Quick tip: You may be able to book British Airways awards further out than...
British Airways opens up award space further out that a lot of other airlines but even if you know that BA will start opening awards up to 24 days before the likes of American Airlines and Delta start to do the same, you may not find that award space if you're not being careful with your searches.
Indirectly, British Airways is now a Citi ThankYou transfer partner
An important change that took place in the miles and points world earlier this year had the knock-on effect of making Citi's ThankYou points a little more valuable and it's that knock-on effect that I'll discuss in this article.
2,500 bonus miles for checking in early with Etihad
In anticipation of a very busy July, Etihad has been trying to improve the check-in facilities that it offers at Abu Dhabi International airport and it has brought back a check-in option that we last saw back in December. This time, however, that check-in option also comes with a bonus offer.
Air Canada & Emirates announce a new partnership (reciprocal benefits on the way)
Air Canada and Emirates have announced a new 'strategic partnership' that the airlines say will create more options for customers when traveling on both of the carriers’ networks and which is expected to improve the customer experience for members of Aeroplan and Emirates Skywards.
My first-world lounge problem when traveling as a family
I'm flying over to London at the end of this week to catch up with some friends and to attend the unveiling of Virgin Atlantic's new Business Class seat for its A330 aircraft. On my outbound journey, I'm traveling alone but when I return home, I'll be accompanied by four other members of my family and this has thrown up a very first-world problem for me.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club improves award availability…but it’s not enough
Virgin Atlantic has announced that its Flying Club loyalty program is following in the footsteps of the British Airways Executive Club and, with immediate effect, will release a minimum number of Economy Class, Premium Economy, and Business Class awards on every flight that it operates as soon as flights are loaded in the reservation systems. For fans of Virgin Atlantic, this will sound like good news but the harsh reality remains - this move doesn't go far enough.
Is this easy path to oneworld Sapphire status now dead?
Historically, those of us who are in a position to book premium cabin flights for travel between Europe and Asia have had a very easy path to oneworld Sapphire Elite status courtesy of one of the world's best airlines - Qatar Airways. Now, however, it's starting to look like that path may have been shut down.
Good news: British Airways reduces surcharges on Iberia bookings
For quite a few years, there have been a number of reasons why it has been a good idea for flyers to have an Iberia Plus account as well as a British Airways account despite the fact that BA and Iberia are sister airlines and share the same rewards currency. Quietly and without any apparent notice being given, British Airways appears to have removed one of those reasons.
Chase & British Airways improve the Travel Together companion voucher
Earlier today, I wrote about British Airways improving the Companion Voucher issued by UK-issued American Express cards and while that news probably wasn't particularly interesting to US-based readers, the follow-up news that Chase and British Airways have improved the Travel Together benefit that comes with the British Airways Visa Signature® card will probably attract more attention.
American Airlines & JetBlue add more reciprocal elite benefits
Today, American Airlines and JetBlue have taken another step towards cementing their alliance (despite the fact that the DoJ is actively trying to break the alliance up) by announcing further reciprocal status benefits for their elite flyers and by confirming that customers flying with JetBlue will finally be allowed to use their Admirals Club memberships to access American's lounges.
Fantastic: You can now link your British Airways & Qatar Airways accounts + combine...
Last month, Qatar Airways announced that its Privilege Club frequent flyer program would be replacing Qmiles with Avios as its currency and as of today, that transition appears to be complete. As importantly, not only do flights credited to the Privilege Club now earn Avios but flyers with British Airways Executive Club and Privilege Club accounts can now link those accounts and move Avios between them.
Grrr…apparently oneworld elites cannot reserve seats on the Alaska Airlines website (+ 1 more...
Alaska Airlines has been a member of the oneworld alliance for almost exactly a year so with that 12 month anniversary approaching, I don't think it's unreasonable for a customer to expect the airline's website to be able to deal with all of the more basic benefits that the oneworld alliance offers. Apparently, however, this is too much to ask.
Huge News: Qatar Airways will adopt Avios as its loyalty currency
In an announcement that's nothing short of stunning, Qatar Airways has confirmed that it will be adopting Avios as the currency for its Privilege Club loyalty program from late next month. Qmiles are going to be history and going forward, Privilege Club program members will earn the same currency as members of the British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Club.
