(Targeted) 15,000 from US Airways

I just received an email, regarding my US Airways Mastercard, letting me know that if I spend $750 on my card each month of February, March and April, I will be credited with 15,000 bonus US Airways Dividend miles.  

I need to pull out my US Airways Mastercard from the safe and start using it again.  You read correctly, the card is safely tucked away in my personal safe; I have other preferred cards to earn miles on.  

I applied for this card during my Nov 2012 App-o-rama and was immediately approved.  I received 40,000 miles after just making a single purchase on the card.  The annual fee of $89 is waved the first year and I get 10,000 bonus miles annually just for owning the card (which I think is worth the $89 annual fee).  There is rumor out there that I can cancel this card and re-apply and get the original bonuses again; however, I'm not yet sold on doing that (personal decision).  

I can easily allocate $750 of my monthly expenses (which are high due to work travel) to this card.  To me it's a free 15,000.  The main reason I don't carry this card is because US Airways miles are of minimal value to me.  I live at a AA hub.  My elite status and mileage accumulation is on AA.  But I'm building this little side of US Airways miles for a rainy day emergency.  At the right time, domestic round-trip award tickets on US Airways can be 20,000 (when you own the US Airways Mastercard).  So I already have 2 round-trip domestics for nothing and this 15,000 gets me closer to a third.  

Why do I post about "targeted" offers?  Just to let you know that anyone can get them too.  I get some, I don't get many more.  But by owning several different loyalty programs and credit cards, I have a better chance of earning more free stuff.  You may want to think about that too.  Also, check you email and spam folder in case you may have gotten the same offer. 

Thanks US Airways and Barclays for this easy offer!

Let the Mileage Run Insanity Begin

As I wrote a couple days ago, I was one of a lucky few, it seems, to have received a targeted offer from American Airlines (AA) to enjoy DOUBLE Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) from 1/22/13 to 2/22/13.  I, and the frequent traveler forums, have no idea what triggered selection.  Regardless, I need to take advantage of this to ensure my re-qualification of Executive Platinum (EXP) on AA for 2014, which requires 100,000 EQMs in 2013 (you can also qualify via segments (100) and points (100,000), but I always qualify on miles).

After some crazy searching using the various online tools (ITA matrix, expertflyer), given personal and work constraints, I was able to find 2 "day" trips that will net me a cool 33,000+ EQMs.  These trips are what we call Mileage Runs (MR).  An MR is solely for the purpose of flying to get miles.  I won't even be leaving the airports.

On 2 weekends coming up (2/2 and 2/9) I will be flying Dallas to Boston to Los Angeles to Boston to Dallas.  In both cases I leave on Saturday morning and return Sunday morning (I will sleep on the overnight flight from LA to Boston).  Given my status as EXP for 2013 and the times of these flights, I should receive complimentary upgrades on all the flights in order to make it a comfortable trip.

Yes, if I didn't have constraints, I could have flown overseas and got even more, but I don't think I need that much.  These should be the only 2 MRs I need to do this year.  Hopefully with work and my personal trip requirements, the remaining 68K will be made over the course of the year.

I paid a very reasonable price per mile on this.  It would take too long to explain, but the price I am paying per mile for what I am earning is low enough to make this worth it to me.

This is the Insanity of my hobby.  See you in the skies!

(Targeted) Double Qualifying Miles and Point on AA

I just received the following email from AA:

To thank you for being our loyal customer, we have an exclusive offer designed with you in mind. Earn double elite‑qualifying miles and points when you travel on American Airlines, American Eagle® or American Connection® and oneworld® airline flights on British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qantas Airways between January 22 and February 22, 2013.

We've pre‑registered you for this offer, so all you need to do is start flying to reap the rewards.

Enjoy! We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.



