00:00:00:02 - 00:00:05:23
Chris
Everyone keeps asking what's changing next year? So today we're focusing on the updates that actually matter to you.
00:00:06:01 - 00:00:13:22
Katie
From improved credit card perks to new lounge access rules and upcoming loyalty program shifts. There's a lot happening over the next few months.
00:00:14:00 - 00:00:20:18
Chris
We'll tell you what's worth keeping, what to use before it disappears, and what to expect in 2026. So you're not caught off guard.
00:00:20:20 - 00:00:31:15
Katie
If you want to stay ahead of the changes instead of reacting to them. This is the episode for you.
00:00:31:17 - 00:00:35:01
Chris
Hey, I'm Chris. Welcome to the Upgraded Points podcast.
00:00:35:03 - 00:00:51:23
Katie
And I'm Katie and today we are talking about what is changing in 2026. So we're going to go over some of the big headlines of what you need to know in the points and miles world. That is going to be different next year. So let's dive right in. Chris, what is the first thing we should be paying attention to?
00:00:52:01 - 00:01:16:09
Chris
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card in your wall, this is great news for you. The edit credit, which previously was two $250 credits, by annually, can now be used much closer together. It's still $500 total per year, but you don't have to wait six months to use them now. So starting January 1st, you'll get $250 to use, and then you can use that second credit on January 2nd.
00:01:16:09 - 00:01:34:11
Chris
And so you can get those credits out of the way if you wanted to use them for the same property. Technically, it is possible would be able to book two separate reservations, but it's very clear you cannot double dip on on property benefits. You can still split it into two reservations. Book two $250 credits from the edit.
00:01:34:17 - 00:01:44:11
Chris
That's great. Or you can you can book them for whenever you want. But no, those, on property benefits will not be able to be double dipped, which is still pretty good news though.
00:01:44:13 - 00:02:07:00
Katie
Yeah, that was a like a tiny little adjustment they made that actually makes a huge difference. And I think really increases the value of that credit. So well done Chase Sapphire. The next thing we need to talk about is also about the Chase Sapphire. They have a new hotel credit in 2026. And from what I understand, it's at this point only in 2026.
00:02:07:00 - 00:02:37:14
Katie
I don't think it's been announced as an ongoing benefit. Maybe. Correct me if I'm wrong there, Chris. But they are adding a new $250 annual hotel credit, and this is separate from that credit that Chris just talked about. And this is, again for bookings, two night minimum through Chase travel at select partners. And these include IHG hotels, Montage Hotels, Pendry Hotels, Omni Hotels, Virgin hotels Minor Hotels and Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts.
00:02:37:16 - 00:02:57:09
Katie
So that is separate from the Chase. The added credit, it is an additional $250 credit that you can use on two night stays at those brands, so that's also another very under the radar credit. I think it was like buried in an announcement that just kind of went out. And really that's that's a valuable benefit to look out for in 2026.
00:02:57:11 - 00:03:12:23
Chris
Yeah, those are some it's a solid list of hotels there. I mean just IHG. I mean you can travel around the entire world and that's I mean you could you see it's a 250 credit for a two minute minimum. And that's totally possible to get a free stay somewhere.
00:03:13:01 - 00:03:21:12
Katie
Yeah. Or you could go super high end and try out like an Omni or go super cool. Go to one of those Virgin hotels like. There's some some great options there.
00:03:21:14 - 00:03:49:02
Chris
Yeah. The next change that is not as good news is for Capital One Venture X cardholders starting February 1st there is a guest policy change. Now authorized users currently get a lounge access which is awesome. It makes this card one of the one of our favorite cards. But on February 1st, authorized users are losing that the access privilege.
00:03:49:04 - 00:04:22:15
Chris
So you can still maintain that benefit if you spend $75,000 per year, calendar year on your venture X card, your your authorized users will be able to get lounge access. You can still add an authorized user to your account for free, but they won't get the lounge access benefit if you wanted your authorized user to get lounge access privileges, and you're not going to be spending $75,000 per year on your venture X card, you can actually pay $125 per year, and that's on the Capital One Venture X or the venture X business card.
00:04:22:17 - 00:04:32:02
Chris
And then your authorized users would continue to get access. So you'll have to run the numbers there, see if that makes sense for you. But just be aware on February 1st those changes are coming.
00:04:32:04 - 00:04:34:11
Katie
Yeah. Not happy about that.
00:04:34:13 - 00:04:35:23
Chris
Yeah. Oh, bummer.
