James Wysong’s newest column is on ways to get an upgrade. His advice: Become a member of that specific airline’s frequent flier mileage club. You can be a member of many different airlines’ clubs. Unlikely. Being an elite member of an airline’s frequent flyer program is the surest way to an upgrade, although each program’s terms and conditions are different — you may need to pay a certain fare or spend upgrade certificates, and the rules likely vary between domestic and international flights. But simply joining a frequent flyer program is unlikely to score an upgrade (except in one limited circumstance, overbooking of coach, discussed below). The flight is oversold in economy, but there are empty seats in business and or first class. Absolutely. Airlines oversell coach and instead of denying boarding (which is costly,…
About Gary Leff
Mother’s Day Flowers
Apr
26
2005
It’s one of the times of year that all the programs push their flowers and gifts mileage partners. America West just sent out an email offering 20 miles per dollar with FTD, with Butterfield Blooms, with Gift Sense, and from the San Francisco Music Box Company. The FTD offer says “Elite Members” but the offer was sent to me by America West, and I do not have elite status with that airline. I do have some experience with FTD offers originally targeted for elites, and everyone has always been able to earn full mileage with the offers regardless of status. The best mileage offer has been around for a couple of years, FTD offers 30 United miles per dollar spent. The offer mentions United 1K members but everyone has been able to take advantage of…
Great Vegas Hotel Rate
The Venetian is running a special for weekdays at $100 a night from July through September. May and June is available at $149, and weekends are available at $199.
The Basics of Priceline
Leigh Witchel has an extensive tutorial on Priceline bidding strategies. It’s a good basic introduction, with a nice discussion of advanced rebidding techniques. (Biddingfortravel.com had a more complicated version a couple of years ago where I first picked up the technique — Leigh’s is simpler to understand.)
78 Cents for a 5-Star Hotel in Melbourne, Australia
TravelWeb, Priceline’s non-opaque booking site, has The Langham Hotel for AU$1.00 (roughly US$0.78). It’s fully cancellable and changeable. This was a deal that went out over a FareAlert email. I’ve booked a room myself. Flyertalk discussion is here. Just go on over to TravelWeb, search for hotels in Melbourne, Autralia, and I found the Langham on the second page of results. This may not work out — the rate description says “Pro-Air New Zealand Redemptionmust Provide Air Nz Card on Arrival” — so I may not be eligible for this rate, but I have a booking nonetheless.The normal rate is about AU$260 a night. Update: This looks to me like the rate plan associated with redeeming Air New Zealand points as payment fo rhte room, and that it somehow became bookable online. I am not…
Another Priority Club Award Glitch
Apr
25
2005
The InterContinental The Grand Palace Srinagar also has its Presidential Suite available as a 30,000 point award. Another mistake, and this too will disappear quickly. So where exactly is this? Known as the paradise on earth, Srinagar, the summer capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, is nestled in the beautiful Kashmir valley, surrounded by soaring snow-clad mountains midst the soft murmur of river Jhelum and idyllic lakes. Formerly the palace residence of the maharajas, InterContinental The Grand Palace Srinagar, ringed by the majestic Himalayan ranges, overlooks the picturesque Dal Lake. Originally built in 1910, this twin storey heritage property with its sprawling lawns has been carefully restored to its former glory and is today a full facility destination. The palace is located 15 kms from the airport and just minutes away from the…
Priority Club Award Glitch: Presidential Suite Available
Apr
25
2005
The Intercontinental Grand in New Delhi is showing all of its room types available for 30,000 point redemption — not just the basic room. This is your opportunity to get the Presidential Suite on an award booking. Not all nights are available, and this will not last. August 3rd was first identified at Flyertalk.com in the Priority Club Suite Redemption Alert thread. I see most nights available, presumably except those where the Presidential Suite is already booked. KING PRESIDENTIAL SUITE KING BEDROOM LIVING ROOM DINING ROOM PRIVATE SAUNA AND JACUZZI GUEST BEDROOM 3TVS BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS SAFE
Some recent offers that are still valid
Apr
23
2005
One thing about a blog, you really do need to check it every day or at least every couple of days. Sometimes the really great offers last only a few hours, like airfare glitches or incredible mileage offers (10,000 Delta miles for playing a short online game, 100 Delta miles per dollar spent at 1-800-Flowers.com). But sometimes offers are around awhile — but if you don’t check the site frequently they’ll scroll down past the bottom of the page. Naturally you should come to this website everyday. But if you don’t, or if you’ve just found it, you’ll want to be aware of some recent offers posted such as free Gold status with Hilton HHonors, 20% off from Independence Air, and $25 free for opening an ING Direct savings account. There are also some classic…
Free iTunes
Apr
23
2005
If you got yourself a free iPod, why not also get 33 free songs from iTunes for test driving an Audi?
Air Canada to Spin Off Aeroplan
Apr
23
2005
Air Canada has confirmed its intention to spin off its Aeroplan frequent flyer program as a separate unit. Mr. Milton did not close the door to selling part of Aeroplan to a private buyer. But he said buyout firm Onex Corp. is not in the picture as a potential purchaser. Onex had a deal with Air Canada to buy a 35% stake in Aeroplan for $245-million before that fell apart with the airline’s bankruptcy protection filing. Onex said recently that it was still interested in the unit. Mr. Milton offered no specific timing for the sale. He said the company is working on legal and regulatory issues to ready its public debut. Aeroplan is worth in the range of $1.3-billion to $1.9-billion. In January Randy Petersen wrote that Air Canada would likely be the first…
