$60 Off a Lufthansa Flight

My colleague Justin sent me a link for $60 off a Lufthansa flight.  It's good for travel from August 12 to September 12 and must be redeemed by the end of May.  Good on Lufthansa and their code share partners United, Air Canada, and Austrian.  Travel must originate in the USA. 

Lufthansa A319 at FRA

Star Alliance Transfer Passenger Survey at EWR

The Star Alliance wants to know about your international transfer experience.  They are not interested in anything else (at least at the moment).  The Star Alliance has been trying to simplify global travel for passengers on member airlines for the last 15 years and they have become very good at it (long queues at LHR aside).  It’s a good sign that they are collecting passenger feedback about the process.  The questions were all multiple choice for international transit customers.  An interesting find at EWR; way better than the Met store clearance table.

Star Alliance Survey Machine

Star Alliance Survey Display

Why Fear of Overbooking?

The Sydney Morning Herald (I’ve been hooked on it since first reading it in Sydney) has one of the best travel sections in the world; much better than travel magazines or the NYT.  I enjoy taking a read though their articles and sometimes browsing reader comments (unlike any story remotely political, there is some decent information to glean).  One story talked about how Southwest doesn’t suck as much as other US carriers.  I disagree, but will save that for a later time.  The interesting bit was the comments.  There was an engaging discussion on which US airlines frequently bump passengers and suggestions to avoid them.

US Airways A321 Spending the Night at PHX

Why are people so afraid of bumping?  I understand the obvious, missing the flight and having travel plans thrown in a blender, but it shouldn’t be a large enough concern to avoid airlines that do it frequently (they all do it to some extent).  Also, flight delays or cancellations happen, so it is best to add some padding to travel planning if that were to happen (always fly in the day before your cruise ship departs).  This padding will also help mitigate the impact of an involuntary displaced boarding (IDB or bump).

United Jets at EWR

Bumping can be very lucrative if travel plans are made with padding.  United offers $400 in travel vouches for volunteering for a bump; US Airways gave me $250 for a 90 minute delay.  They will rebook you, sometimes in paid first (bonus miles), provide a meal voucher if the delay is long enough, and buy a hotel room if it is an overnight delay (Westin LAX for me).  These vouchers can add up to several thousand dollars in value if you are bumped several times in a year.  Other airlines provide different amounts of compensation, but they all make it worth your while to take the later flight.  Bumps can be a great way to extend your travel budget and add variety to routine flying.

JP Morgan Palladium Card Events

The JP Morgan Palladium card always does things better and last week they out did themselves.  JP Morgan mailed me an invitation for a series of receptions at Christie’s in New York.  The event I attended was wonderful.  About 250 other people joined me for a function focused on Latin American painting, just casually looking at works with appetizers and drinks (amazing DeLeón Tequila).  All of this was free and not open to the public; a truly exclusive event.

Christie's New York JP Morgan Palladium Card Event

Other credit cards, from Chase and others, offer what they term “exclusive” events.  A typical event would be a wine tasting or dinner that would cost about $150 a person.  More of a gimmick than an actual benefit.  I’ve never signed up for one of those events, but they provide an excellent contrast to make the JP Morgan Palladium card look better.  The Palladium card is the best credit card and I am thrilled to have one.


(I'd like to thank Mary from Pies Etc. for the picture; her superior eye and iPhone 4Gs are appreciated.)

My Favorite Credit Card - SPG Amex with Open

The Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Amex is my go to card for earning points.  I’ve been using it for years and don’t think I will ever part with it.  Here’s the top reasons why I love this card:

• The SPG reward program is the best in the industry.  The return on points can be anywhere from 3-5 cents each when spent at hotels, an outstanding value.  SPG points also transfer to most airlines at a 1.25:1 rate, if you transfer 20,000 at a time.  Also airlines run bonuses so you can get 2.5 miles per SPG point at times.
• Earns 1 SPG point per dollar, 2 points when used at SPG hotels.  Great earn rate.
• Reasonable annual fee.  Fees happen on points credit cards; the SPG card doesn’t gouge.
• Free stay credits.  2 stays and 5 nights every year to SPG elite status.  20% to Gold just for having the card.
• OPEN Savings with the business version.  Discounts on many places I shop anyway.  Anyone can obtain a business credit card, First Name Last Name Photography for example.
• Points never expire.

SPG Business Application Link

Right now the sign up bonus is 25,000 points after $5,000 spent in 6 months (10,000 after first purchase, 15,000 after $5,000).  This is a decent sign up bonus that could yield $750 in value.  Don’t fret about the large minimum spend; I’ll cover ways to meet that amount without spending any more than you do now.  Also, customers can get a sign up bonus from the personal card and the business card, so get one this year and the other next year for 50,000 total points.

Malev Airlines

Malev Airlines had good looking airplanes and I liked how their vehicles were similarly painted, purple nose and all.  That didn't keep them from folding.  It's my blog so I'll post a picture of it just because.

Malev Airline 737

Also, the predictions that Budapest would lose its air service have not come true.  It's still one connection to anywhere in Europe.  It's not a large enough city to support a flag carrier, but it will certainly support many flights from discount and full service carriers.  Nice place to visit too.

Even United Knew I was Flying for Miles

I flew DEN-PHX-CLT-SJU-CLT-DEN without leaving the airport.  I found a $275 fare and jumped on a plane to fly just for the miles.  United even saw that; rather than saying I had a round trip to San Juan, my reservation was labeled as Denver to Denver.  I found it funny.

Flying for the miles