Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for October 2018.

12% Rebate on Marriott Reservations, Book Quickly

by Gary Leff

outside marriott hotel
Oct 22 2018

Historically the payout was less than 2%, so this is an amazing deal that probably won’t last. It’s worth it to make any Marriott (including Starwood) bookings through the site, and to make as many as you may need quickly. Indeed, making cancellable bookings that you may need can make good sense.

Since you’re sent from Ebates to Marriott’s own website you will of course earn elite credit and have elite status recognized, as well as earning Marriott points for your stay and availing yourself of their member rates.

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Hotel Confirms Gutting of Hyatt Cash and Points Awards

by Gary Leff

hotel lobby
Oct 22 2018

On Friday I wrote about a report that Hyatt would be gutting cash and points awards November 1 as well as introducing new premium suite redemption options.

The claim about cash and points was that instead of redeeming points and a fixed cash price, you would redeem points for half off a hotel’s paid rate. That report now has been verified by a hotel which has received information about the change.

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American’s Far Fetched Claims to the DOT About China

by Gary Leff

china memorial
Oct 22 2018

American Airlines is dropping both their Chicago – Beijing and Chicago – Shanghai flights and shifting Chicago – Tokyo flying to joint venture partner Japan Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines is giving up on Honolulu – Beijing as well.

American would like to keep their route authority from Chicago to China even while not using it. They’ve made some rather incredible claims to the Department of Transportation in support of that request.

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Does British Airways Promise Transportation – Or Transportation Free From Urine?

by Gary Leff

british airways plane
Oct 22 2018

A British Airways business class passenger found his seat similarly soaked and BA offered 40,000 Avios as compensation.

Compensation ought to be the full cost of the ticket at a minimum. British Airways may believe that 40,000 points is generous, that all they promise is transportation from point A and point B (never mind that this was business class). However I believe that they promise transportation from point A to point B free of urine and they failed to deliver what the customer paid for.

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How to Redeem British Airways Awards Without Paying Big Fuel Surcharges (Trick That May Not Last)

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Oct 21 2018

British Airways offers reasonably good award availability, and it’s no secret why. You don’t just pay miles for awards on their flights, you pay a huge cash co-pay, a practice .that a former American Airlines pricing executive called unethical.

There are several ways to reduce those surcharges, such as booking one way awards for less than a roundtrip. However there’s another trick or glitch that allows you to reduce fuel surcharges on premium cabin tickets.

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