Search Results for: blog the nightmare of redeeming frequent flyer miles

Playing the Frequent Flyer Game

Years ago, I enrolled in multiple frequent flyer programs with the hope that I would accrue enough miles to earn free flights.  Nearly two decades later, I’ve scored roughly eight round-trip tickets at no charge thanks solely to miles earned by flying.  Not by staying at select hotels, purchasing meals at participating restaurants, or sending flowers to loved ones using a company affiliated with an airline’s loyalty program. I prefer to earn miles the old-fashioned way: by flying. There has been a growing trend among frequent flyer programs to reward travelers with miles if they patronize companies affiliated with an … Continue reading →

Get Paid to Share Your Travel Nightmare

Remember the travel nightmare I experienced trying to get from Wisconsin to Hawaii for my beloved grandmother’s funeral? I’ll never forget it. Also, I was never compensated by American Airlines for it. Cough. Cough. Ahem! However, I could still win for losing, and so could you. Thanks to a contest being sponsored by MedjetAssist, you could win a major prize if you have what the company deems “the most engaging and harrowing travel tale.” The more horrific, the better your chances of claiming the grand prize: A free five-night vacation for two at Lost Iguana Resort and Spa in the … Continue reading →

Advantages of Being a Frequent Flyer

I am a member of several frequent flyer programs. Some are better than others. Recently, I read an article by a leading travel expert, who is also a member of the multiple frequent flyer awards program club, though his top pick was different from mine. In this blog, I’ll share his and will follow up with a post about my favorite airline rewards program. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards If you are a frequent flyer on discount carrier Southwest, then it pays to be a member of its Rapid Rewards program. The program is about as simplistic as they come: After … Continue reading →

Tips for Redeeming Frequent Flyer Miles

In my last rant… I mean blog… I mean rant… I shared my frustration regarding airlines’ frequent flyer programs. Specifically the hassles involved with trying to redeem miles for an award seat on a flight that’s bound for a destination you actually have a desire to visit. That blog didn’t offer much in the way of helpful tips so I hope to redeem myself in this one. In fairness to the airlines there are ways you can use your miles before they expire provided you don’t mind reading the fine print and following stringent rules that came about when carriers … Continue reading →

The Nightmare of Redeeming Frequent Flyer Miles

Well, it has been for me anyway. I rack up frequent flyer miles on two airlines (I’ve given up on the others) by eating at select restaurants, staying at designated hotels, and by flying back and forth from Chicago to Hawaii. All I ask in return is to be able to redeem my miles every once in a while for a seat (okay, seats for my entire family) from the airport of my choice to the destination of my preference. Why that is seemingly asking the impossible is beyond me. I’m no stranger to frequent flyer programs and by now … Continue reading →

Wise Mile Spending

You scrimped and saved for years to take vacations to various destinations.  Now, you’ve finally accumulated enough frequent flyer miles to redeem a cushy reward.  So, do you blow those precious miles on a free ticket or do you use them to upgrade to first class? Travel experts say the key to using award travel miles is to research your options before settling on a prize.   In other words, before you cash in your hard earned miles, consider where you’re going, how much a ticket there costs, and how challenging it will be to claim your reward. For example, if … Continue reading →

Why It Pays To Read the Fine Print

There’s nothing worse than losing money when you don’t have to. Traveling doesn’t come cheap, so when it’s time to take flight, hit the road or ride the rails it’s a good idea to read the fine print before you fork over your hard-earned cash. For example, many jet-setting travelers think they are scoring big time by signing up for airlines’ frequent flyer credit cards.  However, unless you read all the details associated with the enrollment process, becoming a member may end up costing you more than you bargained for.  Sure, you’re earning bonus miles each time you use the … Continue reading →

Military Travel Savings

Today may be Halloween, but tomorrow marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. If you think that Black Friday is the official kick-off to the countdown to Santa’s visit, clearly you haven’t been to the mall recently. Amidst the pumpkins and fake black cats is a host of holly, fir trees and tinsel. With the busy holiday season upon us, now is the time to make your Thanksgiving and Christmas travel plans. This is especially important for activity-duty military personnel who can score huge discounts on airfare if they act fast. Many commercial carriers based in the United States … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Labor Day Deals

If you were waiting until Hurricane Irene left the country to make your Labor Day travel plans, time’s up. Now is the time to take advantage of last-minute holiday travel deals, including these red-hot rate reductions: DoubleTree by Hilton is offering AAA members 20% off the best available rates at more than 250 locations nationwide. However, you must book your stay by August 31 and travel between September 1 and November 30, 2011. Enter code “PBA” when reserving your room. The Omni Orlando Resort ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida, near Disney World is letting you end the summer with a bang. … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel for Less

My first experience traveling in first-class on a commercial airline occurred in the mid-1980s. I was an impressionable tween, who lucked out during a flight from Chicago to Honolulu, and was offered seat 2A in the first-class cabin. Back then I was more impressed by the free chocolate ice cream sundae pierced with Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Hazelnut Pirouette Cookies than the extra legroom and leather seat. I can count on two fingers the amount of times I’ve flown first-class since that fateful flight nearly 20 years ago. If you have never experienced the thrill of getting to dine on real … Continue reading →