Tag: Amex
Marriott Bonvoy is giving members ‘soft landings’ this year
If you had Marriott Bonvoy elite status in 2023 but didn't earn enough elite night credits to retain elite status 2024, you may be expecting to lose that status after your benefits run out at the end of February. That is, after all, what usually happens (when pandemics aren't ravaging the planet).
Hyatt & Chase really need to address this frustrating issue
One of the major selling points of the World of Hyatt credit card is that cardholders can earn 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 of spending charged to their card. For big spenders, this can offer an easy pathway to World of Hyatt elite status without the need for many Hyatt stays while for the rest of us, these nights can make earning or retaining status slightly easier.
An Amex upgrade offer I was surprised to see in my account
I tend not to apply for a lot of credit cards every year so without the regular influx of points from juicy welcome offers, I'm always looking for other ways to boost my various account balances. Chase and Citi don't really make things very easy, but American Express has come to my aid on quite a few occasions by offering me a bonus to upgrade one of my cards.
Amex has made it harder to get a welcome bonus on the American Express®...
Unfortunately, following a recent update to the terms and conditions that accompany the American Express® Gold Card, a significant number of American Express customers who do not yet hold this card, will not be eligible for a welcome bonus should they apply for the card in the future.
JetBlue Mint Studio A321neo Paris – New York review
A review of the JetBlue Mint Studio suite (JetBlue's largest Business Class seat) as experienced on the airline's route between Paris Charles de Gaulle and New York JFK.
The best business credit card for shipping purchases
In this article we take a quick look at what credit cards offer the better returns when they're used to pay for a business' shipping purchases, and we focus on the one card that we think stands head and shoulders above them all.
Big changes coming to Delta Sky Club access rules
Delta has had a problem with overcrowding in its Sky Clubs for some time and in the past couple of years, it has brought in various measures to try and sort the problem out. Unfortunately, none of these measures have made much of a difference so far.
Delta does what Delta does best… devalue its loyalty program (this time, in a...
Delta has announced that it will be moving down the path that American Airline's forged back in 2022 by revamping its frequent flyer program and using just a single metric to decide what elite status (if any) members of the program should have.
Interesting: Amex removes Frontier as a Platinum Card airline credit option
A number of American Express Platinum Cards offer cardholders an airline fee credit as a way of helping them offset part of their card's annual fee (or, as a way of helping them justify their card's annual fee) but at some point in the past few days, this benefit became a little weaker.
The Platinum Card® from American Express just got improved (slightly)
Quietly and without any fanfare, two slight improvements to two of the benefits offered by the Platinum Card® from American Express have been made. Considering how much publicity Amex normally throws behind "improvements" that don't actually improve the card, it's surprising that more hasn't been made of these changes but, nevertheless, this is genuinely a little bit of good news.
Hilton’s free night certificates will now be usable every day of the week
Three of Hilton's co-branded credit cards have, historically, allowed cardholders to earn free night certificates that could be used at any Hilton property in the world...but only on weekends. Now, however, it looks like Hilton is turning a temporary, pandemic-induced enhancement into a permanent enhancement and making the certificates considerably more valuable.
Delta makes earning elite status more expensive & adds new choice benefits
In the miles & points world, it's often a bad sign when you read of a loyalty program announcing that it is "enhancing" benefits, as no one running any of the major loyalty programs appears to know what that word means.
American Airlines handled my self-inflicted 500-mile upgrade issue very well
As I'm usually more than happy to call out airlines when they're acting poorly (or like imbeciles) it's only fair that I give credit where credit is due when an airline does something well. In that spirit, I'd like to point out how helpful the agents at AAdvantage customer services were when I caused a minor issue for myself that need never have arisen.
Will Marriott devalue Bonvoy Platinum Elite status?
It's not much of a secret that there are few things that Marriott likes more than a good old-fashioned devaluation so following the news that Bonvoy Platinum Elite status is now being handed out as a credit card benefit, speculation has been growing that the benefits associated with Platinum Elite status will soon be cut. So, is a devaluation imminent?
The Ritz-Carlton™ credit card just got better (I didn’t see this coming)
Yesterday was a big day for announcements in the world of Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards with news that the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™️ American Express® Card has been refreshed and the news that two new mid-tier cards have been launched. There was, however, one other piece of Bonvoy credit card news that didn't get any fanfare at all and for some, it was the best news of the day.
