Posted this afternoon in Flyertalk’s Qantas forum I’ve been monitoring award availability for SFO/LAX to SYD/MEL/BNE for the past few months. I’ve NEVER seen more than a few scattered F/C award seats available. However, in the past few days, QF has opened up tons of F/C award seats from the US to Australia and vice versa, from now until Feb. Most dates in November and December have some F/C award seats available. Some even work for Xmas travel (though not the absolute peak season dates of course). Is this normal? In the past, I haven’t seen last minute award availability as being significantly better than far in advance availability. The post even notes seeing a first class award seat on Qantas’ A380, so consider spending those miles…
Finer Moments in Onboard Security
This is who is stealing our first class seats. Shawn Nguyen bragged that he could sneak anything past airport security using his top-secret clearance as a federal air marshal. And for months, he smuggled cocaine and drug money onto flights across the country, boasting to an FBI informant that he was “the man with the golden badge.” Michael McGowan used his position as an air marshal to lure a young boy to his hotel room, where he showed him child porn, took pictures of him naked and sexually abused him. And when Brian “Cooter” Phelps wanted his ex-wife to disappear, he called a fellow air marshal and tried to hire a hit man nicknamed “the Crucifixer.” … Since 9/11, air marshals have taken bribes, committed bank fraud, hired an escort while on layover and doctored…
Up to 150% Bonus for Delta Partner Activity Through December 31
Frugal Travel Guy has the lowdown on a huge Delta bonus offer: up to 150% bonus on partner activity through the end of the year. Base Miles Earned Bonus Total Miles 1,000-4,999 50% 1,500-7,498 5,000-9,999 100% 10,000-19,998 10,000 or more 150% 25,000 or more Registration is required. As Rick points out, For example: 20K Starwood Points usually earns you 25K Delta miles. Make the transfer now and you’ll get 62.5K of Delta miles. That is the normal 25K plus the 150% bonus of 37.5K for a 62.5k total. There’s a long list of participating partners, but not all partners are included, so definitely make sure whichever partner you’re contemplating is on the list. For example, I did consider transferring American Express Membership Rewards points but they aren’t listed. Hoewver, amazingly, the Skymiles co-branded American Express…
5000 Point Priority Club Bonus Worked for Me
My 5000 point Priority Club bonus for absolutely no work posted in only 11 days. There’s little harm or cost for registering with promo code 6186…
HotelClub.com $30 Off
On Saturday I posted a HotelClub.com signup offer of $50 off a hotel night, one valid per account. Some folks were creating multiple accounts and making single night (even back to back to back) stays, taking $50 off per night. That offer expires November 30. Now that HotelClub is on Flyertalk’s radar, I expect plenty more vigilant folks looking out for offers such as this one valid for $30 off on a single (or more) hotel night. It expires December 10.
Hotel Occupancy, Rates Expected to Fall in 2009
Calculated Risk (one of my favorite blogs for financial crisis play-by-play) links to a summary of a PriceWaterhouseCoopers forecast for the hotel industry. PWC claims that drops in occupancy will be reminiscent of 2001, and a projected 2009 overall occupancy rate of 58.6% will be the lowest since 1971. They project a decrease in average daily room rates of 2.4 percent. Empty hotels mean better award availability, better chances for suite upgrades, and better pricing deals (combined with loyalty program bonus offers). It also means more hotels dumping more inventory through opaque channels. It also means expect delays in renovation, delays in new hotel openings, and delays in introduction of new amenities.
Bellagio from $113/night
Bellagio is running buy 2, get 1 free combined with rates starting at $169. Two $169 nights and a free night averages $113/night. Vegas hotel occupancy is clearly hurting, but this is a great rate for Bellagio (which I reviewed here and explained how to score an upgrade with a cash tip at checkin).
Prince de Galles, Paris for 52 euros/night
Per this Flyertalk thread, the deal appears to only work for November 23-27, 2009. A great rate, presumably intended as 520 euros. Go to starwoodhotels.com and search for Paris, France. This hotel should appear as ‘from 52 euros’ .. Click through and if the rate doesn’t come right up, sort from low to high. The only thing that gets in the way for some folks is if they have a SET CODE in their profile (if you don’t know what one is you probably don’t). If the rate doesn’t come out, log out and try again. It’s an internet-only, prepaid rate. The rules permit you to cancel for a single night’s penalty of 52 euros. In practice they may not charge your card right away, I’m guessing they’ll be happy to let you cancel without…
Free TGI Fridays Food
TGI Fridays is offering buy one entree get one free through November 30th. Plus sign up for their loyalty program and get a free appetizer or dessert.
$50 Off Any Hotel Booking at HotelClub.com
Hotel Club is offering $50 towards a hotel booking for new members, valid through November 30th. Update: Just realized that One Mile at a Time has noted this promo as well. Update 2: In this Flyertalk thread, there are folks discussing getting the bonus multiple times by signing up for new accounts with different email addresses. That way a multi-night stay could be booked as several one-night stays, taking $50 off each night. Not sure how I personally feel about this approach. But I wouldn’t have a problem with a two night stay for two people where one person reserved the first night and the other person the second…
