Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
#DearOhad is back and this week’s award travel buzz is wild. BA slashed Avios rates (but not fees), Delta wants to fly LAX–Hong Kong, Gulf Air eyes NYC, and United is toying with Polaris perks. Plus, Amex just opened a Centurion Lounge at Tokyo Haneda. Let’s dive into the upgrades and fine print.
British Airways says they’re offering up to 40% off Avios redemptions this week, but the taxes and surcharges are still sky-high. Is this actually a good deal, or am I just trading points to get scammed on the cash side?
—Skeptical in Seattle
Dear Skeptical,
You're not wrong to raise an eyebrow. BA’s current promo offers up to 40% fewer Avios for Club World and economy redemptions - but only if you’re using “Avios-only” pricing, which means the cash copay isn’t discounted. For long-haul routes, that means you’re still shelling out $600+ round-trip in fees.
That said, there are smart plays here. Use this promo for short- and mid-haul flights within Europe or between the East Coast and London, where cash surcharges are more manageable. And if you're sitting on Chase or Amex points, now's a great time to top off your BA account and make a move before the July 23 deadline.
ProTip: Look for off-peak pricing to maximize this deal - for example, BOS–LHR in Club World can dip as low as 68k Avios one-way with the promo. It’s not free, but it's a comfy lie-flat for what you'd otherwise pay for premium economy.
I read that Delta filed to fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Hong Kong next year. I’ve got SkyMiles collecting dust - should I hold out for a big redemption on this route, or are Delta awards just too unpredictable to plan around?
—Plotting in Pasadena
Dear Plotting,
Delta’s LAX–HKG filing is real, and it’s slated to launch in June 2026. While it’s a long way off, this route marks a major transpacific expansion after Delta pulled back from Asia in recent years. But when it comes to SkyMiles… you know the drill: dynamic pricing means "great deals" are rare and often unannounced.
Still, the return of a route like this could inject some competition into the market - and with Amex transfer bonuses or flash sales, you might snag a business seat for under 200k SkyMiles one-way. Not great, but better than the 350k+ we’ve seen on some routes.
ProTip: Don’t wait for Hong Kong. Use your SkyMiles opportunistically. Think LatAm biz class on Aeromexico or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to London - both often better redemptions than Delta metal.
Got an email that United is testing “basic” Polaris fares now. Are they actually lowering business-class award rates, or is this just another sneaky move to shrink benefits while keeping the same sky-high prices?
—Wary in Wichita
Dear Wary,
Bingo. United’s “basic Polaris” experiment is a classic bait-and-trim move. You’ll get the same seat, but likely stripped-down perks - like no lounge access or limited flexibility. And no, award rates aren’t dropping to match. In fact, Polaris redemptions continue creeping north of 100k miles each way on many routes.
The takeaway? Don’t expect a discount unless you’re paying cash. MileagePlus awards are still more reasonable on Star Alliance partners - think: LOT, Turkish, or EVA - which aren’t affected by United’s internal pricing games.
ProTip: Use UpNonStop to find partner space and book via United while it lasts. And if you see Polaris space under 80k, pounce - it may not be “basic,” but it’s rare.
I just read that Gulf Air ordered new 787's and teased New York service. I’ve got a pile of Amex points and never flown them. Are they worth aiming for, or should I stick to the usual suspects like Qatar and Etihad?
—Curious in Connecticut
Dear Curious,
Gulf Air is the low-key glam cousin of the Gulf carriers - think golden branding, surprisingly solid service, and a quirky network. With the new 787 Dreamliners and NY service coming, award space could open up in the next 12–18 months.
Right now, your best shot at flying them on points is via Oman Air Sindbad or a niche partner like Royal Jordanian. But once they firm up alliances or issue an interline agreement, keep an eye out for availability through Avios or Asia Miles.
ProTip: Watch for Gulf Air to join oneworld or expand codeshares. In the meantime, aim for redemption-friendly rivals like Qatar via BA or Cathay Pacific via Alaska if you need to burn points now.
The new Amex Centurion Lounge just opened at Haneda - and I’m flying to Tokyo this fall on points. Should I specifically route through HND now just to check it out? Or is lounge access too limited to plan a trip around?
—Lounge Lurker in Louisville
Dear Lounge Lurker,
It’s gorgeous - no surprise from Amex. The Haneda Centurion Lounge is one of the largest yet, featuring showers, seasonal Japanese bites, and proper sake tastings. But here’s the catch: you’ll need an Amex Platinum or Centurion card and a same-day outbound boarding pass on any airline.
If you're flying back to the U.S. from Tokyo, routing via HND over NRT now has serious appeal - not just for the lounge, but for easier city access and better partner flight options (ANA, JAL, Delta, etc.). Still, don’t force a detour just for the free miso cod.
ProTip: Plan a one-night layover in Tokyo if you’re flying home from Southeast Asia. Route via HND on ANA or JAL and time it to enjoy the lounge without stress. Travel is about joy - and occasionally, sake before sunrise.
Until next time - may your redemptions be savvy, your surcharges low, and your emails full of lie-flat confirmations.
Got a points panic, card crisis, or lounge letdown?
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