The Only Airline That’s Still Blocking Middle Seats by Patrick Stouffer February 8, 2021 110 Since the start of the pandemic, some airlines adopted policies limiting the number of passengers allowed onboard—including blocking middle seats. Unfortunately, all but one of these airlines have rolled back these policies since the beginning of December. To help you keep track, we've compiled all of the airlines that ever blocked middle seats and the current timelines for when this flyer-friendly policy will end.
Earn Bonus Miles For Commenting by Erik Paquet September 25, 2023 395 Interested in earning some AAdvantage® miles for free? Leave a comment on any blog post for an opportunity to earn a few miles. While it won't be enough for a free flight, it's an easy way to keep your account active and keep your miles from expiring.
Delta Eliminates Change Fees on Certain International Flights, Extends No-Fee Booking Window by Patrick Stouffer December 10, 2020 14 In September, Delta eliminated change fees for most domestic itineraries. Now, the airline has taken that one step further, removing change and redeposit fees on international bookings originating in North America! Better still, Delta is extending its generous no-change-fee booking window through early 2021.
Hyatt Credit Card Changes: Phase Out of Legacy Card, Change to Earning Free Night Awards by Patrick Stouffer November 26, 2020 27 Hyatt has announced a string of new promotions and card updates, so we've rounded them all up in one place for you. Hyatt cardholders can earn bonus points at Amazon and at grocery stores this holiday season. Plus, legacy Hyatt Card holders have the opportunity to earn a free night by the end of the year. Hyatt is also adjusting how cardholders earn Free Night Awards in 2021. And, remaining legacy Hyatt Cards are being phased out in January 2021.
American Airlines Eliminates AAdvantage Award Fees, Extends Mileage Expiration Pause by JT Genter November 10, 2020 98 American Airlines just announced three positive changes to its AAdvantage program. Effective November 11, 2020, AA is eliminating all award reservation fees and eliminating all fees for canceling awards and redepositing miles. Plus, AA is extending the pause on mileage expiration through June 30, 2021. Here's what you need to know about these changes.
Marriott Extends Free Night Awards Another 6 Months, Extends Points Expiration Pause by Patrick Stouffer October 26, 2020 12 Marriott just announced another extension to Bonvoy Free Night Awards. Any certificates that were originally scheduled to expire in 2020 or anytime before July 31, 2021 have been extended by 6 months. Now, members have until August 1, 2021 to use their rewards. Even better, Marriott is also pausing points expirations until August 1, 2021 as well.
New Amex Gold Cardholders Are No Longer Eligible for the $100 Airline Fee Credit by Patrick Stouffer October 23, 2020 19 One of Amex's go-to benefits for justifying high(er) annual fees is the Airline Fee Credit. This credit reimburses cardmembers for making eligible purchases with their airline of choice every year. However, for the Amex Gold, this benefit is in its last years. Starting in January 2022, Amex will no longer offer the annual $100 Airline Fee Credit to Amex Gold cardholders that signed up before February 4, 2021. What's next for this card?
Why Now is a Great Time to Book a Dream Trip to French Polynesia by Patrick Stouffer October 15, 2020 18 While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make traveling difficult, one dream destination has already re-opened its borders to all travelers. If you've ever heard of Tahiti, Bora Bora, of French Polynesia, chances are you've dreamed of vacationing there. Thanks to significant safety precautions and generous award availability, now could be the perfect time to make that dream a reality. We will show you how to do so in this post.
Hyatt Postpones Program Updates, Tweaks Hotel Award Categories, Extends Point and Award Validity by Patrick Stouffer October 8, 2020 10 Hyatt just announced even more program updates. Thankfully, most of them are positive for World of Hyatt members. First, Hyatt further paused point expirations and further extended all Free Night, Club Lounge, and Suite Night Awards. Second, Hyatt postponed the introduction of peak/off-peak award pricing (again) and will only make changes to award pricing at 16 properties between now and 2022.
American Airlines Just Improved Basic Economy Fares for Elites and Non-Elites by JT Genter October 1, 2020 20 As part of announcing the elimination of change fees, American Airlines teased improvements to basic economy fares. Starting "this fall", elite members would get upgrade privileges, extra-legroom seats, and even same-day flight changes. Without fanfare, these changes took effect overnight. Here's what you need to know about the changes to American Airlines basic economy.
Delta Removes Change Fees From Some Awards, Extends Card Benefits and Lounge Memberships by Patrick Stouffer September 24, 2020 10 Delta just announced several major SkyMiles program updates. And, that good news is it's all positive. The airline is extending Sky Club memberships, Medallion status perks, and co-branded credit card benefits. In addition, Delta is permanently slashing fees and restrictions on many domestic award tickets. But, unfortunately, there are some notable exclusions.
American Airlines Extends Award Change and Cancellation Fee Waiver by JT Genter August 10, 2020 61 Good news AAdvantage® members! American Airlines just adjusted its award cancellation policy for the better. Now, members can cancel and refund award flights booked by December 31, 2020 without fees. Here's what you need to know about this policy change.
