A defense of the guy who flew back to the US with ultra-drug resistant TB. (Via Marginal Revolution.) Indeed, I’m not sure what I’d have done in his shoes, either.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for June 2007.
Thai Airways Mileage Devaluation
Effective October 1, 2007 a new Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus award chart will be in place. North American awards, for instance, increase by 5,000 in coach and premium economy.. and 15,000 and 20,000 in business and first class, respectively. In general the higher pricing applies mostly to premium class awards, and is explained as being driven by Thai Airways’ improved services (though the increases apply on other carriers as well, aren’t reduced as United cuts its service, and mileage cost ought to track with price rather than service in any case since the mileage program is buying the seats from the transporting airline…).
Diners Club Transfer Bonus to American
Jun
04
2007
Transfers of 50,000 Diners Club points to American Airlines by August 31, 2007 earn a 5000 mile bonus.
Amex Centurion Card Now Gets USAirways Platinum Status
The American Express Centurion card isn’t completely moribund. While they’ve consistently increased costs (recently adding a $5000 initiation fee on top of the $2500 annual fee), they’ve also been letting benefits lapse — no more Starwood Platinum status, no more Hyatt Diamond (replacing it with almost useless Priority Club Platinum), all the while the Membership Rewards program has been letting its best partners depart. Finally a bit of good news. Plenty of Black Card holders report that they’ve been upgraded to Platinum status with USAirways (the previous benefit was Gold). Prior to the America West merger, Centurion members had status one level beneath the highest – Gold. After the merger the Dividend Miles program introduced four levels, and Gold was second from bottom. So they’ve finally fixed matters, Platinum being once again second from top.
Free Formalwear
Jun
03
2007
After Six is offering a free slider tie for signing up for information from them.
New American Mastercard Offer to Consider — 40,000 Bonus Miles
Jun
02
2007
American and Citibank are offering up to 40,000 bonus miles with a new American Mastercard. The offer is:20,000 points for spending $750 in 4 months10,000 points for spending $10,000 during the first year10,000 points for $10,000 in purchases during the second yearFirst year fee waived Upside of the offer: lots of points if you can meet the spending requirements (which really aren’t that onerous on a monthly average basis).Downsides of the offer: you need to keep the card past year one (while the fee is waived) in order to max out the miles — so you need to pay $85 in the second year or receive no more than 30,000 miles. The offer is available for both the personal and business cards so you can actually earn 80,000 miles through the special offer… And despite…
United Reverses Course on Their Expiring 500 Mile Upgrades
Jun
01
2007
A couple of weeks ago I noted that effective June 1 United would no longer allow expiring 500 mile upgrades to convert to miles — and was also blocking the early conversion of 500 mile upgades in order to get in under the wire. This was a big blow to international customers who rarely use 500 milers, as well as United frequent flyers in TED cities with no cabin to upgrade into. Responding to complaints and pressure, United has relented and reversed course… sort of. Current Global Services, 1K, and Premier Executive members of Mileage Plus can register by August 15th so that their expiring 500 mile upgrades will continue to convert to miles — as long as the member retains at least Premier Executive status or resides outside of the 50 U.S. states. General…
Northwest Quietly Removes Saturday Night Stay Requirement from Award Tickets, or a Glitch?
Jun
01
2007
It seems as though Northwest Airlines may not be enforcing the Saturday night stay rule on award tickets in order to be eligible for their standard (“PerkSaver”) mileage pricing. Developing…
Alaska Starts Hawaii Service
Jun
01
2007
It’s been rumored for what seems like forever, and Alaska Airlines has finally announced service to Hawaii.Seattle-Honolulu starts October 12th; Seattle-Lihu’e begins October 28th; Anchorage-Honolulu starts December 9th. They have some great introductory fares of $109+tax each way, but don’t count on finding any seats left (after a day!) at that price. Instead, fares of around $160+tax each way are still available — which is pretty darn good. Alaska will apparently allow use of the Bank of America Visa $50 companion tickets on these routes, and the flights are upgradeable with miles and MVP Gold Guest upgrade certificates. If you have or can score a $50 companion ticket on a $350-ish all-in ticket, and there’s upgrade availability, two people can fly first class from Seattle to Hawaii for $450 or so roundtrip + 40,000 frequent…
