News and notes from around the interweb: Detailed discussion of the options for using points and saving money on travel to Bora Bora. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. The most crushing thing in all of travel must be running to make a connection and seeing other passengers clear the upgrade list into your seats. I hadn’t realized the US Airways mobile app upgrade list doesn’t just show who cleared, but into which seats, too. The Wright Amendment goes away one year from today. Southwest will be able to fly to whichever states they wish from Dallas Love Field. Airport capacity is controlled under the new legal regime so they’ll be protected from competition. One form of cronyism replaces another, and Southwest isn’t the spunky upstart fighting the man anymore! There’s…
Customers Named William Can Use Priority Security Lanes in DC When Flying JetBlue
Through the end of the month, customers departing from Washington National, Dulles or BWI airports on JetBlue whose legal name is a variation of Bill, William, or Billy (Willa and Guillermo both work as well) can use priority security lines. That’s because while government is ‘shut down’, JetBlue is ‘keeping Bills moving in DC’ or something like that. To redeem these passes, all ‘Bills’ must go to the JetBlue airport ticket counter and present a valid government-issued ID and boarding pass to receive the stamp for JetBlue’s Even More Speed lanes. Customers traveling on the same reservation as ‘Bill’ are also eligible for Even More Speed; those customers must accompany ‘Bill’ to the ticket counter for an Even More Speed stamp. This special is offered to “Bills” flying outbound from JetBlue’s three D.C.-area airports While…
$150 American Express Statement Credit for a 3 Night Chicago Hotel Stay
Book a 3-night hotel reservation by December 11 for a stay through December 15 through this Orbitz-driven site and pay with an eligible American Express card. Rates are prepaid, and the statement credit should post 5-7 days after hotel check-in. There are about 27 participating eligible hotels to choose from. (HT: Max M on Milepoint) You can join the 30,000+ 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!
When Does it Make Sense to Pay an Airline More Money for a Bundle of Services?
The Associated Press’ Scott Mayerowitz recently wrote that airlines are moving from just charging fees for things that used to be ‘free’ (bundled in with the cost of your ticket) to offering value-added services for an extra charge. In other words, there’s a shift to actually offering things that make travel better as a way of generating more cash. There’s some element of truth to that. Another thing airlines are doing is offering both things that used to be free but now are charged a la carte together with services that can make your travel better, overall less expensive, or more comfortable in bundles you can purchase together — sometimes for less than the cost of buying them separately. The New York Times‘ Stephanie Rosenbloom helps sort through when these packages are worthwhile. Sometimes the…
How to Ask for an Upgrade
When readers shared their own travel tips several had suggestions for getting upgrades. I wanted to share those, and then offer my own advice. Jordan said, Contact hotel managers before special vacations and let them know why you are traveling and politely ask if there is anything they can do to help make the trip more memorable. (Room upgrades often happen. Great if you have no status) Dainya Olsen said, Whenever I’m going on a special trip and want to ensure an upgrade I email the hotel manager. Beyond upgrades we have received chocolate covered strawberries and other snacks for our special occasion. Jordan said, Politely/jokingly ask for things. Example that got me an international upgrade to business class was after i got talking to the flight attendent I mentioned how it would be a…
When Flights Delay or Cancel, Head to the Club or Get on the Phone
When readers shared their own travel tips and several really stood out as worth highlighting. Alan said, If your plane is delayed or cancelled, instead of waiting in line at the airport to talk to someone, simply call the airline and they will help you a lot faster. I’ll expand on this a bit. Whom to Seek Out for Help The Customer Service counter at any airport is usually the least customer and service-focused place at the airport. The lines are long serving everyone that’s displaced. The agents deal only with unhappy passengers. No matter their disposition, after a day of getting yelled at it’s tough to be proactive and helpful. They’re beaten down and just want to get through the day. While sometimes you’ll get stuck in this line, the first thing I do…
How to Get Free Airport Parking
When I wrote about the return of Milepoint’s Premium offer, it was natural to focus on the headline offers — Hilton Gold status, United miles, and even National Car Rental status. There are a suite of discounts and offers beyond that, they won’t all be useful to everyone but there’s opportunity to get value out of many of them. I use Expertflyer.com for instance, and there’s a 20% discount on a year’s subscription. Similarly there’s a discount on the KVS Tool which I also use extensively in searching flights, availability, awards, seat maps, Visa rules, maximum permitted mileage, minimum connection times and more. Commenter Gene has an eagle eye for the value of one of those benefits — a free parking day at The Parking Spot. @Gary — Is the Parking Spot coupon good an…
Can No Seat Assignment Be Better than Picking a Middle Seat in Back?
When readers shared their own travel tips and several really stood out as worth highlighting. Some I even disagree with, like this one from Shaun If a plane seat map looks full (and has no good seats left anyway), don’t select a seat or call to de-select one. You’ll end up with a seat request card and get a seat assignment at the gate. More often than not, a bulkhead will open up because they are blocked off for people with disabilities, etc, and aren’t always used. To be sure this is usually how things will work out. If you have no elite status and don’t want to spend money for a ‘better’ coach seat assignment (that may be more legroom, or may not be a seat closer to the front or an aisle) then…
Amazing Deal Alert: Hilton Gold, National Car Rental Status, and United Miles for $49
Milepoint has brought back Premium Membership, which includes a host of great deals for frequent flyers. And whereas last year we had to price it at $59, this year we were able to do it for $49. Hopefully this is one of the very best deals of the year. The headline benefits:Gold Elite status with Hilton HHonors through February 2015 Free upgrade to National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status 1,000 United MileagePlus miles It won’t work for everyone, Hilton Diamonds that don’t want to gift Gold status to anyone and who don’t collect United miles for instance. But for frequent flyers generally, we set out to create a really fantastic deal. Put another way, if you can’t get more than $50 of value out of this, you aren’t doing it right. Hilton’s Gold status…
JetBlue Introduces Family Pooling of Miles – A Great Option, But They’re Not First
Some frequent flyer programs allow ‘ppoling’ of points within a family, everyone flies and then a family member uses everyone’s points for a reward. Others offer family accounts on the theory that the points belong to the head of household. Family pooling is not uncommon with Middle East programs. Still others want to reward the decision-maker in travel, Southwest Airlines was one of the first ones with this idea with their ‘Secretaries Program’ in the 1970s where administrative assistants could earn free travel by steering their bosses to fly Southwest. (Another tactic in the 70s was rebating take-home alcohol to passengers buying pricier tickets, when the Civil Aeronautics Board began ‘experimenting’ with price competition and national carriers were permitted to undercut Southwest fares.) JetBlue has taken a step that’s a first for any North American…
