Loyalty Lobby: "Malaysia Airlines has made some significant unannounced changes to its Enrich award chart, jacking up most business-class award prices by 60% or more."
"These are quite significant changes, and those redeeming for business class are really the losers. I wish that Malaysia Airlines would have given proper advance notice to its Enrich members about these changes."
Points Wire Note:
Previously, Malaysia Airlines was a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Points. However, that partnership ended in March 2022. At that point, Malaysia Airlines had already devalued the Enirch program to the point that it was mostly useless for those in the US.
One important point to note is that even without a single US-based transferable points partner, Malaysia Airlines still imposed a massive devaluation. While some road warriors have complained that devaluations are caused by people earning points from credit cards, this is a sad reminder that airlines devalue their programs regardless.
Disclosure: I may earn a referral bonus if you use the links below.
It's back as of August 12, 2024!
Rakuten is offering 100% cash back at NordVPN. You can earn 100x Membership Rewards points if you link an eligible Amex card to Rakuten. This means you can earn Amex points for 1 cent per point.
Please note that you will only earn Amex points or cash back on your initial purchase so your best bet is to pay for a one or two year plan in full.
If you don't have a Rakuten account, you can sign up and earn a bonus 10% back (or 10x Amex points) on purchases made during your first seven days with Rakuten.
Exclusions: Cash Back is only available to new NordVPN customers. Cash Back can only be earned on the initial sign-up. Limited to one per member. Cash Back is not available on NordPass, NordLocker, Incogni and Dedicated IP subscriptions or refunded orders.
Posting Time: Cash Back will be automatically added to your Rakuten account within one week.
Direct link to Rakuten x NordVPN offer
Note: During previous promos, I heard reports that people were only seeing it track up to ~$81 in purchase price. Please keep that in mind. You might be able to email Rakuten a receipt if your purchase amount exceeds $81 and they don't give you the correct cash back or points initially.
Disclosure: I may earn a referral bonus if you use the links below.
Both American Express and Chase issue co-branded Marriott cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Card is issued by Amex and the only Marriott business card.
I consider it a niche card as the bonus categories are weak. To me, the real benefit is the 15 elite night credits you get each year as a cardholder. This can make it easier to qualify for the more useful elite status levels with Marriott Bonvoy - Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador.
You also receive an annual Free Night Award worth up to 35,000 Marriott points on your account anniversary.
New Welcome Offer
However, there's a new welcome bonus offer that makes this a particularly good time to get the card.
You can top off each free night certificate with an additional 15,000 Marriott points.
If you'd like more info on this card, you can check out my quick review.
If you'd like to apply, this is my personal referral (not an affiliate link).
One Mile At A Time: "An Amex Centurion Lounge is finally opening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The new lounge is roughly 26,000 square feet, making it the largest Centurion Lounge by far. As a point of comparison, the previous largest Centurion Lounge was in New York (JFK), and that lounge is around 15,000 square feet."
"The Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta is located in Concourse E, near gate E11. All terminals in Atlanta are connected airside, so this lounge can be used by all passengers."
Points Wire Note:
A Centurion Lounge at the busiest airport in the US. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that this lounge is going to be packed!
Update: Doctor of Credit flagged a link to the offer.
A Redditor (u/dgdg1976) shared that there's a targeted Amex Business Platinum welcome offer for 200,000 Membership Rewards points showing up the mobile app. The minimum spend requirement is the usual $15,000 in 3 months. This is the best offer I can remember seeing on this card.
A couple of years ago there was an offer fro 250,000 Membership Rewards points, but the minimum spend required was $30,000.
If you're thinking about applying, you have this targeted offer, and you can hit the minimum spend, this is a great time to get the card.
Update: This transfer bonus is now live!
Citi is launching a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Between February 18 and March 16, 2024, you'll be able to transfers Citi ThankYou Points to Virgin and get a 30% bonus.
While award flights on Virgin Atlantic have steep carrier-imposed surcharges which leave you on the hook for sky high taxes/fees, you can get some great value out of Virgin points by booking award tickets on partner airlines.
Air France, KLM, and ITA Airways to Europe standout. Delta can be a great option to Europe as well, just not to/from the UK. All Nippon Airways (ANA) is always a fan favorite for those visiting Japan - though award space is tough. Air New Zealand is also a great option.