00:04:36:01 - 00:05:02:08
Katie
Yeah. Okay. Next one is southwest, the long awaited ASI into seating. A new boarding process will begin on January 27th, 2026. And if you're flying on that day, good luck. I can't imagine that it's going to go smoothly. I mean, if you're flying that day or southwest, I am dying to know. Like, please send us an email and tell us how it goes.
00:05:02:10 - 00:05:21:23
Katie
So starting that day, southwest is getting rid of their free for all seating with groups A, B, and C that no one seems to understand even though it's been that way forever. But that's okay. They are moving to just a standard eight group boarding process, so it's going to be very similar to basically any other carrier you flown.
00:05:22:01 - 00:05:46:10
Katie
There are going to be three categories of seats, and these are live. Now if you're booking a flight after January 27th, you're already seeing these, it's standard seats, preferred seats or extra legroom, standard and preferred and the exact same seat. There's no difference. Standard is in the back. Preferred is much closer to the front than the extra legroom are right in the front and the exit rows.
00:05:46:12 - 00:06:05:16
Katie
And those are going to offer up to five extra inches of legroom. So that's going to be more you're like main cabin extra or comfort seats. So that all starts on the 27th. I wrote a whole post right at, you know, explaining all of this, explaining the boarding groups, how you get a better boarding group, how you get one of those nicer seats.
00:06:05:19 - 00:06:13:12
Katie
So we'll link that link to that in the show notes if you are flying southwest soon. And good luck.
00:06:13:14 - 00:06:15:00
Chris
You know, it's going to be interesting.
00:06:15:01 - 00:06:16:23
Katie
Yeah, yeah.
00:06:17:00 - 00:06:39:08
Chris
All right. Let's move on to JetBlue and mosaic changes coming first. JetBlue is bringing first class to some aircrafts. These are going to be aircrafts that don't have, JetBlue mint installed on them. So just think domestic first class and nicer seats so they'll be interesting. They say those are coming out in 2026. We will see. I haven't seen any photos of them.
00:06:39:08 - 00:06:39:18
Chris
Have you?
00:06:39:20 - 00:06:42:18
Katie
Neither have I. So maybe the end of 2022.
00:06:42:23 - 00:06:43:13
Chris
We'll see.
00:06:43:14 - 00:06:44:06
Katie
We'll see.
00:06:44:08 - 00:07:08:11
Chris
Moving on to elite status. So first of all, members now get an extra month of status. Previously or currently until a status is valid until the end of every calendar year, December 31st. So this year, 2025 and then. But it's actually being extended by one month. So now you'll have until January 31st of 2026. And moving forward every year you'll get that extra month.
00:07:08:11 - 00:07:30:20
Chris
So that's nice. Moving on. Mosaic four members are now going to earn five bonus Trubel points per dollar. That brings it to a total of 11 points per dollar on, eligible, eligible travel booked, directly with JetBlue. In addition, mosaic four members will receive an additional two move to mint certificates for a total of four for the year.
00:07:30:20 - 00:07:51:05
Chris
So that's great news. If you can use those certificates to upgrade your your class your to business class mosaic, three members are going to be earning four bonus points per dollar spent for a total of ten on eligible travel. These new earning rates mark a nice bump as all mosaic previously earned three per dollar spent.
00:07:51:05 - 00:08:12:21
Chris
So this is a nice little increase for those top tier mosaic members. The rate is going to stay unchanged for mosaic one and two. So if you're in three and four you get a little boost there. That's nice. Another family friendly perk that JetBlue unveiled recently was the family tiles. So starting February 1st, members can combine their tiles with their children 12 and under.
00:08:13:03 - 00:08:38:19
Chris
So that means that you can earn status quickly. If you're paying for your family, you can take their tiles and put them into your account. So that's nice. Heading over to Signature Perks starting on February 1st. Check bags. Mosaic two, three and four will continue to receive two free check bags, which is great. Mosaic one members will get one free bag instead of the two, which is a little bit of a devaluation.
00:08:38:21 - 00:09:05:04
Chris
If compared to the 2025 benefits for even more seats, JetBlue will be restricting complimentary extra legroom seat upgrades for mosaic members. That's going to be for up to two for one and two members, and then for up to four for the mosaic three and four members. So members of mosaic two and above will still be able to get those free seats for free at booking and a check in, for the mosaic one members.
00:09:05:04 - 00:09:26:11
Chris
That's just a check in. And finally, sorry, it's a long list for JetBlue. There's a change to complimentary alcoholic beverages, so all mosaic members will now receive just one complimentary drink when flying core, fares. And that's a change. Previously, it was three free drinks, so. Whoo! A lot of stuff going on.
