Mileage Redemption Options And Bonus Points for Online Shopping

Alaska Mileage Plan is a crowd pleaser, and it continues to impress with new redemption opportunities with Japan Airlines. Also, don’t miss the latest points and mileage earning bonuses for making online purchases as you shop around presents this holiday season.

Use Alaska Mileage Plan for Japan Airlines flights

Alaska Airlines has added another feather to its cap making Japan Airlines’ award tickets available for reservation through its Mileage Plan website. The prices are actually quite competitive including one-way first class redemptions from the U.S. to southeast Asia for 75,000 each way (which is a steal if headed to cities like Bangkok; business class is only 65,000 miles). Another unique point of differentiation is that Alaska considers India to be part of Asia meaning you can redeem 70,000 miles each way for first class from the U.S. (60,000 miles each way for business class) to India. Alaska will even let you make a stopover in each direction, which is far more generous than most other loyalty programs.

American releases reduced mileage award chart for credit cardholders

American has a special list of award routes that it puts on sale each season for those that hold an American co-branded Citi credit card. To book the award, fliers must call a dedicated reservations line that shaves off the cost of the mileage on specific routes. The next list is available through the end of March, but reservations must be made by Jan. 31. The list includes cities like Asheville, N.C., Austin, San Antonio, and Vail/Eagle, Colo. Depending upon the destination, fliers can save as much as 7,500 miles off of a roundtrip saver award ticket. 

Triple TrueBlue points with Amazon

If you are a big Amazon shopper, this is big news. For some time, Amazon has been shy on the mileage and points earning front since it doesn’t participate in many shopping portals. JetBlue is ready to pump up the miles if you access Amazon.com by logging into your TrueBlue account or shopping through its dedicated link. You can earn three points per dollar spent; this partnership arrived just in time for the holidays!

Earn triple Hilton HHonors points when booking via app plus Visa points bonus

Hilton HHonors is extending its rich promotion offering double points for booking a hotel between now and the end of January; better yet, you can earn triple points if reserving via the Hilton HHonors app. Pay with a Visa card, and you can earn a 5,000 point rebate (even on award reservations as long as you have qualifying spend on a Visa card). Be sure to register before making reservations.

Earn bonus points for transferring hotel points to Asia Miles

While this promotion may have its niche, it could be a valuable offer for those that like to redeem Asia Miles. Transfer hotel points to Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program between now and the end of the year and earn a 30% bonus. Participating hotel brands include Best Western, Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott. This is a great way to clean out hotel loyalty program accounts that have a small number of points that you don’t plan on growing any time soon. The one caveat is that it could take as many as three months for the bonus miles to post to your account. 

Citi ThankYou program adds Garuda Indonesia to online redemption tool

Previously, it was quite a hassle to use Citi ThankYou points for redemptions on Garuda Indonesia (a 5-star Skytrax airline and member of SkyTeam). Trouble, no more. Those with ThankYou points can now redeem via the Citi website for Garuda Indonesia making award travel to southeast Asia much easier.

Le Meridien partners with Malin+Goetz

On your next Le Meridien hotel stay, make a beeline for the bathroom where a pleasant surprise will be waiting. The hotel brand, now part of Marriott Rewards following the merger with Starwood, is adding new toiletry products from Malin+Goetz to its bathroom vanities. Among the new goodies are peppermint shampoo, cilantro conditioner, sage body wash, and lime-infused soap bars.

United offers 1,000 mile shopping bonus, but it’s very targeted

United is offering up 1,000 bonus miles for spending $250 via its shopping portal between now and the end of the year. But, read the fine print. This offer is actually for fewer people than it appears. You have to be a first-time shopper at its mileage portal and have (and use) the United co-branded Chase credit card. If you’re eligible, then it’s time to get shopping.

Frequent flyer favorite route gets pricier

Avios is known for its distance-based award chart, and the Boston to Dublin award on partner Aer Lingus has always been a steal for crossing the pond. It only cost 37,500 miles one-way in business class because it was less than 3,000 miles in distance (just barely).

Avios has made a sneaky change recently by adding to the mileage distance between Dublin and Boston (did Boston physically move?), which now bumps up the cost of award redemptions to 50,000 miles each way on “off-peak” dates. This essentially eviscerates the exceptional value on that one award route for those that liked to maximize the distance-based award chart. It was fun while it lasted.