New Zealand December 2011 Trip Report

I returned from my two week vacation in New Zealand on December 31, 2011, and after decompressing for a few days, I'm finally ready to start writing the trip report. Unlike my epic Tokyo/Vietnam trip report from summer of last year, I think what I'll do this time around is focus more on the highlights instead of detailing every single hotel and city. I believe it's more applicable here anyways since much of this trip involved backpacking, hiking, and driving.

So without further ado, here is my two week adventure through New Zealand. Suggestions and comments are always welcome and much appreciated!

• Introduction
• United Airlines 274 First Class (SFO → LAX)
• Air New Zealand LAX Koru Club Lounge
• Air New Zealand 5 Business Premier (LAX → AKL)
• Exploring Auckland
• Air New Zealand 619 Economy Class (AKL → ZQN)
• Exploring Queenstown And Getting To The Milford Track
• The Milford Track
• Exploring Milford Sound
• Road Trip Up The West Coast Of The South Island
• Abel Tasman Kayaking And Hiking
• InterIslander Ferry And Wellington
• InterContinental Wellington
• Air New Zealand 418 Economy Class (WLG → AKL)
• Air New Zealand AKL Koru Club Lounge
• Air New Zealand 8 Business Premier (AKL → SFO)

Upcoming Changes To The Priority Club Rewards Chart

I received an email this morning notifying me of upcoming changes to the Priority Club rewards chart starting on January 18, 2012. The most obvious changes are the additional tiers that have now been added to several IHG brands:

• Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn Express - New 20,000 tier (sandwiched between the 15,000 and 25,000 tiers)
• Candlewood Suites - New 20,000 tier (higher)
• Staybridge Suites - New 25,000 tier (higher)
• Crowne Plaza - New 35,000 tier (higher)
• Hotel Indigo - New 35,000 tier (higher)
• InterContinental Hotels & Resorts - New 50,000 tier (higher)

Old Priority Club Reward Chart (prior to January 18, 2012):

New Priority Club Reward Chart (starting January 18, 2012):

Basically, besides Holiday Inn Club Vacations, every IHG brand now has a new tier added, with 5 out of the 6 brands adding a higher tier. This doesn't bode well for most of us, as it probably portends an overall devaluation on January 18th. According to Priority Club themselves, 25% of properties will have an increase in points cost, while 20% will have a decrease. While that doesn't sound too bad at first glance, it's important to note that the maximum decrease anyone will likely see is 5,000 points, while the maximum increase will likely result in an additional 10,000 points (all on the most desirable properties no less).

Priority Club is offering a 2-month grace period after January 18, 2012, which allows anyone to book reward nights at the old rate, or rebook a reward if the points requirement has decreased. However, this can only be done by calling in. The old rates will be unavailable online after January 18, 2012.

Loyalty Traveler makes a good point by saying that Priority Club doesn't publish a master list that shows the redemption rate of every hotel in their portfolio. This makes it extremely difficult to find out exactly which hotels have had their rates increased or decreased after the changes occur. You must already have specific hotels in mind, and have checked the old rates by looking up each hotel individually on the Priority Club website prior to January 18, 2012. My suggestion is to plan ahead and think of destinations you will most likely visit this year, and look them up to jot down the old rate. This way, it will be easier to see if any hotels have changed their points requirements after January 18, 2012.

Up To 30% Off Alaska Airlines Award Flights

I received an email regarding this offer more than a week ago, but haven't been able to post about it since I've been in New Zealand (apparently free WiFi is not very prevalent here). Alaska Airlines is running a great winter promotion right now, offering up to 30% off the amount of miles needed to book an award ticket. The best part is, even flights to Mexico and Hawaii are included, although the discount is at a lower rate.

The offer is only valid on Alaska Airlines-operated non-stop flights, and can be booked as a one-way or round-trip. West Coast flights are discounted 30% (8,700 miles each way), flights to Mexico are discounted 25% (13,000 each way), and flights to Hawaii are discounted 20% (16,000 miles each way). Award tickets must be purchased between December 20, 2011 and January 10, 2012, and travel is valid between January 8 and March 7, 2012.

Seats appear to be limited, so book soon before they are all gone!

Prepping For New Zealand

I'll be leaving for New Zealand tonight and spending the next two weeks backpacking and roadtripping through the South Island with a few of my old college friends. I'm probably most excited about our 4-day hike on the Milford Track, ending at the world-famous Milford Sound. Well... that, and the fact that I'm flying business class both ways on Air New Zealand! Expect a full trip report with plenty of pictures once I return. Although, judging from my last big trip report, it may take a few months for me to actually complete ;)  Hopefully I'll be able to check in once or twice while I'm in New Zealand.

Happy holidays everyone!

Current Citibank AAdvantage 50,000 Miles Bonus Offers

It's been a long while since I've written about the Citibank AAdvantage credit card, and that's mainly because there just hasn't been very many good offers to write about! Ever since the 75,000 mega-bonus died a slow death months after its supposed expiration date in February 2011, there's hardly been a peep from the good folks at Citibank and American Airlines.

Well, two non-targeted offers seem to have arrived in the last two months, offering a decent 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles and a range of other benefits after the qualified spend:

• Earn 50,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $3,000 within the first 4 months of cardmembership. Also receive a one-time $150 statement credit after the first eligible American Airlines purchase you make within the first 12 months of cardmembership (there is no minimum purchase amount, so you can buy a beer on your next AA flight, and you will still receive the $150 statement credit). Finally, get two Admirals Club one-day passes. The earn rate is 2 miles per dollar spent on all American Airlines purchases within the first 12 months, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases with no date restrictions. The annual fee of $85 is waived for the first year. This offer expires February 29, 2012. Apply here.

• Earn 50,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $2,500 within the first 4 months of cardmembership. The earn rate is 2 miles per dollar spent on all AA purchases within the first 12 months, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases with no date restrictions. The annual fee of $85 is waived for the first year. There is no expiration date on this offer, but as always, these things can be pulled at any time. Also, there does not appear to be a personal American Express version of this card like most other offers from Citibank - you can only apply for the personal or business Visa. Apply here. EDIT: This offer has already expired.

I would definitely go for the first offer, as there are quite a few more benefits, and the required spend is only $500 more. However, if you are sure you cannot hit the $3,000 threshold, then the second offer is still a good option. I think in that situation, it might be worthwhile to just purchase $500 in gift cards at a grocery store you would shop at regularly anyways in order to meet the minimum spend.

One quick note: "eligible" American Airlines purchases to qualify for the $150 statement credit do not include car rentals, hotel reservations, American Airlines Vacation packages, purchases of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, duty-free purchases, and AA Cargo products and services.

You can read more about using the 2-browser trick to apply for multiple personal Citibank AAdvantage credit cards at the same time here, but the general rule nowadays is that you are only allowed to apply for a personal card once every 18 months. Some have reported being approved for another card inside the 18-month rule, so YMMV. The business card approval process is on a completely different track, and it appears that you can still do some churning. It is best to wait at least 3 months between business card applications, although even with that precaution, Citibank will sometimes request proof of your business with further documentation, so proceed with caution.