Monthly Archives for June 2015.
Virgin Money subverts (or reveals…) the very meaning of the Sex Pistols with the new Sex Pistols MasterCard. Almost as much irony as the Karl Marx MasterCard from Sparkasse bank!
There was apparently a technical glitch preventing American AAdvantage from booking Etihad first class award seats. That’s been resolved — first class awards are back!
At 4pm Eastern today American Airlines will announce Australia service! I’m betting that it’s Los Angeles – Sydney in a joint venture with Qantas, served by a Boeing 777-300ER.
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Airlines want lower costs to distribute their tickets and greater flexibility in how their fares are displayed — especially the ability to upsell unbundled products through whatever channels are distributing their fares.
Delta is limiting the sites that can display its fares. Lufthansa has declared that all ‘indirect channels’ (like travel agents, online booking websites) have to pass on a 16 euro fee for their tickets.
This is a war between airlines and their distribution partners, and they’ll bloody each other in the process. While not convenient for consumers, you won’t really feel the losses here.
American AAdvantage is currently unable to ‘see’ Etihad first class award space. This isn’t like past glitches, business and economy awards appear unaffected.
US airlines have about $30 billion in net operating loss carry forwards worth over $10 billion in tax savings. At a time of record profits, the US tax code won’t require them to pay much if any federal taxes. Is that a subsidy, or just plain fair? And should they be screaming about the subsidies they argue airlines in other countries receive?
American Airlines has refreshed its snack basket, and I had a chance to try the new organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher cookie that is not in fact the ‘exclusive’ cookie of American Airlines. Here’s what’s in it… and what it tastes like…
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
“Unbundling” which most passengers equate to checked bag fees but can include fees even for printing boarding passes could be coming to business class. Not only does British Airways want to exclude elite benefits from their cheapest economy fares, but Malaysia Airlines is looking at offering business class fares that exclude lounge access and don’t earn miles. Think elite members would be exempt? Think again.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
