Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for June 2019.

Marriott is Coming Under Too Much Criticism for Failed Points to Miles Transfers. Let’s Not Forget Why

by Gary Leff

lufthansa plane
Jun 08 2019

Earlier in the week I wrote that customers were transferring points from Marriott to Lufthansa and they were just getting lost in the ether. There seemed to be a broad issue with Lufthansa transfers, and that this was a sudden decision on Lufthansa’s part that applied pretty broadly.

In this case Marriott is coming under criticism for how they’re handling Lufthansa’s withdrawal from points transfers because their points transfers are actually useful. Who would transfer Hilton points to Lufthansa miles if they had any other option?

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Fund for Families of Victims of Pan Am 103 Will Give All its Money to a Park

by Gary Leff

crashed plane
Jun 07 2019

The Lockerbie Air Disaster Fund, one of the charities set up ‘provide support and assistance in a wide variety of ways to those affected in the disaster’ received donations totaling 2.4 million British pounds.

In 1991 there was 235,000 pounds left, which was transferred to a new Lockerbie Trust. Families of victims sought access to these funds, but they were rebuffed.

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Rumor: American Buying Airbus 321XLR Aircraft for Europe Flights

by Gary Leff

american plane
Jun 07 2019

There’s speculation that American Airlines could announce an order for Airbus A321XLRs at the Paris Air Show, which runs later this month June 17-23. The idea would be to replace Boeing 757s, to allow flights to smaller European cities from New York and Philadelphia.

The narrowbody aircraft could even be outfitted with lie flat direct aisle access business class seats.

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Lufthansa Says Points to Miles Transfers May Be Illegal, Shuts Them Down

by Gary Leff

airport pick up
Jun 07 2019

If Germany’s Payment Services Supervision Act applies to ‘buying’ Lufthansa’s miles using points in another program, then they aren’t currently in compliance with the Act, in part because ‘e-payments’ are now regulated as traditional payment services. That means registration, government supervision, and “strong customer authentication” among other requirements.

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Brazilian President Takes to YouTube Threatening to Veto Free Baggage Allowance

by Gary Leff

baggage claim
Jun 07 2019

In December Brazil advanced a rule to eliminate foreign ownership restrictions on airlines operating inside the country. There had been a 20% cap, and currently Delta owns 9.4% of Gol, Qatar 10% of LATAM, and United 8% of Azul — three airlines that control 92% of the Brazilian market.

The rule was temporary, requiring legislative action followed by the President’s signature. The President has one problem with the bill, and he announced it on YouTube.

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Rapper Drake’s Boeing 767 Was Given to Him — For Free for Being an Influencer

by Gary Leff

cargojet plane
Jun 07 2019

Last month it was reported that rapper Drake had acquired a Boeing 767 dubbed ‘Air Drake’. Now it turns out he got the plane for free.

Travel bloggers descend on the TBEX conference hoping their small instagram following might net them a free hotel room night somewhere. Others hope to get free beauty supplies or diapers. Drake, it turns out, is a big enough influencer that he gets a free plane.

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Steps American Airlines is Taking to Improve Operations at Dallas Fort-Worth

by Gary Leff

american plane
Jun 06 2019

After the opening of 15 new gates in terminal E satellite at Dallas Fort-Worth last month, American today is offering 900 flights and will continue to do so on peak days from the airport this summer. That’s a year-over-year increase of 100 flights.

Dallas Fort-Worth won’t be without challenges — DFW is colloquially known as “Doesn’t Function Wet” — but according to an internal communication there are several moves American has made to help with their operational reliability.

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