I doubt this will live up to the Thai government’s expectations (I don’t see a 20% increase in connecting traffic through Bangkok), but it’s still an interesting development that the new Suvarnabhumi Airport includes a lounge for economy passangers — not just lounges for business and first. I’m not sure what the value of a lounge where you’re supposed to get away from the masses is. A lounge for everyone is just the main terminal, isn’t it? So there must be more to the story. But at least the list of available amenities is impressive. The lounge, he said, would include televised entertainment such as films, music videos, sports, documentaries and world news, in addition to Internet services. Passengers will also have a rest area that includes plenty of seating and showers in 18,000 square…
Continental Credit Card Offer: 15,000 miles and double points on spend through December ’06
Sep
14
2006
Regular readers of this blog know that I’m not a fan of Continental Onepass. The only thing it has going for it is airline partners where you occasionally have a chance to redeem miles. Alaska Airlines has generally good award availability. They’re in Skyteam, which opens up plenty of airlines, but almost across-the-board Skyteam members offer poor award chances. Continental is in my experience terrible at making seats available at the ‘normal’ mileage requirements on most routes and best flight times, and this is especially true in premium classes of service. So when collecting Continental miles, realize that they aren’t worth as much as American miles, for instance. (Though you can transfer Onepass miles to Amtrak, and from Amtrak to Hilton, and eventually get something for your points — though Amtrak places a limit for…
Ghetto Lattes: Getting Value Out of Starbucks
Why am I not surprised this is being discussed on Flyeralk? It isn’t miles and points, but it is getting the most for your buck at an upscale merchant. The Seattle Times reports on Starbucks patrons buying less expensive drinks and upgrading themselves at the condiments counter. If someone pays $2 for espresso, then fills half the cup with milk at the condiment bar, is that stealing? People are saving $1 to $2 a cup — sometimes more, if they use half-and-half or get extra shots — with creative ordering from the complicated menus of the coffee world. …There are lots of ways to save. In one scenario, using Starbucks pricing in downtown Seattle, customers pay $2.05 before tax for three shots of espresso over ice. The same beverage with milk — also known as…
There are so many comments on Amtrak here…
… but they’re all in really poor taste, I should just let this go unremarked on: An Amtrak passenger traveling with her ailing father waited nearly 23 hours and about 1,000 miles to tell authorities he had died so she could avoid the cost of shipping the body home, police said. The train had reached Chicago when Daniel Stepanovich’s daughter told officials that he had died in a sleeper car on Sunday evening, about the time the train was pulling into Glenwood Springs, Colo., said Chicago Police spokeswoman Jo Ann Taylor. … Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said he couldn’t recall a situation in which a passenger’s death went unreported for so long.
$49 rates at Aladdin
Not really my favorite Vegas property by a long-stretch, but admittedly Aladdin has a nice location and a good buffet. As discussed on Flyertalk, the Aladdin (‘soon to be Planet Hollywood’) is offering room rates starting at $49 with $10 in FREE SLOT PLAY or TABLE GAME MATCH PLAY 2-FOR-1 BREAKFAST OR LUNCH BUFFET (Offer valid Monday-Thursday only) 2 FREE SHOW TICKETS to a performance in the V Theater (Based on availability) Bookable online here. Nice thing is these rates qualify for Starwood stay credit and points, and elite benefits apply.
Amex transfer bonus to Aeromexico
Via the MilesLink Newsletter, through October 31st transfers from American Express Membership Rewards to Aeromexico Club Premier receive 25% bonus miles.
British Airways London On Sale
Sep
11
2006
British Airways has an interesting sale running from the U.S. to the U.K. (You may need to be logged into a British Airways Executive Club account to see the page.) Coach (“World Traveller”) from several cities for less than $400 roundtrip — okay, so far so good, this is frequently available in late October, November, and December (though the price cutting starts early this year). But perhaps more interestingly, World Traveller Plus — their premium economy product, think something like U.S. domestic first class — is available for about $585 roundtrip. That’s an upgrade that seems worth it to me. I’d guess the hassles flying in and out of London are affecting BA’s bookings…
Free Peachtree Accounting Software
Sep
10
2006
Through September 23, Staples is offering Peachtree Pro Accounting 2007 free after rebate — $140 minus a $140 rebate. Shipping is free. (Go to Staples via a cashback or mileage portal, Fatwallet is offering a 4% kickback.)
Positive Changes Coming to SAS Eurobonus
As occasionally happens, a frequent flyer program organizes a meet-up with members of Flyertalk.com. SAS Eurobonus hosted such a meeting, and reports of the event are here and here. Most important news: The program will introduce long-haul upgrades at time of booking for 30,000 points coming in June. (I’m no expert in the program, but I assume only certain fares will be eligible, hopefully someone can clarify). New awards will be introduced for the SAS Premium Economy product, priced at 70,000 points between the US and Europe. Silver members will get (3) lounge passes and in addition Gold members will get (1) vouchers for onboard purchases. They’re going to try to offer occasional complimentary upgrades for Gold members. This is in addition to ‘operational upgrades’ that occur moving folks from coach to business when the…
Incremental Improvements for the Starwood American Express
Starting October 1 two new benefits go into place: An additional point per dollar spent at Starwood properties (and more details to follow, but it appears as though Starwood retail outlets too – perhaps for example the Westin and W Hotel Online Stores)Gold status after spending $30,000 on the card in a year. The extra point per dollar is long overdue, as a rule across the board hotel-branded credit cards provide extra points for spending with the hotel chain — except, until now, Starwood. Gold status doesn’t mean much. The card already gets you ‘preferred plus’ status which has almost all the benefits of Gold (room upgrade generally limited to better view or higher floor, late checkout except at resorts). On top of Preferred Plus, Gold only gets you an additional point for eligible spending…
