Alan

Using the Citi Price Rewind Benefit

Citi Price Rewind I recently applied, and was approved, for a Citi Prestige MasterCard.  The card has some great perks including airport lounge access, Global Entry application fee credit, and reimbursement for airline tickets.  One of the lesser known but powerful perks is the Citi Price Rewind benefit. The Citi … Read more

$900 Fee for Hyatt Diamond Suite Upgrade

UPDATE: Both charges were refunded to my credit card.  The reservation is still showing up in my online Hyatt GP account; hopefully it will work to just pay at check in.

I have recently written about how I achieved Hyatt Passport Gold Diamond status through the Elite Trial Offer.  My first order of business as a Diamond member was to use one of my Diamond Suite Upgrades (DSU) for a trip I have reserved (and pre-paid) at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando in June.  Little did I know I would be charged a large fee for Hyatt Diamond Suite Upgrade.

I initially made the reservation through a Best Rate Guarantee claim that was approved.

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Global Entry Application Process

Global Entry Application Process
As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.

A benefit of the Citi Prestige card is a $100 credit towards the Global Entry application when you pay the application with your card.  Since the application is $100 and Citi automatically credits your account, I thought I might as well make use of it.  This is my experience with the Global Entry application process.

What is Global Entry and why would I want it?

Global Entry is a program for US citizens (and a handful of other folks) that allows you expedited customs when returning to the USA.  Once approved, you are also enrolled in TSA Pre√ which allows you to move through TSA checkpoints in airports quicker (and you get to keep your shoes and belt on and your liquids in your carry on).  It is good for 5 years.

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Bike Share while traveling

Bixi St-Laurent

May is Bike to Work month, but I don’t see why it can’t also be Bike Share While Traveling month!

Recently while in San Diego for a conference I noticed bike stations for DecoBike.  We have a similar program in Seattle called Pronto, a program I am proud to say I am a member of.

The way bike share programs like Pronto or DecoBike works is (usually) this:

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Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines: Two new Alaska routes announced

Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has flown internationally to Canada and Mexico for some time.  But they are adding a third international destination.  Starting May 21 you can book a flight to Costa Rica on Alaska Airlines.  The flights will begin to San Jose on October 31 and Liberia the following day.

The announced flights (below) are only out of LAX (at least for now).  While Seattle is Alaska’s hub, I can see why it would make more sense to fly out of a southern city.

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