One Mile At A Time: "As of May 8, 2024, JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest will introduce reciprocal opportunities to earn and redeem points. This means both JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members will be able to earn and redeem points for travel on the other airline. Exact earning and redemption rates should be revealed shortly."
Update: Etihad Guest has published its award rates for JetBlue flights. Your best bet is probably JetBlue Mint on transcontinental routes for 50,000 to 60,000 Etihad miles one-way.
JetBlue TrueBlue doesn't publish an award chart, but a quick search shows you'd need 135,900 points for a one-way business class award ticket between New York (JFK) and Abu Dhabi (AUH). While Eithad business and first class award space hasn't been available to partners beyond 30 days from departure, it seems JetBlue has access to business class space outside that window.
However, JetBlue does not appear to have access to first class award space.
GHA Discovery isn't as well known as Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt, but it's been running some interesting promos and even a lucrative status match.
Now, they're out with an impressive 20th anniversary promo. It'll take some effort to hit all of the steps, but it has the potential be quite lucrative.
The Basics
The Discovery Dollars you earn increases with each stay starting with third stay. Just remember, to qualify, each stay needs to be at a different brand. View From The Wing has a breakdown of how it works.
You'll also earn Discovery Dollars as a percentage of your spend based on your status:
Points Wire Note:
I'll note that some GHA brands can be booked with VIP perks via a luxury travel advisor like myself. Several that come to mind:
You can book many properties with perks via our self-serve portal. Perks can include daily breakfast for 2, a US$100 property credit, room upgrade (if available), welcome amenity, and more.
Disclosure: I may earn a referral bonus if you use the links below.
Update: It seems Rakuten is NOT offer $40 as a sign-up bonus, but 10% cash back up to $50 back. This is a change from previous sign-up bonus offers and it was buried on the referral page. Sorry for any confusion.
Rakuten has increased their referral bonus to $40. The person who refers will earn $40 cash back if the new accountholder spends $40 within 30 days. This increased referral bonus offer ends at 11:59pm PT on May 13, 2024.
If you have an Amex Membership Rewards account, you can link it to Rakuten to earn Amex points instead of cash back. This can be a great way to earn additional Membership Rewards and is a big reason why Rakuten is a go-to shopping portal for many in the points community.
If you choose to earn Amex points, the conversion from cash back is 1 cent per point. For example, if you see a cash back rate of 5%, you'll earn 5x Membership Rewards points. It also means the $40 sign-up and referral bonuses are worth 4,000 points.
Update: The increased online offer is expected to end on June 13, 2024. The increased in-branch offer is expected to end June 22, 2024.
Sapphire Preferred Offer
Chase has sent targeted mailers for the Chase Sapphire Preferred with a 90,000-point bonus. An 85,000-point offer is available in-branch.
Sapphire Reserve Offer
You should expect the 5/24 rule to apply to both cards.
Points Wire Note:
Considering the fact that the standard bonus offer for both cards is 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in 3 months, this is a nice improvement.
If you apply in-branch, make sure you watch the bank rep fill out the application and that they're submitting an application for the correct card as well. Finally, don't forget that bank reps are not credit card experts.
Update: Hearing that the 75,000-mile offer may end in a week.
If you're looking to give your American miles balance a boost, the sign-up bonus for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite was just increased. Here's what you need to know.
Sign-up Bonus
Bonus Categories
Other Benefits
Annual Fee
Qatar Airways has partnered with Cardless to launch two credit cards in the US market. We now have details about both cards.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card
New cardholders also receive Qatar Privilege Club Gold status as well as 150 Qpoints toward earning status again. You need 270 Qpoints to maintain your Gold status). Cardholders will also earn 2 Qpoints for every $1,500 they spend on the card.
Qatar Gold status provides oneworld Sapphire status. This status provides access to oneworld business class lounges including Admirals Clubs, Flagship Lounges, and Alaska Lounges when flying American and/or Alaska domestically.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card
New cardholders receive Qatar Privilege Club Silver status Cardholders will also earn 2 Qpoints for every $2,000 they spend on the card.
Bonus Points If You Joined Waitlist
If you joined the waitlist, you'll receive additional points as part of the welcome bonus.
If there's a chance you'll stay at a Fairmont property in the Americas between May 1 and June 30, 2024, you should register to earn 4x Accor points. To take advantage of this promo, you need to book your stay by May 15, 2024.
Many Fairmont properties participate in the Accor STEP program. Benefits can include daily breakfast for 2, up to a $100 property credit, upgrade on arrival (if available), early check-in/late checkout (if available).
Redditor b1900 reports that American Express sent them an email regarding the Amex Business Checking sign-up bonus they earned in 2023.
The email states:
“Due to a technical issue, we were delayed in issuing a 1099-INT tax statement for 2023 related to the welcome bonus for your account. We realize you may have already filed your taxes for 2023, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused.
To make things right, we’ve issued your 1099-INT tax statement. We mailed it to the address on file on April 9, 2024.”
Keep an eye out if you earned an Amex Business Checking bonus last year!
Chase is out with another round of targeted spending bonuses. As is often the case, these are available on a variety of Chase's co-branded airline and hotel cards. Occasionally, you'll find an offer for the Chase Freedom Unlimited. There's generally a cap on how much you can spend for these bonus offers.
If you're eligible, you'll be able to earn bonus points through September 30, 2024.
You can use this link to see if you've been targeted for a bonus offer.
Doctor of Credit flagged that Chase Ink Unlimited bonus in-branch is 120,000 Ultimate Rewards points once again. To earn the bonus, you need to spend $6,000 in 3 months.
Keep in mind that the Ink Unlimited is a cash back card unless you have either Chase Sapphire card and/or an Ink Preferred. Without one of those cards, you can't combine the points and your Ink Unlimited bonus is simply worth $1,200.
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