My first-world lounge problem when traveling as a family
I'm flying over to London at the end of this week to catch up with some friends and to attend the unveiling of Virgin Atlantic's new Business Class seat for its A330 aircraft. On my outbound journey, I'm traveling alone but when I return home, I'll be accompanied by four other members of my family and this has thrown up a very first-world problem for me.
Capital One improves lounge entry benefits on multiple cards
Over the past year, Capital One has been causing waves in the travel segment of the credit card world with the changes that it has been making to some of its products and the benefits they offer. Now, with yet another positive move announced, Capital One has improved three of its cards even further.
It’s time to say goodbye to my Chase Sapphire Reserve® card
I've held the Chase Sapphire Reserve® since the card was first introduced, but after a number of great years during which the card never left my wallet, it's time for us to part ways. The Reserve card has been a card that I've loved for most of the years that I've held it, but the simple fact is that when I take a look at all the other cards that I hold, I cannot justify the Reserve card's place in my portfolio. It has to go.
Purchases of United Airlines miles will now code as United Airlines purchases (apparently)
Earlier, I reported that United's latest mileage sale ends later today but it was something that I noticed in the terms and conditions that stuck out a lot more than the sale itself. According to United, purchases of Mileage Plus miles will now be recognized as United Airlines purchases and code as such with the credit card companies.
American Express has opened the London Heathrow Centurion Lounge
American Express has today announced that its long-awaited Centurion Lounge has finally opened at London Heathrow Airport. The lounge is located inside Terminal 3 and American Express has given us a brief look at what the lounge has to offer.
I’m amazed that American Airlines honored last week’s points sale error
Last Friday, American Airlines launched yet another points sale which, on the face of things, looked very similar to a lot of the other points sales that we usually see it running. The sale was offering up to 35% off the regular cost of miles and should have priced American's currency at over 2 cents per mile. But it didn't. It priced it far lower.
Wow! Capital One Miles now transfer to most partners in a 1:1 ratio
If Amex deciding that Walmart is an appropriate partner for its Platinum Card wasn't a big enough surprise for your Thursday morning, then try this on for size: Capital One has announced that the miles earned from spending on two of its cards will now convert over to most of its partners in a 1:1 ratio. Who saw that coming?!
Something To Watch: Will The Amex Platinum Cards Offer Access To Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses?
Plaza Premium seems to be on a little bit of a roll. Recently, Capital One announced that its new lounge in Denver will be operated in partnership with Plaza Premium, and now we’re hearing that Plaza Premium has just taken over the running of all Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses outside of the UK. For holders of the Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, this may turn out to be good news.
Capital One will open a new lounge in Denver
Capital One has already committed to opening airport lounges at Dallas Fort Worth and at Washington’s Dulles International Airport, now it has confirmed that it will be opening a new lounge at Denver International Airport too.
Quick look: Amex Centurion Lounge at San Francisco (SFO)
American Express is now operating all but two of its domestic lounges so on a recent layover in San Francisco, I dropped into the Amex Centurion Lounge at SFO to take a look at how things are shaping up in the current environment and to see what Amex is offering travelers fortunate enough to have access.
Some Global Entry renewals are processing without interviews
Whether you're applying for access to the US Global Entry program for the first time or if you're renewing your membership, you're usually required to attend an interview at a Global Entry processing center (usually an airport or an embassy) before your membership is approved or renewed. Right now, however, some memberships are being renewed without the need for an interview.
Did You Know: Airlines Limit The Cards You Can Use When Paying With PayPal
Recently, I wrote a post reminding readers to use up their Platinum Card PayPal credit before it expired at the end of the month and a comment on that post opened my eyes to an issue that I had no idea existed. Apparently, some airlines prevent customers who are paying via PayPal from paying for their goods/services with some of the cards linked to their PayPal account.
Amex is bringing a Centurion Lounge to Washington D.C.
American Express has today announced that it plans to open its 16th Centurion Lounge at Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport (DCA) and it has confirmed existing plans to almost double the size of the Centurion Lounge in San Francisco and to triple the size of the Centurion Lounge in Seattle.
Marriott will open a new property on Maui in April (or May)
Amidst a variety of announcements that we've recently seen Marriott making, one small bit of news appears to have slipped under the radar. Within the next few months, Marriott Bonvoy members will have a new Hawaiian property at which to burn their hard-earned points.
Marriott has opened the W Melbourne
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Marriott's plans to open almost 100 new Asia Pacific properties in 2021, and now we already have one of the properties featured in that article welcoming guests - the W Hotel Melbourne is officially open.
