The Days of ‘Transfarency’ Are Over: Southwest to Add Bag Fees, Basic Fares, Dynamic Pricing by Tyler Glatt 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.
Southwest Guts Rapid Rewards Earning Rates on Wanna Get Away Fares Without Notice by Mark Jackson 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.
Big Changes Are Coming to the WestJet Rewards Program on April 30. Here’s What Matters. by Tyler Glatt 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.
Miles & More Devaluation: Dynamic Pricing and Partner Award Chart Changes Coming in June 2025 by JT Genter 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.
Capital One Re-Adds JetBlue As a Transfer Partner — But the Transfer Rate Disappoints by JT Genter 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.
Alaska Airlines Now Allows Mixed Partner Award Bookings — But With a Catch by Tyler Glatt 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.
JetBlue Now Selling Basic Economy Award Tickets — Here’s What It Means for Award Travelers by Mark Jackson 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.
Avianca LifeMiles Second Devaluation in Five Months: Award Prices Rise Up to 77% – Here’s What’s Changed by Tyler Glatt 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.
Iberia Plus Overhaul: New Revenue-Based Elite Status & Tier Changes Coming in April 2025 by Sam Helmy 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.
Aeroplan Adopting Dynamic Pricing for United and Other Select Partners — Here’s What To Know by Mark Jackson 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.
FoundersCard Drops Caesars Diamond, Adds Wynn Platinum — Here’s Why It’s a Downgrade for Vegas Travelers by Mark Jackson 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.
Goodbye 50k Business Class Awards to Europe: Flying Blue Raises Minimum Award Rates by Up to 25% by Tyler Glatt January 14, 2025 1 Every so often, you'll log into a frequent flyer program to book an award and find higher rates than you did yesterday -- despite no notice from the program. The example du jour is Air France/KLM Flying Blue. Based on what we're seeing now, the cheapest awards between the U.S. and Europe now require as much as 25% more miles. Here's what we know so far.
Choice Privileges Announces Major Changes for 2025: Longer Booking Window, Premium Room Options & More by Skye Class January 9, 2025 0 Choice Hotels is enhancing its Privileges rewards program in 2025, introducing a 50-week booking window for reward nights and expanding premium room options. Additionally, the return of RewardSaver will provide members with opportunities to book reward nights for as low as 6,000 points. Here are all the details.
Southwest Details Changes Coming to A-List Status: How Assigned Seats Will Work by Tyler Glatt December 17, 2024 1 Stop us if you've heard something similar already this year, but Southwest is planning on making significant changes to its operational model. From assigned seating to premium seating, a not-so-entirely-brand-new international partner airline, and more, there's a lot to unpack. Here's a full rundown, including new details shared this week.
Citi to Become Sole Issuer of AAdvantage Credit Cards: What This Means for Barclays Cardholders by Tyler Glatt December 5, 2024 0 The world's largest airline shared plans to make Citi the exclusive issuer of all of its AAdvantage® credit cards. Here's what's about to change with the suite of American Airlines credit cards — and what you need to know if you have (or are considering applying for) a Barclays-issued product.
American Airlines Officially Launches Dynamic Award Pricing on Fiji Airways by Tyler Glatt October 30, 2024 1 In early September 2024, AwardWallet caught that American Airlines was pricing Fiji Airways awards dynamically. At the time, American Airlines representatives told us that the airline was "testing award availability" and award prices shortly returned to normal. But now American Airlines has officially launched its dynamic award pricing on Fiji Airways. Here's what you need to know about these developments.
United MileagePlus 2025 Changes: Higher Elite Status Requirements and New PlusPoints Perks by Tyler Glatt October 29, 2024 0 Fall is upon us, the leaves are changing, and United is making MileagePlus program updates for 2025. There's a lot to unpack, so buckle up. Here's a recap of what's changing with the United MileagePlus program next year.
Virgin Australia Guts Its Velocity Frequent Flyer Program in a Host of Upcoming Changes by Sam Helmy October 18, 2024 0 Virgin Australia's Velocity Frequent Flyer program announced a massive number of changes to its loyalty program over the next year. Almost every change is negative and will gut the airline's loyalty program. So, what's changing? Let's take a look.
