Delta just leaked its strategy to dominate Asia while declaring Europe dead. Alaska launched a sale slashing award prices up to 50% on flights to Sydney and Seoul. And United quietly rolled out something nobody saw coming: a debit card that rewards you for saving money, not spending it.

Let's dive into today's biggest moves in miles and points.

Delta's internal planning documents reveal a massive strategic shift: the carrier is going all-in on Asia while officially calling Europe 'saturated.' The airline plans to announce service to Singapore and Manila, plus new routes from JFK and LAX to Seoul-Incheon.

The Seoul expansion is particularly clever. By leveraging their joint venture with Korean Air and Korean's hub at Incheon, Delta gains instant access to dozens of onward connections throughout Asia without operating the flights themselves. It's the playbook that made their European network so profitable, now applied to the Pacific.

For SkyMiles members, this means more award availability to Asia is coming, though Delta's dynamic pricing makes it impossible to predict exact rates. If you've been eyeing business class to Singapore or Manila, wait for these routes to launch — introductory award pricing on new routes is often more reasonable than established ones.

Speaking of Asia expansion, Alaska just launched its quarterly Global Getaways sale with discounts up to 50% on award tickets to select destinations in Asia and the Pacific. The timing couldn't be better if you're chasing summer weather during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

The standout deals? Fly to Sydney or Auckland — where summer is just beginning — starting at 25,000 Atmos Rewards miles one-way in economy. That's half the usual rate. Business class awards are discounted too, though specific pricing varies by route and date.

This sale includes select destinations across Asia as well. If Delta's Asia expansion news got you thinking about the region, Alaska's sale offers a more affordable way to get there now rather than waiting for new routes. Check Award Travel Finder to search availability across Alaska's partner airlines during the sale period.

After years of airlines avoiding debit cards due to thin profit margins, United just joined Southwest in launching one. The new United MileagePlus Debit Rewards Card offers something surprisingly clever: bonus miles for saving money, not just spending it.

You'll earn miles on debit purchases like a normal rewards card, but United also awards miles based on your account balance. Keep money in your linked account and watch miles accumulate passively. It's an interesting pivot from the credit card industry's endless push for spending.

This won't replace premium credit cards for serious points collectors, but it could make sense for people who prefer debit transactions or want to earn miles on rent and mortgage payments that don't code as credit card purchases. Southwest pioneered this space recently, and United's entry suggests other airlines might follow.

In rare positive news, Choice Privileges just announced it's lowering elite status requirements starting in early 2026. Each existing tier will require five fewer nights per calendar year.

Details remain thin on what other changes might accompany this shift, but any time a hotel program makes status easier to earn rather than harder, it's worth noting. Choice operates brands like Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and Cambria Hotels — not the glamorous names, but properties that blanket secondary cities and offer solid value.

If you regularly stay in smaller markets where Marriott and Hilton properties are scarce or overpriced, this change makes Choice status more attainable. The move takes effect in 2026, giving you time to strategize your staying patterns if Choice properties fit your travel footprint.

Capital One launched a new co-brand credit card with T-Mobile offering 2% back on spending. On the surface, it's unremarkable — another cashback card in a crowded market. But the real story might be what this partnership signals for Capital One's future in travel cobrands.

Capital One has long played second fiddle to Chase, Amex, and Citi in the airline and hotel credit card space. They have Venture and transferable miles, but no major airline or hotel cobrands to compete with Chase's United and Marriott cards or Amex's Delta and Hilton portfolios.

This T-Mobile partnership could be Capital One testing the cobrand infrastructure before launching bigger travel partnerships. The bank's technology platform and growing transfer partner list make them an attractive option for airlines or hotels looking to diversify beyond the big three issuers. Watch this space.

Bad news for anyone chasing Star Alliance Gold status through Aegean's historically generous Miles+Bonus program. The Greek carrier just announced it's raising elite status requirements and introducing a new top Platinum tier.

Aegean has long been one of the easiest paths to Star Alliance Gold, which unlocks lounge access and priority benefits across United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and other member airlines worldwide. That loophole is closing. If you've been considering an Aegean status run or mileage credit card to hit Gold, do it before these changes take effect.

The new Platinum tier suggests Aegean wants to create separation between its most valuable customers and the masses who gamed their way to Gold through manufactured spending. It's the same pattern we've seen from Alaska, Southwest, and others — as programs mature, the easy paths to status disappear.

Today's news reveals a clear pattern: airlines are shifting strategies hard. Delta abandons Europe for Asia. Alaska and United experiment with debit rewards. Capital One positions for bigger cobrand plays. Choice makes status easier while Aegean makes it harder.

If you've been sitting on United miles and considering buying more during their current 30% discount sale at 2.63¢ per mile through December 31, Alaska's Global Getaways sale might be the better play. Both programs offer routes to similar Asia-Pacific destinations, but Alaska's 50% discount beats United's typical award pricing even with purchased miles.

And if you've been thinking about Capital One cards, their transfer partners keep getting stronger. With airlines actively shopping for new credit card partners, Capital One's Venture X and its 2x earning on everything looks increasingly competitive against Chase Sapphire Reserve.

That's it for today. Tomorrow we'll dig into Southwest's curbside loophole that's saving people bag fees, plus Virgin Atlantic's Seoul announcement.

Safe travels, The Miles & Points Daily Team

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share some timely opportunities I've been tracking (courtesy of our friends at AwardTravelFinder). These deals won't last long, so let's dive in.

Active transfer bonuses worth considering:

Airline programs: