Deal of the Day: One More Winner, Bonus Miles, and a GPS Deal

March 9, 2012 - FrugalTravelGuy

Our winner from yesterday’s contest is Michael L whose home airport is ATL (Atlanta, GA). His tip was “If you’re going to the beach, use a small, collapsible cooler as a toiletry bag. Then, you have an easy way to keep beers (or other drinks) cold on the beach.” and his topic suggestion was “The best way to maximize points/miles when you are flying short segments all the time.”. Don’t forget to enter in today’s for a final chance at $50 for TheHotelCard.com. Michael please email rick@frugaltravelguy.com to get your voucher.To Michael and everyone that left comments thank you and keep entering for a final chance to win.

On to the deals …

Hilton is giving 1,000 bonus points for every night spent at a property. They’re also giving 5,000 additional bonus points for every 2-night weekend stay.

Marriott is running its Megabonus promo right now, but you must sign in to your account to register and to see the terms.

You can earn up 3,000 bonus miles from US Airways for every car rental from Avis of three days or more.

Garmin Portable GPS with free Lifetime Map Updates for $74.99. This may not be the flashiest / fanciest GPS’s out there, but the free Lifetime Map Updates sold it for me

Anonymous

1. Bob M, TPA
2. If you have a lot of time to kill in an airport, consider the value an airline lounge daypass offers. For around $50 you get all the free food (snacks) you can eat, free internet and a quiet environment. Those first two features have a monetary value with which you can compare costs outside in the general airport area. United is the only one I know that offers daypasses at a cheaper price if bought online.
3. Can you get an exclusive interview with a credit card industry insider? Maybe they'd speak to you with the stipulation of not using their name, but it'd be neat to get that perspective on this hobby.
Anonymous

Mary R DIA

Always carry a hotel card in your wallet so if get into an accident..someone can figure out where you belong.

Always plan in advance.. a place and time to meet back up.. should you and your partner or group plan to separate while out.

Also handy- several large ziploc bags… I use one for throwing receipts in ..and another one to hold my maps , collect sea shells etc.
The real large bags are good for wet swimsuits. etc.

Would like to know more about car rentals with airline mileage.
peachfront

1. Mary R, MSY
2. Not to be contrarian to the first post, but my travel advice is to absolutely DO NOT figure in the value of any supposed "quiet environment" when deciding whether to purchase a day pass to an airport lounge, or else you're highly likely to feel cheated. The lounges I've tried over the past year have been outrageously over-crowded, to the point where there have been long lines to shower at formerly excellent Delta lounges in DTW and ATL. MIA at Miami is the most outrageous. Children are allowed in the AA lounge there, so you have a bar with people drinking, yet you have children running wild out of control and you can't access plenty of perfectly "clean" websites on their computers because their nanny program blocks way too much that is perfectly OK. (Disclosure: yes, they blocked MY website.) Air France/KLM didn't have kids but were similarly overcrowded in JNB, CDG, AMS. The days of "peace and quiet" in the lounges are over. Too many passes are being sold or given away like candy. The snacks are probably worth $2, so are you really going to drink $48 worth of cocktails? I hope not. For now, my advice is to avoid the lounge unless it's included, since they've been devalued to the "not worth paying for" point. OK, I had a nice quiet lounge at VVI but probably most of you aren't flying out of there.
3. You're touching on it some already but maybe more coverage of mid-tier hotels/motels programs. At the end of the day, most of the time, if the place has a mini-bar I don't wanna stay there. Too many associated costs compared to your Comfort Inns that give free good breakfast and free internet to all comers. Plus a real fridge (not a mini bar) and a microwave. Would like to see some comparison for Comfort Inn's program in particular if I would do better in their loyalty program by frequently earning free rooms through their stays/credit card or just by walking in and negotiating a lower-than-Priceline rate…
rich

I have to partially agree with peachfront. $50 for a day pass is way too much. $20, maybe but not $50, especially for domestic lounges.
If you fly often and the price comes down to $25ish then maybe I would justify it. It can be a nice place to relax but like most things, especially with airlines, they are constantly getting devalued.
Anonymous

Arlyce M, MSP
Tip: If your hotel curtains won't stay closed, use a pants hanger from the closet to clip them closed.
Topic: A tutorial on using SPG's Cash & Points to get the best lodging deals.
Anonymous

Patti G, AUS
Always research your destination and its customs/quirks! I researched Paris before my daughter went there in 1998 with her high school band. They were touring a famous cemetery and the girls asked for the "toilette". Directions were given and, low and behold…it was a "Turkish Toilet", as one guide book had put it (the proverbial hole in the floor)! The other girls refused the facilities, but my daughter, informed and prepared, was ready for this new adventure:-).
As a newbie to frugal travel, any topic would be of help to me…thanks.
Grizdev

Ben G DTW
Always drink a lot of water when flying. Planes are significantly dryer and nothing is worse than dehydration on a long flight.
More info about getting miles through non credit card ways.
Anonymous

1. Terry H, CID
2. Take a video of your rental car.
3. Using prepaid cards (like from rebates) on travel.
Eddy C

1. Eddy C, ORD

2. When traveling internationally, call your credit cards prior to your trip so that they're aware you'll be abroad and won't decline your card due to suspected fraudulent activity.

