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.
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.
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.
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.
Right now, two issuers are offering transfer bonuses:
Capital One: 30% bonus through November 20, 2026.
American Express Membership Rewards: 30% bonus through November 30, 2026.
And there are plenty of ways these bonuses 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).
One thing to keep in mind is that the two programs have different transfer increments. Capital One transfers start at 1,000 miles, with increments of 100 miles thereafter. Amex transfers in increments of 1,000 points.
That means you may need to transfer slightly more Amex points to cover a particular redemption.
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 or 10,000 Amex points with the bonus) or 18,000 points from the West Coast (13,900 Capital One miles or 14,000 Amex points).
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 or 34,000 Amex points with the current transfer bonuses.
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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.
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 bonuses, the mileage component drops to about 92,400 Capital One miles or 93,000 Amex points 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 or 4,000 Amex points with the current bonuses.
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 or 65,000 Amex points and less than $100 in taxes with the current bonuses.
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 bonuses, you can book business class on this really long flight for about 77,000 Capital One miles or Amex points each way.
Economy, though, is more widely available for 37,000 points per way (28,500 Capital One miles or 29,000 Amex points) plus the same taxes and fees.
Starting January 1, 2027, you’ll need to book at least two nights at a Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) property to use the up to $300 semiannual hotel credit on the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards.
Amex has also given the benefit a new name. What cardholders previously knew as the $600 Hotel Credit is now the $600 Lodging Credit (to reflect the addition of eligible Airbnb Luxe stays).
The new restriction brings FHR in line with The Hotel Collection (Amex’s other hotel program), which already requires a minimum two-night stay.
What the Change Means for Your Remaining 2026 Hotel Credit
If you haven’t used your July-to-December hotel credit yet, there’s still time to book a one-night FHR stay under the existing rules.
According to Amex’s terms, eligible bookings must be processed by December 31 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to count toward the second half of 2026.
And you don’t actually need to stay at the hotel before then. Amex’s FAQ confirms that travel can take place after the credit period ends.
The newly renamed Lodging Credit still provides up to $600 per calendar year, split into two $300 credits. One is available from January through June, and the other from July through December.
To use it, you’ll need to make an eligible prepaid (“Pay Now”) booking through Amex Travel. That includes Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection reservations made through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or the number on the back of your card. Eligible prepaid Airbnb Luxe stays also qualify, although those have their own booking requirements.
Now, that two-night minimum might not sound like a particularly big deal, but it makes the credit considerably less useful for shorter stays, especially at more affordable FHR properties.
Take a hotel charging $300 per night. Today, you could book a single night and have the entire room rate covered by the credit. In 2027, you’d need to book two nights for $600, leaving you with $300 to pay out of pocket.
At a $700-per-night property, the credit currently covers about 43% of a one-night stay. With a two-night minimum, it would cover just 21% of the $1,400 total.
Granted, you’re getting another night in both examples. But if you only need somewhere to stay for one night, that doesn’t necessarily do you much good.
Airbnb Luxe Is Another Way to Use the Credit
Amex and Airbnb have announced a new partnership that brings more than one million Airbnb listings to Amex Travel.
Eligible cardholders can now book these properties through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and earn Membership Rewards points on prepaid reservations. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders earn 5X points, while most other Membership Rewards-earning cards earn 2X.
But there’s an important distinction. While more than one million Airbnb listings are available through Amex Travel, only eligible Airbnb Luxe properties qualify for the $600 Lodging Credit.
Phoenix Mountain Cabin & Spa. AIRBNB LUXE
Airbnb Luxe is a collection of high-end homes available through Airbnb. According to the company, Luxe properties account for less than 1% of its listings globally, and each undergoes an in-person walkthrough before receiving the designation.
There’s another new perk, too. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders who book a qualifying prepaid Airbnb Luxe stay through Amex Travel can unlock up to $250 in statement credits annually toward eligible Airbnb Experiences.
Once the Luxe booking is confirmed, cardholders can use their Platinum card to purchase eligible Experiences directly through Airbnb and receive statement credits through the end of that calendar year. Experiences that redirect you to certain third-party platforms for payment aren’t eligible.
Unlike the Lodging Credit, the Experiences credit isn’t split into two semiannual periods.
Fine Hotels + Resorts Benefits Aren’t Changing
Something to keep in mind is that the new two-night requirement applies to the Lodging Credit, not necessarily to Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in general.
