Dear point man:
I thought you would be the perfect person to ask this question. In your view, what is the best way (website or otherwise) to keep tabs on all your miles and points?
Sincerely,
Faraz Q
Honestly, Faraz, there is no real benefit to keep tabs because points are not the same as cash. They cannot be economically used for anything else besides flights, free stays, or free rentals. Therefore, I would just check the balance when planning trips. In the case of Southwest, where coupons can expire, just sell them on Craigslist or give them as gifts before their expiration date. I would also add that points actually decrease in value these days with all the restrictions and additional "processing fees" so it would be in your best interest to use them as soon as possible and avoid having a balance at all!
Keep those questions coming.
There’s not much to say other than register especially if you’re already staying at a Marriott hotel between July 1st and August 31st, 2008. You’ll earn 10,000 Marriott Rewards points for every third paid stay you make at Marriott.
Term and Conditions:
- Marriott Rewards members who register for this promotion will earn 10,000 bonus points every third paid stay, when their first paid stay and subsequent paid stays are made between July 1 and August 31, 2008, at a participating Marriott property – up to a maximum 30,000 points.
- Registration is required.
- Registration ends June 30, 2008.
- This offer is not transferable.
- Nights spent while redeeming an award are not eligible for credit.
- A stay is defined as consecutive nights spent at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.
- Only one room per hotel is counted towards a member’s nights or stay.
- Members electing to earn miles are not eligible for this promotion.
- All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.
- Visit MarriottRewards.com, call 1-888-MARRIOTT, or call your local Marriott Rewards Guest Services office for complete details.
I don’t know why Marriott and other hotels do not automatically sign up frequent travelers for these promotions. Just imagine what a nice surprise it would be to see bonus points on your point statements without having to go through the tedious process of registering every quarter for the special promotion. Perhaps they are testing to see if you still care.
You can use it on a vacation or save your client some money. It’s a win-win. With gas prices continuing to rise, I can definitely see the car rental business losing some money as people start jumping on the "staycation" bandwagon.
Promotion Details Here:
The beginning of the summer travel season is the perfect time to enjoy a Free Tank of Gas from Hertz. Just rent any Economy through Full-Size vehicle for a minimum of three days and get a free tank of gas for use with your rental. Hurry, this offer is valid on vehicle pickups through June 30, 2008, with PC# 113120.
Stay green.
It seems that United, as of July 1st, will be going the way of its competitors in eliminating the 500-mile minimum for Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) on its flights and moving toward earnings based on actual miles flown. Complete details here.
This may impact those folks who fly short routes serviced by UA such as DC - NY and Chicago to…well..to anywhere under 500 miles!
Mileage Accrual Details
To ensure that Mileage Plus miles earned toward elite status and award travel on United are aligned with actual miles flown, we are revising our base accrual policy. Beginning July 1, 2008, for flights of less than 500 miles, passengers will earn redeemable miles equal to the actual miles flown. Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) will also be awarded based on actual miles. Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) are not affected.
This new mileage accrual structure will apply to travel on or after July 1, 2008, regardless of when the travel was ticketed. Flights of less than 500 miles flown on or before June 30, 2008, will accrue Mileage Plus miles under the previous policy of a minimum mileage accrual per individual segment flown.
Look for these and other changes to make it more difficult to 1) achieve status and 2) accrue miles.
You have 3 days so register now if you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest. Simply register and stay at participating Starwood hotels or resorts between May 1 and May 31, 2008.
You have two choices in how you’ll earn your 10,000 bonus Starpoints:
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Earn 2,000 bonus Starpoints with every two eligible stays (up to 10 eligible stays and 10,000 bonus Starpoints).
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Or, earn 2,000 bonus Starpoints with every four eligible nights (up to 20 eligible nights and 10,000 bonus Starpoints).
Get your points, but don’t live for them.