Tag Archives: British Airways

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American Express Membership Reward Point Transfers to Best Western Ending December 31, 2015

Good evening everyone, I hope your Labor Day Weekend is going great.  Here is a quick post from the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, Utah, home to Zion National Park (trip report coming soon as soon as my blisters heal).  On my recent American Express Platinum Charge Card statement, I noticed a few new announcements/changes.  The first change is that American Express Membership Reward Points will no longer be transferable to Best Western starting January 1, 2016.  Granted that Best Western is not a very good transfer option, this is still another devaluation (if ever so slightly) to the American Express Membership Reward Points program.  A few months ago, I discovered that American Express Changes: 250 Membership Reward Points = 200 British Airways / Iberia Avios starting on October 1, 2015.

AMEX Membership Reward Change Best Western

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My Unsuccessful Chase Sapphire Preferred Reconsideration Call, Visit, and Tweets

Good morning everyone.  A few weeks ago, I did an 8 card App-O-Rama.  One of my top credit cards to apply for was the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card.  I previously opened a Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card back in August 2012 which I then downgraded to the Chase Sapphire (Basic) Credit Card in August 2013 which I then converted to the Chase Freedom Credit Card in November 2013.  Since I received the sign up bonus back in August 2012, I waited the necessary 24 months to reapply.

When I first received the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, the sign up bonus was 40,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months.  The current sign up bonus is 40,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months.  Long story short, I was low on Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (aren’t we all?) and I had waited long enough to reapply, so I was ready to apply for my second Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card.

Side note: Doctor of Credit and a few other blogs and forums are reporting that Chase has really cracked down on approving applications for people that have more than 5 credit inquiries total during the last 2 years.  I (foolishly) ignored those warnings and insisted that my previous 3 years with Chase, 16 total approved Chase credit cards (8 currently open), and reconsideration call skills would be enough to get approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t enough.   Continue reading

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ExitFares Combines the Search Power of The Flight Deal, Airfare Watch Dog, and Other Airline Deal Websites

(Hat Tip to Paul for the CN Traveler article)

Good morning everyone, I recently learned about a new travel website called ExitFares which aggregates all the best airline deal sites like The Flight Deal, Airfare Watch Dog, and many smaller sites.  After you create a free account, you can receive daily emails with only deals from your chosen cities.  I selected Los Angeles and San Francisco and received 9 flight deals on the first day.  If you are interested in checking in out, please create an ExitFares account.

ExitFares Home Page

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American Express Changes: 250 Membership Reward Points = 200 British Airways / Iberia Avios and Plenti Transfers

Good evening everyone, I was just looking through my recent American Express Platinum Charge Card statement when I saw major changes to the Membership Reward Program.  Effective October 1, the transfer rate to British Airways and Iberia will change from 1,000 Membership Reward Points = 1,000 British Airways / Iberia Avios to 250 Membership Reward Points = 200 British Airways / Iberia Avios.  This is terrible news since British Airways is arguably one of the best transfer partners for Membership Reward Points.

AMEX Membership Reward Program Changes

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British Airways Avios Off-Peak Pricing is a Pleasant Surprise

Good afternoon everyone!  Yesterday, I spent a few hours planning my 2 week Eurotrip (more details later) and got to experience the new British Airways Avios off-peak award pricing.  I found a good flight from London (LHR) to Paris (CDG) on British Airways for $111.  Since this flight is operated by British Airways, I checked to see what the award price would be.

ITA BA LHR-CDG Price

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