Alaska’s Mileage Plan adds Malaysia Airlines awards…but it may as well not have bothered!
In the past 24 hours, Alaska Airlines has added another oneworld partner to its Mileage Plan program - Malaysia Airlines - but now that I've seen the levels at which the awards have been set, I can't help but wonder why the airline bothered.
Ignore this terrible advice from a Twitter travel chat
Yesterday, I happened upon a scheduled Twitter chat that was covering the miles and points world and I watched as various contributors answered questions that were designed to give less experienced miles & points enthusiasts some ideas on how to get good value out of their balances. Usually, I ignore these kinds of chats but on this occasion, I watched this chat long enough to see a truly terrible bit of advice being handed out.
British Airways increases surcharges on most Business Class long-haul award bookings (ex. UK)
If you're a British Airways flyer based in the United States, the airline showed its disdain for your loyalty a little while ago when it increased the surcharges for award travel originating on this side of the pond without any notice. Now, in what appears to be BA's version of 'leveling up', the surcharges for Business Class award travel originating in the UK have also been increased without warning.
Highly unexpected efficiency from ITA Airways (a status match success + what to expect)
ITA is still offering a status match to its new loyalty/rewards program and despite the fact that this offer has been available for at least a couple of months, it's one that I hadn't remembered to act upon until recently. When I finally got around to submitting my details, I fully expected to have to wait weeks (possibly months) before I heard back but much to my surprise, it looks like ITA is taking this promotion seriously.
American Airlines ends Award Wallet access
For a little over 8 years, Award Wallet has had an agreement in place with American Airlines which has allowed it to access flyer data via an API that, in turn, allowed it to keep members informed of any changes to their flights and AAdvantage account balances. As of today, that access has been revoked and Award Wallet members can no longer use the application to track their American Airlines flights or AAdvantage accounts.
The British Airways Executive Club is still down but here’s a workaround
Last Saturday, British Airways closed down access to its Executive Club and access to all Avios-related functionality as part of a planned outage that was supposed to end yesterday morning. Well, at the time of writing, access to the Executive Club is still down but there's a workaround that may be of help if you're desperate to make a reward booking or to access your account.
Qatar Airways & JetBlue now offer reciprocal mileage earning
Earlier this year, Qatar Airways and JetBlue announced that their "strategic partnership" would be expanding with the airlines codesharing on more routes and with reciprocal loyalty program benefits on the way for Privilege Club and TrueBlue members. As of yesterday, one of those reciprocal benefits was finally delivered with JetBlue and Qatar Airways flyers now able to earn points/miles on both airlines.
Purchases of United Airlines miles will now code as United Airlines purchases (apparently)
Earlier, I reported that United's latest mileage sale ends later today but it was something that I noticed in the terms and conditions that stuck out a lot more than the sale itself. According to United, purchases of Mileage Plus miles will now be recognized as United Airlines purchases and code as such with the credit card companies.
American Airlines just made Lifetime Elite status a little more valuable (in one way)
American Airlines recently ripped up the rules surrounding elite status qualification for the AAdvantage program and introduced a whole new system through which its flyers can earn elite status. For some, the fact that the new system will probably create more low-level elites means that Lifetime Gold and Lifetime Platinum status has just been devalued (more competition for benefits). For others, however, Lifetime AAdvantage Elite status will have just become more useful.
This was my ‘panic’ American Airlines award booking
On Monday afternoon, I wrote that I was looking at different ways in which I could spend the 170,000 AAdvantage miles that were sitting in my account and I mentioned a number of options that I had been considering. At the time, I had no idea which option (or options) I most wanted to go for and I was prepared to keep thinking things through for a few more weeks. A tweet that I saw on Monday evening quickly changed all of that.
Huge News: American Airlines reinvents how elite status is earned
Today looks like it's a day for surprises. I didn't expect Marriott to announce the huge Bonvoy devaluation that we've seen, while the cataclysmic changes that I was expecting American Airlines to make to its awards charts never materialized. Instead, what American Airlines announced today was a wholesale change to how AAdvantage elite status is earned.
Qantas has confirmed 12 international routes will return by January
With Victoria now joining New South Wales in saying said that it plans to open up to vaccinated visitors from 1 November with no quarantine requirements, and with the Australian government under increasing pressure to open up its borders to international travelers, Qantas is pushing forward with getting its global route network restored and it has now confirmed the international routes that it will start/restart in the coming months.
