Cardless has launched two co-branded credit cards with avianca lifemiles for the U.S. market. These cards will be on the American Express network, but is not considered an Amex card when it comes to application and bonus restrictions.
Let's take a look at each card.
avianca lifemiles American Express Elite Card
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 lifemiles if you spend $4,500 in 90 days; an extra 40,000 miles if you spend $25,000 within 365 days (10,000 bonus miles if you joined the waitlist)
Bonus Categories:
Card Benefits:
Annual Fee: $249
avianca lifemiles American Express Card
Welcome Bonus:
Bonus Categories:
Card Benefits:
Annual Fee: $99
Points Wire Note:
If you use lifemiles regularly, the lifemiles+ subscription could be useful. Similarly, Silver status will be beneficial if you often fly avianca. Other than that, the cards don't have any benefits that are going to blow you away.
Update: Spirit has changed it's voucher expiration policy. For vouchers issued on/after June 3, 2024, they'll be valid for 12 months instead of 90 days.
One Mile At A Time: "Spirit has just eliminated change and cancelations fees for all customers. I imagine the airline was rushed to make this change following Frontier’s recent announcement, so maybe we’ll see an official press release in the next day or two. Spirit’s homepage has a banner saying that 'change fees are gone for all.'"
"It’s worth emphasizing how Spirit’s new policy isn’t just more generous than Frontier’s, but is actually more generous than what you’ll find at the legacy carriers, and is in line with Southwest’s policies. All Spirit fares appear to offer ticket flexibility. Meanwhile at Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United, basic economy tickets don’t allow free changes and cancelations."
If you have IHG stays coming up soon, you can forgo earning IHG One Rewards points to earn triple United miles (up to 15,000 miles). You must register and book by June 30, 2024 and complete your stay by August 31, 2024.
Marriott Bonvoy is running a promo for a stay of 2+ nights at a Homes & Villas rental property.
Offer Details
Terms & Conditions
One Mile At A Time: "As of May 8, 2024, JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest will introduce reciprocal opportunities to earn and redeem points. This means both JetBlue TrueBlue and Etihad Guest members will be able to earn and redeem points for travel on the other airline. Exact earning and redemption rates should be revealed shortly."
Update: Etihad Guest has published its award rates for JetBlue flights. Your best bet is probably JetBlue Mint on transcontinental routes for 50,000 to 60,000 Etihad miles one-way.
JetBlue TrueBlue doesn't publish an award chart, but a quick search shows you'd need 135,900 points for a one-way business class award ticket between New York (JFK) and Abu Dhabi (AUH). While Eithad business and first class award space hasn't been available to partners beyond 30 days from departure, it seems JetBlue has access to business class space outside that window.
However, JetBlue does not appear to have access to first class award space.
GHA Discovery isn't as well known as Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt, but it's been running some interesting promos and even a lucrative status match.
Now, they're out with an impressive 20th anniversary promo. It'll take some effort to hit all of the steps, but it has the potential be quite lucrative.
The Basics
The Discovery Dollars you earn increases with each stay starting with third stay. Just remember, to qualify, each stay needs to be at a different brand. View From The Wing has a breakdown of how it works.
You'll also earn Discovery Dollars as a percentage of your spend based on your status:
Points Wire Note:
I'll note that some GHA brands can be booked with VIP perks via a luxury travel advisor like myself. Several that come to mind:
You can book many properties with perks via our self-serve portal. Perks can include daily breakfast for 2, a US$100 property credit, room upgrade (if available), welcome amenity, and more.
Head for Points flagged that Virgin Red is running a points promo for Virgin Voyages. When you consider that Chase and Amex are both running 30% transfer bonuses to Virgin, you can get a solid deal on a cruise. Just remember that these cruises are adults-only.
Five-night cruises in the Caribbean start at 115,000 Virgin points per cabin - that's only 89,000 Amex or Chase points.
Points Wire Note:
As always, you should check cash prices before you book as that could be a better option. If you do pay cash for a cruise, keep in mind that luxury travel advisors can often add some VIP perks. As a luxury travel advisor, I'm happy to add some benefits to your cruise - submit a request.
Update: It's back!
If you'll be booking a Delta flight and you frequent Starbucks, here's an easy way to get a small rebate on your next flight.
When you buy a $300+ Delta gift card, they'll give you a $20 Starbucks e-gift card as a bonus. The Delta gift card should be available to use within 72 hours of purchase. Note that the Starbucks gift card will be emailed to you separately.
This promo runs while supplies lasts or until 11:59pm EST on June 17, 2024. You must be a U.S. resident to participate.
Enilria: "Delta says it plans to drop the requirement to collect and recheck your bags on arrival in the USA if you are connecting. The plan would start with Japan."
"I’m shocked Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) are onboard with it, although most of the rest of the world does it this way. The only large country outside North America I’m aware of that also requires recheck is China. The EU definitely doesn’t require it, although that may not be at all airports. Mega hubs like Dubai (DXB) couldn’t function if they did this."
Update: Hearing that the 75,000-mile offer may end in a week.
If you're looking to give your American miles balance a boost, the sign-up bonus for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite was just increased. Here's what you need to know.
Sign-up Bonus
Bonus Categories
Other Benefits
Annual Fee
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Premium members even get text alerts when there are great opportunities to book business and first class flights!
To make choosing your next card a bit easier, we've ranked the best credit card offers to help find the best bonuses.
Whether you need help figuring out the best ways to earn or redeem points and miles, I’ll work with you to create a personalized strategy that’s easy to follow.
In August 2018, I started the Straight To The Points flight alerts newsletter with the goal of making it easier to book business and first class flights with points & miles and fare deals.
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