Here’s a quick recap of some the news and deals from last week. Enjoy.
New IHG PointBreaks Hotel
This is usually where I insert a video clip of Keanu Reeves from one of the greatest movies, “Point Break” – but I’ll spare you.
PointBreaks are a select number of hotels IHG releases every couple of months that can be booked for just 5,000 points! Pretty stellar deal, but I’ve yet to actually book a PointBreaks hotel, since they are pretty randomly located and have never matched my travel plans.
The new PointBreaks list can be booked until August 31, 2013, but hurry if you see a hotel you like because the reduced awards are based on availability.
When checking out a Pointbreaks list, I’m looking for Intercontinental, Crown Plaza, or Hotel Indigo properties, specifically. And I’m checking any destinations I know I will be traveling to, so I can see if there are any gems. I know several people who have gotten lucky and scored cheap PointBreaks hotels for one night layovers, etc. I haven’t been so fortunate. What’s wrong with me?
Anyway, a few locations that caught my eye were:
IRELAND
CROWNE PLAZA DUNDALK
GREECE
INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENAEUM ATHENS
ROMANIA
INTERCONTINENTAL BUCHAREST
JORDAN
INTERCONTINENTAL AQABA (RESORT AQABA)
Go here to check out the full list and book any hotels that make sense for you. I don’t usually recommend topping off your Priority Club account with Ultimate Rewards points earned from the Ink Bold, Plus, or Sapphire Preferred cards, but it could make sense if you find a PointBreaks hotel that meets your need.
$45 Uber credit!
The $45 Uber credit for new users is back!
Uber is a car service alternative to a regular taxi cab. It’s a little more expensive, but you get the private car service, so it’s also a better experience. Once you download their app on your phone, tablet, etc., all you have to do is set up a pick up time and destination, and Boom! – they will pick you up. Baller style.
You also don’t have to mess with $$$, because they’ll use your credit card on file and a 20% tip will be included in the price. You can change the tip to 10% in your Uber account, but don’t be that guy. To take advantage of the $25 promotion code and $10 referral code, follow the instructions below.
1. Get the free $25 deal through Amazon Local
You must be a new Uber client to receive the $25 voucher. Sign up below.
Here are the t&c’s from the deal’s website:
Valid for new customers only
Limit 1 voucher per customer
Voucher valid for rides via uberX, UberBLACK, or UberSUV only; customers cannot redeem voucher for rides via uberTAXI
Customers must create an Uber account and provide valid credit card information to sign up for service and redeem voucher
Voucher value will be applied toward customer’s account
Voucher valid toward 1 ride only; any unused portion of the voucher value will be forfeited. If ride total exceeds $25, remaining balance will be charged to the credit card associated with the account
Distance restrictions apply. Please reference the Uber service map of your city for additional information
Uber car service fares are all-inclusive. There is no need to tip
Not valid toward previously scheduled rides
Available for use beginning immediately after purchase
PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES FOLLOWING AUGUST 31, 2013
2. Sign up for a new Uber account and receive $10
You will receive $20 and I will receive $20 after your first ride, if you sign up through my referral link. After you sign up, please don’t hesitate to put your referral link down in the comments section. You can find it under “invite friends” in your Uber account. Nifty.
Hat tip to VFTW
Dream on for 25,000 (or 2,500) AAdvantage miles
American Airlines is giving away 25,000 miles every day until July 24th to the lucky winners who simply use their slick interactive award map they launched earlier this year. Don’t get your hopes up on winning the 25,000 prize – ok, dream on if you want – but everyone is a winner here (I’ll explain).
After watching the video (I skipped it), just launch the award map, then close the award map, and go back to the contest landing page. From there, see if you’ve won the 25,000 grand prize. When you haven’t (because you probably won’t), don’t cry – you will still get 2,500 AAdvantage miles off on your next award booking. Sweetness.
So you didn’t win the daily prize? At least you’ve earned 2,500 miles back on your next flight redemption. I’ll take it. Use the Award Map to book a flight with your AAdvantage® miles for travel between September 4 and November 20 to earn the 2,500 miles back. And you can always go back tomorrow for another chance to win 25,000 miles.
It does appear that this reduction can be stacked with the Reduced Mileage Awards, and the 10% you get back from a Platinum Citi AAdvantage card.
Full terms and conditions are:
“Member must register for Award Map promo before redemption occurs. Members will receive 2,500 miles off flight award redemption for AA and partner flights. Miles must be redeemed during Jun 26-Jul 24, 2013 for travel between Sep 4-Nov 20, 2013. Award itinerary must be booked online on aa.com. Each AAdvantage member account is only eligible for one rebate during this promo. Please allow for 6-8 weeks for miles to be posted to your account, after travel occurs. Miles will be credited to the AAdvantage member account from which the redemption occurs.”
SPG and Lan Devaluation
In what was only a matter of time, Starwood has reduced the transfer rate to Lan from 1:2 to 1:1.5 LAN kilometers. A 25% devaluation! You will of course still receive the 5,000 bonus for every 20,000 Starpoints transferred out to an airline. This hurts.
I’m planning on a trip to Chile early next year, so this will probably affect my planning. I was going to try and burn some SPG points, but now that doesn’t look like such a great deal. I still may be able to use SPG to LAN for any intra Peruvian flights.
Hat tip: New Girl in the Air
Subscribe to the Noob Traveler email list to stay up to date on the sickest deals. Or use my RSS Feed.
— Noob Master