Sep 26 2016

Hotels set their price, and generally they have to offer the same price through their chain’s website that they offer through online travel agency sites like Expedia or Hotels.com. Online travel agencies get a commission, but usually aren’t able to reduce the hotel’s price. If they did, you could claim the chain’s ‘best rate guarantee’.

But a membership website isn’t going to be subject to a best rate guarantee. A new one promises big savings, rebating their commissions, and is giving away free one year memberships — and a reader will get $500 to spend on a hotel there as well.

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Sep 26 2016

Last week’s big news was that the Marriott acquisition of Starwood closed, and immediately they offered to let members transfer points between accounts and status match.

That’s great, but today we have more good news. Depending on your perspective this may be even better news — not for the loyalty program, but for actually staying at their hotels.

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Sep 26 2016

Marriott has been investing in their rewards program more than I’d have expected since announcing the Starwood merger, which has now closed. I see Marriott Rewards getting stronger. And Ritz-Carlton Rewards status is honored equally as Marriott status.

So earning Gold status just for having a credit card is great, $10,000 in spend each year to keep it is as well. And being able to earn Platinum status through spend is impressive.

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Sep 26 2016

Earlier in the year Hollywood Report said this is the golden age of flying thanks to the ability of anyone — Hollywood star or not — bring their emotional support turkey on a plane. For free.

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Sep 25 2016

Reader YMX asked, “Gary, don’t you think the status match is inequitable for current Marriott Golds or Platinums?”

I’ll lay out the argument, and then offer what I think are pretty compelling reasons why Marriott Gold and Platinum members should be loving their newfound benefits.

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Sep 25 2016

Marriott’s merger with Starwood closed yesterday. They immediately launched the ability to status match and move points between accounts. What dictated the 3:1 transfer ratio between Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest is the decision to allow members to move points back and forth between the programs.

What comes next is actually embedded in changes to Starwood’s terms and conditions.

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Sep 25 2016

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.

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Sep 24 2016

American has 4 ‘cycles’ of domestic first class meals that they rotate. New meals debuted in August 2015, and were supposed to cycle for a year.

The same food is still being served, but there are changes to breakfast in October and last I heard there’s to be an update to other meals in November.

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Sep 24 2016

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.

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Sep 24 2016

A year ago United introduced free domestic first class upgrades farther in advance, and free international business to first upgrades to high value customers.

But here’s something I didn’t know about — the number of flights in a row that a 1K misses an upgrade can influence their upgrade priority on an upcoming trip.

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