As of November 10, travelers can book select GOL flights through Alaska Airlines (and Hawaiian Airlines, for that matter). These bookings come with benefits like checked baggage transfers to the final destination and the ability to earn Atmos Rewards points on eligible GOL flights booked through either airline.
And there’s more on the way in early 2027. The release teases that Atmos Rewards members will be able to redeem points for GOL flights.
What Will GOL Awards Cost With Atmos Rewards?
Alaska hasn’t published GOL-specific redemption rates, but its existing distance-based partner award charts offer some clues.
For example, GOL operates flights between New York (JFK) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), a route covering approximately 4,804 miles. Under the current Atmos Rewards partner award chart, that falls into the 4,001–6,000-mile band, with starting prices of:
Economy: 25,000 points
Premium economy: 32,500 points
Business: 50,000 points
These are published starting rates for the relevant distance band, not confirmed GOL redemption prices. Actual pricing and eligible cabins will depend on how Alaska implements the partnership.
More South America Connections Through American Airlines
Alaska is also expanding its partnership with American Airlines. This will allow travelers to book additional itineraries connecting Alaska and Hawaiian flights to American’s South American network.
The initial expansion will focus on Brazil, with connections through New York (JFK), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Miami (MIA) to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Additional destinations are expected in 2027.
Frontier Airlines is officially taking reservations for its new first class seats. As of today, travelers have the option to book a more spacious seat at the front of the aircraft for flights departing March 5, 2027, and later.
The airline announced November 10 that installation of the new seats is already underway, with completion expected in less than four months. The new cabins will also feature more extra-legroom seating, while USB-C charging ports and Starlink Wi-Fi are scheduled to roll out throughout 2027.
Here’s what Frontier’s new first class will look like, how much it costs (for now), and what else is changing onboard.
Frontier’s New First Class: Seats, Pricing, and Perks
Frontier’s new first class cabin will occupy the first two rows of the aircraft. Seats will be arranged in a 2-2 configuration rather than the typical 3-3 layout.
That means wider seats, no middle seats, and up to 37 inches of seat pitch.
Reservations are now open for flights departing March 5, 2027, and later.
FRONTIER AIRLINES
To celebrate the launch, Frontier is offering introductory pricing starting at $129 one way for its First bundle, which includes:
A first class seat
Two checked bags
One carry-on bag
Board First priority boarding
The promotional rate is available for new bookings made by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 16, 2026, for eligible nonstop domestic flights between March 5 and April 5, 2027.
FLYFRONTIER.COM
Booking Frontier first class with miles
Travelers can also use Frontier Miles to book the new first class product, although the cost depends on whether you pay for the flight, the bundle, or both with miles.
For example, a search for Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Denver (DEN) on March 31, 2027, showed four options:
$136 for a one-way ticket with the First bundle ($137 for non-Discount Den members)
5,000 miles + $115 when redeeming miles for the flight and paying for the bundle
8,000 miles + $27 when paying for the flight and redeeming miles for the bundle
13,000 miles + $6 when redeeming miles for both the flight and bundle
Ultimately, which option makes the most sense depends on how many Frontier Miles you have and how much you’d prefer to spend out of pocket.
FLYFRONTIER.COM
It’s also worth keeping in mind that these prices reflect Frontier’s introductory promotion, so they (more than likely) won’t be representative of what first class will cost over the long term.
Beyond first class, Frontier is expanding its extra-legroom seating options across the next six rows of the aircraft.
Rows three through eight will offer up to 34 inches of pitch, giving travelers more space without paying for first class. Select rows will also feature Frontier’s UpFront Plus seating, which guarantees an empty adjacent middle seat.
These seats will be available through Frontier’s Premium bundle, with introductory pricing starting at $90 one way.
The Premium bundle includes extra-legroom seating, a carry-on bag, and Board First priority boarding. The same November 16 booking deadline and March 5–April 5 travel window apply to the introductory pricing.
Like first class, the expanded extra-legroom seating is expected to be installed by March 5, 2027.
USB-C Power and Starlink Wi-Fi Are Coming in 2027
Frontier is also making broader improvements to its onboard experience. However, these won’t necessarily be available when the new seats debut.
The airline plans to introduce USB-C charging ports at every seat in the first eight rows, covering both first class and the expanded extra-legroom section.
Separately, Frontier will begin installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, which’ll give passengers access to high-speed connectivity for browsing, streaming, and working onboard.
Both enhancements will begin rolling out in 2027, with installations progressing aircraft by aircraft throughout the year. Frontier hasn’t provided a firm completion date for either feature.
