Window shopping #66
Big loyalty moves from Amex and Delta, JetBlue’s new premium cabin, and an atmospheric stay in Reykjavik
This is Window Shopping, a weekly briefing from Window Seat. Every issue covers essential news in luxury travel, spotlights one exceptional hotel, and shares personal updates or recent product discoveries.
If you’ve been considering canceling your Amex Platinum—but you also love a fantastic hotel—put the scissors down. Earlier this week, American Express added Leading Hotels of the World as a transfer partner, which, IMO, is now one of my top reasons to keep it in my wallet. The LHW portfolio is home to some of my favorite hotels in the world (like this one), and cardmembers can now transfer Amex points to book award stays at 400+ independent luxury boutique hotels in over 80 countries.
JetBlue is officially entering the domestic first class arena with the launch of BlueFirst. If you’ve ever flown “First Class” and been disappointed your seat wasn’t a lie-flat, welcome to what we in the biz refer to as domestic first class. Prior to this announcement, JetBlue only had two premium seating options: EvenMore (extra legroom), and Mint, their lie-flat suites.
Starting August 5th, Delta and Starbucks are changing how members earn miles on their morning coffee. You’ll now earn one SkyMile per dollar directly at the register, but you’ll have to make sure you’ve flown a qualifying Delta flight in the last twelve months to earn. (Pro tip: order the secret, off-menu drink inspired by the Biscoff cookie.)
I’ve been home for the last month and just as I’ve gotten back into a familiar routine, it’s time to get back on the road! I’ll be spending some time with family before heading off to exciting trips in Iceland and London, all back-to-back. What’s exciting about these trips compared to others I’ve done recently, though, is that I have no itinerary once I land.
I’m spending a quick couple of days in Iceland to see the total solar eclipse (Reykjavik is in the path of totality), and while I’m there, I have grand plans to see as much of the otherworldly landscapes as possible, preferably through all-day hikes. Although I might want to take it up a notch and try ice climbing instead? (Who would have ever thought.)
As for London, it’ll also be a breezy trip and my list of things to do, see, and eat is looooong. I’m still trying to figure out which hotel I should stay at to maximize my ability to get around (I’m a huge proponent of a centrally located stay). If you have recommendations for full-day itineraries for neighborhoods I should prioritize, I’m all ears!
The Reykjavik EDITION — Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland isn’t exactly short on cozy escapes, but the Reykjavik EDITION takes the country’s natural elements and transforms them into something shockingly sexy. Sitting right on the Old Harbour, it trades classic Nordic rusticness for deep charcoal hues, glowing fireplace nooks, and smooth volcanic stone. It seems to achieve this rare balance where the location gives you this beautiful, harborfront nature right outside of your bedroom window, but delivers a very scene-y social vibe inside. You can spend an afternoon in their underground plunge pool, grab a table at Tides for local arctic char, and then end your night sipping mezcal under the glass ceiling at The ROOF while scanning the harbor for the Northern Lights. If you ask me? That’s a dream evening in an even dreamier setting.
Window Seat covers the intersection of luxury hospitality, aviation innovation, and the culture of modern travel, written by Tori Simokov, a writer and designer based in New York. For partnership opportunities: tori@v1projects.com. You can also connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, or ShopMy.