Jun
18
2006
Via my father-in-law, Progressive offers 500 Alaska miles for an auto insurance quote — but only for residents of Washington state and Alaska.
500 Alaska Miles for Insurance Quote
Choices: The End of Award History and the Last Mile?
Jun
18
2006
I’ve probably undercovered the introduction of the Mileage Plus Choices program (okay, I’ve undercovered everything since I haven’t had the time or brainspace to post for the last couple of weeks). The June 2006 issue of Inside Flyer calls the Choices program “The New Golden Egg” so it certainly warrants a mention, though I’m not nearly as high on it as Randy Petersen seems to be. United’s new bombshell, Mileage Plus Choices, means looking at the future of frequent flyer programs in a whole new way. The “Choices” program allows United Visa cardholders to use the portion of their miles earned through their credit card as a form of cash to buy airline tickets, hotel nights, or rental car days (along with a few specialty items) with their miles. The program is incredibly confusing at…
Amazon discount on travel apparel
Amazon is having a sale on ‘travel apparel’ although their idea of what people wear while traveling (as opposed to other times) is anachronistic at best. Still, coupon code wetravel takes $20 off an $80 qualifying order, and I picked up a few pairs of pants at a nice discount. Lee Jeans Men’s Wrinkle Resistant Relaxed Double Pleat Pant $38 on sale for $21.99 before coupon Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Pleated Trousers $49.50 on sale for $17.89 before coupon Also available are Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Flat Front Trousers $49.50 on sale for $17.89 before coupon Lee Jeans Men’s Wrinkle Resistant Relaxed Plain Front Pant $38-$41 on sale for $21.99-$24.99 before coupon This SlickDeals.net thread also has a list of several shirts that qualify, though none appealed to me.
Another BA Transfer Bonus
Jun
03
2006
In addition to Diners Club, Starwood, and Marriott offers, you can earn 30% additional British Airways miles when transferring Radisson Gold Points to BA by July 20, 2006. (Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)
Double Miles on Frontier
Frontier is offering double miles for online purchases made by June 30 for travel through the end of the year. Registration is required. (Hat tip to the MilesLink newsletter.)
Delta Amex Double Miles for June, July, and August
May
31
2006
All purchase on the Delta American Express earn double miles from June 1 through August 31. Items that already earn double miles such as restaurant and US Post Office charges do not receive additional miles under this promotion, and the limit on earning additional miles from this offer is 20,000. Bonus miles should post towards the end of October. Registration is required by August 31.
30% Bonus on Transfers from Marriott to British Airways
May
31
2006
British Airways is offering a 30% bonus on miles when transferring points from Marriott Rewards by July 20. For those who aren’t already British Airways Executive Club members — and membership normally requires booking a full fare coach ticket or more — BA is offering accounts via this promotion as well (apparently without any requirement to transfer points from Marriott, so anyone wanting a BA account this is a good opportunity to get one).(Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)
LA Times Reporter swallows two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, … a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls
(With apologies to Hunter S. Thompson, but it’s the only way to explain the conclusions in this story.) James Gilden looks at US domestic airline award availability and online booking and gives the highest marks to Continental. Of course, Mr. Gilden (1) looks only at a single route, different for each airline (2) over a specific set of dates (3) booking only online (4) and choosing a form of redemption that’s generally low value anyway (domestic coach award). There’s no way that Continental miles are better to have than United’s or American’s currency. And all airline award websites are fairly limited in their functionality, even with marked improvements over the past few years. It’s still important to call when you don’t see what you want online. And really it’s rare that you should be redeeming…
Double Miles on Star Alliance Flights with South African Airways
Here’s a pretty good reason to join the South African Airways frequent flyer program: double miles on most Star Alliance partners. Double miles through the end of June on Thai (first flight only), All Nippon Airways, and Singapore. Double miles through the end of July on TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, Swiss, bmi British Midland, Spanair, SAS, Air New Zealand, and USAirways. Interestingly, United isn’t on the list. First account activity earns 2500 bonus miles. And fair warning, discount economy fares only earn 50% of miles, so earn regular full mileage only under this promo. If you’re flying on participating carriers within the promotion period, and aren’t flying on deeply discounted coach tickets, crediting your flights to the Voyager program may make good sense. Flyertalk.com discussion is here.
An Evergreen Story on Fare Glitches
Travel deals like $51 to Fiji or $61 to Iceland are like dreams come true; impossible fantasies for most people in the world. So who needs a news hook? The Wall Street Journal ran another piece on the Alitalia fare glitch, $33 + tax for business class Toronto to Cyprus, in its weekend edition yesterday. Stephen Mutkoski, a 37-year-old lawyer at Microsoft near Seattle, was thrilled recently to find a mistaken fare online for flights to Europe — just $33 plus taxes. He quickly booked trips for himself and his wife in July, August and Thanksgiving week. The catch: The flights are to Larnaca, Cyprus. From Toronto. I love this description of Flyertalk:The online epicenter of travel-deal discovery is FlyerTalk, a sort of methadone clinic for frequent-flyer and hotel-stay program addicts. In its highly trafficked…
