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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post regularly updated with new offers and information. Southwest Airlines’ Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a friend for nearly free (you have to pay the taxes and fees) on unlimited flights, is one of the most valuable assets in the world of points and miles. It typically takes a lot of Southwest flights and/or credit card spending to nab one of these coveted passes, but sometimes, the airline runs flash promotions that let you earn a Companion Pass much faster. From now until Friday, you can earn a two-month promotional Companion Pass by booking a single round-trip flight. Here’s how: Register here, then purchase one round-trip or two one-way flights by June 27. Basic fares are not eligible for this promotion. You must travel by Aug. 31. You’ll earn a promotional Companion Pass valid from Sept. 8 to Nov. 15. NICK EWEN/THE POINTS GUY Normally, earning a Companion Pass takes quite a bit more flying and/or credit card spending. You must earn 135,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights within a calendar year to get a Companion Pass for the remainder of the qualification year and the next calendar year.

If there’s one big hub where Delta Air Lines is really upping the ante, it’s Seattle. For years, Delta has been up against hometown carrier Alaska Airlines for dominance at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). While the two airlines used to enjoy a robust codeshare relationship in the early 2010s, Delta moved to instead build its own hub in Seattle in the middle of the last decade. Since then, both Delta and Alaska have been in growth mode in Seattle, boosting their respective hub operations with new routes, local marketing campaigns and more. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY These days, the fight for Seattle is far from over. In fact, Delta just unveiled its latest big play designed to woo travelers to choose it over any of its competitors: the all-new Delta One Lounge at SEA (along with two new long-haul routes featuring its top-of-the-line premium products). This new space is the fourth business-class-only lounge to join Delta’s fledgling network that first opened less than a year ago in New York — an impressive timeline that might make some other airlines, including Alaska, which is constructing its own “flagship international lounge” in Seattle, jealous. The new Delta One Lounge opens Thursday, and

Even though this summer season is just kicking off, Delta Air Lines is already thinking about next summer (and its big competitor in Seattle). Delta announced Tuesday that it’ll add two new long-haul routes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The airline will commence service from Seattle to Barcelona and Rome next summer. Daily flights from SEA to Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) will begin May 6, while service from SEA to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) will take off one day later. When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight It wasn’t immediately clear if Delta plans to operate both routes year-round or just seasonally, but the airline did say that the flights will operate daily. Both routes will operate on an Airbus A330-900neo aircraft — one of Delta’s newest and most premium international planes. It features 29 Delta One suites, 28 Premium Select recliners, 56 Comfort+ extra-legroom economy seats and 168 standard coach seats. Over the past decade, Delta has launched 28 new markets in Seattle and now operates nearly 180 peak-day departures to more than 60 destinations worldwide. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY While the news is undoubtedly exciting for Seattle-based

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Delta Air Lines’ Medallion elite status has plenty of perks, including same-day confirmed changes, international lounge access and Choice Benefits. Still, one perk sits above all others when it comes to chasing status: the allure of a free seat upgrade. While free upgrades are becoming harder and harder to get on Delta, they still happen. However, the upgrade process remains shrouded in mystery. Who is eligible for upgrades, and when do these upgrades occur? How does Delta prioritize upgrade lists? And how can you increase your odds of getting a seat in the pointy end of the plane? From complimentary elite upgrades, SkyMiles upgrades, and Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates to understanding the upgrade priority process, we’re here to demystify it all. Here’s how you can snag a seat in the front of a Delta plane. Complimentary Delta upgrades ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY All Delta Medallion elite members are eligible for day-of-departure unlimited complimentary upgrades to the first-class experience on flights within the U.S., including flights to Hawaii. Delta is systematically selling more first-class tickets. Its revenue maximization models price first-class tickets to encourage more people