Cathay Pacific eliminates waitlists for standard award bookings
Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific eliminated two types of awards and brought its Miles Plus Cash option online allowing customers to pay for any available seat using a mix of Asia Miles and cash. Now, a little over 6 months later, Cathay Pacific has made a further change to its loyalty program by announcing that the ability to waitlist for a standard award is being removed with immediate effect.
Is British Airways paying out the wrong number of Avios on Qatar Airways Business...
The title of this post is a question to which I don't have an answer but it's a question that has come to light as a result of the recent changes that Qatar Airways made to how its Business Class fares are structured and how many Avios British Airways now says that Qatar Airways Business Class fares will accrue. If you're flying in Qatar Airways Business Class and crediting your flights to the Executive Club, this is something to look out for.
Qantas announces “Massive Release of Reward Seats” for 2022
We've already seen evidence of Qantas chomping at the bit to get flyers traveling internationally again when it brought forward the resumption of two key routes last week, and now the airline has shown more evidence of wanting to get people back in the air by announcing that it has released more award seats than ever before for travel in 2022.
This apparently pointless status match may not be quite as pointless as it seems
Alitalia, as an airline, may be officially dead, but its spirit is very much alive within the newest Italian flag carrier ITA Airways. Over the weekend, news emerged that ITA is offering an elite status match to just about anyone and on the face of things, this looks like a pretty pointless status match (I'll explain why in a moment). Having thought this offer though a bit more, however, I'm starting to think that it may have its uses.
Phew! British Airways didn’t drop the hammer when Qatar Airways refreshed its Business Class...
The title of this post probably should read "...and breathe" because ever since we heard that Qatar Airways was refreshing its Business Class fare structure for the thousandth time, I've been holding my breath and waiting for British Airways to destroy what is undoubtedly one of the easiest routes to earning valuable elite status. Fortunately, my fears appear to have been unfounded.
American Airlines & JetBlue now offer reciprocal elite benefits (award bookings are on the...
American Airlines and JetBlue first announced their (slightly surprising) partnership back in July last year but other than offering members of each other’s loyalty programs the ability to earn their preferred currency when flying, so far the partnership has offered little in the way of reciprocal elite status benefits. Starting this today, however, that has all changed.
I’m amazed that American Airlines honored last week’s points sale error
Last Friday, American Airlines launched yet another points sale which, on the face of things, looked very similar to a lot of the other points sales that we usually see it running. The sale was offering up to 35% off the regular cost of miles and should have priced American's currency at over 2 cents per mile. But it didn't. It priced it far lower.
Why Does Alaska Airlines Have A High Segment Requirement For Top-Tier Status & American...
Last week we finally got to find out a lot more about the new top-tier elite status that Alaska Mileage Plan first mentioned back in January and one of the bigger surprises that we were given was the news that to earn top tier MVP Gold 100K status, flyers will have to book 24 segments that are marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines. In this post, I speculate on what the key driver of this requirement may be and why American Airlines doesn't have a similar requirement.
Uh-Oh! Qatar Airways Is Changing Its Business Class Fare Structure (Again)
It was only last November when we saw Qatar Airways first introduce its version of an unbundled Business Class fare which no longer offered free seat selection or lounge access as part of its benefits package. Now, less than a year later, Qatar Airways is overhauling its Business Class fare structure once again and the latest changes could spell the end of the line for those of us accustomed to earning valuable elite status by booking the best deals that Qatar Airways offers.
Alaska Airlines Has Now Revealed Details of Its New Top-Tier Elite Status
At the very beginning of this year, Alaska Airlines announced that it would be creating a new top-tier elite status level for the 2022 qualification year but the airline wasn't forthcoming with any details of what the new status tier would offer or what the qualification requirements would be like. Now, with a little over three months to go before the 2022 qualification year begins, a lot has been revealed.
A Good Indicator That A “Best…” List Is Utter Nonsense
If you're immersed in the miles and point world and aren't blinkered in your approach to the various loyalty programs that are available (i.e you don't blindly "love" a single program and see no wrong with it), you probably have a good idea which loyalty programs are good and which are second rate. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren't so fortunate and they often rely on the various "top" and "best" lists that get published all too frequently.
