Monthly Archives for August 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.
The Borgata in Atlantic City is now part of MGM, and they are offering status matches to Borgata Rewards including to premium MGM M life Rewards members. Status matched members receive their first stay free at the casino hotel.
And don’t forget, Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum members get MGM’s Gold status.
There’s something of a social media firestorm over the way that the 2015 film Carol is being shown on Delta’s inflight entertainment system. The critically acclaimed movie is about an affair between a young female photographer and an older woman in the midst of a divorce. It’s set in New York City and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
Delta has shown it inflight, but some people are asking, “So if the movie is about lesbians, won awards specifically for its queer elements, and is famous enough to be recognized by a hefty portion of passengers, why did Delta get rid of all the scenes that show the protagonists kissing?”
You can fly Singapore Airlines Los Angeles – Tokyo for $398 roundtrip.
Most booking systems will price available dates at $548, but Priceline.com is pricing the Singapore Airlines non-stops for $398.
People have used fake elite status cards to skip security lines and a girl once cleared Turkish immigration with her unicorn toy’s fake passport.
British Airways used to promote their mobile boarding passes with Osama Bin Laden’s name on it. And you used to be able to generate your own boarding pass from a website, which some poeple used to go through security when not flying (a very bad idea — better to actually buy a refundable ticket, clear security, and then refund the ticket if you must have gate access).
In December I wrote about the credible rumor that Amazon.com would start its own cargo airline with word that they planed to lease 20 Boeing 767s. Frustrated by delays at third party delivery companies like UPS, they figured they could do it better themselves.
In fact, the plan is bigger than first reported. They intend to lease 40 planes in the next two years. And the first one is already painted in Prime Air colors.
airberlin is a oneworld airline, partner of American and British Airways, that’s largely controlled by UAE-based Etihad. They have a great business class product for long haul travel, and they do not add fuel surcharges to their fares. That means when redeeming miles, even British Airways miles for travel across the Atlantic, there are no fuel surcharges.
airberlin is increasing its US flights by 40% going from 55 to 78 weekly flights with fantastic award space in business class for the new flights.
Through October 31 you can buy an airport lounge pass from LoungeBuddy using the special Visa link and you’ll get up to $40 back on your one-time purchase.
If you don’t already have lounge access, or you’re traveling on an airline or through an airport where you don’t have lounge access, this is a fantastic freebie.
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.
The biggest story of course was the Emirates 777 fire in Dubai where thank goodness are passengers were evacuated safely. Sadly a first responder passed away.
Even in the worst of circumstances planes are remarkably safe, and even under the most challenging of conditions airlines throughout most of the world are remarkably safe.
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 »
