Even as Frontier Airlines executives say they’re seeing the budget carrier’s finances improve, the airline is making another sweeping network adjustment as the winter months approach.
The Denver-based low-cost airline announced nearly two dozen routes Tuesday, each of which will launch in mid-December.
As part of the changes, Frontier will launch a handful of new flights between New England and Florida. It’ll also double down on its fast growth in cities like Chicago, Houston, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
And it’ll begin all-new service to one of Colorado’s most popular skiing destinations: Just ahead of the holiday season, the carrier will launch three new routes from major U.S. cities to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Vail.
Pool at the Grand Hyatt Vail. JENNIFER YELLIN/THE POINTS GUY
In all, Frontier is launching 22 new routes between Dec. 17 and Dec. 20. Among those routes, the carrier has previously flown about half within the past decade. The rest are entirely new to the airline.
The biggest winner? It’s a tie between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which each get four new pins on Frontier’s route map.
The new service adds to already-fast growth for Frontier at both airports. This year, the airline’s total number of seats departing O’Hare will rise 125% over 2023, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Meanwhile, Frontier will operate more than 4,300 flights from LAX this year after not serving the airport in 2023.
Another winner in Frontier’s latest update: California’s Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), which returns to the carrier’s route map for the first time since 2021 with flights to both Denver and San Francisco.
After consecutive quarters of lackluster financial performance, CEO Barry Biffle recently noted the carrier is starting to see some more promising results — which coincides with numerous U.S. carriers trimming their schedules to better meet demand from customers.
“We’re seeing, over the last six weeks, a pretty good improvement versus where we expected,” Biffle told Wall Street analysts at the Sept. 11 Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference.
To date in 2024, Frontier had announced 114 new routes as of early August — and the shakeup has continued since then.
The airline did not specify what, if any, route cuts might coincide with this latest tranche of changes by Frontier. The carrier has routinely slashed scores of routes so far this year as part of its larger network shakeup.
On any given day, about a third of passengers who pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints use the TSA PreCheck lanes.
The agency’s top leader hopes it’ll someday be three-quarters of passengers.
“We have said publicly, and I’ll say it again here: We want more people in PreCheck,” TSA administrator David Pekoske said last week during remarks at the 2024 Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.
To be clear, he doesn’t mean three-quarters of all travelers; PreCheck passengers tend to fly more than the average American — so on a particular day, make up an outsized portion of passengers at an airport.
Still, it’s an ambitious goal.
TSA administrator David Pekoske speaks at the 2024 Regional Airline Association Leaders Conference in Washington. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
After all, the TSA recently surpassed 20 million active TSA PreCheck members, a record and a milestone that itself represented astonishing growth from even just 18 months earlier, in 2023.
Altogether, some 40 million travelers are currently approved to use the expedited lanes. This accounts for frequent flyers who get their TSA PreCheck access through Global Entry, plus federal employees whose security clearance qualifies them for the fast-tracked security screening.
A TSA PreCheck entrance at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)’s Terminal A. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
But the thought of a majority of travelers on a given day using the TSA PreCheck lanes might spark apprehension from some current members.
After all, for its 11-year existence, the program has largely been something of a “travel hack” — a shortcut through airport security and among the best tools travelers have to make their airport experience more seamless.
In the TSA chief’s eyes, though, more TSA PreCheck-approved passengers mean more prevetted passengers passing through airports. This is helpful for security and in clearing a larger portion of the traveling public to pass through checkpoints with the efficiency TSA PreCheck offers.
Won’t TSA PreCheck get slower if more and more people enroll?
“We will put whatever effort we need to ensure that wait time for PreCheck stays at 10 minutes or less,” Pekoske said.
Look no further, he pointed out, than wait times officers kept manageable during a summer travel rush that saw each of the agency’s 10 busiest days of all time.
A TSA checkpoint at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)’s Terminal 1. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Exactly how will the agency accommodate half (or more) of passengers on any given day using the TSA PreCheck lanes in the future? It’s simple, according to Pekoske.
“We’ll open up more PreCheck lanes and close standard lanes,” he said.
A TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). KEVIN DIETSCH/GETTY IMAGES
Are the CT scanners really slower?
