Delta, American Airlines Match United, US Airways Change Fee Increase

Posted by Noob Master on May 7, 2013 in American Airlines, Delta SkyMiles, U.S. Airways, Uncategorized, United Airlines | 0 comments

Delta and American Airlines have now raised their change fees for domestic flights from $150 to $200, matching the increase United and US Airways made last month. The four legacy airlines increased their fees to compensate the loss that occurs when customers choose not to fly in a reserved seat, according to United Airlines, who initially began the change-fee increase.

American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller told the AP that American Airlines sells “Choice Essential” and “Choice Plus” fares that allow customers to change reservations for no extra costs. However, these tickets cost more than base economy tickets. But, you get a 50% mileage bonus with Choice Plus fares.

Delta spokesman Anthony Black noted in the AP on Thursday that Delta “monitors competitive conditions” and increased its change fees “to remain competitive in the marketplace.”

As much as these change fees annoy us, airline fees are bound to happen, and they’re only going to keep rising. Airlines have quickly realized that they can keep raising change fees, baggage fees, and any other amenities without losing customers- the $200 fee may have created a stir, but flyers aren’t particularly surprised.

Nothing is more frustrating than tossing a ticket that would cost more to change than the actual ticket is worth, but this a reality of the industry. The competition that arose when United Airlines raised their change fee is the reason everyone else raised- to stay competitive, and to make the most money.

Change fees are practically unavoidable. Top-tier elite status with some airlines could wiggle you out of those fees, but even those benefits are changing. To completely avoid change fees, you can fly Southwest. Southwest doesn’t charge baggage or change fees, but they don’t accept no-shows- you won’t be able to apply credit from your missed flight to a later trip.

Your best option, as always, is to educate yourself and do the research. Figure out what airlines charge which fees, and know what you’re getting into before you commit to fly. Your loyalties to airlines may change are prices rise and fall, and that’s okay, but make sure you’re still traveling in a way that avoids as many fees as possible- baggage, window seats, traveling with pets, etc. Other than that, change fees are here to stay, and they’ll keep rising.

— Noob Master

A Couple Of Weekend Quick-Hitters

Posted by Noob Master on Mar 3, 2013 in American Express, Delta SkyMiles, Membership Rewards, Miles, Points, Starwood Preferred Guest, Uncategorized | 0 comments

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I had a nice couple of days in California, highlighted by seeing the LA Lakers and Kobe at the Staples Center. Epic. I hadn’t seen Kobe play live and our seats were pretty good, so I was happy. A little bit.

Anyway, here are a couple of recaps from the rewards week. Enjoy.

Starwood & Delta Crossover Rewards Enrollment Open

Enrollment for Starwood and Deltas Crossover rewards program is now open. Yay. A recap of the bennies are:

Benefits when you fly:

SPG Platinum and Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. Plus, SPG Platinum members enjoy elite benefits when traveling with Delta, such as priority check-in, Priority Boarding and first checked bag free.

Benefits when you stay:

SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion^® members earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on eligible room rates at over 1,100 Starwood hotels and resorts globally. Plus, SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members receive additional SPG benefits at Starwood hotels and resorts — 4 p.m. late checkout, access to the SPG elite check-in line, complimentary in-room Internet access and an upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in, when available.

1,000 Club Carlson Points with Facebook

Fill out this form on Club Carlson’s Facebook page and you will receive 1,000 GoldPoints in 2-3 weeks. Cray cray. You must “like” Club Carlson first if you don’t like them yet.

I did this easy 1,000 point deal for Jordan and myself. That’s winning.

American Express Open Savings Points or Discounts?

You can now choose 4k additional Membership Rewards points or up to 10% discounts on eligible purchases with OPEN savings partners.

The Business Gold Rewards Card(R), Business Platinum Card® from Amex, and Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card all give you access to the Open Savings program.

Some of the best options to earn with American Express Open Savings are with the 5% discount with Hyatt, or up to 10% discount with Office Max. Here’s an example from the American Express website with Hertz on choosing Membership Rewards points or the discount.

Hertz example

Always do the math and weigh out your options when deciding which rewards card to use, and if earning Membership Rewards points or discounts benefit you more.

Freedom Adds Lowes to 5x Categories

Everyone knows the Chase  Freedom® Visa have rotating 5x quarterly earning opportunities. If you didn’t know, then wake up, or just read this post. 

Chase has added Lowes to quarter 2 5x earning opportunites so if you’re planning any home improvements – there you go. It’s funny, because Jordan is on a painting and home improvement kick. Prefect timing!

There you have it. Some quick-hitters. Have a great rest of your weekend. Noob it up.

[Disclosure: I receive a referral credit for some cards mentioned in this post]

— Noob Master

US Airways Downgrades Their Award Chart, Delta & SPG Team Up, And Earn SkyMiles with WilliamPaid

Posted by Noob Master on Feb 8, 2013 in Delta SkyMiles, Dividends Miles, Starwood Preferred Guest, U.S. Airways, Uncategorized, William Paid | 0 comments

Here are some of the quick-hitters from this past week in “rewards travel land.”

US Airways Downgrades

We all knew this was coming eventually. There’s no way that US Airways could keep letting us fly non-peak to Europe in business class for 60,000 miles (55k miles if you have the US Air card, and your itinerary is solely on US metal). Seth from Wandering Aramean blogged about this change a couple of days ago. A sad day indeed. You can see the new charts on his blog.

There is still some value to be found with US Airways Dividend miles (think South America), but this is a huge blow in my mind. I’ve blogged before about the goodness of US Airways and their off-peak chart.

The timing of the changes seem strange with all the merger talks, but this was a day that was already coming. The devaluing and changes of award charts is a normality, but it still doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. Deep breath.

SPG Crossover Awards with Delta

Starwood Preferred Guest and Delta have teamed together to bring you “Crossover Rewards.”

Starting March 1st, Starwood elites will earn Starpoints (worst named loyalty point) and extra benefits when flying Delta. Also, Delta Diamond and Platinum members will receive miles when they stay at Starwood properties. Now that’s a crossover, but I’m not sure it’s up to Allen Iverson standards.

Here are the details from the Starwood Preferred Guest website:

Benefits when you fly.

SPG Platinum and Gold members earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar spent on eligible Delta flights. Plus, SPG Platinum members enjoy elite benefits when traveling with Delta, such as priority check-in, Priority Boarding and first checked bag free.

Benefits when you stay.

SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion^® members earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on eligible room rates at over 1,100 Starwood hotels and resorts globally. Plus, SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members receive additional SPG benefits at Starwood hotels and resorts — 4 p.m. late checkout, access to the SPG elite check-in line, complimentary in-room Internet access and an upgrade to an enhanced room at check-in, when available.

I’m SPG Gold, so that means I would earn some extra SPG points for Delta flights that I purchased with $$$. I don’t spend $$$ on Delta, so this is a moot promo for me. Delta barely flies out of Austin anymore, and I prefer to use miles & points when I fly.

However, it’s nice to see a hotel and airline working together to add benefits to their elite members. I respect that.

William Paid & Delta

I received an email from Noobtraveler reader, Ed, this past week about earning 500 Delta miles through William Paid. William Paid is a service that lets you use your rewards credit card to pay your rent. I blogged about it here.

I have never used William Paid, and would recommend paying your rent with Bluebird. But, if you’re already using WilliamPaid then you might as well earn an extra 500 Delta SkyMiles. Btw – 500 SkyMiles isn’t much at all.

— Noob Master