Amex’s separate FHR program terms, which offers benefits such as daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit toward eligible charges, and guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, don’t specify a minimum stay.
Put differently, you can still book a one-night FHR stay and receive the usual program benefits. You just won’t be able to use your Platinum card’s Lodging Credit toward it beginning in 2027.
The $600 annual credit, its semiannual schedule, and the prepaid booking requirement aren’t changing, either.
For cardholders who regularly use the credit on one-night FHR stays, though, this is a reduction in flexibility. And if you’ve still got a 2026 credit to use, it’s worth keeping the upcoming change in mind before making your next reservation.
In 2023, a 35,000-square-foot Club on the east side of Denver’s B Concourse became the airline’s largest. Two years later, United opened a separate 33,000-square-foot Club on the west side of the same concourse. A roughly 40,000-square-foot Club is also in the works at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) for when its new Concourse E opens (which will likely happen before the end of the year).
And then there’s Houston.
The new United Club at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) spans 54,000 square feet. United says it’s the biggest Club it has ever built and the “largest airline club across North and South America.”
I visited during United’s preview on October 21, a day before Terminal B North’s public opening. I can attest that it’s a big lounge.
Here’s what I saw, along with my initial takeaways.
Bigger Clubs, Same Crowding Problem
There’s a reason the square footage keeps increasing.
I’ve heard United executives talk openly about wanting Clubs big enough that they stop turning people away, whether that’s members bringing guests or travelers holding one-time passes.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
As I see it, two other things are adding to the pressure (and it’s not a problem unique to United). United is adding premium seats to its planes en masse, and some of those tickets come with Club access. It’s also pushing its lounge-access-granting credit cards on the ground, in the air, and everywhere in between.
If you’re going to offer that kind of access, you need the space to back it up.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Houston faces the same crowding pressure as virtually every other lounge these days. United says its Terminal B transformation increases the overall number of customers who can fly on peak travel dates in 2026 by 40% compared to 2023.
Now that’s capacity, not a passenger count, but it means more potential Club visitors on the busiest days.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Officially, the Club seats 800. Whether that’s enough on a random Friday afternoon or in the days leading up to a major holiday is still up in the air.
During the preview, the Club was seemingly half full of media, United employees, and other event attendees. Everything seemed to be running fairly smoothly, though a regular travel day will present its own challenges.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
What It’s Actually Like
The Club sits on the mezzanine level, which is fairly central on the B North side. The entrance is hard to miss: you scan your boarding pass at the kiosks, then head up an escalator.
From there, the space fans out in every direction. Straight ahead is the buffet. To the right is a large seating area that feels more relaxed and private. To the left are the main bar and dining room seating, which lead into a separate section with a second bar, more seating, and the outdoor terrace.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
There’s a ton of seating throughout the Club. Some of it is tucked away, while other areas overlook the terminal below.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
With mostly media and event attendees chatting during the preview, it was hard to judge noise levels. But the mix of spaces makes it fairly easy to get away from the busier, higher-traffic areas.
The tradeoff is distance. Getting from one end to the other can be a bit of a walk.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
There wasn’t a ton of food out during the preview, but United says to expect rotating menus with locally inspired dishes.
Guests can also grab a drink at either of the lounge’s two bars or help themselves at one of several refreshment stations.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
The terrace is smaller than you might expect for a Club this size, at just 1,350 square feet. But it’s still a neat place to get some fresh air and watch the tarmac. When the weather is nice, I bet it’ll be a popular spot.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Who This Club Is Really For
Location matters a lot.
The Club is in Terminal B North, where all 22 new mainline gates are designed for narrow-body aircraft. Terminal B South’s 26 gates have been reconfigured to better handle larger regional jets. In practice, that points to domestic and shorter international flights, not long-haul widebody trips.
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Travelers flying long-haul in United Polaris business class (on eligible tickets) have the United Polaris lounge, which is a separate space in IAH’s Terminal E.
So this Club is largely geared toward everyday United flyers, cardmembers, and passholders traveling domestically or on shorter international routes. And with so many flights coming and going (with schedules likely to keep growing), there’s plenty of potential demand.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
How to Get In
A United Club membership, an eligible United credit card, or a select premium-cabin ticket will get you in. Our United Club guide covers the rest, including guest rules, one-time passes, and which cards qualify.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Is the New IAH Club Big Enough?
For now, it certainly feels that way.
