Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
This week in miles & points: United killed the stopover trick, Alaska launched a new program, Turkish ran a flash sale, Singapore pushed Spontaneous Escapes, and Delta dropped one of its wildest SkyMiles deals yet - here’s what actually matters for your points right now.
Did United really kill the Excursionist Perk… like, overnight?
--Stunned in San Diego
Dear Stunned,
Yep. As of August 21, United eliminated the Excursionist Perk for new MileagePlus bookings. No more free stopover segment inside a region - it’s gone. Existing tickets shouldn’t change, but any new creative routings will price as separate awards. Workarounds: Aeroplan still allows a stopover for 5,000 points on one-ways; Alaska (now Atmos Rewards) still permits a free stopover on one-way international awards.
ProTip: If you’ve banked United miles for multi-city trips, consider shifting strategy: hunt Aeroplan space for that 5K stopover, or price Alaska/partner awards for a true one-way stopover play.
What’s this new “Atmos Rewards” at Alaska - should I move miles?
--Curious in Kona
Dear Curious,
Big week: Alaska + Hawaiian unveiled Atmos Rewards. Headlines: distance-based award charts with redemptions from 4,500 points one-way, continued free stopovers on one-way international awards, points pooling, and a new premium card. Earning will get more flexible (distance, spend, or segments) in 2026; free Starlink Wi-Fi is slated to roll out to members starting in 2026. For former HawaiianMiles folks, accounts begin transitioning October 1.
ProTip: If you live on the West Coast or fly the Pacific a lot, keep some transferable currency uncommitted - partner awards with the stopover can be outsized value on a single one-way.
I heard Turkish Miles&Smiles is doing a sweet award discount - real?
--Hopeful in Houston
Dear Hopeful,
Real and short. Turkish is running a 20%–30% discount on select Promotional awards booked by August 24, for travel roughly Oct 1–Dec 5 (blackouts apply). Routes and cabins vary by origin; availability is the limiter. Great time to price Star Alliance hops to Europe or within Turkey
ProTip: Seat maps looking thin? Price partners via United.com or Air Canada first to spot saver space, then book on Turkish if it shows - and don’t transfer points until you can confirm availability.
Is Singapore’s Spontaneous Escapes still on after that flash 40% thing?
--Changi-Obsessed in Chicago
Dear Obsessed,
Yes - the 40% “SG60” blitz ended Aug 17, but the standard Spontaneous Escapes are live with 30% off select September flights if you book by Aug 31. Watch route lists: economy and premium routes are plentiful; some biz pops up too. All tickets are use-it-or-lose-it.
ProTip: If you’re short on KrisFlyer, check your bank portals for transfer times - many U.S. issuers move points to KrisFlyer in ~24–48 hours, so target routes with wide-open calendars before you move anything.
Did Delta really sell NYC–Dublin roundtrip for ~19K SkyMiles this week?
--Skeptical in SoHo
Dear Skeptical,
Wild but true. On Aug 19, Delta priced nonstop JFK–DUB roundtrips around 18.6K–20K SkyMiles (basic economy) - one of the cheapest SkyMiles Europe deals in years. Like most Delta flash sales, space was limited and may vanish fast.
ProTip: Keep a little SkyMiles on hand and check with a co-branded Delta card logged in - the 15% “TakeOff 15” discount can juice already-low pricing when it appears. Also set alerts with a deal tracker so you’re not finding out after it’s gone.
Until next week - may your stopovers survive the rule changes, your flash sales linger a minute longer, and your transfers time perfectly.
Your “is this dumb?” travel points question is exactly the fuel for this column. Fire it off to newsletter@upnonstop.com and I’ll hunt down the answer.
P.S. One extra for the planners: Capital One → Avianca LifeMiles has a 15% transfer bonus through Aug 31 - handy if you can line up confirmable Star Alliance space. Don’t pre-transfer without seats.
