United used to give Star Alliance elite members really outstanding treatment — including economy plus seating for Gold members and a generous checked baggage allowance for Golds and Silvers. Long after economy plus extra legroom seating went away, Star Alliance Silver members lost their second free checked bag in March 2011. Star Alliance Gold members were reduced from 3 checked bags to 1, and down from 70 pounds each to 50 in October 2013. At the same time Star Alliance silver members had free checked bags taken away from them entirely Then at the beginning of last month the United.com website was updated to show Star Alliance silver members again receiving a free checked bag. But commenter M S points out that this benefit has again been removed from the United baggage fee detail page.…
About Gary Leff
Should Members of Congress Be Allowed to Fly First Class?
@pcpontificates tweets about a proposed bill to make Members of Congress fly coach. Members of Congress fly 2x+ a week. They should get free elite upgrades. Still, this bill is a stunt. cc:@garyleff Let me first say that I think the bill is pure grandstanding. It’s a legislative fix in search of a problem. When I read reports on the bill about Members of Congress having to sit in coach, I cringed — surely the authors understand that frequent flyers get upgrades? And it turns out it isn’t as idiotic as it sounds on face, with Members of Congress being required to turn down elite upgrades and finding it harder to work inflight. The bill applies standard federal travel rules for agencies which allow for premium cabin travel under specific circumstances. Under the proposed bill…
North Korean Airline News, Say Goodbye to the MD80, Bonus Amex Points, and Earn Up to 100,000 Miles (Bits ‘n Pieces for May 12, 2014)
News and notes from around the interweb: 1500 American miles on a one-day Avis rental When US Airways joined the oneworld alliance they weren’t adding fuel surcharges onto British Airways award tickets. Last week they started to, but I explained that it may still be possible to get in under the wire. Matthew walks through the process of how it’s done. The indispensable source for all things related to North Korean aviation Etihad’s new 3-bedroom The Residence onboard their soon-to-deliver A380 represents a clever use of otherwise-dead space. Retiring the MD-80. The end nears for the decades-long mainstay of the American Airlines fleet. 10,000 American Express points for making a purchase from ANA of $2000 or more American is offering ‘up to 100,000 miles’ for transatlantic travel on their flights and those of their joint…
It’s Amazing How Many People We Depend on When We Travel
This morning I woke up and realized something that I simply take for granted. When we travel we depend on so many people to execute their assigned tasks — ideally flawlessly, but at least to execute them. Our days and our successes rely on others. We couldn’t accomplish even the simplest things on our own. (See also, “I, Pencil“) And just one of those people, at an airport hotel, has the ability to turn your entire day for better or worse. Now, the basic principles of choosing an airport hotel are: You choose the hotel attached to the airport (if one exists and you can afford it). You choose the most recently renovated hotel. Airport properties tend to take more of a beating more quickly than other properties. But there’s a third thing that I…
2 Free Marriott Weekend Nights With Purchase of Tires
Pizza in Motion is spinning his wheels over a new promotion for two free Marriott nights when you buy tires from Tire Rack. When you purchase a set of four (4) Continental passenger or light truck tires in a single transaction (excluding HSR and HDR tires) for a total value of $440* or more, you may be eligible to receive 2 free nights† at participating Marriott Hotels. Offer valid on tires purchased from Tire Rack’s in-stock inventory between 12:00 a.m. EDT May 5, 2014 and 11:59 p.m. EDT June 2, 2014. The minimum $440 purchase for 4 tires is the cost of tires only — it excludes “shipping, mounting, balancing, taxes, road hazard insurance coverage or any other fees.” These are weekend nights (Friday or Saturday check-in) and the free nights will be delivered by…
Singapore Airlines Is Reconfiguring Their Fleet of 777-300s — New Product Here We Come!
Singapore Airlines is rolling out their new inflight product across their fleet of 777-300ERs. Singapore Airlines is to invest US$325 million to upgrade 19 Boeing 777-300ERs with the latest generation of cabin products, featuring new seats in all classes of travel and the world’s most advanced in-flight entertainment system. The significant investment programme will provide consistency across the Airline’s entire B777-300ER fleet, with next-generation cabin products that are the new industry benchmark for premium air travel. Singapore Airlines introduced the new cabin products in September 2013 after taking delivery of the first of eight additional B777-300ERs ordered from Boeing. The upgrade programme announced today will see the same products fitted to 19 existing B777-300ERs. Installation work is expected to begin early in 2015, with all aircraft completed by September 2016. I attended the delivery of…
Leverage Hyatt Status and Casino Status into Big Recognition Across Vegas
Last summer Hyatt and MGM hotels launched a loyalty program partnership. You can earn and burn points at their respective properties, and elite status is recognized across both chains. What that means for Hyatt Gold Passport members is more hotels to earn at and redeem at (chains have historically been underrepresented in Vegas), and also for Hyatt elites recognition at MGM hotels. Elite benefits in MGM’s M Life are different what you expect from the traditional hotel chains. A Hyatt Diamond member becomes an M Life Platinum and gets to flash their Platinum card in a very ‘Don’t You Know Who I Am?’ fashion. Show it in front of the hotel for instance, and skip the taxi queue. What’s interesting is how some folks have leveraged their Hyatt status turned MGM status. MGM status comes…
Frequent Flyer Miles Are a Scam: Are You Being Taken?
My evil twin brother Gerald seized control of my WordPress account. And he decided to force me to make a case against frequent flyer miles. He tells me that he’s also gotten hold of my Awardwallet password and will drain all of my accounts if I don’t comply.
Up to 30,000 American Airlines Miles for a Checking Account
Citibank is again offering American Airlines miles as an incentive for opening a checking account and taking various account actions. The offer is valid through June 30, and you then have 60 days from account opening to take required additional steps of debit transactions and a billpay in two calendar months. You can apply on-line, in branch, or over the phone at 866-810-9043 using promotion code DON42OQL3X. I tend to think 15,000 miles is the sweet spot with this offer since in the past Citibank has sent out 1099 tax reporting forms on mileage offers where the value is greater than $600, as the 30,000 mile offer is likely deemed to be. I still like the 22,000 point BankDirect signup offer better. BankDirect also offers miles for average balances on an ongoing basis, and doesn’t…
Big Miles for Satellite TV Offers Extended
You can earn 25,000 American Airlines miles for signing up for DirecTV. You can also earn 30,000 United miles for DirecTV. Both offers have been extended through July 23 (they keep getting extended). You need to choose a ‘select’ package or above and take a 24 month agreement. While the offers specify ‘new customers only’ I spoke to one participant at the recent Frequent Traveler University event in Seattle that had earned well into the six figures in miles by signing up for DirecTV offers. Digging into the terms, the eligibility is: Customers who have a current DIRECTV account, or have been a DIRECTV customer within the last 24 months are ineligible. Mileage is posted after the account is kept current for 60 days, and then you have to wait 6 to 8 weeks to…
