Monday, June 30, 2008

US airways bonus promotion by doing partner activities

From tomorrow until Sep 30th, you can earn up to 40000 miles by doing up to 28 partner activities. The detail of promotion is here

This promotion is harder than the one Delta had earlier this year, since I don't like US airways miles, I will only do 4 partner activities to top off 4000 bonus miles.

I will do Ereward transfer, Dining, Mall and live search club or Officemax purchase.

you can also do:emiles, lifelock, supershuttle, Thanks again(drying cleaner).

Other than those, if you really want to hit 12 partners, you can choose USA today, netflix,Buy miles, AIG, FTD.com, Energy Plus. Some of them are for selected States only.

Getting acitivities from Hotels or Car rental are harder since they require 2 times for same partner and count as 1 activity.Hotel points transfer has min 3000 requirements too, so I can not transfer just 1 miles to US airywas like I did with Delta. Also, points.com swap doesn't count either.

Overall, not a Great promotion, but does give something to top off account.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Trip(Wyndham) Rewards and Other Reward programs

写了 这么多酒店常住优惠计划, 下面还有几个,首先给所有寻找便宜旅馆常住优惠计划 的朋友推荐一下trip reward(now Wyndham Rewards),它包括 AmeriHost Inn, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge (U.S. hotels only), and Wingate Inn hotels throughout the U.S. and Canada等旅馆, 每花一美元可以赚取10点, 具体去看以下triprewards.com. 这个计划由于包括好多便宜的motel, 所以,往往会出现价钱在他们网站和其他网站不一致,是最容易File Best Rate Guarantee Claim的。如果claim成功,你的第一个晚上就会免费,这里有个很好的blog去查 best rate Guarantee Claim。还有你可以用trip rewards points去换Wyndham酒店。

Carlson Hotel Group, 里面包括Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts,Radisson Edwardian Hotels and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts,Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park inn. 你没花一美元可拿到15到20点不等, 另外每次从网上预定可拿500点,网上check in可再拿1000点。这个连锁下面有950多家酒店,也是遍及世界各地。另外这个酒店也有象Starwood那样的cash + point 免费房。 初步看上去,象是个不错的计划,但不知道为什么,没有象其它的连锁那样引起大家的注意。我再研究研究,有必要的话,再写一个。

下面再说几个小小酒店常住优惠计划, 这些优惠计划都不能拿point, 但是可以直接拿到航空公司的累计里程, 而且还有一些其它的优惠待遇.

Omni Hotel Selected Guest Program. 免费加入,加入后会给你一张50% off weekend rate certificate 和 one room upgrade certificate. 还有你每次住都可以拿到500 delta, AA or United mileage累计里程.当然了还有late checkout .我当时在Cancun住了2个晚上的omni hotel,房间就是用的那个50% off certificate, $54 一晚. 还有我后来要去潜水,需要late checkout 4:00pm,他们说要 收50元,我说我是selected guest member. 他们马上说,那免费.您看6:00 pm 够吗? 所以说免费还是有实惠的.

下 一个是Wyndham byrequest(now part of Wyndham Rewards Program). 也是免费的. 你可以有免费互联网连接服务和免费使用酒店的长途及本地电话 .当然了,还有500 miles累计里程, 适用于 AA, HP, NW, DL, CO , UA, 或 US airways各大航空公司.

下一个是 Fairmont hotels President’s Club, 会员是分级别的. Club membership is complimentary. In-hotel benefits are provided on your first stay following enrollment. 普通会员免费, 高级会员(Premier membership)最少一年五次或十晚入住, 白金会员(Platinum membership) 最少一年十次或三十晚入住, 高级会员可拿free night certificate and more airline miles

还有象香格里拉也有自己的酒店常住优惠计划, 叫Golden Circle, 给他们发个email就可以申请,分 3个等级,最底的也有免费房间升级,另外还可以有航空公司累计里程拿.

还 有一个,叫The Leading Hotels of the World. 它不是一个连锁, 只不过好 多世界上牛的酒店都被他们加到这个program, 象peninsula, Banyan Tree(云南丽江和迪庆), 他们的最低级的普通会员是免 费的,上面就要收费了,但免费的那个级别也可以有one level upgrade.

