Weekly Review: May 8, 2021

Weekly Review: May 8, 2021

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Hi from Hawaii! I’ve been here with family for the past several days, and we’re having an incredible time!

On the points & travel front, this week we learned the details of Qatar Airways’ new 787-9 business class, Lufthansa ordered more 787-9s and A350-900s, we learned more about the European Union’s plan to allow vaccinated travelers (including Americans), Hilton Honors launched its summer promotion, and more.

With that out of the way, here’s a recap of this week on the blog:

Featured Stories

My Experience: How Hawaii’s Pre-Travel Testing Program Works

Aloha from Hawaii! Hawaii has been an extremely popular destination for people to travel to in recent months, though traveling there without having to quarantine requires pre-travel testing, as part of the Hawaii Safe Travels program.

This isn’t as easy as just getting tested and bringing a copy of the negative result to the airport, but rather there are quite a few hoops to jump through. In this post I wanted to outline that process, and also share some of the things that I learned.


Amazing Deal: Book Le Meridian Maldives For 24K Marriott Bonvoy Points Per Night

The new Le Meridien Maldives will be opening in a few months, and there’s an intriguing opportunity to redeem points here. I’m not sure I’d be rushing to take advantage of this, though.

The Le Meridien Maldives is accepting reservations for stays as of September 1, 2021. This is the latest hotel in Marriott’s Maldives portfolio, which keeps growing (it otherwise consists of the JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, St. Regis, W, and Westin).


Buy LifeMiles With A 175% Bonus (1.2 Cents Each)

Through Tuesday, June 1, 2021, LifeMiles is offering a bonus on purchased miles. While the promotion for most members offers a bonus of up to 160%, OMAAT readers exclusively have access to a bonus of up to 175%. (others are of course welcome to use/promote this offer as well). The OMAAT bonus is tiered …


One Week at a Time

TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos

American Selling AAdvantage Miles With 50% Bonus
Revealed: IHG Rewards Triple Points Summer Promo
Live: Hilton Honors Summer 2021 Promo (Register Now)
Transfer Amex Points To LifeMiles With 15% Bonus
Buy LifeMiles With A 175% Bonus (1.2 Cents Each)
Fairmont Selling Gift Cards With 20% Bonus
You Can Now Earn Air Canada Aeroplan Status Without Flying
United MileagePlus Selling Miles For 40% Off
Emirates Skywards Selling Miles With 100% Bonus (Best Price Ever)
Limited Time: $30 Bonus For New Rakuten Members

TRICKS: Redeeming Miles

Amazing Deal: Book Le Meridian Maldives For 24K Marriott Bonvoy Points Per Night
Lufthansa Business Class Awards: What Happened?
Redeeming American AAdvantage Miles To Sudan: I Learned Something New

TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)

My Experience: How Hawaii’s Pre-Travel Testing Program Works
Is National Car Rental Always This Awesome?!?

REVIEWS & Trip Reports

13 Best Credit Card Offers May 2021
Marriott Bonvoy Card Showdown: Bold Vs. Boundless
Best-Ever Chase Sapphire Sign-Up Bonus
Fantastic United Quest Card Offers Up To 100K Bonus Miles
8 Reasons To Get The IHG Premier Card

NEWS & Updates

Former Etihad CEO Caught Violating UK Quarantine, Faces £10,000 Fine
Hawaii Plans To Exempt Vaccinated Travelers From Testing (Update)
Super Air Jet: Lion Air’s Suspicious New Airline
Now Permanent: Amex Platinum Lufthansa Lounge Access Benefit
Hmmm: PRAGUSA.ONE Launching USA Flights This Summer
Etihad Airways Cuts First Class To New York
Revealed: European Union’s Plan To Allow Vaccinated Travelers
Qatar Airways’ Pandemic Recovery Advantage
Lufthansa Orders More A350-900s & 787-9s
Hilton Honors Maximum Award Cost Now 150K Points
Oy: Lufthansa’s 787 Business Class Plans
Malaysia Airlines Retiring Airbus A380 Fleet
SeaTac Airport Now Lets You Make TSA Screening Appointments
Air France Reopens Spectacular La Premiere Lounge
Delta Premium Select Coming To 767-300s & A330s
Is All Travel Fair Game If You’re Fully Vaccinated?
Wow: Air Senegal Will Fly To New York & Washington
Delta Threatens Misbehaving SkyMiles Members
Avelo Airlines Setting Up First East Coast Base In New Haven
Lufthansa Sets Up Temporary Dubai Mini-Hub
Ouch: Australia’s Borders To Remain Closed Until Later In 2022
Revealed: Qatar Airways’ New 787-9 Business Class
Why Lufthansa Operates An Odd China Triangle Flight
New British Airways TV Ad: “You Make Us Fly”
Bamboo Airways Plans To Launch LAX & SFO Flights
Report: Lufthansa To Install First Class On Upcoming A350s
Alaska Lounges Rejoin Priority Pass Network (Update)
Alaia Belize, Intriguing New Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel


I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

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  1. INS Vikrant Guest

    Are you doing a trip report for Hawaii? :o

    Excited to see those pick up!

  2. Sir Walter Raleigh Guest

    Ben what’s your TC and Net Worth these days?

    380k, 1.2M at 5 yoe here

  3. Russ Guest

    Mahalo Ben and family! Hope your mother and everyone else is well. It’s so lovely when you share a photo or two of family moments with us.

    Truth be told tho, I think you meant to say “aloha from Hawaii” right haha? Cheers.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

INS Vikrant Guest

Are you doing a trip report for Hawaii? :o Excited to see those pick up!

0
Sir Walter Raleigh Guest

Ben what’s your TC and Net Worth these days? 380k, 1.2M at 5 yoe here

0
Russ Guest

Mahalo Ben and family! Hope your mother and everyone else is well. It’s so lovely when you share a photo or two of family moments with us. Truth be told tho, I think you meant to say “aloha from Hawaii” right haha? Cheers.

0
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