The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is always popular because of how easy it is to earn the sign-up bonus.
Barclays had pulled the application link, but it's back now.
Here's a quick rundown on what you need to know.
Welcome Bonus
To get the best offer, you'll need to sign up via cardholder's referral link.
If you don't use a referral, the standard offer is 50,000 miles.
Bonus Categories
Benefits
Annual Fee
Points Wire Note:
Beyond this welcome bonus, this is not a top priority card the vast majority of points and miles enthusiasts.
Update: The increased sign-up bonus is set to end on April 3, 2024.
Chase has released a limited time offer for the United Business Card.
Welcome Offer
United MileagePlus has devalued significantly over the last few years. A 100,000-mile bonus can help offset that a bit, but it's a good reminder that earning transferable points should be the priority over earning airline miles.
Still, if you already have Chase Ultimate Rewards cards, this could be an easy way to supplement your United mileage balance.
The Chase 5/24 rule applies to this card. If you've opened 5+ personal cards (plus select business cards) from any bank in the last 24 months, you are unlikely to get approved.
United MileagePlus Sweet Spots
The main advantages of United miles are the ability to book award tickets without carrier-imposed surcharges. This can really help keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum.
Additionally, you can use the Excursionist Perk to include a free one-way segment on a round-trip award ticket. Practically speaking, this is Untied's version of a stopover that allows you to visit a second destination for no extra miles.
A few redemptions to consider (one-way award rates):
Learn more about the United Business Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is getting revamped and not everyone is happy about it.
Let's take a look at the card's new details.
Welcome Bonus
Bonus Categories
The following categories will no longer earn 6x Hilton points:
Benefits
The Hilton Business card will no longer earn a free night certificate when you spend $15,000 and $60,000 in a calendar year. Additionally, the card will no longer offer 10 free Priority Pass visit per year.
Annual Fee
The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian is leaving the Waldorf brand.
Head for Points: "It is not leaving Hilton entirely, however. It will be rebranded as ‘The Caledonian Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton’."
"The Caledonian was sold to Henderson Park, a property investment fund, last year and had already announced a £35 million refurbishment."
"The work will increase the number of bedrooms from 240 to over 300. There is talk of an ‘extension’ whch I presume will involve replacing the existing modern extension to the rear of the hotel."
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added eight airlines to TSA PreCheck. The list includes:
The Robinhood Gold Card will offer 3% cash back on everyday purchases plus 5% on travel via their travel portal. The card won't have any transfer partners so this is strictly for cash back. The card itself doesn't have an annual fee, but you need to be a Robinhood Gold subscription to have the card which is $50 per year.
They're also giving 10 karat gold cards to the first 5,000 people to refer 10 people. You have to hand it to Robinhood, they're great at getting people's attention!
For people with little to no interest in points and miles, this has a chance to be an excellent card.
The card does not have a sign-up bonus, but that doesn't seem to be dulling the excitement in the points community this time.
The benefits guide for the Chase Sapphire Reserve were updated to exclude Priority Pass restaurants from the Priority Pass Select membership the card provides.
“As of July 1, 2024, you will no longer have access to restaurants, cafes, and markets participating in the Priority Pass Select network as part of the Priority Pass Select Benefit associated with your card. Access to Priority Pass Select’s network of lounges and other select airport experiences is not impacted by this update.”
This change also applies to the Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card (only available via product change) and the JP Morgan Reserve Card (only available to select customers).
Chase joins American Express and Capital One in removing Priority Pass restaurant access from cards. Although, you can still get access with the Capital One Venture X Business.
Those of us with the Citi Prestige continue to have restaurant access - and the ability to earn 5x at restaurants. This card is no longer available for application. Be jealous. :)
Additional cards that have access to Priority Pass restaurants: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card, UBS Visa Infinite,U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite.
I imagine quite a few Sapphire Reserve cardholders will be asking themselves whether the card is still worth keeping after this update.
Loyalty Lobby: "Alaska has made a small but significant change for Mileage Plan members with frequent flier status with any of their Oneworld partners. You can no longer switch the frequent flier number on Alaska awards issued using Mileage Plan miles for benefits purposes."
Last month, Head for Points flagged that it avios.com was being shuttered and you would soon be able to book award tickets via on the Aer Lingus site.
All I can say is finally!
This means you can book Aer Lingus flights with Avios without having to book via British Airways. Even better, it seems there's additional Aer Lingus award space available when using Avios on their own site.
You can use this link to log into your Aer Lingus account and book award tickets.
Skift: "Four Seasons revealed on Tuesday the first itineraries for its new brand, Four Seasons Yachts. The hospitality company also shared the first renderings of its maiden vessel, which it has yet to name."
Things To Know
Currently, only select Four Seasons Preferred Partners are able to book Four Seasons Yacht journeys. If you'd like to book, you can submit a request.
Points Wire Note:
Naturally, this won't be for everyone. However, if you're someone who likes to use points and miles for business and first class flights then book luxury hotels via preferred booking programs, this might be right up your alley.
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To make choosing your next card a bit easier, we've ranked the best credit card offers to help find the best bonuses.
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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.
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