Easiest Way to Get on a Dreamliner to Europe in Business

LOT, a Polish airline that is a member of the Star Alliance, flies several Boeing 787 Dreamliners to North America with incredible award space in business class.

The Dreamliner is a technical marvel, a plane I am dying to get on.

LOT's business class on the Dreamliner is up to international standards--a fully flat bed with a big TV monitor at each seat.

LOT flies to three North American destinations, all with the Dreamliner.

New York (JFK) <-> Warsaw (WAW)

Chicago (ORD) <-> Warsaw

Toronto (YYZ) <->

100k Membership Rewards American Express Platinum

Lucky has the details. I don't have much to add.

This is the best credit card offer out there by far. I assume it will be available only briefly, so consider getting it now.

The $450 annual fee should not deter you. You can get $200 in airline gift certificates for free today. And you can get $200 more next January before you pay the next annual fee.

Here's a definitive list Bill made of the airline gift certificates that are reimbursed under this benefit.

If you don't yet have Global Entry, the $100 fee is reimbursed.

AMEX / Virgin Atlantic Transfer Bonus & United Club Fees Increase

Virgin Atlantic-35% Bonus on Membership Rewards Transfers

According to the American Express Membership Rewards website here, Virgin Atlantic is offering a 35% bonus when transferring Membership Rewards into Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles.

This offer is available through December 29th. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 Membership Rewards. The minimum transfer will yield 1,350 Flying Club miles.

 Is this a good deal?
Unfortunately not. Virgin Atlantic features an incredible onboard product and great club lounges.

Hilton HHonors Promotion: Double Stay Credit

According to this blog post and this thread on FlyerTalk, Hilton has just announced their "Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale" where you receive between 15-40% off the best available room rate for weekend stays booked between now and January 31, 2013. Hotels in the Asia-Pacific region have an extended booking deadline of February 14, 2013.

Stays must be completed by December 31, 2013. Eligible weekend stays will also earn double stay credit towards Hilton elite status. With this promotion, you will be able to earn Hilton Silver status with only two weekend stays (a total of four weekend nights).

$125 in Free Gift Certificates

Today I'll be going to restaurants to buy gift certificates with my American Express cards. I have five including those issued by American Express and those just processed by American Express--and issued by Citi and Bank of America.

I registered for Small Business Saturday last week RIGHT HERE. Registration is still open today. Try to register all your AMEXes, except your prepaid cards because those won't work. Then go to one or more small businesses with your card and make $25+ purchases.

Forum Buzz: Elite Status Offers for Delta/US Airways Club Memberships

Delta offers 1,500 MQM for one year Sky Club membership

According to this thread on FlyerTalk, Delta is offering elite qualifying miles for buying a Sky Club lounge membership. To take advantage, you must purchase a one or three year membership by December 31st.

You can choose between two additional free months on a one-year membership or 1,500 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs). MQMs are what Delta uses to calculate elite status.

Mark Your Calendar for November 18

Small Business Saturday from American Express is back. Registration opens November 18.

On November 18, we'll register all our AMEX issued and AMEX processed cards (except prepaids). Then on November 24, we'll spend $25+ at small business with each card to get a $25 credit on each statement.

Last Thanksgiving I was in Hawaii, so I bought $25 gift certificates to all my sister's favorite restaurants. We used some, and I gave her the rest when I left.

Master Thread of Which Airline Gift Cards American Express Reimburses

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers. The card comes with Delta, American, US Airways, and Priority Pass Select lounge access. (American/US lounge access ends 3/22/14.) Coupled with no foreign transaction fees and $100 towards Global Entry, this is a great all around travel card.

Many people balk at this card due to the $450 annual fee.

Getting to Tahiti with Hawaiian, United, and US Airways Miles and Membership Rewards

See my previous posts on Getting to Tahiti with American and Delta Miles.

This post will be about getting to French Polynesia–Tahiti, Bora Bora, and more–with Hawaiian Miles, United MileagePlus Miles, US Airways Dividend Miles, and American Express Membership Rewards. Tahiti is an award I get asked to book frequently through my Award Booking Service, and I wanted to share some free tips.

French Polynesia is a French-speaking “overseas country” controlled by France. It is south of Hawaii and east of Australia. The main tourist spots are Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Mo’orea.

Free Giveaway Friday, Delta Surcharge Relief, & Platinum Card non-News

1. Your Platinum Card's Membership Rewards will drop in value for Pay With Points redemptions on February 15, 2013 from 1.25 cents to 1 cent. This is pretty close to not being newsworthy, since Pay With Points is a bad deal at 1.25 cents. I'd rather transfer to Avios, Hawaiian Airlines, or even top off a Delta account before buying a cash ticket with Membership Rewards.

The Points Guy reports that you can call AMEX to cancel your Platinum card until December 30 at 800-525-3355 and receive a prorated refund of the $450 annual fee.