2020 has been a hard year, but it’s almost behind us. And I’m excited to start traveling again, I’ve been plotting out several trips for the summer and fall of 2021. I’m only booking my airfare with miles, though, because of how flexible that can be.
A Bask Savings Account is a great way to earn these miles, and it’s great that the new customer bonus offer has been extended.
Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal sells monthly mileage packages. They also sell miles outright through their ‘Miles Store’. Right now they are offering 75,000 bonus miles for transacting with both. Join the mileage purchase club and then within 6 days make your mileage purchase.
This allows you to buy 200,000 miles for about half a cent apiece.
The U.S. ban on travel from China was poorly executed, the ban on travel from Europe came too late, and the list of countries chosen for bans was incomplete. Once the virus was spreading, the U.S. didn’t ban travel within the country. Travel bans can work – see New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, etc. – but they have to be absolute and they can’t be lifted until the threat has passed.
Southwest really is going to spend some of the bailout money on employees (perhaps 50%) which is how the government aid was sold – unlike United Airlines which is likely to receive about $3 billion and plans to only pay its 16,000 furloughed workers through March as-required keeping the rest of the taxpayer money for themselves and their shareholders.
Cocktail picks are those plastic or wooden sticks that you use to place a lime or lemon in a glass for a cocktail. If you have a nice bar at home, your reusable ones might be stainless steel. Wooden ones retail at Amazon, $6.99 for 300 with free Prime shipping.
This week a many started handing out $100 bills on his flight, working his way down the aisle of the aircraft. He tells everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with a wad of cash.
One passenger appears reluctant to take the money. Touching things others have handled – even a $100 bill – causes some reluctance during the Covid era. The man responds, “I don’t care if you want to take it or not, you can throw it out.”
Hilton has announced its promotion for the first part of 2021. Registration required and you should register now just in case you have a Hilton stay between January 1 and May 2, 2021 because you won’t remember to do so later.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
American Airlines is bringing back its furloughed employees, but no flight attendant will actually return to work until March 2. Only one-third will return in March. And the government only requires employment through March 31, in exchange for the roughly $3.5 billion they should receive.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American’s cabin crew, plans to push for a third bailout.
World Of Hyatt Credit Card cardmembers normally receive 5 elite nights every year (and earn 2 more elite nights for every $5000 they spend on the card). However Hyatt tells me that new cardmembers who are approved by December 31, 2020 will receive (10) elite nights both for 2020 and for 2021. That’s double the number of elite nights, twice.
And there’s a new card offer that gives you a choice of initial bonus.
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 »
