America is a big place and home to some of the most diverse scenery in the world. Our national parks, where you'll find everything from parched deserts with Seussianlike trees to marshy coastal waterways, are the perfect examples of this.

While the National Park Service reported slightly fewer visits in 2025 — 323 million versus 331.9 million in 2024 — 26 national parks broke all-time visitation records. This includes heavyweights like California's Redwood and Sequoia national parks, as well as lesser-known parks like Dry Tortugas in Florida and the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska.

If you're eager to steer clear of crowds, there are hundreds of sites in the National Park System, including historic battlefields, monuments, rivers and parkways. The 63 national parks are among the country's most exceptional and beautiful centerpieces — and these are 20 of our favorites.

Yellowstone National Park

• Why visit: It's home to over half of the world's hydrothermal features and diverse wildlife.
• Don't miss: Rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring, the third-largest hot spring in the world.
• How to get there: Wyoming's Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and Montana's Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) are three of the closest airports.

This geologically unique landscape is largely in Wyoming but also stretches into Montana and Idaho. The park's 2.2 million acres are home to an array of wildlife, including bison, mountain goats and elk. You'll also find active geysers, steaming hot springs and mountains. Campsites are available, too, if you're looking for a truly outdoor weekend.

Related: Where to stay when visiting Yellowstone National Park: Best hotels and lodges

Acadia National Park

• Why visit: Granite cliffs, cobalt waters and mist-shrouded beaches are a perfect representation of Maine's beauty.
• Don't miss: A sunrise hike to the top of 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain — the highest point on the North Atlantic Seaboard.
• How to get there: Maine's Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is just around the corner from the park. You must first fly to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and connect onward.

Rocky coastlines and windswept beaches converge with rugged, trail-laced woodlands at Acadia National Park in Maine. Depending on the time of year, Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard, is often among the first places in the country to see sunlight at daybreak.

Related: A beginners guide to visiting Acadia National Park

Shenandoah National Park

• Why visit: Time your visit in October or early November to see stunning fall foliage.
• Don't miss: The 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, famed for its 75 spectacular overlooks and abundance of recreational activities.
• How to get there: Travelers can fly into any major Washington, D.C.-area airport, including Virginia's Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Easily accessible from Washington, D.C., this nearly 200,000-acre park in Virginia is ideal for scenic drives (including the Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah with the Great Smoky Mountains, and Skyline Drive, which bisects the park). Travelers also enjoy picturesque hikes, including along the Appalachian Trail.

Related: Everything you need to know about visiting Shenandoah National Park

White Sands National Park

• Why visit: Feel like you're on another planet with sculpted wavelike dunes of gypsum sand that sparkle in the sun.
• Don't miss: Sand sledding down towering dunes.
• How to get there: The closest airport is El Paso International Airport (ELP), which sits about 85 miles south of the park.

This 275-square-mile stretch of desert is punctuated by glistening white gypsum dunes visible from space. Located in New Mexico's Tularosa Basin, the towering drifts of sand attract travelers who come to hike and sled on the lunarlike terrain. Nearby El Paso is worth a visit before or after your trek through the park for its incredible art scene.

Related: Everything you need to know about visiting US national parks in this year

Grand Teton National Park

• Why visit: Visit this popular Wyoming park for its beautiful views and all kinds of outdoor activities, from mountaineering, hiking and kayaking in the warmer months to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the cooler months.
• Don't miss: Hiking the 7-mile-long Jenny Lake Trail.
• How to get there: Wyoming's Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is located inside Grand Teton National Park, making it the obvious gateway for travelers from out of state.

Wyoming's Teton Range is one of the most striking landscapes in the country, with alpine scenery. The hiking here is exceptional, and the Snake River is a must-see if you're into fishing. You can stay in the comfort of the Western mountain town of Jackson Hole and use Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay at The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection or splurge at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole.

Related: How to plan an epic road trip through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks

Everglades National Park

• Why visit: Take in the U.S.'s largest subtropical wetland.
• Don't miss: The Anhinga Trail, home to alligators, turtles, otters, herons and exotic birds.
• How to get there: Everglades National Park is an easy drive southwest of Miami, so consider flying into Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

The Florida Everglades are home to a rare ecosystem that supports elusive and endangered species like Florida panthers, American crocodiles, West Indian manatees and leatherback turtles. It covers a staggering 1.5 million acres and is essentially a slow-moving river blanketed in sawgrass. Make sure to book an airboat tour to get up close to everything the park has to offer.

Related: 11 of the best national parks to visit during winter

Yosemite National Park

• Why visit: Stunning landscapes and epic hiking opportunities make it a dream for the outdoorsy.
• Don't miss: The granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan, the 650-foot Bridalveil waterfall and North America's tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls.
• How to get there: Expect to spend an hour or more in the car to get to Yosemite. The closest major airports are Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF), all in California.

Famous for its imposing granite monoliths, incredible waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys, Yosemite National Park in California is one of the most famous and instantly recognizable national parks in the country. Avoid the crodenwds by heading into the high country or visiting the more popular recreation areas during the week. You can also book organized backpacking trips through REI Adventures, which covers the permitting process for you.

