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I’m always looking for the best ways to redeem my hard-earned points and miles, and with so many program changes and devaluations, it can be quite time-consuming. But Finnair Plus, Finnair’s loyalty program, recently caught my attention. In May 2024, the program adopted Avios, the same currency used by Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Qatar Airways. More than 90% of my redemptions are for premium cabin tickets, so finding sweet spots or programs with optimal rates is the best way to maximize my rewards. Here are some reasons why I’m considering Finnair Plus for future premium cabin redemptions. Ability to book airfare earlier than most Oneworld programs The best way to book award seats, especially for premium cabins, is to book as far in advance as possible. This translates into knowing when airlines open up award seats because even a few days can make the difference between snagging a premium seat in first or business class or missing out entirely. I usually travel with my family, so finding three tickets on the same flight is quite the challenge. Here’s a look at some Oneworld airline frequent flyer programs and approximately when they open their schedule for award tickets. Airline

Mr & Mrs Smith is a collection of boutique and luxury hotels, most of which are otherwise independent. But, similar to how you can book select Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties through Hilton Honors, you can book select Mr & Mrs Smith properties through the World of Hyatt program. You can earn and redeem Hyatt points at participating Mr & Mrs Smith properties when you book through World of Hyatt. So, here’s what you need to know about the partnership between Mr & Mrs Smith and World of Hyatt and some of the best Mr & Mrs Smith properties to book through Hyatt. What to know about booking Mr & Mrs Smith properties through Hyatt Hyatt acquired Mr & Mrs Smith in 2023, and some Mr & Mrs Smith properties became bookable through World of Hyatt in April 2024. While most World of Hyatt bookings follow the Hyatt award chart with its category-based off-peak, standard and peak pricing rates, stays at Mr & Mrs Smith properties, unfortunately, use dynamic award pricing. HYATT Award pricing isn’t the only way Mr & Mrs Smith stays will differ from most other stays for World of Hyatt members. After all, most World

JetBlue is planning to do a lot more flying out of South Florida this winter. The airline on Wednesday announced it’s bringing back a couple of flights it cut last year out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). And, it’s preparing to launch two all-new routes out of FLL in the process — one to Texas, and another to the East Coast of Virginia. That’s on top of additional daily departures the New York-based carrier is planning out of its biggest Sunshine State airport, including more transcontinental flights featuring its premium Mint cabin. JetBlue’s ‘immense change’: First class, lounges and credit card highlight airline’s pivot JetBlue planes visible out of Fort Lauderdale’s Escape Lounge Centurion Studio. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY 2 all-new FLL routes Headlining Wednesday’s Fort Lauderdale expansion for JetBlue were two routes it has not previously flown out of its South Florida focus city. In the coming months, the carrier will launch nonstop service to two southeast airports: Norfolk International Airport (ORF) in Virginia, with twice-daily service Tampa International Airport (TPA), with daily nonstop intra-Florida service to the Gulf Coast airport less than 200 miles from FLL. Bringing back 2 additional routes Plus, JetBlue announced it will restore

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are making a big change on their flights between Seattle and Tokyo. Starting in January, it’ll be Hawaiian’s beautiful new Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating the route between Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Narita Airport (NRT). For travelers flying between the two cities, it’s a significant upgrade from Hawaiian’s older Airbus A330 currently flying between the Pacific Northwest and Japan: This shift will swap in a new, state-of-the-art cabin with business-class suites for the older product found on board Hawaiian’s legacy long-haul fleet of planes. It’ll also give Alaska Air Group (the parent company of Alaska and Hawaiian) a more competitive on-board product with chief Seattle rival, Delta Air Lines, on these transpacific flights. Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It was not immediately clear whether this change would lead to the 787’s removal from other current Hawaiian-operated routes. A transpacific upgrade Alaska and Hawaiian merged late last year, and promptly announced plans to launch a global gateway at Seattle, Alaska’s home base. I tagged along in May when the airlines’ launched their long-haul era with Tokyo service operated by Hawaiian. Inaugural festivities before Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines launched nonstop Tokyo service. As exciting a