American Airlines just launched a three-day AAdvantage award sale. Discounted flights across its domestic and international network start at just 7,000 miles one way.
The promotion runs from November 9 through 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 11, 2026, and covers eligible travel between January 11 and February 28, 2027.
So, you’ll need to move swiftly to take advantage of it.
American says more than one million Main Cabin award seats were available starting at 8,000 miles one way when the promotion began. Flights to South America, Europe, and Asia are also included, with some starting at just 12,000 miles.
Where You Can Fly With the AAdvantage Award Sale
American is advertising the following starting redemption rates:
Domestic U.S. flights: From 8,000 miles one way
Flights to/from Chicago: From 7,000 miles one way
Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America: From 8,000 miles one way
South America: From 12,000 miles one way
Europe, Middle East, and India: From 22,500 miles one way
Asia and South Pacific: From 25,000 miles one way
These prices apply to select Main Cabin flights originating in the contiguous United States. Availability varies by route and date.
American’s promotional page also highlights several domestic one-way examples (some of which price below the advertised minimums), including:
Chicago (ORD) → Miami (MIA): 7,000 miles + $6
Philadelphia (PHL) → Orlando (MCO): 7,500 miles + $6
Dallas (DFW) → New York (LGA): 8,000 miles + $6
Phoenix (PHX) → Miami (MIA): 8,000 miles + $6
Los Angeles (LAX) → Tokyo (HND): 25,000 miles + $6
POINTSYEAH
How to Find Discounted American Airlines Award Flights
You can search eligible AAdvantage award flights directly through American Airlines or use PointsYeah to look for award availability across different dates and destinations.
With PointsYeah, you can see American’s award pricing against other loyalty programs, which is particularly useful if you have transferable points or miles in multiple programs.
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What to Know Before Booking
There are a few important restrictions to keep in mind:
Booking window: November 9–11, 2026, ending at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Travel window: January 11–February 28, 2027. Eligible flight segments must be completed by February 28 (though we’ve seen discounted flights beyond the travel window).
Eligible flights: American Airlines and American Eagle marketed and operated flights only. Codeshares are excluded.
Existing bookings: The promotion cannot be applied retroactively.
Other dates, cabins, and departure cities may be available at higher award prices, but they won’t necessarily qualify for the advertised promotional rates.
With only three days to book and a relatively short travel window, this is worth checking sooner rather than later if you’re planning a trip early next year. Even if your preferred route isn’t listed among American’s examples, it may be worth searching to see what’s available.
Alaska Airlines’ Atmos Rewards program uses distance-based award charts to price flights on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and its airline partners.
How many points you’ll need depends on where you’re flying, the distance of your itinerary, your cabin, and which airline operates your flight.
Below, you’ll find the Atmos Rewards award charts for Alaska and Hawaiian flights, along with separate charts for partner airlines, including American Airlines, Qatar Airways, and others.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Award Chart
Flights operated entirely by Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines follow the same award chart, which covers travel within North America.
The prices below are starting rates for one-way awards. Actual prices can vary based on the route, travel dates, availability, and number of flight segments.
Within North America
Distance (miles)
Economy
First
Less than 700
From 4,500
From 15,000
701–1,400
From 7,500
From 25,000
1,401–2,100
From 10,000
From 25,000
2,101–3,500
From 12,500
From 30,000
3,501+
From 20,000
From 60,000
Flights to Europe, Asia, and beyond
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also operate international flights beyond North America, although there’s no published award chart for these routes.
For example, Alaska flies from Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavik (KEF), London (LHR), and Rome (FCO). While there’s no published starting price, economy awards to London and Rome often start around 30,000–42,500 points. Business-class awards can be as low as 95,000 points, although seats at that price are harder to find and actual rates can be considerably higher.
Reykjavik awards tend to start around 32,500 points in economy and 125,000 points in business class. Alaska operates this route with a smaller Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, meaning fewer seats are available to sell at the outset (hence higher prices).
Across the Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines awards from Honolulu (HNL) to Japan can start around 30,000 points in economy or 120,000 points in business class. From the mainland U.S., awards to Japan and South Korea can start around 30,000 points in economy and 150,000 points in business class.
These are examples of observed pricing rather than published award rates, so what you find may differ.
Atmos Rewards Partner Award Charts
Atmos Rewards also lets you redeem points for flights on partner airlines, including members of the Oneworld alliance and other non-alliance carriers.
Some of the bigger names include American Airlines, British Airways, Fiji Airways, Qatar Airways, Philippine Airlines, and Air Tahiti Nui, among others.
Partner awards follow separate distance-based charts organized by geographic region. Each chart lists starting redemption rates by cabin, although actual prices can be higher.
