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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Southwest Is Matching Other Airline Elites To Top Status — And You Can Do It Year After Year

Southwest used to give everyone free bags and open seating. Now those perks increasingly belong to elites — and Southwest is letting rival airline elites match into top status, then potentially do it again year after year.

19 May 2026View from the Wing
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Bunk beds for economy airline passengers now on sale for $125 an hour on Air New Zealand

Bunk beds at 36,000 feet are coming to Air New Zealand on select aircraft this year as the innovative airline introduces Skynest.

19 May 2026The Points Guy
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The best credit cards for retirees and seniors

Seniors and retirees are at a unique time in their lives, and it's a good time to reevaluate the best credit cards for your current situation and goals.

19 May 2026The Points Guy
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JetBlue trims 12 routes, ends Manchester service to focus on Fort Lauderdale

JetBlue is doubling down on Fort Lauderdale, but those moves have required the airline to trim routes in other cities.

19 May 2026The Points Guy
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Air France KLM’s Flying Blue Card Now Earns 3x On Rent Through Bilt — And Fast Tracks Elite Status

Air France KLM’s Flying Blue credit card is now live for rent payments through Bilt, earning 3x miles on up to $50,000 in annual rent spend. The bigger play is not just buying miles at a 3% fee — it is turning rent into card spend that can help unlock Flying Blue elite status.

19 May 2026View from the Wing
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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Sapphire Reserve for Business: Which Reserve is right for you?

I analyze the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business to help you decide which deserves a spot in your wallet.

19 May 2026The Points Guy
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Allegiant unveils 8-route, 12-city expansion, goes big in Fort Lauderdale

Allegiant Air is growing in Florida. The budget airline on Tuesday announced a host of new routes, including former Spirit flights from Fort Lauderdale.

19 May 2026The Points Guy
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Top tips for how to save on gas

Wondering how you can save up to $1,000 on gas fill-ups every year? TPG breaks down the different gas rewards programs and apps to help you save on gas.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Atmos Rewards Summit vs. Citi / AAdvantage Globe: Which airline card should you get?

Let's compare the key differences — and similarities — between the Atmos Rewards Summit and the Citi / AAdvantage Globe to decide which comes out on top.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Credit card transfer bonuses (May): 55% bonus to Marriott, 30% to Southwest, 25% to Aeroplan and more

Here's a look at all the current transfer bonuses involving major credit cards and airline and hotel loyalty programs.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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JetBlue Cuts Keep Spreading — Newark Crews Learned Their Flights Were Disappearing By Email [Roundup]

JetBlue cuts keep spreading, and Newark crews reportedly learned major flying reductions through a basic daily email. Plus: a tourist gets blasted across the beach at St. Maarten, Bilt cuts Rakuten transfer value for non-elites, and Ernst & Young publishes a loyalty study full of fake sources.

18 May 2026View from the Wing
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Wells Fargo Rewards transfer partners: How to redeem your points

With transfers to eight different airline and hotel loyalty programs, the Wells Fargo Rewards program offers some solid options for transfers.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Last call: Hyatt award chart and category changes take effect May 20

Hyatt’s new five-tier award chart and annual category changes go live May 20 at 9 a.m. EDT. Here’s what you should book now ahead of these changes.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Accor Renews PSG Soccer Deal; Loyalty Chief on the 3 Tests Every Partner Must Pass

Accor's renewed PSG deal sits inside a loyalty program now built on more than 100 partners. The architecture underneath matters more than the headline.

18 May 2026Skift
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Hilton Puts Diamond Status Signs On Breakfast Tables — VIP Recognition Or Coupon Shaming?

Hilton wants Diamond breakfast guests to feel recognized, but some properties are doing it with table signs that publicly mark who is getting the elite benefit. Some guests love the VIP treatment; others feel like they’ve been labeled as coupon users before the eggs even arrive.

