Mileage earning tips

Virgin America thinks its new “Flights with Bennies” campaign is cheeky. In name, perhaps. But really, it’s just another refer-a-friend bonus promotion. Which isn’t a bad thing.

With around 638 properties in its network, Hyatt is one of the smallest of the major hotel chains.

For years, Marriott has been referring to its periodic systemwide promotions as MegaBonuses. Early on, when the offer was a free night after two paid stays, the name was apt. But recently, the offers have been much less generous; they were more mini than mega. The offers also became more complicated over the years, resorting to a targeting scheme that generated customized bonuses according to members’ stay histories and other factors known only to Marriott.

Looking to escape the wintry weather blighting much of the U.S.? Maybe it’s time to change hemispheres.

Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.

Rapid Rewards members normally earn 600 points for qualifying car rentals. That’s 600 points no matter how long the rental, or how much the rental costs—not a very compelling proposition, especially for longer rentals.

Alaska Airlines has been much in the news lately, with its acquisition of Virgin America and the announcement that it will be severing ties with longtime marketing partner Delta.

With Delta and United’s transition to spend-based loyalty programs last year, and American’s upcoming later this year, there’s no longer room for debate as to the industry standard. Travelers should now expect to be rewarded according to their spend, not according to the number of miles they fly.

Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.

Spirit’s widely disparaged leader, Ben Baldanza, may be gone, but the airline’s cheeky, cheesy marketing flies on without him.

Wyndham’s Rewards program continues to impress.

When Hilton and Uber connected in September 2015, that connection was notably tentative. Unlike the Starwood-Uber link, which allows Starwood Preferred Guest members to earn points for Uber rides, the Hilton-Uber tie-up was limited to reminding Hilton customers to book an Uber ride during their hotel stay. Hardly a game-changer, for either of the two companies or their customers.

With around 450 properties, mostly in the U.S., and a narrow focus on the budget segment of the travel market, Red Roof Inns isn’t for everyone. But if it is for you, this offer makes the chain’s low rates that much more attractive.

Best Western isn’t known for its generous loyalty-program promotions. Its most recent offer was for a $25 gift card after two qualifying stays. Not a game-changer for most.

American’s AAdvantage program was the first modern travel-loyalty program, and for most of the years since its launch in 1981 it was not only the largest but also arguably the best of the airline mileage programs.

Ever-ready to stick a thumb in the eye of other airlines, Spirit’s latest promotion turns mainstream loyalty marketing on its head. Instead of awarding more miles for higher-priced tickets—as has become the norm, with the proliferation of spend-based schemes—Spirit is offering a mileage bonus that increases as the airfare decreases. “The less you spend, the more miles you will get.”

InterContinental Hotel Group’s next points promotion, dubbed Accelerate, begins next month.

Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.

Over the past several years, Choice’s recurring promotional offer has been 8,000 points after two stays.

So far, this fall’s hotel promotions have been mostly unimpressive. Starwood’s is no exception.

Through December 11, members of British Airways’ Executive Club can earn triple base miles for all qualifying roundtrip British Air flights, and for flights on American Airlines, Finnair, and Iberia between North America and Europe. The bonus may be earned for a maximum of four roundtrips during the promotion period.