United Improves Their Low Fare Guarantee and DEQM Posts Early

This could prove to be very interesting, very interesting as Artie would say. (It was Artie from Laugh In wasn't it?)

The new policy seems to have been introduced around the first of the month and now offers $100 electronic voucher, instead of the previous $50, in addition to matching the lower fare, if you can find a better fare ( by $10) online from another site. I do not find a restriction that it must be a round trip fare either so it may be possible to file two claims for the same trip if you book them as one ways.

It also appears that you can still file your claim online which works for me. Too bad the HOLD feature does not exist. If it still did, I'd never pay for a ticket again for a mileage run.

If you can find one way transcon L fares at $100 and find them lower by $10 elsewhere, it equates to a free round trip and 5 or 6K of EQM's.

This matches Continental's Low Fare Guarantee discount and may be a big plus of having Continental join the Star Alliance.

As I do more research, I'll keep passing the info on.

Here is the link


This brings the life back into Kayak searches as well as you can check multiple booking agencies in one search.

Terms and Conditions:

The united.com Low Fare Guarantee applies to customers who make a qualifying airfare purchase on flights operated by United Airlines or United Express and sold under the UA code, and do so through the united.com website on or after February 7, 2005. The offer is not valid for itineraries that include flights marketed or operated by other airlines (including United-marketed codeshare/Star Alliance-operated flights and Star Alliance-marketed codeshare/United or United Express operated flights).

Your claim must be made by midnight Central Time of the same day on which the ticket is purchased. Claims must be made by filling out an online claim form on united.com. The claim must satisfy all terms and conditions and must be submitted in compliance with the claims processing procedures, all as set out herein. Claims for the Low Fare Guarantee may only be made through the online claim form. No other claims will be accepted.

Tickets must be the least expensive available on united.com for the chosen itinerary at the time of purchase. The guarantee is valid only for published retail fares available on the Internet for the exact same flight(s), travel date(s), and travel itinerary for the same number of passenger(s). Fares must be in the exact same cabin(s) (First, Business, Economy) and carry the exact same fare rules and restrictions. Tickets must be purchased with a credit card and valid United States billing address and travel must originate in the 50 United States.

United Airlines must be able to verify the lower online fare online at the time of claim. The confirmed airfare purchased on united.com will be compared to the available airfare on the screen just prior to purchase confirmation of the other website, which must be an accredited distributor of United airfare. Please keep a copy of methods of verification (e.g. screen prints) in case additional verification is necessary.

The Low Fare Guarantee does not apply to unpublished fares that are not available to the general public and fares that cannot be purchased on united.com. Fares not available to the general public include, but are not limited to, corporate, military, government, wholesaler, consolidator, opaque agencies and other discount fares. The Low Fare Guarantee does not apply to package fares, such as airfares sold as part of a travel package, nor does it apply to airfares on another website that have been reduced as a result of promotional discounts, such as dollars off coupons, loyalty program discounts or fly free offers. The Low Fare Guarantee does not apply to tickets that you choose to refund.

Guarantee does not apply to fare differences of less than $10. For qualifying fare differences, United will issue the passenger(s) an electronic certificate, totaling $100 plus the difference in fare (rounded up to the nearest $5 increment). The electronic certificate is redeemable only for a future purchase of a ticket for travel on United Airlines or United Express flights sold under the UA code. The certificate is not valid for itineraries that include flights marketed or operated by other airlines (including United-marketed codeshare/Star Alliance-operated flights and Star Alliance-marketed codeshare/United or United Express operated flights). The electronic certificate is only valid for use through united.com and is valid one year from date of issue. The electronic certificate may only be applied to travel within the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All terms and conditions listed on the electronic certificate apply to usage. Electronic certificates will not be replaced for any reason.

The electronic certificate for the difference in fare plus an additional $100 is the sole and exclusive compensation that will be provided for United's failure to fulfill its Low Fare Guarantee.

United is the final authority on the interpretation of these rules. United Airlines reserves the right to terminate this offer at any time without notice.

United' s Double Elite Qualifying Miles Post Early

I was checking Lucky's blog and he indicated that his DEQM were in his account. Yes, they are now there in mine as well. I wondered about a First Class upgrade on a bump and how it would post as a triple or double and it appears a triple. My total is now 84,203 EQM for the year and I have booked Hawaii from Savannah and New Zealand as well.

Looks like I'll have a United 3P status to trade, give away or ???. Didn't I give it away on the blog last year? Not til December, Sorry.

CNN Shuts Out the Frugal Travel Guy

I guess my day on international TV was just not meant to be. I watched the July edition of Business Traveller online last night and I didn't make the cut. It was fun to do, but alas frugal travel is just not that popular worldwide yet I guess. Maybe some other time.

