The Points Daily archive

The Points Daily — October 5, 2026

This is the archive and show notes page for The Points Daily, a daily points-and-miles briefing. For the timely morning briefing, subscribe to the newsletter.

Chase debuts $900 checking and savings bonus

Chase is offering $900 for opening a new checking and savings account together through January 27, 2027. You'll need to set up direct deposit to the checking account and park $15,000 in the savings account for 90 days. Standard restrictions apply: no Chase checking or savings account in the past 90 days, and one bonus per product every two years.

The TPD Take: If you have $15,000 sitting around and meet the eligibility window, this is one of the stronger bank bonuses out there. The direct deposit and parking requirements are straightforward hurdles, not deal-killers.

Chase Checking. Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it. *Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it.*

Source: FM

United Explorer Card bumped to 80,000 bonus miles, first year free

Chase raised the United Explorer Card welcome bonus to up to 80,000 miles with no annual fee in year one (then $150 annually). The free checked bag benefit covers you and a companion on each trip, potentially saving $200+ per round trip. You also get two United Club one-time passes yearly and priority boarding.

The TPD Take: Straightforward value if you fly United at least occasionally. The first-year fee waiver lets you test the card without commitment, and the checked bag perk pays for itself fast if you travel with a companion.

Source: AW

Delta and KLM price San Francisco to Bucharest from $724

Delta and KLM are pricing San Francisco–Bucharest roundtrips at $724 in Basic Economy or $964 in regular economy. Basic Economy means no checked bag, no seat assignment, and no miles earned. Regular economy includes a checked bag and advance seat selection. Travel windows: mid-January through early May 2027, Sunday–Wednesday outbound and Tuesday–Friday return, with a Sunday stay required. Book 28 days ahead.

The TPD Take: $724 is cheap, but Basic Economy on KLM is a gutted product. The $964 regular economy is the real price. If you're flexible on dates and can book in the next four weeks, it's worth running numbers against award availability.

Source: TFD

American Airlines ends involuntary denied boardings

American Airlines has instructed employees to stop involuntarily bumping passengers, instead raising compensation offers to secure volunteers. Last year American involuntarily denied boarding to roughly 15,000 passengers—approximately 60% of the total across all U.S. carriers and the worst in the industry.

The TPD Take: The bet here is that gate agents will have enough wiggle room to negotiate. If true, the airline that bumped more people than everyone else combined effectively vanishes from the problem. It's a policy that sounds good and addresses a real pain point, but execution depends on whether American actually empowers agents to spend money.

Source: OMAAT

Delta launches twice-daily service from Salt Lake City to Flagstaff

Delta will operate twice daily between Salt Lake City and Flagstaff beginning June 7, 2027, using a 50-seat regional jet with 10 first-class seats. Flagstaff sits 90 minutes from Sedona and the Grand Canyon's South Rim. The route is backed by over $1.3 million in public incentives, including an $800,000 federal grant, to guarantee minimum revenue.

The TPD Take: This is subsidized leisure flying. It's useful if you're redeeming SkyMiles for a national park trip, but subsidies usually signal soft demand. Expect the route to be seasonal or frequency-dependent, not year-round backbone service.

Source: TPG

Steal of the Day: Staples Command 100% points back

Staples is offering 100% back in Staples points on Command purchases, up to $40 back, through October 10, 2026. That's a full rebate on Command hooks, strips, and hangers.

The TPD Take: Free product only if you need Command gear anyway and use Staples loyalty regularly. Points are Staples-only currency, not transferable miles. Grab it before 10/10 if the math works.

Source: DoC

Card of the Day: Chase Marriott Bonvoy spending bonus

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card holders who are targeted and register by October 14 can earn 1,000 bonus points for every $500 spent per month through December (up to 3,000 points total). That's 2 extra points per dollar on eligible spending.

The TPD Take: Incremental value if you're already spending on the card for planned purchases. Marriott's sweet spots are narrow, so don't chase this unless the bonus aligns with actual spend.

Chase Marriott Bonvoy. Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it. *Referral link; we may receive a bonus if you use it.*