Thanks for joining the newsletter! This weekly (or so) will include a review of recent blog articles, travel news and flight deals.
This month I’ve been playing with YouTube shorts and Instagram Reels. Check them out and let me know how they are.
Rob
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes, 40 seconds.
✈️Aloha, Alaska: The Merger That’s Shaking Up the Skies
My attempt of what if Alaska and Hawaii merged…hmmm
In a stunning aerial twist, Alaska Airlines is set to acquire Hawaiian Airlines, a move that’s sending shockwaves through the aviation industry. Here’s the scoop on this high-flying merger and what it means for us travelers.
Merger in the Clouds: Alaska Meets Hawaii
The Deal: Alaska Airlines is purchasing Hawaiian for $18/share, a premium over its last closing price.
Distinct but United: Both airlines will retain their brand identities but will operate under a single platform and loyalty program.
Expanded Horizons: The combined fleet will boast 365 aircraft, serving 138 destinations. Look out for expanded international services to the Asia-Pacific region.
Market Share Magic: Post-merger, the airline will dominate with a 51% market share in Hawaii and 58% in Seattle.
Why This Merger is a Big Deal
Unexpected Twist: Industry pundits expected an Alaska-JetBlue merger; instead, Alaska’s heading into the Asia-Pacific.
Mileage Bonanza: The merger opens up exciting mileage-earning opportunities, especially with Alaska’s distance-based rewards.
Oneworld Wonders: Hawaiian’s integration into the oneworld alliance, via Alaska, means broader redemption options and elite perks.
First Class Upgrade: Say hello to lie-flat seats, a luxury previously missing in Alaska’s offerings.
Direct Routes to Paradise: The merger adds nonstops to Hawaii from various mainland cities.
Soaring Into the Future There’s still a lot to unpack with this merger, and regulatory approval is a looming question. But for now, it’s clear that this alliance has the potential to reshape the aviation landscape, promising a more rewarding experience for loyal flyers of both airlines.
✈️Flying High with Flying Blue: December 2023 Promo Rewards
December brings more than just holiday cheer; it’s also the season for some exciting Flying Blue Promo Rewards! If you’ve been dreaming of European escapades or longing for long-haul flights on a budget, Air France-KLM’s latest offer might just be your ticket to travel bliss.
What’s the Deal?
Discount Delights: The December 2023 Flying Blue Promo Rewards are offering up to 25% off on select routes across various booking classes, to and from Europe.
Booking Window: Grab these deals by December 31st, for travel between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024.
Exclusivity: This promo doesn’t include Etihad this time around but covers a broad range of destinations.
Short and Sweet: Short/Medium Haul Offers
City Hopping in Europe: Deals primarily focus on trips to or from Paris and Amsterdam, making them ideal for intra-European travel or connecting flights to your final destination.
Long Haul, Big Savings
North American Nuggets: If you’re in Boston, Washington, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Mexico City, you’re in luck. These cities feature in this month’s long-haul promo rewards, with some tempting deals like flying out of Mexico City in Premium Economy starting at 25,250 miles.
Final Thoughts The December 2023 Flying Blue Promo Rewards are a great opportunity to fly to and within Europe at reduced costs. Whether you’re planning a short city break in Paris or Amsterdam or eyeing a transatlantic adventure, these deals are worth a look. Remember to be quick and flexible, and you might just land yourself a fantastic flight deal. Happy travels!
✈️Virgin Atlantic’s Delta Award Price Increase: Bye Delta One
Virgin Atlantic has just thrown a curveball in the frequent flyer world by ramping up the cost of Delta award flights – and it’s a significant hike! This change affects both short and long-haul routes, with increases ranging from 20% to a staggering 60%, depending on the flight and cabin class.
The Details: A Deeper Dive into the Changes
Award Chart Shakeup: Virgin’s Delta award pricing was already a bit complex, with different charts for US-UK, US-Europe (excluding the UK), and everywhere else. The latest changes primarily affect the “everywhere else” category, impacting domestic US awards.
