Deal of the Day
Posted by FrugalTravelGuy Monday, December 19, 2011, No Comments
After you “Like” American Express on Facebook, you can register for promotions to receive statement credits once you’ve completed them.
The “Today Show” featured a deal for any four-night Carnival cruise for $549 for two adults! This also includes two nights in a hotel for a total of six nights!
Spend three nights at the Grand Lucayan in the Bahamas from $199/person including air!
50,000 American Airlines Miles. No First Year Fee
Deal of the Day United Toolbar
Posted by FrugalTravelGuy Monday, November 07, 2011, No Comments
The Las Vegas Hilton has packages for $139 for 3 or 4 nights with NO RESORT FEES!
Deals We Like has a great breakdown of a $100 flight credit for a two-night stay at an InterContinental Group property that you might be worth it for some.
United is offering shoppers up to 2,000 UA miles for downloading and using their shopping toolbar.
Rene tells about a Skymall 25,000 DL miles for $500 spend. Here is the link of the upcoming promo.
Save $75 on US Airways Club Membership
Gary P sent me four certs good thru 12/31/11 to save $75 on next years club if you want to join. Send me your name and snail mail address if you want one. Thanks Gary
$500 in Gift Cards from Citi and Thank You Points
Deals of the Day – Lots of Them
Posted by FrugalTravelGuy Wednesday, October 05, 2011, No Comments
Delta is offering 1,000 (2,000 for cardholders) miles for giving $50 to the United Way. Offer is limited to the first 5000 people so I would make sure you’re one of those before giving (if you’re just in it for the miles, that is).
Deals We Like discusses how to get Triple Southwest points (1800 WN points per Hyatt stay) instead of Hyatt points.
View From the Wing has a way to earn 2500 free US Airways miles and a hit in the Grand Slam! All you have to do is sign up for a ShareBuilder Account!
Earn 250 Delta MQMs for every two-night stay at Hilton. This can be used in addition to their Q4 promotion.
Enter to win up to $1 million at Chase Freedom’s Facebook page.
National Car is also running a Facebook contest that is giving away up to 350,000 airline miles, plus Emerald Club Executive Elite Status for one year.
Southwest is giving away up to 3 Million Points or 100 weekly points
***
Rick,
I have a certificate for 5000 “Free Spirit” frequent flier miles. I have no intention of flying them, and would be happy to give them to yourself or one of your readers (preferably military) if you have anyone in mind.
Certificate number is DFW5YJTYKF. To redeem, go to www.spirit.com/5K to register.
Cheers,
Matt
Thanks, Matt. That’s what this blog is all about — sharing with others. — Rick
American Express Platinum Card Link at 50,000 MR points
Posted by Rick Wednesday, August 31, 2011, No Comments
This offer is better than the ad on my right hand column.
https://www304.americanexpress.com/personal-card-application/platinum-charge-card/29119-243-0/0/0/0/n/?BUID=CCG&PSKU=PLA&PID=1&EAID=PPkX79%2Fc%2Ab0-UhbCC01fTmptondByG4QWA&CRTV=TopFlyer
The terms are comparable to the Mercedes Benz card mentioned a week ago. The annual fee is $450 and includes the 50,000 points, airport lounge access for one year and a $200 airline credit. The net cost is $250 for access and 50,000 points.
Again this is a much better offer than my ad on the right hand column.
Sorry you have to copy and paste the link address. I still don’t have this iPad figured out yet.
New Federal Guidelines, Re: Credit Card Applications Are Starting to Take a Toll
Posted by Rick Thursday, August 04, 2011, No Comments
Update: Hans sent along a note saying the FAA issue has been settled by Congress and 74,000 worers are headed bac to work.
Thanks Han for the update.
I received an email from Donna that clearly shows the confusion over the new regulations regarding income on credit cards. Basically, the proposed changes indicate only personal income, not family income, must be considered when approving a credit card application. If this bears out, it will have a significant impact on stay-at-home moms’ and dads’ ability to apply for credit cards. Obviously, I’m not in favor of the change. But as we do with all frequent flier travel hacker deals, we will need to find a way around the regulations.
Donna wrote me in dismay about a credit card denial she had received. She had never been denied before. Here is her email to me:
“We are required by federal regulations to evaluate your capacity to take on new debt. Your annual income information is either missing on your application or is insufficient relative to your overall debt based on our records or your credit report.”
In her phone call to the card issuer (Amex Surpass card), she says:
“They asked what portion of the household income I was personally responsible for. I told them none. I hadn’t heard anything so I called to check the status. I got a really nice rep who said he’s been using the husband’s income since the husband supports the wife. He said honestly they don’t know what to do with the new requirement. Too bad I didn’t get him the first time.”