还有accorhotels,其中包括象sofitel, Novotel, Mercue, Motel 6之类的,但是现在它们马上就会从新做它们的酒店常住计划,我会等新的计划出来后再看看。

还有worldhotels.com, 它们没有自己的计划,但是住他们下面的酒店可以拿航空里程,好多航空公司都是他们的合作伙伴。他们现在有住一晚500里程或住一次(最少2晚)2000里程,或住一晚套房5000里程。

所有的这些酒店常住优惠计划都是挺有实惠的,反正你也是要给钱住,干吗不从他们那里多要点东西 呢?钱还是花的一样多的. 从来没有写过这么长的东西, 希望大家看了不要眼晕. 希望大家也能多多分享自己的出游经验

Friday, June 27, 2008

10% off to South America on American Airline

book your reservations on AA.com by 11:59 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, July 1, 2008, and travel between July 1, 2008 and July 31, 2008. The 10% discount will be taken on the base fare and does not apply to taxes and fees. This discount is valid on one-way or round trip* travel for up to six passengers from the US** to Ecuador (GYE, UIO), Colombia (BAQ, BOG, CLO, MDE) and Chile (SCL)

use promotion code: DFCOECCL08

American Airlines "Fare sale" to China and other locations

This is actually not a "sale" from American airline website, it is a mistake fare on www.lan.com. Lan website forget to include YQ surcharge on the ticket, which will result price much lower than other places.


This "sale" is actually valid on lots of destinations and dates as long as you book on lan.com

Detail about "deal" discussion is here and here

too bad, I cannot take advantage of this offer. Enjoy!

Lan.com is official website of Lan airlines, part of oneworld alliance.

Delta will impose Fuel surcharge on award ticket now

Just got this email

Escalating fuel prices continue to impact our world economy, everyday life and the airline industry. Due to continued, unprecedented fuel costs, we will add the following fuel surcharge to Award Tickets originating from the U.S. and Canada, effective August 15, 2008:

  • $25 for Award Travel between the 50 states and Canada
  • $50 for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations

Award "free ticket" is not longer free

for example, if you are looking for an economy award ticket wihtin US, and you can not find a free seat on Delta.com. so you have to call them to book.

You will incur 25 call center booking fee+25 partner airlines fee+25 fuel surcharge+ tax=80+
if book within 21 days of departure, you will need to pay another 75, so total 150+ for a Economy award ticket

Now only premium cabin award ticket has some value left.


Monday, June 23, 2008

Great Saving with AAA membership

I have never had AAA membership for past few years because my car came with free towing service and hotel saving is NOT significant compare to most prepaid rate until I stay more frequently at Hyatt Properties.

The saving is big sometimes and all AAA rate comes with free breakfast for two.

I stayed at Hyatt Regency at San Antonio, where room is selling 209 on hyatt.com. With AAA rate, the room drop to 119 with breakfast. One night is enough to pay AAA membership.

Also, AAA rate is a flexible rate, so you can cancel anytime. This added more value to AAA membership dues.

Earn 1,000 bonus points with every stay at Choice hotels

Choice hotesl is running a summer promotion, no registration is required, book and stay from June 1 to August 14, 2008. must book on choicehotels.com

In addition, you can earn choice points at following European countries now:

Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Belgium
Czech Republic
France
Germany


Before you can only earn from US and Canana properties, and redeem worldwide. Now more place to earn.

As I mentioned before, you can redeem those points at Preferred Hotel & Resorts

Sunday, June 22, 2008

WOW-$99 per night deal at Venetian

Gary mentioned in his blog and here is the link, must book by June 27th, non refundable offer.

Earn up to Triple points at participating Europe Properties

Starwood Hotels is running a promotion here

No registration required, but need to book 355783 as SET number for Triple or 355781 for double, which means you can not use with your corporate discount anymore.

Still, not a bad offer

Saturday, June 21, 2008

BMI program offers 3000 sign up bonus miles

BMI is having a new promotion now, you get 3000 bonus miles just join the program.

Here is the link

Also, when you on sign up step 4-newsletter, make sure to select the third one. This will make sure you get Survey from BMI in the future. their Survey only has 6 questions and will award you 2500 miles each time. I've got 2 already this year.


3000 miles+$70 USD can gave u a one way ticket within most Europe countries.

Friday, June 20, 2008

$35 off for 1 day weekend rental and 1700 BMI miles at Hertz

Gary mentioned in his blog, you can get $35 off and 1700 BMI miles for a one day weenend rental. This is the best deal for a one day rental. use coupon code 121365

Deal for 2 days rental is Delta 3000 bonus miles with Budget.

Deal for 3 days or more is Delta 4000 bonus miles with Budget.

Deal for 4 days or more is Delta 5000 bonus miles with Avis

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Hilton HHonors introduced online shopping mall

Hilton just introduced online shopping mall, which is similar to other airlines or hotels shopping mall. This will be a great tool to extend your Hilton points, which will be expired if no activity in 1 year.

