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 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.