Tag: Major Updates

Bad News: Amex to Devalue the 35% Pay With Points Rebate This Fall

June 18, 2025 0

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express' 35% Pay with Points rebate for business and first-class flights booked with Amex Membership Rewards is set to change (read: be devalued) on September 18, 2025. Here's what Card Members need to know.

Cameron Laufer

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Is Getting a Major Overhaul — Here’s What You’ll Get (and Lose)

January 14, 2026 9

The gauntlet’s been thrown. Details about the all-new Chase Sapphire Reserve® are out, and Chase is making a play for the best — and most expensive — premium rewards card on the market. There’s a lot to unpack, so let's get into what’s new with the Sapphire Reserve.

Tyler Glatt

Reviewed byJT Genter

Hilton Honors Increases Standard Award Points Limit to 200,000 Points Per Night

June 5, 2025 0

Hilton Honors has raised top-tier award rates for its properties from 95,000 points just a few years ago all the way up to 200,000 points with the latest round. While many properties are truly aspirational, the news is never great to hear with no notice as you save up for that dream redemption.

Mark Jackson

Capital One Lounge Access Is Changing for Guests and Authorized Users — Here’s How and When

February 17, 2026 6

It’s no surprise to some, but it’s finally happening: guest access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges with the Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business is changing. Here’s what you need to know — and when these negative changes take effect.

Tyler Glatt

Mileage Redemptions and Perks Coming as United and JetBlue Announce New Partnership

May 29, 2025 0

United and JetBlue have officially announced their new “Blue Sky” partnership, with mileage redemptions and reciprocal elite perks expected to roll out later this year. Here’s what to know about the new partnership, including when you’ll be able to earn and redeem miles across both airlines and enjoy elite benefits when flying either carrier.

Tyler Glatt

Iberia Rolls Out New Awards Charts, Increasing Premium Cabin Redemptions by up to 19%

May 28, 2025 0

Iberia has rolled out new award charts, replacing its old redemption tables and raising prices on several routes. Business class flights between the U.S. and Spain now cost more, while some economy awards are slightly cheaper. If you’re booking with Avios, here’s what to know about the updated pricing.

Cameron Laufer

Goodbye [CC_AW_ShortName slug=CitiRewardsPlus], Hello [CC_CardName slug=CitiStrata] — Here’s What That Means for You

May 26, 2025 0

The Citi Rewards+® Card is out, and the Citi Strata℠ Card is in. Beyond the new name and a fresh coat of paint (literally), this no-annual-fee card is getting a major overhaul. And many of the changes are kicking in on July 20, 2025. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing

Tyler Glatt

United Cutting Excursionist Perk, Revamping Upgrades in MileagePlus Shake-Up

May 22, 2025 1

United Airlines is cutting several MileagePlus perks this summer and fall — including the Excursionist Perk, instant upgrades on full-fare tickets, and the award upgrade chart. If you're a frequent flyer or savvy award traveler, these changes could impact your strategy. Here's a full breakdown of what’s going away, when each change takes effect, and what you can still do to lock in value before the deadlines.

Cameron Laufer

Flying Blue Slashes Award Rates on 2026 Delta Flights — Save Up to 33% on Redemptions

May 15, 2025 0

Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France/KLM, appears to have lowered award prices for Delta flights in 2026. We outline some examples and why you should take a look at this great deal.

Cameron Laufer

Spirit Airlines Is Upgrading the Guest Experience With New Loyalty Perks, Extra-Legroom Seats, and More

May 13, 2025 1

Spirit Airlines is reinvesting in the guest experience in a meaningful way, and brand-new benefits roll out starting as soon as Wednesday, May 13, 2025. Whether you're a frequent Spirit traveler or just book the airline when the price is right, the revamped Free Spirit program is worth a closer look. We’ll walk you through all the updates, introduce the new benefits, and give you a preview of what’s coming to the onboard experience.