But the real test won’t come at a relatively tame Wednesday preview, but on the busiest travel days, when Clubs are most likely to fill up.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Lounges serve a real purpose. At a minimum, that’s food, a drink, and somewhere to wait that isn’t a crowded gate area. Houston covers all of that, with room to spare.
But as airlines keep building bigger Clubs to accommodate more travelers, I wonder if lounges are starting to lose some of what made them appealing in the first place. They’re supposed to be a respite from the busy airport terminal, not just a fancier version of it.
And at some point, I wonder how much of a difference there really is.
United operates more than 45 United Club locations around the world, plus six United Polaris lounges for eligible premium cabin passengers.
There are several ways to get into a United Club. You can buy a membership or a one-time pass, get access through an eligible Chase United credit card, or qualify through your ticket or Star Alliance status.
But depending on how you get in, the rules around guests, entry times, and eligible flights can vary.
Here’s what to know before you visit.
Where Can You Find United Clubs?
United Clubs are located at airports throughout the airline’s network.
Every Club offers complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and seating, among other amenities. Some of United’s newer locations also have more substantial food selections, upgraded bars, and dedicated spaces for working or taking calls.
A few locations in particular are worth stopping by if you’re eligible and have time before a flight or on a layover.
Denver (DEN): United’s Club at Denver B East is one of the largest in its network. It boasts more than 35,000 square feet across two floors.
Newark (EWR): This is the first United hub with fully updated Clubs. It offers more than 63,000 square feet of Club space across the airport.
Chicago O’Hare (ORD): The Concourse C Club seats more than 400 guests.
Houston (IAH): Home to United’s new Terminal B Club, which spans 54,000 square feet.
Hours vary by location and can change around holidays, so United’s Club and lounge directory is a handy resource to check before heading to the reception desk.
Who Can Access a United Club?
There are five main ways to get into a United Club.
In most cases, you’ll need a same-day boarding pass for a flight operated by United, a Star Alliance airline, or an eligible partner. You may also be asked to show a government-issued photo ID.
United Club members: Travelers who purchase an Individual or All Access membership.
United Club cardholders: Primary cardholders of the United Club Card or United Club Business Card receive a Club membership.
One-time passholders: Travelers who purchase a pass or receive one through an eligible United credit card.
Premium cabin passengers: Eligible United Polaris and United Business passengers can access United Clubs at departure, connecting, and arrival airports. Star Alliance first and business class passengers can access Clubs at the departure airport of their eligible international flight.
Star Alliance Gold members: United MileagePlus Premier Gold members and above can access United Clubs when traveling on qualifying international Star Alliance itineraries. Star Alliance Gold members from other programs have different access policies; these travelers can generally enter when flying domestically on United.
Just note there’s an important distinction for United’s own elite members. Having Premier Gold status or higher doesn’t automatically get you into a United Club when flying domestically.
And if you’re flying United domestic first class, that ticket alone generally won’t get you into a Club, either.
United Club Membership Pricing
United offers two annual membership options.
An individual membership covers the member only, while All Access includes guest privileges and access to participating Star Alliance partner lounges.
Pricing depends on your MileagePlus status:
MileagePlus Status
Individual
All Access
General member, Premier Silver, Premier Gold
$750 or 94,000 miles
$1,400 or 175,000 miles
Premier Platinum
$750 or 94,000 miles
$1,300 or 163,000 miles
Premier 1K
$750 or 94,000 miles
$1,200 or 150,000 miles
Global Services
$750 or 94,000 miles
$1,100 or 125,000 miles
How Do United Club One-Time Passes Work?
United sells one-time Club passes for $59 per person. You can purchase one through the United app, and some locations sell passes at the door when space is available.
There are a few restrictions when using a pass:
One person, one visit: Each pass covers one entry. Children under two can accompany a passholder at no additional charge.
Validity: Passes purchased through the app are valid for 12 months and are nonrefundable.
Capacity: United Club members receive priority, so one-time passholders can be turned away when a lounge is busy.
Eligible lounges: Passes work at standard United Clubs, but not Polaris lounges, United Club Fly locations, arrivals lounges, or partner lounges.
The capacity restriction is worth keeping in mind.
Buying a pass doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to use it at your preferred Club, so it’s worth waiting until you arrive to purchase one rather than buying it ahead of your trip.
How Early Can You Enter a United Club?
