Month: February 2026

Let’s discuss a few quasi-private / quasi-public news items today:

Air Astana Nomad Club

I hadn’t known much of anything about Kazakhstan based Air Astana or its Nomad Club frequent flyer program until yesterday, but I’ve now investigated it because reasons. The interesting parts:

  • They have paid code-share flights
  • Nomad Club award tickets can only be redeemed for Air Astana metal flights
  • There’s good award availability between Central Asia and major European airports
  • Award prices are dynamic, but rates seem to be approximately:
    • Economy: 5,000 – 15,000 miles
    • Business: 15,000 – 60,000 miles
  • They have interline agreements with lots of partners, but only on the earn side.

Want more? Seek your favorite feline friend coded chat room for more information. At the very least, you’ll get a cat picture out of it. They’ll also be happy to tell you about Qatar Avios, but I think that one’s slightly less obscure.

The Robot Lady

In the 2010s there were two “robot ladies” that manufactured spenders befriended. We lost one of them, Kate, in 2016, and the other slightly less famous but more prolific one continued service unabated until a couple of days ago. The signs had been there, the robot lady overlords had been threatening to cut us off since mid December, but we were unsure what the deathbed would look like.

Now that we know though, I can confidently say that there’s a difference between life support and complete robot-death, you haven’t yet found the penultimate all set. Always be probing.

Happy “one of those obscure posts that nobody can understand”-day to all those who celebrate!

Where they are today: Kate’s widower husband.

  1. Do this now: Register for Hyatt’s Q1 promotion for 3,000 points for every three nights through April 15. As a way of saying “sorry” in advance, Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select hotels actually get 4,000 points for the same stays. You’re limited to seven bonuses under this promotion.
  2. Two Bank of America Atmos Visas have increased sign-up bonuses:

    – Personal Ascent: 85,000 miles after $4,500 spend in 120 days
    – Business: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 90 days

    If one is good, three is better right? Also, side note, aren’t you glad I don’t have to write “The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®” like everyone else? No, that’s just me? Hmm.
  3. Two US Bank Visas have increased sign-up bonuses:

    – Leverage Business: $750 after $7,500 spend in 120 days
    – Triple Cash: $750 after $6,000 spend in 180 days

    Just like with Bank of America, why have just one? The Triple-Cash card comes with a free monthly subscription to seats.aero, at least sort-of.
  4. There are February shopping portal bonues at major airline portals:

    – AA Advantage: 500 miles with $200+ through February 11
    – Alaska Atmos: 500 miles with $150+ through February 11
    – United MileagePlus: 500 miles with $150+ through February 11

    Watch for the Southwest portal bonus to arrive late in the next couple of days as winter weather spreads through their technology stack.
  5. American Express offers has new travel offers for:

    – Virgin Atlantic: $250 back with $2,000+ spend through March 29
    – Air France via AmEx Travel: $250 back with $1,400 spend through February

    Something something gamers gonna game something something.

Happy Tuesday friends!

Southwest IT troubleshooting delays on their shopping portal server.

  1. Barclay AA cards will become Citi AA cards on April 26. What to know:

    – Your balance will transfer to Citi
    – Barclay cards will work after the transition until you activate your Citi card
    – Citi card will have a new account number
    – The Barlcay variants will be converted to the Citi lineup, sorry Silver card holders*
    – Authorized user cards will be reissued too

    If you’re Citi shut, will this transition get you back in? We’ll see, but #citigonnaciti.
  2. Capital One has a 30% transfer bonus to JAL MileageBank through February 28, bringing the transfer ratio to 1,000:975.
  3. Chase has a 50% transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy through February 28 which makes the transfer ratio 1,000:1,500.

    Let’s ask a rhetorical or philosophical question, whichever you prefer: What do you get when you turn an awful transfer ratio into a really bad transfer ratio?
  4. The Fairwinds Business Visa 1.5x everywhere cards have a heightened, tiered sign-up bonus:

    – $500 after $5,000 spend in 90 days
    – $1,500 after $50,000 spend in 180 days

    The cards carry no annual fee. If you haven’t figured out how to join banks or credit unions in another state, it’s probably time to experiment. (Thanks to DoC)
  5. Staples stores have fee-free $200 Mastercards through Saturday, limit nine per transaction.

    These are Pathward / BlackHawk Network gift cards.

Happy Monday!

*I guess sorry Silver holders of all types (too soon?)