Quick $200 Giveaway – Leave a Comment Here

by Gary Leff

Quick giveaway: $200 (2 prizes of $100 gift cards)

I received 5000 Starwood Starpoints from a complaint that I didn’t feel was a great idea for me to take. Rather than trying to get them to claw back the points, I feel better giving something away in its place. A few readers had proactively suggested (I didn’t ask for advice… 😛 ) that I give away Starpoints, but I can’t really transfer them and they’re expensive to buy. So a $100 gift card seems appropriate there.

And in addition I had an extra $100 card I had purchased to do a few experiments with, and that I don’t wind up needing. Obviously it’s money, and I could either use the card or manage to get the funds back into a bank account. But the card was purchased in the name of frequent flyer ‘science’ so I figure it’s worth giving away here as well.

So that’s two good reasons to give away $100, and I thought I’d give away 2 x $100 gift cards. It’s not a monster big prize, so we’re not going to do a multi-day multi-post extravaganza on it. Just a quick giveaway over the course of the next 24 hours. (I’m leaving it open that long to ensure everyone following by email subscription, or regardless of time zone, has a change to participate.)

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post that answers any of the following:

  • What you will do with a $100 gift card?
  • What is the best travel tip you know?
  • What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from this blog?

Any of these work.

You may enter one time only. By entering you agree that I’m trying to do something reasonably nice and you won’t give me a hard time over the nuances of rules, complain in any way, and agree to be bound by any and all of my judgments are they relate to this offer (and agree that those judgments are final and are not appealable).

Fire away in the comments, I look forward to drawing winners and sending out the prizes.

About Gary Leff

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 »

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Comments

  2. I would use the 100 gift card on an upcoming trip to Vegas – really want to try the brunch at the Mandarin…….

  4. The best thing I have learned is to use a credit card with points that transfer to different airline programs. But I have learned SO much more.

  6. My number one travel tip would have to be using AAA rates at hotels. Here in Australia most people don’t realise that our local Motoring services (in my case the NRMA) are AAA affiliated and can be used to book AAA rates both here and when travelling. Such an easy way to book a cheaper, cancellable rate and so many people here just assume it is only for AAA card holders!

  7. The most valuable thing I have learned from this blog is a range of ways to maximize the value of Hyatt points.

  9. Best travel tip – Be friendly & Smile often! I would use the $100 on my upcoming trip to Seattle and Portland with my daughter. It’s her first trip to the Pacific Northwest.

  14. Best travel trip….if you call in to customer service be polite and if you don’t get the answer you want, politely hang up….and then try again!

  18. I’d use the $100 gift card to buy early bird check-in for the 4 flights I have booked using Southwest Companion Pass.

  20. The $100 gift card will allow me to do something fun with my fiancé and kids in between the 4 jobs I’m working to help pay for a wedding and put food on the table!

  23. There’s some randomness to Pre-Check eligibility for each flight. Check your boarding pass before you get to security…or you might have an unpleasant surprise.

  26. I will use the gift card to help pay for my rental car, if it will work for that 🙂

  28. What you will do with a $100 gift card?

    I will use the $100 to help get my miles/points charity project off the ground.

  31. Here I’ve learned to Earn and Burn in roughly the same timeframe due to devaluations. Thank you!

  32. Use it for caddie fees during a surprise trip I’m taking my dad on in April (St Andrews golf trip via Aer Lingus!)

  40. I am new to the world of miles and points. I am going to use the $100 to cover the fees for experimenting with the spend.

  41. I’ve learned that flexibility is key. Appreciate the fact you’re getting to experience something great, and don’t get super worked up if it doesn’t go just as planned.

  42. Going on a 5 day trip to Nashville this summer and would love to use the $100 towards expenses on this trip

  43. The best travel tip I’ve learned is to know what you want/expect the outcome of a call to be, and if you don’t get that: hang up and call again.

  45. Most useful thing I learned: Getting status-matched Turkish Miles and Smiles Gold which gives me access to United and Air Canada lounges!

  47. Best tip: but now, you can always cancel it within 24hrs. $100 goes along way towards a night out with my man.

  49. I will do you best and answer all three:

    1. In the event it is an unrestricted GC (Amex/Visa etc.), I will definitely apply it to my upcoming latecoming Valentine’s Day stay next weekend.

    2. Hang up and call back (really came through in booking last minute C+P reservations recently).

    3. Where to eat in Las Vegas (among many other places).

  50. Best travel tip I know: Travel with a spare zip-lock bag. At your hotel room, slip the remote control in the bag and press the buttons through the bag, so you don’t have to touch the dirty remote that the hotel probably hasn’t sanitized or cleaned in years.

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