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Inside Cathay's New A350, a 60K Citi AAdvantage Offer, Monthly Valuations, and More

June 04, 2016
5 min read
cathay a350
Inside Cathay's New A350, a 60K Citi AAdvantage Offer, Monthly Valuations, and More
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, United MileagePlus Explorer Card

Each Saturday, we round up news stories that you may have missed from the week before, including several that already appeared on The Points Guy, and some more that we haven't covered yet. If you're an avid TPG reader, scroll down for the new stuff. Here's the top miles, points and travel news you may have missed this week:

If you're looking for extra AAdvantage miles, this sign-up bonus could be for you.

Earn 60K Miles with the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

If you like flying on American Airlines and are looking for a way to boost your AAdvantage account balance, check out this increased sign-up offer from the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. You can earn 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Find out what your points and miles are worth in this month's valuations.

What Are Points & Miles Worth? June Monthly Valuations

Learn all about what your points and miles are worth in TPG's valuations for June 2016. Several programs announced significant positive changes, which shook up some things, but didn't mean much in terms of this month's results.

Get a sneak peek at the interior of Cathay Pacific's A350.

Inside Cathay Pacific's Brand New Airbus A350

Cathay Pacific just took delivery of its first A350 this week, and while it'll only be flying in Asia for now, the airline has released a slew of photos for us to feast on. Check out the economy and premium economy cabins in one of the world's most exciting new aircraft.

Find out how to take advantage of stopovers and open jaws while traveling with award tickets.

Maximizing Stopovers and Open Jaws on Award Tickets in 2016

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Knowing all the details of a carrier's frequent flyer program rules can be extremely beneficial to you as a traveler. Here's how to take advantage of stopovers and open jaws on award tickets so you can visit additional destinations at no extra cost.

United and Chase are targeting certain customers with a 70,000-mile sign-up offer.

Earn Up to 70,000 Bonus United Miles with This Targeted Offer

This week we saw not one, but two increased sign-up bonuses from the United MileagePlus Explorer Card. There's a public offer which awards you 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months after account opening, as well as a targeted 70,000-mile offer (the same spending requirement applies). Here's what you need to know about both offers.

In Other News...

Want to use points to stay at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver? Pay attention to these two new transfer restrictions from Starwood.

Starwood Clarifies Rules for Transferring Points

Starwood outlined two new restrictions for transferring Starpoints this week, the first being that you can only transfer Starpoints in increments of 1,000 points — a fairly minor change, but it could still be inconvenient for anyone with a smaller number of points left over after a redemption. SPG also clarified something a bit more consequential — you can't transfer Starpoints to another account as a way of getting around the maximum of 30,000 Starpoints points that you can purchase per year.

KLM's fleet of 747s will be retired in the next few years.

KLM Will Phase Out Its Fleet of 747s

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will join the ranks of carriers retiring their Boeing 747s, a move that will surely disappoint aviation enthusiasts. No specific details as to the timeline of the retirement have been released yet, so we'll probably be seeing these aircraft in the skies for at least a little while longer.

Etihad unveiled its luxurious new First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi this week. Image courtesy of Etihad Airways.

Etihad's New First Class Lounge Opens in Abu Dhabi

This week, Etihad Airways shared details and photos of its new First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi, sure to be one of the most opulent in the world, boasting a cigar lounge, fitness room, Six Senses Spa and many other luxurious amenities.

Rent with Silvercar before June 15 to save up to 40%.

Save up to 40% with Silvercar's Latest Promo

Silvercar recently released a new promotion offering 30% off for existing users and 40% off for new users when you book your next rental by June 15.

FlyingBlue is offering discounted business-class awards to Europe. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Save on Business-Class Awards to Europe with FlyingBlue

Air France and KLM's FlyingBlue program is offering 25% off business-class award flights from Boston (BOS) and Montreal (YUL) to Europe.

You'll no longer earn elite-qualifying KrisFlyer miles on transatlantic flights operated by Virgin Atlantic.

Transatlantic Flights on Virgin Atlantic Will No Longer Earn KrisFlyer Elite Miles

Singapore Airlines notified customers this week of a change in elite-qualifying earning on Virgin Atlantic flights. You'll no longer be able to earn KrisFlyer Elite Miles for flights between Europe and the Americas operated by Virgin Atlantic, however you can still earn KrisFlyer Elite Miles on all other flights in the Virgin Atlantic network.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Annual fee
$650
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
  • Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
  • Ability to earn MQDs through spending
  • Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

  • Steep annual fee of $650
  • Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
  • Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees