Via reader Glenn L., Club Carlson has drastically cut the rate at which points transfer to airline miles — overnight, without any notice whatsoever. Previously, points transferred to miles at a rate of: 2000 points -> 250 miles 50,000 points -> 8000 miles 100,000 points -> 18,000 miles Now the same 100,000 points transfer to just 10,000 miles. The new ratio is a consistent 10-to-1. Significant changes to the value of points without notice is, I think, the worst thing a program can do. Members earn points with an eye towards redemption. They spend money in good faith based on an articulation of benefits. Having the deal changed after they’ve spent that money, without any chance to redeem under the rules in place at the time they did so, is a true breach of trust.…
Targeted Bonuses for Buying US Airways Miles in July
US Airways is running bonuses for mileage purchases through July 31. They make you identify yourself with name and account number before displaying the purchase miles page, which tells me they are verifying eligibility. But I was offered a 100% bonus which seems to be quite common. With a 100% bonus, purchases of 50,000 miles you get 50,000 bonus miles, and your 100,000 miles cost you 1.88 cents per mile. US Airways has been dubbed the ‘consolidator of Star Alliance premium class seats’ since seats that aren’t expected to be sold (distressed inventory) tend to be offered as awards, and US Airways has been the most aggressive about letting members straight up buy those seats cheaply via purchased miles — even putting awards on hold before buying the miles (which post instantly). Although they’re no…
Are Revenue-Based Changes to Frequent Flyer Programs a Shift in Strategy or the Economy?
Joel G. points to a Matthew Yglesias article in Slate that makes the case shifts in frequent flyer programs are a function of the economy — fewer seats to give away with full planes. There’s no doubt a significant element of that. Here’s what I wrote about United imposing minimum revenue requirements for elite status earned starting next year. United has set the bar at spending a consistent 10 cents per mile minimum. That’s the same amount that Delta is using with its tiers (Delta’s top tier is earned at 125,000 miles and has set the bar for that at $12,500.) Interestingly this is a higher amount per mile than when United was rumored to be looking at making similar changes two years ago. I wonder how much of that is based on the current…
Last Day to Get 50,000 Mile Signup Bonus for Lufthansa MasterCard?
Lufthansa Premier Miles & More World MasterCard® The Miles & More website says that the 50,000 mile offer for the Lufthansa Premier Miles & More World MasterCard® expires today. The limited-time offer is for up to 50,000 points — 20,000 after first purchase and 30,000 more after meeting minimum spend within 90 days. The card comes with a $79 annual fee, and the points are exceptionally useful for domestic premium cabin awards on United (35,000 miles roundtrip) and for first class awards on Lufthansa and Swiss (much better availability than offered to Lufthansa’s frequent flyer partners like United). The 50,000 mile offer is historically unusual, and I’ve heard much jealousy from European members of the Miles & More program. (Note that cards in this post offer credit to me if you’re approved using my links.…
Last Day to Switch From Google Reader — Don’t Miss Out on Your Fix from View from the Wing!
Google Reader goes away tomorrow. If you’ve used Google Reader to keep up with View from the Wing, this post is for you. And I’m going to ask you to take action now. I don’t want to lose touch with you. Google Reader has been my preferred way of following blogs, and the best way for me to manage all of the people writing about frequent flyer miles and travel, for quite some time. But the product is about to disappear. I know that several thousand of hte 30,000+ people who keep up with this website use Google Reader, though of course every time pulling up the site in the past couple of weeks I’ve gotten a popup reminding me of its demise. If you haven’t done anything about it already, there are several easy…
Did You Just Win a Bunch of Gold Passport Points and Vegas Experiences?
This past week Hyatt provided some really generous prizes — Gold Passport points and Las Vegas experiences to raise awareness of their new partnership with MGM’s 12 M Life hotels in Las Vegas. Gold Passport members can earn and redeem points at a variety of Las Vegas hotels at various price points, I’m most interested personally in Vidara and Signature at MGM Grand though many will be intrigued by Bellagio. In addition, stays at these hotels earn stays and nights towards elite status. Excalibur and Luxor in the middle of the week will provide some of the least expensive paths towards top tier elite status (my favorite program for suite upgrades, even without status and the best top tier elite breakfast benefit). It’s a great partnership that fills a geographic gap for Hyatt (Las Vegas,…
Starwood Boosts Points Earning and Elite Status for Meeting Planners
When Starwood introduced a panoply of new elite benefits at the beginning of last year, the most notable was “suite night awards” for Platinums. They aren’t ‘confirmed suite upgrades’ in the sense we’d usually think about them (confirmed at booking if available) but rather confirmed up to five days in advance of arrival if available. That amounts to expressing a preference for when you get the upgrade, and putting yourself more or less to the front of the line when you do. These are available to 50 night platinums only, which means they are not afforded to Platinums who earn their status based n 25 stays rather than on nights. At the time I observed, and asked the SPG folks about, the way this leaves their meeting planners out in the cold as well. Starwood…
An Unhappy Marriott Rewards Member Writes a Song About It
You may remember Les Miserables “Master of the House”. Over in the Marriott Insiders forum member erc unhappy with changes to the program over the years pens a song to the tune of that classic. Welcome Rewards, sit yourself down See Freddie’s winner, the best in town As for the rest, all of them tools Trailing our lead, and following the rules Seldom do you see Anything for free A plan of such design That’s content to be Master of your perks, doling out the charm Giving you improvements, that might do some harm Spin a juicy tale, creates a little fuss F & B credit, makes a purchase a must Likes to always change the bennies Doesn’t cost us to be nice Enhancements get you little As we often jack up your price Master…
The Lufthansa First Class Terminal is Just Ducky!
Howard M. sends me one of the best thank you emails I could possibly receive. He writes: Hey Gary – My wife [and I] really enjoyed ourselves on our recent EU trip, and we directly benefitted from your knowledge. Your recent EVA heads up couldn’t be better timed. Thanks for everything! Howard And shared the following photo: You can, of course, have a rubber ducky for your bath at Lufthansa’s first class terminal! And here they are, posing the duckies, in that terminal’s sit down restaurant. Here’s a report from one of my past visits to the first class terminal. Here are the access rules for Lufthansa’s first class terminal, and how to access it as a connecting passenger. My favorite things about the first class terminal? Lufthansa’s own Miles&More miles are the easiest way…
Why Aeroflot Won’t Leave Skyteam Even Though They’re Frustrated With Delta
Aeroflot is a surprisingly useful member of Skyteam for those wanting to redeem Delta miles. But via Milepoint, the Russian flag carrier is making noises that they want out of the alliance. Russia’s largest airline Aeroflot may opt out of the global SkyTeam alliance and join a different one due to disagreements with its code-sharing partners, the Kommersant daily reported Friday citing industry sources. The reasons are that they are handcuffed into deals with Delta that make US pricing (in its view) uncompetitive, and frequent flyer policies that don’t work for them. Aeroflot is reportedly unhappy with being tied into expensive prices set with its SkyTeam alliance partner Delta for flights to the United States, one source close to company management told the newspaper. Competitors are offering fares considerably lower on flights with stopovers. Aeroflot…
