Tag: Using Points

British Airways Increases Fuel Surcharges for Long-Haul Award Travel

June 11, 2022 3

Get ready to pay even more out of pocket when redeeming Avios for flights operated by British Airways. As British Airways increases fuel surcharges again, this adds to the airline's already extreme fees and surcharges -- a big headache on award bookings. Here's how much more you'll pay when redeeming your Avios on select long-haul routes.

Max Prosperi

Should You Transfer Aeroplan Points to Starbucks Stars?

May 11, 2022 1

Air Canada Aeroplan recently announced that you can now transfer Aeroplan points to Starbucks for Stars. But, is this a good deal? Here's a breakdown of how the transfer works, and whether you should take advantage of this. Please note that this promotion can only be taken advantage of by Canadian Starbucks account holders.

Skye Class

Alaska Airlines Introduces Dynamic Pricing for Domestic American Airlines Awards

April 26, 2022 2

Alaska Airlines quietly introduced dynamic pricing to its American Airlines partner awards within North America. So far, we have seen pricing for shorter flights in economy drop in price, while longer flights have seen no increase. First-class award pricing has not changed at all. Here are the details of the new Alaska award pricing on American Airlines flights.

Sam Helmy

How to Book Hyatt Suite Upgrades With Points Online

April 16, 2022 1

Hyatt recently added the ability to book Hyatt suite upgrades using points online. This overdue feature reduces the need for phone calls and waiting on hold. Here's how World of Hyatt members can redeem their points for suite upgrades via the website.

Ryan Smith

You Can Buy Up to 100K Marriott Bonvoy Points During the Booking Process

April 10, 2022 0

Marriott Bonvoy members may be surprised to learn that they can now buy points during the booking process for a hotel room. While you've always been able to buy points, this new ability offers two improvements. First, it can be done during the booking process itself. Second, these points are in addition to your normal limits. Here's what this means for travelers.

Ryan Smith

British Airways Reduces the Avios Price for Qatar Airways Award Flights

April 8, 2022 2

In positive news for travelers, you'll need fewer Avios when booking Qatar Airways flights with British Airways, as the airline reduces award costs to match other programs. Here's a look at the positive improvements in award costs with British Airways Executive Club as it pertains to flights on Qatar Airways—as well as why this change is happening.

Ryan Smith

Hyatt Introduces New Award Chart for All-inclusive Resorts, Adds Six New Cancun Resorts

April 4, 2022 0

Starting today, World of Hyatt members can now earn and redeem points at six Cancun all-inclusive resorts in the AMR Collection. As part of this rollout, Hyatt is introducing an entirely new award chart for all of its all-inclusive resorts. Here's what you need to know about these developments.

JT Genter

Capital One Launches Entertainment Portal, Will Issue MLB Credit Cards

March 31, 2022 1

Capital One just launched a new Capital One Entertainment portal—in which you can redeem your points for event tickets. And Capital One will now issue MLB credit cards—which were previously issued by Bank of America. Here's a look at the news and also whether using your points for tickets is a good deal.

Ryan Smith

Hilton Honors Increases Points Costs at Many Top Hotels

March 21, 2022 0

Hilton recently devalued several of its top-tier properties with no notice. Hotels that were once 95,000 Hilton points per night have shot up to 110,000 and even 120,000 points per night. Here's a look at the Hilton Honors properties where we are seeing increases in the number of points you need for a reservation.

Toni Southam

How to Book JetBlue Mint to London with Emirates Skywards Miles

May 26, 2023 8

JetBlue and Emirates have been partners for a while, and that relationship has just improved over time. The icing on the cake has been added: you can book JetBlue Mint (business class) between New York and London using your Emirates Skywards miles. Best of all, this is actually a good deal. Let's take a look at the latest development and how to book.

