The dollar coin gig is over
As I presented in class last December, it has been possible to order dollar coins from the US Mint with free shipping in order to earn frequent flyer miles / hotel points.
I lost track, but have done easily over $80,000. I’m not trying to brag, as I was an amateur compared to some people, such as “Mr Pickles” who did $800,000.
But with the recent coverage by the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times, the gig is up.
I did try and spread the dollar coins throughout the city. Just ask my babysitter, people at fast food restaurants, and Costco.
It was fun while it lasted.
500 free Priority Club points
500 free Priority Club points for taking a survey. Must be done by Dec 31, 2009.
Every little bit counts!
I currently have enough Priority Club points for 6 nights in Bora Bora or 8 nights in any other destination. Bora Bora is 40,000 a night and other destinations are 30,000 a night.
Last year, I switched to DirecTV for 15,000 and more recently opened a Chase bank account for 15,000. Opening a Priority Club Visa account will get you 30,000.
Two free months with Costco with your American Express Card
If you’re already a Costco member, Sign up for automatic membership renewal with your American Express Card and they’ll extend your membership for two months – free! Call 1-877-258-6032 and provide your Costco membership number and American Express Card number. Two free months will be credited to your Costco membership within 30 days.
If you’re not a member, go here to get the same deal.
Frequent Flyer mileage millionaires
CNN has just done an article on Frequent Flyer millionaires. Basically people that have more than a million Frequent Flyer miles in their accounts.
Over the years I’ve probably accumulated that much. Usually when I have over 200,000 Delta Skymiles, it’s time to get out the globe and decide where we’re going to next.
To get a sense of the “disease” that is accumulating all these points, check out this clip from the new George Clooney movie “Up in the Air”. It’s about a serious frequent flier that has to make some life decisions.
Stay at Sheraton Minneapolis, receive a $100 Macy’s Gift Card
Welcome to the most wonderful place to stay during the most wonderful time of the year. Sheratons of the Twin Cities invite you and your loved ones to experience the Minneapolis area this season for pre and post-holiday shopping.
Your experience includes:
$100 Macy’s® gift card each night of your stay
Macy’s 10% Discount Visitor Coupon for each night of your stay
Great night’s rest on our Signature Sweet Sleeper Bed™
Offer valid all days of week for stays November 16 – March 31, 2010
The rate for this hotel is $140 so this a very good deal for anyone in the Minneapolis area.
Our International Trip announced!
Last week, our international trip was finally announced! Our EMBA class is going to Budapest, Hungary and Rome, Italy!
Unfortunately, I’ve already been to both cities. Fortunately, Budapest is easily in the top 3 of all of the European cities I’ve visited. What’s not to love – the mild climate, fantastic and cheap food, and the natural hot baths. I’ve stayed at the Marriott, Intercontinental, and the Sofitel in Budapest before. Of the three, I prefer the Intercontinental. The Sofitel had one of the softest beds I have ever slept on. The Marriott was in need of a serious overhaul. I’ve heard that they have redone the hotel since I’ve been there last.
I went to Rome in 2005, but it was only for three days. I did a quick bus tour of all of the sites, it will be fun to go back there with this group. Someone in our group even speaks Italian.
It is tempting to extend on this trip, especially if Hungary is the last leg. I have wanted to go to Croatia for a long time, especially to the coastal town of Dubrovnik. This may be the perfect time.
International Trip Day 5 Germany and United Kingdom
I spent another day in Germany at the office. That night it was back to the airport to fly to London.
I’ve always been a proponent of signing up for any free promotions that are out there as you neve rknow when they will come in handy.
This happened during my trip to Thailand in March. BMI (British Midland) gave a 9000 BMI mile sign up bonus for joining their frequent flyer program. I will more than likely never fly on the airline but signed up anyways.
During our Thailand trip planning, I discovered that BMI is a partner of Star Alliance. I was able to use these BMI miles for a one wait ticket from Bangkok to Phuket.
This came into play on myst last trip. Back in August, Virgin Airlines was offering free Silver status. I signed up with them to get the status. In the packet, there were two free first class upgrade on the Heathrow and Gatwick Express trains.
We landed in London and went to purchase our tickets for the Heathrow airport express train. I was able to use these free tickets to get upgraded to first class. While it certainly isn’t as sexy as first class on an airplane, it was free.
As we were coming into London, the Smith song “Panic” was running through my head.
100 Free Continental points
100 Free Continental points for going to this link and learning about their Pet program.
The best credit card offer ever – British Airways
British Airways has launched a Visa card
This is the best credit card offer ever. For signing up, you get 50,000 British Airways miles enough for a free economy seat to Europe. You earn 1.25 miles per $ spent. If you spend $2,000 in the first three months, you get an additional bonus of 50,000 British Airways miles. Enough for another free economy seat to Europe.
If you spend $30,000 in the first year, they’ll send you a complementary buy one get one free reward ticket certificate.
It gets better. You can pool your household British Airways miles. So to recap
You therefore can fly ANYWHERE in the world that British Airways flies in FIRST CLASS for free. LA to Dubai for example for $32,000 in spending!
International Trip Day 4 Turkey and Germany
I was booked on Turkish Arilines from Almaty to Munich, Germany at the ungodly hour of 3 am. It was really a double whammy as Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance which means I would be crediting the miiles to my United account instead of my Delta account.
KLM (a member of SkyTeam and a Delta partner) flies from Almaty, but only every other day. As luck would have it, it was not on the day I was flying.
I arrived at the Almaty airport at about 1:30 am. I went through passport control and went to the terminal. It was a pretty tiny terminal with pretty much nothing to do. The only entertainment was a Russian movie playing on a TV in there.
The flight was 6 hours from Almaty to Istanbul. I was in the very last row in the aisle seat. A short layover and off to Munich.
That night in Munich I went to a restaurant called Augustiner. My absolute favorite German meal is wienerschnitzel with steaked potatoes. For dessert it was apple strudel.
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