Thursday, May 19, 2011

AClub Elite status at Sofitel Hotels is not only for A-list guests

Movie stars and VIP’s get free upgrades to the best room at a hotel. If you also want a suite, you should stay loyal to one hotel progam.
I have been upgraded to the Presidential suite at the Marriott Zurich, Marriott Seattle, Sheraton Austin and a few others. Intercontinental hotels and Sofitel hotels seldom upgrade Platinum Elite members to suites but they did upgrade IMF head, Dominique Strauss-Kahn to a $3,000 suite. He won’t be able to afford a room like that again after posting $1 Million bail. According to CNBC, he will get at least $250K a year for life from the IMF now that he has resigned. How do feel about that?... Please hit my comment button at the bottom.

It was a REAL LIFE ACTION CHASE, the kind you normally see on the screen. Strauss-Kahn, who is charged with the sexual attack of a maid at New York's Sofitel hotel has brought about a lot of press. Some are calling for the next IMF Chief to come from a developing Nation, but the USA pays most into the fund and want it abolished or have an American MD. 62-year-old DSK went from luxury at the Sofitel to Rikers Island jail, in a unit that normally houses inmates with contagious diseases because the police think that the Maid has HIV. The French, Jewish IMF MD was arrested while seated in his first-class Air France seat, before the flight took off.

The Sofitel New York is a 30-story midtown Manhattan hotel in limestone, decorated in Paris and New York motifs, located between 5th Ave and 6th Ave advertises rooms priced from $375 to $876 . DSK’s room goes for $3,000 a night but he only paid about $500. I like the Sofitel London St James U.K.. They are a French Chain so most of the Sofitel hotels that I have stayed at are in France and I only stay at a Sofitel if there is no Sheraton, Marriott or Hyatt in the area.

If you like Sofitel hotels you should join their AClub program to collect points for free stays.Your AClub membership upgrades automatically to Silver, Gold or Platinum status as soon as you reach the required number of nights or AClub points. Platinum is the highest Elite status and you attain Plat with a minimum of 60 nights or 25 000 points.

Plat benefits:
  • 100% bonus points
  • Get an exclusive welcome in Sofitel hotels, with a greeting drink and special gift.
  • Guaranteed room availability with 3 days notice
  • Room upgrade at check-in (but availability is not often)
  • Late check-out until 4:00 pm
  • Dedicated Customer Service

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Get closer to Elite Plat upgrades with $39 fares

American Airlines is offering very low travel deals with fares quoted from $39* each way on domestic flights now through Thursday. fly Dallas DFW to Oklahoma city (OKC) for $39.
The deals are to many cities with fares quoted Each way, based on round-trip purchase. Some fares are a little more. For example El Paso To Dallas ( Ft. Worth) is $94*
Fly international from New York Kennedy airport To Manchester, U.K. for only $304* ask Ameriacn Airlines about the restrictions. Book by May 12, 2011, for travel through October 5, 2011, and save.
I also like to check the American Airlines last minute discount airfare offers for each weekend. An example for this weekend is a flight from Waco to DFW for $36
American has also extended their offer to buy miles at a 20% Discount has been extended. AAdvantage members can buy 1,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for $27.50. Purchase the miles that you may need to reach your flight award and save 20% when you purchase 20,000 miles or more beginning May 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011.
I feel so lucky when I get a free upgrade but it’s not luck it’s the airline taking care of their best passengers. To qualify for AAdvantage elite status membership, you start off with Gold level then go higher to Platinum and attain the highest tier called "AAdvantage Executive Platinum®" the trick is to go straight into Executive Platinum if you are the top tier with another airline AA will match it. To qualify for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, you have to fly 100 elite-qualifying segments on AA or OneWorld airlines or earn 100,000 qualifying miles or points during the calendar year.