00:09:26:11 - 00:09:50:18
Katie
Yeah, yeah. Okay, let's move on to, Hyatt credit cards. So we got May, I don't know, maybe a month ago, a very long winded, press release that didn't tell us much. But what we do know is that the Hyatt and Chase credit card portfolio will be expanded in 2026. They did not say what that's going to include.
00:09:50:18 - 00:10:21:15
Katie
So that's going to be something to keep an eye out for. And then they also mentioned and I'm going to quote this world of Hyatt Explorer status will be added as a benefit for top spending. Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for business card members beginning in the middle of 2026. Now, does that mean that there's going to be a spending threshold for Sapphire Reserve members to get explorer status, or do they just think that anyone with self or with the reserve card is a top spender, and that's just going to be added as a standard benefit?
00:10:21:15 - 00:10:30:16
Katie
We don't know. It was very unclear, but that will be coming. Not super exciting because explorer status right?
00:10:30:17 - 00:10:30:22
Chris
Yeah.
00:10:31:00 - 00:10:53:03
Katie
Isn't fantastic. So that's kind of a okay. But I do think keep an eye out for some Hyatt credit card changes in 2026. I'm really excited to see what they're going to come out with. Most likely it's going to be some sort of a premium card because they already have that $95, Hyatt credit card, and then they have the business as well.
00:10:53:03 - 00:10:57:09
Katie
So I'm expecting a higher annual fee card, but we will see you keep an eye out for it.
00:10:57:11 - 00:11:06:04
Chris
We will see. Imagine if there's a path to globalist through credit card. Well, I guess there already is if you spend enough. But, you know, something like the Hilton Aspire maybe.
00:11:06:06 - 00:11:07:07
Katie
Oh that's.
00:11:07:09 - 00:11:22:19
Chris
Interesting. Okay. Well before we take a break let's take a look at American Airlines. They've announced that starting in January 2026 they're going to be rolling out free Wi-Fi across their fleet. They're saying there's going to be over 2 million flights.
00:11:22:19 - 00:11:23:13
Katie
Ideally.
00:11:23:13 - 00:11:31:22
Chris
90% of their flights are going to have free Wi-Fi. So this is starting in January. Again, like you said, Katy, finally, finally.
00:11:32:00 - 00:11:38:02
Katie
Oh my gosh. If you ever tried to get Wi-Fi in an American flight, you know how ridiculous. The prices are.
00:11:38:03 - 00:11:39:01
Chris
So expensive.
00:11:39:01 - 00:11:47:09
Katie
Like $24 for an hour flight? Come on and climb. The idiot that's paid that sometimes because sometimes I have to work on my flight.
00:11:47:11 - 00:11:47:21
Chris
Yeah.
00:11:48:02 - 00:12:09:07
Katie
So kudos American Airlines. It is way late, but I'm glad it's coming. Okay, let's take a quick break and then we have some more, to talk about about what is coming up in 2026 and maybe some of our predictions and our wish list.
00:12:09:09 - 00:12:12:21
Chris
You.
00:12:12:23 - 00:12:27:14
Chris
Okay. Welcome back. We've gone over what we can expect for 2026. But Katie, now I want to play a little game, a little prediction and wish list. Maybe what we want to come in 2026 or beyond, or maybe some actual predictions. Katie, when do you kick it off?
00:12:27:16 - 00:12:54:00
Katie
Yeah. So my number one wish is that American Airlines will start awarding loyalty points on award bookings. This drives me crazy that I can't earn loyalty points when I'm redeeming Miles. Miles have value. They are a currency. I get that it's not dollars, but I still feel like I'm on your airplane. I'm engaging in your program. Throw me some loyalty points.
00:12:54:02 - 00:13:15:09
Katie
And, you know, I, I use the American program quite a bit. That's who I have status with. And it's really frustrating that I can't work on my status when I'm redeeming miles where I can on, on, on the Delta. And I have low level status on Delta, partially because I redeem a lot of small, small flights on there with with miles.
00:13:15:09 - 00:13:18:06
Katie
So that is my my big wish. So American.
00:13:18:08 - 00:13:24:18
Chris
That's a good argument there I like that I'll give you a plus one. I'll be happy to join in with that wish.
00:13:24:20 - 00:13:55:05
Katie
As far as a prediction goes, we mentioned it just briefly earlier when we were talking about Hyatt. My prediction for this new Hyatt credit card. I think it's going to go one of two very different ways. My first prediction is we're going to get like a stupid high annual fee credit card that's going to come with globalist or a super easy path to globalist, and it's going to blow everyone's mind, but then they're also going to be like, oh, but actually now there's another level that's beyond globalist.
