Hotel Price Gouging in the Aftermath of Hurricane Charley

Via Chris Elliott, Florida’s attorney general filed complaints against two hotels for price gouging in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. The attorney general has issued a press release to let voters know he’s fighting evil, greedy corporations. “Hurricane Charley is the worst natural disaster to befall our state in a dozen years, and it is unthinkable that anyone would try to take advantage of neighbors at a time like this. We are taking a two-pronged approach to fight this egregious behavior, ” said Crist. “Families putting their lives back together should not have to worry about price gouging.” The conduct in question is a Days Inn charging $109 for a room when a billboard advertised $50 rooms, and a Crossroads Motor Lodge charging $61.27 (including all taxes and fees) rather than $44.79.My blood doesn’t really…

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ATA Introduces Elite Level

American Trans Air announced yesterday that it’s introducing an elite level to its frequent flyer program. Information in the press release and on the ATA website is still a little sketchy. ATA is starting to offer business class seating. The elite level doesn’t specify anything about upgrades, just “preferred, front-of-aircraft seating.” But it’s a promising start.ATA joins Airtran in offering both business class and an elite frequent flyer program, further eroding the differences between the major carriers and the discounters. And frequent flyers who follow a contrarian strategy, seeking upgrades where the lines are shorter, should keep an eye out for further developments with this one.

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Continental’s Website Marketing Gimmick

Continental is taking a page from the hotel website, offering a pseudo best-price guarantee. There’s very little behind it, but check it out anyway. If you search for travel on Continental.com and find a lower price for the same city pair and travel dates somewhere else, they’ll send you a 10% electronic discount certificate. Fortunately you don’t have to buy the itinerary from Continental. Just search for the fare. And a good chunk of the time Continental is not going to have the lowest fare – another airline might for any given city pair, and another website might have a lower fare for the same flights. It’s just a way to get publicity for the website, implying that they’re confident it’s the way to get the best prices. Here’s a hint: the offer is so…

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Another Priority Club Offer

For those choosing not to take advantage of the offer of 25,000 Delta miles for purchasing Intercontinental Hotels Ambassador status, there’s an offer of free Priority Club Gold status and 5,000 bonus Delta miles with your first paid stay plus 2,000 more Delta miles for the next three paid stays through October 31.

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Independence Air Fare Sale

Independence Air is offering flights from $29 each way for bookings through August 30th. First-time roundtrip bookings also receive $25 off when joinging their frequent flyer program.DC to Pittsburgh is the cheapest at $29 each way. Flights betwen DC and New York City, Greensboro or Raleigh/Durham are $44 each way. Flights between DC and Detroit, Syracuse, Knoxville or Indianapolis are $54 each way.Other major carriers are selectively matching, though look for more restrictive rules on their tickets.

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New Priority Club Visa Signup Bonus

Sign up for the no-fee Priority Club Visa and receive 21,000 bonus points. 15,000 bonus points will be credited to your Priority Club Rewards Visa account 6-8 weeks following your first purchase or balance transfer. An additional 6,000 bonus points will be credited to your Priority Club Rewards Visa account 12-14 weeks following your first purchase or balance transfer. To be eligible to receive the 21,000 bonus points, you must be approved for the Priority Club Rewards Visa card and use your card before October 31, 2004. 20,000 points is enough to earn Gold status in the Priority Club program, although it isn’t worth all that much and you’ll have earned that status anyway by signing up with the Intercontinental Hotels Ambassador Club offer.The card also only earns one point per dollar spent, and a…

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Update on Intercontinental Ambassador Club Signup Offer

The offer of 25,000 Delta miles for signing up for Intercontinental Hotels Ambassador status was just too darn rich. It’s still available, but the offer will expire August 31 instead of the previously announced October 31. If you don’t feel like shelling out $150 (which to me is well worth it for the Delta miles – benefits of Ambassador status aside), there’s also an offer of free Ambassador Club membership, 5000 Priority Club points, and a free stay coupon after four nights at Intercontinental properties through Oct.12. Paying $150 and grabbing the Delta miles still seems like a better deal to me, however.

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