There has been much talk of ‘revenue-based programs’ — rewarding greater mileage earning for higher spending, pricing awards based on the cost of a paid ticket on the redemption side. Some programs have considered the former, others the latter, and still others both. The program that has been expected the pull the trigger first is Delta. They’ve dropped many hints along the way. Today Delta briefly published on their website new revenue-based elite qualifying rules but quickly pulled back the information. The text was quickly archived here. Earning Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) Beginning March 1, 2013, the MQMs SkyMiles members earn on select fare classes will change: For Delta-marketed flights, the MQM bonus for First/Business F and J fare classes will double from 50% to 100%, and Economy M fare class will no longer earn…
Requalifying for Intercontinental Royal Ambassador Status the Easy Way
Intercontinental’s Royal Ambassador elite level is in some ways the best elite status of any hotel program (although Lucky makes a pretty good case for Kimpton’s Inner Circle). But first, the areas where it really falls short. Very few benefits are guaranteed on award stays No guaranteed club lounge access Very few properties — this is status at Intercontinental hotels only, and while it comes with ‘Platinum’ status in the Priority Club program that’s not especially meaningful either. Still, the positives are remarkable. On top of the usual elite level benefits one finds with the major chains, they offer: Guaranteed 8am check-in, not just 4pm late checkout Complimentary free drinks from the mini-bar Now, the minibar thing is ultra-cool. But after a few times over-indulging, and hosting parties in your suite, at least I find…
5000 Free Membership Rewards Points for ‘Pay Over Time Option’ Signup Extended
Via Free Frequent Flyer Miles, the American Express offer to sign up for ‘pay over time’ with your Amex charge card in exchange for 5000 Membership Rewards points has been extended through April 30. You can only earn the bonus once per Membership Rewards account. Most people with American Express Membership Rewards — and more than one Membership Rewards-earning Amex — have just one Membership Rewards account where the points are pooled. In that case you can’t earn the bonus per card, but rather just once. And this offer applies only to charge cards — the ones where you otherwise have to pay off in full each month, which you should do anyway. You should consider signing up for this offer, it doesn’t cost you anything to sign up. But only if you are willing…
New Years in Paris: Air France Business, British Airways First, and the Park Hyatt Vendome: In and Around Paris
A trip report in five parts Air France A380 Business Class, Washington Dulles – Paris Park Hyatt Vendome Mostly Eating in Paris British Airways Paris Orly – London and the Concorde Room British Airways “New” First Class, London – Washington Dulles The first night’s dinner was a bit impromptu, the Park Hyatt’s concierge stepped in with a recommendation based on my request for something nearby (walkable), casual bistro, reasonably priced (I didn’t want to spend 50 euros per person), and good food — that was available at the last minute by reservation, so that it wouldn’t entail a wait. The recommendation was for Restaurant L’ardoise, which fit the bill perfectly. We walked in and the place was packed. I mentioned that we had a reservation and the woman greeting us said, “You talked to me??”…
US Airways 100% Bonus on Purchased Miles is Back for Those Who Bought Miles in 2012
US Airways is back with a 100% bonus on purchased miles in January, but it looks as though the bonus is only available to folks who purchased miles in 2012. A couple of years ago US Airways Dividend Miles picked up some new tools that lets them target their purchase miles bonuses and do some better analytics. And since then they’ve done both broad-based bonuses and targeted ones. To find out if you’re eligible, go to the purchase miles page and you’ll be asked to provide your name and US Airways account number, so they can verify whether or not to offer you the bonus. Then assuming you qualify you will be shown the offer. Even with the 100% bonus, after the federal 7.5% tax, you’re still paying almost 1.9 cents per mile. That’s great…
Hotel Elite Status Benefits Are More Valuable Than You Think
My recent stay at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris — where I had one of the absolute very best breakfasts of my life (that segment of the trip report is coming) — really crystalized in my mind the value of hotel elite status. I still love my lemon poppyseed pancakes at the Andaz 5th Avenue but the American breakfast at the Park Hyatt runs to 49 euros per person. And the amazing thing is that it wasn’t just expensive, it was probably actually worth that. So I sat in my hotel, one of the better properties in one of the more expensive cities in the world. And I ate my 49 euro breakfast, of course a Hyatt Diamond is entitled to full breakfast for up to 4 registered guests in the room. And on…
New Years in Paris: Air France Business, British Airways First, and the Park Hyatt Vendome: A Wonderful Place to Stay in Paris on Points
A trip report in five parts Air France A380 Business Class, Washington Dulles – Paris Park Hyatt Vendome Mostly Eating in Paris British Airways Paris Orly – London and the Concorde Room British Airways “New” First Class, London – Washington Dulles By the time I made it to the hotel from the airport it was a little bit after noon. There weren’t rooms ready, which is reasonable, and they offered of course to store bags and ring me on my mobile when they could accommodate. But then the woman assisting with our checkin said she thought they could have something ready fairly quickly, offered us complimentary coffees and to be seated while they checked into things. We sat down and ordered cappuccinos, and just as it was arriving she came back over, let us know…
Different Ways to Create Spending at Little Cost to Earn Miles and Signup Bonuses
There are lots of ways to ‘manufacture’ spending on a credit card. I’ve written about several of them in the past. The holy grail of miles and points is buying money with a credit card (for the miles), depositing that money into your bank account (to pay of the credit card). Rinse, repeat. This is most leveraged for meeting credit card signup bonuses but also is helpful to simply earn miles month after month. Bluebird, Vanilla Reload, and Billpay What’s gotten the most attention is the American Express Bluebird card. You sign up for the card for free, then buy ‘Vanilla Reload’ cards (note: not Vanilla Visa or similar). Some CVS and some Walgreens will stock them and allow you to buy them with a credit card. Earn miles. Load the Vanilla Reloads onto your…
Finally, Full Details on the Business ExtrAA American Express Corporate Card
Pizza in Motion follows up with additional details on the Business ExtrAA American Express card. It’s one of the least understood credit cards I’ve seen, it’s hard to apply for (cannot be applied for online), and the benefits aren’t even documented online. Anywhere, that I can tell. He previously outlined some of the basics: $395 annual fee, comes with American Admirals Club access, 4% rebate on American Airlines spend and 1% on all other spend. You call to express your interest, someone calls back to qualify you, then they’ll schedule a followup call. Seriously. Well, he’s now apparently had his followup call and has additional answers. It’s a true corporate card, they don’t pull your personal credit. They require $4 million in business revenue. The 4% rebate on American purchase and 1% rebate on all…
United Being Sued for Dodging $100 Million in Fuel Taxes
The Chicago-area Regional Transportation Authority will file suit against United Airlines today for tax evasion — there’s a tax on jet fuel that depends on where the fuel is being purchased, and United keeps an office in DeKalb County to confuct fuel purchase transactions in order to save on the much higher Chicago taxes. American apparently engages in a similar arrangement, but they aren’t being sued while they’re in bankruptcy — though the Transportation Authority may sue them once they emerge. How much money is at stake? The RTA said in a prepared statement that “sales tax dodges” have cost the city of Chicago $133 million in lost sales tax revenue since 2005. They have cost Cook County an additional $60 million and Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority another $96 million, according to…