00:13:55:07 - 00:14:26:19
Katie
And, you know, Hilton just added Diamond Reserve recently. So I don't know, I think that card is going to be either like wildly exciting or they're going to just introduce like a $395 card with like an extra elite night over the regular card. And it's going to be super boring. And I realize that's just so I don't know, obviously, but it's going to be either like crazy, exciting, or really, really boring.
00:14:26:19 - 00:14:43:13
Katie
I don't know, I just they're hasn't there haven't been any changes with that Hyatt credit card program in so long? It has been so stagnant that I think it's going to be it's going to be crazy. So we'll see. I don't know, I can't wait for it to happen. I have two other just quick little sort of predictions.
00:14:43:13 - 00:15:11:02
Katie
And I guess this one's actually not really a prediction, but I think it's going to continue because I have already seen this trend start. I feel like hotel elite status is actually becoming way less important than maybe it was a year or two ago. We're seeing all of these credit card changes. We've seen it with all three of the the big ones that change this year leaning into, incentivizing booking through their own, portals.
00:15:11:02 - 00:15:31:00
Katie
So, like, American Express gave us that great, credit for fine hotels and resorts and hotel collection on the Amex Platinum card. The Sapphire Reserve has that edit credit, which we talked about earlier. I see that like leaning into that. So much. And those booking through those programs comes with elite like benefits. So you book through those. You don't need elite status.
00:15:31:00 - 00:15:57:10
Katie
I just feel like we're going to continue to see that trend in 2026. And then my last prediction and I kind of hope I'm wrong. But the other three program, the major programs, made huge changes and introductions to their premium cards Chase, Citi and American Express. And we have not seen anything from the Capital One Venture X it has remained wildly the same.
00:15:57:12 - 00:16:26:05
Katie
A few minor tweaks, and it's a card that we love because of its simplicity. Because it hasn't gone into that coupon book model, it's still a really reasonable annual fee. At 395, I think off the top of my head, I just feel like maybe there's something coming this year, whether it's a change to that card or the introduction of a Capital One version of a super high annual fee card, I don't know what it would be, but I don't know.
00:16:26:05 - 00:16:32:15
Katie
I feel like there's no way that it's going to stay the same. What about you, Chris? What are you wishing for? Have you have you figured out a wish yet?
00:16:32:17 - 00:16:38:19
Chris
I'm still working on my wish list is so long that I don't want to. Can't just waste one. Can I wish for more wishes?
00:16:38:21 - 00:16:40:04
Katie
Yes.
00:16:40:06 - 00:17:04:05
Chris
That's how. Let me. Let me focus on my predictions. Then. I have a prediction that there are more Hilton changes coming, and unfortunately, I think they're going to be negative. We've seen these the introduction of the new into the diamond reserve, and we saw the reduction in gold requirements to get gold status, get the benefits of remain the same.
00:17:04:07 - 00:17:24:02
Chris
I don't think I don't know the numbers behind it, but I don't think that's sustainable. To be offering you're essentially offering more free breakfast to more people. So I think that Hilton Gold has always been that sweet spot. We've talked about that a few times. I, I think there's has to be a change coming soon. Maybe it's just a reduction in those breakfast credits.
00:17:24:02 - 00:17:36:03
Chris
Maybe they remove breakfast altogether. I think that would be kind of harsh for them to do, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see some sort of devaluation, especially around gold status with the, you know, with these new news that news levels coming.
00:17:36:05 - 00:17:38:22
Katie
Yeah, yeah, that makes sense.
00:17:39:00 - 00:18:00:18
Chris
The next one. Yeah. And we'll we'll see. I hope I'm wrong. But I mean, I mean especially since you and I mean Amex Platinum has the gold status. So I wonder there must be some ramifications there. We'll see. The next is going to be focused around lounges. And I have a prediction that lounge crowding is actually going to get a little bit better.
00:18:00:20 - 00:18:26:21
Chris
And this is kind of a multifactor. So I think we've seen just a general slowdown in travel post-pandemic. There's no more of that revenge travel. I was just trying to get on a plane and get out. People are being a little bit more intentional about their travel. That, combined with new lounges essentially opening all the time to meet this current demand, which I think is kind of softening a little bit, will help alleviate that travel.
00:18:26:23 - 00:18:45:21
Chris
Plus, you have this huge group of people that opened up these premium credit cards during that revenge travel period that maybe are not using, or maybe can't justify all of those credits and decide to downgrade. And now all of a sudden they have a card that doesn't have lounge access, and that means less people online, less people in the lounges.
