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🤙🏿 Welcome back to the Better Than Points Newsletter - the premier place for all things Credit Card Points News and Travel

My name’s Luis and I’m the one writing this (hit me up here!)

February might be a short month, but that won’t stop the deals.

We have some award space availability opening up, along with some rebooking tricks. 🤫 

Plus Hyatt and Starlux are making moves.

So grab your free beverage from capital one (see below), and let’s get going.

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  Travel News

Thai Airways Award Availability (LINK)

It looks like there’s plenty of Thai Airways award availability to go around but for now, it’s only showing up through United’s program, though.

Not sure if it’ll eventually pop up on Air Canada or other programs, but if you’ve been wanting to book a business or first class flight on Thai Airways, now’s your chance.

United’s award prices are usually higher than Air Canada’s, but if you have the points, it’s worth checking out.

Hyatt Hotels Buying Playa Hotels (LINK)

It’s good to see Hyatt making moves and expanding its portfolio even more.

While they already owned a stake in Playa, it looks like they’re making a serious push into all inclusive resorts with these new properties across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

We’re already familiar with some of the Ziva properties in Mexico that are Hyatt properties, but I can’t help but feel a little skeptical.

Especially since redemptions for Hyatt’s most recent partnership like Mr. & Mrs Smith have sucked in terms or redemption values.

Since Hyatt isn’t planning to own or operate these new properties directly, there’s a chance we could see issues with award benefits down the line.

Fingers crossed the service across these hotels stays on par with what we’ve come to expect from Hyatt.

Starlux Ontario Award Availability (LINK)

It’s cool to see that Starlux is still pushing to expand into more airports in the Americas.

While it’s just Ontario (ONT) for now with four weekly flights, I was able to pull up award availability on Alaska Airlines.

The lowest I found was 175K miles, but it’s still nice to have another option for Taipei.

Out of curiosity, I also checked LAX, since Starlux flies out 10 times a week and more flights usually mean better chances at finding award seats.

I did manage to find a couple of solid 75K award flights, though it takes some digging.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing similar availability on the ONT route soon, and when that happens, you know I’ll be the first to let y’all know

🤓 Hacks

• If you’re flying Southwest and your flight gets changed by 15 minutes or more, you have the option to switch to a later flight for free even if the new flight was originally more expensive than the one you booked.

• While booking hotels through the Capital One Travel Portal might not earn you elite status benefits, if you have the Venture X, you’ll earn 10X miles on those purchases, which is a crazy fast way to rack up Capital One miles.

🧑🏿‍💻 Luis Corner

Every week I answer one question from the community. Reply to this email with yours because you’re probably not the only one that has it.

I’m just gonna talk about what I want to talk about here

If you have a Delta card, read this.

Instead of sticking with a Delta card, consider getting an American Express Gold or Platinum Card. Why?

Because while you can transfer those points to Delta if you want, you’ll also have access to so many other programs to book flights.

Nothing pains me more than talking to someone with a ton of points only to find out they’re all SkyMiles.

Delta miles are a depreciating asset, and every day, the cost to redeem a flight goes up.

Instead of locking yourself into a single program, switch to a more flexible points system that gives you options.

With a Delta card, you’re stuck earning SkyMiles, and the number of miles you need for a flight keeps climbing to the point where it just doesn’t make sense.

Check out these crazy award deals!

🔬 Secret Travel Research

This section includes some of the best award flights of the week bookable with points and miles.

• First Class flights from LHR to BKK on Thailand Air

👀 My Favorite Finds

This section includes some of the best links videos and articles of the week around the points and travel community

• Free beverage at any Capital One Cafe (LINK)

• These newsletters are changing the game (LINK)

• Free metal Bag Tag if you already have Delta Status (LINK)

• It’s now easier to credit BA flight to Iberia to hit status faster (LINK)