American Express is offering a 50% bonus on transfers to Starwood through March 31. Instead of the usual ratio of 3 Amex points to 1 Starwood point, this offer improves the exchange to 2:1.
Travelocity seems to be having difficulty properly converting French Polynesia Francs to US Dollars. Right now, all tickets originating in Tahiti and Noumea are showing up at 10% of their usual dollar cost. For instance, Tahiti-Los Angeles roundtrips are showing up from $299 in business class. So if you plan to be in French Polynesia, now is the time to book your tickets. If you already have tickets to French Polynesia, consider buying a one-way return ticket in business or first class and throwing away your existing return. Or you might claim an award ticket to French Polynesia (expensive in miles, I know) and fly from there to pretty much anywhere in the world in a premium class of service. After catching a free flight, top level elite status can be had for ticketing originating…
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Now that banks are able to issue American Express cards, some interesting offers may be coming down the pike. The first one that I’ve noticed is from MBNA, which is offering the American Express Platinum card free the first year and $195 after that. The card comes with MBNA Worldpoints as its rewards program rather than Membership Rewards. As far as proprietary rewards programs go, this one is pretty good but I still don’t like it as much as the various airline and hotel programs. So I wouldn’t put much spending on the card. Instead, I’d use the card for its benefits like airline lounge access. Amex Platinum cards come with access to Delta, Continental, and Northwest lounges when flying on the respective airline. The Platinum card is usually more expensive than straight lounge access,…
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Here’s an updated list on how to donate miles for tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia. Not everyone can spare tons of cash, that’s certainly understandable although in times of severe crisis I hope that folks will dig as deep as possible. But those of us with even a small amount of spare frequent flyer miles — possibly not even enough to use for free tickets — can help provide free travel for relief efforts. While minimum donations vary by program, in some cases you can give as few as 1000 or 5000 miles. You may have this laying around in an otherwise-forgotten account. These miles might even expire on their own, going to waste. But you can do some good with them. And since most frequent flyer programs keep accounts active with any activity…
Regular readers of this site are familiar with the free electronics offers from Gratis Internet. I’ve received several items myself, several readers have, and I’ve seen boxes arriving at my office for colleagues. Free Game System. Free designer handbag Free photo iPod. Free iPod. Free flatscreen TV. Free desktop computer But not everyone has had a perfect experience, so I wanted to note that as well as offer advice on dealing with bumps in the road to getting these items. Reader Gail took great umbrage at my discussing the Gratis Internet offers. I don’t mind that you say they are legitimate and that you have received your items. I do think it is unethical for you to avoid noting that at least one person – me – has been unsuccessful in receiving credit for completing…
Rewards Network’s Dining for Miles programs are being revamped, a.k.a. gutted. You may know the program as iDine (what I’ll always call it), and its precursor was Transmedia — the old program where you paid to sign up and had a membership card which you needed to present at restaurants for a cash discount. The program awards frequent flyer miles in the program of your choosing when dining at a participating restaurant. Traditionally the award was 10 miles per dollar, although increasingly of late some restaurants only offered 5 miles per dollar spent and some restaurants gave miles only on certain days of the week. Now comes the announcement that earning in the program is being changed dramatically. Instead of a default of 10 miles per dollar (plus frequent bonuses), most members will only earn…
Aloha Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, joining Hawaiian Airlines, United, USAirways, and ATA in reorganization. Hawaaian Airlines is expected to emerge from bankruptcy next month.
Tumi is offering 40% off selected luggage.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