If you’re using a one-time pass, you can enter within three hours of your scheduled departure.
That restriction doesn’t apply if you’re visiting a United Club during a connection.
United doesn’t publish the same three-hour restriction for Club members and eligible cardholders, who generally only need a qualifying same-day boarding pass.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Can You Bring Guests Into a United Club?
Guest privileges depend on how you’re accessing the lounge.
Individual membership: No guests.
All Access membership: Up to two adult guests, or one adult guest and dependent children under 18.
United Club card membership: One adult guest and dependent children under 18.
One-time pass: No guests. Each person needs a separate pass.
United Polaris and United Business passengers: No guests.
Star Alliance first class: One guest on eligible international itineraries.
Star Alliance business class: No guests.
Star Alliance Gold: One guest traveling on the same flight.
United also has age restrictions. Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by a supervising adult, while Clubs with self-service bars require guests under 21 to be accompanied by someone at least 21.
What’s the Difference Between United Clubs and Polaris Lounges?
United Polaris lounges are separate from standard United Clubs and offer a more premium experience, including sit-down dining, showers, and private relaxation areas.
There are six Polaris lounges in the United States:
Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Houston (IAH)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Newark (EWR)
San Francisco (SFO)
Washington Dulles (IAD)
Unlike United Clubs, Polaris lounge access comes from your ticket rather than a membership or credit card.
A United Club membership won’t get you into a Polaris lounge, and neither will a one-time pass.
United’s newer Polaris fare structure also affects lounge access. Passengers booked on Standard or Flexible Polaris fares can visit Polaris lounges, while those traveling on Base fares only receive access to standard United Clubs.
Certain international first- and business-class passengers on Star Alliance partners can also access Polaris lounges, although eligibility depends on the airline, cabin, and fare purchased.
Credit Cards That Include United Club Access
Four Chase United credit cards offer either a United Club membership or one-time passes.
United Club Card: Includes a United Club membership for the primary cardholder, with access for one adult guest and dependent children under 18.
United Club Business Card: Offers the same membership and guest privileges as the personal version.
United Explorer Card: Includes two United Club one-time passes after account opening and every 12 months thereafter.
United Business Card: Also includes two one-time passes after account opening and every 12 months thereafter.
Both United Club cards offer a way to upgrade to All Access membership. You can qualify by earning Premier Gold status or spending $50,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
All Access adds a second adult guest and access to participating Star Alliance partner lounges. Cardholders with All Access and an authorized user or employee cardholder can also receive four one-time passes each card anniversary year.
Authorized users on the Club cards don’t receive their own membership. They’ll need to enter with the primary cardholder as an eligible guest.
The one-time passes issued by the Explorer and Business cards have different rules. They can be used by the primary cardholder, an authorized user or employee cardholder, or an accompanying guest, but can’t be transferred to someone traveling separately.
Besides JetBlue’s own flights, TrueBlue points can book flights on JetBlue’s partner airlines, including United, Qatar Airways, Icelandair, and Condor.
How Bilt Transfers to JetBlue Work
To transfer, open the Bilt app or Bilt.com, go to the Rewards section, and tap the Transfer tab, then the Airlines tab. Select JetBlue TrueBlue (link your accounts if you haven’t already), then choose an amount and confirm.
Bilt Points transfer in 1,000-point increments. The minimum is 1,000 points, or 2,000 for members with entry-level Blue status.
JetBlue award prices are tied to cash fares. According to JetBlue, the points a flight requires are “based on the published base fare at the time of booking,” so the points price rises and falls with what the same flight would cost in cash.
Most partner awards work a little differently. JetBlue doesn’t publish partner award charts, but prices are fairly predictable by route. For instance, TrueBlue points can book Qatar Airways from U.S. gateways like Boston and Atlanta starting at 41,500 points one-way in economy or 83,000 points in Qsuite business class.
But before transferring, it’s worth checking whether another Bilt partner charges fewer points for the same trip. Transfers can’t be reversed and Bilt has a ton of partners, so a PointsYeah award search is an easy way to see prices across most programs first.
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Transfers Might Only Be the Beginning
As history shows, transfers really could be just the beginning of a more expansive partnership.
For starters, Bilt has used its monthly Rent Day promotion to spotlight a new partner before.
Just last month, it launched transfers to Amtrak Guest Rewards on September 23, then ran a one-day transfer bonus on October 1. The bonus depended on your Bilt status, from 25% for Blue members to 100% for Platinum, and up to 125% for Platinum members who redeemed Bilt Cash for a better bonus.
