook things up in the credit card world with the launch of an [all-new business product](. Catch up on all of this week's top stories here: - [The Mirage Las Vegas will transform into a guitar-shaped Hard Rock casino]( - [Retiring Southwest CEO Gary Kelly discusses carrier’s future]( - [There’s a new way to get through TSA screening faster]( - [Extended and improved: Hilton replaces ‘breakfast’ benefit with food and beverage credit]( - [United CEO Scott Kirby: We’ve grounded nearly 100 regional jets due to pilot shortage]( All eyes now turn to the [highly transmissible omicron variant]( as COVID-19 cases rise again in much of the U.S. Will folks need to rethink their holiday travel plans? Benji Stawski, Writer 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 [JetBlue unveils big Mosaic elite changes, including free Mint upgrades]( New perks include free extra-legroom seating, and four upgrade certificates to Mint business class for its new Mosaic+ tier. [Read more]( [Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? A line-by-line guide]( Most cruise lines require passengers to be fully vaccinated in order to sail. [Read more]( [Finding luxury at the Jersey Shore: My stay at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel]( Luxury usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Jersey Shore. [Read more]( [The newest challenge skiers will face this season: Crazy parking charges and reservations]( Your next ski trip could become a lot more expensive. [Read more]( [New award availability gold mine? Lufthansa’s new St. Louis service has wide-open business-class space]( Fancy a trip to Europe? Lufthansa is currently offering wide-open business-class award space to Frankfurt. [Read more]( THE LATEST 1 [Last-minute holiday shopping? How to use Rakuten to earn bonus cash back or Amex points on your purchases]( 2 [As the omicron variant rises, here’s what to do if you need to cancel your trip]( 3 [What will the future of travel look like? TPG asks 8 industry experts]( 4 [Omicron variant scrambling Christmas plans in some major US cities]( 5 [Deal alert: Round-trip flights to Costa Rica under $300]( 6 [You can currently buy points and miles at a 100% bonus — but should you?]( 7 [Maximize your PayPal bonus with a charity donation to boost vaccination rates around the world]( 8 [Looking for a new card? 6 reasons the Chase Sapphire Preferred should be your next credit card]( 9 [BREAKING: Southwest CEO Gary Kelly tests positive for COVID-19 after unmasked Senate hearing]( 10 [The most exciting premium card to come around in years: A review of Capital One Venture X]( [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