I hate waiting. I admit it that I am a very impatient person. My Delta AMEX Personal Reserve card statement was scheduled to close on the 6th, but delayed to the 7th and then did not post the points to Delta until the 9th and then I was able to log into my Delta.com (directions are HERE) to pick to give myself the 15,000 MQM’s earned.

However, as my title of this blog talks about, I have now decided I am going to bite the bullet and do what it takes to make Platinum this year. Not with Delta, with SPG!

I already have free Platinum with Priority club just from having the Chase PC card and the perk at PC is NOT the same as SPG. Status with SPG has great value and the more I stay at SPG hotel brands the more impressed I get (most times).

I already have 16 stays both booked and completed and it only takes 25 stays to get to Platinum status (not nights, stays, there is a difference). I did get 2 stay credits from my Business SPG AMEX card and it has NOW been more than 365+ days since I had the Personal SPG AMEX card so if I want to during my next churn I can go for that and get 25,000 points after spend and 2 more stay credits (you can hold both and get 4 credits a year this way).

What has made this so much better for me is the change SPG made to allow point nights to count as stay credits. I always try to burn points whenever I can as I have way too many points and more and more keep coming in. Sure I try not to waste points, but most times I would rather spend points than cash (or at least points and cash)!

With just 9 stays to go I may look at adding a few nights after or before my mileage runs I have booked for the rest of this year (5 more MR’s booked for the year). I also may change some of my booked PC stays over to SPG to get it done.

Anyway, I still say if you only stay at hotels a few times a year, Priority Club, with the Chase PC card, is the way to go. What do you think about PC & SPG? – René

PS – Check back at 1:PM for SWAG Saturday!

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

This is a hotel that understands the hotel business. It really is hard to find enough good words to say about this hotel. A bunch of readers told me I would enjoy this hotel during my 15,000 mile mileage run and that it was a good choice for an LAX airport hotel; thank you, readers, you were spot on and right.

As an SPG Gold I have been very impressed. I often get upgrades from a stock room to a high floor or even a club level room. Not always but enough that I really VALUE my status with SPG. They get it!

At chcek-in I went to the Gold / Platinum line with 2 reps waiting. They were both looking at their computers and did not see me, but once they did they motioned me over and profusely apologized for keeping me waiting. Not needed but impressive nonetheless!

My upgraded room was not huge but fine and nice and my bed was soft and comfy and I had a great view of the airport!

Bathroom was fine too. Not huge but enough that I did not feel claustrophobic (I hate that).

Then on to the club room for a snack before bed as I was already sleepy after so much time in coach and was ready for bed even before “dinner”.

The club room was nice size and the snacks were of good quality and variety. If I had to find anything at all to nit pick at all, it would be that drinks, other than the soft ones, were per drink. Many other Sheratons had top shelf for a fee and std ones for free. For 7000 SPG this was a great value to me during my run. I NEEDED a good night off and a good night’s rest; the Sheraton Gateway LAX did just that for me. Lastly, again an important feature of an airport hotel, the shuttle was quick, timely and got me to and from the airport in no time. I would stay at this hotel again in a heartbeat and thank them for a great stay! – René

PS – I have a $25 AMEX Gift Card ReTweet going on HERE!

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
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Last week I started my long set of mileage runs to get me to Diamond Medallion. Most runs, that is two days or less, I like the redeye back. Now don’t misunderstand me here, I am not into pain and I am not saying even a first class seat is better than a hotel, but for a short run I do not see the need for a hotel night when I can sleep just fine on a Delta jet.

This trip I could not get the deal price unless I overnighted so I decided on the SPG Four Points by Sheraton LAX for 3000 SPG points it seemed like good deal. Plus, thanks to CrossoverRewards, Delta will be paying me some SPG points back and my SPG GOLD status would also result in some points back as an elite bonus.

As an SPG GOLD I was extended an upgrade from a standard king room to a mini-suite. It was a nice size room, with a sofa area and ample closet space. It was clean and had free bottled water and decent free wifi. All these are good perks I expect at a hotel. The bathroom was not as up-sized as the rest of the suite and I barely had room to turn around.

I was not in the hotel very long on this turn and there were some issues with my stay. The hotel had a bit of “damp” smell in the corridors. Also the room seemed a bit dated and tired.

