One free US Open day left, plus the deals worth knowing

Sweet spot: Atmos 4,500-Point Short-Haul Flights on American Metal

<ul><li>Atmos points do not transfer from Amex, Chase, Citi, or Capital One, so earn them the slow way: the Atmos shopping portal or the co-branded <a href="https://www.crazy4points.com/cards/bank-of-america-atmos-ascent">Atmos card</a>.</li><li>Timing nudge: the Atmos Ascent card is running an elevated welcome bonus of 70,000 points right now (up from 50,000, after $2,500 of spend). If you have been eyeing it, this is a good time to pull the trigger.</li><li>You can also buy points, but at about $35 per 1,000 the regular price stings. Wait for the up-to-100 percent buy bonus, which cuts that in half, and a short-haul lands around $99 all in, often better than a holiday cash fare.</li><li>Two catches: partner awards add a $20 per person each-way fee, and this works on nonstops. A connection can push you over 700 miles and out of the deal.</li></ul>

• Fly your college kid home for 4,500 points — My son is at The Ohio State University, and this is one of the ways I get him home. Any nonstop American flight under 700 miles books for just 4,500 points each way. Columbus Ohio to New York for Thanksgiving is right in the sweet spot. The honest catch: the space is moody. Some days coach is wide open, some days there is only first class, and some days there is no award availability. When it works, it's almost too good, the kind of deal you don't tell everyone about... oops.
• Hawaii island hopping, also 4,500 points — The same tiny price hops you between the Hawaiian islands, and this is the one that almost always has space. If you are holding Atmos points, it is the easy, reliable win.
• Caribbean weekenders from Miami — Short Miami hops like Nassau or Grand Cayman often fall under 700 miles too, so 4,500 points can land you on a beach.

Beyond flights & hotels: unforgettable experiences

Use your points and card perks for access you cannot otherwise book. Some are a fixed price; some are auctions where the winning bid can climb.

• SportsUnited MileagePlus ExclusivesClub Level Tickets: New York Giants vs DallasCurrent bid 52,000 miles · Sep 13 · Closes Sep 4Auction: you bid points and can be outbid, so the winning price can climb. Final sale.View details →
• CulinaryDelta SkyMiles ExperiencesDinner and Kitchen Tour at Per Se, New YorkCurrent bid 56,000 miles · Sep 24 · Closes Sep 3Auction: you bid points and can be outbid, so the winning price can climb. Final sale.View details →
• College FootballMarriott Bonvoy MomentsNotre Dame vs North Carolina: Tickets, Tailgate, and Field AccessCurrent bid 100,000 points · Oct 3 · Closes Sep 18Auction: you bid points and can be outbid, so the winning price can climb. Final sale.View this Moment →

Top sweepstakes to enter

Free to enter, big on upside. These are live right now, so get your entries in before they close.

• Eagles Perks (AAdvantage)Flyaway to London with the teamWin Flyaway to London with the team · Ends Sep 20Enter now →
• Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards)Alaska Airlines Skyfari Now Boarding SweepstakesWin 50,000 Atmos Rewards points (one winner per month) · Ends Dec 31Enter now →

See all live sweepstakes →

Live offers

Also happening

• Lounge Access ChangeChase Sapphire Lounges cut Priority Pass access on August 15, Reserve cardholders gain more pre-flight time.If you've been using an Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X Priority Pass to get into Chase Sapphire Lounges, that door closed August 15. Sapphire Reserve holders are unaffected and now get in up to 5 hours before departure, up from 3.
• New FeatureDelta Concierge, the in-app digital assistant, is now available to every SkyMiles member.Delta's in-app assistant, built to help you get support throughout your trip, has finished rolling out to 100 percent of SkyMiles members. It is a convenience rather than a points play, but a handy first stop in the app when a JFK or LGA trip needs sorting.

Elevated welcome bonuses

• The Business Platinum Card from American Express: 300,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 in 3 months
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business: 200,000 points after $30,000 in 6 months
• American Express Business Gold Card: 200,000 Membership Rewards points after $15,000 in 3 months
• Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card: up to 100,000 points after $1,000 in 3 months
• Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card: up to 100,000 points after $3,000 in 3 months
• American Express Gold Card: 100,000 Membership Rewards points after $8,000 in 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: 90,000 Delta SkyMiles after $4,000 in 6 months (Ends Nov 4)
• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard: 80,000 AAdvantage miles after $3,500 in 120 days
• Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: 80,000 Delta SkyMiles after $3,000 in 6 months (Ends Nov 4)
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card: up to 75,000 World of Hyatt points after $5,000 in 3 months

Jill's take