18 May 2026View from the Wing
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Boston Airport Now Lets Travelers Clear TSA Without Going To The Airport — Then Ride A Bus To The Gates

oston Logan now has a front door 20 miles from the airport. Travelers can check bags, clear TSA in Framingham, and then ride a bus straight to the secure side of Logan near the gates — the first remote airport screening facility in North America, and a glimpse of how crowded airports may grow withou

18 May 2026View from the Wing
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Everything you need to know about Amex Travel

You can book flights, hotels and more through the Amex Travel portal. Here's everything you need to know for your next booking.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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The Edit by Chase Travel: Benefits, perks and how it works

Learn how The Edit by Chase Travel works, including hotel perks like $100 in property credits, plus eligible cards and booking tips.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Hilton is offering 12 road trip experiences across the U.S. for just 250 Hilton Honors points

Hilton Honors is celebrating America 250 with unique summer road trip packages that you can book with points.

18 May 2026The Points Guy
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Australia Joins United Kingdom, India, and UAE as Emirates Skywards Members Brace for Major Award Cost Changes Beginning May 20, 2026: Exclusive - Travel And Tour World

Australia Joins United Kingdom, India, and UAE as Emirates Skywards Members Brace for Major Award Cost Changes Beginning May 20, 2026: Exclusive Travel And Tour World

18 May 2026Google News: Loyalty
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You Can’t Play In United MileagePlus Without A Credit Card Anymore, Fortunately They’re Offering Up to 110,000 Miles Right Now

United’s big MileagePlus changes are now live, and the program is plainly moving more of its value behind a co-brand card: faster mileage-earning, cheaper United award prices, and better access to saver inventory for cardholders, while non-cardmembers earn less. United and Chase are raising the upfr

17 May 2026View from the Wing
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The best airport hotels in the US and Canada

These are the best airport hotels for layovers, flight cancelations and early flights in the U.S. and Canada.

17 May 2026The Points Guy
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7 of the best starter travel credit cards

Getting started with points and miles can be tough, especially when it comes to picking the right credit card. Here are some great starter cards to consider.

17 May 2026The Points Guy
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Italy's newest W opens in Sardinia with a private marina, Mediterranean views

After a soft opening in 2025, the W Sardinia Poltu Quatu has officially marked its grand opening, the third Marriott Bonvoy property on the Italian island.

17 May 2026The Points Guy
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The tool that found me multiple surprise flight credits worth $173 this week

With airfare prices more unpredictable than normal, here's a tool that is quietly finding me flight credits after I book flights.

16 May 2026The Points Guy
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TSA PreCheck Touchless ID: Every airport with the speedy, new security lanes

Here's a full list of every airline and airport that offers the fast, new TSA PreCheck Touchless ID security program.

16 May 2026The Points Guy
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Hyatt Wins Loyalty Program Tax Fight That Could Save $589 Million — While Members Pay More Points For Free Nights

Hyatt just won a major appeals court fight over how its loyalty program is taxed, a ruling that could ultimately save the company $589 million, just as World of Hyatt members are about to pay more for free nights. The program is also getting a major economic boost from the new Chase deal.

16 May 2026View from the Wing
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American Express Gold vs. American Express Platinum: Which one is right for you?

If you're deciding between the premium Amex Platinum and the mid-tier Amex Gold, here's a comparison of their benefits and earning rates.

16 May 2026The Points Guy
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How Many Miles Per Gallon Does A Boeing 747-8 Get?

The newest version of the jumbo jet gets through a lot of fuel, but its high capacity means that the consumption is spread across more passengers.

16 May 2026Simple Flying
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You could save hundreds with these 60th anniversary Amex Gold offers — including complimentary Clear Concierge

Here are the best Amex Offers we've seen for the Amex Gold's 60th anniversary, including amazing deals on Clear Concierge and Uber One.

