How to Save $460 on American Airlines Upgrade

Happy Sunday! I hope you're enjoying a great weekend! As I mentioned earlier this week, my family and I took a mini getaway to Carlsbad to take the kids to Legoland (we got a first look at the soon-to-be-opened LEGO Ferrari Build and Race at LEGOLAND California) and to the Carlsbad Flower Fields, neither of which disappointed. We stayed at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, which also did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded expectations in many ways. You can see our trip photos and read our full review of the property here.

Travel Tip of the Day
5 Things I Learned from Canceling my Trip to the East Coast, Including How to Save $460 on American Airlines Upgrade
I was supposed to be sending today's newsletter from Connecticut, but I postponed my trip at the last minute. However, I did learn 5 things from this experience, including how to save a significant amount of money on an American Airlines upgrade, which I'm sharing as today's travel tip. Read the story here.

Travel Tips/Stories from This Week

Travel Product of the Week

Quick Dry Beach and Pool Towels
These towels are quick-drying, repel sand and fold up so compactly, that your bag won't be bulging with towels the next time you head to the beach or pool. Plus, they just look really good, too. Check them out here.

Travel Quote of the Day
“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime” ~ Mark Twain

Travel Tweet of the Day
@DrEricDing: I cry for the people in India— 50 degrees C last week was bad enough, but now parts of India is hitting 60+ degrees Celsius—or over 140 degrees F. And most of India doesn’t air conditioning—a luxury most in the West take for granted. Praying for India and #ClimateAction.

12 Things to Know in Travel Today
— Italy, Greece relax COVID restrictions before tourism season
— 15 people injured when ‘pedal pub’ overturns in Atlanta
— Qantas to break London flight barrier with Airbus jet order
— International travel surging at LAX
— 'Homophobic' first-class passenger who was refused an alcoholic drink struck a flight attendant with a cabin phone
— Algae invading beaches of Mexico
— American travelers no longer feeling sidelined – and some are even headed to Israel
— SF's Boudin clam chowder bread bowl is not that good
— Large fire breaks out at popular New Hampshire resort
— Why Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world
— Guest shows hotel’s $50 ‘restocking fee’ if items in fridge are simply moved
— Yesterday's TSA checkpoint numbers

Miles & Points
-Now might be the perfect time to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you want a credit card that will reward you for years to come. The Preferred has been our trusty card for some time now, and we often recommend it to friends and family. New cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus points (after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months). That is equal to $1,000 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®! Additionally, the Sapphire Preferred earns up to 5x points on purchases, has an annual $50 hotel credit, and an anniversary bonus. You can also transfer points on a 1:1 basis with some of the leading travel partners in the world. Hurry, though; this Chase Sapphire Preferred offer won't last long.
-The Best Premium Credit Cards in 2022
-Best Credit Cards for Dining, Restaurants, Takeout, & More 2022

Travel Contests
-Win a $5,000 credit toward a cruise or a resort getaway (April 17)
-"Share Your Story" Writing Contest for Outdoor Adventurists (April 30)
-Win a seven-night Caribbean cruise for two (Nov 14)
See all contests here

P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip.

The Sunday Round-Up | May 1, 2022