The only day last year I didn’t post to my blog was the day my grandfather passed away. It takes a lot for me not to post.
But I’ve been really under the weather the last couple of days. I think I’m finally starting to come out of it, which is great because I have a tremendous amount to do.
I just wrapped up the draft ballot for the Freddie Awards. I’ve had to remove programs that weren’t meaningfully active in 2013 (bmi, Kingfisher), upgrade program names (IHG Rewards Club instead of Priority Club, and my favorite — the new name for EVA Airways’ mileage program — Eva Airways Infinity MileageLands), pay attention to where a program may have switched co-brand credit card issuers, and incorporate all of the best promotions for the year.
The timeframe on that is pressing — voting goes live February 15 and the ballot, once complete, has to be translated into a variety of languages before then.
So rather than offering mileage advice this morning, or sharing my views on the state of travel and loyalty, and instead I’d really love to know: What’s On Your Mind?
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Think boardingarea.com is buggy, the blog features aren’t updating. That was on my mind.
@SC been trying to figure out the same thing
Gary,
I am writing in regard to the united airlines mileage devaluation. As you know this is happening by feb 1. I am doing bookings as I write to utilize most of my mileage before then to avail of the old mileage tables.
My question is this… If I had to rebook a pre devaluation mileage ticket to another date post devaluation what will happen as far as united airlines recomputation of the mileage ticket is concerned.
On the next question… If I had to reroute my predevaluation ticket after feb 1 how will the united airlines folks handle this?
Could you ask united airlines officially and let us know?
Michael que
@Michael – A date change that does not change airlines or routings will not cause a reprice. If you re-route that should force re-pricing at new levels.
@SC – correct, my RSS feed is not updating. Neither are some of the other blogs. The BoardingArea main page pulls posts via RSS I believe. Sorry! Hope this is fixed soon.
thanks for looking into the update mystery – and I’m so glad you are feeling better!
Gary,
As a follow up question I noticed while redeeming flights that all of United Airline’s star alliance partners are making available their saver awards as the calendar swings into the end of December. However, it seems like United is posting only standard awards.
I heard a rumor attributed to United Airlines that they are holding back their saver awards until post devaluation. Is this what commonly happens when a mileage devaluation is announced?
Gary- I’m seeking an international award ticket for 3 out of LAX to Europe, Africa or So America in an attempt to get the best value out of United miles pre-devaluation. I’m not that particular where we go, but would like a great airline in business or first. Do you have any thoughts on where I might be able to find flights for 3?
One second question. I have been getting targeted offers from AMEX for a business card with a sign up offer of 50k points. I already have the business card for my other business. The paperwork says you can only get one bonus, but I have had 5 of these targeted offers in the last few months. Any idea if I can get the bonus twice given that it is a different business? Thanks
@Kim you might search for the series I did back in September on routes with lots of award availability for families to travel together.
@Kim – in general you should be able to get a card for a separate business with separate tax ID number.
@Michael Que – remember that United isn’t devaluing awards on their own flights nearly as much as partners, I don’t see a conspiracy as likely here..
Gary, I enjoy your writing, curious if you would share how much manufactured spending you are doing a month?
Gary,
If you look at award availability in United for an international flight from sfo to mnl beteen December 1. till 26 you will see that only the other airlines list availability under the saver award. United does not.
It is such a strange coincidence.
Gary,
I have a targeted offer for 75,000 Hilton Honors points with with an AE Surpass card which has an annual fee of $75. With the devaluation of HHonors I am just not sure whether to pull the trigger on this offer. They have a 50,000 point card for no annual fee but I would deduct the annual fee on the other as I would use it strictly for business. I stay at Hilton’s properties a couple times a year currently, not that much. What is your opinion on the offer and Surpass card?
My Niece and I have reservations in the summer for the HNL-IAD flight in Business First. The business seats for IAD-home airport were not available, so we are in economy. Is it possible for them to go back and waitlist us for business without re-issuing the ticket (Plan B) or do I try to explain it to the agent when we check in in HNL and ask to be placed at the top of the upgrade list?
Thanks!
I’ll tell you what’s on my mind.
