Happy Tuesday. Here’s your miles, points, and travel news for May 13, 2025:
Bilt Adds JAL as Transfer Partner
You can now transfer Bilt Rewards points to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank at a 1:1 ratio, making JAL Bilt’s 21st transfer partner as of May 13, 2025. Point transfers are expected to complete within 10 minutes, matching the efficiency of Bilt’s other partner transfers. JAL typically requires accounts to be 60 days old before redeeming miles, but Bilt members get special treatment with the ability to redeem within seven days of transferring, even with newer accounts.
Consider creating a JAL Mileage Bank account now if you’re planning to transfer points soon to take advantage of this expedited redemption eligibility. Before this partnership, transferring to JAL was only possible through Marriott Bonvoy at an unfavorable 3:1 ratio, making this new 1:1 transfer option particularly valuable. Current redemption rates offer excellent value with flights from North America to Japan costing just 25,000 miles each way in economy and 50,000 miles in business class.
Plan your redemptions soon as JAL’s award chart changes on June 10, increasing North America-Japan flights to 27,000 miles in economy and 55,000 miles in business class. Your JAL miles can be used beyond Japan Airlines flights, extending to partner airlines like Emirates, American Airlines, and Korean Air, each with separate award charts.
Notable redemption examples include Emirates business class from New York to Dubai for 80,000 JAL miles each way, or Alaska Airlines first class from Seattle to London for 60,000 miles. Keep in mind that JAL restricts redemptions to family members related by blood or marriage, which adds complexity compared to other programs.
JAL miles expire after 36 months regardless of account activity (except for certain elite members), so planning your redemptions strategically is important. The minimum transfer amount is 2,000 points for standard Bilt members, while Silver status members and above can transfer as little as 1,000 points.
Spirit Revamps Premium Economy
Spirit Airlines is rolling out a reimagined Go Comfy product featuring seats with 32-inch pitch – four inches more than standard configuration – across seven rows (42 seats total), with installation beginning June-July 2025 and completing by 2026.
The new Go Comfy experience includes a carry-on bag, no change/cancellation fees, priority boarding, reserved overhead bin space, and complimentary snacks and beverages, with bookings opening May 15 for travel starting July 9, 2025. Spirit is simultaneously enhancing its Free Spirit loyalty program with broader rewards options, including complimentary upgrades to premium seats for Status members and Travel More Mastercard holders, plus introducing a Free Spirit Travel Debit Card for earning points on everyday purchases.
These improvements come amid significant financial challenges, as Spirit reported a negative operating margin of 22.5% and $1.1 billion operating loss in 2024, despite emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a $350 million capital injection.
Spirit’s shift toward premium options represents a questionable departure from its traditional low-cost carrier model, seemingly failing to address fundamental issues like operational reliability and customer support despite recent industry recognition.
United Elevate Transforms Polaris
United Airlines is launching United Elevate, featuring a revamped Polaris business class with 1-2-1 configuration and introducing the premium Polaris Studio suite with 25% more space.
Dining upgrades include three main course options in economy and monthly rotating regional menus in Polaris, while Studio passengers receive exclusive amenities like hoodie pajamas and caviar service.
New Boeing 787-9s arriving by late 2025 will feature 64 Polaris seats, 35 premium economy seats, and advanced technology including 19″ 4K OLED screens and Starlink Wi-Fi.
Initial international flights are planned for early 2026 between San Francisco and destinations like Singapore and London.
Hawaiian and Alaska Launches Seattle-Tokyo Flights
Hawaiian Airlines has started daily nonstop flights between Seattle (SEA) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) as of May 2025. The schedule includes flights in both directions with the route operating year-round as part of Hawaiian’s expanding international network. This route operates with an Airbus A330-200 featuring 18 business class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 260 economy seats in a 2-4-2 layout.
The aircraft comes equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, offering fast and free connectivity throughout your journey. This new service is part of Alaska Air Group’s strategy following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in late 2024, with plans to establish Seattle-Tacoma as a global hub.
The Seattle-Tokyo launch is just the beginning of Alaska’s international expansion, with a Seattle to Seoul Incheon route scheduled for September 2025 and European flights planned for 2026. With this new Tokyo route, Hawaiian Airlines has adjusted its Japan capacity by discontinuing its direct Honolulu-Tokyo Narita service to focus on the Tokyo Haneda route instead.
Initial passenger feedback has highlighted concerns about pricing, with flights significantly higher compared to competitors like Air Canada. Business class service has also faced criticism for the dated 2-2-2 seating arrangement and diminished meal service since the pandemic.
Award availability exists at standard rates of 150,000 miles one-way, with occasional lower rates of 95,000 miles. You can expect Alaska Air Group to introduce upgraded cabin service before the Seoul route launches later this year as they continue developing their long-haul strategy.
Buy Hyatt Points with 20% Bonus
The World of Hyatt is offering a 20% discount on points purchases of 3,000+ points through July 21, 2025, bringing the cost to approximately 2.17 cents each, which exceeds the typical valuation of 1.5 cents but may still provide value for specific redemptions, especially at Category 1 hotels requiring only 5,000 points per night.
This promotion could be worthwhile for travelers with dwindling Hyatt points and specific redemption plans that would yield significant cash savings, though those with substantial existing World of Hyatt balances or transferable points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards (which transfer at 1:1 ratio) might want to skip this offer.
Purchases are processed through Points.com, meaning Hyatt-branded credit cards won’t earn bonus points, so it’s advisable to use cards that offer points on non-bonus purchase categories for these transactions.
Southwest Potential International Expansion
Southwest Airlines has applied for permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate flights to any country with Open Skies agreements, potentially adding routes across Europe and Latin America.
This expansion would likely be gradual as Southwest currently only operates Boeing 737 aircraft with range limitations that make longer international routes challenging beyond their current Mexico and Caribbean destinations.
IHG Points Sale
IHG One Rewards is offering a 100% bonus on points purchases until May 22, 2025, allowing members to acquire points for as low as 0.5 cents each when buying at least 26,000 points, compared to the standard rate of 1 to 1.35 cents per point.
Members can purchase up to 200,000 points annually (receiving 400,000 with the bonus), and while these transactions process through Points.com and don’t count as travel expenses, the value can be maximized by leveraging benefits like the fourth-night-free reward available with the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Choice Add LATAM as Transfer Partner
Choice Privileges has added LATAM Pass as a new transfer partner with a 5:1 transfer ratio (5,000 Choice points for 1,000 LATAM miles), completing transfers within a few business days.
Despite the modest ratio, this partnership offers valuable redemption opportunities including Delta One business class from the U.S. to South America for just 72,000 LATAM Pass miles one-way, significantly lower than Delta’s SkyMiles pricing.
