AirConnect News Desk

Loyalty Programmes

Loyalty News & Intelligence

Frequent flyer programme changes: earn and burn rate updates, partner additions, status tier adjustments, and redemption news.

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ENDING SOON: 100,000 Points Plus A Companion Award—Why Alaska’s Best Credit Card Beats Those From Bigger Airlines

The $395 Atmos Summit card pairs its initial bonus with a companion award, 3 points per dollar on foreign purchases, and waived partner booking fees. The annual certificate can justify much of the fee.

5 Nov 2026View from the Wing
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7 solo travel mistakes to avoid on your first trip

Avoid these rookie mistakes to make the most of your first solo trip.

4 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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What’s the best business credit card for dining purchases?

Businesses take clients out to breakfast, lunch and dinner quite often, so what's the best credit card to maximize your rewards from restaurant bills?

4 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Atmos Rewards November Members Day: Fly to Venice, Italy, from 25,000 points and Hawaii from 11,500 points

Atmos Rewards November Members Day brings Global Getaways to Venice, Italy, starting at 25,000 points. You can also redeem points for new unique experiences.

4 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Meet Design Hotels, Marriott's collection of one-of-a-kind hotels you can book with points

Discover Design Hotels, Marriott's collection of independent boutique hotels, and learn how to earn and redeem Bonvoy points and what elite benefits to expect.

3 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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$12,000 Buffalo–New York Fares Making Headlines—I’m Finding Nonstops For $337 Roundtrip

A $12,203 airfare between Buffalo and New York about 300 miles each way - is going viral as evidence of how expensive it's gotten to fly home for the holidays. The TikTok video that started it off though shows a roundtrip price (not one-way) and connecting both directions in Florida (not non-stop).

3 Nov 2026View from the Wing
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JetBlue just raised bag fees for the 2nd time this year. Will other airlines follow ... again?

JetBlue is raising its checked bag fees again. Now, the big question for consumers: Will other airlines follow (yet again?)

3 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Capital One Shopping: How it works and how to earn rewards

Learn how Capital One Shopping works, including how to use its browser extension, find deals, earn rewards and redeem them for gift cards.

3 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Use Lyft For Work? How To Get 6%–8% Back, Plus Extra Airline Or Hotel Points

If you use Lyft for work, you may be leaving easy money on the table. A free Lyft Business profile lets you keep your regular airline or hotel points, earn them faster, and get 6%–8% back in Lyft Credit to use later on your own rides.

3 Nov 2026View from the Wing
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How I earned over 3,800 points and miles buying $180 worth of sports tickets with my Freedom Flex

Here's how I used my Freedom Flex, Rove and Paze to earn thousands of travel rewards on a single sports ticket purchase.

2 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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6 ways to maximize the Capital One Venture Rewards as a beginner

Learn six beginner-friendly ways to maximize the Capital One Venture Rewards, from earning miles on everyday purchases to redeeming rewards for travel.

2 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Delta expands again in Austin focus city, adds new route to Walmart's backyard

Delta Air Lines is growing again in Austin, Texas. The carrier just added nonstop service to Northwest Arkansas, home to Walmart's headquarters.

2 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Airline Passengers Are Getting Scam Emails With Real Confirmation Numbers—Some Frontier Customers Are Entering Credit Card Details

Frontier Airlines passengers are reporting emails from scammers using their real flight details and confirmation numbers, promising refunds or claiming their bookings haven’t been paid for - and telling them to enter their credit card information to complete purchases or confirm return of funds.

2 Nov 2026View from the Wing
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Is airline elite status still worth it?

United Airlines and Southwest Airlines overhauled their loyalty programs, and status is becoming more about spending than flying. Here's what we think about elite status.

2 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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Don't make these time-change mistakes when planning travel

When you travel, follow our tips to avoid common daylight-saving snafus and other time-zone mistakes.

2 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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United went big on credit cards in 2026. More changes are coming, MileagePlus boss says - The Points Guy

United went big on credit cards in 2026. More changes are coming, MileagePlus boss says The Points Guy

1 Nov 2026Google News: Loyalty
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United card bonuses: Best-ever offers on 2 of the personal cards

If you're considering opening a United credit card, you want to apply at the right time. Let's look at the welcome offers on the six cobranded cards from Chase.

