Michael's Miles Round-Up

​Previous Issues​

Happy Friday Reader!

Listen to this segment on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts

This week's news, and really the news for the past year and a half, contains more devaluations. Hyatt, Air Canada, and Avianca LifeMiles all made changes recently that continue reshaping what your points are actually worth. You can read about the specifics in the featured news section.

But this week I want to talk about a rewards currency that isn't necessarily new, but is starting to become more relevant: Wells Fargo Rewards.

Two recent additions have pushed it further onto my radar. They added Cathay Pacific as a transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio, and then in the last few weeks, they added Wyndham at a 1:2 ratio. That is unique to Wells Fargo.

Here's the full list of their transfer partners, which is relatively short but covers a decent range of options:

• Avios Programs (British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia); 1:1
• Flying Blue (Air France/KLM); 1:1
• Choice Hotels; 1:2
• JetBlue; 1:1
• Virgin Atlantic (and Virgin Red); 1:1
• Cathay Pacific, 1:1
• Wyndham, 1:2

I'd say the main thing missing from this list is another Star Alliance partner like Air Canada or Singapore Airlines.

Their card portfolio has grown too. The signup bonuses aren't huge; the highest is 60,000 points on the Autograph Journey, but the earning multipliers are surprisingly solid.

You're looking at 3-5x across most spending categories, with a 2x catch-all card option. The one gap is grocery, which they don't cover well. You can see the full card breakdown in this blog post.​

I'm not here to make the case that everyone should jump on a Wells Fargo bandwagon (if such a thing exists). But if you're feeling maxed out on Amex, Chase, Citi, or Capital One, it's worth a look.

The biggest reason I would tell someone to prioritize Wells Fargo is if you find a Wyndham redemption you're shooting for a particular trip. That 1:2 transfer ratio stretches your points pretty far and can add a lot of value like this $300 All Inclusive resort that would cost just 15k Wells Fargo points per night.

Are you getting a good deal with your points? ​
My Award Redemption Analyzer compares up to 3 redemption options side-by-side, so you never waste points again.

• May 20th, 2026 is the big date for Hyatt's changes including: Hotel category changes and the addition of 2 more tiers of pricing. See list of hotels changing categories.
• You can now check in a case of wine for free on Southwest flights from 19 West Coast airports.
• Frontier Airlines launched its seasonal $199 GoWild! Pass. Offering unlimited discounted summer flights through 9/30, see details.​
• Avianca LifeMiles devalued their points again. Economy flights are reaching 48k to Europe, and into 90k territory for business class to Europe. Flights to South America seem relatively unscathed though.
• Air Canada is ALSO devaluing their points starting June 1st. See award chart changes here, business class prices are raising by ~5k to Europe and by ~15k to Asia from the U.S.
• ​Roame added IHG hotels to its hotel search function.
• Wells Fargo's rewards program added Cathay Pacific as a 1:1 transfer partner.
• Bilt announces a 100,000 cap on to their Rent Day Transfer Bonuses. You can transfer more, but only the first 100k points will have the bonus applied.
• Chase continues to lower the floor value of their Points Boost feature available with the Sapphire cards to as low as 1.15 CPP, see details.​
• You can now book China Airlines flights to TPE with your JetBlue miles. I haven't been able to find much availability though.
• The Amex Gold card adds new benefits: 5x on Prepaid Hotels through Amex Travel, add new dining partners: Buffalo Wild Wings and Wonder, and now receive Hertz Five Star Status with enrolloment.

Point Sales:

Purchasing points on sale is a way to access travel sweet spots at a cash discount, especially useful for those who can't earn points quickly through credit cards (those living outside of the U.S.) or those who want to fast-track specific luxury redemptions.

I recommend only purchasing points with a redemption in mind, or if you're topping off an account.

​Learn more with my Points Purchase Playbook + Calculator.
​
Air Canada up to ​30% discount​ as low as 1.90 cents each, exp 5/13​
Alaska Airlines up to 100% bonus as low as 1.88 cents each, exp 5/2​
American Airlines up to 40% bonus as low as 2.26 cents each, tiered
​Hilton Honors 100% bonus as low as 0.50 cents each, exp 5/29.
​JetBlue up to ​125% bonus​ as low as 1.43 cents each, exp 6/10
​Lufthansa up to 50% bonus as low as 1.37 cents each, exp unk.
​Marriott up to ​40% bonus​ as low as 0.89 cents each, exp 6/23
​Southwest up to 45% discount, as low as 1.65 cents each, exp 5/30
​United up to ​50% discount​ as low as 1.88 cents each, exp 5/4
​Wyndham up to 100% bonus, as low as 0.65 cents each, exp 5/1

Now I don't HATE Amex, but I don't like how good their marketing is.