Speaking to TPG in a wide-ranging interview last week in Washington, D.C., Pekoske also offered clarity regarding criticism of the agency’s new computed tomography scanners (more commonly known as CT scanners). They’re the large, white machines with blue lights rolling out to checkpoints nationwide as part of a massive investment by the agency.
The TSA is clear on the security advantage these higher-tech devices offer over their predecessors: The machines generate a 360-degree scan of travelers’ bags, providing officers with three-dimensional images of what’s inside. It’s a critical advancement for catching potential security threats.
JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES
But since the scanners started appearing at airports earlier this decade, there’s been no shortage of travelers bemoaning their speed.
I asked Pekoske if this was a fair complaint.
“There’s partial truth to it,” he said. “When you see [your bag] go on the belt, it pauses in the tunnel. Then, an antenna array goes all the way around the bag. That gives you the 360-degree view. That takes a couple of seconds longer. It’s a small amount.”
But that slight delay, Pekoske said, is more than erased by other time savings these machines offer. For instance, even in non-TSA PreCheck lanes with the technology, travelers can leave liquids and large electronics in their bags, eliminating the time it takes to unload those items.
JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES
Plus, the far more accurate scans these machines generate trigger fewer secondary searches due to false alarms. That saves time, too.
A recent software upgrade to the agency’s body scanners has also reduced the need for patdowns by 50%.
Add it all up, Pekoske said, and travelers are spending less time, in total, at checkpoints with the technology — though a larger portion of that may be spent on the secure side waiting for bags to emerge.
“People are thinking it’s taking longer, but when you look at it, end-to-end, it’s not,” Pekoske said. “We’re going to look for ways where we can make it more of an even flow. That’s something we’re working on.”
Future of 3-1-1
Even travelers thus far unconvinced about the benefits of the CT machines might change their tune, though, upon hearing about another capability they should someday unlock.
Eventually, with the help of technology, the TSA hopes to end its decades-long ban on liquids in carry-on bags over 3.1 ounces — spelled out as part of the “3-1-1 rule.”
Indeed, that means someday in the future, travelers should be able to bring a full-size shampoo or sunscreen bottle in their carry-on bag. Overseas, the United Kingdom has already begun experimenting with loosening its similar policy, though a government-ordered outright end to its liquids rules hit a recent (albeit temporary) snafu.
For now, though, don’t expect relaxed liquids policies in the U.S. anytime soon. Among other factors, the CT machines that would enable such a move aren’t slated to be fully deployed across the country until 2042, based on the agency’s current funding levels. A prolonged budget process this year, Pekoske said, puts even that 2042 target in jeopardy.
TSA administrator David Pekoske. ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES
With that in mind, when might U.S. travelers notice a softening of the carry-on liquids rules?
“I’m hoping it will be earlier rather than later. But it’s not around the corner,” Pekoske said, noting he’d prefer not to wait 18 years — or more — to start making changes.
“I don’t think it’s fair to travelers to wait until the 2040s to do this when some European airports will be completely outfitted with CT technology and will be doing it way before us,” he said. “I’m hoping we can get to a point where we make some partial changes along the way.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday and started her devastating path up through the southeastern United States.
The storm deluged areas in western Florida’s Gulf Coast and Panhandle, eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and regions of Georgia and South Carolina with record-breaking rainfalls, and the resulting flooding has decimated many parts of the region. At this time, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida have all qualified for “Major Disaster Declaration” status, which provides federal disaster assistance, according to FEMA.
If you have travel plans to visit any of these areas, it’s important to know that you might not be able to visit not just in the immediate future but also for an extended period while recovery and cleanup continue.
Here’s a guide on what to do if you have a trip planned to the southeast US to places including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina or eastern Tennessee.
Is it safe to travel to the Southeast US?
Emergency personnel on the road as the Rocky Broad River merges into Lake Lure, carrying debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after heavy rains caused by Hurricane Helene on September 28. MELISSA SUE GERRITS/GETTY IMAGES
Western North Carolina
“Catastrophic,” is the word being used most often to describe the storm situation in western North Carolina and the region encompassing Buncombe County, which includes the city of Asheville as well as large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to the Washington Post, the Swannanoa River, which traverses Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village, “reached a record high level of 26 feet on Friday afternoon, surpassing the last major flooding event, in 2004, by more than 6 feet.”