For example, Alaska offers access to additional award inventory on certain partners, including Qatar Airways. These extra seats can come with higher redemption rates than the published starting prices.
There are a few things worth knowing before using these charts.
Distance and connections matter. Atmos Rewards uses the total distance of your itinerary, including connections, to determine the applicable distance band. Adding a connection won’t necessarily increase the price, but it could push your itinerary into a higher band.
Mixed-cabin awards price at the higher cabin. If an itinerary includes both economy and business class, for example, the entire award is priced at the business class rate, regardless of how long each segment is. So, check the cabin on every flight before booking to make sure you’re getting what you expect.
Partner awards carry an additional fee. Awards involving partner airlines have a nonrefundable $20 fee per person, each way, although this fee is waived for Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite cardholders. Taxes and other applicable charges still apply.
There are also a few rules specific to partner awards. Eligible international itineraries can include one stopover of up to 14 days per one-way award, and awards beginning and ending outside the United States must be booked at least 72 hours before departure.
Search Atmos Rewards Award Flights With PointsYeah
With PointsYeah, you can search Atmos Rewards award availability alongside other airline loyalty programs, view your redemption options, and see how many points you’ll need before booking.
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How to Earn More Atmos Rewards Points
You don’t have to fly Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines regularly to build up a balance of Atmos Rewards points.
You can earn points through eligible flights on Alaska, Hawaiian, and partner airlines, as well as through Atmos Rewards credit cards and participating shopping and travel partners. It’s also possible to buy Atmos Rewards points (sometimes with a discount or bonus).
Atmos Rewards is also a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, allowing eligible Bilt points to transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Alaska is also slated to add Bank of America as a transfer partner at some point in the not-so-distant future.
For travel enthusiasts, American Express Membership Rewards points have traditionally been useful for booking flights and hotels, whether through transfers to airline and hotel partners or bookings through Amex Travel.
But now, cardmembers have a new way to use them: buying sports merchandise, collectibles, and more.
Membership Rewards points transfer to Fanatics at a rate of 1,000 points to $10 in FanCash. That’s a fixed redemption value of 1 cent per point.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1,000 Membership Rewards points → $10 FanCash
5,000 Membership Rewards points → $50 FanCash
10,000 Membership Rewards points → $100 FanCash
25,000 Membership Rewards points → $250 FanCash
50,000 Membership Rewards points → $500 FanCash
Like transfers to other partners, transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of 999,000 points per transaction.
Amex’s transfer partner page lists an estimated processing time of up to 48 hours.
FanCash can be used across the Fanatics platform for eligible purchases, including sports apparel, trading cards, collectibles, tickets, and other experiences.
You’ll need a Fanatics ONE account to transfer points. And like airline and hotel transfers, transfers to Fanatics are irreversible.
FanCash can also expire. Under the program’s terms, FanCash earned from eligible purchases or qualifying transactions expires one year after the transaction. However, making another eligible purchase or qualifying transaction can extend the expiration date of your existing FanCash balance.
At 1 cent per point, the new Fanatics option offers a straightforward way to use Membership Rewards points outside of travel, without necessarily settling for the comparatively lower redemption values associated with some other options, such as gift cards or merchandise purchases.
Of course, transferring Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners can deliver considerably more value, particularly when booking premium-cabin flights.
But not everyone wants to use their points for travel. For cardmembers who regularly shop at Fanatics, this adds another option, albeit one that trades the potential upside of travel redemptions for a fixed value.
Fanatics Also Introduces a New Amex Card
The transfer partnership arrives alongside the announcement of the new Fanatics American Express Card, a no-annual-fee credit card issued by First Electronic Bank and powered by the American Express network and Imprint.
The card earns FanCash on purchases, including elevated rewards across the Fanatics ecosystem, and features more than 500 customizable designs inspired by trading cards featuring professional athletes.
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program uses distance-based award charts to price flights on Air Canada and its airline partners.
How many points you’ll need depends on where you’re flying, the distance of your itinerary, your cabin, and which airline operates your flight. Air Canada and select partners use dynamic award pricing (with published starting prices), while flights on other partner airlines have set prices listed in the charts.
Below, you’ll find the complete Aeroplan award charts, including the most recent pricing changes that took effect June 1, 2026.
Aeroplan Award Chart At a Glance
Aeroplan divides the world into four geographic zones: North America, Atlantic, Pacific, and South America. Each chart covers flights within a zone or between two zones.
Red: North America
Brown: South America
Blue: Atlantic
Purple: Pacific
AIR CANADA
All prices are for one-way awards. Distance is calculated using the total miles flown (including connections), rather than the straight-line distance between your origin and destination.