00:18:45:23 - 00:18:55:00
Chris
So that's all, you know, speculative. That's I don't have any inside information there about, how people are traveling, but that's pretty much what I've seen.
00:18:55:01 - 00:19:13:05
Katie
Yeah, I, I think you're right on with that one. I absolutely thinks that that's probably the way it's going to go. I hope that's the way it's going to go. Yeah, I know, that would be really nice. And it would be even better if the platinum and the Capital One reversed their guess changes, which I'm sure is not going to happen.
00:19:13:06 - 00:19:26:18
Chris
Yeah, we can be a shock, but I mean, imagine if all of a sudden these, these lounges that have been millions and dollars have been invested into are sitting empty or maybe starting inviting guests in again. So we know and we'll.
00:19:27:00 - 00:19:28:09
Katie
Keep we'll keep an eye on it.
00:19:28:11 - 00:19:49:05
Chris
So I guess that was kind of a prediction, maybe a little bit of a wish there as well. Wishful thinking. So kind of along that wishful thinking, maybe it's easier, more award availability. Maybe we don't have to be waiting until last minute to book some of our favorite redemptions or 364 days in advance. So maybe, just maybe, the airlines just a little more generous with their award availability.
00:19:49:08 - 00:19:49:15
Chris
That's why.
00:19:49:15 - 00:19:54:07
Katie
Wouldn't that be nice? Yeah. Keep pushing. Chris I don't, all right? I don't see that one.
00:19:54:09 - 00:19:56:00
Chris
I wish for more wishes then.
00:19:56:02 - 00:20:22:12
Katie
Okay. Well, Chris is going to wish for more wishes while he is doing that. We do have a, reader question this week, so I'm going to move on to that while Chris thinks about his more wishes. So we got an email from Craig, and Craig asks, with the upcoming Capital One authorized user lounge changes, is it worth paying the $125 a year to get them those those lounge benefits back?
00:20:22:18 - 00:20:41:19
Chris
That's a great question, and I'm sure we're going to get that a lot. I think it definitely could be worth it if the two things are met. I think, if you're authorized user plans on visiting a Capital One lounge more than once per year, because even without a capital One card, you can just walk into that lounge and pay $90 to get in.
00:20:41:21 - 00:20:48:08
Chris
That's a lot of money. But if you're going to be in a long layover and you can make them make it worth it, go for it.
00:20:48:10 - 00:20:50:23
Katie
Number $90 to get into a Capital One.
00:20:51:03 - 00:21:01:05
Chris
It is. You don't have a car. If you don't have a car, the general general population can just walk in for 90. So what was it, 50? If you have a card as some cards.
00:21:01:06 - 00:21:04:05
Katie
45. Yeah, something like that. Well now at 90.
00:21:04:06 - 00:21:14:02
Chris
Yeah. So you would need to you need to get your money's worth there. Yeah. I mean, if you're going to be sitting at a restaurant, a terminal for four hours on a long layover, you could easily spend.
00:21:14:02 - 00:21:16:15
Katie
Absolutely. It'd be worth it. Yeah. And.
00:21:16:17 - 00:21:43:00
Chris
The second, the second factor in there is if you're authorized, user can't or doesn't want to open up their own venture card, because that is going to be the easiest way you can get a nice little welcome offer. I mean, the the Venture Ex pays for itself. We love the card. So if, if if those two can be satisfied, then I would say, yeah, you can, it'd be worth paying the 125, but I would first, you know, maybe consider opening a card just for that authorized user.
00:21:43:02 - 00:21:47:12
Chris
If that's not an option, run the numbers. But yeah, could definitely make sense.
00:21:47:13 - 00:21:54:03
Katie
Yeah. Especially like if, Capital One lounges at your home airport. That could absolutely, absolutely be worth.
00:21:54:03 - 00:21:55:10
Chris
It. Absolutely.
00:21:55:12 - 00:22:23:01
Katie
Totally. Well, okay, you know what, Chris? That I think does it for us for 2025. This is our last episode of the year. I just want to take two seconds to thank you for watching and listening on our first year of the Upgraded Points podcast. We appreciate you. Thank you for all of your comments that you've sent to us, questions that you've sent through email, comments on Spotify, YouTube, all of that.
00:22:23:01 - 00:22:36:17
Katie
We appreciate it so much. If you have ideas for what you love to see on the show in 2026, by all means please email us. Podcast upgrade to points.com and I hope you have a Happy New Year and we will see you next year.
00:22:36:19 - 00:22:37:16
Chris
Happy New Year!