Over at Milepoint it was suggested that there’s a new Hyatt Visa offer with a statement credit. If you go to the offer directly it seems to just redirect to the Hyatt page. And when I’m logged in personally at Hyatt.com the offer doesn’t appear. Perhaps because I have a Hyatt Visa already. But when I log out, I can get the offer to show up by searching for a reservation, then selecting a room and continuing to the page where you enter your personal information. The offer then appears on the right hand side of the page. You can click through to the offer there. So you make a net of $25 for your $1000 minimum spend requirement. And it’s $100 better than the no minimum spend version of the card (that’ll go away…
It’s Official: Qatar to Join Oneworld
Here’s the press release. So I guess when Qatar’s CEO emphatically denied that they were joining oneworld less than 10 days ago — “No, we will not. It’s all rumors” — that he was just lying. The airline will be integrated into the alliance over the next 12 to 18 months. Great news for the value of American Airlines miles, Qatar offers great business class award availability (and has first class cabins on a limited number of Europe – Doha routes) and an outstanding business class product. Sadly within American’s program the Middle East — an amazing connection point for much of the world — is of limited usefulness. You can connect in Doha if you want to head to India and surrounding countries, or to the Middle East itself. But you’re not able to…
Last Day to Get Hyatt Visa with 2 Free Nights at Any Hotel and No Minimum Spending Required
I’m told that the offer for the Hyatt Visa with 2 free nights at any Hyatt property, no minimum spending requirement will stop working before 10am Eastern on Tuesday. Chase is introducing a $1000 minimum spend requirement within first three months to earn the signup bonus on the card. And they updated most of the links, including the main website for the card, at the end of last week. My link — which offers referral credit to me if you choose to use it — has continued to allow folks to sign up for the card and still earn their two free nights after first purchase (of any amount), no minimum spending necessary. I have a Hyatt Visa in my wallet, and burned my two free nights at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. Details of the…
Can Air Berlin Remain a Member of oneworld?
This afternoon there will be a significant announcement from oneworld, which most expect will be at least a partial joining on Qatar into the alliance. If true, no doubt this was pushed along by Qantas’ severing some existing ties with British Airways over Australia – Europe connections and working closely with Emirates instead. That left BA in the cold and the Chairman of that oneworld carrier has frequently spoken positively of Qatar. But as I’ve pointed out in the past, an alliance with Qatar is slightly inconvenient given the relationship that has been building between EmiratesEtihad and oneworld members Air Berlin and American. Etihad owns nearly a 30% stake in Air Berlin, and has a frequent flyer relationship with American. And of course is a fierce competitor with Qatar. Now Reuters is reporting that Air…
Did You Win an Entry in the Star MegaDO 4 Giveaway?
With the help of Random.org I’ve drawn a winner of an entry in the BoardingArea Star MegaDO giveaway. David Luke wins an entry in the final drawing. He wrote, Yes I am very excited. I would love to travel with fellow travel enthusiasts enjoying the space and comfort of the new 787. I believe the final drawing from amongst winners for 2 seats on the MegaDO will be held on Wednesday, so those two individuals who win the seat and hotel accommodations will learn their good fortunate at that time.
American’s New Domestic Meal Service: International Entrees on Meal Flights and Less Food on Snack Flights
Last week I caught a mid-afternoon DC – Chicago flight on American. Everything was smooth as can be, left on time and made it up to Chicago quickly. I was upgraded, and more than pleased that they were going to feed me (I was in a rush and hadn’t eaten lunch). Really nothing to complain about when there’s food on a 612 mile flight outside of normal meal times. But as of a week ago, apparently, a snack on American truly is a snack. They’ve revamped their menus, which in and of itself is a good thing — I don’t know how many more times I could eat cheese-stuffed pasta or salmon salads (though I quite liked the quesadilla). There’s a current thread on Milepoint about American’s new domestic meal service and links to photos…
Earning Miles By Downloading Shopping Portal Toolbars
No, I’m not writing about downloading the Priority Club toolbar over and over for hundreds of thousands of points. That didn’t work out for many folks who had their accounts closed, which I expected to happen and was why I didn’t write about the ‘glitch’ while it was live. Although some folks did cash out their points quickly on merchandise, and I haven’t heard of anything untoward occurring as a result. Wasn’t my cup of tea. And I’ve written in the past that I’m not a fan of shopping portal toolbars. These are programs you can download to your computer so that when you are shopping on a website that earns points in the program whose toolbar you’ve downloaded, you’ll earn points for the purchase without having to start off by clicking through to the…
Another 5000 Mile Bonus for United Co-branded Credit Card Spending
Yesterday I posted an offering of 5000 miles for spending $1000 between August 1 and October 31 on a United credit card. The offer terms and conditions do not indicate that it’s targeted. Instead, the terms say, You must be an existing cardholder as of August 1, 2012. You must register for this offer….Bonus may be earned one time per primary cardholder. To be eligible for this offer, your account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment… Offer valid once per MileagePlus account number. All statements that would indicate pretty clearly that the offer isn’t targeted. Of course it also says, “[o]ffer subject to change without notice” so there are no guarantees. But it’s worth signing up. It turns out there is also an offer of 5000 mile for spending…
Last Day to Enter to Win a Free Trip on Star MegaDO 4
Today is the final day to enter for a chance to win a seat on the Star Mega DO 4 charter flight, with hotel nights and cash for expenses thrown in. Additional details on the contest, and a list of other blogs where you can enter, can be found here. Good luck!
Jeff Smisek Participating in Star MegaDO 4 and United Launches a Contest to Join the Trip
As part of putting together these trips, sponsors will take a few seats on the charter. Hyatt and United will be coming along. United also arranged to have a seat that they could give away in a contest, and the contest has been announced. What’s interesting, in addition to giving away a seat (plus positioning flights and hotel nights) is that it looks like they’ve been willing to share details of the trip that had otherwise been held close to the vest by event organizers — such as United CEO Jeff Smisek’s participation. ..starts with an evening reception in San Francisco. Right after breakfast the next morning, we’ll take everyone to the maintenance facility at our San Francisco hub to take part in events hosted by Star Alliance™ network. Next up is a charter flight…
