Our roundup of this week's top 5 travel deals

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Several new credit card offers surfaced this week, with Citi boosting the bonus on its top-end American Airlines card, and Amex offering increased bonuses on two of its Marriott cards. On the flip side, it appears Frontier credit card holders are the only people being partially spared from the airline's upcoming gutting of its frequent flyer and elite status programs.

But on a brighter note, Bilt announced its latest Rent Day transfer bonus with a familiar international airline partner, and there's still a short time left to take advantage of a double referral bonus on a popular dining app. Here's what's worth knowing from this week in travel and travel rewards.

One of Citi's American Airlines credit cards is entering a new phase, with a higher price tag and a different set of included benefits. Fortunately, it also comes with a higher bonus too.

Right now, the ​Citi AAdvantage Executive Mastercard​ is offering an eye-popping 125,000 bonus miles. However, that haul comes with a significant minimum spending requirement — you'll need to make $15,000 in purchases in the first five months after opening the account. The card's annual fee has also increased, up $100 to $695 a year.

On the plus side, the new higher fee comes with some added perks. In addition to the card's existing Admirals Club access for cardholders and authorized users, you'll also get up to $500 a year in AA Vacations credits, up to $100 back on inflight and Admirals Club purchases, Avis President's Circle status, and Loyalty Point boosts at set spending thresholds.

But if a $695 annual fee feels steep, the ​Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard​ offer is still available. You'll earn 80,000 American bonus miles after $3,500 in spending in the first four months, with the $99 annual fee waived for the first year. Thanks to our friends at ​Doctor of Credit​ for the link.

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The right personal item depends entirely on the trip. Two nights and a dinner out? ​Quince's Voyage weekender​ has a separate bottom compartment so your shoes aren't sitting on your shirts. Client meetings and a laptop? The ​Voyage commuter backpack​ has a padded laptop compartment and a breathable mesh back panel. Wedding or conference? The ​Voyage garment duffle​ is designed with a built-in garment compartment, a roomy duffle side, and dedicated shoe compartments. Same durable material, same lasting finish, different itineraries.

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Speaking of increased credit card bonuses, Marriott fans have two updated offers to consider right now — one on an entry-level card and one on a premium option.

Now through September 30th, the ​Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card from American Express​ is available with 125,000 bonus points and a $150 statement credit after spending $5,000 within six months. The card carries a $250 annual fee.

The card comes with Marriott Gold elite status, 15 elite night credits toward status, and a free night award each year after $15,000 in spending, redeemable for stays up to 50,000 points.

But if you're willing to pay a higher annual fee for more perks and a bigger bonus, the ​Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card​ is offering 150,000 points and a $250 statement credit after $6,000 in spending within six months. The card's $650 annual fee comes with Platinum elite status, unlimited Priority Pass lounge access, and $300 in yearly dining credits in $25 monthly increments.

Between the two, the choice mostly comes down to how often you stay at Marriott properties. Heavy hotel loyalists will get more mileage out of the Brilliant card's elite status and lounge access, while the Bevy's lower fee makes it easier to justify for occasional travelers just looking to pad their points balance.

This week ​Bilt Rewards​ announced plans for its upcoming Rent Day in September, and the details landed with a familiar transfer partner at the center of the promotion.

On September 1st, Bilt members can get a 25%-100% bonus when transferring points to Virgin Atlantic. The exact bonus depends on your Bilt elite status — basic Blue members get a 25% bonus, while Platinum members get 75% and can reach as high as 100% by spending $200 in Bilt Cash to buy up a tier. Transfers eligible for the bonus are capped at 150,000 points.

We often see transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic from other credit card programs, and Virgin has been particularly terrible about adding cash fees to its awards in recent years. So you'll probably only want to take advantage of this offer if you already have a specific Virgin Atlantic redemption in mind.

With that said, Bilt remains one of ​my favorite transferrable points programs​ thanks to the massive value I can typically get for my Bilt points. If you pay rent or a mortgage (and who doesn't) and don't already have a Bilt credit card, take a look at our latest guide on how you can ​earn valuable Bilt travel points on your biggest household expense​ each and every month.

In case you missed it...

​Which credit card should you use for a hotel stay?​

Frontier Airlines' elite status has never come with enormously valuable benefits. But this week the ​airline announced a set of changes​ that make its status nearly worthless.

Starting on January 1, 2027, Frontier elites booking basic economy fares will lose several perks, including complimentary seat selection and change and cancellation fee waivers. Complimentary UpFront Plus and promised future first class upgrades will also go away for elites unless they buy a bundle.

In addition, Frontier's Platinum and Diamond elites will no longer have the ability to gift status to another person or get a Discount Den membership for free or at half price. And Platinum members are losing their unlimited companion travel, which is being replaced by two companion certificates.

For those of us who aren't Frontier elites, don't worry — there's some bad news for us too. As of September 1st, mileage and status earning rates are dropping by as much as 90% on basic economy fares, and by 20%-40% even on bundled fares.

The only good news is if you're a Frontier Airlines World Mastercard holder, you'll earn higher rates than non-cardholders across every tier when buying bundles. But Frontier's frequent flyer program has never really been competitive, and these changes certainly do nothing to improve that situation. Thanks to ​View From The Wing​ for flagging these changes.

Finally, the dining credit app ​inKind​ has a referral promotion that's wrapping up in less than 48 hours, and travelers who enjoy restaurants when they're on the road have a narrow window left to take advantage.

Right now, inKind has doubled its referral bonus from $25 to $50 for every friend or family member who ​signs up using a referral link​. The person you refer also gets $25 off their first order of $50 or more. But this offer expires tomorrow, Monday, August 31st, so you'll need to move quickly to take advantage.

Note that the person you refer only has to sign up by Monday — they can then use their $25 off any time within 90 days of signing up, even after the referral promotion has ended.

For frequent travelers, ​inKind​ can be a useful way to save on dining in more than 8,000 participating restaurants, bars, and cafés nationwide. Paying through the app also earns up to 20% back toward a future bill.

If you don't have any friends or family members who already use inKind, you're welcome to ​use our own referral link to sign up​, and we appreciate it if you do. But if you do use our link, then make sure to use your own referral link to sign up others so that you can get the $50 referral bonus for yourself.

This kit makes it easy to have essential first aid on hand anywhere

Be emergency ready for any trip without adding bulk. Featuring a waterproof shell and categorized inner compartments for easy access when seconds count, this lightweight mini first aid kit fits easily into carry-ons.

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That's a wrap on this week's roundup of card offers and travel deals. But if you're a frequent credit card applicant, don't miss our new guide on ​how to freeze your credit reports without slowing down your applications​. Have a great weekend! ✈️

This story may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers, and we may receive compensation for sending traffic to partner sites. Points Path may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how and where links appear in this story. This story does not necessarily include all financial companies or all available financial offers. The editorial content in this story is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. All prices are accurate as of August 30, 2026, at 1pm ET.