Good morning. It's Friday, July 24, 2026.

Chase confirmed it — the Chase Sapphire Preferred's record 100,000-bonus-point offer ends 9 a.m. EDT, Thursday, July 30 (spend $5,000 in 3 months to qualify). This ties for the highest bonus in the card's 16-year history and is 25K above the previous public offer.

Those 100K points cover at least $1,000 in travel via Chase's portal — big value for a $95 annual fee. If you've been considering it, don't wait for the deadline — apply by July 29 at the latest.

➤ First time reading? Sign up

A point.me survey of frequent fliers crowned Emirates best overall for economy and business-class dining, with Singapore Airlines close behind for business class.
Delta swept coffee (Starbucks) and economy snacks (Biscoff, Cheez-Its), while Air France took top wine honors and Emirates won cocktails — though frequent-flier fans preferred Virgin Atlantic's mixed drinks.
Worst marks went to JetBlue's coffee and Southwest's snacks.
Bonus finding tuna sandwiches ranked as the worst thing you can bring on a plane.

🚔 Impostor police officers are a growing travel scam — criminals posing as law enforcement to steal cash and valuables, often via fake document checks, counterfeit currency claims, or bogus traffic stops. Security experts say tells include mismatched or unkempt uniforms, nervous behavior, and unmarked or improperly labeled vehicles. Advice: ask for ID or a supervisor's contact info, research your destination via State Department travel advisories beforehand, and know what real local police uniforms look like.

Pro Tip:
Carry a "throwaway wallet" with expired cards and small bills — if confronted, hand that over instead of risking your real one.

A quick habit that can save real headaches: snap timestamped photos of your hotel room before leaving. Hotel owners and flight attendants both back this — it protects against false damage claims and helps confirm you haven't left anything behind.

One hotel owner noted most properties log room condition via housekeeping checklists before check-in, so a guest's own photo evidence (plus filling out the post-check-in condition survey) makes disputes nearly impossible to win against you.

Flight attendants also use room photos to remember room numbers on exhausting travel days and to document belongings in case of theft — one shared losing an expensive scarf from her suitcase and wishing she'd had photo proof.

❤️ Looking for a romantic getaway without leaving the country? A new Agilis report ranked the most romantic cities in the U.S. by analyzing online searches for romantic hotels, date nights, couples' activities, proposals, and weekend escapes.

New York City claimed the top spot thanks to its abundance of romantic experiences, from scenic walks through Central Park to world-class restaurants and luxury hotels. Nashville finished second, combining live music, nightlife, and Southern charm, while Austin took third for its vibrant culture and outdoor adventures. Chicago ranked fourth, earning praise for its lakefront views, fine dining, and wedding venues. Rounding out the top five was Jacksonville, Florida, the only Sunshine State city on the list, recognized for its beaches, waterfront restaurants, and popular sunset cruises.

Whether you're planning an anniversary, proposal, honeymoon, or simply a weekend away, these destinations prove you don't need a passport to enjoy a memorable romantic escape.

Turns out flying solo isn't just simpler — it's more rewarding.

Traveling alone has real rewards advantages, starting with award seats. Airlines release limited saver inventory, and needing just one seat makes booking faster and easier.

Upgrades also favor solo flyers. They clear one passenger at a time, so a single traveler can leapfrog a couple waiting for two seats together.

Lounge access rules increasingly reward flying solo too. Guest fees — like Amex Centurion's $50 charge — simply don't apply when you walk in alone.

Even small perks stretch further. A card's monthly dining credit goes a lot farther for one person than for a family of four.

And in the newest business-class suites — Cathay Pacific's Aria Suite, Qatar's Qsuite, United's Polaris Suite — solo flyers get the full enclosed experience, while center-pair seats are built for couples.

➤ 🚨 Saint Lucia Advisory Raised to Level 2. The State Department upgraded Saint Lucia to Level 2 ("exercise increased caution"), citing armed robbery, assault, and burglary at tourist resorts, plus common pickpocketing and scams. Travelers should avoid flashy jewelry and stay alert at night. Turks and Caicos carries a similar warning.

➤ ✈️ United Adds 4 Newark Nonstop Routes This Fall. Starting Sept. 24, United will launch nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) to Bentonville, Charlottesville, Knoxville, and Omaha. Charlottesville is the only new route, while the others return after the pandemic—just in time for fall getaways.

Award seats are often released one at a time, making it much easier for solo travelers to snag premium cabins using miles. If you're traveling alone, check for award space first—you may find deals that are unavailable for groups.

Written by the Boarding Soon Editorial Team

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe free

and get smarter travel news in your inbox.

Advertise • Contact • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 Boarding Soon. All rights reserved.