1 Nov 2026The Points Guy
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How Many Miles Does It Take To Fly Business Class With United MileagePlus In 2026?

United says Polaris Saver awards start at 80,000 miles, or 68,000 for cardholders with status. Neither is a fixed price.

1 Nov 2026Simple Flying
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Inexpensive things to do in Alaska on a cruise

Whether you want to keep your vacation spending in check or simply wish for a break from tours, seek out these cheap or free things to do on an Alaska cruise.

31 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Hertz President’s Circle elite status is included with several top travel cards. I put it to the test to see if it delivers real value

I finally used the complimentary Hertz President's Circle status from my Venture X card. Here's what I got and which cards offer it.

31 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Delta named Best U.S. Airline by Forbes Travel Guide for third year in a row

For the third consecutive year, Forbes Travel Guide has named Delta the Best U.S. Airline in its annual Verified Air Travel Awards. The publication pointed to Delta’s premium service, top-tier customer satisfaction and industry-leading on-time arrivals. The honor adds to a year of top recognition fo

30 Oct 2026Delta Air Lines
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BA is changing frequent-flyer rules again — here’s what it means for you - The Times

BA is changing frequent-flyer rules again — here’s what it means for you The Times

26 Oct 2026Google News: Loyalty
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Southwest is overhauling its frequent flyer program. Here's what's changing - CNBC

Southwest is overhauling its frequent flyer program. Here's what's changing CNBC

15 Oct 2026Google News: Loyalty
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Alaska Airlines rewards changes could cost Southeast flyers points - Juneau Empire

Alaska Airlines rewards changes could cost Southeast flyers points Juneau Empire

12 Oct 2026Google News: Loyalty
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A Kimpton in Bali, new Airbnb features and other hotel news you need to know this week

Here's the hotel news you need to know this week.

4 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Denver Airport Spent Over $21,000 On A Party For One Employee—$466 Per Attendee [Roundup]

Denver airport spent over $21,000 on one employee’s retirement party for just 45 people—more than $466 per attendee. Also: a Delta Diamond with 10 million SkyMiles eyes United, nearly 40% skip paying at an airport’s honor-system parking lot, and Australia’s card surcharge ban shifts the cost into ad

3 Oct 2026View from the Wing
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United's new Wi-Fi status match aimed at Delta: Who's eligible to be Premier?

United Airlines is using Starlink, Elon Musk and in-flight Wi-Fi as flashpoint to poach rivals' elite flyers.

3 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Quarterly statement credits and bonus categories: Your October-December 2026 checklist

Quarterly credit card statement credits: What to use in the fourth quarter of 2026. Keep track of your statement credits and bonus categories to maximize value.

3 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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A Fall-Lover's Guide to Visiting Salem, Massachusetts, the US's Real-Life Halloweentown

The historic city turns 400 this year—here's how to experience its milestone fall.

3 Oct 2026Conde Nast Traveler
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Point.me’s New Tool Finds Award Flights, Transfers Your Points And Books For You [Roundup]

Point.me is offering banks a service that finds award flights, creates loyalty accounts, transfers points and completes bookings for their customers. Also: Seattle–Europe business class for 45,000 Flying Blue miles, a 25% Amex transfer bonus, and an airport parking honor system where nearly 40% don’

3 Oct 2026View from the Wing
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Southwest unveils 11-route expansion across 15 cities for summer 2027

Southwest Airlines is nearly a dozen routes across 15 cities, doubling down on its San Diego, Nashville and Austin bases.

2 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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The 6 best credit cards for Walmart shopping

Frequent Walmart shopper? These credit cards can help you earn more cash back, points and perks on purchases in-store and online.

2 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using in October

There are many monthly perks and credits you should be using on your credit cards in September 2026. We've compiled them here so you won't forget about them.

2 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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40 years after the Air Carrier Access Act: Delta’s ongoing commitment to accessible travel

On Friday, October 2, the aviation industry marks an important milestone: the 40th anniversary of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), landmark legislation that helped transform air travel for millions of people with disabilities. The impact of this legislation can be seen every day across airports, o

2 Oct 2026Delta Air Lines
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The best credit card welcome bonuses of October 2026

Make sure these elevated and limited-time credit card offers are on your radar this month, or you could end up missing out.

