Why Higher Spending Requirements Put Elite Status on a Collision Course With Itself

by Gary Leff

airline seats
Oct 14 2019

Status does a great job motivating customers who buy coach, or at least fly coach a substantial portion of the time – for instance the road warrior whose company will spring for business class internationally once or twice a year but has a rule of 6 hours or more for premium cabin so domestic trips are mostly out up front.

Status does almost nothing to motivate someone who buys all premium cabin tickets. When elite status spending requirements are so high they’re met primarily by people who buy first class, elite status is meaningless.

Continue Reading »

Booking Hotels Can Earn Southwest Companion Pass Plus New 2000 Point First-Time Bonus

by Gary Leff

southwest plane
Oct 14 2019

The best deal in travel has to be the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass.

There’s no question that a rewards card with big initial bonus offer is the easiest and fastest way to earn a Companion Pass (in addition to being really big on its own towards reward travel). However there are other fast ways to earn a Companion Pass even without a Southwest Airlines co-brand credit card. And it’s even more enticing with a new 2000 point bonus offer.

Continue Reading »

Just 11,000 Miles One Way to Europe (36,000 for Business Class)

by Gary Leff

klm planes
Oct 13 2019

Often connecting itineraries beyond Paris/Amsterdam can be even cheaper than what’s advertised, and specific cities are put on sale because the flights are lightly booked so availability tends to be good. West Coast – Europe for just 36,000 miles each way in business class is fantastic. Come Tuesday we’ll see if some cities price even lower.

Indeed I usually look for business class deals, but this is even pretty cheap economy and premium economy too even when factoring in surcharges. American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citibank all offer points transfers to Air France KLM Flying Blue, and transfers are generally immediate.

Continue Reading »