The week that was - 24 July 2016

Vinay is off to the antipodes, and Sam's just concluded his Goa visit - I do hope there's enough material for some hotel and flight reviews! I'm holding fort this rather unusually pleasant summer weekend at home in Chennai, which isn't really bad, because Superstar's latest blockbuster Kabali was launched in cinemas this past Friday. Air Asia did a promotion for this movie - a package deal on the BLR-MAA route that came with return air tickets, meals and tickets to the movie on the day of release. Aboard an aircraft with special Kabali livery...check out the making of this one (the livery, not the movie)!

So here's a round up of the week that was - a summary of posts on this blog as also other things travel, aviation, points and miles that we found interesting.Hope you had a great week, and here's wishing you the very best in the next one!

Promotions ending this week

• SPG up to 50% off on stays in Asia Pacific ends 24 July 2016
• SPG promo - 40% off on 2nd night at Sheraton hotels - for Amex cardholders book by 31 July 2016
• Hyatt offering a targeted bonus (up to 40%) on points purchased till 31 July 2016
• IHG announce Point Breaks for booking till 31 July 2016 

Hotel stuff

• Hilton Worldwide is running a 2x points promotion in Asia Pacific (which you could potentially stack with one or more off: Hilton HHonors 2x points summer promotion, getting 2500 points for a stay by just asking HHonors, and their Big World Sale with up to 30% discounts on paid rates).
• Hilton HHonors finally closed their extremely liberal status matches. They will now status challenge instead - 4 nights to gold, 8 nights to diamond (both within 90 days of registration), valid till March 2018.
• Today - 24 July 2016 - is also the last day to book with SPG under this promotion offering up to 50% discount in Asia Pacific.

Airline stuff

• I should've posted this earlier when it would've been something to gloat about for some of us! Still relevant, for a month or so, though...how much is (was) your JP status worth in literal terms?
• When there's something strange in the airfare neighbourhood, who do you call? Probably not Air Vistara.
• The rapid descent of the Air India - SBI credit card since its launch less than 3 years ago: spends on this card no longer qualify for elite status.

Trip reports and stuff

• With everything else that was happening, I didn't do any updates from my London and Dublin trip, until this review of Ryanair from London Gatwick to Dublin. 

Other good reads

• A fascinating new loyalty program - this one aimed at social change and progress. Amazing!
• The surprising answer to the question, which is the most popular tourist destination in India. 
• Ever heard of DB Cooper, who jumped out of an airplane 45 years ago and nobody knows what happened to him? (HT: LeChicGeek)