Earn 1,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles Per Hyatt Stay (Select Regions)
Hyatt is currently sending out emails to members of its World of Hyatt program offering them 1,000 bonus American Airlines miles for every qualifying stay they make at properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. Registration is required so make sure you check the details below if you think that you'll be able to make the most of this offer.
British Airways Devalues JAL & Cathay Pacific Partner Awards (Another No Notice Devaluation)
Sadly, the headline says it all. British Airways has increased the cost of select Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific partner awards without giving Executive Club members any notice whatsoever. The changes only affect short-haul flights of up to 2,000 miles but with some awards now costing over 50% more, this isn't good news for Avios collectors.
American Airlines & JetBlue Now Offer Reciprocal Mileage & Elite Qualifying Credits On Most...
American Airlines and JetBlue have today announced that they are now offering near-universal reciprocal mileage earning and elite status credit accrual for members of the AAdvantage and TrueBlue programs. Flyers from both airline programs can now choose whether to earn AAdvantage Miles or TrueBlue points when they book with either airline and depending on which they choose, they'll also earn credits towards elite status too.
Iberia Plus Devalues Select Award Sweet Spots (No Notice Given)
Over the weekend, it looks as if Iberia Plus took a leaf straight out of the IHG playbook and made a number of changes to the cost of select awards without giving members any notice at all. While it's always disappointing to see the cost of awards increasing, in this case it's especially disappointing as the changes see Iberia eliminating a number of especially good sweet spots.
Earn Thousands Of American Airlines AAdvantage Miles When You Buy Or Sell A Home
Every year we seem to hear of new ways for people to earn miles and points from sources that have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with travel, and while I have no idea how long this source of miles has been around, I've just discovered that you can earn a substantial number of American Airlines miles when you buy or sell a home.
Alaska Airlines Flights Now Earn British Airways Tier Points (First Class Earns Fewer Avios)
Today is 31 March, and that means that after a slightly longer process than was first anticipated, today is the day that will finally see Alaska Airlines join the oneworld alliance as a full member. We've already seen Alaska Airlines make changes to its award chart as it prepared to join the alliance, and now British Airways has updated its systems to reflect Alaska Airlines' new status as a member of the oneworld alliance.
No Notice Devaluation: British Airways Increases The Cost Of Some Short-Haul Awards
In a move that's very true-to-form, British Airways has quietly and without any notice to Executive Club members, increased the cost of some of its short-haul awards. The increases are already in effect (so there's no way to avoid them) and they affect most of the routes that British Airways operates within Europe.
Cathay Pacific Eliminates Two Award Types & Introduces A Miles Plus Cash Option
Cathay Pacific has started emailing out members of its Asia Miles program to let them know that two of the three award options they have grown accustomed to having are being eliminated and that the option to use Miles Plus Cash is being introduced and is being brought to the Cathay Pacific website.
Time For Oneworld Airlines To Limit Lounge Access For Qatar Airways Elites
The whole point of airline alliances is that they encourage people to stay loyal to a group of airlines because those airlines all offer them reciprocal miles/points earnings and reciprocal benefits. As soon as any part of that reciprocity stops, the shine is taken off an alliance, and that's why airlines should take action when cracks start to appear.
Alaska Airlines Is Matching Delta, Southwest & United Airlines Elite Status (No Challenge!)
Alaska Airlines has launched a new opportunity for flyers holding elite status with either Delta, Southwest, or United Airlines to add "no strings attached" Alaska Mileage Plan elite status to their portfolio.
Alaska Mileage Plan’s New Earnings Chart & New Fare Classes
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2021 Could Finally Mark The End Of My Top-Tier Oneworld Status
My chosen airline loyalty program, the British Airways Executive Club, has extended elite statuses by a year and cut the targets for elite status in 2021 but it still looks like I may have to accept that I'll have to give up my top-tier status when it runs out at the end of the year.
Flying Blue Offers New Elite Status Extensions
As the fallout from the pandemic continues to wreak havoc with international travel, we're starting to see more airlines and hotels introducing new sets of measures to keep their elite guests and flyers happy. Flying Blue is the latest airline loyalty program to recognize that additional steps are needed as it announces more status extensions for its elite flyers.
