ESL Podcast 479 - Using Frequent Flyer Miles

long weekend - a period of three days (Friday-Sunday, or Saturday-Monday) where one has one extra day off from work, getting three free days in a row, usually because one uses a vacation day or because there is a holiday

They drove to North Carolina and spent time on the coast over the long weekend.

to be strapped - to be broke; to not have enough money; to have very little money

We can't go to the festival because we don't have enough money to buy a ticket. We're strapped until payday.

to set (one) back - to cost a certain amount of money; to make one pay a certain amount of money

If you buy that new suit, it's going to set you back almost $350.

frequent flyer miles - points in a program where one earns points (miles) every time one flies on a particular airline or spends money in certain ways, and those points can be exchanged for reduced-price or free flights in the future

Damian is trying to get enough frequent flyer miles to fly to Hawaii for free.

blackout dates - dates when frequent flyer miles cannot be used and one cannot get a free or reduced-price ticket, no matter how many points one has

Most airlines have blackout dates around Christmas because they want to make as much money as possible from the many people who are willing to pay a lot of money to visit relatives who live far away during the holidays.

to rack up - to get a lot of something, adding a little bit at a time over a period of time

By the time Gabriel was 15 years old, he had already racked up $1,700 in his savings account from doing small jobs for people in his neighborhood.

to enroll - to sign up for something; to enter a program; to begin to participate in something

They decided to enroll in a swim class at the gym.

to redeem - to exchange points or pieces of paper for something that is worth money

We got a coupon in the mail that we can redeem at the grocery store for a free bag of rice.

upgrade - an increase or improvement from one thing or level to another

If you have a Basic Membership in ESL Podcast, you can purchase an upgrade for just $50 to become a Premium Member and have access to all the Learning Guides that we have ever made.

to add up - to increase, usually one at a time or a small amount at a time

Eating out really adds up! $4.00 for coffee and a muffin, $9.25 for lunch, and $1.20 for a soda and an apple as a snack...I've already spent almost $15 and I still haven't had dinner!

to partner with (someone or an organization) - to collaborate and cooperate; to work closely with something on a project or in a program

The Environmental Defense Fund partnered with McDonald's to try to decrease the amount of garbage produced by fast-food restaurants.

bonus - extra; additional; something that is not normally included

Sheila got bonus points on the test for answering the optional questions.

restriction - a limitation; something that one cannot do or that is not allowed; a minimum or maximum

In your office, are there restrictions on what employees can wear?

to work around (something) - to cope; to find a way to do what one wants despite restrictions or limitations; to be successful even though there are some obstacles or things that make it difficult

Lana will be on vacation next week, so we'll need to work around her schedule.

elite status - a very high level in a program where one has a lot of benefits or advantages, usually because one has spent a lot of money to get to that level

Hal has elite status at that hotel, so whenever he goes there, they give him the best room and a free bottle of wine.

a word to the wise - a phrase used when one is giving advice to another person

A word to the wise: always think before you speak.

for the sake of - in order to

Galina didn't say anything for the sake of avoiding an argument, but she really disagreed with Harold very strongly.

point taken - a phrase used to show that one has heard and understood what another person has said, and accepts or agrees with it

Kevin talked about the importance of saving money for emergencies. I said, "Point taken," and decided to start saving more money right away.