Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for July 2017.

Maybe I’ve Been Too Hard on American Airlines?

by Gary Leff

Jul 14 2017

There’s no question American has degraded the AAdvantage program in the last couple of years. And there’s no question that AAdvantage was American’s unique selling proposition. They don’t have the airline operation that Delta does, or the route network (and award availability) that United has access to through Star Alliance.

Since I’ve flown American by far the most over the past 6 years I’ve watched the airline change, and mostly (although not exclusively) in ways I haven’t liked.

Continue Reading »

The 5 Things American Airlines Did To Kill My Loyalty

by Gary Leff

american plane
Jul 14 2017

Instead of giving American Airlines the vast majority of my wallet share, their schedule and price gives them just enough that I’ll still hit that 100,000 mile status but likely just barely. In the past I’d have connected and paid more to stay on American.

That’s not something I’ll do anymore because of five changes they’ve made over the past couple of years — and they’re probably not the changes that matter to most members.

Continue Reading »

Intel from Last Night’s Chase and World of Hyatt Culinary Event at the Park Hyatt New York

by Gary Leff

Jul 14 2017

On Thursday evening I attended a Hyatt event for Chase co-brand cardmembers at the Park Hyatt New York. It was a food event featuring dishes from chefs at 3 Hyatts around the world — the Park Hyatt Vendome Paris, Park Hyatt Vienna, and Hyatt Regency Hangzhou.

I had the chance to speak with Hyatt Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Debra Goetz as well as members of the Hyatt and Chase co-brand card products team.

Continue Reading »

What It’s Like to Carry a Laptop Onboard From an Airport Where Electronics Had Been Banned

by Gary Leff

Jul 13 2017

A couple of weeks ago the US declared that not only wouldn’t they extend the ban on electronics larger than a standard cell phone to European flights, but they’d remove it from flights coming from Mideast airports, provided each airport around the world changed its security procedures to U.S. specifications.

There are new security procedures in place in airports where the ban had previously been in effect.

Continue Reading »