Thursday, July 31, 2008

Do you still have your hair with you?

Delta is currently running a promotion with Bosley, which you will get a 20000 miles for a "hair loss" consultation, if you decide to do the surgery, that's gonna be another 150000 miles.

I did not pay attention when I saw this promotion few days ago because I still have my hair with me. However, someone on flyertalk reported you can just go there and tell them

"I had a family history of hair loss and was worried about losing my hair"


and they will talk to you for few mins for a "consultation". I will try this next weekend.

easy miles

Delta announced two "ENHANCEMENT" recently

Delta airline just announce two "GREAT ENHANCEMENT"

1 Increase the second checked bag fee from $25 to $50, this change will apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after July 31, 2008, for travel on or after Aug. 5, 2008.

2 a new three tier award redemption structure, the lowest RT award for dometic US still 25000 miles, but to Hawaii increased to 40000, also they seperate Central America and Northern South America now. They will gurantee you an award seat if you want to pay the "Last Seat“Level.

Anyway, Delta miles are so easy to earn now, so they make their award higher. Also, they still don't have their other region award listed. All these make Delta program still the worst as long with US Airways.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Significant changes in Alaska Airline programs

Gary mentioned some significant changes in Alaska Airline programs in his blog , the changes include

no more 20000 level award,

Unrestricted awards and first class awards get more expensive.

collecting Partner award fee

and more

Another program devalues its miles now

Hotels.com rewards program launched

I read an article yesterday and saw a new program launched for hotels.com. It is called welcomerewards, which you will earn a free night up to $400 dollar after 10 nights stays booked via hotels.com.

Those online booking agents start to have some kind of loyalty program now, but for those who want hotel chain elite status and points, these programs won't help because you will not earn any hotel programs points or elite credit if you book via third party website. However, it does provide some incentives for people who don't care elite status and points.

20% off of any hotel from orbitz.com

use code SEVENSALE, book by August 3, 2008 to save on travel between July 31, 2008 through October 31, 2008

T&C:
Book a qualifying hotel between July 28, 2008 and August 3, 2008, for 1 or more nights for travel between July 31, 2008, and October 31, 2008 via Orbitz and instantly receive 20% off your booking through the use of the promotion code. To display qualifying hotels, click "I have a promotion code." and enter the promotion code, then look for hotels marked with the icon "COUPON." Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. Discount may not be used toward the booking of a vacation package. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Getting from Shanghai to LHR in business class on Virgin Altantic for less than $700

I totally ignore this deal because I live in NYC metro area, where rental car is very expensive. however, lots of Hertz local edition elsewhere have very cheap weekend daily rate, which will make this deal hard to pass.

use CDP 1040618 and PC# 120352 at hertz(airport or local), you will earn 3000 Virgin Atlantic miles per rental even just for one day rental.

I did a quick search at some California locaitons, with the coupon code above, the compact car costs only around $20 per weekend day. so 34 rentals will only cost you $680 in total and give you 102000 VS miles= a business class from Shanghai to London. VS business class is one of the best.

Excellent deal, the detail is here, but too bad the deal is ending on Sep 30th. After that, you still earn 1000 VS miles per rental with hertz

Cheap UA ticket to China

This is not a mistake fare. It just like Lan.com glitch, which drops YQ fuel surcharge at the time of ticketing. this system glitch has been around for almost a year now, but it's for Europe Cities. Now it's working for China too, don't know when UA will fix this.

The deal is working from manys cities such as SEA, CVG, DTW, NYC and many more, you just have to search on ur own and follow the step below, ticket to Beijing is higher than ticket to Shanghai, the cheapest ticket to Shanghai so far is around $678 with return less than 30 days from departure NOTE: The deal may not work from SFO, but it does work from San Jose.

Also, your departure date must be later than Olympic time in order to get cheaper ticket.
The change fee is $250+ fare difference, however, I do not know whether the YQ charge will be added back if you change ur ticket.

