Monthly Archives

Monthly Archives for June 2019.

Which Transferable Points Program is Best?

by Gary Leff

inside airliner
Jun 21 2019

Arguing which is the best transferable points currency, between Chase, American Express, Citibank, and Capital One, is a bit like arguing whether Mickey Mantle or Ted Williams was a better baseball player. As frequent flyers we’re incredibly fortunate to have been a part of the rise in transferable currency competition.

In this post I look at which program has the best transfer partners – and argue that’s American Express. That’s only part of the story though since aerning rates and transfer rates (with bonuses) also matter.

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Delta Now Owns Part of Korean Air, As They Slowly Conquer the World

by Gary Leff

korean air
Jun 20 2019

Domestically Delta works to earn a revenue premium by leveraging its two advantages: non-union mechanics and front line employees. Delta’s TechOps drive an on-time operation less likely to cancel flights, and acts as a profit center doing maintenance for other carriers. Delta customer service is generally friendlier than competitors. However the U.S. market is mature and domestic aviation is not a growth business.

Delta owns stakes in Aeromexico, China Eastern, Gol, Air France KLM and Virgin Atlantic. These investments both help Delta align the interests of those carriers with their own, and diversify their exposure beyond the U.S. market.

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You Can Now Double Dip With Air France KLM Flying Blue and Accor Hotels

by Gary Leff

air france plane
Jun 20 2019

There’s been a trend towards airline-hotel chain tie-ups, where each loyalty program tries to capture the business of members of the other program. These are expensive to offer, granting points and frequently privileges, but they’ve expanded because their proponents have reported that they work.

Now we’re seeing the first Crossover Rewards-style offering in Europe, with the launch of a dual points-earning offer and points conversion between Air France KLM and Accor Hotels.

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The Asterisk in American’s Big Boast About Inflight Wifi

by Gary Leff

inside plane
Jun 20 2019

Headlines blare “American Airlines offers satellite WiFi to its entire mainline fleet” and therefore “You Shouldn’t Have to Struggle for a Good Connection”.

I think it’s great that American Airlines has invested in faster satellite internet for most of its domestic narrowbody aircraft. However coverage of American Airlines completing its project to add satellite wifi to planes is being overclaimed.

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Qantas Announces ‘Biggest Overhaul’ in its Frequent Flyer History

by Gary Leff

qantasplane
Jun 20 2019

Qantas is keeping award charts and not moving to dynamic award pricing so if there’s a silver lining in redemption pricing that along with a reduction in scam charges is it. The move towards recognition of non-flying but still important program members and recognition of lifetime elite status up to Platinum are improvements, as are the introduction of new redemption partners.

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