Alaska Mileage Plan Will Create A New Top-Tier Elite Level In 2022
To earn top-tier status with Alaska Airlines a flyer is currently required to credit just 75,000 elite qualifying miles to their account. From 2022 that will no longer be the case as, in a move that was reasonably easy to predict, Alaska Airlines has just told members that it will be creating a new elite tier level next year.
Virgin Atlantic Isn’t Devaluing Delta Awards As Badly As First Suggested
On 1 January, Virgin Atlantic published a new award chart for all Delta award bookings that did not include non-stop travel between the US and UK. Shortly after publication, it became clear that the people in charge of the award chart had no idea what they were doing and that the information being supplied was wrong. Those mistakes have now, finally, been corrected.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Introduces Milestone Rewards
The Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program has launched a milestone rewards program that sees members earning bonuses as they earn more and more Elite Miles in a calendar year. At the lower levels the bonuses aren't particularly exciting, but once you earn 20,000 Elite Miles things start to look a lot more interesting and the bonuses start to have some actual value.
Standby For More Points Confusion From Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic used the cover of New Year's day (a day when a lot of people aren't paying attention to the miles & points world) to cynically increase the cost of a significant number of awards for travel with Delta without any notice whatsoever. Now, it would appear as if Virgin may be about to backtrack on some of the changes and that we may see entirely different award costs (for some routes) appear at some point this week.
Alaska Airlines Changes How Elite Status Is Earned & Announces Oneworld Status Levels For...
Alaska Airlines is set to join the oneworld alliance from 31 March 2021 (it had originally hoped to join in 2020) and today has seen the airline confirm the oneworld status levels that each of Mileage Plan’s elite tiers will be receiving once the airline’s membership of oneworld is complete. Today has also seen the airline make a small (and positive) change to how elite status is earned.
American Airlines Unveils New Benefits For Executive Platinum & Platinum Pro Elites
In the middle of October American Airlines announced a series of changes to the AAdvantage program with a view to keeping its elite flyers happy. Among other things, the changes announced included the introduction of new rewards for flyers who earn AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro status but further details surrounding these rewards weren't forthcoming. Now, American has told us more and there's some very good news for Platinum Pro elites.
Virgin Atlantic Is Considering Introducing Household Accounts For All
Earlier this year Virgin Atlantic gave its Flying Club members an early Christmas present when it announced a series of positive changes to its loyalty program. Between awarding elite credits on award bookings to making its vouchers considerably more useable, Virgin Atlantic has already used 2020 to improve the Flying Club's offering significantly. Now it may be about to improve it again.
Surprising: American & Alaska Airlines Will Offer Reciprocal Upgrades
With Alaska Airlines expected to join the oneworld alliance at the end of the first quarter of 2021, it's not a major surprise to find out that the two airlines plan to offer reciprocal elite benefits next year. What is surprising, however, is that both airlines say that they will go as far as offering select elite flyers from the other airline's loyalty program complimentary domestic upgrades on the flights they operate.
American Airlines Is Eliminating More Award Fees & Extending Mileage Expiration Dates
American Airlines has just announced some good, positive changes to its AAdvantage program which will come into effect from tomorrow, 11 November 2020. Two fees are being eliminated and mileage expirations are being extended so, although for most people this year will almost certainly be remembered for the terrible toll that Covid-19 has taken, a small crumb of comfort may be that it's also the year that has seen airlines roll back a swathe of fees that most of us have resented for years.
Delta Devalues SkyMiles Again – Partner Award Costs Increase Significantly
It's not like Delta isn't known for devaluing its currency as frequently as possible, but at a time when the airline industry claims to be on its knees and very few people are flying out of choice, Delta's decision to quietly increase the cost of partner awards by 25% (and more) is very hard to understand.
American Airlines Rolls Back A Negative Program Change For Select Oneworld Elites
At the beginning of this month, American Airlines quietly removed a valuable benefit that had made available to all oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites. There was no notice given for this move nor was any announcement made, but now it looks like American has had a change of heart...at least in part.
Avianca LifeMiles Offering 2021 Elite Status Credits In 2020
For most readers, Avianca is an airline whose primary purpose is one of an airline whose loyalty program offers a currency that can be used to book Star Alliance premium cabin awards at a reasonable cost. However, just in case you happen to be looking to earn status in Avianca's LifeMiles program, the latest news being emailed out to members may be of interest.
