Kyle Potter

1 week ago | thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter

Chase Sapphire cardholders already get a boost when using their points to book flights or hotels through Chase Travel℠: You get 1.25 cents from every point on the *chase sapphire preferred* and 1.5 cents apiece with the *chase sapphire reserve*. But now, Chase is quietly rolling out new promotions that could nearly double that value. Dubbed “Points Offers,” these highly targeted new promotions give cardholders as much as 2 cents or even 2.25 cents in value for every point from their Chase cards.

1 week ago | thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter

Australia's Qantas Frequent Flyer might not be many travelers' go-to airline mileage program. But anyone with Capital One miles from cards like the *capital one venture card* or the souped-up *venture x* should give it a hard look right now, whether you want to get to Australia … or book some short flights here in the U.S. … or even book a business or first class flight on Emirates.

2 weeks ago | thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter

Etihad doesn't just have First Class seats on its Airbus A380s: They're called “The Apartments,” a laughably spacious suite complete with a separate recliner seat and seven-foot-long bed … oh, and an onboard lounge and shower, too. It's arguably the pinnacle of commercial aviation, so go figure it's become a major hassle to book with points – especially after Etihad stops flying one of its A380s to New York City (JFK) in a month.

2 weeks ago | thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter

Emirates Skywards miles have been among the easiest miles in the world to earn, as the airline partners with virtually all the major credit card companies like American Express, Chase, Capital One, and more. Transfer 17,500 points from a *chase sapphire preferred* or *amex gold* to an Emirates account and you can book a one-way in economy from the U.S. to Europe – or 102,000 points to make the trip in Emirates First Class. But something is shifting.

2 weeks ago | thriftytraveler.com | Kyle Potter

A month after killing off its marquee free luggage policy – and entire brand identity along with it – and announcing it would introduce a stingy basic economy fare, Southwest on Monday unveiled new names for its four types of fares as well as some new perks for co-branded credit card holders. Sometime later this year, the airline's signature “Wanna Get Away” fare branding will officially disappear.