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Keep your passport ready—Atmos Rewards unlocks Pacific escapes

By Mark Reif Nov 4, 2025 9:38 AM

Hong Kong — Hong Kong Simon Zhu via Unsplash / Unsplash

For its latest edition of Global Gateways, Alaska Airlines is focusing on six Pacific Rim destinations offering sun-filled skies and warm weather, while the U.S. nears winter. Atmos Rewards members can use points for award tickets for up to 50% off between November 4 and 11, for main cabin travel to these places from November 4 to March 30, 2026. Tickets are good to fly on Alaska, Hawaiian, or their global partners.

From turquoise waters to tropical skies, summer adventures still await across the Pacific

“Summer Isn’t Over” is Alaska Airlines’ theme as summer approaches in the Southern Hemisphere. Alaska Airlines and its partners take travelers there, with flights to Sydney, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; the Cook Islands; Manila, Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; and Hong Kong. Global exploration is one of many perks for Atmos Rewards members, which U.S. News & World Report named the No. 1 Airline Loyalty Program for 2025-2026.

Featured destinations

Sydney, Australia (Starting from 35,000 points; 25,000 points from Honolulu): One of the world’s most beautiful cities and home to the stunning Sydney Opera House, Sydney is a hub for scenery, fashion, culture, and design.

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Auckland, New Zealand (Starting from 35,000 points; 25,000 points from Honolulu): New Zealand offers world-class outdoor adventures, incredible scenery, and a deep cultural heritage.

The Cook Islands (Starting from 35,000 points): Comprised of 15 islands across 850 square miles, the Cook Islands delight with welcoming locals, an easygoing attitude, and tropical scenery.

Manila, Philippines (Starting from 25,000 points): Here, travelers can experience amazing food, picturesque beaches, and vibrant culture.

Bangkok, Thailand (Starting from 30,000 points): Delight the senses with markets, temples, and delicacies, then join in exciting nightlife at clubs, sky bars, and night markets.

Hong Kong (Starting from 30,000 points): With a mix of tradition and modernity, Hong Kong is a favorite among global travelers. Be sure to take in the nightly “Symphony of Lights” show by Victoria Harbor.

Mark Reif is a storyteller focused on the intersection of outdoor culture, travel, and design. From the peaks of Banff to the… Read Full Bio

I stayed at one of Chicago’s most famous luxury hotels — and yes, it still deserves the hype

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Chicago does luxury hotels exceptionally well. The city has historic grande dames, glossy new towers, and enough five-star addresses to make choosing one surprisingly difficult. Still, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago remains one of the names travelers hear again and again. Does that reputation still carry the same weight in a city with so much competition?

By the end of my stay, the answer was yes. The hotel repeatedly proved that real luxury is about noticing what a guest needs before they have to ask.

New Chase Travel data reveals the fastest-growing Labor Day destinations

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With Labor Day fast approaching, travelers are heading out on their final “horrah” of the summer trips. New Chase Travel booking data just dropped, revealing several noteworthy travel trends for this Labor Day. First, data suggests demand for Labor Day travel remains very strong, with Chase Travel bookings up 17% year over year. Despite higher travel prices, consumers still want to travel and find ways to make trips work. For Labor Day timing specifically, average air ticket price (when booked through Chase Travel) is now up over $1,000, marking an 8% increase from this time last year.

Emerging destinations

I ate my way through Chicago for a weekend, and these 7 spots were worth every calorie

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Chicago is a city that makes a reasonable eating schedule feel unnecessary. Breakfast can spill into lunch, breweries count as afternoon activities, and deep-dish pizza is less of a meal than a commitment you make to yourself.

I recently spent a weekend eating my way across the city, with no real strategy beyond following recommendations, wandering into places that looked interesting, and accepting that vegetables might not be the main priority. Some stops were Chicago institutions. Others were complete accidents. One restaurant was so good that we went twice, despite encountering a line out the door both times.