Jun
29
2016
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Air France Will Buy You Dinner and United’s New First Seat
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for June 2016.
The Dire Straits of British Airways and Remarkable Career of an Alaska Pilot
Jun
28
2016
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
BREAKING: 2 Blasts and Gunfire at Istanbul Airport
Jun
28
2016
There were two blasts and gunfire reported inside the terminal at Istanbul Atatürk Airport today causing multiple injuries.
As with any incident like this, most initial reports are either wrong in key details or incomplete. We do not yet know who did this, why, the extent of the damage or what this will mean for airport operations. It’s definitely a developing story.
Japan Airlines First Class Award Space to Australia for the Whole Family
Jun
28
2016
Japan Airlines has a fantastic first class product. Getting to Australia on miles, let alone for more than two passengers, is hard. So while there are only a subset of readers who will use this, it’s worth knowing when Japan Airlines award space becomes available for four or more passengers in first class between Tokyo and Sydney.
Starwood Introducing Using Smart Phone as Room Key — Version 2.0
Jun
28
2016
Sometimes you just want to get to your hotel room as quickly as possible. Hotel chains had the idea that they could accommodate this guest desire, and save on front desk labor costs, by rolling out check-in kiosks.
I even won a whole bunch of Starpoints a dozen years ago by winning a contest to name Sheraton’s solution (“Sheraton SpeedCheck”). But I never actually used one. And it turns out that people don’t choose to go to the kiosk instead of the front desk.
New Best Program for Domestic Airline Redemption Pricing
Jun
28
2016
Japan Airlines already has one of my favorite programs, allowing redemption not just on oneworld airlines like American, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar but on other partners like Emirates, Bangkok Airways, and Air France as well as Alaska Airlines.
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank is a Starwood transfer partner. 20,000 Starwood points transfer to 25,000 JAL miles.
100% Bonus, Up to 150,000 United Miles for 1.88 Cents Apiece
Jun
28
2016
United is selling miles with up to a 100% bonus through August 15.
This is a little more than what I value the miles at. But it’s closer than it’s ever been. I’m not going to buy the miles speculatively, but I would certainly buy to top off an account to the level needed for an award that I’d be interested in booking within the next few months.
And they have an interesting sweepstakes, too.
Tim Tebow Steps Up During Medical Emergency on Delta Flight
Jun
27
2016
There was a medical emergency onboard Delta flight DL1772 from Atlanta to Phoenix.
Tim Tebow‘s not a doctor, but he is apparently a decent guy and famous enough that people care. And he sat with the family “as they cried on his shoulder” and prayed with those so inclined. As the plane landed, the man’s pulse came back.
Alaska Airlines Kills Our Revenue-Based “Plan B”
Jun
27
2016
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is fantastic because of its diverse partnerships. They are partners with many of the airlines both in the SkyTeam and oneworld alliances (and even some airlines like Emirates and Hainan Airlines that are in neither).
In the U.S. that means they’re partners with both American Airlines and with Delta, although with Delta they’re frenemies at best given the efforts Delta has made at building its own hub in Alaska’s home base of Seattle.
So This is Embarrassing — Trying to Give Away 3 Nights With Club Access at a Favorite Hotel
Jun
27
2016
Kuala Lumpur is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s probably my favorite food city, from satay to prawn mee to amazing roti.
It’s an interesting city with good food — probably the most decadent breakfast buffets in the world — and some of the best deals on luxury accommodations.
