447 Hilton HHonors Hotel Categories Changing April 30

Hilton HHonors is recategorizing several hotels acros their reward redemption categories and has a full list of hotels that are changing (.pdf). Overall, 330 hotels are going up a category and 117 are going down, representing a small fraction of hotels in their portfolio and with changes disproportionately concentrated in the Hampton Inn brand. Changes don’t go into effect until April 30, so you have an opportunity to make future reservations at the current category pricing until then.

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Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong

Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home Off the Singapore flight, a…

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Woman Blown Over By JetBlue Aircraft While Planespotting

One of the most beautiful places in the world to plane spot, or even just to land, is Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Maarten. It always seemed dangerous, though, just how close folks are on the beach to airport operations. And apparently (via Conde’ Nast’s Daily Traveler), on Saturday someone found out. She stood on Maho Beach Sint Maarten (it’s located right behind the island’s Princess Juliana airport) and was literally blown over by the force of a JetBlue plane taking off. She face-planted into the cement Fortunately she is apparently safe.

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Etihad Guest Status Matches

Through April 26, and limited to the first 1000 people that apply, Etihad Guest is offering a status match program up to their mid-tier Gold level. The program is most beneficial for folks flying Etihad (bonus miles) and in particular in economy (with lounge access, expedited immigration, etc). To claim the status match, email tiermatchuae@etihad.ae with a scanned copy of your current equivalent or higher status card, latest mileage statement, and Etihad Guest account number. Hard to imagine this will benefit me, if you’re based in the Middle East this could be helpful, or just impress your friends with ‘foreign’ status.

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Accor Platinum Status Still Available

I can’t call it A|Club anymore, they’ve rebranded at Le Club Accorhotels. But they’re offering free (top tier) Platinum status targeted to certain Citibank World Mastercard customers in the U.A.E. but usable by anyone, create your account with instant platinum status here. If the link says session expired, just hit reload. It’s the same Platinum offer I posted at the end of February, with an explicit end date of May 31. Benefits of Platinum status are: Double your points on each stay Dedicated customer service team In Sofitel*, Pullman and MGallery hotels: – Complimentary drink and welcome gift – Upgrade ** – Late check-out up to 16:00** – Guaranteed room availability (when you book at least three days prior to arrival) In Sofitel Thalassa Sea and Spa hotels: – One Thalassa Sea and Spa Institute…

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Access Milepoint.com Free From the Sky!

Starting today and through the end of June, the Milepoint frequent flyer community can be accessed for free in the sky via Gogo Inflight Internet. If you’re a registered Milepoint member, you’ll have full access to the site without paying for internet access. If you haven’t registered for Milepoint, you will be able to read the site but you cannot post your own comments. (You won’t be able to register inflight, since registration requires confirming your identity by email — and you won’t have access to your email for free. As a result you may want to register at Milepoint before you fly.) Onboard internet has changed my life. I never really knew what I was missing before I started flying American more often three months ago. I used to take a flight during the…

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Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore

Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home We walked up to the…

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35,000 Mile Signup Bonus for Alaska Airlines Visa

Yesterday I posted a link to an Alaska Airlines Visa offer of 30,000 miles with first purchase, an improvement on the usual offer of 25,000 miles. Jared at Online Travel Review came up with one even better, 35,000 miles as a signup bonus. That’s the second best bonus for the card I’ve ever seen (last June there was a 40,000 mile bonus offer). There’s no minimum spend requirement for the points. Bank of America cards are generally churnable. And while there’s a $75 annual fee (no first year fee waiver, Bank of America cards don’t generally offer first year free), you get a $99+tax oompanion ticket that is good for any seat on any flight, I’ve used it with a paid first class ticket to Hawaii, getting the second first class ticket for just over…

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Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male

Introduction Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore Eating in Singapore Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong Conrad Hong Kong Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home We put on our life…

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Up to ~ 50,000 Flying Blue Miles for Avis 3-Day Rentals

Via Loyalty Lobby, Avis has brought back up to 50,000 Flying Blue bonus for 3-Day rentals. Downsides are (1) that last year’s promo was fraught with problems getting bonus miles posted, and (2) that it requires using a discount code that often bumps up the price of the rental. But if prices are close for your specific rentals, and you’re willing to save your receipts (easy to do, I always get mine by email within minutes of dropping off the vehicle), then it’s a lucrative offer. From April 1 through September 30, you’ll earn progressively more Flying Blue bonus miles on each 3-day (or longer) rental. Reservations must be made using a Flying Blue AWD number: Ivory members F982700; Silver members F982800; Gold members F982900; Platinum members F983000 or with an Air France Flying Blue…

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