✈ When Points Redemptions Are About More Than Just Math, American Expands ‘Flights on Buses’ & More From TPG ✈

Also: Europe airports ease strict liquids limits

August 2, 2025 View in browser         Together with     Together with

Share the rewards by Ben Smithson, Senior Writer As much as I love redeeming points and miles to make my own travel more affordable and comfortable, like booking my favorite business- and first-class seats on long-haul flights, I was recently reminded of how it can feel even better to use them to give the gift of travel. I'm heading Down Under with my husband this Christmas to visit family. He has to fly back earlier than I do, and he's stopping in Singapore for a night to break up the long journey back to London. He's not as points-obsessed as I am (marriage is about compromise, right?) and came to me in a panic after seeing how expensive cash rates for hotels were in Singapore. I logged in to my beloved World of Hyatt account and quickly found a night for him at the luxurious Andaz Singapore for 25,000 points (saving over $300 per night). I quickly did some points math and realized that, while it was an OK redemption, it was lower than TPG's valuation of 1.7 cents apiece for Hyatt points, and I felt like maybe I should try to get better value somewhere else. But, after seeing the joy on his face as he explored the hotel's website, and his excitement for its stunning infinity pool and fancy rooftop cocktail bar right near the iconic Marina Bay Sands, the cent-per-point value didn't matter to me anymore. His enthusiasm for this stay and gratitude that I could make it happen at no cost provided a better kind of value for me. It highlighted for me how amazing it feels to use my points and miles to make someone else's travel better. Next time you have some points and miles to burn, consider treating a loved one. It might just make you feel even better than booking travel for yourself. Want to know more? Check out these stories: How to use rewards to give the gift of travel Use your points and miles to book flights, hotels and experiences for others How to share your credit card rewards points with other people Earning miles when you pay but someone else flies 27 airlines that allow families to pool miles Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Photo Credit: ALEKSANDARA NAKIC/GETTY IMAGES.

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Today's top stories American Airlines, Air Canada expand flights-on-buses options with Landline Bus operator Landline is adding service for American Airlines and Air Canada. Read more At long last, European airports are dumping the 100-milliliter liquids rule Airports in Europe are scrapping the 100-milliliter rule thanks to new security scanners. Read more Book flights to Europe starting at 18,750 miles: Check out Flying Blue's August Promo Rewards With the Flying Blue Promo Rewards sale, you can book a one-way flight from the U.S. to Europe for only 18,750 miles. Read more Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for August 2025 Save, maximize and earn points and miles on various travel purchases this August. Read more Book Qantas Frequent Flyer award flights before Aug. 5 price increase Australian airline Qantas has announced a mixed bag of changes to its loyalty program. Read more

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