A reader pointed out to me that Wyndham has a new promotion to highlight 20 of their new hotel properties, offering 16,000 points per stay as a bonus on top of the usual points earned. The bonus is valid on up to 3 stays through December 31, no registration required. That promotion is stackable with Wyndham’s fall promotion (that does require registration) of 5500 bonus points on your second and fourth stays between September 26 and November 3026. You’re thinking, the 16,000 point bonus applies at only 20 hotels and I’m not headed to Greensboro and really don’t want to stay at the Hawthorne Suites there anyway, right? But according to the terms and conditions of Wyndham Rewards, no show stays earn points. If the property requires a credit card for a reservation, the Member…
$75 Off Even One Night Hotel Stays at Jetsetter
According to Deals We Like, Jetsetter is offering $75 off of a hotel night with promo code jetset75 (which you enter by clicking on the “Redeem promo code or gift code” link underneath billing information) for bookings made by tomorrow at 11:59pm Eastern. Some hotels will allow you to take $75 off a single hotel night while others require a two-night minimum stay. The code is usable only once per account, but if two people are traveling together then make two reservations where you each apply the code. I’ve had my run-ins with Jetsetter in the past. And I don’t entirely trust them in honoring referral credits. But since I’d hate for them not to even have the chance to pay out their referral credits when someone uses this deal, this is my referral link…
Bits ‘n Pieces for October 17, 2012
News and notes from around the interweb: Via Milepoint, Accor Hotels has a Facebook quiz where youcan earn 500 points a week for 4 weeks. 2000 points are worth $60 towards a hotel stay, some folks will use that to cover on-property charges during their 40% off Sofitel stays, and where they’ve obtained instant top tier elite status. 2000 points also convert to 1000 frequent flyer miles. American is asking the bankruptcy court for an extra 30 days to file their reorganization plan. That would give them until January 28th. The hearing is scheduled for 10am Eastern time. Meanwhile, American’s third quarter financial results are in. They have five billion in cash on hand, revenue per seat mile are up (presumably driven by industry-wide higher yield, strategic cuts in their schedule as part of reorganization,…
Will Security of the Future Be Better than PreCheck?
I’m in the November issue of Travel and Leisure beating the drum about how TSA hamstrings the usefulness of PreCheck. Is it worth it? Gary Leff, cofounder of the frequent-flier community milepoint.com, says there’s hardly ever a line, since the program is exclusive. But since PreCheck privileges aren’t ubiquitous, he can’t bank on having them every time he flies. I’ve made the point before, it’s a great experience. I admit, I love getting my three beeps and being directed to the metal detector and x-ray with no line, no nude-o-scope, and no need to take off my shoes (I don’t take my laptop out anyway, since I use a bag where it isn’t required, and I’m almost never required to take my Freedom Baggie of liquids out anyway). It’s far more civilized. But it doesn’t…
Free Marriott Silver Status
Today’s been all about free hotel status, starting with Langham Hotels 1865 Voyager status and then Accor Platinum. Now, via FatWallet, a simple explanation of how Marriott signs up people at the Silver status level from a variety of companies that they have corporate agreements with. There’s a simple link, the format is http://www.joinmarriottrewards.com/account/silver/default.aspx?source=COMPANYNAME So the link for IBM is http://www.joinmarriottrewards.com/account/silver/default.aspx?source=IBM And the link for Accenture is http://www.joinmarriottrewards.com/account/silver/default.aspx?source=ACCENTURE And the link for the University of California is http://joinmarriottrewards.com/account/silver/default.aspx?source=UniversityofCalifornia … to give a few examples, each of which open new accounts at the Silver level. You can try to enter your own company name to see what’s offered, if anything. (For instance, Microsoft has a page but it doesn’t offer silver status.) The benefits of Marriott Rewards silver status aren’t exceptional, but it’s better to be…
Rethinking Hyatt’s Decision to Drop the Passport Escape Award
This morning I wrote about Hyatt’s decision to drop the Passport Escape award from its program. I like the award a lot, I used it myself earlier in the year, and I am disappointed to see that it’s going away on November 1. And not just because I hate to see options of any kind for members disappear, I viewed this as a really valuable option offered by Hyatt. Sometimes I shoot first and ask questions later. I need to get better about holding my opinions until I have all of the information. Shortly before I posted about the change, I asked the Hyatt PR folks if they could comment on why they were eliminating the award. I didn’t hear back immediately. It’s not unreasonable for it to take a couple of hours. I need…
40% Off at Sofitel and Instant Top Tier Platinum Status
Sofitel is running a 40% off flash sale for bookings made by October 21st stays between December 1st, 2012 and March 31st, 2013. The rates are pre-paid, non-refundable and take 40% off of the “Premium rate (or the Best Flexible Rate for hotels that do not have the Premium rate.” The full list of participating hotels, blackout dates, and restrictions (such as 3-night minimum stay) is here (.pdf) Sofitel is part of Le Club Accorhotels, and currently — as happens with some frequency — there is a signup link which yields instant top-tier Platinum status. Note that the signup page is just a signup page, no indication on that page that accounts will start at the Platinum level, but indeed it’s currently working. As I explained the last time there was a similar offer of…
Free Langham Hotels Mid-Tier Elite Status
Through December 31, Langham Hotels is offering complimentary 1865 Voyager elite status for Visa Infinite cardholders. The way they verify that you are eligible for the offer is by asking you to input the first six digits of your Visa Infinite credit card. This list of issuer identification numbers from Wikipedia contains 7 different Visa Infinite starting card number options. The status lasts for 12 months, and normally requires 5 stays in a year to earn but will be renewed after just 2 stays during a year under this offer. Benefits include 6pm late checkout, a one-category room upgrade each stay, a suite upgrade certificate once per year, complimentary internet, welcome amenities, and a luggage tag. Langham hotels are in Auckland, Boston, London, Pasadena, Melbourne, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong. (HT: Loyalty Lobby)
Hyatt Eliminating ‘Passport Escape’ Award Option Effective November 1
Hyatt Gold Passport doesn’t offer all-inclusive rewards, but has done one of the very best jobs at offering an award that comes close to approximating it — Passport Escape which provides daily breakfast for two and a welcome amenity and 3 dinners on a 5-night stay or 5 dinners on a 7-night stay. This is a great value option at pricey hotels and resorts for general members of the Gold Passport program and for Platinum members. For folks inclined to eat their meals at the hotel, 54,000 extra points on a full 7 night stay (it varies by 1000 points or so for category 3 through 7 hotels, and is less expensive at category 1 and 2 properties) buys 14 breakfasts and 10 dinners. For resort hotels where breakfasts run $25 per person (or much…
Bits ‘n Pieces for October 16, 2012
News and notes from around the interweb: American’s pilots union is making kissy faces at management: “While there are some very difficult issues yet to be resolved, we feel management is clearly listening to our issues and acknowledges that they need to be addressed..Enough progress has been made to justify the continuation of negotiations next week.” Through November 30, Hertz is offering 250 elite qualifying miles on Delta for each rental of 3 days or longer. You also earn 250 Skymiles, which isn’t a lot, you’re giving up greater redeemable miles offers elsewhere. But your rentals can help your elite status so if you’re in a position where that matters it’s likely worthwhile. Use CDP #165385 and PC #175512 when making the booking. (HT: MJOnTravel) Mile Nerd rounds up various mileage offers for switching utility…
