Week of October 20, 2026
Checked October 20, 2026
New route
Lufthansa will fly nonstop from Phoenix to Munich starting August 3, 2027
This is the first time any Lufthansa Group airline will fly to Arizona. The flight runs three times a week (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays) on an Airbus A350-900, and it went on sale October 20, 2026.
Lufthansa has not said which cabins this plane will have. Check the seat map before you book.
Why it matters: Phoenix now has a nonstop to Germany, and Munich connects to much of Europe. Lufthansa belongs to Star Alliance, a group of airlines that let you book each other's flights with miles. Several Star Alliance mileage programs are transfer partners of the cards we teach. Search for an open award seat first, then move your points. Never move points before you see the seat.
Transfer partner: an airline or hotel program you can move your credit card points into. Award seat: a seat the airline sells for miles instead of cash.
Sources: Lufthansa Group newsroom (Oct 20, 2026); One Mile at a Time (Oct 20, 2026)
New routes
Alaska Airlines adds Seattle to Osaka and Seattle to Tahiti
Seattle to Osaka, Japan starts May 14, 2027, four times a week. Seattle to Papeete, Tahiti starts June 11, 2027, three times a week. Both use Hawaiian Airlines A330s with 18 business class seats. These planes have Starlink Wi-Fi but older cabins, with makeovers planned starting in 2028.
Why it matters: If you live near Seattle, or can get there with a cheap flight, Japan and Tahiti just got easier to reach on Alaska's Atmos Rewards miles. Brand new routes often have more open award seats in the first months, because airlines are still filling the planes.
Sources: One Mile at a Time (Oct 20, 2026); Thrifty Traveler (Oct 20, 2026)
New route
Lufthansa also adds Frankfurt to Columbus, Ohio, starting May 5, 2027
Three flights a week (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) on a Boeing 787-9 with Lufthansa's new Allegris cabins. Lufthansa says it will be the only European airline flying nonstop to Columbus.
Why it matters: You do not have to start your trip from your home airport. A cheap flight to a city like Columbus, then a nonstop to Europe, can open up award seats you would not find otherwise.
Source: Lufthansa Group newsroom (Oct 20, 2026)
Points
Bilt adds JetBlue as a transfer partner
As of October 20, 2026, Bilt points move to JetBlue TrueBlue at 1 to 1. That makes JetBlue Bilt's 27th travel partner. Transfers go in 1,000 point steps, and you link your TrueBlue account in the Bilt app first.
Bilt has also announced a cut to its Hyatt transfers coming at the end of this year. If you were saving Bilt points for a Hyatt stay, check the details before the change.
Why it matters: JetBlue points can also book some partner airlines, including Qatar Airways. More partners means more ways to use the same points. It does not mean every transfer is a good deal, so price the trip first.
Source: Thrifty Traveler (Oct 20, 2026)
Points
Amex points get a 35% bonus moving to Marriott Bonvoy, through December 10
Move 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott and you get 1,350 Marriott points during this offer.
Why it matters: A bonus is only good if the hotel is a good use of points. Marriott points are often worth less than airline miles. Look up the exact hotel and dates first, and compare the points price to the cash price before you move anything.
Source: Thrifty Traveler, citing Upgraded Points (Oct 20, 2026)
Airport construction
Phoenix Sky Harbor picks American Airlines for its future West Terminal
The new terminal will be built west of Terminal 3. It is the first new terminal at Sky Harbor since Terminal 4 opened in 1990. Construction is planned to start in 2029, with opening expected in 2033. American carries more than 40% of Phoenix passengers.
Why it matters: Nothing changes for your trips today. Over the next few years, expect construction near Terminal 3. We will post updates when they affect gates, security lines or lounges.
Source: KJZZ (Sept 22, 2026)
Lounges: No confirmed lounge openings or closings at major U.S. airports this week. Before every trip, check the Lounge Finder for hours, guest rules and day pass options (subject to availability).