Hyatt is set to broaden its portfolio by acquiring Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels. The acquisition, expected to finalize by late 2024, includes management and franchise rights for 21 properties totaling around 2,000 rooms. Hyatt will initially pay $150 million, with the potential for an additional $185 million as more hotels join the portfolio. Following the acquisition, these hotels will be integrated into the World of Hyatt loyalty program.

The Standard is a well-known lifestyle hotel brand with properties in major cities such as New York, Miami, London, and Ibiza, popular for its focus on nightlife and hip, trendy experiences. This acquisition continues Hyatt’s efforts to grow its global footprint in the lifestyle and upscale segments, adding to previous purchases like Two Roads Hospitality and Apple Leisure Group.

Additionally, Hyatt is establishing a new dedicated lifestyle group in New York City, led by Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman of Standard International. The group will concentrate on innovation in guest experiences, design, and entertainment, while benefiting from Hyatt’s extensive operational infrastructure. This strategic move emphasizes Hyatt’s continued focus on expanding its lifestyle brand presence through targeted acquisitions.

The latest Choice Sweet Spot Rewards promotion offers Choice Privileges members the chance to book hotel stays for up to 25% fewer points. This limited-time offer is valid for stays through November 30, 2024, and includes discounted award nights at 26 select Choice Hotels properties across the U.S., Canada, France, and the U.K.. For travelers looking to maximize the value of their points, this is a fantastic opportunity.

During this promotion, participating properties are offering award nights for as few as 10,000 points, with discounts ranging from 15% to 25% off the usual point requirements. While typical awards may cost more, this promotion significantly reduces the number of points needed, allowing members to stretch their points further and enjoy stays in popular cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Nashville.

Key Promotion Details:

• Valid for stays through November 30, 2024.
• Discounted points nights range from 10,000 to 35,000 points.
• Available at 22 U.S. hotels, 2 in Canada, and 1 each in France and the U.K..
• Discounts range from 15% to 25%.

How to Make the Most of This Promotion:

• Book early: Limited rooms are available at discounted rates.
• Be flexible: Adjust your travel dates or destinations for the best deals.
• Target higher-end properties: Take advantage of discounts at higher-tier hotels for better value.

To book, simply log into your Choice Privileges account, search for participating hotels, and redeem points at the discounted rate. With availability limited, now is the perfect time to plan your next trip using your Choice points.

Bask Bank’s Mileage Savings Account provides a unique opportunity for you to earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles instead of traditional cash interest. Offering 2.5 miles per dollar saved annually, the account is great frequent travelers looking to accumulate miles without making airline purchases. Currently, Bask Bank is running a promotion where new customers can earn 20,000 bonus miles by depositing $50,000 and maintaining that balance for 180 days. In total, with the bonus and regular miles, account holders can accumulate 81,600 miles over six months. This promotion is available until August 31, 2024.

One advantage of this account is the monthly deposit of miles, ensuring that your AAdvantage® miles remain active and don’t expire due to inactivity. With no account fees or minimum balance requirements, the account is accessible for a variety of savers. If you value miles at 1.5 cents or more per mile, this option can potentially provide a better return compared to the national average savings rate of 0.45%, especially for those focused on travel rewards.

For those who prefer earning cash interest, Bask Bank also offers a 5.10% APY Interest Savings Account, which is highly competitive in the current market. Whether you’re aiming to maximize miles for future travel or earn a high return on your savings, Bask Bank’s options are designed to meet different financial goals.

Europe in the summer is always more expensive, so anytime you see some good deals, you should take advantage! This business class deal is from Los Angeles to Frankfurt on Condor Airlines for 55,000 miles + $49 with a few dates available in July. The flight is booked through Alaska Airlines, which doesn’t have transferable points unfortunately. Below are a few dates.

Dates – 7/4,7/5,7/9,7/11,7/13,7/14,7/16,7/17

Capitol One Merges with Discover

Capital One acquired Discover in an all-stock purchase valued at $35.3 billion, making it one of the largest credit card issuers and positioning itself to compete with rivals like American Express and Chase. It will be interesting to see the effects on current credit card issuers and the potential impacts on the points and miles landscape. Hopefully this will mean more credit card options and larger signup bonuses!

United Airlines Raises Baggage Fees

United Airlines will raise its baggage fees for checked bags by $5, effective February 24th. The first checked bag will cost $40, and the second checked bag will cost $50. This announcement follows similar increases by JetBlue and American Airlines

Miami to Bogota on Emirates

Emirates announced its newest fifth freedom flight, which will be from Miami to Bogota. This provides another excellent fifth freedom flight option, expanding booking choices for flights to South America. The exact aircraft to be used has not been announced yet, but the route is expected to begin operating on June 3, 2024.

Alaska Air has several dates available for Miami to Frankfurt business class for 55,000 miles + $49 booked Alaska Air Flying with Condor!

These 3 cards are great for accumulating points without having to pay any annual fees!

