After the free Hilton Hotel night giveaway generated so much interest, I’m really enjoying giving away travel items. This next time I think I’m going to try something a little bit different. I’m going to offer some giveaways on Twietter, and you’ll have to follow @garyleff in order to be eligible. Details to come, follow me now so you don’t miss out!
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for February 2010.
Marriott Offers Elite Status Buyback for Members Who Did Not Requalify
In March 2008 I posted an offer to sign up for Marriott Rewards with instant gold status. The offer was even around for a few months. Well, I signed up, and my status was valid through February, 2010. I took advantage of it a bit, but am just not much of a Marriott guy. So my status is about to end… or is it? Yesterday I received an email offering me a chance to keep it. Through April 1 I have the following option: Limited-time only! Buy back your Gold status for just 25,000 points – a 15,000-point savings. Use points you already have, or purchase points. Anyone with status in 2009 can redeem points to keep that status through February, 2001. And Marriott will sell you up to 50,000 points per year for 1.25…
Spirit Claims They Didn’t Deny Water to a Pregnant Woman (umm….)
After posting about the incident of a family kicked off a Spirit aircraft after being denied water for the pregnant woman in the party (I blamed the family for flying Spirit in the first place), I heard from Spirit Corporate Communications. They didn’t defend their record of customer service, or disagree with my points about why it’s silly to fly Spirit if you can possibly avoid it. But they did dispute that they denied a pregnant woman water. Sort of. Here is what really happened: Spirit did not deny water to anyone. Beverages were offered for purchase just as we do on all of our flights. The real story is that Dr. Roslin was escorted off the flight for violating federal law for interfering with a flight crew. He was causing a disturbance and attempted…
And the Winner of the Free Hilton Hotel Night Certificate Is…
The Hilton free night contest ended yesterday. There were more than 1300 entries (color me surprised!). I drew the winner based on random number, as promised, with thanks to Random.org. And thanks, of course, to BoardingArea.com for providing the free Hilton hotel night to give away! The winning comment came from LAXNRT. Please join me in congratulating LAXNRT! With the kind of response that I got, look for more giveaways soon…
Planning Vacations Makes You Happy
Research from the Netherlands measured the effect of vacations on happiness. It turns out that people get the most happiness from planning and anticipating their vacations. Except for the most relaxing of vacations, people aren’t happier when they return from a trip than when they left. Even at the most extreme end of relaxation, the happiness effect wears off after two weeks. Taking more trips and planning and talking (obsessing?) about them, then, may be the keys to happiness. I guess that must make travel agents the happiest people on earth! Indeed, perhaps I’m one of the happiest as well.
Continental Ramps Up Investment in Premium Class Meal Service
The Houston Chronicle, umm, chronicles Continental’s push to improve its premium cabin catering. They spoke to me about the efforts, and while I caveated that I’m not a frequent Continental flyer, Continental remains the only carrier serving complimentary meals in domestic coach, whatever you may think of those offerings. Meals don’t generate incremental flights, very few people get on a plane just to eat the food! Non-stop service drives most decisions, but when connecting the biggest consideration is seat — followed by quality in soft product. Attracting premium passengers is all about generating the expectation (and delivery) of a comfortable, stress-free experience. The quality of service, the small touches, airport ground handling, and food are all a part of seamless execution that draws a revenue premium.Celebrity chefs are pure marketing. They’re a signal that the…
Interesting Hotel Deals and a Possible $10 AA.com Discount Voucher
HotelCashBack.com is a new blog with hotel deals, they’re currently showing $24.11 per night all-in at Stratosphere in Vegas (yuck!), $50.68 at Sheraton Bungavillas in Puerto Vallarta, $58.40 at Atlantis in Reno including breakfast buffets, and $119.06 at Encore at the Wynn in Vegas. And to promote themselves, they’re trying to go viral with a modest giveaway: [W]e are giving away sixty (60) American Airlines vouchers. Just mention our blog on another web site, blog or forum, email us at info@hotelcashback.com to let us know and we will email you a voucher. Each American Airlines voucher is good for $10 off per ticket purchased on aa.com, up to six tickets, maximum savings of $60!
Jetiquette Podcast with Randy Petersen
The Jetiquette Podcast interviews Randy Petersen this week. There aren’t a whole lot of podcasts I listen to (other than Upgrd.com) and I hadn’t listened to Jetiquette before. It’s a little campy perhaps, but Randy is always worth devoting a few minutes’ listening to. Highly recommended.
Listen to Me Discuss Award Booking
I’ll be recording another session, but in the meantime you can listen to this week’s upgrd podcast where we talk about “United Airlines award levels, website issues, and evil StarNet blocking; US Airways award levels and availability; and Continental’s award chart and how they match up with United.” Give it a listen.
Free Hotel Night Giveaway: Don’t Forget to Enter!
You have just a little over a day left to enter to win a free Hilton hotel night courtesy of BoardingArea.com.