As a result, Visit North Carolina, the tourism arm of North Carolina government, has a statement on their website that says: “Visitors should not travel into the mountains and should call their travel provider to confirm alternative travel plans, including reservations with lodging providers, and heed any guidance from local officials.” The state’s department of transportation posted on social media that “All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed.”
Eastern Tennessee
Areas of eastern Tennessee, including Knoxville, are affected by flooding. A portion of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee-North Carolina border was washed away, as were a number of bridges in the area. (Note that while Nashville and Memphis both received record-setting rainfalls, both are accessible and open for tourism.)
Several areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also closed, including Newfound Gap Road/Hwy 441, Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road) and Cataloochee Valley area.
The National Park Service (NPS) is currently assessing conditions in the park following the storm. According to the NPS website, “While we recognize that this is a popular time to visit the park, visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips for their own safety. If visitors choose to visit, they are asked to recreate responsibly—know your limits, avoid water recreation and know that emergency response times may be delayed. Hiking and backcountry travel are not recommended due to the unpredictability of creek crossings, potential of downed trees and other hazardous trail conditions. Emergency services are currently stretched thin and have already responded to several incidents (many unrelated to the storm) in the last several days.”
Florida
According to the state’s official tourism website, Visit Florida, “Hurricane Helene was a very large storm, impacting an extensive swath of Florida.” And as such, they’ve provided a list of resources to check with specific areas. The Tampa area as well as Sarasota and its barrier islands were especially hard hit and is difficult to access currently. The Sarasota government is asking people to, “Please avoid north and south Lido Beach. Storm recovery efforts are being disrupted by those trying to access the beach. If you do not have to be in the area, please stay away.”
Georgia
All of Georgia is under a State of Emergency from Governor Kemp, however airports are open and many services are available. The city of Atlanta is under a boil water order and expects to have cleared many of the 150 fallen trees in the city by Oct. 2.
South Carolina
The official tourism website of the state, Discover South Carolina, advises travelers that, “Due to Hurricane Helene, please be advised that you may temporarily experience longer lines at some gas stations.” Many parts of western South Carolina, including Greenville, are still without power, though the energy companies are aiming to restore power by Oct. 4. “The public is asked to stay home and off the roads as clean-up efforts continue,” according to the Greenville government’s website.
When will the Southeast reopen after Hurricane Helene?
All of the affected states are currently in the midst of assessing and mitigating damage while simultaneously waiting for electric and water services to be fully restored.
PowerOutage.us reports that nearly 1.8 million people across the Southeast are currently without power.
PowerOutage.us
Airlines allowing changes to flights in the Southeast
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is offering flexible travel policies to and from Atlanta (ATL), Cancun (CUN), Orlando (MCO), Ft. Meyers (RSW) and Tampa (TPA).
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has no current travel advisories.
American Airlines
American Airlines is waiving change fees for flights to, through or from Asheville (AVL).
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has no current travel advisories, but always allows ticket changes without penalty.
Delta Air Lines
Delta is offering rebooking options for a large number of airports and destinations in the Southeast U.S., Mexico and Caribbean, including all Atlanta flights. However, changes must be made by Oct. 1.
United Airlines
United is allowing fee free changes to flights to and from Asheville through Oct. 5.
What to do if you have a hotel or Airbnb booked in the Southeast
If you have a made a reservation directly with a hotel, first check their website and see if they have posted any updates. You can also call the main reservations number. Keep in mind many phones may not be working, and properties may likely be managing the crisis, so calling the property directly should be a last option.
If you booked through a third-party online travel agent (OTA) or aggregator like Expedia or Travelocity, it’s important to understand the cancellation policy. The OTA still owns your reservation prior to your travel, so contacting the hotel directly will likely result in you being referred back to the OTA or travel portal for assistance.
“For impacted hotels available on Expedia and Hotels.com, we’re waiving cancellation policies and sharing guidance with our travelers who have affected trips,” says the company. Vrbo, which is also owned part of the Expedia Group, has activated its extenuating circumstances policy, “for eligible reservations where travelers will be able to get a full refund. We will continue to work with Vrbo hosts who have upcoming bookings in impacted areas to make sure all of our travelers are treated fairly.”
