Apr
28
2005
I’m unsure how reliable my internet access will be over the next few days, so there may be little if anything new on this site until Monday.
Light (if any) posting until Monday
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for April 2005.
70,000 United Miles for Buying a Chrysler
Apr
27
2005
Register and then buy or lease a 2005 Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep by August 1 (offer not valid on SRT models, Viper, Sprinter, 300 models, Magnum RT or 2006 Charger). Then go to United.com/chryslermiles and submit the car’s VIN number and date of purchase by August 31, 2005. Update: Offer appears to be targeted, if you didn’t receive an email from United about it you may not be eligible.
NBC News Coverage of Travel Pricing Errors
Apr
27
2005
Matt Lauer did a piece on the Today Show this morning (video clip) on the recent spate of travel pricing errors. He mentions the USAirways $1.98 fare, the $55 Fiji trip, and the Lanesborough Hotel pricing error. He manages to hit key questions like whether airlines and hotels have to honor pricing, what role the internet plays in disseminating mistakes, and whether lists and websites promoting the errors are monitored by travel companies in order to correct errors more quickly.The piece actually seems to be driving a bit of traffic to this website today. Mentioned in the interview are Flyertalk, FareAlert, and the New York Airfare Blog. Lots of people looking for similar sites are happening onto this one.
In Search of an Academic Argument Against Onboard Cell Phones
Apr
27
2005
Tyler Cowen doesn’t want to see cell phone use on planes. He has a strong opinion and is looking for academic arguments to support it: Can I claim that cell phone calls are a socially wasteful means of signaling to your spouse that you care? Can I claim that commercial airplanes are modern (short-term) monasteries, and that markets undersupply such temples of silence? Phone use is actually allowed onboard planes now — the phone is in the seatback and the cost is several dollars per minute. The change is making low cost calls available via personal cell phones. Tyler would presumably tax that useage substantially in order to maintain existing cost levels which prevent would-be phone users from invading his silence. I think Tyler is incorrect if he’s imagining people on cell phones yammering on…
Just completed my Free Digital Camera offer
Apr
26
2005
I just completed my marketing offer for the free digital camera. It was the easiest offer from Gratis Networks yet — Napster. You sign up for a 14-day free trial. You do have to download their software (and when you’re asked whether you want to restart your computer, it’s important to say NO or else you may not get credit). Then a couple days later credit for the offer shows up on the free electronics offer website. The best part is that you can cancel online — you don’t even have to speak to a live person. I printed out the page saying I had cancelled, but I also got an email from them anyway. Then I uninstalled the software. Easy, free, a great way to complete a requirement. The other easy one that I…
What would an America West-USAirways Merger Mean for Frequent Flyer Mileage Redemption
Apr
26
2005
Keith Alexander speculates on what would happen to frequent flyers in an America West-USAirways tie-up. He quotes Randy Petersen saying that USAirways members could finally relax about the future and stability of their miles. Separately, if the combined corporate entity remains as USAirways, and its existing partnerships continue, then America West flyers will gain access to international awards like they’ve never known before through USAirways’ membership in the Star Alliance. Currently, America West’s premium international redemption options are hugely limited. Of course, this is all speculation. If a merger were to go through, and if it were to cause the combined entity to exit the Star Alliance (after all, America West is a significant competitor to United on the West Coast of the U.S. and to the best of my knowledge America West management hasn’t…
Cashing in on Pricing Errors
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) carries a piece this morning offering a recent history of pricing errors, “Consumers Race to Cash In On Flurry of Pricing Errors That Some Are Honoring” In recent weeks, sharp-eyed consumers have spotted a number of travel pricing mistakes — including several $1.86 US Airways flights, and a $51 flight to Fiji on Travelocity — and have raced to cash in. Pricing mistakes are a growing headache for travel companies since consumers are increasingly able and willing use the Internet to quickly spot and snap up low prices. As a result, it is getting easier for them to take advantage of pricing slip-ups that happen often when prices are updated in real time before the company can correct the mistake. For instance, in less than a half-day, about 1,000…
Myths and Reality in Obtaining Airline Upgrades
James Wysong’s newest column is on ways to get an upgrade. His advice: Become a member of that specific airline’s frequent flier mileage club. You can be a member of many different airlines’ clubs. Unlikely. Being an elite member of an airline’s frequent flyer program is the surest way to an upgrade, although each program’s terms and conditions are different — you may need to pay a certain fare or spend upgrade certificates, and the rules likely vary between domestic and international flights. But simply joining a frequent flyer program is unlikely to score an upgrade (except in one limited circumstance, overbooking of coach, discussed below). The flight is oversold in economy, but there are empty seats in business and or first class. Absolutely. Airlines oversell coach and instead of denying boarding (which is costly,…
Mother’s Day Flowers
Apr
26
2005
It’s one of the times of year that all the programs push their flowers and gifts mileage partners. America West just sent out an email offering 20 miles per dollar with FTD, with Butterfield Blooms, with Gift Sense, and from the San Francisco Music Box Company. The FTD offer says “Elite Members” but the offer was sent to me by America West, and I do not have elite status with that airline. I do have some experience with FTD offers originally targeted for elites, and everyone has always been able to earn full mileage with the offers regardless of status. The best mileage offer has been around for a couple of years, FTD offers 30 United miles per dollar spent. The offer mentions United 1K members but everyone has been able to take advantage of…
Great Vegas Hotel Rate
The Venetian is running a special for weekdays at $100 a night from July through September. May and June is available at $149, and weekends are available at $199.
