Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
HawaiianMiles merges, Citi bonus points are back, Southwest slashes earnings, Lufthansa dangles carbon offsets, Hyatt rebates vanish fast, and a 100k credit card bonus lands. Here’s what to act on now before points devalue or disappear.
I heard HawaiianMiles is merging into a new program. Should I panic about my points?
-- Islanded in Indianapolis
Dear Islanded,
Not panic - but act fast. HawaiianMiles is transitioning into Atmos Rewards starting October 1, 2025. Balances convert 1:1, but many award sweet spots (like inter-island first class) may vanish. Plus, account freezes will occur Sept 26–30.
ProTip: Redeem intra-Hawai‘i flights or unique redemptions before the freeze. Screenshot your balance, elite status, and active awards - you’ll thank yourself later.
I saw a 50% transfer bonus from Citi to Turkish Miles&Smiles. Is it really worth chasing?
-- Opportunist in Omaha
Dear Opportunist,
Absolutely. 30k business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe via Star Alliance are back. These are some of the best redemption values we’ve seen all year, especially with Turkish’s flexible partner award rules.
ProTip: Transfer only the exact number of points you need. Bonuses expire, and leftover miles can be stranded if you’re not careful.
Southwest announced cuts to Rapid Rewards earning. True?
-- Traveler in Tampa
Dear Traveler,
Yes. Starting this week, Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares earn up to 67% fewer points. It’s a subtle devaluation but signals that Southwest wants high earners in premium fare buckets.
ProTip: Book higher fare classes or use Southwest points for the flights you actually want - don’t gamble on cheap fares for point accumulation anymore.
I heard Lufthansa is giving bonus miles for carbon offsets. Is it worth it?
-- Green Flyer in Chicago
Dear Green Flyer,
Yes, but selectively. Lufthansa Miles & More now credits miles when you buy CO₂-offset packages. While the bonus is small, you can stack it with existing award flights to subtly boost your balance without extra spend on airfare.
ProTip: Buy offsets only on premium-cabin flights where miles-per-dollar is already strong; on cheap fares, the added cost can eat up any theoretical gain.
Are there any overlooked sweet spots in hotel redemptions lately?
-- Hyatt Enthusiast in Denver
Dear Hyatt Enthusiast,
Yes. Hyatt’s latest off-peak “25% rebate” promotion is live on select Category 4–6 hotels. That can shave thousands off your points cost for multi-night stays in Europe or Asia this fall. Combine with Chase transfers for maximum leverage.
ProTip: Transfer points after confirming availability. Hotel promos can disappear quickly, and leftover points are hard to recycle once a booking is canceled.
I heard about a new credit card that offers 100k bonus points. Should I apply?
-- Card Chaser in Charlotte
Dear Card Chaser,
Yes, but proceed with caution. The Ink Business Preferred card is offering a 100k bonus after meeting the minimum spend. However, ensure you have a legitimate business or planned expenses to meet the $15k spend requirement.
ProTip: Pair it with end-of-quarter tax payments or vendor bills you’d pay anyway. Manufactured spend is a hobby, not a strategy.
I heard about a new airline alliance. Should I be excited?
-- Alliance Seeker in Austin
Dear Alliance Seeker,
Yes! Hawaiian Airlines has joined the oneworld alliance, expanding your redemption options and earning potential. This is a significant development for Atmos Rewards members.
ProTip: Explore new partner airlines and routes that were previously unavailable to maximize your points.
Until next week: may your balances stay liquid, your transfer partners stay generous, and your next award ticket or hotel redemption outsmart the algorithm.
Your “am I crazy or is this smart?” question fuels this column. Send it to newsletter@upnonstop.com and we’ll tackle it next Saturday.
