Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Wednesday!

Today we have Emirates First Class, a major Miami Beach hotel rebrand, and a very good Tokyo hotel offer.

Here's what's inside today's post:

I can only laugh thinking about this.

A few days ago I was flying back home to Córdoba on Copa Airlines business class. And Dan and Oskar were flying Emirates A380 First Class from Dubai to Auckland.

So yes, I am feeling a little jealous. But in a healthy way.

This is one of those aviation experiences I really hope to try one day. Emirates First Class is already one of the most iconic products in the world, but this flight is extra special because it is the longest first class flight in the world and the longest A380 flight in the world.

Dubai to Auckland is around 17 hours onboard. That means a private suite, shower spa, onboard bar, bed, pajamas, Bulgari amenity kit, and plenty of time to enjoy all of it.

That is the key difference compared to shorter first class flights. A lot of the time, first class is incredible but too brief. You board, eat, try to sleep, and suddenly it is almost over. On this flight, there is no rush. You can have a full meal (you can actually have more than one), walk to the bar, shower, sleep, eat again, and still have hours left.

Dan starts the experience in Dubai with Emirates First Class check-in, Arabic coffee and dates, and then heads to the Emirates First Class Lounge. This is not a normal lounge. It takes up an entire terminal floor, with restaurants, spa treatments, showers, a cigar bar, duty-free shopping, and direct boarding from inside.

Then comes the flight.

The Emirates A380 First Class cabin is still one of the most over-the-top experiences in commercial aviation. Not subtle, but that is kind of the point. Fourteen suites, three lavatories for first class passengers, two shower suites, and a dedicated shower attendant keeping everything spotless.

What I like about the video is that Dan does not just say "look how fancy this is." He also talks honestly about whether longer is always better. His conclusion is interesting: yes, this was incredible, but the sweet spot for Emirates First Class might actually be a shorter flight where you get most of the same experience without the pressure of trying to sleep for 17 hours.

Still, if you love aviation, this video is worth watching. It is Emirates at its most Emirates: showers, cake, pajamas, the onboard bar, and a flight so long it becomes an entire event. Go dream, watch it.

Now for a big hotel update.

W South Beach is leaving Marriott and closing for renovations in August 2026. The property is expected to reopen in late 2027 as Waldorf Astoria Miami Beach.

I find this one truly exciting!

W South Beach has always had a very specific personality: trendy, social, nightlife-adjacent, very much part of the W brand identity. Waldorf Astoria is different. More classic, more luxury-focused, and more polished in tone. So this is not just a name change. It is a full repositioning.

The interesting question is what they do with the South Beach energy. As someone who deeply knows that place, the vibe is all but Waldorf Astoria to be honest. Do they keep some of it? Do they make the property more elegant and residential? Do they completely soften the W-style design into something calmer and more refined?

Hotel rebrands can go in very different directions. The former Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas became Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. The former Trump International Hotel Washington D.C. became Waldorf Astoria Washington DC before being repositioned again as Salamander Washington DC. In New York, the original Waldorf Astoria itself went through a huge multi-year restoration before reopening refreshed.

This Miami Beach change feels like part of a larger trend: luxury hotel groups taking well-known assets and moving them into more premium, more timeless brands. For South Beach, that could be a very good thing. The area already has plenty of scene-driven hotels. A proper Waldorf Astoria on Collins Avenue could give it something more classic and high-end.

Let's see how they execute it.

The Peninsula Tokyo has an incredible deal.

The hotel has a Complimentary Third Night offer available for stays through September 30, 2026. Book two nights and receive the third night complimentary.

The Peninsula Tokyo is in one of the best locations in the city, right by Hibiya and close to Ginza, the Imperial Palace gardens, Marunouchi, and Tokyo Station. Very polished service, and rooms that are significantly larger than most Tokyo hotels.

An example rate:

Deluxe Room, 1 King, City View 3-night stay in August Total: around $2,190 including taxes and fees Third night: $0 Cancellation: refundable until one day before arrival. That comes to $730 a night, not bad for an expensive city as Tokyo.

The room is 54 square meters, which is very spacious by Tokyo standards. Dressing room, dining table, marble bathroom, separate shower, TV over the bathtub, and Peninsula's high-tech room controls.

Booking through PenClub adds even more value:

There is a very interesting benefit, which is Peninsula Time. This can allow check-in as early as 6:00 AM and checkout as late as 10:00 PM, provided you share arrival and departure details in advance and your dates are not blacked out.

That is incredibly valuable in Tokyo, especially if you land early or depart late at night. A third night free, breakfast, credit, and flexible timing is a very strong combination for this city.

That is it for today! More deals and news coming your way on Friday.

Catch you in the clouds, 

Tomi from Points Master