The Denver Amex Centurion Lounge will open on 1 February
Towards the beginning of October and despite the pandemic, American Express opened its new 15,000 sq ft lounge at New York JFK. Today and in continuing defiance of the world around us, American Express announced that its new Centurion Lounge at Denver International Airport will open next week.
Marriott Adds A New Boutique Hotel In Tuscany
These may not be the best of times in which to be opening a new hotel but that hasn't stopped Marriott from unveiling a new Autograph Collection property in Tuscany, Italy. The Grand Universe Lucca, a former 16th Century Palazzo, opened its doors yesterday and joins the Marriott Bonvoy program as a Category 4 property.
All Hilton Diamond Elites will be able to gift elite status for 2021
Hilton Honors has announced that from next week it will be extending a "one-time opportunity" to its Diamond and Lifetime Diamond Elite status holders which will allow them to gift status for one year to a family member or friend.
American Airlines introduces new Wi-Fi subscription plans
American Airlines has finally decided to do something about the fact that its fleet has three different Wi-Fi suppliers but there has never been a single plan to cover access to all three networks. As of yesterday, the airline is now offering a choice of two monthly plans that give users access to Wi-Fi on all American Airlines aircraft regardless of who the Wi-Fi supplier is.
Global Entry, SENTRI & NEXUS fees may be about to increase
Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS are programs offered by the United States Customs & Border Protection Bureau (CBP) which offer expedited immigration procedures to travelers considered low-risk by the US authorities. The fees for these programs haven't changed in years but a new filing by the CBP suggests that the bureau will be seeking to increase the fees charged by two of the three programs while the fee charged for the third will decrease slightly.
Los Angeles Amex Centurion Lounge to open on Monday (9 March 2020)
The long wait for a Centurion Lounge is finally over for those of us who pass through LAX on a frequent basis as Amex has now revealed that its Los Angeles Centurion lounge will open on Monday 9 March 2020.
Use AAdvantage Miles to upgrade your flights
With American making premium cabin saver awards harder and harder to find it has definitely become a lot more challenging to find great uses for AAdvantage miles in recent years (especially if you're based in the US), but the lack of saver award space doesn't have to mean that an AAdvantage balance is worthless or near-impossible to use effectively.
How to find your Marriott Free Night Certificates in your Bonvoy account
This post is the first in a series of three which will examine how to find Marriott free night certificates in your Bonvoy account (via desktop and via mobile app), how to apply a free night certificate to a single night booking and how to apply a certificate to a multiple night booking.
Marriott opens the refurbished Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Marriott has announced the reopening of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach following a $90m renovation project that has seen the property keep its Art Deco design but has also seen a wholescale floor-to-ceiling modernization of the property.
Star Alliance limits 3rd party lounge access for Gold elites
When a hotel or airline loyalty program puts introduces an apparently unnecessary devaluation I can't help but wonder if they truly understand how they're helping to make the competition look better...and that's how I feel about Star Alliance right now.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow T3 (arrivals) joins Priority Pass
London Heathrow Terminal 3 is home to most of the oneworld airlines (American Airlines, Qantas, JAL, Cathay Pacific, etc...) as well as to airlines such as Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Emirates....and it's even the terminal that British Airways uses for the flights that it can't fit into its T5 home.
This Is What Comes In The Marriott Lifetime Titanium Package
I had absolutely no idea that Marriott sends out special packs to Bonvoy members who earn Lifetime Elite status (I haven't even been sent an elite status card for the last 3 years) and, even though I earned the status back at the end of 2018, it was only over the recent holiday period that I received my pack in the mail.
Oh Chase, what are you thinking?!
There have been rumors floating around about possible changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card for at least a year and these rumors came to a head a couple of days ago when a few specific changes were mooted.
Now, despite the fact that Chase has yet to officially inform any cardmembers of impending changes, we're being reliably told that January 12th will see the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card get a mini-makeover...and it's not going to be a good one.
Review: Qatar Airways A380 Business Class (Perth-Doha)
It has been a while since I've posted a review of the Qatar Airways A380 aircraft and that's probably because, despite the fact that I fly with Qatar Airways reasonably frequently, I rarely seem to find myself traveling on routes where the airline offers its largest aircraft.
On a recent trip to Australia that all changed and I found myself booked on the Qatar Airways whale-jet for the 11+ hour flight between Perth and Doha.
Marriott Bonvoy isn’t really encouraging Lifetime Elites to be loyal
I'm in the fortunate position of having Lifetime Titanium Elite status with Marriott, so it would be entirely reasonable to think that I would be looking to book stays at Marriott properties whenever possible ... but that's not how things are playing out.
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