When I’m flying up front I enjoy a nice cocktail. In international first class a glass of champagne is especially nice. I’ve strangely never been a huge fan of Krug (the preferred bottle on ANA and Cathay Pacific), and the 2003 Dom Perignon just isn’t up to recent vintages. I greatly enjoyed the 2000 and 2002. It doesn’t have to be quite the same level of name if it’s thoughtfully chosen, but it does usually have to be a better bottle than the US airlines are willing to spring for in their premium cabins. Although there is something special about the ‘smirk’ that Singapore Airlines flight attendants do when asking if you’d like champagne. A simple ‘yes, please’ is met with, “Would you prefer Dom or Krug?” They’re clearly proud that they serve both. And…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for December 2012.
American Airlines Has Changed the Way They Sell Tickets — And How You May Benefit
American rolled out new fare options this morning, offering add-ons like included checked bags, no charge for changes, and bonus miles for a fixed higher price. Currently the new options are available for at AA.com and travel agencies set up for direct connect (and the fare display has been updated throughout the purchase process to support the changes), but these are not just packages of ancillary services that are being bundled, these are actual fares which include add-ons as a part of the fare. That means that any travel site that chooses to offer support for showing the fares will be able to sell them. There are now three ‘categories’ of fares — outside of premium fares — at American: CHOICE: these are akin to American’s current fares. They’re the lowest price, come with a…
Bits ‘n Pieces for December 12, 2012
News and Notes from Around the Interweb: Win Virgin America 20% Off Vouchers or an Amazon Gift Card AviancaTaca increasing many of their premium cabin award prices by 2500 miles each way Trust us, your hotel duvet cover has been laundered Photos of American’s new 777-300ER.. sadly not in the airline’s new livery
More Rooms Added to the Block for April Frequent Traveler University
The event in Los Angeles was fantastic, and the 400 spots sold out long in advance. Confirmed for the spring event so far as speakers (in addition to yours truly) are Ben from the One Mile at a Time blog, Brian Kelly a.k.a. The Points Guy, Mommy Points, Daraius from Million Mile Secrets, and though I don’t think he knows it yet I intend to twist Frequent Miler’s arm to join again too. Although the event is nearly 5 months off — April 26 through 28 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner — over 300 folks signed up right away when things were announced last month, and the room block sold out as well. Folks were reporting that rooms were coming up at the host hotel for $179 a night rather than our negotiated $89.…
What Delta’s 49% Stake in Virgin Atlantic Means for Frequent Flyers
Much rumored the past few weeks, now it’s official, Delta is acquiring a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. Here are my initial thoughts. There were also rumors that Virgin would be joining an alliance soon. Since Singapore Airlines owned 49% of Virgin, Singapore is a member of Star Alliance, and Singapore has been tying itself up with Virgin Australia, most guesses were that Virgin would join Star Alliance. That’s clearly no longer in the cards, and any alliance talk is likely to shift to Skyteam. Many of the rumors the past week or so had Delta buying Singapore Airlines’ 49% stake in Virgin and Air France KLM buying a small portion of Richard Branson’s 51%, giving the two Skyteam airlines a controlling stake in Virgin Atlantic. That hasn’t happened yet, as now Branson’s interests still…
Suites, Treats, and Eats, a Malaysian Mileage Thanksgiving: Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur
Introduction: Constructing — and Re-constructing — the Award Trip American Eagle DC – New York and the New Nicest JFK Airport Hotel, the Hilton Cathay Pacific First Class, JFK – Hong Kong The Wing lounge in Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong – Kuala Lumpur Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Kuala Lumpur – Langkawi The Andaman Langkawi Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur Things to See and Do in Kuala Lumpur Korean Airlines First Class, Kuala Lumpur – Seoul and the Korean Airlines First Class Lounge Seoul Korean Airlines First Class, Seoul – Washington Dulles It was a half hour’s drive from the resort. We pulled up to the terminal and it seemed larger than I remembers from my arrival five days earlier. Upon…
American Teases Us With A Glimpse of Their New Livery
Well, almost a glimpse. Via Destination David on Milepoint, American has a new promotional video about getting ‘back on top’ that long on dramatic shots and platitudes, not a ton of news, but that’s still quite enjoyable 2m26s YouTube candy. And the best part is the frame at the very end, showing an aircraft in a factory covered with a tarp. They’re just taunting us. Underneath that tarp is their new paint job. Gone will be the silver, unpainted plane and in its place is… we don’t know what. But there’s a new American brand getting ready to launch. C’mon, American, show us what’s underneath that tarp! Update: American CEO Tom Horton gave an interview today where he noted that their new composite aircraft coming online “don’t lend themselves to being bare metal.” American also…
Strategic Value in the Alitalia Frequent Flyer Program
Head for Points asks if Alitalia has ‘the worst frequent flyer scheme’? Some programs have expiring miles (you have a certain number of years or months to use the points you accumulate). Examples here are Singapore Airlines Krisflyer which gives you 3 years to use miles you’ve earned, and Aeroplan which gives you seven years. Other programs have expiring accounts after 18, 24 or 36 months of inactivity. Any activity at all tends to be enough to extend the life of the account, resetting the clock on all of the miles you’ve earned. United and American are at 18 months, Alaska is at 24 months, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are at 36. My favorite whipping target, Delta Skymiles, does not expire its miles or make its accounts go inactive — although that policy was…
50% Off Hilton Stays During the Coming Lull in Business Travel
Hilton is running a ‘friends and family’ sale with up to 50% off stays between December 14 and January 7. They call it a friends and family rate but there’s no need to actually know or be related to a Hilton employee, it’s just a way of signaling that the rates are really good (which they happen to be in some cases). No form or other sort of verification requirements. Searches I’ve done pull up a cancellable rate, though the terms and conditions of the offer suggest that cancellation policies may vary. It looks as though it does seem to take 50% off best available rates in some cases, although at other hotels the discount is much less. This rates does earn points and stay credit. The rates aren’t available for New Years eve, and…
Suites, Treats, and Eats, a Malaysian Mileage Thanksgiving: The Andaman Langkawi
Introduction: Constructing — and Re-constructing — the Award Trip American Eagle DC – New York and the New Nicest JFK Airport Hotel, the Hilton Cathay Pacific First Class, JFK – Hong Kong The Wing lounge in Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong – Kuala Lumpur Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Kuala Lumpur – Langkawi The Andaman Langkawi Malaysia Airlines Business Class, Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur Things to See and Do in Kuala Lumpur Korean Airlines First Class, Kuala Lumpur – Seoul and the Korean Airlines First Class Lounge Seoul Korean Airlines First Class, Seoul – Washington Dulles When Starwood first took over The Andaman in Langkawi, Malaysia I was intrigued. I’d heard of the property, seen it on several ‘best’ lists (for best beaches, spa, etc).…
