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).
News
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.
New UOB rewards exclusions for Utilities and ipaymy from 1 Aug 2022
This will be the last month to earn 1.4 MPD on Utilities. Here are the alternatives for future payments.
Devaluation: Singapore Airlines Krisflyer to increase award rates
Singapore Airlines is increasing award rates across ALL classes and zones. Not a huge blow if you haven’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Nerfed: UOB One card no longer awarding 5% cashback for $2,000 monthly spending
UOB One card slashing cashback rate for Tier 3 spending from 5% to 3.33%.
Now Live: Combine Marriott Bonvoy’s Free Night Award with up to 15k points
Feeling the pain of Dynamic Award Pricing? You can now use points to get those “free” nights.
Nerfed: DBS will stop awarding points for Amaze transactions from 1 June 2022
Flight and hotel transactions in foreign currency are going to cost 3.25% more. Book them by the end of May if you can!
Sneaky: Qatar Airways quietly adds US$70 fee per Business Class award segment
Your Qatar Airways award flights to Europe are now going to cost US$140 more each way.