For those travelers who booked accommodations with Airbnb, the company has activated its “major disruptive events policy” for parts of the Southeast. Eligible guests with reservations will receive a full refund, and both hosts and guests can cancel bookings penalty-free, the company said. (Airbnb.org is also offering free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced from their homes by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and Florida.)
What to do if you have a cruise leaving from Florida
For cruise passengers, it’s important to understand the cancellation or rebooking policy for the specific cruise line you will be traveling on.
Currently, there are no cruise port closures in the affected areas. However, cruise lines might need to reroute to avoid areas experiencing storms or their aftermath. As TPG’s cruise team has reported, per the terms of the cruise contract to which you consent before sailing, cruise lines do not owe you compensation if they alter your itinerary. If changes are made, you will be refunded for any shore excursions you booked through the cruise line that were to take place in the ports you’re skipping. (Check with your tour provider directly if you’ve booked a third-party excursion.)
TPG’s guide on what happens if a cruise gets canceled is the next place to refer to for guidance if you receive notice that your cruise is canceled.
Will your credit card or trip insurance cover changes?
If you purchased travel insurance before Helene became a named storm, you should be able to recoup most of your travel expenses. Unfortunately, if you purchased a policy after the storm was named, it’s too late to buy travel insurance.
“Insurance covers the unexpected,” says Jenna Hummer, public relations director of Squaremouth (a company that provides comparisons of travel insurance from major U.S. providers, “so once something is considered ‘foreseen’ — in this case, when a tropical storm or hurricane has been named — you can no longer get coverage for that storm.”
NOAA.GOV
“Trip cancellation and trip interruption will reimburse lost or unused prepaid, nonrefundable expenses due to a hurricane making it impossible to get to your destination,” says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com. “Many plans will also provide coverage if there is a mandatory evacuation at the destination. A few plans will even provide coverage in the event there is a NOAA hurricane warning at your destination during your trip dates.”
Trip delay coverage will reimburse you for unexpected travel costs such as food, transportation, internet service and lodging when your flight is delayed for an extended period of time.
As for trip insurance that’s part of a credit card’s benefits, “Remember that your credit card won’t cover anything not purchased on that card,” Hummer says. “So, if you haven’t paid for your whole trip with that card or other people in your group used another payment method, you won’t be fully covered.”
TPG has a comprehensive guide on credit cards that cover trip cancelation and interruption and what might be covered in a natural disaster.
Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented rain and devastation across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The cleanup is just beginning and could continue for some time. If you have plans to travel to the area, check ahead to see if your accommodations are still open and the area you’re hoping to visit has power and running water. It may be prudent to delay or cancel your plans until a future date.
For more helpful tips on navigating travel during hurricane season, read:
United Airlines is expanding its economy-class wine options with the introduction of new variatels.
The Chicago-based carrier announced on Monday that, beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 1, it will offer an all-new wine menu in the economy cabin on domestic flights. The airline will introduce rose and brut bubbles wines from popular brands Just Enough Wines and Maker Wine.
Just Enough Wines will also introduce new red and white choices onboard United flights.
Wines will be served in 250-milliliter cans — equivalent to about a glass and a half of wine — and be distributed with a plastic cup for sipping. Wines will be available for purchase for $12 on every mainline flight that offers a drink service.
United’s top-tier Premier 1K and invite-only Global Services members will still enjoy one free drink whenever they’re seated in economy.
The four new wine choices in United’s domestic economy cabins are:
Just Enough Wines Rosé
Maker Brut Bubbles
Just Enough Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
Just Enough Wines Chardonnay
UNITED
In addition to the new wines, United is also switching from mini plastic bottles to canned wines. This transition is estimated to reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles by about 4.7 million bottles annually, United claims.
United says that this is a “more conscious wine list,” and both of the new providers are women-owned independent brands.
“Our new economy wine list is giving travelers more variety and better quality. After the overwhelmingly positive response to the addition of rosé in United Polaris business class, and ongoing fanfare for sparkling options, we’re thrilled to now offer rosé and a higher quality brut bubbles option for our economy passengers, delivering a more premium experience onboard,” said Aaron McMillan, United’s managing director of hospitality programs, in a statement.