Within North America
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Premium economy
Business
0–500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 6,000
From 10,000
From 15,000
Other partners
6,000
—
15,000
501–1,500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 10,000
From 15,000
From 20,000
Other partners
10,000
—
20,000
1,501–2,750
Air Canada / Select partners
From 12,500
From 20,000
From 25,000
Other partners
12,500
—
25,000
2,751+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 17,500
From 30,000
From 35,000
Other partners
22,500
—
35,000
Between North America and Atlantic
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Premium economy
Business
First
0–4,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 32,500
From 50,000
From 60,000
From 90,000
Other partners
32,500
—
60,000
90,000
4,001–6,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 42,500
From 60,000
From 75,000
From 100,000
Other partners
42,500
—
75,000
120,000
6,001–8,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 55,000
From 70,000
From 90,000
From 120,000
Other partners
60,000
—
90,000
150,000
8,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 70,000
From 85,000
From 110,000
From 130,000
Other partners
75,000
—
110,000
165,000
Between North America and Pacific
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Premium economy
Business
First
0–5,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 32,500
From 45,000
From 55,000
From 90,000
Other partners
32,500
—
55,000
90,000
5,001–7,500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 45,000
From 60,000
From 85,000
From 110,000
Other partners
50,000
—
85,000
120,000
7,501–11,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 50,000
From 85,000
From 85,000
From 130,000
Other partners
65,000
—
102,500
140,000
11,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 70,000
From 95,000
From 105,000
From 150,000
Other partners
70,000
—
115,000
150,000
Between North America and South America
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Premium economy
Business
First
0–2,500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 20,000
From 35,000
From 40,000
From 60,000
Other partners
20,000
—
40,000
60,000
2,501–4,500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 30,000
From 45,000
From 50,000
From 80,000
Other partners
30,000
—
50,000
80,000
4,501+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 40,000
From 55,000
From 60,000
From 100,000
Other partners
40,000
—
60,000
100,000
Within Atlantic
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–1,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 7,500
From 12,500
From 25,000
Other partners
7,500
12,500
25,000
1,001–2,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 12,500
From 22,500
From 40,000
Other partners
15,000
22,500
40,000
2,001–4,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 25,000
From 40,000
From 65,000
Other partners
30,000
40,000
75,000
4,001–6,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 35,500
From 60,000
From 90,000
Other partners
42,500
70,000
100,000
6,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 50,000
From 80,000
From 130,000
Other partners
50,000
95,000
130,000
Within Pacific
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–1,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 8,000
From 20,000
From 25,000
Other partners
8,000
20,000
25,000
1,001–2,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 12,500
From 30,000
From 50,000
Other partners
15,000
30,000
50,000
2,001–5,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 25,000
From 45,000
From 60,000
Other partners
30,000
52,500
60,000
5,001–7,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 35,000
From 60,000
From 80,000
Other partners
35,000
72,500
80,000
7,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 50,000
From 85,000
From 130,000
Other partners
50,000
85,000
130,000
Between Atlantic and Pacific
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–2,500
Air Canada / Select partners
From 25,000
From 40,000
From 50,000
Other partners
25,000
47,500
55,000
2,501–5,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 40,000
From 60,000
From 80,000
Other partners
40,000
75,000
95,000
5,001–7,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 50,000
From 80,000
From 100,000
Other partners
60,000
92,500
120,000
7,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 60,000
From 100,000
From 130,000
Other partners
75,000
130,000
150,000
Within South America
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–1,600
Air Canada / Select partners
From 10,000
From 20,000
From 30,000
Other partners
10,000
20,000
30,000
1,601+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 20,000
From 35,000
From 50,000
Other partners
20,000
35,000
50,000
Between Atlantic and South America
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–7,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 45,000
From 80,000
From 100,000
Other partners
45,000
80,000
100,000
7,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 60,000
From 100,000
From 130,000
Other partners
60,000
100,000
130,000
Between Pacific and South America
Distance (miles)
Operated by
Economy
Business
First
0–11,000
Air Canada / Select partners
From 60,000
From 90,000
From 130,000
Other partners
60,000
90,000
130,000
11,001+
Air Canada / Select partners
From 80,000
From 140,000
From 200,000
Other partners
80,000
140,000
200,000
How to Read the Aeroplan Award Chart
Aeroplan’s charts distinguish between two types of award pricing.
Air Canada and select partners use dynamic pricing. Their charts show a “starting at” price, meaning the actual number of points required can be higher. Select partners include United Airlines, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Canadian North, Calm Air, Bearskin Airlines, and Provincial Airlines (PAL).
