Can TAP Portugal Access More United Awards than United’s Own Members? by Joe Petrovic February 9, 2022 0 AwardWallet's Award Travel 101 group seems to have uncovered a unique way to unlock United business class award space: the TAP Miles&Go program. Here's how you can maximize this to fly to Hawaii for much cheaper than booking through United's MileagePlus program.
Bilt Rewards Adds In-App, Real-Time Flight Award Search Feature by Ryan Smith January 22, 2022 4 The Bilt Rewards app now offers an in-app, real-time flight award search feature. This is innovative and extremely useful. Other transferrable points currencies require you to go to the airline's loyalty program, search there, come back to transfer your points, then back to the airline to make a booking. However, this only works on two airlines right now. Here's a look at this innovative feature.
Chase Offers New PayPal Cash Out Option to Ink Cardholders (0.8¢ Per Point) by Ryan Smith January 18, 2022 2 Chase sent an email to Ink cardholders saying that the bank now offers the ability to cash out points to PayPal. However, the rate is only 0.8¢ per point on your Ultimate Rewards. Here are the details of this new redemption option and why you shouldn’t utilize it.
You Can Now Redeem Alaska Miles for Royal Air Maroc Award Flights Online by Ryan Smith January 16, 2022 2 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can now redeem their miles for Royal Air Maroc award flights via the Alaska website. This is another step forward for Alaska as a new Oneworld member, expanding what you can do with your miles. Here are the details on these redemptions, including pricing and important rules to know.
Last Chance to Book Marriott Bonvoy Hotel + Air Packages by Ryan Smith January 15, 2022 2 In an unannounced changed to its terms & conditions, Marriott is eliminating air & hotel packages next week. The effective end date is Wednesday, January 19, 2022. Here’s what you need to know about this change.
Beware of Singapore Airlines ‘Use It or Lose It’ Promo Awards by Ryan Smith December 31, 2021 2 Singapore Airlines is typically known for its low change and cancellation fees on award tickets. That's why we were surprised to see that Singapore has rolled out "promo" awards that don't allow changes, cancellations, stopovers, cabin upgrades, etc. The only benefit: the award price is cheaper. Here's what you need to know before you consider booking Singapore Airlines promo awards.
Hilton Finally Adds Ability to See Free Night Certificates Online by Toni Southam December 30, 2021 9 Historically, Hilton has made it relatively hard for its members to see and redeem their free night certificates. Hilton has now made it easier to view the awards and their expiration dates. Members can also view past certificates, as well as expiration dates. Unfortunately, you'll still have to call in to redeem your free night.
Asia Miles Debuts New ‘Miles Plus Cash’ Booking Option by Patrick Stouffer November 19, 2021 6 Asia Miles recently did away with Choice and Tailored awards while adding a new Miles Plus Cash booking option. Cathay Pacific loyalists can use miles for any available seat on any Cathay Pacific or partner flight via a Miles Plus Cash booking. Does this spell trouble for Cathay's beloved loyalty program?
Norwegian Reward to Lift All CashPoints Restrictions on November 1 by Ryan Smith October 30, 2021 9 In positive news, Norwegian Reward — the loyalty program of Norwegian Air — will lift its temporary CashPoints restrictions on November 1, 2021. Previously, members could use CashPoints on bookings. But, Norwegian restricted how points could be used.
Qantas Announces Resumption of International Flights, Increases Award Space by Ryan Smith October 29, 2021 16 Qantas international flights will resume soon - including to the U.S.! In addition to publishing start dates and routes, Qantas also announced extra award space availability and also extended its flexibility policy into early 2022. Here's what you need to know.
Hyatt Adds New Award Calendar to Make It Easy to Search for the Cheapest Award Nights by Toni Southam October 29, 2021 11 Hyatt has officially implemented a new peak/off-peak pricing model for award nights. This means that awards will be determined by seasonal demand. Thankfully Hyatt is making it easy to find peak vs. off-peak nights with a new calendar award search option. Here's how to access the award calendar for individual Hyatt properties.
Marriott Introduces Dynamic Award Pricing, Says Goodbye to Award Chart by Ryan Smith October 26, 2021 36 Big news from Marriott this morning. Over the next few months, Marriott is introducing dynamic award pricing. This will see the end of award charts and standardized pricing. Instead, award prices will mirror demand and cash prices at hotels. Here is what we know about this huge change.
Hyatt Introduces Peak and Off-Peak Pricing Model by Toni Southam October 21, 2021 24 Back in December 2019, Hyatt announced it would be changing the way award nights are priced. Those plans were temporarily put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But as of October 26, 2021, Hyatt implemented these changes for all nights stayed on March 1, 2022 or after. Here's what you need to know about the new pricing.
Mother’s Day Surprise: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa by Joe Petrovic September 11, 2021 11 Do you see warm sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation, delightful pools, and a beautiful resort in your future? If so, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa might be a perfect choice! In this post, we’ve got a case study on how to use points and miles, credit card perks, and elite status to book an amazing getaway at a huge discount.
