Good morning, travel-hackers and mile-chasers! We took a little break for the holidays but we’re back. This week, we’re navigating through turbulence in the loyalty skies, cruising past credit card perks, and landing in a restructured aviation landscape. Flying Blue's short-haul award prices have taken off (and not in the good way), while Capital One is gifting more miles with its shopping offers. We’re also helping you breeze through airport security with credit cards that cover Global Entry and TSA PreCheck fees. Finally, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have sealed the deal on their mega-merger, creating an aviation giant poised to reshape the industry. Buckle up—it’s going to be an informative ride!

✈️Flying Blue Gives Partner Awards a Pricey Makeover

Flying Blue just stuffed frequent flyers' stockings with coal: as of December 25, 2025, the Air France-KLM loyalty program has quietly hiked the cost of partner award redemptions. Short-haul trips took the biggest hit, with many economy tickets doubling from 5,000 to 10,000 miles, and business class following suit, jumping from 15,000 to 20,000 miles.

Examples? Mexico City to Oaxaca on Aeromexico, Sydney to Melbourne on Qantas, and other short hops are now pricier, while long-haul increases remain modest. The timing—Christmas Day—feels less like a coincidence and more like a strategic sneak attack.

The takeaway: Flying Blue might still be competitive for long-haul travel, but short-haul enthusiasts will need to stretch their miles farther—or look elsewhere. 🎁✈️

Capital One Sweetens the Deal: Miles Instead of Cashback 💳🌟

Capital One is making the shopping spree even sweeter. Its “Capital One Offers,” previously cashback-centric, now award miles for cardholders with miles-earning cards. Translation? More bang for your swipe.

Why’s this big? Miles pack more punch than straight cashback when transferred to travel partners. Capital One Miles are valued at ~1.45 cents each—45% more value compared to plain-old statement credits. Recent standout offers include 12x at Dell, 10x at Best Buy, and Budget car rentals, outpacing public shopping portals.

Pro tip: Check your account for these deals—like a game of hide-and-seek, they might be tucked away, but finding them feels oh-so rewarding.

Skip the Airport Hassle: Credit Cards Covering Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Fees 🛫👟

If long airport lines aren’t your style, here’s a holiday travel hack: many credit cards cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. These perks, offered by major issuers like Amex, Chase, and Capital One, let you breeze through security and immigration—shoes on, liquids in bag, stress left behind.

Key points:

• Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, AMEX Platinum, Capital One Venture X, even cover NEXUS, which is great for travelers crossing U.S.-Canada borders.

• These credits can often be used for family or friends if you’re feeling generous.

• Options range from ultra-premium cards to more budget-friendly picks under $100/year.

Bottom line: With these credits renewing every 4-5 years, there’s no reason not to skip the lines and savor the airport snacks instead. 🥨

Korean Air & Asiana Tie the Knot, Creating an Aviation Powerhouse ✈️🌏

After four years of turbulence, the $1.6 billion merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines has landed. This move vaults Korean Air from the world’s 18th-largest airline to the 10th, absorbing Asiana’s fleet, phasing out its brand, and streamlining operations. Goodbye, Asiana; hello, SkyTeam dominance (much to Delta’s delight).

For travelers, the merger has pros and cons. The good: a stronger route network, fleet modernization, and more SkyTeam loyalty perks. The not-so-good: fewer options in South Korea and possibly higher fares.

Strategy tip: Use the new and improved Korean Air to maximize mileage with Delta through Seoul Incheon—especially with a fleet ready to rival the best in global aviation. 🌐

We love hearing from you! Share your travel stories, tips, or ask us burning travel questions. Ask me a question or advice on points and miles or other travel questions. Who knows, your story might be featured in our next newsletter!

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✨ Safe Travels & Happy Landings! Thank you for flying with us on this newsletter journey. Until next time, keep your passports ready and your adventures grand!