I'm pretty obsessed with my rewards points. Hilton Honors, US Airways Dividend Miles, National Rental Car Emerald Club, whatever - I'm just trying to get what's mine, son. I check different business traveller forums every day to see if there are any special deals or promotions that I can take advantage of. January was a good month because I got 2X airlines miles on all my flights, and my hotel in DC was $200 per night so the Hilton points just piled up. It was disappointing that my DC trip got cut in half because if I had stayed all 2 weeks I would've passed the point of having enough for a free weekend at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC (Don't worry 'cause I'll get there soon). I should hit the Emerald Club Executive by July, meaning that I'll get to style and profile in such fine automobiles as the Chevy Impala. I'm currently Hilton Honors Silver and will be Diamond by August. Though I won't get any extra water bottles or snacks at the hotel, I will rack up points quicker that I can use for free nights at Hilton Hotels or products like a box of Doubletree Cookies, which would be awesome because the Doubletree Cookie symbolizes the warm, friendly and caring personality of the Doubletree Hotels, Suites, Resorts and Clubs.
The most important and exciting reward for the frequent business traveller is preferred status with the airlines. I will be Silver Preferred with US Airways in July and this will allow me to get free upgrades to First Class 2 days in advance of my flight. I should make it to Gold Preferred by the end of the year, meaning that I'll be able to ask for first class upgrades 5 days before my flight. You have no idea how much this means. While waiting for every flight I'm seething with jealousy watching other people get their free upgrades when I deserve to be with them. It's not that I even want the extra leg room, metal flatware & glass cups, free gin & tonics, or happy endings that all First Class flyers enjoy. It is that I want the recognition that comes with sitting in First Class. It's all about sitting in that chair and enjoying your cocktail while the cattle shuffles off to their Coach seats. When I have had to suffer the indignity of sitting in Coach I have felt the searing condescension in the eyes of the First Class passengers and desperately want to be in their place to make others recognize my superiority and see that I deserve a level of comfort and luxury that most people will never experience.
2 comments:
I've always known that passengers in first class were not only richer than me, but also better people.
Do these points transfer when you die? Which company sponsors immediate access to heaven? I know it's not the church-- their "good works" program only appeals to people's vanity. No bonuses there.
Maybe it will be a joint venture between some other company and the armed forces-- pentagon is hot to supply waivers so that moral reprobates can serve. It's only a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from guaranteeing that once a scumbag dies, he will have a direct flight to the pearly gates. I think they already claim this, but the program will, like the philosopher's stone, make bullshit a reality.
Southwest Airlines has a "money can buy you love" rewards program. They use an expansive definition of the word, "love," so there are a lot of options, a lot of rewards. People do, however, tend to veer away from the metaphysical prizes and stick to the tried and true carnal ones.
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