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Bilt continues to expand it's transfer partner list with the addition of Avianca LifeMiles. You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio with a minimum transfer of 2,000 miles (1,000 miles if you have status).
Why should you care about Avianca LifeMiles?
LifeMiles offers some great business and first class award rates and they don't pass on the carrier-imposed surcharges which keeps the total out of pocket to a minimum. Just know that they don't have the best reputation when it comes to customer service.
Learn more about the Bilt Card
Points Wire Note:
Fun fact: Connecting flights in a class of service lower than the longer segment can reduce the award rate a bit.
Our sister site, Straight To The Points, just sent out first class award space for two people on a bunch of dates next year, including the spring and summer.
First class award space is available exclusively to STTP Premium members so sign up to get access to details in the Alerts Archive. Premium alerts include the exact dates you can book, which points and miles you can use, bank transfer partners, and taxes/fees.
Award space will go quickly on this one!
Sign up for STTP flight alerts!
Delta SkyMiles is a notoriously bad program for aspirational award bookings. However, they occasionally have useful economy award rates with flash award sales. This award sale is for flights to/from Seattle and it ends on December 14, 2023 so you need to book quickly.
Award Wallet: "In a bit of sad news, British Airways just devalued partner awards on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. This devaluation was unannounced, seemingly left for British Airways Executive Club members to discover on their next award bookings."
"British Airways raised the prices for award flights on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines — as much as 23% on select routes."
Points Wire Note:
This is the kind of avoidable behavior that makes customers not trust airlines.
Frequent Miler: "Every couple of months Choice releases a new batch of Sweet Spot Rewards where they reduce the number of points required to book award stays at ~30 properties."
"Most properties tend to be in the US, but there are usually a few in Canada and overseas. That’s the case again with this latest batch and there’s a particular gem in Venice (as in Italy, not the beach in California) that looks like an incredible redemption opportunity."
Points Wire Note:
In most cases, I wouldn't transfer Amex points to Choice Privileges. However, if you have the Citi Premier, you can transfer Citi ThankYou Points to Choice at a 1:2 ratio. While I still prefer using Citi points for premium cabin flights, this is your best option if you need a stay at a Choice Hotels property.
Thrifty Traveler: "The ability to book Aeromexico flights with Virgin Atlantic points has been around for a while … but only by calling Virgin to book, which can be a pain. Not anymore: As of sometime last week, Aeromexico flights are now bookable online through Virgin."
Points Wire Note:
I would compare Air France-KLM Flying Blue rates before transferring points. Also, keep in mind that Virgin Atlantic's online search can be tricky. If you enter an airport code or city and it doesn't show, click "Full Airport List" then click "Alphabetically" to search for the airport/city.
Loyalty Lobby: "IHG offers award discounts for stays at select new hotels and has now updated the selection for stays through February 29, 2024. IHG One Rewards members can save 15% on these stays; the discount is shown during the booking process."
One Mile At A Time: "In May 2022, the Air Canada Aeroplan program introduced a creative long term transfer bonus in partnership with Chase. Initially this was only supposed to be valid through the end of 2023, but this has now been extended indefinitely, which is awesome news."
To get the 10% bonus, you must transfer 50,000+ Chase Ultimate Rewards points at once. You can earn up to 25,000 bonus points per year by transferring a total of 250,000 Chase points. Remember, you must transfer at least 50,000 points to get the 10% bonus.
The bonus Aeroplan points can take 72 hours to seven days to post.
Points Wire Note:
Stack this with the current 20% Chase transfer bonus to Aeroplan.
Select Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex cardholders can earn a Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 Marriott points. To earn the award, cardholders need to register then spend $4,000 by March 15, 2024. You can top off Free Night Awards with up to 15,000 Marriott points. That means you can use this award to help you book a room that requires 100,000 points.
If you have the Marriott Brilliant card, use this link to see if you have this targeted offer.
Nice find by Redditor TheSultan1.
I guess Marriott didn't want Hilton to have all the fun!
Aviation Week: "The agreement, signed by Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas and Turkish Airlines' Levent Konukcu, the flag-carrier's chief investment and technology officer, also covers each airline's loyalty programs. Additionally, the airlines say they are “exploring opportunities to develop a broader loyalty agreement covering both global networks.”
Points Wire Note: We haven't seen what Riyadh Air's inflight product will look like, but this partnership should mean that we'll be able to redeem Turkish miles to book when they launch flights (assuming they release award space).
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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.