The worst part of the stay was the bed (see photo). I hit the room and just wanted to crash as I had a 5:45AM flight the next day and was staying on east coast time. When I crawled in bed, the bottom sheet was pulled up to too high and my feet were on the mattress pad. YUCK! Do I call and ask for them to remake it or do I remake the bed myself? It was a king bed so I slept sideways in the bed. Not very comfortable and if a hotel is to get one thing right it should be the bed – right?

The other major issue was the hotel shuttle. Upon arriving I exited the airport, went the middle island, and walked down to the area for hotel shuttles. After about 30 min of waiting the hotel shuttle ZOOMED by on the outside lane at what seemed like 70 MPH! I called the hotel and was told that one must have been full and another would soon be there. Less than 10 minutes later another one did show up, but waiting almost ¾ of an hour for a hotel shuttle when the hotel is so close to the airport is not good! The Sheraton Gateway did have 2 come by before the first from Four Points zipped by.

Will I stay here again? Nope. There were enough negatives that I think it is time to move on. Next time I will give the Sheraton Gateway LAX a shot and see how that goes. – René
 

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
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Yesterday I blogged about my “night at the Freddie Awards“. As part of my rushed booking I needed a place to stay close to the airport with free parking and a good price. I had a car, but a free shuttle to the airport is always nice and my fellow blogger PM&M was with me and he had an early flight and I did not want to get up to take him so this place, Aloft Dulles Airport North, fit the bill.

Speaking of the bill, it was very reasonable. $55 a night or 2,000 points and $35 per night. That really worked and as an SPG Gold I got 125 points back as a gift and will earn 70 paying for it on my SPG card plus with Delta CrossoverRewards 35 Skymiles as well. What is not to like?

This was my first visit to an Aloft. They are a “trendy” hotel (or at least try to pull that off). It is hard to differentiate a brand and this place does feel different. First impression is “Sam’s Club” meets IKEA. Get the picture? If not you can see their pitch in the video below:

We got there early. It was noon. However, the front desk person was amazing, kind and very accommodating to our early arrival (PM&M needed to work and check in). I was impressed.

My room was a king room and was just fine. The AC worked. The room was clean. The desk had ready power ports. The chair worked. WiFi was free and good speed.

The bathroom was clean and lots of clean towels and the standard amenities were there and had an “open feel”. The only thing I did not like was the shampoo was all in one including conditioner and it was not the greatest. A minor issue. The bed was comfortable. I like a soft bed and this one was soft-ish and I slept well.

There is an a-la-cart breakfast area that feels like Delta’s in-flight menu. I skipped it, but it can work for most. I also did not check out the bar or the free drink coupon I was given (thanks) as after the Freddie’s I was ready for sleep!

This hotel is no Westin, but for the price and what you get is it a no-brainer choice. I would stay here again without hesitation as a value stay and a good night’s rest. – René

PS – Don’t forget to enter SWAG Saturday for some nice goodies as well as a shot at a $25 AMEX gift card with my ReTweet contest going on today as well!

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

Time to fly home from Sweden. You can take a look at my outbound trip as well as my stay HERE and HERE. I was booked in KLM business class on a regional jet. The outbound 737 has 3 coach style seats with a middle one blocked off. This jet just has the same 2+2 as in coach.

However, as with my outbound, business was just about empty so we each got our own row to enjoy space. The flight was fine, lunch was a sandwich with way too much bread, a little pastrami and no cheese (it is a strange European thing that you get one or the other, but not both).

Coming in to Amsterdam we did have a nice view from altitude to see the landscape of canals and windmills, both old and new, as we descended to land.

Now it was time to get to try the 777 full flat seats in the herringbone design. I picked the middle two seats row one as this way you get a nice large space in front of you to put your pillows and blankets when you do not want them.

The pod area is a bit small to me. You really feel a bit cramped. The tray table is large and nice but I tended to hit my legs on it a bit trying to find a good sitting position with the seat.

Also, when it came time to talk to Lisa, I had to lean back and sideways to have any kind of conversation.

If you are traveling alone, the outer rows are definitely the way to go. Any maybe, even when as a couple, across from each other is just as well. I have to say, as far as awake travel, I tend to like the A330′s much more. Sitting, they are very nice and the video screen is nice size.

The trip from Sweden is long. Coming in to South Bend, from Gothenburg, it takes 3 legs. We can either start very early from Sweden and land late at home, or, start at a respectable time out of Sweden and either overnight in Europe or in the States. This time we booked at the Westin DTW as I had never stayed there and wanted to try it out. The above photo is the view of the Skyclub from our room.

