Trending This Week
🚨 Deal Alert: Accor ALL Americas Up To 40% Off Sale + 2X/3X Points for stays June 4 - December 17, 2026. Book by May 19 - this one moves fast.
✈️ Airline News: Gulf airline operations are still in flux two months into the Iran conflict - routes, schedules, and availability remain disrupted across the region.
🏨 Hotel News: Wyndham Rewards earning rates explained - here's exactly how many points you'll stack on hotel stays.
💳 Credit Card: The MileLion has dropped their full 2026 credit card strategy - HSBC Revolution is in, Membership Rewards is getting scaled back.
If You've Been Sitting on Miles, This Week Is the Week
Three things landed on my radar this morning that genuinely made me stop scrolling. First - London to New York Business Class is sitting wide open at 88,000 Avios one-way across multiple dates in early June. That's a strong rate for a transatlantic flat bed, and the availability is unusually generous right now.
Second - the Chase to Flying Blue 20% transfer bonus expires May 27. If you've been thinking about a Euro-routed redemption, the clock is ticking. And third - that Hyatt Maldives deal in the premium section is one of the best hotel redemptions I've seen in months. 30,000 points per night for a Park Hyatt overwater villa is borderline absurd.
Lots to get through today. Let's go.
Miles & Points Trivia
Today's question is about transfer bonuses - and the answer could save you a serious chunk of points this week:
Which transfer bonus expires TONIGHT (May 12, 2026) and should be used immediately if you hold these points?
A) Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton (+20%)
B) Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy (+65%)
C) Amex Membership Rewards to JetBlue (+10%)
D) Capital One Miles to Qantas (+20%)
The answer is at the bottom of today's newsletter - keep scrolling!
🚨 Deal of the Week: London to Chicago Business Class for 88,000 Points
Route: London (LHR) to Chicago (ORD) - Business Class (Club World)
Points required: 88,000 Avios one-way (off-peak pricing)
Available dates: Jun 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 - all weekday departures in early June
Availability: HIGH - multiple seats showing across all five dates
Why is this the Deal of the Week? A few reasons. First, the availability is exceptional - HIGH across five consecutive early-June dates is unusual for transatlantic Business Class. Second, at 88,000 Avios you're comfortably in off-peak territory before summer peak pricing kicks in. Third - and this is the kicker - the Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy 65% transfer bonus expires May 15. While that's a hotel bonus, it's a reminder that points ecosystems are fluid right now and burning Avios on premium cabins before any potential devaluations is smart travel.
A comparable cash fare on this route in Business Class routinely runs $3,500 - $4,500+. At 88k Avios that's roughly 4 cents per point - solid value on a flat-bed transatlantic product.
How to book: Search on the British Airways website using Avios. Avios can be earned via British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, or transferred from American Express, Chase, or Citi points.
UK readers: Smart With Points has a deep-dive on the best UK credit cards for earning Avios quickly - worth a read if you're stacking points for a booking like this.
✈️ Economy Deals: Departing from Europe (London)
All deals below depart London Heathrow (LHR) and are priced in Avios unless otherwise noted. June is looking surprisingly open across multiple US routes right now.
London to Boston - Economy
27,500 Avios one-way | Availability: Medium | Dates: Jun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (five consecutive days of availability - ideal for a flexible departure)
London to Chicago - Economy
27,500 Avios one-way | Availability: Medium | Dates: Jun 8, 9, 15, 16, 17
London to Los Angeles - Economy
33,000 Avios one-way (off-peak) | Availability: Medium | Dates: Jun 16, 17, 19, 22, 23
London to New York - Economy
33,000 Avios one-way (peak) | Availability: Medium | Dates: Jun 19, 26, 28, 29, 30 (late June dates around Independence Day travel period)
London to Miami - Economy
38,500 Avios one-way (peak pricing) | Availability: Medium | Dates: Jun 6, 14, 18, 19, 20
London to Singapore - Economy
44,000 Avios one-way (off-peak) | Availability: Low - act fast | Dates: Jun 13, Jun 24
London to Hong Kong - Economy
44,000 Avios one-way (peak) | Availability: Low | Dates: Jun 6 only - very limited
💡 Tip: Sometimes cash beats points on short-haul or less premium routes. Friday Flight Deals tracks cheap cash fares every week - worth checking before you commit points.
🏨 Featured Hotel Redemption Teaser
Two quick highlights from this week's hotel redemptions - the full breakdown is in the premium section below.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
30,000 World of Hyatt points per night | Value: 13.3 cents per point | Location: Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Yes, 13.3 cents per point. That is not a typo. This is one of the best point-for-point hotel redemptions available right now, full stop. A five-night stay using the 4th night free (Hyatt benefit for top-tier members) makes this even more jaw-dropping. Full details in premium.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
~110,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night | Value: 6.5 cents per point | Location: Kyoto, Japan
A genuinely rare combination of luxury product and strong point value. The Chase to Marriott Bonvoy 65% transfer bonus (expires May 15!) makes this even more compelling if you're sitting on Chase Ultimate Rewards. More in the premium section.
Featured Hotel Redemptions
Top hotel award values this week:
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa (Hyatt) - Gaafu Alifu Atoll, MV | 13.3cpp value
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto (Marriott) - Kyoto, JP | 6.5cpp value
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