Suzanne L. Rubin
President
AAdvantage® Loyalty Program 


Terms & Conditions:
Offer valid only for select AAdvantage members who receive this email directly from American Airlines.
AAdvantage promotion is valid for all travel on purchased, published fare tickets for flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, American Connection, British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qantas from January 22, 2013, through February 22, 2013.
This offer does not require travel to be booked during a specific time frame; travel booked prior to the start date of this promotion is eligible.
Offer applies to all eligible segments flown, regardless of the type of trip, i.e. one‑way, round‑trip, circle trip or trips including open jaws.
No registration is required.
This offer does not increment the member's prize eligible mileage balance or Million Miler status.
Double elite‑qualifying miles and points will be calculated at 100% of the base miles or points earned, respectively.
Double elite‑qualifying miles and points will be posted to the account of the traveling AAdvantage member within 3 to 4 weeks after qualifying activity posts to your account.
Promotion does not apply to travel on mileage award tickets or fares that are ineligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual.
Customers qualifying for an elite status level as a result of this promotion will receive their new credentials within 4 to 6 weeks. The benefits associated with your new elite status level will, however, take effect immediately on the date the additional elite‑status qualifying miles or points were posted to your account and will apply to all eligible flight activity occurring on or after that date.


Check your emails.... while I go book some flights!

The New American Airlines

At 9am CST today, American Airlines unveiled their new livery:

There is a real nice short video unveiling the livery and then some cool information about the changes AA is going through (note: the video may take a while to load up).

Personally, I like all the changes that AA is going through.  Being based out of DFW for the past 5 years, I am pretty much forced onto AA if I want a direct flight anywhere.  Having said that, I have had some ups and downs.  But I would say the ups have far outnumbered the downs.  I am very happy with AA.  While we passengers have endured some old planes and aged everything at AA, I knew it would soon come to an end, and they would improve to be one of the best domestic airlines.  Well, with the changes now officially announced, this may just be the case.  I, for one, will enjoy it all.

Well done AA

$200 Amex Credit for AA Gift Cards

This is a sort of follow-up to my recent post on a deal for the American Express Platinum card.

One of the great benefits of the American Express Platinum card is receiving up to $200 in statement credits for incidental fees incurred on an airline of your choice.  I take this to be a "refund" of $200 that I would ordinarily incur with my airline (for me it is American Airlines).  To me, this results in a $200 discount on the $450 annual fee of this Amex card; ESPECIALLY if you are able to take advantage of a small loophole in the statement credit.

Based on the statement credit terms and condition, "airline tickets, upgrades, point transfer fees, duty free items, gift cards, award tickets, and fees not charged by the enrolled airline (e.g., wireless internet or Alliance Partner fees) are not eligible for credit".  I specifically highlighted gift cards because the point community has noted that many people have been successful in buying gift cards and earning the statement credits.  The only reason for this is that the purchase is identified by the Amex computer based on coding by AA and a credit is given; slipping through the cracks.  While this seems to have been happening for some time now, who knows when it will be completely fixed.  

After receiving my new Amex Plat and selecting AA as my airline of choice, I purchased four $50 gift cards (virtual) at aa.com (on 1/11/13 to be specific).  On 1/14/13 I received four $50 credits from Amex for those purchases.  Suffice it to say, I just earned a free $200 in AA gift cards.  OK, they aren't technically "free", but $200 of that hefty $450 annual fee to own the card can now be applied to a future AA ticket.

I also had the Mrs buy $200 in gift cards with her Platinum card on 1/12/13.  On 1/14/13 she also received her credits.

So this year we "got lucky" in a sense.  We tried late last year once I found out about the possible loophole, but we were unsuccessful with our $100 attempt.  Buying an AA gift card for us is no risk since we buy many flights on AA during the year (it ends up just being a form of pre-payment).  We did end up using the entire $200 credit last year on legitimate incidental charges (change fee, food, drink).  So all was not lost.

Does this assure you of a credit if you try the same?  Not at all.  But the boards are lit with success stories on the purchasing of gift card and getting statement credits (haven't heard of any people not getting the credits yet).  I'd say there is no harm in trying ASAP in case Amex figures out a way to close this loophole.

