Via Wandering Aramean, Amtrak is offering double points through May 6 and triple points May 6-21. Registration required. Unlike Seth, I’m not so high on Amtrak points. But as they say, “better than a hole in the head.” If you’re going to take the train, might as well earn points for it, even if earning from Amtrak travel is rather mediocre, except on the Acela trains.
About Gary Leff
Upcoming Changes at the Post-Merger United, Outsourced Blog Post Edition
Matthew details comments about upcoming changes to United’s products and the future of their business model. One thing’s for sure, Jeff Smisek certainly seems to know more about the airline’s operations than his predecessor Glenn Tilton. “Differential offerings for each customer” through specially-tailored options for each users based on “advanced” software that tracks what customers needs, leading to substantial revenue increases for United. Employee morale – not about classroom training, it’s about trust of management Poked fun at Delta – says UA will have a lot more lie-flat seats than “that carrier from Atlanta” Economy Plus is a moneymaker–upselling is gaining traction Wouldn’t share details about new mileage program, but promised customers and bean counters would love the new product. Again, emphasized specifically tailored travel options–specifically mentions holding fares. Airline clubs will be enhanced. Ability…
Convert Hotel Points to Air Canada Aeroplan and Earn Up to 5000 Bonus MIles
Through April 30, Aeroplan is offering up to 5000 bonus miles for converting hotel points into their currency. Convert hotel points to 5000 miles and earn 1000 bonus miles. Convert hotel points to 10,000 miles and earn 2000 bonus miles. Convert hotel points to 25,000 miles and earn 5000 bonus miles. Participating partner hotel programs include Best Western Rewads, Goldpoints Plus, Choice Privileges, Coast Rewards, Hilton HHonors, Hyatt Gold Passport, Priority Club, Marriott Rewards, Starwood, and Wyndham Rewards. The bonus can be earned once per hotel program that you convert points from. Registration required. With Starwood, for example, 20,000 Starpoints normally becomes 25,000 Aeroplan miles but with this bonus you’ll receive 30,000 Aeroplan miles. Unfortunately you can only convert once from Starwood for the bonus, and most other programs are less generous with their mileage…
Last Chance for Tickets to the Frequent Traveler Awards at Citi Field, April 28
I was told this evening that there are only about 15 tickets remaining that are available to the traveling public for the Frequent Traveler Awards. Already there have been as many votes cast as last year, and there’s still 10 days of voting left to go. Apparently there’s also already as many industry sign-ups as attended the 2010 awards and the event is still over a month away. If you want to attend, register right away before the tickets are gone. The event is at Citi Field in New York, the evening will be overlooking the field and the Manhattan skyline. And the event will be emceed by Robert Wuhl, who is not only a sports guy (great for Citi Field) but a mileage aficionado to boot. And of course it’s a chance to meet…
Best Current Deals and News You Can Use
Air France/KLM Flying Blue is matching status up to Platinum through the end of the month. You’ll receive 1000 Free Delta miles just for creating a FedEx account, also by the end of the month. (There’s also six more days to get 100 free starpoints and you can get 100 American Miles for liking them on Facebook by March 31.) Frequent Traveler University is the evening of April 29 (welcome cocktails) and all day April 30 at the Sheraton LaGuardia in New York. $49 buys you breakfast and lunch (the cocktails are comped, too) and the day-long seminar. I’ll be sharing most of what I know about booking frequent flyer award tickets. I’m told the actual per-person cost is $68 but sponsors have offset the cost, personally I think they should be using the money…
Free Tours of the Orange County John Wayne Airport
This sounds like fun! Via lisamcgu on Milepoint, the Orange County airport offers free guided tours. Tours begin at the John Wayne statue on the Arrival (lower) Level (bring your camera!). Groups view and receive explanations of how planes fly, the Wright Brothers flight, terminal architecture, historical photo displays, rental car areas, baggage carousels, airline ticket counter areas, security checkpoints, flight display monitors, paging, and skycap activity. The last stop on the tour is an area where the participants can view the airfield and planes taking off and landing. Due to heightened security, tour groups are currently NOT permitted entry to the secured side of the Terminal. (The FAA does not permit tours of the Control Tower. The Fire Station does not allow tours.) Schedule your tour a couple of weeks in advnace, usually for…
Flying Solo in First Class Again! Thai Airways Phuket – Bangkok – Tokyo and the Bangkok First Class Lounge & Spa
This is a Continuation of “Trip Report – A Private Jet Experience: Alone in First Class on ANA and Thai, Plus Singapore First, a Suite, a Villa, and Some Incredible Food Porn” Past installments: Prologue: The decision-making and booking process Washington Dulles – Chicago in United First Class and the Greatest Airport Hotel Ever, the Intercontinental O’Hare Alone in First Class on ANA, Chicago-Tokyo Singapore Airlines First Class, Tokyo-Singapore JetQuay Planeside Pickup in Singapore Intercontinental Singapore Ambassador Suite In and Around Singapore Tetsuya’s Restaurant Waku Ghin at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Iggy’s Restaurant in Singapore JetQuay Departure from Singapore Changi Airport Thai Airways Business Class Singapore – Bangkok – Phuket Sala Pool Villa at the Westin Siray Bay, Phuket The hotel’s (outsourced) car brought us to the Phuket airport, again about 45 minutes…
Priority Club Second Quarter Promotion for Up to 15,000 Bonus Points
The Priority Club Insider blog has details of a new stay X nights earn Y bonus points offer. You have to pick one, that’s all you can register for, and you cannot change your mind later. So determine the most number of nights you’ll safely be able to stay between April 1 and June 30 and register accordingly: Register: -Stay 3 nights earn 5,000 Register: -Stay 7 nights earn 10,000 Register: -Stay 15 nights earn 15,000
Sala Pool Villa at the Westin Siray Bay, Phuket
This is a Continuation of “Trip Report – A Private Jet Experience: Alone in First Class on ANA and Thai, Plus Singapore First, a Suite, a Villa, and Some Incredible Food Porn” Past installments: Prologue: The decision-making and booking process Washington Dulles – Chicago in United First Class and the Greatest Airport Hotel Ever, the Intercontinental O’Hare Alone in First Class on ANA, Chicago-Tokyo Singapore Airlines First Class, Tokyo-Singapore JetQuay Planeside Pickup in Singapore Intercontinental Singapore Ambassador Suite In and Around Singapore Tetsuya’s Restaurant Waku Ghin at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Iggy’s Restaurant in Singapore JetQuay Departure from Singapore Changi Airport Thai Airways Business Class Singapore – Bangkok – Phuket Having landed in Phuket, grabbed our bags and walked through customs, we exited the terminal and found the man holding the Westin sign…
American Expands “Five Star” Airport Meet and Greet and Personal Escort Services
NYBanker posted on Milepoint that American has expanded the availability of their VIP meet-and-greet “Five Star” service, and now offer details online. At 9 domestic and 5 international airports, for $125 per person ($200 for a party of two, or $200 minimum for one or two people international), American will provide airport meet-and-greet and escort services as well as flight monitoring and assistance during irregular operations. Of course, one flight segment must actually be on American in order to use it.. They have a departure, arrival, and a connections service: We’ll do more than meet and assist you in the airport. Our representatives will work behind the scenes to monitor the status of your flights and make any accommodations that may be necessary. Your personal representatives will also: Coordinate with your car service Meet you…
