Best Bets – October, 28 2005

Best Bets – October, 28 2005
  1. British Airways’ acclaimed Executive Club free bonus flight promotion is back, giving members the opportunity to earn free flights after just one transatlantic roundtrip.

    Through Dec. 31, Executive Club members in the U.S., Canada and, for the first time, the Caribbean can earn enough miles from making a transatlantic roundtrip in First or Club World for two free economy roundtrips within North America on partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

    Check out http://www.ba.com/freeflights005 for details.

  2. Until Dec. 15, frequent flyers earn triple miles for rentals booked at Dollar.com or Thrifty.com on all “Big Six” airlines, plus America West and Alaska.

    Caveats: Qualifying rentals only include mid-size or larger vehicles, for a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 7 days. After 7 days, miles will be awarded at the normal level. Book online at thrifty.com or dollar.com.

  3. All good things must end, but with Hyatt Gold Passport, they just keep coming back.

    Enter the most recent incarnation of Faster Free Nights, the perennial Freddie Award favorite that awards one free night for every two stays paid for with a MasterCard.

    The promotion is slated to run through Nov. 30, for award stays until Jan. 31, 2006.

    Full details are available online at http://www.goldpassport.com, or interested members may call 800 51 HYATT for the complete scoop.

  4. Choice Privileges makes a triumphant return to the promotional ring with its “Stay 2 Times, Earn a Free Night” promotion — a close runner-up for Best Bonus in last year’s Freddie Award voting.

    Through Nov. 30, Choice Privilege members who make two separate qualifying stays at any Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion or MainStay Suites hotel throughout the U.S. will earn 6,500 bonus points, which along with the regular points earned through those two stays, is enough for a free night.

    And therein lies the real strength of this promotion: Members receive points, not a time-limited voucher. There is no limit to the number of times the bonus can be earned.

    Check http://www.choiceprivileges.com for details.

  5. For the past two years, InterContinental Priority Club Rewards has taken home the Best Bonus Freddie Award for its Double Points or Double Miles promotion. Can they do it a third year in a row?

    It’s back, this time until Dec. 16. Members will earn double points or miles with each qualifying stay, beginning with the second, during the promotional period.

    Registration is required. Log on to http://www.priorityclub.com/double or call 888-560-5660 and enter promo code 7453 when prompted.

  6. Radisson goldpoints plus is offering an extra 1,000 points if you book a “Sleep Number” bed room through Jan. 31, 2006. Why is an extra 1,000 points a big deal? Because currently, you also get a 1,000-point bonus for online booking, plus 10 points per dollar spent. Given that free room nights with goldpoints plus start at 15,000 points, you’re looking at a free room in about five nights. Visit http://www.radisson.com/sleepnumberbed
  7. Gold Crown Club members in the U.S. and Canada will find something extra in their accounts this fall. Best Western has brought back its popular “Double Up” promotion, allowing members to earn double points or miles for all stays until Dec. 14.

    No particular type of credit card is necessary, and the extra earning begins with the first stay. Check out the details online at http://www.goldcrownclub.com, or, to register by phone, call 800-237-8483 and ask for promo code DOUBLE.

  8. Marriott Rewards members, take note: Pay with any Visa card when you stay at any of over 2,500 Marriott locations until Jan. 31, 2006, and you will automatically receive double points for your visit, starting with your second Visa-paid stay.
  9. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but in this case, it just means more options for you. Both United Mileage Plus and American AAdvantage are offering short-haul awards again.

    Members of both programs can redeem miles for flights less than 750 miles for 15,000 miles — that’s 10,000 miles off the usual saver price. First or business-class short-hops are available for 30,000 miles.

    The only real difference is the dates: The Mileage Plus promotion is available now through Dec. 31, and American’s is slated to run through Feb. 28, 2006.

  10. United Mileage Plus Visa cardmembers can now earn two miles for every dollar spent that exceeds $1,000 and is paid directly to schools through Dec. 31. This includes tuition for colleges and universities, as well as public and private elementary and secondary schools, school bookstore purchases, season football tickets, school donations and more. Visit http://www.mileageplusvisa.com for details.