Happy Thursday. Here’s your miles, points, travel, and deals news for May 15, 2025:
Delta Rebrands Fare Classes
Delta just dropped a massive naming overhaul that goes way beyond simple branding – they’re completely restructuring their fare system starting October 2025.
Basic Economy is being rebranded as “Delta Main Basic” while regular economy becomes “Delta Main Classic” – part of a company-wide simplification where everything now starts with “Delta” (Delta Comfort replaces Comfort+, Delta First replaces First Class).
The most significant change is the introduction of three experience tiers across fare types: Basic, Classic, and Extra – with Extra fares offering perks like higher upgrade priority, 7x miles earning, full refundability, and better boarding positions.
While Basic fares currently exist only in economy (Main), this new structure clearly paves the way for Delta to introduce Basic versions of premium cabins, potentially creating “basic business class” options in the future.
SAS 25% Award Discount
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) is running a 25% discount on all award flights through September 30, dropping business class redemptions between the US and Europe to just 37,500 points one-way.
Premium economy fares are reduced to 30,000 points (from 40,000), while economy seats can be booked for only 22,500 points during this limited-time promotion.
Children aged 2-11 receive an additional 50% discount on these already-reduced rates, meaning kids can fly business class for a mere 18,750 points one-way, premium economy for 15,000 points, or economy for just 11,250 points.
You must book by May 18 to secure these discounted rates, but remember that SAS doesn’t currently partner with major US credit card programs for points transfers, limiting earning options for US travelers.
JetBlue Teams With Dunkin'
JetBlue and Dunkin’ have launched a sweet new status match promo that might be worth rearranging your Monday travel plans for.
To score both TrueBlue Mosaic and Dunkin’ Rewards Boosted status for three months, you’ll need to fly on a designated JetBlue Dunkin’ aircraft on select Mondays between May 19 and September 1 (June 30 and July 7 are excluded).
JetBlue will announce eligible flights each Friday, giving you just a narrow window to book your status-qualifying journey for the following Monday.
Current Mosaic members aren’t left out – completing a qualifying flight nets you 20 bonus tiles toward status progression, while the Dunkin’ Boosted status doubles your points earning on coffee runs.
Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes
Singapore Airlines’ latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion offers 30% off select award redemptions for bookings made through May 31, 2025, with travel between June 1-30, 2025.
For North American travelers, the standout options include Premium Economy from Singapore to San Francisco for 52,500 miles, plus Premium Economy or Business Class from Frankfurt to New York (JFK) for 36,400 or 56,700 miles respectively.
Southeast Asia business class deals are plentiful with Singapore to Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta/Bali/Penang for 14,700 miles, to Bangkok/Ho Chi Minh/Manila/Phnom Penh/Yangon for 16,800 miles, to Hong Kong for 23,800 miles, and to Beijing/Shanghai/various Indian cities for 30,100 miles.
Long-haul business class options include Johannesburg (39,550 miles), Cairns (47,950 miles), and Darwin (28,350 miles), while European Premium Economy deals feature Brussels and Paris to Singapore for 49,700 miles.
Premium Economy to Hong Kong (18,550 miles), Beijing/Shanghai (24,150 miles), and Dubai/Johannesburg (30,100 miles) round out this month’s discounted routes that can significantly stretch your KrisFlyer miles.
Boeing Wins Record Qatar Order
Qatar Airways has placed its largest aircraft order in history, exclusively with Boeing, totaling 160 firm orders with options for 50 additional jets.
The order consists of 130 Boeing 787s (including both 787-9 and 787-10 models) and 30 Boeing 777-9 jets.
The order represents the largest widebody aircraft purchase in Boeing’s history and comes as Qatar Airways continues its aggressive fleet renewal strategy to replace aging aircraft like older 777s, A380s, and 787-8s.
Boeing’s ability to fulfill this massive order remains questionable given existing production delays and certification challenges, particularly with the 777X which isn’t expected to enter commercial service until 2026.
Amex No Lifetime Limit Business Platinum Bonus Returns
Amex Business Platinum’s latest welcome offer delivers 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 within the first three months, plus a $500 statement credit when you spend $2,500 directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
This targeted offer includes a No Lifetime Language (NLL) link that lets previous Business Platinum cardholders apply again without facing the usual “once-per-lifetime” bonus restrictions.
To check if you’re eligible, click the specific link, log into your Amex account, and see if you’re directed to an application page instead of seeing “offer unavailable” messaging.
While not as generous as a previous 250,000-point promotion, this offer still provides significant value, especially if you can easily meet the airline spending requirement for the statement credit.
HT: Frequent Miler.
Buy Marriott Points with 40% Bonus
Marriott Bonvoy is offering a 40% bonus on purchased points through July 16, 2025.
With this promotion, points can be acquired for 0.89 cents each when maximizing the offer to receive 210,000 points for $1,875.
United Protest Gets Heated
United flight attendants crashed the airline’s fancy Brooklyn event showing off its swanky new Polaris Business Class seats, protesting for better wages after four years without a contract.
About a dozen flight attendants disrupted the private affair with chants like “if we don’t get it, shut it down,” making their frustrations crystal clear to airline executives and invited guests.
The protesters were promptly suspended pending investigation, creating even more tension between United management and its cabin crew workforce.
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson defended the action as “protected activity” under labor laws,
Etihad-TAP Loyalty Partnership Launches
This partnership between Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal allows members of both loyalty programs to earn and redeem miles across both airline networks starting May 14, 2025, expanding on their 2023 codeshare agreement.
For travelers, this means expanded route access with Etihad Guest members gaining better connectivity to Europe plus North and South America via TAP, while TAP members enjoy easier access to Asia and the Middle East through Etihad.
The partnership creates opportunities to maximize value by comparing award charts between programs, with TAP often offering better deals on Europe-US routes and Etihad miles typically more valuable for Middle East or Asia travel.
Porter Cuts US Routes
Porter Airlines is terminating its Toronto to San Diego service on June 25, eliminating over 32,000 seats for the remainder of 2025.
The canceled route was operating four times weekly with Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, leaving Air Canada as the only carrier offering daily Boeing 737 MAX 8 service between the cities.
Porter has also axed its planned Montreal-Las Vegas route that would have been the airline’s longest at 2,233 miles, with Air Canada now holding exclusive service with ten weekly flights using A319s and 737 MAX 8s.
The airline cited operational reliability concerns and the need for spare aircraft capacity as reasons for the cuts, while acknowledging the San Diego route didn’t meet performance expectations.
Airbnb's Massive App Overhaul
Airbnb has completely redesigned its mobile app for iOS and Android with a focus on streamlined trip planning and enhanced user experience just as summer travel season kicks off.
The new interface features an “Explore” tab that brings together homes, experiences, and services in one centralized location, replacing the previous “Categories” system while still maintaining access to those unique property listings.
A game-changing “Trip” tab now combines all your bookings in one place, displaying accommodation details, activity reservations, and service bookings in a comprehensive itinerary view.
The platform has added impressive communication upgrades including photo/video sharing and in-app payment options, plus they’ve launched “Services” in 260+ cities offering private chefs, in-home massages, and personal workouts to complement your stay.
