Monthly Archives for October 2020.
Publicis Sapient is hiring a Vice President of Project Management to launch a new home rental platform “n partnership with one of [their] market leading global hospitality clients.” This appears to be a hotel chain with “[a] well-established guest loyalty program.”
We’re only a week away from Hawaii’s announced October 15 re-opening. The state has said they’d allow arriving passengers to skip 14-day quarantine with a negative Covid-19 test from the past 72 hours. Airlines including United, Hawaiian, Alaska and American have set up testing regimes to help open up travel to the islands.
Already Hawaii’s plan is partially unraveling and the pandemic yo-yo continues.
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.
A month ago there was much fanfare over Hyatt’s taking over the Travaasa Hana hotel on Maui, on the eastern tip of the island – the opposite side from where most of the resorts are located. Initially part of their Destination Hotels brand (where many elite benefits don’t apply), it’s believed that it’ll become an Alila property when its renovations are complete.
One thing immediately stood out about the property, however: absolutely no award rooms. While they’ve been selling stays at the property, there weren’t any award nights available through the end of the schedule. That’s finally changed.
Hyatt has announced another round of customer-friendly moves for program members who aren’t traveling now, and that improves program value for redemptions next year when demand should still be soft. They’re extending expiration of elite upgrades and various free night awards and further pausing expiration of points. And they’ve announced the date when they’ll roll out the peak/off-peak redemption pricing devaluation.
Are HEPA air filters enough to stop a super-spreading event on a plane? Bankrupt Star Alliance member Avianca seemed determined to find out. They held a concert in the sky, with musicians who had holes cut out of their masks so that their mouths were unobstructed to play instruments.
Government subsidized loans had different employment rules than those contained in payroll support. They didn’t specify ‘no furlough’ they talked about the employment levels that airlines had to retain through September 30. Airlines receiving loan approvals did not meet these conditions.
British Airways is offering 50% off long haul redemptions in any cabin and 25% off of short haul. Book by October 13 for travel through June 30, 2021. No registration is required, and this appears to be available to all members worldwide and isn’t restricted to particular routes.
For instance book New York – London for just 25,000 miles each way in business class, 34,000 miles each way in first.
Southwest Airlines has promised no furloughs through the end of the year, whether there’s additional government subsidies or not. However 2021 still looks like there will be fewer passengers, and the need for fewer employees to work fewer flights. They have a plan to avoid furloughs. It involves less pay for non-union workers. But to hit their goal they’ll need union concessions, too.
Two weeks ago Congressman Mike McCaul, who is in a tight reelection race, reportedly refused to wear a mask while seated in first class on his United Express flight, Washington Dulles – Austin. Do you think he’s been banned from United Airlines? And as the President’s treatment underscores, does anyone doubt the fifth wealthiest member of Congress would have access to the best treatments if he got sick – treatments that haven’t been approved for anyone else?
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 »
