Virgin Atlantic speeds up Starlink, Alaska points are on sale, and a hotel I really want to visit

Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Monday! It feels good to be back!

Today we are back with a classic 3-topic post. One topic you already know I get excited about: more Starlink on more planes, a useful points promo if you need Atmos miles, and a hotel opening I have been watching very closely: Four Seasons Cartagena.

Here's what's inside today's post:

You already know how I feel when I hear that an airline is adding Starlink Wi-Fi to more aircraft. I love it.

Part of it is because, as you already know, here in South America, until about two or three years ago, seeing Wi-Fi on planes was rare, which feels bizarre when you compare it to other parts of the world. So every time another airline pushes better onboard internet, I get excited about what that means for the flying experience.

Virgin Atlantic announced yesterday that it is accelerating its Starlink rollout. The airline says the first Starlink-equipped aircraft will now enter service in Q3 2026, with the A350 fleet finishing first, the 787 fleet following, and the A330neos last, with the aim of completing the whole rollout by the end of 2027. The service will be free and streaming-capable, from the moment you board.

Once you fly with really fast onboard Wi-Fi, it changes what a long-haul flight feels like. You are no longer half-connected, waiting for pages to load, wondering if your messages sent. You can just use the internet like a normal person.

I flew back home last week on Air France, and it had Starlink. The speed was over 300 Mbps, which was incredible. That is only a small teaser for a review coming soon, but it was great.

I really hope more airlines keep moving in this direction.

Alaska's Atmos Rewards program is offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased points through May 2, 2026. The top tier gives an 80% bonus on 3,000 to 9,000 points, 90% on 10,000 to 19,000 points, and 100% on 20,000 to 100,000 points. At the best tier, the cost works out to about 18.8 USD per 1000 points.

So is it a good promo? Yes.

I would not call it a no-brainer for everyone, but if you need the points, this is a good time to buy them. I say this because Atmos points are among the most expensive to buy during promos, so you need to know which redemptions are good value. For example, you could technically end up paying more than the cash price for a Qatar Airways flight if booking through Atmos, so it may not always be as good as it sounds. Having said that, Atmos points can be useful for a lot of partner redemptions, and that flexibility is what keeps the program relevant. But even when the price is good, you still want a reason to buy. 

Here is how I would look at it:

At 18.8 USD per 1000 points, this is a fair chance to pick up Alaska points, but only with a plan. That is the key part.

Now to the hotel that has really caught my attention.

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena officially opened on April 2, 2026. The project brings together a collection of restored landmark buildings in Getsemaní, one of the most character-filled neighborhoods in Cartagena. The property has 131 accommodations, including 13 suites and 3 specialty suites, plus 8 restaurants and lounges, a spa, and two rooftop pools.

That already sounds very promising. But what I like most is the location and concept.

This is not a resort disconnected from the city. It is planted in the middle of one of Cartagena's most interesting neighborhoods, in a city that already has so much atmosphere. Four Seasons is leaning into that rather than trying to build some separate luxury bubble, and I think that is the right call. Thanks to VIP client “P”, I am even more expectant about this hotel than I already was.

Cartagena already has a lot going for it as a destination: a beautiful old city, Caribbean energy, great food, and one of the best atmospheres in the region. And with this new Four Seasons in Getsemaní, it is a place I really want to experience myself. This one is absolutely on my list.

And as always, if you want to book this property or any other hotel around the world with added perks at no extra cost, just send your request. Breakfast, credits, upgrades, flexible rates. All the good stuff, none of the hours spent comparing rates on seventeen different booking sites at midnight 🤪.

That's it for today. More deals, news, and trip reviews coming your way on Wednesday.

Catch you in the clouds, 

Tomi from Points Master