Swap Your Expiring Elite Perks, Reviewing Business Class on Singapore's New A350, Ultimate Rewards to the Rescue and More
Each Saturday, we round up news stories that you may have missed from the week before, including several that already appeared on The Points Guy, and some more that we haven't covered yet. If you're an avid TPG reader, scroll down for the new stuff. Here's the top miles, points and travel news you may have missed this week:
Expiring Elite Upgrade and Perks Exchange for Winter 2016
The end of 2016 is approaching, which means it's time to take advantage of your remaining airline perks before they expire. If you have elite benefits or upgrades that you're not going to use, consider posting them in this post to swap with fellow readers.
Flight Review: Singapore Airlines (A350-900) Business Class from San Francisco to Singapore
Read all about TPG Senior Editor Kaeli Conforti's experience flying 15+ hours in business class on board the inaugural flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Singapore (SIN) on Singapore Airlines' brand-new Airbus A350.
How Ultimate Rewards Points Saved the Day to Get Me Home in Style
See how Chase Ultimate Rewards made an outrageously priced last-minute ticket affordable when TPG had to get home in a pinch.
5 Ways the Airline Industry Could Improve — According to Teens
Here's one 17-year-old's advice to airlines on how they could improve service and comfort for teenagers.
Malaysia Airlines Is Rearranging Its A380s to Carry 700 Passengers
Malaysia Airlines has plans to retrofit its superjumbo A380s with up to 700 seats in an all-economy configuration. The carrier intends to operate the aircraft on special charter flights for religious pilgrimages.
In Other News...
Chinese Firm to Make Major Investment in Hilton
China's HNA Group is poised to buy a 25% stake in Hilton. The deal's expected to close in the first quarter of 2017.
Virgin America First Class Sneakers Sell for Almost $100,000
Remember those over-the-top Virgin America first class shoes we told you about a little while ago? Well, they've been sold on eBay, and the winning bid was an absolutely ridiculous $97,878. Congrats (?) to the lucky winner!
Earn a Quick, Easy and Free 500 La Quinta Points
Here's a way to earn some free points with barely any effort. Simply link your La Quinta Returns account with your social media accounts, and follow @LQ_Returns on Twitter and Instagram. Your 500 bonus points will post instantly.
Get Six Months of Free Boingo Wi-Fi on Your Android Device
Traveling a lot over the holidays? You'll want to check out this promo that will get you six months of free Wi-Fi if you sign register before December 31. All you have to do is download the Amazon Underground app to your Android device, install the Boingo Wi-Finder app from within Amazon Underground and then create a Boingo account.
Get a $50 Amazon Gift Card When You Book a Stay With TripAdvisor
You can earn a $50 Amazon gift card if you book a hotel stay of $150 or more through TripAdvisor's mobile app. Note that you must have booked a previous stay with TripAdvisor, and you have to leave a review of the hotel by November 30.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app