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🤙🏿 Welcome back to the Better Than Points Newsletter - the premier place for all things Credit Card Points News and Travel

My name’s Luis and I’m the one writing this (hit me up here!)

The shutdown is over.

But does that mean everything is back to normal?

Let’s talk about it.

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Each week, I’ll share something cool I’ve discovered or tackle a question from the community. It’s my little corner to explore ideas, offer fresh perspectives, and hopefully spark your own curiosity.

With the shutdown finally over and the government opening back up, travel will slowly start to get better, but it won’t be a light switch.

Some air traffic controllers and agents may have moved on or retired, so there’s likely a staffing gap for a bit.

Add that to the additional time they missed hiring new people to fill those already open positions.

Along with holiday weather and… yeah, cancellations and delays will still pile up.

The Thrifty Traveler podcast this morning is worth a listen.

My biggest takeaway was to watch for airline travel waivers (they sometimes call them vouchers, but waivers are the free change hack).

When a storm is forecast, airlines often let you move your flight for free to an earlier/later day or different time.

That’s your move.

Be proactive, if your route gets a waiver, slide to the day before the storm (or the day after) and pick a morning flight.

Seats on those alternatives go fast, you want to be ahead of the herd, not fighting everyone at the counter once the storm hits.

The shutdown is done, but ripple effects + holiday weather = plan defensively, monitor for waivers, switch early, fly early. Your future self will thank you.

Flying Blue just quietly leveled up one of its best features and I hope it sticks.

If you’re not familiar, when you log in to Air France/KLM, hit “Use Points,” enter your route, leave the date blank, and press “Search.”

That pulls up the calendar view so you can see which dates have space and at what price.

For a long time, this only worked for Air France/KLM metal.

Now it looks like it’s showing partner space too.

I’m seeing Virgin Atlantic, China Airlines, and (most importantly) Delta.

So for example, if I search Austin → Minneapolis, leave dates blank, and hit search, the calendar tab shows the cheapest days instantly.

Before, you had to click day by day like a caveman.

This is clutch with the holidays coming up and for last minute runs.

A route Delta might want 50,000 SkyMiles for can often be booked via Flying Blue for ~14,000 miles one way.

Same seat, fewer miles.

Bilt isn’t just a credit card company anymore, but they also want top cards at every annual fee level.

Starting February 6, 2026, Bilt’s launching three cards: $0, $95, and $495 annual fees.

Details aren’t fully out yet, but if you have the current no annual fee Bilt card, you’ll be able to either switch to “Bilt 2.0” or get converted to a Wells Fargo Autograph.

The Good news is that your card number stays the same, so no panicking on bill pay updates.

But I’d suggest that unless Bilt offers a real incentive to switch, consider letting it convert to the Autograph.

If the new Bilt cards launch with intro bonuses, you can then apply and snag the bonus, rather than product changing and getting nothing.

That only makes sense if they don’t dangle a worthwhile upgrade offer, so keep an eye out.

Between the new cards, earning on mortgage payments (coming), and beefing up their travel portal, Bilt’s clearly trying to be an all in one platform.

Curious to see what perks land on each tier.

Qatar just slid in a new junk fee, and it’s a bad look.

As of November 3, 2025, if you book Qatar Airways business class with Qatar Avios, you now have to pay $100+ per seat to select your seat.

Not to fly, just to pick where you sit.

If you don’t pay, Qatar assigns you one.

Taxes/fees on these awards were already hovering $250–$400 for one way depending on the route.

Adding a $100+ seat selection toll on top sucks. And yes, this is for business class, even Qsuite routes.

If you have status with Qatar Privilege Club (or eligible oneworld status that Qatar honors for seat selection), the fee can be waived.

Workarounds (imperfect, but options):

Qatar has one of the best business products on earth, which is exactly why this is concerning.

If they can charge it on awards, others may copy.

Two thumbs down from me.

Let’s hope this doesn’t become the standard nickel and dime on premium award seats.

Check out these crazy award deals!

This section includes some of the best award flights of the week bookable with points and miles.

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This section includes some of the best links videos and articles of the week around the points and travel community