1 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Earn up to 200,000 points with these IHG card welcome bonuses

If you have upcoming travel to any of IHG’s brands, a IHG cobranded card can save you hundreds of dollars every year. Here are the details.

1 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Elon Musk Is Helping American And United Poach Delta Flyers—With Offers To Match Elite Status

Elon Musk is now promoting American and United offers to match frequent flyer status, giving unhappy Delta customers a way to switch without starting over at the bottom. After declaring that Delta CEO Ed Bastian would lose his job over the Starlink dispute, Musk is helping advertise the competition.

1 Oct 2026View from the Wing
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New United card bonuses: Best-ever offers on 2 of the personal cards

If you're considering opening a United credit card, you want to apply at the right time. Let's look at the welcome offers on the six cobranded cards from Chase.

1 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Air France KLM’s $89 Card Offers 70,000 Miles—And A Strategy For Cheaper Business Class And First Class Access

The bonus includes 100 status credits, and annual spending can add 160 more at the card anniversary. Combined with a Gold status match, that puts Platinum—and its better award availability—within reach.

1 Oct 2026View from the Wing
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No Starlink? United Airlines Targets Rivals With Status Match Offer

United is betting that Starlink will become one of its biggest selling points as it ramps up rollout of the in-flight Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, its chief rival, Delta, is receiving pushback online for not choosing the internet provider.

1 Oct 2026Skift
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Chase Raises IHG Card Fees And Refreshes Perks—New $350 Card Adds Shortcut To Suites And Hotel Lounges

Chase is raising the annual fees on its IHG hotel cards, taking Platinum status away from the Premier card, and putting the no-fee card’s fourth-night-free benefit behind a $5,000 spending requirement. It’s also introducing a $350 card that makes confirmed suite upgrades and hotel lounge access much

1 Oct 2026View from the Wing
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Rove launches 3 huge October transfer bonuses, including a 50% bonus to Japan Airlines

Rove is offering a 50% transfer bonus to Japan Airlines, a 40% bonus to Flying Blue and an up to 35% bonus to Qatar Airways through Oct. 31. Here's how to use each one.

1 Oct 2026The Points Guy
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Applying for a passport is about to change: Here's what we know

Changes are coming to the US passport's appearance and the application process.

30 Sept 2026The Points Guy
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United will bring 'basic' fares to yet another cabin: First class - The Points Guy

United will bring 'basic' fares to yet another cabin: First class The Points Guy

30 Sept 2026Google News: Premium Cabin
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United will bring 'basic' fares to yet another cabin: First class - thepointsguy.com

United will bring 'basic' fares to yet another cabin: First class thepointsguy.com

30 Sept 2026Google News: Premium Cabin
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How to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Learn how to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles through flights, credit cards, Citi ThankYou Rewards transfers, hotels, dining, shopping and more.

30 Sept 2026The Points Guy
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Bank Of America Points Will Transfer To Alaska Airlines—But Your Miles Could Be Worth Less

In addition to news about product and joint ventures, Alaska Airlines announced news announced its loyalty program today. One item is generating frequent flyer excitement - points transfers to Alaska are coming - that I'm not so sure bodes well for the value of miles already in your account.

29 Sept 2026View from the Wing
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Earn up to 80,000 Rapid Rewards points with a Southwest business card

You can earn a stash of bonus points with the Southwest Airlines personal credit cards' welcome bonus offers. Here is what you need to know.

29 Sept 2026The Points Guy
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Cruise drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and MSC Cruises are among cruise lines offering inclusive alcoholic drink packages.

29 Sept 2026The Points Guy
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Hyatt’s New Promotion Offers Up To 36,000 Bonus Points—Free Nights Count, But You Must Register

Hyatt will give you 3,000 bonus points for every three eligible nights this fall, even when you’re redeeming points or a free night certificate for the room. The new promotion tops out at 36,000 bonus points, and registration is open for nights September 29 through December 15, 2026.

29 Sept 2026View from the Wing