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Alaska Airlines Adds 6 New Routes for 2027, Including Flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and Tahiti

Alaska Airlines is adding several new routes for 2027, including three international flights to Japan and French Polynesia.

The airline announced new nonstop service from Seattle to Osaka and Papeete, Tahiti, on October 20. And it’s following that up with another expansion, including its first nonstop flight between Anchorage and Tokyo Narita.

While the Seattle routes will operate on Hawaiian Airlines’ widebody aircraft, the Anchorage–Tokyo flight will use something a little different: a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Here’s what’s coming next year.

Alaska Adds 3 New International Routes for 2027

Alaska’s international expansion includes two new year-round routes from Seattle and seasonal service from Anchorage to Tokyo.

Route	Launch Date	Frequency	Aircraft
Seattle (SEA) ↔ Osaka (KIX)	May 14, 2027	4X weekly, year-round	Hawaiian A330-200
Anchorage (ANC) ↔ Tokyo Narita (NRT)	May 13, 2027	Daily during summer	Alaska 737 MAX 8
Seattle (SEA) ↔ Papeete (PPT)	June 11, 2027	3X weekly, year-round	Hawaiian A330-200

The Anchorage–Tokyo route will initially operate through September 7, 2027, with service scheduled to resume three times weekly in January 2028.

All three routes are on sale and bookable with cash or Atmos Rewards points. Some, including Seattle–Osaka, are already bookable with partner currencies such as American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Others, including Anchorage–Tokyo, aren’t yet available through partners.

You can search these routes on PointsYeah and set award alerts to keep an eye on availability as more options become bookable.

Seattle to Osaka and Tahiti

The Seattle routes are part of Alaska’s broader effort to turn its largest hub into a major international gateway.

Starting May 14, 2027, Hawaiian Airlines will fly between Seattle and Osaka four times weekly. The service will complement Hawaiian’s existing Honolulu–Osaka route.

Then, on June 11, Hawaiian will begin flying between Seattle and Papeete three times weekly.

This is a neat addition for travelers headed to French Polynesia. Alaska says the new service will provide convenient one-stop connections from cities across its domestic network, with same-day onward connections to Bora Bora and Moorea.

Both flights will operate on Hawaiian’s Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which feature lie-flat business class seats and complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi for Atmos Rewards members.

Hawaiian’s A330 fleet is also scheduled to begin receiving updated interiors in 2028, including new premium seating and a full cabin refresh.

Anchorage to Tokyo Narita

Alaska’s newest international announcement is a little more unusual.

Beginning May 13, 2027, the airline will launch nonstop service between Anchorage and Tokyo Narita using a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

That’s a narrowbody aircraft rather than the larger jets typically associated with transpacific service. And unlike Hawaiian’s A330s, which feature lie-flat business class seats, Alaska’s MAX 8 offers domestic-style First Class recliners.

The Anchorage–Tokyo route will operate daily during the summer season, with three-times-weekly service scheduled to begin in January 2028.

Alaska Is Also Adding 3 Domestic Routes From Anchorage

On the domestic side, Alaska is also adding seasonal nonstop flights to Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Nashville.

Route	Service Dates	Frequency
Anchorage (ANC) ↔ Austin (AUS)	June 12 – August 7, 2027	Once weekly
Anchorage (ANC) ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)	June 12 – August 7, 2027	Once weekly
Anchorage (ANC) ↔ Nashville (BNA)	June 12 – August 7, 2027	Once weekly

All three routes will operate on Saturdays.

These flights will give travelers additional nonstop options for reaching Alaska during the summer, while also making it easier for Anchorage residents to reach destinations farther east without connecting through Seattle.

October 27, 2026

Southwest’s New Card Offers Could Help You Earn a Companion Pass Through 2027

Chase’s three Southwest Rapid Rewards personal cards all have new welcome offers of up to 90,000 Rapid Rewards points. But there’s a timing element that matters more than the bonus sizes alone.

Eligible new cardmembers who are approved on or before December 2, 2026, and meet the welcome-bonus spending requirement can have those bonus points count as 2026 Companion Pass qualifying points — even if they meet the spending requirement in early 2027. A Companion Pass earned under the current rules would be valid through December 31, 2027.

That’s important because Southwest won’t allow credit card welcome bonuses to count toward Companion Pass qualification starting next year.

