Hello from London! I’m spending a few days doing a quick round the world trip to review Ukraine International, Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Dragon, and Hong Kong Airlines. I’m having an amazing time, and it’s been nice to not be on Wi-Fi 24/7 for a few days. I look forward to sharing the rest of my experience with these airlines over the coming days.
On the points & travel front, this week a new Marriott credit card was introduced, IHG temporarily backtracked with their anniversary free night certificate, Qantas ordered more 787s, Delta & Korean Air finalized their joint venture, Amex introduced a transfer bonus to FlyingBlue, and more.
With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:
Featured Stories
9 Fun Ways To Use British Airways Avios
British Airways often gets a bad rap in the miles and points community because of the steep surcharges they slap onto award tickets. The Air Passenger Duty (APD) fee on flights out of the U.K. really hikes up the cash cost of awards.
Not to beat a dead horse, but British Airways’ distance-based award chart doesn’t offer competitive redemption options in many cases, which only exacerbates the issue. However, there are some fun sweet spots in the award chart you won’t want to miss.
What Are The Best Credit Cards For Dining?
There are lots of great ways to earn points — you can earn them through credit card sign-up bonuses, you can earn them by maximizing everyday spend, and you can even buy them directly from loyalty programs when there are sales.
The most straightforward way to earn as many points as possible is to be sure you’re maximizing the return you receive on everyday spend. Cards offer different bonuses for spend in different categories, ranging from dining to grocery stores to gas to travel. Having a credit card that earns you as many points as possible in a category you frequent is crucial.
For example, I spend a lot on dining and travel, but very little at grocery stores and gas stations (which I’m sure is true for many people, especially millennials).
Dining is a big spend category for many, so in this post I wanted to look at what I consider to be the most rewarding cards for dining spend.
Review: Park Hyatt Bangkok
The Park Hyatt Bangkok opened in May 2017, and is a hotel I’ve been eager to check out.
Park Hyatt is one of my favorite hotel brands out there, and the fact that their properties are bookable with points is the icing on the cake.
I generally consider Bangkok to be one of the best value cities in the world for luxury hotels, so that makes the Park Hyatt an especially exciting addition.
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
New Plastiq Users Can Pay Rent And Mortgages For A 2% Fee
Up To 50k Points For Upgrading Your Marriott Card (And Why You Might Want To Wait)
Score A Great Deal On Suites At The Palazzo & Venetian Today
New Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Credit Card With 100K Welcome Bonus
Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 Travel Credit: Everything You Need To Know
Reader Question: Is It Time To Switch Credit Cards?
Buy Marriott Gift Cards For 20% Off Today
Buy A $1,000 Orbitz Hotel Promo Code For $650
LifeMiles Offering New Bonus On Purchased Miles
How The Benefits On The New IHG Premier Card Work
Is It Worth Spending $15,000 On Hilton Card To Earn Weekend Night Reward?
Earn Bonus Starpoints For Checking In With App
What Are The Best Credit Cards For Dining?
Delta SkyMiles Improves Mileage Earning Rates On Korean Air
Great New Amex Offer For Stays At ALL Hilton Brands
Amex Is Offering A 25% Transfer Bonus To Air France KLM Flying Blue
Fly This Week And Earn 500 Bonus American Business Extra Points
The AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard Has A New 50K Bonus
Is It Easier To Get Approved For The Sapphire Preferred Or Sapphire Reserve?
American’s Latest Discount On Purchased Miles Is A Bad Deal
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
IHG Makes Positive Free Night Certificate Change
You Can Now Redeem Delta Global Upgrades On Korean Air
Last Chance To Redeem American Miles For Gulf Air’s Excellent New Business Class
170 IHG Rewards Club PointBreaks Hotels Are Now Bookable
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Devalues Sweet Spot Redemption
What I Learned From Booking Award Travel For Loved Ones
9 Fun Ways To Use British Airways Avios
TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)
UGH: My IHG Account Was Hacked
Changing (And Canceling) A Mess Of A Trip
London: Mini Meetup Next Thursday May 10th
Why I Love Google Maps Offline Mode
Practical Logistics For Extended Travelling
New Plan: I’m Flying Vietnam Airlines Business Class & Cathay Dragon First Class!
The Pathetic Compensation Delta Offered My Dad For An 8+ Hour Delay
How To Dispute A Credit Card Charge With Chase
REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Introduction: Birthday In The Seychelles
Ukraine International 777 Business Class In 10 Pictures
My Experience Flying “Alaska” A320 First Class
Review: Thai Airways First Class 747 Bangkok To Hong Kong
Review: Thai Airways First Class Lounge Bangkok Airport
Review: Park Hyatt Bangkok
NEWS & Updates
Fascinating Video: Russian Pilots Of The Congo
How The ‘Big 3’ Airlines Are Forming In Europe
The World’s Busiest International Air Route Is Flown 84 Times Per Day
Norwegian Plays Coy, Rejects Two IAG Bids Despite Clear Interest In Buyout
IHG Acquires 13 Upscale Hotels In The UK (To Become Kimptons & InterContinentals)
Brilliant: United Appoints Former White House Press Secretary As Chief Communications Officer
Could Japan Airlines Start Flying To Miami Next Year?
How Long Will Qatar’s QSuites Rollout Take?
Changi Airport’s New Promo Video Makes Insta-Stalking Look Adorable
American Airlines Places Order For 30 Regional Jets
Qatar Airways May Lease British Airways Some Widebody Jets
Qantas Orders More 787s, Will Retire All 747s By 2020
Six New International Airlines Join TSA PreCheck
FAA Releases Findings (And CRAZY Video) Following Last Year’s Close Call At SFO
American Route Changes: New Flights To The Caribbean & Hawaii, Beijing Route Canceled
Why It’s So Difficult To Design A Perfect Airline Uniform
British Airways Explains Britishness In New Video
Woman Claims American Called The Cops On Her For “Flying While Fat & Black”
Emirates Could Store 45 Planes In Coming Weeks Due To Pilot Shortage
China Eastern’s New Toy Story Plane Looks Like A Subway Car
First Pictures Of Alaska’s New JFK Lounge (Which Accepts Priority Pass)
I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend, and happy Cinco de Mayo!
Hey lucky, are you currently in the heathrow sheraton hotel? I remembered you mentioned it was a favorite, and I'm actually here now (based on your endorsement!)
Hi @Lucky, when will you go to sfo to check out the new Polaris Lounge? Looking forward to the Vietnam airlines review!
Lucky! How long are you in London?! I fly out of Heathrow on Tuesday morning with Qatar Airways to Melbourne! You’re the reason I have pursued the points and miles game so thank you :)