Weekly Review: June 11, 2016

Weekly Review: June 11, 2016

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This has been a rather sad week on the miles & points front, as American finally announced the date on which their AAdvantage program will go revenue based, and also some further changes for 2017. That’s rather sad, though at the same time liberating in a rather backwards way, because we can now choose airlines based on quality, rather than the relative minor advantages of the various programs.

As far as my travel this week goes, I’m still grounded in the US, as I wait for my Russian visa to be processed, which should be completed within the next week. I spent the first couple of days of the week in Los Angeles, where it was beautiful as always. Then I spent the rest of the week in Florida with my family.

Los-Angeles

I’ll be in the US for the next couple of weeks, and then in early July I’m finally headed to Longyearbyen and Russia. In the meantime I’ll be publishing some really old trip reports, from some of my travel earlier this year. So stay tuned for that.

Featured Stories

10 Reasons I’m Considering Breaking Up With American

Delta SkyClub at SFO

Earlier this week we learned about some major changes coming to the AAdvantage program in 2017.

I’m considering either switching to Delta SkyMiles (which I now think offers the best elite program of the “big three”), or simply becoming a “free agent,” and buying the tickets I want, be it in cash or miles.

The way I see it, American’s loyalty program has gone from industry leading, to merely competitive, to being the least rewarding of the “big three” US programs.


Does A Business Credit Card Count Towards Your Personal Credit Score?

Credit-ScoreCredit scores can be complicated, and it goes without saying that there are a lot of misconceptions about how they work. Everyone obviously wants the best score possible, and there are ways to help maximize that.

In writing about the increased sign-up bonuses on the Delta SkyMiles credit cards there have been a lot of questions about how credit scores show up on your personal credit report.

So I figured I’d clarify a few things, in the form of some FAQs.


Use The Platinum Card® from American Express To Get Hamilton Tickets

HamiltonWhile I’m not a theater fan in general, Hamilton is inarguably the hottest ticket around right now.

Tickets for the next run of the show go on sale to the general public on Sunday, but if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you have access to an exclusive presale through today.

Mike shares his experience buying tickets through the Platinum Concierge, along with some tips to find cheaper seats.


One Week at a Time Logo

TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos

Amazing Deal: Fly Business Class From Istanbul To New York For $635 Roundtrip
Did Amex Increase How Many Cards You Can Have? Here’s My Experience
Fly From Asia To The US In Business Class For ~$1,300 Roundtrip
Does A Business Credit Card Count Towards Your Personal Credit Score?
Why I’m Transferring 65,000 Starpoints To Virgin America Elevate
Convert Amex Points To Hawaiian With A 25% Bonus
Experience Getting Approved For 2 Delta Amex Cards
Earn Up To 10,500 Miles For Referring Friends To Airberlin
Free Status Match To SkyTeam Elite Plus
How To Easily Look Up Passport & Visa Requirements
Sub-$900 Roundtrip Transatlantic Business Class Fare
Check Out This Cathay Pacific First Class Fare Sale
Targeted: 1,500 Bonus Amex Points For Grocery Store Purchase

TRICKS: Redeeming Miles

Is Delta “Pay With Miles” A Good Deal?
Here Are The Best Uses Of Delta SkyMiles
How To Easily Redeem Miles For A Double Bed To Asia

TRAVEL With Ben (Lucky)

Booked: I’m Flying Business Class On Saudia, Pakistan, and JetBlue!
Google Translate Has An Awesome App For Travelers
Does Pakistan Airlines Not Want Me To Fly With Them?!?
6 Reasons NOT To Leave American AAdvantage
Welcome To The Dark Side, Ben
10 Reasons I’m Considering Breaking Up With American

REVIEWS & Trip Reports

Review: Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport
Review: Air Canada Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto Airport
Review: Air Canada Business Class 777 London Heathrow To Toronto
Review: South African Airways Business Class A330 Johannesburg To London
Review: Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London Heathrow Airport
Review: South African Airways International Lounge Johannesburg Airport
Review: South African Airways Lounge Cape Town Airport
Review: South African Airways Business Class A340 Cape Town To Johannesburg
Does Etihad’s New First Class Lounge Access Policy Make Sense?
Introduction: Mexico City, Really?

NEWS & Updates

TAP Portugal Introduces New Fully Flat Business Class
Following Lyft’s Lead, Uber Will Soon Let You Schedule Rides As Well
Oneworld Just Eliminated A Very Customer Friendly Policy
Alaska Mileage Plan Will Go Revenue Based
US Airlines Will Start Commercial Flights To Cuba Within 60-90 Days
Hilarious: Air Canada Gets Political, Encourages You To “Test Drive” Canada
Video Of Qatar Airways’ Inaugural A380 Flight To Atlanta
Korean Air Ending Los Angeles To Sao Paulo Route
Video: Behind The Scenes Of ANA Flight Attendant Training
Sydney Is Getting A Hyatt Regency Later This Year
RIP: World’s Oldest Ever Flight Attendant Passes Away
Use Your American Express Platinum Card To Get Hamilton Tickets
An Easy Way To Bypass American’s EQD Requirement
Turkey Sinks An Airplane To Boost Tourism
T-Mobile Customers Will Get Free Gogo Wifi
Flying During Ramadan On Emirates, Etihad, And Qatar
British Airways’ New A350 Business Class Seat?
Bose Introduces Awesome New Wireless Headphones
MAJOR Changes Coming To American AAdvantage In 2017


I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

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  1. DiscoPapa Member

    Are you still going to post about why you think Delta is the best elite program (in response to the AA changes), or was that somewhat embedded in the Top 10 list post about why you might leave AA?

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

DiscoPapa Member

Are you still going to post about why you think Delta is the best elite program (in response to the AA changes), or was that somewhat embedded in the Top 10 list post about why you might leave AA?

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