A few quick hits before the weekend…
In this article
Bilt’s Next Rent Day
Bilt’s doing a nice tiered transfer bonus for Rent Day on August 1st. It’s for Avianca Lifemiles, in an “almost” repeat of the Feb 1, 2025 transfer bonus from Bilt to Lifemiles.
- Platinum 100%
- Gold: 60%
- Silver: 40%
- Base member: 20%
It’s no secret that I’m not an Avianca Lifemiles fan. They used to be the only kid on the block besides United with no Star Alliance surcharges, but now Aeroplan is the same. They recently raised award pricing and have essentially no customer service. Plus you’ll pay hefty fees to cancel international business class awards.
Doesn’t mean there isn’t a nice deal for experienced users at the Platinum and maybe Gold levels here, but I wouldn’t advise anyone transfer to Lifemiles without knowing what they are in for.
Alaska / Hawaiian Timeline
We now have a timeline.
What you can expect:
- You will still earn miles on Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines flights.
- Your miles and status will retain their values as they move with you to the new program.
- Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® card and benefits will continue without interruption.
- HawaiianMiles account access will be limited the week before Oct. 1, 2025, as we migrate accounts.
AA Transcons
AA will start flying 777-200s on their JFK-LAX route, replacing the aging (and on their way out anyway) fleet of A321Ts. This begins from October 5th so for flights after that, check what plane you’ll be on. This eliminates a First Class from those cabins (available for 30k Finnair Avios when there is partner availability) but adds Premium Economy.
My first thought? IRROPS will be a mess for those bumped off an A321 in First or a 777 in PE.
Also marks the beginning of an end of an era with that First Class cabin.
HT: VFTW
CitizenM / Marriott Comlete Merger
Marriott has completed their acquisition of the CitizenM brand. This will add 37 hotels to Marriott, but also some here may have jumped on the free CitizenM+ status match early this year waiting on just this.
Now, we wait to see if we get anything from it, perhaps elite nights towards status or a certain level of status or, hey, it’s Marriott, maybe nothing? Still worth watching.
Thoughts?
Let me know below in the comments, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group. And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for all sorts of tips on miles, points, credit cards, and travel.
If this post helped you, please consider sharing it!
You can find credit cards that best match your spending habits and bonus categories at Your Best Credit Cards.
New to all of this? My “introduction to miles and points” book, MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
