Points Frog · The newsroom

Loyalty program news and transfer bonuses — page 2

Airline miles, hotel points, bank rewards, and transfer bonuses: the stories behind your points.

43 stories · Updated Oct 13, 2026

← Newer stories

October 2026

Loyalty programs
Lost your Qatar Airways status this year? You can get it back by flying from Doha
Qatar's Privilege Club is offering double Qpoints on Doha departures booked by October 10, then a Tier Restoration offer from October 11 to December 18 for members who were downgraded.
Oct 10, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Who Killed Spirit?
Some blame Lina Khan for Spirit Airlines' collapse. The record points to a merger block, engine groundings, two bankruptcies, bigger rivals and a fuel shock.
Oct 10, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Alaska will let you trade miles for heli-skiing, Pebble Beach golf and private Nordstrom shopping
Atmos Rewards is adding Ikon Pass ski trips, Pebble Beach getaways and private holiday shopping events at Nordstrom to its Atmos Unlocked marketplace. Alaska hasn't said how many points any of them will cost.
Oct 10, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Hotel points
Chase's new $350 IHG card hands out Platinum status and 200,000 points, but zero lounge access
The IHG One Rewards Premier Select card adds a $200 airline credit, up to $300 in hotel food and drink rewards and a free night each year. Chase says fees on the whole IHG card lineup will be adjusted in 2027.
Oct 10, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Loyalty programs
Air Canada's new Embarq program gives small-business travelers 50% more Aeroplan points
Air Canada Embarq is free for Canadian small businesses and non-profits. Staff earn 50% more Aeroplan points on eligible work trips, but it adds no lounge access.
Oct 9, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
American now lets AAdvantage members pay for flights with a mix of cash and miles
A slider at checkout on aa.com and the app splits the fare between miles and a card. It rolls out over the coming weeks. Here is how it works and when it pays off.
Oct 9, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Southwest is the first US airline with a ChatGPT plugin, but you can't book with points yet
Since October 6, you can search and compare Southwest flights inside ChatGPT. It is the first step in a phased plan with OpenAI and Amazon Web Services. Rapid Rewards point bookings are not supported for now.
Oct 8, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Korean Air absorbs Asiana on Dec. 17: what it means for lounges, miles and Star Alliance
Asiana leaves Star Alliance Dec. 16 and becomes part of Korean Air the next day. Award deadlines, mile conversions and where to wait at Incheon.
Oct 8, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Loyalty programs
WestJet will pour Tim Hortons "Flight Roast" coffee from Nov. 30, with linked rewards in 2027
A Tim Hortons blend made for WestJet goes onboard Nov. 30, and the two loyalty programs link up in 2027. The release says nothing about lounges.
Oct 8, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
KLM will make Wi-Fi free on long-haul flights from mid-2027, using Starlink
KLM says fast, unlimited Starlink Wi-Fi will be free in every cabin on its intercontinental flights from mid-2027, for anyone with a Flying Blue account. The rollout will be phased, and KLM has not said which planes go first.
Oct 8, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Lufthansa Group is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all 850 of its planes by 2029
Free high-speed Wi-Fi is now flying on Lufthansa and coming to SWISS, Austrian, Brussels and the rest of the group. You'll need a free Miles & More or Travel ID account, and video calls aren't allowed.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Loyalty programs
Atmos Rewards adds free Premium Class for elite companions, a choice in how to earn, and a debit card
Alaska and Hawaiian's loyalty program will let Platinum and Titanium members bring a companion and children into Premium Class from Nov. 2. Members can also pick how flights earn from 2027, join six new Communities and pre-register for a debit card due in early 2027.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Alaska Airlines plans to join American's Atlantic and Pacific joint businesses
Alaska and American said on Sept. 29 that Alaska intends to join American's joint businesses with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, LEVEL and Japan Airlines. It is only a plan: the airlines still need U.S. and foreign approvals and have not detailed changes to routes, points or lounges.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
JetBlue and United's Blue Sky: book either airline on both sites, with shared elite perks but no lounges
You can now buy JetBlue and United flights on either airline's website with cash, points or miles. Elite members get priority boarding and a free bag on both airlines, but no lounge access.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Loyalty programs
Aeroplan credit cards add 15% off flight rewards and worldwide Maple Leaf Lounge access
From January 12, 2027, Canadian Aeroplan cardholders save 15% in points on Air Canada flights. Premium cards also get Maple Leaf Lounge access worldwide with a guest.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
British Airways can now sell you Porter flights to 17 Canadian cities
A new codeshare lets BA customers connect to 17 Porter Airlines destinations through Toronto and Montreal, and earn Avios and tier points on Porter flights.
Oct 7, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Four years into Delta–LATAM: what the partnership means for lounge access in South America
The joint venture has carried 17.4 million passengers on 28 routes, with Brazil one of its fastest-growing markets. Eligible SkyMiles and LATAM Pass members can use each other's lounges. Here's what that covers.
Oct 6, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Delta One's new wine list: Silver Oak, Trefethen and Taittinger on domestic flights
From Oct. 1, Delta One pours 13 wines from 11 wineries, picked with help from SkyMiles members in blind tastings. Champagne Taittinger, already free in Delta One Lounges, now reaches domestic Delta One too.
Oct 6, 2026By Patrick Karsh
Airline miles
Air France opens a new lounge in Frankfurt's Terminal 3
The 500-square-meter lounge opened Sept. 1 with runway views, about 120 seats, French food and Champagne, and a private corner for Flying Blue Ultimate members.
Oct 6, 2026By Patrick Karsh

Loyalty program news and transfer bonuses — page 2

October 2026

Lost your Qatar Airways status this year? You can get it back by flying from Doha

Who Killed Spirit?

Alaska will let you trade miles for heli-skiing, Pebble Beach golf and private Nordstrom shopping

Chase's new $350 IHG card hands out Platinum status and 200,000 points, but zero lounge access

Air Canada's new Embarq program gives small-business travelers 50% more Aeroplan points

American now lets AAdvantage members pay for flights with a mix of cash and miles

Southwest is the first US airline with a ChatGPT plugin, but you can't book with points yet

Korean Air absorbs Asiana on Dec. 17: what it means for lounges, miles and Star Alliance

WestJet will pour Tim Hortons "Flight Roast" coffee from Nov. 30, with linked rewards in 2027

KLM will make Wi-Fi free on long-haul flights from mid-2027, using Starlink

Lufthansa Group is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all 850 of its planes by 2029

Atmos Rewards adds free Premium Class for elite companions, a choice in how to earn, and a debit card

Alaska Airlines plans to join American's Atlantic and Pacific joint businesses

JetBlue and United's Blue Sky: book either airline on both sites, with shared elite perks but no lounges

Aeroplan credit cards add 15% off flight rewards and worldwide Maple Leaf Lounge access

British Airways can now sell you Porter flights to 17 Canadian cities

Four years into Delta–LATAM: what the partnership means for lounge access in South America

Delta One's new wine list: Silver Oak, Trefethen and Taittinger on domestic flights

Air France opens a new lounge in Frankfurt's Terminal 3

Amex's 25% Flying Blue bonus ends Oct. 31. Book the cheapest business award and you lose the lounge

Flying Blue's cheapest business awards no longer include lounge access

Asia Miles pauses Japan Airlines awards: existing tickets still work

Lost your Qatar Airways status this year? You can get it back by flying from Doha

Alaska Airlines plans to join American's Atlantic and Pacific joint businesses