Two Senators Want To Investigate Airline Loyalty Programs

View From The Wing: "As with so much in Washington, there’s more here than meets the eye. These two Senators aren’t concerned for members of the programs, and devaluations don’t actually bother them. They have their own bill that would cause significant devaluation."

"However this new broadside is just regulatory payback. Senators Durbin and Marshall are carrying the retail lobby’s water to cap credit card interchange, having the government mandate that credit card processing be provided to them at lower than market prices. As with Durbin’s cap on debit card interchange, less profitable products mean there’s little incentive to spend on rewards, rebating to the customer to compete for their transactions."

Earn 3x Wyndham Points On Stays Of 2+ Nights

Wyndham Rewards: For every Wyndham stay of 2+ nights through January 15, 2024, you can earn 3x bonus points up to 30,000 points. You must register for the promo by January 12, 2024 and before you stay to earn bonus points.

Make sure you review the terms and conditions on the promo registration page.

If you link a Visa business card to Visa SavingsEdge, you can also earn 4% cashback in the form of a statement credit.

Barclays Aviator Silver: Earn Up To 15K AA Loyalty Points

Miles To Memories: "In return for the $199 annual fee, the biggest perk is perhaps earning up to 15k bonus Loyalty Points. Cardholders earn 5k Loyalty Points after spending $20k, an additional 5k with $20k more, and a final 5k with $50k total spending in the AA elite status qualification year."

"Unfortunately, the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver isn’t available for new applications. It’s only available via product change from another personal Aviator card."

New Capital One Travel Offers

Capital One Travel: Another round of travel discounts:

$100 off Air Europa flights from the US
$100 off ITA Airways flights from the US to Italy (excluding Rome)
$25 off select Budget Rental Cars
$25 off select Avis Rental Cars
$25 off select hotels in Savannah
10% off (up to $50) select hotels in Philadelphia
10% off (up to $50) select hotels in Dominican Republic
20% off (up to $100) select hotels in Tulum, Chetumal, Bacalar, Mahahual
20% off (up to $200) select hotels in Aspen
40% off (up to $200) select hotels in Abu Dhabi

Points Wire Note: Hotel bookings done through 3rd party platforms don't typically earn points or elite night credit. Additionally, hotel elite status benefits might not be honored.

Plastiq Accepting Amex Cards Again

Frequent Miler: "Plastiq has once again begun accepting American Express cards for payments. I was able to successfully send a tuition payment to my son’s “3K” program last night using an American Express card as both “tuition” and “daycare” are among the many categories that can now be paid with an American Express card."

Points Wire Note: Plastiq allows you to pay vendors that don't accept credit cards. They charge a 2.9% fee to make a credit card payment. It's mostly useful for hitting minimum spends to earn sign-up bonuses.

Skip Security Lines At JFK Terminal 1 With Priority Pass

One Mile At A Time: "JFK Terminal 1 is one of my least favorite places in the US to clear security, so it’s awesome that VIP ONE is available there. You can either pay $45 to use the facility, or alternatively, you can now access it with Priority Pass. While VIP ONE has been around for several years, we’ve now seen the opening of a new departures lounge as well."

Priority Pass VIPOne Entry Conditions

A More Secure Way To Pay At Hotel Restaurants

God Save The Points: "Mews is a hotel and hospitality technology company which historically has only really been interesting to people in the business. That very much changed virtually overnight, after a Mews acquisition of a point of sale system created their latest product, allowing you to tap your room key to settle a hotel bill, like breakfast."

Points Wire Note: While you could just use your credit card, putting hotel restaurant and bar bills on your room allows you to earn additional hotel points. I'd certainly like to see the ability to pay for breakfast or a drink with my room key.

Increased Bonuses For Barclays Emirates Cards

Doctor Of Credit: "Barclays has increased the sign up bonuses on the Barclays Emirates cards to 50,000 and 60,000 points."

"When these cards launched the bonuses were 30,000 and 50,000 miles respectively so this is a nice increase for the Silver card."

Points Wire Note: These are low priority cards since you can transfer points to Emirates Skywards from all transferable points programs - Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points.

W Edinburgh - Earn Up To 15K Bonus Marriott Points

Frequent Flyer Bonuses: "Earn up to 15,000 Bonus Bonvoy Points for stays at the W Edinburgh... Earn 15,000 points for suites or 5,000 points for standard and premium rooms."

Promo Dates: November 14, 2023 - February 6, 2024

Direct Link To Offer

Points Wire Note: If you'll be in Edinburgh in the next few months, it's worth checking rates at the W.

How To Find IC Bora Bora And Tahiti Award Space

My Points Life: "All three InterContinental resorts in French Polynesia do not open award availability until 120 days before your desired award stay dates."

"The trick to having the IHG award calendar search show is to find a date that an award stay date is unavailable."