Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
Airlines tweak, cards launch, alliances shift - and your points are worth less if you blink. This week: SkyTeam lounges you can use, Delta’s new A350 suites, Hawaiian joining Oneworld, Citi’s Strata Elite bonus, and Southwest flying to Anchorage. Smart moves or wasted miles? Let’s break it down.
SkyTeam just expanded Elite Plus domestic lounge access. Is it worth chasing, or mostly fluff?
-- Lounging in Chicago
Dear Lounging,
It’s real, and it’s surprisingly useful. SkyTeam now allows Elite Plus flyers to access certain domestic partner lounges even on short U.S. flights - think Delta, KLM, and Air France connections. This isn’t just a token gesture: during tight connections, these lounges offer a quiet spot, faster boarding, and in some cases free snacks and beverages - exactly the kind of perk that preserves sanity and productivity on domestic hops.
ProTip: Don’t assume every lounge is equally good. Scope out the specific airport and partner lounge before banking on it. For frequent flyers hopping multiple SkyTeam partners in the U.S., this expansion actually increases comfort and reduces travel stress in a measurable way.
Citi launched the Strata Elite card with a 100k bonus. Is it worth the hype?
-- Points-Seeker in Philadelphia
Dear Points-Seeker,
The Strata Elite isn’t just another shiny metal. Its welcome bonus, elevated earn rates on flights and hotels, and comprehensive travel perks make it competitive with legacy products—but only if you spend strategically. Many users underestimate the value of its 10x categories and the ability to double-dip with airline partners.
ProTip: Don’t chase the bonus alone. Map out the next 12 months of business travel or personal big-ticket trips. If you hit the sweet spot, the return can be north of 15% in points value. Otherwise, it’s just a heavy wallet ornament.
Delta is introducing new One business class suites on upcoming A350‑1000s. Are they game-changing?
-- Frequent Flyer in Atlanta
Dear Frequent Flyer,
Yes and no. The new suites will offer doors, sliding partitions, and fully lie-flat beds - Delta is clearly aiming at the Qatar and Singapore experience. But seat comfort is only half the story; service consistency and route deployment still matter. A flagship cabin on a domestic or short-haul international route won’t feel “luxury.”
ProTip: Look for these A350-1000s on long-haul, underbooked routes. That’s where the new suites actually earn their stripes. Otherwise, the old Delta One experience isn’t suddenly obsolete.
Hawaiian Airlines is joining Oneworld in Spring 2026. How does that change my mileage strategy?
-- Island Hopper in Maui
Dear Island Hopper,
Big news. Hawaiian’s entry lets you finally connect to Asia and Oceania with a single loyalty network. Expect cross-earning with BA, AA, and Qatar, plus reciprocal elite perks. Hawaiian miles themselves are being absorbed into the new Atmos Rewards, so old redemption charts may shift, but strategically you can leverage Oneworld partners for much higher-value itineraries.
ProTip: If you fly between Hawaii and Asia, wait until the alliance integration is live. Transfers to Oneworld programs will probably unlock the best sweet spots. Don’t panic-sell your miles now.
Southwest is expanding to Anchorage. Is it actually a big deal?
-- Flying North in Seattle
Dear Flying North,
It’s a subtle but smart move. Anchorage has long been underserved for low-cost domestic connections, and Southwest’s entry shakes up pricing on legacy carriers. For award travel, it’s less about points redemption (Rapid Rewards still underperforms globally) and more about cheap cash fares to a bucket-list destination.
ProTip: If you’re chasing Alaska-based adventures without paying United/Alaska high fares, this expansion creates opportunities. Stack Southwest’s current 50% points sale and targeted Amex offers for maximum ROI.
Until next week: may your points always earn more than your patience, your lounges be worth every sip of overpriced coffee, and your flights land with just enough surprise to make them memorable.
Your “is this insane or genius?” question fuels this column. Send it to newsletter@upnonstop.com, and I’ll dig in next Saturday.
