When US Airways and America West merged, they offered the ability to move points back and forth between accounts before actually combining the programs. Delta and Northwest offered this as well in their merger, and it brings IT benefits to the airlines as well because consumers ‘link’ their accounts on a self-service basis which helps ensure that their most engaged customers don’t have any problems with that linkage later. Most recently United and Continental offered this in advance of their March 3, 2012 mashup, and yesterday it was announced that British Airways will offer this feature with bmi, so it’s certainly baked into the cake as an expectation now in any airline merger. Via NotiFlyer, this feature is now in place for Southwest and Airtran: A+ Rewards members can convert their credits into Rapid Rewards…
Singapore Airlines 50% Off Award Sale
Singapore Airlines Krisflyer is offering 50% off redemptions booked by May 2 for travel by June 16 on specific routes. Bear in mind that they normally offer 15% off for redemptions booked online, so this isn’t a full 50% off the normal price — just 50% off the list price. Bookings must be made online, and apply to specific Singapore and Silkair operated flights only, though interestingly the discount applies not just to saver awards but also to medium and high mileage awards as well. Singapore Airlines Krisflyer is an American Express Membership Rewards transfer partner, and a Starwood Preferred Guest transfer partner, both a 1-to-1. Singapore offers one-way awards, and adds fuel surcharges like most non-U.S. programs. Business Class City Pairs Eligible Flights Singapore – Beijing SQ803, SQ810 Singapore – Brisbane SQ255, SQ256 Singapore…
The Boeing 787, from a Pilot’s Perspective
There are aviation enthusiasts and mileage enthusiasts, and those two aren’t always the same thing. I fall much more in the latter camp. I’m generally much more interested in the seat, service, and amenities than I am the aircraft that those items are housed in. But I also know and can even get a little excited by a new aircraft, the introduction of the Airbus A380 was a big deal and so is the Boeing 787. So I pass along the contents of an email that was forwarded to me by Gene, I can’t vouch for its authenticity but it seems reasonable enough to me as a non-specialist. This is something that will be mostly interesting to aviation enthusiasts rather than mileage enthusiasts, so for those of you, enjoy if you fall into that category!…
Minimizing Fuel Surcharges When Redeeming British Airways Avios
One thing I love about the British Airways Visa 100,000 point signup bonus offer is how it makes the program really focal and has folks figuring out how to make the most of the points. The British Airways program was pretty much gutted back in November. They promised that 97% of routes would have the same points cost after they revamped the program but it turned out the part they didn’t say was that would apply only to non-stops from London. Each flight is now priced as a separate award, with longer distances more expensive. And like most non-U.S. programs, fuel surcharges can be a killer. My own take on maximizing the credit card signup bonus is to set up a family account and then have multiple people sign up for the card so that…
Virgin Systemwide Bonus for Flights through June 15
Virgin Atlantic is offering up to 15,000 bonus miles for flights taken through June 15. These bonus Flying Club miles are on top of all the usual miles that you’d earn: 5,000* bonus miles in Economy (2,500 per sector) 10,000* bonus miles in Premium Economy (5,000 per sector) 15,000* bonus miles in Upper Class (7,500 per sector) Register by May 13, and oddly the Accra and Shanghai routes are excluded from the offer. Not a huge bonus, but worth registering if you’re going to fly Virgin anyway, and nice that the offer includes economy bookings.
bmi’s Exit from Star Alliance and Transferring Points and Status with British Airways
All pretty much as expected: bmi is no longer a member of the Star Alliance. Star Alliance benefits such as lounge access continue through May 31. Star Alliance earn and burn (excluding Lufthansa group airlines) continues through May 31. Can credit British Airways flights to bmi accounts effective today. Redemption on BA will come soon. BA lounge access for bmi elites starts today. On May 1, bmi elites will be offered equivalent elite status with British Airways. I’ll become a British Airways Gold member, which will get me access to American’s Flagship lounges regardless of class of service when flying domestically in the U.S. bmi miles will transfer 1:1 into British Airways Avios, and points can be moved back and forth between the two programs online effective July 3. Assuming the bmi award chart doesn’t…
I’m So Glad Spirit Airlines Exists, Even if I Don’t Want to Fly Them
Via Matthew, they’re running a “More Bang or Your Buck” sale to Cartagena, Colombia. Upfront payment is required. They are also running a “GSA Sale” with “scandal-free fares” because “you don’t have to spend lavishly to travel in style.” Oh, and GSA stands for “Great Savings Always.” Heh. This of course is the airline that ran an Anthony Weiner sale and invited customers to check out the (suntan) oil on their beaches after the Gulf oil spill.
Through May 11 Get a Bigger Signup Bonus from the Hyatt Visa
The Hyatt Visa has a pretty good signup bonus, I used it recently on my trip to Singapore and the Maldives — Base members receive 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world as a signup bonus, for use within a year. That means the Park Hyatt Paris, in the Maldives, or Sydney are all possibles. The card comes with a $75 fee, but this link which I found advertised on the Hyatt website offers a $75 statement credit after first purchase, effectively making it first year free. And the signup bonus is actually better than it appears at first blush. Existing Platinums get 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world and two confirmed suite upgrades valid on paid stays. And through May 11, anyone can be a Platinum, instantly. Just enter…
Starter Tips for Collecting Miles and Points
Over on Conde’ Nast‘s blog, I offer six tips for folks just getting started with miles and points. The basics are: Start with a goal, that motivates you and also helps your choice of program. Nothing worse than finding out you want to go to French Polynesia, but United miles only let you get there flying to New Zealand first. Never pass up miles, always sign up for frequent flyer programs even when it’s not your primary program. The miles add up eventually. Lots of programs become easily manageable at a site like AwardWallet.com. Choose a card that earns flexible points which transfer to miles (Starwood, Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards) and then earn miles for everything you do, I note Gary Steiger’s Free Frequent Flyer Miles is a good resource o make sure…
Traveling with Business Attire in Your Carryon
How to pack without wrinkles: I hate checking bags, though a checked bag maybe a large garment bag would probably be the best way to pack suits and avoid wrinkles. If I had to wait around half an hour on each end of a trip, did just two trips a month, then I’m literally wasting more than a month of my life at baggage claim. And that’s if the bag is delivered each time instead of lost. A large carryon is ideal, most airlines allow 22″ (Alaska Airlines actually allows 24″). But I prefer to go smaller, I really don’t need to travel with that much stuff on a trip that’s four days or less, and I prefer to be as flexible as possible fitting my bag into an overhead bin, whether sitting on the…
