Lessons learned (or, Making plans for 2012)
Feb 5, 2012, 1:12 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
I miss the fun of the Grand Slam. Silly as it may seem, I have done several things to prepare for GS 2012:
- opened rewards accounts with all the hotel transfer partners from last year.
- built up $25 balances in e-rewards and e-miles balances for me and my husband. (Expiration date is late fall so plenty of time for a transfer before they expire.)
- got the Barclay US Airways credit cards.
- signed up for TopGuest to build up balances for hotel transfers. I should easily have enough to transfer for Hilton, Priority Club, and Best Western.
- booked a stay for the fall at a Holiday Inn and was mindful when booking of the 2011 minimum spend to qualify. It could change for 2012, I know, but used 2011 as a guide.
Anita
- opened rewards accounts with all the hotel transfer partners from last year.
- built up $25 balances in e-rewards and e-miles balances for me and my husband. (Expiration date is late fall so plenty of time for a transfer before they expire.)
- got the Barclay US Airways credit cards.
- signed up for TopGuest to build up balances for hotel transfers. I should easily have enough to transfer for Hilton, Priority Club, and Best Western.
- booked a stay for the fall at a Holiday Inn and was mindful when booking of the 2011 minimum spend to qualify. It could change for 2012, I know, but used 2011 as a guide.
Anita
ie thru a normal computer?
Feb 9, 2012, 10:27 pm
#139
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sydney
Programs: QFF, Krisflyer, US Air DM, VelocityRewards, Hertz Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 446
But when I asked her if I should just assume the online reg is lying and call to confirm next time, the rep said yes (of course), but also something more interesting: that she "wasn't aware of" any plans for a GS12, "but there may be something different." Of course there's a lot of time before then and I don't know how these things proceed, but the way she said it made me think you guys would want to know.
Feb 13, 2012, 12:34 pm
#140
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 71
I think its a leap to suggest that the fact that a CSR isn't aware of the GS12 is any indication there won't be one. GS12 is just a glimmer of of an idea in the marketing department at this stage, there is no reason that a CSR WOULD be aware of it, some weren't even aware of it DURING the last one.
Feb 15, 2012, 12:17 pm
#142
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
I can see why they may not do it again. I'm sure US wins out on the GS--but I'm not convinced their partners do. I know for a fact Sharebuilder spent more money getting me as a customer than they'll ever make off of me (given that both my buy and sell order were free). I know skymall was probably ticked at all the silly small orders. I'm sure for some partners they made out, and for others GS is a time when they cringe, and bring on extra support staff.
I do hope that there is a GS'12...I've been preparing since the last one ended. But I'm also not sure there will be one.
I do hope that there is a GS'12...I've been preparing since the last one ended. But I'm also not sure there will be one.
Feb 15, 2012, 1:27 pm
#143
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
I can see why they may not do it again. I'm sure US wins out on the GS--but I'm not convinced their partners do. I know for a fact Sharebuilder spent more money getting me as a customer than they'll ever make off of me (given that both my buy and sell order were free). I know skymall was probably ticked at all the silly small orders. I'm sure for some partners they made out, and for others GS is a time when they cringe, and bring on extra support staff.
I do hope that there is a GS'12...I've been preparing since the last one ended. But I'm also not sure there will be one.
I do hope that there is a GS'12...I've been preparing since the last one ended. But I'm also not sure there will be one.
Feb 15, 2012, 7:06 pm
#144
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
Open more hotel rewards plan instead of just SPG for the hotel transfer options
Keep adding amount to emiles and erewards so will be ready for September 2012
Keep going and not stop at 32 hits
And don't keep eating biscoff cookies. I gained more weight in September and October than Thanksgiving and Xmas.
Keep adding amount to emiles and erewards so will be ready for September 2012
Keep going and not stop at 32 hits
And don't keep eating biscoff cookies. I gained more weight in September and October than Thanksgiving and Xmas.
