Archive for the ‘Budget’ Category

A reader sent me this link to a Flyertalk thread that has a $100-off flight and one-night hotel stay packages on Expedia from Germany.

Use expedia.de and then “Click and Mix” for the flight and hotel packages.

Key German words:

The “Coupon Box” on the last page is “Gutsheine”

The total price must be slightly over 78 euros to use the coupon.

So we now have about 5000 blog readers competing with 320,000 FT members for the deal. LAX-LAS, SFO-LAX would be a great itinerary for this one. Have each person do their own booking and only take the rooms for part of the trip. Person one buys flight and first night’s room of two nights and person two buys flights and only takes the room for second night of the trip.

Most of the details are in the FT thread

Have fun. For me, SAV or HHH are way too expensive for only a $100 discount.

Use promotion code 552KR for 5% off your next United flight.

And for American Airlines

For AAdvantage members, American Airlines takes 10% off domestic flights via the directions below. That’s the best percent-off discount we’ve seen for flights from American Airlines this year. This offer is applicable for up to six people. Additional taxes, blackout dates, and restrictions may apply. Book by October 31 for travel by November 27.

1. You must be enrolled for an AAdvantage Membership

2. Click here, enter your email, and then click “Play” to play the “American Airlines Penalty Challenge Game” (it allows you to earn extra miles)

3. When you’ve completed the game, click “Promotion Code” and enter the password that was emailed to you

4. Check your email for your promotion code

Response to the Great Funny Reader Story

On the 18th I wrote about how a reader had taken my wording of apply for all applications with Citi “at the same time” to somewhat humerous results.

Brett wrote back with an answer to the problem.

This one I actually can help with.

Yes the reader had a cookie issue. You can submit four applications at the same time, but not using the same internet browser. Solution: use more than one computer and/or use more than one internet browser. If you only have one computer than you could use Firefox, Internet Explorer, and or several other browsers. Might be able to accomplish the same thing by opening another session of Firefox and/or Internet Explorer (not the same as another Tab) (eg physically launch Firefox and/or Internet Explorer from the Start Button or Desktop.

Thanks Brett.

Southwest to Revamp Program in 2010

According to this Dallas News article the revamping of the Rapids Rewards program will be completed in 2010. Originally planned for late 2009, updating technology issues has delayed the revamping.

Southwest Fliers, look forward to a more tradiditional program next year.

Thanks Win for the update

Online Checkin and Purchase Bonus from Delta

Daniel wrote to inform you all (southern drawl here I come) that they are giving 250 miles in October for online ticket purchases and 250 miles for online check in. Here is the email he sent me from Delta:

Dear Mr. *****,

Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines.

Our records indicate we currently have a promotion for all SkyMiles members who purchase tickets at delta.com and check-in online during theMonth of October, 2009. SkyMiles members will earn 250 bonus miles for each online booking at delta.com and 250 miles for each delta.com online check-in. This promotion is valid until October 31, 2009.

Bookings and online check-in transactions made: October1-15 will be posted to the member’s account in early November. Bookings and online check-intransactions made: October 16-31 will be posted to the member’s account in early December.

You read it first here.

If You Want Deals Subscribe Below It is FREE .

Rr

The price is right and the fare is good through end of the year on AA at least. Reports of UA and other airlines as well.

If the blog or anything else helped set your sites on Machu Picchu here is the fare for you. You can then get a reasonably cheap flight to Cuzco and the train on to Aquas Calientes and MP. We used AA miles for the flights from Lima to Cuzco on Lan Peru to keep the cost down. The Terra Andina Hotel was just fine and provided shuttle service from the airport and to the train station.

It was a great experience and well worth the effort. I doubt if you can get all the way to Aquas Calientes in one day, but should be able to get to Cuzco at least in one day.

Then the train the next morning to the ruins. You will love it.

Check your favorite airline website for the fare or check the big three: Orbitz, Expedia or Travelocity. Use flexible search tools to get the best fare.

The Oneworld desk came up with this layover at Heathrow as they could not get us all the way to Zurich on the same day we flew over from South America. As it turns out, it was meant to be as I was able to commit to an interview with CNN World Business Traveller on current travel conditions, our trip, and whatever else is on their mind. We will be meeting in the Sheraton Skyline Hotel and I’m looking forward to spreading the Frugal Word worldwide.

