Hotel Points and Airline Miles Deals and Info Snippets

I want to point out the links to some recent blog posts that will either get you “in” on some great deals, or will help you understand the workings of certain programs. Feel free to chime in with further comments or questions.

1. MommyPoints recently spoke at a seminar about obtaining status with the major Airlines and Hotel Chains – including what was necessary to obtain status, and the benefits of each program.  The program, entitled Elite  Status Basics, included topics as status matches or challenges – meaning when one airline or hotel matches the status you have on another airline or hotel chain.  The presentation was concise and a bible great reference for anyone who travels.  MommyPoints has taken her power point presentation and made it into a blog post. My only complaint is that navigating this mini power point presentation is clumsy.  I wish I could just see the information printed out on pages, or that there was a way to index and bookmark the pages.  Notwithstanding my complaint, I highly recommend reading and highlighting this program.  

2. New Girl in the Air has an excellent recap of current hotel promotions. The problem with hotel promotions, unless you travel for work, is that you must generally choose to get in on only one or two promotions, if you view them as worthwhile in the first place. Sometimes its the kid in the candy store phenomenon, where you want everything, but must choose only one.  Sometimes, all of the deals look good, but in reality, are not a bargain (the “it looked better on the hanger” phenomenon).  As always though, knowledge is power – its best to learn what the promos are and to register for them. Another blogger, Very Good Points, also consistently writes informative posts on hotel specials as well as reviews of hotel properties.

3.  If you stay at Priority Club hotels (such as Holiday Inns or Crowne Plazas), there are a ton of promos to sign up for – New Girl in the Air lists them HERE. I signed up for these before my recent stay at a Holiday Inn near O’Hare Airport, and I got over 10,000 points.  I’ll be at a Crowne Plaza in Memphis for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon in a few weeks and I wonder if I’ll get another plethora of points for the same prior sign ups?  Since award stays at some Holiday Inns start as low as 5,000 points, I recommend taking the few minutes to sign up for these promos.

4.  If you’ve had one credit card forever, you are missing out on a lot of points and miles, which translates into free travel.  View from the Wing frequently writes composite posts, pointing out the most rewarding credit card deals.

5.  The main buzz in the credit card points and miles world is the new BlueBird card from American Express, and the Vanilla reloads. Frequent Miler is the guru on this, but every blogger is writing about it too. If you want to see a blogger’s video about it, you can watch the video presentation by The Points Guy. 

6.  Last but not least, the big credit card “deal” this week are the Ink Bold or the Ink Plus business cards  from Chase.  Both of these cards give a 50,000 point bonus and ordinarily have a steep $10,000 spend requirement.  Right now, that spend requirement is “only” $5,000.  Lots of bloggers are writing about this.  I have the Ink Bold card and I can attest (such a legal term) to how great it is.  I will probably apply for the Ink Plus card.  (Note, I do not earn a fee for credit card referrals)

7. It is easier to meet spend requirements than  you think.  If you want some tips, I refer you to Million Mile Secrets. 

And there you have it…  for now. 

–>