Hello from the UAE! I’m in the middle of a trip to Lebanon and the UAE. While Lebanon was awesome, the UAE has been a comedy of errors on the hotel front, as I’ll share in a separate post shortly. It has been a fun trip, but to be honest at this point I’m just excited to get home and see my dog. I really am a homebody nowadays.
On the points & travel front, this week Alaska announced their best bonus of the year on purchased miles, Hyatt launched a promotion for MGM stays, changes to Starbucks Rewards kicked in, Air Senegal leased an A380 from Hi Fly, LifeMiles modified award costs on some domestic US flights, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
Best Ways To Use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles are among my favorite mileage currencies out there. On a per mile basis, I value Alaska miles more than any other airline miles.
In this post I wanted to talk a bit more about actually redeeming Alaska miles — the rules you need to be aware of, and the best uses of Alaska miles.
Flying Delta A220 First Class: My Experience
Delta recently became the first US airline to take delivery of the Airbus A220.
This plane was formerly known as the Bombardier CSeries, but ended up being rebranded as the A220 thanks to a joint venture between Bombardier and Airbus.
The A220 represents an interesting direction for Delta, as these planes will largely be used to replace their MD-80 aircraft, which are quite old.
Historically Delta is an airline that keeps planes for a really long time but maintains them well, while here Delta is actually buying new planes.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
10 Best Credit Card Offers For April 2019
Transferable Points Currencies: Which Are Most Valuable?
The Best No Annual Fee Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees
New Alaska Mileage Plan Shopping Portal Mystery Bonuses
Save At Mandarin Oriental With New Amex Offer
New Promo: Earn Bonus Hyatt Points For MGM Stays
Citi Prestige Cell Phone Protection Benefit: Full Details
8 Reasons The Ink Business Preferred Is The Best Business Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Offers First Ever Discount On Purchased Points
50% Bonus On Buying Alaska Miles (Best Price This Year!)
Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex 100K Offer: One Week Left
Last Chance For The Best Deals On Multi-Resort Ski Passes
6 Great Opportunities To Buy Points
7 Underrated Credit Cards To Consider
Chase Ink Bonus Categories: Everything You Need To Know
Best Credit Card Duo For Maximizing Points
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
How To Redeem The IHG Card Free Night Certificate
Singapore KrisFlyer Award Promo: Save Miles On Dozens Of Routes
8 Of My Favorite Sweet-Spot Awards
Best Ways To Use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles
LifeMiles Modifies Award Costs Within The US
Problems With Etihad Transfers From Amex & Citi (Fully Resolved)
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
One Mile at a Time Commenting Guidelines
American Lied To Me About Why My Flight Was Canceled
Israeli Passport Sticker Raises Eyebrows At Beirut Airport
Beirut Airport: Absolutely Awful
My Terrible Luck Reviewing New Hotels In The UAE…
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Flying Delta A220 First Class: My Experience
Impressions Of Air France 787 Business Class
Impressions Of Middle East Airlines A330 Business Class
Impressions Of Beirut, Lebanon
Introduction: Vietnam, Laos, & Cambodia
Review: Park Hyatt Saigon
Cu Chi Tunnels: What You Need To Know About Visiting These Vietnam War Sites
Impressions Of Emirates 777-300ER Business Class
NEWS & Updates
Whoa: Air Senegal Leasing A380
Will Virgin Atlantic Install New Upper Class On 787 & A330?
President Trump’s 737 MAX Advice For Boeing
Emirates Now Offering New First Class On Some Hour-Long Flights
Official: Starbucks Rewards Changes Coming April 16, 2019
United Airlines Returns To Africa With Seasonal Cape Town Flights
Portland Airport Loses Priority Pass Restaurant
Priority Pass Brings Back SeaTac Airport Restaurant (With Limited Hours)
Hyatt Improves Best Rate Guarantee Policy
Mastercard Adds Benefits For Postmates, Lyft, And More
Drama: Did British Airways Cut The Financial Times Over Negative Coverage?
India’s Jet Airways Ceases Operations
An American Airlines Flight’s Terrifying JFK Takeoff
United Airlines Threatens To Stop Selling Flights Through Expedia
Passenger Shares What It Was Like On American Plane That Had Wing Strike On Takeoff
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
Where is the lead photo taken?
Lebanon? It definitely looks like the Med.
@ JohnnyBoy -- Yep, taken in Lebanon!
"as I’ll sure in a separate post"
I'm sure you'll fix that to share ;)
Waiting for the latest Virtuoso push during the Dubai visit.
Happy Birthday Ben!
"I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend"
That word "rest" really hurts. The weekend just started :(