So far this year, United has served more than 20 million glasses of wine system-wide, which is 1.5 times the number of servings for beer or spirits, it said. This number includes the Polaris and Premium Plus cabins, where unlimited spirits are available free of charge.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you frequently stay at IHG Hotels, you’re probably familiar with most of the program’s brands. However, have you heard of IHG Army Hotels? You may be surprised to learn that there are IHG Army Hotels available at 40 U.S. Army posts.
The Privatization of Army Lodging program led to the creation of IHG Army Hotels, founded in 2009. Since then, IHG has renovated existing hotels and built new properties on Army posts. Here’s what you need to know about IHG Army Hotels, including who can stay and what to expect during stays.
Who can stay at IHG Army Hotels?
IHG Army Hotels are on Army posts, so only individuals who can access posts can stay at these hotels. In general, IHG Army Hotels serve:
Active-duty service members and their families
Department of Defense employees
Military contractors
Military retirees
IZUSEK/GETTY IMAGES
Each post sets its access requirements. Guests without Department of Defense ID cards should check the post access contact list to determine access requirements before their stay.
Many IHG Army Hotels are branded as Candlewood Suites or Holiday Inn Expresses. Guests staying at IHG Army Hotels will find the same perks they’d normally expect from these IHG One Rewards brands. Also, guests can enjoy the following benefits at all IHG Army Hotels regardless of brand:
Many IHG Army Hotels also offer on-post shuttles at select locations, weekly socials and self-service laundry facilities. Contact the specific property you’re interested in to learn what amenities they offer.
When staying at IHG Army Hotels, you’ll earn 3 IHG points per dollar. Based on TPG’s valuation of IHG points at 0.5 cents each, this equals a return of 1.5%. Note this earning rate is much lower than what you’ll get at most IHG properties located off-post.
You can earn IHG points at IHG Army hotels. However, you usually can’t redeem IHG points at these properties. So, you’ll typically have to redeem your IHG points with IHG One Rewards partners or for IHG stays off-post.
Currently, you’ll find IHG Army Hotels on 40 posts. You can stay at most IHG Army Hotels for leisure if you can access Army posts. But, in most cases, you would stay at these properties because you must visit a particular post.
THE GOOD BRIGADE/GETTY IMAGES
Here are the current locations and the number of IHG Army Hotels at each post:
Alabama: Fort Novosel (2) and Redstone Arsenal (1)
Alaska: Fort Wainwright (1)
Arizona: Fort Huachuca (2) and Yuma Proving Ground (2)
California: Fort Hunter Liggett (1), Parks RFTA (1) and Presidio of Monterey (1)
Colorado: Fort Carson (1)
Georgia: Fort Eisenhower (2), Fort Moore (2), Fort Stewart (1) and Hunter Army Airfield (2)
Hawaii: Tripler Army Medical/Fort Shafter (2)
Kansas: Fort Leavenworth (2) and Fort Riley (2)
Kentucky: Fort Campbell (1) and Fort Knox (4)
Louisiana: Fort Johnson (1)
Maryland: Aberdeen Proving Ground (1) and Fort Meade (1)
Missouri: Fort Leonard Wood (4)
New Mexico: White Sands Missile Range (1)
New York: Fort Drum (1), Fort Hamilton (1) and West Point (2)
North Carolina: Fort Liberty (2)
Oklahoma: Fort Sill (3)
Pennsylvania: Carlisle Barracks (1)
Puerto Rico: Fort Buchanan (1)
South Carolina: Fort Jackson (4)
Texas: Fort Bliss (2), Fort Cavazos (2) and Joint Base San Antonio (5)
Utah: Dugway Proving Ground (1)
Virginia: Fort Belvoir (2), Fort Gregg-Adams (2) and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (1)
Even if there isn’t an IHG Army Hotels property at your destination, you may still be able to save by staying with IHG.
U.S. government, state and local personnel can use the Government Discount rate for extra savings when traveling on official business. Active-duty and veteran military personnel can book using the Military Appreciation rate when traveling for personal reasons.