The Earning ratio is not bad at all, saksfifthave earns you 5 points per $, so spend 30K can get u a great vacation in some nice resorts.

aloft Haidian, Beijing-a starwood catogory 1 properties

A Starwood new brand-aloft property opened in Haidian district, Beijing, the hotel looks nice and it is only a catergory 1 properties for now.

There were serveral properties forgot to request catergory change when they opened, which made award stay at those newly opened hotels a great deal.

2 years ago, Hilton sanya opened as Hilton Catgory 1 hotel and lots of people too advantage of that "offer". Last year, Sheraton Dameisha Resort in Shenzhen opened as SPG Catergory 2 property, so I took advantage of it and redeemed 45000 points for three nights during National holiday in a 2 bedroom Oceanview suite and a connecting room on Executive level.

I will spend 2000 points to see what Beijing aloft looks like soon

Starwood and Intercontinental really leave all other chains behind in China

I was playing random search on spg.com and noticed by year 2010, there will be 84 starwood properties in China. Intercontinental group already have more than 100 properties in China, compare Hilton only 7, Hyatt 12.

They come to the right market at right time and left their competitors hard to chase now

Intercontinental Buy 1 get 1 free offer in Europe

Here is the link, valid from July 1st to Aug 31t. avali on Fri,Sat,Sun

Free miles from Northwest

Northwest is offering Miles to Go promotion, which you can earn bonus miles by doing partner activities. one partner activity is "Play the Miles To Go Sweepstakes and Instant Win Game". You can earn 5 points eveyday when you login, that's all you need to do.

so from now to the end of promotion, you can earn about 150+ just clicking that partner activity, which will give you 3500 miles.

easy

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Who/What will be the next?

Almost at the same time United announced its checked bag policy, US airways announced significant change:

1 matched UA and AA first checked bag policy
2 will charge $2 per soft drink and $7 for beers and wine
3 increases fees for award travel
4 Will Eliminate Elite bonus

The last one is a big move, I have never ever seen any airlines on earth does not give any bonus to its elite members. I don't think this change will help the airline at all, it will only make its elite stay award from flying with them.

If other airlines match this move, the value of FFP will change significantly. I have started searching some backup programs. Will post more detail once I come up with something


Thursday, June 12, 2008

United Matched American checked bag policy

Soon, united will start to charge $15 for first bag and $25 for the second bag. International trip passenger, Elite, Business/First class ticket are exempt.

here is the link


Soon, all other airlines will match.

Monday, June 9, 2008

ORD! ORD ! ORD!-- no more ORD connecting flight!

ORD(chicago) airport always experience bad weather and air traffic control delays. Yesterday, it had mass cancellations and delays just because of 2 hours of thuderstorm. I got home 4:00 in the morning instead of schedule 10:xx pm. I just don 't understand why 2 airlines built hub in there!!!

Friday, June 6, 2008

W hotel store 40% off deal is back

website is here


use promotion code t4k7p at checkout, valid until 6/30. With this promotion, a queen size mattress only cost $600 with no tax and no shipping.

I bought their mattress few years ago, it's REALLY good and comfortable.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

United is offering 15% for flight to London this summer

I got this email today with a E-certificate code in it, if you did not get it, send me a email, I can give u

  • Ticketing period: June 5 — June 30, 2008
  • Travel period: June 5 — September 3, 2008
  • Blackout dates: none
  • Advance purchase restriction: per rule of fare purchased
  • Minimum stay restriction: per rule of fare purchased
  • Passenger eligibility: e-certificate may be used one (1) time for up to four (4) passengers on the same itinerary

Which airline program redemption level is the best?

I have highlight some best redemption value for each program below:
United Airlines:
  • 90K/120K business/first class to from North/Central America to most Asia

  • 90K/120K in business/first class from North/south Asia to Africa
  • 105K/140K business/first class from North America to Asia via(stopover) europe
  • 75K business class from Europe to Africa
  • 20K/30K in economy/business class within/btw China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
  • 20K/30K in economy/business within/btw Australia/New Zealand
  • 20K/40K in economy/business within/btw Australia/New Zealand to Other Oceania Countries
  • 20K/40K in economy/business within Europe
  • 5K within Hawaii on island air
  • 120K in business class from North/Central America to Africa is line with most other US programs such as NW.
American Airlines: as I mentioned, effective Oct1st, 2008. China will change to Asia 2.
  • 70K/90K in business/first from Asia 2 to South Pacific including Easter Island