Beyond the bonuses, each card has a different annual fee and set of Southwest benefits.

Here’s how they compare.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

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The Plus card is the least expensive of the three personal Southwest cards and currently offers 80,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

This offer ends December 2, 2026.

The card has a $99 annual fee. Benefits include a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to eight others on the same reservation, complimentary Standard seat selection within 48 hours of departure when available, and boarding no later than Group 5.

It also comes with 3,000 anniversary points, a 10% flight discount promo code each cardmember year (Basic fares excluded), and a 10,000-point Companion Pass qualifying boost each year.

Click “Learn More” above for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

The Premier card currently offers 85,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

This offer ends December 2, 2026.

The card has a $149 annual fee. Like Plus, it includes a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to eight others on the same reservation, plus boarding no later than Group 5. Seat selection steps up to Preferred or Standard seats within 48 hours of departure when available.

It also comes with 6,000 anniversary points, a 15% flight discount promo code each cardmember year (Basic fares excluded), and a 10,000-point Companion Pass qualifying boost each year.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

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The Priority card is the top-tier personal Southwest card and currently offers 90,000 Rapid Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

This offer ends December 2, 2026.

The card has a $229 annual fee. Cardholders can select Preferred or Standard seats at booking when available, rather than waiting until 48 hours before departure. It also provides complimentary upgrades to Extra Legroom seats within 48 hours of departure when available, for the cardmember and up to eight others on the same reservation.

Other benefits include a free first checked bag for the cardmember and up to eight others on the same reservation, 7,500 anniversary points, a 10,000-point Companion Pass qualifying boost each year, and boarding no later than Group 5.

Click “Learn More” above for the current offer, full benefits, and application details.

These Offers Can Help Toward a Companion Pass

Southwest’s Companion Pass lets a member designate one person to fly with them for only the taxes and fees whenever they fly Southwest, including when the original ticket was booked with points.

Under the current rules, earning a Companion Pass requires 135,000 qualifying points in a calendar year (or 100 qualifying flights). Points from Southwest credit card welcome offers count toward that requirement, and each of these cards also provides a 10,000-point Companion Pass qualifying boost each year.

Put differently, an 80,000- to 90,000-point welcome offer takes care of a substantial chunk of the 135,000-point requirement.

But starting January 1, 2027, Companion Pass qualification moves to Tier Qualifying Points and flights, and new cardmember welcome bonuses will no longer count. That makes these limited-time offers a particularly interesting opportunity for anyone working toward a Companion Pass valid through the end of 2027.

JOHN CHASE / ISTOCK

Who Is Eligible for the Offers?

The eligibility rules are the same for all three personal Southwest cards, and there’s an important restriction to keep in mind.

According to Chase’s offer terms, you aren’t eligible for any of these cards if you currently hold another Southwest Rapid Rewards personal credit card or received a welcome bonus on any Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card within the past 24 months.

In other words, the restriction applies across all three personal cards, not separately to each product.

The restriction doesn’t apply to Southwest Rapid Rewards business cards or employee cards. So holding a Southwest business card won’t, by itself, prevent you from qualifying for one of these personal-card offers.

October 27, 2026
Bilt Changes for 2027: New Ways to Earn Rewards, Plus Changes to Bilt Cash
Bilt is making some significant changes to its rewards program in 2027, including eliminating guaranteed points on rent and mortgage payments for members without a Bilt credit card.

The changes, announced October 27, 2026, will roll out over the next few months. Some will make rewards easier to use, while others introduce new restrictions.

The biggest change is coming January 15, when members who pay rent or a mortgage through Bilt without a Bilt Card will receive a new type of reward instead of the guaranteed points they earn today.

There are also changes to Bilt Cash (a separate rewards currency that can be used toward eligible purchases and benefits), hotel redemptions, and credit card benefits.

Here’s what you need to know.

Guaranteed Rent and Mortgage Points Are Going Away for Some Members

One of Bilt’s main selling points is that it lets members earn rewards on rent and mortgage payments. These are big expenses that traditionally don’t earn points.

Currently, you don’t necessarily need a Bilt credit card to participate. But that’s changing on January 15, 2027.

Starting then, members who pay rent or a mortgage through Bilt without a Bilt credit card will no longer earn guaranteed points on those payments. Instead, they’ll receive something Bilt calls a “Daily Reward.”