IHG Army Hotels is a brand most travelers may not realize exists. However, these hotels can provide eligible travelers with an affordable and convenient option when visiting Army posts. So, if you have access to Army posts, you may find IHG Army Hotels useful for both official and leisure stays.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Whether you’re a dedicated business traveler or a passionate jet-setter, reaching United Million Miler status is a testament to your loyalty. Although it requires a lot of flying on paid tickets, Million Miler members enjoy United Premier status for life.
In fairness, only a small percentage of United MileagePlus members will qualify for lifetime status, but you may still aspire to earn United Million Miler status and lock in benefits for life. So, here’s what you need to know about lifetime elite status with United Airlines.
United lifetime miles
United awards Million Miler status based on the total distance you’ve flown on paid United — and United Express-operated flights credited to MileagePlus. So, while flyers must earn Premier qualifying points (or a combination of Premier qualifying points and Premier qualifying flights) each year to earn United Premier status, lifetime miles on eligible flights are what matter if you’re interested in lifetime status.
Seating on board a United Boeing 757-300. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
United lifetime miles do not expire or reset. Most cash fares on United and United Express-operated flights, including United basic economy, count toward your United lifetime miles. Regardless of your cabin class, you earn a lifetime flight mile for each physical mile you fly (based on the miles scheduled for your flights, not the actual flight distance).
Although you can earn PQPs and PQFs on some award bookings, you won’t earn lifetime flight miles on award flights. Likewise, paid flights operated by partner airlines don’t count toward your United lifetime miles.
When you log in to your MileagePlus account, you’ll see your lifetime flight miles under the “Your Premier progress” section.
United Million Miler progress tracker for a flyer who usually doesn’t credit flights to MileagePlus. UNITED.COM
Here’s what it takes to earn United Million Miler status:
Eligible lifetime flight miles
Lifetime status level
1 million
Premier Gold
2 million
Premier Platinum
3 million
Premier 1K
4 million
Global Services
United offers members mid-tier Premier Gold status for life when they reach 1 million lifetime flight miles. Premier Gold status includes many of the same perks as top-tier United status, including access to Economy Plus seating at the time of booking (granted, only for you and a companion at the Premier Gold tier), Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Star Alliance Gold status.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Then, for each additional million miles you fly, you’ll boost your lifetime status. You can even earn lifetime Global Services — an invitation-only status tier for United’s highest spenders — if you accrue 4 million eligible lifetime flight miles with United.
Million Milers receive PlusPoints for upgrades based on their lifetime Premier status level. As such, Million Milers with Premier Platinum status should get 40 PlusPoints each January, while those with Premier 1K status should get 280 PlusPoints each January.
But perhaps the best part of the United Million Miler program is the ability to share your current status with a spouse, significant other or individual who resides at your home address. For example, if you’re a Million Miler with lifetime Premier Platinum status but currently hold Premier 1K status, you can designate one eligible companion to also hold Premier 1K status.
United members with 1 million lifetime flight miles or more can either select a companion or become the companion of another Million Miler. However, you can change or remove your United Million Miler companion (or decide to be selected as a companion of another Million Miler) each year between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30.
How long does it take to earn United Million Miler status?
Since United only credits lifetime flight miles on paid flights operated by United or United Express, earning 1 million lifetime flight miles (let alone 4 million) is not easy. If you earn 100,000 United lifetime miles each year, it’ll take you a decade to earn 1 million lifetime flight miles.
Seating on a United Bombardier CRJ-550. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you qualify for United lifetime status entirely on one-way flights from San Francisco to Newark, here’s what it would take to secure each tier of Million Miler status:
Lifetime Premier Gold: 390 flights (around 2,150 inflight hours)
Lifetime Premier Platinum: 780 flights (around 4,300 inflight hours)
Lifetime Premier 1K: 1,170 flights (around 6,450 inflight hours)
Lifetime Global Services: 1,560 flights (around 8,600 inflight hours)
Of course, if you travel frequently on eligible long-haul flights, you’ll earn United Million Miler status with fewer flights.
If you’re a dedicated United flyer, consider checking your Million Miler balance to see how close you are to reaching one of the lifetime tiers.
