United And Delta Dining

These dining bonuses tend to move up and down pretty often. Can’t say I’ve paid a ton of attention to them lately, so thanks to reader Sunil for sending two current good ones for new members…

Delta is offering 3,000 miles. Just register any card (or cards) you use at restaurants and pick up the bonus for tasks listed here.

Or take a look at United for 2,500 miles. Register a card (or cards), get 1,000 miles for spending 25 bucks at a restaurant, and another 500 miles for each of your next 3 meals over $25. It has to be participating restaurants within 30 days.

 

Hotel Upgrades Without Status

I realize communicating with other humans is a challenge these days…

Why look anyone in the eye and befriend them when we can join a gawky parade of miserable zombies hypnotized by our pocket computers?

Why form deep connections when we can reach new levels of social awkwardness each year?

But, in my experience, zombies aren’t the ones getting regular hotel upgrades without status.

What I’ve observed really isn’t that complicated…

Miserable people who make others feel uncomfortable should find a way to earn top-tier status…

Because they won’t get many upgrades without it.

On the other hand, non-pod people who can appear reasonably comfortable in their own skin…

…the types who tend to put smiles on the faces of others…

…are often the recipients of more “luck” when showing up at a hotel.

A friendly phone call or email to the property can work pretty well.

Googling who the general manager is, talking to that person with some degree of kindness and charisma, and asking for what you want…can work VERY well.

And, in many cases, that’s literally all it takes.

Sure, sometimes nothing can be done…

There aren’t rooms available, the people you’re dealing with are miserable zombies themselves, it takes a bribe, etc.

But, other times, it’s truly just about not being a pod person…

And asking for what you want…

IN A WAY THAT MAKES ANOTHER LIVING CREATURE WANT TO HELP YOU.

I’ve observed this pattern over and over and over again.

Maybe it isn’t random.

Maybe connecting to each other still works.

Hilton Gold

Thanks to reader James for letting me know the Hilton Gold fast track offer was renewed. According to him, this should be good until 2021 if you can get the 4 stays in. I couldn’t see that in the terms so you might want to verify. Not the greatest status in the world but it’s obviously worth having if those stays were going to happen anyway.

Bonus Sale

This is somewhat tricky. I certainly don’t want to be the reason for screwing it up for anyone.  So I’ll write in vaguetext. I’ve heard the same thing from a couple of you already. And others probably have similar situations without knowing it. If you bought a certain point currency via sale recently…you’ll want to look at your account to make sure the amount is correct. The decimal place on that point total might be off (in your favor). Something to be aware of no matter how you choose to deal with it. Have a great weekend, nerds!

Expedia Activity Bookings

Get 30 bucks off $40 purchases for an Expedia Activity before the end of the year. No Disney or Universal, but this should work for a lot of other fun stuff – Sea World, amusement parks, tours, aquariums, museums, hikes, wine tastings, ziplining, indoor skydives, etc. Probably a good idea to book it before they decide to pull the offer.