2013 Elite Goal

Having already documented my 2012 elite results, it is only fitting that I provide a quick note on what I plan to chase (and hopefully accomplish) in 2013.

Airlines

Given my work, home base of DFW, and travel ability, I will solely focus on American Airlines in 2013. I will chase Executive Platinum (100,000 miles flown) again.  Work travel should assist me with just short of 50,000 miles, so I'll be responsible for the rest.  This will require mileage runs again this year.  The only difference from 2012 is that I'm hoping my mileage runs will be to international destinations in order to accumulate large blocks of miles at a time.  Last year all of my mileage runs were to the west coast which required several trips.  While cheap due to some great sales, it was a lot of time at airports.  A long international trip, properly planned in order to use my free upgrades, can provide the same amount of miles, or more, in a shorter span.  We shall see.  In short, Executive Platinum is again the mission.

Hotels

In 2013 I am completely changing courses in hotels.  Last year's goal (and accomplishment) was Hilton Diamond.  However, their lack of providing exceptional treatment towards elites has me questioning whether they deserve my dedication and money.   So based on the extensive research I've done, I am switching to Starwood properties as my Primary hotel chain.  

Starwood's top elite status is Platinum, which requires 25 stays or 50 nights, is very attainable for me.  I already get 2 stays and 5 nights credited for just having the Starwood Amex credit card.  So I really only have 45 nights to complete.   I actually plan on completing a Platinum Challenge offered by Starwood which would require just 18 stays in 3 months to get the status.  i just need to figure out the optimal timing of that challenge.

In 2013 I will also try to obtain Hyatt's highest elite level too, Diamond.  While Hyatt hotels are a little out of my companies price range most of the time, there are occasional deals to be made if I am willing to drive further.  Similar to Starwood, I hope to complete a Diamond challenge (12 nights in 2 months).  If I can score these two challenges, things will be good in 2013 and 2014!

I am not dumping Hilton all together.  They do have some very nice aspirational properties.  Aspirational properties are properties one aspires to stay at.  As a family, we will always be Gold at Hilton (their second highest status) since the Mrs holds the Citi Hiton Reserve Card.  I also plan on getting a similar credit card to enable Gold status.  Via extensive research, Gold status benefits at Hilton is just as good as Diamond (except for the bonus points earned).  

So basically, I am chasing 2 top-level hotel status levels (Starwood and Hyatt), one mid-level (Hilton) and a top level airline elite level (American Airlines).

Hilton Savannah Desoto

Over the holiday, I took advantage of the amazing sale Hilton was offering by staying a few days at the Hilton Savannah Desoto.  The trip, with 2 nights in Savannah, was already planned since I was spending 2 weeks in Hilton Head, SC with my family.  Part of that trip required a couple of nights in Savannah prior to taking possession of the rental home on the island.  Originally, we had reserved rooms (6) at one of the Hampton Inns in the historic district of Savannah for about $120 per night (it was the best we could find).  I was actually going to use a free night on one of my nights.  Then Hilton threw out the home run pitch.  We quickly cancelled all previous reservations (this is why I like to preach to NEVER lock yourself into advance purchase hotel rooms) and re-booked at the full service Hilton in historic Savannah, for a whopping $54 per night.  

How was the hotel?  In the end, I would say just OK.  But for the price, I'm not going to complain much.  As a Diamond Hilton Honors Elite, I was not given any luxury suite or anything really special at check in (not even acknowledged); just a room on the higher floors with a balcony (don't get me started on the balcony yet!).  I was provided with 2 complimentary buffet coupons which were used on an "adequate" buffet in the morning.  

The room was clean and pretty much your standard room.  Wifi worked well. 

Some luxury amenities here... NOT!

The bathroom was tiny.  As a 6'5" person I was cramped; except in the shower which I thought was roomy for me.

CRAMPED!

Very roomy!

The view was beautiful; I can't complain about that.

Panorama

I didn't DARE get out on the balcony though.  These look scary.  If I had kids, I would decline a balcony.

