Weekly News Roundup Archives

Celebrating @AmericanAir Employees, Gulf Airlines Coordinating Operations, Amtrak Rewards

July 21, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

The Weekly Travel News Roundup is a collection of headlines from around the internet that caught the attention of the Tagging Miles team. Content on these blogs do not necessarily reflect the positions of Tagging Miles, and should not be considered endorsements. Have a great story we should read? Contact us now and let us know.

Travel:

A major airline CEO apparently said that Basic Business is not a question of if, but when. How do you feel about that?
FlyDubai and Emirates coordinating.
With the Citi Prestige changes, will you keep, downgrade, or cancel?
American Airlines celebrated a very special 75th anniversary this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivzjRdP4Ueg

A lobbying group related to the US3 vs ME3 debacle took aim at a miles and points blogger. I’m not sure if this is illustrative of the ludicrousness of the claim, but it sure seems so. Here’s the original article too.

Miles, Points, and Reselling:

Doctor of Credit never ceases to stop building amazing resources for the mile and point community, his knowledge base for acronyms is no different.
If you’re reselling operation is big enough, you could monetize some of the waste like pallets and cardboard that you are generating!
The complete guide to Amtrak guest rewards.

Tagging Miles:

An Introduction To How Credit Scores Are Calculated, penned by Doctor of Credit
Observation Deck: A Chat with Pizza in Motion
Reselling, the next frontier for Manufactured Spending
Monday Roundup: Citi Prestige, Disney Star Wars, Bastille Day
Weekend Roundup: JetBlue Mosaic, Economics of timeshares, United

Monday Roundup: Citi Prestige, Disney Star Wars, Bastille Day

July 17, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Welcome to the new week! Here is your Monday Roundup – those great posts that you might have missed with the craziness of the weekend.

Citi has announced additional changes to their Citi Prestige Card, I think, meant to show value, with the negative changes that include dropping the 1.6 cents per point redeemed for travel on American Airlines down to 1.3 cents, and the taking away of the golf benefit. Nick isn’t convinced this is good news. I’m still on the fence here.
Disney is launching an immersive, all inclusive Star Wars hotel. It sounds awfully cool, the question is, can you wait the 2-3 years it will take to build it?
The best place to enjoy the Bastille Day Fireworks.
If you haven’t been to Lake Como, this may make you put it higher on your list.
Have you ever been to Ulaanbaatar? I sure haven’t, but I would love to visit Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia some day. Here are Lucky’s initial thoughts.
Not terribly miles and points related, but Microsoft is giving a ton of ebooks away – grab them while you can!

Weekend Roundup: JetBlue Mosaic, Economics of timeshares, United

July 16, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

There was a lot of news over the past few days and so it makes sense to do a brief weekend roundup of all the news worthy of your attention in travel, reselling, miles and pints.

Weekend Roundup

JetBlue has released a rather awesome status match / challenge for Mosaic status. If you fly any JetBlue, this is something you will want to look at; I’m planning to fly my first Mint flight next month, so I’m particularly excited about this one!
United has fixed the glitch that hid increased award availability for United Mileage Plus holders.
Has Gary Leff been too hard on American Airlines? My opinion: He hasn’t been hard enough. The airline has gone from industry leading to borderline bottom. I’m not just talking about the AAdvantage devaluation, but everything seems to be moving down, including the lack of In Flight Entertainment (IFE) on even refurbed or newly delivered legacy US Airways aircraft.
The economics of owning a timeshare, I own a timeshare (courtesy of my parents), but gosh, I totally feel like I’ve been missing out a ton.
More United, now you can combine multiple travel certificates. These are vouchers that you might receive from accepting a bump, or a problem with your flight that you might have asked for a gesture of goodwill.
If you’re like me, you’ve never had SkyTeam status; if you’re not like me, and you have had SkyTeam status, but perhaps you’d like it again, well, here is your opportunity! China Southern wants to give you those highly coveted Elite Member Benefits (see below for China Southern’s benefits):

Weekend Roundup, China Southern

Manufactured Spending at Sea, is Manufactured Spending even Legal, Checked Beer

July 14, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Travel:

The youngest woman to fly the 777 in charge. It’s a pretty cool story, if you ask me.
I know, I shouldn’t be a critique, what with the fact that I write and all, but an Aussie checked a can of beer, and the only thing more flowery than the bouquet of the beer is the writing of the linked article.
American Airlines is ending code-sharing with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways effective 25 March. They do state that there are no changes for the AAdvantage relationship with the airlines, but there is no telling how long that will last.

