First, before I open the separate official entry thread (not this post), let me describe what’s going on. Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a big fan of the Hyatt Gold Passport program, and really have been since spring of 2009 when they matched Starwood’s unique value proposition on award redmeption (if a standard room is available for purchase, you can redeem for it with points) and also introduced new elite benefits — They were first out of the gate with free internet, which chains generally have matched, though they offer it all elites Guaranteed club level or free breakfast, no catch as catch can. Hilton is known for breakfast to be sure, but I’ve certainly enjoyed the Hyatt breakfast benefit more, such as last weekend’s room service breakfast at the Andaz 5th…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for December 2010.
Thanksgiving in Mumbai: Touring Mumbai
Thanksgiving in Mumbai – Touring Mumbai: Before heading to Mumbai I had done a bit of searching online for well-regarded guides. I first found Mumbai Moments, which seemed to receive raves at TripAdvisor. I emailed them and they were available during our stay, but as we discussed what I wanted to do and see it became clear that this wasn’t going to be a good match. I always like to try to understand a place in part through its food, had researched some of the restaurants and things from vendors that I wanted to try, and shared the particulars. Amish, the guide, let me know that he’s a follower of Jainism and won’t take clients to any non-vegetarian restaurant. I respectfully chose to find someone else, since that wasn’t going to match what I wanted…
Thanksgiving in Mumbai: Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai
After clearing customs and immigration in Mumbai we walked outside the terminal to teeming masses of people waiting for passengers. The airport was sure bustling at almost 2 am! The Grand Hyatt Mumbai comes with complimentary airport transfers for club guests, and I had used a confirmed suite upgrade for the property so we were certainly upgraded in advance. (I believe that the benefit is consistently offered to Diamonds regardless, but with the upgrade offered in advance I was certain of the transfers, and had emailed the hotel my arrival information ahead of time.) I didn’t see a Grand Hyatt rep right away, but did see someone holding a Hyatt Regency sign. I asked them, “Grand Hyatt?” and they pointed to the right and a gentleman immediately appeared with his passenger manifest, asked my name,…
We’re Getting (Sort Of, Almost) Famous
Well, alright, we’re not TMZ Famous. But living in the DC area there’s very much a concept known as “Famous for DC” — political types that wouldn’t be recognized anywhere else in the country but are a big deal here. The DC area is also known as “Hollywood for Ugly People.” And in some ways we’re beginning to be part of Hollywood for People Who Will Only Ever Be Featured Online. Without Photos. At least that means I don’t have to worry about being followed by Blog-errazi. But this blog is now being syndicated by Reuters. Boarding Area blogs Road Warriorette, The Gate, and Loyalty Traveler are as well. Congratulations to my fellow bloggers!
2000 Starwood Points for Test Driving an Acura
W Hotels have Acura Rewards certificates, pick one up and take it to an Acura dealer and you can choose between 2000 Starwood Starpoints or a $50 Bliss gift certificate for taking a test drive. The dealer will give you a validation code to enter on the Acura Rewards website to choose your redemption preference. Certificates must be picked up by December 26, and validation codes obtained and entered on the website by January 2. Now, dealers like to make their potential customers happy. You may be able to get the validation code without picking up a certificate. But personally I’d pick up the certificate, that’ll help explain what you’re looking for. Back when Jaguar was giving away 10,000 British Airways miles for a test drive I went down to the Jaguar dealer and was…
American Express Eliminating Foreign Currency Conversion Fees for Platinum and Centurion Cards
Ron Lieber has the scoop and surveys other rewards cards which have eliminated these fees recently, or are about to: Chase has gotten rid of the fees on its co-branded cards with British Airways, Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotels. In its wake, Citigroup’s card unit announced a similar move in my Your Money column this weekend, which is about the overhaul of much of its credit card lineup. Two new Citi cards will not have the fee. And when I asked American Express why it was taking so long, company officials sped up an announcement they had planned for 2011 and made it in my column as well. AmEx will soon get rid of the fees for Platinum and Centurion (aka Black) card cardholders, both on consumer cards and the ones for small business owners. Not…
US Airways Begins to Crack Down on Extreme Award Redemption
The US Airways gravy train has been incredible for the past few years. First, they’ve printed miles like mad, whether through last December’s holiday shopping promo that allowed the purchase of miles at about 7/10ths of a penny apiece through the purchase of stickers (donating those stickers to charity could get your effective cost down half a penny) or perpetually selling miles with a 100% bonus (125% for elite members!). With cheap miles abundant, US Airways was said to be the ‘official consolidator of Star Alliance premium cabin seats’ — you could buy your business and first class travel dirt cheap on flights where awards were available. Second, because they were incredibly flexible and easy on the redemption side. With no ‘Starnet blocking’ (United’s practice of programming their computers to say that award seats aren’t…
20,000 Amex Point Rebate or $250 Macy’s Gift Card for Transferring 50,000 Membership Rewards Points to Delta
Via TM Travel World comes the next bonus for transfers of 50,000 points (or more) from American Express Membership Rewards points to Delta: a certificate to return 20,000 Amex Membership Rewards points back to your account or a $250 Macy’s gift card. The offer runs through December 31, registration is required, and you have to select which bonus you want when you register. Hint: take the points. If you’re transferring 100,000 points or more then you should break the transfer up into multiple transactions. You only earn one bonus per transaction, but each separate transfer of 50,000 points will earn the bonus. Either bonus will be shipped by mail 4 to 6 weeks after the New Year, so you don’t get instant gratification here. And of course I never advise transferring Amex points to Delta…
Continental’s Mile-a-Thon Promo Coming Back
Via TM Travel World, Continental will be bringing back their Mile-a-thon promo where various activities earn credits towards bonus miles. Registation will begin January 1 and activity between February 1 and April 30 will count towards the promo. You can’t register yet, and full details aren’t up yet, so just one for the calendar. At a minimum the offer usually includes a kicker for signing up for a Continental Airlines credit card, so a good opportunity for extra bonus if you’re considering grabbing one of those before the Continental Onepass program goes away (since the signup bonus for each card is usually once in a lifetime, there’ll be no reason to wait for a better offer as in the past — the program itself will go away in a year!).
50% Off Luggage and Bags (including Tumi) at Amazon
The Travel Fund reports a deal found on Slickdeals, 50% off on ‘Sunglasses & Purses & Bags’ which works on luggage. There’s a Flyertalk thread on the offer as well. It seems that the offer requires a minimum $75 item, and applies only to things shipped by Amazon, so filter by ‘eligible for Amazon Prime’. One example is Tumi items, search Tumi and then filter by Mens or Woments Clothing to get only items eligible for the discount, and also filter by eligible for Amazon Prime. Items that come up should be eligible for the discount. The Travel Fund says you should be able to get an additional discount as well using code AZTWENTY. Nothing I want to buy at the moment, but for example one Flyertalk member reports buying this Tumi laptop bag for…
