Monday, September 29, 2008

I am still around~

Will have more update soon

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Continental Airlines restores 500 min miles earning for Elites

I got an email today Continental Airlines will still give Elite member 500 mininum miles earning on flight less than 500 miles. I hope UA will do the same soon.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

BMI 30 seconds survey for 2500 miles is here again

Check you junk mailbox, sometimes it goes to there.

the easiest 2500 miles ever. I have got 3 surveys so far this year. 2500 each

your BMI account has to accept special offer email in order to get this survey

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Earn double + 1000 Delta Miles on selected route

You must register here

then book and fly btw Sep 15th-Dec 15th

From: To:
Atlanta (ATL)Seoul (ICN)
Atlanta (ATL)Shanghai (PVG)
Atlanta (ATL)Stockholm (ARN)
New York (JFK)Amman (AMM)
New York (JFK)Edinburgh (EDI)
New York (JFK)Malaga (AGP)
New York (JFK)Shannon (SNN)

In addition, you can fly on AF or DL and earn double miles

From: To:
Los Angeles (LAX)London/Heathrow (LHR)
New York (JFK)London/Heathrow (LHR)
New York (JFK)Lyon, France (LYS)
Salt Lake City (SLC) Paris/De Gaulle (CDG)

If you book your flight on delta.com and originating your travel from US, you will earn 1000 extra.

Offer maybe targeted

Monday, September 15, 2008

SPG Q4 promotion is here

This time is totally different, you can select on your own from the list. You have 12 of them to select from.

Need to register before Nov 15th

Saturday, September 13, 2008

20% bonus for AMEX Membership reward transfer to Delta agian

Need to register here

Offer valid from September 11 and October 17, 2008

Friday, September 12, 2008

10% off Coupon on AA Domestic US/Mexico until Oct 1st.

go to www.aa.com/soccer

then skip the intro, on the right side, you will see a 10 off coupon

Valid on American Airlines® or American Eagle® between cities in the 48 contiguous United States and/or Mexico

From Aug 1st to Oct 1st


credit to this thread

Delta Double Miles Promotion

you need to register here,

then purchase the ticket at delta.com now through October 31, 2008 and complete your travel by January 15, 2009.

Must be on Delta-coded Flights(except Flights operated by Northwest and Continental Airlines)

It is targeted

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Double SPG points in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico

must register here, earn double points between now and December 31, 2008 at following properties:

Participating hotels and resorts:

COLORADO
Aspen
The St. Regis Aspen Resort

Avon
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon - Open 10/15/08

Denver
Four Points by Sheraton Denver Southeast
Sheraton Denver Hotel, Downtown
Sheraton Denver West Hotel
Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel
The Westin Tabor Center
The Westin Westminster

Steamboat Springs
Sheraton Steamboat Resort

UTAH
Salt Lake City
Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel

NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Priority Club Q4 double points promotion is here

You need to register here, use code 6963

Earn double points or double miles on each qualifying stay, beginning with your second stay. Valid from Sep 15th-Dec 15th,2008

Double SPG points in Missouri

must register here, earn double points between August 18, 2008 and December 31, 2008 at following properties:

Illinois
Four Points by Sheraton Fairview Heights

Kansas
Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center, Overland Park

Missouri
Four Points by Sheraton Kansas City Airport, Kansas City
Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel St. Louis
Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel, Kansas City
Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites
Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza
The Westin Crown Center, Kansas City
The Westin St. Louis

Earn double Wyndham rewards(Formerly Trip Rewards) points through Jan 8,2009

You need to register here, then earn double points/miles through Jan 8,2009

Saturday, September 6, 2008

My 2 nights stay at Westin Toronto Airport earning

I and my wife stayed at Westin YYZ airport last Sat and Sun, below are our points earning

First night under my wife name:

170 basic points
85 Gold bonus
500 CCC on-hold bonus
170 double points bonus for anniversary hotels
3000 points for each stay in Canada
888 points for a weekend stay
202 points for SPG credit card spending

Total 5015

Second night under my name

170 basic points
85 Platinum bonus
500 Platinum Amenity
500 CCC on-hold bonus
500 bonus for flyertalk member in Sep
170 double points bonus for anniversary hotels
3000 points for each stay in Canada
1000 points for midweek stay
202 points for SPG credit card spending

Total 6127

I spent $202 dollar in total for those two nights, and earned 11142 SPG points , this is how the points add up so quickly.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Starwood-Earning FREE weekend stay in Asia Pacific with 3 paid stays using MasterCard

You must register here first, then stay 3 times with you mastercard in Asia Pacific, get 2 free weekend gateway at any participating properties.

