Ben was on a tear yesterday:
- You can book flights on Iberia using Iberia miles without paying fuel surcharges. If your Iberia and British Airways accounts have been open at least three months, you can move your British Airways points over to Iberia and redeem from that account to save on fees. American Express Membership Rewards points also transfer to Iberia, so it’s a way to use Amex points fuel surcharge-free on Iberia travel.
- The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Visa is available with 70,000 points after first purchase and fee waived the first year. That’s enough points for two nights at the lowest category Ritz property. The real benefit of the card is upgrades to club level three times a year, Gold status in their loyalty program (which has modest benefits), a $200 airline fee credit similar to the Amex Platinum offers, and lounge access through “The Lounge Club” which offers only 16 airports in the US mostly in Alaska Airlines or unaffiliated lounges. Still not my favorite Chase card by a mile, but useful for some.
- Starting July 10 Alaska Airlines will begin charging checked bag fees to non-elites on first class upgrades.
I was thinking the same thing!
“The most prolific day in the history of travel blogging” came to mind…
Only 3? What? You mean his search for odd hotel photos didn’t get your juices flowing too? 😉
The news about Alaska charging for checked bags for non-elites is a bummer. They must’ve hired someone from Spirit or RyanAir in their marketing department.
I applied for this and was accepted, but noticed afterwards that the T & C said that you won’t get the mileage bonus if you previously have had a Marriott Rewards Chase card. We’ll see what happens.
Psssh, I’m offended! You left out my best one. 😉
Just kidding, thanks Gary!
@lucky well i rather AGREE with you on the other one, but it wasn’t especially useful, novel, or deep 😉
The BA Avios to Iberia Avios transfer is a brilliant piece of miles engineering! I’m planning on going to Spain to see the running of the banks. Have to be careful as I hear you can get trampled easily.
Nice post! I really liked the transfer to Iberia idea. I’m on the fence about the Ritz card. Do you think Marriott Gold status will status match to Hyatt diamond?
@Mark The Shark you will only get a Hyatt Diamond challenge, and to do that they may want to see a stay history also. But if matched for the challenge you at least get the confirmed suite upgrades