1 go to united.com
2 select multi city
3 Flight number 1, xxx(your departure city)-PVG/PEK
4 flight number 2, Pvg/pek-xxx
5 Flight number 3 SEA-YVR, Select a date after your Flight number 2 date. Adding this segment will result system drop YQ fuel surcharge.
6 Select search by Price.
7 you will see the price and proceed to booking like any other

after u finish your round trip, you throw that SEA-YVR leg away.

Thanks to Flyertalk bring this up.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

AA delisted from kayak.com and possibly Orbitz too

I saw an article here today, American Airline will not be listed under kayak.com search engine. I actually found Kayak.com is one of the best engine.

Personally, I don't think it's a good idea because people who wants to book AA ticket must to go search it on aa.com now.

Hopefully they will back soon

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Another BMI diamond club sign up offer

Sign up via here, you will get Blue plus membership + 4500 redeemable miles right the way.

For more information on BMI program, please check here

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Earn 3000 bonus points per stay at participating Canadian properties

Register here,

valid until sep 1st, 2008, any rate earns SPG points should qualify.

Few new Offers from Hilton

1 Get up to three free nights worldwide excluding both North and South America region. You will get 1 free night when you pay 3, 2 free nights when you pay 5 or 3 free nights when you pay 7. However the rate may be higher per night. The detail in here

2 Earn triple points when book rate code PR40TP, however, the rate is higher per night, the detail is here

Friday, July 18, 2008

Get a $10 Discover Gift Card for every $100 you spend on your Discover Card at participating malls

Offer valid at participating locations from Aug 1th to Sep 7th, here is the step

  • Find a mall near you from the list of participating malls below
  • Shop in the mall and use your Discover Card
  • Collect your Discover Card receipts from any store at any participating mall from August 1 through September 7, 2008
  • Bring your Discover Card receipts to customer service and redeem for your $10 Discover Gift Card
The link for this promotion is here, max 5 gift cards per account

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Earn 2500 SPG points on SPG AMEX for setting up automatic wireless bill payments

The link is here and it is targeted, login in to see if you qualify.

Earn 30000 bonus Priority points after first purchase

Chase just introduced this Business Credit card, which you can get 30K bonus points after first purchase and $20 credit on ur first statement

There's also a personal one, I posted on my blog long time ago, in case you can not find, here is the link

You can get 30K each for a total 60K, however, if you already applied personal card before, you will not earn any bonus again on the personal card, but on the Business card.

NOTE: I forgot to mention, both cards have no annual fees for the first year, then $29 thereafter, after bonus and $20 credit, they are not even worth $29, so cancel before ur next anniversary date to avoid annual fee.

2 resort properties join Hilton Program

There are in Montergo Bay, Jamaica and Mallorca, Spain, so we get 2 more options for our free vacation.

Continental Airlines is making move now

Gary mentioned in his blog, continental airlines is making some changes on its FFP program effective Aug 17th. the change includes

1: no hold on award reservation,
2 increase award redeposite fees
3 requires close-in process fees
4 increase upgrade co-pay.

The detail can be found here.

Since I do not have any miles with them , this did not affect me.

Miles posted for Delta Car rental Deals

Some people have reported miles post on Delta acocunts for rental return prior to July 12th, so if you return the car before that date and did not see your miles today, you need to wait 6 more weeks before you can contact Delta for missing bonus request.

15% off on Midwest Airlines flight

Got this deal from my Hertz monthly statement.

"Fly Midwest Airlines on your next trip and save 15% on tickets with a minimum fare of $275 to any of the airline's destinations coast to coast. Enjoy the onboard comfort and outstanding service that have earned Midwest the reputation for providing "The best care in the air.®" Book your tickets online at midwestairlines.com by August 15, 2008, using promo code HERTZ15. "


the link is here

I personally do fly them, but maybe useful for someone, you can accumulate Northwest Airline miles

United Airline closed 4 Red Carpet Clubs

United Airline closed Atlanta, Baltimore/DC, Dallas and Minneapolis Red Carpet Club due to increasing fuel cost. I have been to all 4 of them and like them because I can live my stuff in the lounge and go somewhere else. Now I just have to carry my bag with me all the time.