Here’s how it works.

Each on-time rent or mortgage payment unlocks a Daily Reward. Members can also unlock one each day by completing a qualifying activity with a participating neighborhood business, such as dining at a restaurant, taking a fitness class, or booking a Lyft ride.

Each Daily Reward presents two options, and you choose which one to claim. These could include Bilt Points, Bilt Cash, other credits, or collectibles that count toward a chance to win larger prizes.

Bilt is advertising prizes that include $1 million toward a home, 10 million Bilt Points, a year of free rent or mortgage payments, and free Lyft rides for a year.

The full rules and prize details haven’t been released yet, so it’s unclear how likely members are to receive any particular reward.

But more importantly, if you have a Bilt credit card, you’ll continue earning points on rent and mortgage payments as you do today. Daily Rewards will be an additional benefit rather than a replacement.

One thing Bilt’s announcement doesn’t address is whether members will still be able to earn bonus airline miles on rent payments through eligible United MileagePlus or Alaska Atmos Rewards credit cards. Those partnerships aren’t mentioned in the update, and there’s no indication they’re being discontinued. So while we’d expect those earning opportunities to stick around, that hasn’t been explicitly confirmed, though it’s something we’re looking into.

Bilt Cash Will Last Longer, but Hotel Redemptions Are Changing

Bilt also announced two changes to Bilt Cash, which is different from the Bilt Points members can transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Bilt Cash can be earned through certain credit card spending and used toward eligible benefits, including hotel bookings.

The first change is positive: Bilt Cash will no longer expire at the end of the calendar year.

Instead, it will remain valid through the end of the month, 12 months after it was earned. For example, $100 in Bilt Cash earned in February 2026 will now expire on February 28, 2027.

That’s a welcome improvement, particularly for members who earn Bilt Cash toward the end of the year.

However, starting January 1, 2027, members will only be able to redeem Bilt Cash toward eligible hotel bookings through Bilt twice per calendar year, rather than monthly.

How much you can redeem depends on your Bilt membership level:

Bilt Membership Level Maximum Per Hotel Redemption Annual Maximum
Blue and Silver $50 $100
Gold and Platinum $100 $200
Eligible Palladium cardholders $200 $400

Bilt’s existing two-night minimum stay requirement will still apply.

And just to note: through December 31, 2026, the current monthly redemption rules will continue to apply.

Bilt Credit Card Benefits Are Changing, Too

Bilt is also simplifying how its credit cards earn rewards, although this part of the update is a little more complicated (but isn’t this whole thing complicated?).

Currently, eligible Bilt cardholders can choose an option called Flexible Bilt Cash, which earns 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases. That Cash can then be redeemed for eligible benefits.

Bilt is retiring that option for cardholders who move to its new benefits structure.

Instead, the new structure focuses on earning points on housing payments. Cardholders will be able to earn up to 1.25X Bilt Points on rent or mortgage payments, depending on their everyday card spending.

That said, existing cardholders have a choice.

If you already have a Bilt Card, or open one by December 31, 2026, you can opt out of the new benefits before your next card anniversary and keep the existing Flexible Bilt Cash option and eligible annual credits.

If you don’t opt out, you’ll automatically move to the new benefits structure on your card anniversary.

Bilt says cardholders who opt out won’t be able to switch between Flexible Bilt Cash and the new housing-focused earning option afterward, so it’s worth reviewing the differences before making a decision.

One thing that isn’t changing is how many points Bilt credit cards earn on regular everyday purchases.

Bilt has also made eligible card upgrades available through its app.

Changes to annual card credits

Bilt is also changing some of the annual benefits on its higher-end Obsidian and Palladium credit cards.

For Palladium cardholders, the existing $200 Bilt Cash credit and $400 hotel credit will be combined into a single $600 annual Bilt Cash credit.

For Obsidian cardholders, the existing $100 hotel credit will become $100 in annual Bilt Cash.

The benefit of these changes is flexibility. Rather than having credits reserved specifically for hotel bookings, cardholders will be able to use their Bilt Cash toward a broader range of eligible redemptions.

These annual credits will also be issued on each cardholder’s account anniversary instead of January 1.

Obsidian and Palladium cardholders who move to the new benefits structure will retain access to Point Accelerator, which lets them redeem Bilt Cash for additional points-earning opportunities.

