As “full service” carrier American Airlines is reducing legroom in coach, “discount” carrier JetBlue is increasing legroom in coach (the only service class it offers). Yet another reason why, for the infrequent traveler, the discount carriers offer more service than the mainline carriers do.
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for July 2003.
Priceline for the Business Traveler
Chris Woodyard writes today about business travelers using priceline. If the economy refuses to expand, and business travel budgets remain tight, this is going to become an increasing trend. It has the potential to subvert the whole hotel industry pricing structure. Old-line companies with traditional travel departments don’t like travelers using priceline, because those companies negotiate corporate discounts and kickbacks which are undercut by their employees saving money with Priceline. The travel departments are generally measured based on their contract negotiation, so they want all travel booked through their own more traditional venues. And companies like to centrally book so that they can keep better track of their employees. But the Priceline model offers enough savings that its use and acceptance is growing. Or at least the media thinks that it’s growing. I have an…
The 727 Saga Continues
The media remains fascinated by the missing 727 that disappeared from Africa. It apparently reappeared briefly in Angola but has vanished again. While stories still mention the possibility of terrorism, they also take pains to distance themselves from that theory.
New Flight Delay Compensation in Europe
The European Union has a new EU-wide policy on paying compensation for flight delays. Patrick Crozier has a response that’s worth quoting from in detail: Now we wouldn’t want to deny there is a downside to this. It means that flying planes will become more expensive for the operators. Which means that in some cases the fares will go up and in others the routes will be abandoned. But don’t you worry your pretty little prole head about it. You might have thought you wanted budget airlines run by dynamic entrepreneurs finding new niches in the market. You might have thought you were prepared to take the risk of a wait if it meant getting a ticket at the right price. You might have thought that airline food was perhaps a luxury you could forgo.…
Online Booking Bonuses are back at Starwood – but you have to register
Register for 500 bonus Starwood points for all online bookings made through August 31.
Free Hilton points
GMAC insurance is still giving 1000 Hilton HHonors points for requesting a car insurance quote through the end of July.
What are the best Frequent Flyer awards?
A current discussion on Flyertalk got me thinking about what the very best loyalty program award values are. In general, the very best values come from redeeming points for international business and first class travel. Beyond that general advice, there are a few specific awards that just seem to me to offer the very best for the fewest number of miles. Mexicana’s Star Alliance awards from the U.S. and Canada to Hawaii. You can flying from anywhere in the US and Canada to Hawaii in First Class using 40,000 Mexicana Frecuenta miles. In contrast, United — the airline you’re most likely to be flying for this award — requires 60,000 miles for a first class ticket to Hawaii. What’s more, you can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points for Mexicana Frecuenta miles. (You can’t redeem…
Win up to 500,000 Miles
Enter for a chance to double your American, Delta, or United mileage balance (up to 500,000 miles) by signing up for the Omni Hotels Select Guest program.
This piece of “news” just emailed to me
At Heathrow Airport today, an individual, later discovered to be a school teacher, was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a compass, a protractor, and a graphical calculator. Authorities believe she is a member of the notorious al-Gebra movement. She is being charged with carrying weapons of math instruction.
Non-news
Delta wants to fly to the currently unused Detroit City Airport — but only if the government will give them money from a grant program that the airport probably doesn’t qualify for anyway.
