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SRQ: Is It Worth Using Delta SkyMiles on Upgrades?

March 3, 2013

TPG reader Natalie is worried about imminent changes to the Delta SkyMiles program and wants to put her miles to good use on domestic upgrades on the route she flies most between Raleigh and Los Angeles. Here’s here question: “I have been reading your releases regarding the changes for Delta frequent flyers and Medallion members. [...]

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SRQ: How To Maximize Travel Credit Cards In Retirement?

February 24, 2013

Update: The 50,000 point sign up offer for the American Express Premier Rewards Gold card is no longer available through the Card Match Tool. TPG reader Ron has recently retired, but wants to keep racking up points and miles with credit cards. Here’s his question: “Do you know of a strategy for retired persons to use [...]

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SRQ: Which Delta Medallion Choice Benefit Should I Choose?

February 24, 2013

TPG reader Jim just became a Delta Platinum Medallion and now has to choose which Choice Benefit he wants. Here’s his question: “I just became a Delta Platinum Medallion. I am wondering which Choice Benefit to take. The upgrade certificate seem like a joke since they require very expensive flights. I have family and friends [...]

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Visiting the Tiyimiseleni Orphanage in South Africa With Savanna Lodge

January 30, 2013

This is the thirteenth post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town; Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the [...]

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Trip Report: Safari Highlights at Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa

January 29, 2013

This is the twelfth post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town; Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the [...]

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(Video) Trekking Up Table Mountain in Cape Town

January 24, 2013

This is the ninth post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town; Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape [...]

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(Video) Exclusive First Look at The New American Airlines Livery

January 23, 2013

The big airline news last week was that American Airlines finally unveiled the new livery design that it would first be rolling out on its huge order of new aircraft starting with its flagship 777-300ER’s (set to fly January 31) and 737-800′s and then rolled out on the rest of the fleet over the next [...]

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Hotel Review: 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa Luxury Room

January 21, 2013

This is the eighth post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town; Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape of [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: Where Would You Go On A Delta Round The World Ticket?

January 20, 2013

TPG reader Keith wrote in this week with an interesting question that combines a passion for travel with one of the least-understood methods of using airline miles, around-the-world tickets. Here’s what he’s wondering: “I am planning to do an around the world trip with some of my Delta miles. I am looking for advice on [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: Using Miles to Get to South Africa For a Honeymoon

January 13, 2013

TPG reader Jon has been reading about my adventures in South Africa and is thinking about going there for his honeymoon (congratulations, by the way!) later this year. Here’s what he wants to know about getting there: “Your recent trip to South Africa inspired me to reach out and see if you had any tips [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: How Do I Get United Club Access With A Credit Card?

January 13, 2013

TPG reader Gabi was hoping an Amex Platinum card would come with access to United Clubs, but that’s not the case. Here’s the question, and you can find my answer in the video as well as in detail below: “I am wondering  about the Amex Platinum card and access to airline clubs. We tried to [...]

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(Video) Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope

January 10, 2013

This is the fourth post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town; Cape Town Dining; Hotel Review: Hilton Cape Town; 10 Things I [...]

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(Video) South Africa Wine Country Highlights

January 9, 2013

For lack of a better word, my trip to South Africa so far has been amazing. I spent the first three days in Cape Town at the Westin, exploring, eating and drinking my way through the seaside cosmopolitan city. I still have another weekend to go in Cape Town, so stay tuned for that blog [...]

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Hotel Review: Westin Cape Town

January 8, 2013

This is the third post of my South Africa Series. Follow along to read my reviews on several different aspects of my trip. Other posts in this series include: Come Along With Me To South Africa!; Flight Review: South African Airways Business Class JFK-JNB; Trip Report: Watching African Penguins at Boulders Beach and the Cape of Good Hope; Cape [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: Hilton Gold vs. Starwood Gold?

January 6, 2013

TPG reader Lindsey is thinking about switching hotel loyalty programs and writes in: “I’ve been a Hilton Honors Gold member for a number of years and am looking to change it up and get in with a new rewards program. I’ve heard some great things about Starwood Preferred Guest and I like their contemporary collection [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: Do I Have To Pay A Change Fee To Cancel One Leg Of An American Airlines Award?

January 6, 2013

TPG reader George is planning an award trip on Cathay Pacific using American miles, but his flight plans might change, so he asks: “I am planning a one way first class award trip on Cathay using American AAdvantage miles. I am based in Orlando and from my research, expect to be routed through Chicago O’Hare [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: Will Canceling a Credit Card Raise Red Flags With Banks?

December 30, 2012

TPG reader Howard writes in asking about what happens when you have several cards with a bank and want to cancel one: “When I call to cancel a credit card, will the agents be able to see info on the other cards I have open with that provider?   I’m thinking in particular about the [...]

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My Street Signs Appearance on CNBC – How To Avoid the Elite Status Frequent Flyer Cliff

December 28, 2012

Just in time for a debate on whether the US economy would go off the fiscal cliff, I was invited to appear on CNBC’s “Street Signs” to discuss ways frequent flyers could avoid the elite status cliff with last-minute elite mileage tips, why top-tier elite status is so important, as well as credit card bonus [...]

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Video Sunday Reader Question: When Does Airline Elite Status Start and End?

December 16, 2012

TPG reader Spencer asks: “I’ll move up from Delta Medallion Silver to Gold next year… but will I still be a Silver for flights in January and February or will my level up be recognized as soon as the new year hits? My Silver status says it’s valid through February 2013.” Elite status qualification and [...]

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Sunday Reader Question: What Ever Happened With Your Swiss First Class @United Fiasco?

December 9, 2012

Travel blogger and friend Parag from @FrequentFlyerU Tweeted me this past weekend with “@thepointsguy What ever happened with your Swiss First Class @United fiasco?” For those of you who don’t remember, in September I was supposed to fly from Miami to Nice via Zurich on a United airlines business class saver award using 50,000 Chase [...]

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(Video) Sunday Reader Question: Avoiding Credit Annual Fees and Keeping Points

December 2, 2012

TPG reader Serena asks: “Many of the cards have a $0 introductory annual fee, but then some sort of annual fee after that.  Do you keep the card after a year and pay the annual fee, or transfer your points and close the account once the year is up?  And does that do anything to [...]

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Video Hotel Review: Andaz Fifth Avenue Splash Suite

November 27, 2012

I recently stayed at the original St. Regis in New York and although I loved the location and the Old World style of the iconic hotel, I was disappointed by how much negotiating I had to do in order to get upgraded to a suite, as well as by the high room rate – $550! The [...]

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United CEO Jeff Smisek Q&A At Star Megado

November 21, 2012

After all the jetsetting and antics on two continents, Star Megado 4 culminated with a Q&A session with United CEO Jeff Smisek on the 99th floor of Chicago’s Willis Tower. You might recognize him from the promotional spots they screen before the safety videos on all United flights – but it turns out the guy [...]

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(Video) Sunday Reader Question: What Exactly Does the ANA Search Tool Show?

November 18, 2012

One of today’s questions came from TPG reader Yun, and is about the kinds of awards that come up when searching for Star Alliance availability using the ANA tool: “When you are searching for Star Alliance availability with the ANA search tool, how do you know what level award it is. I see the availability [...]

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