Head for Points flagged that British Airways has launchd a status match - really, a status challenge - for residents of the US and Canada. You can match your status from seven airlines including:
Depending on your status with these airlines, you can match to BA Silver or BA Gold. Both provide lounge access on domestic flights operated by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines. Additionally, you can choose Main Cabin Extra seats on American.
You must apply for the match by May 7, 2024. You'll need to upload proof of an eligible status level with an eligible airline. Approval can take up to five days.
The Status Challenge
Your new status is only valid for six months unless you meet certain benchmarks to extend.
Specifically, you need to book a round-trip transatlantic business or first class cash ticket that is marketed by British Airways that originates in the US, Canada, or Mexico.
The flights must be operated by BA, AA, Iberia, or Finnair. You must book and complete this round-trip ticket within six months of registering for the match.
Points Wire Note:
I've had BA Gold for several years and BA Silver before that. I've often called BA Silver the sweet spot for many oneworld flyers in the US who don't fly enough for work to earn top-tier status with American or Alaska. If you're unlikely to get upgrades, you might as well get lounge access (including Flagship lounges).
Live And Let's Fly: "In what appears to be a change to longstanding policy, United Airlines is no longer making all of its “saver level” award space available to members of partner frequent flyer programs. If this is indeed a new trend, it will certainly impact the usefulness of partner programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles for many US-based travelers."
Points Wire Note:
My hope is that this isn't a policy change. I've seen United restrict business class award space to their own MileagePlus members at times in the past, but it's always come back. We'll see how things go this time!
View From The Wing: "Between late check-out rules and housekeeping costs, some Marriott employees cop to lying to guests and saying there are no suite upgrades available – since it’s costly and operationally difficult to honor the benefit."
The Points Guy: "Scandinavian Airlines has firmed up the timeline for its departure from the Star Alliance."
"SAS will leave the global airline alliance effective Aug. 31, the Stockholm-based carrier said Monday."
Points Wire Note:
it's rarely been easy to find much business class award space on SAS. I'll be curious to see if that changes once it joins SkyTeam since Air France-KLM now have a stake in the airline. Of course, if there are steep carrier-imposed surcharges when booking with Flying Blue, it won't really matter if there's a lot of award space.
Qatar Airways is running a promo in which you can earn up to 25,000 Avios when you book a round-trip award ticket from the UK. The key to earning 25,000 Avios is booking business class as an economy ticket will only earn 10,000 Avios.
A wrinkle to this promo is that your Qatar Airways Privilege Club must list the UK as your address to be eligible to register.
If you join Qatar Airways Privilege Club today, you'll need to wait 24 hours to register for the promo.
Qatar Airways states that "Your Avios will be automatically credited to your Privilege Club account, within 30 days after the award flight has been completed."
Direct link to register
Use the promo code AVIOSBONUS24
Points Wire Note:
Keep in mind that premium cabin award tickets out of the UK will include the steep Air Passenger Duty (APD) fee which will male the taxes/fees a bit steep. Still, this is a fun promo and I'd love to see more airline programs do stuff like this!
Delta and Hilton have teamed up to offer bonus SkyMiles on Hilton stays. You can earn 1,000 SkyMiles per Hilton stay on up to three stays by July 7, 2024. You must register for the promo before booking as stays booked prior to registration are not eligible. You must book through Hilton's site or the Hilton Honors app.
Points Wire Note:
You might as well register just in case you need a stay at a Hilton property, but I wouldn't go out of my way to book because of this as 1,000 SkyMiles is worth about $10.
If you have an Amex Offer or Chase Offer for a Hilton stay, this should stack with that.
GHA DISCOVERY isn't as well known in the points community, but it's a program worth knowing. You can earn Titanium status just by staying at three different brands in a calendar year. As of April 5, 2024, Titanium status will receive complimentary breakfast during stays with these brands:
Titanium members will also receive free breakfast at The Set Collection properties starting on May 1, 2024 with additional brands becoming eligible at a later date.
Impressively, this is not a continental breakfast benefit. Per GHA's terms and conditions, "the Benefit applies to breakfast served at the hotel and will be for the same breakfast type that the hotel offers to guests who have booked a room and breakfast package."
Executive Traveller: "Cathay Pacific will remove first class from its 777-300ER fleet, replacing the dated suites with its all-new high-privacy business class pods in a move which will eventually make first class exclusive to the Boeing 777-9 jets, which are due to arrive in 2025 with a luxurious new first class design."
Points Wire Note:
While Cathay's first class suites don't have doors and haven't been refreshed in years, they still provide a lot of privacy and are absolutely massive. Plus, with the bedding, they provide one of the most comfortable places to sleep in the sky. I would have liked to see them refresh the first class product just a little and kept it on the Boeing 777-300. Hopefully, they'll take delivery of the Boeing 777X next year, but the aircraft has been plagued by delays.
For a while now, the standard welcome bonus for all three cards has been 75,000 Avios if you spend $5,000 in 3 months. However, Chase has just added an extra incentive. New cardholders can earn 5x on gas, grocery, and dining purchases for the first 12 months with the card (up to $10,000 in spend) in addition to the usual 75,000 Avios.
That temporary 5x bonus spend could net you an additional 50,000 Avios.
If you're interested in applying, you can learn more about each here:
Points Wire Note:
I wouldn't shift a ton of spend to an Avios card, but the British Airways card does have some compelling benefits. Of the three cards, I think it's the best of the bunch for most travelers.
A Redditor flagged that Sky Clubs in Minneapolis (MSP are offering 50% off premium drinks when your redeem SkyMiles. As View From The Wing has noted, that means a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee (~$70 retail) will cost 4,600 SkyMiles instead of 9,200 SkyMiles. Considering how badly Delta has devalued SkyMiles over the years, this is actually one of the best value redemptions available.
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