American Airlines Removes A Valuable Benefit For Oneworld Elites
American Airlines has made some good customer-friendly moves of late and it has been great at telling everyone about them via social media, press releases, and email blasts. What the airline has been less good at doing is letting flyers know when it makes a negative change and at some point in the last few days, the airline has eliminated a key benefit it has been offering to select oneworld elites.
Delta Eliminates Change Fees On Most Domestic Award Bookings
Delta Platinum and Medallion members have long been able to change award bookings without incurring a penalty but now, with immediate effect, everyone else can feel a little bit more like an elite flyer with Delta after the airline announced that change fees on domestic award bookings are now (mostly) a thing of the past.
Earn 3x AAdvantage Miles with World of Hyatt [Targeted]
The World of Hyatt is currently sending out emails to targeted members with an offer of three AAdvantage Miles per dollar on all Hyatt stays through the end of the year. Considering this offer will stack (very nicely) with the upcoming promotion in which WoH members can earn up to four times the usual number of base points, this is an incredibly generous offer to receive.
American Airlines Adds Japan Airlines To Its Business Extra Program
The American Airlines Business Extra program has just added Japan Airlines its first new partner in quite a few years. Program members can earn and burn Business Extra Points on Japan Airlines flights with immediate effect although, with transpacific travel not exactly blossoming right now, it may not be until next year until the full benefits of this partnership can be reaped.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer/PPS Club Makes Retaining Status Easier
A few months ago, Singapore Airlines announced that it was offering 1-year elite status extensions to all its KrisFlyer and PPS Club elites whose membership year ends between March 2020 and February 2021. Now the airline has gone further and announced that it is bringing in a measure to help its elites retain their status for a further year.
Wow! Virgin Atlantic’s Companion Voucher Can Now Be Used Alongside Cash Fares
Virgin Atlantic took time out yesterday to announce some very positive changes to how its companion voucher will now work but amidst the excitement of all the good news we were being fed at the time, one very important change to how the Virgin Atlantic companion voucher now works doesn't appear to have been given the publicity it deserves - the companion voucher can now be used in conjunction with a cash fare.
Virgin Atlantic Announces Some Seriously Good News For Flying Club Members
If you're a fan of Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club program you're probably going to be very pleased with the news the airline released earlier today. Elite statuses have been extended, voucher expirations have been extended, vouchers have been made considerably easier to use and the path to elite status has just been made easier by a change that no other airline has thought to introduce.
New Aeroplan Program Announced – Here Are The Key Headlines
Flyers have been waiting to hear the details of Air Canada's new Aeroplan program for months, but the waiting is now finally over as the airline outlined the headline features of the program earlier today. The new Aeroplan will launch on 8 November 2020 and the key headlines you need to know are in the post below.
New Aeroplan Program Details Will Start To Emerge On 28 July
Executive Traveller has reported that it has received an invitation to a 'sneak peek' online presentation on 28 July in which Mark Nasr, Air Canada's VP for Loyalty and eCommerce, will outline details of "Air Canada's transformed loyalty program" to select members of the international media.
Last Week’s Announcements From British Airways May Change My Plans Considerably
Back in April, I said that the argument that airlines shouldn't extend elite statuses because it will encourage flyers to defect to other airlines is nonsensical because people look to earn status to enjoy the joys of that status. Generally speaking, they don't earn status only to then fly with airlines with which they have no standing. I also said that if British Airways extended my status I wouldn't be seeing what other airlines I can fly. Well, it turns out that this isn't entirely true.
British Airways Announces 12-Month Elite Status Extensions…And More
The headline says it all. British Airways has finally followed most other global airlines in announcing that it is extending elite status for its frequent flyers by a period of 12 months.
Here’s What Select Major Airlines Are Doing With Elite Statuses [UPDATED]
As the current travel crisis continues and as it becomes increasingly obvious that most of us are not going to be able to travel for a significant portion of this year, airlines around the world have been taking measures to keep their frequent flyers happy. In this post, you'll find brief details of what some of the major airlines around the world are doing for their frequent flyers together with links to further information where possible.
