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). Editorial note: any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Comments made in response to this post are not provided or commissioned nor have they been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any bank. It is not the responsibility of any advertiser to ensure that questions are…
About Gary Leff
A Trick to Avoid Change Fees, Classic Airplane Lounges, and a Truly Scary United Flight
News and notes from around the interweb: The top 6 airline lounges that used to be in airplanes themselves Even Spirit Airlines is generous in allowing flight changes when they have a schedule change. That’s why I often advise readers to wait until close to date of travel when they want to make a change or cancel a paid or award ticket, there may be a schedule changes that lets them do it without a fee. Just don’t forget to do it! The United flight that lost cabin pressure and dropped 26,000 feet The end of the passenger widebody trijet. Here’s Wandering Aramean as well on KLM’s final MD-11 flight. 25% bonus for converting Shangri-La Golden Circle points to airline miles airberlin topbonus discounted mileage purchase. This airline has the world’s cheapest award tickets. You…
Are Exclusive Frequent Flyer Partnerships Going to Restrict Your Choices?
United and Hertz have a new tie-up with comp car rental elite status for United elites and premium credit card holders, and greater mileage-earning for all members. But as Scott at Hack My Trip points out, the new deal comes at a cost — you won’t be able to earn miles for car rentals with rental companies than Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty (i.e. those owned by Hertz). I don’t see that as an especially big deal. United rarely ever had the best mileage deals with these companies, and Hertz and Dollar rarely had the best mileage deals period. Scott worries though that this could be a trend towards exclusivity, and fewer options. I don’t worry as much, and on net welcome the partnerships.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Still the Best All-Around Most Rewarding Credit Card
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). Key Link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best all-around, most rewarding personal credit card. Here’s why. There are three key value propositions for a credit card. Signup bonus (how much will they give you upfront for getting the card) How value is the earning for your ongoing spend (do you actually want to put spending on the card once you’ve earned the bonus) Benefits of…
The Most Blunt Devaluation Explanation I’ve Ever Seen from an Airline
If you thought I was being hyperbolic when I explained Air Canada’s major devaluation of elite status as the airline thinking their elites were over-entitled and they were determined to do something about it… Thread Tripping highlights PR comments from the airline that make my point for me. Truly, I don’t recall ever seeing such revealing honesty from an airline. We should simultaneously applaud the lack of spin, and avoid the airline. Unfortunately for our friends up North, their options for a network carrier are quite limited. I’m going to be blunt: we are not a charity. …It’s not a secret that we would prefer our customers sitting in the [business class] cabin to have paid for it. And the reason why they don’t want elites sitting in empty premium cabin seats: 1) It cheapens…
Understanding Your Credit Score: And How It Can Be Worth Millions (of Miles)
One of the most-asked questions about credit cards is how does it affect your credit score, and of course the implied followup, do you care? And it’s been awhile since I wrote a post on understanding your credit score. I’ve signed up for scores of cards over many years and I still have an excellent credit score, it was nearly 800 FICO on the three major credit bureaus when I went to get my mortgage. In part because of signing up for more cards, rather than in spite of it. I first discovered rewards credit cards in 1997. I signed up for a US Airways card, enticed by the bonus. I decided I didn’t want to pay an annual fee for a credit card back then. My income – and thus my spending – wasn’t…
HOT Business Class Fare: Bangkok – Beijing Under $400 Roundtrip
While probably of limited use to most of my readers, who are US-based, there’s a business class fare of less than $400 roundtrip between Bangkok and Beijing on oneworld member Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur). On the other hand, many readers do book awards to Asia and may find some use, and certainly it’s great to see good fares at the end of the year when folks need to requalify for status. It’s certainly helpful for those looking to requalify on tier points in the British Airways Executive Club. One-way is even cheaper, but roundtrip is less than half a one-way. The least expensive place to book should be the Malaysia Airlines website, but it’s bookable most anywhere. It’s widely available. Sample itinerary: The pricing breakdown: That’s about 7000 miles roundtrip in business class. (HT:…
Here’s My Elite Status Update.. And Why I Chose Each Travel Program
I share my thoughts and advice on loyalty programs all of the time, I thought it would be useful — and only fair — to also share what I do and let you evaluate whether I practice my own advice. At the same time, where I focus my own stays (and how much I’m traveling) may help put my advice in context and illuminate how I think about travel. Ten months into the year it looks like I’ll fly about 200,000 miles and I’ll have stayed in hotels about 40% of the year. Not all the miles and nights are elite qualifying. I’ve been flying a bunch of British Airways-issued short haul award tickets on American and US Airways. Add in three major Asia Pacific first class award trips, and one-third of my miles are…
The Importance of Innovation: Why I Love Elephant Jumps
Back in April I wrote that Elephant Jumps Thai restaurant in Northern Virginia is cooking at a whole different level (and implored that you should go now). While I thought it was really good four years ago, it was more or less just at the top tier of Thai restaurants. But it started getting even better 18 months ago. And since then my meals there have helped me understand the difference between a good restaurant and a great one and what makes a restaurant really worth going back to. They don’t just reproduce the same thing, day in and day out. They strive to do better. They research. They experiment. They innovative. In other words, (1) they have a personality, and (2) they improve. When I go into Elephant Jumps, my strategy is – in…
Huge Win! New Speakers Added to Frequent Traveler University DC
Frequent Traveler University, December 3-5, Hyatt Regency Crystal City (near Washington’s National Airport) I wanted to share an update on the lineup for December’s Frequent Traveler University. Chris Guillebeau, host of the annual World Domination Summit who shared his story completing his question to visit every country in the world at Frequent Traveler University last April, had his book on quests debut at number 3 on the New York Times best seller list. He combined travel acumen with a passion for life and experiences. Nomadic Matt will help round out the presentations, Frequent Traveler University isn’t just about earning the most points so you can use them for luxury travel, Matt is one of the really knowledgeable people about how to stretch your dollars when you travel, getting the best deals on everything. And we’ll…
