Frequent Miler: "Rewards Network runs card-linked dining programs for many airlines and hotel programs including American Airlines, United, Marriott, IHG and more. They’ve just added a nationwide chain to the program that’s more of an activity-based company but which also serves food and drink – Topgolf."
Points Wire Note:
While multiple airline and hotel programs are on Rewards Network, one credit card can only be linked to one program at a time.
There's also an Amex Offer for Topgolf that expires December 31, 2023. If you spend $100, you can get $20 back. You can use this offer twice. Excludes gift cards purchased online and purchases made at Topgolf Swing Suites or Toptracer Range locations.
One Mile At A Time: "As of December 2023, it has become possible to redeem IHG One Rewards points for stays at Iberostar properties. IHG has dynamic award pricing, so the cost of an award stay varies based on the property, night, etc. There are no blackout dates."
"Unfortunately one of the major downsides of the IHG One Rewards program is that there aren’t as many outsized award redemption values as with other programs. Personally I value IHG points at ~0.5 cents each, though virtually every redemption option I’m finding with Iberostar offers less value than that."
Points Wire Note:
If you want to get the most out of IHG points, the 4th night free perk with the IHG Premier Card, IHG Traveler Card, or IHG Premier Business card is the way to go. I do not recommend transferring Bilt or Chase points to IHG. Often, your best bet is to buy IHG points during a 100% bonus promo.
In early 2022, I booked a round-trip cash ticket sold by Delta from Amsterdam to Washington, DC.
My flight from Amsterdam (AMS) to Detroit (DTW) was operated by Delta as was the connection to Reagan National Airport (DCA). The return journey from Washington Dulles (IAD) to AMS via Paris (CDG) was operated by Air France.
While I'd booked from my Delta account and thus my SkyMiles number was attached, I noticed that the Air France flights credited to Flying Blue instead.
The problem seems to stem from checking in via the Air France app and the fact that I was already logged into Flying Blue. Even though my ticket listed my SkyMiles number, I earned Flying Blue miles.
Well, it seems this continues to be an issue as The Bulkhead Seat ran into the same problems just recently.
As friends who have dealt with the same issue, it can be tedious to unwind.
One Mile At A Time: "At the moment, saver level award availability across the Pacific is more limited than ever before, with one exception. Specifically, EVA Air has good business class award availability, but only if you book through the carrier’s own Infinity MileageLands program."
"The good news is that these miles are potentially easy to come by. The bad news is that the process of booking through Infinity MileageLands sometimes leaves a bit to be desired."
Points Wire Note:
Only Citi ThankYou Points transfer to EVA Air at a 1:1 ratio. Capital One's transfer ratio is a poor 1:0.75. Yet another reason reminder that points diversification is key and that the Citi Premier is a sleeper card.
EVA has often released an extra business class award seat to its own members. It's unfortunate to see almost all award space restricted to EVA, but it's nice to see multiple seats.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles is running a 30% off award promo to end the year. To book a discounted award, you must book by December 27, 2023 and complete your travel by May 31, 2024. Dates between March 27 and April 15, 2024 are not included in the promo.
Business class award tickets are eligible.
For more details and the eligible destinations, check out Turkish's promo page.
Points Wire Note:
Turkish miles are pretty easy to earn as you can transfer Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.
Lifemiles is running a promo for buying miles in which you can get up to a 155% bonus when buy miles. With the 155% bonus offer, you can buy lifemiles for 1.29 cents per mile if you purchase at least 36,000 miles. If you purchase fewer miles, the bonus will be 145%.
While LifeMiles typically offers different promo rates to members, this appears to be a set promo rate available to everyone. This promo runs through July 11, 2024.
This is the lowest bonus offer lifemiles has offered since October 2023.
Points Wire Note:
Previously, LifeMiles sold miles directly. However, they're now using the Points.com platform which means the purchase won't code as an airline.
This means your best bet is to use a credit card that earns 2x on everything such as the Capital One Venture, Capital One Venture X, Capital One Venture X Business, Amex Blue Business Plus, or Citi Double Cash. If you recently opened the Chase Freedom Unlimited with the offer for unlimited matched cash back for 12 months, you could earn 3%/3x.
American's shopping portal has increased earn rates at a bunch of stores for the holidays. Remember, you will earn Loyalty Points toward elite status in addition to redeemable miles when you use American's shopping portal.
Here are a some options to earn 10x AA miles/Loyalty Points per dollar:
Points Wire Note:
Sometimes, SimplyMiles offers will overlap with the merchants on American's shopping portal. You can link a Mastercard to SimplyMiles and add offers then go through AA's shopping portal and pay with that Mastercard. That way you'll earn bonus miles from SimplyMiles and AA's shopping portal on top of the usual points you earn with your credit card.
My favorite cards to link are the Bilt Mastercard. The Citi Double Cash is another great option if you have the Citi Premier as well.
For IHG stays between December 15, 2024 and January 6, 2024, you can save 20% during this flash sale. IHG One Rewards members can save up to 25%. Deal states that 1,600 properties in the U.S. are participating.
Bookings must be made at least 3 days in advance and are prepaid. Must book by January 3, 2024.
Points Wire Note:
I would consider use the Top Cashback shopping portal to earn some cash back on your booking Also, there are Chase Offers for 10% back at multiple IHG brands.
Add those offers and you can do a nice stack: IHG Flash Sale + Top Cashback + Chase Offer.
Hilton has announced their next Points Plus promotion for stays between May 2 and September 2, 2024. For stays within these dates, you'll earn 2x points without a limit. Just make sure you register before your first stay. Stays booked prior to the promo will be eligible.
Points Wire Note:
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan with a 20% bonus until 11:59pm ET on July 31, 2024.
If you have the Chase Aeroplan Card, you'll get an additional 10% bonus on the points you transfer if you transfer at least 50,000 points. That means you'll get a 30% bonus. For example, a transfer of 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points will get you 65,000 Aeroplan points if you have the Aeroplan card.
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