News and notes from around the interweb:
- The subscription-based ExpertFlyer.com website now lets you search award availability across the full Star Alliance. There’s not really information here that isn’t available for free on websites like United.com and Aeroplan. But ExpertFlyer lets you set up email alerts so that you are notified when the award space you want opens up, which is huge. (I outlined Expertflyer and its benefits back in June.)
- Hilton’s 4th quarter promotion is out and available for registration: 1000 bonus points per night for every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday night you stay between November 1 and December 31. So everything is bonused except for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, though 1000 points is a pretty modest offer (worth about $5 in my view). There’s also a pretty extensive list (.pdf) of properties not participating in the offer, almost all of which are in the U.S.
- Hilton HHonors has another Facebook video you can watch for 500 points, it’s gotten much play in the blogosphere the past couple of days. I believe I saw it mentioned first at Will Run for Miles.
- Gogo inflight internet is being sued on the theory that consumers are harmed by a service that doesn’t perform as well as it could and that should be cheaper. Which reminds me of comedian Louis CK’s bit that everything’s amazing and nobody’s happy. You’re sitting in a chair in the sky. And you’re using the internet and complaining about it? (HT: Milepoint)
re: hilton 4th q – I’m doing a stay on points & cash in Amsterdam in November – the fine print excludes points & cash from the 1,000 point special.
re: hampton video – thanks for the HT
re: gogo – I’ll have to look at the allegations closer because the summary of the theory of that action does not sound viable. I wonder which court it was filed in. and, I wonder if they e-filed the case from 30,000 feet.
have a great weekend.
Gary,
Amen about the GoGo point. Not to get political, but everyone wants something for nothing. If you don’t want to pay that price or don’t like the service then don’t get it, but don’t sue.
Seriously people!
@Kathy the argument is that the long contracts that they sign with airlines (remember — there is a big capital investment involved) “lock in” airlines and prevent them from offering competing services. I don’t think the case is viable, but it’s creative.
Is Hilton serious about a Q4 promo that excludes 1/3 of the quarter? Not including October is laughable.
Welcome for the possibility of star alliance search on expertflyer. When you do such a search, can anyone explain what does this mean “Business – Award/Upgrade” Is it just business upgrade award or business and upgrade in business, both types of awards available?
The post title should probably read “Bits ‘n Pieces for October 5, 2012”
@Sam yes it should and now it does 🙂