Other airline partners have published award prices. Rather than a starting price, the charts list a specific number of points for each distance band and cabin.
There are two other things to keep in mind:
Connections count toward distance. Aeroplan uses the total distance flown, so a connecting itinerary can fall into a higher distance band than a nonstop flight.
Median prices aren’t guaranteed. If you look at Air Canada’s official award chart (PDF), you’ll notice median prices listed alongside some starting prices. These are backward-looking numbers, but their inclusion suggests that awards priced above the published starting rate are the norm rather than the exception.
Search Aeroplan Award Flights With PointsYeah
With PointsYeah, you can search Aeroplan award availability alongside other airline loyalty programs, view your redemption options, and see how many points you’ll need before transferring your credit card rewards.
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How to Earn Aeroplan Points
You don’t have to fly Air Canada to earn Aeroplan points.
Aeroplan partners with several major transferable credit card rewards programs, including:
Alaska Airlines operates seven Alaska Lounge locations across five airports in the United States. Each offers travelers a place to relax, grab a bite to eat, or get some work done before a flight.
There are several ways to get into an Alaska Lounge. You can purchase a membership or single-entry pass, qualify through an eligible ticket or Oneworld elite status, or receive access through certain credit cards.
Depending on how you qualify, the rules around guests, eligible flights, and partner lounges can vary.
Here’s what to know before your next visit.
Where Can You Find Alaska Lounges?
Alaska operates seven lounges across five airports, including three at its Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) hub.
All Alaska Lounges offer complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and seating. Guests can also enjoy pancake printers, complimentary coffee and espresso beverages, local beers, West Coast wines, and select cocktails.
Alaska Lounge members also have access to Hawaiian Airlines’ The Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu (HNL), although it’s not technically an Alaska Lounge.
Who Can Access an Alaska Lounge?
To enter an Alaska Lounge, you’ll typically need a same-day boarding pass on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, another Oneworld airline, or one of Alaska’s other global airline partners.
Eligible travelers include:
Alaska Lounge members: Travelers with an active Alaska Lounge or Alaska Lounge+ membership.
Single-entry passholders: Travelers who purchase a $70 lounge pass.
First class passengers: Travelers on eligible paid or award first class tickets on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.
Oneworld elite members: Travelers with eligible Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, subject to itinerary requirements.
International premium cabin passengers: Eligible first and business class travelers on Oneworld airlines.
Admirals Club members: Eligible American Airlines Admirals Club members and certain Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard primary cardholders.
Credit card passholders: Travelers using an eligible Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite lounge pass.
Keep in mind that Alaska elite status alone doesn’t guarantee access when flying domestically. Likewise, not every first class ticket includes complimentary entry.
Alaska Lounge membership pricing
Alaska offers two annual membership options.
Membership
Annual Price
Access
Alaska Lounge
$595
All Alaska Lounges and The Plumeria Lounge
Alaska Lounge+
$795
All Alaska Lounges, The Plumeria Lounge, and nearly 90 partner lounges
Both memberships allow up to two guests or immediate family members (a partner and children under 21) at no additional charge.
Memberships are valid for one year and can be purchased or renewed online or at an Alaska Lounge.
Atmos Rewards members who reach the 30K milestone can select a $100 membership discount as an annual milestone benefit. Eligible Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature and Atmos Rewards Visa Business cardholders also receive $100 off an Alaska Lounge+ membership when purchasing it with their card. These discounts aren’t combinable.
What does Alaska Lounge+ include?
The main difference between the two memberships is access to nearly 90 partner lounges, including American Airlines Admirals Clubs, select Qantas Clubs, and other participating locations.
For example, Lounge+ members can visit Admirals Clubs when arriving or departing on eligible Alaska, Hawaiian, or American Airlines flights. They can also bring their immediate family or up to two guests traveling on eligible flights.
However, Lounge+ doesn’t include access to American Airlines Flagship Lounges or other premium lounges outside the membership program.
Partner lounge eligibility varies by location and airline, so check the partner lounge directory before traveling.
Alaska Airlines Lounge at PDX. ALASKA AIRLINES
How Do Alaska Lounge Single-Entry Passes Work?
Alaska sells single-entry lounge passes for $70 per person, subject to space availability.
Passes are sold within three hours of departure and are valid only at the lounge where they’re purchased.
You’ll need a same-day boarding pass on Alaska, Hawaiian, another Oneworld airline, or an eligible global partner. Children under two can accompany an adult passholder at no additional charge.
Passes are nonrefundable, although first-time lounge members who purchase a membership within 30 days can request a refund for one qualifying pass.
