Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
This week in miles & points: United killed the Excursionist Perk, Alaska + Hawaiian launched Atmos Rewards, Turkish ran a short award discount, KrisFlyer’s Spontaneous Escapes returned, Qantas offered double points/status, and Delta flashed sub-20k SkyMiles Europe deals. Here’s what matters now.
Did United really hike change fees again without warning?
--Stunned in San Diego
Dear Stunned,
In a word, yes. United quietly raised standard award change fees for most non-elite members. Now, instead of the typical $125, changes on many awards cost $200, and award redeposits run $200–$300 depending on fare type. United isn’t calling it a devaluation - but your rebooking flexibility just got pricier.
ProTip: Always lock your routing. If your dates or airports might shift, consider booking refundable revenue or hold-now options - you’ll save in change fees later.
Atmos Rewards rolled out surprise awards - are they worth grabbing?
--Curious in Kona
Dear Curious,
Yep - Atmos launched a new “Surprise Saver Awards” feature. Once or twice a month, they dump sharply discounted partner awards (like premium-economy to Asia or Europe) at the last minute for a limited pool of members. It’s unadvertised, unannounced - just a flash in your Atmos app “Offers” tab. Value? High, if you're proactive and flexible.
ProTip: Enable push alerts for your Atmos app and monitor the “Offers” section often. If a Surprise Saver hits, be ready to book instantly - even within minutes.
I heard Turkish did a “miles-match” giveaway blitz - is that real?
--Hopeful in Houston
Dear Hopeful,
It was, and it was wild. Turkish ran a 24-hour “miles-match” promo: if your award booking got waitlisted, they matched your miles - doubling your stash after the trip (effectively 100% miles-back). Limited to specific routes and booking windows - but high upside if you got lucky.
ProTip: With these, first confirm waitlist space (via partners like United), only book if you’re confident it’ll clear, and be prepared for the payout post-flight. Waitlist clearance is the trigger - don’t rely on unconfirmed trips.
Spontaneous Escapes - any long-haul surprises this time?
--Changi-Obsessed in Chicago
Dear Obsessed,
Surprise indeed - this month’s list included a few unexpected long-haul business and premium economy routes: think JFK–SIN PEX, LAX–FCO, and a couple of super-premium intra-Asia hops. Sneaky and awesome, but gone within hours.
ProTip: Set daily reminders; if you see long-haul offers, transfer immediately. Use the fastest transfer rail you have - even if it's in the middle of the night. That clock stops fast.
Qantas again - what’s this new “status boost” shortcut?
--Skeptical in SoHo
Dear Skeptical,
Qantas launched a partner-spend “status boost” shortcut: earn double status credits when flying with select oneworld partners in the next 90 days. No points involved - just two-for-one credit stacking via those flights. Great if you're chasing status re-qual or upgrade tiers, and have partner flights coming up.
ProTip: If you’ve already booked with partners like Cathay Pacific or Qatar, re-book through QFF with status-boost fare codes to double-dip credits. Just make sure you add your QFF number pre-flight.
Until next week - may your change fees stay low, your surprise awards hit your app, and your transfers land before anything disappears.
Your “is this dumb?” travel-points question fuels this column. Fire it off to newsletter@upnonstop.com and I’ll unpack it.
