It’s (Usually) Ok to Use the Lavatory While the Seat Belt Sign is On

by Gary Leff

Jul 17 2015

To a 98% approximation, flight attendants don’t actually care if you use the lavatory while the seat belt sign is on. They have to tell you that the seat belt sign is on. They cannot tell you it is ok for you to use the lavatory.

I watch passengers, over and over, asking permission. The flight attendant cannot give you permission. Because what if something bad happened? That’s on them and the airline. But if they advise you that the seat belt sign is on and you go anyway it’s pretty much on you.

Comedy Central’s Key & Peele take on using the lavatory while the seat belt sign is on…

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How to Give Away Credit Card Annual Free Hotel Nights.. and Earn Status for Other Peoples Stays

by Gary Leff

Jul 17 2015

A reader asks a great question about signing her son up for a card and using the annual free night he gets from that card herself. It’s against the program’s rules, but you can do it.

And once you understand how, you realize you can earn elite status through others’ stays… and give others the benefits of your elite status.

Here’s how it works. Should you do it?

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Chase Sapphire Preferred’s Bundle of Premium Protections – Some Benefits You Didn’t Know You Had

by Gary Leff

Jul 16 2015

Premium credit cards offer a dizzying array of benefits you probably didn’t even realize you had — or if you knew at one point, you probably forget when there’s an opportunity to use them.

Break a new electronic device, smash your rental car, run into a merchant who won’t take a return… or the price of something you recently bought drops after you already bought and started using it… there’s something that your credit card company can often do and you get started with a simple phone call.

Was your flight delayed by weather, you didn’t make your connection, and you were stuck paying for a hotel and meals out? Let your credit card company pay you back!

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January 2016 Will Have Only 30 Days.

by Gary Leff

Jul 16 2015

For the past couple of years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — which offers double points on travel and dining, everyday — has offered triple points on dining the first Friday of each month.

That made the first Friday of each month not just a great day to eat out but a great day to buy restaurant gift certificates, too. However, I’ve learned that Chase will be discontinuing this benefit at the end of the year.

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Here’s Context for Hyatt’s 40% Bonus on Purchased Points

by Gary Leff

Jul 16 2015

Hyatt Gold Passport is offering up to a 40% bonus on purchased points through July. It’s targeted for elites.

In some ways that seems a strange limitation. Elites already have the most points They’re most likely to use points to greatest savvy effect, why discount for them?

One interesting truism is that people who earn the most points are also the ones who value them the most and tend to buy. Your points buyers are the people most engaged in the program.

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