  • 60K/90K in business/first from Asia 1 and 2 to Middle East

  • 20K/40K in economy/business within Europe

  • 20K economy within countries like Chile (excluding Easter Island), Japan,Argentina,Peru
  • Low season economy to Europe, South America 2 and Asia 1
  • Allow 2 stopovers(1 domestic and 1 international) and 1 openjaw if departs from North America
Northwest Airlines:
  • 25K in Economy within Africa on Kenya Airways
  • 20K/30K in Economy/Business almost anywhere in Asia (can not use Korean Air) and 25K if include CO

  • 35K in economy to some Northern South America counties such as Peru, but no stopover.
  • 40K/60K from Asia to Hawaii excluding Korea Air and Delta
  • Allow 1 stopovers and 1 open jaw excluding some regions
Delta:
  • 25K/30K in Economy/Business within Asia with one stopover permitted exclude Continental Micronesia Business first.
  • 35K in economy to some Northern South America counties such as Peru
  • 140K/200K in economy /business around the world travel with max 6 stopovers and no max flying miles limit.
  • However, you have to pay what its computer asks u to pay. They may charge you more for some simple round trip and they will tell you “sorry, this routing is not in our system, so you have to pay more” That’s why I consider DL program is the worst one. One more thing, they don't even have non us departure award chart anymore. Ready to rip you off.
Continental:
  • For travel within lower 48 states and less than 1500 miles, CO has 20K economy, but valid on CO and CO express only
  • 10K in economy for Intra Europe on Air Europa and flybe
  • 25K in economy almost anywhere in Asia exclude Korea Air
  • 35K in economy to some Northern South America counties such as Peru
  • 40K/60K in economy/business from Most Asia countries to Hawaii exclude Korea Air
  • 140K/200K in economy /business around the world travel with max 6 stopovers and no max flying miles limit
US Airways
  • 30K in Economy to Central America and Caribbean.
  • 75K business class from Europe to Africa
  • 20K/30K in economy/business within north Asia, However, its North Asia including more countries than United, such as Hongkong, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
  • 20K/30K in economy/business within South Pacific
  • 40K/60K from North Asia to South Pacific
Alaska Airlines:
  • 10K for one way or 20K for RT within US if booked on alaskaair.com
  • 15K for RT within Alaska

British Midland Airways (BMI):
  • you can redeem one way for half of RT miles with a stopover and you can redeem half cash and half miles for the award too.
  • 67.5K in Business from Central and North America to Western Europe countries.

  • 75K in business from Central and North America to rest Europe countries

  • 75K in business from Zone 8 including China to Europe countries except some Western Europe countries.

  • 60K in business from North America to all South America Countries
  • 45K in business from Middle East to South Africa

British Airways:
  • the only deal I found on deal is 20K within a same country. And Easter Island is considered as Chile on BA’s chart, so only 20K can get u a RT from SCL to IPC or v.v.
ANA airline program:

I have mentioned before, click to see detail.

In general, Other programs offers relatively bad accumulation and redemption level, especially those programs in Asia. I do not suggest anyone use any Programs in Asia. Also, you can see UA, US and BM offer better overall value than others for people always go to Asia or Europe, that's maybe why my UA account balance always not high enough

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

UA and LH have a new fare "sale" to Europe now

Posed in here, valid from lots of cities to Europe business class $1900 during the summer season.

Rouing includes via JNB and DEL, but destination must be europe, fare are nonrefundable.

you can go like this PDX-SFO-FRA-JNB-FRA-IST-FRA-IAD-PDX.

IST is the destination, all others are connections, you can not stay in JNB for more than 10 hours.

Not bad deal at all, similar to UA to New Zealand deal in 2007, but this one is booked into Z class and non refundable

Monday, June 2, 2008

American Airline increase award redemption level effective Oct 1st,2008

The changes are not That bad.

China will change will Asia 1 to Asia 2, which means economy/business/first from North America will jump to 70K/110K/135K.

However, due to this change, econ/bus/first award ticket from China to South Pacific such as Austrilia, new Zealand, Tahiti and even Easter Island will down to 50K/70K/90K

Earn up to 11 points per dollar at all new aloft hotels

Starwood hotels new brand-aloft, a vision of W hotels, is offering Quadruple points for stay btw hotel opening to 12/31/2008. you need to register here

If you are Gold or PLAT and have SPG credit card, you will earn

2*4=8 points+ 2 Points for credit+1 elite bonus=11 points for each dollar spend.

Beijing has one aloft, I will try it later this year. However, stay at Beijing aloft btw Aug 1st-31st are not eligible for the bonus