God Save The Points: "Having an app and drops is a way to get people to engage. Really, it’s designed to inspire more. I certainly wasn’t thinking about new socks, but I logged on to see what new drops are coming and realized I could probably use some socks, a new tee-shirt and I might as well look at Laker “city” edition jerseys. See what I mean?"
The Chase Ultimate Rewards 30% transfer bonus promo to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club ends at 11:59pm ET on November 15, 2023. If you're about to book an award ticket with Virgin points, make sure you transfer before it ends.
Bookmark our current transfer bonuses page.
Points Wire Note: I wouldn't transfer points unless you are ready to book. Keeping your points with Chase provides more flexibility and reduces the chance you'll be negatively impacted by a devaluation.
Miles To Memories: "Amex has recently taken multiple steps to tighten up the benefits of holding their cards. In my view, no one of these changes is enough to warrant any big concern, but the summation of a few are enough to raise alarms. Is it enough to consider the moves an overall American Express devaluation? Opinions will differ, but here’s a case for why we should be concerned now."
Spend $2,000 with Virgin Atlantic, get $300 back. Booking must be booked directly with Virgin Atlantic's site or mobile app, originate in the US, charged in USD, and be booked by January 12, 2024.
Points Wire Note: Cash back portal rates are weak for airlines, but you can get an additional 1.01% back via Top Cashback (my referral).
Award Wallet: "JetBlue and Qatar have been partners since 2013, but this partnership has only gotten really interesting in the past week. After teasing reciprocal award redemptions since 2021, Qatar Privilege Club finally added JetBlue award redemptions on November 6 — just to nerf the value of these awards a few days later. And now, JetBlue just added the ability to book Qatar awards using TrueBlue points."
Points Wire Note: The sweet spot is 70,000 TrueBlue points for a nonstop one-way Qatar Airways business class award flight between the US and Doha. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio.
Chase recently launched a new sign-up bonus that has the points & miles enthusiasts excited!
You can earn unlimited matched cash back after your first 12 months with the card. That turns 3% on dining/drugstores and 1.5% on everything else become 6% and 3%, respectively, during the first 12 months. (Learn More)
For those who spend a lot at grocery stores, the Freedom Unlimited offer via a cardholder referral could be best. In this case the bonus is $200 cashback + 5% back at grocery stores for 12 months up to $12,000 spend. (Learn More)
Points Wire Note: The Freedom Unlimited pairs nicely with a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred as the cash back can then be converted to transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
Loyalty Lobby: "The program requires passengers with the following nationalities to preregister their arrival card electronically at least three days prior to flying to [Malaysia] and then register the fingerprints at the counter upon the first visit. For all subsequent visits, they can then use the eGates as per program description."
Register Here.
Hilton: The Trump Hotel Waikiki is being reflagged as Wākea Waikiki Beach – LXR Hotels & Resorts in February 2024. Once the property is an LXR, you'll be able to use Hilton points to book.
Points Wire Note: I would expect standard rooms to require at least 90,000 Hilton points per night as this is one of Hilton's three luxury brands and Waikiki Beach is a popular destination.
I would expect you'll be able to book cash rates via Hilton Impresario as well. Impresario benefits include: Daily breakfast for 2, $100 property credit, room upgrade on arrival, double Hilton points, etc. You can book Impresario rates at Conrad, LXR, and Waldorf Astoria properties via our self-service portal.
Max Miles Points: Max has an exclusive promo code to save 20% on Southwest flights. The code expires November 11, 2023 at 11:59pm PT. Blackout dates include: December 22-23, 26-28, 30, 2023 and January 1, 2024.
Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards are perhaps the most popular benefit for those who earn Globalist status. However, the process to use a Suite Upgrade Award has involved calling or emailing your Hyatt concierge contact.
Well, that's about to change.
My friend Lucas was booking an award at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue On Seattle's Eastside and he noticed something different.
He had the option to book a standard room with points and add a Suite Upgrade Award all from the app. No calls or emails necessary.
Thanks to an inside source, we confirmed that Hyatt is rolling out the ability to book Suite Night Awards online. You should start to see this option at more properties going forward.
Hopefully, Hyatt will add the option to this on cash bookings as well.
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