Category: News

Alaska Mileage Plan No-Notice Devaluation of Japan Airlines Awards

March 17, 2023 3

This week, Alaska Mileage Plan made unannounced changes to the mileage rates for awards on Japan Airlines. Award rates have now increased by as much as 100% than before. However, there's still some value to be found in this partnership. Here's a rundown of the changes — and the few award options that haven't been devaluation (yet).

JT Genter

Virgin Atlantic Adds Intra-Caribbean Awards, New Peak and Standard Dates

March 14, 2023 0

Virgin Atlantic announced new Standard and Peak reward dates, with the new calendar additions go all the way through September 2024. In addition, Virgin has also announced new Intra-Caribbean awards with their own pricing and Standard/Peak dates.

Sam Helmy

Accor Live Limitless & ITA Airways Volare Launch New Points Transfer Partnership

March 13, 2023 0

Accor ALL and ITA Airways Volare launched a new partnership allowing two-way point transfers between programs. Accor points transfer at a ratio of 4,000 to 5,000 while ITA Volare transfer at a ratio of 4,000 to 1,000 Accor All points. Here's where these transfers might make sense.

Sam Helmy

Brex Makes No-Notice Devaluation to Cash Redemptions, Airline Point Transfers

March 11, 2023 5

Effective immediately and without notice, Brex devalued cash (and crypto) redemptions by 40% and slashed transfer rates to airline partners by over 40%. For now, accountholders can still get 1 cent per point in value from a couple redemption options. However, future cuts could be coming to the value of Brex Rewards. Here's a breakdown of today's changes.

JT Genter

Marriott Eliminates 10% Bonus on Point Transfers to United, Boosts Bonus on 60k-Point Transfers

March 8, 2023 0

For years, Marriott Bonvoy offered a standing 10% bonus on all point transfers to United MileagePlus. In an unannounced change today, Marriott quietly killed off this transfer bonus. In its place, Marriott is offering a larger bonus on transfers of at least 60,000 Bonvoy points. These changes certainly create winners and losers. Here's a breakdown of the changes.

JT Genter

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club No-Notice Devaluation of ANA First Class Awards

March 7, 2023 3

Bad news award travelers: One of the best sweet spots in the points and miles ecosystem just got devalued. Effective immediately, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is charging up to 42% more points for ANA first-class awards. Yet, somehow Flying Club might still be the best option for booking these awards. Here's a full breakdown of the changes — and the silver lining in the dark clouds.

JT Genter

Marriott Ending Bonvoy Points Advance Option on March 28th

March 2, 2023 1

Marriott is retiring a feature of the hotel chain's Bonvoy program. Effective March 28th, Bonvoy members will no longer have the option to book a Points Advance reservation if they do not have enough points in their account to cover a future stay. Here is what Bonvoy members should know about the end of Points Advance.

Max Prosperi

Virgin Atlantic Joins SkyTeam; New Redemption Options Already Bookable

March 2, 2023 2

Virgin Atlantic joined the SkyTeam airline alliance today, March 2, 2023. Effective immediately, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members can earn Virgin points on 14 new partner airlines - and redeem Virgin points on 13 additional airlines. Here are the new redemption rates and the latest details on Virgin Atlantic joining SkyTeam, from lounge access to reciprocal elite perks.

Sam Helmy

Book Sweet Spots Now: Etihad Guest Announces Award Chart Overhaul

February 20, 2023 2

Buckle up because Etihad Guest is eliminating its current award charts and introducing a new “simplified redemption rate” award chart. That will likely eliminate many of our favorite sweet spots in this quirky program. From business class to Europe or Africa for 44,000 miles to business class to Asia for 54,000 miles each way, here are the sweet spots to book now - and how to gather the Etihad Guest miles to book them.

Jerod Morales

EL AL and Etihad Reciprocal Mileage Earning and Redemption Rates

May 15, 2023 2

EL AL and Etihad built on their codeshare agreement by announcing reciprocal earning and redemption options on each other flights. Etihad Guest mileage earnings for EL AL flights started February 13, 2023. However, Etihad Guest members needed to wait until Etihad completed its program overhaul to start booking awards. And that happened this week.

Sam Helmy

Marriott Devalues Points Earnings, Elite Nights Credits at Protea Hotels

February 11, 2023 0

Marriott recently announced some bad news to Bonvoy Members looking for hotels to stay at in Africa. As of March 1, 2023, Marriott Bonvoy members will only earn 5X points at Protea Hotels and 1 Elite Night Credit for every 2 nights stayed. Here are the details on this change.

Skye Class

Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Partners With GOL Airlines

February 10, 2023 0

Turkish Airlines and GOL have announced a new partnership letting you earn miles when you fly on each other's flights. The new partnership lets you earn up to 150% of miles flown. However, so far, neither mileage program is offering the option to redeem your miles for award flights.

Sam Helmy

Delta and Hertz Improve Partnership With a Status Match & Enhanced Mileage Earning

January 1, 2025 0

Delta recently announced an improvement to its relationship with Hertz. Now, Delta Medallion members earn enhanced bonus points per dollar spent with Hertz. Also, members can status match their Medallion status for either Hertz President’s Circle or Five Star status. Here's how.

Sam Helmy

Aegean Miles + Bonus Makes It Harder to Qualify, Retain Elite Status

November 25, 2023 3

One of the easiest ways to get Star Alliance Gold elite status is about to get much harder — unless you fly Aegean. Aegean updated its Miles + Bonus terms and conditions to increase the requirements to earn and retain elite status when you only fly partner airlines. Here are the updated requirements as of June 1, 2023.

Sam Helmy

British Airways Slashes Fees to Share Avios With Another Member

February 7, 2023 0

British Airways recently slashed the fees associated with sharing Avios with another member by up to 90%. Instead of potentially paying hundreds of dollars, you'll now pay a flat fee for transferring up to 27,000 Avios. However, you can still avoid these transfer fees entirely. Here are the tricks on how to do so.

Max Prosperi

American Express Drops Centurion Lounge Guest Access for Platinum Cardholders

February 1, 2023 42

Centurion Lounge guest access for the American Express Platinum Card® cardholders is set to change. Effective February 2023, Platinum Card® cardholders now have to pay to bring non-cardholders with them into Centurion Lounges.

Max Prosperi

Wyndham and Marathon, ARCO Cut Ties. Last Chance to Earn and Redeem Wyndham Points.

January 20, 2023 1

For a limited time, travelers are able to both earn and redeem Wyndham Rewards points at U.S. Marathon and ARCO gas stations. But that's coming to an end soon. You will no longer be able to earn Wyndham Rewards points on gas purchases after January 31, 2023. And you can only redeem Wyndham Rewards points for purchases through March 14, 2023.

Sam Helmy

Point.Me Now Supports Bilt Rewards Transfer Partners

January 19, 2023 0

Point.me is already our favorite way to search for award flight availability. And now Point.me just got even more useful for Bilt Rewards members. Starting today, Bilt Rewards airline transfer options now appear in Point.me search results. Here's how this new addition makes Point.me even better.

JT Genter