Miles and Points:

You know The Doctor is becoming well known, when even Amazon representatives are linking to him with respect to the latest deal.
Drop might not be dead, but they are working to prevent manufactured spenders from abusing it.
Ariana confronts the perception of folks outside of the game, that pose the question: Is Manufactured Spending Legal?
Matt reports on his Manufactured Spending at Sea, and it makes me tempted to take a cruise after my next churn!

Tagging Miles:

ResellingDO 5 – Less than a month away!
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall Jamaica: Property and Restaurants

Priority Pass cards, United Devaluation, Wrong Journalists, 5/24 Rule

July 7, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Travel:

Doctor of Credit has a quick tip for differentiating Priority Pass cards that come with different benefits.
On July 4th this happened… At the time when I read in real time on twitter I was going through a variety of emotions, now I just shake my head.
Too Little Too Late from American for elite members… Gary received an offer, though I didn’t. I suspect that might be because I’ve had a total of 4 revenue segments on American this year as an Executive Platinum.
United announced another devaluation. It’s not horrible but it’s certainly not good news. I still need to dig deeper myself, but Gary has a good overview.

Miles and Points:

Matt shares Manufactured Spending at Sea, an interesting perspective if you’re going to spend a week or so on a ship and don’t want to let your manufactured spending drop off. It also sounds easier than going to Walmart.
Ariana shares why the 5/24 Rule is no longer relevant.

Tagging Miles:

Introduction to Today’s Manufactured Spending
Do this now if you have the Chase Fairmont Visa
Resellers: Long Term Storage Fees hit 15 August!
Observation Deck: 2017 Skytrax Airline Awards
Are Skytrax Awards Perception over Reality?
No more Electronics Ban for Abu Dhabi

Travel Hacking, JAL 787, Hyatt Credit Card Devaluation, Cashback Monitor

June 23, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Travel:

Dia shares what can be considered an under appreciated travel hacking tool.
Japan Airlines released their 787-9 and it actually looks like a #PaxEx improvement!
Visa Signature Card holders get a third night free at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Curio hotels for weekend visits. We’ve seen the fourth night free on the Prestige card, so this is a pretty cool opportunity if you ask me.

Miles and Points:

Virgin Atlantic has devalued their Delta partnership effective September 1.
The Hyatt Visa Signup bonus will change drastically June 29th. Right now it gives you 2 free nights at any Hyatt Hotel in the world. I used my 2 nights for the Park Hyatt Sydney. Soon it will be a whopping 40,000 Hyatt points, which wouldn’t be sufficient for two nights at the Park Hyatt Sydney. Consider your travel schedule, this may be one to jump on (on the other hand, it might not be).
Double dip rewards are always the best. Link your credit card on the Drop App to earn rebates. If you choose to sign up, definitely consider using Chuck’s referral code (author of the link), or consider using mine: xff78. Either way, both you and whoever’s referral code you use will earn 1,000 points, worth $1 in a variety of gift cards.
Did you know that Cashback Monitor only updates their portals once per day? Neither did I.

Cashback Monitor

Tagging Miles:

Travel on Saudia during Ramadan, JetBlue’s Utripping, Fairmont CC

June 16, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Travel:

Lucky shares insights from flying Saudia during Ramadan. It is certainly an interesting experience it sounds like.
Michael shares a much more affordable option to the bridge climb.
Disney’s new Pandora sounds pretty impressive. Will you be visiting?
JetBlue working with Utrip is bringing a new level to vacation bookings. The best part? It’s not just focused on the sale, but in some cases even providing recommendations.
Marriott introduces punitive cancellation policies that are almost as bad as Hyatt’s Award Cancellation and No Show Policy.

Miles and Points:

From Doctor of Credit – Citi Thank You Points has a transfer bonus of 10% – transfer by 5 July. Not as nice as American Express’s 25% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Airlines, but infinitely more usable I’d say.
Travel is Free put together the AA Award Chart in an easy to understand fashion (unlike aa.com).

Credit Cards:

Joe shares the different benefits of Citi Thank You cards.
Bad news for Fairmont fans. Chase and Fairmont are parting ways.
Restore disappearing AMEX Offers with this trick!

Tagging Miles:

Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Bad PaxEx, Qatar News
Saverocity Observation Deck: A New Game
Save 50% on Regional Southeast Asia Awards with SilkAir!
Citi ATT Access More Clarifies 3x Eligible Categories
Earn up to 10x United Miles with MileagePlus X App
The Go Around Principle

Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Bad PaxEx, Qatar News

June 15, 2017 By Trevor 1 Comment

Here’s an impromptu roll-up from some of the interesting things I’ve seen over the past few weeks. I’ll have a more complete Weekly Round-up tomorrow, but here’s a brief one for your idle–or not so idle–Thursday.