Economy Hits Hard: Economy flights, except for short 0-500 mile journeys, are seeing major price jumps. Flights above 1,000 miles are experiencing at least a 40% increase, with the 4,000-5,000 mile flights hit by a 60% hike.
Premium Cabin Tweaks: While very short and long premium cabin flights remain unchanged, those between 500-3,000 miles (covering most of the US) are up by 33%-50%.
Why This Matters
Virgin’s Value Dented: Virgin Atlantic has been a favorite for its transfer partner versatility and partner award bookings. These hikes, however, reduce the attractiveness of using Virgin points for Delta flights.
Delta’s Influence?: About a decade ago, Delta acquired a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. Since then, Delta’s own points system has leaned towards a lower fixed value. This move by Virgin might reflect Delta’s influence, aligning more with Delta’s “SkyPennies” approach.
The End of an Era: For US travelers, redeeming Virgin points for domestic Delta flights was a sweet deal. This change marks the end of that era, pushing flyers to look for other value propositions in Virgin’s program.
Despite this jolt, Virgin miles retain their usefulness, just not so much for domestic Delta awards.
So, while Virgin Atlantic’s skies are still friendly for many routes, those looking to fly Delta using Virgin points might need to brace for a costlier journey ahead. Keep your eyes peeled for how this plays out in the travel rewards game!
✈️Latest Credit Card Transfer Bonuses: Oh boy…
Gif by jerseydemic on Giphy
As of December 2023, there are several point transfer bonuses available from major credit card programs. These bonuses allow cardholders to get more value when transferring their credit card points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. Here’s a summary of the current offers:
American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Bonuses:
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: Get a 30% bonus on transfers to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, available until December 31, 2023.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: There’s a targeted 20% bonus for transfers to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, also expiring on December 31, 2023.
Hilton Honors: Another targeted offer, giving a 30% bonus for transfers to Hilton Honors, valid until December 31, 2023.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Bonuses:
Air Canada Aeroplan: There’s a 20% bonus for transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan, available until January 15, 2024.
These transfer bonuses can significantly enhance the value of your points, especially if you have specific travel plans that align with the participating airlines and hotel programs. As always, it’s important to consider your own travel goals and preferences when deciding whether to take advantage of these offers.
✈️Flight Deals!
Gif by jerology on Giphy
With the recent Shohei Otani signing by the Dodgers for $700 million for 10 years (yes, I’m excited), we figured we should post some flight deals. Because those beers at Dodgers Stadium will be going up in price.
JetBlue – Fly in style with JetBlue Mint’s cross-country service! Offering lie-flat seats, priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, and gourmet meals, Mint is a luxurious way to travel within the U.S.
Current Deal:
Route: Roundtrip fares from Seattle across the country, including peak summer.
Price: $997 roundtrip. Lower fares for Boston-Seattle/San Francisco routes available through March.
Booking with Points: Approximately 38k JetBlue points each way. With a 25% transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards, the cost drops to around 31k Chase points.
How to Book: Select “Use TrueBlue points” on JetBlue’s website.
Enjoy a premium flying experience with JetBlue Mint at attractive prices and point values!
Air France – Business Class to Europe
Book a repositioning flight to book a business class flight from Raleigh to Paris. Not ad bad deal for AF lay flat business class flights at 50k.
The world’s longest commercial flight took around 30 hours. Better follow our tips and fly business for this one.
Italy has a free, public wine fountain. Wait, what?
A 2010 study discovered that the mere anticipation of vacation results in higher levels of reported happiness. 100% agree. One of my favorite sayings – always be booked.
We love hearing from you! Share your travel stories, tips, or ask us burning travel questions. Ask me a question or advice on points and miles or other travel questions. Who knows, your story might be featured in our next newsletter!
🔗 Stay Connected – Don’t forget to follow at @pointsplanensimple for daily doses of travel inspiration! And our YouTube channel for the latest shorts
✨ Safe Travels & Happy Landings! Thank you for flying with us on this newsletter journey. Until next time, keep your passports ready and your adventures grand!
