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Turkish Miles & Smiles Devaluation, United Changes, and More!
Published on December 19, 2025, 2:10 AM

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Hey awardtrail readers! This week is packed with changes that could impact your travel plans and points strategies. First up, Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program has quietly devalued domestic Star Alliance awards, especially within the US and Hawaii. If you were planning on using those miles for a cheap flight, double-check the award pricing before you transfer any points!

On the domestic front, United Airlines is shaking things up. While elite status requirements are staying put for now, expect some significant changes to the program in the near future, both good and bad. Details are still emerging, so keep an eye on awardtrail for a deeper dive as soon as we have them! Plus, American Airlines is keeping a close eye on the Spirit Airlines bankruptcy proceedings, which could have a ripple effect on the airline industry and future flight availability.

Finally, some deals to snag! You can save 30% on Roame with code FM30, score 10% back at IKEA with targeted AmEx and Chase Offers, and get a $15 Amazon gift card for donating blood with the American Red Cross. Fulton Bank has a $500 business checking bonus for those in DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, & VA. AmEx is offering 10% back on Expedia hotel bookings, and Dollar General has 20% off Uber gift cards. And a heads up: Amex is now requiring SSNs for authorized users. Happy travels and happy deal hunting!

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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