US Airways offers a paid status challenge program where you get temporary status for 90 days and then have an opportunity to fly to keep that status on an accelerated basis. At the beginning of the month US Airways eliminated the ability to buy miles towards status, which used to be a great alternative to mileage running for those last few flights you’d need to qualify. But how long will these paid challenges still be around? Reader Mike P. asks, Any thoughts or predictions on how long US Trial Preferred will be around? I would like to start a trial as late as possible so that much of the trial activity can be in earning year 2015. But then again, I’m nervous they will pull the program. Mike would like to fly his challenge in…
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Delta’s Website Charging Tens of Thousands of Extra Miles for Awards: Feature or a Bug?
This morning I wrote that Delta had started charging more miles for stopovers on international awards and that one of two things were possible: An unannounced devaluation, with stopovers no longer permitted on a roundtrip award (even though no such announcement had been made and the website said stopovers were still allowed) A glitch with the pricing engine. I showed a pricing example, where a stop in Paris on the way to Prague cost an extra 50,000 miles on a business class award ticket. Drop that simple Paris – Prague flight and the price came back down. We didn’t’ have enough information to know which scenario it was though — unannounced devaluation, or technical glitch. As I wrote, Delta doesn’t appear to be pricing US-Europe awards correctly, stopovers are costing extra. It’s either an unannounced…
RANT: American Needs to Bring Back the Old Cookie!
This is probably the ultimate first world problem sort of complaint, but American has replaced the first class warm cookie of deliciousness with one that isn’t worth eating, and that I decline now every time. Perhaps that’s good — I don’t need it anyway — but I share my experiences and thoughts on this blog both large and small, I compliment the little things and criticize them too. Meal service isn’t just about whether there’s a meal, but what’s served. When I first started flying for work in the mid- to late-90s, lunch on a cross country flight might be a steak, served in courses after an appetizer of shrimp. I remember how controversial the ‘gourmet’ burger was on United in early 2001, and it was much better than the cheeseburger on American and Continental…
Giveaway: Enter Here for Frequent Traveler University Tickets AND HOTEL NIGHTS!
Frequent Traveler University, December 5-7, Hyatt Regency Crystal City (near Washington’s National Airport) This promises to be the largest gathering of frequent flyers ever, bringing together some of the best minds in miles and points and creating an opportunity for folks interested in the hobby to learn, trade tips, and build friendships (and networks for sharing knowledge offline as well). I’m excited to be helping to put it together, and I’m giving away two packages to FTU on the blog this week. Each of two winners will receive: A complimentary ticket to FTU ($149) 2 hotel nights for the event (valued at $99+tax per night) So that’s over $350 in value per prize, with two prizes, an all you have to do to enter is comment on this post as I explain below. And of…
American Just Announced Their 2015 Program and It’s REALLY Good! Here’s What You Need to Know That Isn’t On Their Website
American Airlines just announced when their AAdvantage program and the US Airways Dividend Miles program will be combined into one, and what the program will look like. I’m going to outline the program below, based on the announcement that American made and also based on clarifications that I got yesterday speaking with AAdvantage President Suzanne Rubin and members of her team. We’re Keeping the American AAdvantage Program, Mostly As-Is Throughout the past year the mantra at American, as they proceed with the US Airways merger, has been “integrate before we innovate.” The goal has to become one airline, not to make changes. So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that they’ve basically announced that they are keeping the current American AAdvantage program, with a few minor tweaks. And while there’s going to…
No Notice Devaluation at Delta: No More International Award Stopovers?
lancexfang emailed me about an issue this afternoon that seems to be new today with Delta. (He also pointed me to the Flyertalk thread he started.) Delta international awards have allowed one stopover and one open jaw. In other words, you could fly Atlanta – Paris (stop for several day) – Prague (destination) and then return home to Atlanta. That’s an example of a stopover. You could also return from, say, Warsaw or from Paris. Then you would have a stopover as before and an open jaw, returning from a city other than the one you arrive into. Today Delta seems to be still allowing open jaws — but pricing stopovers at an extra mileage cost. Delta’s price for North America – Europe in business class is 125,000 miles.
Aeroplan Changes, Greyhound’s Premium Seats, and TSA Reminders for Halloween
How big a deal is loyalty program fraud? (HT: Abbas) Greyhound now offering premium upgrade to slightly less disgusting seats (The Onion via MrPickles) A TSA Halloween: “realistic replica items and props such as guns, scythes, pitch forks, chainsaws, butcher knives, grenades, axes, bombs, swords, machetes, and other realistic weapons are prohibited from being transported in your carry-on bags.” One Mile at a Time says that Aeroplan is going to eliminate the rule of flying no more than 5% over the published ‘maximum permitted mileage’ for a given origin and destination. That sounds great, but if they are only allowed to book itineraries that autoprice in the computer there’s lots of room for glitches.. or hidden award constraints that simply don’t price. We’ll know within a few days. Wyndham is offering 2015 bonus points per…
Throwaway Ticketing and Fuel Surcharges… a Trick to Reduce the Big Fees on Your Next Award Ticket
Tocqueville asked me yesterday about fuel dumping award tickets and I thought it only fair to share my answer with y’all. Airlines that add fuel surcharges onto award tickets generally will charge the same amount that would apply on an identical paid reservation. He was specifically asking about reducing fuel surcharges using points with Air Canada’s Aeroplan. Now, here’s how to avoid fuel surcharges entirely when booking with Aeroplan. But if you must use one of their partner airlines where fuel surcharges apply, there are times where you can make the fuel surcharge less expensive. Much less expensive.
Barclaycard Just Got Really Aggressive Before the Window Shuts to Get the 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). 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…
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…
