Showing posts with label Frequent Flyer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frequent Flyer. Show all posts

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Google Flights Adds Real-Time Award Pricing: Search Flights & Hotels With Points and Miles

Frequent flyer enthusiasts and casual travelers alike have long relied on Google Flights for standard cash search, but comparing airline miles and hotel loyalty points usually meant juggling tabs and logging into multiple loyalty portals. That changes now: Google is integrating real-time award pricing for airline flights and hotel bookings directly into its AI Mode search experience.


How Real-Time Award Searches Work

Rather than only displaying standard cash fares, Google's integrated AI Mode can now fetch live redemption costs across partner loyalty programs and direct you straight to partner sites to complete your booking.

  • Natural Language Queries: Ask natural questions like "Find a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles using American Airlines AAdvantage miles departing on November 1."
  • Hotel Point Redemptions: Query hotel reward stays with compatible partner chains to instantly view required award point totals alongside cash rates.
  • Direct Booking Handoff: Select your desired itinerary or room to click directly through to the loyalty portal to finalize your reward redemption.

Launch Partners & Upcoming Programs

Category Live at Launch Coming Soon
Airlines Alaska Airlines (Atmos Rewards), American Airlines (AAdvantage) Air France-KLM (Flying Blue), LATAM Pass, Lufthansa Group (Miles & More)
Hotels Choice Hotels, Hilton Honors, Wyndham Rewards Accor Live Limitless, World of Hyatt

What This Means for Award Travel

While specialized tools and third-party extensions like Points Path have previously brought mileage pricing to Google Flights, Google's native implementation marks a significant step toward mainstream award transparency. As Google expands its roster of airline alliances and hotel chains, comparing cash fares versus reward redemptions will become seamless right from a single search bar.

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Chase Cuts Sapphire Lounge Access For Priority Pass: What Travelers Need to Know

Chase is restricting Sapphire Lounge access to curb airport crowding.

In a significant shift aimed at curbing airport lounge overcrowding, Chase is officially removing its Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club from the Priority Pass and LoungeKey networks, effective August 15, 2026.

While this marks an end to non-Chase cardholders using Priority Pass to access some of the country’s top-rated airport lounges, it brings welcome updates and extended perks for core cardholders.

1. Priority Pass and LoungeKey Access Is Ending

Until now, general Priority Pass and LoungeKey members—including those who received their membership through competing premium cards like the Capital One Venture X or Amex Platinum—were entitled to one complimentary visit per calendar year to a Chase Sapphire Lounge, with additional visits available for a discounted $75 rate.

  • No more free annual visits: Priority Pass and LoungeKey passes will no longer grant entry to any Sapphire Lounge location.
  • No discounted rate: The $75 reduced entry fee for Priority Pass holders will be eliminated.
  • Standard day pass price: Non-cardholders or general travelers can still purchase a guest pass at the door for $100 per person, subject to space and capacity availability.

2. Extended Layover Stay Window for Chase Cardholders

To reward its primary cardmembers, Chase is rolling out a major positive update for connecting travelers on the same date:

  • 5-Hour Layover Access: Starting August 15, eligible cardholders traveling on a connecting itinerary can enter a Chase Sapphire Lounge up to 5 hours before their scheduled departing flight (up from the previous 3-hour window).
  • Originating Flights: For travelers starting their trip at an airport with a Sapphire Lounge, the access window remains capped at 3 hours prior to departure.

Who Still Gets Unlimited Access?

If you hold one of Chase’s premium travel cards, your lounge perks remain intact (and should come with shorter wait times at the podium):

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
  • The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
  • J.P. Morgan Reserve Card

Primary cardmembers and authorized users continue to receive unlimited complimentary access, along with two free guest passes per visit.

"Airport lounge crowding has reached an all-time high, and Chase is following in the footsteps of American Express and Capital One by prioritizing its own cardmembers over network pass holders."

The Bottom Line

If you hold a non-Chase card with Priority Pass and haven't used your complimentary annual visit yet, be sure to drop in before August 15, 2026!