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| Loyalty and rewards programs to watch |
| by Brian Kelly |
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I’ve just returned home from an incredible trio of trips: from St. Bart’s (and the amazing Hotel Christopher, booked with Chase Points Boost) to St. Moritz and then on to Milan. I was able to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, and it was nothing short of amazing.
I was able to use points and miles for my journey — here’s what I redeemed:- 110,000 Flying Blue miles for Air France business class from St. Maarten to Paris to Zurich (it was a $4,000 cash price)
- 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night at the Park Hyatt Milan (rooms were 4,000 euros per night!)
Getting to stay at the amazing Park Hyatt Milan in Italy during an event like the Olympics was unforgettable, and the celebrity spotting was next level. As I walked back into the hotel one night, someone said they liked my jacket, and I turned around, and it was none other than Usher, wearing the exact same Ralph Lauren Olympic jacket.
Bottom line:Points and miles are more valuable than ever. You can use them at some of the world’s best events — you just need to know how to keep checking for availability.
I’m heading to Morocco this spring, and I was able to use a shocking 45,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points to book a one-way ticket home in Royal Air Maroc business class, which would have been a $3,500 cash fare.
Loyalty and rewards programs to watch this year
2026 has already brought about some changes in the loyalty world, some of which I’m more excited about than others. This year, I’m looking ahead toward some of the savviest and most forward-thinking loyalty programs, as I’m ready for a little newness and innovation. If you want my loyalty, you’d better be doing some interesting things and thinking outside the box.
Here are a few of the top loyalty and rewards programs I’m looking forward to being a part of this year.
Atmos Rewards
I love the newly revamped joint loyalty program between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Atmos Rewards. I’m pleased to see that the solid partnership and redemption network have remained features of the program. While it will take more status points to reach elite status, the newer benefits, such as unlimited first-class upgrades on Alaska and Hawaiian flights for Titanium members, are pretty enticing.
And the program’s new premium cobranded credit card, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card, has one particular feature I appreciate: earning 3 points per dollar spent on foreign purchases, ideal when I’m traveling abroad. Other perks include eight Alaska Lounge passes annually (two per quarter) and 10,000 status points on your account anniversary.
Bilt is the only transfer partner of Atmos Rewards, and I’m excited to earn up to 1.25x points on rent and mortgage payments this year with my new Bilt Palladium Card. Full disclosure: I’m an original investor and adviser in Bilt.
American Airlines AAdvantage
There are a few things that are making me want to fly American Airlines more often in 2026. The first is that AA is leading the way among U.S. carriers with sustainable aircraft. I recently went to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to check out the airline’s A321XLR, which is now flying the New York-Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route. It’s a huge upgrade for passengers, with private suites in first class and massive overhead bins. I could even fit in premium economy. The plane will start flying the JFK-Edinburgh Airport (EDI) route in March.
Another thing I’m excited about is the ability to transfer points to American from the new(ish) Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. The card has some useful credits, like the $200 annual Splurge credit I can use with American (or a few other vendors), as well as Blacklane credits. Most transferable rewards cards don’t have AAdvantage as a transfer partner, so having this option is really valuable. It means I can move ThankYou Rewards points to AA and book valuable partner rewards, such as flying first class to Japan (a destination I really love) on Japan Airlines.
Chase Ultimate Rewards
I love luxury hotels, so Chase’s Points Boost is a program I find really intriguing, and I want to keep earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points so I can book through Chase Travel℠. Chase’s The Edit program offers some of the best hotels in the world, and I love getting up to 2 cents per point in value. Plus, some are loyalty program-eligible. It’s true that Chase Points Boost is now offering just up to 2 cents per point as per recent changes, but it’s a solid value, especially if you can score those 2-cents-per-point properties.
And remember, as of Jan. 1, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cardholders get a one-time $250 credit for select prepaid Chase Travel hotel stays, plus two flexible up-to-$250 The Edit by Chase Travel credits, which you can use anytime this year.
For more information and to find a program that might be right for you, check out the TPG Award winners for best airline and loyalty programs.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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