16 May 2026The Points Guy
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Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature credit card review: A premium path to cruise rewards

Designed for frequent cruisers, the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature offers strong cruise rewards, priority perks and flexible onboard credit redemptions.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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Reader mistake story: I missed out on a $250 hotel credit by forgetting to do this 1 thing

This week's mistake story is from a reader who tried to take advantage of a valuable hotel booking perk, but a simple error cost her dearly.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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Last chance: Book these 10 popular Hyatt hotels with points right now — before major award chart changes

World of Hyatt is shifting its award chart on May 20, so now is the time to book with many of these popular properties before redemptions go up in price.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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Rippling Corporate Card review: A powerful all-in-one card for cash back and expense control

The Rippling Corporate Card offers up to 1.75% in cash-back rewards and integrated spend management features at no annual fee. See whether this card is right for your business.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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First look: Inside the Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol, the beloved brand's debut in Mexico

Park Hyatt has a devoted fanbase around the world, including many staffers here at TPG. But the beloved brand has been noticeably absent in Mexico — until now.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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United elite status vs. United cardholder perks: What gets you more?

Trying to decide between United Airlines status and a United card? We break down the similarities and differences, and how to get the most out of both.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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Absurd Timing: Emirates Skywards Devaluing Miles Again (It Never Ends!) - One Mile at a Time

Absurd Timing: Emirates Skywards Devaluing Miles Again (It Never Ends!) One Mile at a Time

15 May 2026Google News: Loyalty
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JetBlue and United expand Blue Sky partnership with new reciprocal elite perks

JetBlue and United's Blue Sky partnership is expanding into a new phase focused on elite traveler benefits.

15 May 2026The Points Guy
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Chase Gives 30% More Southwest Points — Mostly Replaces What Rapid Rewards Took Away

Chase is offering a 30% bonus on transfers to Southwest Rapid Rewards, which sounds like value — until you remember how much Southwest has already taken away. The bonus mostly restores the value Rapid Rewards lost through devaluation, while showing how the new Southwest is happy to sell more points

15 May 2026View from the Wing
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7 cards that can replace your Amex Platinum

Are you reconsidering your Amex Platinum due to the high annual fee? Consider replacing it with one of these travel rewards credit cards.

14 May 2026The Points Guy
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Global Volunteer Month at Delta: People, purpose and partnership

Delta’s third annual Global Volunteer Month effort in April has quickly become a cornerstone for how the brand shows up to make a difference in communities. All month long, employees and SkyMiles Members joined volunteer events with Delta’s nonprofit partners across the globe. This year, more than 1

14 May 2026Delta Air Lines
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JW Marriott's first all-inclusive resort is now taking reservations

Here's everything we know about the JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa in Costa Rica.

14 May 2026The Points Guy
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Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $795 — is it worth it? Here's what you get for that fee to help you make up your mind.

14 May 2026The Points Guy
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United unveils new Tokyo route, nonstop US flights to Japan's top ski destination

United Airlines plans to launch two new routes to Japan this fall and winter, including service to Japan's top ski destination, Sapporo.

14 May 2026The Points Guy
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Allegiant and Sun Country are officially one, large leisure airline

Allegiant Air and Sun Country merge to create eighth largest airline in the U.S.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
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United Club Card review: Premium perks for frequent United flyers

The United Club Card offers United Club lounge access, free checked bags, Premier Access benefits and strong rewards on United Airlines purchases.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
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Are you eligible for a Chase Sapphire welcome bonus? Here's the full checklist

Before applying for a Chase Sapphire card, check these eligibility rules, including Chase's 5/24 policy and Sapphire bonus restrictions.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
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Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines

Many airlines now charge a checked bag fee, and some even charge for carry-on luggage. Here are the best airlines for baggage fees.

13 May 2026The Points Guy
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Frontier Passengers File $10 Million Claim Against Denver For Failing To Stop Runway Suicide

Frontier passengers traumatized after a suicidal trespasser walked into their jet’s path on a Denver runway have filed a $10 million claim against the city, arguing airport security should have stopped him before takeoff. Their trauma is real — but making taxpayers liable because someone scaled a ba

13 May 2026View from the Wing
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13 credit cards that can get you $1,500 or more in first-year value

How much are you getting from your credit card? If it's not enough, consider one of these choices that can provide at least $1,500 in value in the first year.

13 May 2026The Points Guy