Tyler Glatt

Qantas Unveils New Award Charts Taking Effect August 5 — Here’s What to Book Now

April 21, 2025 0

Qantas Frequent Flyer announced a series of program enhancements, including new benefits and a shakeup to the number of points required for Classic Flight Rewards — for flights operated by Qantas, Jetstar, and several partners, including Emirates. Here's a quick overview of these changes.

Tyler Glatt & JT Genter

Hyatt Guest of Honor Awards: How To Earn and Easily Redeem This Valuable Perk

April 18, 2025 4

One of the major benefits of Hyatt Globalist elite status is the Guest of Honor benefit. On these bookings, Hyatt Globalists can book stays for other members, granting them all of the perks of Hyatt's top-tier elite status. These awards are single-use and you can earn them through Milestone Rewards — including prior to reaching Globalist status. Here's how to earn and use the benefit.

JT Genter & Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

ANA to Introduce One-Way Award Bookings, but Hike the Cost of High Season Tickets and Axe Round the Worlds

April 8, 2025 1

In just over two months, ANA Mileage Club will roll out three rather big changes. Starting June 24, 2025, the Tokyo-based airline will begin allowing one-way award bookings — but it will also increase the number of miles required for several awards and completely axe Round the World award tickets. Here are the details.

Tyler Glatt

Loganair Switches to Avios With New Logan Loyalty Program — And It’s a Big Win for Travelers

March 31, 2025 0

Loganair just overhauled its loyalty program, switching to Avios as its program currency effective today, March 31, 2025. As part of the change, the Loganair program is rebranded Logan Loyalty and Clan Points have been converted to Avios. This program overhaul also opens a new best use of Avios on niche but expensive Loganair flights.

Sam Helmy & JT Genter

Air Canada Aeroplan’s New Dynamic Partner Award Pricing Is Live: Higher Prices, Fewer Sweet Spots

March 27, 2025 0

Air Canada just ditched its fixed award charts for flying on partners such as United Airlines and Etihad. The new dynamic award pricing represents a significant devaluation of Aeroplan points and will cost travelers more when looking to book award flights with Air Canada. Here's the new pricing we're seeing.

Cameron Laufer

Southwest Launches Variable Award Pricing — And It’s (Mostly) Bad News for Points Value

March 27, 2025 4

Southwest just rolled out variable pricing on award flights, ending years of predictable Rapid Rewards value. Here's how it works — and how much more you might pay for the same awards than before.

Cameron Laufer

MGM Rewards Adds Milestone Perks, Marriott Status Matches, and Cruise Upgrades

March 26, 2025 0

MGM Rewards continues to tweak its loyalty program, rewarding mid- and top-tier members more for their on-property spending and gambling. In addition, the program deepens its partnership with Royal Caribbean and Marriott Bonvoy with this recent announcement.

Mark Jackson

United Overhauls Card Portfolio to Add Perks, Increase Annual Fees

March 24, 2025 3

Chase and United have decided to take a page out of the American Express playbook with a massive overhaul of the United card portfolio, adding a long list of new statement credits and perks in exchange for higher fees. Here's a breakdown of the changes.

JT Genter

Cathay Pacific Unveils Award Chart Changes: Book These Awards Before April 15, 2025

March 22, 2025 0

Award devaluations are never fun for points and miles enthusiasts. Asia Miles has decided to make some changes to awards on its own flights, with premium cabins flying from the U.S. most negatively affected. Flyers within Asia in economy might cheer the news. See what all the changes are in our post.

Mark Jackson

The Days of 'Transfarency' Are Over: Southwest to Add Bag Fees, Basic Fares, Dynamic Pricing

June 1, 2025 11

Southwest once spent millions promoting "Transfarency" — boasting no hidden fees and free checked bags. But those days are over. The webpage that once touted these values now returns an "Error 404" — a fitting metaphor as checked bag fees, basic economy, and changes to dynamic award pricing are on the way. Here's a recap of what's changing with Southwest.

