Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
Delta hikes partner awards, Amex cuts the Biz Plat rebate, United swaps PlusPoints for “FlexPlus,” Hilton tests a $1.2K lounge+upgrade subscription, and BA slaps Qatar Avios with surcharges. Moral: stay nimble, diversify, and never hoard points waiting for “perfect.”
I heard Delta just hiked partner award prices again. Should I still bother with SkyMiles?
-- Doubting in Dallas
Dear Doubting,
Bother? Yes. Depend on them? No. Delta quietly raised partner award rates on October 3, 2025, especially for long-haul business class. That JFK–Paris seat that was 75k last month now clocks in closer to 95k. Ouch.
ProTip: Treat SkyMiles like a cashback program with occasional outsized wins. Look for flash sales and domestic hops, but don’t hoard them for that bucket-list trip.
I saw that Amex is removing the 35% Pay-With-Points rebate on Business Platinum. Is that a deal-breaker?
-- Corporate in Cleveland
Dear Corporate,
It’s a blow. Starting January 2026, Amex will drop the rebate to 20%. That slashes the floor value from 1.54¢ to about 1.2¢. Still better than nothing, but the Business Platinum just lost its killer feature.
ProTip: If your company runs six figures through Amex, look hard at pairing with Chase Ink or Capital One for better earn-to-burn efficiency. Diversification is the new elite perk.
Is it true Hilton is piloting a subscription model for lounge access and upgrades?
-- Curious in Charleston
Dear Curious,
Yes, Hilton is testing “Hilton Access+” in select markets. For $1,200 annually, you get guaranteed breakfast, executive lounge access, and a handful of suite upgrades - without elite status. It’s effectively selling Diamond-lite perks à la carte.
ProTip: If your stays are irregular but premium-heavy (say, five international trips a year), this pencils out. Otherwise, earn status the old-fashioned way.
I noticed British Airways is adding fuel surcharges to some Avios partner awards. Should I still transfer points?
-- Jaded in Jersey
Dear Jaded,
Careful. BA just expanded surcharges on Qatar Airways flights from the U.S., which nukes one of the best Avios redemptions. That $50 fee to Doha is now $600+.
ProTip: Use Avios for short-haul American or Alaska flights under 650 miles. They remain a goldmine at 7,500 points one-way with minimal fees.
Until next week: may your balances stay flexible, your award charts stay legible, and your patience with loyalty programs last longer than their “enhancements.”
Your “is this insane or genius?” question fuels this column. Send it to newsletter@upnonstop.com and I’ll tackle it next Saturday.