In this video I share some of the ways Amex is built to work against you and what you need to know to come out on top.

If you're interested in supporting NMT via affiliate links here's how:

1) Create a Travel Freely account with my affiliate link.
2) Apply through their website on the app or desktop version using their Card Genie feature which has recommendations based on the cards you have. You can also search for any card.

Within the list below I always do my best to share the best offer that I'm aware of whether it's offered via Travel Freely or not!​
"***" = Different from last week
"**" = Apply through Travel Freely after signing up with my affiliate link.​

Flexible Points Cards:​
-Chase Sapphire Preferred $95 - 75k, after $5k spend​
​-***Chase Sapphire Reserve $795 - 150k after $6k spend
-Chase Sapphire Reserve Business $795 - 150k after $20k spend in 3 months
-Chase Freedom Unlimited $0 - 25k/$250 after $500 spend in 3 months
-**Chase Ink Unlimited $0 - 75k points after $6000 spent
-**Chase Ink Cash $0 75k points after $6000 spent in 3 months
- **Chase Ink Business Preferred $95 - 100k points, increased offer. (Sign-up through Travel Freely)

​
-AMEX Gold $325 has an offer for "as high as" 100k
​-AMEX Business Gold $375 - "as high as" 200k Targeted Offer after $15,000 spent in 3 months. Try copying and pasting link into Private/Incognito browser. ​
​-AMEX Platinum $895 - "As high as" 175k
-AMEX Business Platinum $895 - "as high as 300k" after $20,000 spent in 3 months. Try copy and pasting link into Private/Incognito browser; Also here's a 200k ***No Lifetime Language link.
​-Amex Business Blue Plus $0 - 75k, after $6000 in 4 months (Targeted offer). If it errors out when you click apply now, that means you’re not eligible.​
​​
-Capital One Venture X $395 - 75k points after $4,000 in 3mo.
-Capital One Venture $95 - 75k after $4,000 in 3mo.
-***Capital One Venture Business $95 - 150k, tiered, after $30k in 6 months
-Capital One Venture X Business $395 - 150k bonus, after $30,000 in 3 months. AF:$395
-Capital One Spark Cash $95 - $1000, or 100k if you have Venture Miles earning card, you can transfer cash into miles.
-Capital One Spark Cash Plus $150 - $2000, or 200k if you have Venture Miles earning card.
-Capital One Savor $0 - $200 cash back (20k points) after $500 in 3 months

-Citi Strata Elite $595 - 75k points, $595 annual fee
-Citi Strata Premier $95 - 60k points, $95 annual fee
​

Hotel Cards​
-AMEX Marriott Business Card $125 - 5 Free Night Certificate (up to 50k/night) after $6000 in 6 months, increased from 125k point bonus.
-AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card $650 - 200k points after $6000 spent in 6 months. Exp 5/13​
-Wyndham Earner+ $75 - 75k pts tiered: 45k with $1000 in 90 days, 30k with $500 spend at Hotels by Wyndham.

Airline cards:
​- Bank of America Atmos Summit $395 - (Alaska Airlines Card): 100k + 50% Flight Discount after $6500 in 90 days
- Bank of America Atmos Ascent $95 - 80k + 50% flight discount after $4000 in first 120 days.
- Citi AAdvantage Business Card $99, waived first year. 75k miles after $5000 spent in 5 months.
-**United Club Card $695 - 100k after $5000 spent in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
​-**United Quest Card $350 - 90k after $4000 spent in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
​-**United Explorer card $0 intro, then $150 - 70k after $3000 in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
-**United Business Card $150 - 100k after $5000 spent, 10k for adding authorized user

New deals for May should be available here. I'll have them formatted for you here next Friday!

- Book by the end of May, for travel dates up to October 31st, 2026. Includes reversed routing.
(Here's how to book it step by step.)

- Flying Blue Promo Awards are 25% discounted fares offered by KLM & Air France. Offer changes every month, and is released on the first weekday of the month. Above are U.S.-based routes, click here for other international-based deals.

What do you think of the newsletter?
Tell me and get my hotel upgrade template...

American Express:​
Hilton 20% - Ends 5/30

Bilt:
​Avios (BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus) 40%-100% - Only 5/1

Capital One:​
​None.

Chase:
None.

Citi:​
​Leading Hotels of the World 25% - Ends 5/16

Have a good weekend!
​
​Michael​
​Nurse Michael Travels

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