Get a companion pass... with Frontier

☀️ Good morning from beautiful Tallinn, Estonia – land of medieval castles, mulled wine, and some proper cold weather (yay).

I’ve been awake for like 36 hours, so let’s get started before I fall asleep on my computer:

• ✈️ Frontier’s shortcut to Platinum status

• 🧳 Pack It All! Two checked bags are on us.

• 🐪 Bilt adds Etihad Guest as its newest transfer partner

• 💳 Stack this deal, save 40% on Amazon

• 🏨 IHG’s new flash sale is live (and it’s actually good)

• 🌎 Travel Trivia Reveal

✈️ Frontier’s shortcut to Platinum status

Frontier Airlines just launched a new Platinum Status Challenge, and unlike most “challenges,” this one’s open to everyone — no status match from another airline required.

Here’s how it works:

• Pay $99 to register for the challenge (non-refundable).

• You’ll get 90 days to earn 12,500 Elite Status Points.

• Hit that threshold, and you’ll get Frontier Platinum Status through December 31, 2026.

You can earn those points by flying Frontier or spending on its co-branded credit card, so you’ve got a couple of ways to qualify.

Why it’s interesting:

Frontier’s Platinum tier comes with some surprisingly valuable perks: free seat selection (including stretch seating), no change or cancel fees, priority boarding, a free carry-on, and family pooling.

But there’s one perk that makes this challenge worth considering on its own – unlimited companion travel. That’s right, Southwest isn’t the only airline with a companion pass anymore.

Frontier lets Platinum and Diamond elites travel with a companion at any time for free (minus taxes and fees), and you can have as many different companions as you want.

But here’s the catch:

Earning 12,500 Elite Points in 90 days is no small task.

The easiest path would be to spend on Frontier’s co-branded credit card, which earns one status point per dollar spent… but even that is a pretty big haul for just three months.

Still, for frequent Frontier flyers or couples who want to enjoy that companion pass, this could be an efficient way to do it for all of 2026.

Speaking of Frontier…

PRESENTED BY FRONTIER AIRLINES

🧳 Pack It All! Two checked bags are on us.

Your next vacation is closer than you think. Unlock two FREE checked bags and earn award flights with the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. Terms Apply.

🐪 Bilt adds Etihad Guest as its newest transfer partner

Bilt Rewards just announced its newest 1:1 transfer partner, Etihad Guest — the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, a premium carrier based in Abu Dhabi.

Here’s the rundown:

• You can now transfer Bilt points 1:1 to Etihad Guest (transfers usually clear in under 10 minutes, but Bilt says to allow up to 24 hours).

• Etihad flies from Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD), and, most recently, Charlotte (CLT).

• You can book flights directly with Etihad or with its partner airlines, including Air Canada, ANA, and Oman Air.

Why this matters:

Etihad itself is an amazing airline — I recently flew Etihad from Jakarta (CGK) to Boston (BOS) via Abu Dhabi (AUH) in business class, and it was one of the best flight experiences I’ve ever had!

But the Etihad Guest program can be… temperamental. Cancellation fees are steep, and sweet spots are few and far between.

One partner that might be appealing to many of you is JetBlue. Etihad allows you to book JetBlue flights online for as few as 6,000 Etihad miles one way. 👇

Having this transfer partner is a great way to strategically use Bilt points for simple domestic bookings.

This is a solid addition for Bilt members. The program just keeps expanding, and this new partnership opens the door to even more aspirational redemptions.

💳 Stack this deal, save 40% on Amazon

As we mentioned yesterday, this week is full of epic Amazon deals, including those on travel gear and accessories.

But it gets even better… Membership Rewards point-earning cardholders are seeing a fresh “Use ‘X’ Membership Rewards points, get 40% off” offer when checking out via Amazon’s Shop With Points. 👇

Here’s what’s new:

• For the first time, the discount also applies to items sold by third-party sellers

• You’ll need to use at least 714 Membership Rewards points (not just 1) to trigger the discount 

• Max discount seems to cap around $60 for the 40% version 

• As always, your offer may differ (not everyone sees the same percentage) 

This stacks perfectly with Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (ends tonight!), giving you extra leverage to grab travel gear deals.

🏨 IHG’s new flash sale is live (and it’s actually good)

IHG One Rewards just launched a new flash sale that’s perfect for locking in winter getaways — or even early 2026 travel plans.

Here’s the gist:

• Members save up to 30% across IHG’s higher-end brands like Six Senses, InterContinental, Kimpton, and Hotel Indigo.

• Non-members save up to 25% (but joining is free, so just do it).

• Mid-tier brands like voco, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn Express offer 25% for members and 20% for non-members.

Here are some more deets:

• 📅 Book by: October 16, 2025

• 🛏️ Stay between: October 10, 2025 – February 28, 2026

• ⚠️ Terms: 3-day advance booking required, 1-night deposit if you book within 7 days of arrival, and a 7-day cancellation window.

Why this one’s worth a look:

• Unlike many IHG promos, this one’s broad — it covers everything from Six Senses resorts in Asia to city hotels in the U.S. and Caribbean.

• You’re getting a discount off the Best Flexible Rate, meaning this isn’t a prepaid, non-refundable trap.

• It’s valid across many regions (U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Greater China, and Japan), so there’s real scope to find value.

If you’ve been waiting to plan a winter escape, this is a good time to browse.

🌎 Travel Trivia Reveal

Yesterday, we asked you which country was named the priciest place to live in 2025.

Here’s one last hint for you 👇

And the correct answer is… the Cayman Islands! 🇰🇾

This little Caribbean spot is definitely famous for its tax perks, but turns out… it’s not great for the old wallet. With a cost-of-living score of 108.2 (higher than New York City 🙃), even groceries and rent can get crazy.

So, why is it so expensive? The Caymans attract tons of wealthy expats and tourists who are more than willing to pay for the luxury condos and beautiful beaches. That demand keeps prices pretty high across the board.

Read more here about the most expensive places in the world to live.

That’s all for today, folks. I hope you enjoyed these excellent deals, and I’ll see you bright and early again tomorrow.

Hüvasti ✌️

59.4370° N, 24.7536° E

With contributions by Tiffany Eastham, McKay Moffitt, and Benji Stawski