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Systemwide Upgrade Availability Now Showing On AA.com

On December 9, 2013 · 5 comments

in American

Screen shot 2013-12-09 at 9.37.48 AM

One of the best perks of American Airlines’ top-tier Executive Platinum status is the 8 Systemwide Upgrades (SWU’s) you get each year you qualify where you can upgrade one class of service on any paid published fare – so from economy to business or business to first for example. The one downside is… Read More

Official US Airways Oneworld Join Date – March 31, 2014

On December 9, 2013 · 11 comments

in Oneworld, US Airways

Oneworld feat

A couple weeks ago there was speculation that US Airways would leave Star Alliance March 1, 2014 and would join Oneworld as early as April, but now we’ve got official confirmation from Oneworld that US Airways will join American’s alliance on March 31, 2014.

Here’s what the official release says: Read More

Elite Status Series: Delta Platinum Medallion

On December 9, 2013 · 10 comments

in Delta, Elite Status, TPG Contributors

Delta Medallion Qualification Levels.

TPG contributor Nick Ewen takes us through the basics of Delta Platinum Medallion status – how you can qualify for it and maximize the benefits once you earn it.

In earlier posts, I covered the ins and outs of Delta’s lowest two tiers of elite status: Silver Medallion and Gold Medallion. This… Read More

A Rundown of Things to Come With The New Post-Merger American Airlines

On December 9, 2013 · 31 comments

in American, US Airways

aausairwaysmerger

The American Airlines US Airways merger is expected to close this morning, which means we should start to hear definitive information soon about how the new airline will look, when their frequent flyer programs and accounts will begin to merge and what awards, fleets and routes will look like. So I… Read More

Using Miles for a Last Minute Family Emergency

December 9, 2013

Although I normally dedicate space on the site to talking about how to maximize miles by earning them and redeeming for high-value trips and premium travel, one of the ways miles are most valuable is for last-minute emergencies when airfares can skyrocket and be a huge blow to your wallet and your morale when you’re […]

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What is the Best Way To Fly To Asia In Business Class Using US Airways Miles?

December 8, 2013

TPG reader David emailed me this week with a question about using US Airways miles to get to Asia: “I’m looking to do a 10-day trip from Miami to Hong Kong and Phuket next year using US Airways miles. I currently have 127,000 miles my wife has 81,000. We are looking to go at least […]

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Is Lufthansa First Class That Much Better Than Business Class?

December 8, 2013

TPG reader Samir is trying to book one of the most coveted award seats there is, Lufthansa first class, but is having a hard time finding availability. Here’s his situation: “I am trying to book a first class award on Lufthansa for a flight on March 13 – March 24th from Boston to Madrid and […]

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Have Any Tips For Avoiding Jet Lag?

December 8, 2013

TPG reader Jason tweeted me with a question about a problem that plagues many long-distance travelers – jet lag: “@thepointsguy With your constant int’l trips and multiple time zone changes, how do you reduce the effects of jet lag?” If you’ve never experienced it before, jet lag can be brutal because it’s not just about […]

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Saturday Recap: Double Points At Enterprise, Double Asia Miles With Qatar, Alaska Fares Discounts and More

December 7, 2013

Here’s a recap of the interesting points and miles news from this week: Earn Double Points At Enterprise Rent-A-Car With “Plus Your Points” Promotion: Now through March 31, 2014, Enterprise Plus members can earn double points (2X per $1) on rentals as well as additional bonuses like 20 points just for registering for the promotion. […]

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Elite Status Series: Delta Gold Medallion

December 6, 2013

TPG contributor Nick Ewen takes us through the basics of Delta Gold Medallion status – how you can qualify for it and maximize the benefits once you earn it. In a prior post, I covered the ins and outs of Delta’s lowest tier of elite status: Silver Medallion. Just getting any level of status with […]

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Destination of the Week: Hong Kong

December 6, 2013

For today’s Destination of the Week, we are going to a semi-autonomous city known for its glittering skyline and beautiful harbor. Connecting both Eastern and Western cultures, this former British colony is home to exquisite cuisine and incredible shopping amidst a landscape of modern skyscrapers and historical temples. We’re heading to Hong Kong! HISTORY Once […]

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TSA PreCheck Open Application and Enrollment Begins

December 6, 2013

Back in July, I reported that the TSA planned to open up applications to its PreCheck security clearance program to the general public – until now, you had to be nominated by an airline or part of a trusted traveler program like Global Entry. While that might seem like great news for the flying public […]

