Apr
14
2016
The Onion: “Man Prowling At Airport Gate Ready To Pounce Like Jungle Cat At First Sign Of Boarding”
Passenger Hovers Near Gate Prepared to Pounce Into Boarding Line
Always Check Your Credit Card Statement for Unauthorized Hotel Charges
Apr
14
2016
A year and a half ago I wrote about the Hyatt Regency Crystal City improperly charging me for a bottle of water. It’s a tiny matter the scheme of things, but if everyone ignored small charges, it would create a very strong incentive for hotels to purposely tack on charges like that, small enough that no one bothers, but at $3++ per room night actually meaningful. All guests would be worse off.
And I stay at enough hotels (around 150 room nights last year) that those $3 overcharges start to add up. Hotels never seem to leave off charges from my bill. Mistakes always seem to be in the hotel’s favor.
So always check your folio. But that’s not enough. You have to watch your credit card statement too.
Private Jet Flight Giveaway and Uber’s New Transparency Report
Apr
14
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.
Bringing Miniature Horses on Planes and an Emotional Support Goat: Have We Gone Too Far?
Apr
14
2016
Hollywood Report says 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.
Registrations of service animals rose from about 2400 five years ago to over 20,000 last year. Playboy’s February 1988 Playmate of the Month-turned-interior designer for Jessica Alba and Kristen Bell travels with a 160-pound bulldog. She says he whimpers and that tells her to take medication.
5000 Free Icelandair Miles Just for Joining
Apr
14
2016
Icelandair will give you 5000 miles just for joining their Saga Club frequent flyer program.
I haven’t written a ton about Icelandair since there was a way a few years ago to really leverage the program for super cheap Alaska Airlines first class trips to Hawaii.
If nothing else that’s worth about $50 towards onboard food or duty free. And free miles are, after all, free miles.
Starwood Lays Out Their Next Promotion for May Through July
Apr
13
2016
Starwood announced their new promotion, Triple Up, which runs May 9 through July 31, 2016. (Registration will be required and opens May 3.)
They’re offering triple Starpoints at Sheratons; double Starpoints at other brands; and 1,000 bonus Starpoints if your stay includes a Friday or Saturday night (Thursday or Friday night in the Middle East).
American Has Improved Its Award Rules: Now Allows Cathay Pacific Routings to Indian Subcontinent
Apr
13
2016
Back in the fall I spoke with AAdvantage President Suzanne Rubin and suggested that with their higher award pricing (since March 22), they could loosen their routing rules somewhat. She indicated they were looking at that.
And it appears they’ve started to because they now allow flying Cathay Pacific or American Airlines to Hong Kong, and travel beyond to India and the surrounding region on Cathay Pacific, as a single award — instead of requiring you to fly via the Atlantic.
Get More Disney Fast Passes and How to Fuel Dump to Save Money on Airfare
Apr
13
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.
Starwood Adds Virgin America as a Transfer Partner at Fantastic Rate, Means Amazing Partner Redemptions
Apr
13
2016
Starwood’s Starpoints are already the most valuable loyalty program currency by which I mean that one Starpoint is worth more than one of any other loyalty currency.
They have the most airline transfer partners where points transfer 1:1 and of course when you move Starwood points into 20,000 miles you get 5000 bonus miles. That gets you effectively a 1:1.25 transfer ratio with most airline partners.
Now, Starwood has added a new transfer partner: Virgin America Elevate.
Easy Starbucks Gold Status With Just One Purchase Plus Free Stars for You
Apr
13
2016
Starbucks has rolled out changes to its Starbucks Rewards program. Some reader reports are that Stars-earning isn’t showing up correctly on receipts (for instance just 2 stars on a $2.95 order rather than 2 stars per dollar). Starbucks said to expect things like this, don’t panic.
Perhaps as a make-good, or to generate some positive buzz, Starbucks is handing out status left and right!