We booked the room under the old SPG point rate of 7000 points. Thanks to CrossoverRewards, and SPG GOLD status, I was able to pick both 250 bonus SPG points and free wifi.

The performance was OK as you can see from the speed test. I was given a code that I could use on other devices.

I asked about an upgrade as a GOLD SPG member and was given a very nice suite on the 6th floor.

The king suite had a nice bed, Westin quality linens and was very quiet despite the location in the middle of the airport.

The bathroom was huge. Nice double sinks and separate shower and lavatory area. Not only that, it had a huge Jacuzzi tub.

We got a great night’s rest, but did not take part of the rather pricey wine and water. We did try breakfast at the hotel and the courtyard and restaurant area was comfortable and the food was good (as well as the service). I would stay here again, but am a bit disappointed at the new 10,000 point per night new rate when you can stay at the Four Points by Sheraton or the Sheraton DTW for just 2000-4000 SPG points per night with a free short shuttle ride from the airport (I have stayed at both and they are nice).

That finishes my spring trip to Sweden. My summer trip will include 2 days in Amsterdam and then off to my family’s island summer home. This winter has been long and I am longing for Swedish summer nights where the sun just about does not go down all night long! – René
 

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
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As you can see from the Priority Club PointBreaks page, the current list is about to expire at the end of this month. Normally we see the new list come out around a week before the old list ends. Also, the best properties tend to go REAL fast so that is why I wanted to remind you NOW to be alert.

Even with all the hotel point devaluation that has been going on, the 5,000 point PC rooms, other than SPG 3k rooms, is one of the best hotel values going! – René
 

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

As we left off from part one, I was forlorn and dejected, with my tail between my legs, sulking away from the KLM Crown Lounge after being summarily dismissed by the desk agent (ok it was not that bad)! I did get an answer back to my tweet complaint to KLM and, apparently, a connection from Istanbul is NOT an international city so it did not count for Skyteam access (who knew)! As to middle seat and getting lied to about my drink request, I was offered 7500 Flying Blue points. OK…. I now really wish I had my LOUNGE CLUB™ card to get access to the SERVISAIR LOUNGE in AMS from my INK card!

I went to the central “hub” and exited security and walked for the most part straight until I found the “tube” connecting the airport to the Sheraton AMS. There were a number of cheaper options but I really wanted to try this location and have the chance to see the new “crossover rewards” at work with Delta. I booked cash and points and the final bill was under $100.

I had been upgraded to a king room with an airport view. Very nice! I also requested, as an SPG gold, access to the club floor/lounge. Rather than STRIKE TWO in one day, they were kind enough to grant me a one time exception (my ego restored thanks to SPG)!

The SPG lounge was open till 11 but I was bushed and ready to call it a day. As a GOLD SPG, I had to pick either 250 SPG points or unlimited Internet (30 min was free either way). I picked the internet. I did not take any room pictures but it was a standard king room.

I did however have a very nice personal welcome card in the room. A very nice touch. The room had a nice size bathroom and it did have a great view of the airport from the 5th floor.

In the morning I did avail myself of the lounge for breakfast. There were hot and cold options. I had eggs, sausage and a croissant.

OJ was fresh squeezed and a nice pleasant surprise. Another nice bit was that they had motorized shoe polishers outside the elevators on each floor. A little touch but nice.

Since I already had my boarding pass from the day before, I went right to passport control and back into the airport. No security scanning as that is done at the gate. This time I was allowed access to the lounge and had some more OJ and a treat.

My return was on an A330-300 and I had one of the best two “coach” seats on the plane. Row 10 B&H. I had power, Economy Comfort extra recline and unlimited leg room (the flight was full but not over again). We made great time and landed at NOON CST 40 min early. Thanks to GOES (global entry) I raced through customs in no time and dashed into the Skyclub.

As a Platinum Medallion, I can SDC (same day change) to another flight if space is open. There was a 1 PM from MSP to MDW and a new boarding pass was produced and I was #1 on the upgrade list. I only have a few minuets before boarding so off to the gate. I checked on the upgrade and was put in 4A. Perfect. I was flying again just about 1 hr after landing from my international flight!

The last bit of info that may help you. There is a great parking lot, midwayparksaver, on the south side of the airport across from the mass transit stop. For two days or more you can get a nice discount. The lot is just a 5 minute walk to check-in. I like this much more that a shuttle bus, but if you have a lot of luggage it may be worth dropping it off first before you park.