Feb 16, 2012, 8:54 am
#145
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
Open more hotel rewards plan instead of just SPG for the hotel transfer options
Keep adding amount to emiles and erewards so will be ready for September 2012
Keep going and not stop at 32 hits
And don't keep eating biscoff cookies. I gained more weight in September and October than Thanksgiving and Xmas.
Keep adding amount to emiles and erewards so will be ready for September 2012
Keep going and not stop at 32 hits
And don't keep eating biscoff cookies. I gained more weight in September and October than Thanksgiving and Xmas.
I've done pretty much this in preparation. One thing to be careful of is that erewards limits you to 1 partner reward per quarter. I am using it to dump into my hotel partners that are not topguest affiliated. But for example I did a Choice Privlidge transfer last week of 4,000 points ($100 in erewards $$), and a 2,000 point Club Carleson. Both will require one more transfer from erewards, but that must be done next quarter. Something to plan ahead for in case you are using it to dump into programs like I am.
Also topguest is really sweet, I'm up 1,500 Best Western points, Hilton Points and PC points there. Trying to not use erewards at all for those three.
Also set up with car rental programs, and become familiar with their deals. Alamo has $13 a day a/i lately here, I just hope that holds into sept.
and yes... biscoff=crack
Feb 16, 2012, 12:51 pm
#146
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: DL Silver, HH Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 420
LaQuinta 20% off point purchases
Still not great value, but if you think you will need to buy LQ points for a hit in the fall - they are 20% off currently. Cost is now $44 for 5K (5K will transfer to 1K US) rather than $55 normally.
Better option of course is to rack up e-rewards -> LQ -> US but still could end up a little short - I did this past year.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/members...ignID=LQTopNav
Better option of course is to rack up e-rewards -> LQ -> US but still could end up a little short - I did this past year.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/members...ignID=LQTopNav
Feb 16, 2012, 2:05 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: HAJ, Germany
Programs: Honors Diamond, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, LH SEN, TB Emerald
Posts: 312
Still not great value, but if you think you will need to buy LQ points for a hit in the fall - they are 20% off currently. Cost is now $44 for 5K (5K will transfer to 1K US) rather than $55 normally.
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/members...ignID=LQTopNav
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/members...ignID=LQTopNav
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
6,000 Points Required | $52,80 to earn 1000 points
Feb 16, 2012, 4:19 pm
#148
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
Just looked at there reward table for US AIRWAYS:
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
6,000 Points Required | $52,80 to earn 1000 points
http://www.lq.com/lq/returns/nmembers/airline.jsp
6,000 Points Required | $52,80 to earn 1000 points
Last edited by Stubtify; Feb 16, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Feb 16, 2012, 5:42 pm
#149
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,839
I've done pretty much this in preparation. One thing to be careful of is that erewards limits you to 1 partner reward per quarter. I am using it to dump into my hotel partners that are not topguest affiliated. But for example I did a Choice Privlidge transfer last week of 4,000 points ($100 in erewards $$), and a 2,000 point Club Carleson. Both will require one more transfer from erewards, but that must be done next quarter. Something to plan ahead for in case you are using it to dump into programs like I am.
Also topguest is really sweet, I'm up 1,500 Best Western points, Hilton Points and PC points there. Trying to not use erewards at all for those three.
Also set up with car rental programs, and become familiar with their deals. Alamo has $13 a day a/i lately here, I just hope that holds into sept.
and yes... biscoff=crack
Also topguest is really sweet, I'm up 1,500 Best Western points, Hilton Points and PC points there. Trying to not use erewards at all for those three.
Also set up with car rental programs, and become familiar with their deals. Alamo has $13 a day a/i lately here, I just hope that holds into sept.
and yes... biscoff=crack
one thing -for erewards is it only one redemption per quarter or can you redeem to different partners in same quarter?
Feb 17, 2012, 8:31 am
#150
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
I was unclear: it is one reward per parner per quarter. So I've got a little spreadsheet of which ones I'm focusing on this quarter, then I'll go back next quarter and finish topping them up.