Happy Tuesday. Here’s your miles, points, travel, and deals news for November 12, 2024:
Chase Launches Two Major Lounge Openings
Chase continues its ambitious airport lounge expansion with two significant additions to its network before year-end.
The Phoenix Sky Harbor lounge marks Chase’s latest opening, featuring a modest 3,500-square-foot footprint that makes it the network’s smallest location. Operating daily from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the space offers panoramic tarmac views, an indoor patio area, and a distinctive Airstream food truck serving local cuisine from The Larder & Delta and Arizona-based Press Coffee.
San Diego’s 10,000-square-foot location opens December 6, bringing upscale amenities like facial treatments and private rest pods to Terminal 2 West. The space showcases local flair through custom surfboards by muralist Hanna Daly and drone footage of California’s coastline.
Beyond these openings, Chase confirmed expansion plans for Philadelphia (early 2025), Las Vegas (mid-2025), and Los Angeles (date TBD). The Austin Sapphire Terrace will close in March 2025 as airport authorities reclaim the space for public use.
Priority Pass members with Chase Sapphire Reserve cards can access these lounges unlimited times with two complimentary guests. Other Priority Pass holders get one complimentary visit per calendar year.
Deals and Points News
USB Altitude Reserve Applications Ends: US Bank has stopped accepting new applications for the Altitude Reserve card as of November 11, 2024. However, there is no news on whether the card will be discontinued. I’ve held the card since it launched since it earns 3x on mobile wallet spending (equivalent to 4.5% in rewards).
Wyndham-Caesars Match Ending: Starting February 1, 2025, Wyndham credit card holders will lose the ability to status match their card-awarded Platinum and Diamond status to Caesars Rewards, while the annual points transfer limit between programs will be reduced from 60,000 to 30,000 points beginning January 1, 2025, though the 1:1 transfer ratio remains unchanged.
Virgin Points Hotel Rewards: Virgin Red members can now redeem points for stays at 6 Virgin Hotels properties across the U.S. and U.K. (Chicago, Dallas, London, Nashville, New Orleans, and New York) with redemptions starting from 25,000 points per night, and members must join The Know loyalty program and book at least one week in advance to make redemptions.
Citi Plans Airport Lounges: Citi filed a trademark for “Strata Lounge” on October 22, 2024, positioning to join American Express, Chase and Capital One in the premium airport lounge space. This move aligns with Citi’s Strata card expansion, including the rumored upcoming Strata Elite and Select products. (DDG)
Amex Adds Virtual Lounge Lines: American Express is rolling out digital waitlist functionality through their mobile app for Centurion Lounges, starting at DFW with full network implementation planned by Thanksgiving 2024. The system allows cardmembers to join a virtual queue and receive a 15-minute entry window when space becomes available, mirroring Capital One’s existing digital queue system.
Dell Amex Offer: Targeted Amex consumer cardholders can get $50 back on $250+ Dell.com purchases through February 14, 2025, valid only for direct US purchases online or via phone, excluding refurbished items, gift cards, and Dell Outlet.
Bilt 3X Streaming Offer: A targeted promotion offers Bilt cardholders 3X points on Netflix, Spotify, and Hulu purchases for 31 days with a maximum earning potential of 1,000 bonus points on $500 in net purchases.
Travel and Other News
Haiti Flights Face Gunfire: A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale was struck by gunfire four times while attempting to land in Port-au-Prince and diverted to the Dominican Republic, while a JetBlue flight from Haiti to JFK was also hit by a bullet, prompting JetBlue, Spirit, and American Airlines to suspend all Haiti operations with JetBlue’s suspension extending until December 2. The incidents occurred amid escalating gang violence in Haiti’s capital, where approximately 80% is under gang control, leading to airport shutdowns and a U.S. Embassy security alert warning against travel to the country.
Airlines Accept AirTag Tracking: Apple’s new iOS feature will let travelers share AirTag locations with 15+ airlines including United, Delta, and Singapore Airlines, launching in select airports with full United implementation by early 2025. The secure sharing feature, part of iOS 18.2, expires after seven days and works with iPhone Xs and later.
Virgin Atlantic Adds Cancun: Virgin Atlantic will launch 3x weekly seasonal flights between London Heathrow and Cancun starting October 19, 2025, operated by a 396-seat Airbus A350-1000 featuring 16 business class, 56 premium economy, and 325 economy seats. The flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with VS93 departing London at 10:10 AM, arriving in Cancun at 4:15 PM, and returning at 6:45 PM to land in London at 9:05 AM the next day.
Delta One JFK Upgrade Complete: Delta has unveiled a dedicated private security checkpoint at JFK’s Delta One Lounge, providing eligible passengers a seamless journey from check-in through security to the 40,000 square-foot lounge without encountering regular terminal crowds. The enhanced experience includes a presecurity lounge with refreshments and light bites, TSA PreCheck compatibility, CT scanners that allow laptops to remain in bags, and a direct walkway to the main Delta One Lounge, with additional locations planned for Boston in December 2024 and Seattle in early 2025.
Amazon Drones Hit Phoenix: Amazon launches drone delivery in West Valley Phoenix, with 50,000+ items available for under one hour’s delivery using new FAA-approved MK30 drones operating from Tolleson. The drones can carry up to five pounds, operate in rain, have twice the range of previous models, and are 50% quieter than predecessors.
