From Casinos To Aircraft Cabins: Marriott And MGM Make Gambling With Miles — Even Inflight — Possible

Dec 14 2024

A decade ago, I spoke with some folks who were trying to enable gambling with frequent flyer miles. And back then what I told them was that no one would touch it because of reputational concerns. That was true at the time. Things have changed so dramatically!

Since it’s now possible to earn Marriott points gambling, the Overton window has shifted sufficiently that more programs may be open to the revenue possibilities of gambling using frequent flyer miles.

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No Upgrades, Thin Walls, And $400 Rates: Marriott’s The Alexandrian Epitomizes Bonvoy’s Biggest Failures

Dec 14 2024

Somehow rates here run from the mid-$200s to mid-$400s. There’s actually another Autograph Collection property just a few blocks away. You’d probably like the Morrison House much better.

Marriott CEO Jim Capuano once said, “When I die, they’ll put the net-rooms growth number on my tombstone.” Marriott will seemingly take a fee from any hotel, of any quality, diluting their brands in the process.

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Exclusive: Alaska Airlines’ New Premium Card Global Companion Award And Fee Waiver Details Revealed

airplane cabin
Dec 13 2024

Alaska Airlines announced this week that the move to a single loyalty program with Hawaiian Airlines will come this summer, and that they’ll also launch a premium credit card at that time.

Brett Catlin, Alaska’s Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances and Sales, shared some additional details about the card’s companion award certificate with me.

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Big Wins for Flyers: American Airlines Expands 2025 AAdvantage With Lifetime Perks and Flat Award Prices

Dec 12 2024

American Airlines announced its AAdvantage frequent flyer program changes for 2025 this morning and it’s really great news by omission. There’s nothing bad. In fact there are really just program additions. That’s not something we see often, though it was the case last year with American AAdvantage as well.

So what is changing for the new member year that starts March 1?

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