Here is highlight of T&C:

"Members must register no later than December 15, 2008

Bookings must be made between September 15, 2008 and December 15, 2008 and stays must be between October 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008.

Arrival date for eligible stays must be between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.

Members may earn one (1) Free Weekend Award upon completion of three (3) eligible stays at a participating Hotel in the Asia Pacific region that are paid for with a MasterCard.

Members must quote "MFWFN" when calling to redeem the Free Weekend Award

Free Weekend Award is valid only for a consecutive Friday and Saturday night stay redeemable from November 1, 2008 and completed by January 31, 2009, in a single or double occupancy standard room, and includes the cost of the hotel room and room tax only.

Free Weekend Award is not transferable and may only be used at a participating Hotel in Asia Pacific
"

I am going back next week and will stay at SPG hotels anyway, a excellent promotion for me. those three eligible stays should cost me no more than $250

BTW, W Maldive is on the list.

hat's off to this thread

Continental Airlines Program changes

1 Effective today, Sep. 5, 2008 for travel on or after Oct. 7, 2008, CO will charge $15 for first checked bag. Elite member SkyTeam Elite members and anyone else eligible for EliteAccess (
including full-fare Y class and Chase Presidential Plus cardmembers) will be exempt.

2 For travel booked on or after Nov. 15, 2008 for travel on or after Jan. 1, 2009, eliminating the 500-mile minimum earning.

3 Elite Bonus Mile Changes. We will continue to award Elite mileage bonuses, but will be making changes to the bonuses awarded to Silver and Platinum members.Effective for travel on or after Mar. 1, 2009, Platinum Elite members will earn a 100 percent mileage bonus (instead of 125 percent)and Silver Elite members will earn 25 percent (instead of 50 percent).

4 OnePass Reward Changes. We will be adjusting our reward levels for travel between Tel Aviv and North America (series 10B) and between Tel Aviv and Hawaii (series 10C). For these rewards, the SaverPass rewards for both cabins will increase by 20,000 miles and EasyPass Rewards will increase by 50,000 miles for BusinessFirst tickets.

Now one more airline eliminates 500 Min earning, I think soon, all North America Airline will remove this benefit. After NW and DL merge complete, The bonus elite earning will change to Delta level, 25% for Silver/100% for Gold and Platinum, so it's just a matter of time for all of them to change.

Earn Elite Qualify Miles with NWA Credit Card

Now, you can earn more EQM without flying

"WorldPerks® is pleased to announce an exciting new benefit for
WorldPerks Visa® Signature Cardmembers. Starting September 1, 2008, you
can earn up to 20,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) towards your WorldPerks
Elite status each calendar year.

When you spend $25,000 in net purchases in any calendar year on your
WorldPerks Visa Signature Card, you'll earn 10,000 EQMs. Spend a total of $
50,000 in net purchases in the same calendar year and earn another 10,000
EQMs!

Any EQMs earned via your WorldPerks Visa Signature Card between September 1,
2008 and December 31, 2008 will count as earned in 2008 towards your 2009
Elite year status which begins March 1, 2009."

However, I don't think spending $50000 for 20000 EQM is a good idea, not worth it.

one more credit card you should keep even with annual fee

Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card,

even there is $85 annual fee, but the annual free night certificate for Category 1-5 is worth more than $85. Also as I mentioned earlier, the 10% off Marriott Gift card purchase via this promotion is counted as Marriott purchase, so you will also earn 5 points for each dollar on ur credit card.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

AA 10% off to China and Japan

I got this coupon code today in my email, valid from Chicago, New York City, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Miami or Boston to Tokyo, Japan or Shanghai, China, for up to 6 passengers traveling in the same reservation. Tickets must be purchased on AA.com now through September 10, 2008, 11:59 p.m. (CT), and seven (7) days prior to departure. Begin travel on or after September 11, 2008, and complete all travel by October 31, 2008. A seven (7) day minimum stay is required and a thirty (30) day maximum stay is allowed

It's targeted, but you may be able to use it, send a email if you want the code.

Cheapest place to buy Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones

As a frequent traveler, you must own Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones, but Bose never gives discount on this product. I have found a place to buy this at lower price and no shipping, no tax(except Virginia).