Lots of activity in the Middle East last week, I think Seth sums up some of the issues best. Qatar’s CEO has finally spoken out, too.
Have you noticed how many different premium products there are lately? Like at the same few airlines? Confusing, isn’t it? John Walton argues that this is recipe for a poor passenger experience (PaxEx) and he’s right.
Matt shares some tips for using data to support negotiations.
Ed writes about the Mystery Mileage Bonus offer for American Airlines Advantage. I love shopping portals, but this one was a little lack luster. Still every little bit of extra miles is appreciated.
If you’re a fan of Hennessy Paradis from flying Emirates First Class, I have news for you. Hennessy is releasing a special Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial bottle. It is a limited release, with only 70 bottles being made available!

Hyatt Takes Suite Upgrades seriously, United Airlines Prepaid Card

May 26, 2017 By Trevor Leave a Comment

Travel:

Hyatt takes Suite Upgrades seriously, generally speaking the representative will put you on hold so they can confirm with the hotel. In the off chance that the hotel does not honor that upgrade upon check-in, good things can still happen, just see FQF’s account.

Miles, Points, and Credit Cards:

Doctor of Credit reports that MSing is now causing shutdowns for other US Bank cards, not just the brand new Altitude.
Don’t try maximizing your Discover 5x at Costco.com – apparently it’s not showing as a warehouse club.
If you’re available in early June, why not fly the new Qatar Airways Q Suites between London and Doha. Gary Leff reports that it’ll be available starting 10 June.

Miles and Points:

Frequent Miler and a whole slew of others are covering a United Airlines Prepaid Card. It will be a partnership with Netspend, which gives us an idea of how it will play with manufacturing spend. But there is so much more that is still unclear.

Tagging Miles:

PSA: Cancel, don’t change Southwest Flights
Observation Deck: Frustrating Customers or Frustrating Customer Service?
Credit Card Primary Car Insurance is not Equal

Electronics Ban Expansion, Qantas Heritage, Travel Scholarships, Singapore Long Haul

May 19, 2017 By Trevor 1 Comment

Travel:

More Basic Economy fares from American, are any routes you might fly, impacted?
Did you know that you could transfer Hyatt points to anyone?
The expansion of the Electronics Ban to flights from the European Union is still unresolved.
More unofficial news about Singapore Airlines restarting the EWR-SIN and LAX-SIN routes. Not the best news.
A tour of the Qantas Heritage Collection in Qantas’ Domestic Sydney terminal.
The Gate has an interim joint statement between the EU and the US about what has been called the “pending electronics ban expansion.” Short answer – nothing yet.
Lucky flew the Etihad A380 Residence last week; here are 10 photos. I have to admit, it does look pretty cool.
I’ll be heading to the Westin Playa Conchal for my third time. But before we go to the Westin, we’ll be staying a night or two at the Andaz Papagayo – this is post is making me lean more toward the two nights.
Scott awarded the first Travel Codex scholarship – I think its an excellent idea. Travel breaks many biases.

Tagging Miles:

Diamonde the Giraffe appears with Delta SkyMiles and Lyft
Review: The Castle Hotel Orlando
Travel is Changing, Specifically the Passenger Experience

Celebrating @AmericanAir Employees, Gulf Airlines Coordinating Operations, Amtrak Rewards

Travel:

Miles, Points, and Reselling:

Tagging Miles:

Monday Roundup: Citi Prestige, Disney Star Wars, Bastille Day

Weekend Roundup: JetBlue Mosaic, Economics of timeshares, United

Weekend Roundup

Manufactured Spending at Sea, is Manufactured Spending even Legal, Checked Beer

Travel:

Miles and Points:

Tagging Miles:

Priority Pass cards, United Devaluation, Wrong Journalists, 5/24 Rule

Travel:

Miles and Points:

Tagging Miles:

Travel Hacking, JAL 787, Hyatt Credit Card Devaluation, Cashback Monitor

Travel:

Miles and Points:

Tagging Miles:

Travel on Saudia during Ramadan, JetBlue’s Utripping, Fairmont CC

Travel:

Miles and Points:

Credit Cards:

Tagging Miles:

Singapore 70th Anniversary Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Bad PaxEx, Qatar News

Hyatt Takes Suite Upgrades seriously, United Airlines Prepaid Card

Travel:

Miles, Points, and Credit Cards:

Miles and Points:

Tagging Miles:

Electronics Ban Expansion, Qantas Heritage, Travel Scholarships, Singapore Long Haul

Travel:

Tagging Miles:

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