Related: 4 national parks have scrapped reservation system ahead of peak season

Denali National Park & Preserve

• Why visit: Denali has some of the best wilderness hikes, wildlife encounters, and dramatic landscapes in the nation.
• Don't miss: Off-trail hike through the Toklat East Branch and keep watch for caribou and bears.
• How to get there: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is the gateway to Denali National Park.

Denali National Park & Preserve is home to one of the most untamed stretches of wilderness left in the country and the tallest peak in North America. This ancient land in Alaska is where travelers go to see moose, grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves. Keep an eye out for shimmers of the aurora borealis, and experience a world that is still remote enough to feel undiscovered.

Related: Snowy peaks and hot springs: A Fairbanks-Denali-Anchorage road trip

Joshua Tree National Park

• Why visit: See sculpted rock formations and evocative remnants that stand as a testament to 5,000 years of human history.
• Don't miss: Incredible stargazing and, for climbers, colossal boulders to scale.
• How to get there: California's Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the closest airport to Joshua Tree, though most people visit from Los Angeles or San Diego.

At the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is best known for its massive boulders and fanciful yucca plants — the namesake Joshua trees. Travelers should remember that temperatures in this arid park can soar during the summertime, so pack plenty of water for your visit. While you're there, make sure to see the iconic Skull Rock and Arch Rock, two of the most iconic geological formations in the world.

Related: 8 best road trips for visiting national parks

Redwood National and State Parks

• Why visit: See almost half of the world's tallest trees along this 37-mile stretch of California's northernmost coast.
• Don't miss: Tall Trees Grove, which is home to a slew of majestic redwoods.
• How to get there: The closest airport to Redwood National Park is California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV), which has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Denver International Airport (DEN). You can look forward to a beautiful drive from larger airports, too.

Another spectacular cross-section of California, the redwood forests are home to some of the tallest trees on Earth. Travelers gather here to see record-setting conifers, such as the 380-foot-tall Hyperion. The forests are filled with hiking trails, so you can lose yourself among the enormous trees. Trust us, photos don't truly capture the enormity of these trees.

Related: The best national parks in California

Rocky Mountain National Park

• Why visit: Head here for snowcapped peaks, glacier-carved meadows and cascading waterfalls you can't find anywhere else.
• Don't miss: The awe-inspiring scenery of Trail Ridge Road.
• How to get there: Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport to Rocky Mountain National Park, providing travelers with many flight options.

The jagged ridges and alpine terrain of the Rocky Mountains are the focal points of this national park in Colorado. The pristine lands are crisscrossed by more than 350 miles of hiking trails yet remain accessible via scenic roads. It's easy to see why many consider it one of the most beautiful and humbling places in the country. A variety of different hikes are available, so there's something for every skill (and comfort) level.

Related: 8 national parks that are spectacular in spring

Olympic National Park

• Why visit: Olympic National Park boasts rugged coasts, glaciated peaks and emerald-green rainforests that are relatively untouched by humans.
• Don't miss: Hurricane Ridge for sublime mountain vistas and the paved, 1.6-mile Hurricane Hill trail for 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
• How to get there: Fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and drive roughly 140 miles to the park.

Washington state's Olympic National Park spans nearly 1 million acres and encompasses everything from old-growth rainforests to craggy, windswept coastline with ample beaches and scenic overlooks. There are mountains and powerful rivers with rapids that lure confident paddlers, but this sacred land is just as renowned for its cultural heritage, too.

Related: Pacific Northwest road trip: The San Juan Islands and Olympic National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

• Why visit: Take in some of the largest old-growth forests and cascading waterfalls.
• Don't miss: The synchronous fireflies flashing across the park every summer, which is a truly surreal experience (but requires snagging a spot in the lottery).
• How to get there: On the Tennessee side, travelers can fly into Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), though Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) offers the most connectivity.

Sprawling across the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, this is one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Its fog-shrouded mountains are a family favorite and among the oldest on Earth. Try to visit in the fall, when the rambling landscape is especially picturesque with cozy fall foliage.

Related: 10 of the best US national parks to visit in the fall

Zion National Park

• Why visit: The park's surreal red-rock landscapes and epic hiking and bike trails will make you feel like you're on Mars.
• Don't miss: Angels Landing, one of the most scenic hiking trails in the country.
• How to get there: Fly into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) in Arizona or Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), then rent a car for the scenic drive to Zion.

Slender slot canyons and sandstone cliffs are a hallmark of Utah's first national park. Though Zion is a mecca for canyoneering, climbing and hiking, accessible trails and footpaths make it appropriate for the whole family. The landscape is truly otherworldly in parts.

Related: 12 best national parks to visit with your kids

Glacier National Park

• Why visit: Glacier is famous for its sculpted glaciers, crystalline alpine lakes, majestic forests and abundant wildlife.
• Don't miss: The spectacular views along the iconic 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• How to get there: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, is the main gateway to Glacier. Travelers can also fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) or Missoula Montana Airport (MSO).

