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.
One Mile At A Time: "In the coming months, JetBlue intends to introduce its Mint business class on six additional routes, covering three all-new Mint destinations."
New Mint Routes
Enilria has shared that the aircraft will come from London Gatwick (LGW) and Paris (CDG) routes as well as the Los Angeles (LAX) to Newark (EWR) route.
Disclosure: I serve on an advisory board for Bilt and may earn a commission if you use the links below.
Bilt Rewards has just added Hilton Honors as a new transfer partner which means they currently have 18 partners. However, they're splitting with American Airlines in June so they'll be at 17 next month.
While I don't see much value in Hilton as a transfer partner, I do like that Bilt continues to pursue additional airline and hotel transfer partners. At this point, they have all 4 major hotel transfer partners that people in the points community consider. I'll be curious to see if the pursue Choice, Wyndham, Accor, or Leading Hotels of the World going forward.
Those who have earned Bilt Silver, Gold, or Platinum status can transfer points in increments of 1,000 points starting with 1,000 points. If you have the entry level Bilt Blue status, you need to transfer at least 2,000 points.
All Bilt members can receive 1,000 bonus Hilton points if they transfer to Hilton Honors by June 8, 2024. This doesn't move the needle for me, but it's a nice bonus if you need to top off your Hilton account to book an award stay.
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.
Loyalty Lobby: "The iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo has closed its doors today and will remain closed for a period of roughly one year (~ October 2025) to complete a scheduled renovation project that will give the property a new face for the future."
Points Wire Note:
Hyatt fans will be sad to lose this popular option. If you plan to visit Tokyo during cherry blossom season next year and want to use points for your stay, start planning now. Award space can be tough to find, especially as we get closer to March/April 2025.
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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.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you use the links below.
If you purchase Iberia gift cards by May 14, 2024, you can get up to 10% off your purchase.
Terms & Conditions
Points Wire Note:
I would not buy Iberia gift cards speculatively. However, if you're booking cash tickets on Iberia in the next week or so, this could be an easy way to save a bit, especially if you're booking business class flights.
Doctor of Credit was tipped off by Sam from CardRight.com that "American Express added a feature whereby one can see their full card number, expiration, and security code from within the online login. Go to Account Services > Card Management > View Card Number."
Please note that not all Amex cardholders have this feature. Hopefully, it will be rolled out to all accounts. It seems like this could be particularly useful if you want to make a purchase with a specific card but you don't have the physical card with you and it's not one of the cards in your digital wallet.
Miles for Family: "Cardless has the strictest application rule I’ve ever seen. You can only own one Cardless card, EVER. Even if you cancel a card, you can’t apply for a different card."
The Cardless FAQ section addresses whether people can apply for multiple cards. It states:
"No, Currently, Cardless customers may open a maximum of one credit card account. At this time, if you are a current Cardless customer, it is not possible to change to a different product or close your account and open a new one."
Points Wire Note:
I'll be curious if they enforce this rule or change it at some point. If you're considering either of their soon-to-be-launched co-branded cards with Avianca LifeMiles and Qatar Airways, this could play a role in your decision.
View From The Wing: "There was talk of an Airbnb loyalty program over 8 years ago, with some bank executives angling to do a co-brand credit card deal. Members would earn rebates in the form of points to use at Airbnb, banks would make money and Airbnb would make money. But it never happened."
"Finally they’re getting serious about loyalty with co-founder Brian Chesky saying they’ll 'eventually have something.' However be ‘doesn’t like’ points programs, so they won’t do one."
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