Because Alaska may restrict pass sales when lounges are busy, it’s best to confirm availability at the lounge before purchasing.
Do Alaska First Class Tickets Include Lounge Access?
Some do, but the rules depend on the flight.
Travelers booked in eligible paid or award first class on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines receive complimentary lounge access when at least one flight on their itinerary is 2,000 miles or longer.
That includes many coast-to-coast flights and flights between Hawaii and the continental United States.
Passengers on shorter first class flights can purchase a discounted $40 single-entry pass (again, subject to availability).
There are two exceptions worth knowing:
Club 49 members: Eligible travelers flying paid or award first class to, from, or through Alaska can access Alaska Lounges regardless of flight distance.
First class upgrades: Travelers upgraded into first class on Alaska flights within the United States, Canada, or Mexico don’t qualify for complimentary access. They can purchase a discounted $40 pass.
In short, an upgrade to first class doesn’t come with the same lounge benefits as an eligible paid or award ticket.
Alaska Airlines Lounge at ANC. ALASKA AIRLINES
Can Atmos Rewards and Oneworld Elite Members Access Alaska Lounges?
Alaska Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance, which provides lounge benefits to eligible Sapphire and Emerald elite members.
Atmos Rewards Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members can access Alaska Lounges when traveling on qualifying international Oneworld itineraries to destinations outside the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members also receive Oneworld lounge benefits, although American’s rules exclude travel solely within the United States, Canada, most of Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Travelers who earned Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status through another member airline can access Alaska Lounges even when traveling on domestic Oneworld flights.
Eligible Sapphire and Emerald members can bring one guest.
Can American Airlines Admirals Club Members Access Alaska Lounges?
Yes. Alaska and American Airlines have reciprocal lounge arrangements.
Eligible Admirals Club members can access Alaska Lounges when arriving or departing on qualifying Alaska, Hawaiian, or American Airlines flights.
That includes primary cardholders of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard, which provides an Admirals Club membership. Authorized users, however, don’t receive complimentary Alaska Lounge access through their card privileges.
Eligible Admirals Club members can bring up to two guests or their immediate family (a partner and children under 18).
Members must present their current digital Admirals Club membership card, while Citi AAdvantage Executive primary cardholders must present their physical credit card.
Without it, you will more than likely be denied entry.
Which Credit Cards Offer Alaska Lounge Access?
Alaska’s Atmos Rewards credit cards primarily offer lounge passes or membership discounts rather than a full lounge membership.
The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card offers lounge day passes that can be used at Alaska Lounge locations with an eligible same-day boarding pass. These passes don’t include access to Hawaiian Airlines’ The Plumeria Lounge.
Meanwhile, eligible Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature and Atmos Rewards Visa Business cardholders receive $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership when purchasing it with their card.
That reduces the standard $795 price to $695, provided the cardholder isn’t using another membership discount.
For frequent Alaska flyers, a membership may make sense, particularly if they regularly travel through Seattle or can use the broader partner lounge network. Occasional travelers may find that an eligible first class ticket, credit card lounge pass, or single-entry purchase is sufficient.
Welcome back to the Points Insider Mailbag. Each week, we round up a handful of your questions about points, miles, credit cards, and travel and answer them in one convenient place: right here.
This week, we’re looking at how to put a big stash of points (and some British Airways Avios) to use for flights to Europe, finding award availability when your dates aren’t flexible, booking Oneworld flights with Atmos Rewards points, and deciding whether airline credit cards still deserve a place in your wallet.
Here we go.
What’s the Best Way to Use Points to Fly Lie-Flat to Europe?
A reader has 64,000 British Airways Avios, roughly 220,000 Capital One miles, and 40,000 Chase points. They’re looking for ways to fly business class (or premium economy) from New York to Europe.
You’ve got plenty of options with those balances (especially flying out of New York).
One of my favorite programs for booking business-class flights to Europe is Air Canada Aeroplan, which is a transfer partner of both Chase and Capital One.
From New York (JFK), you can book business class to Zurich on SWISS or Frankfurt on Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines (the latter operates a neat fifth-freedom route across the Atlantic) for 60,000 Aeroplan points each way, plus relatively low taxes and fees.
POINTSYEAH
You can also fly farther into Europe, including destinations like Vienna and Athens, for 75,000 points. And those are just a few examples.
Aeroplan uses a distance-based award chart (PDF link) for partner flights, so the number of points required depends on where you’re going.
As for your British Airways Avios, they’re a little trickier to use for transatlantic flights because British Airways adds hefty taxes and fees to award tickets (which I personally don’t enjoy paying). But there are other ways to put them to work.
