A few days ago, I posted about a great deal on Premium Economy seats to Singapore. This morning I received an email about another deal going on! This one is for economy travel from various US-based hubs (SFO, LAX, JFK, and IAH — San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York-Kennedy, and Houston, respectively).
A sampling of cities
The other big difference is that this sale isn’t just to Singapore, as you might have noticed from the image above. A full table can be found on the deal site, and below.
Lots of options!
This is a flash sale, so don’t expect the fares to last for long. If you have any flights planned to these regions, it might be worth jumping on while you can!
No, I don’t mean the Messianic figure from the Matrix movies, I am referring to Airbus’s denotation of improved engine performance and mileage: “New Engine Option”. These two narrow-body planes are reported to have an improved fuel efficiency estimated at 15% over their traditional counterparts, which will allow them to fly from the East Coast to Western Europe. This efficiency is due to a combination of new manufacturing technologies (and materials) leading to lighter planes , more efficient engines, and wingtip devices to help reduce drag.
Until now, we were limited to 757 variants when it came to narrow-body options to cross the Atlantic. While the 757 does offer lie-flat seats in certain configurations – Raleigh to Paris on Delta, for example, it is definitely aging and it shows. More fuel efficient options should translate to cheaper tickets for the passengers, and more options as well.
The 737-MAX family will use the CFM LEAP-1B engine, which is larger and more efficient than the older CFM56 engines found on the bulk of the 737 fleet. The estimated range is between 4,000 and 4,400 nautical miles for all but the ‘MAX 200’ variant, which is unique to RyanAir as a variant of the 737-8.
Additionally, it will have new wingtip devices which further boost its fuel efficiency. This combination of wingtip technologies is referred to as a “split scimitar winglet” by Boeing.
Though Southwest will be the launch customer of the MAX 7 and MAX 8 variants (Lion Air will be the launch customer of the MAX 9 and RyanAir of the MAX 200), I fully expect other airlines to replace their aging 737 population with these, especially when it comes to profit margins and fuel costs.
Both the A320 and A321 narrow-body aircraft from Airbus offer ‘neo’ options, and both are driven by CFM LEAP engines, though -1A. As with the 737-MAX, these planes also have redesigned wingtip devices (referred to as ‘sharklets’ by Airbus).
For the longest time, the signup bonus for the Arrival+ was 40,000 points for $3,000 spend, but today it was increased to 50,000 points. This can be redeemed for $500 of statement credit for travel purchases. The nice thing about the Arrival+ card is that it gives you 5% back when you redeem your points in this manner, so you actually get $525 (ish).
Though there is an annual fee of $89, it is waived for the first year. You incur no foreign transaction fees and have access to the MasterCard network for purchases, so your card will be accepted in most places.
First increase I can remember!
My favorite thing about this card is that it is a Chip+PIN card, not just Chip+Signature. There are many automated systems across the world that require use of a PIN, that you wouldn’t be able to use with a Chip+Signature card. Most cards offered to US are Chip+Signature, so if you are planning international travel, it might be worth looking into!
Thanks to some upcoming travel over the next few weeks, I am on track for attaining Ambassador Status with the Starwood Preferred Guest program. The SPG website describes what this offers for you:
The more your ambassador gets to know you over time, the more he or she can provide the personal touches that make each trip special. Whether it’s an early arrival, shopping, a meeting venue or a restaurant for a client dinner, your ambassador will scope out the local scene to find the best your destination has to offer.
I’m really looking forward to this – having a single point-person for all my bookings would make things a lot more interesting! This takes the idea of a concierge to a whole new level, and I am thoroughly impressed. I hope this isn’t lost when the Starwood-Marriott merger goes through.
For those not aware, Silvercar is a rental car agency who stocks only one type of car: the Audi A4. Every car comes with a premium package offering WiFi, GPS, Sirius XM, and they charge local pump prices instead of inflated rates for filling the car back up. Check out the full specs under their FAQs!
Fair Treatment? Madness!All the bells and whistles!
The rental process is unique in that everything is handled from your phone – including unlocking your car!
FlyMiler noted that they are currently running a promotion for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas where you can rent for only $49 per day!
I subscribe to Travel + Leisure’s print copy as well as a few of their email lists, and I’m glad I do! I received a message this morning indicating that to commemorate their anniversary, Canada is removing the entry fee to all 38 of their national parks for 2017. No entry fees for the entire year!
Further on the page, I came across a link to a Thrillist article on under-visited countries, and was a little shocked by a few of the mentions. While Belize and Austria, for example, aren’t as visited as Mexico or Switzerland, I’m not sure they can be classified as ‘overlooked’. All the same, the page should be presented with a wanderlust warning!
I might have to re-evaluate my bucket list, now, and move up visiting a few of my northern friends. 😉
I received an email late last night regarding another sale that Delta is offering for flights within the Continental US. So long as you book economy tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday, you can get up to 30% off certain flights. The sale is limited to flights between September 28th and February 15th, and you have to book all flights by September 28th. Check the offer page for all the details!
While I was on the Delta deals website, I came across another deal – this between Anchorage or Fairbanks from many West Coast departure cities. This deal applies to both paid fares as well as award tickets.
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