Max Prosperi

Details Released of Which 200+ Marriott Hotels are Moving to Dynamic Pricing March 29, 2022

February 26, 2022 0

Marriott Bonvoy just released the details on 200+ hotels that are moving to dynamic pricing on March 29, 2022. Here's the list of the hotels that will increase in price, plus how many extra points you will need. Other news includes what we can expect for 2023 and when you will be able to add points to free night awards for high-priced bookings. There's a lot to digest in here, so grab a drink and dive in with us.

Ryan Smith

You Can Earn Flying Blue Miles When Paying With Miles, But Don't Do It

February 23, 2022 7

You can earn Flying Blue miles even when paying with miles on a ticket. Sounds awesome, right?! This new, permanent feature applies to Flying Blue Miles + Cash bookings and allows you to earn miles on the full ticket—even the part you paid for in miles. Here's a closer look at whether it's actually a good value proposition.

Ryan Smith

Marriott Erroneously Adding Surcharges to Some Award Nights

February 21, 2022 2

Marriott erroneously charged award surcharges to customers using Bonvoy points for free nights. This effectively becomes a reward redemption fee. Check your receipts from previous stays to make sure you weren't charged. If you were charged, you'll need to contact Marriott to have the fees reversed,

Toni Southam

Did You Know? Marriott 5th Night Free Works on Long Stays Also

February 19, 2022 2

One of the best perks with Marriott Bonvoy is the ability to get the 5th night free on points stays. While this gets an ample amount of attention, the fact you can use it on longer stays often flies under the radar. Here's a look at how to maximize this perk on long stays with Marriott.

Ryan Smith

Use Your Hilton Honors Points at Warner Brothers Themed Resort, Get Free Theme Park Tickets

February 17, 2022 0

A first-of-its-kind Hilton property with a Warner Brothers theme offers free tickets to three nearby theme parks as part of your stay. This includes a water park, Warner Brothers park, and even the world's fastest roller coaster. Along with character breakfast and pool-side movies, the best part is that you can book this property using your Hilton Honors points. Here's a look at this unique redemption opportunity.

Ryan Smith

Alaska Adds New Partner Award Redemptions on Malaysia Airlines

February 17, 2022 1

Today, Alaska Mileage Plan added new award redemptions on Malaysia Airlines. This marks the fifth partner redemption addition since Alaska joined the Oneworld alliance almost a year ago. Here are the award rates, eligible regions, and how Alaska's new award rates compare to your other options.

JT Genter

Alaska Airlines Will Increase Select First Class Awards this March

February 16, 2022 7

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members will soon need more miles for select award redemptions when traveling in first class, because the airline is set to increase select first class award redemptions this March. Here is how many more miles will be needed and which awards will be impacted by this devaluation.

Max Prosperi

Can TAP Portugal Access More United Awards than United’s Own Members?

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.

Joe Petrovic

Bilt Rewards Adds In-App, Real-Time Flight Award Search Feature

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.

Ryan Smith

Chase Offers New PayPal Cash Out Option to Ink Cardholders (0.8¢ Per Point)

January 18, 2022 3

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.

Ryan Smith

You Can Now Redeem Alaska Miles for Royal Air Maroc Award Flights Online

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.

Ryan Smith

Last Chance to Book Marriott Bonvoy Hotel + Air Packages

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.

Ryan Smith

Beware of Singapore Airlines 'Use It or Lose It' Promo Awards

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.

Ryan Smith

Hilton Finally Adds Ability to See Free Night Certificates Online

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.

Toni Southam

Asia Miles Debuts New 'Miles Plus Cash' Booking Option

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?

Patrick Stouffer

Norwegian Reward to Lift All CashPoints Restrictions on November 1

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.

Ryan Smith

Qantas Announces Resumption of International Flights, Increases Award Space

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.

Ryan Smith

Hyatt Adds New Award Calendar to Make It Easy to Search for the Cheapest Award Nights

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.

Toni Southam

Marriott Introduces Dynamic Award Pricing, Says Goodbye to Award Chart

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.

Ryan Smith

Hyatt Introduces Peak and Off-Peak Pricing Model

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.

Toni Southam