More Benefits for Bilt Elite Members

Bilt is also planning a few new benefits for members who have earned elite status in its rewards program.

Starting in 2027, Gold and Platinum members will be able to redeem Bilt Points toward stays at participating Home Away from Home hotels, including access to eligible luxury hotel benefits.

There are also new rental car status matches planned:
- Platinum members: SIXT ONE Platinum and Hertz President’s Circle.
- Gold and Silver members: SIXT ONE Gold and Hertz Five Star.
Bilt hasn’t yet announced the full terms or timing for these status matches.
October 27, 2026
Two Citi AAdvantage Cards Are Getting More Expensive (and More Benefits)

Citi and American Airlines are refreshing two cards in the AAdvantage portfolio. And starting January 24, 2027, both will cost more to keep.

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard will each see their annual fees increase from $99 to $150 on that date.

Along with the fee increases, both cards are getting expanded earning rates and a handful of new travel and lifestyle benefits. But the perks that make these cards attractive in the first place (like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and their core American Airlines earning rates) aren’t going anywhere.

What’s New on the Platinum Select Card

The Platinum Select is American Airlines’ card designed for occasional travelers, and the refresh leans into everyday spending and a few lifestyle perks.

Cardholders will earn 3X AAdvantage miles on eligible bookings through AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars. The existing 2X gas station category will also expand to include EV charging stations.

New 2X categories include select streaming services and eligible Rides and Rails purchases (including ferries, commuter railways, subways, taxis, limousines, car services, rideshare services, passenger railways, tolls, parking, and bus lines).

The American Airlines flight discount earned after spending $20,000 in a cardmember year and renewing the card will also increase from $125 to $150.

Citi is adding up to $120 toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years, plus up to $100 annually in statement credits for inflight purchases. Primary cardmembers will also receive a complimentary annual Walmart+ membership and a 50% discount on an annual FOX One subscription.

New travel protections include trip delay, trip cancellation and interruption, car rental coverage, and lost baggage protection.

What Stays the Same on Platinum Select

Several staple benefits aren’t changing.

Cardholders will continue earning 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and at restaurants, 1X on everything else, and one Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases.

The card also retains up to $180 annually in Turo credits (up to $30 per eligible trip), 10% savings on eligible American Airlines Vacations packages, preferred boarding for the cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, and a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the cardmember and up to four companions.

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What’s New on the Business Card

The Business card’s refresh focuses more on earning flexibility rather than lifestyle perks.

Cardholders will earn 3X miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars bookings. They’ll also be able to select one category for 2X miles: U.S. shipping providers, office supply stores, or U.S. advertising services.

Citi is also adding up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, up to $100 annually in inflight statement credits, 25% off a Melio subscription plan (bill paying software for businesses), and travel protections covering trip cancellation and interruption, lost or damaged baggage, car rentals, and trip delays.

What Stays the Same on the Business Card

The card’s core earning rates aren’t changing. Cardholders will continue earning 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, car rental merchants, gas stations, and telecommunications, cable, and satellite providers, plus 1X on everything else.

Businesses will continue earning one Loyalty Point per dollar of eligible card spending for each cardmember. Primary cardmembers will also keep earning one additional Loyalty Point per dollar spent by authorized users through December 31, 2028.

After spending $30,000 in a cardmember year and renewing the card, cardholders will still receive a $99 American Airlines Companion Certificate for a qualifying domestic round-trip Main Cabin flight.

Preferred boarding for the cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries (for the cardmember and up to four companions), and 10% savings on eligible American Airlines Vacations packages are all staying on board, too.

What to Do Before January 24, 2027

Nothing is changing with how either card works today.

Cardmembers will get access to the new benefits on January 24, 2027, when the higher annual fees also take effect. Existing cardholders will pay the new fee when their cards renew on or after that date.

That gives you time to try the new benefits and decide whether they’re worth the additional $51 per year.

On the personal side, there are other AAdvantage cards worth considering if the refreshed Platinum Select no longer makes sense. Two sit above it with more benefits and higher annual fees, while the no-annual-fee AAdvantage MileUp offers a cheaper alternative with fewer perks.

On the business side, options are more limited. The Citi / AAdvantage Business card is currently the only AAdvantage business credit card available to new applicants, so there isn’t another Citi AAdvantage business product to move to if the refresh doesn’t appeal to you.

