Hello from Florida! I’m spending this week at home after being out of the country for a couple of weeks (mostly in Sri Lanka). For the next couple of weeks I’m just traveling domestically, so won’t have much to get excited about on that front. I’m just finishing up editing pictures from previous trips, and then hope to start publishing some more trip reports this coming week. I apologize for the delay on those.
On the points & travel front, this week we saw some great new Amex Offers for hotel stays, Radisson and Marriott announced their 2019 hotel category changes, United announced a huge increase in their number of first and business class seats, American announced new amenity kits, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
One Week Left: Awesome Southwest Credit Card Companion Pass Offers
A few weeks ago, Chase and Southwest Airlines introduced new welcome bonuses on their three co-branded personal credit cards, which I find quite interesting.
For many, I’d argue this is one of the best Southwest Card welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen.
Why Now May Be The Best Time To Book 2019 Holiday Travel
For many of us, early February means that we are one month into our new years’ resolutions, and that we’ve finally stopped writing “2018” on any document that we sign.
But if you’re in the points and miles world and you tend to travel during the Christmas/New Years holiday, this actually be the best time to start booking award travel.
Less Than One Week Left To Get SPG Amex Before It Closes To New Applicants
A few weeks ago Marriott announced that the name of their new loyalty program is Marriott Bonvoy, and shortly thereafter they announced what that means for their credit card portfolio.
There are a lot of things changing, so I won’t repeat it all here, but rather I wanted to focus on one card specifically, which will soon no longer be open to new cardmembers.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
Amex Offers: Save $60 On A $300+ Kimpton Stay
Earn A Free Night With Best Western’s New Promo
Great New Amex Offer For St. Regis Stays
One Week Left: Awesome Southwest Credit Card Companion Pass Offers
American’s Latest Bonus On Purchased Miles: Up To 42,500 Bonus Miles Plus 10% Off
Excellent Alitalia Business Class Fares From Paris To Tokyo
Less Than One Week Left To Get SPG Amex Before It Closes To New Applicants
Great Deal: 10% Cash Back On Marriott Stays
How To Maximize Value At Four Seasons Hotels
Earn 10% Cash Back With Choice & IHG Hotels
Up To 1,200 Bonus Miles With Airline Shopping Portal Bonuses
TAP Air Portugal Offering 50% Off All Flights
The Cheapest Flight I Have Ever Taken
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
LifeMiles’ New Website Has Better Award Availability
Radisson Rewards 2019 Hotel Category Changes
Last Chance: Select Marriott 2018 Choice Benefit
Hilton Honors’ New Points Calculator
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Is Now Bookable
Why Now May Be The Best Time To Book 2019 Holiday Travel
Revealed: Marriott 2019 Hotel Category Changes
How To Transfer Capital One Miles To Airline Partners
How Long Do Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Transfers Take? [2019]
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
I Booked A Ritz-Carlton Cruise!
Why I Love KLM
The Challenge Of Closer Cooperation Between Air France & KLM
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Impressions Of SriLankan Airlines A321neo Business Class
The World’s Best First Class Airline Lounges [2019]
Impressions Of KLM A330 Business Class
Impressions Of KLM 787 Business Class
NEWS & Updates
Chase Sending Out 1099s For Referral Bonuses
Wow: Lufthansa Paid 500 Million Euros In Compensation In 2018
Turkish Airlines’ Stunning New Short Film, “The Journey”
New Air France A330 Cabins Now Flying (New Business Class + Wifi)
Aer Lingus Will Fly A321LR To Hartford
Sichuan Airlines Will Fly A350 To LAX
Air Senegal’s Beautiful New A330-900neo Business Class
Bogota Airport May Get US Pre-Clearance Facility
Juneyao Airlines Launching Flights To Helsinki
Germania Ceases Operations Overnight
Turkmenistan Airlines Banned From European Airspace — Thousands Stranded
Ryanair CEO Changing Roles As Group Restructures
Wow: United Adding 1,600 First & Business Class Seats To Fleet
British Airways Testing Reduced Aircraft Cleaning To Minimize Delays
Air France Debuts New JFK Lounge Spa
American Airlines Introduces New Amenity Kits
British Airways Moving To JFK Terminal 8 In 2022
Video: Live Baby Leopard Rescued From Passenger’s Checked Luggage
American Offering Free Flagship First Dining To Concierge Key Members (Again)
Not Surprising: Qantas Formally Cancels A380 Order
Royal Air Maroc Flying To Boston As Of June 22, 2019
What Is The CRJ550?
Virgin Australia Announces New CEO
Garuda Indonesia’s New Economy Seating Options: “ESCort” & “Premium”
ANA’s Perth To Tokyo Narita Flight Now Bookable
The Grand Hyatt New York Is Being Torn Down
Delta Apologizes For Bizarre In Flight Dating Initiative
Qatar Airways Cuts Free Hotels For Transit Passengers
Turkish Airlines Releases New LEGO Themed Safety Video
Hi Fly Has An A380 Customer For Summer 2019
Should Passengers Compensate Airlines Where They Cause Delays Or Diversions?
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
Florida is a great place for real estate and employment.
Only 1 return with JAL for me this week. Their first class service was excellent. For the haters, I PAID as always for this flight. I flew with JAL from Haneda. Had to stay longer in Manhattan to attend several meetings and visit some Appartments in Chelsea.