View from the Wing

Hyatt Brings Back “G-Bonuses” for New Hotels and Introduces 50% Rebate on Miraval Redemptions

by Gary Leff on May 1, 2019

May 01 2019

Hyatt used to offer lucrative property-specific bonuses of 500 to 2000 points per night. These were colloquially referred to as ‘G bonuses’ because of the bonus codes attached to them. Combined with whatever promotion Hyatt was running (Faster Free Nights) and the fact that Hyatt used to give 2500 bonus points per night at properties whose club lounges were closed on the weekend meant that the old Gold Passport program was super lucrative, indeed.

We haven’t seen much in the way of property-specific bonuses in the past 8 years, but those are back for hotels that are brand new to Hyatt. And there’s a new 50% rebate on Hyatt’s most expensive redemptions.

30% Bonus on Transfers From American Express to Virgin Atlantic Through July 1

by Gary Leff on May 1, 2019

May 01 2019

American Express is running a 30% bonus on transfers to Virgin Atlantic through July 1. You have to log in to see the bonus.

Virgin’s miles are fantastic for ANA and Delta redemptions. However I’d only make the transfer to redeem a specific award, rather than doing to preemptively or viewing the program as a store of value.

Korean Air Eliminating First Class on 27 Routes

by Gary Leff on May 1, 2019

May 01 2019

While Korean Air’s first class lags in quality behind many other Asian carriers, I’ve especially liked that I could fly to Asia in first class and connect onward in first class as well because much of their intra-Asia route network offered a first class cabin. That’s being scaled back.

Aeroplan Members Can Earn Miles on Etihad, Another Step Closer to Star Alliance?

by Gary Leff on April 30, 2019

Apr 30 2019

Over the summer I reported a rumor that Etihad was in talks to join Star Alliance. That rumor heated up substantially in February.

Etihad is now joining Air Canada’s Aeroplan as an earning member

Delta Will Fly New York – Mumbai This Year! (and Tells Some Fibs, Too)

by Gary Leff on April 30, 2019

Apr 30 2019

Over 11 months ago Delta announced that they would fly to India. They did not say when it would happen, or the route they’d fly. And then.. crickets.

Now, finally, Delta has announced that they will fly New York JFK – Mumbai starting December 22, over a year and a half after they announced they would fly to India again. The service will be operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

British Airways Devalued Award Chart Leaked (Mostly)

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2019

Apr 29 2019

Earlier today British Airways declared that they are planning to devalue their partner award chart effective May 30 but declared that they wouldn’t tell us what the new prices would be.

Apparently, however, prices are actually loaded into BA systems.

Benefits and Risks of Eliminating Award Charts and a New Feature of the American Airlines App

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2019

Apr 29 2019

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Man Hits Up Priority Pass Restaurants for $200 in Free Food – and Gets it To Go!

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2019

Apr 29 2019

Some people have made truly gluttonous use of Priority Pass lounge access like bringing 19 guests into a lounge in Quito, Ecuador and bringing 35 guests into a single lounge with just one Priority Pass card in Kigali, Rwanda.

Now that you can use Priority Pass cards to get $28 credits at a variety of airport restaurants around the world you can do a lot of eating for free.

British Airways is Changing Partner Award Prices May 30 – But Won’t Tell Us How Much They Go Up

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2019

Apr 29 2019

British Airways has a history of making changes to its award pricing without notice, and also of giving a few months’ notice. When they moved from an award region chart to distance-based pricing in 2011 they told us they were changing pricing but not what prices would be. When that happens you know they won’t be ‘changes you’re going to like’.

Now we’re once again learning of impending changes but not what the details of those changes will be.

How to Earn a 10% Rebate on Top of Unpublished Hotel Rates

by Gary Leff on April 29, 2019

Apr 29 2019

Despite marketing claims by the big chains, you can often get a better price on a hotel booking through third party websites. That’s even more the case with independent hotels. The best savings are usually on more expensive hotels.

Here’s a deal on unpublished hotel rates where you’ll also earn a 10% rebate on top of the savings.

Hyatt Brings Back “G-Bonuses” for New Hotels and Introduces 50% Rebate on Miraval Redemptions

30% Bonus on Transfers From American Express to Virgin Atlantic Through July 1

Korean Air Eliminating First Class on 27 Routes

Aeroplan Members Can Earn Miles on Etihad, Another Step Closer to Star Alliance?

Delta Will Fly New York – Mumbai This Year! (and Tells Some Fibs, Too)

British Airways Devalued Award Chart Leaked (Mostly)

Benefits and Risks of Eliminating Award Charts and a New Feature of the American Airlines App

Man Hits Up Priority Pass Restaurants for $200 in Free Food – and Gets it To Go!

British Airways is Changing Partner Award Prices May 30 – But Won’t Tell Us How Much They Go Up

How to Earn a 10% Rebate on Top of Unpublished Hotel Rates

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