Revolutionizing Your Journey: Travel With Points & Miles Quick Hits: Breaking Down the Latest Award Travel Devaluations & More!
In this week’s Quick Hits, DeAndre breaks down a wave of significant updates across the points-and-miles ecosystem — most of which fall into the “unfortunate but important” category. Several significant devaluations hit at once, including the end of one of the most famous sweet spots in award travel: 10,000 Turkish Miles to Hawaii on United. Capital One and American Express also announced transfer ratio cuts, continuing a broader trend of points inflation across loyalty programs.
Amid the bad news, DeAndre highlights one bright spot: Mesa’s first-ever hotel transfer partner, Omni Hotels & Resorts, which comes with a limited-time path to Omni Champion elite status through 2026. With honeymoon travel just days away, DeAndre also gives listeners a heads-up that upcoming Quick Hits will be shorter but still include the most significant weekly developments.
Key takeaways:
- Turkish devaluation: The iconic 10k-to-Hawaii sweet spot is gone; United flights to Hawaii now cost 25k miles each way.
- Domestic hikes: Turkish domestic United awards increased from 10k to 15k each way.
- Polaris to Hawaii jumps: A massive jump from 15k to 40k miles per direction.
- Transfer cuts at Capital One: Emirates transfers drop to 1:0.75 starting January 13.
- Membership Rewards devaluation: Amex → Cathay Pacific shifts to 5:4 beginning March 1.
- New Mesa partnership: Mesa launches its first hotel transfer partner — Omni Hotels & Resorts.
- Elite status opportunity: Transfer 30k Mesa points for a free Omni night and receive Omni Champion status through 2026.
- Omni perks: Upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, a welcome amenity, daily beverage, pressing/shoe shine.
- Footprint insight: Omni has ~50 premium properties across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
- Programming note: Quick Hits will continue during the honeymoon, but in shorter form, focusing on essential news.
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