AAdvantage credit cards now earn miles towards Million Miler status
Up until 2011, all miles earned through credit card spending counted towards American Airlines Million Miler status while the miles earned from the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card counted through 2012. Since then, only miles earned by flying (better known as "butt-in-seat" miles) have qualified to move the needle in the Million Miler program...until now.
British Airways Is Testing A New Avios Redemption Option On Its New York Route
One of the major issues with British Airways long-haul awards is the high surcharges that accompany all such bookings. While the number of Avios needed to book a flight can often be reasonable, the cash co-pay that British Airways charges can make bookings highly uneconomical...especially in Economy Class. Now British Airways is testing out a new redemption option on its New York - London route.
United Devalues MileagePlus (Again) When It Thinks No One Is Looking
United appears to have chosen a moment in time where it thinks that its customers aren't watching to push through a subtle (yet very real) devaluation to its MileagePlus loyalty program - a program that had already been significantly devalued since the beginning of this year.
This Status Extension Argument Makes No Sense To Me
In the past few weeks, we have seen a lot of the big airlines and hotel chains offering status extensions to members of their loyalty programs but we have also seen quite a few loyalty programs choosing a different path and, instead, choosing to take much shorter-term measures.
This short-termism doesn't really make any sense to me but what makes even less sense is the argument that I've seen put forward to explain (or excuse) the moves being taken by the likes of British Airways and IHG Rewards.
American Airlines Is Now Offering Elite Status Credits On Alaska Airlines Flights
Back in 2017 American Airlines and Alaska Airlines announced some significant negative changes to their partnership and it was only October last year that American Airlines removed Alaska Airlines from its list of award partners...but that was then and this is now.
I Love Air Canada’s Innovative Offers To Its Elite Flyers
I don't have very many dealing with Air Canada so I can't really comment on how well or badly the airline is dealing with customers in the current environment, but I can say that I love a couple of innovative offers that the airline put to its elite members in an announcement it released yesterday.
United MileagePlus – Status Extensions, Reduced Elite Requirements & More
United is the second of the three big US carriers to announce measures aimed at placating its frequent flyers (Delta announced its measures yesterday) and the airline is going further than simply extending status for all that currently hold it – there are changes to this year’s elite status requirements, it will be easier to earn status through credit card spending and numerous flyer benefits will no longer expire this year.
Aer Lingus Aer Club Is Gifting Tier Points To Its Members
We've already seen hoteliers like Hilton and Radisson offering elites generous status extensions and airlines like Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic following suit, but a few hoteliers and airlines haven't been quite so forthcoming and, up until now Aer Lingus was one such airline. Not any more.
Finnair Is Introducing A New Business Class Fare (And You Should Be Careful)
Recent news out of Finnair suggests that the airline is set to follow Emirates' example and, from later this year, offer a Business Class fare that doesn't come with all of the usual benefits associated with Business Class travel.
Alaska Airlines & American Are Offering Improved Reciprocal Mileage Earning
Now that American and Alaska are playing nicely together again both airlines are offering significantly improved reciprocal mileage earnings on each other's flights - flyers can now earn and redeem Alaska miles on all American Airlines flights and they can earn and redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles on all Alaska Airlines flights.
My Highly Insignificant, Yet Still Highly Annoying Dilemma
Earlier this week I wrote a post about how I'm using the thoughts of future travel to distract myself from the fact that I'm grounded and stuck at home for the foreseeable future. In that post I mentioned that one of the trips I'm planning would probably require me to buy some miles - it does and this is now causing me a dilemma.
British Airways reduces elite status targets but misses the mark (by a distance!)
British Airways has finally published details of the changes that it's making to the British Airways Executive Club Tier Points targets in light of the current travel crisis but, unsurprisingly, the changes are mostly miserly and poorly thought through.
How I’m Earning Virgin Atlantic Gold Status In Just 6 Weeks (I Think!)
I have only ever held top tier status with two airlines - American Airlines and British Airways - but it looks like a couple of fares that I managed to book over the weekend may be my ticket to top tier status with Virgin Atlantic as well.
I’m Taking The American Airlines/Etihad Situation Seriously
At the end of last week OMAAT published a post showing that American Airlines had removed Etihad from the list of partners it displays on its website and, unsurprisingly, this sent the rumor mill into overdrive.
