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This week's Quick Hits comes straight from the Admirals Club lounge in Honolulu, where DeAndre Coke is wrapping up an incredible Hawaii anniversary trip before heading to Points Travel Festival Chicago. Before diving into the latest points and miles news, he shares a special shoutout to BoldlyGo listeners Dan and Megan, whom he met at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Then it's straight into several important credit card, hotel, and airline loyalty updates, starting with an opportunity to earn 15,000 American Airlines miles through the AAdvantage Business program and an extended promotion that could help Citi AAdvantage Business cardholders earn elite status faster.
The biggest potential shakeup involves the American Express Platinum Card. Information reportedly discovered on an Amex test server suggests the card could add a $250 Airbnb Experiences credit while introducing a two-night minimum stay requirement for its hotel credit starting in 2027. DeAndre explains why this rumored change could make the benefit significantly harder to maximize, especially for travelers who currently stack credits across multiple cards for single-night hotel stays. Meanwhile, United Airlines is moving toward a spending-focused elite status system by eliminating flight segments as a qualification path, and Chase has clarified that elite night credits from certain IHG credit cards can stack, potentially giving cardholders 35 elite nights annually before checking into a hotel.
Other updates include Marriott testing an upgrade waitlist inside its app, Cathay Pacific temporarily suspending Japan Airlines award bookings through Asia Miles, targeted 75,000 point Chase Sapphire Reserve upgrade offers, and reports that Lululemon gift card purchases may no longer trigger the Amex Platinum quarterly credit. DeAndre closes with a preview of the upcoming Chicago conference, the BoldlyGo Miami meetup, and more Hawaii travel content coming soon.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro: Recording From Honolulu and a BoldlyGo Community Shoutout
(01:10) Earn 15,000 American Airlines Miles With AAdvantage Business
(01:54) Citi AAdvantage Business Cardholders Can Double Up on Loyalty Points
(03:03) Marriott Tests an In-App Hotel Upgrade Waitlist
(03:17) Cathay Pacific Suspends Japan Airlines Award Bookings
(03:27) Targeted 75K Chase Sapphire Reserve Upgrade Offers
(04:17) Amex Platinum Rumors: Airbnb Credit and Two-Night Hotel Minimum
(05:40) United Airlines Eliminates Flight Segments for Elite Status
(06:39) IHG Credit Cards Can Stack Up to 35 Elite Nights Annually
(07:24) Amex Lululemon Gift Card Changes and Final Travel Updates
Key takeaways:
- 15,000 Free AAdvantage Business Miles: New members can register for the free AAdvantage Business program using promo code GET15K by October 31 to receive 15,000 bonus miles without additional activity, according to the offer discussed.
- Citi AAdvantage Business Loyalty Points: An extended targeted promotion through 2028 allows eligible primary cardholders to earn matching Loyalty Points from authorized user spending, while authorized users also earn Loyalty Points.
- Marriott Tests Upgrade Visibility: Marriott is testing an in-app upgrade list that allows Gold Elite members and above to see their position before arrival, with plans to expand to more properties in the United States and Canada.
- Cathay Pacific Suspends JAL Awards: Asia Miles redemptions on Japan Airlines have been temporarily suspended, although previously issued award tickets remain valid.
- 75K Chase Sapphire Upgrade Offers: Some Sapphire Preferred cardholders are receiving targeted offers of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points for upgrading to the Sapphire Reserve and spending $4,000 by December 15.
- Amex Platinum Changes Are Rumored: The Platinum Card could introduce a $250 Airbnb Experiences credit while requiring a minimum two-night stay for its hotel credit starting in 2027. These changes have not been confirmed.
- United Changes Elite Status Qualification: United is moving away from flight segment qualification and toward Premier Qualifying Points, making spending an even more important factor in earning elite status.
- IHG Credit Card Elite Nights Stack: Chase has reportedly clarified that qualifying elite night credits from the IHG Premier Select and IHG Business cards can stack, potentially providing 35 elite nights per year.
- IHG Milestone Rewards Become More Accessible: Those stacked elite nights can count toward milestone rewards, potentially helping cardholders unlock benefits such as suite upgrades and lounge membership.
- Lululemon Gift Card Warning: Reports suggest that in-store Lululemon gift card purchases may no longer trigger the Amex Platinum $75 quarterly credit, so cardholders should be cautious about relying on this method.
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