Wow..  Safety first?  I don't think so!

The bar was great down in the lobby.  The bartenders were awesome and frequently joined in the conversation without feeling like they were intruding.

The service in the restaurant (for breakfast) could have been a bit better.  The waiters and hosts seemed overwhelmed a bit (it was busy).  Thankfully I was on vacation so it didn't bother me, but a more impatient person may have been irritated.

Overall, this stay just goes along with what I expect out of Hilton now in mainland US.  Just an average hotel stay in an average room with barely an appreciation for my Diamond status.  As a Diamond level elite, I would expect a bit more appreciation for all the money I've thrown Hilton's way.  After a whole year of this kind of attitude, it makes sense to me to try someone different; hence my new 2013 elite pursuits (discussion coming soon).

SPG Promotion: SPG Power Up

The SPG Promotion I discussed about a month ago is open for signing up.

Do it here!

Personally, I am signed up for it since SPG is my primary focus this year as far as hotel Elite Status.  Bring on the Starwood properties!

St Regis Bali

2012 Credit Card Signup Haul

By only jumping into the credit card points game late (educated in late 2012), I was only able to perform one "App-o-rama" (applying for multiple cards on the same day) in 2012.  To be specific, I performed my inaugural App-o-rama on November 15, 2012 (results somewhat discussed here).  In 2013 I plan on performing several more to haul in a lot more points/miles.  In fact, I already applied for the American Express Platinum card yesterday for 100,000 points due to a limited time offer that got pulled real quick (sometimes you just have to jump on offers).  That 100,000 haul will be included in 2013 numbers, but it's a darn good start to the year.

What I am doing below is summarizing the haul on my November App-o-rama (which is my entire 2012 haul).  The columns should all speak for themselves except maybe the "value" column.  This is a value, in terms of dollars, put on a single point/mile in the various loyalty program.  How do I come up with this per point value?  I don't; I leave it to the professionals (for now).  One day, I may calculate this value myself because it can be very subjective.  In the meantime, I found a good calculation explained by PlasticIQ.  A little searching on their website and it spits out their calculation for most any loyalty program.  Now, I think the values here are very conservative because with a lot of research, timing, planing etc, you can actually redeem the points for A LOT more value.

At the end of the day, I received 195,000 which is VERY conservatively estimated at $2,800 in value (I know I will get way more than that out of my redemption's) .  My cost is $100 for the 2 credit cards where the annual fee isn't waived in the first year.  So for $100, I basically got a mix of flights and hotels at my choosing for the Mrs and I. 

My only regret is not fighting for the correct Hawaiian Airline Cards.  I ended up with only the Platinum cards which only give you 10,000 Hawaiian airline points (which can be transferred to Hilton for 20,000 Hilton Honor points).  If I had fought for the Visa Signature versions, it would have been 35,000 miles (or 75,000 Hilton points).  Oh well.  These are churnable (meaning I can cancel the card before the next annual fee and re-apply and get points).  

Other than that, I am happy with my haul and the fun the Mrs and I are going to have with these points.  Honey, where do you want to go?

Credit Card	Bonus	Spend Requirement	Value	Total Value	Annual Fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred	40000	$3,000	$0.013	$538	Waived 1st Yr
Starwood Amex	25000	$5,000	$0.023	$678	Waived 1st Yr
BofA Hawaiian	20000	$1	0.0043	$86	$50
BofH Hawaiian	20000	$1	0.0043	$86	$50
US Airways MC	40000	$1	$0.015	$600	Waived 1st Yr
AA Visa	50000	$10,000*	$0.014	$816	Waived 1st Yr
Total	195000	$18,003		$2,804

* The AA Visa is 40,000 points after spending $2K in 4 months and an additional 10,000 points for spending $10K in a year.  Regardless, through work and personal expenses $18K is accomplished quickly in this family.

(Offer Dead) 100K Amex Points

For all the details, see this post from The Points Guy.

