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IHG’s New Gamified Promotion is Out — What’s Your Offer?

by Gary Leff on April 27, 2017

Apr 27 2017

The next IHG Rewards Club promotion is in the process of going live. It came right up for me, though if I use Google Chrome’s incognito mode I get the ‘promotion ended’ page from their last offer.

They’re coming out with ‘Accelerate’ again for stays between May 15 and August 31 you earn even more points. And in some ways it’s my favorite hotel promotion — not as much for its richness as much because it is sort of fun. It’s tough to get a thrill over double points for stays you’re going to make anyway.

Citibank Adds Jet Airways as a Points Transfer Partner

by Gary Leff on April 25, 2017

Apr 25 2017

Citibank has added another points transfer partner to the ThankYou Rewards program: Jet Airways JetPrivilege. They’re not a member of any traditional alliance, but part of Etihad Airways Equity Partners and they have numerous additional airline partners.

Emotional Support Dog.. in a Bow Tie! And Chinese Panhandler Innovations

by Gary Leff on April 24, 2017

Apr 24 2017

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.

Delta Fare War: Attacks American With Business Class to Rio Under $1700 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2017

Apr 21 2017

Two months ago I wrote that it’s the golden age of air travel with cheap fares all over the world. Most of those fares have been in economy, with sub-$400 roundtrips to Europe and Asia with amazing flash sales.

I certainly prefer travel in business class, and readers have been asking for those deals.

Revealed: New Hidden SkyMiles Pricing Chart for Delta and Partner Saver Awards

by Gary Leff on April 21, 2017

Apr 21 2017

Delta eliminated award charts a couple of years ago off of their website. They tell you the price they give to you on any given day is ‘the price’. This makes it easier to raise prices without members knowing, and since they made a happen of changing their program without notice anyway it eliminates the need to bother informing members as the value of the SkyMiles currency changes (gets worse).

Of course no matter what Delta tells you, they still price off an award chart, it’s simply hidden from view. They have buckets of availability and each bucket corresponds to a price. With partners that availability is in a single bucket, and whenever it is available it is the same price — except that Delta now bumps up pricing for certain partner awards booked close to departure.

Bangkok Isn’t Completely Banning Street Food — But They Might As Well Be

by Gary Leff on April 20, 2017

Apr 20 2017

A few days ago I shared reports from the Bangkok Post and elsewhere that the military administration was pushing out street food vendors.

I suggested that some vendors rent space in front of stores rather than squatting on public streets, and that local jurisdictions were all interpreting the new edicts the same way so some street food would survive — and some of the best places are in actual hole in the wall restaurants — however limits on street vendors raise costs and create barriers to entry, reduce competition, and will limit food quality over time.

30% Bonus Transferring American Express Points to Virgin Atlantic Through May 22

by Gary Leff on April 17, 2017

Apr 17 2017

American Express Membership Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic through May 22, 2017. Virgin Atlantic’s miles were among the least valuable currencies. That was true before Even Virgin Atlantic Flying Club raised redemption prices for Virgin Atlantic travel and before their partnership with Virgin America terminated. But there are some incredible sweet spots that most people don’t consider. Partner award redemptions are roundtrip These must be booked by phone, not online, and it usually seems like call center agents have never booked a partner award before They add fuel surcharges to awards where they are part of a paid ticket’s price Virgin Atlantic occasionally runs discounts on transatlantic economy awards, and even sometimes premium economy awards. Discounts combined with transfer bonuses wind up being super cheap. My favorite award is Virgin…

An African President Calls Out British Airways Poor Planes and Service

by Gary Leff on April 16, 2017

Apr 16 2017

Given our politics in the U.S. over the last 20 years perhaps it’s not at all strange for the President of Ghana to be complaining to British Airways about specific elements of their service.

Here’s what Ghana’s President told British Airways’ head of sales for the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia when the BA sales officer came to congratulate him on his election:

Just How Far Has American AAdvantage Fallen?

by Gary Leff on April 15, 2017

Apr 15 2017

As an earn and burn program — the value of a program’s miles, not its elite status — it’s hard to imagine a program that’s done more to become less useful.

Members want to fly places from their home city, usually on American and usually domestic. And what’s most striking to most members is the sheer lack of award availability — which means awards at the saver level, not awards where American wants 55,000 for a one-way first class seat from Austin to Dallas.

Doctor Involuntarily Denied Boarding, Dragged Off United Flight, Returns Bloodied

by Gary Leff on April 10, 2017

Apr 10 2017

Reader @JayseDavid was on board United flight UA3411 from Chicago to Louisville, a United Express regional jet operated by Republic Airlines.

The flight was overbooked and United was looking for 4 volunteers to give up their seat, reportedly “for personnel that needed to be at work the next day.” There weren’t any volunteers, so United moved on to bump passengers involuntarily.