Delta miles are called SkyPesos for a reason. Sure, I coined the phrase, but it stuck. Because they’re worth less than other major mileage currencies. Sure, there are uses, Air France business class to Europe is reasonably available from some gateways. And so are business class seats on V Australia, especially Los Angeles – Brisbane (though Delta adds fuel surcharges to the awards). But the hardest thing about using Delta Skymiles awards on these partners can often be the domestic segments on Delta getting to the international gateway. Delta tends to be the stingiest with award availability. And when they do release seats, it tends to be quite close to departure (but don’t count on trading your ‘high’ award of a lower priced one at the last minute, there are no changes whatsoever within 72…
About Gary Leff
Extreme Hotel Award Redemption, and Rescuing Reservations from Oblivion
I have reward redemptions coming up at two of the most interesting point value offerings out there from any chain. No, I’m not talking about the Le Meridien Chiang Rai, which was reduced to a category 2 property in Starwood Preferred Guest six months back — and that was one of my absolute favorite properties when I visited there two years ago. (I can’t say my experience — under a previous general manager, and with a nearly empty hotel — will be repeatable, but it was outstanding.) I’m talking instead about the Park Hyatt Maldives and about the Conrad Koh Samui. The Park Hyatt Maldives is the very top award category in Hyatt Gold Passport, and yet it’s still a value. With rates hovering around $1000 for an entry-level room, the property doesn’t take any…
5000 Free American AIrlines Miles
I legitimately have a business, or several, but I seem to recall it was iffy at best back when I signed up for American’s Business ExtrAA program. I seem to recall signing up for all of the small business programs way back when, they’re a way to double dip on rewards when flying (you earn miles and also credits in these programs) and if you’re someone who books a lot of travel for others you can credit their flights to your small business rewards account. Of course the overall idea is that everyone at a business credits their flights to one account, and the business encourages everyone to use the airline. It’s for small businesses, a rather automated system to encourage business loyalty for companies that don’t rise to the level of travel spend to…
Star Mega DO Wrapup and a Fabulous Fundraising Dinner on Saturday Night
I spent the past weekend in Denver for the close of the Star Mega DO, landing minutes ahead of the charter flight. My job was to get everyone onto buses while another group went immediately over to United’s training center for flight simulator time. Once everyone had their checked bags, it was out to the taxi/limo booth to have our buses called from the waiting pen, got everyone on, and then I was on my way over to the Avis for my rental car. One of the funniest moments for me of the trip was as I was arriving on the Avis lot, my cell phone rang. Tommy, the event organizer, asked… Tommy:Have you left the lot yet? Me: No, what’s up? Tommy: What kind of car do they have for you? Me: Cadillac, why?…
Free Marriott Silver Status
Via Plane ‘N Simple, Marriott Rewards is offering complimentary silver status through February 2013 for residents of Australia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, crediting your stays to Air China PhoenixMiles, China Eastern Airlines Eastern Miles, China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, KingFisher Airlines King Club, or Jet Airways JetPrivilege earn bonus miles beginning with 1000 miles after your second stay, 1500 after each of your third and fourth stays, and 2000 after your 5th and each subsequent stay — up to 30,000 bonus miles (which would be earned on your 17th stay). Ok, not the most exciting promotion in the world. But it’s free elite status, even if you need to make a virtual move to the Asia Pacific…
A Key Update from the Live Blogging of the Mega DO
The Star Mega DO is streaming updates and I thought this one was especially cool — a marriage proposal on board the charter. Called to the front of the plane during a MilePoint paper airplane contest giveaway, the unsuspecting lady said YES! Photo of the happy couple at the link.
My Coolest Honor Yet?
Magazine articles, quotes in papers, whatever. I have to say I’m at least entertaining the notion that my coolest honor to date may be getting named Travel Tweeter of the Week by the renowned @JohnnyJet. And if you aren’t already following me on Twitter, what are you waiting for? 🙂
Star Mega DO 3 Chicago Launch!
Last night was the launch of the Star Mega DO. For most folks, anyway, about a third of the participants went on a pre-Mega DO trip to Germany, and I understand that it was a mind blowing experience, especially for the gang that found themselves in Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal. One person was pretty proud of the (4) rubber duckies that they brought home. A couple of participants even managed to talk their way into an upgrade from business class to first class on the aircraft, after pushback. That may truly have been a first. The flight from Frankfurt to Chicago was delayed about three hours, and a massive backup at immigration, meant that those of us starting in Chicago had the full spread and the airline and hotel executives to ourselves for the start…
Tracking Your Inbound Aircraft and Predicting Flight Delays
My morning coffee ritual for just about any day that I’m flying involves checking in online (if my upgrade hasn’t cleared, I’ve probably checked in the day before). I check in online even if I have no access to a printer, and I’m not flying an airline or through an airport where a mobile boarding pass will work. I want to be checked in. If I’m running late, I can always re-print a boarding pass at the airport, but if I miss the check-in cutoff time I can’t be initially checked in. So online check-in is something I always do, and not just when I expect to be cutting it close, I’ve been caught in massive traffic jams due to freeway accidents, where a drive to the airport has taken an hour and a half…
New Technology May Allow Shoes to Stay Attached to Feet While Crossing Through Airport Security
Supposedly here’s what we can expect. Air travelers will eventually be able to keep their shoes on to pass through security, but the restrictions on carrying liquids on board are likely to remain in place for some time, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told a POLITICO Playbook breakfast Tuesday. As I’ve explained before, sometimes it seems that the only way to get rid of one silly boondoggle is with a more expensive boondoggle. Napolitano suggests that I may be correct. “The solution to many if not all of these inconveniences is better and better technology,” Napolitano added. Indeed, we get to keep our shoes on if taxpayers are willing to shell out for expensive equipment. The reason it works is because it aligns the lobbying of equipment manufacturers with those who wish to change silly…
