Happy Tuesday. Here’s your miles, points, travel, and deals news for December 10, 2024:
Major Alaska Airlines Changes
Alaska Air Group is launching a transformative international expansion from Seattle, establishing it as a significant global gateway with plans for nonstop flights to Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon starting in 2025. The airline’s first foray into long-haul service begins May 12, 2025, with daily flights to Tokyo operated by Hawaiian Airlines’ A330-200 aircraft, followed by Seoul service in October 2025.
This expansion marks the start of an aggressive growth strategy aiming to serve at least 12 international destinations from Seattle by 2030, complemented by plans for a new flagship international lounge opening by 2027. The combined network enhancements include a substantial 20% capacity increase between Seattle and Honolulu, with three of six daily flights utilizing Hawaiian’s widebody aircraft.
Domestic network improvements extend to Portland, which gains three daily Honolulu flights with staggered departure times and a 25% seat capacity boost. San Diego services are being optimized with new mid-morning and late afternoon Maui departures, replacing the previous morning-only schedule.
The network redesign includes strategic redeye additions from Hawaii to mainland destinations, including new overnight services from Honolulu to San Francisco and both Honolulu and Maui to Portland. San Francisco gains new nonstop routes to Kona and Lihue, launching June 12 and 13, 2025, respectively, establishing comprehensive service to all four major Hawaiian islands.
Hawaiian’s A330s will be deployed seasonally between Seattle and Anchorage during peak summer months, maximizing both passenger and cargo capacity in this important market. Seattle’s position as the sixth-largest domestic gateway for Asia flights, combined with strong corporate managed travel spending exceeding $300 million annually, supports this expansion.
The airline plans to upgrade its premium cabin offerings across the widebody fleet to better compete with international carriers, including adding premium economy seats and cabin retrofits for the A330s. Alaska Air Group will significantly expand its lounge network, adding new locations in Honolulu and San Diego, while developing a flagship international lounge in Seattle by 2027, bringing their total lounge presence to eight airports.
A new premium credit card with a $395 annual fee will launch in summer 2025 alongside the merged loyalty program. The card will feature unique benefits including a Global Companion Award Certificate valid on partner airlines, triple points on foreign transactions and dining purchases, and accelerated elite status earning.
JetBlue Overhauls Route Network
JetBlue announces major network changes, adding two European destinations while eliminating eight existing routes. New daily seasonal services from Boston to Edinburgh and Madrid will launch May 2025, featuring Mint premium cabins, while cuts include Boston-San Jose, Fort Lauderdale-Jacksonville, four New York routes, and Westchester-Charleston.
The carrier is completely exiting San Jose while also suspending seasonal service to Grenada, Phoenix, and Tulum. Premium Mint service will be removed from Seattle routes, and New York loses its London Gatwick flights and second Paris frequency.
Boston emerges as JetBlue’s primary European gateway, with both new routes featuring evening departures and afternoon returns. The Edinburgh A321neo offers 160 seats, while Madrid’s A321LR provides 138 seats, including premium options.
Deals and Points News
Hilton Double Points Deal: From January 1 through April 30, 2025, Hilton Honors members can earn double base points (20 points per dollar at most properties, 10 points per dollar at Home2 Suites and Tru) on all stays across the Hilton portfolio with no cap on bonus points earned. Members must register for the promotion, and while stays checking in before January 1 are eligible if the checkout date falls within the promotion period, bonus points will not count toward elite status qualification and will post within 6-8 weeks of stay completion.
Apple Card Updates Benefits: Apple Card adds Booking.com and ChargePoint as new 3% Daily Cash merchants while announcing Panera Bread will drop to 2% in February 2025, and Booking.com purchases earn an additional 2% in travel credits when using exclusive link with eligible prepaid bookings.
Travel and Other News
Delta One Lounge Opens Boston: Delta’s third premium lounge debuts December 11 in Terminal E near gate E13, featuring a 6,700-square-foot maritime-inspired space with seating for 121 guests and operating daily from 2PM until 9PM. The seafood-focused lounge offers a three-course dining experience curated by chef Ed Brown with local specialties like lobster rolls and cod milanese, while access is restricted to Delta One passengers, Delta 360 members, and select partner airline premium cabin travelers from Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.
Avelo Expands Connecticut Network: Avelo Airlines will launch service to four new US destinations from Tweed New Haven Airport between February and May 2025 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Jacksonville, and Portland – while also adding Punta Cana flights from Hartford starting February 21, bringing its total New Haven destinations to 39. All new routes will operate twice weekly, strengthening Avelo’s presence in Connecticut, where it currently serves as the primary carrier.