Wake Up and Smell the Miles and Huge Numbers from the US Mint Deal

Photo: Venice Italy Continental Extends Checking Account 21K Miles

Eric just sent me a note that the 21,000 Continental miles promo for opening a new checking account and using their debit card has been extended until September 30th of this year.

I've been harping about this for some time now, but diversify your portfolio whenever possible and when it is close to free.

Deposit $100 in a checking account and do three months of direct deposits to the account (push from Citi accounts counts). I got away with the $25 debit card, but others have said it took the $65 card. For me, who cares? 21,000 CO miles that never expire for $65 is a frugal bargain. I get a personal and business promo from Chase every year and now we have over 70K in 4 different accounts between Katy, myself and the kids.

Here is the link and remember you must refresh the coupon so you get a unique coupon code.

Eric, Thanks again for helping the frugal community with your update.

I Can Use Some Red Carpet Club Passes

I've got my United 3P nomination available later this year, maybe a hotel night or two and some Expedia 40 GBP vouchers. Tell me how many passes you have and what you are looking for.

Thanks Rick ingy104@gmail.com

US Mint Deal is Going Wild

The cap has come off the US Mint deal on the Native American coins and I'm hearing some huge numbers of coin deliveries. One reader said he and his mom are getting 20K coins per week. I know of another that has deposited over $60K in coins.

Five minutes ago I just picked up the UPS box delivered with 2500 coins to meet the minimum spend on the new US Bank Flex Awards offer Katy got. That was enough for me.

How are you guys moving these large numbers of coins to and from the bank?

Katy and I live in small town America and have a banking relationship with our locally owned bank and a Chase branch downtown. It would be a huge hassle (remember that word?) moving large numbers around downtown without a wagon or something. And our small town local bank just drives them downtown to Chase where they send them back to the mint. They don't want anymore.

Chime in and tell us how many branches you are depositing into? How many coins you are taking to the bank per load? What kind of grief the tellers are giving you?

Collectively if we can increase our numbers, the higher our rewards will be. I'll share the successes here and the things to watch out for.

Update as of July 8th

As they say in the world of golf; "And the leader in the clubhouse" is at $76,000 worth of coins. From the great state of Arizona this reader has 5 kids helping him hall them to the bank.

Congratulations on your miles, points and helping the fitness of our American youth.

Most of the orders I'm hearing about are in the $2000 to $2500 range. Also multiple branches seems to be popular with most of you big city folk.

One reader was upfront with the bank on why he was doing it, and they gave him a special $2000 coin bag. No more. No less, and they asked him to unwrap the coins before putting them in the bag.

Another reader has modified the flight attendant chocolates play, to bank tellers with great success. Let's plump up those bank tellers shall we?

The reported successes have moved me to up my order frequency. I just put another $2500 on my SPG card. And we'll pop Katy's card tomorrow.

Southwest Airlines Sale from Every US City Ends Today

Here is the link. See if you can find one you like.

Restaurant.com 70% Off this Week

The coupon code for 70% savings is SEVENTY. Get the $25 coupon for $3

TravelZoo Top 20 Email List A Winner Every Week

A New Link for Vegas Show Lovers and LastMinuteTravel.com $10 Hotels

Photo: Killarney, Ireland

After several emails with questions answered I have added a new link to the link list that is a somewhat different category than the rest of the links.

Showslasvegas.com is a small company run by Kristen Hollister of Reno Nevada. As a constant visitor to Vegas and the constantly changing show scene, Kristen can keep an eye on outstanding show prices and opportunities for discounts for her site followers.

ShowsLasVegas.com offers a unique low price guarantee for show tickets. Although they can not offer the guarantee on all the Vegas shows they can offer the best prices and their guarantee for every show they do have. They have tickets for Phantom, Carrot Top, Bette Midler, Cher, Blue Man Group and all the Cirque de Soleil shows. The low fare guarantee makes it worth a trip to ShowsLasVegas.com to check prices for your show tickets..

LastMinuteTravel $10 Hotel Nights

Since the beginning of June lastminutetravel.com has been offering opaque hotel stays for select nights at $10 per night. The offerings are usually short term but can be of great value for a last minute trip. As of July 1st, the nights available were for Brussels, two in New York, Montreal, New Orleans and Budapest. The available dates were up to and including July 10th. Like I said, short term.

This link is to the Flyertalk thread that tracks the promotion and people post which hotels are available so you are not buying in the dark. The Wyndham in Chelsea West End Village is one of the current offerings and per the reviews a bargain at $10. Check it out.

Southwest Airlines Sale Today and Tomorrow Every City

Every city is involved. See if there is a fare for you. Link

Restaurant.com 70% Off This Week

The coupon code is SEVENTY for your $25 coupons at only $3.