We’re going to book a trip to Europe early this summer. There is plenty of availabilty on UA for saver business seats JFK/MUC.
Other options include USAir JFK/MUC/NRT (if I get lucky).
Booking 1 way to Europe on UA, and the return from Europe to JFK – stop – SFO or HNL on AA.
Decisions decisions.
TSA. I am starved for your thoughts on airport security.
I’m disgusted by all the additives, preservatives, and gluten in things today. Let’s put an end to artificial insemination by starting a new company that does natural insemination only.
Gary, feel better!
Hi Gary, Hope you are 100% soon – it is tough to stay healthy this time of year. Your blog is my favorite and I really appreciate the time you spend thoroughly discussing topics.
What is on my mind currently is trying to get the best value from my UA miles before the devaluation. What would you consider as sweet spots for 2 people traveling Bus or FC UA pre-devaluation?
Gary — feel better! I usually lurk but always enjoy your insights. Here’s my question: I went to apply for the US Air MC with 35,000 miles and waived first year fee, only to find the link is dead. Is 30,000 miles after first purchase, fee not waived, really the best option available now? Any insights on the likelihood the better offer will return? Thanks again!
Cheryl, I just went through the same exercise and came to the conclusion that a trip to Japan with a stopover in Europe is the best bang for your buck. I’d find space on a Lufthansa 747-8 to FRA (which has their new business class), connect to your Euro city of choice and stop there. You can wander about on your own dime to your heart’s content, and then depart to Tokyo from FRA on Lufthansa or ANA, or maybe Zurich on Swiss. From Japan I would do an open jaw and head back to the US from Seoul on Asiana or Taipei on Eva (or Bangkok in Thai First if you can find it!)
Thanks DBest!!
READ THIS ON TRAVELBLOGGERBUZZ.COM…………….. is it true?……………………………………………………………………………………………….View from the Wing’s Gary: Stays in the room and watches reruns of Colbert Report and practices THE look non stop. He then gets hungry and orders room service and demands pancakes. Wakes up at 4.17 am, checks Loyalty Lobby to see what’s happening and pulls out laptop and just hammers out a few killer blog posts well before anyone was awake. Makes it to work first and everyone marvels again at his insane work ethic while they ask him how to get to Dubai in F.
Your blog posts are not showing up in my RSS (feedly.com) since Thursday. Same with Ben’s blog posts.
I suspect it’s a problem with all of boardingarea.com
@Other Carl
Here’s a different offer for
30K for first purchase
anniversary 10K & companion cert
no fee first year, $89 afterward https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=1894&cellNumber=4
OR if you’re going to pay the annual fee there’s a 40k offer
https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=1695&cellNumber=51
Hi Gary…
I’d like to use an AA systemwide upgrade on a flight to LHR but there is no confirmable (C) space from Y to J. The flight is next month and there are plenty of seats in J. Most of the cabin is still open. Is it fair to say that there’s a very good chance of clearing? If I don’t clear, the SWU would expire shortly thereafter.
Thanks. I hope you feel better soon.
your opinion on Us airways miles. is it a safe bet that 90k to N Asia goes away after march 31?
Gary
Would love an insight into tipping in various regions of the world. Traveling in July to Paris and Japan and October to London and Ireland. In your experience does it vary by country, culture, or continent? When traveling to Australia a few years back was surprised that tipping is not always customary and only recently was becoming more popular in cabs and restaurants, etc. Haven’t seen a travel blogger explore this topic in detail.
Feel better….
Well, as I sit on the veranda of a beautiful hacienda in Pereira, Colombia, the only thing on my mind is whether or not Avianca will permit a second piece of luggage if we buy too much stuff from local artisans at a local village … i.e., there is not much of anything of importance on my mind.
We got here for amost free on American Airlines miles. I love this game.
Gary-
Sorry you are not feeling well. Here is my tip –
Right now I’m working in a very cold climate in the Rockes and at times the temperature has been as low as minus 25 degrees F. What I do to keep from getting colds is I take powdered vitamin C. This is not the regular “ascorbic acid” vitamin C that is found all over the internet and in the supplement aisle at Walgreens. Rather it is made from WHOLE FOODS and then put into powdered form. You can find it on Amazon, but you will have to buy 3 of them in order to qualify for the free shipping. The only other place I have found it so far is here:
http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Alive-Vitamin-C-Powder-120-g/15056
Any order of $20 or more ships free.
