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    Delta Elites Have a New Benefit to Enjoy and American and Flying Blue Puts Awards on Sale

    icon-user Ramsey Qubein icon-comments Comments July 1, 2020

    It’s not always good news for Delta flyers, especially since SkyMiles is known for constant devaluations with little notice. This time, there’s something to celebrate, at least for its top-level elite members. Plus, don’t miss the award discounts being offered by American and Flying Blue.

    Happy birthday to The Royal Hawaiian Resort, A Luxury Collection hotel

    Known as the pink palace along the famous Waikiki Beach shoreline, The Royal Hawaiian Resort is turning 90 years old and is ready to celebrate. Several things are planned including the launch of a new bakery (said to be the only one in a resort on the island), three types of designer shoes from Paul Mayer created in the hotel’s signature color for sale, and a new promotion that includes resort credits. Use code ROYAL90 when making reservations, but the real prize comes from registering for SPG’s Take Two promotion to earn double points between now and April 15.

    Earn double SPG points
    Eearn double Starpoints at the Royal Hawaiian to celebrate the resort’s 90th birthday

    Delta elite-level flyers enjoy additional Choice benefit

    If you’re one of Delta’s most premium Platinum or Diamond Medallion fliers, there’s a new benefit coming your way when you requalify for status. The airline has added the option to pick three benefits for Diamond members with perks like bonus miles, Sky Club membership, or the option to gift Medallion status to someone. Platinum members now get the chance to gift Medallion status, as well. In an age when airlines are often stripping away benefits, this is a nice perk for the airline’s top elite members. In exchange for getting a third Choice benefit, Diamond Medallion members will no longer receive comped Sky Club access, but can select it as one of their Choice benefits instead. This is especially good news for those that already have access to the Sky Club via a credit card program.

    American discounts award tickets for credit cardholders

    Book a ticket between now and the end of March for flights in April and May, and you can save between 1,000 and 7,500 miles on an award ticket if you have one of several Citi AAdvantage or AAdvantage Aviator cards. The discount is not applied automatically, which is why the detailed redemption instructions online are important. It only works on certain city pairs, but there are a lot, and it follows the same Saver availability as frequent flyer tickets normally do.

    Air Canada adds seasonal flights to Iceland

    Joining Delta’s flights from New York JFK and Minneapolis/St. Paul plus Icelandair’s extensive network of North American flights that are accessible via Alaska Mileage Plan miles, Air Canada provides a new mileage option to Iceland. Star Alliance members and Aeroplan fliers can redeem miles to fly between Montreal and Toronto to Reykjavik this summer. Service operates a few days each week between June 21 and October 9. Cash in quickly if you want to score some free seats.

    Fly to Iceland with Air Canada

    WOW Air eliminates free carry-on bag

    If you have been enamored by the super-cheap fares on WOW Air recently, get ready for a surprise. The discount Icelandic airline has eliminated the option to bring a carry-on bag for free. Spirit Airlines also stripped away another perk by lowering the size of its carry-on bag policy. Don’t be sucked in by low-fare airline pricing as they unbundle everything, and when you add in all the extra fees, you might be better off flying a full-service carrier. WOW Air is charging between $40 and $100 per direction of travel, which is crazy. If you’re adding $200 for a normal carry-on bag for a roundtrip, WOW Air’s fares are no longer that cheap. Travelers can still bring a personal item like a purse, backpack or briefcase free of charge.

    American gives transatlantic flyers a mileage bonus

    Flights between North America and Europe on American or oneworld joint venture partners British Airways, Finnair or Iberia are eligible for an AAdvantage mileage bonus. Between now and the end of March, travelers can score as many as 40,000 miles based on flying in economy, business, or first class. Even a few of the lowest roundtrip fares are eligible for 5,000 miles. Register before travel to benefit; only flights with an AA flight number (even if operated by partners) are eligible.

    Earn bonus miles with Valentine’s Day shopping promotion

    United MileagePlus and American AAdvantage shopping malls have a promotion offering as many as 1,000 miles for spending at least $250. Shoppers can also earn 500 miles for making a purchase of at least $125. You don’t have to buy everything from the same online store, but be sure to go through the shopping portal to be eligible. No registration is required.

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