Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for January 2019.

Why Delta 44,000 Mile Sydney Roundtrips Are Sad

sydney opera house at sunset
Jan 07 2019

I’ve written before about how Delta award sales don’t drive much value to the program.

Pulling up award calendars on Delta it’s indeed possible to find 44,000 mile roundtrip. What’s striking to me is how much extra legroom coach is pricing for the same flights (164,000) and how much business class costs. Imagine, 930,000 miles for business class. This isn’t even first class – and you’d better hurry, there’s only 1 seat left at this price.

Continue Reading »

What Delta is Telling Employees About the Year Ahead

delta plane
Jan 06 2019

On New Year’s Day Delta CEO sent a message to his airline’s employees laying out the company’s goals for the year. While Delta doesn’t have the simple mission the way that Southwest does they have clear goals and metrics to know whether they’re reaching those goals or not.

And it seems useful sharing what the airline is telling its employees what the company is doing, and the priorities those employees should have as they go about their year.

Continue Reading »

Happening Now: Teenager Fleeing an Arranged Marriage in Saudi Arabia Being Held in Bangkok Airport

saudi woman
Jan 06 2019

An 18 year old Saudi woman fled her family and homeland. She obtained an Australian visa — because this could be done online, and as a woman she could not travel to an embassy unescorted. She’s being described as an ex-Muslim who was trying to escape an arranged marriage.

Rahaf Mohammed flew to Bangkok but is being detained. The Saudi government wants her returned.

Continue Reading »

Do an American AAdvantage Status Challenge Now Before They Raise the Requirements

american airlines planes
Jan 06 2019

For a long time American AAdvantage has offered status ‘challenges’ that do not require you to already have status with another airline and that you pay for. These allow you to earn elite status more quickly with travel over a compressed period of time.

American started requiring minimum spend as part of these challenges, and is expected to increase the spend required — so if you’re interested in a status challenge you may want to request it sooner than later.

Continue Reading »

Reward Night Prices Changing at 700 IHG Rewards Club Hotels in 8 Days

ic hanoi
Jan 06 2019

IHG has not communicated this to members, so they aren’t even giving us the 8 days notice, members have discovered this on our own. If there are any hotels going up in price you want to book, get on it since if you book future stays prior to January 14th you can do so at the lower pricing. What’s more, consider making speculative bookings, since most redemptions are cancellable.

Continue Reading »