Too bad.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Earn up to 2000 Bonus starwood points by adding new member to you SPG AMEX card

I got this link from Starwood monthly statement few days ago, you will get 1000 bonus points for each additional member you sign up and make a first purchase up to 2.

You can add anyone, even urself as additional card holder

Few Planet Hollywood Deals

it posted here , click the link for the deal you want.

Sometimes I choose to stay at Planet Hollywood because the stay will count toward starwood elite qualification and points, and I always get upgrade to a huge suite without using $20 trick.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Bloomingdale Gift card Offer

The link is here, for 3 days only, spend 250-499.99, get 100 Gift card, sped 500+ get 200 gift card, gift card must redeem by 8/20/2008.

You can earn miles from these purchases if linked from Airlines shopping Portal.

Egypt Air joined Star Alliance

Star Alliance just announced Egypt air official entry as part of the team, with new Egpyt air, star alliance covers entire Africa, where no carrier flew btw North Africa and South Africa. It also provides more option for travel from Asia countries to middle east area.

Another Update on Delta rental car deal

My wife picked up her first rental at Budget BUR airport 2 days ago, the guy worked there was a jerk. He refused to put delta skymiles number in there without seeing a physical card, so we went to Duty manager, who put number in there but told us only for 1 time.

We reserved a Compact car and got a Mercury, but I'd rather to have a compact car because I am too young to drive a Mercury! Receipt did not show anything when we returned the car.

Yesterday, I went to pick up my first rental at AVIS BUR airport, the service was great, booked a compact, got a convertible and the guy put my delta number in the reservation without asking for a PHYSICAL CARD.

I have not return my car yet, but from many people report, Avis receipt in your email should show" miles earned 10049". However, the receipt you get at car rental may not show anything or something like "miles earned:OVR"

Also, I think adding your wizard number will not affect the bonus as long as your price booked via delta.com doesn't change and rate code still shows "FL".

I changed all booking from Budget to Avis.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Earn double SPG points at NEW SPG hotels

Must register here, valid btw July 10-Oct 31st, 2008 at participating properties

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

New Hilton Amex offer- Earn up to 62500 bonus points

My friend send me this offer today, it is the best Hilton AMEX offer so far

  • Earn 20,000 HHonors bonus points with your first purchase
  • Earn up to an additional 10,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points - that's 2.500 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each of your first four stays at any Hilton Family Hotel
  • Earn 30,000 HHonors bonus points when you spend $1,500 in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 2,500 Hilton HHonors bonus points when you add an Additional Cardmember to your account


  • Here is the link

    "Free" Millennium Resort Scottsdale Deal is back

    Got this deal from travelzoo today, $100 at Scottsdale Lakefront Resort per night with $100 food and beverage credit, so your room costs you nothing.

    Must book by July 19th for travel until Sep 14th, 2008.

    Some updates on Delta Rental Car deal

    According to View from the Wings, Here is few things we need to do to ensure miles properly post without further request.

    1 book via delta.com(we all know that)

    2 if you have wizard number with Avis or Fastbreak number with budget, DON'T
    give them when you pick your car because this will trigger the AWD code under ur profile.

    3 if you have wizard number with Avis or Fastbreak number with budget, DON'T
    use the credit card under your profile.

    4 make sure your FFP is there when you pick up ur car

    The bonus will be triggered by Delta miles posting and booking via Iseatz.com(delta website car booking engine)

    I just made reservation for 6 rentals, 3 for me, 3 for my wife. We actually need a car for 3 days in Los Angeles Area, so the extra cost is only for 3 days. Anyway, total cost $224, total miles earn 60294, enough for 2 business class anywhere in Asia. Not bad!!

