Convert SPG points to miles? How to play the Marriott merger.
On Monday we learned that Marriott will be buying Starwood in 2016. Under the assumption that Marriott’s rewards program will be the surviving program after the merger, I made a plea to Marriott: Hey...
SPG: Two free nights (cat 1-5) after two stays!
Every now and then I learn something cool about the miles & points hobby from my son. For example, I previously reported a way to get targeted for Amex business card offers based on...
Hey Marriott: Here’s how to keep SPG loyalists loyal
Yesterday, Marriott announced its acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. The transaction is expected to close “mid 2016”, but we have no information yet about how or when the loyalty programs will merge. My...
More than 40,000 IHG points for more than $46 and a cramped hand
Last week I wrote “Between 23,000 and 40,000 points for $46 and a cramped hand.” The idea discussed in that post was that you could enter the IHG and MasterCard® Priceless Surprises® Promotion by...
1,200,000 miles for Necker Island: Not easy. Not free.
Yesterday I reported my success in earning 1.2 million Virgin Atlantic miles which I plan to use for a week on Sir Richard Branson’s private Necker Island. In response, a number of readers wanted...
Necker Island, here we come!
7 months ago I decided that it would be cool to use miles to book a week on Sir Richard Branson’s private Island. Virgin Atlantic lists this award on their website under Partner Offers…...
Between 23,000 and 40,000 points for $46 and a cramped hand
Finally, a fun(ish) promo that doesn’t require flights or nights…
On Monday, Deals We Like published a cool idea in the post “Spend $46 and Earn at Least 47,000 IHG Points!” IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group)...
Necker Island and the 30% transfer bonus dilemma
Oy. Amex is offering a 30% Membership Rewards transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic this month, but the offer is targeted. I was targeted for the offer, but my wife was not.
Why does this matter? ...
Arches, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Zion, and more via trains, planes, and automobiles
Here it is. Our fantastic trip west to visit four national parks and the Hoover Dam…
Amtrak Wolverine to Chicago
Nine of us (across two families) began our trip west in business class on Amtrak’s Wolverine...
Necker Island: 557,000 miles in the bag, 180,000 miles on the way, and my...
My Virgin Atlantic account currently shows a balance of over 557,000 miles. With most programs, I’d be pretty happy about that. In this case, though, the total is less than half needed for a...
$37.50 for peace of mind and 10,000 points
My wife just received a 10K bonus point offer from Barclaycard for her Wyndham card. All she has to do is spend $500 per month for three months:
This is not nearly as good as...
IHG signup bonus no longer counting towards status
A few weeks ago, after publishing “How to find the best IHG signup offer: 80K points plus $50,” a number of readers contacted me to let me know that the points they had earned...
IHG Spire: Ideas for nabbing the new 25K Choice benefit without staying in hotels.
UPDATE: It appears that points from credit card signup bonuses no longer count as elite qualifying. As a result, a number of items in this post are no longer relevant.
IHG finally named their new...
How to find the best IHG signup offer: 80K points plus $50
Chase’s IHG credit card is probably my favorite card to have, but not to use. Most cards are good for some people, but not for others. The IHG card, in my opinion, is a...
