While the new ‘public offer’ for the Hyatt Visa has switched over to be 2 free nights at any Hyatt property after $1000 in minimum spend, the affiliate link offer which gives those two free nights after first purchase (no minimum spend required) has been given a one-day reprieve. The no minimum spend offer to receive the free Hyatt nights will remain active until Wednesday morning 10am Eastern. Many will prefer the offer I detailed yesterday of two free nights after $1000 spending and a $100 statement credit. To get that offer you have to search for a Hyatt hotel, proceed to the page as though you are going to book it where you enter your personal details. There will be an advertising banner on the right hand side with the offer. The banner doesn’t…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for October 2012.
How to Take Charge of the Situation During Flight Delays and Cancellations
A FoxBusiness.com piece on the hassles of travel quotes me extensively on how to handle the inevitable frustrations and bumps along the way. That’s why air travel expert Gary Leff, of MilePoint.com, tells people to take earlier flights when possible and avoid connection times of less than 30 minutes. Most of the time I like to travel early in the day, knowing that delays tend to stack up across the system as the day progresses. Much of the time an early delay will push back each flight that the delayed across was going to operate. And delayed crews are the ones who tend to time out later in the day as well. Additionally, in the Northeast summer thunderstorms tend to wreak havoc in the evenings. Plus the earlier in the day you travel, the more…
Southwest 40% Off Sale Through Thursday
Southwest is offering their discounted ‘Wanna Get Away’ fares at 40% off for bookings made through Thursday and travel between November 28 and December 12 and between January 7 and February 14 using promo code BIGDEAL40. Sunday travel is excluded, and the following city pairs are ineligible for the discount: Austin-Orlando Detroit-Phoenix Orlando-Phoenix Anything to or from Ft. Myers And if you’re not already a member of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program, there’s a joining bonus currently. (HT: Frugal Travel Lawyer)
Is Delta’s Crackdown on Award Wallet a Step Too Far to Take?
Randy Petersen and I have an ongoing disagreement over whether it’s reasonable for American Airlines and Southwest to block Award Wallet from helping members track their accounts. (Randy even devoted his September editorial in Inside Flyer to refuting my arguments.) See, I believe that making it less convenient for members to track their account balances doesn’t help a program, it makes those members less engaged and ultimately less profitable. And I don’t believe excuses over security, since having more engaged members seeing changes in their balances each day is the best way to notice quickly when an account has been compromised. But now that Delta has jumped on the bandwagon and blocked Award Wallet as well, it may be a step too far. Delta miles are already the least valuable among major US frequent flyer…
Better Hyatt Visa Offer: 2 Free Nights after $1000 Spend and $100 Statement Credit
Over at Milepoint it was suggested that there’s a new Hyatt Visa offer with a statement credit. If you go to the offer directly it seems to just redirect to the Hyatt page. And when I’m logged in personally at Hyatt.com the offer doesn’t appear. Perhaps because I have a Hyatt Visa already. But when I log out, I can get the offer to show up by searching for a reservation, then selecting a room and continuing to the page where you enter your personal information. The offer then appears on the right hand side of the page. You can click through to the offer there. So you make a net of $25 for your $1000 minimum spend requirement. And it’s $100 better than the no minimum spend version of the card (that’ll go away…
It’s Official: Qatar to Join Oneworld
Here’s the press release. So I guess when Qatar’s CEO emphatically denied that they were joining oneworld less than 10 days ago — “No, we will not. It’s all rumors” — that he was just lying. The airline will be integrated into the alliance over the next 12 to 18 months. Great news for the value of American Airlines miles, Qatar offers great business class award availability (and has first class cabins on a limited number of Europe – Doha routes) and an outstanding business class product. Sadly within American’s program the Middle East — an amazing connection point for much of the world — is of limited usefulness. You can connect in Doha if you want to head to India and surrounding countries, or to the Middle East itself. But you’re not able to…
Last Day to Get Hyatt Visa with 2 Free Nights at Any Hotel and No Minimum Spending Required
I’m told that the offer for the Hyatt Visa with 2 free nights at any Hyatt property, no minimum spending requirement will stop working before 10am Eastern on Tuesday. Chase is introducing a $1000 minimum spend requirement within first three months to earn the signup bonus on the card. And they updated most of the links, including the main website for the card, at the end of last week. My link — which offers referral credit to me if you choose to use it — has continued to allow folks to sign up for the card and still earn their two free nights after first purchase (of any amount), no minimum spending necessary. I have a Hyatt Visa in my wallet, and burned my two free nights at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Details of the…
Can Air Berlin Remain a Member of oneworld?
This afternoon there will be a significant announcement from oneworld, which most expect will be at least a partial joining on Qatar into the alliance. If true, no doubt this was pushed along by Qantas’ severing some existing ties with British Airways over Australia – Europe connections and working closely with Emirates instead. That left BA in the cold and the Chairman of that oneworld carrier has frequently spoken positively of Qatar. But as I’ve pointed out in the past, an alliance with Qatar is slightly inconvenient given the relationship that has been building between EmiratesEtihad and oneworld members Air Berlin and American. Etihad owns nearly a 30% stake in Air Berlin, and has a frequent flyer relationship with American. And of course is a fierce competitor with Qatar. Now Reuters is reporting that Air…
Did You Win an Entry in the Star MegaDO 4 Giveaway?
With the help of Random.org I’ve drawn a winner of an entry in the BoardingArea Star MegaDO giveaway. David Luke wins an entry in the final drawing. He wrote, Yes I am very excited. I would love to travel with fellow travel enthusiasts enjoying the space and comfort of the new 787. I believe the final drawing from amongst winners for 2 seats on the MegaDO will be held on Wednesday, so those two individuals who win the seat and hotel accommodations will learn their good fortunate at that time.
American’s New Domestic Meal Service: International Entrees on Meal Flights and Less Food on Snack Flights
Last week I caught a mid-afternoon DC – Chicago flight on American. Everything was smooth as can be, left on time and made it up to Chicago quickly. I was upgraded, and more than pleased that they were going to feed me (I was in a rush and hadn’t eaten lunch). Really nothing to complain about when there’s food on a 612 mile flight outside of normal meal times. But as of a week ago, apparently, a snack on American truly is a snack. They’ve revamped their menus, which in and of itself is a good thing — I don’t know how many more times I could eat cheese-stuffed pasta or salmon salads (though I quite liked the quesadilla). There’s a current thread on Milepoint about American’s new domestic meal service and links to photos…
