Archive for the ‘Rewards Network’ 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

Between now and August 15th you’ll earn double miles for miles purchases. The price is 2.5 cents each (so now only 1.25 cents each) with a $30 processing fee. You can purchase up to 50,000 US miles that will be doubled under this offer. Any miles purchased above 50K will not be doubled.

Here is the link for the offer;

linky

The GO Card Will Save You Money

The Rush Card offers all our newbies to credit the chance to start working towards churning credit card miles and hotel points. If you have been turned down for credit or can not get your first card, this card is 100% Guaranteed ( subject to positive identification as required by the US Patriot Act)

This card is not free, but does get you started in the world of credit that can lead you to the sign up bonuses the rest of us are enjoying. Don’t feel bad. We all have to start somewhere and this may be your answer.

It cost $19.95 to activate this prepaid card, but you then have the availability of many financial services:

The RushCard is a prepaid Visa card. It offers the convenience of a credit card, without the debt. It’s prepaid which means that the money you put on the card sets the limit for how much you can spend.
Much Safer than Cash
Access Your Money…Anytime, Anywhere with the Power of a Visa Debit Card – even through ATMs
Less Hassle on payday with FREE DIRECT DEPOSIT
Everyone Approved *pending verification of identity
Easy to Add Money

And most importantly, here is their schedule of fees:

Activation Fee
$19.95
Convenience Fees (Domestic)capped at $10 per month, additional fees are refunded
$1.00
Add Money via Payroll Direct Deposit
FREE
Add Money via Retail Location*
FREE
Add Money via Check/Money Order
FREE
Add Money via Tax Refund
FREE
Manage Your RushCard Online
FREE
RushCard Inquiries via Telephone
FREE
Customer Service
FREE
ATM Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
$1.95
ATM Balance Inquiry (Domestic)
$0.50
Bill Payment***
$1.00
RushCard Inactivity**
$1.95
Convenience Fees (International)
$2.00
ATM Cash Withdrawal (International)
$3.50
ATM Balance Inquiry (International)
$1.00

–>*MoneyGram charges a fee of $3.95 for this service**Inactive cards; 90 days of no loads, no purchases and no ATM activity***One Time Enrollment Fee of $2.00

For more detailed information, please refer to our Terms and Conditions

Is this card for everybody? Absolutely NOT

But if you are one of the 40,000,000 Americans without an established financial relationship, here is your chance to start one.

UPDATE

I received an email from Steve suggesting I was giving bad advice by endorsing this card. I will reiterate that my endorsement is limited to those without a financial credit card. This is a prepaid credit card. If you can get a credit card that does not require a deposit of your cash up front and has no fees, of course, get that one.

I merely suggst this card to those that have been unable to obtain a normal credit card and I do stand by the statement that with proof of properly handling this account, it will improve your chances of getting a regular credit card at a later date.

On my spending spree yesterday I booked New Zealand for two weeks plus in December/January and put Hawaii on hold. Because I was using unused funds from a previously cancelled ticket, I could not get the 1K phone line to ticket both Katy and I and send me a remainder voucher.

I woke up early and headed to the airport 50 minutes away as the “hold” is only good until midnight of the next day. The reservation is SAV-KOA where we will use the Timeshare deal from Hilton and then inter island ticket over to Kauai for 4 nights at the St. Regis. The return is then LIH-SAV. Total price was $896 each.

When I arrived at SAV the United crew as working a flight but the US Airways agents said they would be back in about 15 minutes. A quick Sudoku game and here comes a rookie agent that I am not familiar with. SAV is a United Express airport and they are not properly trained. I knew I was in trouble and ask for the station manager. He was not due in for another two hours and Patrick the other experienced agent had just left the airport. It was the rookie and I.

I explained that I wanted to ticket, using my unused ticket value, and as many of my vouchers as I could. I had 3 with me in addition to the unused ticket. The look was blank as expected and I asked for paper and pencil.

I wrote a 2 page note to the station manager explaining my desire. I left the vouchers asking him to use as many as possible and also asked to have him process upgrades using my CR1′s, miles and or E500′s as he saw fit.

I left my phone number, mailing address and thanks and asked the rookie to give me copies of the vouchers and the letter I wrote the station manager.

Three hours later there was a voicemail on my phone. My ticket had been purchased, some of the upgrades were handled and the remainder voucher of over $1700 was in the mail to me. Dell had obviously used all my small vouchers.

I hear reports of problems from you, and think at times, we forget the tough job, these guys and gals have in a tested industry.

A respectful, professional relationship with your local airport/airline employees is critical to improving the flying experience. They get enough grief from the uneducated flyers, and certainly don’t need it from us when something out of their control goes awry.

