Welcome to Wednesday, December 3rd. Today we're covering a new TSA fee that hits next month, Chase's latest bonus restrictions on their most popular business cards, a rare Virgin Atlantic points sale, and an unexpected status match opportunity that could fast-track your oneworld elite benefits. Let's dive in.

The Transportation Security Administration just confirmed what many feared: starting January 1, 2026, travelers who show up at security checkpoints without a Real ID-compliant license or valid passport will face a $45 identity verification fee. That's significantly higher than the previously rumored amount.

Here's what triggers the fee: presenting an expired ID, a non-compliant state license, or no physical identification at all. The TSA will still verify your identity through alternative methods (answering personal questions, database checks), but you'll pay for the privilege. With less than a month until enforcement begins, now's the time to check your wallet. If your driver's license doesn't have a gold star in the upper right corner, you'll need to either visit your DMV or travel with your passport. For frequent travelers, this could add up to hundreds annually if you're not prepared.

Chase completed its crackdown on Ink Business card bonuses yesterday, adding new eligibility restrictions to the Ink Business Preferred and Ink Business Premier. These cards now join their no-annual-fee siblings with language preventing bonus eligibility if you've opened or closed any Ink card in the past 24 months. This matches restrictions Chase rolled out to the Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Business Cash just weeks ago.

The practical impact? Gone are the days of cycling through multiple Ink cards to harvest 100,000-point bonuses every 24 months. Now you're locked into one Ink bonus per two-year period across the entire family. If you've been considering an Ink application and already hold one of these cards, the clock started ticking from your most recent Ink opening or closure. The silver lining: if you don't currently have an Ink card, you can still grab one of these generous bonuses—just choose wisely, because it'll be your only shot for quite a while. You can check our credit card strategy guides for detailed comparisons.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club doesn't run buy points promotions often, which makes today's 70% bonus offer worth examining closely. The math works out to 1.18 cents per point if you buy the maximum, or up to 1.48 cents for smaller purchases. That's not cheap on the surface, but Virgin Atlantic points punch well above their weight for specific redemptions.

The sweet spots that justify buying: ANA first class to Japan at 110,000 points one-way, Delta One to Europe starting at 50,000 points, and Air France business class with minimal fuel surcharges. If you're planning any of these trips, purchasing 110,000 points for roughly $1,600 beats paying $5,000+ in cash for the same first class seat. Just remember that Virgin charges fuel surcharges on some partners, particularly on their own metal and British Airways flights. Before buying, search award availability to confirm your route actually saves money versus cash fares. See all our Flying Club coverage for redemption strategies.

Royal Jordanian quietly reopened their status match program, offering a fast track to oneworld Sapphire or Emerald benefits. The catch this time: the program is no longer available to U.S. residents, unlike the last round a couple months ago. If you're based in an eligible country (Canada, UK, and many others are reportedly working), you can match status from any airline to Royal Club Silver (oneworld Sapphire) or Gold (oneworld Emerald).

Why this matters: Royal Jordanian hands you instant access to oneworld lounges, priority boarding, and extra baggage across American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and every other oneworld carrier. The application reportedly takes under 10 minutes, though you'll need to upload proof of your existing status. If you've been sitting on status with another airline—even a non-oneworld carrier—and you meet the residency requirements, this could unlock premium cabin upgrades and lounge access for your next oneworld trip. Learn more about oneworld alliance benefits.

American Airlines Loyalty Points determine your elite status, and the Citi AAdvantage Business card remains the single best way to earn them through credit card spending. The program just confirmed the double-dip benefit extends through the end of 2026—unexpected news since many assumed it would disappear January 1st.

Here's how it works: every dollar you spend on the Citi AAdvantage Business card earns you both AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points. Most other co-branded cards only award Loyalty Points on the annual fee and bonus miles, not base spending. Over a year, that difference adds up dramatically. Someone spending $50,000 on the card earns 50,000 Loyalty Points toward status—more than halfway to Gold status—on top of their actual flying. If you're chasing American elite status and you're not carrying this card, you're making qualification significantly harder than it needs to be. Read our complete breakdown in our American Airlines coverage.

GHA Discovery launched a six-month promotion that rewards travelers who explore different hotel brands within their 50-brand portfolio. Between December 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, complete 2-10 stays of at least two nights at different GHA brands, and you'll earn D$50 to D$100 per stay on top of your regular rewards. Maximum earning potential: D$825.

The crucial detail: bookings must be made directly with the hotel—OTA reservations and bank portals don't qualify. For anyone unfamiliar with GHA Discovery, think of it as a boutique hotel coalition that lets you earn and burn points across independent luxury and lifestyle properties worldwide. The earning rates won't rival major chains, but the promotion adds meaningful value if you're already planning stays at properties like Omni, Kempinski, or Marco Polo hotels. Registration is open now, and you'll want to sign up before your first stay to ensure tracking. More details on hotel rewards programs.

Dallas Fort Worth Airport announced two Plaza Premium lounges opening in Terminal D in early 2026, including a Premium First Lounge concept. Details remain scarce, but the addition continues DFW's transformation into arguably the best U.S. airport for lounge quality. Terminal D already houses the impressive Capital One Lounge and multiple Priority Pass options.

What we know: Plaza Premium First Lounges typically offer elevated experiences beyond standard club access—think better food, quieter spaces, and sometimes spa services. If you're connecting through DFW and hold Premium credit cards with Priority Pass or lounge network access, your options just expanded significantly. We'll update coverage as opening dates and access policies are confirmed. Check our airport lounges guide for current DFW lounge options.

Three action items for today: verify your driver's license has Real ID compliance before January 1st, evaluate if you should apply for a Chase Ink card before restrictions cost you future bonuses, and consider whether Virgin Atlantic's points sale makes sense for your upcoming travel plans. The Royal Jordanian status match deserves attention if you're outside the U.S. and holding unused elite status with another carrier. As always, the best opportunities come to those who move quickly—these programs love changing rules without warning.

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: