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."
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.
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.
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!
God Save The Points: "The fundamental question is: why is a person who buys 4X business class tickets per year rewarded with some level of mid to high tier status, but someone who buys 4X business class tickets for the family, but only travels once, not rewarded?"
One Mile At A Time: "The cost of an Alaska Lounge membership will be increasing as of February 2024, which is the second price hike in two years. With these changes, the airline will charge $450-550 for an Alaska Lounge membership, and $650-750 for an Alaska Lounge+ membership."
Points Wire Note: The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card is the best way to gain access to Alaska lounges when flying Alaska or its partners.
Last night, Max Miles Points and I were discussing the fact that Qatar Airways Privilege Club isn't able to book award tickets on JetBlue currently. Readers had flagged for me that Qatar had told them there were technical issues.
Now, it seems Qatar might be creating a separate award chart for award tickets on JetBlue with worse award rates. Frequent Miler reports that they're seeing award rates listed at double the original rates.
Points Wire Note: If this does turn out to be a devaluation, it'll be so disappointing. Qatar Airways and JetBlue just expanded their partnership to allow award bookings. To double award rates after only a few days is poor form if you ask me.
Loyalty Lobby: "IHG One Rewards members can earn a free night award capped at 40,000 for every 5 nights, don’t need to be consecutive, consumed booked using eligible rates for this offer and by February 29."
Stays in Africa, the Middle East, India, and South Asia qualify. The free night can be used on an award that requires up to 40,000 IHG One Rewards points.
Promo Terms
Points Wire Note: This is an excellent promo if you'll be in these regions!
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