Confirmed Upgrade Giveaway, Change to United Award Holds, and More First Class Meal Variety

by Gary Leff

News and notes from around the interweb:

  • (4) confirmed upgrades on Alaska Airlines are available. These are MVP Gold Guest upgrade coupons which expire at the end of the year. If you are absolutely sure you can use them (“U” upgrade inventory must be available for your flights) please leave a comment to this post. I will pass the email addresses of the first four in the comments to the reader that has generously offered to donate them.

  • Stephanie Rosenbloom writes in the New York Times “Making the Most of Evolving Airline and Hotel Reward Programs” — with coming changes to American AAdvantage, Delta Comfort+, and Starwood Preferred Guest’s acquisition by Marriott how should our approach to loyalty programs change? My advice features prominently, so should be familiar to readers of this blog.

  • United backtracks and quietly eliminates the ability to put award tickets on hold (again).

  • You cannot take bottles of water through security. But retail shops that will sell you those same bottles can.


    Earlier today at New York LaGuardia’s Central Terminal

  • Leave a quick comment to enter to win a 3-night 3-bedroom luxury apartment stay in a great neighborhood of London! And check out the auctions at Luxury Travel Diary which is sponsoring the giveaway.

  • Plenty of folks have signed up for LifeLock through mileage-earning offers. I never have. Those that would consider it may find this item from Bruce Schneier interesting.

    The article is mostly about how appalling LifeLock was about this, but I’m more interested in the surveillance possibilities. Certainly the FBI can use LifeLock to surveil people with a warrant. The FBI/NSA can also collect the financial data of every LifeLock customer with a National Security Letter. But it’s interesting how easy it was for an individual to open an account for another individual.

  • Delta doubles the number of entrees rotating on short domestic flights: “Essentially if you are a frequent flier with us, it will be several months before you would have a duplicate meal”

  • Amazing takeoff from an airport in the French Alps via Twisted Sifter hat tip to Paul H.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  8. If any of those Alaska Upgrades are available would appreciate 2 and if only 1 left, that is fine as well.

    Thanks,

  10. I have a flight next friday from ATL to SEA with 5 seats available for upgrades and would love an upgrade!

  12. Have a Navy member coming home via United from Seattle to AtL through ORD that could really use it for his layover.

  15. If still available, I would like to throw my name in for use of these certificates! Amazingly generous offer!

  19. Have an upcoming AS flight to LIH with two kids (so three upgrades in total needed), and there is indeed Gold Guest upgrade space on the outbound. Would love the upgrades if available. Thanks and thanks to your readers who are sharing!

  20. Marriott Opened a Bloomington JW Marriott right next to Mall if America. Looks very similar to Radisson Blu

  22. Amazing about DL and food. I just flew UA in BF and it was the same.damn.crappy.selections that they’ve had for FOUR years and counting now.

  24. I will fly on Christmas to San Diego and would be very grateful if I can get upgrade. Thanks a lot.

  25. Wot? Three nights in London? I’m in for those, guv, as I’m often through London and love a stopover there.

  26. Haha, I was actually on an Alaska Airlines flight when this post went up. Oh well – too slow. Next time!

  28. I booked a round trip for two to Kauai departing 12/4/ returning 12/7. Appreciate it for the upgrade 🙂 Happy holidays!

  29. just checked the flight, it turns out that only the returning flight is upgrade eligible.

    Flight available for MVP Gold Guest Upgrade MVP® Gold Guest Upgrade.

    Therefore, I need only two MVP upgrade.

  30. Would love to have an excuse to visit London again – please add me to your list for a 3-night apartment stay in London

  32. Quick comment — London getaway!

    Love the blog, too bad my company blocks whatever CDN you use for images.

  34. I have passed contact info along [to those who indicated confirmed upgrade space available for eligible itineraries] to the gifter of the upgrades.

  38. I love London and your giveaway for the three night stay is amazing! Count me in!! Thanks Gary!

  40. Re: mvp gold guest coupon
    I return from Anchorage AK on the 13th of January
    I you still have a gold guest coupon I will gladly take it.
    Rest assured it will be used. regardless if you have one it is so gentleman like for you to offer

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