🎙️ Your 5-minute voice memo 👇
Some of the biggest names in luxury hospitality are betting big on cruising. Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman have brought their brands to the water, with smaller yachts designed to feel more like boutique hotels at sea. Think spacious suites with private terraces, posh beach clubs and, in Aman’s case, even two helipads.
And it’s not just the ultra-luxury yacht lines shaking things up. Virgin Voyages skips the traditional buffet, with dining that feels more like choosing a restaurant than filling a tray. It also includes Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and specialty restaurants for all guests. If you’ve never thought of yourself as a cruise person, maybe it’s time to reconsider.
And if you’re a train person, Bilt just added Amtrak as a transfer partner at a 2:1 ratio, so 2,000 Bilt points gets you 1,000 Amtrak points. Amtrak awards start at 400 points, but the number of points you’ll need varies based on the cash price of the trip rather than a traditional award chart.
PARTNER OFFER
🚗 Double dip your everyday spending
You don't need a Bilt credit card to earn Bilt Points. Join Bilt Rewards for free and earn points on purchases you're already making while still earning rewards from your credit card.
Take Lyft, for example. Link your Bilt and Lyft accounts to earn 2X Bilt Points on eligible rides. You can also earn bonus points at participating restaurants, Walgreens, and fitness studios through Bilt Neighborhood Benefits.
✈️ Essential intel
Beginner’s guide
New to the points game? We break down how to earn miles and book flights and hotels for less so you can travel better without a trust fund. It’s the no-BS starter guide you’ll wish you had sooner.
What are transferable points?
If you’re confused by “transfer partner” in this episode, check out our guide to how transferable points work, and why flexibility is the holy grail of travel.
🧳 Build your airport fit
💡 Runway tip
Google Flights lets you search by map, which is perfect when you care more about finding a cheap beach than a specific destination.
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Departure Digest is the voice memo from your savviest travel friend. We track travel news and points math so you never make an expensive mistake.
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