When I first flew the new 737 back in December, this guy greeted you at your seat: What was most striking was the spray tan. I haven’t been onboard an American aircraft with the new system since January, so flying with them today was the first time I noticed that the spray tan starting you in the face is gone! Don’t get me wrong. This gentleman may have had too many cocktails over the course of too many flights. And it’s a little bit disturbing to sit down and find his big mug looking directly at you. But John Boehner, it seems, is no longer the greeting passengers for American Airlines. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one…
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HOLY SMOKE: Is British Airways About to Devalue Its Points? Iberia Massively Jacks Up Award Rates!
It looks like Iberia may have just gone and gutted their frequent flyer program for redemptions on most partner airlines, at least for the rewards that have been the best value. And since Iberia and British Airways are jointly owned, and share very similar programs (and the same named currency, Avios), one worries if something similar could be next for British Airways. The award chart has gotten astronomically expensive for short distance flying — so expensive I almost questioned whether it was a mistake. But there are some positives, too.
Business Travel Tool: Get Uber to Show Up Automatically, and Bill it To Your Company
It isn’t just United and Hyatt that are integrating with on-demand car service Uber (and on-demand condom service too, cough). As Keri noted, Expensify – the business expense reporting app – is integrating with Uber, too. When you leave the San Francisco airport there’s a big billboard for Expensify that reads “Expense Reports That Don’t Suck.” I’ve used Expensify for work for the past two years. I take pictures of my receipts, code my expense reports, and submit them from my phone (or laptop). Which reminds me I have one approaching the cut-off date if I want to get reimbursed.. (Be right back!)
Taking the #IceBucketChallenge from a Bath Tub at the Park Hyatt Vendome
Yesterday I posted my video taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. As per custom I called out three people to take theirs. Parag thinks I should have nominated Christopher Elliott and John Pistole. Instead, these were my nominations: Starwood’s Chris Holdren emails to let me know he’ll follow through on the challenge by Monday. Starwood Lurker is trying to figure out his Samsung Note. I look forward to their contributions! Milepoint co-founder, and MegaDO trip organizer, Tommy Danielsen contributes finished his. Here is that contribution: From a bath tub at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris, he challenges Hyatt Gold Passport head Jeff Zidell, also Bob Behrens from Marriott Rewards and Teresa Comparato, Director Loyalty Marketing EMEA at Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (Club Carlson). He adds a fourth as well, United’s Jeff Foland. He claims…
Don’t Waste Money or Miles on First Class!
Away is Home asks, Why waste money on a first class seat? And I think it’s not so simple. You have to understand what you get and what it costs to know whether you’re wasting money, getting a fantastic value, or just getting what you’d expect for the cost. Because there are times when it’s a waste, times when it’s a great deal, and that varies by airline (and frequent flyer program) and by passenger preferences. So is first class worth it – in miles or money?
Start Your Sunday With This Frequent Flyer News
News and notes from around the interweb: Everything you need to know about Spirit Airlines (other than how unpleasant the experience is of course). Which airline loses the most bags? 13 things you didn’t know about the Boeing 747 3000 bonus Aeroplan miles for flying Air Canada An Icelandic volcano erupted. Right now it’s a minor event, with no disruption to air travel. But memories of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 loom large, and this one could get worse. (HT: Alan H.) You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
No-Notice Changes to the IHG Rewards Club Terms and Conditions: Here’s What They Mean
Last week I wrote about Intercontinental’s Royal Ambassador status – arguably the most generous hotel elite status – having updated its terms and conditions to finally offer a clear criteria for qualifying. It turns out that, without notice, the program has changed other elements of the status spelled out in its terms and conditions. But since I have a ‘change detection’ set on most program terms, it didn’t go unnoticed.
1000 United Miles for First-Time Uber Users
United has integrated Uber into its mobile app. Mark K. points out that new Uber users can now get 1000 United miles with their first ride. Customers who sign up for Uber via the United app and complete their first transaction will receive 1,000 MileagePlus award miles for a limited time*. To get the 1000 United miles you have to give up the $30 first ride credit. Now, when you sign up and get the $30 first ride credit using my referral link, I get a $30 first ride credit too. (I used to suggest folks leave their own referral links in the comments, but several readers let me know that it’s against Uber’s rules and folks have had their referral credits taken away for stuff like that, so if you do it then it’s…
In Which I Defend the TSA from Unfair Criticisms
Several people have sent me this story: “TSA ADMITS LYING ABOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS FLYING WITHOUT PROPER ID” Texas — A new letter from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) admits that illegal aliens were being allowed to board planes using Notice to Appear forms they received after entering the U.S. illegally. The revelation directly contradicts a TSA statement last month denying such allegations to various media outlets, including Breitbart News. First, this is as much of a non-story as there could possibly be if you claim to care about airport security. A National government-issued ID has nothing whatsoever to do with keeping terrorists off of planes. The strongest argument for an ID is: The no-fly list is important If we don’t know who people are, folks on the no-fly list could use a different name to…
Reduced Spending Requirement for Starwood Amex Bonuses!
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). Instead of requiring $5000 spend within 6 months to earn the full 25,000 point signup bonus on the Starwood American Express cards, there’s a limited-time offer that requires $3000 within 3 months instead. Travel With Grant has the links for both the personal and business cards. This card has been in my wallet since 2001, I signed up with no bonus at all, and there has never been…
