United is offering a 25% discount on purchased miles through December 31. The miles do not post instantly, they warn posting can take up to 48 hours though they usually post a bit faster than that. The minimum purchase is 2000 miles and an account can purchase up to 100,000 miles per year. The only time this makes any sense is when you have almost enough United miles in an account for an award and need to top off that account (and do not have other, more cost effective ways of doing it). The deal in effect offers miles for purchase ~ 2.8 cents apiece. That’s still expensive. United miles are about the most valuable single airline currency out there because of the amazing award availability offered through Star Alliance (best from North American to…
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Unlocking the Value of British Airways Points
When readers shared their own travel tips and several really stood out as worth highlighting. Kerry said, One of the best tips ever is using the British Air avios (frequent flyer points) for short haul US flights. I’ve flown one-way Helena to Seattle and DC to Chicago for 4500 points each — would cost minimum 25K on Delta (since they book one-way ff tix at the r/t fare). I have had my criticisms of the program. They used to be among my favorite airline currencies. Sure, first class awards were triple the cost of economy, and they added fuel surcharges onto awards where those were present in paid tickets. But the mileage price of many awards was still reasonable and you could have nearly unlimited stopovers — a stopover at every logical connecting city. That…
Time to Register for Hilton’s 4th Quarter Promotion
At the end of last month I wrote about Hilton’s 4th quarter promotion (“From a Lump of Coal Up to Quadruple Points“). The offer is “More Nights, More Points” — staying a single night gets no bonus at all, two nights is double points, three is triple, and four night stays or longer receive quadruple points. reg There are hundreds of non-participating hotels but since it’s under 350 that’s fewer than we’ve seen in the past with many Hilton promotions. Even if you’re not focusing on Hilton after their March 28 devaluation, it’s still a good idea to register for the promotion — it takes just a moment and then you don’t need to remember to do it later if you happen to have an unplanned or unexpected Hilton stay. And while Hilton no longer…
A Travel Tip I Don’t Need to Give You — But If You Don’t Know It, It’s REALLY Important
When readers shared their own travel tips and several really stood out as worth highlighting. Here’s one that seemed too obvious to mention, and then I thought about the controversy surrounding some other basic hygiene and etiquette advice. Elizabeth said, Always wear shoes when visiting an airplane lavatory. That wet floor isn’t necessarily just water… Let me take this even further. Always wear socks through airport security. This isn’t just my preference not to see male toes, and women this means you too. Recommending shoes in the airplane lavatory sort of implies you’d need to put the shoes back on, that you had otherwise taken them off. That’s fine, but may I suggest if the airline gives you a blanket in a shrink wrap bag to open it and put that on the floor in…
airBaltic BalticMiles Responds to My Criticisms of their Elite Stats Cutbacks
I never expected a post about airBaltic and BalticMiles devaluing elite benefits to generate a ton of interest and controversy. They’ve eliminated free checked bags for elites, and free advance seat assignments for first-tier elites. The post spawned a discussion of how bad the Delta Skymiles program is, really. And it’s now generated a response from the head of the BalticMiles program. In part because it’s well-reasoned, and in part because he has one of the most awesome names in loyalty, I decided to excerpt Gabi Kool‘s response. Just read your latest item on BalticMiles. It is indeed unfortunately correct that certain benefits for elite members have been recently reduced by airBaltic as part of the overall annual review of the program benefits by the airline in line with its low cost business model. On…
Why We Must Shout About Delta’s Miles Problems From the Rooftops!
In response to a post I wrote about devaluing elite benefits in the BalticMiles program of Latvian-based airline Air Baltic, Gene wrote, Maybe you can spend your time bashing them instead of Delta now. My criticisms of Delta are, I think, fair. Delta is a well-run airline, and has a frequent flyer program that offers much less value than those of American, United, and US Airways (and offers a worse redemption program in my opinion than Avianca Lifemiles, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer, Air Canada Aeroplan, and many many more around the world but that’s not important right now). I coined the term ‘Skypesos’ for their currency because Delta miles don’t go as far as many other major currencies. They’re harder to use. They don’t permit one-way awards for half the cost of roundtrip (neither does US…
40% Off Sofitel Hotels
The Sofitel hotels private sale is back: book by October 14th, and stay between November 18 and March 31. This sale may be of special interest to anyone that has signed up for the Leclub Accor hotels program at the top tier Platinum level, especially because of the programs new, improved elite benefits. (HT: Chimpy on Milepoint) You can join the 30,000+ 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. Don’t miss out!
Southwest Airlines $49+ Distance-Based Airfare Sale Through Thursday
Southwest is running a sale with flights based on distance, beginning at $49 plus taxes each way for short haul flights. You have to book by October 10 at 11:59pm in the city that travel originates. Travel is valid between December 4 and December 18 and between January 7 and February 12 with Friday and Sunday flights excluded. You can join the 30,000+ 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. Don’t miss out!
Bank of America Brings Back 50,000 Point Signup Bonus on Virgin Atlantic Card
Bank of America has brought back a strong signup bonus on their co-branded Virgin Atlantic credit card. They used to offer the card as an American Express (one of those oddball American Express cards not issued by American Express). Now it’s a MasterCard. It’s advertised as a signup bonus of up to 65,000 miles but I wouldn’t think about it that way. Reach rewards faster with up to 65,000 Flying Club bonus miles in the first year with the Virgin Atlantic World Elite MasterCard® credit card from Bank of America. The offer is: 20,000 Flying Club bonus miles after your first retail purchase 25,000 additional Flying Club bonus miles after you spend at least $2,500 in qualifying purchases Earn up to 15,000 additional bonus miles upon anniversary Earn up to 5,000 Flying Club bonus miles…
Why Hotel Programs Devalued This Year — and Why They May Not Be Done
Hotel programs got super generous during the Great Recession. Hyatt — the lone major program not to significantly devalue its points in the first quarter of 2013 — was so generous in the fall of 2009 that they were giving away a free night at any hotel in the world after any two stays plus 5500 United miles. Two $75 airport hotel nights could earn a night at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris plus 11,000 miles. Other programs were generous as well, free nights in addition to points became common. The programs were trying to goose occupancy when rooms were empty. But hotels are now full and rates are up, so there’s no reason to spend as lavishly. Via Calculated Risk: The red line is for 2013, yellow is for 2012, blue is “normal”…
