Yesterday morning I wrote about Starwood’s new terms and conditions. Lots of cleanup, new sections and changes related to the introduction of SPG Pro, there were also some rather odd additions like an agreement that any Starwood member won’t challenge the chain’s trademarks and that gifting awards to others when you’re not staying won’t earn stay or night credit towards status for either the gifter or for the guest. These were terms that were set to go into effect on October 15. And no doubt that will happen, at least in some measure similar to what was posted yesterday. But this morning the terms and conditions have reverted to the older May 2013 revision. The changes that had been posted to Starwood’s website are gone. Either a technical glitch, or someone at SPG decided the…
Everyone at December FTU Gets Elite Status. FTU Advanced Sold Out, But Tickets Remain for the Main Sessions
Frequent Traveler University, Washington DC area December 5-7 On Sunday, Frequent Traveler University launched for December 5-7 in Northern Virginia — just outside of DC, and down the street from Washington’s National Airport. This will be the largest gathering ever of frequent flyers, held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. There are actually two events held simultaneously — Frequent Traveler University and the smaller Frequent Traveler University Advanced. While the two events will share some speakers, they will be separated by several floors at the hotel. Part of what will make this event so large is a partnership with USA Today. There should be some recognizable names added to the event soon with their help. Already I’ve mentioned the following speakers: Ben Schlappig, One Mile at a Time Greg Davis-Kean, Frequent Miler Stefan Krasowski, Rapid…
Thai Government Initiative Cracks Down on Bad Thai Food Around the World
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was so bothered by the state of Thai food around the world that she raised the issue at a Cabinet meeting. She has since been deposed by a military coup but her work lives on. The Thai Delicious Committee was formed and it is rolling out a new robot that will taste Thai food and declare when it’s bad. Diplomats and dignitaries have been invited to witness the debut of a machine that its promoters say can scientifically evaluate Thai cuisine, telling the difference, for instance, between a properly prepared green curry with just the right mix of Thai basil, curry paste and fresh coconut cream, and a lame imitation. A boxy contraption filled with sensors and microchips, the so-called e-delicious machine scans food samples to produce a chemical signature,…
Delta Limiting Points Transfers Into Skymiles Starting January 1
American Express has announced limits on transferring points to Delta starting January 1. The squarely blame a broad policy change at Delta for this. Effective January 1, 2015 Delta is making a program-wide change limiting the number of points that can be transferred into a SkyMiles account from any partner loyalty program, including the Membership Rewards program. As a result, there will be 2 important changes that will limit the total number of Membership Rewards® points that you can redeem for Delta SkyMiles: (1) the total number of Membership Rewards points that can be transferred out of any Membership Rewards account into one or more Delta SkyMiles accounts will be limited to 250,000 points per calendar year, and (2) the total number of Membership Rewards points that can be transferred into any individual Delta SkyMiles…
US Airways Eliminates the Ability to Buy Miles and Segments Towards Status
US Airways used to let you straight-up buy elite quaifying miles or segments. With the Dividend Miles program there was frequently no need to ‘mileage run’ or take extra flights just for the miles in order to reach status, it was usually cheaper just to have them charge your credit card. In fact, you could go from 1 mile flown to top tier Chairmans Preferred (100,000 mile flyer) for a flat $2999. Compare that to Delta where they want you to fly 125,000 miles with minimum ticket revenue of $12,500. US Airways had a history of unconventional means of qualifying for elite status. At the end of 2006 they offered an ‘everything counts’ promo where even miles from sending flowers and renting cars counted towards elite status. That way they wouldn’t have mileage runners taking…
Starwood’s New Terms and Conditions Go Into Effect October 15. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Starwood Preferred Guest’s terms and conditions announce changes going into effect in two weeks, This version of the terms and conditions for the SPG Program will become effective on October 15, 2014 The change to Starwood terms and conditions is mostly a clean-up of language, some clarifications on what third party rates won’t earn points or stay credit, and changes to accommodate the introduction of SPG Pro in place of points-earning for companies (and other programs). However, there are some items worth knowing that are now spelled out directly or that have changed and may affect the way you earn with the program.
Last Shot at Buying US Airways Miles for 1.88 Cents Extended Through October 12
Last week I wrote that US Airways will be increasing the cost of miles purchased through its bonuses, that come November American and US Airways will get aligned in how they sell miles.. which means they’ll be more expensive. US Airways is running a 100% bonus on purchased miles, it was supposed to end September 30 but it has been extended through October 12. For the past several years US Airways has been the industry leader in selling miles cheap. Offering a 100% bonus just meant, more or less, meant that it was a day of the week that ended in “day”. With this offer they sell 20,000 or more miles at 1.88 cents apiece. I’m not a buyer at this price, especially with a large account balance with both American and with US Airways…
When Airliners Vanish, and Modern Family Live Tweets a Drunken Air Meltdown
News and notes from around the interweb: Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine: When Airliners Vanish Modern Family staffer live-tweets a passenger’s drunken meltdown (HT: Brian B.) Another vote for the Singapore Airlines Prawn and Chicken Laksa. I consider it to be the best meal I’ve ever eaten on a plane. It seems that police at Newark airport have caught the bug and decided that Uber drivers are very very dangerous and something has to be done to stop the menace. Boggles the mind. (HT: @MilesAficionado) Apparently airports like the crackdown, though. There’s plenty to criticize in United’s deal with Uber, for instance, but airports’ complaints won’t garner a ton of sympathy. Meanwhile economists are nearly unanimous in their support for Uber and Lyft (with commentary by former Obama Council of Economic Advisers Chair Austin Goolsbee).…
Here are the 10 Best Ways to Take Advantage of a Big Chase Offer
I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). How Useful Are Chase Ultimate Rewards Points? Chase Ultimate Rewards are probably the most valuable mileage currency, and certainly one of the top three. Along with American Express Membership Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest points they have the flexibility to be transferred to a wide variety of programs. The value proposition here is that you get to decide later which miles you want — you can top off…
United Names a New Chief Information Officer: What Advice Would You Give Them?
United announced a new Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Linda [Jojo]’s significant experience leading IT organizations and running complex business and consumer systems will be a tremendous asset to United as we advance our technology to become more efficient and better serve our customers and employees,” said Jeff Smisek, United’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. Jojo joins United from Rogers Communications, Inc., where she served as executive vice president and chief information officer. Previously, she served as chief information officer for Energy Future Holdings Corporation, Flowserve Corporation and GE Silicones. Goodness knows technology has been a weak spot for United. All things equal their mobile app is pretty good, but: The reservation system is fraught with problems. From the day they combined systems between Continental and United, moving onto the smaller platform,…
