Via Bruce Schneier, comes this statement from Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Duncan: Actually, there have been many more arrests of Federal air marshals than that story reported, quite a few for felony offenses. In fact, more air marshals have been arrested than the number of people arrested by air marshals. We now have approximately 4,000 in the Federal Air Marshals Service, yet they have made an average of just 4.2 arrests a year since 2001. This comes out to an average of about one arrest a year per 1,000 employees. Now, let me make that clear. Their thousands of employees are not making one arrest per year each. They are averaging slightly over four arrests each year by the entire agency. In other words, we are spending approximately $200 million per arrest. Let me repeat that:…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for April 2010.
Up to 100,000 American Miles for Flying to Their Different New Destinations
American has a new cumulative bonus for flying their new routes through July 31. (Registration required prior to travel.) Here are the cities they’re promoting: Allentown, PA Asheville, NC Augusta, GA Beijing, China Charleston, WV Cheyenne, WY Eleuthera, Bahamas Fargo, ND Fayetteville, NC Harrisburg, PA Lexington, KY Myrtle Beach, SC Rapid City, SD Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA Sioux Falls, SD Treasure Cay, Bahamas Tri-cities, TN The more cities you fly to (roundtrip) the more miles you earn, with bonuses starting with your second city. Earning breaks down as follows: ROUND-TRIPS TO DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS TOTAL BONUS MILES EARNED 2 1,000 3 4,000 4 6,000 5 10,000 6 15,000 7 25,000 8 50,000 9 75,000 10 100,000 Each destination only counts once under the promo. You can’t just find a good fare to Fayetteville, rinse and repeat. That only…
Trip Report Prelude — Cathay & British Airways First Class, Philippines and Macau, a Presidential Suite, and the Fat Duck Restaurant
I recently returned from Asia, an American Airliens First Class Oneworld award. This is just a bit of background before I begin sharing some of the details of my travels. When the KVS Availability Tool introduced Cathay Pacific award availability (really just an interface with the Cathay website) it seemed like a good time to start searching Cathay award availability. And with the economic downturn and fewer first class tickets being sold, Cathay first was pretty widely available. I’ve long been more of a Star Alliance guy, I have plenty of American Airlinesmiles but haven’t flown much Oneworld. So this would be my first time in Cathay First. And with the Oneworld distance-based awards, you can fly pretty much any routing you wish (the longer it is, the more miles they charge) as long as…
Instant Virgin Atlantic Top Tier Elite Status
Enroll at this link for instant Gold status in Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Benefits of Gold, Virgin Atlantic’s top tier, are detailed here. Basically benefits apply primarily when actually flying Virgin — bonus miles, lounge access and priority checkin even when flying economy, extra baggage, and Heathrow fast track. You can also nominate a Silver. And there are reciprocal benefits with Virgin Blue, VAustralia, ANA, and Singapore. This puppy won’t last long. I believe it’s intended to incentivize folks buying higher-priced business class transatlantic fares, who already have status in another program, but was made available to all comers.
Sheraton Toileteries Ramain the Same, Remove Bliss Name
Barbara De Lollis reports that the Sheraton toileteries, previously Shine by Bliss, will now be simply Shine. Sheraton brand chief Hoyt Harper II told me in an interview that the new, non-Bliss-brand Shine line is “the same formula, the same packaging” and also made by the same vendor. Starwood no longer owns the Bliss name, and licenses it only for the W and St. Regis brands. Frankly, if I owned the Bliss brand I wouldn’t license it to Sheraton. I always thought it cheapened the Bliss name, rather than elevating the Sheraton toileteries. At least they didn’t try to brand Four Points Clean! products as Bliss! Perhaps the products are all good, Veblen had a point, and I’m just not a fan of shrink wrap?
$500 Off Openskies Business Class to Paris
OpenSkies is offering $500 off in May using promo code IADMAY10. It’s clearly targeted at Washington Dulles-originating flyers, though the code appears to work for New York departures as well. Roundtrips from DC to Paris-Orly can be had in business class for ~ $1250 roundtrip. Considering that United and Air France non-stops (to and from De Gaulle) are running about a thousand dollars in coach, this is a pretty good deal. (Hat tip: Flyertalk.)
50,000 Miles for a United Visa
According to this Flyertalk thread, Chase is offering 50,000 miles as a signup bonus (after $250 in spend) for a Mileage Plus Visa. The offer isn’t available online, you have to call. From the thread, Call Mileage Plus Customer Service (1-800-421-4655 for non-elites) 1. Choose “manage my account” 2. Let them know your mileage plus number and zip code 3. Say “more options” 4. Finally say “apply for a United mileage plus card”. And tell the rep that you’re calling for the 50,000 mile signup bonus offer. All reports on-thread so far are positive.
All Nippon Airways First Class Award Availablity.. and May the Vultures Descend!
I recently answered a question on Flyertalk, and thought I’d share the insight here as well. All Nippon Airways has a really fabulous first class product. Their seats/suites are getting a bit dated, their current generation first class product went into service in December, 2002. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a nice bed with ample privacy and is legions beyond many other carriers’ first class offerings. And of course they’re rolling out a new first class, I haven’t kept up on the timetable. But they really shine with their meal offerings. They have I believe the best food in the sky, and certainly the most extensive snack menus. And while some don’t like their amenity kits I’m a huge fan. They give you an empty bag and bring around a basket of amenities. Take…
A New Way to Bring Down a Commercial Jetliner
I wonder how the TSA will combat this threat? Since Whole Body Imagers (aka nudo-o-scopes) will be of no use, it seems there’s a whole new opportunity to sell expensive equipment to the federal government. And since the TSA loves to fight imaginary threats..
What a Rumored US Airways Acquisition of United Would Mean
The big news this evening is actually just a rumor, gone mainstream by way of the New York Times Deal Book blog, that US Airways would be buying United. The title of the post was changed to say the two carriers were ‘in merger talks.’ But in fact the rumor has very much been that US Airways would be making an offer for United. I’m not really clear on where they get the cash to do that (Track It Back-funded merger???). But that is the rumor. And I believe this would be bad for everyone. Consumers already get the benefits via the Star Alliance partnership. And the downsides from the perspective of a frequent traveler are myriad. 1) Bad for United flyers, United has a better product and the US folks aren’t about quality in-flight…