The reporter pickup up the idea from the Arthur Frommer’s piece of March and wanted my opinions on hotel rewards and availability. As we discussed the topic, the idea of a face to face interview was quite appealing to her. Glad I “rinsed out a few things” in Rio and have my lucky Hawaii shirt “on the ready” It doesn’t match the blue flip flops, but remember, this is a carry on only round the world trip. And after a night in a BA Business Class lay flat seat and shower upon arrival, I’ll be up to the challenge.

Thanks for all your emails and words of support. I hope the trip report and photos are as fun for you as they are for us.

We have a great group of readers that are helping keep the info flowing while I’m somewhat involved in travelling around the world on Citi AA miles Thank you for reporting in on the increase in the Citi AA Sign Up bonus.

Some have received word from emails and I have not seen anything else but I’m sure it will be wide spread. Now churn them for 30,000 each time. The one email I have has a readers private info and I can’t get it out of the email right now.

Check your email boxes or go to Citicards.com

A new year and all the freuent flyer accounts click back to zero. My goals this year are travel, travel ,travel and keep the bennies coming. I want to keep my American Airlines Platinum status as it gives me double miles whenever I fly them and will keep me heading towards the 2 million mile mark and the lifetime Platinum status that comes with it. As of today, already the 4th of January, nothing planned for American Airlines. I have a ton of miles and will start planning another Around the World Trip later this spring.

My other two frequent flyer goals are to maintain my Gold Status with BMI airlines. They are base in Manchester England and are members of the Star alliance along with United, Singapore and about 10 others. Gold status with BMI gives me lounge access whenever I am flying on a Star Alliance carrier no matter what class ticket I have. And the real goal is to get to 55,000 status miles as quickly in the year as possible for a potential MILEAGE BONANZA. Our trip to New Zealand in February is on United Airlines primarily, but I will credit to BMI as it is business class and I get double status miles for the trip. That will be about 36K of the 55K I need to hit the motherlode. Going to St. Thomas for a week on Monday and will credit that to BMI as well. Add to that a 5 day trip to Hawaii on the 22nd of January and that will add another 10K.

I booked a mileage run last night for March 4th and loved doing it. I fly Providence Rhode Island to Chicago to San Francisco to Phoenix, and have dinner. My return four hours later is Phoenix to San Francisco then redeye to Washington Dulles than up to Providence to finish up. Why in the world would I take this route? The anwer is 6,900 Elite Qualifying miles for $155 total or 2.25 cents per EQM with no hotel costs and that much closer to the 55K BMI threshold. I’ll go total it up. I actually cross the magical 55K threshold upon returning from New Zealand.

So what is so magical about 55K BMI miles in a given year? After that everyting is double. If I fly 6900 miles in coach, I get credit for 13,800 miles or double. BUT, if I fly in business class it is “double the double” or 27,600 miles or if first class it is “double the triple” or 41,400 miles for the one 6900 mile trip. Business class seats when over 55K status miles in a year pay 4.25 miles per mile and First Class pays 6.25 miles per mile. On top of that they occassionally offer double miles on given routes so it is not hard to earn 8.25 miles per miles flown.

To sum up, if a First Class FARE MISTAKE on any Star Alliance member airline happens after February 23rd of 2008, I’m in for the motherlode of 4.25 to 8.25 times actual miles flown. A friend of mine supports the travels of his missionary family in Africa by flying this way. There is no way they could all afford to come and go from the US to Africa and around the continent without his help.

I can fly my kids to Europe in Premium Economy for 25K miles and $300. Or business class for 37.5K and $450. My Business reward ticket to see Andrew get his Masters degree in Sydney, Australia will be 80K miles and $900. That ticket sells for over $13,000. And I need at least business class for that long a flight as I’m 6’3″ and too many pounds.

So after February 23rd, I go back to crediting my miles to United Airlines for all coach class tickets. I want to get to at least 50K credited on United so I get double miles for all of 2009 and Economy Plus seating. Economy Plus gives its passengers an extra 5″ of legroom, and the 50K allows me to book the exit rows at the time of ticketing.

If it all sounds crazy to you, don’t be surprised. It does to most people. But when you start to reap the benefits of frequent travel and the true savings by planning ahead, you’ll never look at travelling the same again. It really is pretty nice waiting in the first class lounge with meals and drinks provided before flying around the world in a lay flat first class seat with private entertainment systems and people waiting on you hand and foot.

The drudgery of coach class is OVER.