In Montana, travelers will discover one of the only places in the continental U.S. to see the planet's disappearing glaciers (there are 26 named glaciers in the park) and admire millions of stars at the world's first Dark Sky Park to span an international border. Glacier National Park is also famous for its incredible wildlife. Nearby Kalispell, Montana, is also worth a visit, with quaint shops and restaurants in the downtown district.

Related: Planning a stargazing expedition? Here's everything you need to know about Dark Sky Places

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

• Why visit: The park is home to two of the Big Island's active volcanoes, including the often snowcapped Mauna Loa.
• Don't miss: The sulphuric pit of Halemaumau crater and the world's longest lava tube, Kazumura.
• How to get there: It's easy to drive to the park from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO).

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park occupies a corner of the Big Island and is still very much under the dominion of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. In 2018, she reshaped the park with Kilauea's eruption. When it reopened after months of seismic activity, the molten cauldron of lava had disappeared. Thankfully, the landscape is just as stunning as ever, with a new black sand beach and an even more imposing crater.

Related: Top hotels on the Big Island, Hawaii, for your next vacation

Arches National Park

• Why visit: Come for the park's delicate sandstone arches, deep gorges, rock catacombs and open valleys, among other natural wonders.
• Don't miss: The 18-mile Scenic Drive and the park's 2,000 fantastical formations.
• How to get there: Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and drive about four hours. Alternatively, fly into Colorado's Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), which is approximately two hours away from the park.

Another example of Utah's geographic splendor, this national park is a Marslike dreamscape filled with red-rock arches, fins and pinnacles that look like a whimsical playground. To avoid the crowds, visit neighboring Canyonlands National Park, which has many of the same features but fewer visitors. Either way, you'll be greeted with some of the best examples of sandstone arches in the world.

Related: A look at Red Cliffs Lodge Moab, a respite in the heart of Utah's red-rock country

Dry Tortugas National Park

• Why visit: Clear waters, pristine beaches and North America's best snorkeling and diving make this a can't-miss park in the Sunshine State.
• Don't miss: The formidable 19th-century Fort Jefferson, which looks like it's adrift in the middle of the ocean.
• How to get there: Fly into Key West International Airport (EYW), then hop aboard the high-speed Yankee Freedom III ferry. Or, fly to Miami International Airport (MIA) and drive to the ferry port.

Composed of seven islands roughly 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida, this national park is accessible only by seaplane or ferry. Despite its name, the park itself is more than 99% open water. Shipwrecks and reefs make this park a dream for divers and snorkelers, though landlubbers can camp on the beach and explore Fort Jefferson, a massive, unfinished 19th-century fort guarding the harbor. In other words, if you like snorkeling, this is the national park for you.

Related: 14 best Miami Beach hotels

Big Bend National Park

• Why visit: This stargazing mecca offers an array of diverse ecosystems spanning desert, mountain and river regions.
• Don't miss: A strenuous hike to the top of Emory Peak for stunning 360-degree views of the Chisos Mountains.
• How to get there: Big Bend isn't close to any major airport, so you'll be committing to at least a bit of a road trip. It's about a five-hour drive from El Paso and six hours from San Antonio.

Dark, star-filled skies, seemingly infinite spaces and sun-beaten desert are signature features of this West Texas park. Big Bend National Park is considered one of the best national parks in the Lower 48 for stargazing, though the Rio Grande River is also a boon for adventurous kayakers and canoers. Another benefit? It has the least light pollution of any national park in the contiguous U.S., and in 2022, the surrounding region was certified as the world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve.

Related: The 12 best road trips to take with your family this summer

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

• Why visit: Check out this West Virginia park for its adrenaline-infused activities like white water rafting, mountain biking and the singular Bridge Walk.
• Don't miss: Hiking the more than 2-mile Endless Wall Trail, ideally at sunset for the best views.
• How to get there: If you're flying to West Virginia, you'll most likely come through West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW), near the capital of Charleston. From there, it's about a two-hour drive to the New River Gorge.

Commonly called "The New," this West Virginia parkland is best known for its exceptional white water rafting opportunities, advanced rock climbing routes along the sandstone cliffs and the more than 3,000-foot-long steel bridge that arches over the gorge. If rafting is in the plans, there's something for everyone. The Lower New serves up big, warm-water Class 3, 4 and 5 rapids — some of the East's best big-water runs — while the Upper New offers gentler Class 1, 2 and 3 floats that work for families.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2026: The 17 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 6 of the best credit cards for travel purchases — beyond flights and hotels

I currently carry five hotel credit cards from four different hotel loyalty programs.

Does that seem like overkill? Maybe. But I also spend upwards of 100 nights a year in hotels (and sometimes closer to 200), so I have a lot of opportunities to use their benefits.

While others in my position might double down with a single hotel program and just one (or maybe two) hotel credit card in order to attain top-tier elite status and maximize their benefits that way, my strategy is a little different.

