FREE United Airlines Miles

My friend Russ has decided he likes the benefits of status and is going to try for the first time to earn United Airlines status.  So Russ make sure you pay attention to this blog!

Thanks to blogger, Miles Momma:

Here is a great offer for 350 Free United miles when you join E-miles.  Here are the details.

WHAT TO DO:

• Click on offer link here: 
• Enroll - 350 United miles will post in 6 – 8 weeks
• Earn an additional 100 E-miles after you complete your profile

 OFFER EXPIRES 4/15/2013 – So act now!

Terms and conditions: Miles accrued, awards, and benefits issued are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus® program. Please allow 6-8 weeks after completed qualifying activity for bonus miles to post to your account. United® may change the MileagePlus program including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers or terminate the MileagePlus program at any time and without notice. Bonus award miles, award miles and any other miles earned through non-flight activity do not count or qualify for Premier® status unless expressly stated otherwise. United and its subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products and services of other participating companies and partners. Taxes and fees related to award travel are the responsibility of the member. The accumulation of mileage or Premier or other status does not entitle members to any vested rights with respect to the program. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus program, go to united.com. See additional MileagePlus terms and conditions.

Zoom Zoom

Yesterday I got an email from my brother-in-law regarding a free two day weekend car rental from Avis. Note-there may be some taxes, fees and/or surcharges.  Also, be aware there is no cancellation fee if you choose "Pay Later."  The coupon is not valid in Alaska, the New York Metro area, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

1. Click here to make a reservation for the weekend.
2. Enter coupon code TUEA002
3. Select a car size from compact to full-size
4. During check out select Pay Later and the discount should appear.

Thanks to Bruce and Slick Deals for this information.

How to Get to Hawaii

Even if you can afford the hotel, airfare to Hawaii is expensive that is why I recommend the Alaska Airlines Visa.  Each year you get a travel companion certificate for $99.  Thus, when I pay $500 for my flight my companion pays only $99.  Thereby, making the tickets only $300 each.  If you are a family of four both parents can have their own separate credit cards and four people would travel for $1200.

Finally, I previously mentioned I am switching from my American Platinum status and shooting for status with Alaska Airlines this year.  I like Alaska because they are partners with American (One World) and Delta (Sky Team).  Alaska is the only airline I am aware of that belongs to more than one alliance. This means when I fly American, Delta or Alaska I can have all my miles go towards my Alaska status and trust me......status matters.  Flying home from Hawaii in first class when I paid for coach using the companion ticket makes me want to maintain my status for 2013.

My Favorite Hawaii Hotel

I love the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii.  Check out these pictures of the hotel by clicking here. This location is so large it has a tram, as well as a boat, to shuttle you from one side of the hotel to the other.  It has three swimming pools (one with a 175 foot water slide) plus a natural ocean fed lagoon.  While snorkeling in the lagoon you can see numerous fish as well as turtles.  The lagoon is so large you can rent paddle boards or pedal boats.

The hotel also has several restaurants with great food.  You can choose from Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican or good ole’ hamburgers and hot dogs. You can even dine at an elegant steak or seafood restaurant over looking the ocean.

Now that I have told you about this wonderful place you may be thinking, “This all sounds a little too expense and what about traveling for less?”

We visited the Hilton as part of a timeshare presentation.  I know many of you are already saying ughhh.  But for 90 minutes this 6 day/ 5 night vacation was worth it.  Even with the presentation the cost was not free but it made it affordable.  It included a rental car, a $200 voucher for my next Hilton stay (already booked the Hilton hotel in Boston) as well as 25,000 Hilton points, which is enough points for another free night.

I lucked out because my Hilton Gold membership expires at the end of this month.  I got gold by asking for a status match. I did this knowing I would be staying at the Hilton in Hawaii.  The gold status got me $120 in food vouchers for my stay as well as 2 free bottles of water.  Food is expensive in Hawaii.

If you ever plan on staying at this hotel the best thing to do is on day one purchase a discount food card for $29.95.  The food card gives you two $10 food vouchers as well as 10% off all your food purchases.  We definitely made out on this deal.  We had stayed at this hotel before, we love it that much, that the first thing we did was make sure we had the discount card.  

Tomorrow we discussing getting to Hawaii.

Earning Miles By Doing A Survey

Back in July I did a blog about why you should subscribe to all hotel/airline emails. Click here to review this blog.  As a result of subscribing to the various emails, this week I received a email that stated I could earn $20 worth of airline miles for completing a survey.   Read the letter below and tell me if you would have participated. 

Do you think I completed the survey? You already should know the answer.

You Can Earn Miles In Ways You Never Expected

Tomorrow Maria and I are to meet someone at a coffee shop in the Kings' shopping center, here in Hawaii.  Maria decided to look up the location and found the following advertisement:

Whenever I travel I make sure to carry my folder that contains all my mileage cards for hotels, airlines and rental cars.  I just pulled out my Hawaiian Miles card.  Even if I just buy a cup of coffee it will extend the redemption period for another 18 months.

Keep your cards with you when you travel, even if you don't plan on using them, as you never know how you may earn points/miles.

Hilton Award Program Changes

Currently I am staying at a Hilton Hotel.  I know some of you are probably wondering why I am not staying at a Marriott. The answer,  I go where the deals are. This time the deal was with Hilton.  This is a great stay for me as I got upgraded to an ocean view room.

But Beginning 2013 Hilton made changes to their award program.  Those changes are:

Reward Categories:  Translation-Hilton added more categories meaning that the majority of hotels raised their current rewards redemption value.  This is not good.

Seasonal pricing:  Translation-this can work for or against you.  Are you the type of person who travels in the off season?  I am.  I generally go where the deal is but I also have a more flexible schedule than most.  If you have kids and want to travel during spring break this new pricing is a bad thing.

Aloha

Elevate Yourself

Last week we talked about the merger between Singapore Airlines and Virgin America (click here). Well the good news is Virgin America wants to try and steal all the elite members from American and United Airlines.  Why is this good?  It means they are willing to do a status match.  I submitted my American Airlines platinum status for the status match.  I don't fly Virgin America and don't have any Virgin America Elevate miles but who knows if I will be flying Singapore Airlines on our Global Scavenger Hunt.  It sure would be nice to get an upgrade.  I have my fingers crossed.

If you have status on either American or United and want to Elevate yourself, email Virgin America at statusmatch@virginamerica.com with your Elevate number along with a copy of your mileage summary showing your name and current elite level or a copy of your membership card that shows your name and identifies your elite level.

Here is what you will get:

The Miles Keep Coming

I have always said to sign up for mileage programs even if you don't fly that airline.  Today I took my own advice.  I don't fly Virgin America but I just signed up for their Elevate mileage program. Virgin America has just partnered with Singapore Airlines and you can have the chance to win a trip to Hong Kong, Toyko, or Seoul.  Just "like" Virgin America on Facebook by clicking here.  If you don't have an Elevate account already there is a place to sign up on the Facebook account.  If you win the free trip to Tokyo can you pick me up some Royce chocolate?

1000 FREE Club Carlson Points

Here is another easy point earning opportunity.  All you have to do is "like" Club Carlson on Facebook and enter your Club Carlson number.  Doesn't get much easier than that.

If you don't have a Club Carlson account, click here.  I got mine already, what are you waiting for? Just click here.

300 FREE La Quinta points

Thanks to the blog View from the Wing, now through April 15, 2013 you have a chance to earn 300 easy FREE La Quinta points.  All you have to do is enter your La Quinta number and last name and the miles will  post to your account within 72 hours.  Remember every lit bit helps, so click here to get your points.

If you don't already have a La Quinta account you can sign up here.