Capital One just bought my favorite flight insurance program 'Freebird'
Last summer, my sister ended up with a $1,200 Delta First class ticket for the low cost of $19 because I paid for Freebird flight protection. I absolutely loved the protection the service offered for domestic itineraries and usually bought it for every low-cost carrier flight.
However, earlier this year with coronavirus wrecking havoc on the aviation industry, Freebird stopped offering its protection to the public as its business model was no longer sustainable with such unpredictability. That certainly doesn't mean its technology is worthless and Capital One obviously thinks the same thing.
Earlier this week, Skift reported that Capital One acquired Freebird's flight disruption technology and most of its staff are now working for Capital One.
As soon as I read the news, the possibilities of what Capital One could offer with this technology flooded my mind. I don't think they can offer Freebird protection in its previous form, but the technology could make a really savvy and really affordable flight insurance policy intriguing to Capital One cardholders, bank customers and Capital One travel customers.
Best case scenario, we end up with an amazing new card benefit with some form of Freebird protection being offered on domestic flights booked with a Capital One credit card. I think worse case scenario, a Freebird-type protection is offered at a very affordable price as an add-on to any travel booked via Capital One.
When I originally found the service and talked to representatives, it was apparent that this technology created to track and predict domestic flight disruptions was incredible. The company had almost hidden in plain sight for a number of years before it became popular with frequent flyers just over the last 18 months or so.
Capital One seized Freebird at the right moment and I'd imagine got a great value buy with Freebird's public-facing business model, effectively done with COVID-19. Freebird founder Ethan Bernstein is now a Senior Business Director for travel at Capital One and will hopefully help integrate his technology into a great offering for Capital One customers. I'll be closely following how this unfolds and look forward to what the two companies come up with together moving forward.
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| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
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- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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