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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!)

Like with any teenager going through an identity crisis trying to figure themselves out, the newsletter is going through its teenage angst years, and we're trying to spruce ourselves up a bit. We're changing the flow, adding some things, and taking some things away. Let us know how you like it or hate it because like any teenager, we crave validation. And with all of that, let's get to some points news!

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🗞️ Travel News

Qatar Devalues AA/Alaska Chart (LINK) and Lifemiles Devalues Award Chart (LINK)

Nothing sucks more than airlines increasing reward redemptions without a heads up. While Qatar used to be the go-to program for booking short flights within the US for AA/Alaska, they might not be the best option anymore. LifeMiles went ahead and increased rates for first class from Europe from 87K to 130K and business from 63K to 70K. For the time being, it looks like they only increased rates in and out of the US and have spared the rest, but sadly the sweet spot between the US and Lisbon for 35K business is no more.

Hawaiian Merger Deal extended (LINK)

TLDR: Alaska is trying to buy Hawaiian, but everyone is bitter about it. The deadline for the DOJ to review it was yesterday, but it's been extended, meaning they are getting close to a deal. As a Hawaiian Airlines fanboy, I hope this goes through so that Hawaiian joins the Oneworld program and gives us more ways to book Hawaiian flights.

[Deal Alert] JFK to Frankfurt (LINK)

A bunch of award availability just dropped from JFK, LAX, and Newark with the best business class availability being in October and January, February, March of next year. The best way to book is through Air Canada for 80K points or through Singapore Airlines' own website for 81K points.

[Deal Alert] ORD to Hong Kong (LINK)

With the current transfer bonuses for Avios, this is a stellar deal you should jump on if going to Hong Kong is on your bucket list with June and July of next year having more availability.

🤓 Hacks

• When redeeming for award flights on British Airways, always try seeing if the flight can be booked through Cathay Pacific, since the surcharges on the flight will be significantly less than they would be on British Airways. We're talking about hundreds versus a couple of dollars.

• For the love of your points, don't use your Avios to book flights through Iberia unless you are 100% certain you are going to take the flight. In most cases, both Qatar and Iberia have the same award redemption amounts, but with Iberia, if you cancel a partner award booking, you aren't getting those points back and you essentially lose them.

🧑🏿‍💻 Question From You

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.

Question

Delia asked which miles (United, Delta, or American) she should focus on earning since she flies a couple of times a month.

In ranking the three, I would say American Airlines first, United second, and Delta third. American Airlines miles are not tied to revenue, and usually, you don't see them jack up the prices seven days before a flight like the other two. Therefore, I'd focus on American Airlines miles. For 60K AA miles, you're able to score some business class seats through partner airlines, something that I can't really say for United and definitely not for Delta.

👀 My Favorite Finds

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

• Get ready to travel to North Korea because they’re finally reopening to international tourism (LINK)

• Considering getting the Boundless card so that I can get this super secret card that not many people know about (LINK)

• Check this video out if you want to learn how to book Lufthansa first class. They even drive you to the plane in a Porsche! (LINK)

🏨 Hotel Of The Week

• South Bank in Turks and Caicos has some amazing redemption amounts of 130,000 Hilton Points per night for 2 br Boar Houses that sleep 4 🤫