One Mile At A Time: "We know that Southwest Airlines is planning some major changes to its business model. While nothing is set in stone yet, I have some insights as to what could be changing at the airline, and it represents a major departure from the way the company currently does business."
A few potential changes:
Head for Points: "From Sunday, the old liquids rule is back."
"You will not be allowed to take any liquid of over 100ml in your hand baggage, irrespective of the type of scanner being used."
"Liquids can remain inside your hand baggage whilst being scanned at airports with the new equipment."
"(EDIT: it seems there is some confusion about this, and that liquids may need to be removed from bags. Be prepared!)"
The Hyatt Regency Tokyo has long been a popular base for Hyatt fans visiting Tokyo. Loyalty Lobby flagged that "Hyatt Regency Tokyo has now released more information about its renovation schedule, which began this week and ends on May 31, 2025."
Points Wire Note:
For those booking cash rates, you can book via Hyatt Privé to get VIP perks such as daily breakfast for 2, a $100 property credit, room upgrade (if available), etc.
If using points, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo is a Category 4 property that can be booked for 12,000, 15,000, or 18,000 points on off-peak, standard, and peak dates, respectively. You can also use a Category 1-4 free night award.
Your Mileage May Vary flagged that American Express changed the entry policy for Escape Lounges. You will only be able to access an Escape Lounge within 3 hours of departure.
From Amex's terms and conditions:
"Effective May 9, 2024, to access select Escape Lounge locations, eligible Platinum Card® Members will be required to arrive at the lounge within 3 hours of their departing flight. During a layover the eligible Card Member may use the Escape Lounge in the connecting airport at any time. Additional information on guest fee rates, access policies and lounge terms and conditions can be found at escapelounges.com/us/access/."
There's a targeted Amex Offer for stays at Unbound Collection by Hyatt properties. If you spend $400+, you can receive $100 back as a statement credit. This offer expires September 15, 2024.
Important Terms
Points Wire Note:
Hyatt Privé bookings are direct bookings and offer VIP perks such as daily breakfast for 2, a property credit, one category upgrade (subject to forecasted occupancy), welcome amenity, and early check-in.
Update: Spirit has changed it's voucher expiration policy. For vouchers issued on/after June 3, 2024, they'll be valid for 12 months instead of 90 days.
One Mile At A Time: "Spirit has just eliminated change and cancelations fees for all customers. I imagine the airline was rushed to make this change following Frontier’s recent announcement, so maybe we’ll see an official press release in the next day or two. Spirit’s homepage has a banner saying that 'change fees are gone for all.'"
"It’s worth emphasizing how Spirit’s new policy isn’t just more generous than Frontier’s, but is actually more generous than what you’ll find at the legacy carriers, and is in line with Southwest’s policies. All Spirit fares appear to offer ticket flexibility. Meanwhile at Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United, basic economy tickets don’t allow free changes and cancelations."
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you use the links below.
With this Amex Offer, you can get $150 back as a statement credit if you spend $750+ at participating Omni Hotels & Resorts.
Important Offer Terms
Points Wire Note:
Omni doesn't have a loyalty program that offers redeemable points so Amex Offers like this are about as good as it gets if you're looking to find a deal.
You can use CardPointers+ to quickly add Amex Offers to all of your cards.
Thrifty Traveler: "Rather than earning a flat 1x for every $1 you spend at Starbucks after linking your accounts, Delta flyers will soon only earn bonus skyMiles when reloading their Starbucks accounts in the coffee giant's app with at least $25. That change is coming soon: It's effective June 12."
Earn Rate By Reload Amount
One Mile At A Time: "Hyatt Studios is Hyatt’s new extended stay brand, which is described as Hyatt’s entry into the upper-midscale lodging market."
"The major catch is that points earning at these properties has been reduced by 50% compared to Hyatt’s existing brands. You’ll only earn 2.5x points per dollar spent at Hyatt Studios properties, rather than the usual 5x points."
YHBU: [translated from German to English by Google Translate] "Choice Privileges made it possible to book Preferred Hotels online three months ago. This made it much easier to reserve Preferred Hotels. With usable point values, this was another great way to redeem Choice points."
"Choice Privileges has now turned the screw. The maximum limit has been raised from 55,000 points to 87,000 points. Not all 55k hotels have been raised to this level, but many have surprisingly been made more expensive."
Points Wire Note:
If you'd rather save your points for flights, you can book many Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties via their Preferred Platinum Partner program to get VIP perks such as a room upgrade (if available), daily breakfast for 2 people, early check-in/late checkout (if available), a $100 property credit, and a welcome amenity.
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.