News and notes from around the interweb:
- 2500 bonus American miles every 2nd Marriott stay, up to 50,000 miles for stays between February 1 and April 30. Registration required. The offer details say it’s targeted, but everyone I checked with has received it (and you’ll know if the offer shows up in your account once you register).
- Immediately after getting some heat, Virgin Australia has decided to eliminate fuel surcharges on its U.S. flights (though it will raise paid fares most of the way back to compensate). Delta stopped adding fuel surcharges to Virgin Australia two years ago. They’re a Starwood Preferred Guest transfer partner as well, though you have to use an eligible address to join the program.
- New York JFK’s $50 million ‘terminal for animals’ known as ‘The Ark at JFK’.
- Air India flight delayed because fight broke out in the cockpit. (HT: Alan H.)
- Alaska Mileage Plan head: elites are less than 5% of members, and most popular international redemption partner is Emirates.
- The former Chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors studied internal Uber data and found that most drivers already had jobs, and driving for Uber was a new opportunity – paying more than traditional taxi drivers make.
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“… driving for Uber was a new opportunity – paying more than traditional taxi drivers make.”
According to the WaPo article, the study reports gross earnings of Uber drivers and net income of taxi drivers – hardly an apples to apples comparison.
I see “removing fuel surcharges” in the title, then talk about the fuel surcharges dropping $40-$50 then talk about removing them completely. This doesn’t sound like it’s going to be that big of a change.
I’m a little surprised Alaska people are redeeming on EK. I would have guessed Cathay Pacific would be the most popular, but maybe it’s a question of availability.
@PainCorp fuel surcharges are being eliminated from the fare calculation That doesn’t mean lower prices (except maybe $50). But it sure helps award redemptions with currencies other than Skymiles!
I get that, but if you look at the cost of an award on VA using DL miles vs VX Elevate points, the fees are WAY different, and FAR more than $50. I understand it’s going away, but it also makes me curious what the other fees are that VX is charging on VA redemptions that DL is not. We’re talking around $700 difference.