AA Simplifies Online Award Cancellations, Expands Automatic Mileage Refunds by Patrick Stouffer July 25, 2020 51 American Airlines has updated its cancellation policy to offer automatic mileage refunds for more award bookings. Getting your miles back may no longer require a phone call! Has AA made the painful process of canceling an award booking any easier? We're walking you through the process to find out.
ANA Slashes Surcharges, Drastically Reducing Out-Of-Pocket Costs on Award Tickets by Patrick Stouffer June 12, 2020 23 All Nippon Airways (ANA) has drastically lowered the surcharges imposed on tickets to and from Japan and several other regions. While this won't necessarily make cash flights to Japan cheaper, it significantly reduces the out-of-pocket costs on award tickets. That makes already lucrative award bookings even better!
Emirates Skywards Slashes Award Fees by Over 90% by Patrick Stouffer May 26, 2020 24 Emirates offers some of the best onboard products in the sky. But booking these aspirational seats can be expensive—even on award redemptions. Perhaps not anymore. Recent searches on Emirates' site are displaying a massive drop in carrier surcharges across the board. We are seeing some cuts to out-of-pocket costs as great as 90%!
IHG Rewards Extends Elite Status and Free Night Certificates by Michelle Molloy May 2, 2020 28 IHG Rewards Club members should be pleased to hear that IHG is extending elite status for elite members through January 2022. Plus, IHG has reduced elite status requirements, extended Ambassador membership, extended free night certificates, and more.
American Airlines Adds Automatic Mileage Refunds on Certain Award Cancellations by Patrick Stouffer April 26, 2020 34 Canceling an award trip is not something that anybody enjoys doing, especially when the process can be challenging and complicated. American Airlines seems to have recognized this and has recently made the process of canceling (some) award trips much simpler—now no longer requiring a phone call.
[Expired] Chase Automatically Extending Sign-Up Bonus Spending Period for Some Cardholders by Michelle Molloy April 25, 2020 13 There isn't a lot of great news in the travel world these days but Chase has some for new cardholders. Following the lead of American Express, Chase is extending the deadline to meet the spending requirements for new cardholders approved earlier this year.
American Airlines Increases Checked Baggage Fees in the Midst of COVID-19 by JT Genter April 21, 2020 41 Less than a week after announcing $5.8 billion in emergency aid from the U.S. Treasury, American Airlines has increased bag fees by $15 each way on certain routes. The change is effective immediately for new tickets issued as of April 21, 2020.
Marriott Extends Elite Status, Further Extends Points Expiration by Michelle Molloy April 10, 2020 18 Marriott is back with more changes to its policies due to COVID-19. Following in the footsteps of many other hotel brands, it's extended elite status for all current elites. Plus, you won't have to worry about your points expiring anytime soon.
Marriott (Finally) Giving Travelers the Option to See All-In Price by Michelle Molloy April 8, 2020 21 Marriott customers have long been frustrated that the price shown in search results can jump 10%, 20%, or more on the final booking page when all taxes and fees are included. In a win for transparency, Marriott has added a new option to see rates that include all taxes and fees in search results. Here's how to select this option.
Marriott Extends Flexibility for Reservations, Pauses Points Expiration, Extends Benefits by Michelle Molloy April 6, 2020 28 The big travel brands are issuing policy updates every week or so these days. While most updates apply to all travelers and loyalty program members, Marriott is a good news/bad news story. Marriott extends flexibility for new and existing reservations. However, the benefits available to Bonvoy members vary depending on where you live.
Hilton Extends Elite Status, Suspends Points Expiration Due to COVID-19 by Ross Denkin October 29, 2023 32 Hilton is continuing to do the right thing for its customers. Hilton recently extended the terms of free weekend night certificates. Now, Hilton has announced even greater flexibility for Hilton Honors members in three categories: status, points, and reservations.
(Expired) Choice Hotels Suspends Points Expiration, Provides Flexible Cancellation Policies by Michelle Molloy March 28, 2020 16 COVID-19 continues to create chaos in the travel world. To help, Choice Hotels is offering travelers flexible cancelation policies—both for existing and new reservations—and pausing points expiration. However, there's no word yet on how the hotel loyalty program will adjust elite status for 2020.
Hyatt Suspends Points Expiration, Delays Peak Award Pricing, Provides Cancellation Options by Michelle Molloy March 21, 2020 31 Hyatt is rolling out policy changes that can help with existing travel plans and provide flexibility around future reservations. Peak and off-peak pricing is postponed, most category changes are on hold, and some World of Hyatt elites are getting a status extension.
U.S. Airlines Temporarily Improve Change Fees Due to COVID-19 by Skye Class March 5, 2020 81 As the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) spreads, several U.S. airlines have improved their change and cancelation policies to accommodate travel arrangements impacted by the virus.
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