- 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.
Not to be outdone, American AAdvantage countered its partner’s offer. During the same time period, roundtrip flights in first or business class to the UK earn an extra 42,000 miles, ratcheting up the earning to a full 50,000 for the trip.
- Starwood Preferred Guest is offering triple points on all stays at Starwood hotels and resorts worldwide when you stay through Dec. 21.
Typically, SPG awards two points per dollar spent. During the promotion, this jumps to a full six points per dollar. Members must register online or call 888-625-4988 or their nearest Customer Contact Center and provide registration code TR2 no later than Dec. 21.
- Delta SkyMiles and SkyPoints card holders can earn double miles or double points respectively, on purchases made on their American Express card through Dec. 31. Cardmembers must enroll their Delta SkyMiles credit card at http://www.americanexpress.com/deltaenroll
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Flying along the East Coast, West Coast or to or from Denver? Give United and American some consideration. Through Feb. 15, 2006, Mileage Plus members who fly up to four roundtrips to/from Washington, D.C., can earn up to 25,500 bonus miles or 25 percent off a future flight. The bonus or discount increases according to the number of flights, beginning with a 2,500-mile bonus for the first flight and reaching 10,000 miles for the fourth flight, for a total of 25,500 miles. The discount begins at 10 percent and reaches 25 percent for four or more flights.
At the same time, members who fly up to eight roundtrips between any airports in California, Oregon and Washington can earn up to 36,000 miles or 20 percent off a future flight. The increases in miles or discounts are roughly the same as with the Washington offer.
American AAdvantage is also offering up to 36,000 bonus miles for flying eight roundtrips to/from Denver or to/from any destination in California, Oregon or Washington through Feb. 15.
Members can earn 1,000 bonus miles for the first trip, 2,000 for the second, and up to 8,000 for the eighth trip for a grand total of 36,000 miles. Registration is required.
Visit http://www.united.com or http://www.aa.com for details.
- 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.
- 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 http://www.thrifty.com or http://dollar.com
Best Bets – December, 28 2005
