Usually each year in late December Starwood adjusts the categories that each hotel is in, determining the new number of points required for a property’s award redemption in the coming year. This year, since they’re introducing a new more expensive “category 7” for redemptions on February 1, they’re delaying the usual category adjustments until that time as well. Now, that doesn’t mean in practice that every hotel will be adjusted on February 1 — some usually happen a few days before the changeover, some a few days after (since in this past it’s been a cumbersome process for the programmers). And occasionally hotels get changed during the year as well, usually based on a review of their revenue that they request Starwood Preferred Guest to undertake. So don’t take this absolutely to the bank, and…
Chase Getting Wise to Credit Card Churning?
For years, one of the easiest way to earn large amounts of miles has been churning credit cards. Some issuers keep awarding signup bonuses no matter how many times you apply. There are even reports of successfully obtaining new United Visa cards every 34 days or so — along with the 25,000 bonus miles for new cardholders (on both the personal and business cards, with fee waived the first year!) each time. FirstUSA, which was acquired by BankOne, and is now Chase has been famous for allowing this on all of their co-branded cards — not just United, but also British Airways, Priority Club, Marriott, Southwest, etc. Citibank’s American Airlines co-branded products have been easy to churn, and Bank of America cards like the USAirways Visa have as well. There’s always a discussion of affect…
Another step in the trend towards earning elite status based on credit card spend
The Delta American Platinum Express is upping the ante. Instead of just the old 10,000 elite qualifying miles for a spend target, you’ll now get 10,000 qualifying miles when you hit $25,000 in spend during a year and another 10,000 qualifying miles when you hit $50,000 in spend during the calendar year. That’s 20,000 qualifying miles for credit card spending. The Delta Amex used to award qualifying miles for spending over the course of your cardmember year (i.e. between the months where your annual fee hits) rather than calendar year. For the 2007 transition year you get your 10,000 qualifying miles based on your cardmember year and up to 20,000 qualifying miles based on calendar year spend – so up to 30,000 qualifying miles. That’s Silver Elite status without setting foot on a plane, or…
Depositing 10-25 miles into a mileage account to prevent expiration
Points.com sometimes offers reasonably nice signup bonuses, even for their limited-functionality free accounts. But 250 miles may be nice, but it occurs to me that in some cases 10 – 25 miles can be nice as well. My brother-in-law had about 9,000 miles in his Alaska Airlines account, with no activity since December 2003. Alaska accounts expire after three years of inactivity. We were pushing up against that deadline, and 9000 miles on Alaska are worth saving since it takes only 10,000 to confirm a first class upgrade (such as from DC to Seattle) from any coach fare. Bingo, 25 points posted to his Alaska account in a matter of days. And his account is good for another three years. Among others, these minor points offers are available for USAirways, Alaska, Midwest, Hawaiian, and American…
5000 Free LanChile Points
Dec
17
2006
Through December 31, LanChile is offering 5000 points just for signing up for its frequent flyer program, no flight required. If you’re already a member, the link suggests that updating your account information will get you the bonus as well, although details on this piece are unclear. They’re a oneworld carrier, and have some outstanding award values. Starwood points transfer to them at 2:1 (with a doubling of the concommitant transfer bonus). For example 60,000 Starpoints yield 150,000 LanPass kilometers . You don’t necessarily want to park miles in LanChile’s program, as points expire in as little as 24 months and can only be extended by actually flying paid flights with LanChile. But it’s a useful program, and 5000 free points is a good start.
Diners Club Points-to-Miles Transfer Bonuses
Diners Club is offering two transfer bonuses:Up to 25% bonus on transfers to Delta through April 30thTransfer 20,000 to 39,000 points and receive a 10% mileage bonus! Transfer 40,000 or more points and receive a 25% mileage bonus! 50% bonus on transfers to British Airways through February 28 As part of the British Airways offer, there’s even a way to sign up for a British Airways frequent flyer account — something that usually requires a full fare BA flight or signing up for a BA Visa. So consider signing up for an account via this link if you don’t already have one (whether you plan to make a transfer, and whether you even have a Diners Club card, or not).
How to Open Bad Wine
Dec
11
2006
This HP sponsored Fandango website will give you a free movie ticket using promo code ticketme. One movie ticket (up to $12.50 in value) per e-mail address.
American Airlines Miles-for-Cheese to be Honored
The Emmi USA website now reads: We are pleased to announce that we have extended the mileage promotion and will honor customer redemption requests. Effective 12/07/2006 redemptions are limited to two (2) 500 mile awards per AAdvantage® member. All redemption requests must be submitted by midnight (EST) on January 31, 2007. And folks who bought tons of cheese prior to 12/7? Customers who purchased the specially marked packages of cheese prior to 12/07/2006, please click here for further information about your mileage redemptions. That link reads:If you purchased Swiss Knight products prior to 12/07/2006 we will honor your mile redemptions in full, subject to the redemption terms and conditions which can be obtained by emailing info@emmiusa.com or calling 1-845-268-9990 between the hours of 9am and 5pm (EST). Outstanding if belated.
Wine.com price error: 12-month wine club is free
Dec
09
2006
Wine.com has ,a Holiday Wine club (in 3, 6 and 12 month periods) available, but the 6 and 12 month ones are shown as $0.00 while the 3 month one is $99.99. I was able to purchase the 12-month club and have not been charged (but as this is $0 rather than an actual price being charged I’d guess it won’t get honored). Choose the 6 or 12 month club and look for the $0.00 price. (Hat tip to Flyertalk’s UnitedSkies.)
Continental Draws a Moral Line in the Sand
Via Online Travel Review, Continental Airlines is apparently taking a stand against cockfighting. In response to the realization that it was shipping large numbers of roosters to Guam to provide fodder for the sport (it’s legal in Guam, by the way), the airline will no longer carry any adult poultry on its planes.
