Choosing An Airline Program For 2015

The past year or so has been a bit of a roller coaster for the domestic landscape in the US. We’ve got mergers, spending requirements, bifurcated award charts, changes to partner earnings rates -- the works. And there isn’t really a “sure bet” for a domestic airline program going forward, at least not that I can see.

Generally Ben's blog focuses on him answering reader questions and providing advice, but I'd love to flip that around today.

So this might be a bit presumptuous, given we’ve really just met, but I need help.

Actually, my very patient husband needs help choosing an airline program for 2015. His travel patterns are wildly different than mine, but are probably very familiar-sounding to many of you.

Hopefully walking through the options and thought process will be helpful for others facing this same dilemma, as I can’t imagine I’m the only one struggling with finding the best frequent flyer program for next year.

The post Choosing An Airline Program For 2015 appeared first on One Mile at a Time.

from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/choosing-airline-program-2015/

2015 Promo Sneak Peek: IHG’s Set Your Sights

Not surprisingly, it hasn't been the most exciting year for hotel promos, simply because hotels are having no problem filling all their rooms without too much extra incentive needed.

One interesting trend we've seen in 2014 is that more promotions have been targeted rather than available to all members. For example, IHG Rewards Club ran their "Into The Nights" promotion, whereby each member received a unique offer.

Similarly, while widely targeted, Hyatt ran a promotion offering up to 50,000 bonus points after 20 nights. For me that was the most lucrative promotion of the year, as it basically offered 2,500 bonus points (which I value at ~$40) per night. The only downside as someone that lives in hotels is that it was capped at 20 nights.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/2015-promo-sneak-peek-ihgs-set-sights/

American Flight Attendant Contract Arbitration Complete

Airline labor relations are fascinating, though I usually don't chime in on them. That's simply because I'm not an expert on them, and I also tend to think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, as with most things in life.

That being said, in early November I wrote about American's flight attendants rejecting their new contract. They were the first work group to undergo negotiations for a new joint contract between legacy American and US Airways, so the situation set an interesting precedent. Out of over 8,000 votes, the contract got turned down over just 16 votes, which is crazy.

What also made this vote seem so straightforward is that the proposed contract was worth $193 million in yearly increases, while if the contract went to arbitration it would be capped at $112 million in yearly increases, which even the union acknowledged. I get the contract didn't include everything flight attendants wanted, but in this case it seemed pretty black and white in terms of the money at stake.

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/american-flight-attendant-contract-arbitration-complete/

What Happens When You Threaten To Blow Up A Plane In Thailand?

Here's a crazy story about two passengers acting up on a Thai AirAsia flight from Bangkok to Nanjing this past Thursday, which had to return to Bangkok. Via the Bangkok Post:

"Witnesses said the man threatened to blow up the plane and his girlfriend told other passengers she wanted to commit suicide, Charles Liu posted on the Nanfang Insider blog on Friday. Earlier, the couple...

Earlier, the couple were angry when they discovered they were not sitting together, which happened because they were part of a tour group seated in alphabetical order."

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/what-happens-when-you-threaten-to-blow-up-a-plane-in-thailand/

Are Revenue-Based Frequent Flyer Programs, and Bonusing Premium Fares, Really the Same Thing?

It’s tempting to say that ‘going revenue-based’ and ‘rewarding premium cabin tickets more’ are two sides of the same coin. That’s actually wrong, for one simple reason. Both United and Delta next year will be rewarding miles for flights based on the cost of a ticket, rather than the distance flown. To paraphrase comedian Steven […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/revenue-based-frequent-flyer-programs-bonusing-premium-fares-really-thing/

Should I Buy up to American Executive Platinum Elite Status?