Bilt hasn’t announced a JetBlue transfer bonus yet, but the release hints at more to come: JetBlue cardmembers can add their card to the Bilt app “to access additional earning opportunities, with more cardmember features coming soon.”
Hilton is teaming up with Scandic Hotels Group to expand its presence across Northern Europe. And new benefits are in the works for Hilton Honors and Scandic Friends members.
The companies announced a multi-year agreement covering Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Scandic will help develop and operate Hilton-branded hotels across the region, although the agreement doesn’t involve converting Scandic’s existing portfolio into Hilton properties.
What Does This Mean for Hilton Honors Members?
Hilton and Scandic say they’ll introduce new benefits for members of their respective loyalty programs, but haven’t shared any details yet.
According to the announcement made on October 19:
“The companies will also announce new benefits for members of the Hilton Honors and Scandic Friends loyalty programs at a later date, with the shared ambition to further open the Nordics to Hilton Honors members and the world to Scandic Friends.”
Whether that means reciprocal elite benefits, opportunities to earn points, or even the ability to redeem Hilton Honors points at Scandic hotels is still up in the air.
Scandic is the largest hotel operator in the Nordics, so the possibility of accessing more hotels across the region could be particularly appealing to Hilton Honors members.
For now, though, Scandic hotels aren’t joining Hilton Honors, and there’s no indication that members can earn or redeem Hilton points at those properties.
We’ve reached out to Hilton for more information about the planned loyalty benefits.
The first hotel announced under the agreement is a 284-room Hilton near Copenhagen Airport, which is expected to open in 2029. The property will feature an executive lounge overlooking the Öresund Strait, along with a restaurant, bar, and wellness facilities.
The companies already work together in Finland, where Scandic operates three Hilton properties: Hilton Helsinki Airport, Hilton Helsinki Strand, and Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa.
Hilton also plans to renovate the Hilton Helsinki Airport.
Additional Hilton properties could follow across the four Nordic countries, although no other locations or opening dates have been announced.
Orlando is consistently one of the most-searched domestic destinations on PointsYeah. Between its theme parks, resorts, convention centers, and (just about) year-round warm weather, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Central Florida.
And if you’ve got Chase Ultimate Rewards points, there are plenty of ways to use them to get there.
Chase has several airline transfer partners that let you book flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO), including on airlines that aren’t direct transfer partners. You can also use points to book flights through Chase Travel.
Airlines You Can Fly to MCO With Chase Points
American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United (among several others) all fly to Orlando. And while Chase doesn’t transfer points directly to every airline, you can use its transfer partners to book flights on all five.
Airline
Use These Chase Transfer Partners
American Airlines
British Airways Club, Iberia Club
Delta Air Lines
Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
JetBlue
JetBlue TrueBlue, United MileagePlus
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Rapid Rewards
United Airlines
United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, JetBlue TrueBlue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Southwest, United, and JetBlue are the most straightforward options. Chase transfers directly to all three programs, so you can move your points over and book flights through their respective websites.
It’s the simplest way to go from transferring points to booking a flight.
American and Delta work a little differently. Chase doesn’t transfer directly to either airline, but you can use British Airways Avios to book American flights or Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles to book Delta flights.
And those aren’t your only options. For example, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club can be useful for Delta flights. We found one such flight from Seattle (SEA) to Orlando for 22,000 Virgin points.
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There’s one thing to keep in mind when booking through a partner program: Airlines don’t necessarily make every flight available to their partners.
For example, you might find a United flight available through MileagePlus but not through Air Canada Aeroplan. That’s because not every seat on the operating airline is made available to partner programs.
That’s why we’d recommend searching before transferring anything. See which programs have flights on your dates, compare the points prices and taxes, and then decide where to transfer your Chase points.
Booking Flights Through Chase Travel
You don’t necessarily need to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to an airline to book a flight to Orlando.
Chase Travel lets you redeem points for flights on a much larger selection of airlines, including those that aren’t Chase transfer partners.
Redemptions start at 1 cent per point (so 10,000 Chase points can be worth $100 toward flights booked this way), although Chase’s Points Boost feature can get you up to 2 cents per point on select flights, depending on which card you have.
