Sep
09
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
The 5 Best Travel Perks, and the Worst Seat Assignment on Any Plane
Chase’s Big Cost Advantage Makes it Possible to Fund Rich Rewards, Re-Sign Partners
Sep
09
2015
The biggest long-term threat to rewards credit cards is declining interchange fees, as the cost to process transactions falls each dollar pushed through a card’s network is less valuable and thus less worth incentivizing with miles or other rebates.
And indeed, Chase’s interchange fee income fell 2% in the first half of 2015 despite greater charge volume. But Chase has a deal with Visa that allows it to get aggressive hanging onto partners and bringing new ones on — and it’s highly-incentivized to do so.
Buy Up to 144,000 Hilton Points at $0.0057 Apiece
Sep
09
2015
Through October 5 Hilton is offering a bonus up to 75% on purchased points.
Hilton usually charges a penny apiece for points, so with this bonus is selling points for a little over half a cent each. They’re selling points for just a little over what they’re worth.
Smisek’s Golden Parachute: Here’s What It Costs to Rid Yourself of a Toxic CEO
Sep
09
2015
$4.8 million cash severance; vesting of $3.5 million stock; a performance bonus (!); full family benefits for the next 4 years; flight benefits and parking (and cash to cover taxes on those benefits) for life. He also gets to keep his company car.
But there’s a kicker…
United, Delta, or American Elite? Status Match to Copa and Get Free United Club Access!
Sep
09
2015
For a long time the way to get free United Club access has been to match status to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. They’ve been inconsistent over the years in how they’ve accepted matches (first via email and then via web form), how long they’ve taken to reply (quickly vs months), and what status they’ve been willing to match (sometimes United status, sometimes only competitor alliances, sometimes only top tier status). But it’s status that lasts two years.
It turns out there’s another Star Alliance program offering status matches, and there are successful reports from United and American elites both of getting matches that allow for United Club access.
20% Rebate at Westin and LaGuardia Revamp Now Estimated to Cost $8 Billion
Sep
08
2015
I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Holy Smokes: Jeff Smisek Out as United’s CEO, A Change Frequent Flyers Are Going to Like
Sep
08
2015
Jeff Smisek is out at United, brought down by the scandal and United’s involvement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He’s not being kicked out by what he did to the airline or its customers, but since United’s problems seem to stem from the top there’s at least some hope today for the future.
That Time When Frequent Flyers Mattered to Delta
Sep
08
2015
Delta launched its Frequent Flyer program in 1981. It wasn’t re-named SkyMiles until 1995.
Wait, It Gets Even Better! Stackable Promotions Get You Up to 367,500 Star Alliance Miles for 1.36 Cents Apiece
Sep
08
2015
Avianca LifeMiles is offering up to a 135% bonus on purchased miles through the end of the month. A promotion they’re running in conjunction with a Brazilian blogger gets you an extra 10% bonus (making it 145%). This lets you buy miles at ~ 1.35 cents apiece.
Buy Up to 350,000 Star Alliance Miles at Just 1.4 Cents Apiece
Sep
08
2015
Star Alliance frequent flyer program Avianca LifeMiles is offering a tiered purchased miles bonus through September 30 — from 50% to 135%. That gets the cost to buy miles down to 1.4 cents apiece.
This is of course the program that will monetize everything, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d sell you printed copies of your mileage statement. They straight-up sell Star Alliance Gold status.