I like living in the sweet spot of having mid-tier elite status, which many hotel credit cards confer automatically, but being able to play the field and stay at a lot of different chains on my extensive travels.

I also like mixing and matching the various perks from my cards, including multiple bonus spending categories like dining and gas, as well as statement credits for things like stays or on-property purchases like room service.

There is, however, one nonnegotiable perk that any hotel credit card must include in order to earn a place in my wallet, though: an annual free night. Here's why.

Annual fee, meet annual free night

Many of the best hotel credit cards charge an annual fee. While some are quite reasonably priced under $100, others are targeted toward high-spending luxury travelers and charge annual fees exceeding $500 a year.

Because of that, whenever I consider getting a hotel credit card, the first and most important question I ask is: Will I be able to offset the cost of the annual fee through the value of the card's benefits?

However, I don't want to be shackled to spreadsheets tracking every nickel and dime I save in order to make that calculation. That's just too much work.

Instead, I try to recoup that cost from what I think is the single most valuable benefit any hotel credit card can offer — an annual free night. If a hotel credit card does not offer some kind of annual free night perk, I won't even consider it.

After all, a single free night at a hotel can be worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars, depending on where you redeem it.

The catch is that most free night certificates come with restrictions.

You see, most hotel credit card annual free nights impose limitations on this benefit. For instance, the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) offers an annual free night perk, but it is only valid at Category 1-4 hotels, meaning you can't cash it in for stays at uber-luxe properties like the Park Hyatt Sydney, which is a Category 8 property.

Likewise, the annual free night I get with my Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (see rates and fees) is only worth up to 35,000 points. I can top up with another 25,000 points, so my maximum potential redemption is 60,000 points — but that doesn't always stretch that far.

Some cards offer additional free nights if you hit certain spending thresholds. For instance, World of Hyatt Credit Card cardholders can earn an additional Category 1-4 free night by spending $15,000 on purchases with the card in a calendar year. Keeping all those other factors in mind can get complicated.

I don't bother much with the spending thresholds since there are often opportunity costs to using a hotel credit card versus another rewards card that might have more lucrative earning rates on the things I buy or superior purchase protections.

Instead, I focus on free nights that come automatically each year as a cardholder benefit (rather than those earned through spending). Before opening a new card, I do a little homework and check some of the hotels where I could potentially redeem an annual free night, what that's worth, and whether it will cover the cost of the card's annual fee.

And I do this every year when the annual fee comes due. After all, hotel loyalty programs change all the time (like World of Hyatt's recent award chart update), so you've got to do this math every year to make sure a card continues to make sense for your needs.

Still sounds like a lot of work, right? It can be, but given how much money my credit card annual free night certificates have saved me, even in the last year, I find it well worth it.

Annual free nights have saved me over $3,000 in the past year

I am happy to report that I used all of my hotel credit card free night certificates in the past 12 months and they ended up saving me a lot of money on stays I would have needed to book anyway.

Let's start with the small potatoes. I had an overnight stay to book in Montreal on a stopover between two trips, so I redeemed the free night award from my World of Hyatt Credit Card at the Hyatt Place Montreal, which is a Category 3 hotel. That saved me $280.

I travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, frequently both for work and to see family, so I often use my hotel free night awards toward quick one-night stays there. I was able to use the one from my Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express to stay at the JW Marriott Charlotte. My room would have cost $390, but instead, I used my 35,000-point certificate plus 4,000 top-up points.

I also have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees), whose 40,000-point annual free night award came in handy for another Charlotte stay. This time it was the Kimpton Tryon Park, which would have cost $420 (or 39,000 points).

Finally, the big one. My absolute favorite annual free night award is the one I get from my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates and fees) since it's valid at nearly any Hilton-affiliated property in the world (for a standard room). The free night reward is earned after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card.

Sure, you could use it at a DoubleTree or Hampton Inn & Suites, but I tend to look for awards at higher-end Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties.

That's how I ended up booking the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam when I needed to stay in the city for a single night in October.

A room that would have cost me over $1,400 otherwise. What's more, I was actually upgraded several categories to a room with canal views that would have cost almost $2,500 for the night.

All told, I reaped over $3,500 in value from my free night awards compared to annual fees totaling $869.

Bottom line

Bonus rewards and elite status perks are nice, but in my opinion, the single most valuable benefit any hotel credit card can offer is an annual free night. By maximizing that one benefit, you can reap hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars' worth of value each year.

If you find you're not using your hotel credit card's annual free night benefit, I'll take it!

I jest, but seriously, if you're not taking advantage of this perk, you should reconsider whether it's worth paying your card's annual fee, because it likely won't be if you can't take advantage of a free night each year.

Related: The best hotel credit cards that come with an annual free night

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) is a formidable player in the premium business card market. This card is the business counterpart of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), a longtime TPG staff favorite.

And, right now, the Sapphire Reserve has returned a sky-high bonus offer that could unlock thousands of dollars in travel.

With this card, Chase competes directly with cards like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Business. The Sapphire Reserve for Business carries a $795 annual fee, but its long list of statement credits, elite-status perks and travel benefits can help offset that cost for the right business owner.

