Here’s the application link. It can’t hurt to take a screen shot of the offer when signing up for the card, since it isn’t intended to be marketed broadly, though I’d be surprised if there’s any difficulty in having the offer automatically honored — it’s clearly stated on the application page what you’re supposed to get. Ben describes how he got the offer to come up (hat tipping one of his commenters): going through a purchase of an Alaska Airlines ticket either not logged in or at a minimum if logged in, without already earning points through a card, and then finding the link on the confirmation screen after you’ve purchased a ticket. 25,000 bonus miles on approval, no minimum spend A $75 annual fee but a $100 statement credit after $1,000 in purchases within…
About Gary Leff
Republicans Woke Me Up in the Middle of the Night — at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento
The Hyatt Regency Sacramento is a perfectly serviceable hotel with a nice lobby, generally good staff, and good rooms that gets very expensive and sells out when the legislature is in session in California’s state capitol, given its proximity. I stayed there recently at the tail end of my UAE and Maldives trip because a friend was getting married nearby. The hotel was expensive when I looked into it, showing sold out months in advance, but another friend decided not to use his booking at the Hyatt and stay at the nearby Sheraton instead — and transferred his cheapie reservation to me. I should have known that showing sold out (only “Diamond Guaranteed Availability” open) months out must mean a conference taking up the bulk of the hotel. In those situations rooms often become available…
Are International Upgrades Still the Best Use of Frequent Flyer Miles?
I wrote a short piece last year for Conde’ Nast on why the conventional wisdom for getting the best value out of your miles has changed over the past several years. It used to be that the best use of miles was for international upgrades (buying a coach ticket and using miles to upgrade to business class). And for the most part that’s no longer true at all because upgrades have gotten much more expensive, and international award tickets have gotten much easier to book. Those two developments, in most cases, flip the value proposition between upgrades and award tickets. It’s easier to book alliance and partner award tickets. Upgrades have gotten more difficult to snag, but the growth of airline alliances has made it simpler to mix and match partner airlines on a single…
Bits ‘n Pieces for April 18, 2013
News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Virgin American is offering up to a 40% bonus on purchased points through May 7. Last month’s 80% offer piqued my interest but I still wasn’t quite a buyer. 40% only makes sense to top off an account with close to enough points for a high value award. Australian Frequent Flyer has the scoop on two stackable 15% discounts for flights to and from certain markets. Nearly 30% off of paid business class would be a huge discount (on a still expensive ticket!). American is proactively handing out lots of miles to customers who may have been affected by Tuesdays travel disruptions. A non-status colleague traveling on a domestic award ticket was offered 1500 points, reports of Executive Platinums with 7500 point offers, which seems reasonable for their…
Only in New York (Since it’s Illegal to Just Start a Taxi for People)
Since the number of cabs is strictly limited, no new licenses to operate one are granted, if you want to drive you can either become a licensed black car or… I doubt very many of their customers, though, can successfully flag this cab down, or dial them to pre-arrange a ride.
Upgrade Policy Changes and Other Developments at My Favorite New York Hotel, the Andaz 5th Avenue
About six months ago Jonathan, the General Manager of the Andaz 5th Avenue, moved over to Hyatt corporate. His role was filled by the Director of Rooms from the Park Hyatt Washington DC. Most things remained the same, but a few things changed. I haven’t been to New York much the past few months, or if I have it’s been for a specific purpose that’s had me staying at another hotel, it’s been for a flight connection, or it’s been a same-day in and out so no hotel stay needed. A far cry from a time not too long ago where I was here pretty much every week. So I haven’t stayed at the Andaz 5th Avenue in awhile, and I haven’t reported on things here in even longer – at least six months –…
TSA PreCheck Becomes Actually Useful, and Not Merely Awesome
Computer doesn’t have to come out of the case (mine doesn’t normally, since I use a bag the TSA permits through the screener as-is anyway). Liquids don’t have to come out (I rarely take mine out anywway). Shoes stay on (hallelujah!) And most significantly, perhaps, there’s usually no line and even if there was the lack of a security theatre drill, let alone nude-o-scope to opt out of, means things move very quickly. TSA’s PreCheck is like going through airport security before airport security was federalized. It’s a humane process. Not quite as civilized as going through security screening in Lufthansa’s first class terminal, perhaps (the screeners there assist me with my jacket). But it’s still… civilized, almost. But even though PreCheck makes airport security so much faster to go through, I’ve argued that it’s…
Strategies for Responding to Today’s American Airlines System Problems
Scott Mayerowitz wrote a piece for the Associated Press on what to do if you were stranded by American Airlines today. I’m fortunate that I wasn’t flying today and I’m grateful not to be caught up in the mess, so far about 20% of the schedule cancelled — and even though systems are back up no doubt the final total will be much higher due to out of position aircraft and crew who ultimately time out. Certainly my thoughts go out to everyone affected by the delays and other inconveniences that in many ways mimic the effects of a big snowstorm — not what you expect in April. And of course I felt like I had a bit of egg on my face after writing about how important it is that a merged American-US Airways…
Bits ‘n Pieces for April 16, 2013
News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Accor Hotels 50% Off Sale: Accor is running one of its semi-regular (prepaid non-refundable) 50% off sale. Log in to your Leclub Accorhotels account and you should be able to see the private sale page (HT: Loyalty Lobby). These rates are stackable with TopCashBack’s rebates, currently at 10% of the room rate. Accor Platinum status doesn’t get you a ton but many folks have it from frequent free signup offers I’ve posted in the past. Uber’s Extra Charge is Worth it in the Rain: It was raining in New York on a Friday afternoon, just before shift change and the start of rush hour. There were no cabs to be found anywhere. I whipped out my phone and powered up the Uber app. They’ve got a solution to…
Austin Food & Culture — and What it Taught Me About Barbecue and… Thai Food
I was in Austin recently, it’s one of my favorite cities, both for classic Texas and for much more modern culture. One of the things I did over the weekend earlier in the month is picked up tickets for ‘Master Pancake,’ a live Mystery Science Theatre 3000 style performance in a theatre/draft house. So you get something to drink, you can pay extra for comfortable chairs (a very modest upcharge), and watch some cutting-edge comedy. In this case, one of the original MST3K folks joined Austin regulars as they mocked Hunger Games. I may not have the most exciting Saturday nights, but it was a lot of fun. I also returned to some of my favorite barbecue spots, and I learned something about barbecue in the process. I expected consistency — restaurants that have been…
