Edition 3 | Morocco flight deal, 80,000-point bonus ending, free car rental extension, and more.
TMT | EDITION 3
INSIDE THIS EDITION.
Quick guide. The vast beauty of Death Valley.
On my mind. A 80,000-point credit card bonus ends.
Deal alert. Business class to Morocco for just 44,000 miles.
Travel trick. How I get a free grace period on rental cars.
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Quick guide: Death Valley National Park.
Like many of you, in 2020, I spent way more time outdoors.
The pandemic finally made me realize that I was truly missing out on U.S. national parks. Fast forward a couple of years ... and national park visits are at all-time high with at least six parks requiring advance reservations of some form or another.
This is my second year purchasing an America the Beautiful pass (unlimited access to all U.S. national parks for $80 annually), and my first visit in 2022 was to Death Valley.
A drive from Los Angeles. Last month, I drove 3.5 hours via camper van from Los Angeles to Death Valley for a weekend trip.
I didn't have a lot of prior knowledge about Death Valley except at 282 feet below sea level, the park featured the lowest point in North America. (Oh, and it gets hot.)
But the park is so much more than a hot salt basin on the valley floor.
It's not all desert. One of the more surprising aspects of Death Valley is the sheer diversity of sights that you can see ... there are massive craters that you can hike around (Ubehebe Crater is a must visit), an area of multicolored, eroded hills in shades of green, blue and purple (the Artists' Palette), and so much more.
Don't miss the Alabama Hills. A few hours from Death Valley are the Alabama Hills, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Here, you get a much more temperate climate, an array of hiking trails, and jaw-dropping views of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48. Yes, it was amazing to experience some of the lowest and highest points on earth ... on the same weekend trip.
The extreme weather. Even in April, the weather was hot. And on one day, wind gusts in the park created a massive sandstorm that was incredible to experience (but also dangerous if you weren't indoors or in a vehicle).
Currently on my mind: A bonus ending soon.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus ending. On May 31, one of the best starter rewards card out there is ending its 80,000-point bonus. Those 80,000 points can be used for at least $1,000 in travel (or potentially even more if you transfer to airline or hotel partners).
Interested? Here's my referral link. You get the same 80,000-point bonus as any link you find online (and I earn 15,000 points.)
Points inspiration: With 80,000 points, you can book three nights at the Andaz Costa Rica Papagayo (I stayed there last year and loved it.)
2. Dining solo is one of the great joys of traveling. — www.washingtonpost.com
My latest for By The Way x Washington Post.
3. A swanky new United Club opens. Congrats to my friend Jez Sabadúquia (@jez.ord) and the rest of the United team for unveiling a gorgeous new United Club at Newark (EWR). I can't wait to visit.
4. Delta unveils a new first class with its first A321neo. On its inaugural, TPG's David Slotnick gave the innovative new seat from Delta a whirl.
Deal alert: Business class to Morocco.
If you're still hankering to go somewhere this summer, here's a deal on points to Morocco. I see plenty of award availability in July and August on Oneworld carrier Royal Air Maroc between New York (JFK) to Casablanca (CMN).
The deal. Business class between New York (JFK) and Casablanca (CMN). Other nonstop gateways with more sporadic availability: Washington (IAD) and Montreal (YUL).
How much. From 44,000 Etihad miles each way (transferred from American Express)
When. Summer 2022
Stops. Nonstop from JFK, YUL, IAD
44,000 points in business class to Morocco is a screaming deal. If you have American Airlines miles and would rather book that way, this will set you back 57,500 miles (but you can also connect onwards to other destinations in Morocco or Europe).
How to book.
Check AA's website for award availability.
Transfer Amex points to Etihad.
Call Etihad to book.
See this guide from TPG that outlines the step-by-step process to book for just 44,000 points.
Want more deals in your inbox regularly? Thrifty Traveler Premium is a service that I use for cheap flights, mistake fares, and award flash sales. Get $10 off a yearly plan (from $59 to $49) with code CHRIS10.
Full transparency: I earn a commission if you sign up for a subscription.
Travel trick: A free 4-hour rental car extension.
The perks of some credit cards go beyond points, sign-up bonuses, and lounge access.
Here's an under-the-radar Amex Platinum* benefit that I have used several times. (It's more useful than it might first sound.)
Amex Platinum perk.
It's pretty simple. Use an Amex Platinum to pay for a Hertz rental (and CDP code 211762 at booking) and you'll get an additional four hours free on any rental.
This perk has saved me money on numerous occasions.
For a weekend rental, I will often pick up a car on Friday afternoon and drop it off Sunday evening. This often will stretch slightly beyond 48 hours (a 2-day rental). For instance, I'll pick up a car at 4 p.m. on a Friday and drop off at 8 p.m. on a Sunday. With the four-hour grace period, I won't be charged any extra fees.
*Looking to sign up for an Amex Platinum? I have a referral link with a 150,000-point bonus here. (The public offer is 100,000 points so this is 50,000 points more.)
A double dip.
My other premium credit card, the Capital One Venture X card, gets me top-tier Hertz President's Circle status. The biggest benefit of this? Guaranteed upgrades and the ability to select from a huge selection of cars off the lot.
Since President's Circle is tied to my Hertz account (and doesn't require you to use a specific card to pay), so I can combine this with the four-hour grace period when paying with the Amex Platinum.
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Anything you want to see featured in this newsletter? Just want to chat travel or points? Let me know. Respond to this email or shoot me a DM (@thechrisflyer) on the socials.
Until next time.
-CD
New to The Multidimensional Traveler (TMT)?
My philosophy, of sorts, is to always strive to be a more well-rounded traveler. That means being more savvy: Leveraging credit card points, finding cash deals, what to do when the unforeseen arises, etc.
But I also want to be open to connection and soak in my surroundings: Connecting with locals, learning more about a destination, and have experiences that are unique.
No matter how you travel, I hope the things that I’ve learned (and continue to learn) help in some way.