The Weekly 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!
On Travel
- Wandering Aramean shares news that the US is seeking ten new pre-clearance Airports. This is a topic that folks feel particularly strong about. I for one can see some benefit, but it also seems to me that for that “some benefit” there is significant cost.
- Taking a different tact, John Walton, writing for Airways News notes why adding more CBP Pre-clearance airports is a bad idea. I for one have only gone through a few, and other than ex-Canada flights, I’m not a fan, so logically I agree with John’s points.
- Gary Leff shares his trip report of the Virgin Australia LAX to Brisbane (BNE) business class flight. My wife and I are planning to take that in a few short months for an anniversary trip, so the positive comments were reassuring.
- If you’ve been eying a flight on the A350, you might just want to keep an eye on fares between Doha and Philly after 1 January. Qatar announced that will be their first US destination with the A350. H/T @AirlineFlyer
- @tracytimonere shared a Slate article about that small hole at the bottom of the window of aircraft windows. It’s an interesting read. #AvGeek
- Another one from Gary Leff – the Hyatt Diamond Status challenge is back for anyone. I used this, back when you could had to show equivalent status elsewhere, and stayed at some awesome Hyatt’s in Tokyo, including the Park Hyatt Tokyo, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and Regency Hyatt Tokyo.
- I hope you’re sitting down for this one – There are once again rumors that United Airlines might be procuring 2 A380’s. Wandering Aramean has the story, and despite how funny this one is, he puts enough analysis into it to be worth the read.
- I’m not one to link to MillionMileSecrets, for no other reason than the fact that I generally don’t read it, however, this was the first place I happened to see AMEX Starwood changes. If you ask me, these are good changes, other than the increase in the Annual fee.
On Manufactured Spending
- A Public Service Announcement from Freequent Flyer Book – Don’t structure your deposits, that is a crime. Manufacturing spend is not. Act smart.
- FrequentMiler made an interesting find this week, a way you can manufacture spend your way to gold status on Virgin America.
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Shawn, fellow Saverocity Observation Deck podcaster and writer for Miles to Memories notes a change in how Gift Card Mall’s Visa Gift Cards look when personalized.It’s not clear if this will have an adverse impact, or if you’ll need to change your name to Gift Card Recipient.
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You might want to rethink your manufactured spending of Membership Rewards points, if you plan to transfer them to British Airways, Gary Leff shares that AMEX just took another step backward by requiring 1.25 MR points for 1 Avios point. Odd, because I would’ve thought things would rightly be the other way around
- Of course, if you’re looking for a card to Manufacture Spend on, Doctor of Credit shares how you can get double discover deals and 10% (vs. 5%) for a year.
Reselling
- Miles per Day writes about folks that have turned reselling into a real business. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t considered these options. In fact, I still do consider them, one of these days..
- Chasing the Points found a new feature offered by Gift Card Granny! Definitely makes it look like a starting point when looking for well discounted gift cards!
Nonsequitar
- I first saw this from PF Digest, then, Gary Leff had an interesting take on it – I’m not really sure how to read this. Clearly the person in question manipulated the system. But, it’s bad enough people don’t accept responsibility for their mistakes, when a corporation tries to sue someone for their mistake, seems pretty extreme. Of course, I’m no legal expert, and I don’t know the whole story.
- Airways News shares Alitalia’s new livery. Maybe it’s blah, maybe it’s not, who am I to say?
- Jason Rabinowitz took a helicopter ride with NYonAir, here are the photos. Maybe its the fact that I grew up about 40 minutes east of New York City, but when I see this stuff, I pause and enjoy it.
Which article has information on PreCheck change? If that’s Seth’s article, it is about pre-clearance. Pre-clearance is very different from PreCheck
@Anh – nice catch. I’ve made the fix. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Hope you aren’t planning to stay in Brisbane. Boring city vs the alternatives. Like staying in Sacramento rather than San Francisco.
Did 3 weeks in Australia and Brisbane was the only place I wouldn’t go back to.
We have a connecting flight to Melbourne – have only spent a combined 96 hours in Australia (most of which in Syd), including layovers. Plan to spend 4 nights in MEL and 2-3 in Syd.