Loyalty Traveler Blog covers the news that Starwood has introduced Cash and Points awards for Category 1 and 2 propoerties in Asia, the U.S., and Canada (though he can’t find any category 1 and 2 properties in the U.S. currently offering cash and points availability). Starwood’s Cash & Points awards are useful because they stretch your points. And they’re almost always more valuable than a points-only redemption, it amounts to selling you the difference in points at a deep discount (usually just over a penny a point). Unlike regular award nights, cash and points awards are not always available when a hotel has standard rooms available. Starwood will reimburse a hotel its full average daily room rate on a regular award night when a hotel hits 90% occupancy. Not so with cash and points, Starwood…
46,000 Continental Miles for a Mastercard if you Act Fast
That’s a nice haul from a single credit card applicaiton. And Continental miles are worth a whole lot more than they used to be, with the airline joining Star Alliance in just over a week. The credit card offer itself is for 40,000 miles broken out as follows: 25,000 bonus miles after first purchase 5,000 bonus miles for adding an additional authorized user within two months of account opening 10,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 on the card by Nov. 30, 2009That’s 40,000 for $1,000 in spend by the end of next month and adding a cardholder. Plus the regular points for the $1,000 in spend and you’re at 41,000. And as long as you register for the Mileathon promotion before applying for the card (and before November 30) you’ll get an additional 5000 miles,…
Travelocity $25 off $400 Hotel
Promo code THKYOU25 is valid for $25 off a $400 “GoodBuy” hotel booking at Travelocity. Book by October 24 for travel through December 15.
Radisson Friends and Family Rate 25% Discount Through December 31
Radisson’s Friends and Family rate is a 25% discount and valid through the end of the year using promo code CARLSONF, according to this Flyertalk thread. I don’t know any more about it than that, so I’d like to see someone report back on Flyertalk having used the discount before I use it myself. I’m familiar with the Priority Club / Intercontinental Friends and Family rate which is usable by anyone and the Fairmont Friends and Family rate which requires a ‘booker ID’ (basicaly an employee number) but not other verification (there are several employees on Flyertalk who make theirs available). The Marriott Friends and Family rate requires a rate authorization form signed by the sponsoring employee’s supervisor. And Hilton will give anyone 25% off just for using a Visa Signature card so don’t really…
Will Southwest Move To a Revenue-Based Frequent Flyer Program?
Tim Winship says that Southwest is likely to move towards a revenue-based frequent flyer program a la JetBlue (he gives he example of Virgin America). I don’t follow Southwest enough to evaluate the claim, but imagine it’s credible. For Southwest, this makes some sense. I prefer segment and mileage-based programs because they provide more opportunity to benefit disproportionately; my hobby. But a low cost carrier with a low reward frequent traveler program makes some sense, although on the whole I think there are real unexploited opportunities to leverage these programs profitable as major carriers have done (while the ‘legacy’ airlines on the whole haven’t been particularly profitable, their frequent flyer programs have been). Selling miles is profitable, and Southwest doesn’t have nearly as extensive array of partners as major mileage-based programs. Those programs also offer…
I’ve Earned Over 150,000 American Airlines Miles With My Checking Account
I’ve written about Bankdirect before, but not much and not in awhile (e.g. here). In a low interest rate environment, a BankDirect checking account is especially attractive. And I’ve been thoroughly happy with them for the past six years. BankDirect offers online mileage checking, as well as other products (I’ve only been a customer for their checking). They don’t have physical branches, at least outside of Texas. In exchange for that, though, they offer a huge set of benefits compared to a regular brick and mortar bank checking account. I do need to keep a $2500 average balance to avoid fees, but I do that anyway. They offer: 1000 miles for opening the account. 5000 miles for payroll direct deposit. 2000 miles for using billpay for 12 months 1000 extra miles if you’re referred by…
Free Shutterfly Photo Book
Let Shutterfly connect to your Facebook account (click the link and then click to allow) and then go to the same link again and they’ll give you a unique promo code for a free 8×8 20 page hardcover photo book valid through November 15 (regular price $30). They say they’ll charge you taxes, shipping, and handling. (Via Dan’s Deals)
Emirates On-board Showers
I’ve certainly experienced the higher end of travel. There aren’t many products and elite services on my ‘bucket list’ as it were. And I’m rarely jealous of others’ experiences. Until now. Here’s a photo report of the Emirates A380 first class shower. Seriously. Makes my upcoming visit to the Cabanas in Hong Kong after a first class arrival on Cathay look purely pederstrian. I just wish Emirates would start flying the A380 to JFK already… Update: Joe Brancatelli emails to let me know that Emirates had been flying the A380 JFK-DXB earlier this year, but they’ve shifted the aircraft up to Toronto where they’re only permitted 3 flights a week and they can better utilize the extra capacity.
American Airlines Up In the Air Movie Sweepstakes
I don’t usually post sweepstakes, but this is one I’d actually like to win. American is giving away a grand prize of tickets to the Up In The Air movie premiere, 700,000 AAdvantage miles, and $300 MasterCard gift card. Although if you win, you’ll want to study this blog post on how to dispute the fair market value of a prize for tax purposes… (Hat tip to @WanderngAramean)
Reporter Looking to Interview Frequent Flyers
Rrporter for a major news organization is looking for folks that have earned millions of miles through flying. Please email me — gleff -at- yahoo.com — if you’d be interested in talking to them. Their story is tied to the upcoming release of the film Up in the Air.
