Thanksgiving 2024 soon: Doha and Zurich

I'm looking forward to our upcoming Thanksgiving trip which starts in a week!  (map via gcmap)

It will be great to get back to Qatar as well as see the Christmas markets in Switzerland.  United will be taking us to Dubai and then Qatar Airways to Doha and Zurich with United back to Newark.

More Rewards Day on 11/7

Bank of America just sent out a notification about a special promotion day for purchases on Thursday 11/7 - they are calling this "More Rewards Day".

Link is here: https://promotions.bankofamerica.com/card/morerewardsday

On Thursday, November 7th ET, you can earn an additional 2 Miles for every $1 spent on purchases made with your Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. This one-day offer is good for the first $2,500 in purchases, up to 5,000 Miles. That’s on top of the rewards you’re already earning. No enrollment is necessary.

All purchases qualify for additional points though transactions must occur on Thursday.  I believe they are trying to get a start on holiday shopping!

On the road this week to Crete!

I'm looking forward to being back on the far south side of Chicago this week as I fly back for Choral Fest.  Curious who I will see!

United MileagePlus Premier Status Updates for 2025

United has announced changes to MileagePlus for Premier status in 2025:

Premier status	PQP and PQF	PQP only
Premier Silver	5,000 PQP + 15 PQF	6,000 PQP
Premier Gold	10,000 PQP + 30 PQF	12,000 PQP
Premier Platinum	15,000 PQP + 45 PQF	18,000 PQP
Premier 1K	22,000 PQP + 60 PQF	28,000 PQP

In addition to threshold updates, PlusPoints will be changed to include more options for use.  Starter PQP will be awarded and credit card earning levels will also be adjusted.

Overall, these changes are not surprising given the uptick in travel post-pandemic.  However, that trend has shifted over the last months as overall demand has decreased (among reports of credit card debt nationally spiking to new highs).  Even though flight costs seem high, it's interesting that United would change the top earning potential as this will most likely affect individuals who regularly achieve 1K.  I'll be curious to see overall feedback.  Unfortunately for my own travel pattern, requalifying for 1K will likely not occur for me this year.

Educause next week

I'll be back on the road next week to Educause in San Antonio!  It's been some time since I was at an Educause gathering and I'm looking forward to seeing who may be attending from higher ed.  It will also be the first time visiting this city for me.  

United will take me through Newark and back via Ohare - I'll also be able to visit a new Hyatt property.