Since this website is brought to you in the form of a blog — daily commentary offered with the most recent items first — older items quickly fall off the page. I only display the most recent week’s worth of content at any one time. I like to think, though, that some of the entries retain their value even after the week has passed. And you can still read them — just click on the Archives link or pick one of the entries labeled “Greatest Hits” at the right (under my picture).Don’t want to miss a single deal or offer? Just be sure to enter your email address under Subscribe for Updates and each night you’ll receive an email with the day’s content. And I will never use your email for any other purpose. For…
About Gary Leff
Links are wonderful things
United’s “48 Hour Sale” has been extended for select members. You can click here to be a select member. 🙂You can also click here for 5% off your United flights at United.com. When United’s phone lines are overloaded they offer a 5% discount for folks to use the web instead. The link they use changes each time. But fortunately there’s a permalink.
Traveling with a Pet? Connect through Phoenix
America West may have to be my carrier of choice the next time I fly with my little Yorkshire Terrier, so that I can connect through Phoenix. The Sky Harbor airport has opened a new ‘Bone Yard’ dog park and rest area outside of terminal four.
Notice of changes in frequent flyer programs
Last month I noted that Korean airlines were being forced to give their frequent flyers at least a year’s notice when making changes to their programs which are detrimental to consumers.It seems that Korea’s Fair Trade Commission will actually be looking for two years’ notice on program changes.Somehow that seems a bit extreme, though I’ve long been an advocate for advance notice on program changes. Waiting until the end of December to announce the terms of a program beginning in January — as is industry standard practice in North America — has always seemed unfair. Travelers spend all year earning benefits for the following year. Their purchasing in one year is predicated on an expectation of benefits for the following year. Once the spending is done, the benefits change. This is common practice. A year’s…
More Room Throughout Part of Coach on Some Airlines
United will finally offer economy plus seating on all of its aircraft by May. Three types of aircraft haven’t offered the extra legroom:United’s 767-200 aircraft (flying primarily New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco)Their 737s which used to fly as United Shuttle (the worst thing is that it’s become a bit unpredictable which routes they’d turn up on)Several 777s, especially those flying transpacific routes The 767s will be retired, replaced by 757s flying in a three class configuration.United offers the additional legroom at the front of the coach cabins, and reserves those seats until day of departure for full fare passengers and elite frequent flyers. American offers more legroom throughout the planes but has taken away the perk from a quarter of its fleet. Meanwhile, JetBlue has removed a row of seats from its…
Comings and goings
Linda Burbank is the new travel troubleshooter for USAToday.com, replacing Chris Elliott, who they let go a couple months ago.
Valentine’s Flower Offers
FTD looks like the winner so far, offering 20 United miles per dollar spent or 15 American miles per dollar spent.On the whole FTD is pretty reliable. Not as good as Proflowers.com but better than 1-800-Flowers.I’d rather earn Starwood points for my flowers orders, but 10 Starwood points per dollar from 1-800-Flowers (with the bonus 200 points per order having expired) just isn’t the best offer. But if 1-800-Flowers would offer 100 Delta miles per dollar again I’d sure order fast from them!Earning miles for flowers isn’t the only option. Points.com also offers the ability to burn miles in exchange for flowers.
Best practices for mileage earning and burning
SmartMoney.com has a basic strategy piece on accumulating and redeeming miles, including ten tips from experts. Likely nothing new for readers of this blog, but still worth a quick review.
USAirways Raises Mileage Requirements for Awards… but Not Really
Charlie Leocha reports that an internal snafu had USAirways telephone agents quoting a price of 50,000 miles for a coach award ticket with no capacity controls — an increase of 10,000 miles. Apparently the matter has been cleared up — the increase may go into effect but hasn’t yet. Developing…
More double miles for taxes
The Delta American Express is also offering double miles on tax payments made between February 15 and April 15.Update: A reader writes: The Starwood federal income tax offer this year is double points, $4000 MAX, March 15-April 15 ONLY, apparently www.officialpayments.com only. It’s not announced yet. I called earlier this week, and asked. I haven’t seen or verified this yet but it makes sense.
