Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for November 2015.

Inflight Internet Starts Getting Fast in a Few Weeks. Will Your Airline Have It?

by Gary Leff

Nov 16 2015

Last summer I attended ‘All Access Day’ at Gogo, the inflight internet provider, and shared a behind-the-scenes tour of how internet gets beamed into space so that an aircraft traveling at over 500 miles per hour can access the rest of the world (very slowly).

This week I was invited back to sample their fastest internet, and see their latest technology which had only just been announced when I visited last summer. They promised a test flight onboard the Gogo Boeing 737 equipped with ‘2Ku’. For avoidance of doubt, I paid my own way to the media event and covered my own hotel.

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Boom. Chase Sapphire Preferred Bonus 50,000 Points, Best Offer in 4 Years

by Gary Leff

Nov 16 2015

My single favorite card for earning valuable rewards points has just gotten better with an offer of 50,000 points as a signup bonus. These points transfer to a variety of airline miles and hotel points.

There was a brief targeted test of 50,000 points with a higher annual fee two years ago. But otherwise we haven’t seen an offer like this for the card since March 2012.

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American AAdvantage Addresses Revenue-Based Changes, May Introduce Elite Upgrades on Qantas

by Gary Leff

Nov 16 2015

American Airlines was Down Under promoting their new Sydney service which starts next month, their joint venture with Qantas (which has yet to receive US government approval), and announcing new service to Auckland, New Zealand as well.

American AAdvantage President Suzanne Rubin was there talking frequent flyer programs, and the Sydney Morning Herald reports on several possibilities for the program.

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Time to Start Gnashing Teeth: Marriott is Buying Starwood

by Gary Leff

Nov 16 2015

Three Chinese firms were supposedly seeking government permission to make a bid to buy Starwood Hotels. Hyatt was rumored to be the lead bidder. There had earlier been speculation about a Starwood-IHG (or Wyndham) merger. Wyndham hired away enough Starwood talent that it’s recently been referred to as Wynwood.

Starwood’s CEO, whom I interviewed on stage earlier this year, made clear he expected to sell by the end of the year. And it looks like he made good on that promise.

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Buy as Many as 200,000 American Miles for 2 Cents Apiece Through November 30

by Gary Leff

Nov 15 2015

Through November 30 American is selling miles for as little as 2 cent apiece. That’s cheaper than they usually sell miles.

On average I value American miles at 1.7 cents.

They’re worth more if they put you over the top for a specific award. And they’re worth more if you redeem them for something you’d be willing to pay full or close to full price for otherwise.

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Hands Up, Don’t Shoot! American Airlines Passengers After TSA Fails to Screen Dentist’s Carry On

by Gary Leff

Nov 15 2015

Earlier this week concourses at Miami’s airport were shut down, and 50 flights were delayed, because the TSA wanted a better look inside a dentist’s carry on.

They tracked down the passenger to an American Airlines flight to Barbados that had boarded — and armed police in riot gear were sent onto the aircraft. Passengers were ordered to place hands on their heads.

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Delta Imposes New Restrictions on Elites Booking Extra Legroom Seats (Really…)

by Gary Leff

Nov 14 2015

Instead of a Diamond or Platinum members being able to confirm 8 non-elite companions into extra legroom seats at time of booking, they’ll be able to get into extra legroom seats with just 1 companion only 24 hours prior to departure when traveling on the same reservation.

They say that’s because because “[a]s Delta continues to make investments in our most loyal customers, we want to continue to ensure availability of our premium products for these customers.”

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