Tyler Glatt

Reviewed byJT Genter

Southwest Guts Rapid Rewards Earning Rates on Wanna Get Away Fares Without Notice

March 5, 2025 1

Southwest Airlines has been a customer-focused airline for the entirety of its existence. Now, with new management in place, we've seen a devaluation of points earning on many of its fares put into place overnight.

Mark Jackson

Big Changes Are Coming to the WestJet Rewards Program on April 30. Here’s What Matters.

May 3, 2025 0

On April 30, 2025, Canada's second-biggest airline will implement what it's calling "the most significant improvement to WestJet Rewards in the program's 15-year history." But should you care about these coming WestJet Rewards changes? Let's take a look.

Tyler Glatt

Miles & More Devaluation: Dynamic Pricing and Partner Award Chart Changes Coming in June 2025

June 4, 2025 0

Miles & More just announced "exciting changes" this morning -- which will likely decrease the value of Miles & More miles. As of June 3, 2025, the Miles & More program will adopt dynamic award pricing for awards on Lufthansa Group airlines, adjust its award chart for partner flights, and eliminate its Mileage Bargains program. Here's what to know about these Miles & More program changes.

JT Genter

Capital One Re-Adds JetBlue As a Transfer Partner — But the Transfer Rate Disappoints

February 18, 2025 0

Capital One and JetBlue have had a long and complicated relationship. The card issuer and airline have had an on-again-off-again relationship for years. And as of today, they're getting back together: Capital One just (re)launched JetBlue as its 18th transfer partner. However, this new addition has a major drawback: the transfer ratio.

JT Genter

Alaska Airlines Now Allows Mixed Partner Award Bookings — But With a Catch

February 17, 2025 2

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles can take you pretty far — and for pretty good value, too. But something you couldn't do with Alaska miles has been to use them to book a single award on multiple airlines. Until now. You can now book one Mileage Plan award ticket and fly two partner airlines, but with a few limitations. Here are the details.

Tyler Glatt

JetBlue Now Selling Basic Economy Award Tickets — Here's What It Means for Award Travelers

February 16, 2025 0

JetBlue becomes the second U.S. airline after Delta to sell a basic economy award ticket to its members. So far, this has meant even cheaper JetBlue TrueBlue award pricing, but we're concerned what it might mean for the future.

Mark Jackson

Avianca LifeMiles Second Devaluation in Five Months: Award Prices Rise Up to 77% – Here’s What’s Changed

February 14, 2025 0

The Avianca LifeMiles program has devalued for the second time in five months. But is the damage really that bad? Here's a look at the new award prices we're seeing and our take on whether or not it's worth continuing to participate in the LifeMiles program.

Tyler Glatt

Iberia Plus Overhaul: New Revenue-Based Elite Status & Tier Changes Coming in April 2025

February 13, 2025 0

Iberia Plus has announced a slew of changes to its program that will take effect on April 1, 2025. The changes are wide-ranging and include a name change, new status levels, and status qualification, which will now be revenue-based.

Sam Helmy

Aeroplan Adopting Dynamic Pricing for United and Other Select Partners — Here’s What To Know

March 29, 2025 0

On March 25, 2025, Aeroplan will make award chart changes, including shifting select partners like United and Etihad to dynamic pricing. Here’s what we know about the updates — and why now might be the best time to lock in awards at current rates.

Mark Jackson

FoundersCard Drops Caesars Diamond, Adds Wynn Platinum — Here's Why It's a Downgrade for Vegas Travelers

February 5, 2025 7

FoundersCard no longer offers Caesars Diamond status, which spells the end of a perk that allowed for heavily discounted Las Vegas stays. Instead, members now get Wynn Platinum status — but with key restrictions, like resort fees and stay requirements. Here’s what’s changing and what you need to know about maximizing the new benefits.

Mark Jackson

Reviewed byTyler Glatt