Like SkyMiles, MileagePlus is offering an exemption from the minimum revenue requirements for those who spend $25,000 on a MileagePlus credit card product. Notably different is that there is no credit card spending exemption for Premier 1K status, equivalent to SkyMiles Diamond Medallion, and as far as I can tell by the language used, this is only available for 2014.

Now, the only thing we have to wait for is to see how rapidly American AAdvantage will follow. That could go a couple of ways. They could wait and introduce a revenue requirement when they roll out the new AAdvantage following the merger with US Airways or they could proceed pretty rapidly. I would speculate that they have other more pressing concerns in the near term, but it is entirely possible they have been working on new requirements since Delta first introduced it and were just simply waiting to see what happened. There’s nothing to stop US Airways from rolling out its own requirement for Dividend Miles either, but I doubt it is a near term priority.

As you know, I have thought for some time that big changes were coming to airline loyalty programs. These are interesting times in airline loyalty, but in my mind were entirely predictable. The dog really is beginning to wag the tail. Can it last? More soon.

-MJ, June 18, 2013

Traveling with Diabetes – The Basics

Traveling with Diabetes – No Sweat Security

Traveling with Diabetes – Cruise Specifics

Traveling with Diabetes – Insulin Pumper Specifics

Only a person who wears an insulin pump and likes it would get this, but I have found that wearing an insulin pump is uniquely liberating when it comes to most travel. There are some factors to consider, for sure, but a heavy travel schedule was the primary reason I first pursued an insulin pump in 1998. One of the tricks of traveling with diabetes is that time zone changes can be a challenge. At the time, I had a job that included significant international travel, and my diabetic control was slipping just a bit. An insulin pump fixed that and a few other things too. But that’s just my experience, and this is focused on those who already have pumps and are preparing to travel.

My basics and security posts offer a pretty good primer on getting ready to travel, but there are a few things insulin pump wearers need to be aware of that are specific to us. First, know the requirements of your pump for security. I am not aware of any pump that the manufacturer has blessed to be worn through an advanced imaging technology scanner, fondly called nudascope by many in jest. So check with your manufacturer for specifics on your device.

I’m sure you have already packed all sorts of back up syringes, infusion sets, etc, that we covered back in basics, but have you packed a back up insulin pump? Wait..what? My first insulin pump actually came with a back up, but not so for my pump manufactured by Medtronic. If you have an issue domestically, they can have one delivered the next day, but what if you are traveling outside the country? Medtronic offers a travel loaner. Simply complete a form online, and they will provide you a “loaner” pump to take with you on your international journey. They also recommend doing so on cruises and travels to Alaska and Hawaii as well. Personally, I haven’t taken a loaner pump on short cruises to the Bahamas (I probably should, and likely will going forward), but certainly take one on longer cruises. All manufacturers may not offer a travel loaner, so it’s best to check with yours directly.

Image Courtesy of Diabetesnet.com. Current as of June 17, 2013

In 15 years of insulin pumping, I have not yet experienced a “catastrophic” failure of an insulin pump. However, it is always best to be prepared, so make the call about a loaner pump and take advantage of it if it’s available. Finally, read this blog post, and print the airport emergency card that it links to.

In summary, insulin pumps offer new flexibilities to many people with diabetes, including diabetic travelers. Work with your physician to identify any specific needs for your situation, and hopefully some of the tips shared here and throughout this series will contribute to many successful miles of traveling. I hope you’ve found my traveling with diabetes series informative and useful as you prepare for your travels.

-MJ, June 18, 2013

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These are interesting times in miles and points land. Delta created a bit of a stir with its elimination of MQM earning on Sky Team partner, Korean. There even seems to be a bit of a story behind it. Couple that with the comp liquor changes at the Sky Club, which I termed “Gordonsgate,” and we’ve got the makings of a good old fashioned controversy on the interweb. Good times that are no doubt going to get even better.

The Week in Review

• Delta Opens the Sky Deck in Atlanta
• Summer Travel Tips From an ex-Airline Guy
• Traveling with Diabetes – Cruise Specifics
• Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Celebrity
• Gordonsgate 2013 – Who Is Deep Throat?

The Week Ahead

• Traveling with Diabetes – Insulin Pumper Specifics
• Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Royal Caribbean
• Cruising with MJ – Group Cruise Update

These, and no doubt a few more travel things, this week at MJ on Travel.

-MJ, June 16, 2013

Did you know MJ on Travel is on Facebook? Take a look.

