Loyalty Lobby: "When I did a similar comparison last time, point values ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 US cents each. IHG may have tightened the cash/point range, and you won’t see those higher values, or at least not now."
"But looking at these current point values, you should have your head checked if you are swiping the IHG/Chase cobranded card for anything other than IHG hotel stays. Even then, half of the properties are incorrectly coded at Chase’s end as non-IHG, and you need to chase up the points (pun intended)."
Points Wire Note:
At this point, it's tough to justify buying IHG points even with a 100% bonus. It might make sense if you have a co-branded Chase IHG credit card and can get a 4th night free, but that's about it.
One Mile At A Time: "American AAdvantage is offering some targeted promotions, whereby you can earn bonus miles for premium cabin travel. To find this offer, log into your AAdvantage account through aa.com or the American Airlines app, go to your main account page, and click on the “Promotions” tab. If eligible, you’ll see this listed there."
You can earn double Hyatt points at Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties worldwide through October 15, 2024. There are over 550 properties from which to choose.
To participate, you must register by September 15, 2024.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can register for a Marriott Bonvoy Gold status fast track promotion.
If you register by September 30, 2024, you'll receive 3 months of Marriott Gold status. If you stay 3 nights within that 3 months, your Gold status will be extended through February 2026.
Points Wire Note:
Marriott Gold is middling at best. You can get late checkout and room upgrades (in theory), but it doesn't provide breakfast. As for the promo, it's nice enough if you have Marriott stays coming up, but the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum offer Gold status just for being a cardholder.
Loyalty Lobby:"Marriott has launched a new Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy for small and medium-sized businesses that have not previously set corporate rates with Marriott."
"There is a booking discount involved, and administrator can also give elite tiers based on the total number of nights consumed by all travelers. Members with cobranded Chase or American Express business credit cards can also apply for the program."
Points Wire Note:
It seems Hilton launching Hilton for Business motivated Marriott to try to compete for small and medium-sized businesses.
Head for Points: "This is potentially the most intriguing deal I’ve seen all year. If you have British Airways elite status, you can match it to BOTH SkyTeam and Star Alliance status."
"Even better, a British Airways Silver member will get top tier status in SkyTeam and Star Alliance, not mid tier!"
Through September 30, you can get 15% off award stays at select new and renovated IHG hotels. Unfortunately, this promo does not stack with the 4th night free benefit available to those with an IHG One Rewards credit card.
If you have Hyatt stays coming up, you could earn up to 20,000 bonus points on your stays.
Promo Details
The Bulkhead Seat: "Now through September 2nd, eligible guests staying two or more nights in select suites at the St. Regis New York, JW Marriott Essex House New York, W New York – Union Square, The New York EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, and The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown will receive complimentary roundtrip BLADE airport helicopter transfers."
View From The Wing flagged that there's a new Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles credit card in the U.S. The card is backed by Imprint and issued by First Electronic Bank.
Let's take a look at the details.
Welcome Bonus
Bonus Categories
Benefits
Strangely, I don't see any benefits offered when flying with Turkish Airlines.
Annual Fee
Sign up for free flight alerts or upgrade to Straight To The Points Premium.
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.
I started Points Wire to make it easier for you to keep up with the news you need to know without all of the fluff.