Head for Points flagged that QantasLink flights are bookable with Avios, but not online. To find award space, you can use the American Airlines site then call British Airways to book.
Additionally, they noted,"If the British Airways agent initially says there’s no availability for a return flight, ask them to check as one way flights each way rather than return – they will often then appear."
QantasLink is a subsidiary of Qantas that operates regional flights within Australia.
View From The Wing: "An Autograph Collection hotel in Detroit – the Hotel David Whitney – is playing an interesting game with denying elite breakfast benefits to guests, and it underscores just how confusing and messy the Marriott Bonvoy program has become."
"The Marriott Bonvoy program is too complicated, with too many asterisks, and hotels don’t always understand it. Marriott customer service associates don’t understand it, and they’re trained to follow the lead of the hotel. The hotel explains they’re in compliance, that seems to be enough for front line customer service (and even managers) and it takes real corporate escalation to get anything beyond that fixed."
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you use my Amazon affiliate link.
American Express is out with a few Amex Offers that can help you earn more Membership Rewards points on Amazon purchases. While you won't earn a ton of points with these offers, they could come in handy for Amazon Prime Day (July 16-17).
All three offers end August 30, 2024.
Loyalty Lobby: "Hyatt and Lindner made a deal back in 2022 (read more here) that this German hotelier’s properties would become World of Hyatt participating properties, including me and all hotels, as part of JdV in 2023."
"Now, Hyatt has acquired this conversion-friendly brand from Lindner and plans to launch it as its own brand, separate from JvD, and use it for various reflags in Europe."
Frequent Miler flagged a nifty solution to problems booking Air France and KLM award tickets via Virgin Atlantic Flying Blue.
If you get an error when you submit your credit card details, use Virgin Atlantic's online chat function.
"Virgin Atlantic offers an online chat function. You might not see it on their home page, but if you click through on a desktop browser from their home page to “My booking… Manage booking” (or browse directly to: virginatlantic.com/my-trips/search) you should see a red box in the bottom right corner that says “Need Help? Chat to us.” Click that. If you have any trouble with it not popping up after clicking, try another browser instance."
Follow the prompts and select the following options to get to an agent:
Hopefully, the chat agent will be able to get you sorted!
Forbes: "Within the next year, the South Pacific carrier will adopt the American AAdvantage program as its own giving its passengers the opportunity to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points on all flights within its network as well as on Oneworld partner airlines. A specific start date has not yet been announced."
JetBlue is offering a complimentary BLADE helicopter transfer between Manhattan and JFK or Newark (EWR) if you book a Mint (business class) flight by July 4, 2024.
Promo Details
Please note that award tickets are eligible. However, you can use Ultimate Rewards to book via the Chase travel portal or Membership Rewards via Amex Travel. The latter is only worth it if you have the Amex Business Platinum and can get a 35% rebate on the points you use.
Travel on Points: "There is a Sapphire Preferred bonus issue that recent applicants are running into. From what we can tell, this appears to be a glitch in the matrix, on Chase's end. It also appears to be happening to people who signed up for the card over the last month, likely when the increased offer was still around and kicking. If you are being told that you are not eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome offer, or you don't see a bonus offer tracker, then know you are not alone."
View From The Wing: "Cathay Pacific will leave the American Airlines terminal 8 at New York JFK airport and relocate to the new terminal 6 once the first 5 gates open there, projected for “early 2026.”
"Cathay will open its own roughly 10,000 square foot lounge there, its second in the U.S. after San Francisco. The airline says this move will give customers 'a signature Cathay Pacific airport experience' suggesting that they do not have one now in the American terminal."
My friend Max Miles Points has partnered with Southwest Airlines to offer a 20% discount on flights.
Important Details
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