Washington Dulles To Get Global Entry E-Gates

The Points Guy: "Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, D.C., is set to test first-in-the-nation technology for Global Entry, allowing certain travelers to pass through customs without ever interacting with — or even passing by — a human officer."

"In the coming months, Dulles plans to launch a pilot program testing the use of so-called e-gates at customs."

JetBlue Adding Flight Between Boston And Paris

JetBlue: "JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) today announced it has expanded its Paris service with its inaugural flight from Boston, which departed today from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). JetBlue’s new flight between Boston and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) follows the successful launch of service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) last summer and further builds on its transatlantic offering from its Boston focus city. In addition to Paris, JetBlue offers daily service to London, Amsterdam, and most recently initiated seasonal service to Dublin from Boston."

Turkish Airlines Adding Flights To Denver

One Mile At A Time: "As of June 11, 2024, Turkish Airlines will be launching 3x weekly year-round flights between Istanbul (IST) and Denver (DEN). The flight will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, in each direction."

Points Wire Note:

If you're using points and miles to book, Avianca LifeMiles is your best bet. After that, United Mileage Plus, Air Canada Aeroplan, or Turkish Miles & Smiles will be your best options. Keep in mind that Turkish Miles & Smiles passes the carrier-imposed surcharges to you so the total taxes/fees are a bit steep. The other options do not pass on the surcharges. However, Turkish sometimes gives its own members access to more award space than it does to partner airlines.

Hilton Acquires Luxury Lifestyle Brand NoMad

The Bulkhead Seat: "Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced today that it’s purchasing NoMad Hotels to enter the luxury lifestyle hotel market. While NoMad currently has locations in Las Vegas and London, Hilton projects over 100 new hotels under the brand umbrella with 10 already in the works."

Points Wire Note:

This seems to be Hilton's attempt to compete with luxury lifestyle brands such as EDITION and W from Marriott and Andaz and Thompson from Hyatt.

Global Entry Application Fee Increased, Minors Now Free

Skift: "The Global Entry application fee will be $120, a 20% increase from its current $100 cost, CBP said Tuesday. Global Entry allows pre-approved travelers expedited entry into the United States. Programs designed to ease crossings at the Mexican and Canadian borders — SENTRI and NEXUS — will have the same price tag. The fee for NEXUS will see a steep 140% increase from its original $50 cost."

"There is one bright spot: Minors will no longer pay an application fee for these programs, as long as their parent or legal guardian is already enrolled or actively applying."

Points Wire Note:

Many credits cards offer a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Hopefully, the reimbursement for Global Entry will be adjust to cover the increased application fee.

Bulgaria and Romania Join Europe's Schengen Area

Loyalty Lobby: "Romania and Bulgaria have joined the EU’s Schengen area today, meaning there are no border checks for those traveling by air or sea from another Schengen country. However, passport or ID checks are still in place for land border traffic from these two countries."

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh Rebranding As Curio Collection Property

The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian is leaving the Waldorf brand.

Head for Points: "It is not leaving Hilton entirely, however. It will be rebranded as ‘The Caledonian Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton’."

"The Caledonian was sold to Henderson Park, a property investment fund, last year and had already announced a £35 million refurbishment."

"The work will increase the number of bedrooms from 240 to over 300. There is talk of an ‘extension’ whch I presume will involve replacing the existing modern extension to the rear of the hotel."

8 More Airlines Now Part Of TSA PreCheck

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added eight airlines to TSA PreCheck. The list includes: 

• Air Premia
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Air Transat
• BahamasAir
• BermudAir
• Iberia
• La Compagnie
• New Pacific Airlines

New Four Seasons Yacht Now Available For 2026 Bookings

Skift: "Four Seasons revealed on Tuesday the first itineraries for its new brand, Four Seasons Yachts. The hospitality company also shared the first renderings of its maiden vessel, which it has yet to name."

Things To Know

• There will be Caribbean and Mediterranean options
• Competes with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Accor Orient Express Silenseas
• The size of the vessel is between a yacht and a cruise ship
• Only 95 suites on the 207-meter (679 feet) vessel
• Suites start at ~$3,000 per night
• Breakfast and daily snacks/non-alcoholic drinks are included

Currently, only select Four Seasons Preferred Partners are able to book Four Seasons Yacht journeys. If you'd like to book, you can submit a request.

Points Wire Note:

Naturally, this won't be for everyone. However, if you're someone who likes to use points and miles for business and first class flights then book luxury hotels via preferred booking programs, this might be right up your alley.

Visa And Mastercard Settle Dispute With Merchants

Bloomberg: "Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. agreed to cap credit-card swipe fees — a deal that US merchants say will save them at least $30 billion over five years — in one of the most significant antitrust settlements ever, following a legal fight that spanned almost two decades."

"The deal, which is subject to court approval, also would allow retailers to charge consumers extra at checkout for using Visa or Mastercard credit cards and use pricing tactics to steer customers to lower-cost cards, according to a statement Tuesday from attorneys representing the merchants."

View From The Wing notes that this "will not have a material impact to credit card rewards."

If you're curious how this impacts the push by some members of Congress to wreck credit card rewards, don't expect this to stop that push. He notes that "It does undermine the case for Durbin-Marshall legislation to limit card interchange although retailers will argue that it does not – when I debated the law’s main lobbyist/proponent in November, he conceded that the legislation was just a start and they would keep pushing for more."