Reddit: Reddit user carpethediem5 received an email from United stating that ”You can now gift TravelBank cash to friends and family. we're making it easy to give the gift of travel this holiday season. Our newest feature allows you to gift TravelBank cash to friends or family — all you need is their MileagePlus® number and last name.”
Points Wire Note: If you have an Amex Platinum or Business Platinum, this could be particularly useful.
MilesTalk: "With these new offers, you’ll get 75,000 Southwest (Companion Pass qualifying) points when you spend $3,000 within 3 months from account opening. This replaces the old offer for 50,000 points when you spend $1,000 within 3 months."
More Info On The Southwest Priority Card
Points Wire Note: If you're getting Southwest card sign-up bonuses to earn the Companion Pass, make sure you don't hit the minimum spend until January 2024. If your statement closes in December and you've already hit the spend, the points will count toward 2023.
If you earn the necessary 125,000 points in 2024, you'll get the Companion Pass through the end of 2025.
Your Mileage May Vary: "Many savvy travelers already use AirTags, Tiles, etc., to keep track of their luggage. Other airlines, including American, United and Delta, have offered digital bag tracking for a while. But this is a welcome addition to Southwest."
Loyalty Lobby: "Marriott offers various dining programs, including More Cravings in EMEA, Bonvoy Asia, and Latin America. Additionally, in the US and Canada, former SPG brands allow you to earn points for dining at affiliated outlets without staying simply by presenting your Bonvoy membership number."
"While Marriott is initially rolling out the program in Europe, there are plans to expand it to other regions. You can earn points in the UK for other expenses, such as spa treatments and golf."
Bilt's Rent Day promotion for November is insane. On November 1, you can take advantage of a 75-150% transfer bonus to Emirates Skywards. Your transfer bonus depends on your Bilt Rewards status:
Blue: 75% (1,000 Bilt points = 1,750 Skywards miles)
Silver: 100% (1,000 Bilt points = 2,000 Skywards miles)
Gold: 125% (1,000 Bilt points = 2,250 Skywards miles)
Platinum: 150% (1,000 Bilt points = 2,500 Skywards miles)
More Info On Bilt Card (my affiliate link)
Points Wire Note: I serve on a Bilt advisory panel. Let me know if you have any questions about the card or program.
Travel on Points: "There is a new Vacasa Wyndham redemption cap when using points that is a devaluation of the program. How much of a devaluation it is will depend on where you are wanting to redeem your Wyndham points."
"You used to be able to book any property that had a $500 or less average cost per room with points. That has now been dropped to $350 per night. That still sounds generous, but it does include any taxes and fees, which makes it a little less generous than initially thought."
If you spend $500 at a Hilton property in Nevada, you can get a $100 statement credit. Must pay for the booking by March 15, 2024. Registration is required. Hilton Impresario bookings at participating properties should qualify.
Click Here To Book With Impresario
Points Wire Note: Hilton Impresario can book Conrad, LXR, and Waldorf properties. Unfortunately, the Conrad in Las Vegas does not participate in Impresario but the LXR and Waldorf do.
Impresario offers perks such as: Daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit, upgrade on arrival (if available), double Hilton points, etc.
Thrifty Traveler: "We can hardly believe our eyes but it's undeniable: Air France/KLM Flying Blue has decreased award rates between North America and Europe over the last several days, meaning you can (probably) book those flights for fewer miles."
One Mile At A Time: "What’s most interesting here is that Air New Zealand doesn’t plan to make any changes to the cabin of these jets, which is fair enough, given that this is a lease. So these planes will maintain Cathay Pacific’s four cabin layout. This is especially good news for business class passengers."
This aircraft will operate three flights per week on the Houston-Auckland route starting November 30, 2023.
Points Wire Note: The reverse herringbone business class cabin layout on this aircraft is far superior to Air New Zealand's traditional herringbone layout.
If you choose to buy up to the first class cabin (still with business class service), it should cost ~$343 one-way. The six first class seats are massive.
You can book with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or a Star Alliance program such as Air Canada Aeroplan or United MileagePlus.
View From The Wing: "Delta Air Lines has announced several changes to its frequent flyer program for 2024, to replace the changes they had announced to its frequent flyer program for 2024. In the midst of all of the rancor and chaos, there’s a change to who gets upgrades going forward."
"In most cases million-miler status becomes the number one tie-breaker for upgrades. A Diamond million miler trumps one who isn’t. But note that Delta says what matters is whether you are a million miler, not how many millions you have."
Delta Upgrade Priority Comparison
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