The President’s actions on Cuba today don’t yet allow for increased tourism, though that’s the next logical step. Wednesday’s announcement that the U.S. will move toward restoring diplomatic ties with Cuba will also make it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba and do business with the Cuban people by extending general licenses, officials said. While the more liberal travel restrictions won’t allow for tourism, they will permit greater American travel to the island. Here are the current changes to policy: The State Department will consider removing Cuba from its list of sponsors of terrorism. The US will expand export of goods and services to Cuba, inc;luding construction materials and communications equipment. (Only 5% of Cubans have access to the internet today, that will eventually change.) US credit and debit cards will be able to…
How I Stay Connected – Phone and Internet – During International Travel
I stay connected pretty incessantly while on the road, even on ‘vacation’. I make sure I have internet and phone capability wherever I go. And I do my best to keep the costs reasonable. I haven’t found a magic solution for that which really makes me happy. There are tradeoffs and downsides to every strategy one can employ — whether cost, too many devices to carry around, or speed. Here are the tools I’m using so stay well-connected by phone and internet without breaking the bank!
British Airways Semi-Explains Why They’ll Keep Hitting You With Big Fuel Surcharges Even Though Fuel Prices are Dropping Like a Rock
Fuel surcharges aren’t about fuel. They are a convenient, easy way to raise or lower all fares in a market. Since they are a surcharge rather than part of the fare, they aren’t subject to percentage discounts that may attach to certain contracts. They conveniently are an excuse to charge more for award passengers (in some programs and for travel on some airlines), whose mileage currency can’t be used anywhere a member wants the way cash can. Airlines have used the price of fuel as the narrative for high costs, and explain surcharges rather than changes in fare as fuel (even though when coded as “YQ” they are ‘miscellaneous’ charges in the fare construction), it’s becoming tough for the storyline that attaches to these fees. Air Canada solves this by just changing the name of…
140,000 Point Signup Bonus for Ritz-Carlton (Marriott) Credit Card
I’ve written about the Ritz-Carlton Rewards co-brand credit card occasionally over the past couple of years. There have been a couple of really outstanding offers for it, like 70,000 points and no fee the first year, and 140,000 points while paying the steep $395 annual fee even the first year. But I hadn’t seen either of those around in the past few months. Doctor of Credit finds the 140,000 Ritz-Carlton Rewards card offer available (requires $3000 spend within 3 months). The card comes with Ritz-Carlton Gold status (which is Marriott Rewards Gold) the first year, and then you keep it by spending $10,000 on the card each year. There’s a $300 airline fee credit as well that helps take the sting out of the annual fee. There are also some fairly restrictive club lounge upgrade…
The Latest on Best Rewards Cards, Holiday Travel, Spirit Air Military Rage, and 2000 Hotels in China!
News and notes from around the interweb: My suggestions of the best rewards cards for travelers over at WendyPerrin.com. Tips for travelers ahead of the busy Christmas rush (my Fox News Happening Now segment from last Wednesday). Spirit won’t refund a deployed Navy quartermaster. She gets a flight credit minus a change fee. Because that’s how it works. Can’t same I’m outraged or overly sympathetic on this one that’s beginning to get a bit of play. Alaska’s new streaming video option and an update on seat power Come Wednesday you’ll be able to log into your Marriott Rewards account and go to the promotion center to see what your targeted ‘MegaBonus’ offer is for February 1 – April 30 earning. Le Club Accorhotels has a new alliance with 2000 hotels in China. You can join…
Delta Plans to Expand Use of Their Restrictive No Seat Assignment, No Change, No Upgrade Fares
Cranky Flier points out that with Delta’s rebranding of their cabins they’re going to be rolling out restrictive ‘basic economy’ fares into more markets. Last week I wrote about Delta’s cabin rebranding efforts, but I failed to really grasp something that is likely going to become a big issue. The lowest fare, Basic Economy, is going to roll out into more markets and become much more restrictive. It’s structured in a way that virtually guarantees a segment of people who buy it are going to be really pissed off. Those who may not understand what they’re buying have no way to remedy their situation. Not even ultra low cost carriers like Spirit do that, probably because it doesn’t make financial sense to do it that way. Delta’s ‘Basic Economy’ fares will no longer offer same-day…
Citibank’s Christmas Present to Me
I just received an email from American AADvantage, Happy Holidays! Our bonus miles gift to you! I almost deleted it because, well, that’s what I do when I’m busy. But I also know I need to read this things on the rare off-change that they’re useful, because.. well.. blog. And it’s free miles for the holidays for being a Citi Executive Card cardholder. No word yet on whether folks who still have more than one Exective card are getting more than one mileage deposit or not. The miles are already in my account: Interestingly another account I manage that also has a Citi Executive card attached does not have the bonus miles deposited, and has not received this email. Both cards have similar spending profiles and both accounts have the same status level. Presumably Citi…
Singapore, Cathay, and Qantas First Class.. Some of the Best Meals of My Life, and a Tour of Hyatts in Bangkok, Singapore, and Sydney
I’m about to head off on another trip, which I’m somewhat ambivalent about because of how much I’ve been on the road lately. But I’ve also done vacation and I’m much happier to share that trip with you in the coming days. It was a return to cities I’ve been to many times, it was visiting with family at the back end on the other side of the world, but it was also some top notch airline products including first class on two A380s (taking an A380 to visit family for the holidays really improves holiday travel). Some great hotels, and amazing meals. Qantas, Singapore and Cathay First – Oh My! Late last year I stumbled upon two Qantas A380 first class award seats, Sydney – Los Angeles for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Delta Elites Now Get Elite Status With Hertz
When United inked a deal with Hertz, giving more bonus miles for Hertz rentals and Hertz status for United elites, Hertz (and its Dollar and Thrifty brands) became United’s exclusive car partner. In other words, the end of United miles for Avis rentals. But United didn’t get the same level of exclusivity from Hertz, it seems. Because Hertz has also inked a new deal with Delta. Here are the benefits of the Delta Hertz status deal: Delta’s Diamond and Platinum members get Hertz President’s Circle status Delta’s Gold members get Hertz Five Star status Presidents Club is the second-highest level in the Hertz program. It’s what United’s 1K and Platinum members get. United Golds get 5 star, and Delta’s similar elites get it too. United Silvers also get 5 Star, while Delta silvers do not.…
IHG Acquires Kimpton Hotels, Kimpton Guests Weep
IHG is acquiring Kimpton hotels for $430 million. Kimpton has been shopping itself. And they’ve fetched an impressive sum considering their size and earnings. The IHG Kimpton deal is a smaller one than what some had expected — there’s been rumors of an IHG Starwood deal, and a Wyndham IHG combination. I wasn’t a big fan of Kimpton’s loyalty program changes announced over the summer. Nonetheless, the chain offered a personalized experience and one where they tended to go above and beyond program rules. In general I find that the smaller hotel programs are the most rewarding. I’ve often said that it doesn’t take much effort to be loyal to Marriott or Hilton. When you turn up in a city you sort of fall into one of their hotels. It takes effort to be loyal…