I will warn you and anyone else – the stuff tastes like crap. It takes some getting used to. But I swear it works.
Whenever you feel the slightest sign of a cold coming on simply take a heaping teaspoon and put it in some water (cold or hot). What I like to do is to get an empty water bottle, fill it up about 1/3 full. Put the powder in – cap – and shake like mad. Gulp it down quickly and that is all there is to it.
If you decide to try this stuff, use promo code JCQ385 and you will save $5-$10 off your first order (plus the free ship if you spend $20 or more). Here is some of the product description:
100% Organic
All-Natural
Vegetarian Formula
Non-GMO
Easily Absorbed
Stomach Gentle
Free of Common Food Allergens
Naturally Sourced from Organic Fruits:
Organic Acerola
Organic Goji
Organic Amla
Organic Kiwi
Feel better,
Nick
It looks like the 35k US Air offer with 10k anniversary miles is dead, but any word on whether the 30k offer with 10k anniversary miles (link below) is actually limited to US Air preferred members, as landing page indicates? Or is this more of an honor-system restriction?
https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=1695&cellNumber=24
@Scott G – let me share my thoughts on that! I’m not expert, I warn.
@David – targeted offers like this just talk about who the offer is marketed to, it’s hard to imagine if you’re approved for the offer that you won’t get it.
@JohnnieD – I think it’s a safe bet it goes away eventually (harmonizing at the higher 110k level of American, or even the two charts go to ~ 125k). But I don’t know when that happens… when US Airways enters oneworld, when mileage transfers between the two programs begin, or when the two programs are combined? No one knows yet.
@jason – I think it depends on your status, a mostly open cabin as an executive platinum i’d say there’s a good chance. You don’t mention the gateway you’re traveling from and if it’s on a 777-300ER those flights do sell out at least on certain days of the week. But in general based on the info provided I’d say it’s a function of your status.
@phone-home I know, really hope this gets resolved soon!
@Shia La Beef – I haven’t watched the Colbert Report segment since the week it aired. I do get up early, I write blog posts early and often schedule them to go live throughout the day. I do not order room service pancakes except from one hotel in New York.
@The Other Carl – if you don’t like the current best offer, wait around for a few another will likely emerge, the card isn’t going away for new apps soon.
@Cheryl – you’ve gotten some good feedback so far, tell me more about what you’re after and I’ll make suggestions
Thanks to all the well wishes!!
@Katherine you can get waitlisted if it’s an all-United itinerary. Here’s the definitive discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/continental-onepass-pre-merger-closed-posting/642160-plan-b-standard-businessfirst-award-travel.html
@Doug I would say 25,000 HHonors points are worth about $100. If $75 is a net cost to you of $50 then it’s worth it, if that’s the best Amex offer you could sign up for.
I purchased more than $20,000 worth of Vanilla Reloads over a week or so around the beginning of the year if that helps anyone.
On my mind: how SPG Platinum benefit delivery is inferior to Hyatt Diamond benefit delivery.
Hi Gary, thank you for your reply. I have 300K+ UA miles. Places I would like to visit are Australia/NZ, Tahiti, Maldives, South Africa(although I thought I would try to use my US Air miles for that one-soon!). The ability to do a stopover in Europe/IST/or Middle East would be welcome. My home airport is ORD. Thanks!
Today was cancel a ticket with LifeMiles and be told taxes are nonrefundable – these guys are the worst at customer service. Also found LAX/FRA business class space on LH using UA miles middle of summer….score!
@Cheryl – Tahiti isn’t realistic with United miles, the only way to get there is via New Zealand with Air New Zealand’s non-daily service. Maldives may be possible, look for business class availability via Istanbul on turkish and via singapore on singapore airlines (availability doesn’t show on the united website) or look to go to colombo, sri lanka instead of male (close city, cheap flights to male, served by thai from bangkok for instance). Australia/New Zealand is tough at least for non-stop from US even during the Northern summer. You need to connect via Asia such as via Seoul on Asiana.