Here is an email I got this morning from Steve who works in the industry:
Rick,
There is some flexibility built into the new regulations. It is unknown how card issuers will implement the new regulation but here is what the Federal Reserve said in describing their new requirements:
“Thus, if a card issuer prompts an applicant to provide his or her “household income” on a credit card application, the card issuer cannot rely solely on the information provided by an applicant to satisfy the requirements of § 226.51. Instead, the card issuer would need to obtain additional information about an applicant’s independent income (such as by contacting the applicant). However, if a card issuer requests that applicants provide their income without reference to household income (such as by requesting “income” or “salary”), the issuer may rely on the information provided by applicants to satisfy the requirements of § 226.51.”
The new regulations go into place October 1, 2011 but there could be card issuers who are already following them.
The language quoted above allows card issuers who ask for only “income” or “salary” on the application (rather than “household income”) to rely on the applicant’s statements.
Again, I don’t know how this will play out with the big card issuers as they might ask follow-up information about income – but the Fed did give them an out to rely on the applicant’s statement if the card issuer only asked for “income” or “salary” on the application.
-Steve
Although this is not conclusive evidence that the regulations are taking over, it sure looks like it to me. Therefore…
Advice for Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads:
You may want to consider entering the game sooner rather than later at this point if your scores will support credit card applications. I’m sure that, in time, many “stay at homes” will become “employees” of the working spouse or partner and a paper trail will need to be established. It will only make sense, in my opinion, for real card fanatics, but that may be the answer. (I’m thinking Katybug will be working for the blog in the future…)
Now, not only will we be keeping track of how often we can reapply with individual card issuers, but for some time to come it sounds as if we will be applying based on how each issuer interprets the new regulations.
Times, they may be a-changin’
Three Skype Codes for Servicemen and Women
This is why this blog works. Helping each other out. Thanks Cornroaster.
Dear Opinion Place® Member,
We value your time and appreciate your participation in our on-line community. As a thank you bonus, we are giving you 3 Skype pay-as-you-go credit codes, valued at approximate $5 USD. You can call people all over the world on their landline phone or mobile from just 2.3¢ per minute* using these credits.
What do you need? A computer with a built in microphone, internet connection and a free Skype account & software.
Already a Skype member? Just click here, log in and input the codes. The credit will be automatically and instantly added to your account.
Don’t have Skype yet? Not a problem. Click here to register and download Skype for free and after you register go to skype.com/voucher to enter your codes. The credit will then be automatically and instantly added to your account.
Credit Codes:
JPBARM9MVB6Y9TRW
RVAPRNNGHKXXMFD9
F9VXPURW6NJR96PA
Don’t delay! These credits will expire on 10/31/11. If you have questions about redeeming your Skype credit, please visit http://www.skype.com/
New Starwood 30,000 Point Offer Here Limited Time Offer
The Great Wall of China
Posted by Rick Friday, July 01, 2011, No Comments
The Great Wall of China
It looks like some of my posts aren’t making it online so Shannon or Howie are copying and pasting for me. Sorry the photo of Jenny didn’t make it. More of her and her service later.
We awoke to a heavy rain and knew immediately our trip to the most remote choice for the Wall was gone due to slippery conditions. We ended up instead driving to Stefan’s second choice and I am very glad we did. The drive took a little over one hour first on nice highway then two lane roads for the last half hour. We arrived and found the parking lot virtually empty due to the still continuing rain. Jenny found us a couple of ponchos and we headed up to the chairlift for the ride up to the Wall. The cost was 40 yuan for the Wall and 65 for the chairlift (a 1970 style 2 passenger ski lift that had seen its better days) but still got the job done. There is a sliding path coming back down but was closed due to the rain. Once off the lift we still had several flights of stairs to climb actually up the Wall. Still raining but subsiding, I was really excited to fulfill one of our dream destinations. As we stepped onto the Wall I was amazed at the simpleness of the structure. The actual wall is about 14 feet wide with stone walkways in our location and the walls above the pathway were about waist high on me. There are cutouts for viewing and also locations for archers to fling their arrows in safety. The day reminded me of our morning on Maccu Picchu with rain and dense fog. We could not see the surrounding countryside although we knew from the approach and steepness of the Wall that we were on the top of very uneven terrain as there were not any level sections of the wall at all. We headed in one direction and found the going just too steep and recommended not for walking. We took the group photo I’m having difficulty forwarding then turned around to try the other direction. The Wall is approximately 1700 years old in many sections and 7300 kilometers long. This is a feat of engineering that took many lives and years to complete.