That said, the expanded earning categories are a welcome improvement. Earning flexibility has long been one of the Business card’s weaker points, and these changes help address that, even with the higher annual fee.

Ultimately, refresh or not, it’s worth periodically reviewing the cards in your wallet to make sure you’re getting enough value from their benefits to justify keeping them.

October 27, 2026
WestJet Is Raising Status Thresholds Again for 2027

WestJet is making it more expensive to earn elite status next year.

Starting January 1, 2027, you’ll need more Tier Qualifying Spend (TQS, measured in Canadian dollars) to earn Silver, Gold, or Platinum status in WestJet Rewards. This marks the second increase in just two years, following the last round of changes on January 1, 2025.

But unlike the previous changes, WestJet isn’t adding or removing benefits at each tier this time. It’s simply raising the spending requirements to earn the same perks during the next status year.

What’s Changing for 2027

Compared to the current requirements, Silver will require 25% more TQS, Gold about 33% more, and Platinum 50% more.

Tier 2026 TQS 2027 TQS
Silver $4,000 $5,000
Gold $6,000 $8,000
Platinum $10,000 $15,000

Hit Your 2026 Threshold by December 31

If you meet the current qualifying spend requirements by December 31, 2026, you’ll keep your earned status benefits throughout 2027. The TQS you earn during 2027 will then determine your status for 2028.

So if you’re close to reaching a new tier this year, you still have until the end of December to qualify under the existing requirements.

The Second Increase in Two Years

In January 2025, WestJet raised its status qualification requirements for the first time since 2018. Silver increased from $3,000 to $4,000, Gold from $5,000 to $6,000, and Platinum from $8,000 to $10,000.

After seven years without an increase, that first adjustment wasn’t entirely surprising. But another round of increases just two years later is a different story.

To put it in perspective, earning Platinum status in 2027 will require 50% more qualifying spend than it does today, and nearly twice as much as it did before 2025.

October 27, 2026
Citi Adds $200 in Dining Credits to Its Recently Refreshed AAdvantage Executive Card

Citi just added another perk to its top American Airlines credit card. And this one has nothing to do with flying.

As of October 25, 2026, Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard cardholders can get up to $200 annually in dining credits through the inKind app.

The credit is split into two $100 semiannual allotments — one from January through June and another from July through December. And the good news for existing cardholders (or prospective cardholders who apply by the end of the year) is that the current $100 credit is already available through the end of 2026.

How the Credit Works

inKind is a dining platform with several thousand restaurants, bars, and cafes in its U.S. network. The new credit works a bit like a gift card you can use at participating establishments.

To use the benefit, download the inKind app and add your eligible AAdvantage Executive card. The credit will then apply automatically to qualifying purchases.

Note that primary cardmembers and authorized users share the same $100 semiannual credit, and unused credits don’t roll over to the next six-month period.

So it’s a use-it-or-lose-it type of benefit.

How We Got Here

The new dining credit comes just two months after Citi refreshed the AAdvantage Executive card in August. Those changes included renaming it a World Legend Mastercard (an upgrade from its previous World Elite Mastercard designation) and increasing its annual fee from $595 to $695.

That refresh also introduced several new benefits, including up to $500 in American Airlines Vacations credits, up to $100 in statement credits for inflight and eligible Admirals Club purchases, and an increase in annual Lyft credits from $120 to $180.

It also added 12X miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars bookings, the ability to earn up to 40,000 bonus Loyalty Points, Omni Hotels Champion status with an annual free night after a qualifying stay, and complimentary Avis President’s Club status.

Unlike the August refresh, though, the new inKind benefit doesn’t come with another annual fee increase. It’s simply an additional perk for AAdvantage Executive cardholders.

October 26, 2026
When Do Airline Miles Expire? Rules for 7 U.S. Airlines

Do airline miles expire? It depends on which loyalty program you’re using.

Most major U.S. airlines have eliminated mileage expiration. This means you don’t have to worry about losing your rewards just because you haven’t flown in a while. But a few programs still have expiration rules, and they’re not all the same.

Here’s how mileage expiration works across seven U.S. airline loyalty programs, including what you can do to keep your points and miles from disappearing.

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months without qualifying account activity.

