There’s a rumor afoot that Charter One Bank Gift cards are going to become less lucrative for earning miles. Charter One bank, whose gift cards have been useful for earning up to 5000 miles a month at no or next to no cost, is said to be planning to limit purchases to $1500 per month. I just entered my order for $5000 for the month, so the offer is apparently still working to its full potential. But it may not last much longer. The opportunity is described in detail at Charter One offers to sell you Gift Cards for no extra fee up front. These are pre-loaded Mastercards which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. They can also be used for PIN transactions for a charge to the card of $1 per transaction, or…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for June 2004.
United Denied Government-backed Loan
The Air Transportation Stabilization Board has denied United’s request for a federally backed $1.8 billion loan. Apparently they believe the airline can survive without it, not surprising since the airline’s chief executive more or less said the same thing last week. Of course, if the airline couldn’t attract financing on its own, there would be an equally good argument to deny federal support. More fundamentally, what is an emergency measure designed to address potential liquidity problems in the immediate aftermath of September 11th still doing considering financial support for airlines three years later? And why are they open to considering another application from the airline in the future? Will we ever get out from under this process?
Tens of Thousands of Pilots Defending Against Terrorism?
Joanne McNeill writes that air marshalls are ineffective and arming pilots would be better — and that Barbara Boxer is leading the charge to put guns in cockpits. Apparently only Nixon really could go to China.
Outstanding Predictions
I stumbled upon this three-year old article in Fast Company where Randy Petersen offers several predictions about frequent flyer miles: 25,000 miles for a domestic award ticket will remain the standard for awhile, though may eventually go up. Verdict: still true after three years. Award travel to Hawaii will remain difficult. Verdict: true, but no bonus points for ‘degree of difficulty’ on this one. The IRS won’t tax miles. Verdict: true after three years of data. Customized rewards are coming. Verdict: Air Canada’s introduction this year of a suite of benefits for elite members to choose from makes it look more and more like this prediction is coming true. It will get easier to redeem miles for small awards. Verdict: True. It isn’t just miles for magazines anymore, either, with the last entry into the…
United is Offering Discounts from DC, too
Sign up to receive an electronic coupon good for 10% off flights of $100 or more purchased by June 20, 2004 for travel from Washington, Dulles (IAD), Reagan International (DCA) or Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). Not alot of time to use it, but still useful for those of us in the DC area buying United tickets every week.
United Round-the-World Sweepstakes
In addition to the Round-the-World promo for flights in and out of Washington, DC, United is offering a Round-the-World sweepstakes: flights purchased in and out of the DC area between June 15th and June 20th (short window!) earn an entry in the sweepstakes, and so will email entries: If you wish to enter without making a purchase you may do so by sending an email containing your first name, last name, complete mailing address and telephone number to unitedaroundtheworld@eprize.net. For each valid email which contains all of the required information you will receive one (1) entry into the Promotion. Sending more than the allowable number of email entries will result in the voiding of all of the entries for that individual. Limit: three (3) entries per person or email address each day during the Promotion…
American Offers DC Bonus
American has joined United and Northwest in offering 2500 bonus miles per roundtrip in and out of the Washington, DC area for travel between June 15 and September 30. Registration is required
Starwood Amex Bonus
The Starwood American Express offer for up to 10,000 points as a signup bonus is back and valid through July 16.Longtime readers will recognize this as what I recommend as best mileage earning credit card.
Are you earning enough hotel points?
Erica Silverstein asks whether you should focus more on hotel points than airline miles. No doubt some hotel point programs can be easier to redeem with than miles. Starwood is the perfect example: all of their ‘standard’ rooms are available for redemption. I find that airline programs still offer the greatest value proposition provided that you redeem for international upgrades or international premium class tickets. But hotel points are certainly underemphasized in most folks’ portfolios. I say collect both!
Miles for Large Sodas, but No Miles for Popcorn
I read some weeks ago that Cinemark Theatres was offering 100 American Airlines miles with each 44 ounce soda. Didn’t seem too lucrative until Free Frequent Flyer Miles pointed out the obvious: stay around the theatre after the credits and check for cups left behind at the seats. You might pick up a few thousand miles for free.
