There are a few quick updates I want to make sure you are aware of before things close up for the weekend. Okay, blogs don’t close-up for the weekend, but I know that most “normal people” don’t spend their weekends on the internet! 
Southwest and AirTran have some holiday sales going on right now. The sale is valid for travel November 16-20, November 22-23, November 27-28, December 13-20, and December 23-January 2, 2013. You never know with airfare, but this may be the last chance to snag some tickets around the holidays at somewhat of a discount. If you already have tickets booked with Southwest or AirTran for those dates, then check to make sure that the price hasn’t dropped, and if it has then you can ask for a credit to use on a future flight for the difference. Head to Deals We Like for the details.
Along those lines, If you don’t yet have a Southwest Rapid Rewards account you can get up to 750 points just for signing up. Make sure to do this for your kids before they start flying on paid tickets!
The rumors that the early scheduled flights of the new United 787s may be in jeopardy appear to now be coming to fruition. Word on the internet is that the one-time flights from Houston to Cleveland and Houston to Dulles in November are scrapped. Also due to a delay in getting the second 787 from Boeing, the 11/4 inaugural flights from Houston to Newark and San Francisco are also scrapped. In theory that leaves the 11/4 inaugurals to Chicago and LA intact. Not only are the initial flights on 11/4 for some of those routes impacted, but other early flights in November are also reportedly now suspect. Changes are expected via a schedule update as early as tonight. Head to The Wandering Aramean and follow @airlineroute on Twitter for details.
The limited time offer on the The Business Platinum Card Amex that comes with 25,000 American Express Membership Reward points after you spend $5,000 in the first three months is set to expire on 10/29 (Monday). This card comes with a hefty $450 annual fee, but that is dramatically offset (especially in the first year) by getting a $200 airline fee allowance each calendar year (i.e., before and after 1/1/13 for a total of $400 in the first 12 months), and airline lounge access on American, Delta, and US Airways. A better play may be to get the limited time sign-up for the The Business Gold Rewards Amex for 50,000 MR points after spending $5,000 in three months with no annual fee for the first year, and then see if you get an offer to upgrade to the Business Platinum card. I have been getting those for a while with my Business Gold Rewards Amex, and the upgrade also comes with 25,000 points. Just a thought…
As long as we are talking about deadlines, the deadline to share miles for a 100% bonus on US Airways expires on 10/31. I just took advantage of the deal yesterday and can tell you that the points post instantly.
Enjoy the weekend, and those in the path of Hurricane Sandy, be careful!
The best prices are out there, but you need to know some industry secrets in order to find them. Once you do though, you’ll save huge amounts on your flights and travel, and be amazed at just how easy it was!