Fortunately, keeping your miles alive is fairly easy. Earning or redeeming miles resets the clock, including through eligible partner activity (like using the AAdvantage eShopping portal, for example) or by buying, gifting, or transferring miles.

There are also two important exceptions. Members under 21 are exempt from mileage expiration until they turn 21. And if you’re the primary cardmember on an open AAdvantage co-branded credit card, your miles won’t expire under the standard 24-month rule.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus miles don’t expire, regardless of how long your account has been inactive.

As long as your MileagePlus account remains open and in good standing, your miles won’t go anywhere. There’s no activity requirement to keep them.

Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles don’t expire, either.

You can go years without earning or redeeming miles and still keep your balance. However, Delta can close accounts under certain circumstances, which may result in forfeiting any remaining miles.

As long as your account remains open and in good standing, there’s no mileage expiration deadline to worry about.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Rapid Rewards points don’t expire.

Like United and Delta, Southwest doesn’t require you to earn or redeem points periodically to keep them active.

However, closing your Rapid Rewards account will result in forfeiting any points you haven’t redeemed. So if you have a balance, keep the account open even if you’re not flying Southwest regularly.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue TrueBlue points never expire.

There’s no inactivity requirement, so you don’t need to book flights or earn additional points just to preserve your balance.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards

Atmos Rewards points don’t expire.

That policy carried over when Alaska Airlines introduced Atmos Rewards and replaced its former Mileage Plan program.

Although accounts may be locked after extended inactivity and require identity verification to regain access, the points themselves don’t expire.

So there’s no need to earn or redeem points periodically just to keep your balance. Just make sure you can still access your account when you’re ready to use them.

Breeze Breezy Rewards

Breeze Airways is a notable exception. BreezePoints expire 24 months after they’re issued, regardless of whether you’ve had other account activity since then.

That means earning more points won’t reset the expiration date on your existing balance. Each batch of points has its own 24-month validity period, and Breeze uses your oldest points first when you redeem them.

There is one way around this: Primary cardmembers with an open Breeze Easy Visa account in good standing are exempt from points expiration. If you close the card, the points remaining in your account receive a new 24-month expiration period beginning on the closure date.

October 26, 2026
Citi ThankYou Points Can Now Transfer to Copa ConnectMiles
Citi’s list of ThankYou Rewards transfer partners just gained another airline.

As of Sunday, October 25, Copa Airlines now appears on Citi’s Points Transfer page. And effective immediately, eligible cardholders can transfer ThankYou Points to the airline’s ConnectMiles program.

Copa is a Star Alliance carrier based in Panama City (PTY), and ConnectMiles can be used to book flights on Copa, other Star Alliance airlines, and a handful of non-alliance partners.

The program can be quirky to use, but it’s a neat addition for Citi.

How Citi–Copa Transfers Work

As with other Citi transfer partners, the transfer ratio depends on which Citi card you have.

Premium ThankYou cards — including the Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier, and Citi Prestige (no longer open to new applicants) — transfer at a 1:1 ratio. The AT&T Access More card also offers 1:1 transfers.

Citi’s no-annual-fee, points-earning cards, including the Citi Double Cash, Citi Strata, and Citi Custom Cash, transfer at a 1,000:700 ratio.

More on This: How to Convert Credit Card Points to Airline Miles

What You Can Do With ConnectMiles

Copa ConnectMiles publishes a fixed award chart for Copa-operated flights and a separate chart for partner flights.

Here are a few examples of one-way Saver award rates:
- North America 1 to Panama, Central America, or the Caribbean: 15,000 miles in Copa economy or 30,000 in Copa business. This region includes Florida, Texas, Georgia, and several nearby Southeastern states.
- North America 2 to those same destinations: 20,000 miles in Copa economy or 40,000 in Copa business. This region covers the rest of the continental U.S. and Canada.
- U.S. or Canada to Europe on Star Alliance partners: 30,000 miles in economy or 70,000 in business.
You can review Copa’s award regions here.

COPAAIR.COM

Beyond Copa’s own flights, ConnectMiles can book flights on Star Alliance carriers, including United, Avianca, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Non-alliance partners you can also book with miles include Emirates, Azul, GOL, and KLM.

Partner awards are generally limited to Saver availability, although Copa also offers Standard United awards. That gives you more booking options for United flights, though Standard awards cost double that of Saver awards.

