Hyatt Launches New Brand With Reduced Points Earning Rate

One Mile At A Time: "Hyatt Studios is Hyatt’s new extended stay brand, which is described as Hyatt’s entry into the upper-midscale lodging market."

"The major catch is that points earning at these properties has been reduced by 50% compared to Hyatt’s existing brands. You’ll only earn 2.5x points per dollar spent at Hyatt Studios properties, rather than the usual 5x points."

Choice Privileges Devalues Award Rates At Preferred Hotels

YHBU: [translated from German to English by Google Translate] "Choice Privileges made it possible to book Preferred Hotels online three months ago. This made it much easier to reserve Preferred Hotels. With usable point values, this was another great way to redeem Choice points."

"Choice Privileges has now turned the screw. The maximum limit has been raised from 55,000 points to 87,000 points. Not all 55k hotels have been raised to this level, but many have surprisingly been made more expensive."

Points Wire Note:

If you'd rather save your points for flights, you can book many Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties via their Preferred Platinum Partner program to get VIP perks such as a room upgrade (if available), daily breakfast for 2 people, early check-in/late checkout (if available), a $100 property credit, and a welcome amenity.

Learn more here

Air Canada Domestic Economy Offers Free Premium Snacks, Beer, Wine

Prince of Travel: "As of June 5, 2024, all Air Canada passengers travelling in economy will enjoy free premium snacks from its recent updated offerings, as well as complimentary beer and wine on domestic and transborder flights."

Chase Offer: Save On Alaska Airlines

There's a targeted Chase Offer for Alaska Airlines. If you have the offer, you can get 10% back  (up to $45 back) on a single Alaska Airlines purchase of at least $50. To max out the offer, you would need to make a purchase of $450.

Choice Hotels Promo: Stay Twice, Earn 8,000 Points

Loyalty Lobby: "Choice has launched its Summer 2024 promotion, valid for stays between June 5 and August 5, 2024."

"Choice Privileges members earn at least 8,000 points for every two stays consumed during the promo period. You must register for this offer."

Direct link to register

Bilt Rewards Sets Limit Of 50 Referrals

MilesTalk: "In October 2022, they overhauled the referral program and stated you could earn up to 2,025,000 points (requiring 450 successful referrals)."

"Apparently, however, they changed the program again in February of 2024 – now limiting each account holder to 50 lifetime referrals maximum. So if you had been referring 20 people a year since they launched, you’re done forever."

Oneworld Adding Two Members In Next 12 Months

Oman Air

Oman Air is set to join the oneworld alliance by the end of 2024. While Oman first mentioned its plans to join oneworld in 2021, it's nice to see it coming together.

If they open up business and first class award space to partners, that would make this even more exciting. I'll be curious to see what happens to their Aeroplan partnership. Of course, Aeroplan hasn't had access to business and first class award space for a while.

Fiji Airways

While Fiji Airways is currently a oneworld Connect member, they're planning to become a full oneworld member in the next 12 months. This will mean more oneworld partners will have reciprocal benefits with Fiji Airways.

Emirates Skywards Reduces Economy Award Rates

Loyalty Lobby flagged that Emirates Skywards is reducing the award rates of economy and premium economy award tickets. You can find economy award rates that are up to 55% cheaper than previous rates.

Points Wire Note:

Call me when they reduce their egregious business and first class award rates to (and via) Dubai. :)

Amex Offer: Save On Marriott Stays

With a new round of targeted Amex Offers, you can get cash back on Marriott stays. Personally, I received an offer for 40% back as a statement credit up to $100 cash back. That means I can get 40% back when spending up to $250 at select Marriott properties. Other versions of this Amex Offer include:

• 20% back up to $60
• 20% back up to $50
• Spend $350+, $140 back
• Spend $375+, $100 back
• Spend $250+, $50 back
• Spend $500+, $100 back

Important Terms

• Expires August 13, 2024
• Offer valid only at participating Marriott Bonvoy® properties in the U.S. and U.S. territories, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
• Reservations must be made online at Marriott.com, via the Marriott Bonvoy® App or by calling 1-888-236-2427.
• Excludes Marriott Vacation Club®, Marriott Grand Residence Club®, Design Hotels™, Protea Hotels®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy®, Vistana Signature Network and Vistana Residence Network.
• Excludes gift card purchases.
• Not valid for online retail purchases, hotel amenities or purchases of Marriott Bonvoy® points.
• Qualifying purchase means a purchase at a participating Marriott Bonvoy® property made during the offer period with your enrolled American Express Card and paid in USD as posted to your account, following conversion from a foreign currency, if applicable, 
  

Points Wire Note:

These offers will pair nicely with Marriott STARS and Marriott Luminous bookings which offer additional benefits such as daily breakfast for 2, room upgrade if available, welcome amenity, and early check-in/late checkout if available. Marriott STARS includes a $100 property credit as well. Very few Marriott Luminous properties include a $100 property credit.

Request a booking

Southwest Airlines Increases Prices For Popular Perks

Danny the Deal Guru: "Southwest also offers paid options for those that want to board as early as possible. There’s EarlyBird Check-In and Upgraded Boarding. Now the maximum price that you might pay for these features has gone up."