BILT Credit Card – Best For Paying Rent
This credit card is the only card which allows you to accumulate points on rent payments. Considering Rent is probably one of your biggest monthly expenses, this is a great way to Generate points quickly. You can also transfer your points to a number of different airlines including Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines!

Venture One – Best for the Signup Bonus
The VentureOne is great for the signup bonus (20,000 miles) which you can unlock after spending $500 within the first 3 months. You also earn 1.25 miles per every dollar spent on any purchase!

Hilton Honors – Everything Else
The Hilton Honors card not only offers an excellent signup bonus of 100,000 Points after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months, but it also has great reward rates. You earn 5x points at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets, and 3X on all other purchases!

If you’re eyeing a trip to Italy from NYC and aren’t particular about flying business class, November is the sweet spot with plenty of options available! You can snag economy seats for just 12,000 miles + $173. Also if you transfer from CITI to Virgin Atlantic theres currently a 30% transfer bonus!

Dates – November 7th – 30th
Transfer Partners – Amex, BILT, Capital One, Chase, and CITI to book these flights

One of the perks of being a Capital One Venture X cardholder is the exclusive access to airport lounges. With this premium card, you have access to Capital One lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, and Priority Pass lounges, granting you entry to over 1300 lounges across the globe. The three Capitol One Lounges are in Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), and the latest addition, Washington Dulles International Airport.

Captiol One card holders can also bring 2 guests with them for each visit.

Emirates is currently offering a 30% bonus on miles purchased, until February 28th, 2024. This offer is targeted, so some may not see this deal. As a friendly reminder, consider buying miles when you have a redemption already planned or need to top up your account. Buying speculatively can be risky, and the value of your points has the chance of getting devalued overtime.

Not much is available for this one, but there are a few dates in July with business class tickets for 50,000 points + $222.60. Europe in the summer is always pricier, so this is a great deal to take advantage of. The best part about going to Europe is that you can travel to other countries by train! Book through Air France and flying with Air France

Dates – 7/15, 7/17, 7/21, 7/22
Air France Transfer Partners – Amex, BILT, Capital One, Chase, and CITI

Chicago to Paris with decent business class availability for November and currently pricing at 48,000 points + approximately $230, with multiple seats available. These deals are through Virgin Atlantic and the operating flight is Air France. Another option is available through KLM, which has one stop.

Dates – 11/11, 11/16, 11/8, 11/19, 11/22, 11/24, 11/25, 11/27, 11/29
Virgin Atlantic Transfer Partners – Amex, BILT, Capital One, Chase, and CITI

Boston to Dublin with lots business class availability for only 50,000 points + $223 for practically all of January! Also a few dates available in December. These deals are available through Air France.

You can transfer points from Amex, Capital One, Chase, BILT, and CITI.

A few dates are available in September/October for flights from Washington DC to Amsterdam for 48,500 miles plus $299, booked through Virgin Atlantic and operated by KLM.

Available dates: 9/30, 10/18, 10/22, 10/23.

Transfer to Virgin Atlantic From – Amex, BILT, Capital One, Chase, and CITI to book these flights.

Virgin Atlantic is currently offering a 30% transfer bonus on points transferred from Citi to Virgin Atlantic from now until March 16th. Transfer bonuses have been fairly limited this year, so this is a great opportunity to take advantage if you are planning on flying with Virgin Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic has great redemption opportunities from the East Coast to London between 10-15k points, and also a great way to book flights to Japan through ANA for around 90K points.

Fly KLM Business class from Washington, DC (IAD) to Amsterdam for 48.5K Points + $280. This deal is booked through Virgin Atlantic

Trip Details
IAD – AMS
Departing: September 28th , 2024 at 9:40AM

BOOK

Fly business class with Iberia Airlines from Dallas to Madrid for 57,000 points + $127.10.

Book through American Airlines

Trip Details
DFW – MAD
Departing: 8/19/2024  from DFW at 2:35PM
Arriving: 8/19/2024 at 6:00am
Flight Number: IB 6148 
Aircraft: A330
Lie Flat Bed: Yes

BOOK

Fly Condor Business class from Los Angeles to Frankfurt for 55K points + $47.20. This deal is through Alaska Airline Mileage Plan

Trip Details
LAX – FRA
Departing: October 29th , 2023
Arriving: October 30th 1:20PM
Flight Number: DE 2089
Aircraft: A330 – 900 neo 
Lie Flat Bed: Yes

BOOK

Air Tap has Business Class Availability from Boston to Lisbon for summer of 2024. This specific deal is 60K points +$75.10 booked through Air Canada Aeroplan. 

Transfer from: Chase, Amex, CITI

Trip Details
BOS – LIS
Departing: June 4th from BOS at 6:35PM
Arriving: June 5th at 6:00am
Flight Number: TP18
Aircraft: A321 neo
Lie Flat Bed: Yes

BOOK