Monthly Archives for October 2018.
American AAdvantage has an uncompetitive million miler program, recognizing lifetime loyalty, and they’ve made it worse over the past few years. There are two higher elite levels than there used to be, and lifetime elites are now at the bottom of the upgrade list. That’s easy to fix.
There will be more airline capacity flying out of Beijing this quarter than the traditional ‘world’s busiest airport’ Atlanta.
Five of the top 10 airports are in Asia, one is in Europe and one in the Mideast. Three are in the U.S.
Hyatt is running a promotion that gives bonus points for progressively more stays through November 30. They are also giving American Airlines points for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House stays through January 31.
And for Hyatt House properties specifically stays of four or more consecutive nights between November 1 and December 31 earn 2000 bonus points.
Last week I wrote that week that Hyatt was expected to make big changes to cash and points awards and introduce premium suite awards. Hyatt has now done so. There are more details to these changes — and more changes — than had been previously reported.
With half a dozen Chinese airlines flying to the U.S. in addition to three U.S. airlines flying to China — and with China’s carriers growing capacity from secondary cities — fares to China are some of the lowest in the world. That occasionally includes business class fares. But $1300 roundtrip? That’s insane.
On Sunday’s Southwest Airlines flight WN5421 from Houston to Albuquerque a man was arrested on arrival after being “accused of touching a woman’s breast while he was sitting behind her” on the flight.
The man says he doesn’t remember doing this, that he was asleep most of the flight, however when he was arrested he also explained “the president of the United States says it’s OK to grab women by their private parts.”
I’ve taken medicine with me all over the world. I take a pill for allergies, and I have over the counter pain relief in my travel bag. I’ve never had a problem, although of course carrying medicine can run afoul of local laws. Not everything that’s legal in the United States is legal elsewhere.
The United Arab Emirates though has a new requirement that you submit the medications you’llbe bringing into the country for approval in advance.
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.
Last Tuesday United turned a Chicago O’Hare to Chattanooga, Tennessee around because they realized the plane was too big for their ground equipment.
The flight took off from O’Hare and made it about halfway when the pilot announced they’d be turning around returning to Chicago because the plane was too large.
there’s a report that the Citi Prestige card is being relaunched — changes November 4 and possibly January 4 — with a new earning structure. The card would offer 5 points per dollar on airline and dining spend, 3 points per dollar on other travel, and 2 points per dollar on entertainment.
Meanwhile the card would keep its most valuable current benefit — 4th night free on hotel bookings — although one report suggests it would be limited to twice per year.
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 »
