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Why Every Rewards Program Has The Same Two Components

by Gary Leff

Jul 11 2022

American Airlines’ own data shows that following devaluations of the AAdvantage program elite members moved flying away from the program. AAdvantage itself generated more revenue, because its credit card deals became more lucrative. That earn-burn program grew, while the most engaged members stepped back.

That may even be the right business decision! Flying has frequently been unprofitable for American while net revenue has been driven by selling miles to banks. Maybe they should reward flying less if they’re not making money on it.

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300,000 Lufthansa Miles, Lounge Access And Hotel Elite Status For $5350

by Gary Leff

airport pick up
Jul 05 2022

ASMALLWORLD is supposed to be a networking organization for ‘the elite’ but I don’t know anyone that’s ever found it to be useful. They have a 75 euro membership, with free trial but their membership is also a way to buy a lot of frequent flyer miles and elite status thrown in at a higher price point.

Normally their 5200 euro membership comes with 250,000 Lufthansa Miles & More miles, but they’re currently offering 20% more, 300,000 miles. And that’s in addition to hotel and rental car elite status.

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Review: Virgin Australia Business Class, Sydney – Gold Coast

by Gary Leff

Jul 04 2022

Normally I’d be inclined to pick up Qantas tickets in coach for the short 1 hour 20 minute flight, using my American AAdvantage status for priority check-in and boarding, lounge and extra baggage. But those were pricing at around $300 in economy for the one way trip while Virgin Australia was asking $200 for business class.

And I was really curious to see what Virgin Australia was like after having been acquired out of bankruptcy (“administration”) by private equity.

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Great Business Class Award Availability To Europe, Starting At Just 53,000 Points Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

stock airline bed
Jul 03 2022

There’s one place to look if you want to use American AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, or British Airways Executive Club points to Europe. (If you’re using miles from Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles, you’ll actually pay lower fuel surcharges for those British Airways awards.) That place is Iberia which is very good about releasing two business class award seats from 6 U.S. cities when booking six months or more in advance.

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Bilt Launches A Travel Portal: Redeem Points At 1.25 Cents Apiece (Even For Disney)

by Gary Leff

Jun 30 2022

Bilt has launched a travel portal so that – in addition to transferring points to partners like American, United, and Hyatt – Bilt Rewards members can book their preferred trip (whatever it is) and pay with points instead of cash.

Each point is valued at 1.25 cents apiece when spent this way. That beats most credit card portal values, and matches Chase with its Sapphire Preferred Card.

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