This is just a data point that it took at least 8 business days for my Caesars Diamond status to show up after doing the status match with my Wyndham Diamond. When you initiate the status match, it says it will be done within 7 business days. Nick at Frequent Miler noted it took less than that for his family: A few of us in the family have now done this … [Read more...]
Why I won’t go to Bora Bora or Maldives in rainy season
I woke up today to the news of wide open 2022 award inventory from Conrad Bora Bora. This is BIG news, like drop everything you're doing and get on it big. I did my duty and am sitting on a stay for next summer. I hope some of y'all got in on it too. If not, there are still some dates available. Here's March 2022: However, that's … [Read more...]
Semi-official: Hilton free night certificates being extended
While nothing has been announced officially, my friend and I have confirmed with multiple Hilton representatives on the phone and on Twitter that some free night certificates (FNC) are extending by some time. The exact detail seems murky still, but expect something to be announced soon. He and I each have a FNC currently expiring Aug 31, 2021. They have been … [Read more...]
Survival Tip: How to “go back” on a miles & points blog page
It's a well-established fact that reading good miles and points blogs is essential for survival. So when a basic functionality stops working, our well-beings are at jeopardy. That's why I'm here to share a tip, in hopes of restoring order to our lives. Recently, a new signature has emerged for the VIPs of miles and points blogs. At several such important … [Read more...]
Sedona Rouge Hotel back to 15,000 Wyndham points!
UPDATE: The hotel left the Wyndham family shortly after this post. You snooze, you lose. Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa is a 4-star hotel in gorgeous Sedona. With a great location in town, it's part of the Wyndham Trademark Collection, which has some of the best hotels in the Wyndham group. Since the devaluation last year (which came after the massive … [Read more...]
Sedona – a Magical Place of Vast Beauty
October 2020. I visited Zion National Park for the first time. When I reached the town of Springdale and the Zion canyon wall appeared before my eyes, it was a sight I'll never forget. I thought: surely this is the most majestic of all red rocks in the country, other than maybe the Grand Canyon? Less a month later, after spending 4 days in Sedona, a new thought … [Read more...]
Low Category IHG Redemption – Staybridge Suites Palm Springs
In a normal year, I'd tell you about some great low category hotel redemptions around the world. But in the year of Covid, I have been checking out things near my base of Southern California. I wanted to share a good points redemption at home. I'm talking about Staybridge Suites Cathedral City Palm Springs. It's a limited service hotel, so don't expect … [Read more...]
Extend Old Cathay Pacific Asia Miles during Covid
UPDATE: as of June 2021, people are having success with no-strings-attached renewal by contacting Asia Miles (e.g. live chat). This converts the miles into the 18-months expiry (renewable with activity), and no need to perform the "2 partner transfer". TL;DR: Transfer 3000 miles from 2 different partners; miles will be extended after 36 hours. I had a sizable amount … [Read more...]