Happy Wednesday. Here’s your miles, points, travel, and deals news for November 20, 2024:
Marriott and Hyatt Cyber Week Sales
Marriott and Hyatt have unveiled cyber sales offering 25% savings through early December.
Hyatt’s promotion covers 800+ Americas properties for stays through April 20, 2025, requiring code SAVENOW, while Marriott matches the discount exclusively through their mobile app for stays until January 20, 2025.
Both promotions require free loyalty program membership to unlock maximum savings, with Marriott offering reduced rates of 20% for web bookings and 15% for non-members.
You’ll need to book Hyatt stays by December 9 and Marriott stays between November 26 and December 3 to secure these rates.
These overlapping sales create perfect opportunities to lock in discounted winter and spring travel at premium properties across multiple destinations.
AA-Aer Lingus Partnership Finally Expands
American AAdvantage elite members now receive comprehensive benefits when flying Aer Lingus, marking a significant expansion of the partnership between these carriers.
The new elite perks include priority check-in, fast track security, priority boarding, lounge access, and free checked bags for AAdvantage status holders.
AAdvantage members earn 5x miles per dollar spent on Aer Lingus flights, with elite members receiving bonus multipliers ranging from 40% for Gold up to 120% for Executive Platinum status.
This development follows the December 2023 introduction of reciprocal mileage earning between the carriers, nearly three years after their initial codeshare agreement launched in early 2022.
The integration stems from Aer Lingus joining the oneworld transatlantic joint venture, though curiously, award redemptions remain unavailable but are expected in the future.
Despite being owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), Aer Lingus maintains its position outside the oneworld alliance while participating in this expanded partnership.
Deals and Points News
Chase Reserve 65K Offer: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is offering an elevated bonus of 65,000 Ultimate Rewards points through The Infatuation website after spending $4,000 in the first three months, representing a 5,000-point increase over the standard 60,000-point public offer.
Free Capital One Coffee: Capital One Coffee locations are offering free postcards with QR codes that can be shared to give friends a complimentary handcrafted beverage redeemable through December 31, 2024, accessible through their dedicated coffree.capitalone.com website. This promotion runs separately from the November 19th free coffee offer, allowing customers to obtain an additional free drink by using the postcard-based QR code system.
Hilton Timeshare Points Deal: Members can secure a 3-night vacation package in Las Vegas, Orlando ($249), Myrtle Beach, or NYC ($299) through December 10, 2024, with a 75,000 Hilton points bonus, requiring attendance at a 2-hour timeshare presentation. The packages include stays at premium properties like The Boulevard in Las Vegas, SeaWorld Orlando properties, Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, and New York Hilton Midtown, with 12 months to travel from purchase date and the possibility to negotiate better terms by calling 877-562-2856. (DDG)
Wyndham Winter Gift Box: Wyndham Rewards cardmembers can claim a complimentary Winter Gift Box containing a complete Sugar Cookie Kit with baking tools until November 25, 2024 or while supplies last. The gift box includes sugar cookie mix, cookie cutter, icing packet, M&M’S®, silicon spatula, and quilted potholder – enough to make 8-10 cookies – and is available on a first-come, first-served basis for registered cardmembers.
Instacart+ Benefits Revamped: Instacart+ is immediately eliminating the 5% credit back on pickup orders and will remove reduced service fees starting March 1, 2025, while temporarily offering $0 delivery fees on orders over $10 through December 31, 2024, down from the usual $35 minimum. The membership now includes several additional perks including $0 delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats restaurant orders, extended family sharing for up to 3 people, complimentary Peacock streaming ($79.99 value), and a one-year New York Times Cooking subscription for annual members ($50 value).
Travel and Other News
Frontier’s Network Expansion: The 16 new routes launching in February/March 2025 include Austin to Cincinnati, Orlando, Phoenix, and Milwaukee; Orlando International to Nashville, Los Angeles (daily service), and Oklahoma City; Tampa International to Houston George Bush, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee; Cincinnati to Fort Myers; Indianapolis to Fort Lauderdale; Raleigh-Durham to Fort Myers; Rochester to Fort Lauderdale; Atlanta to San Juan; and a unique intra-Caribbean route connecting Antigua to San Juan (pending government approval).
Delta Premium Seats Expand: Delta will introduce new premium-heavy aircraft in 2025, including an A350-1000 with 50% premium seating and an A321neo with lie-flat Delta One seats, while simultaneously planning to unbundle its premium cabin fares in 2025 by separating perks like lounge access and seat selection into different fare tiers. By 2027, Delta projects its premium cabin revenue will exceed main cabin and basic economy revenue, with 85% of additional seats in 2025 being categorized as premium seating across its fleet.
Turkish US Routes Expand: Turkish Airlines will boost its US service to 170 weekly flights in summer 2025, increasing Chicago and Los Angeles each to 17 weekly flights while Denver moves to daily service just one year after launch. The expansion includes three-times-weekly evening departures from Istanbul to both Chicago and Los Angeles using 787-9s, with Chicago utilizing a mix of 787-9s and 777-300ERs on its routes and Denver being served exclusively by A350s on its 14:20 departure from Istanbul.
Oman Air Delays Oneworld: Oman Air has officially postponed its Oneworld alliance entry to June 30, 2025, while simultaneously planning fleet expansion with two Boeing 787s in early 2025 and considering a new top-tier Sindbad status to match Oneworld Emerald. The airline will implement new fare types starting December 3 including Super Saver, Comfort, and Flex in both economy and business classes, and plans to resume double-daily London Heathrow flights in late 2026 by reclaiming previously leased slots. (Executive Traveller)
Virgin-Etihad Partnership Ends: Virgin Australia and Etihad Airways will terminate their complete partnership including frequent flyer benefits, codeshare, and interline agreements on June 1, 2025, following Qatar Airways’ planned 25% stake acquisition in Virgin Australia. The split leaves Etihad without an Australian partner for domestic connectivity beyond its Melbourne and Sydney services.
