I’m spending a few weeks in the US visiting friends and family, though will be traveling again internationally starting in early August. I’m sorry for the delay in publishing trip reports, but I was way behind on editing pictures (which takes way too long), but am finally caught up on that, and hope to publish the next installment of the current trip report tomorrow. Thanks to you guys for your patience.
On the points & travel front, this week we saw a new welcome bonus on the Barclays Arrival Plus, Singapore Airlines began selling seats on their new nonstop flight to Los Angeles, two Air China pilots got fired after depressurizing a cabin due to smoking, Etihad began charging for economy seat assignments, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
How Marriott Airline Mileage Transfers Will Work
Marriott’s new loyalty program will kick in at some point in August (we don’t know the exact date), and at that point Starpoints will be converted into Marriott points at a 1:3 ratio. There are lots of changes kicking in with the new program, some of which are positive, and some of which are negative.
For example, in the short term we’ll see some very low redemption rates for Starwood’s most expensive properties. On the other hand, the cost of Hotel + Air Packages is increasing significantly, so those won’t be an exceptional value anymore.
One source of confusion has been how mileage transfers will work with Marriott’s new loyalty program, so let’s take a look at that in more detail.
60k Points With The Barclaycard Arrival Plus: An Easy Way To Cover Travel Expenses
In March 2018, Barclays stopped accepting applications for the Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®. This coincided with the ramp up to the launch of the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® and Barclays’ foray into the flexible points world.
In June, we learned that the Barclaycard Arrival Plus would be making a return. Barclays started with direct mail offers and has now released online applications. With all the recent talk about the card, I figured it’s a good time to review what it has to offer and whether it’s worth a spot in your wallet.
Airport Minimum Connection Times: What They Are And Why They Matter
I’m off on an extended trip to Africa later this year, and am booking the flights as we speak. After years of traveling on efficient, direct and extremely affordable low cost flights around Europe, I must admit I am finding the African transportation options expensive and time consuming.
Fortunately I have plenty of KrisFlyer miles I can use, and Star Alliance is well represented in Africa, with EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways all servicing the continent well.
I was looking online at Star Alliance redemption options between Tanzania and Egypt via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (ADD) on Ethiopian Airlines, and came across an itinerary that seemed oddly efficient.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
The Next 6 Credit Cards I Want To Apply For
IHG Rewards Club Is Offering A Mystery Bonus On Purchased Points
Last Chance: Buy Alaska Miles With A 40% Bonus
Amex Offer: Spend $750 With Four Seasons, Get 15K Bonus Points
The 21 Credit Cards In My Wallet Right Now
Success: 70K American Bonus Miles With The Citi Business AAdvantage Card
Is This The Most Miles Ever Earned For A Single Ticket?
Great Deal: Earn 10 American Miles Per Dollar Spent With IHG (In Addition To Usual Points)
AAdvantage MileUp Card: New No Annual Fee American Airlines Credit Card
Marriott Has A New Free Night Offer For New Members
LifeMiles Has Just Launched A Flash Sale On Purchased Miles
Last Chance: Earn 100,000 Points With The Marriott Premier Card
JetBlue Orders 60+ Airbus A220s, Plans Big Fleet Refresh
Earn Up To 230K American Bonus Miles With Four Credit Cards
Best Alternative To The SPG Amex Come August?
Great Deals At The Andaz Mayakoba
Radisson Rewards Offering Double Points For Stays This Summer
Why This Is The Ideal Time To Request A Delta Status Challenge
The 7 Best Business Credit Cards 2018
Barclaycard Arrival Plus: An Easy Way To Cover Travel Expenses
No, Iberia Plus Members Aren’t To Blame For Iberia’s Botched Promotion
Buy Choice Points For 30% Off
Status Of The Amazon 20% Off Promo
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
What Happened To Cathay Pacific’s Business Class Award Availability?
No, We Still Don’t Know How Marriott Will Handle Existing Travel Packages
How To Upgrade Your British Airways Flights With Avios
Don’t Make This Mistake With Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
How Marriott Airline Mileage Transfers Will Work
Everything You Need To Know About The New SPG Amex Free Night Certificates
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
Help Us Decide: Minsk Or Vilnius?
Chase Ink Car Rental Coverage: Everything You Need To Know
Amex Platinum: The Complete Lounge Access Package
T-Mobile Announces International Plan Changes
Airport Minimum Connection Times: What They Are And Why They Matter
When Does It Make Sense For A United Premier To Book A Basic Economy Ticket?
Surinam Airways’ Fascinating Flight To Amsterdam
How To Determine Nonstop Flights Available From An Airport
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
7 Interesting Things About Air Belgium
Korean Air 787-9 First Class In 10 Pictures
NEWS & Updates
Video: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Arrested On Etihad Flight
It’s Official: Vaping Air China Pilot Caused Emergency Descent
Qatar Airways’ (Unrealistic?) Growth Plans: 220 Destinations By 2022
Porter Airlines Introducing Basic Economy Fares
Engaged Consumers Drive $330 Million In Additional Rewards Redemptions For Chase
San Francisco To Singapore: The Frenemy Bloodbath
HNA Group Allegedly Can’t Finance New Airbus Planes
Breaking: Explosion Reported Near Cairo Airport
United Making Inflight Credit Card Sales Pitches Mandatory For Flight Attendants
Singapore Airlines Nonstop Flights To Los Angeles Begin November 2
Singapore Airlines Business Class Awards On New LAX Flight Wide Open!
Etihad Will Begin Charging For Economy Seat Assignments
Air China Flight Rapidly Descends 25,000 Feet – Were Smoking Pilots At Fault?
Man Buys Thai Airways 747, Keeps It In His Backyard
OUCH: St. Regis, W, And Westin Dubai All Leaving Starwood
Emirates Schedules Massive Flight Reductions In 2019 Due To Runway Maintenance
Bombardier CSeries Rebranded As Airbus A220
United Will Fly 777-300ER To Mumbai (And Downgrade Other Routes)
Icelandair Will Manage Struggling Africa-Based Cape Verde Airlines
AURA: The Coolest US Startup Airline Ever (Though It Probably Won’t Get Off The Ground)
Air Tanzania Takes Delivery Of Their New Boeing 787
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!
@Endre I experienced Ryan Air Executive Class and received the full Service. All for £10
Endre I love how humble you are. You are a role model
I tested Air France La Premiere again this week and I must say the experience was very good. Had a layover of about 6 hours in Paris which allowed me the enjoy the fine dining experience. It is vastly superior than Emirates in my humble opinion but more expensive (paid ticket / no miles tricks used) Haters gonna hate as usual.