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.
| 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 | 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.
- 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.
- $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.
- Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status 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.
- Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide.§ *Eligible charges vary by property.
- 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.