The only point issue I had was that my points were missing from the IST-AMS leg as the Turkish rep had put in my Flying Blue Ivory number. Clearly I did not want that and requested he fix it. He typed on his computer and said “It’s OK”. It was not ok. But, two emails to Delta and I got credit for the segment.

So how did this trip break down. Here are the numbers.

• I earned 12,156 MQM’s

• I paid $396 for the ticket after a $150 ETV from a bump so my cost was just 3.26 CPM

• My other incidentals, gas, parking plus the hotel

$46 for gas
$26 to park
$98 for the hotel
$8 for food

• So, all in real cost $574 or 4.72 CPM+misc

• Since we are now talking value, as a Platinum medallion I earned 24,312 Skymiles. Worth at least 1 cent each (I value them at 2-4 cents each) it brings my net cost down to $330 or 2.7 CMP-value (just about break even at 2 cents each).

Some other thoughts. Most of the domestic trans-con mileage runs I pick up 5k each turn. I get a bunch of upgrades as a PM vs. very few on International runs and only have to deal with Delta. When things pop up domestic, it is simpler to “tinker” with flights. It was a fun run and a nice way to work toward my DM goal by July 1st this year! Have you ever done a mileage run? Does it seem like fun to you? Let me know! – René

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

A few bloggers have found out about the draft information about the new partnership reward program with Delta & SPG. While some of this information was correct, some was not. Here are the facts from the official release at Delta.com and the one from SPG is here:

The program, called Crossover Rewards, begins March 1 and provides elite members of both loyalty programs reciprocal benefits.

Crossover Rewards allows Delta and Starwood elites to share program benefits and earn more miles and Starpoints. SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will have access to added benefits including priority check-in, 4 p.m. late checkout and free in-room internet access when staying at Starwood Hotels and Resorts. All Delta Medallion members also will earn one mile per dollar spent on eligible room rates when staying with Starwood in addition to the Starpoints usually earned for their stay. In turn, SPG Platinum members will receive one free checked bag, priority check-in and priority boarding when flying Delta. SPG elite members will earn one Starpoint per dollar spent on eligible flights in addition to the miles usually earned for their flight.

This is great news and will add even more value to both programs. You will have to be a PM or DM to enjoy all the perks and Platinum with SPG to get the Delta perks listed.

To me, if you are an SPG Plat, you are basically getting Silver Medallion “lite” as you get some perks but not the really big one of free upgrades. As a Delta PM or GM, with no status with SPG, you are getting many of the perks of GOLD SPG status.

The clearly big win is the ability to earn not just 1x Skymiles but now also 1x SPG points for flights and if you are part of Skybonus 3x points total for each dollar you spend with Delta. – René

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

I really like Frontier Airlines. Not because I have ever been on one of their jets, but because they came to SBN and thus Delta had to compete with them on fares. I was able to find a great redemption from my buy-one-get-one-free companion certificate that is a benefit of the Delta Reserve AMEX card so Lisa & I both flew out to Denver for under $200 all-in. I earned both MQM’s and RDM’s (2x RDM’s since I am Platinum Medallion) and Lisa earned nothing on the free ticket.

First some tech stuff about the trip. As you can see, since I always use online check-in, I was prompted to offer up my seat. All the flights were full but not over so no joy there.

The next bit is that these certs have the restriction that you may not ever get an upgrade. If you are GM+ you can pick EC (economy comfort) seats but that is it. The web site still allows you at check-in to request a medallion upgrade, but it does not work. In the past you could split the PNR and get the paid seat upgraded and the free one not. Also, in the past, you could get agents in the Skyclub or at the gate to override the lockout for the upgrade list and you would then have a chance at an upgrade. I can tell you all the old ways are done and Delta’s “outstanding” IT department has successfully locked down all these workarounds (now maybe they will have time for the award calendar bugs – nahhh).

The phone app is also a bit confused as it seems to let you choose a medallion upgrade on the certs and tells you that you can pick a first class seat, but then when you try it you get an error and it will not lock your seat in.

So we were off and on our way from ATL after visits to the xpress spa, Chili’s and Skyclub in the A concourse. I love booking enough time between flights to enjoy the travel day so it become part of the vacation rather than stress!

Our 757-200 had the configuration where we could select the 2 seat EC exit row (seat Guru as this as avoid but they are wrong). These seats have as much leg room as BE (business elite) seats on an internationally configured bird. I could not reach the seat in front of me with my leg stretched out. Just perfect!