One particularly notable redemption is Emirates business class from the U.S. to Dubai, which can cost 80,000 ConnectMiles one-way with relatively low taxes. However, finding available award seats is by no means easy.

All in all, though, this is a welcome addition to Citi’s transfer partner lineup, particularly for travelers looking to book Copa or other Star Alliance flights.

But as always, we’d recommend finding the award you want before transferring any points. Flights you find on other Star Alliance sites (say, United) don’t always appear on Copa’s site. Plus, other Citi airline partners may offer the same flights at different rates, so it’s worth comparing your options before initiating an irreversible transfer.
October 25, 2026
Fly Alaska, Ski Free: 9 Resorts Offering Perks This Winter
Alaska Airlines’ ski-and-snowboard perks are back for another winter.

The idea is pretty simple: fly Alaska to a participating destination, show your boarding pass, and unlock free or discounted perks on the mountain.

Alaska calls the promotion Atmos Rewards Alpine Getaways (though you might also know it as the Fly Alaska, Ski Free program). The returning offer gives Atmos Rewards members access to benefits at participating resorts throughout the 2026–2027 ski season.

How It Works

According to Alaska’s ski page, you’ll need to present your inbound boarding pass and Atmos Rewards number, either through the Alaska app or by email, at the participating resort.

Alaska doesn’t explicitly mention award tickets. However, since the terms require an inbound boarding pass rather than proof of a cash purchase, flights booked with Atmos Rewards points should qualify, too.

Offers, blackout dates, and redemption procedures vary by resort, so check the details for your destination before traveling.

Where You Can Use It

Alaska’s current list includes nine participating resorts, each offering different benefits.
- Alyeska Resort (Anchorage, ANC): Ski free on arrival day.
- Arctic Valley Ski Area (Anchorage, ANC): Free same-day lift ticket.
- Bogus Basin (Boise, BOI): Free same-day lift ticket.
- Crystal Mountain (Seattle, SEA): First Tracks access and complimentary summit coffee on select Atmos Members Days for eligible members during the 2026–2027 season.
- Eaglecrest Ski Area (Juneau, JNU): Free same-day lift ticket.
- Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (Jackson Hole, JAC): Free full-day lift ticket.
- Palisades Tahoe (Reno-Tahoe, RNO): Complimentary half-day lift tickets from March 1 through April 30, 2027.
- Schweitzer Mountain Resort (Spokane, GEG): Ski free on arrival day.
- Sun Peaks Resort (Kelowna, YLW): Ski free on arrival day or the following day.
Most participating resorts offer a free lift ticket on the day you arrive, provided you show your boarding pass and ID. Crystal Mountain and Palisades Tahoe have more specific eligibility requirements, so pay particular attention to their terms.

You can search for flights to any of these destinations using PointsYeah.

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Pack the Skis Without the Oversize Fee

There’s a baggage perk worth knowing about, too.

When flying Alaska, properly packed skis and snowboards can exceed the usual 62-inch linear size limit, up to 115 inches, without incurring an oversize baggage fee. As long as the bag weighs 50 pounds or less, you’ll pay the standard checked-bag fee.

Alaska also counts one pair of skis and poles, or one snowboard, plus a separate boot-and-helmet bag as a single checked bag. However, that additional bag can’t contain clothing or other gear.

Overweight fees still apply to bags exceeding 50 pounds, and Alaska notes that baggage policies are subject to change.
October 25, 2026
3 Obvious (and 3 Not-So-Obvious) Ways to Use a Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus

Virgin Atlantic partners with several transferable credit card points programs. On top of that, there’s (more often than not, seemingly) a transfer bonus to its Flying Club loyalty program.

At the moment, Capital One is offering a 30% transfer bonus through November 20. And there are plenty of ways a bonus like this can be useful on airlines other than Virgin Atlantic.

Most of these ways are fairly obvious (we’ll show you those), and some aren’t so obvious (we’ll show you those, too).

Just note that Capital One transfers start at 1,000 miles, with increments of 100 miles thereafter.

The Obvious Redemptions

U.S. to London on Virgin Atlantic

The most obvious way to use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points is for flights operated by Virgin Atlantic itself.

