Report: Marriott Hoping to Back Out of Starwood Merger

Aug 21 2016

A deal almost never looks as good as it does the day it’s announced. The longer it takes to close, the more naysayers, the more critical analysis, and more tarnished details emerge. There’s more opportunity for buyer’s remorse, and for conditions which suggested a merger was a good idea to change.

The New York Post is reporting that the high cost to pacify Starwood’s customers combing the Starwood Preferred Guest program with Marriott Rewards, combined with the approval delay by Chinese regulators, is causing Marriott to second guess the merger.

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WOW: $99 Fares to Europe from Several US Cities

Aug 20 2016

Yesterday Wow Air announced that they’re moving Stockholm service to the area’s main Arlanda International Airport (ARN) effective November 18 and they dropped some amazing sale fares to promote the service.

In fact, they have $99 one-ways from Boston, Newark, and Baltimore (BWI) to Stockholm. Wow Air services Los Angeles and San Francisco as well, though fares run a comparably ‘expensive’ ~ $178.

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ACT NOW: Great Business Class Award Space to Europe Without Big Fuel Surcharges With American and BA Miles

Aug 20 2016

A lot of American AAdvantage members miss transatlantic award space on oneworld partner Iberia, because Iberia awards don’t appear on American’s website.

Iberia flies between Boston, New York JFK, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles and Madrid. And award space booked far in advance is very good in business class right now.

Iberia has a good business class product — fully flat with all aisle access, but with seats staggered for density.

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Miles for Mortgages, Moving, and More

house made of money in hand isolated on white background
Aug 20 2016

When I bought a condo I earned six figures in United miles for being referred to a realtor. Basically they were rebating a bit more than half their commission in the form of United miles.

There are opportunities to earn miles for mortgages as well, and for using a moving company. Big dollars are involved in real estate, so big miles are too.

There are several existing offers, and one that’s new — at least to me.

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NO NOTICE CHANGE: American’s New Variable Award Prices for New York – Los Angeles and San Francisco Flights

Aug 19 2016

A little over two years ago American introduced multiple levels of prices for these higher-priced awards. Occasionally these cost 20% fewer miles, most of the time they cost a lot more miles.

The price did not vary by flight (how sold out it was, or how likely to sell out) but by date. So some days were more expensive than others. You could still book the last seat available on an almost sold out flight for the lowest extra miles cost if it fell on a lowest price date.

THIS NO LONGER HOLDS TRUE at least for New York JFK – Los Angeles and New York JFK – San Francisco. WITHOUT NOTICE American changed how they manage awards on these flights on Monday August 15.

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