This week I returned to the US after my dad and I visited Estonia and Latvia, where we had an amazing time. Not only was it great to spend time with him, but we enjoyed both destinations a lot as well. I’ll be in the US next week, and then have my next international trip next week (more details on that soon).
On the points & travel front, this week we saw the Marriott and Starwood loyalty programs combine, Delta announced an exciting new route between Tampa and Amsterdam, United revealed that they’ll be installing flat beds on some future 737s, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
Best Ways To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points By Region: Introduction [2018]
We’ve received a ton of positive feedback on our Best Ways To Use Membership Rewards series so I’ve decided to dive into the Chase Ultimate Rewards program as well. As with the American Express series, I’ll be breaking this up into regions.
Our current points valuation considers Chase Ultimate Rewards points to be worth 1.7 cents each. Now, the value of your points will very much be determined by how you choose to redeem them so they could easily be worth more.
However, Chase makes it easy to determine the lowest value you should get from your bookings.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can use your points in the Ultimate Rewards travel portal at 1.5 cents each — often a solid way to book international economy flights. If you have either the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, your points are worth 1.25 cents each in the Chase travel portal.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Delta’s Same-Day Confirmed Flight Changes
Whether you’re trying to grab a few extra hours of sleep, extend a meeting, or getting home to loved ones earlier, the ability to change a flight is arguably one of the biggest perks that airlines offer to frequent flyers.
Each domestic airline program has its own policy around this, and most of them sound something like this: mid to upper-tier elites can elect to change a flight within 24 hours of departure, and the change fee will be waived.
That said, the similarities end there, as each program comes with its own specific nuances around everything from connection cities to how to go about changing your flight.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
New Marriott & Starwood Credit Card Restrictions Kick In Tomorrow
Ending Soon: IHG’s Bonus On Purchased Points
Last Chance: Buy Hyatt Points With A Mystery Bonus
New Amex Offer Can Save You Money On JetBlue
Where To Credit Hong Kong Airlines Flights
Wow: Alaska Offering Up To 50% Bonus On Purchased Miles
Increased Bonus On Southwest Priority Card Ends Tomorrow
New 60K Bonus On AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard
The 3 Best Capital One Credit Cards
Buy United Miles With A 100% Bonus
Virgin Australia Offering 5,000 Velocity Points For Test Driving A Car
Why You Might Want To Get The Chase Ink Unlimited Card Soon
Which Delta Amex Welcome Bonus Is Best?
10 Best Credit Card Offers For August 2018
New Promo: Double Dip With Hyatt & M Life
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
Confirmed: All Marriott Properties Will Be Bookable At Standard Rates
Status Of Redeeming Points With Marriott’s New Program
Delta Award Sale: 50,000 SkyMiles For Roundtrip Economy Flights To Australia
The Curious Implied Valuation Of Miles When Redeemed For Magazines
Positive Updates Regarding Marriott Travel Packages
SPG All-Suite Properties Now Bookable At Standard Rates — With A Catch
What I Plan On Doing With Existing Marriott Travel Packages
Best Ways To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points By Region: Introduction [2018]
How To Combine Your Marriott & Starwood Accounts
Best Ways To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points For Domestic Flights (And Hawaii) [2018]
Best Ways To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points To Fly To Europe [2018]
How To Use British Airways Award Search Tool
Best Ways To Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points To Fly To Asia [2018]
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
Why Do Canadian Airport Codes Begin With The Letter “Y?”
Are Frequent Flyer Miles A Tool Of Inequality?
The Most Impressive Handling Of An Airline Mistake Fare, Ever
Impressions Of Riga, Latvia
Why Hyatt Globalist Is My Favorite Top Tier Hotel Status
My Experience With Chase’s Trip Delay Coverage
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Delta’s Same-Day Confirmed Flight Changes
JetBlue Mint Continues To Be Incomparable
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Review: Moxy Vienna Airport
Review: United Polaris Lounge Newark Airport
Review: Austrian Business Class 767 Newark To Vienna
Review: Bar Symon Cleveland Airport (Priority Pass Lounge)
NEWS & Updates
Was American Airlines Justified In Voiding This Passenger’s Bump Voucher?
Video: British Airways Surprises A 99 Year Old With A Trip
A Qatar Royal Family 747-8 Is For Sale!
The Airspace Lounge JFK Is Closing
The American Flagship Lounge JFK Is Expanding
Malaysia Airlines Launching A380 Flights To Saudi Arabia
More Details Of Priority Pass Guest Fee Increases
It’s Happening: Air Canada Will Acquire Aeroplan
Finnair Announces New LAX Route
American Announces HUGE International Route Changes
Virgin Is Launching A Mysterious Loyalty Program
United Plans To Install Lie Flat Seats On Some 737s
First Nigeria, Now Ethiopian Airlines Plans To Start A National Airline In Zambia
Delta Will Launch Daily Flights Between Tampa & Amsterdam
Airlines Issuing Hawaii Waivers In Anticipation Of Hurricane Lane
Silvercar Expands To Charlotte
Garuda Indonesia Is Suspending Flights To London
The Strange Reason Kuala Lumpur Airspace Is Closing Next Week
Ryanair Is Adjusting Their Baggage Policy, Again
Citi Prestige Card No Longer Open To New Applicants
LATAM Introducing New Business Class Seats
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
Speaking of Marriott...
I read an article in The Times about Marriott's decision to place bibles and books of Mormon in the rooms of all the formerly Starwood properties, with the exception of Design Hotels & hotels in predominantly Islamic countries.
This religious indoctrination will certainly give me reason to pause before booking a room at a St Regis.
@Endre it looks like you are a Oneworld aficionado
But yes, agree with everyone else. Where's the Marriott updates?
@a more likely negotiated well when moving into his current position. Either way, kudos!
@endre are you rich?
Lucky, please explain why you have not posted anything more about the Marriott merger? You are losing credibility each passing day you are not addressing the ongoing issues.
Not sure why no one is talking about it, but we are one week into the merger and many accounts are still hosed. In my case, nothing has posted since July 18th, so am missing 14 nights. I wont merge my accounts until this is resolved, but seems to be an ongoing problem.
Why are accounts not being updated?
2 First class flights onn my side this week (as the haters know, I fly on paid tickets). Had a 6 hour layover in Paris where I enjoyed Alain Ducasse fine cuisine in Air France First lounge. In Heathrow I spent 3 hours retesting the available first Lounges. American Airlines First lounge is a joke, BA first is a bad joke, Quantas business is OK, Cathay first lounge is decent but quite small