Hello everyone from Mumbai. The nip in the air is finally setting in and the final month of the year is here. December is our favourite month of the year around here at LiveFromALounge, because it signifies the end of the year status runs, but it also signifies holidays are here and the joy of the holidays.  Catch all of last week’s action in our weekly roundup while you enjoy your eggnog and set up your tree.

Top Stories

Things continue to remain a bit on the tenterhooks in the world of travel. Starwood has been under a hack since 2014, and Marriott only found out in 2018. And then they told us about it 2 months after they found out. And the number of reservations affected is staggering at half a billion reservations. While they were up to that, we discovered the best way to get 33% rewards on your international spends even without the Diners Black Card.

• These cards will get Jet Airways Platinum Members free lounge access after December 1
• Starwood Preferred Guest Hacked: Half a billion guests affected
• Jet Airways Middle-East Network changes
• 33% Rewards on Forex Spends!

News & Views

There has been a lot of tossing and turning in the aviation world this past week. JOON innovated new stuff, but have been reliably told they will be shut down. On the other hand, WOW Air, which is supposed to be starting their first flight to India this coming week, was almost going to sink with Icelandair walking off. Then they got a lifeline by Indigo Partners, not to be confused with IndiGo of India. And in my personal tossing and turning, I figured I am still a Jet Airways customer despite the cut downs.

• Why I’m still a Jet Airways customer?
• You no longer need to remove laptops at Mumbai and Delhi Airports for security
• Millennials, the flying bar JOON is shutting down
• WOW Air saved by Indigo Partners?
• Icelandair walks off WOW Air takeover
• Higher Vistara cabin baggage limit with Carry-on Plus!
• Cosy Joon economy seats can turn into kiddie beds
• IndiGo & SpiceJet charge for all seats on web check-in now

Cards & Rewards

If you are affected by Jet Airways cutbacks, prepare to get lounge access with these cards in your wallet we recommend. Also, if you waited to the last minute to redeem your easy 90,000 Avios from Iberia, did you find them gone? We did.

• These cards will get Jet Airways Platinum Members free lounge access after December 1
• The 90,000 bonus Iberia Avios are gone for some!
• A complete list of SLH Properties bookable by Hyatt, including Category 8 Hyatt Tier
• Become an Emirates Gold/Platinum 2x faster!
• Hurry! Free 5000 IHG Points for you!
• IHG PointBreaks now live for booking through February 2019
• 100% Bonus on Radisson Rewards points purchase!

Deals with Appeal

And last but not the least, we bring you some crazy good deals which will save you money or bring you closer to your status aspirations.

• Deal: Get up to 20% off on Garuda Indonesia! [Expired]
• Deal: Fly on a Private Jet between Bangalore to Mumbai for INR 9999 [Expired]
• Up to 50% off with Le Club Accor Black Friday sale
• Get oneworld Sapphire status in one trip!
• Qatar Airways Cyber Week Offers Bonus QMiles, free stays and more!

Keep travelling and have a very nice December.

Check out the Everyday Spend American Express Gold Credit Card India, which will get you 10X on Ola and Flipkart spends.