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Category Archives for General.

Suntrust Devalues the Delta Debit Card This Week, and They’re Giving Me $72.

by Gary Leff on July 24, 2015

Jul 24 2015

The Suntrust Delta Debit card was a lucrative mileage-earning tool for a long time. I’ve been writing about it since 2009.

Since it’s been a debit card that earned 1 mile per dollar charged, it’s been useful to many in the past buying money orders and depositing those back into a bank. And it’s been a highly efficient way to earn miles for paying taxes since debit transactions incur a miniscule flat fee while credit cards incur a pretty hefty percentage of the total payment.

Proposed Law to Cap Checked Bag Fees at $4.50: It’s Stupid and Irresponsible. (And It’s Just a Ploy to Raise Airport Taxes.)

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

Representative John Mica (R-FL) has introduced legislation to cap checked bag fees at $4.50.

He’s grandstanding. Because people don’t like paying checked bag fees. So he proposes to eliminate them. To borrow a line from Milton Friedman, Southwest notwithstanding, “there’s no such thing as a free checked bag.”

Save 5000 Points at Night at My Favorite Resort the Park Hyatt Maldives!

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

A year and a half ago Hyatt introduced a new top redemption category 7 costing 30,000 points per night. They also increased the price of category 6 hotels from 22,000 to 25,000 points per night.

This year the Park Hyatt Maldives jumped up to category 7. So in two years it went from 22,000 points a night to 30,000 points per night, a 36% increase.

American’s Inaugural Sydney Flight Will Be Bookable This Sunday!

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

American Airlines returns to Sydney with a flight December 17. The Los Angeles – Sydney service, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, will become bookable this Sunday.

Chase Will Keep Issuing the Southwest Credit Card. As Deals Get More Expensive for Banks, What’s Next?

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

The Southwest Airlines – Chase relationship was up for renewal. That’s a big deal for cardmembers, and also for folks with Chase Ultimate Rewards points because those points transfer to Southwest.

Back in April Southwest engaged an investment bank to evaluate options. I wrote at the time that I expected Chase to retain the card “because it’s more valuable to them than a new bank [because of their installed cardmember base], and because they have the resources.” And indeed Chase has secured a multi-year extension of the Southwest co-brand.

Great Deal: US-Amsterdam on Sale for Under $600 Roundtrip!

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

New York and Philadephia – Amsterdam is running as low as $545 roundtrip. Other cities — like Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles — are available for slightly more.

Do Airlines Enjoy Causing Economy Passengers Pain?

by Gary Leff on July 23, 2015

Jul 23 2015

“[T]he nation’s airlines will begin installing awkwardly placed bumps in every airplane seatback this week because it reportedly brings great pleasure to them.”

Crossing the Line to Earn Miles, Uber Crushes New York’s Mayor, and Flight Attendants Shaming Passengers

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2015

Jul 22 2015

I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

How Delta Just Told Us Their Miles Are an Almost Worthless Currency

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2015

Jul 22 2015

I want to take issue with the claim by Delta’s Anthony Black that mileage prices are like airfares and so there shouldn’t be a posted award chart or advance notice of changes.

First of all, frequent flyer miles aren’t supposed to be mere rebates in the form of an airline’s currency, they’re supposed to be a reward for loyalty. That’s why mileage tickets used to be so much more flexible than paid tickets, they were a thank you for past business.

Perhaps more importantly though award prices aren’t like paid ticket prices, and certainly miles aren’t really like money.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Bankrupt, Hyatt Sticking It to Cancelled Guests

by Gary Leff on July 22, 2015

Jul 22 2015

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, part of the larger Baha Mar project which is said to represent 12% of its island’s GDP, is in bankruptcy. They aren’t opening as planned. And all Hyatt is offering cancelled guests is $300 towards airline change fees.

General

Suntrust Devalues the Delta Debit Card This Week, and They’re Giving Me $72.

Proposed Law to Cap Checked Bag Fees at $4.50: It’s Stupid and Irresponsible. (And It’s Just a Ploy to Raise Airport Taxes.)

Save 5000 Points at Night at My Favorite Resort the Park Hyatt Maldives!

American’s Inaugural Sydney Flight Will Be Bookable This Sunday!

Chase Will Keep Issuing the Southwest Credit Card. As Deals Get More Expensive for Banks, What’s Next?

Great Deal: US-Amsterdam on Sale for Under $600 Roundtrip!

Do Airlines Enjoy Causing Economy Passengers Pain?

Crossing the Line to Earn Miles, Uber Crushes New York’s Mayor, and Flight Attendants Shaming Passengers

How Delta Just Told Us Their Miles Are an Almost Worthless Currency

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Bankrupt, Hyatt Sticking It to Cancelled Guests

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]