There's a window open right now that I think closes faster than most people expect - and it's sitting right at the top of today's issue. Let's get into it.

Alaska Airlines just launched its first European nonstop service. Which city did it choose for that inaugural route?

Scroll to the bottom for the answer - it's there waiting for you. 👇

The Chase Ink Business Preferred has brought back its 100,000-point welcome bonus - and if you have a small business or a side hustle, this is worth stopping everything for. At a $95 annual fee, the cost-to-bonus ratio here is genuinely exceptional. That's roughly $1,000-$1,500 in travel value depending on how you deploy the points.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to a long list of partners including Hyatt, United, Air France KLM Flying Blue, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines. If you've been eyeing a business class booking to Europe, 100,000 points is a serious head start.

Speaking of Flying Blue - Chase is currently running a 20% transfer bonus to Air France KLM through May 27th, which means those 100k points could go even further on that route. You can check all active transfer bonuses here.

Alaska Airlines just crossed a milestone most people missed: last week it quietly launched its first European nonstop service to Rome, operated on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from its merger partner Hawaiian Airlines. The cabin already features full private suites in business class.

But Alaska isn't stopping there. The airline is now plotting a premium economy cabin and a new luxury lounge in Seattle - both aimed at competing in the global long-haul market. This is a real strategic pivot. Alaska has historically been a domestic carrier with excellent loyalty redemptions, and now it's building the product to match international ambitions.

If you've been sleeping on Alaska Mileage Plan as a program, now might be the time to pay closer attention. The program already has some of the best partner redemption rates in the business - and a better hard product will only make those points more valuable.

Award Travel Finder has been tracking Alaska partner availability on international routes - worth bookmarking if you're planning ahead.

This one is genuinely time-sensitive. Chase Ultimate Rewards is offering a 65% transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy - but it expires on May 15th. That's this Thursday.

If you've been sitting on Chase points and have a Marriott stay on the horizon, this is the move. A 65% bonus means 100,000 Chase points becomes 165,000 Marriott Bonvoy points - which gets you significantly closer to a free night at a premium property.

Amsterdam has become the first city to formally ban airline advertising within its borders. Local politicians pushed the regulation through as part of a broader environmental push targeting air travel - the goal is to stop airlines from marketing flights to Dutch consumers from within the city.

Airlines have pushed back hard, arguing this is symbolic over substantive. Flights will still operate, passengers will still book, and people will simply see ads online from non-Amsterdam servers. But the direction of travel here (pun intended) is worth watching.

If Amsterdam's approach gains traction in other European cities, it could signal a broader cultural shift in how governments frame flying - which has long-term implications for demand, pricing, and even reward program value if political pressure ultimately targets frequent flyer programs themselves.

Cabin video from a recent Frontier evacuation has gone viral - and it's uncomfortable to watch. Flight attendants are clearly heard shouting "Leave the bags!" while passengers can be seen grabbing carry-ons before heading to the exits. It's exactly the scenario safety briefings warn against, and exactly what safety researchers have long feared.

The hard reality is that emergency evacuations rarely look like the calm, orderly 90-second drills airlines train for. When people panic, they default to protecting their belongings. That instinct slows the evacuation for everyone.

This isn't a Frontier-specific problem - it's a human behavior problem. And it's a good reminder that when the crew says "leave everything," they mean it.

This one flew under the radar this week. Chase launched the Disney Inspire Card with a $149 annual fee and what was initially a $600 sign-up bonus - structured as $300 in Disney eGiftcards plus $300 in statement credits. That combo has since shifted to a straight $500 statement credit on the main offer, but reports suggest the original $600 offer may still be active via links found around Disneyland resorts.

If you're a Disney loyalist who spends heavily at parks and Disney stores, this card might pencil out. For the average miles-and-points traveler, the rewards structure is likely too Disney-specific to justify over a general Chase card earning transferable Ultimate Rewards.

Worth knowing about, but probably not worth jumping on unless Disney spending is a meaningful part of your budget.

A few things worth acting on before the week is out:

The Amex Membership Rewards to JetBlue 10% transfer bonus expires today - May 12th. If you have Amex points and any JetBlue flights in mind, this is a use-it-or-lose-it moment.

Air Canada Aeroplan points are also on sale through May 13th at a 30% discount - pricing out to about 1.9 cents per point. If you're planning any Air Canada or Star Alliance redemptions, that's a solid deal. Check all current buy points offers here.

And not everything needs to be an award booking - Friday Flight Deals had some genuinely solid cash fare finds this week for readers who'd rather keep their points in the bank.

The answer is Rome Fiumicino. Alaska Airlines launched its first European nonstop service to Rome last week, operated on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. London and Paris will presumably follow as the route network grows - but Rome got the honor of being first.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred just brought back 100,000 points - but I'm curious: do you have a dedicated business card in your wallet, or do you put everything on personal cards? Hit reply and tell me your setup - I read every response and it genuinely helps shape future coverage!

That's all for today. The Chase Ink offer and the Thursday Marriott transfer bonus deadline are the two things I'd actually act on before the week is out - everything else can wait. See you tomorrow.

- Jack

These are the top credit card welcome bonuses we're tracking. Offers change frequently - see all cards.

1. Business Gold Card: 200,000 points after spending $15,000 in 3 months ($375/yr)

2. The Platinum Card: 175,000 points after spending $12,000 in 6 months ($895/yr)

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve: 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 3 months ($795/yr)

The Award Travel Finder team has been tracking these redemptions - here's what stands out:

Hotels:

Status Matches & Challenges:

• Flying Blue Status Match - Air France / KLM | SkyTeam

• Flying Blue UK (BA Status Holders) - Air France / KLM | SkyTeam

• Flying Blue (Iberia) - Air France / KLM | SkyTeam

Live Transfer Bonuses:

Buy Points & Miles Deals:

Full live tracker → milesandpointsdaily.com/buy-points-promotions

Browse every award deal we track at AwardTravelFinder.com →

Friday Flight Deals finds the best flight deals when paying cash beats using points.

Browse all deals at FridayFlightDeals.com →