The other direction was still steep, the weather humid to say the least but at least the rain was lessening. We could not see long distances in front of us but at least to the next tower. The crowd was minimal.
After about 20 minutes Jenny held back and Andrew Katy and I continued on to the next tower. The walking is very uneven and the steps are narrow but we pushed ahead for about two more towers.
On our return towards Jenny she motioned us back to her location as the weather and fog were clearing and there was an incredible view of the Wall heading up and off to the top of the next mountain, The trip was all worthwhile at that point as we all marveled at the site before us. It only lasted about 10 minutes before the fog rolled in again and the magnitude and length of the the structure was again shrouded in fo. We had witnessed a site to be seen and experienced by all of you, if only for a minute and have imprinted that scene in our minds forever. It is amazing to say the least.
Northwest and Delta Flyers A Must Read Timeline
Posted by Rick Thursday, August 06, 2009, No Comments
Late Day Update
Chris just sent me a link for 100,000 mile Delta credit card. Also a Business card. I’ll be posting terms and conditions on Saturday.
Here is the link which sends you to the offer. More info to follow. Call the number on the link that you click to if you are interested in this offer today. The business card link still shows a smaller bonus, as did the personal card earlier today.
Northwest and Delta Timelines
You will not be able to link your accounts after August 9th and all transfer between the accounts will end on August 31st.
Here is the webpage link
Plan Accordingly
Native American Coins Off Back Order Status
It seems they are shipping again. I still haven’t had time to get all my previous order in circulation. 
“Order Early and Order Often”
Flyertalk Coupon Connection Closed Down
One of the best methods for moving travel items between travel nuts has been temporarily shut down by Randy Peterson the innovator of Flyertalk and the Coupon Connection Board. I will do the little I can for those of you that have been regular readers and contribute to helping me keep this thing running computer wise or with deals you’ve found and sent our way.
Expedia Goes Back on their Word
I’m sure some of you are sitting on Expedia.uk 20GBP or 40 GBP vouchers you got while the deal was still working. It seems that Expedia has now changed the terms and conditions of these vouchers retroactively to now say that you must spend 400 GBP to use your 40 GBP voucher to the fullest. Same ratio for the little 20 GBP.
Dirty business and it does make me mad, but I’m not going to sue them or write the better business bureau. This is a United Kingdom branch of a huge worldwide conglomerate. A letter from a US customer in all honesty is not going to get them to change their mind and do the “next right thing”.
Now if we all write them and display our displeasure with their lousy tactics, maybe, just maybe they will do the “next right thing”.
You can contact them at the expedia.uk website and the travel@support.expedia.co.uk link. I will send them a letter of displeasure and demand ( huh) they fix the problem.
Dear Expedia.UK
The Expedia.uk 40 GBP voucher was represented one way when we sent you the referrals, and now after we have done our part, you decide to change the rules?
Your website talks about being “Honest”? and being “User Friendly”
Your action seems to be neither to me. And I really don’t care if you give me the line that you have the right to change the terms and conditions anytime.
Hopefully you realize that you are not being honest nor user friendly with this change.
Try a different tactic. Try “Doing the Next Right Thing”
Rick
From past history, there may or may not be a settlement. In the 8 years I’ve been reading Flyertalk I remember one guy winning a lawsuit of all the ones threatened by Flyertalk readers. This company will either do what is right or not, and if not, then your future spending patterns should be different. Although in all honesty, I have never and probably never would have done business with these guys in the UK section if it were not for this promotion.
I got 16 vouchers honored between Katy and I. We acted while the deal was good. I still have 5 unused vouchers that in all probability will be worthless.
You snooze you lose in this game. Lets write the letter and move on to the next deal.
$25 Airtran Coupon for First Response
Posted by Rick Saturday, August 02, 2008, No Comments
The Airtran Coupon will take $25 off your next booking before August 5th, 2008. If you have Airtran travel to book between today and the 5th, email me at ingy104@gmail.com for the coupon code. Thanks for supporting the blog.
We Grew Last Month = Thank You All
Every month since starting this blog, the readership has increased steadily. But after putting out the call for your help last month to “spread the word”, we picked up another 10% in blog readership.
Times may be tough, but we still all have dreams. Thank you for helping me spread the word that we can all still see the world at prices we can afford.
Entertainment Access Free Movies????
I registered yesterday for the free movie tickets, got a confirmation, and today get an email saying it (the promotion) has expired. We call that the FW effect. Fatwallet goes to hundreds of thousands and they overwhelmed the system. Sorry about that.
