The Wall Street Journal‘s Scott McCartney writes about the recently-completed Star MegaDO. Sadly I wasn’t able to go on the trip. The scheduled dates for the event made sense because that’s when United would most likely be able to make the new Boeing 787 available for a group of frequent flyers to charter, mere days after its entry into commercial service. And the dates for the event also coincided with when we would be able to get on United CEO Jeff Smisek’s schedule. Securing the best plane and the head of the airline certainly trumped my availability. So while I helped to put the trip together, I couldn’t go on it. So I thoroughly am enjoying reading accounts of the event, including Scott’s. Question from frequent flier: Why can’t I use miles instead of cash…
There’s No Room Service? My First Ever Stay at a Hyatt Place
When I was early on in high school I watched the pilot episode of Beverly Hills: 90210. Back before it became just an evening teen soap drama, it started as a fish out of water story — Minnesota teens dropped into the fast-paced extravagant world of Beverly Hills (as portrayed through the lens of Hollywood). I expect this to begin as something of a reverse-90210, I’ve written about how I believe that a hotel should offer 24 hour room service, or at least access to a fresh pot of coffee (with fresh milk, not a package that requires no refrigeration) 24 hours a day. So take what Mommy Points calls “Mr. Fancy Pants” and drop him in Minnesota, or a limited-service hotel property. The truth is that I’m incredibly economical in my hotel stays, I’ve…
I’m Quitting All Frequent Flyer Programs and Cutting Up My Cards
… because Christopher Elliott is just so darned compelling. Oh, wait, he’s played the ‘quit your program, miles are worthless’ card before. I rebutted him then. And he’s still wrong. Brazenly, shockingly wrong. Frequent flyer miles offer an amazing value for those that are paying attention to how to make the most of them. For those who are casual consumers, they are $20 bills on the sidewalk waiting to be picked up at little to no incremental cost and for activities you’ll undertake anyway. Sure, folks can make errors in judgment about their value. But the prescription for that is to provide better information, not misinformation designed to encourage people not to bother. Instead, though, Elliott says: My advice? Don’t just say “no,” but, as an old coach I knew at the Naval Academy would…
Up to 25% Bonus for Converting Points to Aeroplan
Through December 17 Aeroplan is offering up to a 25% bonus when converting points from other programs into their miles. Points converted from hotel programs, credit card programs, points.com, and car rental programs all add together and the total number of miles moved over to Aeroplan during the promotion period determine the bonus you earn. Eligible partners: Financial: CIBC, BankofAmerica, Diners Club Club Rewards Hotels: Starwood, Marriott, Hilton, Club Carlson, Best Western, Wyndham, Choice, Accor, Coast Rewards, Shangri-La Car Rental: Hertz Other: Points.com American Express Membership Rewards transfers don’t count for the promotion. Whenever Aeroplan runs similar offers, and it happens not infrequently, they exclude Amex from the bonus. For points.com, only conversion from a member’s mileage account with another program into Aeroplan will count, trade transactions with someone else do not count for the…
New 50,000 Point Signup Bonus for Citi Executive American AAdvantage Mastercard
There’s a new, better offer for the Citi American Airlines Executive Card which offers 40,000 miles after $3000 in spend within 3 months and another 10,000 miles after $10,000 spend within 12 months. Hat tip for the offer goes to Million Mile Secrets, though I’ve seen others write about this new offer without attribution. Now, 50,000 miles after $10,000 spend is certainly not better than the signup bonus that’s available on the regular Citi co-branded card (also 50,000 miles, lower spend requirement, and fee waived the first year instead of a $450 annual fee). So this isn’t your first choice credit card just for the bonus miles. However, For folks who have recently had a Citibank American Airlines credit card, this is another bonus option, even without putting $10,000 on the card for the full…
New Challenges in Finding Air France Business Class Award Space
In the comments to my primer on using FlightStats.com to find available flights (both revenue flights that have availability when you face irregular operations in your travels, and award space on several airlines as well), worldtraveler2018 asks: Gary, Is it correct to say that Air France no longer shows Business Class Award fare class O anymore (e.g., thru ExpertFlyer)? I checked ExpertFlyer for JFK-CDG flights on 12/24 and don’t see any O fare, but I found Business Class award space at airfrance.com. “O” is business class award and upgrade space on Air France. Historically it has been viewable at FlightStats.com and also at Expertflyer. Unfortunately it seems that ‘O’ inventory no longer shows up in either place for Air France transatlantic flights. It does still show on other routes such as intra-Europe flying and Paris-Asia.…
United CEO Jeff Smisek Uncut
MilepointTV has several great videos from the just-completed Star MegaDO IV. One I wanted to highlight though is the complete, uncut presentation given to the group by United CEO Jeff Smisek.
Free ($50 Off) LastMinuteTravel.com Membership
Last Minute Travel often has some pretty good hotel deals, cheaper than on conventional booking sites. Not all the time, but I frequently see hotels about $10-$20 cheaper than elsewhere. You won’t earn points or elite stay credit, but that’s not important to everyone. Most folks don’t know what the deals are because they aren’t ‘members’ and I’m not sure for my own travel patterns it’s worth paying $50 to join. With promotion code PREBLACKFRIDAY waiving the membership fee for a year, it’s worth signing up and keeping the site in your arsenal or tricks to get the best deals on hotels. (HT: Fatwallet)
Earn Miles for Making Child Support Payments
I’ve done a lot of crazy things in my life to earn miles. I had a hair loss consultation for 20,000 Delta miles (even though I am far from balding). Then there was the Lasik eye exam (I don’t wear glasses). And the Wendys-Airtran promotion which led to a rash of dumpster diving. Once upon a time you could even earn miles by donating blood. But here’s one I hadn’t seen: Earn miles for making child support payments. I had no idea this existed. Apparently Mastercard and Discover are accepted by Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. (This settles a mystery of ‘what merchants take Mastercard but not Visa..?) Visa and Mastercard are accepted by Arizona, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The author of the Milepoint thread on this earns miles…
Exercise Caution When Using Kiva to Meet Minimum Spend Requirements and Earn Miles
Flyertalk member Rommie2k6 offers this warning to folks using Kiva.org as a way of earning points, or meeting minimum spend requirements for credit card signup bonuses. I’ve been aware that FTers are using Kiva to manufacture spend or generate points… ..I would warn all FTers that there is a risk in doing these kind of Kiva spends. Even if some of you have done your due diligence, and find that the company backing Kiva is financially sound and a legitimate operation there is always a possibility that Kiva can close down overnight. I strongly doubt that Kiva or its parent company has any credit rating, so Kiva loans are going to be akin to junk bonds. If a default happens for whatever reason, I would expect that all outstanding “loans” will be something that FTers…
