Since joining the SkyTeam alliance on September 1st, 2024, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has massively overhauled its lounge access policies. For SAS EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members, as well as SAS Plus and Business travelers, this means access to a vast new network of lounges from partners like KLM, Delta, and Air France.

At AwardFares, we’re always on the lookout for clues about the future of loyalty programs. A recent discovery has caught our attention and could signal a monumental shift for the 8 million members of SAS EuroBonus: SAS is actively hiring a “Product Owner Dynamic Pricing.”

Seeing a giant, flying Pikachu at an airport isn’t just a fantasy, it’s a real experience for travelers, especially in Asia. These specially painted aircraft, officially known as Pokémon Jets, are part of a global project designed to bring a bit of fun back to flying. They are more than just planes with a special paint job; they often feature a complete themed experience from the moment you check in to the moment you land.

Qantas Frequent Flyer has just dropped one of its most anticipated offers of the year: Double Status Credits or Double Qantas Points on all new bookings! This is a massive opportunity for members to fast-track their way to Silver, Gold, or even Platinum status.

Wondering how many Atmos points you’ll earn? Use our Atmos Rewards Calculator to instantly estimate points and status credits from flights, credit card spend, and everyday purchases.

Frontier Airlines has launched a new promotion offering elite status to members of other U.S. airline loyalty programs. For a one-time fee of $69, eligible members can receive FRONTIER Miles Elite Gold status valid through the end of 2026.

When Atmos Rewards launched, I’ll admit I was both surprised and curious. As someone who has been following loyalty programs for years—and even booked a 2-day run Stockholm–Tokyo–Doha–Milan–Madrid just to try QSuites using Mileage Plan miles—I wanted to see whether Alaska and Hawaiian’s new unified program would live up to its legacy.

Alaska Airlines has officially launched Atmos Rewards, retiring the iconic Mileage Plan name and fully integrating the HawaiianMiles program into a single, supercharged platform. It’s rare to see frequent flyer programs going through such drastic changes or rebrands. This is a fundamental transformation that introduces new features, a new premium credit card, and aligns with Alaska’s plan to position the group as a global airline powerhouse.

On August 5th, Alaska Airlines did something huge. They announced a massive leap from being a beloved West Coast airline to a true global player. This isn’t just adding a few new flights, it’s a complete change in their business plan and model. It’s all built around three exciting things (at least for us): a new fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a new “Aurora” livery, and a bunch of new long-haul international routes.

In a move that’s sure to excite frequent flyers, Kenya Airways has launched a new, widely accessible status match campaign. This offer provides a fast track to elite status in their Asante Rewards program and, by extension, the valuable perks of SkyTeam. Unlike many restrictive matches, this one is quite broad, welcoming elite members from other airlines, major hotel loyalty programs, and even select travel rewards credit card holders. The campaign is managed in partnership with Loyalty Status Co, the company who owns and operates StatusMatch.com.

The biggest challenge in award travel isn’t earning points, it’s finding the flights to spend them on. The frustration of the endless cycle is clear: search, check, and re-check for that Business or First Class seat, only to come up empty.

When I was younger, airline loyalty programs were more fun. There were all sorts of secret rules and loopholes one could exploit to earn a ton of miles, qualify for elite status, and enjoy exclusive attention at the airport and in the air. Sure, every major program has changed drastically compared to 20 years ago, and they still do every year. However, most of those changes for some reason feel a bit boring. But then, in late 2024, an airline named SAS did something that shook things up. They launched their “Who Wants to be a EuroBonus Millionaire?” challenge, and it was a huge deal that kicked off what you might call a ‘gold rush’ for airline miles.

If you’re into points and miles, you can feel it: the ground is moving. The rules we learned, the strategies we had, and the value we came to expect are all being rewritten in real-time. For frequent flyers, 2025 isn’t just another year of travel, it’s a pivotal moment that will redefine what “loyalty” means for the next decade.