Prior to a recent Delta flight, I had the opportunity to actually “belly up” to the bar at one of the Atlanta Sky Clubs and chat with the bartender. Someone came up and ordered a drink, indicated “house” was fine, took their drink and left. I asked the bartender if he had been getting lots of complaints about the new liquor setup. He said a few, most people just take what they have and leave, and some will pay for better. You might remember that I’m one of those that hasn’t consumed the house wine (if there’s another option) since Luxury Bar hit the scene. For what it’s worth, in the dozens of drinks served while I was seated at the bar, no one griped about the liquor change. The bartender then asked me if I ever read FlyerTalk, and of course I said yes. He could not believe the number of comments and views of this thread. So… one could conclude that the issue has the attention of those directly affected on the inside….the bartenders.

As you know, I spent Monday afternoon at the opening of the new Atlanta Sky Deck adjacent to the F Concourse Sky Club. I had the opportunity to chat with some senior Delta managers about things the airline is doing on the product side, the evolution of the Sky Club product, the Delta inflight product, etc. I even learned a bit about the logistics of offering food selections like those recently introduced at JFK. In short, I don’t think it’s as easy as it looks, but I also think that is an option you’ll see coming to some other clubs in the future. The liquor subject did come up, but I did not really pursue it because I find it remarkably uninteresting, and I expect all I would have gotten was what was in the original press release anyway. For what it’s worth, I think we all recognize that Sky Club, Admirals Club, or the United Club are not the Lufthansa First Class lounge or the BA Concorde Room. The lounge model in the USA has been, and I expect will continue to be, different.

I’ve listed my reasons for paying for Sky Club access previously, and those have not changed. I value a place to hide, and access to experienced Delta agents more than the availability of complimentary alcohol. After conversing with the Delta people I met, I’m pretty sure those things I (and I expect a not so vocal but significant number of the rest of us) value in lounge membership are not changing. If they do, I’ll admit it here first. And I also commit to try a bloody mary with the Gordon’s Vodka next time I’m on a leisure flight. If I can truly tell the difference between that and the Ketel One I usually opt for, the next decent drink for the first lucky reader that meets me at the Sky Club is on me.

Coming soon – a house liquor comparison across the big three airlines.

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Carnival

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Disney

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with NCL

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Princess

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Holland America

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Celebrity

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status with Royal Caribbean

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status Reciprocity with Affiliate Brands

Cruising with MJ – Elite Status Summary

Celebrity Cruises, in 1989, has a history of attentive service and fine dining. Now a division of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the company continues its focus as they put it on “stunning ships, and inviting onboard experiences for vacationers who appreciate the finer things.” I can vouch for that as two of my three Celebrity cruises have been aboard the line’s beautiful Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity’s newest vessel.

Celebrity’s loyalty program is the Captain’s Club, and you can join after your first cruise with Celebrity. Unlike most lines nowadays, who award status based on nights at sea, Captain’s Club members earn tier credits beginning with a base of one per cruise. Members can earn an additional credit by sailing on voyages of 12 nights or longer (including cruise tours), and by booking a Concierge Class, AquaClass, or Suite stateroom.

Captain’s Club members enjoy three levels of elite status, Classic, Select, and Elite, that are awarded based on tier credits earned.

Classic members enjoy a basic level of benefits including an “exclusive Captain’s Club celebration” onboard, onboard discounts, and a one category upgrade. Select members enjoy all of the Classic benefits with the addition of complimentary pressing of two items, discounts on laundry services, discounts on internet packages, an exclusive onboard cocktail party, and priority embarkation.

Celebrity’s top tier elites are known as just that, Elite. Elite status members receive a very respectable level of benefits. My personal favorites of 90 minutes of complimentary internet, and one complimentary (wash, dry, fold) laundry bag per sailing. You can follow the red arrow to free drinks in the evenings too.

You can review all of the Elite member benefits here. Importantly, Captain’s Club Select members enjoy elite reciprocity with Royal Caribbean at the Platinum level, while Elite members are rewarded with Diamond status at Royal Caribbean. Elite status reciprocity is something that I will cover in its own post very soon.

In summary, Captain’s Club is a solid loyalty program. Based on “per cruise” tier credits, and with only three elite tiers, it’s also a bit of an outlier in that is both rewarding and remarkably uncomplicated. Elite status reciprocity with Royal Caribbean is just icing on the cake.