News and notes from around the interweb: I’m giving away 75,000 Hyatt points! You can enter up to 4 times. I received an email from Avianca LifeMiles that their 100% bonus on transferred miles has been extended through July 21. A resort that hides bottles of rum in the water Up to 30% off Hyatts in Asia through July 20 Fly Copa airlines in August or September and then all of your Copa flights October through December earn double United MileagePlus miles. Registration required. Starwood is offering 35% off award redemptions at 6 of their most absurdly priced resorts. You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You…
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My Mid-Year Elite Status Update: Am I Walking the Talk?
I share my thoughts and advice on loyalty programs all of the time, I thought it would be useful to also share what I do and let you evaluate whether I practice my own advice. At the same time, where I focus my own stays (and how much I’m traveling) may be illuminating and sharing this gives me an opportunity to articulate some of my own thinking. Of course, in revealing what status I currently have and where I am mid-year in requalifying, it doesn’t actually include all of my travels. I’ve done two major Asia trips on points this year already, and have more award travel coming up. There will be 60,000 or 80,000 flown butt in seat miles that don’t get included in my flight totals. I’ve also been flying a bunch of…
New Marriott Rewards Features, and Obama Cuts in Line for Food
Apparently Obama cut in line at Franklin Barbecue. Even Anthony Bourdain waited the three hours in line while taping his show. Owner Aaron Franklin says no one has ever cut in line before. The President could have avoided this political scandal by just attending a frequent flyer event there. Marriott introduceds SPG Moments Flash Perks (redeem points or cash for experiences) and Local Perks (experiences during hotel stays). Catch Me If You Can It seems that Mitt Romney flying coach is a thing. Up to 5000 Aeroplan reservations for each new Air Canada booking between Canada and the U.S., Europe, and Asia Study says standing-only airplanes could fit more passengers. Someone spent time on – and someone else presumably funded – that study. It won’t make this any more likely to happen, however. (HT: Alan…
50% Off Buying Miles from US Airways This Month
US Airways is offering a targeted bonus of up to 100% additional miles when you buy miles through July 31. The offer is targeted, then you go to the buy miles page you have to enter your account information to see whether you’re being offered a bonus. I was able to see the offer on able half the accounts I manage. If the offer is available to you, buying miles at a 100% bonus means buying them at a cost of 1.88 cents per mile. US Airways is almost always selling miles on the cheap, which is to say at a price higher than I’m willing to pay but much lower than the ‘retail’ price that almost never prevails. Seriously, has the Federal Trade Commission really never launched an investigation of US Airways Dividend Miles…
1000 Free Miles, 40% Off Hyatt Sale, and $25 off $25 at Costco
What Others Are Writing That You Need to Know: The Only Packing Tips You Need to Know $25 off $25 at Costco Hilton makes mid-year award category changes — with no notification to members, other than on an obscure website, and with just one week’s notice Hyatt Asia Pacific 40% Off Sale this weekend only. 1000 Free Air Berlin Miles How an airport sign designer pursues their craft You can join the 40,000+ people who see these deals and analysis every day — sign up to receive posts by email (just one e-mail per day) or subscribe to the RSS feed. It’s free. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest deals. Don’t miss out!
United Announces the Elimination of Garlic Bread and Ketchup
While United makes excuses for losing $600 million in the first quarter, and is out of ideas so just copies Delta, they get more and more desperate. Strategy plans are said to look like what’s “found in a typical operating department’s annual budget presentation than in a corporate presentation..” So where do they turn for salvation? Elimination of ketchup from Europe flights and garlic bread from Asia flight premium cabins. The airline that spent 2013 losing 250,000 customers a month is eliminating complimentary meals on their Honolulu – Guam flights. They’re also shrinking the lavatories on 737-800 and 737-900 aircraft. They call them ‘space saving lavatories” which sounds almost futuristic… like Magic Flush. Why you may ask are they doing this? To squeeze in more rows of coach, of course! In a move @FakeUnitedJeff would…
Double Elite Nights, Travel With Models, and Get Miles for Getting More People to Track Their Points
News and notes from around the interweb: Double elite night credits from Ritz-Carlton. So should you choose to belong to Marriott Rewards or Ritz-Carlton Rewards? I use AwardWallet to track my miles and points. I’ve been recommending it for years, but never gave out my referral link for it (feel free to leave yours in the comments). Via Frequent Flyer University, AwardWallet referral points are now redeemable for airline miles. Chance to Win 3 Nights in New York and 200,000 American AAdvantage miles. This is a big sweepstakes campaign rolling out from Marriott in New York that we’ll be seeing all over Facebook, Tripadvisor, and elsewhere. I entered, and I don’t usually do these. Uber introduces #UberHottie in South Africa. Tap a button on your phone and you can ride with a good looking celebrity,…
Why Kuala Lumpur Is One of My Favorite Food Cities
Previous trip report installments Introduction: Maldives and Malaysia in First Class, How I Booked It and What it Cost Etihad Lounge and First Class, Washington Dulles – Abu Dhabi Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Etihad’s Abu Dhabi first class lounge, and business class Abu Dhabi – Male Maldivian Domestic Lounge, Flight, and Boat Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Boat Transfer, Maldivian Domestic Flight Kooddoo – Male, and Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Male – Kuala Lumpur Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur When I was in Kuala Lumpur a year and a half ago, I had a fantastic food tour put together by Farah at Food Tour Malaysia. So I decided to look them, and Farah, up again. The full day for a guide and vehicle (all food included for two) was ~…
The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur’s Suites, Views, and Lounge Nearly Blow Me Away
Previous trip report installments Introduction: Maldives and Malaysia in First Class, How I Booked It and What it Cost Etihad Lounge and First Class, Washington Dulles – Abu Dhabi Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Etihad’s Abu Dhabi first class lounge, and business class Abu Dhabi – Male Maldivian Domestic Lounge, Flight, and Boat Transfer to the Park Hyatt Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Boat Transfer, Maldivian Domestic Flight Kooddoo – Male, and Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Male – Kuala Lumpur I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in November 2012 shortly after it opened. At the time the opening staff was still working on property, drawing on Hyatt employees from around the Asia Pacific region. My impression was of a gorgeous hotel, with nice suites, and a friendly staff. But I thought that the…
Outstanding Availability for Four Business Class Seats to Australia on Your Choice of Dates!
Delta charges 160,000 miles roundtrip in business class between the US and Australia. In contrast, American AAdvantage charges 125,000 miles for roundtrip business class but does not permit routing via Asia. Qantas premium cabin awards are very tough to get. United MileagePlus charges 130,000 miles for roundtrip business class on United’s own flights, or 150,000 miles on partners. The biggest drawback for many of using Delta miles is that while Virgin Australia has fantastic award availability between the US and Australia, these awards can even be booked on the Delta website, and no longer adds fuel surcharges to them), finding domestic award availability on Delta flights to get to and from Los Angeles can be tough. If you live in a city serving Los Angeles on Alaska Airlines you may be in better shape. Many…