3. How to book boutique (i.e. non-chain) hotels at a good value
Bob C

Bob C. PWM
WHile traveling in a big city, always seek out 5 star hotels if you need a bathroom in an emergency. if you've gotta go, why not do it in style…

Would love to see more info on budget hotel rewards programs.
Anonymous

Clare N., TPA
travel tip-Don't bother packing soap to hand wash clothes. The hotel shampoo works well.
topic suggestion: More on booking hotels through airline portals and bank cards.
Jill F

Jill F, USA
Become familiar with each airports checked bag policy. Recently I've been flying out of small airports. If you are checking bags they require you arrive 60-90 minutes beforehand. I only arrive 30-45 minutes before a flights at larger airports.
Question: I would love information on how to get upgraded when using points. I'm planning a trip to Italy and using points for all my hotels. I know some people email/call the hotel ahead of time and introduce themselves to try to get upgraded to a suite. Any ideas? I'm staying at Intercontinental, Marriott, Hiltons. Thanks!
Anonymous

1. Denis R, JFK
2. When trying to book low level award travel from the US to Europe on Delta, search each leg separately using Air France's or KLM's Flying Blue web site for availability. When you find what you want (which will be much easier and offer more selection than using Delta's site), plug the exact days and times you found via Flying Blue into Delta's Multi-City Award Search, & it will price it at the low level.
3. I'd like to hear more about searching for hotel awards (Maybe via AAdvantage)?
Chakka

1) Todd E ROC
2) Overhead bins are flling up quickly these days and so some may opt to check their backage at the ticket counter. Another crafty way to avoid backage fees is by not boarding early resulting in overhead bins filling up before you enter the plane and the airline gate checking your bag for free… standard practice by airlines. Sure, I'd rather keep my luggage in the overhead, but the airlines seldom call zone 4 first.
3) I'm a newbie on this site and will strive to maximize these programs. In the interim, I am forced to pay out of pocket for travel expenses and so I am curious about preferred travel sites that show the best prices. Sure, there are the Expedia's of the world, but there are also wholesalers and other means. It would be great to highlight a few strategies for the pay method of travel for those that have not worked up the needed points to fly a family of 4 around the world yet. Thx…
Leilani N

Leilani N, SEA

Here's a tip for traveling with kids. On a recent trip I heard a lot of whining from my 9 year old son about how heavy his carry on bag was to roll. The standard 2 wheeled bag tired his arm out. So, on our trip to Dominican Rep, I bought him a carry on that has 4 caster wheels so he can just push it around on most surfaces. Plus, when he was tired he could sit on it like a stool. That worked really well, no more whining!

I'd like to see more info on keeping churning organized.

Thanks,
Leilani
Anonymous

1. Ray G., JFK
2. Download your airline's app to your phone. It's a simple and easy way to find out updates on your flight status among other things.
3. A topic I'd love to hear more about is the best value when you convert hotel points to airline miles. Thanks!
the caldwell’s

1. janet c, las
2. roll your clothes!
3. tutorial on aeroplan and ana please!

thank you!!
Dan

Danny R JFK

1. At LGA airport, you can park your car legally (No Parking Wednesdays) on the Ditmars Boulevard / 81st Street airport entrance, and board a Hertz bus (free) to your terminal ! I learned this from watching all the pilots and airport staff.

2. More free goodies for your readers !
Anonymous

Carol H. – MSP

Tip: If you travel quite a bit, replenish your toiletry bag when you get home so it is ready to go for your next trip.

Topic: A comparison of the value of Hilton HHonors points vs SPG points considering that it is quite easy to amass a lot of HH points with several BOA airline card sign-up bonuses and transferring miles 1:2; as well as several Hilton HHonors credit card bonuses and getting 6-9 points per $1 spent in quite a few categories including cable, internet & wireless phone bills; gas, groceries and Hilton hotels plus 3 points per $1 everywhere else. By comparison, SPG has a lower sign-up bonus and gives just 1 point per $1 on spending. Hilton HHonors also seems to have more periodic bonus offers and special deals. Having said that, it takes more HH points than SPG points for a room.
Evelyn

Evelyn F BHM

Think about buying a high voltage coil for making instant coffee in European hotel room to save $.

