One of the most beautiful places in the world to plane spot, or even just to land, is Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Maarten. It always seemed dangerous, though, just how close folks are on the beach to airport operations. And apparently (via Conde’ Nast’s Daily Traveler), on Saturday someone found out. She stood on Maho Beach Sint Maarten (it’s located right behind the island’s Princess Juliana airport) and was literally blown over by the force of a JetBlue plane taking off. She face-planted into the cement Fortunately she is apparently safe.
About Gary Leff
Etihad Guest Status Matches
Through April 26, and limited to the first 1000 people that apply, Etihad Guest is offering a status match program up to their mid-tier Gold level. The program is most beneficial for folks flying Etihad (bonus miles) and in particular in economy (with lounge access, expedited immigration, etc). To claim the status match, email tiermatchuae@etihad.ae with a scanned copy of your current equivalent or higher status card, latest mileage statement, and Etihad Guest account number. Hard to imagine this will benefit me, if you’re based in the Middle East this could be helpful, or just impress your friends with ‘foreign’ status.
Accor Platinum Status Still Available
I can’t call it A|Club anymore, they’ve rebranded at Le Club Accorhotels. But they’re offering free (top tier) Platinum status targeted to certain Citibank World Mastercard customers in the U.A.E. but usable by anyone, create your account with instant platinum status here. If the link says session expired, just hit reload. It’s the same Platinum offer I posted at the end of February, with an explicit end date of May 31. Benefits of Platinum status are: Double your points on each stay Dedicated customer service team In Sofitel*, Pullman and MGallery hotels: – Complimentary drink and welcome gift – Upgrade ** – Late check-out up to 16:00** – Guaranteed room availability (when you book at least three days prior to arrival) In Sofitel Thalassa Sea and Spa hotels: – One Thalassa Sea and Spa Institute…
Access Milepoint.com Free From the Sky!
Starting today and through the end of June, the Milepoint frequent flyer community can be accessed for free in the sky via Gogo Inflight Internet. If you’re a registered Milepoint member, you’ll have full access to the site without paying for internet access. If you haven’t registered for Milepoint, you will be able to read the site but you cannot post your own comments. (You won’t be able to register inflight, since registration requires confirming your identity by email — and you won’t have access to your email for free. As a result you may want to register at Milepoint before you fly.) Onboard internet has changed my life. I never really knew what I was missing before I started flying American more often three months ago. I used to take a flight during the…
Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore
Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home We walked up to the…
35,000 Mile Signup Bonus for Alaska Airlines Visa
Yesterday I posted a link to an Alaska Airlines Visa offer of 30,000 miles with first purchase, an improvement on the usual offer of 25,000 miles. Jared at Online Travel Review came up with one even better, 35,000 miles as a signup bonus. That’s the second best bonus for the card I’ve ever seen (last June there was a 40,000 mile bonus offer). There’s no minimum spend requirement for the points. Bank of America cards are generally churnable. And while there’s a $75 annual fee (no first year fee waiver, Bank of America cards don’t generally offer first year free), you get a $99+tax oompanion ticket that is good for any seat on any flight, I’ve used it with a paid first class ticket to Hawaii, getting the second first class ticket for just over…
Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male
Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home We put on our life…
Up to ~ 50,000 Flying Blue Miles for Avis 3-Day Rentals
Via Loyalty Lobby, Avis has brought back up to 50,000 Flying Blue bonus for 3-Day rentals. Downsides are (1) that last year’s promo was fraught with problems getting bonus miles posted, and (2) that it requires using a discount code that often bumps up the price of the rental. But if prices are close for your specific rentals, and you’re willing to save your receipts (easy to do, I always get mine by email within minutes of dropping off the vehicle), then it’s a lucrative offer. From April 1 through September 30, you’ll earn progressively more Flying Blue bonus miles on each 3-day (or longer) rental. Reservations must be made using a Flying Blue AWD number: Ivory members F982700; Silver members F982800; Gold members F982900; Platinum members F983000 or with an Air France Flying Blue…
30,000 Mile Signup Bonus for Alaska Airlines Visa
There’s a new offer for an Alaska Airlines Visa with a 30,000 mile signup bonus. This is interesting for several reasons. Last June there was a 40,000 mile bonus, that’s been long gone, and the best offer I’ve been otherwise aware of has been 25,000 miles. So this is a bit better. Bank of America cards are generally churnable, I’ve had more than one Alaska card for instance. The bonus is awarded with first purchase, there’s no minimum spend requirement, so easy to get the bonus. The best card offers are usually from Chase, American Express, and Citibank. Good offers from other issuers — like Bank of America, Barclays, etc. — are really useful when planning a credit card churn. The card also comes with a $99 (+tax) companion ticket, the second passenger is treated…
12 Airline Lounge Visits for $20 at Your Choice of Lounge
There’s a great, really useful post on Milepoint that I thought I had blogged about months ago but I couldn’t find a post when searching so I must have only thought I shared. The Milepoint post outlines how to use the SkyGuide Executive Privilege Club, at $20 for a year, to secure free lounge access and some various and sundry other privileges. (I may have need to buy lounge access for some domestic South America flights, hoping for a shower after an overnight arrival.) The program will reimburse you for up to 12 airport lounge day passes. At ~ $50 each, that’s $600 of reimbursements for $20. They also provide reimbursement of health club passes (12 per year up to $25 each). Sign up for membership using one of the links below. $19.99 per year…
