miles

Europe with Alaska Airlines Miles

Travel to Europe with Alaska Airlines Miles I am a fan of Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program.  It helps that I live in Seattle (Alaska’s base).  95% of my domestic flights are on Alaska.  Many other miles folks agree that Alaska is one of (if not the) best airline loyalty program.  With … Read more

JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic Welcome Kit

JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic welcome kit

JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic Welcome Kit After signing up for the JetBlue points match promotion I applied for a status match (note the promotion has ended).  Within a few days I received an email that I had been matched from my Alaska MVP Gold 75K to TrueBlue Mosaic status.  A month (and a … Read more

JetBlue #GoForthWithJetBlue Points Match Promotion

There has been much chatter in the blogosphere regarding the JetBlue #GoForthWithJetBlue Points Match promotion.  I won’t go in to the details as you can find detailed info here here or here.  Many are using rather strong language including calling it the most exciting promotion of the year.  The JetBlue #GoForthWithJetBlue Points Match Promotion (details) … Read more

Alaska Airlines Mile Calculator

Alaska Airlines Mile Calculator

Alaska Airlines Mile Calculator For all things Alaska Airlines, check out my Alaska Airlines Page.   Calculating your total miles with Alaska can be a bit of a chore.  The Mileage Plan website shows your progress towards the next level of elite status and your mileage activity.  However, it doesn’t break … Read more

Hyatt Gold Passport Point Sale

Hyatt Gold Passport Point Sale

I received the above email today advertising the Hyatt Gold Passport point sale.  I do not know if it is only for Diamond members or for any Hyatt Gold Passport members, please comment below if you received the offer.  Some Platinum members have also reported receiving the email. Update: Even if … Read more

Changes in Alaska Mileage accrual with Partner Airlines

KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines | McDonnell Douglas MD-11 | PH-KCA | "Amy Johnson" | Toronto Pearson Street Festival

In just a few days, there have been some big changes in Alaska mileage accrual with partner airlines.  It’s all bad news unless you are paying for premium classes.  The changes (so far) are on British, Air France, and KLM.  Earning was also drastically reduced on Delta earlier this year.

For all three airlines (BA/AF/KL) you now only earn 25% of actual miles flown for the lowest fares.  The most expensive Economy tickets do still earn you actual miles flown.  You also still earn bonus miles based on your status with Alaska, but those bonuses are based on earned (not actual flown) miles and do not count towards elite status.  A few of the fare classes that formerly earned zero miles now do earn you miles, so that is one positive change I suppose.

The scene is much better in the top tier tickets.  

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5,000 Free Alaska Airlines Miles for Self-Tag Online

Free Alaska Airlines Miles

Here is an easy way to get 5,000 free Alaska Airlines miles just by printing out your baggage tag at home.

EDIT: The promotion is over.  If you would like to sign up for an Alaska Airlines Visa card you can get 25,000 miles upon approval.  LINK Full disclosure: if you are approved I also get a bonus of 2,500 miles. You may also be able to find an offer with a $100 credit by starting to purchase a ticket at Alaska’s website and then looking for a credit card sign up link before payment.

If you have status with Alaska or American you can check a bag for free.  So even if you normally carry on a bag, this makes it worth your time to check it!  This deal is good from today (April 20, 2015) through October 20, 2015.  You get 1,000 miles for each flight, up to a total of 5,000 miles during this promo.

You can even request a free tag holder here:  http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/self-tag-express.aspx

Note that you DO need to have a Mileage Plan number and it must be attached to your reservation.  Here are the full details of the offer:

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Best Credit Cards for Single Travelers

Credit Cards

I should put a couple of big asterisks after the title: Best Credit Cards for Single Travelers*****  These are actually just the credit cards that are currently in my wallet.  And they work for me, some better than others.  Please take these with a grain of salt, I am not a financial expert.  I do not get paid if you get one of these — no referral links here.  You’ll have to just google them if you want to sign up.  And of course, if you don’t have good financial history or you don’t trust yourself with a credit card, then don’t get these.

With that said, here is what is currently in my wallet and why I find them useful.

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Mileage Run Dubai in First Class on British Airways

Boeing 777-236ER - British Airways (G-VIID)

Last week there was some buzz over a (possible) mistake fare from Dubai (DXB) to Austin, Texas (AUS) on British Airways and partner airlines, all in First Class.

I use the term “mileage run” in the title of this post, but really it is hardly a milage run for two reasons:

  1. It was $1500 and
  2. It was only one way

Mileage runs are usually cheaper (this one, for me at least, worked out to be 7.4 cents per mile).  And having a one way from the middle east is not super helpful.

I learned about the deal while in Disneyland with my nephew and other family members and only had my iPad available to work on the itinerary.  I booked through the devil OTA because by the time I was ready to pull the trigger, BA.com had already caught the mistake fare and removed it (but Expedia was still live).  I wanted to make sure that all my segments were in First Class (some BA flights from LHR to US cities do not have a First Class, only Business).  My ticket has been confirmed and I even was able to choose my seat.  Others in the Flyer Talk forum have not been as lucky, no clue why mine ticketed while others have not yet.

Here is why I decided to book this deal:  

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