Once we arrived, we went out the doors to the shuttle bus to Advantage car rental. I was a bit worried after having read about this company’s ratings, and walking into the rental office it did feel a bit “low rent” but I was very pleasantly surprised by the rental. Sure the rep pushed the fact that my auto insurance did not cover things like tires and paint, but I am a big boy and can say NO to extras. Plus I paid with my Chase Sapphire for additional auto protection. There was a line but my wait was no more that 10 min. They did not have the tiny 2 door car I had requested (they warned me that is what I had requested – I said as long as it runs it is fine) and I was put in a 4 door Toyota Corolla. They want you to do the inspection and I marked all the places on the car that had issues very carefully. Drop off was quick and easy and I rented the car for 3 days for $37 ALL IN! WOW (Tip: code DC31133 gets you 10% off)! My gas was more than that. I will be trying these guys again!

On to the SPG Sheraton Denver Tech Center hotel. Overall it was a great stay, but there were some issues. I booked the room on SPG points, 14,000 for the 3 days for a club level room. When you look at what 3 days would have cost on the club level you can see the value.

At check-in I was not recognized as a GOLD Starwood preferred guest and had to ASK for my GOLD bonus (a drink or 250 SPG points – I went with the SPG points). I also was hoping for a chance to upgrade to one of their Atrium rooms on the top floor (one of the main reasons I picked this place over the Aloft at the airport for 1/2 as many SPG points) but they were all full. I was put in a king room on the 9th floor.

The room was fine and the A/C worked and the bed was soft and nice. I have no real room issues other than the fact that the bathroom was just about the smallest one I have ever been in. I mean I have been in airplane bathrooms bigger that this (I kid but not by much)!

The wifi was free but restricted to 1.5mbs and worked fine but made running my home PC via Logmein a bit hard and frustrating. If GOLD SPG’s get the same free wifi as everyone else what is the point of it as a perk?

The other reason I love Sheraton hotels is their lounge on the club level. This one did NOT disappoint. It was great. Breakfast each day was very nice. Both the morning and evening staff were cheerful and kind and seemed so happy to see us. Love that!

There were lots of hot and cold choices and it was much more than a basic continental breakfast each day. At night, the snacks were a mini-meal and they offered free wine and beer! This is great value to me as we had big lunches each day and after a full day of skiing just wanted a little bite before bed.

So off to the ski resorts. The drive all the way from Denver was under 2 hrs each day and even though long was spectacular and truly a fun drive through the mountains (if you enjoy that sort of thing). One scary scene on day two as we passed a truck going the other way enveloped in a cloud of smoke from breaks overheating on the way down the 6% grade.

Our first day was at Vail. The place is nice, the runs are wide, everything is uber-expensive. I had never been to Vail and was happy I went there and did enjoy the skiing but will not go back.

The next day was Breckenridge. It was big, the prices were a bit less than Vail, it was a Friday so crowds were bigger. Again I was happy I went and the skiing was nice until late in the day when it got very icy and but again I will not go back.

Please don’t let this short summary of Denver skiing put you off on a visit. You can get a discount on lift tickets to many spots if you buy more than a week before your trip online. For me, having been skiing Salt Lake for years, that is the best snow on earth HANDS DOWN. The prices are MUCH better; the snow is better. The traffic moves better; the restaurants are better. They have the quick start program that gives you a FREE pass the day you fly in! To me, Salt Lake is just better and I will be going there next month and every year I can!

A few final bits. We chose to decline room cleaning (MAKE A GREEN CHOICE – 500/day) and will get 1500SPG points back and 250SPG for my GOLD bonus. Thus the total SPG cost was 12,250 points but it saved me $559. We had a great value from our AMEX cert flying Delta and I earned 3548 MQM’s and 7096 RDM’s and saved $200 for Lisa’s ticket. We got a great deal on a rental car and had a nice stay at the Sheraton and got a few days of turns in before my long trip next month. I love the value of points of all flavors and with work how great travel can be! – René

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

The talk this month has been all about changes to the Priority Club award chart. But, since the current PointBreaks list is set to expire on 31JAN my guess is very soon we will see a new list out. The 5000 point nights are some of the best values in rooms at quality hotels.

Stay sharp and be ready as these rooms always go fast. The (not my link) 80,000 point PC card seems to be working for everyone (but YMMV) so keep that one in mind if you have a churn on the way to include this as your personal Chase card in the churn if you have not had the card! – Rene

▲Delta▲ SkyMiles® Credit Card
RESERVE/PLATINUM/GOLD
from American Express®
Click here for more information

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