The February issue of Conde Nast Traveler as a has a long-ish piece on Flyertalk, the Star Alliance MegaDO, Pudding Guy, cockroaches, Continental DOs, and more. (here’s a .pdf, scanned by a Flyertalker). The article contains ten tips for accumulatng miles, which it attributes to me. Close enough, and boiled down to bullet points for a magazine sidebar, though I think one of the tips may not have come from me… Hah! I specifically laud Air Canada Aeroplan and Continental Onepass, and take United to task for Starnet blocking, and Delta to task for difficulty in redeeming international premium class awards. Take that, United and Delta! I’ll continue screaming from the roof tops until you clean up your act!
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for January 2010.
Rich Enough Not to Waste Time… Customizing My Coffee
The Wall Street Jouirnal ran a piece on the little luxuries and personalizations that travel providers offer to their really frequent customers. Now, I’m not necessarily one of the very best customers that any given travel provider may have. I’m a good customer of some specific hotels, staying a few times a year, year-in and year-out. But that’s it. So most places don’t have the personalized memory of my preferences. But I do truly appreciate the refined service that comes from a hotel where I’m staying a few days remembering how I take my morning coffee after the very first time I order it. And remembering where I chose to sit, and ensuring the same spot is available for me at the same time throughtout my stay. And Avis knows, “No Town Cars.” I’ll take…
Security vs Checked Baggage Fees: Which Is Your Bigger Frustration?
I spoke with CNN the other day about this piece on air travel frustrations. It was prompted by recent increases in checked baggage fees, but I told the reporter I couldn’t really speak to my personal experiences with those in so far as I usually don’t pay them as an elite traveler (or an upgraded one). So I laid out what I find to be the major inconveniences, and that’s primarily the farce that’s airport security. Gary Leff, another frequent flier who lives in Arlington, Virginia, called this part of the security process the “shoe carnival.” For him, the vast amounts of time spent waiting are the biggest hassle of flying. …”It takes more time and so you have to leave earlier and earlier to go to the airport. Most of the time you just…
Pulling Teeth for Missing Points from the Priority Club Partner Promo
The Priority Club partner activity bonus has been a bit vexing for some — it seems that plenty of members received fewer points than they should have from the offer. Personally I should have received the full 10,000 points but received only 6,000. And the reason appears to have been that I transferred points via Points.com into Priority Club (1 Priority Club point…) and I also purchased 1000 points. Both of those were described as unique activities. But the purchase of points is managed by Points.com, and both transactions post as Points.com to the account, so the Priority Club system treated them as a single partner and not unique activities. Folks have been pulling teeth to get their missing points, spending tons of time on hold, emailing to no avail. My points are finally in.…
Miles and More 2000 Mile Signup Bonus
Via TM Travel World, Lufthansa is offering 2000 miles to new members of Miles & More. Sign up, and then use your new membership number for a free $100 certificate valid on a stay of 2 nights or more at Renaissance Hotel properties.
Landing at Port-au-Prince
Wandering Aramean explains the challenges for relief flights landing in Port-au-Prince and the role of the US Air Force handling air traffic control on the ground. There’s no fuel on the ground, so arriving flights need to carry enough petrol for their return trips. There aren’t enough parking spots, the runway isn’t up to the task of some of the jumbos looking to land, and there really aren’t ground crews to work the flights.
US Airways Shopping and Purchase/Transfer Mileage Bonuses for Elites
Flyertalk member Beckles points out that through February, 2011 US Airways elite members receive bonuses when making purchases through the Dividend Miles shopping mall. Silver Preferred – 25% Gold Preferred – 50% Platinum Preferred – 75% Chairman’s Preferred – 100% Pretty neat ongoing offer for US Airways elites! Furthermore, through February 28, 2011, US Airways elites earn a 25% bonus on transferring or purchasing miles to gift. It will be interesting to see whether these promotions are stackable with other offers that US Airways may run during the year, such as if they bring back their 100% bonus on transferred or purchased miles (a 125% bonus for elites!) or holiday shopping promo.
Elite Status for Tewwowists Would Mean WAIVING These Fees…
In light of recent increases in checked baggage fees, I found this bit from the Onion rather funny: With holiday traffic down almost 4 percent compared to last year and business continuing to decline, US Airways announced Monday that it would allow VIP customers to bring bombs on board its flights for a one-time $100 million fee. “At US Airways, we want to show the world that we’re willing to go the distance for customers our competitors repeatedly ignore,” a press release read in part. “Your enrollment fee grants you full access to our prestigious Bomber’s Club at participating airports, early boarding with choice of seat, the option to bring aboard knives and guns for a small additional surcharge, and allowance for an extra carry-on, which can of course be used for your bomb.” The…
US Airways Big Bonus Leftover – How to Use Your $5 Omaha Steaks Gift Card
Lots of folks have $5 Omaha Steaks gift cards, basically a throwaway order from the US Airways holiday shopping promo (one of the easy, inexpensive transactions to get a qualifying merchant). If you kept a card rather than tossing it, thanks to Alex here’s a chance to actually use it: Omaha Steaks is offering free shipping today only amd pumpkin pie is $4.99. There are apparently sauces and seasonings available for under $5 as well. Update: Commenter Diana writes, “The free ship is supposed to only be for orders over $75. The checkout screen does show free shipping, but the confirmation email will reflect a $13.99 charge. Customer service was able to let this order go through, since their website has a glitch.”
$100 Credit at Renaissance
The first 2500 Miles & More members to sign up get a $100 certificate for Renaissance, valid on minimum 2-night stays. The form is in German, I don’t speak it but had no problem filling it out. German speakers out there, let me know if there additional terms and conditions I should be aware of?
