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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!)

Howdy from Texas! Hope everyone’s doing well. It’s finally starting to look like fall around here, and it's just cool enough for me to start wearing hoodies. 😎

In today’s issue, I’ve got some news you’ll want to hear if you’re planning a trip to Europe next year, plus some exciting updates that could make your travel game even stronger, think easier ways to earn status, a transfer bonus, and more!

Let’s jump in!

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🗞️ Travel News

Earning Status on Alaskan might get easier (LINK)

Fresh off their merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines is kicking off 2025 with some exciting changes. There’s a lot to cover, so here’s the quick version: they’re introducing a new way to earn elite status, and—most importantly—all award flights will now count toward status. That means even flights booked with points will help you earn status, 🤯 not just flights on Alaska partner airline flights too.

With so many people converting their Hawaiian Airlines miles to Alaska Mileage Plan miles, now might be the perfect time to book those partner flights and start planing for elite status.

Cathays New Aria Suites Business Class (LINK)

Cathay Pacific is starting to roll out their newly retrofitted planes and all I can say is nice. I’ve had a chance to fly their old business class and while it was spacious it definitely needed a revamp.

With the first retrofitted plane done it’ll take them until 2027 to finish all 30 of their Boeing 777-300ERs. And if you’re wondering how to book this new business class with points, I got you. Just refer back to this helpful post.

Virgin 40% transfer bonus (LINK)

Chase is offering a 40% transfer bonus to Virgin miles until November 30th. But here’s the catch: Virgin is rolling out new dynamic pricing at the end of the month. So, if you’re feeling lucky, you could transfer your points now and see how it plays out.

However, since the promotion runs until the end of next month, if you’re not planning to book right something right now, I’d recommend waiting to see what happens with the new pricing structure. The last thing anyone wants is to get hit with “new and improved” award pricing that ends up being worse than expected.

🤓 Hacks

• If you’re heading to Europe in 2025, be aware that you’ll need to apply for travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Approval can usually take about four days, but in some cases, can take 14 to 30 days 😵 so don’t procrastinate because it could very well ruin your European escapade.

• If you have an American Express Platinum card or any Amex card that offers a travel incidental credit but you’re struggling to use it, here’s a scenario that might help.

  Let’s say you chose Delta as your airline and found a flight priced around or just below your credit amount. If you book that flight, it should trigger your airline credit. Now, let’s say you also have another card with an incidental credit. If your plans change and you need to switch flights, and the change in fare happens to match the incidental credit on your second card, you can use that credit, too.

  Here’s where it gets interesting: if your schedule keeps shifting and you end up canceling the flight entirely, the cost gets credited to your Delta account. Now, not only have you successfully used the incidental credits on both cards or however many you have, but you also have a credit sitting in your Delta account to use however you like.

  If this hypothetical scenario has your head spinning, feel free to email me and I’ll help unravel it all.

🧑🏿‍💻 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

Frank asked if there are any other ways of using your points to book flights that aren’t normally talked about.

The American Express Business Platinum Card offers a cool benefit where you can pay for a cash flight with points, and after paying, you get a 35% rebate. This means you’ll get those points back. Just keep in mind that it can take up to 10 weeks for the rebate to process.

Two things to note, though: the booking has to be with the preferred airline you pick each year for the card, or it has to be a business or first-class flight on any airline.

This is a great option when you find a cheap business or first-class seat that rivals award rates but don’t want to worry about award availability. It's especially helpful if you're booking for the whole family where sometimes only a few award seats are available.

PS: If you own a business and are curious about the best business cards for owners, check this out. 👇🏿 It’s an affiliate link 😉

👀 My Favorite Finds

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

• 25 of the Best Islands Around the World to Visit (LINK)

• If you are a NY Resident and have car insurance, you no longer have Primary CDW coverage from your Chase cards (LINK)

• Join Marriott Bonvoy with your Sephora member email and get 100 Beauty Insider Points (LINK)

• Earn Hyatt points when you work out on peloton equipment at Hyatt hotels (LINK)

• Hawaii/Alaska transfer won’t be a forever thing and there could be new premium Alaska cards coming soon (LINK)

🏨 Hotel Of The Week

• If you’ve ever dreamed of staying at a property where every room is a villa—and the smallest one is 2,300 sq ft, complete with its own pool—well, you’ll want to stay HERE. Fun fact: they’re opening in December 2024. And if you’ve got the cash to splurge, shoot me an email so I can tag along!