In Episode 195 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Cameron Laufer and Angie Sparks discuss several industry updates, personal points-and-miles wins, and travel plans. The news includes Rove adding JetBlue as a 1:1 transfer partner with a 20% transfer bonus through November 14, United moving to a fully revenue-based elite qualification system in 2027, and Chase increasing the annual fee on the legacy IHG card to $99. Angie shares her upcoming trip to Sydney, booked using 63,000 American Airlines miles per person for a Hawaiian Airlines nonstop flight from Honolulu, while Cameron discusses booking Singapore Airlines business-class meals and finding Choice Hotels in Ålesund and Bergen, Norway. The hosts also share their latest credit-card decisions, airline loyalty progress, and favorite shopping portals.
The main topic is Southwest Airlines' extensive Rapid Rewards overhaul, with changes beginning in 2027. The current A-List and A-List Preferred tiers will be replaced by Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with revised qualification requirements and earning bonuses. Platinum will become the top tier, including Companion Pass benefits, while Companion Pass qualification will require 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 100 qualifying flights. Credit cardholders will earn one TQP per dollar spent starting in 2027, and a new premium Southwest credit card with lounge access is planned. The airline will also introduce milestone rewards, launch its Icon Lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville, add Icelandair, Etihad Airways, and China Airlines as award redemption partners, and expand Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet by fall 2027. Cameron and Angie also discuss a potential strategy for earning Companion Pass under the current rules before the changes take effect. The episode wraps up with Cameron's tip to watch for new airline routes, highlighting Lufthansa's planned Columbus-to-Frankfurt service starting next May.
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