Loyalty programs count on rewards going unused. Citibank reveals that in Australia its proprietary rewards programs assumes that a third of all reward points will go unused. Meanwhile, Citibank is pushing their Diners Club product in Taiwan with new perks:Under exclusive privileges, cardholders can get discounts of up to 65 percent on their Cathay Pacific business class tickets. Those who love to wine and dine can access premium boutique wineries via the Diners Wine Connoisseur Club and Club Gourmet. In addition to getting airport VIP lounge access in 85 airports worldwide, the card grants users VIP priority check-in service for EVA Airways flights and free business class upgrades with UNI Air if they pay for their economy class tickets with their Diners Club card. Being Spas, one of the premium spa chains in Taiwan, also…
United Member-Get-Member Bonus
Refer up to 4 friends to United. Each one who signs up will earn you 1250 miles. Each one who flies a roundtrip in “V” class or higher will earn you 5000 miles. The promotion lasts through September 15th and can earn you up to 25,000 miles.
Hotel Ratings Inflation
Joe Sharkey’s column in Sunday’s New York Times highlighted hotel rating inflation, with some properties now claiming “six star” designations and one even claiming seven. Meanwhile, there’s a proliferation of websites and guides offering star ratings of properties, and there’s little consistency or quality control among many of them. Beyond those basic points, of course, the article degenerates into silliness: that a good rule of thumb is “about $100 a star,” that Westin is on par with Four Seasons and Peninsula properties, and that Radisson is a four star chain.
5000 Free Continental Miles for Texas Residents
Texas residents can get 5000 Continental miles for registering by September 12th to earn Continental miles for shopping at Randall’s.
More Hawaii Service
Northwest Airlines will begin flights from Portland to Honolulu on December 15th. New flights are always good for award redemption, as award seats haven’t been claimed yet. Perfect for that Christmas trip to Hawaii. Aloha Airlines is adding service between Las Vegas and Honolulu and between Sacramento and Maui. Aloha is also cutting some service:Aloha will eliminate its Phoenix service and the nonstop route between Burbank and Maui, effective September 6. Aloha also will drop short-haul service between Oakland and Las Vegas, Burbank and Las Vegas, and Burbank and Sacramento. Remember that United miles can be used for travel on Aloha, so these two new routes are two new opportunities. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines is offering an online sale from $267 roundtrip.
Double USAirways Points from Points.com
Through September 30, 2004 points transfers into USAirways will be doubled at Points.com. PointsPlus members (membership available free, explained here) get another 25% bonus. This deal isn’t as lucrative as the previous bonus for transfers to American Airlines, both because the initial exchange rates being doubled in many cases aren’t as good and because USAirways points tend not to be as valuable as American miles. Nevertheless, it’s a deal worth knowing about.
Another partner bites the dust
Marriott Rewards will cease to partner with American Express Membership Rewards on December 31, 2004. After that date it will not be possible to transfer points from American Express to Marriott.
A quick plug for a hotel
A quick plus for the Renaissance Boca Raton. I spent the weekend there and was thoroughly pleased with value for the dollar, admittedly in their off-season. The lowest available rate was $85. I paid $90 and received two full breakfasts and two cocktails daily. This isn’t a five-star property, but the grounds are nice. The palm trees provide a nice backdrop and the pool is comfortable. The rooms were more than fine, although a bit dated (and my room had an industrial-style toilet). Parking is free. Where they really shined, though, is in service. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Friday night they didn’t miss a beat in providing a dozen champagne glasses and a dozen wine glasses out by the pool in about five minutes, and provided a dozen complimentary water bottles as well. Can’t…
25% Bonus for Membership Rewards Transfers to Continental
Through July 15th, if you transfer a minimum of 10,000 Membership Rewards points to Continental you’ll receive a 25% bonus. Register online and enter promo code 24013 and your Continental Onepass number.
The Ups and Downs of Airtran
I just returned from my first trip using Airtran, and thought I’d share some things about the experience. I was traveling to Boca Raton for the 4th of July weekend and booked Airtran because their non-stop service from Washington-National to West Palm Beach was especially convenient and their flight times were superior to USAirways’ for my plans. Unfortunately just days before my trip Airtran cancelled their brand new non-stop service on this route, and I wound up connecting in Atlanta. I could have pushed the issue and gotten a refund and bought tickets on another carrier, but at the late date that would have been far more expensive and I really wasn’t in a rush anyway. In the end I was four for four on upgrades and all were complimentary, which seems pretty good for…