Let's take a look at the Sapphire Reserve for Business welcome offer, how much you need to spend to earn it and what it's worth.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business current offer

New Sapphire Reserve for Business applicants can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Based on TPG's June 2026 valuations, this welcome offer is worth a whopping $4,100.

This is a return of the Sapphire Reserve for Business card's launch offer, which was the highest we've seen in the card's history. If you've had this card on your radar and can meet the minimum spending requirement, now is an excellent time to apply.

It's also important to note that this card won't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule since it's a business credit card. However, you must be under 5/24 to be approved. This means you cannot have opened five or more credit cards in the past two years.

Currently, there are no other eligibility restrictions for the welcome bonus. For example, if you received a welcome bonus on a consumer Sapphire card in the past, you will still be eligible to earn the bonus on the Sapphire for Business if approved.

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

Who should apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business?

The Sapphire Reserve for Business provides value year after year. You'll earn:

• 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel℠ , including The Edit
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3 points per dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Chase has an outstanding roster of airline and hotel partners to which you can transfer your points for maximum value.

Additionally, with the Points Boost feature, you can redeem your points through Chase Travel at a rate of up to 2.5 cents per point, depending on the type of travel booked (see your card's guide to benefits for more information).

However, you'll get the most value when transferring to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt to book high-end travel.

Furthermore, the Sapphire Reserve for Business has valuable statement credits that cater to businesses, including:

• Up to $500 in annual credits for The Edit, which is Chase's premium hotel program (minimum two-night stay required)
• Up to $400 in annual ZipRecruiter credits (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• Up to $300 annual travel credit
• Up to $300 annually in DoorDash promos and a complimentary DashPass membership (through Dec. 31, 2027; enrollment required)
• Up to $200 in annual Google Workspace credits (through Dec. 31, 2027)
• Up to $120 credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus
• Up to $100 in annual Giftcards.com credits (through Oct. 31, 2028)

You'll also receive numerous travel-related benefits, like:

• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (through Dec. 31, 2027; not available for employee cardmembers)
• Airport lounge access
• Other travel-related benefits and protections

Plus, cardholders can unlock a $500 Southwest Airlines statement credit, Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List elite status and IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status after spending $120,000 on their card in a single calendar year. These statuses are valid through the end of the current calendar year and the entire following year.

It might be worth applying if you can use these benefits to maximize your everyday business spending and realistically earn the welcome offer. Regardless, make sure to run the numbers beforehand and ensure the card is right for you and your business.

Related: Do I need a business to get a business credit card?

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business is one of the top premium travel rewards business cards on the market, and the card's highly valuable launch offer has returned.

TPG values the 200,000 Ultimate Rewards points you could earn with this offer at over $4,000 in travel, making this a can't-miss deal as long as you can meet the minimum spending requirement.

If you're a business owner looking to build a stockpile of one of the most valuable flexible currencies, the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business could be a great addition to your wallet. Useful travel perks, valuable statement credits and earning 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly make this an exciting card option for business owners who are always on the move.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

We're back with another weekly edition of our reader success and mistake stories. Last Friday, we featured a staff success story about huge savings on a trip to Disney World.

This week, I'm writing about an American Airlines AAdvantage mistake that hit my household — and the quick fix we were lucky to find.

What happened?

My partner, Chapel Fowler, is a sports reporter who often travels to report on games. This spring, he nearly lost out on nearly 3,000 miles he'd earned on an American Airlines flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) after covering the NCAA Women's Final Four.

"During a busy work week in April, I booked a direct flight from Phoenix and Charlotte and didn't attach my AAdvantage number," he wrote.

As a former sports reporter myself, I totally understood. You're often booking at the last minute for basketball tournaments, so there's a lot to juggle.

However, there were 2,950 AAdvantage miles (worth about $47 per TPG's June 2026 valuations) and 2,950 Loyalty Points on the line. While there are certainly more costly mistakes out there, he didn't want to lose out on hard-earned AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points.

Luckily, American Airlines reached out days later to help him recover the miles, turning this mistake into a last-second win.

Related: How I earned 29,000 Loyalty Points and 23,000 AAdvantage miles on a single $800 hotel stay

Why it happened

If you're booking in a hurry (or with a third-party corporate tool, like Chapel was), it could be easy to forget to include your loyalty number while you're quickly searching for the best flight to book.

In this instance, Chapel left the field for his AAdvantage number blank. Since it isn't an essential piece of information (though we may feel differently here at TPG), he was able to continue through the booking process without entering it.

Days later, AA came in clutch. Chapel received an email from American Airlines days later that read: "Don't leave your miles behind."

The airline noticed that Chapel had flown without claiming his miles, and they reached out proactively to help him get them back.

The best part? The reclaiming process was lightning fast.

"I clicked through, put in a claim and received my mileage credits in minutes — literally," Chapel wrote. "AA's original email came at 1:02 p.m., and I had my missing miles by 1:09 p.m. It was a ridiculously fast (and easy!) process."