Although we’ve seen passengers take mileage runs to earn more lifetime flight miles, we don’t usually recommend doing so. That said, United Million Miler status is the only published route to locking in Premier status for life and not having to worry about requalifying year after year.
Ski season in Park City, Utah, is right around the corner, and with it comes a new Hyatt hotel that’s sure to be the talk of town.
Scheduled to open Nov. 20, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley is the debut property of Deer Valley East Village, an expansion of Deer Valley Resort. Deer Valley East Village will feature 3,700 acres of new skiable terrain with new lifts and runs, new private residences and hotels, as well as shopping, dining outlets and more.
At the Grand Hyatt, 400 rooms and suites will be available to folks looking to hit the slopes in the winter or enjoy Utah’s lush summers. Rooms are fresh and sleek, with 55-inch TVs, Nespresso machines and spa-inspired bathrooms — plus, they come in a variety of configurations to fit different needs and groups.
Or, to really spread out, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences are available.
HYATT
Bars and restaurants at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley are under the direction of chef Marc Marrone, chef Viktor Merenyi and mixologist Frank Maldonado (of NYC’s Employees Only fame). Remington Hall, serving rustic American food, will be the hotel’s signature restaurant, while the Remington Lounge will feature Maldonado’s iconic cocktails.
Double Blacks will offer coffee and cafe-style food (think: breakfast sandwiches and croughnuts); the Living Room will serve as a family-friendly apres-ski spot; and Hidden Ace, a community-focused bar, will offer drinks and live music.
HYATT
Other highlights of the hotel include a heated outdoor swimming pool with three hot tubs, a spa (in a phased opening), a kids club with a dedicated “hangout hub” with games and activities, and, since the resort is pet friendly, a dog run and specialty dog menu.
How to book
As a World of Hyatt Category 6 property, award rates at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley start at 21,000 points per night for off-peak dates. During peak ski season, expect to spend 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
With the seasonality of a ski resort, looking for cash rates is a bit of a roller coaster experience. In November, rooms can be found for under $300 a night, but fast forward to January and weeknight rates fluctuate from $600 to over $1,000 per night.
HYATT
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you could actually snag two nights at this new Grand Hyatt by earning 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening and up to another 30,000 more bonus points by earning two bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn one bonus point on up to $15,000 spent.
Southwest Airlines passengers will board red-eye flights for the first time ever beginning this February.
It marks a major scheduling shift for the carrier — one that comes amid a raft of other changes at Southwest as part of an operational shake-up meant to improve profitability.
Southwest’s first tranche of red-eyes will begin Feb. 13 on five routes. Each will land at its destination on the morning of Feb. 14.
By mid-April, Southwest’s red-eyes will be flying on a total of 20 routes — including five from Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast.
It’s an efficiency play by Southwest. The company said that adding the overnight flying — which will put planes in the air during hours that Southwest has typically parked them — will add the capacity equivalent of about 18 aircraft to its 2025 schedule.
Southwest detailed the decision during an investor presentation Thursday. It described the move as one that will “drive revenue without additional aircraft or headcount.”
So, where will customers find the new red-eye flights?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) will be Southwest’s top red-eye hub on the East Coast, with the airport set to have overnight arrivals from six destinations by early March.
Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) will have the largest bank of eastbound red-eyes, with flights bound for five destinations. The airport will also receive three of Southwest’s five overnight flights from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland.
Scroll down for a list of all 20 of the red-eye flights Southwest plans to phase in between Feb. 13 and April 8. (The routes are grouped by airport, each listed only once by departure from west to east.)
That’s because Amex points transfer to Hawaiian miles at a 1:1 ratio (though they are subject to a federal excise tax offset fee of 120 points or 60 cents per 1,000 points transferred). Thus, you can now transfer Amex points to Hawaiian and then transfer them to Alaska miles, one of the most valuable airline currencies out there.
Even better? These transfers process instantly, even though the FAQs indicate they could take up to 72 hours.
Here’s what you need to know about this new option.
How to transfer miles between Alaska and Hawaiian
If you’re sitting on a balance of Hawaiian miles (or recently transferred Amex points to the airline) and want to convert them to Alaska miles, start by visiting this Points.com page. Start by selecting the program to which you want to transfer miles, which in my case was Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
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From there, follow the prompts to sign in to both your Alaska and Hawaiian accounts.
