Saturday Recap: 10,000 American AAdvantage Miles with Budget, Marriott Cash and Points, LA Frequent Traveler University, 300 Priority Club Points
Here's a quick recap of the interesting points and miles news from the week.
Earn up to 10,000 American miles with Budget.
10,000 American miles with Budget: American and Budget are partnering on a promotion that can earn travelers up to 10,000 bonus American miles and a 30% discount on car rentals at airport locations in the US and Canada between now and September 30, 2012. As you can see in the table above, you get 1,000 bonus miles per rental day up to 10 rental days. You must rent the car for 2 or more consecutive days to qualify for the bonus, and use the promotional code MUAZ013. It's valid on all car groups. At the same time, you can also score a 30% discount by using American's discount code in the BCD box when you make your reservation. The code is U072421 (though you can often find better deals by using other codes such as an AARP or AAA membership number).
Marriott Cash and Points: Marriott is launching a cash and points option but don't get excited just yet. Unlike Starwood's Cash & Points option, which is one of my favorite value redemptions, and which allows you to redeem for free nights using a discounted amount of points and a set price, Marriott's option will simply let Marriott Rewards Members combine both paid nights and point redemption nights in the same reservation of two ore more nights rather than having to book each portion separately. It's not the most exciting development, but it does give Marriott Rewards members some more flexibility, and they will still earn points and elite status credit for the paid nights.
Marriott Platinum Members get Suite Upgrades in Asia: Marriott also announced that Platinum members staying in hotel in the Asia Pacific Region will now be eligible for complimentary suite upgrades subject to availability. Participating hotel brands include: JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott. Hotel locations in Asia Pacific include: Australia, China (including Hong Kong S.A.R.), Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. In Japan and South Korea, suite upgrades may be limited and may be offered at the hotel's discretion. These are based on availability at check-in, though in some cases, availability is determined later in the day - so keep asking! They are limited to a member's personal guestroom, so no upgrading your travel companions, and they include most available suite types, except Presidential Suites, Chairman Suites and other signature suites. However, for stays greater than 3 nights, suite upgrades are subject to the hotel's discretion, so even if there is a suite, the hotel doesn't have to give it to you. If they refuse, be firm about it and see what happens. I'm curious if any readers have had this situation arise, and if so, what the outcome was, so leave a comment below! LA Frequent Traveler University Dates Announced: The dates for the next Frequent Traveler University have been moved up a week and are now November 30 - December 2, 2012. The event will take place at the Sheraton Gateway LAX. Some confirmed speakers include Randy Petersen, Gary Leff from View From The Wing, Ben Schlappig from One Mile At A Time, Daraius Dubash from Million Mile Secrets, Steve Belkin (beaubo), Cranky Flyer, and Seth Miller from Wandering Aramean. Registration costs $99 and you can reserve your tickets here. Guests will receive access to all the speaker sessions, a holiday party, and lunch and drinks on Saturday and Sunday. Rates at the Sheraton LAX run around $105 that weekend and can be booked here. Here is the schedule of the events: Friday November 30th 5:30PM Registration opens 6:30PM Milepoint holiday appreciation party begins with cocktails and finger food 7:30PM Randy sums up the year and talks about "A December to Remember" event Saturday December 1st 8:00AM Registration opens Coffee at Starbucks courtesy of Million Mile Secrets 9:30AM Program starts 12:00PM Lunch 1:30PM Program continues 5:00PM Program ends Sunday December 2nd 9:30AM Program starts 12:00PM Lunch 1:30PM Program continues 4:00PM Program concludes
300 Priority Club points: Priority Club is offering 300 Priority Club points when you install the Priorty Club toolbar, and an additional 300 points per stay until the end of 2012 when you make a reservation using it. Just fill out the form in the link, and then once you complete the download you should receive the 300 points to your account instantly. You must be a Priority Club Rewards member to participate. 300 bonus points will be awarded for one toolbar download per member, then 300 bonus points will be awarded for any qualifying stay up to December 31, 2012. Allow 4 weeks from stay for bonus points to be posted to your account. And if you haven't already taken them yet, you can score an additional 2,000 Priority Club points by taking these quizzes.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.