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American Airlines Offering Up To 15,000 Bonus Miles For Transcontinental Flights On The New Airbus A321

December 5, 2013

To celebrate the launch of their new Airbus A321 transcontinental fleet, American Airlines is offering up to 15,000 bonus miles for roundtrip travel between New York and Los Angeles from January 7-March 31, 2014. The new A321s take to the skies on January 7, 2014, and by the end of that month, six of the […]

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Reminder: Chase Sapphire First Friday 3X Points on Dining December 6

December 5, 2013

It’s already December! And that means that tomorrow is the last first Friday of the month for earning 3X points per $1 on dining when you use your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire cards at restaurants, where they would normally only earn 2-2.14X points per $1. The bonus works at any restaurant you’d normally earn […]

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Buy Delta MQMs to Reach Or Maintain Your Status for 2014

December 5, 2013

Seeing as we have only a few more weeks until we ring in 2014, that means many people are making that last mad, desperate dash for elite status re-qualification. I’m getting tons of emails and tweets asking for help trying to hit the next level- or simply maintain what has already been earned. Some calls […]

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Get 5,000 Extra Points For Referrals To The Amex Starwood Card And Premier Rewards Gold Card

December 5, 2013

Sharing positive things with a friend is always enjoyable, especially when you get rewarded for it. Which is why I was happy to hear that the personal American Express Starwood and Premier Rewards Gold cards now have “Refer A Friend” promotions where you can get 5,000 extra bonus points when someone you know signs up […]

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Earn Up To 1,000 Bonus Aeroplan Miles With Every $100 Best Western Travel Card Purchased

December 5, 2013

Aeroplan is giving away 1,000 bonus miles for the purchase of a $100 value Best Western travel card, and while this may not seem like a mind-blowing offer on the outset – it can be a good opportunity to triple-dip. To earn the 1,000 bonus miles, you must be a Best Western Rewards member, select “Aeroplan” as […]

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Thursday Giveaway: Club Carlson Concierge Status and $500 Gift Cards

December 5, 2013

This has been a busy holiday week what with killer Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals, and with 2013 quickly coming to an end, I’m sure more than a few of you made some mattress-running hotel reservations for the final sprint towards status. However, just to inject a little bit of fun back into […]

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Allied Visa & Passport Now Offering A Free Visa Service To China, Kenya And Tanzania, Now Through January 10, 2014

December 4, 2013

Keeping with the season of giving, Allied Passport & Passport are waiving their fees on visas to China, Tanzania and Kenya now through January 10, 2014 – just in time to plan your big trips in the new year. Normally TPG readers receive a $5 discount from Allied on any order but pay Allied’s service […]

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Social Media Travel Roundup-News, Contests, Promos, Trends and More

December 4, 2013

Social media is increasingly becoming the method airlines, hotels, credit cards and consumers get in touch with one another about the latest news, deals and promotions. Here’s a look at the latest interesting trending topics and more on social media from the week. I’ll be combing through Facebook posts, Tweets, Instagram pics and more to […]

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Amex Platinum Losing AA/US Lounge Access; New Centurion Lounges Announced for LGA and SFO

December 4, 2013

The American/US Airways merger is expected to close any day now and its effects for consumers will be wide-reaching. Sadly, for American Express Platinum cardholders, this means that “effective March 22, 2014, Consumer, Business and Corporate Platinum and Centurion Card Members will no longer have complimentary access to the American Airlines Admirals Club and US Airways […]

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Tis’ The Season to Give: My Million Mile Donation To Kids In Need and How You Can Help Too

December 4, 2013

In the miles and points world it can be easy to become jaded with just how good we have it. Even though program devaluations are rampant and it is becoming harder (though far from impossible) to maximize miles and points, we still need to take a minute and be thankful that we are even able […]

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Chase Freedom 5x Category Bonuses Announced For Throughout 2014

December 4, 2013

One of the best ways out there to rack up bonus points on specific spending categories is with Chase Freedom’s quarterly rotating categories of merchants and retailers where cardholders earn 5 points per $1 up to a $1,500 quarterly cap. Last month I shared the categories for the first cycle of next year from January […]

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Update: Supreme Court Hears Rabbi’s Case Against Frequent Flyer Programs

December 4, 2013

It might sound like the start of a bad joke: a rabbi walks into a plane…but there’s no punchline in this case. Instead, the Supreme Court of the US heard arguments yesterday in the case of Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg against Northwest (now Delta). Back in 2008, the rabbi was a Platinum elite with Northwest, […]

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