The United-JetBlue partnership is officially live, American's newest aircraft gets a launch date, and Bilt is completely revamping its rewards structure. Let's dive into today's biggest developments...

The much-anticipated United-JetBlue partnership launched today, but initial award pricing is disappointing. While you can now earn and redeem miles across both airlines, early searches show inflated rates that rarely beat booking directly. The partnership seems more focused on corporate contracts than delivering value to frequent flyers.

Mark your calendars for December 18 when American's first A321XLR takes flight between JFK and LAX. The new aircraft features all-aisle-access business suites and a premium economy cabin. This marks a significant upgrade to AA's transcontinental service.

Starting January 1, 2026, Bilt is replacing its Milestone Rewards with cash credits earned alongside points. The new structure lets you earn spendable cash across Bilt's partner network while maintaining point earnings—potentially a win-win for members.

Despite knowing about a property's bankruptcy and closure for weeks, Marriott continues allowing reservations at a shuttered hotel. Guests are still showing up to locked doors with valid bookings. If you have an upcoming Marriott stay, double-check your hotel's operating status.

American confirmed plans to upgrade its 777-200ER fleet with new business class seats, premium economy cabins, and Viasat Wi-Fi. This represents a significant improvement for AA's most-flown widebody aircraft.

For the first time in 5 years, Chase is offering a 25% transfer bonus to Southwest through November 30. Given Southwest's recent struggles, this unusual bonus might indicate efforts to boost engagement with the program.

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: