HSBC TravelOne Card Changes: 10,000 points conversion fee, new transfer partners
The people behind the product made a decision so unsmart, it’s hard to imagine it actually happening. Here are some precautionary steps cardholders can take right now.
News
Finally: Hyatt Place Johor Bahru accepting reservations from November 2023
This new property is directly-connected to a huge mall and will require as little as 3,500 points per night for award stays!
Devaluation: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles to Increase Award Rates on most Routes
More miles will be required for award flights on most routes. Members have 12 weeks to lock-in redemptions at the current rates.
Yay: UOB Lady’s Cards now open to Male Applicants
This card is no-longer exclusive to females! Earn 6 mpd on selected bonus categories, up to S$3,000 per month.
Priority Pass members can now use lounge visits at selected restaurants in Singapore Changi Airport
It’s back! Priority Pass members can now use their lounge entitlement at selected restaurants in Terminals 1, 2 and 4.
Over 60 Plaza Premium airport lounges are rejoining the Priority Pass program
Great news for cardholders with complimentary Priority Pass lounge access! These lounges will rejoin the program by 20 June 2023.
Singapore Airlines to offer free unlimited onboard WiFi to all passengers, with a slight catch
From the 1st of July 2023, KrisFlyer members can get free unlimited onboard WiFi (worth US$15.99 per flight).
Standard Chartered X card now rebranded as Journey card, with a good sign-up bonus
Points do not expire, good transfer partners, free airport lounge visits, 3.5% FX fee rebates on certain months and decent uncapped earn rates. Not bad!
HSBC launches the NEW TravelOne credit card in Singapore
There’s a new travel card in town with 12 transfer partners, instant points transfers and it is a…..Mastercard!
Devaluation: Alaska Mileage Plan increases award rates for Japan Airlines without notice
The warning signs were there. But just how bad is this devaluation? Should you still accumulate Alaska miles? How can you clear your miles now?
Brutal Devaluation: Etihad’s new award charts are now live
Etihad previously promised “zone-based” award charts, but gave us distance-based ones instead, and an awful devaluation.
World of Hyatt announces 2023 Award Category changes
Mild damage to Suitesmile’s list of Hyatt sweet spots. Book these too-good-to-be-true redemptions by 27 Mar, for stays up till Apr 2024!
Nerfed: AMEX True Cashback card to stop awarding cashback for Grab wallet top-ups
It’s the end of an era. From 4 Apr 2023, AMEX cardholders will no longer earn cashback on Grab wallet top-ups.
Krisflyer and Asia Miles can now be converted to Marriott Bonvoy points (at poor value)
A last-resort option for Krisflyer members with expiring miles.
2022 in review: A year of revenge travels and devaluations
It was a great year for general travel. Here’s to another one, with hopefully less devaluation news and better award availability.
No Devaluation: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan released “simplified” award charts
Good news! There are no devaluations to Alaska’s award charts, for now. Enjoy those amazing sweet spots while they last!
Nerfed: UOB Absolute card dropping Cashback on Grab wallet top-ups from 1.7% to just 0.3%
Continue to get 1.7% cashback till 14 Jan 2023, use an alternative card after that.
Ouch: Hilton Garden Inn Bali blocking Standard rooms for Award bookings on most dates
A night in this hotel is going to cost you 18k points on normal days and as much as 33k points during the holiday season.
Nerfed: Grab no longer supports payments to other e-wallets
With immediate effect, you can no longer top up e-wallets like YouTrip and Revolut with your GrabPay card.
Mixed Bag: New benefits with Accor and Qatar Airways enhanced partnership
The imbalanced “reciprocal” Fast Track benefit is a big win for Accor elite members and an awful one for Qatar’s.