If you don't receive an email, per AA's website, you can request miles for eligible flights if it has been at least three days since your travel. This policy may differ from carrier to carrier.

Related: How I saved 7,000 points and $31 on upcoming hotel stays

How to avoid this

An easy way to avoid this altogether is by always booking directly through the airline and ensuring you're logged in when you make your arrangements. However, for some third-party corporate tools, this may not always be possible.

I generally advise business travelers to familiarize themselves with their company's travel booking platform and locate the section where they can enter their loyalty numbers to save them to each reservation. If your corporate tool doesn't have a loyalty number field built into its settings, take an extra second while you're making your reservation to check if there's a field to enter your loyalty number there. It could be worth a lot in points or miles.

Already booked and just realized your number is missing? You don't have to wait for the airline to reach out. If you've already made the booking and remember to add in your information before your flight, you can always visit the airline's website, click to manage your trip, and edit passenger information to include your loyalty program number.

Like AA, some airlines may reach out even if you completely forget, so don't fret if you're caught in this situation yourself. Luckily, it's usually a mistake with an easy fix, though your mileage may vary by airline.

Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers

Bottom line

While AA saved the day for Chapel, this may not be the case with every flight on every airline. In general, you don't want to miss out on your miles just because of a clerical error.

Remember to always check that your loyalty information is entered before you make a booking on any site. And, if you aren't registered with each of the major airline and hotel loyalty programs already, what are you waiting for? Make free accounts with programs like AAdvantage as soon as you can.

Want to share your story with other TPG readers? Fill out our mistake story form or success story form. (For ongoing issues that you feel owed compensation for circumstances beyond your control, please contact TPG's ombudsman, Michelle Couch-Friedman, at ombudsman@thepointsguy.com.)

Related reading:

• How to retroactively credit flights to your frequent flyer account
• How to earn miles in the American Airlines AAdvantage program
• 11 ways your trip could be ruined if you make these mistakes
• Some of our biggest points and miles mistakes

United Airlines might outfit its newest planes with a seating setup that's far more common on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Chicago-based carrier said it's exploring blocking the middle seats on some rows of its brand-new Airbus A321XLRs — United's all-new, single-aisle jets that can fly to Europe.

The arrangement would essentially give some economy passengers some extra elbow room with a guaranteed empty middle seat in their row.

United confirmed the talks to TPG after rumors of the potential new seating arrangement surfaced this week.

"We're always evaluating and testing new ways to further differentiate ourselves within the industry and add even more value to the experience of flying United," the airline said in a statement Thursday.

The airline stopped short of saying customers will definitely see this seating option on its new XLR jets. So, it appears there's more to come, still.

But it's an intriguing development, in any event.

A coach version of 'Eurobusiness'

Blocking the middle seat is a tactic airlines commonly use on narrow-body planes in Europe, which typically don't have domestic-style first-class cabins with distinct recliner seats.

These so-called "Eurobusiness" cabins usually essentially consist of regular economy seats, but with an empty middle seat between the window and aisle spots — and "soft product" touches like hot meal service.

United's version of Eurobusiness — again, assuming it happens — would serve a different purpose.

The planes United is eyeing for the setup have both lie-flat Polaris suites and a bona fide premium economy cabin.

I'd expect the blocked middle seat rows to essentially serve as an elevated economy offering for passengers who don't want to fork over the cash (or miles) for a true high-end seat.

While you wouldn't get a lie-flat bed or a comfortable recliner, you'd at least be able to skip out on having a seatmate right next to you — not to mention any fight for access to the armrest. That's not a bad prospect considering United plans to fly its new XLRs on long-haul flights to Europe.

A potential twist for the new XLR

United recently took delivery of its first-ever A321XLR, but hasn't yet announced a launch date or route for the posh new plane — which, by the way, will feature another new feature in coach: a walk-up on-board snack bar.

Contrary to reports Thursday, United said it is not eyeing the blocked middle seat setup for the other new aircraft configuration set to join its fleet soon — the premium-heavy A321 "Coastliner" that'll fly the airline's top transcontinental routes out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

Flight attendant staffing at play?

Some have wondered if there could more at play beyond the cabin experience for passengers.

Blocking middle seats in a few rows on United's new XLRs could also potentially help the airline meet federal flight attendant staffing requirements that are based on a plane's seating capacity.

With the blocked seats, United's XLRs will have 150 seats, a threshold that requires four flight attendants under Federal Aviation Administration rules. Had United configured the jet with more than 150 seats, it likely would have needed a fifth flight attendant to comply with the regulations.

United said it plans to staff at least four flight attendants on its XLRs.

New economy-plus options (beyond Economy Plus)

While the blocked middle-seat concept is most synonymous with intra-Europe travel, we have seen it here in the U.S. in recent years.

Frontier Airlines deployed the concept in 2024 as a way to offer a pseudo-premium seating option (though its first-class seats are coming soon).

As for United, this could end up being the carrier's latest move to try and layer in new higher-tier offerings in coach — that is, beyond the extra legroom Economy Plus it's offered for years.

