Last week I wrote about Intercontinental’s Royal Ambassador status – arguably the most generous hotel elite status – having updated its terms and conditions to finally offer a clear criteria for qualifying. It turns out that, without notice, the program has changed other elements of the status spelled out in its terms and conditions. But since I have a ‘change detection’ set on most program terms, it didn’t go unnoticed.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for August 2014.
1000 United Miles for First-Time Uber Users
United has integrated Uber into its mobile app. Mark K. points out that new Uber users can now get 1000 United miles with their first ride. Customers who sign up for Uber via the United app and complete their first transaction will receive 1,000 MileagePlus award miles for a limited time*. To get the 1000 United miles you have to give up the $30 first ride credit. Now, when you sign up and get the $30 first ride credit using my referral link, I get a $30 first ride credit too. (I used to suggest folks leave their own referral links in the comments, but several readers let me know that it’s against Uber’s rules and folks have had their referral credits taken away for stuff like that, so if you do it then it’s…
In Which I Defend the TSA from Unfair Criticisms
Several people have sent me this story: “TSA ADMITS LYING ABOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS FLYING WITHOUT PROPER ID” Texas — A new letter from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) admits that illegal aliens were being allowed to board planes using Notice to Appear forms they received after entering the U.S. illegally. The revelation directly contradicts a TSA statement last month denying such allegations to various media outlets, including Breitbart News. First, this is as much of a non-story as there could possibly be if you claim to care about airport security. A National government-issued ID has nothing whatsoever to do with keeping terrorists off of planes. The strongest argument for an ID is: The no-fly list is important If we don’t know who people are, folks on the no-fly list could use a different name to…
Reduced Spending Requirement for Starwood Amex Bonuses!
I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Instead of requiring $5000 spend within 6 months to earn the full 25,000 point signup bonus on the Starwood American Express cards, there’s a limited-time offer that requires $3000 within 3 months instead. Travel With Grant has the links for both the personal and business cards. This card has been in my wallet since 2001, I signed up with no bonus at all, and there has never been…
My #IceBucketChallenge COMPLETE: Who’s Next?
For the past week, my Facebook feed has been full of ice bucket challenges to raise awareness of ALS and funds for the ALS Association. Somehow I’ve been lucky enough – or inconsequential enough – to escape being called out for an ice bucket challenge. Enter frequent flyer guru Randy Petersen. Randy challenged me from a Sheraton. I find myself on the road at a W, sans anything resembling a video camera other than phone and without any editing software. Nonetheless, and with it given that nearly everything that can be done with an #IceBucketChallenge has already been done, I take my ice bucket and pass on my contribution and my toast on behalf of this disease. Will the three people I’ve challenged come through? You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals…
Buying Lufthansa Miles Cheap, More Qantas Award Seats, and How to Enjoy Vacation
Today’s frequent flyer news to know: Can you undo a Chase Ultimate Rewards redemption? One amazing benefit of the British Airways Visa is the companion award ticket. Spend $30,000 on the card in a year and a second passenger gets to fly for no additional miles on an award redemption (still need to find 2 award seats, and pay taxes/fuel surcharges). Roundtrips are no longer required to use the companion award. 10,000 Lufthansa Miles & More miles for a $160 Economist subscription. I’ve said that Atlantic City is the saddest tourist destination in the United States. Here is more evidence. How to maximize your vacation even when you have to work. One of the tips at TripAdvisor is mine. Qantas is adding an additional 3 times weekly Melbourne-Los Angeles flight. Any time there are more…
You May Be Able to Sign Up for 50,000 Hyatt Bonus Points – Even If You Weren’t Targeted
Hyatt has a targeted 50,000 point bonus offer out. I wasn’t targeted for it. There are also several smaller targeted bonuses out. I wasn’t targeted for any of them, either. I’ve gotten some reports, though, of customers getting added to the promotions by asking. I inquired with Hyatt what the policy is here. This is what they wrote back: We have made some allowances like this, but it is not a general rule. We have some review on a case-by-case basis for each member that make an inquiry. “Your mileage may vary.” But it seems like it could be worth asking, especially if you have plenty of Hyatt stays upcoming. Here’s the offer. Between September 1 and November 30, your qualifying nights (excluding MGM M Life nights) earn: You can join the 40,000+ people who…
“One Card to Replace Them All” Ready to Ship!
When ‘Coin’ was announced back in November, an app you’d manage on your phone and a single card onto which you could load your many credit cards… and gift cards.. cough.. it was greeted with a great deal of excitement. (See “One Card to Replace Them All (in Your Wallet)”) There were skeptics. The battery doesn’t last forever and isn’t replaceable, it isn’t going to work with EMV Chip cards that I can imagine. But it’s still a pretty cool innovation though of course there are others in the market. I just had to have one, so I placed an order. They said it wouldn’t be available until summer. Tick, tock. Today I got an email that I could set up my account to begin the process of ordering one for shipping. I bought two,…
LEAK: New Bose Noise Cancelling Headsets – QC25 – May Be Out Next Month
Bose QC25: Bonusfeber breaks the news and fortunately Google translates. A video briefly leaked on Vimeo which has since been pulled down. Bose is trying to keep the details quiet and refuses comment. Since Bose is the leader in frequent flyer noise cancelling headphones, their latest product is news. And it’s time for a refresh. They’ve got more photos and detail. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
BIG! 90,000 Mile Bonus Offer for New Virgin Atlantic MasterCard!
PointsCentric uncovered a 90,000 mile signup bonus for the Virgin Atlantic co-brand credit card. They used to offer the card as an American Express (one of those oddball American Express cards not issued by American Express). Now it’s a MasterCard. It’s advertised as a signup bonus of up to 90,000 miles but I wouldn’t think about it that way. There are several pieces to the bonus, and you should probably take less than the full miles.