One option is to use Avios for flights within Europe. British Airways typically offers several combinations of Avios and cash for the same award, allowing you to redeem more points to reduce what you pay out of pocket.
For example, if you use your other points to get to London, you could then redeem Avios to continue to somewhere like Athens for as little as 26,750 Avios plus $40. Economy flights can cost even less.
You can also transfer Avios between participating programs, including British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways. Iberia is particularly useful for business-class flights to Spain, with some East Coast departures starting at just 40,500 Avios one-way. Qatar Airways is another option worth keeping in mind if you eventually want to try its Qsuite business class.
I’d start by searching PointsYeah for two business-class seats to Europe using your available points, then look at ways to use your Avios for the rest of the trip, if needed. With your combined balances and the transfer partners Chase and Capital One share, there’s no need to limit yourself to a single loyalty program.
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How Can You Find Award Flights for Fixed Dates and Destinations?
A reader takes tours that require arriving at specific destinations on specific dates. What tools can help find award flights when there’s little flexibility?
For trips where your dates and destinations are already set, I’d recommend starting with PointsYeah.
You can search for award flights between specific airports on specific dates and compare options across multiple airline loyalty programs. That makes it easier to see what’s available without checking each airline’s website individually.
If you’re not finding anything that works, I’d also recommend setting up a Points Price Alert. That way, you’ll get notified if availability opens up as your trip approaches.
Another tip is to consider nearby airports or arriving a day or two before your tour begins. Even a little flexibility around your departure airport or arrival date can make a big difference. PointsYeah’s Multi-Region Alerts can also help you monitor availability across multiple airports and regions at once.
And because you’re working around a tour, I’d avoid waiting until the last minute in hopes of finding a better redemption. Getting there on time is more important than getting the absolute lowest award price.
Remember that some airline programs have favorable change and cancellation policies, too. What you book initially doesn’t necessarily have to be what you end up flying.
How Can You Book Oneworld Flights With Atmos Rewards Points?
A reader wants to book Oneworld partner flights using Atmos Rewards points, but some routes aren’t appearing in Alaska Airlines’ award search.
You can redeem Atmos Rewards points for flights on participating Oneworld partners (American, British Airways, etc.) through Alaska’s website, but there’s a catch: not every flight is available to book with points.
Airlines only release a certain number of award seats to partner loyalty programs. Sometimes that’s plenty of seats, sometimes it’s just a few, and sometimes there aren’t any at all.
I’d also recommend searching for individual flight segments rather than your entire itinerary. Alaska’s search engine doesn’t always piece together connecting flights particularly well, so breaking up the search can help you identify what’s available.
If you find award availability through another airline’s website but it doesn’t appear on Alaska, you can try calling Alaska’s reservations desk.
Just remember that Alaska doesn’t necessarily have access to the same award inventory as other Oneworld programs. Finding a seat through American Airlines or British Airways, for example, doesn’t guarantee you can book it with Atmos Rewards points.
Are American Airlines and United Credit Cards Worth Keeping?
A reader recently opened Capital One, Chase, and Amex cards and redeemed their rewards for multiple business-class trips. They also hold the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and United Explorer cards and wonder whether those airline cards are worth keeping when other cards earn more points on purchases.
First, it sounds like you’ve had a great year putting those welcome bonuses to work!
And you’re asking the right question. When you have several cards earning transferable points, it can be difficult to justify putting everyday spending on an airline-specific card.
But there’s a difference between a credit card that’s worth keeping and one that’s worth using for everyday purchases.
Both the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card and United Explorer offer travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. If you fly either airline regularly, those benefits could justify the annual fee even if you rarely use the card for purchases.
There are a couple of other things worth considering, too.
For United, holding an eligible co-branded credit card can unlock additional award availability and discounted award pricing. If you redeem United miles regularly, that benefit alone could be valuable.
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is also getting new benefits and a higher annual fee in 2027. Depending on how you value those changes, they could make the card more or less worthwhile to keep.
As for earning more American Airlines miles, you’re not limited to spending on an AAdvantage credit card.
The AAdvantage eShopping portal and AAdvantage Hotels are two useful ways to build your balance, and eligible activity can also earn Loyalty Points toward status.
Plus, Citi ThankYou Rewards points can now be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage. If you want to keep earning American miles without sacrificing the flexibility of transferable points, that could be worth considering as part of your longer-term card strategy.
Ultimately, I’d judge the airline cards by whether their benefits outweigh their annual fees, not how much spending you put on them. There’s no need to find a spending category for every card in your wallet, but there’s also little reason to keep paying for benefits you don’t use.
