TRAVEL / FREQUENT FLYER TIPS

Last year, Capital One had an offer where they matched your frequent flyer account – up to $100,000 “miles”. MANY took advantage and earned the free 100,000 points for just $1,000 in spend.

This year, the offer is back, but with a twist:

This year they will DOUBLE your 2011 credit card spend on a travel related credit card up to 100,000 miles (worth an easy $1,000) when you spend $1,000 in 90 days and submit the 2011 summary of a travel related credit card.

The catches are plentiful.

It HAS to be a travel credit card. A Starwood Amex, American Airlines Visa, etc. are all good. One that just earns points you can redeem for travel will not count. Spending on a small business credit card also will not count.

From Cap One: All major U.S. consumer travel rewards credit cards are eligible (Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, and Discover® ). Travel rewards cards include all credit cards that earn rewards that can be redeemed for travel purchases (flights, hotels, rental cars, etc.). Purchases on small business cards, debit cards, fleet cards, private label credit cards, corporate cards, prepaid cards, and Capital One credit cards are not eligible.

Finally, it seems Capital One is only approving those they feel are likely to spend real money with them going forward. So if your credit history appears like you apply for every good credit card offer that comes out, don’t expect an approval here.

Good luck – because if you get in, it *is* a cool $1,000 in points just for opening a credit card.

Go here for more details and to apply: www.capitaloneventure.com

SPG today announced a slew of new benefits starting March 1st, 2012. If you stay at any of Starwood’s brands (i.e. Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St Regis, Le Meridien, Four Points, Aloft, or Element) on a regular basis, your benefits just improved in a big way.

To summarize:

1) GOLD members will now receive a welcome gift at check-in. Choose from 250 SPG bonus points (125 at Aloft/Element/Four Points), or FREE Internet, or a complimentary beverage. With some hotels still charging lofty fees for in-room Internet, this alone could make SPG Gold worthwhile. If you stay 20 nights as Gold, that could be worth $300 (at a $15 a night Internet access fee).

2) PLATINUM Members, who already get a 500 point amenity at check-in (or local welcome gift) will now additionally receive a free continental breakfast for them and a guest each day of their stay.

3) “SUPER PLATINUM” – (our term, not theirs!) means that Platinum members that stay 50 nights in a calendar year receive 10 Confirmed Suite Upgrade certificates (in a Standard Suite, not any suite!). Stay 75 nights and start receiving 4 Starpoints per dollar spent on-property AND “Time on your side” which means you can stay from 24 hours from the time you check-in. Check-in at 9pm and you can stay until 9pm the next night!

4) LIFETIME GOLD and PLATINUM !!

a) Earn Lifetime Gold after staying a total of 250 eligible nights (remember that award nights now count too, since last November) and earning Gold or Platinum any 5 years since joining the program.

b) Earn Lifetime Platinum after 500 eligible nights and any 10 years of Platinum status.

Conclusion:

These are really amazing changes to the SPG program. They’ve long been one of the leaders in frequent guest programs – but this really pushes them up a few notches.

While I’m sure some people will find negatives in this (i.e. things that don’t quite fit their travel pattern), I think it’s hard to argue with such improvements.

Complete details at: http://www.spgpromos.com/morepowertoyou/?language=en_US&IM=SPGT_Annc_SPG_ENG_1&EM=SPGMorePower

Share your thoughts in the comments!

DG

Dates: Travel between December 13, 2011, and January 31, 2012

Offer: Reach AAdvantage elite status faster than ever with this offer!

Travel on American Airlines or American Eagle anywhere we fly from December 13, 2011, through January 31, 2012. You’ll earn double elite-qualifying miles, the miles that bring you closer to AAdvantage elite status membership – at an accelerated rate. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for your loyalty!

Link: http://www.aa.com/viewPromotionDetails.do?repositoryId=16384981

According to a new press release today from Delta:

Beginning next summer, you’ll be able to enjoy access to Economy Comfort seats on all domestic Delta mainline flights and two–class regional jets. These seats will be located in the first three to five rows of the Economy cabin and will allow you to stretch out with up to four inches of extra legroom.

Who gets it?

- All Diamond, Platinum, Gold Medaliion members on purchase.

- All Full fare tickets regardless of Medallion status

- Silver members at purchase for a feee or on check in for free.

More info here: Delta expands Economy Comfort to Domestic Fleet

This just in from American Airlines:

American Airlines is partnering with the American Red Cross to help the victims affected by the March 10, 2011, earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami in the Pacific.

If you would like to join us in supporting the disaster relief efforts by making a cash donation, American will reward your generosity with an AAdvantage® bonus mile offer. Through April 15, 2011, AAdvantage members can earn a one-time award of 250 AAdvantage bonus miles for a minimum $50 donation, or 500 AAdvantage bonus miles for a donation of $100 or more to the American Red Cross.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

https://american.redcross.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=ntld_corpmicrosite&s_company=americanairlines-pub&JServSessionIdr004=2faeg1alg1.app294a

Awesome deal from insider-only hotel deals site Jetsetter – $25 for YOU — THIS WEEK ONLY: http://www.jetsetter.com/invite/18403266azzeecm4lhyk

You may have seen our earlier review of Jetsetter. If so, you know we like it.

http://shopping.usairways.com/promotion/DividendMiles/Registration.aspx?PromoCode=JS10&c=eml_solo_jumpstart_00930_04132010

Here’s how to get your jumpstart this spring:

* Register online or call 800-428-4322
* Book your trip on US Airways, US Airways Express or US Airways Shuttle
* Travel between April 13, 2010 and June 15, 2010

If you’re reading this today, you’re lucky.  Some great deals – must be booked directly w/ Kimpton.

http://kimptongroup.ip02.com/form/kimptongroup/viewhtml/9z1zqfg92k8v4mmof2rsca7md7moumhlvaiol4vbcrg