Episode Details

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Smart Travel Podcast

This week's Quick Hits covers a packed lineup of points, miles, and travel updates, starting with new tools and improvements that make award travel easier to search and book. DeAndre highlights Roame adding EVA Air award availability, Chase Travel making it easier to find The Edit properties, a new way for Qatar Airways cardholders to earn Avios on rent through Bilt, and Alaska eliminating a quirky award pricing loophole that previously made some connecting itineraries cheaper than nonstop flights.

The episode also dives into a new 20% Chase transfer bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan, changes to American Airlines elite upgrades on select premium economy routes, a new monthly Avios award calendar, and US Bank finally introducing transferable partners for Altitude Reserve points. DeAndre also shares expanded Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts options and an unusually family friendly Lufthansa A380 business class opportunity with four to six or more award seats available on some dates. He wraps up with three newer tools worth putting on your radar: Check Before You Shop for comparing shopping portals, Point Auctions for discovering unique points experiences, and Travel Smarter for tracking airline earnings and elite status progress.

Timestamps:

(00:00) This Week's Quick Hits

(00:30) EVA Air Award Search, Chase The Edit Filter & Qatar Avios on Rent

(01:26) Alaska Ends Its Partner Award Pricing Loophole

(02:02) New Oneworld Emerald Lounge & Chase Aeroplan Transfer Bonus

(03:09) American Airlines Elite Upgrade Changes & New Avios Award Calendar

(04:58) US Bank Finally Launches Transfer Partners

(06:04) Amex Adds 350 FHR Hotels & Lufthansa Opens 6+ Business Class Awards

(07:33) Symphony Deposit Delays & Important Account Update

(08:53) Check Before You Shop & Point Auctions

(12:03) Travel Smarter Elite Status Tool & Final Updates

Key takeaways:

• EVA Air Award Search: Roame now shows EVA Air award availability, though current search results may be limited.
• Chase The Edit Filter: Chase Travel added a dedicated filter for The Edit properties.
• Qatar Avios on Rent: Eligible Qatar Airways cardholders can now earn Avios on rent through Bilt.
• Alaska Award Loophole Ends: Alaska fixed unusual partner award pricing on some connecting itineraries.
• Aeroplan Transfer Bonus: Chase is offering a 20% transfer bonus to Air Canada Aeroplan through September 30.
• American Airlines Upgrade Changes: Complimentary elite upgrades on select premium economy routes now move travelers up one cabin.
• US Bank Transfer Partners: Altitude Reserve points can now transfer to airline partners.
• Amex FHR Expansion: American Express added roughly 350 hotels to Fine Hotels + Resorts.
• Lufthansa Family Award Space: Some A380 dates are showing four, six, or more business class award seats.
• New Points Tools: Check Before You Shop, Point Auctions, and Travel Smarter add new ways to save, redeem, and track status.

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