Saturday Recap: United, Aeroplan and Club Carlson Bonuses, 25,000 American Miles, BMI Closing, Fairmont Airline Partner Bonuses
Here’s a quick recap of the interesting points and miles news from the week.
40% Discount on Purchased United Miles: Like last week’s discount on purchased United miles, the airline is offering up to an extended 40% discount on purchased miles now through October 31. You save 20% on purchases up to 30,000 miles and 40% off the regular price of miles when you buy 30,000 or more. That breaks down to 2.8 cents per mile when buying less than 30,000 miles, and 2.1 cents per mile when purchasing 30,000 or more. There is also a 7.5% excise tax. You can buy up to 100,000 miles for yourself or Give Miles (for others) per account per calendar year. Miles normally cost 3.5 cents each, so a 40% discount is significant, although still not an amazing deal. However, it might make sense for you to buy them to top up an account, or so that you can save Chase Ultimate Rewards points for redemptions with that program’s other partners such as British Airways or Hyatt. To learn more about how I value United miles and my thoughts on this discount from when United ran it back in April, have a look at this post.
500 Bonus Aeroplan Miles: In addition to two recent 75% bonus promos, Aeroplan is also offering customers 500 bonus Aeroplan miles each time they use the Air Canada iPhone app to purchase tickets to any Air Canada destination between now and December 31 for travel until January 31. To qualify, you must be an Aeroplan member and include your number at the time of booking, and you must also be traveling in one of the following classes of published fares that are eligible for mileage accumulation: Tango (N,G,P,E,A), Tango Plus (M,U,H,Q,V,W,S,K,L,T), Latitude (Y,B), Executive Class Lowest (D,Z), and Executive Class Flexible (J,C). The bonus is awarded per reservation, not per passenger, so book separately if you are traveling with others and each want your own bonus. Find out more about the iPhone app here.
25,000 Bonus American Miles For DirecTV Subscription: When you sign up for DirecTV via this link before December 15, 2012, you can earn 25,000 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage miles. The bonus requires a 24-month agreement and is only valid for new DirecTV customers who provide their AAdvantage number when ordering. The DirecTV account must be kept current and in good standing for a minimum of 60 days before the miles will be awarded and they may take up to 6-8 weeks to post after the 60-day period is up. Packages start at $29.99 a month. A two-year contract is a pretty big commitment, but if you know you’re staying put and were thinking about getting DirecTV, you might as well get the bonus miles in the meantime.
50% Bonus on Club Carlson Points Purchases: Now through November 10, Club Carlson members can get a 50% bonus on purchased points. Members can purchase points in increments of $7 for 1,000 up to 40,000 per account per calendar year, equating to a value of 0.7 cents each normally, and down to 0.47 cents with this promo. So let’s say you wanted to buy 50,000 points to redeem for an award night at one of Carlson’s highest category hotels like the Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago or the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen where I stayed in July. You’d need to purchase 34,000 points for $238 to end up with 51,000 points. Rooms at the Aqua sometimes go for under that amount, so it might not be such a good deal, but rooms at the Copenhagen hotel regularly cost upwards of $400, so that redemption might be worth it. As always, do the math!
BMI Diamond Club Ending For non-UK and Southwest Pacific Residents: We all knew this day was coming after the sale of BMI to British Airways’ parent company, but now we have an actual date. From October 27 on, members of BMI’s Diamond Club will no longer be able to earn or spend miles on BMI flights or on partners British Airways, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and Transaero Airlines; nor earn destination miles on BMI hotel partners, WorldPoints or Amex Membership Rewards. They won’t be able to buy miles, upgrade flights with miles or earn status miles. Then, from October 27-December 31, they’ll need to apply for matching status with British Airways’ Executive Club and transfer destination miles into Avios. On December 31, BMI accounts will be closed and any miles not transferred will expire, so be sure to do so before then! You can find all the terms and conditions here.
Earn Double Airline Miles With Fairmont: This week, Fairmont launched a promo called “Everyone’s An Original” where Fairmont President’s Club members can pay rates at up to a 25% discount, get complimentary room upgrades based on availability and earn double miles with American Airlines, United, Aeroplan and Miles & More. Members will earn the usual per-stay 500 miles and 500 bonus miles on the special rates when they stay at a participating hotel between now and April 30, 2013. Just be sure to include your frequent flyer number when you make your reservation and in your President’s Club profile. Reservations must booked by October 3. Participating resorts include the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui, the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, the Fairmont Mayakoba near Cancun and the Fairmont Royal Pavilion on Barbados, the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, the Fairmont Monte Carlo, the Fairmont Dubai and the Fairmont Zimbali Lodge in South Africa among many others. You can find the full list and starting rates on the promo page. However, there are blackout dates and further terms and conditions here.
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express ' card-id='22035076' 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.