Given the latest no-notice Hilton devaluation (the predecessors of which I covered), I just went through every low category hotel I ever stayed at on points, and all but 3 have either increased in points requirement or is otherwise no longer available at my redeemed rate. Below is the list, with the original rate, increased rate, and current rate (if different). … [Read more...]
How to see The Jewel at Singapore Changi Airport after security (transiting)
My favorite airport has done it again. It added The Jewel, a 10 story indoor space anchored by the world's largest indoor waterfall. However, The Jewel is located landside before security. If you're transiting and already after security, you might be told you have to clear immigration to get landside to see it. That's not true. It's true to be at The Jewel you need to be … [Read more...]
No, your expired AA voucher didn’t suddenly gain infinite value
I got excited when one of my old AA vouchers seemed to apply towards a revenue ticket. I was given this voucher a while ago. It expired without me having the chance to use it. I plugged it into the payment option just to see if by chance it still works. To my surprise, the reservation system seemed to think it covered the cost of the ticket! Could … [Read more...]
Annual Fee Waived: Avianca Vuela Card ($149)
Just a quick note to share that Banco Popular waived the $149 annual fee on my Avianca Vuela card. I wasn't going to pay a hefty 2nd annual fee, so called to cancel the card for real. I was firm that I wanted to cancel. Agent transferred me to another agent, to whom I reiterated my unwavering intent to cancel. They offered the annual fee waiver with no … [Read more...]
OFO (bike sharing) refunded my deposit
I never finished my draft article about my love for dockless bike sharing in Asia. I found them very convenient for getting around in big cities. One of the prevalent platforms was OFO, or Little Yellow as it was called in Chinese. I actually signed up in Hong Kong using my US credit card and used it subsequently in the US. I did use it in China also, it … [Read more...]
The few sweet spots that escaped Wyndham massacre
The Wyndham category changes have gone into effect. As expected, it's a massive devaluation. Most of my hotels of interest have doubled to 30k per night, including: Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill TRYP Times Square and a dozen other NYC hotels Mills House in Charleston, SC Wyndham Santa Monica Pier ... Just to name a few. These were previously … [Read more...]
IHG Rewards Variable Pricing – Started?
Last month we learned IHG Rewards will be introducing variable pricing this year. Since then I haven't heard any new development. However, while looking at some hotels in NYC today, I saw variable pricing depending on the date. This is what I see for Apr 5-6: And this is what I see for Jul 2-3: As you can see, 2 of the hotels, … [Read more...]
Chase IHG Free Night: Still WAY more availability than Reward nights at Intercontinental Thaslasso
In a previous post, I posted the revelation that the uncapped anniversary free night from the Chase IHG card finds a lot more availability at Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso than reward/points. At the time, that property was reliably releasing 1 standard room (Emerald Overwater Bungalow) per night ~50 weeks out. They no longer do that, but they still release … [Read more...]