When do airline sales occur? How far out to ff seats become available?
Anonymous

-Cindy G (PHL)
-There are phone apps and websites for different airports, and they're worth checking out for lists of restaurants by terminal, especially if you're in a big airport.
-More about mile redemptions
Anonymous

1. Dave B, LHR

2. If you like the shampoo/lotion/bathwash you've been provided in the hotel you're staying, make sure to move any partially used or unused bottles out of sight so that when the cleaner/replenisher comes they'll re-stock you with more of your favorites. Don't forget to flip the "do not disturb" sign, though. Then you'll have much to appreciate when you return home.

3A. I'd like to see more systematic/organized pages with information on earning/spending points/miles from each (popular) program. It's great that there's now so much available, but it needs to be synthesized for ready access without sifting through many old posts.

3B. Great job on listing best credit cards with low minimum spend. I'd like to see for minimum spends over $1,000 and best credit cards with no f/x fees.

Thanks for all you have to offer!
Anonymous

1. Ai W., ATL

2. For long distance trips, pack a collapsible neck pillow. Your neck will thank you during a long haul flight (especially for those flying coach).

3. Tips on timing of card churning when an annual fee for a card is due. Cancel fee-card first, then churn? Or churn first, then cancel fee-card?
Hao Tran

1. Hao T SFO
2. Before traveling, don't forget to back up your laptop data just in case!
3. Booking flights to specific countries (How to get to BKK from the US for example)
Anonymous

1 – Nick H : DFW
2 – Always remember to earn miles/points with credit card spends.. always.
3 – Longest and least expensive trips ever taken by FTG readers (guest blog opps)
Joel

Joel J, MCI

Read the tips posted during each day of this contest. I discovered a few new ones and you probably will, too.

Please explain points for each program, the transfer ratio, benefits, and so on. There are so many, it's confusing.
Anonymous

This is Bob M from TPA (first post), and I'm back to defend paying for a airport lounge daypass, whether it's at $50 or the steal of $39 with United when bought in advance online.

If I'm considering a lounge stop, it's because of a multi-hour layover and I need to get work done. If I stay out in the terminal I'm going to pay $10 or so for an hour of wi-fi connection, at least. I'll also end up spending $15 or more on food/snacks during that time.

With that as my barometer, my lounge price of $50 is now just $25 in my eyes, because I'm getting the wi-fi for free and food/drink for free. I'm willing to pay $25 for the comfort of a lounge, the relatively quiet and the guarantee of a power outlet for my laptop.

Some other posters said it was a waste of money based on too many common travelers getting in there nowadays. Even if the lounge has a few of 'em, I'm sure I'll encounter fewer screaming kids there than I will in the terminal.
Christine B

1. Christine B, BWI
2. Get a new travel coloring book and crayons set for each kid at WalMart or Target for $1, only to be used on the plane when all electronics are off. Then when electronics are permitted, pull out the noise cancelling headphones (with a splitter for my 2 kids, ages 2 and 5), plug it into the light-weight portable DVD player, and give yourself and others at least 90 minutes of peace. I also look online for seats with outlets before making my seat selections, as the portable DVD player battery only lasts so long.
3. A run down of social networking promos, especially Foursquare/Topguest, for earning miles/points for check-ins.
Christine B

1. Christine B, BWI
2. GoGo wifi is wonderful, but only works in the continental US right now. Look for discount codes and free trials, but be sure to write them down, since you can't access them from your e-mail.
3. Info/comparisons of the various all-inclusive resort vacations (Sandals, Beaches, etc). Are they worth it?
Kfloveinme

1. Kenya F., JFK
2. Don't buy travel size items only when its time to travel. Purchase them while on sale and make a travelling bin. Works for me. Never have to buy things the last minute.
3. How to get first class tickets for cheap? Is that even possible?
Duane H

1. Duane H, MDT

2. When traveling abroad, always carry a no foreign transaction fee credit card.

3. The best way to find award seat availability.
Abhishek Duggal

1) Abhishek D, HNL
2) Check to see if the alarm was pre-set as soon as you check in to your room so you can turn it off or set it for the time YOU really would want it to go off!
3) A detailed review of the Priority Pass Program
Anonymous

1) Chris H, LGA
2) Always checkin in advance if possible and print out boarding pass. Never check bag on business.
3) Special deals, best way to use miles for a mid level traveler
Bethy @ Credit Karma

Thanks for including Credit Karma!

Deal of the Day: One More Winner, Bonus Miles, and a GPS Deal

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