The website is www.crutchfield.com, send me a email, I can send you a referral code, you can get $20 off on the Headphones and I will get $20 credit store in my account.

Once you get my referral code,on the third page of checkout process, where you enter ur credit card information, you will see a line Other Payment Methods, click it, then "Enter your friend's Crutchfield Referral Code", then click continute to finish your checkout process.

Your discount will not be reflected right the way and not in ur confirmation email either, but you will see that discount in shipping Email

Don't forget to use evreward.com to see what kind reward(cashback/miles) you want.

Reward Program affiliated Credit Card in China is a joke

I am about to go to China for an indefinite period, so I think I should get a credit card in China to earn some rewards like I do in the states.

I was in shock when I saw the earning ratio for credit cards. the "best" I found for airline program is you get 1 km for every 11yuan( 1.6USD) charged to the credit card and you get no signup bonus or very little like 1000km. In addition, most miles program have fixed expiration date and the redemption rate is horrible. For Air China program, a RT award ticket for flight less than 800km is 14000km, so I need to charge more than 20,000USD to get a free ticket I can buy for 40 USD. Unbelievable.

The only one card has so so earning rate is Priority Club Gold Credit card issued by SPD bank(上海浦东发展银行), you earn 10000 bonus after signup and 1 point for every 4yuan(.60 USD) charge to the card or double points on all Intercontinental hotels Group purchase. With point breaks award, I can get a free night for approx 3000USD. Well, better than nothing.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

two more delta bonus offers

-1 Earn up to 8000miles with budget from Sep1st-Nov 15th. when you

Rent an intermediate or full-Size — Earn 1,000 bonus miles
Rent a premium — Earn 2,000 bonus miles
Rent a luxury — Earn 5,000 bonus miles
Rent an SUV — Earn 7,500 bonus miles
Rent a specialty or hybrid — Earn 8,000 bonus miles

Detail is here, you can get very cheap SUV at some airports

-2 Earn up to 8500 miles with partner hotels

Stay at any SkyMiles partner hotel between 9/1/08 and 11/30/08
Earn 1,000 bonus miles for your first qualifying stay*
Earn 2,500 bonus miles for your second qualifying stay
Earn 5,000 bonus miles for your third qualifying stay

Virgin Atlantic Sign up bonus

If you are not VS member yet and will have a flight with them soon, send me a email, so we both can get bonus.

  • 2,000 miles are yours if they take their first round trip in Economy
  • 5,000 miles are yours if they take their first round trip in Premium Economy
  • 10,000 miles are yours if they take their first round trip in Upper Class

Here is the link

Virgin Atlantic Bonus Miles

Gary mentioned in his blog,

"Through November 30th Virgin Atlantic is offering 3,000 bonus miles for a roundtrip in coach, 6,000 bonus miles for a roundtrip in premium economy, or 9,000 bonus miles for a roundtrip in Upper Class."

You need to register, the offer is via hyatt gold passport, so if you are not member, you may need to get a Hyatt account.

250 free starwood points for complting a survey

mentioned in this thread, the link is here, should take you less than 1 mins to finish

BMI matched my status to Gold

This is actually my second status match request for BMI because I used UA for the first time and got reject due to *A partnership. I sent fax again with a copy of my AA membership card, last month online statement and a letter explaining the reason for match. 6 days later, my status changed to Gold(valid one year from today).

Fax number for status match +44-1623-724099

or via email diamond.club@flybmi.com

With BMI Gold, you can use lounge in North America even if you are flying UA doemstic, but the downsides are

1 You don't have free internet in UA loungue beacuse free internet only gives to RCC paid member. With BMI GOLD, you are considered as GUEST, therefore, no free internet access.

2 You can only bring one guest.

3 You can only use loungue when you fly UA, US or AC in North America, but if you are paid member of RCC, you can use any time. This is very helpful at aiports like LGA, SFO, where UA and AA in same terminal and not too far from each other.

I think if you are also 1K with UA living around airport like SFO, LGA, you should get RCC membership instead of using BMI GOLD. A full year paid RCC membership with spouse for 1K is only $350.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Starwood New benefit is not very good

When everyone was waiting for some kind of change on elite programs, they announced the new benefit today-SPG Flights. Nothing much to talk about here because the new benefit is a big waste points. You should never use this option.