In March, the airline announced plans to debut a couch-in-the-sky product on some of its largest long-haul planes, which involves turning three economy seats into a bed.

Related reading:

• United MileagePlus: Your guide to earning, redeeming, status and more
• The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
• United's big MileagePlus changes are in effect: What to know
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• 17 hours in United's swanky new Polaris Studio suite
• United's new MileagePlus reality: Cardholders win, others lose ground

There are plenty of family-friendly destinations with water parks, but it's even better when you can hit the wave pool without leaving your hotel. That's why we rounded up the best U.S. hotels with water parks for your next family vacation.

With few exceptions, water park access is included in your stay, making these 16 water park hotels so much more than just a place to sleep (though you may need a good night's rest after splashing all day).

The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

Anyone who has visited New York's Catskill region knows it can get a bit chilly outside the summer months, but it's always balmy at 84 degrees at the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark.

At 80,000 square feet, Kartrite's indoor water park is the largest in the state of New York. It boasts separate play areas for toddlers and big kids, private cabanas, multiple slides, a lazy river, a surf simulator and an indoor-outdoor swimming pool.

Rates at the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark start at around $270 per night, including water park passes for up to 4 guests.

Villatel Orlando Resort

Villatel Orlando Resort is located just down the road from Universal Orlando Resort, offering condo- and apartment-style accommodations perfect for large groups. They have a water park big enough to accommodate your whole gang, too.

Villatel's Aqua Bay water park has an impressively long lazy river, four waterslides, a large swimming pool and a kids' splash playground. The water park also hosts daily poolside activities like crafts, trivia and outdoor movie nights.

Rates at Villatel Orlando Resort start at around $391 or 38,000 points for a two-bedroom apartment, with a $45 nightly resort fee covering water park access, shuttle service and Wi-Fi.

Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort

The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells is home to the HyTides water park, the largest hotel water park in Palm Springs. Families can race each other down the 220-foot dueling waterslides, float along the 450-foot lazy river, swim in one of seven pools and splash in the kids' play area.

If you time your stay right, you can attend one of the hotel's complimentary nighttime glow parties, with a DJ, colorful neon lights, face painting, late-night waterslide rides and more.

Related: Forget Coachella: Why Palm Springs is a great option for families

Room rates at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells start at around $330 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. There is a daily resort fee of $45, which is waived on reward stays.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida, is only a short ferry ride from the beach, but you don't need to leave the resort to cool off.

The hotel's three-acre water park has four pools, a lazy river and five waterslides, including a set of dueling racers, a corkscrew slide, a kid-size slide and a double tube slide. There's also a pool and hot tub just for adults and cabanas available to rent.

Room rates at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa start at around $330 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. The $45 daily resort fee is waived for reward stays.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has several family-friendly activities on-site, including a kids club, fish and hummingbird feeding, and an outdoor lawn with games like cornhole and table tennis. But the hotel's AquaRidge WaterPark is where you are likely to spend most of your time.

AquaRidge has a waterslide tower with three slides, a lazy river, a splash pad for young kids and several swimming pools. If you are visiting without kids (or they are at the kids club), you can pay an additional fee to visit the adults-only Sky Island pool complex.

Room rates at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa start at around $273 (which includes the $60 nightly resort fee) or 49,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Related: Fun in the desert sun: A family guide to Scottsdale, Arizona

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket, Connecticut, is the water park resort brand's newest location, though there are more than 20 additional locations across the U.S.

This particular location has a treehouse-themed water play area for kids, a wave pool, a lazy river, water-based activities like basketball and an obstacle course and slides for all ages and heights.

The resort also offers a ton of other activities included in your stay, like yoga, arts and crafts, dance parties, and character meet-and-greets. For an additional fee, you can also enjoy bowling, an arcade, gem mining and more.

Room rates at Great Wolf Lodge start at around $200 per night. Your stay includes water park access beginning from the time you arrive (even if your room isn't ready yet) until the water park closes on the day you check out.

Okana Resort & Indoor Water Park

Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark splashed down in Oklahoma City in 2025. The 404-room resort features both an indoor water park and an outdoor adventure lagoon (open seasonally).

At the indoor water park, you'll find waterslides, a lazy river, an interactive splash playground, a wave pool, a FlowRider surf simulator and and adults-only hot tub. Outside, the Okana Beach water park has additional slides, a large pool, an inflatable obstacle course, a swim-up bar, an adults-only lounging area and more.

In addition to standard rooms and multiroom suites, bunk bed suites are also available. Room rates at Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark start at $183 per night, plus taxes and fees.

Kalahari Resort

With an unparalleled concentration of indoor and outdoor water parks, Wisconsin Dells has been called the Water Park Capital of the World. You'll find the state's largest indoor water park and an equally fabulous outdoor water park at Kalahari Resort.