That could be worth considering if you find a cheap cash fare (particularly on a budget airline), aren’t seeing anything appealing through airline loyalty programs, or want to fly an airline that isn’t available through Chase’s transfer partners.
Just check the price in points before booking. Not every flight qualifies for Points Boost, and the redemption rates can vary.
As mentioned, before transferring your Chase points, it’s worth seeing what’s available.
You can use PointsYeah to search flights to Orlando across multiple loyalty programs at once, rather than checking each airline’s website individually.
And since several Chase transfer partners can book flights on the same airlines, you might find different prices for the exact same flight.
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Credit Cards That Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Of course, you’ll need Chase Ultimate Rewards points before you can transfer them to an airline or book through the Chase Travel portal.
Four Chase cards earn points that can be transferred directly to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs:
These two cards technically earn cash back. However, if you also have one of the four Ultimate Rewards-earning cards above, you can combine your rewards into a single Ultimate Rewards account and transfer those points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
That means you can earn rewards on everyday purchases with a no-annual-fee card and still have the option to use them for flights to Orlando.
World of Hyatt members can now transfer points to one another online. Yep, this development officially ends a process that previously required filling out a form and submitting it to Hyatt.
Until October 15, 2026, combining points was a surprisingly old-fashioned process. Members had to complete a request form and submit it to Hyatt for processing, either by email or by mailing it to an address in Omaha, Nebraska.
But now, members can handle the process online (for free) without the paperwork.
How to Combine World of Hyatt Points Online
World of Hyatt allows members to transfer points to another member at no cost. It’s a useful benefit for couples, families, or friends who want to pool their balances for a hotel stay.
For example, if you have 15,000 Hyatt points and your spouse has another 10,000, you could combine those balances to book a hotel night costing 25,000 points.
Enter the requested details and follow the prompts to complete the transfer
There’s a New Annual Transfer Limit
Along with the online system, Hyatt is introducing a limit on how many points members can transfer.
As of October 15, members can send up to 525,000 points and receive up to 525,000 points per calendar year.
Previously, Hyatt didn’t impose an annual cap on the number of points members could combine, although transfers were generally limited to once every 30 days.
The new limit is unlikely to affect most World of Hyatt members with plans to send or receive a transfer, but it’s worth knowing if you regularly move large amounts of points between accounts.
JetBlue’s new BlueFirst cabin is officially on sale. And the first flights take off on December 8, 2026.
The airline unveiled BlueFirst in September, and travelers can now book the new first class product with cash or TrueBlue points on more than 30 routes.
Where You Can Book JetBlue BlueFirst
The first BlueFirst flight is scheduled for December 8 between Boston (BOS) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). BlueFirst service between New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Fort Lauderdale commences shortly afterward on December 12.
And additional routes will launch over the coming months, including:
Route
BlueFirst Launch
Boston (BOS) ↔ Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
December 2026
New York LaGuardia (LGA) ↔ Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
December 2026
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Washington, D.C. (DCA)
December 2026
Boston (BOS) ↔ Austin (AUS)
January 2027
New York JFK (JFK) ↔ Cancun (CUN)
January 2027
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Aruba (AUA)
January 2027
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ↔ Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
February 2027
Boston (BOS) ↔ Denver (DEN)
April 2027
BlueFirst won’t necessarily operate on every flight along these routes, since availability depends on the aircraft scheduled.
JetBlue plans to eventually offer BlueFirst throughout its network on aircraft without Mint, including flights to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Booking JetBlue BlueFirst With Points
JetBlue initially offered BlueFirst fares starting at $249 or 18,100 TrueBlue points one-way. That introductory promotion ended October 16, and prices have since increased.
But if you missed the sale, there are still opportunities to try BlueFirst without spending a small fortune. For example, we found the following one-way fares from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) on December 28:
BlueFirst Base: $374 or 27,800 TrueBlue points
BlueFirst: $419 or 30,000 TrueBlue points
BlueFirst Flex: $594 or 41,400 TrueBlue points
POINTSYEAH
The three fares offer the same onboard experience, but differ in baggage allowances, seat selection, and change and cancellation policies.
Find BlueFirst Flights With PointsYeah
BlueFirst will offer JetBlue travelers a more premium experience on planes that don’t have the airline’s lie-flat Mint product. And unlike Mint, BlueFirst will eventually be available across much more of JetBlue’s network.
Worth noting: you can already find BlueFirst flights using PointsYeah. Just filter your search by business class rather than first class to see what’s available and what it costs.
