Good morning! Today we're covering Southwest's surprise companion pass promotion (yes, really just one booking required), United's quiet elite status extension policy, and why Hyatt's latest promo requires careful planning.

I nearly did a double-take when Southwest's email landed this morning. We're talking about one of the most valuable promotions in the miles and points world, and it's back with the same ridiculously low barrier to entry we've seen before.

But timing matters here - you've got just three days to book, and the sweet spot for using this companion benefit is very specific. Let me walk you through what's actually worth your attention today.

How many nights do you need to stay at Hyatt properties under the new Bonus Journeys 26 promotion to earn your first bonus?

The answer is chillin' near the bottom of today's newsletter... keep scrolling.👇

Southwest just brought back one of its best-known promotions, and the math is almost too good to believe. Register and book just one roundtrip (or two one-way flights) by Thursday, February 5, and you'll earn a two-month Companion Pass valid August 10 through October 7, 2026.

This isn't the full-year Companion Pass that requires 135,000 qualifying points. This is Southwest handing you nearly two months of companion benefits for the price of a single booking. Whether you're paying cash or using points, your companion flies free (you just cover the $5.60 in taxes).

The timing of this companion pass window is actually brilliant if you're planning fall travel. Late August through early October covers Labor Day weekend, early autumn trips, and that sweet spot before holiday pricing kicks in. A couple flying roundtrip from Chicago to San Diego during this period could easily save $400-600 on the companion ticket alone.

Your qualifying booking can be any Southwest flight, any time - it doesn't need to be during the companion pass validity window. Book a cheap one-way for next month if that works better for you. The key is booking by Thursday's deadline.

Don't forget: you still need to designate your companion after receiving the pass, and they can't be changed during the promotional period. Choose wisely. For all our Southwest coverage and companion pass strategies, we've got a dedicated page.

Here's something United won't advertise publicly: they're continuing to grant elite status extensions upon request, even after the February 1 cutoff. If you just lost your MileagePlus elite status, you might not be out of luck yet.

This isn't an official published policy - it's more of a customer service workaround that's proving surprisingly effective. Multiple reports confirm that members who contact United and politely request an extension (especially those with unusual circumstances in 2025) are getting approved.

United initially tried pushing members toward expensive status buy-ups rather than extensions. But customer service appears to have more flexibility than those official channels suggest. If you had a valid reason for missing requalification - health issues, reduced travel due to work changes, or simply an off year - it's worth making a case.

The key is being polite and specific about your circumstances. Don't demand an extension, but explain why 2025 was different from your normal travel patterns and mention your history with United. Extensions typically run 90 days, giving you through early May to requalify.

This timing couldn't be better because spring is when we typically see United run PQP-earning promotions. An extension bridges you to those opportunities. For more on United elite status strategies, we've covered this extensively.

Hyatt's latest Bonus Journeys 26 promotion went live yesterday, offering 3,000 bonus points every three nights stayed through April 15, plus an extra 1,000 points at Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties. You can earn up to 28,000 total bonus points if you max out the promotion.

But here's the frustrating part: stays of one or two nights earn absolutely nothing under this promo. That's different from some past Hyatt promotions that at least gave you something for shorter stays.

To hit that 28,000 bonus points maximum, you'd need 24 qualifying nights at standard Hyatt properties, or 18 nights if you exclusively stay at Hyatt Place/House properties (thanks to the extra 1,000 points per three nights at those brands).

Is this worth registering for? Absolutely. Even if you're not planning Hyatt stays right now, registering takes 30 seconds and costs nothing. If an unexpected work trip or weekend getaway comes up, you'll be glad you're enrolled.

But strategically, this promotion rewards extended stays over quick trips. If you're someone who tends to book 1-2 night stays, you might need to consolidate trips to make this work. Three consecutive nights at a Hyatt Place near a city you want to explore could net you 4,000 bonus points on top of base earning.

As of February 1, the Capital One Venture X lounge access changes we discussed last month are officially in effect. If you hold this card, you need to understand what just changed with your Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access.

The short version: Priority Pass restaurant credits have been slashed from $28 to $20 per person, and you're now limited to one complimentary guest at Capital One Lounges (down from unlimited guests). Additional guests cost $35 each.

For solo travelers who primarily use Capital One Lounges, almost nothing changed. You still get in free, and you still get high-quality lounge access at DFW, Denver, Las Vegas, and the growing network of Capital One locations.

The guest limit hits families harder. If you're traveling with your partner and two kids, you're now paying $70 in guest fees at Capital One Lounges versus free access under the old policy. That's the real devaluation here.

The Priority Pass change is less dramatic - $20 still covers a decent airport meal at participating restaurants, just with less wiggle room than before. Plan accordingly and you'll be fine.

Despite these changes, the Venture X remains one of the best-value premium cards at $395 annually, especially with the $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles. For more on premium credit card strategies, we track all the major card updates.

United just shared an updated timeline for completing its free Starlink Wi-Fi installation across the entire fleet: expect full deployment by late 2027. That's later than some initially hoped, but the progress so far has been impressive.

The airline announced Starlink plans in September 2024, and installations are already underway on multiple aircraft types. Early reports from passengers on equipped planes rave about the speed and reliability - this is genuinely high-speed internet at 35,000 feet, not the sluggish systems we've tolerated for years.

United has historically lagged both American and Delta on inflight Wi-Fi quality. This Starlink partnership changes that equation completely. Free, fast, reliable Wi-Fi becomes a legitimate competitive advantage - especially for business travelers who need connectivity.

The late 2027 timeline means we're looking at nearly three more years before every United flight has Starlink. But as installations accelerate through 2026, you'll increasingly find yourself on equipped aircraft. Check your plane type before booking if Wi-Fi matters for your trip.

Want to know if your specific flight has Wi-Fi before you book? Check SeatWifi for real-time in-flight connectivity information, pricing, and quality ratings across airlines.

The answer is three nights. Hyatt's Bonus Journeys 26 promotion requires you to complete three nights before earning your first 3,000 bonus points (or 4,000 at Hyatt Place/House properties). One or two-night stays earn nothing under this promo, which means you need to plan longer stays to maximize value.

Hit reply and let me know - I read every response and I'm genuinely curious how you all plan to use this two-month companion benefit. Labor Day trips? Fall foliage? Spontaneous weekend getaways?

That's all for today - see you tomorrow with more deals and strategy!

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.

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