Danny the Deal Guru: "Southwest says that starting on January 1, 2024, the number of Rapid Rewards points required per dollar of base fare will increase by approximately 4%. This change will not affect flights booked before that date, even if travel takes place next year.
So with this 4% increase, that same $140 flight that we took as an example above, will cost 10,400 Rapid Rewards points starting next year. That’s not a huge devaluation, but it is a devaluation nonetheless. That brings the value of Rapid Rewards points to about 1.35 cent each."
Head for Points: "Yesterday we told you how Aer Lingus had quietly brought in a 60 day rule for Avios bookings."
"After we published our article yesterday, it all came back! Well, nearly all. It seems that a six day rule is now in place instead."
One Mile At A Time: "A350-900s, 787-9s, and 777Xs, will all feature a new business class, which is the same product that will be retrofitted on some 777-300ERs starting in 2024. This product will feature direct aisle access and will be in a 1-2-1 configuration, though we’ll see just how good it is."
Points Wire Note: This is long overdue. While Emirates first class is impressive, their business class product has lagged behind even US carriers.
The Points Guy: "Earlier this week came the exciting news: JetBlue flights could be booked online with Avios through Qatar Airways Privilege Club at excellent rates and with no surcharges.
Without warning, Privilege Club has now significantly increased the number of Avios required to book JetBlue flights and removed the ability to book these flights online. What makes the news even worse is that when Privilege Club members submit a request for redemption at the new rates, these are "temporarily unavailable," with no explanation of how temporary this might be."
Points Wire Note: The award rate for business class on flights of 2,001 to 3,000 miles (i.e. Boston to Dublin or LAX to JFK) jumped from 38,750 to 74,000 Avios one-way. That's a staggering 91% increase.
The business class rate on flights of 3,001+ miles (i.e. JFK/BOS to London, Paris, Amsterdam, etc.) jumped from 62,000 to 78,000 Avios. That 25.9% increase seems small in comparison but is still rough.
Frequent Miler: "There is a new targeted Chase Offer / Bank of America Offer good for 10-15% back on Alaska Airlines up to between $45-$67 back. This will stack with Bank of America’s More Rewards Day that’s happening right now (provided you have it on a BOA card)."
The Points Guy: "Here's the big change: Starting Jan. 1, 2024, you'll earn 25 PQPs per $500 spent on an eligible cobranded United credit card instead of 500 PQPs for every $12,000."
Other changes starting in 2024 include:
The United Club Infinite Card will earn up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs).
The cap of 15,000 PQPs that you can earn from all co-branded United cards has been removed.
The PQPs you earn will now count toward top tier Premier 1K Status.
Head for Points: "It appears that Aer Lingus is now blocking Avios redemptions made within 60 days of the date of travel."
Points Wire Note: Hopefully, this isn't a policy change by Aer Lingus as some people can't book trips until closer to departure.
One Mile At A Time: "Recently I wrote about how several readers had gotten in touch to point out that the British Airways AARP discount had been pulled."
"Fortunately that has finally changed. This webpage is now back, and you can follow the link there to be taken to the AARP website, which will then redirect you to the British Airways website and apply the discount."
Points Wire Note: An AARP membership is only $12 per year. You can go through the cash back portal Top Cashback (my referral) to sign up and get $12.12 cash back.
You can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Hilton until December 31, 2023 and get a 30% bonus. That means the standard 1:1 transfer ratio is bumped up to 1:2.6 with a minimum transfer amount of 1,000 Amex points.
For context, Hilton points are worth about half a cent per point.
Points Wire Note: It's rare that transferring Amex points will make sense, especially when you consider that you can often buy Hilton points at half a cent per point.
United's Q4 Mile Play promo is live. Just register with your United number to see if you have an offer.
My offer: Book and take one trip ($100 minimum fare to qualify) before December 15, 2023 to earn 3,000 bonus United miles.
Register Here
Points Wire Note: I've yet to see a United Mile Play promo make it worth going out of your way to book a flight with United. However, if you're booking a United flight anyway, extra points are fun!
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