When I first shared my plans for spending six weeks in Europe with my kids, everything looked great on paper. I had a rough itinerary, a handful of award bookings, and a strategy for balancing points, vacation rentals, and low-cost airlines. Now that we’re home, I can confidently say most of the plan worked exactly […]

I’ll be the first to admit that I like to search for award flights the old-fashioned way (versus using some of the amazing award search tools out there). Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. But seeing the new Avios calendar feature has my Luddite heart rejoicing. Avios.com has rolled out a new award calendar […]

Most airline credit cards promise you free checked bags, priority boarding and bonus miles. But a handful offer something potentially even more valuable: a companion certificate. Depending on the airline, a companion certificate can save you a lot of money on a single trip. In general, in exchange for paying an annual fee—or sometimes meeting […]

If you collect Alaska Atmos Rewards points (as should you be!), here’s one promotion worth keeping on your radar. Alaska Airlines has released its latest batch of Alaska Atmos Rewards Global Getaways, which offers discounted award flights to a rotating list of destinations around the world. If you’re familiar with Flying Blue Promo Rewards, it’s […]

Airport lounges are supposed to be an escape from the terminal crowds. But as premium travel cards have exploded in popularity, finding a seat in a lounge has become almost as challenging as finding overhead bin space. And now Chase is making it harder for some travelers to even get through the door. Beginning August […]

Parents looking to introduce their teenagers to credit cards may want to take a look at Bilt’s latest update. The company has just expanded its authorized-user program by lowering the minimum age to 13 and adding new controls that let primary cardholders decide where an authorized user’s rewards are deposited. Authorized users aren’t exactly a […]

Delta SkyMiles is one of the easiest airline loyalty currencies to earn, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Unlike some airline programs that rely on award charts and predictable pricing, Delta uses a fully dynamic system, and that can make award costs dramatically different for the same flight. One day you might find […]

If you have online shopping planned over the next few weeks—hello, back to school!—several airline shopping portals are offering limited-time bonuses that can help you earn thousands of extra miles or points. Even better, these bonuses are on top of the portals’ standard earning rates, so you can stack additional rewards on purchases you were […]

If you feel like your next Marriott redemption suddenly looks like it costs more points than it did just a few days ago, you’re not imagining things. Marriott Bonvoy sneakily increased award pricing at many of its hotels, with some properties up 5% to 16% for the exact same room overnight. And what seems to […]

World of Hyatt isn’t the largest hotel loyalty program by any means, but what it lacks in reach, it makes up for it in value. Sure, competitors like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors boast thousands more properties worldwide. But Hyatt has built a loyal following thanks to its generous award pricing and valuable benefits. Add […]

Who doesn’t love a promotion that you don’t have to go out of your way for? If you’ve already got Marriott stays and United flights on the calendar, this one is about as effortless as it gets. Marriott Bonvoy® and United MileagePlus have launched a new limited-time RewardsPlus promotion. With it, you can earn 2,000 […]

Communities across Venezuela are beginning the long recovery following the recent earthquakes, and American Airlines is making it a little easier for AAdvantage members to support relief efforts. For a limited time, when you donate at least $25 to the American Red Cross’s Venezuela relief fund, you’ll earn ten bonus AAdvantage miles for every dollar […]

It’s never fun when a loyalty program adds more rules, especially when those rules make it harder to use your points and miles. But that’s exactly what Qatar Airways just did with its new policy that limits who you can redeem Avios for. Here’s what you need to know.    What’s Changing? Up until now, […]

If you’ve been waiting for Hyatt’s newest all-inclusive resorts to open, there’s great news. Reservations are now open for both the Grand Hyatt Los Cabos Resort, Golf & Spa and the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya. That’s pretty exciting news if you’re a Hyatt loyalist—or even if you’re not. While Hyatt already has a large all-inclusive […]

If you’ve got a Hyatt stay coming up, it’s worth taking a couple of minutes to check if there’s a promotion you should register for first. World of Hyatt currently has several limited-time promos running, including bonus points for paid stays, extra rewards at extended-stay brands and even bonus miles on glamping getaways. Here’s a […]

A big Sapphire welcome offer is enough to send points and miles enthusiasts straight to Chase’s application page! But before you hit the submit button, there’s one important question to ask: Are you actually eligible for the bonus? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Chase’s Sapphire rules have changed over the years, and many travelers […]

If you’ve read my work for Points Talk Squad before, you probably know I’m a big fan of American Airlines and the AAdvantage program. One reason is that I’m incredibly flexible when I travel. I don’t always have a specific destination in mind—I just want to go somewhere interesting for a good price. That flexibility […]

Economy awards don’t get the same fanfare as lie-flat business-class seats or first-class champagne. But they can be one of the smartest ways to use airline miles. That’s especially true if you’re booking multiple seats, traveling during school breaks, or trying to avoid paying inflated cash fares during peak travel dates. The trick is knowing […]

The world of points and miles can seem almost too good to be true. Free flights, luxury hotel stays, airport lounge access, and thousands of dollars in travel perks often come from credit card rewards programs. But for newcomers, there’s usually one major concern: credit. After all, earning a boatload of points usually involves opening […]

United Airlines has made a small change to its MileagePlus program, but its impact is big—especially for families and groups traveling together. Until recently, MileagePlus miles added to a shared pool could only be redeemed for flights operated by United or United Express. But that’s no longer the case. United has expanded miles pooling to […]

American Airlines AAdvantage® is one of the most recognizable airline loyalty programs in the world. Whether you’re earning miles through flights, credit cards, or everyday spending, the program has plenty of opportunities to turn those miles into travel. But like many modern airline programs, the value is far from straightforward. Award pricing can fluctuate, partner […]