The Delta – Singapore Airlines partnership ends May 15. Singapore Airlines awards, despite the roughly $500 fuel surcharge/taxes one might expect on a first class redemption, remain the single most lucrative use of Delta Skypesos there is.. for another dozen or so days. If you don’t get in on this deal to burn your remaining Delta miles, here’s my advice on the best uses for Skymiles and even how to find available premium cabin award seats and book them online.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for May 2010.
Manila to Macau via Cathay Pacific First Class and Turbojet Ferry: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
We arrived at the Manila airport and had to show printed e-ticket itineraries to enter, and then had to go through security screening of our checked and hand baggage as well. Once you’ve entered there’s a sign saying not to exit. We walked up to the Cathay Pacific checkin desk, and they helped us right away, but our checkin was confusing. I handed them not just our itinerary and passports, but also our receipt for the Turbojet ferry from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau Ferry Terminal. I asked them to check our bags through to Macau, and the agent had never heard of such a thing and couldn’t figure out how to do it. After much plugging away he called over his supervisor who fiddled for awhile and got on the phone but finally…
25,000 Priority Club Points for New DirectTV Service
From MilesQuest: Priority Club has sweetened their offer of points for signing up with Directv from 15,000 to 25,000 and up to 50% off for the first year. The deadline is May 31, 2010. I took advantage of this deal back when it was a 15,000 point offer. I had a bear of a time getting the points though as there was not a spot to enter in my Priority Club number during sign-up. This probably has been fixed by now but I would recommend printing the offer and your final confirmation page as backup. Contra MilesQuest, I read the terms and conditions as saying the offer is valid through July 14. I also don’t see a 15,000 point offer, only a 25,000 point offer. Points post 6-8 weeks after your account has been open…
Marriott’s New Free Internet Elite Benefit Gets a Little Bit Better
Back in March 7 Marriott announced a limited free internet benefit for Gold and Platinum elites to start May 7: only in the U.S. (excluding Hawaii and US territories) and Canada. Yesterday they announced on Flyertalk that the benefit will be extended to Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Not Europe, Asia, etc. It’s progress. It doesn’t match Hyatt’s worldwide offering for all elites or Starwood’s worldwide offering for Platinum elites. But it’s progress. And they’ve also annonced free local calls in the US and Canada for anyone that doesn’t own a cell phone for Golds and Platinums.
Hidden Value Awards from Alaska Airlines: US to South Africa via Asia on Cathay Pacific for 140,000 Miles in First Class
Yesterday I booked two passengers from the US to South Africa via Asia and thought it was an especially valuable award. Alaska Airlines partners with Cathay Pacific. They charge 140,000 miles for first class between North America and Asia. They also charge 140,000 miles roundtrip for first class between the US and Africa. So these folks who live in San Francisco I routed SFO – Hong Kong – Johannesburg and return. Now, it’s 30% more flown miles than a one-stop via Europe. But it was available on their preferred dates, it got them to South Affirca with a single connection. And it was Cathay Pacific First Class, a total of four long-haul flights. American Airlines requires routing from the US to Africa via Europe, so they would have charged for US to Asia and a…
Westin Diplomat Has Started Selling Rooms at its Sister Gold Resort a Mile and a Half Away, Buries Disclosure on its Website
The Westin Diplomat Resort also has a sister property, the Diplomat Golf Resort. They had two separate websites (apart from their separate sites at starwoodhotels.com) — diplomatresort.com and diplomatgolf.com. These two properties are a mile and a half from each other. But now they seem to be marketed as one. And that’s going to be confusing for a lot of guests. They are very different properties. The Diplomat Resort is on the beach, two tall towers standing atop the rest of the area, and famous for its outstanding treatment of Starwood Platinum members (because they have more suites in their upgrade pool than any other property I’ve ever heard of, and because they have a lovely club lounge facility). The Golf Resort is much more low key and a mile and a half away. They…
Marriott and American Airlines Sever Their Relationship
Earning American miles with Marriott, or transferring Marriott points into American miles, ends June 30. An email from American yesterday stated: We would like to provide you with an important update to the American Airlines AAdvantage® program. Effective July 1, 2010, the Marriott Rewards program will no longer offer AAdvantage miles for stays at Marriott hotels. All qualifying stays at participating properties completed by June 30, 2010 will be eligible to earn AAdvantage miles. It is also important to note the final date to convert your Marriott Rewards points to AAdvantage miles will be June 30, 2010. Presumably they couldn’t agree on the price of miles in a new contract, perhaps American wanted a higher price, Marriott wanted to lower the price, or they’ve been successful with other programs and not with American on reducing…
Sometimes it Really is the Little Things that Make a Place Perfect
I’ve previously offered my peaen to the Le Meridien Chiang Rai’s macaron cookies. It’s just one of the little treats that guests receive throughout their stay, I remember receiving something different every day. And each day a new wonderful surprise! Keri, who recently checked out of that property, sent along the following photo. Brings back some of my absolutely favorite memories.
Predictions for a Continental-United Merger
I’ve been chatting with a bunch of media surrounding the expected United-Continental merger, being considered by the Continental board tomorrow. Lucky offered his thoughts on Thursday. Here’s his money quote: If you’re a mileage runner you shouldn’t be looking forward to this merger, plain and simple. Part of what makes United “profitable” as a customer is what a mismanaged airline they are and how poorly so many of their policies are thought out. If you complain that your seatmate farted, you’ll get a $200 electronic certificate good for future travel. And that’s certainly true, United is pretty dysfunctional and customers who understand their system have lone done well by them. Ultimately some of the more rewarding quirks of United will likely ultimately go away in a post-merger world. But somehow I don’t think United’s perspective…
Return to Manila: a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
After 5 nights at the Hilton Cebu Island Resort & Spa, it was time to head back to Manila. I grabbed the hotel’s pink Corolla instead of a cab, it was right there and the price was right, a few minutes later we were at the airport. As is the case across the Philippines, we had to pay the airport’s departure tax in cash before proceeding through security. We were given a paper receipt, which we handed to a staffer immediately behind the booth where we paid the fee. Presumably they can match the receipts to the cash taken in, and the requirement for the receipt prevents corruption on the part of the staff member manning the booth. At least I can’t think of any other purpose for handing you a receipt and then collecting…
