Happy Leap Day! I’m spending the weekend at home, after having been to Cancun last weekend, and going to Nicaragua this coming week. It’s downright arctic in Miami, so I’ll be bundled up all weekend at home in a parka.
On the points & travel front, the biggest stories this week have continued to involve the impact coronavirus is having on the airline industry. On top of that, American Airlines and Qatar Airways announced a new strategic partnership, Air New Zealand revealed their innovative Skynest, Delta and LATAM announced that reciprocal mileage earning and redemptions will be possible as of April 1, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
How To Maximize Value Redeeming LifeMiles
I often write about LifeMiles’ promotions on purchased miles, and other opportunities to earn LifeMiles. While I talk about how best to redeem them, I generally do so pretty vaguely.
In this post I wanted to share where I see the value in the LifeMiles program — how do I earn LifeMiles, when do I choose to redeem LifeMiles rather than other Star Alliance miles, how do I do the math on that, etc.
The 26 Credit Cards In My Wallet Right Now
Maximizing credit cards is one of the best ways to elevate your travel. This can include signing up for the credit cards with the best welcome bonuses, using the right credit cards for your everyday spending, and also taking advantage of other credit card perks.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the impact that applying for credit cards can have on your credit score. I have over two dozen credit cards, and my credit score is excellent.
In this post I wanted to first share a brief intro regarding how applying for credit cards impacts your credit score, then I’ll talk about what goes into my credit card decision making process, and then I’ll share the cards I have open.
Coronavirus: Planning Ahead At Home & Abroad
We’ve been receiving dozens of messages a day from readers, clients, and our parents (hi Mom!) asking how the COVID-19 coronavirus is impacting travel. People are understandably worried, and the frenetic news cycle is certainly ratcheting tension over fears of a global pandemic.
I’ve been meaning to put together a general post on the virus and travel for a while, but the combination of what I observed traveling internationally over the weekend and View from the Wing sharing what I’m sure are common coronavirus concerns has pushed me to put everything in one place.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
Is The British Airways Card Worth It? (2020)
Citi Prestige Card Review (2020)
Hilton Honors Business Card Review (2020)
Marriott Offering Free Night After Two Stays For New Members
Hilton Honors New Member Bonus: Up To 5K Points
Wyndham Promo: Free Night After Two Stays
Best Cards For Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points (2020)
My Chase Credit Card Strategy (2020)
Big Chase Marriott Card Bonuses Ending Soon
My American Express Credit Card Strategy (2020)
Last Chance: Buy LifeMiles With 140% Bonus (Special OMAAT Promo)
Buy World of Hyatt Points For 25% Off (Last Chance)
How To Pick The Best Credit Card For Your Small Business
Trick To Saving On Domestic LATAM Peru Flights
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
Receive Alerts If Hotel Awards Become Available
British Airways Releases 100,000 Business Class Award Seats
How To Maximize Value Redeeming LifeMiles
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
Tips For Staying At A Hotel With Your Dog
I Got Secondary Screening With Global Entry
Prediction: Which Partnerships Is Alaska Airlines Likely To Lose?
LOT Polish & Oneworld: You Two Should Talk
Why I Avoid Fort Lauderdale Airport (Vs. Miami)
Coronavirus: Planning Ahead At Home & Abroad
The 26 Credit Cards In My Wallet Right Now
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Review: The Ben Hotel West Palm Beach (Marriott Autograph Collection)
Review: Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya
NEWS & Updates
The World’s 15 Longest Flights (2020)
Lufthansa & United To Invest In TAP Air Portugal?
American Airlines & Qatar Airways Announce Strategic Partnership
American Airlines’ New Strategy: Brilliant Or Bizarre?
American Airlines App Now Shows Upgrade List 8 Hours Out
Air New Zealand Skynest: Bunk Beds Coming To Economy?
Qantas’ 100th Anniversary Safety Video
Ridiculous: British Airways Stops Allowing China Flight Refunds
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Sued For Corporate Espionage
Virgin Australia Plans Long Haul Fleet Renewal
Uh Oh: Lufthansa Will Cut Ties With Condor
OTT Airlines, China Eastern’s Odd New Subsidiary
Coronavirus: JetBlue Will Waive Cancelation Fees On New Tickets
Launching Soon: WOW Air Italy, Or Something
Court Blocks Heathrow Third Runway On Environmental Grounds
Airline Stocks Plummet Amid Coronavirus Fears
Delta Air Lines Introduces BON & VIV Spiked Seltzer
Air New Zealand’s New Conservation Safety Video
Delta & LATAM Add Reciprocal Frequent Flyer Benefits
Alaska Airlines Suspends Change Fees
16 LATAM Planes Now Have New Business Class Seats
Wow: United Airlines Hugely Scales Back Asia Flights
Park Hyatt Auckland Opening Delayed (Again)
Impressive: Singapore Airlines CEO Takes 15% Pay Cut
Hainan Airlines Being Taken Over By Government Task Force
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
"I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!"
I love your blog and I read it every day but I normally read your weekly review on Sundays and that line always makes me sad ;)
Thanks for the laugh, D3KingAmerican.
Still no MEA/Beirut trip report?
President Trump is having the CEOs of the worlds largest pharmaceutical corporations at the White House on Monday . We will have a vaccine soon. He will get it done.
We have 43 million masks on the way and more to come.
The White House coronavirus task force is being lead by Vice President Pence.
This is all being handled professionally and he is asking the main stream media to not incite...
President Trump is having the CEOs of the worlds largest pharmaceutical corporations at the White House on Monday . We will have a vaccine soon. He will get it done.
We have 43 million masks on the way and more to come.
The White House coronavirus task force is being lead by Vice President Pence.
This is all being handled professionally and he is asking the main stream media to not incite panic. There is no need for that.
President Trump as always is keeping America safe.