Points of Departure

Airline miles intelligence, loyalty program strategy, and the sharpest thinking in travel rewards.

All Deals Guides News From the Cockpit Analysis

a group of credit cards sitting next to a cell phone

Analysis10 min read

2026 Airline Earning Penalties: Ranked by Budget Traveler Impact

All three major U.S. legacy carriers now earn zero miles on basic economy. Here's how each program ranks and what budget travelers should do now.

MileIntel

April 23, 2026

Analysis

4 articles

01Analysis

Airline Sale Fares in 2026: How to Actually Win

Airfares are down 10% internationally in 2026, but dynamic award pricing is eating your points. Here's how to find real value during airline sale seasons.

MileIntel

8 minApr 14

a large jetliner flying over a runway at an airport

02Analysis

United MileagePlus 2026: What the Overhaul Means for You

United MileagePlus is splitting its 100M members in two. Non-cardholders lose 40% of base earning starting April 2. Here's exactly what to do.

MileIntel

8 minMar 28

Premium credit cards arranged on a dark marble surface

03Analysis

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: The 2026 Decision Framework

Chase Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold? We modeled real spending across 6 profiles to find which card actually earns more, with exact dollar figures, not vague 'it depends' answers.

MileIntel

3 minMar 15

The Mileage Run

Don't Miss a Departure

Get the week's best miles intelligence — deals, devaluations, and strategies — delivered every Friday.

Create Your Free Account