LAURA RAGSDALE / ISTOCK
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Citi ThankYou Rewards points are a versatile rewards currency, and for travelers, one of the program’s biggest benefits is its extensive list of airline and hotel transfer partners.
The issuer currently has 21 airline and hotel transfer partners. Most airline transfers are at a 1:1 ratio for eligible premium cardholders, but the ratio you receive depends on which Citi credit card (or cards) you hold.
Here’s the full list of Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners, their transfer ratios, and which cards offer access to the better rates.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Airline Transfer Partners
Citi has 16 airline transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank.
Most offer a 1:1 transfer ratio for Citi Strata Elite® Card, Citi Strata Premier® Card, and Citi Prestige cardholders. Other eligible ThankYou Rewards cards (including some AT&T co-brand cards) generally transfer at a 1:0.7 ratio.
The table below shows the top available transfer ratios.
Transfer ratios are subject to change and may improve during a limited-time transfer bonus.
Remember, you don’t necessarily need to transfer points to the airline you’re flying.
For example, American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be used to book flights on Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways, while Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles can be redeemed for flights on other SkyTeam airlines, such as Delta.
Citi ThankYou Rewards Hotel Transfer Partners
Citi also partners with five hotel loyalty programs, including Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, and more.
Unlike most airline partners, hotel transfer ratios vary considerably.
Enter the number of ThankYou Points you’d like to transfer.
Review the details and confirm your transfer.
Some transfers process almost instantly, while others can take a few days. Once you’ve transferred points to a loyalty program, you generally can’t move them back to Citi.
For that reason, it’s best to confirm that the award flight or hotel stay you want is available before transferring your points.
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It’s also worth linking your loyalty accounts ahead of time so you’re ready to transfer when you find an award you want to book.
Which Citi Credit Cards Offer the Best Transfer Ratios?
Not all Citi credit cards that earn ThankYou Rewards points offer the same transfer ratios.
The Citi Strata Premier, Citi Strata Elite, and discontinued Citi Prestige provide access to the highest standard transfer ratios across Citi’s airline and hotel partners. The AT&T Access More Card also unlocks some full ratios, though there are some exceptions (such as American Airlines AAdvantage).
Other eligible cards can also transfer points, but generally at reduced ratios.
Citi Credit Card
Transfer Partner Access
Citi Strata Elite® Card
Full ratios
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Full ratios
Citi Prestige (discontinued)
Full ratios
Citi Strata® Card
Reduced ratios
Citi Double Cash® Card
Reduced ratios
Citi Custom Cash® Card (discontinued)
Reduced ratios
Citi ThankYou® Mastercard®
Reduced ratios
AT&T Access More Card
Some full ratios
AT&T Universal Rewards World, AT&T Universal Savings and Rewards, AT&T Universal Rewards, AT&T Points Plus Card from Citi, and AT&T Access Card
Reduced ratios
The distinction matters because Citi generally allows you to combine ThankYou Rewards accounts from multiple eligible cards.
For example, if you hold both a Citi Double Cash and a Citi Strata Premier, you can earn points with your Double Cash and access the better transfer ratios available through your Strata Premier.
That means 10,000 ThankYou Points earned with your Double Cash could become 10,000 American Airlines miles instead of 7,000, provided you’ve combined your eligible accounts.
In other words, you don’t necessarily need to put all your spending on a premium Citi card to take advantage of its better transfer ratios.
Southwest Airlines is giving some of its most frequent flyers a head start on its new Platinum elite status tier, which launches January 1, 2027.
When Southwest announced its revamped elite status program earlier this year, existing A-List Preferred members who requalified for 2027 were set to transition into Gold (the second-highest tier).
That meant even the airline’s most frequent travelers would have to qualify for Platinum under the new program, regardless of how many Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) they earned in 2026.
How to Qualify for Southwest Platinum Status in 2027
A-List Preferred members who earn at least 140,000 TQPs or fly 100 qualifying flights by December 31, 2026, will automatically receive Platinum status for 2027. The status and its associated benefits will be valid through the end of 2027.
Members who have already reached either threshold are being notified beginning November 6. Those who qualify before the end of the year will also receive Platinum.
Southwest’s soon-to-launch Platinum tier comes with several benefits, including unlimited Companion Pass trips, complimentary Extra Legroom seat selection at booking (subject to availability), up to three free checked bags, priority boarding, and a 120% points-earning bonus on qualifying flights.
The change won’t affect most A-List Preferred members, who will still transition to Silver or Gold under the previously announced rules.
But for Southwest’s highest-spending or most frequent travelers who meet either threshold, it means starting 2027 at the top of the new status ladder rather than having to work their way up once the airline’s sweeping loyalty program changes take effect.