Last night, the reservations agent in Chicago that got us booked and upgraded into New Zealand was sent some flowers saying thanks for the effort.

The station manager at Savannah will get a gift certificate next time we are through the airport.

It only takes a minute or small gesture to show our appreciation. I hope you will be as consistent with your praise, as we are apt to criticize.

And on Another Positive Note Kiva.org

If you have been a reader for some time here, you realize I don’t often plug my favorite pet projects, but today I want to recommend Kiva.org.

Kiva allows those of us fortunate ones to help those from other countries that have not been as lucky but setting up micro lending to private individuals that are then monitored through local non profit agencies.

The loans can be a small as $25 and you will receive no interest on your loan. I have made 4 to date and have not had a delinquency.

In fact, I recently joined the Flyertalk team of lenders, and ask you to consider joining us as well. Or if you are so inclined, just sign up to help somebody on your own.

Katy and I are trying to find those in need in every country we visit. It may be somebody expanding their inventory in a small retail stand, or someone buying more grain, corn or cattle to improve their lives and those in their family.

If it is of interest to you, go to Kiva.org

Thanks

This for some reason struck me as a contest for everybody. Free lifetime membership to the American Airlines Admirals Club. Quick, Easy and I hope you take a second to enter.

California Here We Come

Our summer in Traverse City is coming to a close and we are ending it with a trip to California for some sightseeing and time together.

Katy leaves the Munson Medical Center Emergency room at 3PM on September 23rd and I’ll pick her up for the start of our journey to South Carolina. The first night is a Detroit Metro airport hotel on a Best Rate Guarantee. I’ll slip the hotel clerk some cash to park our car for a week. We fly to San Jose on the morning of the 24th on United travel credits. My round trip was $9.50 and 2-$150 travel credits. Katy’s one way to SJC was $6 and 1-$150 travel credit and her return San Francisco to Columbia, South Carolina was $13 and 2-$100 travel credits. She’ll end up with her daughter on October 1st and I’ll be ready to continue driving the Mustang down south for the winter. If you are not asking for bumps in today’s travel enviroment, you are missing out on some great low cost travel opportunities.

We have a friend “house sit” for us and charge him just our utility, taxes and insurance costs. It works great for him and we know the Michigan house is taken care of.

In CA we want to see the Sequoia’s, Yosemite and maybe run up to Lake Tahoe again. We’ll spend the night of the 31st at a nice Comfort Inn and Suites in San Bruno, just outside SFO on an award night. Katy’s flight leaves at 7 AM from SFO and mine from SJC not until 11:45 so I’ve got lots of time to drive the 38 miles down to SJC and return the car.

Choice #1 The Rental Car

There are two nice promotions out there right now that are of interest. The first being the BMI deal of 3400 destination miles per rental. I thought about a one day rental to Fresno, and then a two day rental to Yosemite and then a one day rental to Lake Tahoe and one more back to SFO and one more from SFO to SJC. Some plans just don’t work out as the one way drop rates kill that idea. My other thought is the Continental/Budget 8500 mile promotion for a five day rental in September. Here is the link. The cost would be $285 for the rental period of 7 days and I know I can get a priceline deal with no bonus for about $140 total. The question becomes: Are 8500 Continental miles worth $145? That is a borderline one for me and I’ll probably just save the few bucks and go with the priceline deal.

Step #2 Where to Stay

The only place we have been on this itinerary is Lake Tahoe which we love. I could sit on top of the California side of the Heavenly Valley Gondola all day and look at that view. The last time we went up a bear crossed under the Gondola and just took he own sweet time getting to where he was headed. So, any suggestions on places to stay and things to see?

Of course we are travelling frugally and will use points wherever possible for hotel rooms. The options appear somewhat thin in the smaller cities. It looks like travel time is about 4 hours between locations so that won’t be too hard on Katy’s bad hip. We would appreciate any advice you have on Sequoia and Yosemite. It should be a beautiful time of year.

Maximize your Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses

The week of August 10th to 16th I wrote 7 blog articles about all facets of credit cards and offered to help blog readers maximize their sign up bonuses

If you would like me to help you pick the best credit cards to achieve their personal goals and answer any of your credit card related questions, drop me an email at ingy104@gmail.com. We have found people points and miles they never knew possible.

Thank you, Jane Wooldridge, for the mention of my blog in your Miami Herald article on Mileage Runs.

And to return the favor: check out http://travelswithjane.blogspot.com/ for an up to the minute look at Jane’s Mileage Run: MIAMI to LOS ANGELES this Thursday December 13th, and her future articles on a wide variety of travel topics.

Jane, may all your miles be EQM.