Tag Archives: status

Loyalty Programs: Account Statuses (July 2012)

Posted on July 25, 2012 | 10 Comments

Back in May 2011, I published an insight in my loyalty program statuses including the number of points and miles earned.  More than a year has passed since then, so it’s time for an update:

HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS

1) PRIORITY CLUB

  • Membership Level: Platinum Royal Ambassador
  • Expiration date: Jan 2014 (Platinum) Feb 2013 (Royal Ambassador)
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 11
  • Number of points: 117,574
  • Points earned in 2012: 77,545

How did I earn these points?
Obviously by resting my head for 11 nights on qualifying rates at IHG properties in the first 6 months of 2012, but more importantly, by signing up for every possible Priority Club Promotion (check FrequentFlyerBonuses.com and FlyerTalk.com for more details)  I also made some changes to my London 2012 Olympic Games reservations.  I cancelled my 7 nights at Hotel Indigo London Paddington reimbursing me 175K points.  I retained my two night booking at Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill for the opening weekend and added one extra night at Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street using Club Carlson points.  This shortened my London 2012 Olympics trip to 3 nights instead of 9, but allowed me to use some of the points to book my upcoming French Polynesia trip.
Where did I spent points?
Past stays:
30K points for two nights at City Ocean View room at Holiday Inn Pattaya
25K points for one night at King Suite at Crowne Plaza Changi Singapore
5K points for one night at Crowne Plaza Venice East-Quarto d’Altino
Upcoming stays:
60K points for two nights at InterContintal Resort Tahiti
150K points for five nights at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa
90K points for three nights at InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa
Video: Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

2) HYATT GOLD PASSPORT

  • Membership Level: Diamond
  • Expiration date: Feb 2013
  • Suite Upgrade Award vouchers left: 4
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 0
  • Number of points: 40,820
  • Points earned in 2012: 452

How did I earn these points?
I only stayed once at Hyatt this year and it was on points.  During award stays you only earn points on food & beverage charges, in my case 452 points.
Where did I spent points?
30K points for two nights at Club View King room at Grand Hyatt Seoul

3) HILTON HHONORS

  • Membership Level: Gold
  • Expiration date: Mar 2013
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 6
  • Number of points: 3,066
  • Points earned in 2012: 9,236

How did I earn these points?
Stays at Hilton Millennium Bangkok and Hilton London Tower Bridge.  Interesting detail:  I didn’t stay a single night at Hilton properties in 2011, still I managed to achieve Hilton HHonors Gold status for free.  I posted this opportunity several times on my twitter feed, make sure you don’t miss it next time, follow me on twitter! 
Where did I spent points?
170K points for four nights at Ocean View Pool Villa at Conrad Koh Samui
Note: 153,435K points were bought for this stay, read the blog post for all details.

4) STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST (SPG)

  • Membership Level: Preferred Guest
  • Expiration date: N/A
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 4
  • Number of points: 2,524
  • Points earned in 2012: 4,040

How did I earn these points?
Stays at Honeymoon Suite at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City and Caroline Astor Suite at St. Regis Bangkok
Where did I spent points?
3K points for one night at Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona Diagonal

5) Club CArlson

  • Membership Level: Silver
  • Expiration date: Feb 2013
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 3
  • Number of points: 64,214*
  • Points earned in 2012: 108,722*

How did I earn these points?
Stays at Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, Park Plaza Soi 18 Sukhumvit Bangkok and Park Inn Leuven.  Check my Club Carlson post for more details.
* Points from my Park Inn Leuven still need to post (including 44K bonus)
Where did I spent points?
50K points for one night at Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel (Opening weekend London 2012 Olympics)

6) LE CLUB ACCOR

  • Membership Level: Platinum
  • Expiration date: Oct 2012
  • Qualifying nights in 2012: 1
  • Number of points: 1,676
  • Points earned in 2012: 452

How did I earn these points?
One night stay at Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Interesting detail:  I acquired free Le Club Accor Platinum status using a simple sign-up link.  I posted this opportunity several times on my twitter feed, make sure you don’t miss it next time, follow me on twitter! 
Where did I spent points?
No Le Club Accor points spent in 2012.  Le Club points have a very low value, you need a minimum of 4K points to convert them to 2000 airline miles or 2K points for a €40 discount voucher (which can only be used to lower roomrates, not on F&B)  In general, this loyalty program is really weak,  with platinum benefits rarely honored.  The only really positive experience I had as A Club Gold member was at Sofitel Paris La Defense back in 2010.

