Mid-Year 2025 Travel Check

Relatively high fares and inflation continue to impact travel for most people (including me!).  I feel as though my searching has increased these last months in order to find the best deals.  

American

I still have Gold status and there's an outside chance I'll be able to get it again through a status match.  AA is still the only way to get home to the farm easily.

United

United is my first choice for flights though due to program changes I expect to only have Gold status next year.  I do miss having 1K!  For whatever reason I've seen more upgrades in the last months than most of last year.  I still use the Club Card for lounge stays.  I'm also on the threshold of 1M miles on United and expect to get it just after the new year! 

Hyatt

I was able to requalify for Globalist this year and will have the status until 2027 - this will be extremely helpful for a possible return trip to the Maldives in 2026.  Where possible we still make Hyatt our first choice for stays.   

I hope many of you are able to travel during the last part of the year!

Singapore Airlines Award Rate Changes

Singapore Airlines is one of the best airlines in the world.  While I haven't had an opportunity to fly them, I'm looking forward to my first segment next spring!  

Following a similar trend from other airlines, Singapore announced changes to their mileage program today, mostly negative.  More information is here:

ADJUSTMENTS3 TO AWARD RATES FOR FLIGHT REDEMPTIONS AND UPGRADES As part of our periodical review, we will be adjusting the miles redemption and upgrade award charts across Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and partner airlines for flights ticketed on or after 1 November 2025 0000hrs (GMT+8). Members will benefit from a reduction of 5% in Economy Saver award redemption rates for flights within Asia and South West Pacific (Zones 1 to 9). Business and Suites/First Saver award redemption rates for Zones 1 to 9 will increase by 5%. Saver award rates will increase by 5% across all cabin classes for flights to and from Europe and the United States of America (Zones 11 to 13). For flights to and from Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey (Zone 10), rates will rise by 10 to 20%. Advantage award rates across all zones and cabin classes, except for Zone 10, will increase by 10 to 15%. For Zone 10, the Economy Advantage rates will increase by 5%, the Business Advantage rates by 18%, and Suites/First Advantage rates by 15%. All redemption bookings confirmed and ticketed on or before 31 October 2025 2359hrs (GMT+8) will be based on current award rates. These changes, as well as the recently introduced Scoot award flights, and enhanced redemption value for miles redeemed on Kris+, KrisShop and Pelago, reflect our commitment in providing you with more ways to earn and redeem miles, both in the air and on the ground. We endeavour to continue bringing greater value to your KrisFlyer membership through regular reviews of our programme offerings and benefits. 3All figures reflect the changes for one-way Singapore Airlines flight awards between Singapore and the corresponding regions, and are approximated.

A 5% increase is one thing, but 20% is outrageous.  

 

Another points offer from United

This spring/summer has included the most offers for purchases from United in recent memory - and I received another today for the Club card!

From August 1st through September 30, 2025, earn 3x miles per $1 on gas, grocery, and restaurants up to 5000 miles. 

I believe most of the present offers stack which helps generate value for planned regular spend. 

Flash Chase Offer: 5x points gas/grocery/restaurant

I love it when Chase surprises with 5x points flash offers - this week I received one for my Marriott Card:

The offer is 5x points on up to $1000 at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants through 9/30.  Since the Freedom card has gas stations as a quarterly category, this is great for grocery/restaurant.

Reminder: No connects at LGA

Since I recently had a family-related issue with a travel connect that involved LGA, I feel that I need to remind everyone: connecting at La Guardia should be avoided if at all possible.  

(you may also use this advice for JFK and possibly Newark)