This newsletter was previously sent on November 3, 2025
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Hope everyone had a spooky weekend!
I recently was on the Lets Get To the Points podcast to talk about scary good deals. Check it out on Youtube here. They’re also on Spotify and Apple podcasts.
It’s also a new month, so make sure to use all of your coupon book coupons, keep your eye out for new transfer bonuses, and plan ahead for holiday spending/tax season.
Before we get into this week’s highlights, make sure to check out the sponsor of the post, Morning Brew, for easy-to-digest global news. They just highlighted the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. 👀
This week’s highlights
- Big win: Hilton rolls back some award redemption rates
- Sign up now: Interesting Delta x Starbucks collab. No miles needed
- New Hyatt Vacation Club promo
- Mattress run and mileage run time?
- Deal of the week
- Other news to highlight
Big win: Hilton rolls back some award redemption rates
Thrifty Traveler earlier this week highlighted that Hilton rolled back some of their recent devaluations. Recall that in September, Hilton (unannounced of course) raised the cost of many of their properties (One Mile at a Time). This was already after another devaluation earlier this year. Redditors are highlighting some aspirational properties rolling back redemption rates too. (Example 1, Example 2).
If you made a booking sometime between early September and now, double-check your booking and see if rebooking could save you some points.
Sign up now: Interesting Delta x Starbucks collab. No miles needed
Just 1 day left to sign up to enter for a chance to win! Delta is launching a unique experiential opportunity in collaboration with Starbucks. Those who win will be able to travel on a chartered Delta flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica for an immersive coffee experience. The experience is from December 16-18.
Interestingly, this experience will need you and a +1 (find a friend or family member) to register in a group together to submit an entry.
New Hyatt Vacation Club promo
A fairly simple Hyatt promo, register and earn 3k points per night for staying at Hyatt Vacation Club properties. A list of HVC properties can be found here.
Don’t forget to check other Hyatt promos as well. Some people are getting the opportunity to earn a free Cat 1-4 certificate after staying 2 nights (targeted promo).
Mattress run and mileage run time?
It’s nearing the end of the year and there are 2 months left to requalify for hotel status and most airline status (AA an exception). Are you in the running to earn the status you want? If not, you still have time to plan.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a mattress run, it’s a crazy thing we do to maintain elite status. It involves booking a hotel stay that you don’t need to earn hotel night credits, generally to maintain or earn higher status. If you’re doing a mattress run, you’ll want to book the cheapest hotel you can find. You’ll also generally want to be able to check in in-person to avoid any issues for the stay not properly crediting.
If you’re even crazier and willing to travel, you can use the Rooms.Aero tool that helps you find the lowest cash rate by hotel chain.
A similar thing can be done with airline status too. However, you’ll have to have your butt in the seat to pull these off. Some airlines are easier to “game” such as United and American Airlines due to different earning rates if you book with partner airlines. Looking for inspiration? Check out the relevant Flyertalk thread for the airline you’re looking to earn status on.
Deal of the week
A new month means new Flying Blue promos. Some notable awards include 45k points business class flights between IAD-Europe, Toronto-Europe, and Ottawa-Europe between now and April 2026.
Other news to highlight
- Wyndham ending Vacasa partnership (Frequent Miler)
- Wells Fargo adds JetBlue as a transfer partner (The Points Guy)
- Alaska and Korean Air partnership ending Jan. 1 (Upgraded Points)
- Capital One changes SUB eligibility (Thrifty Traveler)
- Marriott starts integrating CitizenM (Loyalty Lobby)
- Earn 10k, 20k, or 35k Air France/KLM miles for booking a cash AF/KLM flight (Award Wallet)
- Chase will be “spying” on our social media discussions (Imgur screenshot from JPM careers site)
- AA announces new international routes (AA newsroom)
- Rumor: Delta could add Singapore and Manila flights (View from the Wing)
- United partner award costs lowered to match United metal (Thrifty Traveler)
- Shopping portal bonuses ahead of holiday (Doctor of Credit)
- Capital One 20% bonus to British Airways (One Mile at a Time)
- Amex 15% bonus to Avianca LifeMiles (One Mile at a Time)
- Bye bye SeatGuru…but you should really be using AeroLopa… (Dan’s Deals)
