FlyerTalk and Freddie Awards

Posted by Rick Thursday, February 16, 2012, No Comments

The Frequent Flyer community has two awards programs going on right now.

The FlyerTalk Awards are open for voting through TOMORROW; February 17th.

Voted exclusively by members of the FlyerTalk community, awards will be presented for:

Best Rewards Program
Outstanding Benefit

Airline, hotel and car rental programs will be nominated in three geographic regions:

The Americas
Europe & Africa
Middle East, Asia & Oceania

Voting closes 2/17/12 and winning programs will be notified in March 2012.

Also, The 2012 Freddie Awards voting has opened. You can view the past winners and also vote for your top selections this year.

Please get out and “rock the vote”!

Anonymous

Hi Rick, how does this hotel compare to HI Old Sydney and to the Intercontinental? Thanks
Anonymous

Aus is not a bargain destination now, isnt it better to wait for the currency to fall a bit?
Anonymous

Rick:

Couldn't agree more. My wife and I love Vegas and go there 2-3 times a year from S. Florida. We've always wanted to go for New Years, but the hotels are always too expensive. For fun. we decided to check on The Cosmopolitan for New Year's Eve in December 2012. Sure enought, it was available at 35K points per night (3 nights) through Marriot. 105,000 points is extreme, but otherewise, we'd never do it. We also got 2 airline tickets through Continental using miles (50,000 for 2 tix) Total cost is $20 for fees. Should be a great time.
FrugalTravelGuy

anon. the hotel is ok just ok.certainly noy intercontinental grade.

anon 2. it really did not matter as we paid nothing for the room

anon 3 way to go. some trips are just worth going for free no matter how many points
M

Rick, I just went to Sydney for NYE 2011. Stayed at the Holiday Inn Old Sydney(25k, 5 nights min at that time, well worth it), great roof top view of the fireworks, bridge, harbour and opera house. I flew QF A380 Biz there and return on NZ Biz Premier. The A380 seats are better but food was better on NZ.
Michael M

I was there at the holiday inn also we bumped shoulders don't you remember M. Great value on that hotel 25K per night for four nights for me. This hotel was expensive if not on points and great location I felt in Sydney. Used Us air miles to get there from NYC by going into zrh-bkk-syd and then home by syd-icn-lax-nyc.. Happy hunting I booked 330 days out from my return date
Anonymous

We were in Sydney for New Years Eve 2011 and it was fanstastic!
– If you can get business award tickets anytime near Christmas (even with Lucky or View's help), I'll be impressed!
– Hotels that normally cost $250 per night are $800 per night around New Years. Plus there is a 5 day minimum at many hotels near the Opera House or Circular Quay. I was able to secure our room at the Marriott Sydney Harbor using points (120,000 a great deal!), but I think I did it 11 1/2 months in advance. Plus, there was still the 5 day minimum using points. One last thing – due to the popularity of NYE stays, the cancellation policy was 90 days in advance! So if you are able to book now, you still could cancel up to September, at least at the Marriott.
– We decided to go to a 'free' viewing area for the fireworks, which we do not regret. (Mrs. Macquaries Chair area) However, if we do it again, and my recommendation to you, is to pay for a dinner / viewing area. Restaurants / Bars / Captain Cook Cruises. Expect to pay up to $800 each if you go all out, but since this is a bucket list event…
– You can go to the Opera House for New Years Eve (expensive), but instead we went to the 'Not New Years Eve' Gala a couple of days earlier and had a wonderful evening. The Philharmonic plays, along with a few top notch singers. Some Opera, some pop, some classical music – a fun mix!
– Make sure to catch a 20/20 Cricket Match at the historic Sydney Cricket Grounds. We loved it, and the 20/20 format makes for about a 3 hour game.
– Reserve that hotel soon!

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