Here is the redemption rate:

Ticket Price* Starpoints
up to $150 10,000
$150-$215 15,000
$215-$280 20,000
$280-$345 25,000
$345-$410 30,000
$410-$475 35,000
$475-$540 40,000
$540-$605 45,000
$605-$670 50,000
$670-$735 55,000
$735-$800 60,000
$800-$865 65,000
$865-$930 70,000
$930-$995 75,000
$995-$1060 80,000
Higher prices (examples)
$2,880-$3,140 235,000
$4,960-$5,220 395,000
$9,900-$10,160 775,000

Monday, September 1, 2008

Mountain of Miles-New Northwest Promotion

You must register first before ticketing, this is just like other points based bonus promotion for Flying activities that NWA runs every year.

Offer available only to member with mailing address in the 50 United States or Canada.

The best value for your hotel points

Here are some best ways to spend your hotel points

Starwood:

  • Cash + Points at any properties
  • Weekday or weekend nights at cat 1 or 2 properties.
  • Fifth nights free when you redeem at cat 3, 4, 5hotels.
  • Nights and flight awards, which you redeem 60000 SPG points and get 50K miles+ 5 free night at Cat 3 hotel or 70000 SPG points and get 50K miles+ 5 free nights at cat 4 hotels.
  • Transfer to Airline miles at 1:1 basis + 5000 bonus for every 20000 points transferred. However, this is only good when there is additional bonus on top of 5000 bonus, like BA did 30% more.


Redeem points at any Cat 7 hotel is a waste, unless you have tons of points and no where to spend them, don’t use them for cat 7 hotels.


Hilton:

  • Going Global Award (available for Silver member or above only): 175000 for 6 nights at Level 6 properties, 150000 for 6 nights at level 5 properties.
  • AXON (available for American Express Hilton Card member only): 125,000 for 4 nights at Level 5, 6 properties
  • Points Stretcher Award: Award at 40% off.

Marriott:

  • Travel package: 235,000,250,000, 270,000 points for up to 120,000 frequent flyer miles or 80 mileage credits, and 25% off Hertz car rental and 7 night at Category 1-5, 6,7 properties.
  • Point saver award at all participating properties and Ritz-Carlton Properties
  • Redemption at Level 1 or 2 properties.

Priority Club:

  • Point Breaks: 5000 points per night
  • Some High Price Intercontinental, Crown Plaza, Holiday inn and Holiday inn Express

Hyatt:

  • Redemption at level 1,2 are the best value, 3 is Ok too.
  • Fast Free night promotion


Radisson Gold Passpot:

  • Cash + points, However, Carlson Hotel group has a bad reputation of crediting points, I have heard lots of complain on missing credits, so not a program I would suggest.


All other Hotel programs are either not Points based like Fairmont, Swisshotel, Shangri-La, or pretty straight forward redemption like choice hotel, sofitel(new program launching on Sep 15th).


Things you should know when credit *A flight to BMI program

Here are few things you should know to ensure miles credit to BMI properly.

If you are elite with UA, even just a Premier Associate, you should use your Mileage Plus number to make your reservations because you can select Economy Plus seat. After your are done with ur seat selections, call United Airline to change your number to British diamond club number. After they changed the number, check your online receipt again to see how many FFP number is on the reservation because some UA agent will add your BD number, but forget to delete your UA number. If this is the case, your miles may or may not credit to BMI account even your BD number showed on ur boarding pass later

If you have luggage to check or have pending upgrade with UA, then you need to check in with your UA number first, then ask Gate/RCC agent to change to BD number after u drop ur bag/upgrade cleared. If you use Confirmed Regional Upgrade or System wide upgrade and is cleared, you can switch to BD number anytime.

Don't use Easy Checkin Machine to change your Number unless your flight has no connections because Easy checkin will simply ADD BD number to the record without deleting UA number, some flight segments will still credit to UA even BD number is showing on the Boarding pass.

If the miles ever post to your UA account even with BD number on the boarding pass and you want to recredit to BMI account, you need to call UA to remove mileage credit first, then follow the standard missing miles credit request procedures on BMI website. If your boarding pass shows UA account number, then you can not recredit back to BD, at least not without a significant effort.

For all other *Alliance Flight, you can give your BD number at the time of reservation because there is no Economy plus or luggage issue(except US). If for some reason, you need to add number at check in, make sure to tell Check in Agent enter BD xxxxxxx, lots of agent don't even know BMI is *A partner and airline code for BMI.