Related: The tallest waterslide in America is now open in Wisconsin

The safari-themed park has all the requisite features you'd expect at a world-class water park, as well as a water coaster, trapdoor waterslide and two funnel slides. In the fall of 2026, the resort will debut an $85 million indoor water park expansion, with new slides, a whirlpool spa, an adult swim-up bar, a large pool and a retractable roof so visitors can enjoy the summer sun.

Room rates at Kalahari Resort start at around $210 per night plus taxes and fees.

Gaylord Opryland Resort

Many hotel water parks have design concepts that are distinctly geared toward kids, but the SoundWaves water park at Gaylord Opryland Resort is the exception to that rule. The mostly white interior has pops of blue and wood accents for a sophisticated, contemporary feel.

Related: Something for everyone: 6 things to know before you visit a Gaylord resort

Indoors, you'll find a play area for kids, a lazy river, a rapids river, a surf simulator, an activity pool and multiple waterslides. Outside, there's a wave pool, an adults-only pool and additional slides and play areas.

Room rates at Gaylord Opryland Resort start at around $3389 per night plus taxes and a $30 daily resort fee for packages that include water park access for three guests. Reward redemption rates start at around 39,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, but you will have to pay extra for water park access.

Orlando World Center Marriott

The Orlando World Center Marriott is less than 10 minutes from Disney World but features a water-based theme park of its own. The hotel's Falls Pool Oasis has a lagoon-style pool, splash pad, hot tub and three waterslides, and the adjacent River Falls Water Park boasts three multirider tube slides, a lazy river and a zero-entry area where young kids can play in the shallow water.

Related: The best hotels near Disney World you can book with points

You can also enjoy daily pool activities like animal encounters, arts and crafts, and games. There is also a nightly laser show at the main pool area and, on select nights, you can attend a Mermaids & Glow Party.

Rooms at Orlando World Center Marriott start at around $217 (including a $47 nightly resort fee) or 41,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (plus the resort fee).

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa

The Crooked River water park at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has a smart layout that you don't see at many other water parks.

Related: Best points hotels in the US where kids are treated like VIPs

The 1,000-foot-long lazy river winds around and connects the other features of the water park, including a zero-entry pool with a sandy beach area, an adults-only pool, a float-up bar and a waterslide.

Room rates at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa average around $350 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

The Grove Resort & Water Park

The Grove Resort & Water Park is less than 15 minutes from Disney World's popular water parks, but there's no need to pay the extra cost for Disney's pools and slides when there's a water park at your hotel.

Related: The best Orlando hotels for large families

Access to the Surfari Water Park is included in the cost of your stay, and the park offers a lazy river, waterslides, pool, kids splash pool and a FlowRider surf simulator. If you book a cabana or premium seating, you'll have a dedicated server to deliver food and drinks from the poolside restaurant.

Room rates at The Grove Resort & Water Park start at around $199 per night, which includes water park access and a $49 daily resort fee.

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort And Spa

The water park at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio recently underwent a major renovation, which you can read more about here.

The newly renovated resort features a 2.2-acre, crystal-clear lagoon where guests can swim, float, play on the sandy beach, or rent a paddleboard or kayak for a more active day on the water (some activities require an additional fee). The water park also has a lazy river, multiple pools, a FlowRider and a variety of scheduled activities for all ages.

Room rates at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa start at around $350 (plus taxes and a $60 daily resort fee) or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

At the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, you don't have to choose between the beach and the water park. This Hawaiian resort is only a short walk from Shipwreck Beach, but you can swim in the multilevel pools and saltwater lagoon, float along the lazy river (more of an exploration path than a typical lazy river), and slide down a 150-foot waterslide without ever leaving the hotel.

Related: The best points hotels to book for shoulder season — and before (or after) the summer crowds

The grounds of the pristinely maintained resort — including the water park — are planted with colorful tropical plants and towering palm trees, echoing Hawaii's lush, natural beauty.

Room rates at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa average around $550 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Evermore Orlando Resort

Evermore Orlando Resort is one of Orlando's newest water park resorts and the only one with an 8-acre lagoon. You can paddleboard, swim, kayak (or just relax) in the lagoon, or pop over to the resort's other pool with more traditional water park features like a waterslide big enough for the whole family, a rope swing, and activities like fitness classes, karaoke, trivia and dance parties.

Room rates at Evermore Orlando Resort start at around $350 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. Expect to pay at least 110,000 Hilton Honors points for a two-night stay.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Disney's been in the family vacation game for decades, and it knows what families want. When it opened, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on the island of Oahu, Disney knew just any old pool wouldn't do.

Related: Hotels with saltwater lagoons for swimming without the swells

The expansive water park at Aulani has multiple pools, a lazy river, interactive splash zones for kids and waterslides all built into realistic rock formations. For an additional fee, you can explore the resort's private snorkeling lagoon.

Room rates at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa start at around $550 per night, excluding taxes and fees, but you can save up to 50% when you rent Disney Vacation Club points.

Bottom line

When you travel, it's unlikely that you'll stay exclusively at your resort without venturing out to explore your destination. When you stay at one of these top water park resorts, however, you may find enough on-site fun that you never want to leave.