Quick Hits: Southwest Companion Pass Season Is HERE, New Rumored Chase Partners & More!

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastThis week’s Quick Hits kicks off with the Southwest Companion Pass season officially underway, giving travelers a chance to start planning one of the most valuable companion benefits in domestic travel. DeAndre also covers a new Hyatt promotion offering 3,000 bonus points for every three qualifying nights, targeted Southwest members unexpectedly receiving 5,000 Rapid Rewards points, and a useful American Airlines app feature that can automatically move travelers into a preferred window or aisle seat when one becomes available.One of the biggest updates comes from Alaska Airlines and Atmos Rewards. Members can now choose how they want to earn rewards based on miles flown, ticket price, or flight segments for flights beginning January 1. Alaska also announced that eligible Bank of America cardholders will eventually be able to transfer points into Atmos Rewards, with a new debit card and upgrades to the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card also on the way. Hilton is making news too, with a 10,000 point promotion and rumors of an even higher elite status tier called Black Diamond.The episode wraps with several opportunities for point travelers. Chase may be preparing to add Qantas and Cathay Pacific as 1:1 transfer partners, while some Sapphire Preferred cardholders are seeing targeted 75,000 point offers to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve. Even bigger for families, Philippine Airlines is showing as many as eight business class award seats on some flights to Manila, while American Airlines has strong award availability to Peru with as many as seven seats on select dates. DeAndre also shares updates on the BoldlyGo community ahead of Points Travel Festival Chicago and previews his upcoming anniversary trip to Hawaii.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: A Thank You to the BoldlyGo Community(01:05) Southwest Companion Pass Season Is Officially Here(02:13) Hyatt's New 3,000 Point Bonus Promotion(02:59) Southwest Is Giving Some Members 5,000 Free Points(03:39) American Airlines Can Now Automatically Find You a Better Seat(04:52) Major Alaska Airlines and Atmos Rewards Changes(06:09) Hilton Promotion and the Rumored Black Diamond Status Tier(07:45) Chase Could Add Qantas and Cathay Pacific as Transfer Partners(07:58) Targeted 75K Sapphire Reserve Upgrade Offers(08:34) Up to 8 Business Class Award Seats to Asia and 7 Seats to PeruKey takeaways: Southwest Companion Pass Season: Now is the time to start planning a Companion Pass strategy, which lets a designated companion fly for only the applicable taxes and fees.Hyatt Bonus Points: Hyatt is offering 3,000 bonus points for every three qualifying nights, with the opportunity to earn up to 36,000 bonus points.Free Southwest Points: Some Rapid Rewards members have unexpectedly received 5,000 bonus points with no registration, spending, or flight requirement.American's Automatic Seat Changes: AAdvantage members on eligible single passenger reservations can set seat preferences and have the app automatically move them when a qualifying preferred seat becomes available.Big Atmos Rewards Changes: Alaska members can choose to earn based on miles flown, ticket price, or flight segments for eligible flights beginning January 1.Bank of America to Atmos: Eligible Bank of America cardholders are expected to gain the ability to transfer points to Atmos Rewards starting in 2027.Hilton Black Diamond Rumor: Leaked information suggests Hilton could be testing an even more exclusive elite status tier above its existing levels, although Hilton has not officially confirmed it.New Chase Transfer Partners? Reports suggest Qantas and Cathay Pacific could potentially become 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.75K Sapphire Upgrade Offer: Some Sapphire Preferred cardholders are being targeted for 75,000 points to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve after meeting the required spending.Huge Family Award Availability: Some Philippine Airlines flights are showing up to eight business class award seats to Manila, while select American Airlines flights to Peru are showing as many as seven award seats.<