Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...
JetBlue Family Tiles, Qantas & Emirates lounge hacks, United award chart twists, last-minute premium fare spikes, and sneaky mile expirations - this week’s DearOhad tells you what’s genius, what’s trap, and how to protect your points, perks, and sanity in travel.
JetBlue is introducing Family Tiles in 2026 for Mosaic status.
Is it worth chasing?
-- Status Hunter in Boston
Dear Status Hunter,
Family Tiles are clever: kids under 12 can now contribute toward your elite status. Combine that with the new Mosaic point bonuses, and families flying together can reach perks faster than ever. That said, JetBlue also trimmed certain benefits — fewer free drinks, companion upgrade restrictions — so solo flyers won’t see the same uplift.
ProTip: If your travel group includes kids, this is a net win. If you’re a solo flyer or couple, run the numbers before banking on it. The perks cut can easily offset the bonuses.
Qantas and Emirates are tweaking codeshares and lounge rules.
How does that affect elite travelers?
-- Qantas Queen in New York
Dear Qantas Queen,
The old “your status travels with you” era is fading. Lounge access is now highly dependent on the specific flight, aircraft, and booking channel. Even if you hold elite status with one airline, expect selective access on partner-operated flights.
ProTip: Always check the boarding pass and aircraft type. A Qantas lounge pass might get you in for Emirates flights on some routes, but don’t assume it’s universal. Status alone won’t get you past every door.
United tweaked MileagePlus award charts again.
How should members adjust?
-- Miles Strategist in Chicago
Dear Miles Strategist,
United’s latest adjustments favor some routes while devaluing others, particularly for short-haul international trips. This is a classic Delta rivalry play: tweak charts, nudge members to certain flights, and shift redemptions.
ProTip: Map your upcoming trips now. Lock in high-value awards before changes hit, and consider alternatives via Star Alliance partners. Timing and route selection are everything.
Airlines are quietly raising last-minute premium cabin fares.
Should I panic?
-- Last-Minute Flyer in Miami
Dear Last-Minute Flyer,
This isn’t panic territory, but dynamic pricing is getting aggressive. Some airlines are now adjusting premium cabin fares hours before departure, squeezing last-minute bookings. You can still find value, but casual observation won’t cut it.
ProTip: Use alerts and fare-tracking tools. If you’re flexible, sometimes booking slightly earlier or on alternative routes captures the same cabin for significantly less. Vigilance pays.
A few airlines updated point expiration rules. Am I about to lose miles?
-- Points Collector in Dallas
Dear Points Collector,
Sneaky updates are creeping in. Some carriers have shortened inactivity periods or modified the way activity resets expiration. This isn’t universal, but it’s enough to catch inattentive travelers off-guard.
ProTip: Check each loyalty account individually, log in monthly, and generate small activity if needed. Even a $1 transaction or a single partner activity often resets the clock. Don’t let rules change under your nose.
Until next week: may your points always earn more than your patience, your lounges reward you for every mile walked, and your flights land just late enough to make you question your hotel choice.
Your “is this insane or genius?” question fuels this column. Send it to newsletter@upnonstop.com, and I’ll dig in next Saturday.
