The Points Daily Briefing: JetBlue BlueFirst, SAS awards, Southwest Pass, Cathay fares

Today's show covers JetBlue's BlueFirst launch bookings, SAS EuroBonus award discounts, Southwest's Companion Pass changes, and a $907 Dallas to Guangzhou Cathay Pacific roundtrip.

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Today’s stories

JetBlue opens BlueFirst bookings ahead of a December launch (promo fares available through 16 October)

JetBlue's new BlueFirst First Class is on sale, with introductory fares from $249 one-way. Those fares can only be booked through today, 16 October, so this is the final day. BlueFirst targets routes where Mint isn't offered, starting with Boston to Fort Lauderdale on 8 December 2026. More routes roll out through April 2027, and the cabin may only appear on select flights. If you want a premium seat on a non-Mint route, book today or pay regular fares.

Source: TFM

Get 20% off SAS EuroBonus awards for travel through 31 March 2027 (USA – Europe Business Class 48,000 points)

SAS EuroBonus is taking 20% off award bookings made by October 18, with USA to Europe business class priced at 48,000 points. The discount covers Economy, Premium Economy where offered, and Business Class, for travel from November 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. SAS adds no surcharges to awards, so the points price is the final price. You still have to find seats that fit your dates. If you've got EuroBonus points and winter flexibility, book this weekend.

Source: TFM

TopCashback: Earn $40 Bonus When Joining & Earning $10 Cashback

TopCashback is offering a $40 bonus once you earn $10 in cashback, matching the highest sign-up bonus we've seen for the site. Sign up through Doctor of Credit's referral link by October 25, 2026. It can't be combined with other TopCashback promotions. The $10 doesn't have to land by then, so a few months of ordinary shopping still gets you the $40. If you've never had an account, this is free money for clicking through before you buy.

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

Source: FM

Southwest Companion Pass No Longer Earned With Signup Bonus Points (Starts 2027)

Southwest is gutting the Companion Pass shortcut: starting January 1, 2027, credit card signup bonus points won't count toward earning it. Referral bonuses, anniversary points, category bonuses like 2x on gas, and partner spend on hotels and cars are out too. Only base card spend counts. To earn a Companion Pass the old way, get a Rapid Rewards Credit Card approved by December 2, 2026 and meet the welcome bonus requirements, even if the spend lands in early 2027.

Source: DoC

Cathay Pacific: Dallas – Guangzhou, China. $907. Roundtrip, including all Taxes

Cathay Pacific has Dallas to Guangzhou for $907 roundtrip, taxes included. That's a decent price for a long-haul economy fare to southern China. Travel runs mid January 2027 through April 2027, but only Monday through Thursday departures and returns count. You must buy at least 3 days before departure, and availability is limited. If your calendar bends around those weekdays, chase it.

Source: TFD

Get a 100% Transfer Bonus When Transferring Wyndham Rewards Points to United Miles

Steal of the Day: Wyndham Rewards members can transfer points to United miles with a 100% bonus. That doubles what lands in your United account, which is the kind of math even a Wyndham balance can get behind. The catch: this is a limited-time offer, and the terms beyond the 100% bonus aren't spelled out here, so don't move points on vibes. Only transfer if you already have a United redemption in mind and the numbers work for it.

Source: AW

Hilton cardholder Amex Offer: Spend $200+ on Hilton stays & earn 20K bonus points

Card of the Day: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. A targeted Amex Offer is awarding 20,000 bonus Hilton Honors points when you spend $200 or more on room rate and room charges at participating Hilton properties in the US and US territories. It expires December 31, 2026, and advance purchase and non-refundable rates are excluded. Check your Amex Offers, and only add it if you already have a Hilton stay planned.

Source: DoC

Full episode transcript

Hello! Today is Friday, October 16th. This is The Points Daily. Here's what matters. Today's show covers JetBlue's BlueFirst launch bookings, SAS EuroBonus award discounts, Southwest's Companion Pass changes, and a $907 Dallas to Guangzhou Cathay Pacific roundtrip. JetBlue's new BlueFirst First Class is on sale, with introductory fares from $249 one-way. Those fares can only be booked through today, 16 October, so this is the final day. BlueFirst targets routes where Mint isn't offered, starting with Boston to Fort Lauderdale on 8 December 2026. More routes roll out through April 2027, and the cabin may only appear on select flights. If you want a premium seat on a non-Mint route, book today or pay regular fares. SAS EuroBonus is taking 20% off award bookings made by October 18, with USA to Europe business class priced at 48,000 points. The discount covers Economy, Premium Economy where offered, and Business Class, for travel from November 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. SAS adds no surcharges to awards, so the points price is the final price. You still have to find seats that fit your dates. If you've got EuroBonus points and winter flexibility, book this weekend. TopCashback is offering a $40 bonus once you earn $10 in cashback, matching the highest sign-up bonus we've seen for the site. Sign up through Doctor of Credit's referral link by October 25, 2026. It can't be combined with other TopCashback promotions. The $10 doesn't have to land by then, so a few months of ordinary shopping still gets you the $40. If you've never had an account, this is free money for clicking through before you buy. Use our referral link at thepointsdaily.com/topcashback. We may receive a bonus if you use it. Southwest is gutting the Companion Pass shortcut: starting January 1, 2027, credit card signup bonus points won't count toward earning it. Referral bonuses, anniversary points, category bonuses like 2x on gas, and partner spend on hotels and cars are out too. Only base card spend counts. To earn a Companion Pass the old way, get a Rapid Rewards Credit Card approved by December 2, 2026 and meet the welcome bonus requirements, even if the spend lands in early 2027. Cathay Pacific has Dallas to Guangzhou for $907 roundtrip, taxes included. That's a decent price for a long-haul economy fare to southern China. Travel runs mid January 2027 through April 2027, but only Monday through Thursday departures and returns count. You must buy at least 3 days before departure, and availability is limited. If your calendar bends around those weekdays, chase it. Steal of the Day: Wyndham Rewards members can transfer points to United miles with a 100% bonus. That doubles what lands in your United account, which is the kind of math even a Wyndham balance can get behind. The catch: this is a limited-time offer, and the terms beyond the 100% bonus aren't spelled out here, so don't move points on vibes. Only transfer if you already have a United redemption in mind and the numbers work for it. Card of the Day: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. A targeted Amex Offer is awarding 20,000 bonus Hilton Honors points when you spend $200 or more on room rate and room charges at participating Hilton properties in the US and US territories. It expires December 31, 2026, and advance purchase and non-refundable rates are excluded. Check your Amex Offers, and only add it if you already have a Hilton stay planned. That's your daily. For details and links to every deal we covered, visit thepointsdaily.com and subscribe to get The Points Daily in your inbox every weekday.