Virgin Atlantic uses dynamic pricing, so award rates fluctuate based on several factors. But the lowest rates are remarkably cheap. They’re some of the lowest you’ll find between the U.S. and the U.K. (London Heathrow and Manchester), though they’re tempered by higher taxes and fees.

Particularly in economy, they really can’t get much cheaper.

For instance, from Virgin’s East Coast gateways (New York, Boston, Washington — and even Cancun, which isn’t technically on the East Coast), you can book tickets starting at just 6,000 points each way. From the other side of the country (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco), you’ll see rates starting at 9,000 points.

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Book these round-trip at the lowest rates, and you’ll pay 12,000 Virgin points from the East Coast (transfer 9,300 Capital One miles with the bonus) or 18,000 points from the West Coast (13,900 Capital One miles).

The catch is the taxes and fees, which can run closer to $150 flying to the U.K. and $330 coming back.

Los Angeles to New York on Delta

Both Delta and Virgin Atlantic belong to the SkyTeam airline alliance, and because of this, you can use Virgin points to book Delta flights and vice versa.

Virgin Atlantic prices Delta awards according to a distance-based chart (and on a segment-by-segment basis). With a 30% transfer bonus, these flights now require quite a few fewer Capital One miles.

One example is a round-trip, cross-country ticket between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). If you take the nonstop in each direction, you’ll pay 44,000 Virgin points plus $5.60 in taxes each way.

That works out to about 33,900 Capital One miles with the current transfer bonus.

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This won’t always be the cheapest way to get between these two big cities, but it’s one to keep in your back pocket nonetheless.

Virgin Atlantic publishes its distance-based award chart for Delta flights on its website.

Boston to Copenhagen on Scandinavian Airlines

Nearly every day of the week (except Wednesdays), Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flies between Boston (BOS) and Copenhagen (CPH).

In business class, these tickets cost 60,000 Virgin points each way, plus roughly $6 in taxes departing the U.S. or $95 departing Copenhagen. (Taxes and fees can vary if you’re flying from other Nordic countries to the U.S.)

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If you book a round-trip ticket between Boston and Copenhagen, you’ll redeem 120,000 Virgin points and pay roughly $100 in taxes and fees.

With the ongoing transfer bonus, the mileage component drops to about 92,400 Capital One miles for round-trip business class to Europe.

The Not-So-Obvious Redemptions

On the not-so-obvious side, we’ve got a few fun ways to redeem Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points that are made a little better with the 30% transfer bonus.

St. Vincent to Bridgetown on Virgin Atlantic

On Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330-300 makes a short, 50-minute hop between St. Vincent (SVD) and Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI).

If you’re using Flying Club points, you can only book economy, which costs 2,300 or 2,500 points plus about $50 in taxes and fees in either direction.

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These tickets don’t normally drop below $150 each way, so it’s a redemption worth keeping in mind if you’re planning an island-hopping trip around the Caribbean.

If you ended up booking a round-trip for 4,600 points total, you’d need to transfer just 3,600 Capital One miles with the current bonus.

Los Angeles to Papeete on Air France

Air France flies a fifth-freedom route between Los Angeles (LAX) and Papeete, Tahiti (PPT), on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays through Saturdays using its Airbus A350-900.

Through Flying Club, you can book economy for 42,000 points each way (plus roughly $6 in taxes to Tahiti or $60 coming back).

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You can also book this flight through other programs that offer Air France award tickets. But if you book through Virgin Atlantic, you could fly round-trip from Los Angeles to Tahiti for about 64,700 Capital One miles and less than $100 in taxes with the current transfer bonus.

Toronto to Seoul on Korean Air

For this one, you might want to set a PointsYeah Points Price Alert because it’s a little hard to find unless you get lucky and stumble across availability.

Every day, Korean Air flies its Airbus A350-900 between Toronto (YYZ) and Seoul (ICN). The trip takes roughly 15 hours each way, and Virgin Atlantic (when there’s space available) prices these awards in business class at 100,000 points per direction.

Taxes run about $56 westbound or $18 eastbound.

With the transfer bonus, you can book business class on this really long flight for about 77,000 Capital One miles each way.

Economy, though, is more widely available for 37,000 points per way (28,500 Capital One miles) plus the same taxes and fees.

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Earn More Capital One Miles With These Cards

Inspired but short on Capital One miles? Consider these two cards to boost your balance — and click “Learn More” for additional details.

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October 23, 2026