In short, there is an amazing deal for 100K American Express points (after $3,000 spend in 3 months) if you apply and are approved for the Amex Platinum card.

The Points Guy goes into a lot of detail about the benefits of this card, given the hefty $450 price tag.

The Mrs and I have had this card (the Mrs as the primary user and I as an additional user) for a little under a year now.  While we paid $450 (primary fee) and $175 (additional user fee) for the card this year, we got the following:

$200 in credits toward spend on AA (food, change fees, etc).

Complete reimbursement for the Mrs's Global Entry membership ($100)

 - Global Entry gets you Pre-Check capabilities at airport security almost 100% of the time (speed through that security line!)

Access to lounges at almost every airport we traveled to.

Beyond that there are a ton of additional benefits this card has.

Now, many people have had success in buying $200 worth of gift cards on your airline of choice and getting the $200 credit (annual).  The Mrs and I will try this in the next couple of days for 2013. 

At the very least, if you get the card just for one year, you get, at a MINIMUM, $1,000 worth of spend on airline or hotel costs for $450.  How?  At it's most basic, you can pay airline tickets or hotel costs with Amex points which comes out to $1 = 1 point.  Better yet, Amex points can be transferred to many other loyalty programs, sometimes at bonus rates.

There really isn't anything to lose here.  The Mrs has said many times this year, that this card was the best investment we made with lounge access and speeding through airport security (thanks to global entry).

Since I was only an additional user, I applied for my own and got instantly approved for the 100K deal.  Take screen prints in case something messes up.  Most pro's in the travel blogging world say this offer may get pulled within minutes.  It was still working as of 10:20am CST.  Make sure you are qualified!

BTW: only get this card if you are financially responsible and pay off your debts every month!!!

2012 Airline and Hotel Summary

Happy New Year!!

So I took a couple of weeks vacation to spend with the family in Hilton Head, SC over Christmas and New Years.  During this time I decided against blogging and to focus solely on my loved ones.  Mission accomplished as I had a wonderful time.

Now......... I'm back!

My first post of 2013 will be a quick summary of my flying and lodging accomplishments for the year.  These two travel mediums are my most common and where I seek elite status to make them more comfortable.

In the Air in 2012

Total miles flown (Butt in Seat): 87,874

  Break down:

     - American Airlines (AA) Butt in Seat: 77,906 (living in Dallas, AA is my carrier of choice)

     - Other Airline Butt in Seat: 9,968 (miles redeemed on Delta for r/t to London)

AA Redeemable Miles EARNED: 223,382 (approximately 2 r/t business/first tix to Europe or Asia)

AA Redeemable Miles earned from Mileage Runs (for sake of getting miles only): 33,420 of the 223,382

AA Qualifying Miles earned from Mileage Runs (needed to ensure Elite Status): 22,280 of the 100K needed for desired elite status

Cost of Mileage Runs: $712.80 (or $.02 per mile flown).

Status Earned: AA Executive Platinum through 2/14 (Goal for 2012)

In the Room in 2012

71 nights at Hilton Properties

  Break down:

     - Paid Nights: 2

     - Free nights from points redemption: 6

     - All other nights through work

Status Earned: Diamond (Goal for 2012)

13 nights at Hyatt Properties

  Break down:

     - Paid Nights: 3

     - Free nights from points redemption: 1

     - All other nights through work

Status Earned: Platinum (Goal for 2012)

26 nights at all other hotels/resorts

  Break down:

     - Paid Nights: 7 (Sandals Vacation)

     - Free nights from points redemption: 5

     - All other nights through work

All in all, I accomplished my goals for 2012 as far as Elite Status is concerned.  I started the year off as a very amateur individual in the points/miles/status game.  It wasn't until late in the year that I researched and found the loopholes in the system.

My goals for 2013 will be a little more aggressive with regard to Elite Status; which I will post in days to come.  I will also summarize in a post the points earned from credit card applications.

So as far as I am concerned, I am happy with my 2012 ELITE success.