A few of you emailed after getting this. Didn’t work for me, but it’s worth 30 seconds to give it a shot. Click here and enter your Southwest information. You might need to log into your account before clicking the link. If it does work for you, that’s Southwest A-List status for 2 months. A couple of paid round-trips will extend it to the end of the year.
A bunch of you guys are loaded with American miles. Some of you successfully worked/saved/hustled your way to seven-figure balances. Unfortunately, as has been the trend…it’s devaluation time.
Blah.
Yup, today is the last day to book from the old chart. And, as we’ve often seen, the new chart is a punch to the gut if you like flying in those nicer seats at the front of a plane. The old vs. new partner charts are a barrel of laughs too…so if you have any flights to book with American miles, you might want to do that today.
Hope all is well! Wanted to let you know that today we’re launching a US tax promotion –
Get a 1.75% rate for all federal and state tax payments when you use your MasterCard!
This special rate will expire on April 18, 2015 at 5 p.m. PT. Only payments to the taxes listed there will receive a 1.75% rate when you use your MasterCard. FYI, this is the best rate out there for paying taxes with credit card.
I got some awesome messages in response to yesterday’s post. So many good stories about how much we can receive when we put a smile on someone’s face. Yet another reminder to me how we have the power to brighten someone’s day or darken it. My favorite email was from James. Here it is:
Loved your column today.
Just. Ask.
Here’s my “3 Ways To Get Bonused.”
1. Train The Rep! – 2,000 ThankYou points for informing them the Citi Prestige American lounge benefit extends for free to family members. They didn’t know, so seeing as I had just trained them, I asked if it was worth anything to find that information out. Apparently it was.
2. Tell A Joke! – 3,000 Starwood points for telling a joke to a rep and “making her day.” Just ask.
3. Play The Idiot Card! – My patented move. 2,500 Ultimate Rewards points to Chase Freedom because I’m an idiot (cancelled a Ritz card before 5x points from a $500 Marriott stay posted). I told the guy my mistake and asked if I could get some UR points because of my stupidity. He obliged.
All these are just what I’ve received in the last month. Haven’t even tried for any annual fee waivers yet this year but they’re coming soon.
Also, I emailed that I had sent 20-30 cards for the IHG Priceless Surprises promo and hadn’t heard anything back. 2 days later I received 90+ plays. We’ll see if those 52,500 points post.
Oh, speaking of IHG, I also played the idiot card for the first promotion last year with 4 of 6 requirements needed. For me it was stay 2 times at 2 Holiday Inns, pay with a credit card, and earn 50,000 points. Anyway, I ended up staying at the same hotel twice (a lot of Flyertalkers made the same mistake and were pissed). I called the awful call center and said I was an idiot for staying at the same Holiday Inn twice when I could have stayed at one down the street. I asked if they could do anything because of my stupidity and they gave me an extra 10,000 points. Still 30,000 short but better than nothing!
FYI, if you have short legs on United, they allowed me to cancel an outbound while keeping the inbound leg intact (outbound was weather-delayed 12 hrs and the refund paid for my 1-way Hertz rental). No status with United. I just asked. After 10 minutes on hold, the refund was done.
Just. Keep. Asking.
I’ve been getting daily emails from you guys who are getting free points for asking. People who signed up for 50,000 American miles are getting 60,000. And some of those who got the Starwood card at 25,000 points are getting bumped up to 35,000.
So, what’s the secret to these free points? What do these jedi masters of persuasion know?
Just. Ask. For. What. You. Want.
It’s not that complicated. And a piece of me dies every time I hear another nerd use the phrase “social engineering.” Using your personal charm isn’t some geeked out process. Stop being weird, awkward, and scared about things like this. Just ask.
Hopefully you feel you deserve what you’re asking for. Otherwise, don’t waste your time on it. Remember, we aren’t robots so always try to appeal to the human being on the other end of the phone. Why should you get matched to a higher bonus? Maybe other people have gotten it…maybe you’re a loyal customer who expects loyalty in return…or maybe you have better reasons. Whatever it is, figure it out and pick up the phone.
Is this all the fault of the internet? Is Steve Jobs somehow to to blame? Do we point our fingers at Al Gore? I don’t know. But it never fails to amaze me how uncomfortable people have gotten when it comes to talking to another human being. It’s truly unbelievable how much I’ve gotten through the years just by asking. It’s pretty ridiculous how much you’ll receive once you’re willing to strike out.
Remember, there’s no such thing as a firm no. You just want what’s fair. So pick up the phone and ask for it. If that doesn’t work, hang up and call again. Or talk to a supervisor. But if you’re googling “social engineering” right now, I’ve failed you all.
