The offer of 25,000 Delta miles for signing up for Intercontinental Hotels Ambassador status was just too darn rich. It’s still available, but the offer will expire August 31 instead of the previously announced October 31. If you don’t feel like shelling out $150 (which to me is well worth it for the Delta miles – benefits of Ambassador status aside), there’s also an offer of free Ambassador Club membership, 5000 Priority Club points, and a free stay coupon after four nights at Intercontinental properties through Oct.12. Paying $150 and grabbing the Delta miles still seems like a better deal to me, however.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for August 2004.
United 15% Discount
Sign up to receive an electronic discount certificate from United good for 15% off a roundtrip flight purchase of $150 or more at united.com. The certificate is good for itineraries purchased by September 30th for travel through January 31st and will work on most discount fares (“T” fares, the absolute lowest, and full fares are excluded).
OneTravel Vacation Package Discount
OneTravel, a travel consolidator that I often find has better airfare deals than Expedia or Orbitz, is offering $50 off any air-inclusive vacation or cruise booking with discount code 50BFNC.Here are the terms and conditions of the offer: Valid towards any air-inclusive vacation package or cruise. Rebate is per booking Coupon code must be entered in the “Special Requests” field during the online booking process. Booking must be made by August 31, 2004 and travel must be completed by November 30, 2005. Not valid with any other offer. Rebate is only valid when coupon code is entered in “Special Requests” box on online booking form at the time of purchase. Not valid towards previously purchased vacations or cruises. This discount acts as a rebate amount which will be sent as a check via U.S. mail…
The Coolest Thing Ever
Eugene Volokh has a license to access porn.
Sunday Arrival Bonus in New York
W Hotels is offering 2000 bonus Starwood points for Sunday arrivals at any of its 5 New York City properties through September 19.
Politicians Can’t Overturn the Weather
Wonkette has the scoop on how “Famous-for-DC-types” behave when the Delta Shuttle is held on a weather delay. Fred Thompson fares well, Warren Rudman does not.
Sweepstakes Entry
Travel & Leisure is giving away airfare for 2 and 7 nights hotel at any Hilton in the world.(Hat tip to the Frequent Flier Crier.)
Another Sharebuilder Signup Bonus
I still like their offer of 5000 eBay Anything Points for a new account the best — but signing up for a Sharebuilder account can also be a good way to pick up 2000 Delta miles (3500 for Delta elite members).Set up the account, which is free, and then choose to transfer $5 into the account from your checking account. Then establish a “ShareBuilderPlan” to make a one-time investment of $5 in whatever stock you want (it can be any stock because you’ll just buy a fractional share) and schedule it for the upcoming Tuesday (oddly, this plan only makes purchases on Tuesdays!). You’ll be charged a $4 commissiona and own $1 in stock and then Sharebuilder will credit you with your points.
Inside Hilton’s CRM Strategy
There’s a fascinating article on Hilton’s investments in information technology in the August 12 issue of Hotels Magazine. Their system is called OnQ: OnQ is the IT centrepiece of a two-year-old Hilton customer relationship management (CRM) strategy – officially known as ‘customers really matter,’ though company wags prefer ‘customers rejecting Marriott,’ Hilton’s chief rival and the only other hotel company expanding at such a pace. The strategy is pinned on the idea that employees with a clearer idea of who customers are and what their past Hilton experiences have been can engineer constant improvement. The system is geared towards meeting customers’ preferences, speeding their checkin process, and in the future may allow Hilton to sell additional value-added products like theatre tickets based on show availability and guest interests.It can also tell the hotel chain when…
Looking Up Security Wait Times
Via MSNBC’s Savings Sleuth, the TSA launched a new website yesterday to give average and maximum wait times by airport based on previous month’s data.This isn’t real-time information (which would be better – the Virginia DMV used to offer it, so it’s certainly possible) but I’ll take it.