AIRLINE LOYALTY PROGRAMS

1) MILES AND MORE (LUfthansa)

  • Membership Level: Senator – Star Alliance Gold
  • Expiration date: 02/14
  • Number of Award miles: 346,564
  • Number of Status miles earned in 2012: 59,093
  • Number of eVouchers: 2

How did I earn these miles?
I earned more than 280,000 miles in the past year.
150K miles were ‘butt-in-seat’ miles (by taking flights)
32K bonus miles for business flight to Rio de Janeiro
75K miles were earned using the Brussels Airlines American Express cards.
23K miles were earned from various sources like hotel stays, shopping, etc…
On what did I spent miles?
70K miles to upgrade GIG-FRA from Business Class to new Lufthansa First Class

2) MILEAGEPLUS (UNITED)

  • Membership Level: MileagePlus member
  • Expiration date: N/A
  • Number of Award miles: 521
  • Number of Status miles earned in 2012: 0
  • Number of Award miles earned in 2012: 61,200

How did I earn these miles?
I bought 98,000 Wyndham Rewards points for $308 (€237,85) during the yearly U.S. Travel Association “Daily Getaways” campaign and converted them to 39,200 United Mileage Plus miles.  I also bought 20,000 Mileage Plus miles for $451 (€347,86) via a facebook 40% discount sale.
Finally, during an award reservation, I was 1479 miles short, so I had to buy a set of 2000 Mileage Plus miles for $70 (€58,47).
Conclusion, in total I bought 61,200 United Mileage Plus miles for €644,18
On what did I spent miles?
70K miles on an itinerary including Singapore Airlines First Class & Business Class + Air New Zealand Business and Economy Class.  More details to follow! :)

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Year-end Mileage Run: Star Alliance Gold

Posted on October 31, 2011 | 6 Comments

It’s that time of the year again, frequent flyers are anxiously looking at the number of status miles they have flown this year, and more importantly, how many they still have to fly to (re)qualify for their elite status.  I’ve been a Miles and More (Lufthansa) Frequent Traveller (Star Alliance Silver) since Oct 2010, which provided me with business class lounge access, 25% more award and status miles, business class check-in and extra free baggage allowance (2 bags, 40KG total)

With 62,242 status miles flown in 2011, I’m still 37758 short for the next Miles and More elite tier, Senator.  This tier comes with Star Alliance Gold status which offers worldwide access to all Star Alliance Gold lounges (incl. the upscale Lufthansa Senator lounges) as long as you have a same-day ticket for any Star Alliance carrier.  You also get two eVouchers which allow you to upgrade two European flights or one long haul flight on a paid ticket.   As Senator you can use the Lufthansa First Class check-in counters even when flying economy.  When flying other Star Alliance airlines, you can use the business class check-in counters.   You can take more free luggage (additional 20 kg): 2 bags in Economy, 3 bags in Business and 4 bags in First class.  Your luggage will be delivered first on the belt on arrival (priority luggage).  When flying economy, you can also board the plane together with the business class passengers.  Finally you can redeem award tickets at 50% of the miles for your companion (Companion Award).
Pic: Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro – Brazil (Feb 2010)
In 2011, the majority of my trips were private, so logically I went for the cheapest fares (i.e. Lufthansa booking classes K and L) which only earn 50% of the flown miles.  I also made some mistakes booking Turkish Airlines tickets which earned me almost no miles (i.e. Istanbul – Brussels: 125 status miles)  and in February my Turkish flight to Kuala Lumpur was canceled and replaced by a Malaysia Airlines flight which earned me zero Star Alliance miles.  Anyway, I had to come-up with a plan to earn an additional 37758 status miles with limited vacation days left for 2011.  I could make 4 long-haul extended weekend trips, but that would have been quite exhausting.  Instead I decided to treat myself to a discounted business class ticket (booking class Z) to a new Lufthansa destination: Rio de Janeiro  I’ve been already twice to Rio (May 2009 and Carnival Feb 2010) so why go again early December?  Who doesn’t want a break from the cold and dark Belgian winter?  Summer in Rio!  Can’t wait to chill at Ipanema beach!  Of course, there’s an other reason I chose Rio, Lufthansa’s double miles promo!
On top of the 31766 status miles, I’ll receive an additional bonus of 27792 award miles.  The promo states it cannot be combined with any other promotion, but if my BRU- FRA myChoice promo (triple miles on business class tickets) kicks in too, it would get me another 8000 award miles on top.  We’ll see how this one turns out.

