Saturday Recap: Alitalia Fare Sale, Up to 180,000 Bonus American Miles, Bonus Avios, Priority Club and Hertz Points
Here's a recap of the interesting points and miles news from this week, as well as some great airline and hotel discounts.
15% Off Alitalia Sale This Weekend
Alitalia is running a weekend sale of 15% off airfares (including taxes and surcharges) on all destinations in the Alitalia network for travel in Classica (economy), Ottima and Magnifica (business) classes – but not Classica Plus, their premium economy product. The sale applies to tickets bought for travel anytime from September 1 – November 30, 2012. Travel must be completed by November 30. You must buy your tickets by noon Italian time on Monday, August 27. After you find the itinerary you want, enter the code WKND15US in the E-COUPON box and click the "Recalculate" button to get the updated price. The sale applies only to roundtrip travel between the original departure and final destination airports, but you can use the code on international, national and intercontinental itineraries. If you were thinking of getting in on a discount business class fare over Thanksgiving, this could be a good opportunity to get the price down even further.
With this sale and already discounted business class fares over Thanksgiving, you can get from JFK-Rome roundtrip in business class for just over $1,700.
For instance, after a quick search for a business class ticket around Thanksgiving using the +/- 3 Days search, I found business class tickets from New York JFK – Rome for as low as $2,025.10. With the extra 15% off, the ticket came to $1,721.34. Plus, that would net you 8,560 miles. Not a bad deal!
European American AAdvantage Members Can Earn Up To 180,000 Bonus Miles
American launched a rather specific promo recently where Europe-based members of AAdvantage can earn up to 180,000 bonus miles when they fly business or first class on American, British Airways or Iberia between Europe and the US or Canada between September 1 – December 16, 2012, when they register with the promo code: AASKY.
The bonus breaks down like this:
1 Roundtrip = 40,000 total bonus miles
2 Roundtrips = 42,000 bonus miles, total 82,000 miles
3 Roundtrips = 43,000 bonus miles, total 125,000 miles
4 Roundtrips = 55,000 bonus miles, total 180,000 miles
The offer is available to AAdvantage members with an address on file in the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City State.
Eligible fare classes include the following:
American Airlines: F, A, J, R, D or I
British Airways: F, A, J, R, C, D or I
Iberia: J, C, D, R or I
I'm not sure how many Europe-based flyers are AAdvantage members, but let's say you were a member of British Airways' Executive Club instead and usually rack up Avios flying business or first class between Europe and North America. With this promo, you could still fly British Airways and take advantage of any elite benefits or perks, but bank the trips to your AAdvantage account (you can create one here) just to score those bonus miles. This could be really lucrative for those business travelers who shuttle between Europe and the US or Canada, and if you have the travel coming up necessary to score these bonuses, it might be worth creating an AAdvantage account just to take advantage of this particular promo.
Club Carlson's 35% discount is only available at select properties on select dates, but your travels might take you to one where you might be able to save some money.
35% Off Club Carlson Hotels
Club Carlson, the loyalty program for Radisson, Radisson Blu, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn and more is offering 35% discounts on stays of two or more nights from September 14 – November 24. Note: not all the participating hotels are offering the discounted rate throughout that period, many are only making it available for a few dates somewhere in there. Here are the lists of participating hotels and the specific dates each is available for booking at the discounted rate:
Radisson
Park Inn
Country Inn & Suites
Many of the hotels are only allowing the discount on a select few dates (sometimes just one or two), so it might be hard to coordinate your travel to take advantage of it. As with Priority Club's PointBreaks properties, though, it's a good idea to look over the list and pay attention to which properties are participating when so in case your travel plans take you to one of these destinations, you can enjoy the discounted rate.
Hat tip: Loyalty Traveler.
Hertz Triple Points Promo
Hertz just launched a promo for triple points on rentals picked up between September 4-December 15, 2012. Register with your Hertz Gold Plus rewards number (if you're not yet a member, you can sign up here). Per the T&C, Valid on paid rentals picked up beginning September 4, 2012, through December 15, 2012, at participating Hertz locations including the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I., United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand only. The Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program awards members 1 point per qualifying U.S. dollar spent or its equivalent in the currency paid for car rented. Bonus points will not be awarded on rentals accruing other Frequent Travel Program Points – so you have to be earning Hertz Gold points for this. Bonus points will be added to member's account up to 10 business days from the rental return and can be redeemed immediately. Only paid rentals will qualify for this promotion. Advance reservations required. It's not the most lucrative offer, and you have to earn the bonus in the form of Hertz Gold points, but remember, you can transfer increments of 600 Hertz Gold points to miles on Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and US Airways, as well as into Priority Club and Marriott Rewards points and Amtrak Guest Rewards.
500 Free Priority Club Points for E-Newsletter Signup
As you know, shopping portals can be a great way to rack up lots of extra bonus points and miles, and Priority Club's portal is no exception. Right now, however, they're just giving away 500 free Priority Club points simply for signing up for their e-newsletter. Unlike a lot of similar bonuses, you don't have to install a toolbar or anything like that, just sign up for the newsletter by September 15 and wait for the points to post. It looks like the offer is for UK members, but nowhere does it say it's restricted to UK residents, so might as well try for it. When you click on the "Subscribe Now" link, it will take you to the Priority Club shopping page. Log in then click on "View My Shopping Account," and you'll either get a pop-up asking you if you want to subscribe for emails, or you can click on the "Communication" tab along the middle-top of the page and opt in for emails there. The points didn't post immediately, so I'm going to keep an eye on my account to see if/when they do. Has anyone else had success scoring the bonus points for this promo?
Hat tip: Head for Points.
Up to 4,500 Free Avios With Accor Hotels Le Club
Between now and September 30, you can earn up to 4,500 bonus Avios for two-night stays at Accor Hotels (Novotel, Sofitel, Ibis, Pullman, Mercure, etc.). Normally, you can earn one point, or one Avios (if that's your earning option), per euro you spend at Accor Hotels, but on top of that with this promo, you earn:
-1,000 Avios for your 1st stay
-1,500 Avios for your 2nd stay
-2,000 Avios for your 3rd stay
To get the bonus Avios, you must designate Avios as your reward option in your earning profile with Le Club.
Hat tip: Loyalty Traveler.
[card card-name='Ink Plus® Business Credit Card' card-id='22129636' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.