Hope everyone has a great weekend so far!
In terms of points and travel, Icelandair flew to Antarctica this week, Alaska Lounges returned to Priority Pass, an American Airlines pilot reported seeing a UFO, Air France revealed a new safety video, a United Airlines 777 suffered a terrible engine failure and much more .
Here is a recap from this week on the blog:
Selected stories
Heads Up: Brex Cash 110K deal likely to end soon
I’ve written at length about the incredible value of opening a free Brex Cash account. In my opinion, this is the best way to earn points that we have seen in a long time, and all for a no-fee business cash management account that can prove extremely valuable.
Many of you have asked when the Brex Cash offer for up to 110,000 bonus points will end as I always do everything I can to communicate the end date of an offer. If you have settled on a fence because of your application, I highly recommend you do so as soon as possible.
I don’t have an official end date to share yet, but I would suggest applying before the end of the month if interested. When I have more details, I’ll be sure to share them, although I also don’t know how much attention we’re going to have and I would hate for someone to miss this because they fell asleep on the offer.
Stopover rules for award tickets
It wasn’t that long ago most loyalty programs offered free stopovers for award tickets. American AAdvantage, United MileagePlus, and even Delta SkyMiles offered these.
Unfortunately, these days fewer and fewer programs offer stopovers. Of the three major airlines in the United States, United is the only one with some semblance of stopover. They don’t call it a stopover, they call it a free one-way street or the “Excursionist Perk”.
The Alaska Mileage Plan and many overseas programs still offer stopovers on award travel, all with varying degrees of generosity. This guide breaks down the layover rules for each main program and lists some of the layover options that are also offered for revenue cards.
Note that given the current pandemic situation, this may not necessarily be the case recommend Booking of stopovers right noweven if they are a great way to maximize the value of your miles. Entering an additional country may require additional testing, quarantine, or some other complexity of your trip that may not be worthwhile right now.
Huge Amex Business Gold Bonus: 70,000 points and up to 300 USD account balance
A few weeks ago, the American Express® Business Gold Card introduced a phenomenal limited-time welcome bonus. I wanted to recap, given what a great bonus this is.
For a limited time (until April 7th, 2021) Amex Business Gold is offering a special welcome bonus. You can earn:
- 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $ 10,000 in the first three months
- Up to $ 300 in bank statement balance – up to $ 150 for US advertising in select media and up to $ 150 for US shipping on eligible purchases within the first three months; There is no minimum amount to avail of these loans
This is a really top notch welcome bonus. I estimate Membership Rewards points to be ~ 1.7 cents each, so the 70,000 points are worth ~ $ 1,190 to me, and that doesn’t even take into account the $ 300 of bank statement balance.
TIPS: Earn miles and promos
Four Seasons Costa Rica Promotions & Deals (2021)
Review: 10 Ways to Buy Points
Will Applying for Credit Cards Affect Your Credit?
The 10 Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses (2021)
Details: New World of Hyatt Bonus Journeys Promo (Register Now)
Huge Hilton Amex Card Bonuses: Points and Credits
Buy LifeMiles with a 165% bonus (1.25 cents each)
Huge Amex Business Gold Bonus: 70,000 points and up to 300 USD account balance
Citi Premier Card Review with 60,000 Bonus (2021)
Heads Up: Brex Cash 110K deal likely to end soon
United Airlines Business Card Review (75,000 Bonus Miles)
TRICKS: redeem miles
Stopover rules for award tickets
GUIDELINES & Programs
American AAdvantage & World Of Hyatt Partnership: How It Works
World Of Hyatt and MGM M Life Las Vegas Partnership: How It Works
How to Earn Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond Status
Guide to Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status
Hyatt & Exhale Spa partnership details
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Status Match Challenge
News update
Terrifying: United Airlines 777 suffers major engine failure
Revealed: The first 737 from Avelo Airlines in full livery
UA328 passengers receive interesting aircraft replacement
Brex applies for bank charter
Boeing 777 with grounded Pratt & Whitney engines (mostly)
BVLGARI luxury hotels & resorts: what are they?
Britain outlines plans to facilitate lockdown and resumption of travel
Hmmm: Baha Mar promises private jet if you get coronavirus
Lufthansa “reassessment” of the new Business Class timeline
Marriott is offering free coronavirus testing at select resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico
Na-Oh Bangkok: Dine a Little Creepy L-1011
Marriott appoints Anthony Capuano as new CEO
American Airlines baggage and basic economy updates
Hilton Impresario: Discounts at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and LXR
US and Canada border closures extended (again)
Alaska Airlines is adjusting miles and fare classes
Alaska Airlines Loses $ 3.19 Million False Death Lawsuit
Air France introduces new security video
American Airlines pilot reports see UFO
US startup Breeze Airways will start in spring 2021
World Of Hyatt & Lindblad Expedition Partnership: How It Works
Court Regulations Some credit card awards are taxable
FANTASTIC: Icelandair flies to Antarctica
Qantas’ latest plan to restart international flights
Alaska Lounges are rejoining the Priority Pass Network
Amazon Executive fired after upgrading flight
Lufthansa may offer Moscow vaccination flights
DOJ Convicts United Airlines $ 49 million for international mail delivery fraud
British Airways pays £ 130,000 for Bailey’s slip
Delta passenger fined $ 27,500 for attacking crew
I hope everyone has a nice rest of the weekend!
