Uber New Rider Bonus Drops November 24
November 19, 2014
Uber has replaced taxis for me. I always use the app for airport pickups and safely getting around on weekeend nights.
Uber is the world’s best taxi service because it has clean, courteous drivers and the easiest ride-ordering app imaginable. Tap, tap, tap, and a car whose progress you can track towards you is on its way.
For many months, Uber has offered a massive $30 off your first ride to new users who sign up through a referral link. (Sign up with mine and I’ll also get one free ride up to $30.
No Stopovers on Delta Awards from January 1, 2015
November 18, 2014
As widely predicted, Delta is eliminating stopovers on its awards starting January 1, 2015. Its SkyMiles program rules page says as much.
This is a bummer, but the good news is that one way awards will be bookable with Delta miles starting January 1, 2015, and Delta has already improved its online search.
American eliminated stopovers on awards this year, and the US Airways program will cease to exist in quarter 2 of 2015, which means United will be the only American program that allows stopovers very soon.
United,Trick,Award Booking,Anatomy of an Award
Two Tricks I Used on My Last Award Booking
November 18, 2014
As you read this, I'm 35,000 feet up on my way to Medellin, Colombia.
I was in Tucson over the weekend for a tennis tournament, and I didn't have any exit flight booked. I really wanted to return to Colombia because I had enjoyed Bogota so much and heard even better things about Medellin, but award space didn't appear to be available for a Monday departure from Tucson to Medellin.
I used two tricks and a little bit of creativity to come up with a Saver award, save myself $75 in fees, and give myself a chance to hang
Register Now for American Express Small Business Saturday
November 18, 2014
American Express Small Business Saturday is back the Saturday after Thanksgiving–November 29, 2014. You can register your American Express cards now.
This year, you can get up to three $10 statement credits per American Express card.
Delta Improves Award Searches Dramatically
November 17, 2014
An actual improvement to delta.com!
Previously, you could search award space one month at a time with a calendar on delta.com, but that calendar only took into account award space on Delta flights. Because much of the Saver award space available to people with Delta miles is available on partner airlines, that meant that in practice, you really had to search delta.com one day at a time to get the full picture.
Hilton,ThankYou Points,Transfer Bonus
Transfer Bonus from ThankYou Points to Hilton HHonors
November 16, 2014
ThankYou Points are a transferable points program offered by Citi on select credit cards. ThankYou Points transfer to nine airlines and Hilton. Normally 1,000 ThankYou Points transfer to 1,500 Hilton points. Until January 8, 2015, 1,000 ThankYou Points transfers to 2,000 Hilton points!
This is exciting to me because there are some high value uses of Hilton points, and also because this is the first Citi ThankYou Points transfer bonus.
How to Maximize the National Car Rental ONE TWO FREE Promo
November 14, 2014
Disclosure: National offered me compensation to write this post, and a $200 gift card for MileValue readers. All views are expressed are mine and (other) Scott's, not those of National Car Rental.
National Car Rental's popular ONE TWO FREE has returned through January 31, 2015. For every two qualifying rentals, you earn one free* rental day for use on a future trip.
Award Space on United 787-9 Dreamliner to Melbourne Australia
November 13, 2014
United flies from Los Angeles to Melbourne directly with its newest plane the 787-9 Dreamliner.
15 hours 45 minutesAward space on United's Dreamliners in Business Class has been abysmal, but I wanted to check in and see if anything was different on this route.
We want to get into these flat beds up frontThe good news is that there is award space on the route in both directions for two people in Business Class.
What is the award space picture?
How many miles does the flight to Australia
(Bleg) Where Should I Go in 2015 to Maximize Festivals, Parties, and Events?
November 13, 2014
I am generally planning on being in South America through March and then in Europe from April to August.
I'll have a blast no matter what, but I'll have even more fun if my time some of my trip to coincide with festivals, events, and other parties.
For instance, I would have had a blast in Brazil in June no matter what, but I had 10x the fun because I was there during World Cup.
Before I go into the guidebooks, I'll go the infinite wisdom of my readers.
United Offering 20% Discount on Awards to Europe
November 13, 2014
United is offering a 20% discount on economy awards to Europe flown this winter.
Instead of the normal 60,000 miles roundtrip, Saver awards to nine airports in Europe will cost only 48,000 miles roundtrip.
This is a good deal if you were already planning to use United miles to fly to Europe this winter, but there are better deals for winter travel to Europe.
How does the deal work? (One ways?)
What are the better off peak awards to Europe?
Basics of United Award Sale
The full terms and conditions of the sale are available here.