    Another thing is If you drive 75 miles or less for the rental and you fill up the gas by yourself, YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE RECEIPT AND SHOW THEM, OTHERWISE, YOU WILL CHARGE $10.95 for BUDGET or 13.99 for Avis.

    Tuesday, July 8, 2008

    Earn up to 25000 bonus points in Chicago

    must register online by September 30, 2008.
    Bonus Starpoints may be earned on eligible stays: 1 night stays – 1,000 bonus Starpoints; 2 night stays – 2,500 bonus Starpoints; 3 or more night stays – 5,000 bonus Starpoints.

    One improvement on Marriott website

    Marriott has points saver award, which you can redeem points for hotel rooms at discounted level. However, they never publish when and which hotel have that kind of awards available, so we have to search around. Today when I check Marriott website, they finally have participating properties and dates listed on their website. A great improvement!

    Marriott Gift card at 10%off and earn bonus Delta miles

    You can purchase Marriott Vacation(Gift) card at here for 10% discount, you will also 1000 bonus Delta miles for each $1000 card you purchase up to 10000 miles. If you use your Chase marriott credit card, this purchase will show up as Marriott related purchase, so earn you 5 points per dollar spend on the card.

    Saturday, July 5, 2008

    $60 off Orbitz.com hotel booking

    Must book btw June 20-July31, 2008 and use by December 20, 2008.
    Must use Visa

    PROMO CODE = VISAVIP

    Valid for 3 nights or more

    Friday, July 4, 2008

    9999 Delta miles for 1 day car rental

    This offer is crazy, you will get 9999 miles for just 1 day rental at Avis or Budget, you have to book via Delta website, a link from offer page. Do not add any BCD number or AWD number on ur own.
    Although it looks like you need to book a flight in order to get this offer, it has nothing to do with flight booking. Offer is valid until Aug 1st, 2008 only, so act quickly.

    There is also another offer will give you 5000 miles for regardless of rental length until Dec 31st, 2008, but you need rent Budget "where2" GPS in order to qualify, which cost you additional $13.95 per day. I have posted here about rental car deal for more than 1 day, so the 5000 miles GPS offer is only worth for 1 day consider the cost of GPS. Here is the detail

    With that 9999 deal, an intra asia Business class award ticket only costs me less than $80+ some fees when I redeem my miles. Not bad!

    Thursday, July 3, 2008

    detailed List of Extra Fees by Airline

    it posted on kayak.com

    so consider them before buying your ticket

    Fund your Checking account with CREDIT CARD without getting Cash Advance charge and earn points

    The detail is here, follow the step and DO NOT CALL citibank


    credit to frugaltravelguy

    20% bonus for AMEX Membership reward transfer to Delta

    Need to register here.


    Offer valid from June 10 and July 31, 2008

    Another good thing about BMI program

    UA and US, both star alliance carriers, have stopped giving minimum 500 mileage for flight shorter than 500, so the flight btw LAX-SBA will only earn u 89 miles.

    However, you can credit all those short flight to BMI program, which gives 600 minimum mileage for flight shorter than 600.

    You need to call UA reservation to add ur BMI number.

    British Midland Airways Diamond Club-Redemption

    BMI

    I have posted this one, now post them separately to make it clear
    • 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

    Tuesday, July 1, 2008

    $1 from New york to Toronto

    not by air, it's by Greyhound. Greyhound introduced a new service called" NEON", it has Internet connection, Plugin and Moive.Daily from New york to Toronto.

    you can find cheap ticket as low as $1 during some mid weekday.

    Not bad.

    Delta has promotion offer for your birthday

    Since my B-day is coming, I got a email from Delta

    "As a valued SkyMiles® member, when you register and book a round-trip Delta flight now through July 31, 2008, you'll receive double miles or double Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs)—your choice. But you must travel by August 31, 2008"

    I don't fly with them anymore, but those of you who are still flying with them, you should update ur birthday in your online profile, you may get something later