Earning and Burning Aeroplan Points Through the New Gulf Air Partnership by Sam Helmy September 6, 2021 8 Air Canada Aeroplan announced that Bahrain flag carrier Gulf Air is now a partner. You can now earn and redeem your Aeroplan points on Gulf Air flights. Points earning rates are based on the distance flown and fare class. Redemptions between Bahrain and Paris or London cost 25,000 points in economy or just 45,000 points in business class!
30+ More Destination by Hyatt Residences Now Bookable With Points (Plus a New Award Room Type) by Toni Southam August 12, 2021 20 In addition to booking hotels and resorts, Hyatt's "Destination by Hyatt" brand also includes vacation rentals. Until now, only a couple of these residences were bookable with points. Now, you can redeem your World of Hyatt points for free nights 32 more of these unique properties. But, along with this addition, Hyatt is rolling out a new room award type: the Premium Room.
British Airways Devalues Award Redemptions on Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific by Max Prosperi August 6, 2021 18 Yet again, British Airways devalued its Avios frequent flyer program. For the second time in just over 4 months, British Airways has increased the number of Avios travelers will need for select partner award redemptions. Here is just how many more Avios you'll need for flights on Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
Last Opportunity to Save Up To 7,500 Miles Using American Airlines Reduced Mileage Awards by Ross Denkin August 4, 2021 363 American Airlines just released its latest (and last) list of Reduced Mileage Awards discounted destinations. Eligible Citi and Barclays American Airlines cardholders can get up to 7,500 miles off a round trip ticket by taking advantage of this great offer. Eligible destinations vary on the month, so be sure to check before booking an American flight within the U.S. and Canada.
Marriott Makes Changes to Points Advance Feature by Max Prosperi July 11, 2021 14 Marriott recently made a change to its Points Advance feature. Members can no longer use Points Advance to book an award nearly a year out and accumulate points over the next year to pay for that stay. While this seems like a devaluation of a popular feature, this may be a positive change for some points travelers.
Hilton Honors Increases Standard Award Points Max From 120,000 to 150,000 by Toni Southam May 23, 2021 23 Using Hilton points is a great way to redeem free nights at aspirational properties like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. But Hilton recently upped the maximum number of points needed for a free standard award night, making a stay at this high-end property much less achievable. Here are some other ways to get a free night there without shelling out 150,000 points per night.
Capital One Adds New Redemption Options – Restaurants, Streaming Services, and Phone Services by Patrick Stouffer March 10, 2025 49 As travel came to a standstill in April 2020, Capital One offered Venture and Spark cardholders another use for their travel-oriented miles: using them for restaurants and streaming services. This promotion has been extended multiple times since and is now valid through June 30, 2021. Here's what you need to know about using your miles for these alternatives.
You Can Now Book Etihad Awards Using Aeroplan Points — Including ‘The Apartment’ by Patrick Stouffer April 24, 2021 39 In June 2020, Air Canada Aeroplan partnered with Etihad Guest, allowing reciprocal earning and redeeming opportunities. Now that Aeroplan has relaunched as a new program, we are revisiting this partnership. While both programs can offer solid value, we're particularly excited about how this partnership makes booking Etihad's premium-class cabins a little more accessible for award travelers.
Alaska Flights Now Bookable Online With British Airways Avios by Patrick Stouffer April 17, 2021 17 With Alaska's Oneworld membership now official, British Airways introduced the new ability to search and book Alaska award flights on its website. Now you no longer need to call a British Airways phone agent to search award availability and book Alaska flights with Avios.
Southwest Devalues Rapid Rewards Program, More Points Now Needed for Award Flights by Max Prosperi April 15, 2021 23 Southwest Airlines just made some very unwelcomed changes to the airline's Rapid Rewards program. Without notice, Southwest reduced the value of Rapid Rewards points. You'll now need more Rapid Rewards points to make the same award travel redemptions.
You Can Now Fly ANA Business Class to Japan for Just 45,000 Virgin Points One-Way by Patrick Stouffer April 7, 2021 17 One of the sweetest sweet spots just got even sweeter! Flying Club members can now redeem Virgin points for one-way ANA awards in any class of service. Combined with this partnership's unbelievable award pricing, this opens incredible opportunities for flights to/from Japan. But don't delay — deals this good don't tend to last forever.
Etihad Guest Adds New Redemption Partner: Saudi Arabian Airlines by JT Genter March 30, 2021 15 Etihad Guest is one of our favorite under-the-radar mileage programs. So, we were excited to see Etihad Guest add a new mileage partner: Saudi Arabian Airlines. Here are the new redemption rates, sweet spots (and which redemptions to avoid), ways to accumulate Etihad Guest miles, and other options for booking Saudia award flights.
British Airways Increases Avios Needed for Short-Haul Award Flights by Max Prosperi March 19, 2021 13 British Airways just quietly devalued its Avios frequent flyer program. Now, redemptions on select short-haul flights will require you to burn through even more Avios. Here's what you need to know about this British Airways Avios devaluation.
American Airlines Travelers Can Now Redeem AAdvantage Miles for COVID-19 Testing by JT Genter February 25, 2021 37 Starting today, American Airlines travelers can redeem AAdvantage miles for an at-home COVID-19 PCR testing kit. You'll need to redeem 12,000 AAdvantage miles for the PCR test. Here's the process on how to do so — and why you might want to skip this redemption option.
