Alaska Airlines 15% Off One Day Only

Travel Codex: "Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members should have received an email with the subject line 2023 really flew by!  This email contains a discount code for travel beginning January 9, 2024 and completed by February 14, 2024.  This discount code is good for 15% off your booking."

This offer may be targeted, but the code YIR2023 seems to work for anyone. Must purchase by 11:59pm PT on December 19, 2023. See full terms for additional details

Earn Bonus Points And Miles At Topgolf

Frequent Miler: "Rewards Network runs card-linked dining programs for many airlines and hotel programs including American Airlines, United, Marriott, IHG and more. They’ve just added a nationwide chain to the program that’s more of an activity-based company but which also serves food and drink – Topgolf."

Points Wire Note:

While multiple airline and hotel programs are on Rewards Network, one credit card can only be linked to one program at a time.

There's also an Amex Offer for Topgolf that expires December 31, 2023. If you spend $100, you can get $20 back. You can use this offer twice. Excludes gift cards purchased online and purchases made at Topgolf Swing Suites or Toptracer Range locations. 

Earn Avios At Duty-Free Stores In Spain

Award Wallet: "Iberia Plus has a new partnership, letting you earn Avios for duty-free shopping at various Spanish airports. To take advantage of this new partnership, you must first register and install the Dufry App and then present it at checkout when checking out at an eligible World Duty-Free shop in Spain."

"Once you link your Iberia account with Red by Dufry, you can receive a 250 Avios bonus when you make your first purchase. To earn the bonus, you must first register, link your account, and complete your first eligible transaction."

Points Wire Note:

You can combine Avios between Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways (plus Finnair in March 2024). However, to move Avios to/from Iberia, your Iberia account must have been open for more than 90 days. If you haven't yet, create an Iberia account just in case.

IHG One Rewards Struggles With Confirmable Suite Upgrades

Loyalty Lobby: "IHG has struggled to roll out all the promised benefits properly, especially when it comes to Confirmable Suite Upgrades and Food & Beverage Rewards."

"The email that IHG sent out on Sunday was firm that these suite upgrade certs could be used towards award reservations, but IHG told something else to a reader on Saturday."

IHG X Iberostar Partnership Is Live

One Mile At A Time: "As of December 2023, it has become possible to redeem IHG One Rewards points for stays at Iberostar properties. IHG has dynamic award pricing, so the cost of an award stay varies based on the property, night, etc. There are no blackout dates."

"Unfortunately one of the major downsides of the IHG One Rewards program is that there aren’t as many outsized award redemption values as with other programs. Personally I value IHG points at ~0.5 cents each, though virtually every redemption option I’m finding with Iberostar offers less value than that."

Points Wire Note:

If you want to get the most out of IHG points, the 4th night free perk with the IHG Premier Card, IHG Traveler Card, or IHG Premier Business card is the way to go. I do not recommend transferring Bilt or Chase points to IHG. Often, your best bet is to buy IHG points during a 100% bonus promo.

Alaska Airlines Raising Bag Fees (Happy New Year!)

Thrifty Traveler: "Alaska Airlines will raise the cost of checking a bag in the New Year from $30 each way to $35, the first major U.S. airline to increase luggage fees across the board in more than five years – but likely not the last."

"For tickets booked on Jan. 2, 2024, and onwards, the cost of a first checked bag will be $35 – up from the longtime rate of $30 each way. Checking a second bag is also going up by $5, to $45."

Points Wire Note:

If you have an Alaska Airlines credit card (business or personal), you and up to six travel companions on your reservations can get one free checked bag when flying Alaska.

However, you do have to pay for the ticket(s) with your Alaska card to use this benefit. You might prefer to book with card that comes with trip delay coverage.

Air France Glitch With Flights Booked Via Delta Continues

In early 2022, I booked a round-trip cash ticket sold by Delta from Amsterdam to Washington, DC.

My flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Detroit (DTW) was operated by Delta as was the connection to Reagan National Airport (DCA). The return journey from Washington Dulles (IAD) to AMS via Paris (CDG) was operated by Air France.

While I'd booked from my Delta account and thus my SkyMiles number was attached, I noticed that the Air France flights credited to Flying Blue instead.

The problem seems to stem from checking in via the Air France app and the fact that I was already logged into Flying Blue. Even though my ticket listed my SkyMiles number, I earned Flying Blue miles. 

Well, it seems this continues to be an issue as The Bulkhead Seat ran into the same problems just recently.

As friends who have dealt with the same issue, it can be tedious to unwind.

Finnair's Move To Avios Delayed

In an email from Finnair, they noted that "In the autumn, we told you about a new era for Finnair Plus program in 2024, and the targeted timeline for the changes was late January 2024. The technical work to implement the changes across our systems has progressed well, but we still need a little more time to develop and test the renewed services to ensure they work smoothly for you. Hence, the new era of Finnair Plus will start on 9 March 2024."

Points Wire Note:

Once this transition is complete, you'll be able to move Avios between Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, and Qatar Airways.

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: Useful, But Tough To Use

One Mile At A Time: "At the moment, saver level award availability across the Pacific is more limited than ever before, with one exception. Specifically, EVA Air has good business class award availability, but only if you book through the carrier’s own Infinity MileageLands program."

"The good news is that these miles are potentially easy to come by. The bad news is that the process of booking through Infinity MileageLands sometimes leaves a bit to be desired."

Points Wire Note:

Only Citi ThankYou Points transfer to EVA Air at a 1:1 ratio. Capital One's transfer ratio is a poor 1:0.75. Yet another reason reminder that points diversification is key and that the Citi Premier is a sleeper card.

EVA has often released an extra business class award seat to its own members. It's unfortunate to see almost all award space restricted to EVA, but it's nice to see multiple seats.

30% Off Select Awards With Turkish Miles

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is running a 30% off award promo to end the year. To book a discounted award, you must book by December 27, 2023 and complete your travel by May 31, 2024. Dates between March 27 and April 15, 2024 are not included in the promo.

Business class award tickets are eligible.

For more details and the eligible destinations, check out Turkish's promo page.

Points Wire Note:

Turkish miles are pretty easy to earn as you can transfer Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.