Use the Go Card to Save on Your Vacation 13 US Cities and Toronto

My Day with Hall of Famer Dave Winfield

What a treat I had on my way home from Salt Lake City.

I arrived at LAX at 7 and my next flight to Chicago wasn't until 9:46 but there was an earlier flight that left at 8:21 AM. I slipped into the Red Carper Club and got moved to the early flight and kept a first class seat. She asked me what I wanted 3, 4 or 5 Aisle. I took the 4 aisle and headed out to McDonald's. I waited for my flight which was leaving from Gate 73 by standing behind the seats for Gate 72 which was headed to Maui. People watching in LAX is a hoot as you never know who or what you'll see.

As I'm people watching up walks Dave and he sits down in the last row of seats for the Maui flight. Being a baseball fan I wanted a picture without causing a stir as it was 7 AM and I had no idea how he would react. I sat next to him and asked quietly if I could take a picture and he obliged even asking if I wanted to be in it or not. Nah, I didn't want him to stand and have people recognize him and disrupt his morning. I got the solo shot, said thanks and headed across the hall to my flight to Chicago.

As I'm sitting in 4A I hear "Ah ha figures as much" and Mr. Dave Winfield is my seatmate for the next 3 1/2 hours. We talked about family and kids and careers for awhile and he then excused himself for the Kindle he was carrying and I headed off into my beginners power point presentations. Dave was a truly warm and friendly guy without a pretentious bone in his body. We talked about our age, eyesight, weight, health and being in our later 50's just like we'd known one another for a long time. I had no feelings of discomfort and we both felt free talking about anything. He was intrigued by my frequent flyer stories and the things we all pull off around here.

Just before arrival I asked him if he had another connection and he indicated had a long layover as he was headed to Hartford, the home of ESPN. I invited him to join me in the Red Carpet Club and he gratefully accepted.

This guy is as down to earth as they get. I'm up grabbing a coke, and he is toting our bags to a different TV screen for the news and a better view. We spent the next 3 hours talking about BMI lounge access, churning credit cards, opening bank accounts and the sites we all use for making our frugal travel experiences. Dave is taking notes on a yellow pad and writing down websites and instruction on some of our deals. I got him the BMI address to get himself comped to BMI Gold and he in turn gave me his business card from the San Diego Padres and a note on the back telling me how to contact him to use a couple of his seats for a San Diego home game this year. He really didn't need to do that. I was just glad to share some of the stuff we do.

Before we headed out he gave me his other email address so I could send him some more stuff and I finally asked him about baseball. I said "We've been talking about travel so much I haven't had a chance to ask you about the game.

With the most genuine response, he turn to face me even more directly he said "Ask away"

My questions were who was the manager he most enjoyed working for and he said two. The first was Tito Gaston as they roomed together when they were first in the majors and Billy Martin of the Yankees. He said Billy had an air about him that motivated the people around him and if you were on Billy's good side, things were good. But if you were in Billy's doghouse, well then things weren't quite as pleasant. Billy was as hard partying as the press made him out, but they got along just fine.

My next question was about his other Yankee boss Mr. George Steinbrenner. I did not recall at first, but he reminded me of the time Steinbrenner was banned from baseball for the way he had treated Dave re: his contract etc. Mr Steinbrenner did eventually apologize but I'm not sure there is any lasting warm feelings between them. I got the feeling that the public opinion of Mr S. may have been kinder than he really was. He did not tell me that. That was just my feeling.

And my third and final question was there a ballpark that he was just anxious to go to because he hit the best there. You know that anticipation of being in a city where everything went his way. His answer was surprising in that he named a few cities he thought he had hit well in, but nothing really outstanding. I'd have to look up the stats to see where it was. But he did tell me that there were times when he just knew he was on stride. He'd tell the guys in the dugout he'd hit a "dinger" and boom there it would go. Karma, Intuition? Who knows? but Dave knew.

When it was time to catch our flights, I asked if I could have a picture and he gladly obliged. We got he guys working the bar in the club watching the Padres-Dodgers game to take a photo. The first ones did not turn out due to lighting and Dave suggested we move to another spot where they would come out better.

So my mileage run was extra special. I got the miles I needed for Josh and got to spend the better part of a day with a really nice guy, that just happened to hit 285 lifetime, 485 homeruns, played 22 seasons for 6 teams and never spent a day in the minors. He told me he got to play in two great eras, the first when he came up and played against our childhood hereos like Willy Mays and then got to play with the greats of the last era like Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson.

I was also reminded that every ballplayer that ends up in the majors is touted as the next All Star and Hall of Famer until they actually play in the bigs. That is when the work really begins. Dave had to change his batting style three times in his career and constantly had to keep working to improve. He left the game a Hall of Famer.

And he left me feeling I'd made a friend and met a really nice down to earth guy.