Hyatt's Bonus Journeys promo is now live!
More Points With A Hyatt Credit Card
If you have a World of Hyatt Business Credit Card or a World of Hyatt Credit Card, you earn an additional 1,000 bonus points per three nights you stay. If you were to max out this promo by staying 21 nights, could earn 28,000 bonus points as a cardholder.
According to a FlyerTalker, only Hyatt properties in the following countries will be eligible for the cardholder bonus:
Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mainland China, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Stack With Etihad Guest Promo
If you have stays in March, you'll be able to earn bonus Hyatt points as well as Etihad Guest miles.
Details on Hyatt x Etihad promo
Points Wire Note:
Oddly enough, I have 12 nights coming up in an eligible country. I'll happily take 16,000 bonus points!
This could also pair nicely with a Hyatt Privé booking - extra perks on your stay + extra points.
Disclosure: I serve on an Bilt advisory board and may earn a commission if you use the links below.
In December, Bilt revamped how you earn status and announced that Milestone Rewards were coming in 2024. We now have the details on these rewards.
While you can earn Bilt status with eligible spending, Milestone Rewards are achieved when you earn a certain number of qualifying points. You will earn a Milestone Reward when you reach each of these qualifying point tiers:
At each tier, you can select one of the Milestone Rewards options. Please note that Milestone Rewards do not stack. You can only use one at a time. Additionally, Milestone Rewards do not stack with other promos such as double points on Rent Day.
Milestone Rewards must be be claimed in the calendar year in which they are earned.
Milestone Rewards - 25,000 Points
Milestone Rewards - 75,000 Points
Milestone Rewards - 100,000 Points
Milestone Rewards - 150,000 Points
Milestone Rewards - 225,000 Points
Milestone Rewards - 250,000 Points
If you're interested in applying for the Bilt Card, you can learn more here.
Points Wire Note:
I certainly won't turn down opportunities to easily earn bonus points. I already use the Bilt Card for dining, auto-payments, and on Rent Day to earn double points. However, these Milestone Rewards aren't enough to make me chase them.
Don't get me wrong, I like earning Bilt points to take advantage great transfer partners, transfer bonuses, and other promos. This new perk just won't change my strategy.
Chase issues three co-branded IHG One Rewards credit cards - two personal cards and one business card. The bonuses for both personal cards have been increased.
Please note that IHG One Rewards just recently devalued their award rates.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Additional benefits include: A free might certificate (worth up to 40,000 IHG points) on your account anniversary, 4th night free when you book a 4-night award stay, Platinum Elite status and a Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Additional benefits include: 4th night free when you book a 4-night award stay, Gold Elite status.
Points Wire Note:
If you ask me, the Premier Card's $99 annual fee is worth the additional 65,000 IHG points alone. The anniversary free night certificate helps as well.
If you simply want the 4th night free benefit so you can take advantage of it when you buy IHG points during a 100% bonus promo, the Traveler Card might be a better choice.
Disclosure: I may earn a referral bonus if you use the links below.
Booking British Airways flights via AARP has been one of the best ways to save on cash tickets for years. You can save $200 on business and first class or $65 on economy and premium economy. The best part is that anyone can join AARP and it only costs $12 to join for a year.
If have a Capital One card, check your Capital One Offers. I currently have an offer to get $23 back on a purchase with AARP. Not bad for a $12 purchase!
If you don't have a Capital One Card or don't have the offer, you can use the Top Cashback shopping portal to get $12.12 back when you sign up.
Bonus: You can also use the promo code CHASEBA10 to save an additional 10% on British Airways.
Sign up for free flight alerts or upgrade to Straight To The Points Premium.
Premium members even get text alerts when there are great opportunities to book business and first class flights!
To make choosing your next card a bit easier, we've ranked the best credit card offers to help find the best bonuses.
Whether you need help figuring out the best ways to earn or redeem points and miles, I’ll work with you to create a personalized strategy that’s easy to follow.
In August 2018, I started the Straight To The Points flight alerts newsletter with the goal of making it easier to book business and first class flights with points & miles and fare deals.
I started Points Wire to make it easier for you to keep up with the news you need to know without all of the fluff.