Bonus AAdvantage Miles, New Rewards Program, SkyMall Returns
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Here's a roundup of the week's points, miles and travel industry news you may have missed:
Earn AAdvantage Miles for Avis and Budget Car Rentals
AAdvantage members can earn at least 500 miles per qualifying rental with Avis and Budget. You can also earn an extra 250 miles per rental if you have a co-branded Citi AAdvantage or Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator card.
Additionally, you can earn 500 bonus miles per day (up to 2,500 miles total) and save up to 35% with Avis or 30% with Budget if you rent before July 31, 2015. When reserving with Avis, use AWD # K817165 and coupon # MUAA094 with your AAdvantage number. For Budget, use BCD # U072411, coupon # MUAZ051 and your AAdvantage number.
Microsoft Launches New Rewards Program
Tech giant Microsoft introduced its new rewards program, Microsoft Earn. By enrolling a credit or debit card of your choice, you can earn rewards as high as 10% with a small list of retailers that includes Whole Foods and Starbucks, as well as an array of local restaurants. You can then spend your rewards at participating Microsoft stores. The program is currently operating only in select areas around Boston, Seattle and Arizona.
Earn AAdvantage Miles for Radisson Blu, Radisson and Park Plaza Stays
You can earn up to 2,000 bonus AAdvantage miles for Radisson, Radisson Blu and Park Plaza stays until July 31, 2015. Bonus miles are awarded as follows:
- 500 bonus miles for one night stays
- 1,000 bonus miles for two night stays
- 2,000 bonus miles for three night stays or longer
Southwest Adds New Route Between Washington DCA and Orlando MCO
Southwest will begin operating a new nonstop route from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Orlando, Florida (MCO) beginning on November 1, 2015. Orlando will be Southwest's third Florida destination from DCA. Fares are now available for purchase and start as low as $59 each way.
SkyMall Making a Comeback (Hopefully)
Perhaps you remember SkyMall, America's favorite in-flight retail catalog for random merchandise one might buy and never use. The catalog filed for bankruptcy back in January, depriving citizens of essential items such as the bronze garden yeti and hot dog toaster. Many have fought back against the sad news, using the Twitter hashtag #BringBackSkyMall, and it seems their prayers may have been answered. C&A Marketing (a New Jersey-based distributor and retailer that specializes in brand revamps) has bought SkyMall for $1.9 million, and will hopefully restore its full glory. More news to come on this, but for now, you can happily begin using the #SkyMallReturns hashtag.
Etihad Gives Free Milan Expo Tickets to Gold and Platinum Members
Etihad is emailing Gold and Platinum members to offer a free ticket to the Milan Expo and a discount code for 25% off up to four additional tickets. The email gives you codes you can use to obtain the free and discounted tickets here. If you haven't received the email but are a Gold or Platinum member and would like to take advantage of this perk, simply call Etihad to request your codes. Hat Tip: Running With Miles.
Reminder — Last Chance to Get in on May Offers
There are several great offers ending May 31, 2015 that you may want to take advantage of:
- Hyatt Bonus for Purchasing Points
- FoundersCard Discount
- Club Carlson Bonus Award Night and Lower Category Redemption
- Avianca LifeMiles Buy Miles Bonus
- IHG Rewards Club Card Sign-up Bonus
- United MileagePlus Explorer Sign-up Bonus
More information on each offer can be found here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees