The winner of the Tom Bihn Empire Builder Laptop Briefcase giveaway is patrick yee. I’ve sent him an email for his address, a really great bag is on its way…
Philippine Airlines Manila – Cebu and Hilton Cebu Resort — a continuation of “Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant”
A quick ride over to the airport and we were walking into the terminal. Documents checked upon entering, then all bags screened prior to reaching the checkin counter. We each checked a bag and then they weighed our carryons. So we checked two bags. These were not heavy rollaboards — two 20″ bags, not pushing a size limit by any stretch — and there was plenty of space on the flight. Then we had to stand in line to pay the airport usage tax. They give you a receipt, which is then immediately collected. Then men and women stand in separate security lines. Computers didn’t have to come out, but everyone got a pat down. And off to the mediocre lounge downstairs. Couldn’t get the wireless internet to work, and didn’t bother trying to convince…
One Day Left to Enter for Free Hyatt Nights
Enter here or follow @garyleff (or do both) to enter by noon eastern time on Sunday, April 25.
1500 Bonus Points Just for Joining US Airways Dividend Miles
US Airways is offering 1500 miles to new members who join by July 31. Just enter promo code NM15 when signing up. (HT: Free Frequent Flyer Miles)
United Discounts Their “Rule Buster”-style Awards
For bookings by May 18 and and travel through October 31 that is booked at least 21 days in advance, United is reducing the cost of a ‘standard award’ for domestic travel from 50,000 miles roundtrip to 40,000 miles roundtrip. The discount applies only to domestic coach awards. In United’s parlance, standard awards are the higher-priced awards that permit travel on any flight without regard to capacity controls. Other airlines have referred to these as “rule buster” or “anytime awards.” Prior to October 2006, 40,000 miles was the regular price of a domestic standard award. Yet something is strange going on here, I can’t quite put my finger on it. Now, it seems that United’s award redemption ‘specials’ seem always to be for coach tickets. That makes them unexciting to me. And I’m not especially…
Instant Silver Status in the New JAL Hotels Loyalty Program
The just-launched JAL Hotels loyalty program, My JALHotels is offering free silver status to all new members as a promotion through the end of 2011. Silver gets early check-in, late check-out, complimentary newspaper, and 10% off at Nikko Hotels (5% at Hotel JAL City) including in restaurants and even when not a hotel guest.
Vacations are a Human Right, and Europe Will Subsidize Them
From The Times (London): Brussels decrees holidays are a human right AN overseas holiday used to be thought of as a reward for a year’s hard work. Now Brussels has declared that tourism is a human right and pensioners, youths and those too poor to afford it should have their travel subsidised by the taxpayer. Under the scheme, British pensioners could be given cut-price trips to Spain, while Greek teenagers could be taken around disused mills in Manchester to experience the cultural diversity of Europe. The idea for the subsidised tours is the brainchild of Antonio Tajani, the European Union commissioner for enterprise and industry, who was appointed by Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. The scheme, which could cost hundreds of millions of pounds a year, is intended to promote a sense of pride…
I’m Giving Away (2) Prizes of 2 Free Hyatt Nights Each
Hyatt has been on a tear for the last year, figuring out how to add more value for members, especially elite members and frequent guests. Honestly, I haven’t seen anything like it in years. Last year they pioneered free internet for elites, at the same time they (1) lifted capacity controls on award nights — if there’s a standard room available, it’s available on points, matching Starwood’s redemption proposition and (2) offered confirmed at booking suite upgrades for their Diamond members four times a year. I wish there were more Hyatt properties, because over the last 12 months they’ve clearly been offering the best value proposition of any hotel chain. They also continue to bring back the richest bonus promotion in the hotel industry. I will always call it “Faster Free Nights” but thehy call…
35,000 Mile Signup Bonuses for American Airlines Visa, American Express, and Business Visa
Via MJ On Travel, Citibank is offering their various American Airlines co-branded credit cards with no fee the first year and 30,000 miles after $750 in purchases (a common but good offer) and now also throwing in an additional 5000 miles after $5000 in spend during the first 12 months you have the card. The offers are here and apply to the Visa, American Express, and Business Visa. The most common cards have always been the co-branded Mastercards. That’s what most people have or have had. Citibank isn’t as generous with allowing people to get the same signup bonus over and over any longer. But if you haven’t had these other cards, you should be able to get signup bonuses for them even if you’ve had Mastercard products in the past. And this represents as…
Is Instant Gold Status with Virgin Atlantic back?
Back on April 9 I posted an offer for free instant Virgin Atlantic Gold status. Enroll at this link for instant Gold status in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Benefits of Gold, Virgin Atlantic’s top tier, are detailed here. Basically benefits apply primarily when actually flying Virgin — bonus miles, lounge access and priority checkin even when flying economy, extra baggage, and Heathrow fast track. You can also nominate a Silver. And there are reciprocal benefits with Virgin Blue, VAustralia, ANA, and Singapore. This puppy won’t last long. I believe it’s intended to incentivize folks buying higher-priced business class transatlantic fares, who already have status in another program, but was made available to all comers. Those that used the link received Gold status, and it seems have been able to keep it. The link was taken down, however,…