TPG reader Al sent me a message on Facebook asking: “US Airways just quietly posted their revised buy-up to elite program, which is pretty close if not identical to American’s boost program. Do you think it’s worth it to buy up for higher elite status?” It’s December, which means it’s crunch time for elite status. […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/should-i-buy-up-to-american-executive-platinum-elite-status/

The 6 best barrios in Santiago

With over 7 million people in the greater Santiago area (a third of Chile's population), all the different communas and barrios can be hard to decipher. Here is Cathy Dean's guide to the six best barrios in the city:



from Matador Network » Matador Network http://matadornetwork.com/trips/the-6-best-barrios-in-santiago-de-chile/

This Rap Star Didn’t Want to Miss His Flight, So His Entourage Opened the Jetway Door And…

Rapper Jeremih didn’t board his US Airways flight from Newark on time. The Chicago-born rapper, whose real name is Jeremy Felton, 27, and his pals pulled the pea-brained stunt about 1:45 p.m. at gate 37 in terminal A, as a US Air flight to Phoenix was just seconds from takeoff, the sources said. …So one […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/rap-star-didnt-want-miss-flight-entourage-opened-jetway-door/

Will I Get SkyClub Lounge Access When I Fly Delta?

TPG reader Tiffany tweeted me to ask: @thepointsguy– “I’m flying JFK-SEA on Delta over the holidays and wanted to see if I’ll have SkyClub access before my flight?” Well, without knowing anything about this trip or your situation, it’s hard to say. If you’re just flying in economy and you don’t have a credit card […]



from The Points Guy http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/will-i-get-skyclub-lounge-access-when-i-fly-delta/

Why Don’t I Use My Hotel Suite Upgrades?!

I'm constantly looking at my loyalty program accounts, be it the redeemable account balance, the elite qualifying balance, available upgrades, free nights, etc. And that's especially true towards the end of the year, when there's often a rush to track your status and figure out which upgrade instruments are expiring.

My two favorite hotel chains are Hyatt and Starwood, and both offer their top tier elite members confirmed suite upgrades:

-- Hyatt Diamond members received four Suite Upgrade Awards, each of which can be used to confirm an upgrade into a suite for up to a seven night stay at the time of booking

-- Hyatt Platinum members receive ten Suite Night Awards, each of which can be used to confirm an upgrade into a suite for one night up to five days before check-in

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from One Mile at a Time http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/12/14/dont-use-hotel-suite-upgrades/

Warning! Dropping off your rental car doesn’t mean you’re off the hook

from Elliott http://elliott.org/the-navigator/warning-dropping-off-rental-car-doesnt-mean-youre-off-hook/

Victoria Falls as Seen from Mosi oa Tunya National Park, Zambia

from Everything Everywhere Travel Blog http://everything-everywhere.com/2014/12/13/victoria-falls-seen-mosi-oa-tunya-national-park-zambia/

Reader Success Story: From Frugal College Student to Savvy World Traveler

Over the years, we’ve had many readers share their success stories with us. Folks for whom traveling domestically once a year was a luxury are now traveling the world with just a few credit card sign-up bonuses. And the best part? They are sharing their stories with us and others who benefit from knowing that […]



from Frugal Travel Guy http://www.frugaltravelguy.com/2014/12/reader-success-story-from-frugal-college-student-to-savvy-world-traveler.html

The Tanning Vats and I get Electrocuted

Part 2, now with bonus electrocution! Here’s Part 2 of the video series from yesterday about 3 tips for getting a good reflection shot! I went on a fun hike here in New Zealand to find some cool “reflictions”… you can come along, see a new on-the-road backup solution I am using, see some nervous […]



from Stuck in Customs http://www.stuckincustoms.com/2014/12/14/the-tanning-vats/

Have Elite Status? Get Free Access to American and United Clubs!

Airlines are interested in poaching the best customers of their competitors. Frequent flyers sometimes want to switch airlines, but it’s tough — you’ve flown enough to earn perks, you don’t want to give up those perks and start from scratch with another carrier. So many airlines will offer a status match: show that you have […]

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from View from the Wing http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2014/12/13/elite-status-get-free-access-american-united-clubs/