Friends,

The Ritz-Carlton NoMad is one of Marriott’s newer flagships in New York—and thanks to an annual free night certificate from my Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card, I am staying there tomorrow. The room I’ve got booked retails for over $1300/night, which makes it a pretty solid credit card “perk”.

I originally picked up the card for the signup bonus, included Bonvoy Platinum status, and the 25 elite nights a year it gives me. I’m closing in on lifetime Platinum—should hit it in January—and I’m close enough now that it’s worth the chase.

But this card’s free night certificate is the perk that keeps surprising me: it has proven super useful over the past 36 months.

The bottom line to me is that most of the time a hotel is just where you sleep. But every now and then, the hotel is a big part of the trip. This one feels like that.

Expect a full review—just wanted to preview as this is unique.

To be sure: points are good. But well-used certs might be even better. More on the stay (everyone says this hotel is stellar, but is it really?) soon.

Fly well.

NEWS

Breeze announces five new routes after Avelo says sayanora to Burbank.

WSJ profiles senior pilot on AI171, who is now a focus of the crash investigation.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is now taking bookings (I am eager to try this property).

DEALS

British Airways is offering up to 40% off certain award flights through the end of the year; this could prove useful to some.