Pic: Lufthansa A380-800 Johannesburg – My second A380 flight (May 2011)
That leaves me with another 5992 status miles (37758-31766) to earn before year-end 2011.  Why not try another new Lufthansa line?  As of this week (Oct 30, 2011) Lufthansa started flying the A380 from Frankfurt to Singapore.  On Friday Nov 4th, I’ll be one of the lucky economy passengers on the A380 to Singapore.  A return L fare BRU-FRA-SIN for €497.50 which earns me 9892 status miles.  If everything turns out as planned, I’ll have 103900 status miles by mid December, enough to upgrade my status to Lufthansa Senator (Star Alliance Gold) until Feb 2014.  Fingers crossed!
PS: A mileage run is an airline trip designed and taken solely to gain maximum frequent flyer miles, points or status.  The above flights do technically not count as mileage runs as I will actually enjoy several days of vacation at each destination. :)

Video: Hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro (April 2009)

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Hyatt Gold Passport: Diamond Status

Posted on July 26, 2011 | 3 Comments


Pic: Hyatt Gold Passport – Diamond Welcome Package (July 2011)

Pic: Hyatt Gold Passport – Diamond Welcome Kit (July 2011)
With my Hyatt Regency Cancun stay in June, I completed my status match challenge for the Hyatt Gold Passport Diamond level.  Today I received my new membership card via postal mail.  Until Feb 2013, I’ll enjoy the following benefits at Hyatt properties worldwide:

  • 30% point bonus
  • Best room available including Regency Club or Grand Club rooms
  • Access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres.
  • 4 guaranteed suite upgrades annually
  • Special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay.
  • Complimentary in-room Internet access.
  • Expedite check-in at dedicated area for elite members
  • Confirmed bed type at check-in
  • Always a room available (48-hour guarantee)
  • Reservations through exclusive Diamond line

If I want to extend my Diamond status after February 2013, I’ll need to stay 25 times or 50 nights at Hyatt properties in 2012.

With the 12 nights of this challenge, I collected 42844 points.  Almost enough (1156 points short) for two free nights at one of the Hyatt top category 6 hotels.  Have a look at Park Hyatt Maldives and start dreaming! :)

UPDATE 28/07/11: Hyatt announced the following Diamond enhancements:

  • Extend your stay until 4:00 p.m. with a late check out request
  • Receive a nightly room refresh
  • Experience a new welcome amenity Enjoy a USD$5 credit in the Guest Market at Hyatt Summerfield Suites or a complimentary beverage at Hyatt Place. Or, continue to choose 500 Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points for stays at either brand.

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InterContinental Royal Ambassador

Posted on May 24, 2011 | 17 Comments

Pic: My InterContinental Paris Le Grand – Royal Suite Bedroom (March 2011)
Twitter is my number one internet and mobile phone application since 2007.  It has provide me with some incredible value in the past four years.  Here’s an example on how twitter created travel value for me.  After checking out at the InterContinental Seoul Parnas last month, I tweeted my disappointment about the high bill for internet access and minibar usage.  One of my fellow twitter followers responded with an incredible offer.  He had achieved Royal Ambassador status (highest elite status at IHG) in 2010 and was offering me his InterContinental Royal Ambassador Referral Certificate.  The qualification criteria to become an InterContinental Royal Ambassador are unpublished, but anecdotal evidence indicates Ambassador members need to stay 50 to 60 nights in one year at IHG hotels (Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites) with at least 3 hotel stays at different InterContinental Hotels.  That’s quite a challenge!  Once you achieve the Royal Ambassador level, you can also invite one member.  Thanks to my tweets I was invited by a very generous Royal Ambassador follower.

Pic: My room at the InterContinental Shenzhen, China. (January 2010)

It took IHG a while to process my Royal Ambassador Referral Certificate, but today I finally unlocked the InterContinental Royal Platinum Ambassador badge.  That one word ‘Royal’ comes with some great additional benefits:
• Guaranteed two level room upgrade (i.e. Executive Room, Suite or Club Room)
• Complimentary mini-bar: unlimited mini-bar beverages free of charge
• Guaranteed early check-in (8 am)
• Free internet access
• Complimentary Platinum level membership in the Priority Club program which is applicable to the other brands of the InterContinental portfolio (Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Starbridge Suites and Candlewood Suites)
• 1000 Priority Club Royal Ambassador Bonus Points per stay

Pic: My room at the InterContinental Hua Hin, Thailand (February 2011)

As an InterContinental Ambassador I already had these benefits:
• Guaranteed room upgrade
• Guaranteed late check-out (4 pm)
• Free movie – One complimentary Pay-TV film per stay
• Fresh fruit and mineral water – in your room upon arrival
• Guaranteed room availability with 24-hour advance reservation
• Complimentary newspaper each morning
• Complimentary use of health club facilities (fitness gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi etc most hotels)
• Welcome gift upon arrival (often something reflecting the local culture at participating Hotels)
• Complimentary weekend night

Pic: InterContinental Hua Hin lobby, Thailand (February 2011)

As I’ll be staying at the InterContinental London Park Lane tomorrow, I’ll have the opportunity to benefit my Royal Ambassador status from day one. :-)

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