Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast
This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.
Smart Travel Podcast
This week’s Quick Hits covers a relatively quiet week in points and miles news that was interrupted by one major loyalty shakeup. DeAndre starts with an elevated Capital One Venture Rewards offer featuring 75,000 miles plus a $300 hotel credit, followed by a new Bask Bank promotion offering 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles for eligible new Miles Savings customers. He also highlights an easy path to I Prefer Gold status through AARP, which is available to members 18 and older, and a new Amex Offer that can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points on qualifying Air France or KLM purchases.
The biggest story of the week is Hyatt’s changing airline loyalty strategy. American Airlines and World of Hyatt are ending their enhanced partnership, bringing an important relationship that dates back several years to a close. Just hours later, Hyatt announced a new long-term partnership with Delta SkyMiles. DeAndre breaks down what is known so far, what benefits may remain during the transition, and why this could matter most for travelers who used the American Airlines partnership to access Hyatt elite status challenges. He also shares how that opportunity helped him earn Globalist status and what he will be watching for as the new Delta-Hyatt relationship develops.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro: This Week's Quick Hits and the Biggest Loyalty Shakeup
(00:21) Capital One Venture 75K Bonus + $300 Hotel Credit
(00:54) Bask Bank's 20K AAdvantage Miles Promotion
(01:57) Easy I Prefer Gold Status Through AARP
(03:16) Earn 20K Amex Points With Air France or KLM
(04:30) American Airlines and Hyatt Are Ending Their Partnership
(05:52) Hyatt Announces a New Partnership With Delta
(06:52) What the Delta + Hyatt Partnership Could Mean
(07:38) The Hyatt Status Challenge That Helped DeAndre Earn Globalist
(09:38) September 11 Reflection and Closing Thoughts
Key takeaways:
- Capital One Venture Offer: The Venture Rewards card offers 75,000 miles plus a $300 hotel credit after you meet the spending requirement.
- Bask Bank Bonus: New Miles Savings customers can earn 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after maintaining a $50,000 balance for 90 days.
- I Prefer Gold Shortcut: AARP members can earn I Prefer Gold status after one eligible Preferred Hotels stay booked through the AARP rate.
- AARP Has No Retirement Age Requirement: Membership is available to adults 18 and older, making the hotel status opportunity accessible to younger travelers too.
- 20K Amex Offer: Eligible cardholders can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 with Air France or KLM under the targeted offer.
- AA + Hyatt Partnership Ending: The enhanced American Airlines and World of Hyatt relationship is coming to an end, although some existing benefits will continue during the transition.
- Delta + Hyatt Partnership: Hyatt is replacing that relationship with a new long term collaboration with Delta SkyMiles.
- Elite Members Will Cross Earn: Eligible Hyatt elites will be able to earn Hyatt points on qualifying Delta flights, while Delta Medallion members can earn SkyMiles on qualifying Hyatt stays.
- Hyatt Status Challenges Could Change: The biggest potential loss may be the Hyatt status challenge opportunities previously available through American Airlines elite status.
- Globalist Strategy Impact: DeAndre originally earned Hyatt Globalist through one of these 90-day challenges, making this partnership change especially significant for similar travelers.
Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads
Resources:
Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:
Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links
Connect with DeAndre Coke:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around
the world
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.
