8/9 Weekly Recap

1. Aeroplan increasing award prices

Aeroplan is increasing award prices by 5000 miles or 10000 miles on most international routes. For example, partner business awards between North America and Atlantic (which includes Africa, Middle East and India) between 6000 and 8000 miles will now cost 90,000 points, up from 85,000 points. I found their award prices already to be too high compared to competition like American Airlines, but the truth is - over time most programs will devalue; call that points inflation if you will. That is why no point currency is a good store for long term value.

Aeroplan travel zones

From FrequentMiler.

2. Earning 5 million AA miles can now earn you the secret Concierge Key status

One of the side effects of the American Airlines' program revamp appears to be that even unpublished top elite status can be achieved by earning enough miles. Gary Leff at View From the Wing, notes that he and a few others who earned more than 5 million AA miles in the 2021 SimplyMiles deal by donating $12000 or more to Conservation International, were awarded the most coveted Concierge Key (CK) status. CK is a one step above the published elite levels at AA but it looks like it can now be earned by collecting enough miles from SimplyMiles, AAdvantageeShopping, AA credit cards or Bask bank? If that is true then spending 5 million on your credit card each you or keeping 5 million in a Bask miles account should earn you CK status?

3. Bask increases to AA miles earning rate to 1.2 miles per dollar per year

As a follow up to the last news, you can now earn 1.2 AA miles per year per dollar saved in Bask Bank. Bask Bank is an online only bank and one of the bank partners of American Airlines. Unfortunately, it does not earn loyalty points or $125,000 in your bank account would have earned you Platinum Pro every year which is AA's second highest published status.

4. New Alaska Business 70K + companion fare credit card offer

Bank of America and Alaska are out with an improved sign-up bonus on Alaska Airlines' Business credit card. You earn 70K Alaska miles and an extra roundtrip companion fare for $121, after spending 4K in the first 90 days. You already get an annual economy class companion fare where a companion can travel with you on a round trip economy Alaska airline trip for only $121 to anywhere Alaska flies (even Costa Rica).

5. Spirit shareholders reject Frontier offer

Spirit Airline shareholders have voted against a merger with Frontier. And the company will now pursue a merger with JetBlue which it earlier considered hostile. Even that merger looks to be on thin ice to me as regulators might play a spoil sport for fear of losing a low-cost carrier.

From OneMileAtATime.

5. Air France launching Paris to Newark flights

Air France will launch daily Paris to Newark flights starting December 2022 via OneMileAtATime.

6. Chase cards add Instacart benefits

Chase and Instacart add 3-12 months of Instacart+ membership and monthly or quarterly $10-$15 credits for Chase Freedom and Sapphire credit cards. You can sign up here.

From FrequentMiler.

7. IHG hotels renaming some club lounges to avoid elite access

One of the perks of the revamped IHG loyalty program was ability to earn club access after 50 elite nights but some hotels in the group () appeared to have found a way around by renaming the clubs differently so only guests paying for the club as part of room rate can access it.

From OneMileAtATime.

7. Point Debit card to be discontinued

The debit card with a fee and regular cash back offer will soon be discontinued. I never signed up for it but the regular cash back offers at likes of Costco and Walmart was enticing. Alas no more FOMO.

From FrequentMiler.

8. Rakuten Cash Back Visa card not accepting new applications

Shopping portal Rakuten's visa card, which allowed you to earn 3x Membership Reward points on Rakuten purchases including card-linked in-store cashback and Rakuten Gift card shop purchases, is no longer accepting new applications.

From DoctorOfCredit.


9. Shopping portal bonuses

Many Airline shopping portals are running extra mile promos that end soon.

1. American Airlines portal up to 2000 bonus miles (extra 3.33x) ending 8/14

2. United Airlines portal up 2500 bonus miles (extra 4.17x) ending 8/15

3. Alaska Airlines portal up to 1200 bonus miles (extra 2x) ending 8/15

4. Delta Airlines portal up to 1000 bonus miles (extra 2.5x) ending 8/11


10. Current Points sales

    1. Buy United miles at 1.88c/mile through 8/17

    2. Buy Alaska miles at 1.85c/mile through 8/21

   3. Buy Air France miles at 1.525c/mile through 8/18

   4. Buy JetBlue miles at 1.97c/mile through 8/31

   5. Buy Hilton points at 0.5c/point through 9/18

   6. Buy Choice points at 0.77c/point through 8/18

   

11. Current Transfer Bonuses

    1. Citi to LifeMiles 25% transfer bonus through 8/31

    2. Capital One to FlyingBlue 20% transfer bonus through 8/31

    3. Capital One to BritishAirways 20% transfer bonus through 8/31

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