Alaska Adds New Ways to Earn Elite Status, Slash Benefits in Mileage Plan Program Overhaul by JT Genter October 16, 2024 0 Alaska just unveiled an overhaul to its Mileage Plan mileage program for 2025. While elite status tiers and requirements are staying intact, how you'll earn Mileage Plan elite status and the benefits of that status are all being overhauled. Buckle up. There are a bunch of changes to cover — both positive and negative.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club To Adopt Dynamic Pricing, Other Program Changes on October 30 by Sam Helmy September 30, 2024 1 Virgin Atlantic announced that awards will move to a dynamic pricing model. This seismic shift and several other changes will take effect on October 30, 2024. There is no hiding from the fact that the latest news is a disappointing devaluation. Here's what we know about the intended changes to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Delta Adds SAS Mileage Redemptions — But Only On Certain Routes by Tyler Glatt September 6, 2024 1 Earlier this week, Scandinavian Airlines (better known as SAS) changed jerseys, leaving Star Alliance to become a member of SkyTeam. One of the implications of a shift in alliance is new mileage redemption opportunities, which are now rolling out. Effective immediately, you can redeem Delta SkyMiles for intra-European SAS itineraries. Here's what we know about this brand-new SkyMiles redemption option.
Qatar Airways Devalues American and Alaska Short-Haul Awards, Raises Prices by up to 64% by Tyler Glatt August 14, 2024 0 Without any sort of heads-up, Qatar Airways just skyrocketed the pricing on its partner award chart. Effective immediately, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights up to 3,000 miles in distance now require up to 64% more Avios. Here's what you need to know about Qatar Airways' partner award chart devaluation.
Avianca Devalues LifeMiles Awards by up to 50%, Cuts Costs on Others by up to 25% by Tyler Glatt August 13, 2024 1 Few things in life are certain: death, taxes, and frequent flyer program devaluations. Earlier this morning, Avianca — without notice — increased the costs of LifeMiles award tickets by up to 50%. But that's not all. Avianca also re-valued some awards, making select itineraries up to 25% cheaper. Here's what we know so far.
Amex Overhauls the American Express® Gold Card, Launches Appealing New Offer by Tyler Glatt July 26, 2024 0 The American Express® Gold Card just underwent an overhaul, and no, we're not the least bit surprised. So, what's new with the Amex Gold? And does it still warrant a spot in your wallet? Let's take a look.
British Airways Hikes American and Alaska Short-Haul Award Rates by up to 56% by Tyler Glatt July 4, 2024 2 Apparently, British Airways didn't go far enough when it devalued American and Alaska Airlines awards last December. British Airways took another hack at short-haul awards — and the results are gruesome. Here's what you need to know about the latest no-notice British Airways devaluation, plus what you can expect to pay the next time you redeem Avios for an AA or Alaska award ticket.
Delta One Awards to Europe Require up to 55% More Virgin Points, Over $1,000 in Fees by Tyler Glatt July 3, 2024 0 The all-in cost to fly to and from Europe in lie-flat Delta business class using Virgin points is now immensely higher than it was yesterday. It's Virgin Atlantic Flying Club's latest negative change. Here's what you need to know.
Choice Privileges Devalues Program, Pricing Nights Higher Than Ever Before by Tyler Glatt and JT Genter June 20, 2024 0 The Choice Privileges program became a little less valuable today — or whenever it began ignoring its stated points cap on award nights. Choice seems to have devalued its program without notice. Consequently, prices for a free night have already begun creeping upwards. Here's what you need to know about the Choice Privileges devaluation and why this one stings a little more than most.
Virgin Flying Club Just Devalued ANA Premium Cabin Awards (Again!) by JT Genter May 23, 2024 1 Effective immediately, one of the best sweet spots in points and miles just lost some of its shine. Without notice, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club just raised the award rates for flying ANA business class. Here's what you need to know about this latest devaluation, and why Virgin Flying Club might still be the best option.
United Skyrockets Business Class Partner Award Pricing by up to 200% by Tyler Glatt May 1, 2024 1 After sending partner first-class awards skyrocketing just last week, United Airlines has once again taken aim at partner award pricing. Effective immediately, you'll need to redeem a lot more MileagePlus miles for premium-cabin intra-European, intra-African, and intra-Asia award flights. Here's what you need to know about United Airlines' latest no-notice devaluation.
Ramp Rewards Launches New Transferable Points Program by JT Genter April 26, 2024 1 Last week, AwardWallet broke the news that Ramp seemed to be on the verge of launching a transferable points program. And sure enough, Ramp just soft-launched a new option to transfer rewards to 10 different airline and hotel transfer partners. Here's what we know so far about this new transferable points program.
