Jun
05
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Marriott Changes Terms & Conditions, American Diverts 287 Flights, and More..
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for June 2015.
United 50,000 Mile Signup Bonus Still Available for Business Card.
Jun
05
2015
Even though the limited-time 50,000 mile signup bonus for the United Visa has ended, it’s still possible to get 50,000 miles for the United small business credit card. Here’s how.
Yesterday’s Big American Airlines Cookie PR Scandal
Jun
05
2015
A cookie company sent out an unauthorized press release yesterday falsely claiming to be the exclusive cookie of American Airlines, available in first class on all domestic flights. Really.
Student Legally Changed Name to Avoid Airline Ticket Name Change Fee
Jun
05
2015
Adam Armstrong — for some inexplicable reason — booked a Ryanair ticket under the name Adam West. And he made separate outbound and return reservations, rather than making a single booking. As a result, in order to fly, he needed to change the name on the reservation and was looking at £110 twice….
Could We Get Government Regulation of Frequent Flyer Programs From an Unlikely Place?
Jun
05
2015
The Department of Transportation doesn’t regulate frequent flyer programs, but it has held hearings on the possibility. They aren’t likely to do anything soon. It’s another agency of government, though, that has some loyalty programs worried.
A Hotelier’s Perspective on Why Airline Customer Service is So Bad
Starwood CEO Adam Aron had an interesting story to tell when I interviewed him on stage in Atlanta. He began his career at Pan Am, where he eventually launched their first frequent flyer program. When he started at the airline he was taken into a dark room and put in front of a screen where he was shown a two hour documentary on the runway collision of two Boeing 747s at Tenerife in 1977, known as the deadliest accident in aviation history. A KLM flight tried to take off while Pan Am’s 747 was on the runway. Everyone onboard the KLM 747 was killed, and 335 people onboard the Pan Am aircraft lost their lives. As the video ended his colleague walked into the room, and told him that every decision at the airline matters.…
50,000 Miles is the New 25,000, Why the TSA Doesn’t Work, and United Admits Looking at A380
Jun
04
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Is a Rough Ride Ahead for American’s Stock, as Merrill Lynch Downgrades?
Jun
04
2015
Merrill Lynch has downgraded American Airlines stock to a ‘neutral’ rating just as airline CEO Doug Parker elected to take all his compensation in stock.
Remember that neutral means sell (and sell means build a shelter and accumulate canned goods and bullets). Historically an investment firm wouldn’t rate a sell (or likely even neutral, since ‘buy’ is considered neutral) if they hoped to get business from that firm in the future.
Fantastic New Offer for Hyatt Visa: 2 Free Nights, $50 Statement Credit, and 5000 Points Plus No Fee First Year
Jun
04
2015
The Hyatt Visa has a fantastic new offer: no fee the first year (then $75), 2 free nights at any Hyatt, a $50 statement credit and 5000 points for adding a no fee authorized user to the account. That’s a huge improvement, and totally worth getting… even if the card is only ‘ok’ for ongoing spend.
American Express Devalues Transfers to British Airways
Jun
04
2015
Starting October 1 the transfer ratio for American Express to both British Airways and Iberia (whose points transfer to British Airways) will drop to 5-to-4. It will take 250 Membership Rewards points to get 200 British Airways or Iberia points. My prediction for Chase transfers is a bit different.
