Just a friendly reminder that the 75,000 mile and 100,000 mile signup bonus offers for Citibank American Airlines credit cards are set to go away October 31. So you’ve only got a couple of weeks left to sign up. Especially if you haven’t yet had these cards, this is the change of a lifetime. I’ve had many, many myself and am not likely in a position for more. But if you have never had a personal Citibank American Airlines credit card, this one is a no brainer. And even for some folks that have had them in the past and do not currently, there are approvals out there it’s just not guaranteed. And don’t forget that there are small business versions of the card that folks are getting, most with little pushback. Occasionally Citi will…
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$25 Off a Frontier Flight
Frontier is running a facebook trivia game and they’ll send you an e-coupon for $25 off a flight for correct answers. According to this Flyertalk thread, the answers to the trivia question are: Richard 7 minutes Red Green Raccoon, Wolf
Hyatt’s New Hypo-Allergenic Rooms
Hyatt is introducing hypo-allergenic rooms at full service properties in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Now, I don’t expect them to be 100% allergen free. No doubt they’ll still be connected to the same ventilation systems as the rest of the hotels. But I like the move. And the description sounds more intensive than I would have expected: Pure’s technicians first take apart the air-handling system in the room, disinfect the parts, treat them with an agent to ward off moisture and add a tea tree oil cartridge that releases a natural anti-microbial agent. After disinfecting every surface in the room, Pure “shocks” the room for two to three hours with highly concentrated ozone to kill mold, bacteria and other unwanted organisms. They then spray carpets, curtains and surfaces with a bacteriostatic shield, Brault…
Up to 40% Rebate on Alitalia Award Redemptions
Alitalia Millemiglia is offering a 20% – 40% rebate on redemptions (most appear to be 30%, with 40% for premium economy). Tickets must be issued by November 10 for flights on Alitalia or Air One. The bonus will be credited by the end of January. So this isn’t a reduction in the miles needed for an award — they’ll rebate back a portion of your miles redeemed later. I’m not a huge fan of the Millemiglia program, mostly because the program itself expires every few years, and if you don’t have activity within a defined set of time your miles go poof with the program (strictly speaking, they offer to let you earn your old balance credited to the new program). But if you’ve got the miles already, or if you have a need for…
50% (or 100%) Redeemable Miles Bonus on US Airways through December 15
US Airways is offering double (redeemable, not elite qualifying) miles through December 15, 2010 when paying by Mastercard. If you use a US Airways Mastercard you actually get a 100% bonus. Only tickets purchased after registering are eligible for the bonus. The promo code, auto-filled in at the link, is MCQ4.
US Airways Reduces Mileage Prices to Thailand, Philippines
Last week I posted that it appeared US Airways was in the process of adjusting their zone definitions. At the time they had Thailand and Philippines listed both in North Asia and in South Asia (whoops!). Well, commenter steven points out that they’ve cleaned things up. And now Thailand and Philippines are both listed solely in North Asia. Wow. I’m not sure the geography of it makes sense to me, but I’ll take it — business class awards are reduced from 120,000 miles to 90,000 miles and first class awards are reduced from 160,000 miles down to 120,000. Go Dividend Miles, seriously, THANK YOU! And with the current mileage purchase offer (100% bonus on purchased miles through November 15), it means you can buy sufficient miles for a business class award to Thailand for about…
20% Discount on United Saver Awards for Elites with a Mileage Plus Visa
Via Randy Petersen, United is offering (1) Mileage Plus elites who (2) have a United Visa a 20% rebate on roundtrip saver awards booking on United and United Express. One-way awards, open jaws, and stopover awards are excluded from the rebate offer, and partner flights are excluded as well. As with most United offers, I imagine that anyone will be able to register for the offer (and registration is required), but only those eligible (elites with a Mileage Plus Visa) will actually receive the benefit. This is one of my pet peeves about United promotions — if they aren’t going to allow a member to take advantage of an offer, don’t confirm that the member has registered successfully! But then United’s IT has never been close to the best… The offer requires booking by December…
Excitement Builds for the “Chicago Seminar DO” October 16-17
Flyertalkers have over 300 rooms reserved at host hotels. Many people are sharing rooms, of course. Still others are staying at properties of their own choosing. And many more are local. So it’ll be interesting to see (and Frugal Travel Guy, the organizer, would actually know) if we hit 500 actual attendees. Regardless, this will be by far the largest in-person event in Flyertalk history. It’ll trounce the London DO and the first Star MegaDO even if anyone who reserved a room through the event itself was on their own, no one stayed off-site, and no local attendees had signed up. The main Flyertalk thread for the event has over 1100 posts and has been viewed over 86,000 times. There are at least two other large threads for the event as well, one for RSVPing…
Starwood American Express Introduces New Elite Qualification Benefit
At the end of July, American Express announced changes to the Starwood Amex card — no more ‘50% off rack rate’ reservation certificates, replaced by third night free on paid stays at Sheraton, and five night credits towards elite status annually. At the time I wished for night credits, not just stay credits. [T]he five nights towards status will be helpful to some, but I would have loved to have seen the opportunity for more elite credit based on spend volume or the ability to earn stay credits rather than nights. And now, Loyalty Traveler notes that that’s exactly what they’re going to do — give out not just 5 night credits each year to cardholders, but two stay credits as well. Plus, if you have the personal Starwood American Express and the small business…
Frequent Traveler Awards Banquet – Open to the Traveling Public
Frequent Traveler awards voting wraps up October 15. If you haven’t voted, now’s the time. Already several hundred thousand travelers have cast ballots in each hotel and airline category — literally millions of votes cast for the best loyalty programs out there. The award ceremony will be held Thursday, November 4 in Houston — and the traveling public is welcome. There will be top leadership from the airline and hotel frequent flyer and frequent guest programs in attendance. In all, I expect about 350 attendees. There are a limited number of spots left, but you’re welcome to RSVP. It’s not free, however… Randy Petersen did pick up the full tab for travelers who wanted to join for dinner at the Freddies. But we just don’t have the deep pockets or sponsors to make that happen.…
