Miles To Memories: "Hilton Grand Vacations has a new timeshare offer. You can get a three night stay and 50,000 Hilton Honors points starting at just $149. There are three destinations to choose from.
And, as usual, there’s a requirement to attend a timeshare presentation."
One Mile At A Time: "Major adjustments are coming to Alaska Mileage Plan award redemptions in early 2024, as just about everything is changing. Let me just say upfront that Alaska isn’t pulling a Delta SkyMiles here, in terms of trying to destroy the value of its program. While the current sweet spots are largely being eliminated, the program will become much more widely useful."
Points Wire Note: While some short-haul award rates are improving, long-haul business and first class award rates on Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qantas are taking a huge hit. I think Alaska needs a transfer partner or two given the rates they're going to charge.
Other positives include the ability to book multi-partner awards, partner award sales, and more redemptions that don't touch North America.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses: "Use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book award nights at select Maui properties and receive a 10k point reduction upon booking."
Eligible on select dates until March 1, 2024.
Frequent Miler: "In what might be a targeted offer, IHG One Rewards has sent an email to members inviting them to purchase a timeshare tour package. For $199 or $249 (depending upon whether you want to stay at a partner hotel or at the resort property you’ll tour), you can get a 3-night stay and 75,000 IHG One Rewards points upon completing of a timeshare presentation during your stay."
Points Wire Note: This could be a great way to get 75,000 IHG One Rewards points on top of a vacation. Be ready to say "no" to the timeshare presenter and stand your ground. You don't owe it to them to buy, and you probably shouldn't.
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.
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.
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."
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