Archive for the ‘Kauai’ Category

Cabo San Lucas  Photography by Anne

You hear the phrase “your mileage may vary” very often when you’re playing the travel game. What exactly does it mean? It means we really have very little control over the posting of miles, if a deal will be honored, and who gets upgraded or not.  This game is all about variations.

Several weeks ago I suggested that if you have received a Continental OnePass card within the last 90 days, you may be able to pick up 25,000 more CO frequent flier miles by writing and explaining that the new promo is much bigger and that you want the miles currently being offered.

I got an email from Bill H of Maine, a regular reader and straightforward kinda guy. Here is his story about asking for the miles from Chase:

Rick,

Hope you’re having a great time in Hawaii while we struggle through the cold and snow of Northern Maine. Actually I wouldn’t trade places during this time of year. Anyway here are two different responses from inquiries to receive the extra 25,000 Continental frequent flier miles. Keep in mind that I have been using my card all months since receiving the card. Since I signed my wife up for the card, I did the first purchase but haven’t used it since. We signed up for the cards on the same day, did our first purchase on the same day and closing dates the same on each account. So it might be important to have a balance when asking for the extra miles. One other thing that upsets me is the blatant fib (I don’t want to call it a lie but it is) saying how all members are treated equally. What a crock.

Regards,
Bill H

Here are the responses, mine first:

Dear William,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the Continental credit card account. I have issued an additional 25,000 enrollment frequent flier miles and the adjustment will reflect on the next billing statement.

It was my pleasure to assist you today and appreciate your continued use of the Continental account. If you have any questions, reply using the Secure Message Center.
Thank you,

XXXXXXXXXXXX

E-mail Customer Service Representative

Now my wife’s response:

Dear Brenda,

Thank you for your inquiry. With the continual changes and promotional offers for many credit card products, we at Chase will always consider allowing the newest promotion to be applied to any qualified accounts that were opened within the previous 90 days of the offer.

In reviewing the open date on the account, I regret to advise that the account is not qualified to participate in the new 50,000 enrollment mile promotion, therefore we are unable to honor your request for an additional 25,000 bonus frequent flier miles.

Although we appreciate your loyalty over the last several months, we ask that you trust that this decision is the same for all members whose accounts do not fall within this designated time frame. We feel that adhering to the same policy for all members outside of this designated time frame is the best way to remain fair and consistent.

We do thank you for your time in contacting us and thank you for making Chase your credit card of choice. If you have any further questions, please reply using the Secure Message Center or by calling the number on the back of the card.

Thank you,

XXXXXXXXXXX

E-mail Customer Service Representative
 
Note that the card was applied for, used first, and has the same statement. YMMV
 
Sure, Bill could complain. And he may well do that. But sometimes we just have to accept that we will not get our way.  Remember the Amex Delta transfer offer that started at 50%+30% bonus and was changed overnight by Delta to 50% only? They have the right to change the terms and conditions at will, and quite often do.
 
YMMV
 
I could list hundreds of examples over the last 11 years that I’ve been playing this game. I could get upset, or just be grateful for the free travel I have received.
 
In every deal, at any given moment, YMMV

United Mileage Plus Signature Card Improves Their Offer

I just got the update that they are now offering a $50 statement credit and waiving the first year fee. The signup bonus frequent flier mileage is now 25K on first purchase and 5K more for an authorized user.

Platinum Card for the Delta Transfer Bonus, Elite Status, Lounge Access, $200 Incidental Credit and More. Read my February 6th Blog Post for Details

“Rick – if the rest of life was this easy – we’d all be retired to Kauai full time!” — Basil

Basil K. is our Frugal Travel Guy of the Day. Read his recent communication with Amex below…

Hello,

I have been an Amex Platinum member for a number of years and I understand that new applicants for the card are being offered 50,000 MR points after $1000 of spend. This very generous offer was not available when I applied for the card, and I respectfully ask that you consider my request to receive some portion of the current offer.

With kind regards,
Basil K
Houston, TX

Response, 02/08/2011 08:15 AM

Good morning Basil K,

I will be more than happy to assist a valued Cardmember since 1990!

Basil, I am sorry that the offer you have referenced was not available when you applied for your card. As a gesture of good customer relations I have issued 25,000 Membership Reward points to your account. You now have 23,379 available points.

I hope this assures you that we value you as a customer and appreciate your business since 1990. Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Steven XXXXX
Email Servicing Team
American Express Interactive Services

Here a reader reply to Basil”s suggestion

Hi Rick,

I’m a daily ready of your blog and spotted the AMEX post early this morning .. I was in a similar situation as the writer of your posted email and I took the same approach … and they replied within the hour!!

Good afternoon xxx xxxxx,

I do see that you are a valued Cardmember with us so I have gone ahead and issued the 25,000 bonus points. There are now xxxxxxx available and xxxxxxx pending points.

Thank you for your membership since xxxx. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Sincerely, xxxxxxx

I just wanted to write to say THANK YOU. I really enjoy the blog and really appreciate all of your work and time that goes into this hobby I’m a big traveler myself (160k BIS last year) and benefited a TON from yours as well as other peoples tips and postings on various sites.

Keep up the good work and hopefully our paths will cross one day, be it on the beach or an airport lounge … for sure the meal or cocktails are on me!.

Take care,

Jim W

 
Every NEW offer  gives us the opportunity to review our OLD offer.

Kayaking in Fournier Bay, Antarctica © Andrew Ingersoll

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