You’ll then be taken to a screen to confirm the number of miles you want to transfer. There’s a handy slider to use, though note that transfers must be in increments of 50 miles.
POINTS.COM
I opted to transfer my entire balance of 1,200 Hawaiian miles, and after I clicked Continue, I was asked to confirm the transfer amount.
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You’ll then see a confirmation page, indicating that the transfer was successful.
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As noted above, these transfers process instantly, as I was able to immediately see the 1,200 miles in my Alaska Mileage Plan account.
ALASKAAIR.COM
Just note that your profile information in your two accounts must match, so double check that if you run into any issues.
This is an exciting new development for members, and it comes on the heels of the U.S. Department of Transportation codifying important consumer protections as a condition of the merger. Alaska Mileage Plan has a ton of terrific sweet spots, and prior to this, the only transferable currency that offered transfers to Alaska Airlines was Bilt Rewards. Now, holders of select American Express cards have the ability to effectively earn Alaska miles by first transferring to Hawaiian Airlines and then moving them to Mileage Plan.
This also makes Hawaiian’s cobranded cards even more appealing, as the welcome offers on those cards are now effectively Alaska miles. In addition, cardmembers can transfer (and receive) Hawaiian miles from any other member of the program, with no limits and no fees. This offers valuable flexibility in sharing miles among friends and family members.
You can now transfer miles between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, which effectively means you can convert American Express Membership Rewards points into Alaska Mileage Plan miles. As a full member of the Oneworld alliance, Alaska offers some fantastic redemptions at attractive prices — especially in light of recent changes to British Airways award rates (a long-timer Amex transfer partner).
While we usually don’t recommend making speculative transfers from credit card programs to airline currencies, this new development may be enough to do so.
Wyndham Rewards is welcoming fall with not one but two promotions. And they’re stackable, so you can potentially save money and earn bonus points on your next paid stay.
Wyndham Rewards promo: Stay 2 nights, earn a free night
The Mining Exchange. WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS
When you stay two nights at participating hotels worldwide, you’ll earn 7,500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points per night, up to 15,000 points total. That’s on top of the points you normally earn during your stay. Plus, if you are a Wyndham Rewards Earner cardmember, you will earn an extra 5,000 bonus points, which is on top of the points you already earn for using your card.
For example, if you have the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card, register for this promotion and pay with your card, you’ll not only earn 6 points per $1 spent on your Wyndham hotel stay, but an extra 5,000 bonus points.
To take advantage of this promotion, book your stay by Jan. 16 and complete your stay by Jan. 20, 2025.
You must be a Wyndham Rewards member and register for this promotion before booking your qualifying stay. You can register and join the program on Wyndham’s website.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Although many hotel programs have switched to dynamic pricing, Wyndham Rewards still uses an award chart. Properties cost 7,500, 15,000 or 30,000 points per night, depending on the location and rates. If you max out this promotion and earn 15,000 points, you could redeem them for two free nights at some of the following hotels:
Super 8 by Wyndham Colo. Sprs. Garden of the Gods
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Bakersfield South
Days Inn by Wyndham Joelton/Nashville
Ramada by Wyndham Mexico City Santa Fe
On the other hand, you could redeem 15,000 points for one night in more popular tourist destinations like big cities and ski resorts:
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham New Orleans Downtown
Wyndham Altra Cancun. KRISTY TOLLEY/THE POINTS GUY
Wyndham is offering another fall promotion starting Oct. 7, 2024. Anyone who books a paid stay at participating properties can get the following discounted rates:
Stay one night, get 10% or more off
Stay two consecutive nights, get 15% or more off
Stay three or more consecutive nights, get 20% or more off
For more information, visit this page (it will officially go live Oct. 7). You’ll need to book your stay by Nov. 3 and complete it by Dec. 31, 2024.
This promotion is open to both Wyndham Rewards members and nonmembers. However, since joining the program is free and will allow you to take advantage of the other promotion, as well as earn Wyndham points, you may as well join this hotel loyalty program if you haven’t already. You can stack the two promotions, so you could save 20% or more on your fall stay and earn enough bonus points for at least one free night while you’re at it.
