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). I’ve had several readers write in the past couple of days about receiving targeted 50,000 mile signup bonus offers for the US Airways co-brand credit card. Typical is this email from Jon who writes: Long time reader. I have gotten a couple offers in the mail over the past few months for the Barclay’s US Airways card offering 50K points after first purchase (fee not waived). Do you…
About Gary Leff
Data Security is a Huge Gap in Frequent Flyer Programs. But Not One Members Actually Care About.
Deloitte Consulting released a new study today (.pdf) suggesting that travelers do not trust the data security policies and practices of loyalty programs. My take: Deloitte wants to convince loyalty programs to hire them to bolster their privacy and data security. They’d also love it if media picked this up and created pressure for companies to address an issue that Deloitte is ready to sell them a solution for. Deloitte finds that: 75% of people expect their frequent traveler accounts to offer financial institution-grade security. Only 1/3rd are satisfied with the security of their accounts. Except… Net net, loyalty program members don’t actually care about this or at least continue to behave as though they are comfortable. Loyalty programs continue to grow their membership. Here’s data on American, for instance. In fact, with the US…
American Embraces Transparency in Award and Upgrade Classes for US Airways!
Just a couple of weeks ago Delta reminded us that their best customers are poorly-informed customers. They forced Expert Flyer — a collection of really useful tools for frequent flyers (that charges a subscription fee — to remove all information about Delta. Even flight schedules. Now Expert Flyer emails their registered members to let them know of even more information that’s now available for US Airways. And includes a quote from American about this that underscores a totally different philosophy towards customers than Delta. (American doesn’t hate them.) “We are pleased that customers who choose to fly US Airways will now have the same service from ExpertFlyer that they have had for American Airlines flights,” said Cory Garner, American’s managing director – distribution. “This agreement provides another step toward a more seamless customer experience during…
United Extending Waiver of Revenue Requirement for Elite Status if You Spend on Their Credit Card
In June 2013 United announced that earning elite status would require minimum spending on tickets. This followed almost dead-on what Delta had announced. Status in 2015 would require not just miles flown in 2014, but a minimum amount of spending for each status level as well. Silver: $2500 minimum qualifying revenue Gold: $5000 minimum qualifying revenue Platinum: $7500 minimum qualifying revenue 1K: $10,000 minimum qualifying revenue
Get Tickets to Sold Out Frequent Traveler University Events
Frequent Traveler University in San Diego next March, which I posted about this morning, sold out in under 3 hours. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go. Here’s the Milepoint thread for FTU Advanced in San Diego. There are a handful of tickets held back, I’m told, and they’re right here. There are no doubt some folks that jumped on the opportunity to attend but where their schedules won’t work out. Follow the thread to see when someone wants to unload their ticket. In fact, the September 26 – 28 event in Chicago is fast approaching. There’s a couple of people with tickets for the event that can’t attend, so if you’re interested in taking their place visit the Milepoint discussion. Or just wait for the next event. My understanding is that there’s a large…
The Economist Endorses American Airlines! Plus TSA Screens Passenger AFTER Flight.
News and notes from around the interweb: The worst airline passengers in the history of travel. The TSA ‘forgot’ to do secondary screening of a passenger whose name is on the terrorism watch list. So they made up for it by screening him on arrival, after he had flown. (HT: Toqueville) Lucky asks if he is a ‘travel’ blogger. And I agree with him, the answer doesn’t matter, he’s built a niche that many find useful. Similarly, I don’t put labels on my own writing. From the very beginning, I’ve written about whatever I found interesting at that moment, for whatever reason and broadly conceived. And I’m fortunate and flattered that many find that worth reading. I’ve never targeted an audience, or a genre, per se — other than those great folks who share enough…
Where to Find the Best Specialized Travel Agents in a World Where Most Bookings Are Online
Online travel websites killed the traditional brick and mortar travel agency for the basic booking. You don’t call up your local agency (unless you’re a business traveler working through a managed travel program, and even then chances are it’s online) to buy airfare anymore. You choose from what a computer offers you. Gone is advice about the nuances of which city is best for connections, how long a connection do you need, or for hotels which ones offer the sort of character, experience, and service you may be looking for. Instead, there are lists of features. You can read reviews of seats at SeatGuru or SeatExpert. You can read traveler reviews on blogs or at TripAdvisor (which is mostly useful for the photos and revealing consistent themes but the rankings of properties are next to…
One Week Only: The Cheapest Price IHG Rewards Club Ever Sells Points, Should You Buy?
IHG Rewards Club is offering points purchases with a 100% bonus through September 22. Here’s the offer: Get up to a 100% more points when you buy between September 15th and September 22, 2014:Buy 1,000 to 49,000 points and get 50% more pointsBuy 50,000 to 60,000 points and get 100% more points This is the normal pricing: You may purchase points in 1,000 increments: 1,000 – 10,000 points for $13.50 per 1,000 points 11,000 – 25,000 points for $12.50 per 1,000 points 26,000 – 60,000 points for $11.50 per 1,000 points As a result, you can buy points for as little as $0.00575 apiece (half of $11.50 per 1000) or $690 for 120,000 points which is the maximum allowable purchase. The points are processed by Points.com so this doesn’t count as hotel spend for credit…
United and Aeroplan: Up to 35,000 Bonus Miles for London Flights and Most Fares Eligible
The offer is: 7500 bonus miles for your first roundtrip 10,000 bonus miles for your second roundtrip 17,500 bonus miles for your third roundtrip That totals 35,000 bonus miles for three roundtrips. Flights on United and Air Canada are eligible. And most fares — but not the cheapest – are eligible (W or higher on United). On United, MileagePlus members will earn bonus award miles on nonstop flight segments flown between the U.S. or Canada and London in fare classes F, A, J, C, D, Z, P, Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V and W. On Air Canada, MileagePlus members will earn bonus award miles on nonstop flight segments flown between the U.S. or Canada and London in fare classes W, S, T, L, K, F, M, U, H, Q, V, Y, B,…
Frequent Traveler University Advanced – San Diego is Now on Sale!
FTU Advanced San Diego tickets are now available. The regular Frequent Traveler University events can be huge, they’ve been as large as more than 600 people. Participants often requested smaller, more intimate events allowing for greater in-depth discussion and really getting to know fellow participants. Both the first FTU Advanced and the second one each sold out in under 24 hours. The former was held at the Marriott O’Hare at the end of July, the latter later this month at the same place. More advanced. FTU events welcome everyone, at all experience levels, and of course everyone is welcome. But the program will feature a more focused conversation geared to people that have spent more time with the activity. If you’re already a guru then most of it may not be new to knew, but…