Scientist Wants To See Frequent Flyer Programs Banned
Dr. Richard Carmichael is, according to his Twitter account, a Chartered Psychologist at Imperial College London and he has written a report on "Behavior change, public engagement and Net Zero" in which he looks at what choices people can/should be making that can contribute to reducing emissions that lead to climate change.
Use AAdvantage Miles to upgrade your flights
With American making premium cabin saver awards harder and harder to find it has definitely become a lot more challenging to find great uses for AAdvantage miles in recent years (especially if you're based in the US), but the lack of saver award space doesn't have to mean that an AAdvantage balance is worthless or near-impossible to use effectively.
Huge News: Alaska Airlines To Join Oneworld + American Expands In Seattle
Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have issued a joint statement in which they have announced a new "West Coast International Alliance" under which Alaska's West Coast network will connect up to (and feed) American's long-haul network, which will see Alaska Airlines becoming a member of the oneworld alliance in 2021 and which will see American Airlines launching a new route to Asia and a new route out of Alaska's hub in Seattle.
Virgin Atlantic Reveals Award Charts For Air France/KLM Redemptions
Virgin Atlantic has been partnering with Air France/KLM for a number of months with all three airlines codesharing on multiple routes while allowing members of their respective loyalty programs to earn miles when booking flights on all three carriers. So far, however, it hasn't been possible to redeem Virgin's Flying Club miles on Air France or KLM....but that has just changed.
American’s AAdvantage Program Ends Three Hotel Partnerships
The American Airlines AAdvantage program is emailing members to let them know that it will be ending its partnership with three significant hotel chains from later this year and, although members are being given 2 months' notice of the changes, some will still find this a disappointing move by the airline.
Star Alliance limits 3rd party lounge access for Gold elites
When a hotel or airline loyalty program puts introduces an apparently unnecessary devaluation I can't help but wonder if they truly understand how they're helping to make the competition look better...and that's how I feel about Star Alliance right now.
Did You Know That You Can Earn American Airlines Business Extra Points With Rocketmiles?
I haven't really paid much notice to Rocketmiles over the years because bookings made through the site aren't eligible for elite status recognition nor do they earn guests points in any hotel programs but a recent tweet caught my eye and taught me something I didn't know - Rocketmiles also partners with the American Airlines Business Extra program.
2 Years On & My Move To The British Airways Executive Club Seems To...
I didn't make the change to BA lightly. I had enjoyed the best part of a decade as a top-tier AAdvantage member but the rapid devaluation to benefits that followed the US Airways takeover of American Airlines combined with the introduction of minimum spend criteria meant that AAdvantage Executive Platinum status was no longer a sensible option for me. The status cost too much to earn and math just didn't stack up.
LATAM Will Leave Oneworld In October 2020
At the end of September it was announced that the planned joint venture between American Airlines and LATAM would not be going ahead following the failure of both airlines to find a solution to an unfavorable ruling by the Chilean Supreme Court earlier in the year.
Southwest Is Making The Companion Pass Harder To Get (And Making A Small Improvement...
To earn a Companion Pass for 2020 a Rapid Rewards member has to fly 100 one-way qualifying flights or earn 110,000 Companion Qualifying Points by the end of the calendar year, but the qualification requirements for the qualification year starting on 1 January 2020 have just been increased.
Qatar Airways Gives Top-Tier Elites Free Access To The Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Qatar Airways has announced that, with immediate effect, Platinum-tier Privilege Club members may access the Al Safwa First Class lounge in Doha free of charge when traveling in Business Class.
Here’s A Great Alaska Miles Redemption & Here’s Why It Just Got A Little...
Alaska Mileage Plan is an incredibly popular loyalty program in the miles and points world because it's one of the few loyalty programs left that still rewards travelers for the distance they fly, its award booking rules are comparatively flyer-friendly, and it allows members to book economical premium cabin awards on a number of very useful airlines.
This is How Distance Flown Can Be Still Very Important To Earning United Premier...
United has completely overhauled the way Premier status is earned and has increased the spending thresholds for each status level too but, despite its best efforts to shift MileagePlus towards being a revenue reward program, the airline hasn't actually managed to prevent the distance travelers fly from having a significant effect on the status they can earn.
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